sweet music index
The Classic Recordings
Neal Walters

This section of Sweet Music Index will provide a searchable selection of "classic" mountain dulcimer recordings. These recordings are considered "classics" in the genre. Each of them is historically important for any of a number of reasons. The early recordings of Jean Ritchie, Richard Farina, Robert Force and Albert D'Ossche, Howie Mitchell (to name but a few examples) introduced a whole generation of musicians to the dulcimer. Modern players like David Schnaufer and Jean Ritchie (yes, still) are equally influential. So this list should include those recordings that should be on everybody's short list of recordings to treasure.

Lois Hornbostel developed a working list for this section of the Index and passed the torch to me. I'll to scrub it and add to it of course, but I'm basically starting from ground zero. I feel I'm qualified to do this work but I certainly don't think that it's possible to do a good job in a vacuum. Please contact me at if you have suggestions for recordings that should be included in the list.

This is not going to be a "hall of fame" type of thing and I would certainly like to err on the side of inclusiveness, but obviously we have to draw the line at some point. Hopefully, that line will not be too difficult to establish. I would appreciate perpectives from all of you on this.

Neal Walters is a musician and performer living in Maryland. Do you have comments or questions about his article? Contact Mr. Walters directly by e-mail. To learn more about him, see the Contributors section of Sweet Music Index.

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