Album Notes

Curt Bouterse is a traditional American folksinger and one of the great old-time fretless banjo pickers. He was born in rural Kentucky, but has lived most of his life in urban Southern California. He sings the songs of his mother's East Tennessee traditions, as well as many newly-made, original “old time” tunes.

Both Guy Carawan and George Winston credit Bouterse as a musical influence. He has shared the stage with Doc Watson, Jean Ritchie, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry, even appearing on the sound track of Ry Cooder's "The Long Riders.” Yet he has never made a solo recording--until now.

“Down the Road I’ll Go” features remarkable performances on fretless banjos, gourd banjers, mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, and autoharp, as well as three stunning duets with his sister, Lee Davis. And don’t miss his amazing medley of “Angelina Baker/Sally Goodin’” played on the Thai mouth organ!

Bouterse, who holds a PhD in ethnomusicology, doesn’t even own a fretted banjo, preferring fretless banjos in the style of the 19th century. Some of his banjos are early factory-made types, others were made by 20th century Appalachian builders such as Leonard Glenn and Frank Proffitt, and some he has made himself.