ARTHUR FIELDS: Discography of NBC Thesaurus Transcription Discs

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A Discography of NBC Thesaurus Transcription Discs

Last updated: May 5, 2008

NBC Thesaurus label

Ryan Barna Collection

This discography covers thirty-eight 16" transcription discs containing Arthur Fields and Fred Hall, and their "Mountaineers." All were released on the NBC Thesaurus label, and pressed by RCA Victor. The "Mountaineers" band consisted of a cornet, accordion, fiddle, harmonica, ocarina, mouth harp, spoons, guitar, and string bass. Fields sings solo on the majority of the 200+ selections, but occasionally sang duets with Fred Hall. I noted these duets whenever possible.

Unfortunately, no recording dates are known for these discs, but the majority of them were probably recorded between 1930 and 1938, in New York City.

It should be noted that the song titles printed on the labels of these discs vary from the correct titles. For example, "May I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight, Mister?" becomes "Can I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight, Mister?" (Thesaurus 633), and "Yes Pappy Yes" becomes "Chores" (Thesaurus 265). Despite these changes on the Thesaurus labels, all titles in this discography were drawn from the labels. I have not corrected them.

This discography is arranged by catalog number (in the left hand column), but it will eventually be arranged by matrix number, if there are enough contributors to submit matrix data. As usual, if you have any information on Fields and Hall's NBC or RCA Thesaurus discs not shown here, please contact me so they can be added, and your credit attributed.

263	Fields & Hall Mountaineers (MS 102233-1) A. On the Old Hay Ride in the Morning B. Wart on Mary's Thumb C. I Had a Funny Old Dad D. When the Old Man Came Home Sober E. Maw and Paw and Me (MS 102234-1) H. Gonna Buy Me a Bran' New Suit J. Donkey Can't Count to Ten K. Crossin' the Creek L. Me and My Brother Joe M. Empty Barrels
264	Fields & Hall Mountaineers (MS 102235-1) A. Colorado Trail B. Half Past Nine C. Homely Hank D. Clinch Mountain E. I'll Marry May in June (MS 102236-1) H. Travelin' Back to Georgia J. I'm in Heaven K. Brother Bill's the Sheriff L. I Don't Need No Lasses M. Did You Feed My Cow?
265	Fields & Hall Mountaineers (MS 102237-1) A. Yazoo Mississippi B. One of the Family C. He Would Hum a Little Tune D. Chores E. Dancing 'Round the Apple Tree (MS 102238-1) H. Long Lean Lanky Lew J. Mary and Me K. Susan Jane L. A Little More Cider M. She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain (vocal duet by Fields and Hall)
269	Fields & Hall Mountaineers A. Old Arm Chair B. Pulling Hard Against the Stream C. Red River Valley D. Careless Love E. Butcher Boy H. Darling Nelly Gray J. Big Rock Candy Mountain K. My Last Cigar L. Lulu Is Our Darling Pride M. Some Folks Do
275	Fields & Hall Mountaineers Arthur Fields, vocals; Fred Hall, melodeon accompaniment. A. Grandfather's Clock B. Four Stone Walls C. Little Peach in an Orchard Grew D. I Wish I Were Single Again E. Rocky Mountain Sal H. Song of the Blind Man J. See My Little Mountain Gal K. Pappy's Buried on the Hill L. Where the Colorado's Flowing M. Lonesome Trail
281	Fields & Hall Mountaineers A. Next Sunday Morning B. Our Happy Little Cabin Home C. Maw's Apron Strings D. I Laughed So Hard I Nearly Died E. Mammy's Old Gray Bonnet H. The Mosquito Song J. That's How It's Done in the Mountains K. Sal o' the Valley L. She Cost Two Dollars and Seventy Cents M. Our Home Town Mountain Band
300	Fields & Hall Mountaineers A. Hi Ho Diddle Dum De B. Georgia Home C. High Up on the Mountain D. Down by the Old Cabin Door E. Chicken Creek H. I Work Eight Hours a Day J. I'm Lookin' Ahead K. In Dear Old Tennessee L. I Love Virginia M. I Love Nellie
322	Fields & Hall Mountaineers (MS 02122-1) A. Cuckoo Waltz B. By the Old Maple Tree C. Bacon and Greens D. Back in the Old Green Hills E. As to the Weather (MS 02123-1) H. Apple Song J. Cow Needs a Tail in Fly Time K. Don't Tell All You Know L. Down in the Valley M. Darby's Ram
328	Fields & Hall Mountaineers (MS 02125-1) H. Joe and Me and All of Us J. In 1992 K. I'll Get Along Somehow L. Liza in the Summertime M. I'm Sad and I'm Lonely *Reverse:* Ranch Boys
425	Fields & Hall Mountaineers Vocals by Arthur Fields as "Hank Ranger" (MS 010202) A. Harmonica Medley [Instrumental] B. I Had a Sore Knee C. Groun' Hawg D. Hurrah Lie E. From the Tree of Knowledge *Reverse:* Ranch Boys
428	Fields & Hall Mountaineers A. Wilderness B. I Don't Want to Get Married C. Hang It in the Hen House D. That's Why I Left the Mountains E. I Can't Figure That Out *Reverse:* Master Singers
436	Fields & Hall Mountaineers A. Courtin' B. Big Town Gent C. Blackbird and the Crow D. The Cuckoo E. Aspiration H. Gypsy Davey J. Devilish Pigs K. Cripple Creek L. Brag and Boast M. Blue-Eyed Ellen
450	Fields & Hall Mountaineers A. Billy Vite and Molly Green B. In a Village by the Mountain Side C. Down the Road D. Get Along Old Dobbin E. Hunting Camp *Reverse:* George Hall Orchestra
463	Fields & Hall Mountaineers H. Boatman's Dance J. Ambition K. Blackbird Died with Whopping Cough L. Howdy Bill M. Hunters of Kentucky *Reverse:* John Seagle, baritone
483	Fields & Hall Mountaineers H. Mother Knows Best J. Never Be Wasteful K. She's Too Good for Me L. Seven Days from Now M. Mountain Blues *Reverse:* John Seagle, baritone
488	Fields & Hall Mountaineers H. Uncle Tom's Prayer J. She's Not What I Thought She Was K. Story of the Gambler L. It Won't Mean a Thing to You or Me M. Sunset in the Hills *Reverse:* Ranch Boys
504	Fields & Hall Mountaineers Vocals by Arthur Fields as "Hank Ranger" A. Hoosen Johnny B. I'm a Changed Man C. I'm Not Myself Today D. Love Somebody, Yes I Do E. Mule Song *Reverse:* Dreamers
547	Fields & Hall Mountaineers A. Rattler B. Rabbit Hash C. Pine Trees in the Lane D. Peep Squirrel E. Nature of a Mule *Reverse:* Vivian Della Chiesa; vocals by Thomas L. Thomas
574	Fields & Hall Mountaineers Things Ain't the Same This Mornin' Don't Be Boastful I'm Long Tom
586	Fields & Hall Mountaineers H. Don't Waste Words J. Spring in the Valley K. Bring the Wagon Home, John L. Tails M. She Lives 'Round the Bend a Ways *Reverse:* Milt Herth, organ
596	Fields & Hall Mountaineers H. Hanging of Eva Dugan J. Speak Softly K. I'll Stick to the Mountains L. Tobacco M. Wish I Was an Apple *Reverse:* Selinsky String Quartet
614	Fields & Hall Mountaineers H. Lookin' Down on Peaceful Valley J. All Hands on Deck K. Yonder Comes the High Sheriff L. When I Went Around with Mary M. Red Apple Juice *Reverse:* Hilltop Harmonizers
623	Fields & Hall Mountaineers H. Looks Like Lucy J. Headin' for Echo Valley K. Sam Hall L. Kind Words Never Die M. Indifference *Reverse:* Buccaneers Octet
633	Fields & Hall A. Down at the Bottom of the Mountain B. Eleven More Months and Ten More Days C. Can I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight, Mister? D. The Funny Old World Runs Along E. Harvest Song *Reverse:* Ferde Grofe Orchestra
647	Fields & Hall Mountaineers (MS 024341-1) H. Happy Lew J. Little Old Village in Maine K. Bell Cow L. I Love Jimmy John M. Banjo Sam *Reverse:* Vincente Gomez, guitar
659	Fields & Hall Arthur Fields, vocals; Fred Hall, melodeon accompaniment. A. Two Left Shoes B. Spring in the Valley C. When I Heard the Robins Sing D. My Virginia Home E. When My Mother Smiled at Me *Reverse:* Wirges
730	Fields & Hall Mountaineers A. Hen Convention B. I Never Drive on Sunday C. Does Money Talk? D. Goat Song E. I Went Down the Road *Reverse:* Will Osborne Orchestra
735	Fields & Hall Mountaineers Welcome Is the Best Old Dish The Way to Lose a Friend Misfortune Keep a-Goin' Man of Words
745	Fields & Hall Mountaineers (MS 030120) A. Yonder Comes My Pretty Little Gal B. Money C. Laughs D. Little Mawhee E. Wake Nicodemus *Reverse:* Russ Morgan Orchestra
750	Fields & Hall Mountaineers A. Susie Gal B. A Riddle C. Somebody's Tall and Handsome D. Sally June E. Ridin' on a Rail *Reverse:* Will Osborne Orchestra
909	Fields & Hall Mountaineers Settin' on a Rail Cornelia Cob Jim Crow Carve Dat Possum Buffalo Gals Wait for the Wagon Old Bob Ridley Roll Out, Heave Dat Cotton Cheer Up Sam Ole Shady Go Get the Axe So Early in the Morning There's Music in the Air
910	Fields & Hall Mountaineers Belle of Baltimore Jim Crow's Polka Den I Was Gone Go Bring Me Back My Blue-Eyed Boy Noah's Ark Listen to the Mocking Bird Cl'ar de Kitchen Lucy Long When the Corn Is Waving Annie Dear Baby Mine Nellie Bly Polly Wolly Doodle Old Dan Tucker
914	Fields & Hall Arthur Fields, vocals; Fred Hall, melodeon accompaniment. (MS 060525) A. Comrades B. Hard Times Come Again No More C. I Cannot Sing the Old Songs D. My Old Dutch E. Nellie Was a Lady F. Under the Willow She's Sleeping (MS 060526) H. Woodman, Spare That Tree J. Toll the Bell K. Do They Think of Me at Home? L. Uncle Ned M. Do They Miss Me at Home? N. My Old Kentucky Home
917	Fields & Hall Mountaineers H. Lardy Dah J. Ring, Ring de Banjo K. Folks That Put on Airs L. Climb Up, Ye Chillun, Climb M. Kiss Me Quick and Go N. De Glendy Burke *Reverse:* The Landt Trio
918	Fields & Hall Mountaineers A. Nicodemus Johnson B. Hen Convention C. Jim Along, Josie D. Trablin' Back to Georgia E. A Little More Cider F. She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain *Reverse:* The Landt Trio
1093	Fields & Hall Arthur Fields, vocals; Fred Hall, melodeon accompaniment. A. Two Left Shoes B. Spring in the Valley C. When I Heard the Robins Sing D. My Virginia Home E. When My Mother Smiled at Me Fields & Hall Mountaineers Vocals by Arthur Fields as "Hank Ranger" H. Don't Waste Words J. Spring in the Valley K. Bring the Wagon Home John L. Tails M. She Lives 'Round the Bend a Way
1099	Fields & Hall Mountaineers Vocals by Arthur Fields as "Hank Ranger" (MS 030120) A. Yonder Comes My Pretty Little Gal B. Money C. Laughs D. Little Mawhee E. Wake Nicodemus (MS 010201-2) H. Fiddle Solo No. 1 [Instrumental] J. Beaver Creek K. Blue Eyed Boy L. Don't Ask Me No Questions M. Cindy Note: The last five tracks were also issued as "Fourth of July Program: The Glorious Fourth, Pt. 1" [mxs. 254-774/411-774].