Adolph Hofner

Another Western swing LP, much less slick than the earlier offering by the virtuosic Spade Cooley.

This is Adolph Hofner and his San Antonians, whose version of Western swing often veered in the direction of polkas, reflecting his German heritage and the substantial German-Czech population in Texas. Among the tunes on this album, for instance, is a Seven Step Polka and something called Herr Schmidt (known to the folks around here as the Mexican Hat Dance).

The record's big item, though, is the reputed first-ever recording of Cotton Eyed Joe, which in a decidedly more rocked-up version now can be heard at earsplitting volume in sports venues across the US.

This record is anything but rocking. It is a rather sedate affair apparently designed for use at square dances, and was one of a series that Columbia offered circa 1950. I'm not even sure that this is the original Hofner recording of Cotton Eyed Joe, which was cut in about 1940.

I'm partial to the style of the cover, which shows a couple of young folks having fun at the barn dance. It's innocuous, but well done - similar to the music.

NEW TRANSFER - MARCH 2015