The Hog-eyed Collection
Hog-eyed Man has put out five full length albums (with physical CDs and detailed liner notes) of traditional music learned from or inspired by past masters of Southern Appalachian fiddling.
Track lists, sound files, and extended notes for some of the music can be explored here. Reviews here.
2023
"Jason and Rob share heartfelt artistry in the oldest sounds of Appalachian music, and with room for creativity and brilliant inspiration. Absolutely wonderful!"
--Jimmy Triplett
”A treasure trove of rare, archaic, crooked and delightfully gritty Old-Time Appalachian fiddle tunes.”
-- Pat Mac Swyney , Folkworks
2018
“There is a conscious sense of playing music that means something, of playing it in ways that honour the tradition and those from whom the tunes are handed down. At the same time, these are musicians who bring qualities of their own, reflecting their own engagement with what they're playing and infusing the tunes with character that brings out their life and soul.”
--Ray Templeton, Musical Traditions
2014
"As honest and direct a representation of music sourced from past generations of North Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia fiddlers as one could wish for.
Great tone, and everything’s played with just the right amount of pace and attack, with nothing wasted or superfluous. It is a tremendous resource for fiddle players and a rewarding listen for the rest of us."
--Steve Hunt, fRoots Magazine
2015
"Their second volume of raw, stripped-back fiddle tunes, culled from deeply obscure sources and brought into the light.
What’s wonderful about Hog-Eyed Man 2 is that it’s moving to the traditional minimalism that’s become so important in Irish traditions. When you strip the music away to the bone, you realize how much is at the core of the tradition."
--Devon Leger, "5 Artists Shaking Up Old-Time Music," The Bluegrass Situation
2016
"Powerful tunes.
Great music, and particularly great fiddling, is a seamless fusion of rhythm and melody, which has the power to reach deep inside us and inspire strong emotional responses. Cade's fiddling does that to full effect, and the other players deftly enhance it.
It's a masterpiece."
--Steve Goldfield, Bluegrass Unlimited
The first three Hog-eyed Man volumes were recorded live by Tom Lewis in Jim Hawkins' gorgeous Studio 1093 in Athens, GA. "Old World Music of the Southern Appalachians,” was recorded live by Andrew Reissiger at Studio 1093 and by Jason and Rob (with Andrew’s help) at Jason’s Apple Blossom Recordings (i.e., his basement). “Kicked Up a Devil of a Row” was recorded live and mixed by David Bragger in North Los Angeles at Tiki Parlour Recordings.
We’ve also got two unofficial digital-only releases: an EP of winter/holiday tunes recorded with Cameron DeWhitt on their podcast “Get Up in the Cool,” and a bootleg tape of a pandemic era speakeasy live show.
