Polk Miller & His Old South Quartette

(Tompkins Square)

Few bands can boast being blurbed by Mark Twain, who declared Polk Miller’s group “about the only thing the country can furnish that is originally and utterly American.” One of the first integrated acts recorded, Miller, a Confederate vet, and his four African-American backers embody the racial complexities of music at the turn of the 20th century, especially on opening Southern anthem “The Bonnie Blue Flag.” The recordings, digitized from acoustic cylinders cut in 1909, are amazingly clear and a sublime archival achievement, but the plantation platters have unfortunately not worn as well as contemporary blues or folk. With only sparse banjo and guitar, the largely a cappella tunes include a few spirituals (“Jerusalem Mournin’,” “Oh What He’s Done For Me”) but mostly playful (and dated) period party numbers such as “Watermillion Party,” “Oysters and Wine at 2 A.M.,” “When de Corn Pone’s Hot,” and suggestive “Pussy Cat Rag.”

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This article appears in December 19 • 2008.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.