In the Shadow of Clinch Mountain

''Country people have always been sacred and sentimental people,'' declared Carter Family patriarch, A.P., and the 307 songs collected in this unique complete 12-CD edition reflect that judgement. This collection includes all of the Carters' recordings for Victor, ARC, Decca, APS, Columbia and Bluebird complete for the first time. Here are the original versions of country and folk classics like Wildwood Flower, Wabash Cannon Ball, The Storms Are On The Ocean and, of course, Will The Circle Be Unbroken.

Many of these recordings are appearing for the first time on CD, and the sound of these ageless classics has been presented in best possible sound without damaging their integrity or purity. All known photographs of the original Carter Family have been included. Mother Maybelle's personal photo collection has been included as well as all the photos belonging to Janette Carter, some previously unpublished, and there is a full-length newly-researched Carter Family biography by preeminent country music historian Charles Wolfe. ''These recordings are archetypal and timeless,'' writes Wolfe. ''They are as elemental as the wind or water, and have the simple beauty of the landscape of (the Carter's home in) Poor Valley. It is hard to underestimate the importance of the Carter Family to country music, and to American music in general''. The set includes a taped interview by Ed Kahn and Mike Seeger with both Maybelle and Sara in 1963. It also includes a written introduction by Johnny Cash.