Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Green Fields Re-Visited (1976)





Green Fields Re-Visited:
Buy the album here!!!


1. The Green Fields of Illinois (Lyle Mayfield)
2. My Scars (Lyle Mayfield)
3. Mommie, Come and Sit Awhile With Me (Doris Mayfield)
4. The Little Rosewood Casket (Traditional)
5. The Old Man's Prayer (Doris Mayfield)
6. The Longest Road Is Going Back Home (Lyle Mayfield)
7. And Once Again Old Woman Cried (Lyle Mayfield)
8. Where Is My Wandering Boy Tonight? (Traditional)
9. I Miss The Whistle (Lyle Mayfield)
10. Jesus My Saviour (Doris Mayfield)
11. A Ten Letter Word (Lyle Mayfield)
12. Everyday Angel (Lyle Mayfield)
13. The Old Country Preacher (Lyle Mayfield)


In 1976, following their series of successful concerts in Washington, DC, the Mayfields returned home to Greenville, Illinois and began work on what would be their first full-length album: Green Fields Re-Visited. This album would feature the first appearance of their theme song "Green Fields of Illinois". Other popular Mayfield songs to appear on the album were Lyle's "I Miss The Whistle" and Doris's "Jesus, My Saviour". Here are the original liner-notes from the album:

Who Are The Mayfields?

The Mayfields are a singing, picking family from Greenville, in Southern Illinois. Their repertoire of hundreds of songs and tunes, includes 400-year old ballads, early country music, mid-forties swing, works of contemporary composers and "brand, spankin' new ones" they've written. It all began when a seven-year-old Lyle was given a $.25 harmonica by his music loving mother. From there he progressed to the guitar, mandolin, banjo and practically all the country string instruments. In 1950, Doris Mindrup becam Mrs. Mayfield, promptly started learning the guitar and singing with Lyle on a local radio show. Next came son David who debuted on the folks' program at age 34 months. After David, daughter Lynda sang part time with the act. Now the third spot is amply filled by younger son, Layne, who can tickle the strings of almost as many instruments as Dad. (They own in excess of 100.) Many of their instruments are handmade in Lyle's workshop. Some are, as Lyle puts it, "the only ones like 'em in captivity." We think you'll like the songs on this album by The Mayfields. Incidentally, they wrote eleven of the thirteen included here.