Where Did You Sleep Last Night: Lead Belly Legacy, Vol. 1

Lead Belly SFW40044

Forty years after his death, Lead Belly’s songs and style have continued to influence folk, blues, and rock artists including Neil Young, William Styron, Ben Harper, Keb’ Mo, Dionne Farris, and the late Kurt Cobain (Nirvana). Between 1941 and 1947 Lead Belly recorded some of his best music in Moses Asch’s tiny New York studio. The only surviving Asch masters of Lead Belly are now part of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. For the first time in almost 50 years these original acetates have been carefully remastered and newly annotated. 34 tracks, including Irene, Where Did You Sleep Last Night, In the Evening When the Sun Goes Down, and Rock Island Line. Originally released as a tribute to Lead Belly after his death in 1948, this reissue includes many out-takes and previously unreleased and alternate versions. Extensive notes include Lead Belly’s own song commentary. Annotated by Jeff Place. Compiled by Jeff Place, Anthony Seeger and Kip Lornell. "The soul expressed is full-fledged and sublime." — New England Folk Almanac
Country(s) United States
Culture Group(s) African American
Keyword(s) Blues; Christmas music; Folk songs--United States; Gospel music; Music--Juvenile; Work songs
Instrument(s) Accordion; Guitar; Piano; Vocals
Language(s) English
Year of Recording 1996
Record Label Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Source Archive Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Credits Produced by Jeff Place ; Artist Lead Belly ; Produced by Anthony Seeger ; Produced by Matt Walters ; Recorded by Moses Asch ; Compiled by Jeff Place ; Compiled by Anthony Seeger ; Compiled by Matt Walters ; Compiled by Pete Reiniger ; Liner Notes by Jeff Place ; Mastered by Joe Gastwirt ; Design by Visual Dialogue