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Classic African-American Ballads from Smithsonian Folkways
Various Artists SFW40191
Classic African-American Ballads is a sampling of an important, historic, and engaging slice of America's Black music heritage. The heyday of the Black ballad tradition (1890-1920) left a lasting strain of creativity and a monument to African American life of the time. Ranging from songs created from the heritage of the English ballad, to social commentary vilifying abusive white authority figures, to "blues ballads," this album reminds us of the enormity and constant evolution of African American musical tradition. 36-page booklet. 22 tracks. 67 minutes.
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Record Label Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Source Archive Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Copyright 2006 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Country(s) United States
Culture Group(s) African American
Instrument(s) Accordion; Banjo; Bass; Guitar; Guitar, Twelve-String; Harmonica; Mandolin; Organ; Piano
Language(s) English
Credits
- Barry Lee Pearson - Compiler; Liner Notes; Producer
- Pete Reiniger - Mastering Engineer
- Joe Parisi - Designer
| 101 | Mouse on the Hill (Froggie Went a-Courting) | Warner Williams with Jay Summerour | 3:44 | ||
| 102 | Casey Jones | K.C. Douglas | 1:23 | ||
| 103 | John Hardy | Lead Belly | 2:43 | ||
| 104 | Railroad Bill | John Jackson | 3:33 | ||
| 105 | Stewball | Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon | 3:33 | ||
| 106 | John Henry | Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee | 4:04 | ||
| 107 | St. James Infirmary | Snooks Eaglin | 2:20 | ||
| 108 | Staggerlee (Stackolee) | John Cephas and Phil Wiggins | 5:03 | ||
| 109 | Lost John | Convict Group, Ramsey and Retrieve State Farms | 4:54 | ||
| 110 | Betty and Dupree | Josh White | 3:45 | ||
| 111 | Old Riley / Here, Rattler, Here | Lead Belly | 1:58 | ||
| 112 | The Race of the Jim Lee and Katy Adam | Jazz Gillum, Memphis Slim, and Arbee Stidham | 2:27 | ||
| 113 | The Titanic | Pink Anderson | 2:49 | ||
| 114 | Frankie and Johnny | Big Bill Broonzy | 2:07 | ||
| 115 | White House Blues | Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys | 1:59 | ||
| 116 | Louis Collins | John Jackson | 3:18 | ||
| 117 | Bad Lee Brown (Late One Night) | Woody Guthrie | 2:14 | ||
| 118 | Luke and Mullen | Horace Sprott | 2:25 | ||
| 119 | Duncan and Brady | Dave Van Ronk | 3:00 | ||
| 120 | Gallis Pole (The Maid Freed from the Gallows) | Lead Belly | 2:45 | ||
| 121 | Boll Weevil | Pink Anderson | 3:04 | ||
| 122 | Delia's Gone | Josh White Jr. | 3:45 |
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