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    • Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3

    Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3

    08/19/1997 | Smithsonian Folkways 

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      ANTHOLOGY AMERICAN FOLK MUSIC / VARIOUS

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    All Music Guide Review

    Originally released in 1952 as a quasi-legal set of three double LPs and reissued several times since (with varying cover art), Anthology of American Folk Music could well be the most influential document of the '50s folk revival. Many of the recordings that appeared on it had languished in obscurity for 20 years, and it proved a revelation to a new group of folkies, from Pete Seeger to John Fahey to Bob Dylan. The man that made the Anthology possible was Harry Smith, a notoriously eccentric musicologist who compiled 84 of his favorite hillbilly, gospel, blues, and Cajun performances from the late '20s and early '30s, dividing each into one of three categories: Ballads, Social Music, and Songs. Smith sequenced the three volumes with a great amount of care, placing songs on the Ballads volume in historical order (not to be confused with chronological order) so as to create an LP that traces the folk tradition, beginning with some of the earliest Childe ballads of the British Isles and ending with several story songs of the early 20th century. The cast of artists includes pioneers in several fields, from the Carter Family and Uncle Dave Macon to Blind Lemon Jefferson, Mississippi John Hurt, and the Alabama Sacred Harp Singers. Many of the most interesting selections on the Anthology, however, are taken from artists even more obscure, such as Clarence Ashley, Bascom Lamar Lunsford, and Buell Kazee. After the Anthology had been out of print for more than a decade, Smithsonian/Folkways reissued the set in a six-disc boxed set, with the original notes of Harry Smith, as well as a separate book of new reminiscences by artists influenced by the original and a wealth of material for use in CD-ROM drives. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

    Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3 Track Listing

  • Track#
  • Title
  • Artist
  • time
  • lyrics
  • 1
  • Henry Lee
  • Justice, Dick
  • 3:26
  • Sound Clip for Henry Lee from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 2
  • Fatal Flower Garden
  • Nelstone's Hawaiians
  • 2:55
  • Sound Clip for Fatal Flower Garden from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 3
  • The House Carpenter
  • Ashley, Clarence
  • 3:14
  • Sound Clip for The House Carpenter from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 4
  • Drunkard's Special
  • Jones, Coley
  • 3:16
  • Sound Clip for Drunkard's Special from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 5
  • Old Lady and the Devil
  • Reed, Bill [2] & Belle
  • 3:02
  • Sound Clip for Old Lady and the Devil from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 6
  • The Butcher's Boy (The Railroad Boy)
  • Kazee, Buell
  • 3:02
  • Sound Clip for The Butcher's Boy (The Railroad Boy) from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 7
  • The Wagoner's Lad (Loving Nancy)
  • Kazee, Buell
  • 3:02
  • Sound Clip for The Wagoner's Lad (Loving Nancy) from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 8
  • King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O
  • Parker, Chubby
  • 3:08
  • Sound Clip for King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 9
  • Old Shoes and Leggins
  • Dunford, Uncle Eck
  • 2:59
  • Sound Clip for Old Shoes and Leggins from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 10
  • Willie Moore
  • 3:13
  • Sound Clip for Willie Moore from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 11
  • A Lazy Farmer Boy
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for A Lazy Farmer Boy from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 12
  • Peg and Awl
  • Carolina Tar Heels
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for Peg and Awl from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 13
  • Omie Wise
  • Grayson, G.B.
  • 3:09
  • Sound Clip for Omie Wise from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 14
  • My Name Is John Johanna
  • Harrell, Kelly
  • 3:12
  • Sound Clip for My Name Is John Johanna from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 15 (2)
  • Bandit Cole Younger
  • Crain, Edward L.
  • 2:54
  • Sound Clip for Bandit Cole Younger from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 16 (2)
  • Charles Giteaux
  • Harrell, Kelly
  • 3:03
  • Sound Clip for Charles Giteaux from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 17 (2)
  • John Hardy Was a Desperate Little Man
  • Carter Family
  • 2:55
  • Sound Clip for John Hardy Was a Desperate Little Man from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 18 (2)
  • Gonna Die With My Hammer in My Hand
  • 3:24
  • Sound Clip for Gonna Die With My Hammer in My Hand from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 19 (2)
  • Stackalee
  • Hutchison, Frank
  • 2:58
  • Sound Clip for Stackalee from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 20 (2)
  • White House Blues
  • 3:31
  • Sound Clip for White House Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 21 (2)
  • Frankie
  • Hurt, Mississippi John
  • 3:25
  • Sound Clip for Frankie from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 22 (2)
  • When That Great Ship Went Down
  • 2:55
  • Sound Clip for When That Great Ship Went Down from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 23 (2)
  • Engine 143
  • Carter Family
  • 3:16
  • Sound Clip for Engine 143 from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 24 (2)
  • Kassie Jones
  • Lewis, Furry
  • 6:13
  • Sound Clip for Kassie Jones from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 25 (2)
  • Down on Penny's Farm
  • Bently Boys
  • 2:47
  • Sound Clip for Down on Penny's Farm from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 26 (2)
  • Mississippi Boweavil Blues
  • Masked Marvels
  • 3:07
  • Sound Clip for Mississippi Boweavil Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 27 (2)
  • Got the Farm Land Blues
  • Carolina Tar Heels
  • 3:16
  • Sound Clip for Got the Farm Land Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 28 (3)
  • Sail Away Ladies (Fiddle Solo)
  • Stephens, Uncle Bunt
  • 2:56
  • Sound Clip for Sail Away Ladies (Fiddle Solo) from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 29 (3)
  • The Wild Wagoner (Frolic Tune)
  • Setters, Jilson
  • 3:14
  • Sound Clip for The Wild Wagoner (Frolic Tune) from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 30 (3)
  • Wake up Jacob
  • Hunt, Prince Albert
  • 2:52
  • Sound Clip for Wake up Jacob from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 31 (3)
  • La Danseuse (The Dancer)
  • 2:54
  • Sound Clip for La Danseuse (The Dancer) from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 32 (3)
  • Georgia Stomp
  • Baxter, Andrew & Jim
  • 2:44
  • Sound Clip for Georgia Stomp from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 33 (3)
  • Brilliancy Medley
  • Robertson, Eck
  • 2:59
  • Sound Clip for Brilliancy Medley from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 34 (3)
  • Indian War Whoop (Country Dance)
  • Ming, Hoyt and His Pep Steppers
  • 3:10
  • Sound Clip for Indian War Whoop (Country Dance) from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 35 (3)
  • Old Country Stomp
  • Thomas, Henry [1]
  • 2:52
  • Sound Clip for Old Country Stomp from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 36 (3)
  • Old Dog Blue
  • Jackson, Jim [1]
  • 3:01
  • Sound Clip for Old Dog Blue from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 37 (3)
  • Saut' Crapaud (Jump, Frog)
  • Fruge, Columbus
  • 2:47
  • Sound Clip for Saut' Crapaud (Jump, Frog) from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 38 (3)
  • Arcadian One-Step
  • Falcon, Joseph
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for Arcadian One-Step from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 39 (3)
  • Home Sweet Home
  • Breaux Freres
  • 3:00
  • Sound Clip for Home Sweet Home from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 40 (3)
  • Newport Blues
  • Cincinnati Jug Band
  • 2:55
  • Sound Clip for Newport Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 41 (3)
  • Moonshiner's Dance (Pt. 1)
  • 2:39
  • Sound Clip for Moonshiner's Dance (Pt. 1) from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 42 (4)
  • You Must Be Born Again
  • Gates, J.M.
  • 1:28
  • Sound Clip for You Must Be Born Again from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 43 (4)
  • Oh Death, Where Is Thy Sting
  • Gates, J.M.
  • 1:26
  • Sound Clip for Oh Death, Where Is Thy Sting from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 44 (4)
  • Rocky Road
  • Alabama Sacred Harp Singers
  • 2:42
  • Sound Clip for Rocky Road from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 45 (4)
  • Present Joys
  • Alabama Sacred Harp Singers
  • 2:50
  • Sound Clip for Present Joys from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 46 (4)
  • This Song of Love
  • Middle George Singing Convention No.1
  • 2:56
  • Sound Clip for This Song of Love from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 47 (4)
  • Judgement
  • Nelson, Mary M.
  • 2:23
  • Sound Clip for Judgement from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 48 (4)
  • He Got Better Things for You
  • Memphis Sanctified Singers
  • 2:52
  • Sound Clip for He Got Better Things for You from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 49 (4)
  • Since I Laid My Burden Down
  • 3:16
  • Sound Clip for Since I Laid My Burden Down from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 50 (4)
  • John the Baptist (Singing Sermon)
  • Mason, Moses
  • 3:02
  • Sound Clip for John the Baptist (Singing Sermon) from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 51 (4)
  • Dry Bones
  • Lunsford, Bascom Lamar
  • 2:58
  • Sound Clip for Dry Bones from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 52 (4)
  • John the Revelator
  • Johnson, Blind Willie
  • 3:18
  • Sound Clip for John the Revelator from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 53 (4)
  • Little Moses
  • Carter Family
  • 3:11
  • Sound Clip for Little Moses from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 54 (4)
  • Shine on Me
  • Phipps, Ernest & His Holiness Singers
  • 3:01
  • Sound Clip for Shine on Me from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 55 (4)
  • Fifty Miles of Elbow Room
  • McGee, F.W.
  • 2:40
  • Sound Clip for Fifty Miles of Elbow Room from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 56 (4)
  • I'm in the Battlefield for My Lord
  • Rice, DC & His Sanctified Congregation
  • 3:19
  • Sound Clip for I'm in the Battlefield for My Lord from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 57 (5)
  • The Cuckoo
  • Ashley, Clarence
  • 2:54
  • Sound Clip for The Cuckoo from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 58 (5)
  • East Virginia
  • Kazee, Buell
  • 2:58
  • Sound Clip for East Virginia from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 59 (5)
  • Minglewood Blues
  • Cannon's Jug Stompers
  • 3:05
  • Sound Clip for Minglewood Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 60 (5)
  • I Woke up One Morning in May
  • Hebert, Didier
  • 3:01
  • Sound Clip for I Woke up One Morning in May from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 61 (5)
  • James Alley Blues
  • Brown, Richard [1] Rabbit
  • 3:05
  • Sound Clip for James Alley Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 62 (5)
  • Sugar Baby
  • Boggs, Dock
  • 2:56
  • Sound Clip for Sugar Baby from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 63 (5)
  • I Wish I Was a Mole in the Ground
  • Lunsford, Bascom Lamar
  • 3:19
  • Sound Clip for I Wish I Was a Mole in the Ground from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 64 (5)
  • The Mountaineer's Courtship
  • 2:42
  • Sound Clip for The Mountaineer's Courtship from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 65 (5)
  • The Spanish Merchant's Daughter
  • Stonemans
  • 3:15
  • Sound Clip for The Spanish Merchant's Daughter from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 66 (5)
  • Bob Lee Junior Blues
  • Memphis Jug Band
  • 3:08
  • Sound Clip for Bob Lee Junior Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 67 (5)
  • Single Girl, Married Girl
  • Carter Family
  • 2:44
  • Sound Clip for Single Girl, Married Girl from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 68 (5)
  • Le Vieux Soulard et Sa Femme (The Old Drunkard and His Wife)
  • 3:08
  • Sound Clip for Le Vieux Soulard et Sa Femme (The Old Drunkard and His Wife) from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 69 (5)
  • Rabbit Foot Blues
  • Jefferson, Blind Lemon
  • 2:55
  • Sound Clip for Rabbit Foot Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 70 (5)
  • Expressman Blues
  • Estes, Sleepy John
  • 3:01
  • Sound Clip for Expressman Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 71 (6)
  • Poor Boy Blues
  • Thomas, Ramblin'
  • 2:22
  • Sound Clip for Poor Boy Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 72 (6)
  • Feather Bed
  • Cannon's Jug Stompers
  • 3:13
  • Sound Clip for Feather Bed from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 73 (6)
  • Country Blues
  • Boggs, Dock
  • 2:56
  • Sound Clip for Country Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 74 (6)
  • 99 Years Blues
  • Daniels, Julius
  • 3:04
  • Sound Clip for 99 Years Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 75 (6)
  • Prison Cell Blues
  • Jefferson, Blind Lemon
  • 2:44
  • Sound Clip for Prison Cell Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 76 (6)
  • See That My Grave Is Kept Clean
  • Jefferson, Blind Lemon
  • 2:52
  • Sound Clip for See That My Grave Is Kept Clean from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 77 (6)
  • C'Est Si Triste Sans Lui (It Is So Blue Without Him)
  • 2:59
  • Sound Clip for C'Est Si Triste Sans Lui (It Is So Blue Without Him) from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 78 (6)
  • Way Down the Old Plank Road
  • Macon, Uncle Dave
  • 2:58
  • Sound Clip for Way Down the Old Plank Road from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 79 (6)
  • Buddy Won't You Roll Down the Line
  • Macon, Uncle Dave
  • 3:15
  • Sound Clip for Buddy Won't You Roll Down the Line from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 80 (6)
  • Spike Driver Blues
  • Hurt, Mississippi John
  • 3:14
  • Sound Clip for Spike Driver Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 81 (6)
  • K.C. Moan
  • Memphis Jug Band
  • 2:31
  • Sound Clip for K.C. Moan from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 82 (6)
  • Train on the Island
  • Nestor, J.P.
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for Train on the Island from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 83 (6)
  • The Lone Star Trail
  • Maynard, Ken
  • 3:12
  • Sound Clip for The Lone Star Trail from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


  • 84 (6)
  • Fishin' Blues
  • Thomas, Henry [1]
  • 2:44
  • Sound Clip for Fishin' Blues from Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3


    • Credits of Anthology of American Folk Music, Vol. 1-3

    • Jeff Place
    • Liner Notes, Annotation, Transfers, Reissue Producer


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