Songs of the Spanish Civil War, Vol. 2

Folkways Records – FH 5437

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1962
Genre: Brass & Military, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Historical Song
[Tracklis]
A1 Jarama: Woody Guthrie
A2 On The Jarama Front: Ernst Busch with Chorus and Orchestra
A3 Ballad of The XI Brigade: Ernst Busch with Chorus and Orchestra
A4 Hans Beimler, Comerade (New Words): Ernst Busch with Chorus and Orchestra
A5 The Thaelmann-Column (New Words): Ernst Busch with Chorus and Orchestra
B1 Santa Espina: People of Catalonia, Spain
B2 Sevillanos: People of Seville, Spain
B3 The Road To Aviles: People of Asturias, Spain
B4 La Guardia Rossa - Song of The Garibaldi Battalion (Italian): Bart Van Der Schelling
B6 La Joven Guardia - French Song For The Spanish Youth: Bart Van Der Schelling
B7 Au Devant De La Vie (As Sung by French-Belgian Battalion): Bart Van Der Schelling
[Credits]
Recorder: Moses Asch, Designer: Ronald Clyne, Liner Notes: Milton Robinson and Moe Fishman [Notes]
The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) was initially an armed conflict between a democratically elected government and a revolt by far right-wing Spanish military officers led by Francisco Franco, who were supported by the fascist governments of Italy and Nazi Germany. Anti-fascist supporters flocked to Spain to help the beleaguered government. This recording contains a selection of pro-democracy, anti-fascist songs from that conflict including Woody Guthrie's version of "Jarama," a song about the Americans' involvement on the Republican side. Also featured are Spanish songs the Americans remembered especially fondly, several anti-fascist songs sung in German by Ernst Busch, and songs of combatants who had been captured and interned. Extensive liner notes include a history of the conflict and song lyrics. In 2014 this release and FW05436 Songs of the Spanish Civil War, Vol. 1 were re-issued in full with new liner notes as SFW40188 Songs of the Spanish Civil War, Volumes 1 & 2.

Sea Chanties and Forecastle Songs at Mystic Seaport

Folkways Records – FTS 37300

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Celtic
[Tracklist]
A01 Hanging Johnny: Stuart M. Frank (0:37)
A02 John Kanaka: Stuart Gillespie (1:07)
A03 Rueben Ranzo: Stuart M. Frank (1:09)
A04 The Wild Goose: Stuart Gillespie (1:11)
A05 Roll the Cotton Down: Stuart Gillespie (1:17)
A06 Blood Red Roses: Stuart M. Frank (1:34)
A07 A Hundred Years Ago: Stuart Gillespie (1:07)
A08 Tommy's Gone to Hilo: Stuart M. Frank (1:02)
A09 Haul Away for Rosie-O: Stuart Gillespie (1:52)
A10 Billy Riley / Sally Racket: Stuart M. Frank, Stuart Gillespie (0:37)
A11 Goodbye, Fare Ye Well: Stuart M. Frank (1:54)
A12 Shenandoah: Stuart Gillespie (3:00)
A13 Santa Anna: Stuart M. Frank (1:22)
A14 Can Ye Dance the Polka: Stuart M. Frank (2:39)
A15 Sally Brown: Stuart Gillespie (1:17)
A16 One More Day: Stuart M. Frank (1:16)
A17 Paddy on the Railway: Stuart M. Frank (1:37)
B01 The Weary Whaling Grounds: Stuart M. Frank (1:42)
B02 The Balaena: Stuart M. Frank (1:02)
B03 The Handsome Cabin Boy: Stuart Gillespie (2:27)
B04 Liverpool Judies: Stuart M. Frank (1:08)
B05 Paddy and the Whale: Ellen R. Cohn (0:32)
B06 Traditional Reel: Ellen R. Cohn (0:35)
B07 Mystic River Hornpipe: Stuart M. Frank (0:56)
B08 Traditional Jig: Stuart M. Frank (1:03)
B09 The Bold Harpooner: Stuart M. Frank (2:23)
B10 The Coast of Peru: Stuart Gillespie (3:11)
B11 Blow Ye Winds Westerly: Stuart M. Frank (1:25)
B12 Maid of Amsterdam: Stuart M. Frank (0:47)
B13 Greenland Whale Fisheries: Stuart Gillespie (2:16)
B14 Ten Penny Bit: Ellen R. Cohn (1:31)
B15 Belfast Hornpipe: Ellen R. Cohn (0:41)
B16 The Forester: Ellen R. Cohn (0:43)
B17 The Bold Benjamin: Stuart M. Frank (1:41)
[Credits]
Stuart M. Frank (concertina/accordion/vocals) Stuart Gillespie (concertina/vocals) Ellen Cohn (concertina/penny whistle/ocarina)
Engineer: Kenneth Mahler, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
This album features classic sea shanties from the 19th century, "sung in the traditional manner, accompanied on historic 19th-century instruments, and recorded aboard historic sailing ships" at the Mystic Seaport Maritime Museum. Shanties were sung to make the heavy labor aboard merchant sailing vessels more coordinated, efficient, and lighter. "To hear a good yarn, and sing out a lively, rowdy chorus, was far more pleasurable" than listening to the bosun yelling orders. Liner notes include background on chanties, song lyrics, and black-and-white photographs of sailors.

40 Years Of Concerts Performances: The New Lost City Ramblers

Rounder 82161-0481-2

Format: 2×CD, HDCD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2001
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
1-01 Soldier's Joy (1:36)
1-02 Down In The Willow (3:15)
1-03 Brown's Ferry Blues (3:16)
1-04 Too Tight Rag (1:34)
1-05 Little Birdie (2:28)
1-06 Darling Corey (3:06 1-07 The Democratic Donkey (Is In His Stall Again) (2:30)
1-08 Poor Ellen Smith (2:17)
1-09 On Some Foggy Mountain Top (3:22)
1-10 Cackling Hen (2:05)
1-11 The Battleship Of Maine (3:31)
1-12 Worried Man Blues (3:02)
1-13 The Unquiet Grave (3:51)
1-14 Lady Of Carlisle (4:17)
1-15 Groundhog (3:00)
1-16 Orange Blossom Special (3:33)
1-17 East Virginia Blues (2:44)
1-18 Country Blue (3:36)
1-19 Little Maggie (2:22)
1-20 The Little Girl And The Dreadful Snake (3:26)
1-21 Keep Moving (3:11)
1-22 Fortune (1:49)
1-23 She Tickles Me (3:52)
1-24 The Arkansas Traveller (3:43)
1-25 Saddle Up The Grey (2:55)
2-01 Sally Goodin (1:43)
2-02 The Old Bell Cow (3:55 2-03 It's Hard To Leave You, Sweet Love (3:12)
2-04 Dark Holler Blues (2:56)
2-05 Locks And Bolts (2:38)
2-06 Wildwood Weed (3:09 2-07 Milk 'Em In The Evening Blues (3:06)
2-08 Madeleine (3:50)
2-09 Sourwood Mountain (1:11)
2-10 Black Bottom Strut (2:12)
2-11 Jordan Is A Hard Road To Travel (3:14)
2-12 The Old Man At The Mill (3:01)
2-13 Tom Sherman's Barroom (4:14)
2-14 Turkey In The Straw (Introduction) (1:34)
2-15 Turkey In The Straw (2:06)
2-16 Old Joe Clark (1:54)
2-17 Rabbit Chase (3:38)
2-18 Poor Old Dirt Farmer (4:41)
2-19 Tennessee Blues (2:45)
2-20 Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar (3:06)
2-21 I've Always Been A Rambler (4:02)
2-22 Baltimore Fire (3:42)
2-23 Three Men Went A-Hunting (2:33)
[Credits]
Mike Seeger (fiddle/banjo/autoharp/mandolin/harmonica) Tom Paley (banjo/guitar/kazoo) Tracy Schwarz (fiddle/guitar/banjo/accordion) John Cohen (guitar/ banjo/autoharp/kazoo)
[Notes]
Unlike many bands, the history of the New Lost City Ramblers is fairly easy to trace. John Cohen and Mike Seeger joined with Tom Paley between '58 and '62, reviving string-band music from the '20s and '30s. In '62, Tracy Schwarz' replaced a departing Paley, adding new material to the band's repertoire. 40 Years of Concert Recordings proves as straightforward, offering nearly 50 live songs from "Soldier's Joy" in 1958, capturing the band's first performance, to the "Tennessee Blues" recorded in 1999. These live performances, quality wise, vary little from the group's studio work. The difference, however, lies in the Ramblers' sense of humor and interaction with audiences. Whether offering an earnest introduction or just having a little fun, the group leaves the impression of a bunch of nice guys having a good time doing what they love. Their repertoire is broad and diverse: the anti-war "The Battleship of Maine" makes way for the hoary "Poor Ellen Smith" which moves aside for the joyful "Too Tight Rag." A version of "Sourwood Mountain" finds the Ramblers jamming with the Stanley Brothers, while Seeger offers a superb take on "Little Maggie." With such variety, the band takes on the persona of a walking folksong encyclopedia. The Ramblers also proved amenable to changing times. A particularly odd and enjoyable "Wildwood Weed" turns tradition on its head, crossing the Carter Family with the counter-culture to sing the praises of the weed cannabis. Though many of these recordings have been available before, 16 are new to this collection. This two-CD set provides a detailed portrait of one of the premiere revival bands, searching for new directions over the years, while remaining firmly planted in yesteryear. 40 Years of Concert Recordings will please long-time fans and work as a grand introduction to those unfamiliar. -- AllMusic Review by Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

First Blues: Rags, Ballads and Harmonium Songs - Allen Ginsberg

Folkways Records‎– FSS 37560

Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: Pop, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Field Recording, Spoken Word, Ballad
[Tracklist]
A1 4 A.M. Blues / New York Blues / New York Youth Call Annunciation (10:02)
A2 Come Back Christmas; MacDougal Street Blues (6:52)
A3 CIa Dope Calypso (4:59)
A4 Put Down Yr Cigarette Rag (3:42)
B1 Slack Key Guitar; Siratoka Beach Croon (7:03)
B2 Bus Ride Ballad To Suva (4:16)
B3 Prayer Blues (10:25)
B4 Dope Fiend Blues (4:30)
[Credits]
Allen Ginsberg (harmonium/vocals)
Designer: Ronald Clyne, Producer: Ann Charters, Recorder: Harry Smith
[Notes]
Legendary Beat poet Allen Ginsberg explores the fusion of poetry and music in this rare 1970s recording. Called a "venerated bard of resistance" Ginsberg sought "how the raw mind actually works" through poetry. This collection of fun ditties spouts against capitalism, among other things, and is an amusing and enjoyable listen. Ginsberg accompanies himself with a small hand-pumped harmonium from India, occasionally adding his own guttural rhythms reminiscent of Dadaist sound-poetry (see for example "Put Down Your Cigarette Rag" and "Prayer Blues"), while other songs, such as "Bus Ride Ballad Road to Suva", echo folk ballads from yesteryear. Ginsberg prefaces each song himself. Liner notes include an introduction from Ginsberg.

Vari-colored Songs (A Tribute To Langston Hughes) Leyla McCalla

Music Maker Relief Foundation – MMCD142

Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2013
Genre: Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
01 Heart Of Gold (2:59)
02 When I Can See The Valley (2:10)
03 Mesi Bondye (2:25)
04 Girl (2:52)
05 Kamèn Sa W Fè (2:19)
06 Too Blue (2:27)
07 Manman Mwen (3:18)
08 Song For A Dark Girl (2:51)
09 Love Again Blues (2:39)
10 Rose Marie (2:57)
11 Latibonit (3:47)
12 Search (3:19)
13 Lonely House (3:25)
14 Changing Tide (3:03)
[Credits]
Leyla McCalla (tenor banjo/guitar/cello/vocals) Rhiannon Giddens (shaker/vocals) Matt Rhody (fiddle) Hubby Jenkins and Luke Winslow-King (guitar) Tom Pryor (pedal steel guitar) Don Vappie (tenor banjo) Hubby Jenkins (bones) Cassidy Holden and Joseph DeJarnette (bass)
Liner Notes: Jean-Pierre Bruneau, Artwork: Bruno Boussard, Producer: Joseph Dejarnette, Photographers: Langston Hughes, Tim Duffy and Rowland Scherman Engneers: Earl Sciouneaux III, Joseph DeJarnette and Joseph Dejarnette
[Notes]
Leyla McCalla's Vari-Colored Songs is a celebration of the complexity of Black culture and identity, and a tribute to the legacy of poet and thinker Langston Hughes. A songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, McCalla sets Hughes’ poems to her own spare yet profound compositions. She juxtaposes these with arrangements of folk songs from Haiti, the first independent Black nation and the homeland of her parents, tapping into the nuances of Black experience. McCalla’s music elegantly weaves Haitian influences together with American folk music, just as Hughes incorporated Black vernacular into his remarkable poetry, and the way the Haitian Kreyòl is a beacon for the survival of African identity through the brutal legacy of colonialism. This is music of reclamation, imbued with a quiet power that grapples with the immense weight of history.

Vari-Colored Songs had a limited release in 2013, with the New York Times proclaiming that "McCalla's magnificently transparent music holds tidings of family, memory, solitude and the inexorability of time: weighty thoughts handled with the lightest touch imaginable." The recording is being brought to a wider audience by Smithsonian Folkways at a time when the history McCalla explores is more relevant than ever. As she states in the album’s liner notes, "The wisdom and truth that Langston Hughes continues to provide us through his prolific output inspires us to celebrate the assumedly mundane and stigmatized parts of our society. The future has always been uncertain, and it has always been up to us to push for the changes that we want to see in the world."