Classic African-American Ballads from Smithsonian Folkways

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW40191

Series: Smithsonian Folkways Classic Series
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2006
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
01 Mouse on the Hill (Froggie Went a-Courting): Warner Williams with Jay Summerour (3:44)
02 Casey Jones: K.C. Douglas (1:23)
, 03 John Hardy: Lead Belly (2:43)
04 Railroad Bill: John Jackson (3:33)
05 Stewball: Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon (3:33)
06 John Henry: Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee (4:04)
07 St. James Infirmary: Snooks Eaglin (2:20)
08 Staggerlee (Stackolee): John Cephas and Phil Wiggins (5:03)
09 Lost John: Convict Group, Ramsey and Retrieve State Farms (4:54)
10 Betty and Dupree: Josh White (3:45)
11 Old Riley / Here, Rattler, Here: Lead Belly (1:58)
12 The Race of the Jim Lee and Katy Adam: Jazz Gillum, Memphis Slim (2:27)
13 The Titanic: Pink Anderson (2:49)
14 Frankie and Johnny: Big Bill Broonzy (2:07)
15 White House Blues: Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys (1:59)
16 Louis Collins: John Jackson (3:18)
17 Bad Lee Brown (Late One Night): Woody Guthrie (2:14)
18 Luke and Mullen: Horace Sprott (2:25)
19 Duncan and Brady: Dave Van Ronk (3:00)
20 Gallis Pole (The Maid Freed from the Gallows): Lead Belly (2:45)
21 Boll Weevil: Pink Anderson (3:04)
22 Delia's Gone: Josh White Jr. (3:45)
[Crtedits]
Producer and Liner Notes: Barry Lee Pearson, Designer: Joe Parisi, Engineer: Pete Reiniger
[Notes]
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.