Classic Maritime Music from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings – SFW CD 40053

Format: CD, Album
Country: Bahamas, United States
Released: 2023
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, World, & Celtic
[Tracklist]
01 Roll Alabama Roll (The Alabama): The X Seamen's Institute (03:04)
02 Shenandoah: The X Seamen's Institute (03:31)
03 Clear the Track and Let the Bullgine Roll: Sam Eskin (01:37)
04 Greenland Whale Fisheries: Stuart Gillespie (02:16)
05 Paddy Doyle’s Boots: Alan Mills and the Shantymen (00:42)
06 The Black Ball Line: The Foc'sle Singers (01:04)
07 The Sloop John B.: The Dicey Doh Singers (02:14)
08 Tommy's Gone to Hilo: Stuart M. Frank (01:03)
09 Lord Franklin (Lady Franklin's Lament): The Gold Ring (02:17)
10 The Handsome Cabin Boy: Stuart Gillespie (02:28)
11 Rio Grande: The Foc'sle Singers (02:49)
12 Run Come See: The X Seamen’s Institute (02:46)
13 Ten Penny Bit (Swallow Tail Jig) (Instrumental): Format: CD, Album
Country: Bahamas, United States
Released: 2023
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, World, & Celtic
[Tracklist]
01 Roll Alabama Roll (The Alabama): The X Seamen’s Institute (03:04)
02 Shenandoah: The X Seamen's Institute (03:31)
03 Clear the Track and Let the Bullgine Roll: Sam Eskin (01:37)
04 Greenland Whale Fisheries: Stuart Gillespie (02:16)
05 Paddy Doyle’s Boots: Alan Mills and the Shantymen (00:42)
06 The Black Ball Line: The Foc'sle Singers (01:04)
07 The Sloop John B.: The Dicey Doh Singers (02:14)
08 Tommy's Gone to Hilo: Stuart M. Frank (01:03)
09 Lord Franklin (Lady Franklin's Lament): The Gold Ring (02:17)
10 The Handsome Cabin Boy: Stuart Gillespie (02:28)
11 Rio Grande: The Foc'sle Singers (02:49)
12 Run Come See: The X Seamen's Institute (02:46)
13 Ten Penny Bit (Swallow Tail Jig) (Instrumental): Ellen Cohn (01:33)
14 South Australia: Stan Hugill (03:10)
15 Haul Away Joe: Lead Belly (02:54)
16 Blood Red Roses: Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger, A.L. Lloyd and Chorus (01:39)
17 All for Me Grog: Louis Killen, Jeff and Gerrett Warner and Fud Benson (03:09)
18 Haul on the Bowline: The Foc'sle Singers (01:23)
19 Bully in the Alley: Morrigan (01:45)
20 Chesapeake Born: Tom and Mark Wisner (04:19)
21 A Hundred Years on the Eastern Shore: Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger, A.L. Lloyd (01:55)
22 Dredgin' is My Drudgery: Tom and Mark Wisner (02:32)
23 Liverpool Judies (Instrumental): Stuart M. Frank (01:11)
24 Santiano (Santy Anna): The X Seamen's Institute, Lou Killen and Stan Hugill (01:48)
25 Reuben Ranzo: The X Seamen's Institute (01:31)
26 The Girls Around Cape Horn: Tom Goux and Jacek Sulanowski (02:24)
27 Adieu My Lovely Nancey: Morrigan (02:25)
28 The Dreadnaught: Tom Sullivan (03:33)
29 Married to a Mermaid: Tom Goux and Jacek Sulanowski (01:36)
30 Boney: The X-Seamen's Institute (01:12)
31 Homeward Bound/The Old Slipper Shoe (Instrumental): Tom Sullivan (01:58)
32 Homeward Bound: Stuart M. Frank (02:31)
[Credits]
Producer and Liner Notes: Jeff Place, Mastering Engineer: Pete Reiniger
[Notes]
More than just sea chanteys, maritime musical tradition encompasses an ocean of songs from people who have lived and worked on the water. Onboard are Folkways favorite singers-Dave Van Ronk and the Foc’sle Singers, Lead Belly, and Paul Clayton and many more. Classic Maritime takes you from the folk songs of Martha's Vineyard down to the Bahamas and beyond. Compiled and annotated by Jeff Place. Extensive liner notes, a whopping 32 tracks, 68 minutes of music!

Seneca Social Dance Music

Ethnic Folkways Library – FE 4072

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1980
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Style: Folk, Indigenous
[Tracklist]
A1 5 Stomp Dance Songs (05:18)
A2 4 Moccasin Dance Songs (02:57)
A3 3 Robin Dance Songs (03:06)
A4 3 Shaking-the-Bush Dance Songs (02:58)
A5 4 Raccoon Dance Songs (03:10)
A6 2 Alligator Dance Songs (02:54)
A7 Smoke Dance (01:01)
B1 7 Ladies' Dance Songs (08:14)
B2 4 Rabbit Dance Songs (06:35)
B3 2 Round Dance Songs (03:21)
B4 Farewell Song (02:18)
B5 Seneca Anthem (01:39)
[Credits]
Avery and Fidelia Jimerson (water drum/cowhorn rattle/vocals)
Recorder and Producer: Mary Frances Riemer, Photographer: Avery, Fidelia Jimerson, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
Recorded from 1977 — 1980 by Mary Frances Riemer in upstate New York, this album presents a variety of "Social Music" unique to the Seneca Indians and performed by Avery and Fidelia Jimerson. Traditionally performed only by men, and accompanied solely by the water drum and cowhorn rattle, these songs were meant for dancing. Mary Francis Riemer explains in detail not only the types of instrument, song and dance of the Seneca Indians, but also the history of the Seneca. Includes notation, lyrics and photos.

La Marisoul and Los Texmaniacs - Corazones and Canciones

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW CD 40598

Format: CD, Compilation
Country: United States
Released: 2023
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Tejano
[Tracklist]
01 Grítenme, piedras del campo (Shout Out to Me, Stones of the Field) (03:32)
02 Hermoso cariño (Beautiful Love) (03:01)
03 Cuatro copas (Four Drinks) (03:43)
04 La rosa de oro (The Golden Rose) (02:59)
05 Mucho corazon (A Lot of Heart) (03:55)
06 Las nubes (The Clouds) (04:20)
07 Before the Next Teardrop Falls (03:45)
08 Que suerte la mía (What (Bad) Luck I Have) (04:38)
09 A medias de la noche (In the Middle of the Night) (03:17)
10 Como Dios manda (As God Commands) (03:17)
11 Mal hombre (Evil Man) (03:32)
12 Ojala que te vaya bonito (I Wish You the Best) (02:57)
13 Me caí de la nube (I Fell from the Cloud) (03:33)
14 Amarga Navidad (Bitter Christmas) (03:15)
15 Vámonos (Lets Go Away Together) (04:25)
[Credits]
Producer and Liner Notes: Daniel E. Sheehy, Mixing Engineer and Recorder: Pete Reiniger, Mastering Engineer: Charlie Pilzer, Tonal Park and Takoma Park, Liner Notes Editor: James Deutsch, Designer: Cooley Design Lab
[Notes]
In Corazones and Canciones, two Mexican American musical powerhouses join forces to create an album overflowing with heart and imagination. L.A.'s Marisol Hernández—La Marisoul—and San Antonio-based Tejano conjunto Los Texmaniacs draw from a repertoire of cherished canciones rancheras, and boleros. "Everything is done with heart and soul, because of the passion and love we have for this music," asserts Texmaniacs leader Max Baca. Adds Marisol, "It’s just as American as it is Mexican; that’s one of the special things about living in the United States." Special guest Little Joe Hernández adds his trademark vocals to the melody of "Las nubes," the song he propelled to the forefront of the Chicano Movement.

Pete Seeger: American Industrial Ballads

Smithsonian Folkways – CD SF 40058

Format: CD, Reissue, Remastered
Country: United States
Released: 1992
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Struggle & Protest
[Tracklist]
01 Peg and Awl (02:29)
02 The Blind Fiddler (01:17)
03 Buffalo Skinners (02:44)
04 Eight-Hour Day (01:00)
05 Hard Times in the Mill (02:16)
06 Roll Down the Line (03:15)
07 A Hayseed Like Me (01:16)
08 The Farmer is the Man (Who Feeds Us All) (01:43)
09 Come All You Hardy Miners (02:00)
10 He Lies in the American Land (02:01)
11 Casey Jones (The Union Scab) (02:20)
12 Let Them Wear Their Watches Fine (03:41)
13 Cotton Mill Colic (01:41)
14 Seven Cent Cotton and Forty Cent Meat (01:58)
15 Mill Mother's Lament (01:37)
16 Fare Ye Well, Old Ely Branch (02:11)
17 Beans, Bacon, and Gravy (02:56)
18 The Death of Harry Simms (02:14)
19 Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues (01:09)
20 The Ballad of Barney Graham (01:48)
21 My Children are Seven in Number (03:59)
22 Raggedy (02:32)
23 Pittsburgh Town (01:30)
24 Sixty Percent (01:00)
[Credits]
Pete Seeger (banjo/guitar/vocals) Recorder and Producer: Moses Asch, Liner Notes: Irwin Silber, Designer: Carol Hardy, Mastering Engineer: Alan Yoshida
[Notes]
Songs of struggle which emerged from the coal mines, textile mills and acres of farmland, and spoke of issues important to the American laborer. Twenty-four songs written about the unprecedented industrialization of the 19th century, including Peg and Awl, The Farmer is the Man, and Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues. Irwin Silber's notes provide a history of labor folk song and its role in American popular music. "Seeger's straightforward, sincere singing is accompanied by sparse, effective banjo and guitar...an important reissue." — Sing Out

15 Piano Blues & Boogie Classics

Arhoolie Records – CD-108

Series: American Masters – Vol. 8
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: United States
Released: 1997
Genre: Blues, World, & Country
Style: Piano Blues
[Tracklist]
01 Dollar Bill Boogie: Big Joe Duskin (02:26)
02 Have You Ever Been Out In The Country: Mercy Dee (03:43)
03 Whistling Alex Moore's Blues: Whistling Alex Moore (03:08)
04 Moaning and Groaning: Johnny Young (03:21)
05 Katie's Boogie Woogie: Katie Webster (02:16)
06 Cruel Hearted Woman: Thunder Smith (02:32)
07 The Ma Grinder: Robert Shaw (04:15)
08 Why Di d You Go Last Night: Clifton Chenier (03:20)
09 Pinetop's Boogie Woogie: L.C. "Good Rockin'" Robinson (03:35)
10 San Francisco Can Be Such A Lonely Town: Omar Shariff (04:30)
11 Rocket Boogie "88" (Pt. 1): Pete Johnson (02:52)
12 Sugar Hill (Pt. 1): Bukka White (03:35)
13 You Ain't Got A Chance: Piano Red (02:56)
14 Cold Chills: Herny Gray (03:13)
15 On The Spot Boogie: Charlie Musselwhite (02:40)
[Credits]
Producer, Editor and Photographer: Chris Strachwitz, Producer and Editor: Tom Diamant, Designer: Wayne Pope and Dix Bruce
[Notes]
Part of the Arhoolie Records American Masters series, this volume features pianists Otis Spann, Pete Johnson, Piano Red, Katie Webster, Pinetop Perkins and 10 others. The collection covers a wide range of sounds within the boogie and blues genres: from the dance beats of "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie" and "Rocket Boogie" "88’" to down home piano blues of "Whistling Alex Moore's Blues" and "Cold Chills." The liner notes include original album art and titles for each track.

Angola Prison Spirituals Recorded by Dr. Harry Oster

Arhoolie Records – CD 9036

Format: CD, Compilation
Country: United States
Released: 2003
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Gospel
[Tracklist]
01 I'm on My Way: Andy Mosely and Robert Pete Williams (02:41)
02 Church on Fire with the Word of God: Robert Pete Williams (03:03)
03 What Shall I Do: Robert "Guitar" Welch (02:55)
04 Brother Norah: Angola Quartet (02:51)
05 Little School Song: Tom Dutson and Robert Pete Williams (01:28)
06 Dyin' Soul: Robert Pete Williams (04:29)
07 Let My People Go: Roosevelt Charles (03:48)
08 So Much Is Happenin' in the News: Robert Pete Williams (04:17)
09 Dig My Grave with a Silver Spade: Tom Dutson and Robert Pete Williams (03:42)
10 Brother Mosely Crossed the Water: Andy Mosely and “Hogman" Maxey (01:29)
11 I'm Stranded on the Banks of Ole Jordan: Angola Quartet #2 (01:55)
12 I'm Goin' Back with Him When He Comes: Robert Pete Williams (03:01)
13 The Old Ship of Zion: Rev. Benjamin E. Osborne (07:22)
14 When I Lay My Burden Down: Robert Pete Williams (05:04)
15 See How They Done My Lord: Angola Quartet (Six) Camp A (02:57)
16 Be with Me Jesus: Angola Quartet (Six) Camp A (02:30)
17 Rise and Fly: Angola Vocal Group (07:59)
18 I Know I Got Religion: Andy Mosely and "Hogman" Maxey (02:29)
19 Jesus: Andy Mosely and "Hogman" Maxey (01:55)
20 I Take Jesus (Do Lord, Remember Me): Angola Choir (01:55)
21 Each Day (Life's Evening Sun): Angola Choir (02:35)
22 Steal Away to Jesus: Angola Choir (04:18)
[Credits]
Recorder and Liner Notes: Harry Oster, Liner Notes: Chris Strachwitz
[Notes]
Angola Prison, officially known as the Louisiana State Penitentiary, is one of the largest maximum-security prisons in the country. In the 1950s, LSU English professor Dr. Harry Oster (1923-2001) recorded a series of music performances by African American prisoners at the infamous facility. Among the performances were the singing of gospel and spirituals. The songs provide a sense of soul present in the music—pain, hope, and heart. Part of the royalties from this collection go to the Inmate Welfare Fund at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

Sleepy John Estes 1929-1940

RFB Records – RBF 8

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: United States
Released: 1961
Genre: Blues, World, & Country
Style: Country Blues, Memphis Blues
[Tracklist]
A1 Divin' Duck Blues (03:18)
A2 The Girl I Love, She Got Long Curly Hair (02:57)
A3 Street Car Blues (03:16)
A4 Milk Cow Blues (03:05)
A5 Jack and Jill Blues (02:39)
A6 New Someday Baby (02:52)
B1 Floating Bridge (03:12)
B2 Brownsville Blues (03:09)
B3 Need More Blues (02:55)
B4 Jailhouse Blues (02:57)
B5 Everybody Ought To Make a Change (02:49)
B6 Working Man Blues (03:06)
[Credits]
Sleepy John Estes (guitar/vocals) Yank Rachel (mandolin) Jab Jones (piano)
Editor: Samuel Charters, Photographer: Ann Charters, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
Recorded on Victor and Decca in the 1920s and 30s, Sleepy John Estes was a leading exponent of the Memphis blues style. These recordings capture the distinctive sound of Yank Rachel's legato mandolin lines and Jab Jones' rhythmic piano accompaniment, as well as Estes' skill at singing the narrative blues.

Smoky Mountain Ballads sung by Bascom Lamar Lunsford with Banjo

Folkways Records – FA2040

Format: Vinyl, LP, 10"
Country: United States
Released: 1953
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Old Time
[Traclist]
A1 Swannanoa Tunnel (03:00)
A2 Mr. Garfield (03:00)
A3 Jennie Jenkins (02:49)
A4 Little Margaret (02:55)
B1 Banks of the Ohio (02:48)
B2 Springfield Mountain (02:34)
B3 The Death of Queen Jane (02:37)
B4 Mole in the Ground (03:03)
[Credits]
Bascom Lamar Lunsford (bamjo/vocals)
Foreword: Pete Seeger, Introduction: Frances Lynne, Liner Notes: Bascom Lamar Lunsford
[Notes]
Called "The Minstrel of the Appalachians," banjo player Bascom Lamar Lunsford performs a cross section of his sizeable repertoire, which contains at least three hundred songs. These songs include English ballads, topical songs, and 19th century popular songs incorporated into the North Carolina mountain tradition.

Rural Blues - A Study of the Vocal and Instrumental Resources

Compiled and Annotated by Samuel B. Charters

RBF Records – RF 202

Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: United States
Released: 1960
Genre: Blues, World, & Country
Style: Country Blues, Delta Blues
[Tracklist]
A1 I Can't Stand It: Will Shade
A2 Shelby County Work House Blues: Hambone Willie Newbern
A3 From Four Until Late: Robert Johnson
A4 You Can Leave, Baby: Furry Lewis
A5 Milk Cow Blues: Kokomo Blues
A6 Roberta Blues: L'il Son Jackson
A7 Thousand Woman Blues: Blind Boy Fuller
A8 If I Get Lucky: Arthur Crudup
A9 Down the Highway: Charlie Pickett
B1 Milk Cow Blues: Kokomo Blues
B2 Take Your Burden to the Lord: Blind Willie Johnson
B3 New Highway 51: Tommy McClennan
B4 Mama T'ain't Long Fo' Day: Blind Willie McTell
B5 Take Your Fingers Off It: Charlie Burse
B6 My Wife Drove Me From My Door: Charley Lincoln
B7 Skin Game Blues: Peg Leg Howell
B8 Goin' Back To Florida: Lightnin' Hopkins
B9 Standing at the Crossroads: Robert Johnson
C1 One Kind Favor: Lightnin' Hopkins
C2 Nobody's Fault But Mine: Blind Willie Johnson
C3 Warm Up: Furry Lewis
C4 Bukka's Jitterbug Swing: Bukka White
C5 Coal Man Blues: Peg Leg Howell
C6 Southern Can Mama: Blind Willie McTell
C7 Airy Man Blues: Papa Charlie Jackson
C8 Little Cow and Calf is Gonna Die Blues: Skip James
C9 New How Long How Long Blues: Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell
D1 Harmonica Stomp: Sonny Terry, Oh Red, and Blind Boy Fuller
D2 Shiney Town Blues: Frank Stokes
D3 Trouble in Mind: Brownie McGhee
D4 Mean Old Frisco: Arthur Crudup
D5 Sporting Life Blues: Brownie McGhee
D6 Solo: Virgil Perkins
D7 Tippin' Round: Charlie Burse
D8 Mama Don't Low It: Ham Gravy and Washboard Sam
D9 Key to the Highway: Moochie Reeves
[Credits]
Producer and Liner Notes: Samuel Charters, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
Taken from unreleased recordings, previous Folkways releases, and early blues recordings, this two-disc set offers an introduction to the vocal styles, ornamentation, and instrumentation of this "highly personal, expressive idiom." Copious liner notes by Samuel B. Charters accompany the musical material.

Ragtime Entertainment

Compiled and Annotated by David A. Jasen

RBF Records – RBF 22

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: United States
Released: 1973
Genre: Jazz, World, & Country
Style: Jazz, Ragtime
[Tracklist]
A1 Black and White Rag: El Cota (03:15)
A2 Saxanola: Clyde Doerr (02:51)
A3 King of the Bungaloos: Gene Greene (02:41)
A4 Toots: Clarence Penny (02:59)
A5 Ragtime Skedaddle: George Schweinfest (03:02)
A6 Smiles and Chuckles: Six Brown Brothers (02:18)
A7 Ragtime Drummer: James Lent (02:10)
A8 Georgia Grind: Signor Grinderino (02:46)
B1 Haunting Rag: Walter B. Rogers' Band (03:20)
B2 Whoa! You Heifer: Prince's Band (02:57)
B3 Pastime Rag: The National Promenade Band (03:37)
B4 Bantam Step: Conway's Band (02:50)
B5 Frozen Bill: The Pryor Band (02:48)
B6 Zam-A-Zam Rag: Rishell Band (03:06)
B7 Belle of the Philippines: Zon-O-Phone Concert Orchestra (02:49)
B8 Hungarian Rag: Conway's Band (02:41)
[Credits]
Producer and Editor: David. A Jasen, Cover Art: Kathleen Kearns, Designer: Ronald Clyne, Mastering Engineer: Nick Perls
[Notes]
Ragtime was first recorded in 1897, and this selection of recordings begins shortly thereafter, in 1902. Although listeners associate ragtime with the piano, musicians arranged popular rags for other instruments, and vaudevillians used these tunes in their acts. This compilation represents this diversity of practice in ragtime music.

Songs of the Chippewa Volume 1

Minnesota Chippewa Game and Social Dance Song

Ethnic Folkways Library – FE 4392

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1977
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Indigenous
[Tracklist]
A01 Mocassin Game Songs: August King (04:09)
A02 Mocassin Game Songs: Walter Drift (03:25)
A03 Round Dance Song: Ray Robinson (01:10)
A04 War Dance Song: Ray Robinson (01:48)
A05 49 Dance Song: Ray Robinson (01:25)
A06 Air Force Song: Ray Robinson (01:31)
A07 Old War Dance Song: Jacob Redbird (01:11)
A08 Give Away or Woman's Dance Song: Jacob Redbird (01:40)
A09 Buffalo Dance: Jacob Redbird (01:16)
A10 Founding Song: Jacob Redbird (02:06)
B01 Inside Gathering: St. Paul American Indian Club drum group (08:00)
B02 Outdoor Pow Wow: Chippewa pow-wow drum group in Onigum (01:09)
B03 Inside Pow Wow: Chippewa pow-wow drum group in Duluth (06:53)
B04 Migwitch Mahnomen: Chippewa pow-wow drum group in Ball Club (03:08)
B05 Flag Lowering Song: Chippewa pow-wow drum group in Ball Club (03:14)
[Credits]
Editor and Recorder: Paul R. Parthun, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
The Chippewa (Ojibwe) occupy the largest area in tribal North America, spanning from Ontario and Michigan in the east to Minnesota in the west. This album focuses on the Chippewa people of Minnesota, who were first studied by Frances Densmore and Frederick Burton in the early 1900s. Densmore was interested in preserving the songs of the older singers, especially since such songs were more at risk of being lost. The music on this recording falls into three categories: moccasin game songs, social dance songs, and pow-wow songs. Liner notes include several photographs, a background to the Chippewa culture, and transcriptions of melodies heard on the recording.