Small Voice, Big Voice: Dick Lourie and Jed

Folkways Records – FC 7547

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1973
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Children's
[Tracklist]
A1 Small Voice, Big Voice (03:07)
A2 Make a Noise (03:02)
A3 Show You (02:43)
A4 Scared and Not Scared (03:56)
A5 Never Happen (02:32)
A6 Apple Snack (02:10)
B1 I Like (02:22)
B2 Family Song (02:00)
B3 Fall (02:11)
B4 Bird Feeder (01:24)
B5 Great Big Building (02:34)
B6 Happy Face (02:41)
[Credits]
Dick Lourie (guitar/vocals)
Liner Notes: Dick Lourie, Designer and Cover Artwork: Randi Wasserman
[Notes]
Composed during the course of Dick Lourie's work as a music teacher in New York State, this collection has been designed for kids and adults alike. Those with little voices (the songs are aimed at three- to nine-year-olds) will enjoy singing interactive songs on themes like "Apple Snacks" and "Great Big Buildings." Those with big voices will appreciate how the songs encourage a child’s creativity. As Lourie acknowledges, the songs may be complex in conception, but they are simple in execution.

Music Boxes, Carousels, and Hand Organ

Cook Records 10120

Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: United States
Released: 1950
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Sounds
[Tracklist]
A01 Lancers: American Olympia (01:04)
A02 Wagner: Bridal Chorus: "Console Grand" Capitol (00:49)
A03 Oh, Promise Me: "Concert" Regina (01:05)
A04 Mendelssohn: Recessional: "Concert" Regina (01:10)
A05 Hearts and Flowers: "Household" Regina (01:08)
A06 Last Rose of Summer: "Household" Regina (01:00)
A07 Listen to the Mockingbird: Swiss "Coffin" Box by Mermod (00:46)
A08 Love's Old Sweet Song: "Concert" Regina (01:04)
A09 Home Sweet Home: Swiss "Coffin" Box by Mermod (00:44)
A10 Girl I Left Behind Me: Swiss Box with Three Beautiful Silver Bells (00:30)
A11 In the Gloaming: "Household" Regina (01:07)
A12 Maryland, My Maryland: Swiss "Coffin" Box by Mermod (00:40)
A13 I Don't Want to Play in Your Yard: Miniature Capitol (00:32)
A14 Offenbach: The Grand Duchess: Mandoline-Cartel Music Box (00:48)
A15 Offenbach: Orpheus in Hades: Mandoline-Cartel Music Box (00:49)
A16 Offenbach: Genevieve of Brabant: Mandoline-Cartel Music Box (00:48)
A17 Offenbach: The Perickole: Mandoline-Cartel Music Box (00:50)
A18 Strauss: The Blue Danube: "Console" Regina (01:43)
A19 Artist's Life: Swiss Box with Eighteen Golden Bells (00:55)
A20 Skater's Waltz: "Concert" Regina (01:03)
A21 Boccaccio's March: Three Beautiful Silver Bells (00:28)
A22 Strauss Waltz: "Household" Regina (00:59)
A23 Swiss Folk Song: Swiss Mechanism Representing the Early (00:25)
A24 The Lost Chord: "Concert" Regina (01:04)
A25 Ave Maria: "Household" Regina (01:06)
A26 Auld Lang Syne: Swiss "Coffin" Box by Mermod (00:46)
A27 Jingle Bells: "Household" Regina (01:08)
B01 Three O'Clock in the Morning: n/a (02:07)
B02 Faust Waltz: n/a (06:59)
B03 Amusement Parks: n/a (02:17)
B04 My Wild Irish Rose: n/a (01:29)
B05 Tennessee Waltz: n/a (01:01)
B06 Sweet Rosie O'Grady: n/a (03:11)
B07 Sidewalks of New York / Maggie / Billie Boy / Oh! Marie: n/a (02:34)
[Credits]
Recorder: Emory Cook
[Notes]
This special collection of 19th-century music boxes, carousels and hand organs yields not only the delicate bell-like tingle we associate with the music box or the huskier sound of hand organ bellows, but also a few not-yet-so-elegant jangles from some of the earliest ever mechanical contraptions.

Doc Tommy Scott's Last Real Medicine Show

World's Most Unusual Songs

Folkways Records – FSS 31077

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1984
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Old Time
[Tracklist]
A1 Medicine Show's Back in Town (00:54)
A2 Dialogue (00:50)
A3 Pollution (02:41)
A4 Snake Oil (01:58)
A5 Flick My Bic (02:25)
A6 7-11 Roll Them Dice (03:06)
A7 Luke McLuke (03:40)
B1 Camping (02:47)
B2 Toilet Song (01:51)
B3 Laugh Loud (02:38)
B4 Southland (03:53)
B5 Don't Blame the Car (03:04)
B6 Dallas (02:37)
B7 Medicine Man (01:22)
[Credits]
Tommy Scott (guitar/vocals)
Cover Artwork: Tom Dunlap
[Notes]
In 1984, Doc Tommy Scott maintained that his medicine show was the last authentic medicine show remaining in the United States. For over fifty years Scott performed and peddled his wares including his famous snake oil, which he guaranteed would cure everything from the tiny cuts to huge bunions.

More Good Time Music / Josh Bogin

Folkways Records – FC 7550

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1973
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Children's
[Tracklist]
A1 Rock-A-My-Soul (04:11)
A2 Hey Lollie (04:25)
A3 When I First Came to This Land (03:11)
A4 Where Shall I Be (03:05)
A5 Mama Don't Allow (02:40)
A6 Bring Me a Little Water, Silvy (01:55)
B1 Long John (03:15)
B2 This Little Light of Mine (02:58)
B3 Join into the Game (02:54)
B4 Stewball (04:34)
B5 That's All Right / Five Wine Bottles (05:09)
B6 Corrina, Corrina (02:50)
[Credits]
Josh Bogin (guitar/vocals)
Liner Notes: Josh Bogin, Designer: Randi Wasserman, Cover Artwork: Randi Wasserman
[Notes]
More Good Time Music is Josh Bogin's sequel to his 1972 release, Good Time Music. Consisting entirely of children's game songs, Bogin is accompanied by a group of young children from Philadelphia's Durham Child Development Center. Among the mostly traditional songs here are the classic participatory songs "Mama Don't Allow" and "Join In the Game," as well as "Bring Me a Little Water, Sylvie," written by Lead Belly. Liner notes include song lyrics—along with Bogin's instructions and commands to the children in parentheses—and a reprint of Bogin's introduction to his previous album.

Let Me Fall: Old Time Bluegrass from the Virginia-North Carolina Border

Cullen Galyean and Bobby Harrison

Folkways Records - FS 3910

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1984
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
A1 Your Horses Ain't Hungry (04:04)
A2 Life of Sorrow (02:39)
A3 Soldier's Joy (02:39)
A4 Nobody's Darling (02:40)
A5 Roll On Buddy Roll On (03:27)
A6 White Dove (03:17)
B1 Ground Hog (02:27)
B2 Sally Ann (02:01)
B3 Let Me Fall (02:34)
B4 Lonesome Day (03:15)
B5 May I Sleep in Your Barn, Mister? (03:51)
B6 Old Reuben (04:29)
[Credits]
Cullen Galyean (banjo/fiddle/vocls) Bobby Harrison (guitar/vocals)
Liner Notes: Paul Newman, Paul Tyler, & Eric Davidson
Designer: Ronald Clyne, Recorder: Eric H. Davidson
[Notes]
The traditional bluegrass music interpreted by Cullen Gaylean (banjo and fiddle) and Bobby Harrison (guitar) hails from the hills spanning southwestern Virginia and northwestern North Carolina. Gaylean and Harrison, friends and musical partners for over 25 years when the album was recorded, also issued four other albums for Folkways Records as members of the Virginia Mountain Boys. Here they pare down the traditional full bluegrass band to expose the interplay between their two voices and instruments. This collection brings together music from the 20th, 19th, and earlier centuries, providing the listener an insight to the typical repertoire of Appalachian string bands from the North Carolina–Virginia border. Liner notes include background on the artists by Paul Newman, Paul Tyler, and Eric Davidson as well as notes on each song's historical context.

Early American Psalmody and Mission Music in California

Folkways Records – FH 5108

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1965
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Historical, & Sacred
[Tracklist]
A1 Windsor Tune: Margaret Dodd Singers (02:33)
A2 Ten Commandments: Margaret Dodd Singers (06:05)
A3 Old 148th or Hallelujah Tune: Margaret Dodd Singers (03:54)
A4 London Tune: Margaret Dodd Singers (02:03)
A5 York Tune: Margaret Dodd Singers (02:31)
A6 Old 113th: Margaret Dodd Singers (05:41)
B1 Alabado : Padre Juan Thomas and Coro Hispánico de Mallorca (03:05)
B2 Si Quaeris Miracula: Padre Juan Thomas and Coro Hispánico de Mallorca (02:57)
B3 Cántico Espiritual: Padre Juan Thomas and Coro Hispánico de Mallorca (06:16)
B4 Alabado: Padre Juan Thomas and Coro Hispánico de Mallorca (02:03)
B5 Missa de Los Angeles: Padre Juan Thomas and Coro Hispánico de Mallorca (13:04)
[Credits]
Designer: Ronald Clyne, Mastering Engineer: Ray Hagerty
[Notes]
The first half of this collection, sung by the Margaret Dodds singers, is of music taken from the first book ever printed in what became the United States of America—The Bay Psalm Book. In keeping with tradition, there is a cantor who sings a small portion of the psalm which is then repeated by the congregation (a practice born out of necessity as there would otherwise not have been enough song books for everyone to share). The second half of the album, performed by Padre Juan Thomas and Coro Hispánico de Mallorca, speaks to the role that music played in the conversion to Catholicism of Native Americans, by the Franciscans, during the 18th century.

Pete Seeger Sings and Answers Questions

Folkways Records - FH 5702 (BR 502)

Format: 2xVinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: United States
Released: 1956
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Struggle & Protest
[Tracklist]
Side One (27:31)
A1 Opinions And Social Justice
A2 Backgrounds To Social Songs In Europe And The USA
A3 Social Songs From The Colonial Times To Today
A4 Songs Of The Immigrants
Side Two (29:07)
B1 Labor Songs In The USA
B2 Songs Of Prejudices And Protests
B3 Black Revolts In The USA
Side Three (27:05)
C1 Anti-Vietnam Songs
C2 The Big Muddy Controversy
C3 Arts In A Changing Society
C4 Violence And Protest
Side Four (27:21)
D1 Lisa Kalvalege Song
D2 Union Labor Songs
D3 Bells Of Rhymney
D4 Woody Guthrie
D5 Afro American Songs
[Credits]
Pete Seeger (banjo/guitar/twelve-string guitar/vocals)
[Notes]
In 1967, Pete Seeger was the guest speaker for a two-hour program at the Ford Hall Forum in Boston, MA, on the topic "Music and Social Justice." Seeger's remarks—interwoven with 35 illustrative songs, mostly excerpts—reveal a widely read and analytical side. His commentary notes both the positive and negative role that songs have played in issues of race, the labor movement, and social justice. The second half of the program is devoted to Q&A between Seeger and the audience. The ongoing Vietnam War is prominent in this segment; included is discussion about Seeger's interactions with TV officials over their censorship of his hard-hitting anti-Vietnam War song, "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy," which he sings in its entirety. An extended enthusiastic round of applause (almost certainly accompanying a standing ovation) concludes the event. Liner notes provide background, as well as a transcript of the program.

New Ways of Playing Mountain Dulcimer by Kevin Roth

Folkways Records - CRB 20

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1979
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Appalachian Music
[Tracklist]
A01 First Lesson; Dulcimer description of the instrument and introduction to tunings (03:19)
A02 Ionian Mode (01:24)
A03 Dorian Mode (01:01)
A04 Phrygian Mode (01:11)
A05 Lydian Mode (01:08)
A06 Mixolydian Mode (00:54)
A07 Aeolian Mode (01:00)
A08 Bagpipe Tuning (01:13)
A09 Review of tuning and introduction to mode demonstrations (01:08)
A10 Ionian Mode demonstration (00:49)
A11 Dorian Mode demonstration (01:09)
A12 Phrygian Mode demonstration (01:31)
A13 Lydian Mode demonstration (01:25)
A14 Mixolydian Mode demonstration (01:27)
A15 Aeolian Mode demonstration (01:24)
A16 Bagpipe Tuning demonstration (01:10)
B01 Strumming the 3-string dulcimer (01:20)
B02 Finger-picking the 3-string dulcimer (01:40)
B03 Introduction and strumming, 4-string dulcimer (02:20)
B04 Finger-picking the 4-string dulcimer (00:51)
B05 The Extra Fret (00:50)
B06 Simple Gifts and variations (02:58)
B07 Introduction and demonstration of electric dulcimer (02:30)
C01 Introduction to mixed instrument demonstration and "Olabelle's Blues" (02:58)
C02 Duncan (03:35)
C03 Dry Bones (02:29)
C04 Kelefaba (03:35)
D01 Old Joe Clark (02:11)
D02 Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad (02:52)
D03 Shady Grove (01:57)
D04 Patriot Game,The (02:04)
D05 The Unicorn (04:01)
D06 The Rooster Song (04:25)
[Credits]
Kevin Roth (dulcimer)
Producer and Liner Notes: Kevin Roth, Liner Notes: Woody Padgett and David E. Field, Designer and Photographer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
In 1979, Folkways released this instructional album by Kevin Roth on playing the Appalachian or mountain dulcimer. In the recording, Roth instructs his student "Herman Klutzmeyer" in the art of tuning and playing both the three- and four-stringed dulcimer. The final ten tracks are a demonstration of the dulcimer playing solo and with other instruments. Selections in this grouping include "Ola Belles Blues," "Duncan," "Old Joe Clark," "Shady Grove," and "The Patriot Game."

Andrew Rowan Summers

Folkways Records – FA 2348

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1957
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Appalachian
[Tracklist]
A1 I Will Give My Love an Apple (02:10)
A2 The Death of Queen Jane (03:34)
A3 Blackbirds and Thrushes (02:12)
A4 The Three Ravens (03:29)
A5 Old Mr. Fox (02:29)
B1 Shenandoah (02:37)
B2 Full Moon (02:11)
B3 O Death Rock Me Asleep (01:52)
B4 Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender (10:10)
[Credits]
Andrew Rowan Summers (dulcimer/vocals)
Liner Notes: Andrew Rowan Summers, Cover Artwork: David Stone Martin
[Notes]
Dulcimer player and singer Andrew Rowan Summers gives listeners his distinctive renditions of ballads from the Anglo-Irish tradition, as well as a version of "Au Claire de la Lune" translated by famous writer Katherine Anne Porter.