Mark Olf sings Jewish Folk Songs Vol. 1

Folkways Records – FW 6826

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1951
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Judaica
[Tracklist]
A1 In an orem shtibele (02:39)
A2 Hob ich a por oksen (01:44)
A3 Bulbe (01:36)
A4 Der rebbe elimelech (02:20)
A5 Oif'N pripitchik (03:04)
A6 Rozhenkes mit mandlen (01:45)
B1 Dona dona (02:53)
B2 Vei vos fun main mantle iz gevoren (02:47)
B3 A ganeyveh (01:57)
B4 Mariyashe (02:51)
B5 Zlatke (01:54)
B6 Tumba tumba (01:57)
[Credits]
Mark Olf (guitar/vocals)
[Notes]
Mark Olf (1905–1987) was a composer and singer of Yiddish and Hebrew songs. He emigrated from Russia to the U.S. with his family when he was in his early teens; he later recorded some of the songs he had heard as a child, toured the country performing, and taught music at the Henry Street Settlement on the Lower East Side, Queens College (CUNY), and the University of Rhode Island. On this recording-–one of four he made for Folkways Records—he sings well-known Yiddish folk songs, accompanying himself on guitar. Yiddish, which incorporates German, Hebrew, and Slavic elements, was the primary secular language of the Jews in Eastern Europe. Liner notes provide English translations and the original Yiddish texts.

Songs of Steel and Struggle: The Story of the Steelworkers

Sung by Joe Glazer with the Charlie Byrd Trio

Collector Records - 1930

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1975
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Struggle
[Tracklist]
A1 Pittsburgh (01:59)
A2 Red Iron Ore (02:23)
A3 The Ballad of Jon Catchins (03:42)
A4 United Steelworkers Are We (01:54)
A5 Amalgamate as One (03:27)
A6 The Homestead Strike (03:17)
A7 Memorial Day Massacre (01:59)
A8 The Spirit of Phil Murray (02:29)
B1 Too Old to Work (02:57)
B2 Corrido Del Minero (02:49)
B3 Steel Mill Blues (02:41)
B4 1913 Massacre (04:06)
B5 I Lie in the American Land (03:02)
B6 When a Fellow Is Out of a Job (02:41)
B7 Solidarity Forever (02:34)
[Credits]
Joe Glazer (guitor/vocals) Charlie Byrd Trio (guitar/bass/drums)
[Notes]
Collector Records presents Joe Glazer along with the Charlie Byrd Trio in this collection of Songs of Steel—as no series on industrial folklore and folksong in America would be complete without an album dedicated to steelworkers. Glazer opens the album with Woody Guthrie’s hit song “Pittsburgh” and sings of other poignant moments in steel unions’ history, including the gut-wrenching tale of the "Memorial Day Massacre"

The Music Of New Orleans Volume One

The Music of the Streets: The Music of Mardi Gras

Folkways Records – FA 2461

Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: United States
Released: 1958
Genre: Jazz, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Jazz, & Ragtime
[Tracklist]
A1 Street Cries (1): Vegetable peddlers (00:49)
A2 Let God's Moon Alone: Dora Alexander (01:13)
A3 Times Done Changed: Dora Alexander (01:29)
A4 Street Cries (2): Percy Randolph (01:15)
A5 What a Friend We Have in Jesus / My Old Kentucky Home: James Mitchell (03:13)
A6 Shine: Percy Randolph (01:07)
A7 Liebestraum: Frank Amica (04:14)
A8 Hambone: Shoeshine boy (01:06)
A9 Mean Old Frisco: Snooks Eaglin (03:08)
B1 To-Wa-Bac-A-Way - The Indian Race: Mardi Gras Indians with Joe DeGrait (03:38)
B2 Red White and Blue Got the Golden Band: Mardi Gras Indians (05:13)
B3 On Mardi Gras Day: Hank (03:49)
B4 Bourbon Street Parade: A brass band (03:23)
B5 When the Saints Go Marching in / Margie: A parade with brass bands (02:42)
[Credits]
Producer: Moses Asch, Recorder: Samuel Charters, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
This fascinating collection of music from the streets of New Orleans was recorded between 1954 and 1958, and includes an inspiring variety of material, from vegetable peddlers' street cries to the musical saw and brass bands, from a shoeshine boy's hambone to Sister Dora Alexander's impassioned "Russia, Let God's Moon Alone," written the day after Russia launched a satellite.

Call - And - Response: Rhythmic Group Singing

Conceived and Narrated and Sung by Ella Jenkins

Folkways Records – FC 7638

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1957
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Children's, & African
[Tracklist]
A1 Tah-Boo (01:59)
A2 Zeembah (01:14)
A3 Moon Don't Go (01:59)
A4 Moon Don't Go (With Instruments) (00:45)
A5 Toom-Bah-Ee-Lero (01:49)
A6 Toom-Bah-Ee-Lero (With Instruments) (01:26)
B1 A Chant From West Africa (01:23)
B2 A Love Chant From North Africa (01:12)
B3 An American Chain Gang Chant (02:15)
B4 An Arabic Chant That Means Welcome (01:14)
[Credits]
Producer: Ella Jenkins and Moses Asc, Photographer: Jo Banks, Designer: Matthew Langley, Mastering Engineer: Charlie Pilzer
[Notes]
In 1956, Ella Jenkins went to New York City with an acetate demo disc of children’s music she had recorded. She had decided to devote her life to music. At the office of Folkways Records, Ella met with label founder Moses Asch, who listened to her tape and, after she recorded a few more songs, made it into a record. Now, almost 70 years later, Ella Jenkins has become one of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings' most iconic artists. World renowned for her impact on the music education landscape, she has aptly been nicknamed "The First Lady of Children's Music." Originally released on a 10-inch LP record in 1957, Ella's first album features simple call-and-response chants from both the United States and Africa, specially adapted for young children. Rhythmic and easy to learn and performed with a group of school children, these songs encourage group singing and the development of musical skills and memory. Call-and-Response launched Ella Jenkin's long and storied career of making music for young people and is an excellent introduction to the beloved performer. Recommended for ages 5–9.

Camp Songs

Pete Seeger and Erik Darling with the Song Swappers

Folkways Records – SC 7551

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Ireland, & United States
Released: 1955
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Children's, & Folk
[Tracklist]
A1 Children of the Lord (01:51)
A2 Bingo Was His Name (01:29)
A3 Daughter Will You Marry? (01:39)
A4 If All the Rain Drops (00:38)
A5 Be Kind to Your Teachers (01:06)
A6 The Younger Generation (01:31)
A7 John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmitt (00:55)
A8 I Was Born 10,000 Years Ago (Just the Facts Ma'am) (03:05)
B1 Happy Jackie Junior (00:31)
B2 Spring Would Be / There Was a Little Man (01:26)
B3 Oh, When Pop was a Little Boy (01:27)
B4 Hard Luck Blues (01:29)
B5 Kevin Barry (03:53)
B6 Putting on the Style (02:43)
B7 Finegan, Beginigin (01:25)
[Credits]
Pete Seeger (guitar/banjo/vocals) Erik Darling (banjo/vocals)
Producer: Moses Asch, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
The enthusiasm and informality of summer camp songs are captured by a group of six- to eleven- year-old children, whose performance is directed by iconic folksinger Pete Seeger (1919–2014). Seeger also arranged the songs, and with his banjo further enlivens the proceedings. In addition, folksinger/banjoist Erik Darling (1933–2008), perhaps best known for his recording (as leader of the Rooftop Singers) of the hit single "Walk Right In" in 1963, performs five camp songs as solo numbers. The liner notes provide the lyrics of the songs, enabling listeners to join in the fun.

Peggy Seeger: Animal Folk Songs for Children

Scholastic Records – SC 7551

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1957
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Children's, & Folk
[Tracklist]
A01 Little Brown Dog (02:13)
A02 Oh, Blue (01:45)
A03 The Big Sheep (The Darby Ram) (01:57)
A04 Riding Round the Cattle (02:05)
A05 The Old Cow Died (01:53)
A06 Raccoon and Possum (01:17)
A07 Cross-Eyed Gopher (00:37)
A08 Little Lap-Dog Lullaby (01:27)
A09 Jack, Can I Ride (01:52)
A10 Daddy Shot a Bear (00:55)
B01 The Deer Song (03:08)
B02 And We Hunted and We Hunted (01:55)
B03 Mister Rabbit (02:10)
B04 Peep Squirrel (01:52)
B05 A Squirrel Is a Pretty Thing (01:25)
B06 Snake Baked a Hoecake (01:06)
B07 Old Lady Goose (01:23)
B08 My Old Hen's Good Old Hen (01:05)
B09 Of All the Beast-es (01:06)
[Credits]
Peggy Seeger (guitar/banjo/fiddle/vocals)
[Notes]
It could not have been an easy task for Peggy Seeger to choose the 22 tracks for this album from the 43 featured in her mother’s 1950 publication, Animal Folk Songs for Children. Her mother was the influential musician, educator, and folklorist Ruth Crawford Seeger, who drew on field recordings archived in the Library of Congress for the book. A joyful album for children and adults, the music on this recording tells tales of little brown dogs, old frogs, pretty squirrels, and cross-eyed gophers, while the liner notes divulge the songs’ intriguing origins and lyrics. Although many of the songs have been passed down through generations with little more than perhaps some hand-clapping and foot-tapping, Seeger provides simple guitar, banjo, and fiddle accompaniment.

Iowa State Fare: Music from the Heartland

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW CD 40083

Format: CD, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1996
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & World
[Tracklist]
01 Silent Singer: The Matney Sisters (02:02)
02 Amazing Grace / God Loves You: The Matney Sisters (02:24)
03 Little Goose Polka: Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen (02:32)
04 Das Kufstein Lied: Becky and The Ivanhoe Dutchmen (05:15)
05 Scared of Your Love: Becky and The Ivanhoe Dutchmen (05:38)
06 Old Fishing Hole: Louis and the Blues Review (04:26)
07 Round Dance Song: Everett Kapayou (01:20)
08 Love Song: Everett Kapayou (01:33)
09 Virginia Darling: Dwight Lamb and Lloyd Snow (01:40)
10 Red Wing: Dwight Lamb and Lloyd Snow (01:38)
11 Las Tres Mujeres: Solís and Solís (02:46)
12 Maria Chuchena: Solís and Solís (03:23)
13 Be Thou My Vision: Deer Creek Quartet (02:03)
14 Henry Storhoff's Schottische: Foot-Notes (02:11)
15 Emigrant Waltz: Foot-Notes (03:36)
16 Ain't No Devil: Psalms (04:51)
17 Go Tell It on the Mountain: Psalms (04:01)
[Credits]
Writer: Catherine Hiebert Kerst, Rachelle H. Saltzman, Liner Notes: Gergory Hansen, Dave Moore, Cynthia Schmidt, Engineer: Pete Reiniger, Mike Lawyer, David Glasser
[Notes]
Scandinavian string band melodies, Meskwaki Indian love songs, gospel harmonies, polkas, old-time fiddling, Mexican folk songs, and blues are some of the vibrant community-based musical traditions presented in this unique collection of Iowa music. Iowa State Fare showcases the vitality and diversity of the state's musical traditions on the occasion of the celebration of 150 years of Iowa statehood. These 1996 studio recordings feature eight ensembles and one solo performer selected to appear in the Iowa Sesquicentennial program at the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife. The CD booklet features essays, bibliographic information, and lyrics with translations. "The joys of Iowa's indigenous musics abound." —Icon

Gordon Bok: Other Eyes

The Quasimodal Chorus, Carol Rohl, Kat Logan, and Women's Chorus

Timberhead – THD CD17

Format: CD, Album
Country: United States
Released: 2010
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
01 Bold Reynolds (05:00)
02 The Bird Rock (03:31)
03 The Seals (02:55)
04 Captive Water (03:19)
05 The Beaches of Lukannon (03:33)
06 Sarabande's Story (04:16)
07 Gulls in the Morning (03:50)
08 The Maiden Hind (04:02)
09 Spell to Bring Lost Creatures Home (03:25)
10 The Net (04:45)
11 Herring Croon (The Last Verse) (01:18)
12 Ocean Station Bravo (04:03)
13 The Brandy Tree (03:08)
14 The Shepherd's Call (06:16)
15 Sherry's Song (05:11)
[Credits]
Producer and Mixing Engineer: Gordon Bok, Anne Dodsonr, Cover Artwork: Kat Logan, Designer: Ken Gross, Mastering and Mixing Engineer: Bruce Boege, Programming: Carol Rohl, Recorder: Michael Reeves, Rick Crampton
[Notes]
A collection of special songs that look at the world through non-human eyes. Gordon is joined on this recording by the Quasimodal Chorus, Carol Rohl, Kat Logan, and others. "After 70 years of staving around this kind land, I know our homeland is never going to survive our sojourn here if we don't learn to hear with other ears, look through other eyes." - Gordon Bok

The Seldom Scene: Remains to Be Scene

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW CD 40248

Format: CD, Album
Country: United States
Released: March 14, 2025
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
01 Last of the Steam-Powered Trains (03:47)
02 Crossroads (02:46)
03 A Good Time Man Like Me Ain't Got No Business (02:09)
04 Hard Travelin' (02:56)
05 Farewell, Angelina (04:01)
06 Walking Down the Line (02:35)
07 Lonesome Day (02:36)
08 I Could Cry (02:29)
09 White Line (03:40)
10 Show Me the Way to Go Home (02:46)
11 The Story of My Life (02:48)
[Credits]
Producer and Mixing Engineer: Seldom Scene, Liner Notes Editor: Carla Borden, Designer: Grass Spot, Photographer: Jeromie Stephens, Recorder and Mixing Engineer: Jim Robeson, Mastering Engineer: Mike Monseur
[Notes]
The Seldom Scene is a bluegrass institution. Since 1971, the group has remained quintessential bearers of the tradition, releasing nearly two dozen albums that cast a wide net for inspiration and repertoire. Remains to Be Scene is no exception, delivering stirring takes on bluegrass standards and providing their signature interpretations on deep cuts from the likes of The Kinks, Bob Dylan, and Jim Croce. The album is the first to be released since the passing of founding member and trailblazing banjo player Ben Eldridge, who contributes impassioned liner notes to the release. Beneath the album’s title lies a plain truth: more than fifty years in, The Seldom Scene is looking ever forward.

Heart of Oak!

Traditional Songs of Our Seafaring Heritage by the X Seamens Institute

Folkways Records FTS-32419

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1976
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Chanteys
[Tracklist]
A1 Heart of Oak (02:47)
A2 Rum Runner (02:47)
A3 Strike the Bell (02:29)
A4 Gloucester Boys (02:29)
A5 Hog Eye Man (01:25)
A6 Santianno (01:45)
A7 South Australia (02:27)
A8 Grimbsby Town (03:20)
B1 The Diamond (02:16)
B2 Doodle Let Me Go (01:38)
B3 Black Ball Line (01:26)
B4 The Big Bow Wow (01:45)
B5 Fire Down Below (01:51)
B6 Reuben Ranzo (01:29)
B7 Life of a Leaf (03:22)
B8 Tom Bowling (00:35)
B9 Uncle Nobby's Steamboat (02:59)
[Credits]
X-Seamen's Institute (accordion/guitar/banjo/drum/fiddle/mandola/tambourine/whistle/vocals)
Producer: John Townley
[Notes]
The performance group X Seamens Institute, founded in 1969 in New York City, was dedicated to performing traditional songs of the sea, including both traditional work songs called "chanteys" and "forecastle" songs sung by sailors for recreation. The quartet enthusiastically performed its repertory of American and English sea songs accompanied with rich and varied instrumentation, ranging from 12-string guitars, banjoes, fiddles, and percussion. Penny whistle and ocarina can also be heard. Liner notes provide information about the X Seamens Institute and the lyrics for each song.

Dark Holler: Old Love Songs and Ballads

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW CD 40159

Format: CD, Album
Country: United States
Released: 2005
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Old Time
[Tracklist]
01 The Carolina Lady: Dillard Chandler (04:14)
02 The Soldier Traveling from the North: Dillard Chandler (03:19)
03 The Sailor Being Tired: Dillard Chandler (03:00)
04 Young Emily: Dellie Norton (02:04)
05 Pretty Fair Miss in Her Garden: Dellie Norton (01:32)
06 When I Wore My Apron Low: Dellie Norton (00:54)
07 Pretty Saro: Cass Wallin (02:57)
08 Fine Sally: Cass Wallin (02:13)
09 Neighbor Girl: Lee Wallin (02:11)
10 Juba This: Lee Wallin (00:40)
11 Gathering Flowers: Dillard Chandler (01:22)
12 Gastony Song: Dillard Chandler (01:30)
13 Cold Rain and Snow: Dillard Chandler (02:23)
14 In Zepo Town: Lisha Shelton (03:19)
15 Don't You Remember: Lisha Shelton (02:35)
16 Awake, Awake: Dillard Chandler (04:12)
17 Mathie Grove: Dillard Chandler (06:07)
18 Scotland Man: George Landers (04:36)
19 Love Has Brought Me to Despair: Berzilla Wallin (02:47)
20 Johnny Doyle: Berzilla Wallin (03:54)
21 Short Time Here, Long Time Gone: Dillard Chandler (01:29)
22 Drunken Driver: Dillard Chandler (04:03)
23 Jesus Says Go: Dillard Chandler (02:00)
24 Meeting Is Over: Dillard Chandler (02:47)
25 Little Farmer Boy: Dillard Chandler (04:26)
26 I Wish My Baby Was Born: Dillard Chandler (01:02)
[Credits]
Compiler, Recorder, Producer and Liner Notes: John Cohen, Mastering Engineer: Pete Reiniger, Designer: Visual Dialogue
[Notes]
These milestone 1960s Folkways recordings of soul-searing Appalachian ballads brought new respect for the time-worn tradition of solo song. Their power to reach deep inside us with stories of love, betrayal, and tragedy dispels the notion that ballad singers are detached and unemotional. An extraordinary bonus DVD of John Cohen's classic film The End of an Old Song brings to life the earthy existence of balladeer Dillard Chandler of Madison County, North Carolina, featured on 14 of the 26 tracks reissued here for the first time. 36-page booklet. 26 tracks, including 4 unreleased performances. 72 minutes. Please note: the DVD video material is not included with a digital download purchase.

Get on Board: Negro Folksongs by the Folkmasters

Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, Coyal McMahan

Folkways Records – FA 2028

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1952
Genre: Folk, World, Blues, & Country
Style: Folk, & Blues
[Tracklist]
A1 The Midnight Special (02:38)
A2 Rising Sun (02:42)
A3 In His Care (02:36)
A4 Mamma Blues, No. 2 (02:35)
B1 Pick a Bale of Cotton (02:33)
B2 A Man Is Nothing but a Fool (03:23)
B3 Preachin' (01:09)
B4 I Shall Not Be Moved (02:25)
B5 Raise a Ruckus Tonight (02:54)
[Credits]
Sonny Terry (harmonica) Brownie McGhee (guitar) Coyal McMahan (maracas)
Liner Notes: George Hoefer
[Notes]
This album by harmonica player Sonny Terry and guitarist Brownie McGhee, with Coyal McMahan on maracas features traditional blues songs, spirituals, and originals by the three singer-instrumentalists. Each musician has his own distinctive style, and together they create a sound that is simultaneously melancholy and joyful.

Bernice Reagon: Give Your Hands to Struggle

The Evolution Of A Freedom Fighter

Paredon Records - P 1028

Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: United Statesbr
Released: 1975
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Struggle & Protest
[Tracklist]
A1 We've Come a Long Way to Be Together (03:49)
A2 There's a New World Coming (03:37)
A3 Room in the Circle (04:37)
A4 Old Ship of Zion (05:02)
A5 Why Did They Take Us Away? (03:14)
A6 In My Hands (07:07)
B1 Joan Little (03:25)
B2 They are Falling All Around Me (03:17)
B3 Freedom in the Air (03:19)
B4 I Won't Crumble with You If You Fall (03:06)
B5 Had, Took, Misled (03:27)
B6 Give Your Hands to Struggle (03:59)
[Credits]br /> Bernice Reagon (vocals)
Producer: Barbara Dane & Amy Horowitz, Liner Notes: E. Ethelbert Miller, Designer: Ronald Clyne, Engineer: Jonathan Thayer, Photography: Guardian
[Notes]
Reagon's strengths as a songwriter, singer, and composer are reflected in this collection of songs performed with powerful layered harmonies. Includes the full-length version of "Freedom in the Air" and the previously unreleased "We've Come a Long Way to Be Together." Originally released in 1975 on Paredon Records and reissued in 1997 by Smithsonian Folkways, this reissue features the original 43 minutes of audio along with an informative 36-page booklet.