Search - Various Artists :: Afro-American Spirituals, Work Songs, And Ballads

Living music

04/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the 1930's, father and son John and Alan Lomax travelled through the South, collecting field recordings for the Library of Congress, in order to form a permanent record of the country's musical heritage. In 1942, six volumes of these and other recordings were released on thirty 78's. This collection is a remastering of the third volume of this series.The music is deep and vital; the sound quality - though as to be expected of "field recordings" cannot detract from the power of these spirituals, chants, laments, and worksongs, recorded by ordinary people - laborers, clergy, prisoners - in their ordinary settings.The record is essential listening for anyone interested in the history of Jazz, Blues, and Folk in America."