was probably the most influential album of the 1950s. It introduced music from, mostly, the rural south to a population of young people who grew up, and were growing up, in an urban setting.
The tunes themselves were from 78 rpm records recorded commercially and calling this folk music was a step. It is true that virtually all of the performers learned their art in local communities and were nurtured by these communities. It's also true that few made a living from their music but most aspired to do so. The record companies put the songs out for sale to realize a profit.
Cajun music, music by African Americans, music by rural white people made up almost all of the discs and I think it's safe to say, most was new to most people. It gave aspiring musicians who didn't care for Tin Pan Alley a shot in the arm and a new direction.
Harry Smith himself was a unique person and it's worth a search to learn about him.
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"The justness of individual land right is not justifiable to those to whom the land by right of first claim collectively belonged"
I used to have a six CD player in my New Beetle...put all six CDs of the Anthology in there, and listened to them on my commute for three years straight. And read all about Harry Smith, and explained him to all my friends, who wondered about this strange music I was listening to. I play several of the songs, working on more.
Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Jerry Garcia, Pete, Mike, and Peggy Seeger, and countless others got their start from the wide selection of songs that, published by the Smithsonian, were accidentally rendered into the public domain!
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"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
one of the few "must haves" for people interested in American music.
Having it in your car for 3 years is a great idea - I've done that for one year for Trout Mask Replica - but am going to put Harry Smith's Anthology in starting today.
On a personal note, I lived at Fancy Gap, VA, for years and Galax was where my wife worked. The term "hillbilly" came from Galax because a local band - the Hill-Billys - were active there. A few artists on the Anthology came from the Carroll County-Galax City - Grayson County region and some of the musical styles on the Anthology are still heard and supported there..
Maybelle Carter was a very influential guitar player and she used a Gibson L-5, a jazz guitar popularized by the great Eddie Lang, the man responsible for modern rhythm jazz guitar and the man who made the banjo untenable for swing jazz.
It's very nice to read about one of the most famous songs on the Anthology and I thank you this Saturday morning.
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0 users have voted.
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"The justness of individual land right is not justifiable to those to whom the land by right of first claim collectively belonged"
Comments
The Anthology of American Folk Music, Ed. by Harry Smith
was probably the most influential album of the 1950s. It introduced music from, mostly, the rural south to a population of young people who grew up, and were growing up, in an urban setting.
The tunes themselves were from 78 rpm records recorded commercially and calling this folk music was a step. It is true that virtually all of the performers learned their art in local communities and were nurtured by these communities. It's also true that few made a living from their music but most aspired to do so. The record companies put the songs out for sale to realize a profit.
Cajun music, music by African Americans, music by rural white people made up almost all of the discs and I think it's safe to say, most was new to most people. It gave aspiring musicians who didn't care for Tin Pan Alley a shot in the arm and a new direction.
Harry Smith himself was a unique person and it's worth a search to learn about him.
"The justness of individual land right is not justifiable to those to whom the land by right of first claim collectively belonged"
Thanks duckpin
I used to have a six CD player in my New Beetle...put all six CDs of the Anthology in there, and listened to them on my commute for three years straight. And read all about Harry Smith, and explained him to all my friends, who wondered about this strange music I was listening to. I play several of the songs, working on more.
Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Jerry Garcia, Pete, Mike, and Peggy Seeger, and countless others got their start from the wide selection of songs that, published by the Smithsonian, were accidentally rendered into the public domain!
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
Thank you. It is a timeless collection and truly
one of the few "must haves" for people interested in American music.
Having it in your car for 3 years is a great idea - I've done that for one year for Trout Mask Replica - but am going to put Harry Smith's Anthology in starting today.
On a personal note, I lived at Fancy Gap, VA, for years and Galax was where my wife worked. The term "hillbilly" came from Galax because a local band - the Hill-Billys - were active there. A few artists on the Anthology came from the Carroll County-Galax City - Grayson County region and some of the musical styles on the Anthology are still heard and supported there..
Maybelle Carter was a very influential guitar player and she used a Gibson L-5, a jazz guitar popularized by the great Eddie Lang, the man responsible for modern rhythm jazz guitar and the man who made the banjo untenable for swing jazz.
It's very nice to read about one of the most famous songs on the Anthology and I thank you this Saturday morning.
"The justness of individual land right is not justifiable to those to whom the land by right of first claim collectively belonged"
wrong pen....n.t
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon