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Angola Prisoners' Blues

Various Artists
Angola Prisoners' Blues
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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 recorded a series of music performances by African American prisoners at the infamous facility. The performances, many by prisoners serving life sentences, are full of despair and raw emotion. Included in this collection are a cappella selections by three female prisoners (Angola housed both male and female prisoners until 1961). Part of the royalties from this collection go to the Inmate Welfare Fund at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

Track Listing

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101
Prisoner's Talking Blues Robert Pete Williams 5:12
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102
Stagolee Hogman Maxey 3:42
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103
Electric Chair Blues Guitar Welch 5:12
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104
Black Night Is Fallin' Hogman Maxey 4:32
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105
Some Got Six Months Robert Pete Williams 3:46
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106
I'm Gonna Leave You Mama Guitar Welch 2:50
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107
I'm Lonesome Blues Robert Pete Williams 4:01
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108
Angola Bound Unkown Artist 5:50
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109
Worried Blues Hogman Maxey 4:16
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110
Josephine Guitar Welch 5:12
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111
Soldier's Plea Clara Young 2:47
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112
The Moon Is Rising Odea Mathews 1:59
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113
I'm Still In Love With You Thelma Mae Joseph 1:44
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114
I Miss You So Unkown Artist 3:31
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115
Hello, Sue Butterbeans 0:59
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116
Fast Life Woman Hogman Maxey 4:07
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117
Careless Love Otis Webster 2:32
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118
Have You Ever Heard The Church Bells Ton Roosevelt Charles & Otis Webster 2:38
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119
61 Highway Guitar Welch 4:25
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120
Strike At Camp I Roosevelt Charles 9:31
Arhoolie Records

Album Info

Catalog Number(s)

ARH00419, 419, CD 419, 2011, LFS A-3

Year(s) Released

1970, 1996

Recording Date(s)

1952-1959

Recording Location(s)

Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, Louisiana

Label/Collection

Arhoolie Records

Genre(s)

Blues

Country(s)

United States

Culture Group(s)

African American

Instrument(s)

12-String Guitar; Guitar; Vocal Group; Vocals

Credit(s)

Chris Strachwitz - Editor, Producer
 Harry Oster - Editor, Photographer
 Wayne Pope - Designer
 Richard Allen - Recorder
 Paul Crawford - Liner Notes
Download Liner Notes