Skip to main content

Classic African-American Ballads from Smithsonian Folkways

Various Artists
Classic African-American Ballads from Smithsonian Folkways

Classic African-American Ballads is a sampling of an important, historic, and engaging slice of America's Black music heritage. The heyday of the Black ballad tradition (1890-1920) left a lasting strain of creativity and a monument to African American life of the time. Ranging from songs created from the heritage of the English ballad, to social commentary vilifying abusive white authority figures, to "blues ballads," this album reminds us of the enormity and constant evolution of African American musical tradition. 36-page booklet. 22 tracks. 67 minutes.

RELATED VIDEOS
Steamboat Whistle

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Mouse on the Hill (Froggie Went a-Courting) Warner Williams with Jay Summerour 03:44
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Casey Jones K.C. Douglas 01:23
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
John Hardy Lead Belly 02:43
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Railroad Bill John Jackson 03:33
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
Stewball Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon 03:33
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
John Henry Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee 04:04
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
St. James Infirmary Snooks Eaglin 02:20
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
108
Staggerlee (Stackolee) John Cephas and Phil Wiggins 05:03
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
109
Lost John Convict Group, Ramsey and Retrieve State Farms 04:54
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
110
Betty and Dupree Josh White 03:45
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
111
Old Riley / Here, Rattler, Here Lead Belly 01:58
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
112
The Race of the Jim Lee and Katy Adam Jazz Gillum, Memphis Slim, and Arbee Stidham 02:27
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
113
The Titanic Pink Anderson 02:49
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
114
Frankie and Johnny Big Bill Broonzy 02:07
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
115
White House Blues Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys 01:59
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
116
Louis Collins John Jackson 03:18
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
117
Bad Lee Brown (Late One Night) Woody Guthrie 02:14
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
118
Luke and Mullen Horace Sprott 02:25
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
119
Duncan and Brady Dave Van Ronk 03:00
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
120
Gallis Pole (The Maid Freed from the Gallows) Lead Belly 02:45
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
121
Boll Weevil Pink Anderson 03:04
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
122
Delia's Gone Josh White Jr. 03:45