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.

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Track Listing

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