Skip to main content

Classic African American Songsters from Smithsonian Folkways

Various Artists
Classic African American Songsters from Smithsonian Folkways Classic African American Songsters from Smithsonian Folkways ventures beyond the blues to show the true breadth of African American secular song. Drawing 21 classic tracks - including five previously unreleased -from the deep well of Smithsonian Folkways’ archives, this connoisseur collection spotlights songs from ragtime, country, Tin Pan Alley, pre-blues songs, blues hybrids, and old-timey string band. Marquee-name artists Big Bill Broonzy, Brownie McGhee, Lead Belly, Peg Leg Sam, Mississippi John Hurt, John Cephas, and more set the record straight that there has long been much more to the African American secular song tradition than just the blues. 60 minutes, 40-page booklet with extensive notes and photos.

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Bring it On Down to My House Warner Williams with Jay Summerour 02:02
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Talking Blues Pink Anderson 02:26
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Nobody’s Business (If I Do) John Jackson 03:15
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Alabama Bound Little Brother Montgomery 02:17
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
Pallet on the Floor Brownie McGhee 03:09
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
Chicken You Can’t Roost Too High For Me Bill Williams 03:16
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
My Hula Love Lead Belly 02:16
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
108
Candy Man Reverend Gary Davis 02:32
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
109
Going Down the Road Feeling Bad John Cephas and Phil Wiggins 03:32
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
110
Froggy Went-a-Courting Peg Leg Sam 04:10
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
111
Monday Morning Blues Mississippi John Hurt 05:52
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
112
The Boys of Your Uncle Sam Pink Anderson 02:03
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
113
Raise a Ruckus Tonight Brownie McGhee 02:49
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
114
Reno Factory Marvin Foddrell 02:09
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
115
Don't Let Your Deal Go Down John Jackson 03:07
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
116
Honeysuckle Rose Warner Williams with Jay Summerour 02:05
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
117
Bill Bailey Big Bill Broonzy 01:55
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
118
When the Roses Bloom Again Bill Williams 02:05
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
119
Straighten Up and Fly Right Peg Leg Sam 03:14
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
120
Careless Love Snooks Eaglin 02:33
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
121
They Cut Down the Old Pine Tree Martin, Bogan, and Armstrong 02:20