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Folk Songs of New York City, Vol. 1

June Lazare
Folk Songs of New York City, Vol. 1

Released in 1966, this collection of twenty evocative folk songs illuminates a perhaps-unrecognizable New York City. In contrast to the nineteenth century world of gang violence, melodrama, corruption, and river pirates they chronicle, these songs are presented with simplicity and charm. For example, listen to Lazare tell the tale of the great police fight of 1857 while providing basic guitar accompaniment.

Compiled and performed by music teacher and folk enthusiast June Lazare, Folk Songs of New York City, Vol. 1 was born of research for a program presented at the New York Folklore Society. This research informs the liner notes which, combined with Lazare’s gentle brogue, resurrects the enigmatic characters and defining events of New York City folklore.

Lazare recorded volume 2 of the series (her second and only other Folkways Records release) on FW32352, available here.

Track Listing

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101
Michael Roy June Lazare 01:48
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102
Hicks the Pirate June Lazare 03:11
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103
Express Song June Lazare 02:07
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104
The Two Orphans June Lazare 02:03
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105
The Patriotic Diggers June Lazare 02:10
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106
Magistrate's Song June Lazare 02:00
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107
Jolly Old Roger June Lazare 02:46
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108
The Brooklyn Strike June Lazare 03:11
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109
The New York 'Prentice Boy June Lazare 03:03
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110
Down in Dear Old Greenwich Village June Lazare 02:35
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201
Westfield Disaster June Lazare 03:07
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202
Billy Barlow June Lazare 03:14
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203
Castle by the Sea June Lazare 03:27
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204
The Three Sisters June Lazare 03:02
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205
Dead Rabbits Fight with the Bowery Boys June Lazare 03:18
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206
The Knickerbocker Line June Lazare 01:58
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207
Great Police Fight (Riot at City Hall) June Lazare 02:04
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208
Jim Fisk June Lazare 02:55
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209
The Shoddy Contractor June Lazare 02:21
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210
Mrs. Cunningham's Darling Baby June Lazare 01:42