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Catalog

Music Down Home: An Introduction to Negro Folk Music, U.S.A.

Various Artists
Music Down Home: An Introduction to Negro Folk Music, U.S.A.
Custom CD 21.98
Digital Download 19.98

This 1965 recording traces the evolution of African American folk music from the South. The oral tradition of folk music in the African American community has demonstrated a perseverance through the eras of slavery and segregation while embracing and influencing American popular music through songs, lyrics and performance.

33 songs, 1.4 hours, with liner notes by producer Charles Edward Smith detailing the historical underpinnings of African American folk music and background notes on songs including lyrics.

*Content Advisory: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings holds a large volume of sound recordings, some of which were recorded almost a century ago. Preferred terminology has changed throughout the history of our catalog’s existence. This publication reflects wording that was preferred at the time, though it may be used pejoratively today.
For our policy on controversial recordings, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Track Listing

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101
Take This Hammer Lead Belly 01:38
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102
Field Call Annie Grace Horn Dodson 01:18
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103
Children's Call Annie Grace Horn Dodson 00:47
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104
Complaint Call Enoch Brown 00:44
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105
Water on the Wheel Annie Dodson 00:47
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106
Railroad, 1 Rich Amerson 01:26
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107
Move Members Move Rosie Hibler and Family 01:57
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108
Go Pray Ye Annie Dodson 02:32
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109
The Day Is Past Dorothy Melton 01:56
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110
Prayer Song Dock Reed and Vera Hall Ward 02:37
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111
King David Rich Amerson and Earthy Anne Coleman 04:30
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201
Rockin' Jerusalem Fisk Jubilee Singers 02:13
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202
Just Got over at Last Little Brother Montgomery 02:23
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203
Mama's Goin' to Buy Him a Little Lap Dog Vera Hall Ward 00:48
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204
Brother Hawk, Brother Buzzard and Brother Rabbit Rich Amerson 01:59
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205
I’m Goin’ up North Satisfied Children of East York School 01:25
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206
Railroad, 2 Rich Amerson 01:53
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207
Lost John (Version 1) Sonny Terry 03:08
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208
Lost John (Version 2) Prison Farm Work Group 04:55
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301
I'm Goin' to Pack up My Things and Back Down That Sunny Road I'm Goin' Mozelle Moore 03:13
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302
Careless Love Brownie McGhee 03:18
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303
Let Me Go Home, Whiskey Snooks Eaglin 02:54
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304
You're My Man (Slick Chick Blues) Victoria Spivey 04:36
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305
I Wonder When I'll Get to Be Called a Man Big Bill Broonzy 02:20
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306
Mule Ridin', Talking Blues Big Bill Broonzy 03:43
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307
Black Woman Rich Amerson 04:55
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401
Old John Booker (You Call That Gone) Gus Cannon 01:45
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402
John Henry Furry Lewis 04:48
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403
Take Your Fingers off It Gus Cannon, Charlie Burse, and Will Shade 02:53
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404
44 Blues Willie Thomas and Butch Cage 04:11
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405
Sonny's Jump Sonny Terry's Washboard Band 03:08
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406
Birmingham Jail Lead Belly 02:30
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407
I'm So Glad Montgomery Gospel Trio 02:34

Release Info

Catalog Number(s)

FW02691, FA 2691

Year(s) Released

1965

Label(s)/Collection(s)

Folkways Records

Country(s)

United States

Genre(s)

African American Music, American Folk, Blues

Instrument(s)

12-string acoustic guitar, 5-String Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Fiddle, Harmonica, Jug, Lead vocals, Piano, Spoken word, Washboard, Washtub bass

Language(s)

English

Recording Era(s)

1960s

Credit(s)

Charles Edward Smith - Producer
 Ronald Clyne - Designer
Download Liner Notes (LP)