Founded in 1969 by Barbara Dane and Irwin Silber, Paredon Records was part of a wave of cultural expression that accompanied the worldwide struggle for economic, racial, and social justice and national liberation of the mid-twentieth century. The fifty titles released by Paredon are singular documents—some of the most relevant and moving song, poetry, and oratory of the times, created by the artists and leaders who lived them. Dane and Silber donated Paredon Records to the Smithsonian Institution in 1991 to insure the availability of this material to posterity.

A few recordings from Paredon Records. Click here for more.

Por Eso Luchamos

Cutumay Camones

PAR01050 (1985)

Cutumay Camones took its name from a town located in the Santa Ana province, site of a pitched battle that took place...

...And Ain't I a Woman?

New Harmony Sisterhood Band

PAR01038 (1977)

Refer to the album's Liner Notes for more information.

Puerto Rico: Algo Se Quema Allá Afuera! (Something Is Burning Out There!)

Estrella Artau

PAR01032 (1975)

"Through these songs we can see the pain, desperation, and courage, of we who are oppressed by this capitalist system. The oppressors...

Italy: Avanti Popolo! (Forward People!)

Various Artists

PAR01026 (1974)

Refer to the album's Liner Notes for more information.

A Grain of Sand: Music for the Struggle by Asians in America

Chris Kando Iijima, Joanne Nobuko Miyamoto, "Charlie" Chin

PAR01020 (1973)

Refer to the album's Liner Notes for more information.