As a record label proprietor trading in diverse repertoire, there is no greater influence or inspiration than Folkways. For those of us releasing archival and new works in the remote ‘folk’ world, we are all standing on the shoulders of this giant. The sheer output and batting average of quality is astounding, the commitment to forgotten cultures and tongues awesome in its breadth. This influence is not an idle concept: Tompkins Square has released recordings by Roscoe Holcomb, Dillard Chandler, Fred Gerlach, Alice Gerrard, Lucinda Williams and Entourage Music & Theatre Ensemble. Some of our favorite Folkways catalog selections haven’t made it onto digital services yet, but I’ve cobbled together many of my favorites. Long live Folkways!