Anthology Of American Folk Music (Edited By Harry Smith)

The cds are by no means easy listening. You would hardly get back from work on a Friday night, grab a beer and stick this on. Despite myself I cannot help but treat this as an academic resource. It is a historical document rather than entertainment.

I find it to be essential however, for anyone wishing to understand how American music developed in the 20th century.


Wierd Old America   January 24, 2001
 25 out of 27 found this review helpful

If you thought that Bob Dylan's sound was new way back in the early 60's (as I did) then think again. That sound goes back much further to an even wierder time. Harry Smith pretty much bootlegged this cross section of American music ranging from blues through jug and gospel to early Dylan style harmonica howls from recordings on obscure labels, which begs the question, how did this very strange music attract a commercial audience in the USA of the 20's and thirties? The roots of all modern music are here and this stuff certainly did influence a generation or two or three. It's a good game spotting who subsequently ripped off what. To own it is to love it. Peg and Awl defies description, but Smith has a go at it, as he does all of these tunes with wonderfully concise tongue in cheek summaries.


The source of it all   December 1, 2000
 22 out of 24 found this review helpful

This is the collection of songs and music that inspired almost everybody on the hip side of life in the 60's. Published in 1952 by Folkways, this has survived brilliantly and is still a major source of inspiration for roots musicians. This 6 CD set was compiled out of true love to the music, and has made Harry Smith a legend like Ralph Peer, Sam Phillips or Don Law - For the record collector , this is a "MUST HAVE!"

Nils Maaetoft