The Harry Smith Connection: A Live Tribute To The Anthology Of American Folk Music [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
If you just couldn't get enough of The Anthology of American Folk Music, here's the perfect companion CD. The Anthology is, of course, the celebrated 1997 reissued six-disc box that became the touchstone for modern folk music when it was originally put out by filmmaker and record collector Harry Smith in 1952. The Harry Smith Connection is culled from two October 1997 concerts at which performers tackled tracks from The Anthology, which consists of 84 recordings made between 1926 and 1933. Contributors include Roger McGuinn (backed by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett and sounding great), Dave Van Ronk, Ethel Caffie-Austin, and the New Lost City Ramblers. The affection the performers feel for these earthen songs is palpable. The songs themselves are unassailable. --Steven Stolder

Album Description
Powerful new interpretations of Southern musical traditions, recorded live in October, 1997, at the Barns of Wolf Trap. These contemporary versions of songs that either appeared on the Grammy-Award winning Anthology of American Folk Music or are associated with its compiler, Harry Smith (tracks 9 and 19), are a wild mix of styles from "gangsta folk" to gospel, blues, Cajun, country rock, jug band, and more. A stellar group of musicians pays tribute to the past and dramatically demonstrates the enduring vitality of America’s traditional music. Extensive notes, discographies, and photographs. Produced by Pete Reiniger, Jeff Place and Bob Santelli, annotated by Jeff Place and Bob Santelli.

Tracks:

East Virginia Blues - Roger McGuinn, Jeff Tweedy, And Jay Bennett
I'm On The Battlefield For My Lord - Ethel Caffie-Austin
John Henry - John Jackson
A Lazy Farmer Boy - Greg Hooven String Band
Old Dog Blue - Lonnie Pitchford
Home Sweet Home - The New Lost City Ramblers
The Butcher Boy - Ginny Hawker
John The Revelator - Ethel Caffie-Austin
His Tapes Roll On - Peter Stampfel
Minglewood Blues - John Sebastian And The J-Band With Geoff Muldaur
The Coo Coo Bird - Ella Jenkins
Frankie And Johnny - John Jackson
Sugar Baby - Roger McGuinn, Jeff Tweedy And Jay Bennett
Le Vieux Soulard Et Sa Femme - Balfa Toujours
Spike Driver Blues - Dave Van Ronk
Darling Corey - Greg Hooven String Band
The Coo Coo Bird - Toshi Reagon
James Alley Blues - Jeff Tweedy, Roger McGuinn, And Jay Bennett
Nothing - The Fugs

Amazon.com

If you just couldn't get enough of The Anthology of American Folk Music, here's the perfect companion CD. The Anthology is, of course, the celebrated 1997 reissued six-disc box that became the touchstone for modern folk music when it was originally put out by filmmaker and record collector Harry Smith in 1952. The Harry Smith Connection is culled from two October 1997 concerts at which performers tackled tracks from The Anthology, which consists of 84 recordings made between 1926 and 1933. Contributors include Roger McGuinn (backed by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett and sounding great), Dave Van Ronk, Ethel Caffie-Austin, and the New Lost City Ramblers. The affection the performers feel for these earthen songs is palpable. The songs themselves are unassailable. --Steven Stolder

Album Description

Powerful new interpretations of Southern musical traditions, recorded live in October, 1997, at the Barns of Wolf Trap. These contemporary versions of songs that either appeared on the Grammy-Award winning Anthology of American Folk Music or are associated with its compiler, Harry Smith (tracks 9 and 19), are a wild mix of styles from "gangsta folk" to gospel, blues, Cajun, country rock, jug band, and more. A stellar group of musicians pays tribute to the past and dramatically demonstrates the enduring vitality of America's traditional music. Extensive notes, discographies, and photographs. Produced by Pete Reiniger, Jeff Place and Bob Santelli, annotated by Jeff Place and Bob Santelli.

Customer Reviews:

A labor of love.......2000-09-28

These live recordings of songs from the AAFM offers warm, loving renditions of a handful of the armload of American musical heritage sent through the years to us by Harry Smith. It's yet another reminder of how important Smith's contribution was. Peter Stampfel's ode to Harry makes me want to hear the rest of the epic and "Nothing" by the Fugs is nothing short of wonderful.

Not enough Roger McGuinn.......1998-08-29

Roger McGuinn is the shinning light of this CD. There should be more selections by him offered in this collection.

Music:

Music

Music