VA - Alan Lomax's Southern Journey Vol.01 -13 [1997-1998] (13 x CDs)

SOUTHERN FOLK

VA - Alan Lomax's Southern Journey Vol.01 -13 [1997-1998] (13 x CDs)

The Southern Journey stands as a monumental field-recording expedition across the Southern States of the USA, led by the esteemed ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax. Accompanying him on this transformative journey was Shirley Collins, his partner and a prominent English folk singer. Notably, this expedition resulted in the groundbreaking achievement of the first stereo field-recordings in the Southern United States, forever changing the landscape of musical documentation.

Among the countless treasures discovered during the Southern Journey, one of the most significant was the 'discovery' of 'Mississippi' Fred McDowell, whose talent and influence would resonate for years to come. The music collected on this voyage exerted an immeasurable impact on the development of popular music, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of America.

The significance of the Southern Journey extends beyond the realm of music. Its tracks were sampled by Moby, enriching his Platinum-selling album, Play, with the authentic sounds of the American South. Furthermore, this extraordinary journey served as the muse for the soundtrack of the Coen Brothers' cinematic masterpiece, O Brother, Where Art Thou? The intersection of Lomax and Collins' voyage with popular culture underscores the enduring power and relevance of the music they documented.

Recording for the Southern Journey commenced on August 24th in Bluefield, Virginia, capturing the musical virtuosity of Hobart Smith, an esteemed banjo player and multi-instrumentalist previously known to Lomax. Over the course of two months, Lomax and Collins embarked on a transformative expedition, traversing Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, and North Carolina. In their relentless pursuit of preserving traditional music, they amassed over seventy hours of recordings, capturing the essence and diversity of Southern musical heritage.

The Southern Journey marked a turning point in the field of ethnomusicology. Pioneering the use of stereo recording techniques in the field, Lomax pushed the boundaries of sonic fidelity, finally capturing the intricate nuances of various musical styles. From the haunting melodies of the Georgia Sea Island ring shouts to the powerful work songs resonating across Southern prison farms, and the thunderous hymnody of the Sacred Harp tradition, the stereo recordings brought these musical worlds to life with unprecedented clarity.

Originally released as a 12-volume LP series, the Southern Journey evoked the musical landscapes of the rural South, transporting listeners to a bygone era devoid of radio, movies, and television. A testament to its enduring significance, a 13-volume CD version was later released in 1997/1998, ensuring that this remarkable musical odyssey would continue to captivate and inspire generations to come. (B)

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Track lists

CD01

01 Bessie Jones - O Day 1:53

02 Hobart Smith - Katy Went Fishing With Her Hook And Line 1:58

03 Lucius Smith - Walk In The Parlor 1:35

04 Vera Ward Hall - Mama's Gonna Buy 1:33

05 Mississippi Fred Mcdowell - Wished I Was In Heaven Sitting Down 2:18

06 Bright Light Quartet - Po' Lazarus 2:04

07 Neil Morris - The Lass Of Loch Royale 3:15

08 J. E. Mainer And Group - Three Nights Drunk 2:24

09 Neil Morris - Turkey In The Straw 2:25

10 Sidney Carter - Pharaoh 4:25

11 Wade Ward - Interview - Cripple Creek 2:50

12 Ollie Gilbert - The Diver Boy 1:58

13 Estil C. Ball - Pretty Polly 2:30

14 Bright Light Quartet - Sweet Roseanne 4:02

15 Bessie Jones - Sink 'em Low 3:39

16 Ed Lewis With Prisoners - Dollar Mamie 2:47

17 Rev. Crenshaw And Congregation - I Wonder Will We Meet Again? 6:14

18 Almeda Riddle - Poor Wayfaring Stranger 3:01

19 I.D. Beck - Testimony 0:46

20 Thornton Old Regular Baptist Church Congregation - Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah 2:20

21 Alabama Sacred Harp Singers - The Last Words Of Copernicus 1:56

22 Belleville A Capella Choir - The Gospel Train 3:04

23 Bessie Jones - Beulah Land 4:18

24 Bessie Jones - It Just Suits Me 2:20

CD02

01 Wade Ward - Old Joe Clark 1:51

02 Estil C. Ball - Poor Ellen Smith 1:59

03 Hobart Smith - Sourwood Mountain 1:28

04 Spencer Moore - The Girl I Left Behind 2:52

05 Glen Stoneman - John Henry 2:49

06 Texas Gladden - Three Little Babes 2:17

07 Norman Edmonds - Bonaparte's Retreat 1:16

08 Charlie Higgins & Wade Ward - June Apple 3:11

09 Hobart Smith - Peg An' Awl 2:18

10 George Stoneman - Sally Anne 1:36

11 Wade Ward, Bob Carpenter - The Fox Chase 3:09

12 Ruby Vass - The Banks Of The Ohio 2:38

13 Charlie Higgins, Wade Ward - Willow Garden 1:36

14 Hobart Smith - Graveyard Blues 3:22

15 Charlie Higgins & Wade Ward - Uncle Charlie's Breakdown 1:49

16 Bob Carpenter - The Burglar Man 2:13

17 Hobart Smith - Fly Around My Blue-Eyed Girl 2:38

18 Ruby Vass - Single Girl 2:16

19 Hobart Smith - Parson Burrs 2:22

20 Charlie Higgins & Wade Ward - Piney Woods Gal 1:34

21 Texas Gladden - Hicks' Farewell 2:11

22 Hobart Smith - Black Annie 1:52

23 Hobart Smith - The Little Schoolboy 4:19

24 Norman Edmonds - Breaking Up Christmas 1:59

25 Texas Gladden - Whole Heap A Little Horses 1:28

26 Wade Ward - Cluck Old Hen 0:58

CD03

01 Henry Ratcliff - Louisiana 1:43

02 Ed Young & Others - Jim And John 2:12

03 Fred Mcdowell - 61 Highway Blues 3:08

04 Ed Lewis & Prisoners - Stewball 3:25

05 John Dudley - Po' Boy Blues 3:19

06 A. Burton & Congregation - God's Unchanging Hand 1:44

07 Fred Mcdowell - Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning 2:45

08 Sid Hemphill, Lucius Smith - Emmaline, Take Your Time 1:43

09 Miles & Bob Pratcher - I'm Gonna Live Anyhow 'till I Die 2:36

10 Mattie Gardner, Ida Mae Towns, Jesse Lee Pratcher - Little Sally Walker 0:52

11 Sid Hemphill, Lucius Smith - Old Devil's Dream 1:49

12 Rose Hemphill - Rolled And Tumbled 2:56

13 Leroy Gary - Mama Lucy 1:36

14 Fred Mcdowell - Soon One Mornin' 3:19

15 Ervin Webb, With Prisoners - I'm Goin' Home 3:22

16 With Ervin Webb - Interview 0:53

17 Fred Mcdowell, Moles Pratcher, Fanny Davis - Fred Mcdowell's Blues 4:12

18 Viola James & Congregation - Tryin' To Make Heaven My Home 2:19

19 Leroy Miller, With Hoe Group - Berta, Berta 4:43

20 Fred Mcdowell - Germany Blues 3:11

21 John Dudley - Clarksdale Mill Blues 2:21

22 Miles & Bob Pratcher - If It's All Night Long 3:02

23 Fred Mcdowell - Lord Have Mercy 1:53

24 Mrs. Sidney Carter - Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby 1:03

CD04

01 Alabama Sacred Harp Singers - Sardinia 2:14

02 D.N Asher - Testimony On Pioneer Religion 1:30

03 Howard Adams & Thornton Old Regular Baptist Church - Amazing Grace 2:10

04 Preston & Hobart Smith- Texas Gladden - Lonely Tombs 2:38

05 George Spangler & Thornton Old Regular Baptist Church - Guide Me- O Thou Great Jehovah 2:11

06 Ruby Vass - The Old Gospel Ship 2:55

07 Ollie Gilbert - The Little Family 1:42

08 Preston & Hobart Smith- Texas Gladden - When The Starsbegin To Fall 4:35

09 I.D. Beck - Testimony 0:47

10 I.D. Beck & Mt. Olivet Regular Baptist Church - When Jesus Christ Was Here On Earth 3:59

11 Alabama Sacred Harp Singers - Northport 1:54

12 George Spangler - Testimony 1:45

13 George Spangler & Thornton Old Regular Baptist Church - Why Must I Wear This Shroud 3:30

14 Hobart Smith - See That My Grave Is Kept Clean 3:23

15 Howard Adams - Testimony 0:46

16 Mountain Ramblers - My Lord Keeps A Record 3:22

17 Almeda Riddle - I Am A Poor Wayfaring Stranger 3:02

18 George Spangler & Thornton Old Regular Baptist Church - Brethren- We Have Met Again 3:52

19 Preston & Hobart Smith, Texas Gladden - Jim And Me 2:35

20 Ollie Gilbert - Joseph Looney 2:58

21 I.D. Beck - Poor Pilgrim Of Sorrow 4:57

22 Alabama Sacred Harp Singers - I'm On My Journey Home 1:27

23 Alabama Sacred Harp Singers - Closing Prayer 0:42

CD05

01 Almeda Riddle - Jesse James 1:00

02 Bright Light Quartet - Po' Lazarus 3:05

03 Hobart Smith - Railroad Bill 2:43

04 Ed Lewis - John Henry 4:32

05 Neil Morris - Willie Brennan 6:25

06 Almeda Riddle - Hangman Tree 5:29

07 J.E. Mainer Band - Columbus Stockade 2:28

08 Johnny Lee Moore With Prisoners - Early In The Mornin' 2:57

09 Estil C. Ball - Pretty Polly 2:32

10 Henry Morrison - Lazarus 1:41

11 Hobart Smith - Claude Allen 3:31

12 Oscar Gilbert - Cole Younger 1:33

13 Spencer Moore & Everett Blevins - The Lawson Murder 3:26

14 Ed Lewis With Johnny Lee Moore, James Carter & Henry Mason - Tom Devil 5:20

15 Hobart Smith - Hawkins County Jail 2:40

16 Floyd Batts - Dangerous Blues 1:07

17 James Carter With Prisoners - Po' Lazarus 4:30

CD06

01 Bessie Jones & The Sea Island Singers - Sheep, Sheep, Don'tcha Know The Road 2:21

02 Neil Morris - The Juice Of The Forbidden Fruit 2:27

03 Hobart Smith - Devil's Dream 2:30

04 Willie Jones - You Got Dimples In Your Jaws 3:16

05 Hobart Smith - Drunken Hiccups 2:50

06 Mississippi Fred Mcdowell - You Done Told Everybody 6:08

07 Almeda Riddle - The House Carpenter 7:44

08 Bright Light Quartet - Straighten 'em 2:46

09 Neil Morris - Corn Dodgers 3:37

10 Denise Gardner, Mattie Gardner & Mississippi Fred Mcdowell - I Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down 1:54

11 Estil C. Ball & Lacey Richardson - Tribulations 2:52

12 Vera Ward Hall - No Room At The Inn/Last Month Of The Year 8:59

13 James Shorty & Mississippi Fred Mcdowell - My Mother Died And Left Me 3:08

14 Miles Pratcher & Bob Pratcher - Buttermilk 3:21

15 Bright Light Quartet - The Prayer Wheel 2:53

16 Ike Caudill & Congregation Of Mt. Olivet Old Regular Baptist Church - Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah 5:24

CD07

01 Almeda Riddle - Bury Me Beneath The Willow 3:25

02 Neil Morris - Anything, With Commentary 2:41

03 Ollie Gilbert - Willow Green 0:53

04 Charlie Everidge - Sally Goodin 1:55

05 Almeda Riddle - Merry Golden Tree 5:16

06 Bookmiller Shannon - Buffalo Gals 0:56

07 Ollie Gilbert - Once I Courted A Lady Beauty Bright 1:39

08 Bookmiller Shannon - Down In Arkansas Among The Sticks 1:05

09 Almeda Riddle - The Titanic 4:39

10 Absie Morrison - The Scotch Music 2:08

11 Neil Morris - Music Has No End, With Commentary 1:18

12 Neil Morris - The Irish Soldier And The English Lady 4:39

13 Neil Morris - Turnip Greens 2:12

14 Absie Morrison - My Prettiest Girl Is Gone 1:50

15 Ollie Gilbert - It Rained A Mist 2:25

16 Ollie Gilbert - Lord Batesman 3:20

17 Almeda Riddle - Alan Bain 5:06

18 Bookmiller Shannon - Eighth Of January 0:56

19 Ollie Gilbert - Pretty Polly Oliver 2:30

20 Almeda Riddle - Rainbow 'mid Life's Willows 2:54

21 Bookmiller Shannon - Cotton-Eyed Joe 0:54

22 Almeda Riddle - Lonesome Dove 5:36

23 Absie Morrison - Nancy's Got A Pretty Dress On 1:23

24 Neil Morris - Rock All The Babies To Sleep 1:43

25 Almeda Riddle - Down In Arkansas 2:27

CD08

01 Charles Barnett - Run To Jesus For Refuge 2:11

02 Ed Young & Hobart Smith - Joe Turner 3:23

03 Bessie Jones, Hobart Smith, & The Georgia Sea Island Singers - The Titanic 3:33

04 Silver Leaf Quartet - Witness For My Lord 2:05

05 Silver Leaf Quartet - Dark Day 2:23

06 Silver Leaf Quartet - The Very Same God 2:24

07 Silver Leaf Quartet - Gospel Train 1:53

08 Nat Rahmings, Hobart Smith, & Ed Young - I Got A Home 2:31

09 Bright Light Quartet - Hey, Hey, Honey 2:11

10 Bright Light Quartet - Menhaden Chanteys 5:59

11 Nat Rahmings With Hobart Smith & Ed Young - Walk On The Bay 3:33

12 Bright Light Quartet - I'm Tired 2:51

13 Bright Light Quartet - Just Beyond The River 2:05

14 Bright Light Quartet - Christian Automobile 2:44

15 Belleville A Cappella Choir - John The Revelator 2:42

16 Willis Proctor & The Georgia Sea Island Singers - Walk, Billy Abbott 1:25

17 Peerless Four - How Could I Live 2:19

18 Peerless Four - Noah 1:51

19 Peerless Four - Trouble In My Way 6:44

20 Peerless Four - I'm A Soldier In The Army Of The Lord 4:24

CD09

01 Eugene Dawson & Sacred Harp Singers - Sherburne 1:55

02 Sacred Harp Singers - David's Lamentation 1:12

03 Mrs. Leslie Crowden & Sacred Harp Singers - Soar Away 3:15

04 Joyce Smith - Commentary 0:31

05 Mrs. King Roberts & Sacred Harp Singers - Wondrous Love 2:59

06 Maud Quinn & Sacred Harp Singers - Traveling On 1:47

07 H. A. Buttram & Sacred Harp Singers - New Harmony 2:35

08 Buford King & Sacred Harp Singers - Hallelujah 2:20

09 Carl Hughes - Prayer For Recess 1:03

10 Enis Wall & Sacred Harp Singers - Loving Jesus 1:56

11 Dr. M. O. Slaughter & Sacred Harp Singers - Greenwich 2:30

12 Reba Dell Lacey & Sacred Harp Singers - Milford 1:44

13 Bill Mathews & Sacred Harp Singers - Baptismal Anthem 2:28

14 Virginia Dell Scrader & Sacred Harp Singers - Amsterdam 1:41

15 J. H. Lambert & Sacred Harp Singers - Montgomery 2:12

16 Sacred Harp Singers - Memorial Lesson 1:42

17 Martin Blackman & Sacred Harp Singers - Cussetta 2:24

18 Velma Johnson & Sacred Harp Singers - The Last Words Of Copernicus 1:44

19 J. Edge & Sacred Harp Singers - The Morning Trumpet 1:28

20 C. C. Mathews & Sacred Harp Singers - Homeward Bound 1:58

21 Rosie Hughes & Sacred Harp Singers - Northfield 1:25

22 J. A. Ayres & Sacred Harp Singers - Doddridge 4:20

23 Sacred Harp Singers - Weeping Mary 2:42

24 Sacred Harp Singers - Christmas Anthem 2:55

25 Sacred Harp Singers - New Prospect 2:17

26 Mrs. Tom Hight & Sacred Harp Singers - Oxford 1:56

CD10

01 Reba Dell Lacey - Newburgh 2:02

02 Phil Taylor - Eternal Day 2:09

03 Bill Matthews - Heavenly Vision 3:04

04 Valerie Jo Mccullers - Sardis 1:30

05 W. W. Kidd - Windham 1:54

06 Butch White - New Jerusalem 1:55

07 J. T. Pruitt - Present Joys 2:08

08 M.W. Light - Logan 2:43

09 Whitt Denson - Ocean 3:06

10 W. A. Wendham - Alabama 2:07

11 Uncle Will Laninack - Bear Creek 2:58

12 Uncle Will Laminack - Mission 2:49

13 Laura Strickland - Protection 1:17

14 A. L. Parker - Notes Almost Divine 2:17

15 Sally Gallen - Morgan 3:00

16 Uncle Will Laminack - Melancholy Day 2:10

17 Mrs. Leslie Crowden - A Cross For Me 1:46

18 Irene Parker - Anthem On The Savior 2:03

19 M. O. Kelly - Mount Zion 1:57

20 Velma Johnson - Victoria 1:39

21 Maud Quinn - Sinner's Friend 1:13

22 Mr. Wilburn - The Promised Land 1:52

23 Mr. Wilburn - New Jordan 2:56

24 Otis Parker - Ragan 1:34

25 A. M. Cagle - Commentary 2:33

26 Miss Malden - Amazing Grace 3:44

CD11

01 Belleville A Cappella Choir - The Gospel Train 3:04

02 Belleville A Cappella Choir - Keep Me As The Apple Of Thine Eye 4:50

03 Belleville A Cappella Choir - David Was A Shepherd Boy 3:41

04 Belleville A Cappella Choir - What A Time 2:34

05 Belleville A Cappella Choir - The Lord Is My Strength And Song 2:37

06 Belleville A Cappella Choir - None But The Righteous 3:07

07 Belleville A Cappella Choir - Come On, Israel 2:10

08 Belleville A Cappella Choir - Medley Of Spirituals 4:19

09 Belleville A Cappella Choir - The House Of The Lord 1:59

10 Belleville A Cappella Choir - Honor, Honor 3:35

11 Belleville A Cappella Choir - On The Battlefield For My Lord 3:18

12 Belleville A Cappella Choir - The Creation 5:01

13 Belleville A Cappella Choir - Honor The Lamb 4:39

CD12

01 John Davis And Group - Moses 4:17

02 John Davis And Group - Moses, Don't Get Lost 2:26

03 Bessie Jones And Group - Turkle Dove 3:39

04 Willis Proctor And Group - Adam In The Garden 1:50

05 Willis Proctor And Group - Daniel 2:12

06 Bessie Jones And Group - Daniel In The Lion's Den 2:21

07 Bessie Jones And Group - Little David 2:17

08 Willis Proctor And Group - Eli, You Can't Stand 2:50

09 John Davis And Group - John 4:17

10 Henry Morrison And Bessie Jones With Group - Sign Of Judgement 4:04

11 Willis Proctor And Group - One Of These Days 2:16

12 Bessie Jones And Group - O Day 4:40

13 Peter Davis And Group - Rock In The Weary Land 2:33

14 Bessie Jones, Hobart Smith And Group - It Just Suits Me 7:05

15 Bessie Jones And Group - I'm Gonna Lay Down My Life For My Lord 2:44

16 Bessie Jones And Group - Before This Time Another Year 2:44

17 Bessie Jones - O Death 3:47

18 Joe Armstrong And Group - Goodbye, Everybody 2:10

CD13

01 John Davis And Group - Live Humble 3:48

02 Bessie Jones And Group - The Buzzard Lope 1:47

03 Henry Morrison And Group - Ain't I Right? 2:18

04 Peter Davis And Group - Row The Boat, Child 1:52

05 Willis Proctor And Group - You Got My Letter 1:53

06 Joe Armstrong And John Davis And Group - Riley 1:35

07 Bessie Jones And Group - See Aunt Dinah 3:05

08 Joe Armstrong And Group - Pay Me 1:32

09 John Davis And Group - Carrie Bell 3:38

10 Bessie Jones And Group - Reg'lar, Reg'lar, Rollin' Under 2:23

11 Bessie Jones And Group - You Better Mind 2:12

12 Unidentified - Everybody Talking About Heaven 3:07

13 John Davis And Group - Read 'em, John 2:04

14 Bessie Jones And Group - Union 2:29

15 Henry Morrison And John Davis And Group - Hop Along, Let's Get Her 1:05

16 John Davis And Group - Raggy Levee 2:23

17 John Davis And Group - Hard Times In Ol' Virginia 3:13

18 Joe Armstrong And Group - Knee Bone 2:10

19 John Davis And Group - The Old Tar River 2:29

20 Bessie Jones And Group - East Coast Line 1:18

21 John Davis And Group - Buzzard Lope 5:21

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