The American Anthology of Folk Music on Vinyl

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

The American Anthology of Folk Music on Vinyl is a collection of 84 songs released on 6 LP records in 1952 by Folkways Records. The music was compiled and edited by Harry Smith from his personal collection of folk, blues, and country music records.

Why the American Anthology of Folk Music is important

The American Anthology of Folk Music, also known as the “Big Red Book”, is a six-album compilation released in 1952 by Folkways Records. The anthology was compiled by Harry Smith and originally released on 78 RPM records. It was later reissued on LP in 1955 and CD in 1997.

The anthology is significant because it helped to revive interest in American folk music and spawned the folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s. The collection includes songs from the late 18th century to the early 20th century, ranging from Appalachian ballads to work songs, blues, and gospel music. Many of the artists featured on the anthology, such as Lead Belly, Woody Guthrie, and Blind Lemon Jefferson, went on to become household names.

If you’re a fan of American folk music, then the American Anthology of Folk Music is an essential part of your collection.

The history of the American Anthology of Folk Music

The American Anthology of Folk Music, also known asHarry Smith’s Anthology of Folk Music, is a six-album compilation released in 1952 by Folkways Records. The anthology was compiled by American musicologist Harry Smith and originally released as a box set of 78 rpm records. It is one of the most influential recordings ever released in the United States, and helped to spark the American folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s.

The Anthology was compiled from field recordings made between 1926 and 1934 by Alan Lomax, John Lomax, and others for the Library of Congress. It includes songs by such artists asLead Belly, Woody Guthrie, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Uncle Dave Macon, the Carter Family, and Blind Willie McTell.

In 2001, the Anthology was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its “cultural, artistic and/or historical importance”. In 2006, it was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the United States National Recording Preservation Board.

The music of the American Anthology of Folk Music

The American Anthology of Folk Music on Vinyl is a collector’s item for music lovers. This vinyl box set contains songs that were originally collected by Harry Smith and released in 1952. The music on this vinyl set spans a wide range of genres, including country, blues, gospel, and folk.

If you are a fan of American music, then this vinyl set is a must-have for your collection. The music on this set is some of the most influential and important music in American history. If you are looking for a way to connect with your roots, or just want to enjoy some great music, then this set is for you.

The influence of the American Anthology of Folk Music

The American Anthology of Folk Music on Vinyl is one of the most influential folk music collections ever released. It was compiled by Harry Smith and released by Folkways Records in 1952. The collection includes 84 songs recorded between 1927 and 1932, featuring some of the most important names in early American folk music.

The American Anthology of Folk Music had a profound influence on the development of American folk music. It was an important source for Bob Dylan, who appropriated several songs from the collection for his own recordings. The collection also inspired Ralph Rinzler to track down and record some of the musicians featured on the anthology, helping to preserve their musical traditions.

The legacy of the American Anthology of Folk Music

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, musicologist John Lomax and his son Alan traveled across the United States, collecting folk songs from a wide range of traditions. Most of the songs they collected were not recorded commercially and would have been lost to history if not for their efforts.

In 1952, Folkways Records released The American Anthology of Folk Music, a six-LP set compiled from the Lomaxes’ field recordings. The Anthology was hugely influential in the folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s, and it remains an essential document of American folk music to this day.

The Anthology was originally released on 78rpm records, but it was reissued on vinyl in 1986. The vinyl edition is now out of print, but used copies can be found online for $100 or more. If you’re lucky enough to find a copy, you’ll be able to enjoy some of the most important recordings in American music history.

The American Anthology of Folk Music in the 21st century

It’s been nearly 90 years since the original American Anthology of Folk Music was released on vinyl, and in that time, the album has undergone a fascinating journey. First released in 1952, the Anthology was compiled by folklorist Harry Smith and featured 84 songs recorded between 1927 and 1932. The songs were mostly taken from commercial 78 rpm records, and they represented a wide range of American folk traditions.

In the 1960s, the Anthology became an important source for the emerging folk music revival, and its popularity has only grown in the intervening years. Today, the Anthology is widely regarded as one of the most important documents of American folk music, and its influence can be heard in countless contemporary artists.

If you’re interested in exploring the Anthology for yourself, there are a few different ways to do it. The original vinyl release is long out of print, but you can find used copies online or at your local record store. Alternatively, you can purchase a newly pressed copy from one of several reissue labels. For those who prefer digital formats, the Anthology is also available on CD or as a digital download. Whichever way you choose to listen, you’re sure to be enthralled by this classic collection of American folk music

The American Anthology of Folk Music on vinyl

The American Anthology of Folk Music is a compilation album originally released on vinyl in 1952. The album was compiled by musicologist Harry Smith and released by Folkways Records. It is one of the most influential folk music albums of all time, and has been cited as an inspiration by Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Neutral Milk Hotel, and many other musicians.

The American Anthology of Folk Music consists of 84 songs, all of which were recorded between 1927 and 1932. The recordings were made in various locations across the United States, including Kentucky, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and New York City.

The album features a wide variety of folk music styles, including blues, country, gospel, and mountain music. Many of the songs on the album are considered to be classics, such as “Coochie Coochie”, “In the Pines”, “John Henry”, “Oh Death”, and “Pretty Polly”.

The American Anthology of Folk Music was reissued on CD in 1997, and is currently available on vinyl from a number of different record labels.

The American Anthology of Folk Music has been a hugely influential compilation of folk music, released in 1952. The collection was compiled by folklorist Harry Smith and included 84 songs drawn from his personal collection of folk 78 rpm records. The Anthology was hugely influential in the development of the American folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s, and has been cited as a major influence by artists as varied as Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, Ry Cooder, and Patti Smith. The collection was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2002.

In recent years, the Anthology has seen a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to its inclusion in several major film soundtracks, including Brokeback Mountain, Inside Llewyn Davis, and The Wolf of Wall Street. The Anthology has also been reissued on vinyl several times, most recently in 2017.

The American Anthology of Folk Music in the classroom

The American Anthology of Folk Music on Vinyl is a great resource for educators who want to introduce their students to the rich traditions of American folk music. The collection includes a wide variety of genres, from country and bluegrass to blues and gospel, and is sure to appeal to a wide range of learners. Best of all, the vinyl format provides a warm, analog listening experience that can’t be beat!

The American Anthology of Folk Music in the home

Whether you’re a music lover or a history buff, The American Anthology of Folk Music is a great addition to your home vinyl collection. This ground-breaking six-album set was compiled by renowned folklorist Harry Smith and released by Folkways Records in 1952. It includes 84 songs representing a cross-section of American folk music traditions, from blues and gospel to country and western.

With liner notes by Folkways founder Moe Asch and contributions from leading folk scholars of the time, The American Anthology of Folk Music is as much an educational resource as it is a musical one. It’s also an excellent way to introduce yourself or others to the richness and diversity of America’s musical heritage. So if you’re looking for something a little different for your next vinyl purchase, be sure to check out The American Anthology of Folk Music.

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