The Anthology of American Folk Music CD

The Anthology of American Folk Music is a six-album compilation released in 1952 by Folkways Records (catalogue FP251, FP252, and FP253), comprising eighty-four American folk, blues and country music recordings that were originally issued between 1927 and 1932.

The history of the Anthology of American Folk Music CD

The Anthology of American Folk Music is a six-album compilation originally released in 1952 by Folkways Records, subtitled “The folkways years, 1952-1962”. The Anthology was assembled by musicologist and film-maker Harry Smith from his personal collection of 78 rpm records. The deluxe CD set issued by Smithsonian Folkways in 1997 added a seventh disc containing twenty-six tracks left out of the original release, along with extensive liner notes

Smith’s idea for the Anthology grew out of his passionate interest in old-time music, which he had first developed as a child. In 1945, while living in New York City, he began making regular trips to used record stores, where he would buy any 78 rpm records that caught his fancy, regardless of genre or artist. By the early 1950s, his collection numbered in the thousands.

The contents of the Anthology of American Folk Music CD

The Anthology of American Folk Music is a compilation album originally released on CD by Smithsonian Folkways in 1997. The anthology comprises eighty-four songs recorded in the United States between 1927 and 1932 by seventy-two different artists. The album was compiled by Harry Smith from his personal collection of 78 rpm records. In total, the anthology contains over six hours of music.

The CD release includes a booklet with an essay by Greil Marcus, as well as extensive liner notes with information on each song and artist. The Anthology has been reissued several times, most recently in 2005 by Vanguard Records.

The significance of the Anthology of American Folk Music CD

The Anthology of American Folk Music is a six-album compilation released in 1952 by Folkways Records, subtitled “Original Recorded Performances: Traditional Ballads, Songs and Hymns, Social Music, and Dance Tunes”. It was compiled by Harry Smith from his personal collection of 78 rpm records. The Anthology popularized a number of musicians and recordings, and exerted a profound influence on the folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s. It is one of the most influential releases in the history of Folkways Records, and was inducted into the National Recording Registry in 2005.

The influence of the Anthology of American Folk Music CD

In the late 1940’s, an eccentric musicologist named Harry Smith compiled a record set entitled “The Anthology of American Folk Music.” The set compiled eighty-four songs, originally recorded between 1927 and 1932, that Smith felt captured the “essence” of American folk music. The recordings were released on six double-sided discs and included songs by artists such as Blind Lemon Jefferson, Lead Belly, and The Carter Family.

The Anthology was not a commercial success when it was first released, but it achieved cult status in the 1960’s when it was discovered by a new generation of folk musicians. Bob Dylan, who was greatly influenced by the Anthology, once said that it was “THE record that changed my life…[it] opened up a whole world of possibilities.” The Anthology has also been credited with sparking the folk revival of the 1960’s and giving rise to artists such as Joan Baez and Peter, Paul & Mary.

The reception of the Anthology of American Folk Music CD

The Anthology of American Folk Music CD was released in 1997 to critical acclaim. The triple CD set contains songs from the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries that were collected by musicologist Harry Smith. The songs on the album were recorded between 1927 and 1932 and reflect the various musical styles of that time period.

The reception of the Anthology of American Folk Music CD was largely positive, with many critics praising the album for its historical value and its high quality recordings. However, some reviewers felt that the album was too long and that it contained too many traditional songs that would not be familiar to contemporary audiences.

The legacy of the Anthology of American Folk Music CD

The Anthology of American Folk Music CD is a collection of recordings that were originally released in the 1920s and 1930s. The CD was released in 1997 by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.

The Anthology of American Folk Music CD is significant because it helped to revive interest in folk music in the United States. The CD features a wide variety of folk music, from ballads to work songs to religious music.

The Anthology of American Folk Music CD has been praised by critics and fans alike. It is considered to be one of the most important folk music collections ever released.

The impact of the Anthology of American Folk Music CD

In 1997, the Anthology of American Folk Music was reissued in CD format, having been out of print for many years. The set had a profound impact on the American folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s, and on the development of the Americana music genre.

The Anthology was compiled by renowned folklorist Harry Smith, and released by Folkways Records in 1952. It consists of 84 tracks representing a wide range of American folk music styles, including Appalachian ballads, Cajun music, country blues, old-timey music, and more.

The collection was originally released on LP (long-playing) record, and later on cassette tape and CD. The 1997 CD reissue was remastered from the original LP tapes, and included extensive liner notes written by folklorist Jeff Place.

The Anthology of American Folk Music had a significant impact on the folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s. Many of the artists who were influential in that movement, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Archie Shepp, were exposed to the music through the collection.

In recent years, the Anthology has continued to exert a significant influence on Americana music, a genre that draws from a wide range of traditional American musical styles. Artists like Ry Cooder, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, and Emmylou Harris have all cited the Anthology as an important source of inspiration.

The place of the Anthology of American Folk Music CD in American music history

In the pantheon of American music history, few albums are as influential or as revered as The Anthology of American Folk Music. Compiled by Harry Smith and originally released in 1952, the Anthology brought to light a wealth of recordings that had been made in the 1920s and 1930s by a wide range of American folk musicians.

While the Anthology is not without its critics, there is no denying its impact on both the folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s and on the development of Americana as a distinct musical genre. The album has been cited as an influence by everyone from Bob Dylan to The Grateful Dead, and its influence can still be felt today.

If you’re a fan of American folk music, then The Anthology of American Folk Music is an essential album. It’s a true classic, and one that deserves to be in every music collection.

The influence of the Anthology of American Folk Music CD on contemporary music

The Anthology of American Folk Music is a six-album compilation released in 1952 by Folkways Records, comprising eighty-four American folk, blues and country music recordings that were originally issued between 1927 and 1932.

The album had a profound and wide-ranging impact on subsequent musicians. Bob Dylan acknowledged its influence on his career, saying: “I grew up listening to it … I heard Odetta, Lead Belly, Woody Guthrie and Big Bill Broonzy for the first time on those records.” Dylan and other young musicians were inspired by the music’s energy and independence from commercial concerns. The work has been described as “the single most influential collection of vernacular American music ever issued.”

The future of the Anthology of American Folk Music CD

The future of the Anthology of American Folk Music CD is unclear. In recent years, the CD has been out of print and difficult to find. While there has been some interest in reissuing the Anthology on CD, no plans have been announced. It is also available as a digital download.