The Folkways Anthology of American Folk Music

The Folkways Anthology of American Folk Music is a must-have for any music lover. This six-album set features a wide variety of folk music from the United States.

Introduction

Folkways Records was founded by Moses Asch in 1948 with the mission of preserving and sharing the world’s Folk music. Over the next four decades, Asch released hundreds of albums of Folk, World, and children’s music, giving voice to disadvantaged and marginalized communities.

In 1987, The Folkways Anthology of American Folk Music was released, compiling ninety-six tracks of traditional American music dating back to the early twentieth century. The collection was assembled by renowned folklorist Harry Smith and became an instant classic, helping to spark a renewed interest in American folk music.

The Anthology has been reissued several times since its initial release, and in 2012 it was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. This latest edition includes a new introduction by Elijah Wald, as well as an essay on the history and legacy of Folkways Records.

What is Folkways?

Folkways was a record label founded by Moses Asch (1905-1986) in 1948. Asch was dedicated to preserving the work of American folk musicians, and his label became an important source for traditional music from around the country. The Folkways catalogue includes recordings of blues, country, gospel, jazz, Native American music, and more. In 1987, Folkways was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution, and the label’s catalogue is now managed by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.

The Folkways Anthology of American Folk Music

The Folkways Anthology of American Folk Music is a compilation of recordings released by Folkways Records. It was originally released in 1952 as a six-album set. The anthology was compiled by musicologist and Folkways founder Moses Asch and editing by Marian Distler. The set contains a total of 84 tracks and features recordings of folk, blues, country, and gospel music.

The Songs

The songs on The Folkways Anthology of American Folk Music were drawn from commercial folk music recordings issued in the United States between 1927 and 1932. Most of these were recorded for noncommercial reasons by musicologists, folklorists, and members of the general public who wanted to preserve the sounds of vanishing regional traditions. Many of the songs are religious in nature, particularly those performed by black Americans. Others are work songs, children’s games, love ballads, or social commentary. The songs on The Folkways Anthology of American Folk Music represent a wide cross-section of American society during a time when the country was experiencing tremendous social and economic change.

The Artists

Included in this anthology are recordings by some of the most important figures in American folk music, including Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Pete Seeger, the Weavers, and many others. These artists helped to shape the sound of American folk music and influenced subsequent generations of musicians.

Conclusion

The Folkways Anthology of American Folk Music is one of the most important and influential collections of American folk music ever assembled. Released in 1952, the set included music from a wide range of performers and styles, including country, blues, gospel, and folk. The anthology helped to bring the music of America’s marginalized communities to a wider audience and exerted a profound influence on the American folk music revival of the 1960s.Today, the Folkways Anthology remains an essential document of America’s rich musical heritage.