WIWS Banner

The Second Disc

Expanded and Remastered Music News

  • Home
  • News
    • Classic Rock
    • Rock
    • Pop
    • Jazz
    • Popular Standards/Vocal
    • R&B/Soul
    • Country
    • Folk
    • Cast Recordings
    • Soundtracks
    • Everything Else
      • Classical/Opera
      • Disco/Dance
      • Funk
      • Gospel
      • Rap/Hip-Hop
  • Features
    • Release Round-Up
    • Giveaways!
    • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Classic Rock
    • Rock
    • Pop
    • Jazz
    • Popular Standards/Vocal
    • R&B/Soul
    • Country
    • Folk
    • Cast Recordings
    • Soundtracks
    • Everything Else
      • Classical/Opera
      • Disco/Dance
      • Funk
      • Gospel
      • Rap/Hip-Hop
  • Release Calendar
    • Coming Soon
    • Now Available
  • About
  • Second Disc Records
    • Full Catalog
  • Contact

/ News

Can't Help Myself: Smithsonian Folkways Announces Dave Van Ronk, Lead Belly, and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee Vinyl Reissues

January 7, 2019 By Sam Stone 1 Comment

PRE-ORDER NOW FROM AMAZON.COM

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is one of America's iconic record labels. When Moses Asch started Folkways in 1948, his goal was to create an audio encyclopedia of the world.  And 70 years and one Smithsonian Institution acquisition later, it's safe to say they've stayed on track with that creed.  Their repertoire now includes the 2,000+ classic Folkways titles, as well as the back catalog of other legendary labels like Cook, Paredon, Dyer-Bennett, Arhoolie, and The UNESCO Collection of Traditional Music, plus new releases by the current torchbearers of folksong.

That extensive catalog boasts titles by American folk legends like Pete Seeger, Lead Belly, and Woody Guthrie, but also includes all sorts of other sonic works.  Field recordings of gospel choirs, the songs of tree frogs, early ambient electronic music, the first Leonard Cohen recordings,  the sounds of political uprising, 17th-century poetry, classic jazz and blues, musique concrete, and folk music old and new from across the world - it's all there for the picking at Smithsonian Folkways.

Now, the label has dipped into the vault for another installment of their ongoing vinyl reissue series, to be issued on January 11.  This time around, the curators have selected three titles by legendary pillars of folk and blues music:  Lead Belly, Dave Van Ronk, and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee.

Lead Belly's Easy Rider was originally released in 1953, compiled by Moses Asch from recordings from the early-to-mid-'40s.  The material largely focuses on Lead Belly's observations of hate and discrimination that permeated the culture at the time.  "Bourgeois Blues" and "Jim Crow," for example, address the discrimination he and others incurred, while "Hitler Song" serves as a condemnation of anti-Semitism.

PRE-ORDER NOW FROM AMAZON.COM

The second title in this batch of vinyl reissues is Dave Van Ronk's Ballads, Blues, and A Spiritual.  It was the debut album by the legendary figure of the folk music revival who went on to be dubbed "The Mayor of MacDougal Street."  Here, Van Ronk accompanies himself on guitar while singing, in his trademark gravelly tone, fourteen traditional folk and blues tunes.  From "In The Pines" and "Careless Love" to John Henry" and "Betty and Dupree," the material on Ballads, Blues, and A Spiritual cemented Dave Van Ronk's reputation as a unique and talented interpreter of all types of songs.

PRE-ORDER NOW FROM AMAZON.COM

The third in this series is a classic by the legendary duo of harmonica player Sonny Terry and blues guitarist Brownie McGhee.  Originally released in 1958, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry Sing was their first Folkways album.  It showcases the pair's talent for combining a rich blues repertoire with classic American ballads and folk songs, the lyrics for which are included in the package.

The packaging for each title has been lovingly redesigned using the original prints, materials, and photographs. The music has been remastered from the original analog master tapes by Grammy-winning sound engineer Pete Reiniger.  In all, these titles give music fans the chance to enjoy the music in its original format, down to the iconic black, textured, tip-on jacket and always-detailed liner notes book.

EXCLUSIVE BUNDLE AVAILABLE FROM SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS

These three titles join Smithsonian's previous bunch of high-quality vinyl reissues, including Woody Guthrie's Struggle (1976), Lightning' Hopkins' self-titled album (1959), Joseph Spence's Bahamian Folk Guitar (1959), American Banjo: Songs and Tunes in Scruggs Style (1957), Dock Boggs' Legendary Singer & Banjo Player (1964), and Pete Seeger's Goofing-Off Suite (1955).

Look out for the latest batch of reissued Smithsonian Folkways classics, available January 11.  Lead Belly's Easy Rider, Dave Van Ronk's Ballads, Blues, and A Spiritual, and Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry Sing are available wherever fine vinyl is sold, including on Smithsonian Folkways' website, which also offers an exclusive bundle of the three titles and a Folkways-emblazoned turntable slipmat.

Scroll down to find the track listings for each classic title!

Lead Belly, Easy Rider (originally Folkways FA 2034, 1953 -- reissued Smithsonian Folkways, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side 1:

  1. There's a Man Going Round Taking Names
  2. Easy Rider
  3. Red Bird
  4. Line 'Em
  5. T.B. Blues

Side 2:

  1. Jim Crow
  2. Bourgeois Blues
  3. Army Life
  4. Hitler Song

Dave Van Ronk, Ballads, Blues, and A Spiritual (originally Folkways FS 3818, 1959 -- reissued Smithsonian Folkways, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side 1:

  1. Duncan and Brady
  2. Black Mountain Blues
  3. In the Pines
  4. My Baby's So Sweet
  5. Oh, What a Beautiful City (Twelve Gates to the City)
  6. Winin' Boy
  7. If You Leave Me Pretty Momma

Side 2:

  1. Backwater Blues
  2. Careless Love
  3. Betty and Dupree
  4. K.C. Moan
  5. Gambler's Blues
  6. John Henry
  7. How Long

Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry Sing (originally Folkways FA 2327, 1958 -- reissued Smithsonian Folkways, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side 1:

  1. Better Day
  2. Confusion
  3. Dark Road
  4. John Henry
  5. Make A Little Money (Let Me Make a Little Money)
  6. Old Jabo
  7. If You Lose Your Money

Side 2:

  1. Guitar Highway
  2. Heart in Sorrow
  3. Preachin' the Blues
  4. Can't Help Myself
  5. Best of Friends
  6. Boogie Baby

Categories: News Formats: Vinyl Genre: Blues, Folk Tags: Brownie McGhee, Dave Van Ronk, Lead Belly, Sonny Terry

Avatar photo

Sam Stone

Sam Stone has been obsessed with catalog music ever since his folks gave him a Contours best-of collection for his fourth birthday. He quickly began to learn all he could about rock and roll history and beyond, a passion that continues to this day. Sam followed his love for music to the classroom, earning a B.A. from Towson University in Electronic Media and Film, concentrating on radio and audio production, as well as an M.A. in Audio Arts from Syracuse University. He has put his knowledge and skills to work at prominent reissue labels and is excited to bring his perspectives on catalog music to a broader audience. When he’s not writing for The Second Disc, Sam can be found researching about music, talking about Joni Mitchell’s career, and adding another box set to his Amazon wish list.

Connect With Sam: Twitter

You Might Also Like

  • PeteSeeger SmithsonianFolkwaysColelction SFW40225How Can I Keep From Singing: Pete Seeger's Centennial Celebrated With "The Smithsonian Collection," 6-CD Box Including Previously Unreleased Music
  • Doors Waiting for the SunRelease Round-Up: Week of January 11
  • Physical GraffitiRelease Round-Up: Week of February 24
  • Lead Belly BoxMidnight Special: Folkways Celebrates Lead Belly With New Box Set

Comments

  1. Marco Spreafico says

    July 18, 2019 at 6:45 am

    I an looking for a vinyl album pur by me on tapei in Syracuse in ‘86 summer by your orchestra with tracks play by Buddy Rich. I do not have the name of all tracks Pls help me !!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Upcoming Releases

  • Carole King Home Again
    Home Again: Live in Central Park
    Carole King
    February 10, 2023
  • Rolling Stones Grrr Live
    GRRR! Live
    The Rolling Stones
    February 10, 2023
  • Robert Palmer Island Years
    The Island Records Years
    Robert Palmer
    February 17, 2023
See Full Calendar

Connect

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 4,549 other subscribers

Popular

  • Honky Chateau
    Get Back to the Woods: Elton John's 'Honky Château' Gets New Deluxe Edition in March posted on February 1, 2023 | under News
  • Weird The Al Yankovic Story
    Release Round-Up: Week of February 3 posted on February 3, 2023 | under Release Round-Up
  • Stream 2023
    The Weekend Stream: February 4, 2023 posted on February 4, 2023 | under The Weekend Stream

Comments

  • small faces here come the nice2
    Return To Itchycoo Park: Small Faces' "Here Come The Nice" Deluxe Box Set Arrives In January [UPDATED 12/3] 84 comments | by Joe Marchese | posted on December 3, 2013 | under News
  • the beatles u s albums box2
    British Invasion! The Beatles Unveil "The U.S. Albums" Box Set in January 69 comments | by Joe Marchese | posted on December 12, 2013 | under News
  • Rolling Stones in Mono
    Out of Their Heads: Stones Plan Mono Box Set 47 comments | by Mike Duquette | posted on August 10, 2016 | under News

Music Resources

  • Addicted to Vinyl
  • Crap from the Past
  • Discogs
  • Film Score Monthly
  • IMWAN Forum – From the Vaults
  • MusicTAP
  • Musoscribe
  • Pause & Play
  • Popblerd
  • Popdose
  • Record Racks
  • Slicing Up Eyeballs
  • Steve Hoffman Music Forums
  • Ultimate Classic Rock
  • Vintage Vinyl News
  • Viva La Mainstream
  • Wolfgang's Vault

Labels of Note

  • Ace Records
  • Analog Spark
  • Bear Family
  • BGO Records
  • Big Break Records
  • Blixa Sounds
  • Cherry Red Label Group
  • Craft Recordings
  • Demon Music Group
  • Friday Music
  • Funky Town Grooves
  • Iconoclassic Records
  • Intervention Records
  • Intrada
  • Kritzerland
  • La La Land Records
  • Legacy Recordings
  • Light in the Attic
  • Masterworks Broadway
  • Now Sounds
  • Omnivore Recordings
  • Real Gone Music
  • Resonance Records
  • Rhino Entertainment
  • Rock Candy Records
  • SoulMusic Records
  • Sunset Blvd. Records
  • Supermegabot
  • Varese Sarabande
  • Vinyl Me, Please
  • Wounded Bird
Copyright © 2023 The Second Disc. All rights reserved. · Site by Metaglyphics

The Second Disc is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.ca and amazon.co.uk.

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy