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VARIOUS ARTISTS
Roots Of Folk (Vanguard)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale
Perhaps no label except Vanguard, with a stellar catalog of contract artists and their exceptional archive of performances from the famous Newport Folk Festivals, could provide such a comprehensive view of the folk revival from their own vaults as this one.
Over the span of three discs, this collection documents some of the finest work by the most significant performers on the folk scene in the 1950s and 1960s. Perhaps the only glaring absence is Woody Guthrie, who was no longer able to perform by the time of the Newport festivals and whose own recordings reside elsewhere. Some of the most notable interpreters of Guthrie's music are here, though, including Cisco Houston and Ramblin' Jack Elliott, which makes Woody's necessary absence less painful.
Each disc in this set contains essential recordings that belong in any folk collection as well as rarities that should be heard by anyone with an interest in the form. Notable are a pair of previously unreleased duets, one featuring Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley and the other matching Joan Baez and Donovan. There is joy, courage and creativity evident throughout the performances offered here. This release is a genuine service to the world of music.
Track Lists:
Disc One - Roots Of Folk: Paul Robeson/Joe Hill * Leon Bibb/Irene * The Weavers/ Kumbaya * Cisco Houston/This Land Is Your Land * Ramblin' Jack Elliott/Roll On Buddy * Odetta/Another Man Done Gone * Judy Collins/Turn, Turn, Turn * The Weavers/If I Had A Hammer * Joan Baez/Donna Donna * Jimmie Driftwood/The Battle Of New Orleans * Doc Watson & Clarence Ashley/Amazing Grace * Maybelle Carter/It Takes A Worried Man * Sandy Bull/ Little Maggie * Elizabeth Cotten/Freight Train * Doc Watson/Tom Dooley
Disc Two - Singers & Songwriters: Buffy Sainte-Marie/The Universal Soldier * Eric Anderson/Violets Of Dawn * The Kingston Trio/M.T.A. * The Rooftop Singers/Walk Right In * Donovan w/Joan Baez/Catch The Wind * Mimi & Richard Farina/Pack Up Your Sorrows * Joan Baez w/Bob Dylan/It Ain't Me Babe * The Chambers Brothers/People Get Ready * Phil Ochs/ I Ain't Marchin' Anymore * Tom Paxton/Ramblin' Boy * Jerry Jeff Walker/Mr. Bojangles * Patrick Sky/Many A Mile * Ian & Sylvia/Early Morning Rain * Jim Kweskin Jug Band w/Geoff Muldaur/Jug Band Music * Country Joe & The Fish/Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag
Disc Three - Folk Blues: Mississippi John Hurt/Candy Man * Skip James/I'm So Glad * John Hammond/Seventh Son * Odetta/Rambling Round Your City * Reverend Gary Davis/Samson And Delilah * Dave Van Ronk/Cocaine * Son House/Empire State Express * Jesse Fuller/San Francisco Bay Blues * Lightnin' Hopkins/Baby Please Don't Go * The Chambers Brothers/ See See Rider * Muddy Waters/Walkin' Blues * Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee/Drink Muddy Water * John Lee Hooker/Great Fire Of Natchez * Pete Seeger w/Willie Dixon & Lafayette Leake/Midnight Special * Paul Butterfield Blues Band/Blues With A Feeling
© 2002 - Shaun Dale