The record changer (Jan 1955-Dec 1957)

8 by John A. Lomax, who is responsible for having collected 1 1 of the 13 selections on the record. It is fitting that Lomax is represented on this record, for as the greatest collector of this material he was undoubtedly responsible for the first major interest in cowboy songs. As you listen to the entire recording, you become aware of an interesting fact. All of the songs are quiet — subdued in temperament and expression. There are no boisterous heroics so frequently associated in the popular mind with the cowboy and his trade. There are, of course, gay, satiric, boasting songs, but I suspect the current selection is truer to the broader picture of cowboy life. Of special interest to this reviewer were the conversations between Lomax and his informants concerning the songs and their origin. Also included is a highly instructive discussion, with vocal illustrations, about cattle calls. The songs in this album will, for the most part, be familiar to many listeners, but the specific versions sung here are important for the study of the cowboy's folk poetry and music. Dr. Emrich's notes are excellent and full texts to the songs are included, as well as a full transcription of the conversations on the recording. SONGS OF THE MORMONS and SONGS OF THE WEST edited by Duncan B. M. Emrich (12" Library of Congress LP AAFS L30) On The Road to California; The Handcart Song; Tittery-Irie-Aye; Echo Canyon; The Utah Iron Horse; St. George; Root Hog or Die; Starving To Death On A Government Claim; Joe Bowers; Custer's Last Charge; Sam Bass; The Brazos River; Freighting From Wilcox to Globe. We are indebted to Austin E. Fife and his wife for the preservation of the Mormon songs found in this album. They form a unique part of the traditional lore of America, being the expression of a single group of people living in one state, Utah. The songs are lively and singable and worthy of being better known by non-Mormons than they are at present. William Morris, L. M. Hilton, Joseph Walkins and Rudger McArthur are all fine singers, each reflecting a different level of non-professional "folk" singing. The second side of this record contains western songs other than those of the cowboy and the Mormons, and which are really frontier or pioneer songs. From the badman ballad Sam Bass to the humorous description of v the hardships of early pioneer settlers in Starving to Death On A Government Claim, each represents some interesting aspect of Far Western lore. Four of the songs are from the Ozark collection of Vance Randolph, though three, Root Hog or Die, Joe Bowers and Starving to Death On A Government Claim have been collected in other areas of the West as well. In this last number, we are treated to the singing of Vance Randolph, himself. As Dr. Emrich writes, "This record, with its combination of Mormon and Western material, plus . . . Cowboy Songs of Texas [AAFS L28], serve as a solid introduction for teacher and student to the authentically traditional songs of the area commonly known as the Far West." NEGRO RELIGIOUS SONGS AND SERVICES edited by B. A. Botkin (12" Library of Congress LP AAFS L10) Do Lord, Remember Me; House Done Built Without Hands; Oh, The Lamb of God, The Lord Done Sanctified Me; We Are Almost Down To the Shore; Shine Like A Star in the Morning; Ain't No Grave Can Hold My Body Down; Down On Me; Certainly, Lord; The Man of Calvary; Wasn't That A Mighty Storm; Holy Babe; Meet Me In Jerusalem; When I Lay My Burden Down; In New Jerusalem; Steal Away. This recording, one of the 21 albums originally issued on 78 RPM records by the Library of Congress, was the first to be reissued on LP. The choice was a wise one, for this album is one of the finest in the entire series. The songs in this album, representing an area of folklore much less frequently treated than the material deserves, have been presented with intelligence and loving care. Dr. B. A. Botkin, who edited the album, has included superb recordings of Negro traditional religious material as sung by inmates of Southern State prison farms, church congregations and individual members, preachers, and street corner singers. Here we have minstrel style gospel singing, jazz influenced gospel singing, an Easter sermon combining "music, poetry, drama and oratory — in rhythm," and street corner harmonica and voice renditions of hymn tunes. The most exciting number is Bozie Sturdivant's recording of Ain't No Grave Can Hold My Body Down, a superb example of the gospel song "growing out of the union of jazz and religion." Dock Reed and Vera Hall, who have since had an album of their spirituals released by Folkways Records, do a superb job on the two numbers they perform — the epitome of religious expression in song, without trimmings. "Sin Killer" Griffin's Calvary sermon, when played back to him, caused him to say, ". . . for a long time I've been hearing that I'm a good preacher. Now I know it." This reviewer agrees emphatically. Turner Junior Johnson's voice and harmonica singing is in the best tradition of the folk utilization of the instrument as a voice and the voice as an instrument. There is no doubt in the mind of this reviewer that this album is the finest recording of Negro religious material ever issued on any label. ANGLO-AMERICAN SONGS AND BALLADS edited by Duncan B. M. Emrich (12" Library of Congress LP AAFS LI 2) Lord Bateman; Expert Town; Naomi Wise; Edward; My Parents Raised Me Tenderly; Froggie Went a-Courting; The Singing Alphabet; Roily Trudem; The Tree in the Wood; Sourwood Mountain; The Derby Ram; The Widow's Old Broom; Our Goodman; Sweet William. Beginning with the ballad of Lord Bateman (Child #53), running through several murder ballads and various songs and ballads on sundry subjects and ending with another "Child" ballad, Sweet William (Child #7), this album contains the widest range of song types found in any of the albums so far issued on LP by the Library of Congress. It is a reissue of a 78 RfM album and is a welcome addition to the LP recorded oral lore of America. Pleaz Mobley's playing and singing of Lord Bateman, My Parents Raised Me Tenderly and Froggie Went A-Courting highlight this album. His pftasant mountain tenor is in wonderful contrast to the baritone (equally pleasing) of I. G. Greer who sings several songs to a dulcimer accompaniment by his wife. Female singers are well represented by Mrs. Mildred Tuttle of Arkansas, and Mrs. Lillian Short and Mrs. May K. McCord of Missouri. Full texts and notes by Dr. Emrich are included. All of the albums reviewed in this i i are part of a continuing program toll oral folklore of America on records. ' u a $25,000 grant recently given ti 1 Library by the Carnegie Corporation, d tional LPs will be issued and will ii n authentic folk songs and music as vt ! recordings of traditional folktales. \ planned is the reissuance on LP o: p viously released Library of Congress 78 I albums. This column will carry revie i these recordings as they are issued. Readers wishing further informatioi m catalog of phonograph recordings av;^l from the Library of Congress, should i to: ^ ii The Recording Laboratory 11 Division of Music Library of Congress Washington 25, D. C. Records are reasonably priced at -If. per LP, plus 10% Federal Tax and a if additional charge for mailing and insu p All collectors of folk songs and I k owe themselves the favor of listeni 1 these albums. Rarely does professiona ii ing of this meaningful material come "a as well as it does in these recordings 01 it is sung in the traditional manr authentic folk singers. What makes cancer MAN'S CRUELEST ENEMl some diseases kill us mercifully. not cancer. Yet, if nothing is done, I million living Americans are destinec i die of cancer . . . 230,000 of th this year . t some diseases reveal their beginnings ' pain or fever or shock. Not cancer, t starts silently, secretly, and too of l spreads rapidly. and some diseases spare us our yoi f people. Not cancer! It strikes men H women and children, the old and 1 young. If nothing is done, one Amerii l in five will be stricken with cancer. 1 something can be done. You can sti : back at this cruel killer with a really g I erous gift to the American Cancer Soci< I Your money is urgently needed — for search, for education, for clinics ; I facilities. Please make it a really BIG g ! Cancer MAN'S CRUELEST ENEMY Strike back — Ght AMERICAN CANCER SOCII