Customer Reviews

Anthology Of American Folk Music Volume 4 (Edited By Harry Smith)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Volume 4 fits very well with the previous three. There are a lot of old-time music anthologies out there these days but there's something going on with Mr. Smith's work that seems to be lacking in the others. I find all of the tracks of Vol-4 to be memorable performances. The Leadbelly cut particularly sticks in my mind, but on another day I might single out any of the others as well.

The accompanying notes are extensive & well-presented although it's black ink on dark brown paper in tiny font, so the reading can be tough. And you are paying for the presentation in the pricetag.

I was half-expecting to be disappointed by this album because the earlier release was so important to me, but it turns out that this one makes for great listening as well i.e. it has the elusive 'HS-factor' going for it too. If you are the type of person who got changed by the 3-Volume Folkways Anthology, then you will dig Volume 4. Really, it's been a rumor for so long .. it's incredible that it is now generally available.

It's hard to imagine that anything could be better than the original Folkways box set (Volumes 1-3), but this album is. Everything I love about V1-3, there is even more of here. The eerie juxtaposition of darkness and jubilation pretty much sums up the whole 20th Century in an hour and a half. Yes, it's short and pricey, but better in my mind to preserve Smith's original vision - after all, he scuttled the original release of this album in order to stay true to that vision.

I was rather ecstatic when I came across this collection at a used CD shop. The two CD set contains some very important American folk music from 1935 depression. For completists out there or just pure fans of folk music, VOL.4 is a must have. There are more selections by the Carter Family, as well as some very fine jug band pieces. This collection gives listeners a stronger glimpse into the vision that Harry Smith was reaching toward in Vol 1-3. Add this to your collection ASAP.

Thanks to John Fahey and The Harry Smith Archives 'The Anthology' has now been respectfully completed (sans Harry's original liner notes and design). Volume 4 is a well qualified supplement to 'Smithsonian Folkways' volumes 1 through 3, and is very close to what Harry originally intended. The Monroe Brothers, The Carter Family, The Memphis Jug Band, Leadbelly, Sleepy John Estes, Bukka White, Uncle Dave Macon, Robert Johnson---the forgotten folk masters who became American icons after Harry shared his record collection with us in 1952---are represented here with outstanding performances. Not to mention the several artists you possibly haven't heard---just revel in the acapella beauty of The Heavenly Gospel Singers 'Mean Old World'. Aside from wondrous historic music 'Volume 4' is another loving tribute to the eccentric genius of the irascible Harry Smith. Without this offering, you certainly don't have the entire 'Anthology', and although the packaging doesn't match the Smithsonian set, it is very nicely done---just don't try to put it in your plastic CD rack. If you're into your folk roots don't miss this one!

Jim Otterstrom

it's an excellent collection. I mean, for about the price of two of these you can almost buy the original 6-CD Anthology. Fortunately, the songs are beautiful, and like the original Anthology, way weird. The Carter Family cuts are scary in their dead-pan beauty; Bukka White's Parchman Farm Blues is one of the saddest blues ever and the Blue Sky Boys' On the Bank of the Ohio is sort of like Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me meets Bill Monroe. A great selection.

Is it worth the hefty price though?

Yet another revelation from the master DJ of American music. Harry Smith's 4th Volume is a fine collection of blues and ballads. It furthers the already amazing three previous volumes. A must for those who love Smith's collection to American Folk music as well as he many other contributions to American arts and letters

For anyone that owns or listens to vols. I-III, volume IV does not disappoint. This anthology is relevant and pleasing to the ear and makes a fine addition to ANY collection of American music.

The price is too high and the discs too short. It really does lack the magic of the original mainly due to the lack of Harry Smith's original notes and overall design. What it does have is a brilliant biography of Smith who was an all around oddball and flake (he refused to release this originally because the label wanted to include a pro FDR song!). However he came about compiling this list from his enormous collection (shortly before he sold it the New York Public Library), the result is a brilliant mix of obscure and known tracks from the depression.

So, if you liked the original, you know you are going to buy this someday (where else can one find such an appreication for jug band music?). If you are a fan of "Race and Hillbilly" like me you'll give blood to get this.

When the original Anthology of American Folk Music (Vols 1-3) was reissued a few years back , I picked it up and was amazed and thrilled with this bedrock of backwoods spirituality, a wellspring of so much music that I have enjoyed, Dylan, Cash, etc but didn't until then realize existed. Volume 4 was planned to be released back in the 50s or 60s but it never happened for some reason. But now it has been. It's safe to say that if you enjoyed the original you'll like this one, which picks up chronologically where the others left off. This one doesn't seem to be as thematically organized as Vol. 1-3, Ballads, Socials and Songs, but the feel is very much the same. The songs and especially the sense of a time long gone are haunting and exhilarating. My one beef is with the packaging. Instead of following the same sensible format of the original , this one comes packaged in a mini hardcover book with dark brown, ersatz faded recycled paper. It looks like a reissue of something that never was. While it is handsome, it will not fit in my CD holder next to 1-3. Plus it's filled with 96 pages pages of commentary by various members of the far left, gushing over the late great Harry Smith. It gives a heavy-handed sense of importance to what is really no more than a fine collection of lighthearted songs from a bygone musical era. Granted, the man knew how to put together a mean mix tape but I'm sure he'd be the first to say let the music do the talking. Let's just be thankful VH1 never used this packaging concept for its Big 80s series.