Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians as Sung by Jean Ritchie [Paperback]

Jean Ritchie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 1997

With Forewords by Alan Lomax and Ron Pen Jean Ritchie is the best known and most respected singer of traditional ballads in the United States. The youngest daughter of one of the most famous American ballad-singing families, the Ritchie family of Perry County, Kentucky, Jean carries on her family's legacy as a singer of folk songs and traditional ballads. The music found here tells the story of the ""Singing Ritchie Family."" Built upon a foundation of balladry inherited from old-world Scotland, the family's repertoire was certainly eclectic but not haphazard. The Child ballads, lyric folksongs, play party or frolic songs, Old Regular Baptist lined hymns, Native American ballads, "hant" songs, and carols brought together in this collection were assembled by family members who actively sought out fragments of tunes and completed them by adding or embellishing verses and melodies. This new edition has faithfully retained all seventy-seven line scores of the songs and added four new ones, Loving Hannah, Lovin' Henry, Her Mantle So Green, and The Reckless and Rambling Boy. The original headnotes and photographs tell the history of the song as well as how it became a part of the family's life. Chords are indicated for accompainment, and a new audiography and videography have been added to this edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A musical glimpse of a unique American cultural enclave when railroads, coal mining, and hillbilly radio were everpresent." -- Come-All-Ye

"A delightful crystallization of the best, in an age now surfeited with the far-less-than-best." -- Folklore Society Bulletin

About the Author

Jean Ritchie remains one of the greatest balladeers of this century. Her performances over the last fifty years have played a considerable role in the resurgence of interest in folk music, and several of her original songs are among the most popular additions to the modern folk repertory. Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians is a glimpse into the heart of this remarkable talent.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky; 2 edition (March 6, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813109272
• ISBN-13: 978-0813109275
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #599,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No house arrangements in here!, July 26, 2002

By 

John Andrew Deskins "Professional listener" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians as Sung by Jean Ritchie (Paperback)

I love this book because it preserves the rough edges that the music of everday people has. If JR learned the verse to a song that didn't rhyme, she didn't "fix" it. The melodies are often asymmetrical, the ballads often have odd twists to their stories, and the emotion is just pure.

If you're looking for a book of songs for the camp-fire, this may not be it. If you're looking for the real songs of Appalachia, look no further.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Uncommon, June 6, 2000

By 

Nancy Cornett - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians as Sung by Jean Ritchie (Paperback)

As an amateur singer of folksongs, country, and "oldies", I was looking for a book with familiar tunes and lyrics. Although I only recognized a few of Ms. Ritchie's songs, I found the histories of each song very interesting. I took a chance and purchased the book, not sure of what I was getting. What I got was a nice read about the history of song, and a new interest in a person who obviously has a passion!

5.0 out of 5 stars Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians, October 30, 2011

By 

Old Old-timer - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians as Sung by Jean Ritchie (Paperback)

Arrived in great condition when expected. Almost 100 old-time tunes. Great fun. Appreciate the the annotations to each tune. Great for beginners or seasoned old-time musicians.