Folkways: The Original Vision

Woody Guthrie & Lead Belly (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 26, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B0007YJGEU
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,670 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #23 in Music > Pop > By Decade > 1950s
  • #70 in Music > Blues > Traditional Blues

Editorial Reviews

Reintroduce yourself to the Smithsonian Folkways essentials. More than 15 years ago, Folkways: The Original Vision was one of the first albums released by a then fledgling Smithsonian Folkways label. It was conceived and sequenced to complement Folkways: A Vision Shared, a benefit/tribute album consisting of 14 reinterpretations of Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly songs by a cross-section of some of popular music's top stars at the time. Now, with the re-release of this historic album on its 15th anniversary, Smithsonian Folkways expands upon the original concept with the addition of 6 bonus tracks, and enhances it with stunning new packaging and newly extended notes. Original Vision now provides an even fuller insight into the scope and impact that Guthrie's and Lead Belly's music has made over the last half century.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing compilation from the Folkways vaults, December 8, 2005

By 

Mark (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Folkways: The Original Vision (Audio CD)

This is yet another amazing time capsule of classic folk recordings put out by the Smithsonian Folkway label. Instead of focusing on many artists singles from the 1940's, this compilation is dedicated to two well respected and influential performers of the day, Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly.
The songs range from being light hearted stories about failed goose killings to oppression drenched verses on racism. All sung with the optimism and pain that the open lands of the US offered.
With 26 tracks you might find an uninteresting track yet they all offer a unique view into the "grapes of wrath" era in which folk music was deeply established into the working class of the south and west thus making each track worth your time. After listening to only a few songs you are able to clearly see where the popular folk artists of the late 50's and 60's found their influences.
This compilation came about after the "Folkways:A Vision Shared" compilation was released in 1988. It focused on songs from the two musicians presented on this release but sung by contemporary musicians of the day. A desire to release the artists original recordings arose and this was the product of that vision. With a comprehensive 28 page booklet this album seems to be a worthy addition to any collection.

I admit that I do not know much classic folk to truly critizise the overall importance of this release. Never the less I feel this to be a timeless collection of songs from an age long since past.

5.0 out of 5 stars Folkways presents the 'original version', August 14, 2011

By 

C. Rocklein - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Folkways: The Original Vision (Audio CD)

26 very cool tunes. Many are depression era, or at least pre-50s, with a plea for the working man (or non-working as the case may have been). Robert Plant couldn't have done much better than Leadbelly on "Fannin Street". And speaking of the mighty Zepp, you can check out Leadbelly's "Gallis Pole" to compare with Zepp tune of nearly the same name and tale. Zepp copped this one too!!! Oh, well.. It's cool to hear Leadbelly's early livewire version.

This collection is a treasure trove of pre-sixties folk tunes and blues. It's amazing how long this tradition has been going on and it's easy to see why Gutherie was such a big influence on Bob Dylan. This CD is well worth a purchase.

5.0 out of 5 stars The First Folk Wave- Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly, January 29, 2009

By 

Alfred Johnson (boston, ma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Folkways: The Original Vision (MP3 Download)

If any of the older generation, the "Generation of `68" needs an introduction to Woody Guthrie or Lead Belly then I ask what planet have you been on. Woody's "This Land Is Your Land" is practically a national anthem (and in some quarters is just that). And Leadbelly's "Goodnight, Irene" is in that same category. So to have the two highlighted on one program, as they had been in life on a number of occasions is a treat. This tribute has the further virtue of highlighting original performances by them unlike a documentary and CD "A Shared Vision" reviewed earlier in this space that was composed of tribute performances by some of those who, like John Mellencamp, have been influenced by their work, individually or collectively.

As always with a Smithsonian/Folkways production the CD includes a booklet of copious liner notes that detail, for the folk historian and the novice alike, the history of each song and its genesis. I am always surprised by the insightful detail provided by these booklets and as much as I know about this milieu always find something new in them. For example, the information provided here detailed the rather mundane genesis of some very famous songs. Here, for example, "Bring Me Little Water, Sylvie" is just what it says back in Lead Belly's old family farm hand days.

I do not believe that I need to detail the work of these two artists but will finish with a note of what you should make sure to hear. "Goodnight, Irene" and "This Land Is Your Land", of course. "Rock Island Line" has aged well, as has "Do-Re-Mi". A Woody `talking blues', "Talking Hard Work", will strike your funny bone. Lead Belly's "Midnight Special" is fine. All of this is rounded out by a Woody/Lead Belly duet on "We Shall Be Free" that has subsequently been covered by many folkies, young and old.