Where Did You Sleep Last Night: Lead Belly Legacy, Vol. 1

Leadbelly

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 20, 1996)
• Original Release Date: February 20, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B000001DIA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,850 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Forty years after his death, Lead Belly’s songs and style have continued to influence folk, blues, and rock artists including Neil Young, William Styron, Ben Harper, Keb’ Mo, Dionne Farris, and the late Kurt Cobain (Nirvana). Between 1941 and 1947 Lead Belly recorded some of his best music in Moses Asch’s tiny New York studio. The only surviving Asch masters of Lead Belly are now part of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. For the first time in almost 50 years these original acetates have been carefully remastered and newly annotated. 34 tracks, including Irene, Where Did You Sleep Last Night, In the Evening When the Sun Goes Down, and Rock Island Line. Originally released as a tribute to Lead Belly after his death in 1948, this reissue includes many out-takes and previously unreleased and alternate versions. Extensive notes include Lead Belly’s own song commentary. Annotated by Jeff Place. Compiled by Jeff Place, Anthony Seeger and Kip Lornell. "The soul expressed! is full-fledged and sublime." –New England Folk Almanac

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The roots of quite a lot..., July 20, 2003

By	ewomack "ewomack" (MN USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Lead Belly is one of the best in American music - he's right up there with Woody Guthrie (if not above him, which is more than arguable) in influence and importance for the formation of 20th century music. Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter) was supposedly "discovered" and recorded in prison by John Lomax (the recordings on this CD were recorded by Moses Asch in the 1940s). He also is said to have sung his way into being pardoned (during his second term in prison after being convicted of murder) by the then governor of Texas. He never became a star, but many of his songs have been re-recorded by popular artists (probably the best-known examples are the covers of "Goodnight, Irene" by the Weavers and "Midnight Special" by Credence Clearwater Revival).

This collection is a great starting point for Lead Belly's music. It includes some of his most memorable songs: "Irene", "Grey Goose", "Cotton Fields", "Sylvie", "Rock Island Line", "Green Corn". The recording quality is great considering the age of the recordings. Included are plenty of Lead Belly playing his legendary 12-string guitar along with some a capella tracks. The CD booklet has a good biography and extensive track notes, along with quotes from Lead Belly himself about selected songs. If you're curious about Lead Belly this CD is a great introduction to his music. If you want more, this series has 2 additional excellent volumes.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1st of 3 in Smithsonian's Lead Belly Legacy series, November 11, 2000

By A Customer

(67') This is the first of three volumes in the Smithsonian's Lead Belly Legacy series, probably the best set for just listening to Lead Belly play and sing. All three CDs are taken from Moses Asch's original studio masters (as opposed to most other available compilations on reprint labels, which are made from secondary sources); the other two are Vol. 2 "Bourgeois Blues" SF40045 (72'), and Vol. 3 "Shout On" SF40105 (70'). As usual, the Smithsonian provides extensive and authoritative notes.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compilation worth every penny!, October 4, 1999

By A Customer

Leadbelly slices through the blues like a hot knife through butter! His mastery of the 12-string guitar and wailing vibrato vocals cause your toes to tingle and your mouth to water. The sound quality is a little shaky at times but the CD is a better alternative than spinning the old records on your turntable. LEADBELLY- Blues at its best!