Various Artists – Folk Music USA Vol.1

Another Folkways box along the lines of the excellent “Anthologies” LPs. This double LP box dates from 1959 and focuses on field recordings from all genres of american folk music. The comprehensive liner note booklet (including lyrics) is written by Charles Edward Smith and the songs were compiled by Harold Courlander. One of several Folkways sets I picked up for free from the resource room at university while completing my teacher training back in 2001. They were reducing all their vinyl resources and the whole shelf of mainly classical LPs was free to whoever wanted them. I took the Folkways stuff (including a Woody Guthrie LP & the complete series of Anthologies as well as some other less crucial ethnic titles) and left the rest. This box isn’t as touted as the Antholgy series but is well worth acquiring when you come across it.