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JAZZ GRAMOPHONE RECORDS 109 |
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the fields and plantations and slowly developed into communal laments which were the direct forerunners of the Blues.
The Work of the Lomaxes
None of this music was recorded, unfortunately, for the phonograph was to follow nearly a hundred years later, but we do have certain fragments remaining. John Lomax and his son Alan toured the South with a portable machine and succeeded in capturing much of this rich Afro-American music. But, unfortunately, nothing from those priceless Library of Congress recordings has yet managed to find its way over here.
But a negro convict, twice sentenced for murder, managed to sing his way out of jail to join the Lomaxes as a driver aitd general factotum. Huddie Ledbetter proved to be the greatest find the two folkologists ever had, and from that time on made countless recordings of Southern Negro Work Songs, Blues, Play Songs, Hollers, Party Songs and dance tunes. As yet very little has been reissued in Britain, but Capitol made one LP issue which must be added to any intelligent collection (Capitol LC 6597) and, if that proves difficult to buy, a selection of four pieces on the Melodise label (EPM-7-63) may be bought as a reliable substitute.
Actually one can add very materially to one's pre-jazz collection with a great many folk and Blues recordings, but I would gloss over most of this |
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