Various - Harry Smith's Anthology Of American Folk Music Vol. 4

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5...according to our Brett on Fri 18 Jun, 2010.

Reissue of the year? Could well be! Back in 2000 the 'long lost' fourth installment of Harry Smith's ultra-seminal compilation of early American folk and blues was finally released by Revenant and now here it is again, justly back from the out-of-print limbo and impeccably presented in ornate, high quality paper packaging which houses a 100 page book featuring a biography of Smith as well as an in-depth track-by-track rundown and essays from the likes of Greil Marcus and John Fahey (whose label this was, of course). It goes without saying that the influence of the artists included here (Robert Johnson, The Carter Family, Leadbelly and Bukka White among them) on modern popular music is completely immeasurable but aside from all that (if you can put such a thought aside), it's completely relevant listening for the here and now as there's so much going on here that's completely timeless and relates to so much of the universal human experience, from the darkest, most painful of sorrow to the purest, most joyous of fun. Triple beautiful and hugely recommended!

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The Fourth Volume Of The Historic Anthology. One of Revenant’s Biggest Sellers - Now Back in Print and at mid price. Two CDs and a 96 page soft cover booklet in handcrafted packaging 28 tracks, including performances by the Carter Family, Lead Belly, Robert Johnson, Monroe Brothers, and many others. Essays on Harry Smith by Ed Sanders (Fugs) and John Cohen (New Lost City Ramblers) Essays on the music by Dick Spottswood, John Fahey, and Greil Marcus Produced in conjunction with the Harry Smith Archives "...Vol 4 is lavish....Smith was a master of the segue...[and] had a prophet's ear..." - Rolling Stone

"...More lives have been touched by the music in these volumes than almost any other source. Dig in and dig it." - Mojo

Tracklisting:

1. Memphis Shakedown, (Memphis Jug Band) 2. Dog and Gun (An Old English Ballad), (Bradley Kincaid) 3. Black Jack David, (The Carter Family) 4. Down on the Banks of the Ohio, (Blue Sky Boys) 5. Adieu False Heart, (Arthur Smith Trio) 6. John Henry was a Little Boy, (J.E. Mainer's Mountaineers) 7. Nine Pound Hammer is Too Heavy, (Monroe Brothers) 8. Southern Casey Jones, (Jesse James) 9. Cold Iron Bed, (Jack Kelly and his South Memphis Jug Band) 10. Packin' Trunk, (Lead Belly) 11. Baby Please Don't Go, (Joe Williams' Washboard Blues Singers) 12. Last Fair Deal Gone Down, (Robert Johnson) 13. Parchman Farm Blues, (Bukka White) 14. Mean Old World, (Heavenly Gospel Singers) Disc 2 1. Hello Stranger, (The Carter Family) 2. Stand By Me, (Sister Clara Hudmon) 3. West Virginia Gals, (Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters) 4. How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?, (Blind Alfred Reed) 5. Wreck of the Tennessee Gravy Train, (Uncle Dave Macon) 6. Governor Al Smith, (Uncle Dave Macon) 7. Milk Cow Blues, (John Estes) 8. No Depression in Heaven, (The Carter Family) 9. I'll be Rested (When the Roll is Called), (Rosevelt Graves and Brother) 10. He's in the Ring (Doing the Same Old Thing), (Memphis Minnie) 11. The Cockeyed World, (Minnie Wallace) 12. Barbecue Bust, (Mississippi Jook Band) 13. Dans le Grand Bois (In the Forest), (Hackberry Ramblers)14. Aces' Breakdown, (The Four Aces)

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