Lead Belly / Photo by Dr. Richard S. Blacher, courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways and Lead Belly Estate.
Huddie William Ledbetter aka Lead Belly is remembered as a musical giant who came from poverty and went on to forge a global legacy as one of the most enduring American blues and folk artists. Songs like 'Goodnight Irene', 'Midnight Special' and 'In the Pines' continue to influence contemporary music more than a century later.
A definitive new retrospective collection called Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection has just been released.
Trevor Reekie talks to Jeff Place from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, who curated the collection.
Music Details
Artist: Lead Belly
Song: In the Pines, Governor Pat Neff, Take This Hammer
Composer: trad arranged by Huddie Ledbetter
Album: Where Did You Sleep Last Night?
Label: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Artist: Lead Belly
Song: Blind Lemon, Moanin', Cotton Fields, Rock Island Line
Composer: Huddie Ledbetter
Album: Where Did You Sleep Last Night?
Label: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Artist:Lead Belly
Song: Fannin Street, Bourgeois Blues, Midnight Special, Gallis Pole
Composer: Huddie Ledbetter
Album: Bourgeois Blues
Label: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Artist: Lead Belly
Song: If It Wasn't For Dicky
Composer: Sam Kennedy – arranged Huddie Ledbetter
Album: Alabama Bound Vol 1
Label: Supreme Media
Artist: Lead Belly
Song: Irene
Composer: Ledbetter, Lomax, Lomax
Album: Where Did You Sleep Last Night?
Label: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
