Bourgeois Blues: Lead Belly Legacy, Vol. 2

Performer: Leadbelly
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Leadbelly (vocals, guitar, accordion); Brownie McGhee, Cisco Houston (vocals, guitar); Woody Guthrie (vocals, mandolin); Sonny Terry (harmonica); Willie "The Lion" Smith (piano); Pops Foster (bass). Recorded in New York, New York. Includes liner notes Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie and Jeff Place. Volume 2 of a 3-volume set of the classic Smithsonian Folkways Archive recordings from the 1940's, BOURGEOIS BLUES is definitive Leadbelly. Remastered from the original source material, this collection features high sound quality recordings and liner notes with extensive annotations and a biographical sketch by Woody Guthrie. From the opening, syncopated riff of "Fannin Street" resonating from his 12-string Stella, Huddie Ledbetter leads listeners through political/topical songs ("Hitler Song"), tracks that address racism ("Jim Crow Blues," the title track), familiar singalongs ("Army Life," "Skip To My Lou) and songs that are just plain great ( "Easy Rider," "Gallis Pole," "Midnight Special"). There are surprises as well, like Leadbelly's imaginative, a cappella take on the cowboy song ("Out On The Western Plains,"), and his cover of Big Bill Broonzy's "Diggin' My Potatoes," which Leadbelly claims was one of his most requested songs. The disc closes with "John Hardy," a folk song standard which Leadbelly plays on the button accordion. Alone, or as part of the set, Bourgeois Blues is quintessential for any folk music collector.

The embodiment of the link between folk and blues, Lousiana-born Leadbelly (Huddie Ledbetter) possessed a powerful voice and the creative fervor to fashion his observations and heartfelt passions into riveting songs. An itinerant singer/guitarist, he performed in between working odd jobs and spending time in prison for his violent outbursts. Twice he gained pardon from long prison sentences with his songs. After Leadbelly's second pardon, in 1934, the recordings folklorist Alan Lomax made of him brought the singer national success. Whether conscious of his influence or not, nearly all folk and blues singers can trace their musical lineage back to him. He's responsible for many songs that have become part of America's cultural heritage.

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