The FACTS: This is kind of a "greatest hits" compilation of Leadbelly's finest folk songs. Creedence Clearwater Revival and Led Zeppelin covered his songs and Bob Dylan really liked him. He's got a picture in the rock n roll hall of fame. He lived 1888-1949. His lyrics reflected political and racial disparities that he observed.
My experience with lead belly: I first heard of him listening to Bob Dylan's "Song to Woody". I heard "Goodnight Irene" when I visited the Rock n Roll hall of fame and decided it was high time I got listening to leadbelly, so I got this album.
Track 1. In New Orleans (House of the Rising Sun)
An almost joyful counterpart to the Animals' version I usually hear. Hauntingly beautiful lyrics make the song a classic and a keeper.
Rating: 5 apples
Track 2. The Bourgeoisie Blues
O the weary weary life of a black Marxist in middle America. The song is a little downbeat. I dig the message though. Best line is no doubt "Land of the brave. Home of the free. Don't wanna be mistreated by no bourgeoisie."
Rating:4 apples
Track 3. Goodnight, Irene
A beautiful country waltz. Classic tune that's worth keeping around.
Rating: 5 apples
Track 4. Looky, Looky Yonder - Black Betty - Yellow Women's Doorbells
No guitar on this track. Just voice and slaps on the ground or something. At some points it's just ol huddy making a froggy rasp into the mic. It's fast and catchy, but too slow and sparse to be fit for regular listening.
Rating: 2 apples
Track 5. Borrow Love And Go
Fast blues. Really short, so you can't really get into it, but a real catchy tune.
Rating: 4 apples
Track 6. De Kalb Blues
Apparently mr belly was down and out in De Kalb, Mississippi at some point. Pretty typical blues lyrics. "Hey there woman, see what you done done?" Not all that special
Rating: 3 apples
Track 7. John Hardy
Real catchy and fast. A moving story about a convicted murderer. "I've been the death of many a poor boy and now i'm ready to die."
Rating: 4 apples
Track 8. How Long
Slow, wailing blues. So repetitive that I usually just listen to the thump of the guitar strum. It's a good melody though.
Rating: 3 apples
Track 9. Roberta
Some neat vocal warbling on this track, and pleasant guitar riffs.
Rating: 3 apples
Track 10. Pretty Flower In Your Backyard
Moderately fast blues. I think this is a sexual metaphor of some sort. But maybe he's just singing about gardening. I don't know.
Rating: 3 apples
Track 11. The Gallis Pole
Angular and dark; also fast and energetic. Although it's in a major key, the subject matter (something about a gallows pole) is dark. Not particularly memorable for me and not spectacular enough of a great listening experience to warrant regular listening.
Rating: 3 apples
and...
a voice you'll recognize
Track 12.Where Did You Sleep Last Night
Also dark, a beautiful solemn melody and story .
Rating:3 apples
Track 13. Midnight Special
Fun, fast and well-written. Nostalgic melody; world-weary, but hopeful.
Rating: 5 apples
hard to find a leadbelly original, so
Track 14. John Hardy (Version 2)
The same song as earlier, but with an accordion. Not really needed
Rating: 2 apples
Track 15. When I Was A Cowboy
Also dark and beautiful. The melody are remembrances of a dark time. A noble, but rollicking elegy to the cowboy life.
Rating: 4 apples
Next: The Rolling Stones- Aftermath
p.s. Have you ever heard this?
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