'Classic Protest Songs From Smithsonian Folkways'

'Classic Protest Songs From Smithsonian Folkways' Out March 24th

http://www.cybergrass.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6080

On March 24th Smithsonian Folkways Recordings will release 'Classic
Protests Songs from Smithsonian Folkways,' a bold collection of songs
from the 1940s, '50s and '60s that pays homage to movements of
conscience and voices of dissent. 'Classic Protest Songs' features
music from Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Janis Ian, Big Bill Broonzy,
Pete Seeger, Barbara Dane, Guy Carawan, Phil Ochs, and an unreleased
track by Champion Jack Dupree titled "I'm Going to Write the Governor
of Georgia."

Smithsonian Folkways' Mark Gustafson and Jeff Place mined the
archives to compile this album, the first in the "Classic" CD series
to draw songs from other labels in the Smithsonian Folkways
collection (Paredon, Fast Folk, Monitor Records). Accompanied by a
32-page booklet with an introduction by archivist Place and
insightful song notes and bios, 'Classic Protest Songs' is a
testament to the power of song to fuel change. When Harry Smith,
creator of the 'Anthology of American Folk Music,' received a GRAMMY
Award just a few months before his death in 1991, he said, "I'm glad
to say that my dreams came true--that I saw America changed through
music." On these 22 tracks, marquee artists let their voices ring out
with calls for peace and justice in iconic songs that not only
inspired many people's dreams decades ago but continue to do so
today. For example, Billy Bragg turned Lead Belly's "Bourgeois Blues"
into his own antiwar anthem, "Bush War Blues." The enduring relevance
of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land," about an America for all
its people, was in clear evidence at President Obama's nationally
televised inaugural concert, where Bruce Springsteen performed it
live with Pete Seeger.

Songs range from blues to corridos to gospel-inspired anthems of the
Civil Rights Movement. Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit," named "Song
of the Century" by Time magazine in 1999, was a condemnation of
American racism and lynchings. Brother John Sellers, whose version of
"Strange Fruit" appears in this collection, was a major influence on
the young Bob Dylan, who penned two of the songs covered here,
"Masters of War" and "Blowin' in the Wind." Each of the 17 albums now
comprising the best-selling "Classic" series, traces formative styles
and performers of American music. These engaging collections of rare
recordings illustrate the key role Moses Asch and his Folkways label
played in preserving a vital piece of American history. Other
releases from the "Classic" series include 'Piano Blues' (2008);
'African American Gospel' (2008); 'Old-Time Fiddle' (2007); 'African
American Ballads' (2006); 'Canadian Songs' (2006); 'Labor Songs'
(2006); 'Railroad Songs' (2006); 'Bluegrass Vol. 2' (2005); 'Southern
Gospel' (2005); 'Folk Music' (2004); and 'Maritime Music' (2004).

NOTE: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings retail distribution is through
RYKO Distribution at 800.808.RYKO. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
releases are available through record and book outlets. Smithsonian
Folkways Recordings, as well as the original Folkways, Cook,
Dyer-Bennet, Monitor, Paredon, Collector and Fast Folk collections,
are available via mail order at 1.888.FOLKWAYS or 800.410.9815 and
via the Internet.

Visit the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings website at
www.folkways.si.edu and www.SmithsonianGlobalSound.org.

.