Preview of The Harry Smith Project: Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited

I received an advance copy of the The Harry Smith Project: Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited. As you know, Harry Smith, besides being the host of the CBS Early Show, is a ground breaking record collector. The release of his 1952 collection, Anthology of American Folk Music, lead to the creation of the bohemian folk music scene in 1950s New York. The guy basically complied his favorite folk and country albums and released it as a box set. It's was like the first mix tape/CD on his time.

The Harry Smith Project: Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited is CD/DVD box set of contemporary artists covering music found on the original box set. You get Elvis Costello, Beck, Wilco, Sonic Youth, Beth Orton, Todd Rundgren, David Johansen, Nick Cave, Petra Haden and more! more! more! Cover art is not available yet, but this bad boy will be out October 24.

I've listen to the CD portion, which was recorded live during the tribute shows in London, Los Angeles and Brooklyn. There are a lot gems in there especially the David Johansen and Nick Cave numbers. Obviously, you can't miss when you have Beck, Elvis and Wilco in the mix. You'll get the same feeling you get when you listen to the Bruce Springsteen Seeger Sessions CD, it's a spiritual revival of sorts. The purpose of this box set is to get people exposed to the roots of what we call rock 'n' roll today. It's a real awesome listen, especially if you like that ol' timey music. I haven't watch the DVDs yet, but here's the track listing for the set (with a picture of the real Harry Smith in question)

1. Old Dog Blue - David Johansen
2. Prison Cell Blues - Steve Earle
3. James Alley Blues - Wilco
4. Frankie - Beth Orton
5. Last Fair Deal Gone Down - Beck
6. Sugar Baby - Kate and Anna McGarrigle
7. The Butcher's Boy - Elvis Costello
8. Way Down the Old Plank Road - David Thomas
9. The Coo Coo Bird - Richard Thompson and Eliza Carthy
10. My Baby Done Left Me - Ed Sanders
11. John The Revelator - Nick Cave
12. Oh Death Where Is They Sting? - Eric Mingus and Gary Lucas
13. Dry Bones - Roswell Rudd and Sonic Youth
14. No Depression In Heaven - Garth and Maud Hudson
15. K.C. Moan - Geoff Muldaur
16. When That Great Ship Went Down - Gavin Friday and Maurice Seezer

Disc Two:

1. A Lazy Farmer Boy - Robin Holcomb
2. Sail Away Lady - Van Dyke Parks and Mondrian String Quartet
3. Poor Boy Blues - Geoff Muldaur
4. Spike Driver Blues - Marianne Faithfull
5. See That My Grave Is Kept Clean - Lou Reed
6. Ommie Wise Part 1 & 2 (What Lewis Did Last...) - Kate and Anna McGarrigle with Elvis Costello
7. Fatal Flower Garden - Gavin Friday
8. I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground - Bob Neuwirth and Eliza Carthy
9. Fishing Blues - David Thomas
10. He Got Better Things For You - Mary Margaret O'Hara
11. Harry Goes A Courtin' - Mocean Worker
12. The House Carpenter - Robin Holcomb and Todd Rundgren
13. This Song Of Love - Don Byron, Percy Heath and Bill Frisell
14. Shine On Me - Nick Cave
15. James Alley Blues - David Johnansen
16. Single Girl Married Girl - Petra Haden

DVD One:

01. The Butcher's Boy - Elvis Costello
02. Old Dog Blue - David Johansen
03. John The Revelator - Nick Cave
04. Last Fair Deal Gone Down - Beck
05. One Hot Summer Night With Harry Smith - Ed Sanders
06. Sugar Baby - Kate and Anna McGarrigle
07. See That My Grave Is Kept Clean - Lou Reed
08. Frankie - Beth Orton
09. Dry Bones - Rosewell Rudd and Sonic Youth
10. Old Joe's Place - the Folksmen
11. The House Carpenter - Robin Holcomb and Todd Rundgren
12. When That Great Ship Went Down - Gavin Friday and Maurice Seezer
13. Etude No. 10 - Philip Glass
14. James Alley Blues - David Johansen
15. Oh Death Where Is Thy Sting? - Eric Mingus and Gary Lucas
16. Single Girl - Married Girl Petra Haden
17. The Coo Coo Bird - Richard Thompson and Eliza Carthy
18. I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground - Bob Neuwirth and Eliza Carthy
19. Poor Boy Blues - Geoff Muldaur
20. This Song Of Love - Don Byron, Percy Health and Bill Frisell
21. Ommie Wise Part 1 & 2 (What Lewis Did Last...) - Kate and Anna McGarrigle with Elvis Costello
22. Prison Cell Blues - Steve Earle
23. Fishing Blues - David Thomas

DVD Two:

Anthology Of American Folk Music documentary

Comments

[Rah]

Um, Harry Smith of CBS news is a charming host and all, but he was born in 1951--a year before the Harry Smith *Anthology* was released.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Smith_%28television%29

Musicologist Harry Smith was a fascinating character.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Smith_%28musicologist%29
I'm no expert, but I've enjoyed learning a little about him. The Harry Smith Archives seems to be a good starting point.
http://www.harrysmitharchives.com/

[Alfagreyus]

Hi!
Without taking into account the issue of establishing a stone by God, which he won't be able to pick up, how do you think, may be something in this world, what can God never see?