I love compilation albums. Anyone who grew up on iTunes playlists or mixed-artist streams should love them too, because they can introduce you to a multitude of artists you may never have heard before while creating a mood every bit as compelling as the finest concept albums.
A great new first-time vinyl collection, Classic Blues from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, traces half a century of foundational blues artistry from the label across two LPs. Originally released as an hour-plus-long compact disc, it now has room to breathe across four sides of vinyl. Like so many earlier Folkways collections I have heard over the years, this one works incredibly well.
Folkways’ roots stretch back to the 1940s and its entrepreneurial founder and music aficionado, Moses Asch. Born in 1948 from the ashes, no pun intended, of earlier labels such as Disc Records and Asch Records, Folkways went on to document a wealth of folk and blues music, including numerous compilations assembled by producer, author, and historian Sam Charters.
Also of note is Harry Smith’s mammoth 1952 Anthology of American Folk Music, ranked No. 276 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Now incredibly rare, the original three volume, six LP collection, and its later six CD boxed set reissue, influenced generations by making music from the 1920s and 1930s accessible and discoverable within a broader historical context. Artists including Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, and Janis Joplin all listened to the collection and often covered songs featured on it.
In that spirit, Classic Blues From Smithsonian Folkways Recordings takes the listener on a compelling journey.
It is all about the songs and the sequencing. You will hear legends including Lead Belly, Son House, Memphis Slim with Willie Dixon, Reverend Gary Davis, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Big Bill Broonzy alongside perhaps lesser known artists such as Henry Townshend and Little Brother Montgomery. Women are also well represented, including Vera Hall, Elizabeth Cotten, Etta Baker, and Edith North Johnson.
I even learned something along the way. The Chambers Brothers’ kickin’ cover of Jimmy Reed’s “You Don’t Have to Go” appeared on the 1968 Folkways compilation The Original Chambers Brothers, although the liner notes incorrectly indicate that it was issued by Riverside Records.
It is hard for me to choose a single favorite, but the remarkable consistency from track to track deserves mention. Despite the many generations represented, nothing ever feels out of place. On the contrary, everything comes together to tell a unified story.
Hopefully, you will discover a few artists of particular interest and feel inspired to explore their individual catalogs. Overall, Classic Blues From Smithsonian Folkways Recordings sounds really good, and the pressing is solid. There is clearly a great deal to love about this collection.
Our Ratings
★★★★★★★★★★ Music
★★★★★★★★★★ Sound Quality
★★★★★★★★★★ Pressing Quality
Where to buy:
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.
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