2. Harry Smith's Anthology of American Music.
This was an undertaking. The Anthology was compiled by Harry Smith, and walks one through the early days of American music. Music that predates Aerosmith. Mr. Smith must have been very dedicated to his project, to put together six CD's of the music of past generations. Perhaps this music was sweeter to his ear than it was to mine, so the task would not be as daunting for him. Sharing one's music, like subjecting your friends to your latest musical finds at a house party, is fun; especially if it is well received. If I were tasked with putting this compilation together, it would be a labour of necessity, not love. The Anthology is historically significant, not only as an archive of music that would likely otherwise be lost, but as an influence to the folk singers of the sixties and after. Allegedly, this Anthology was very well received by the folk scene, and many legendary and also some contemporary artists cut their teeth learning these songs, before developing their own sound.
The music is split into three categories: Ballads, Social Music, and Songs. There were differences between the discs, but not really enough to warrant a comprehensive breakdown of each two disc category. To my ear, it all sounded like something you would hear watching a Ken Burns documentary.
I was listening to the Anthology at a time when my wife happened to have house guests. I sat beside my computer with a nice cold beer, heaved a sigh, and pressed "play all". At first, I did not think that I could make it through the whole CD, let alone the five that followed. My wife came downstairs, and sat on the couch across the room. She was puzzled at my musical selection, but was not going to encourage me by asking why I was listening to songs that our great grandparents may have hummed, or sang, while helping their neighbours to raise a barn. I smiled at her, and continued to listen, actually enjoying a lot of the fiddle music, and some of the songs that were precursors to old style country. Our guests came in to the room and joined us. Nothing was said about the soundtrack to the evening, but it shortly became the elephant in the room. I burst out laughing, giving no explanation for my musical selection, but informed them that we could listen to something else after four more songs. There were some quizzical looks, but we actually did begin to discuss the music. Which, I suppose proves that it is still relevant. It was mentioned how it would be fun to sing those songs in the kitchen of an old farmhouse, with friends and family present, maybe some moonshine to take the edge off. An image of warmth and social interaction, in a world where a two line text replaces a six page handwritten letter, was suggested, and we all found ourselves nodding in agreement.
I will likely not be listening to this one again, I don't really feel that I gained anything from it, other than a sense that the musicians that developed this music further must have heard something that I didn't. And I am glad that they did. The Anthology was listed at number 276 on the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
My favourite track- King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O by Chubby Parker which is basically Froggy went a Courtin'. And that, my friends, is good times, no matter when it was recorded.
The music is split into three categories: Ballads, Social Music, and Songs. There were differences between the discs, but not really enough to warrant a comprehensive breakdown of each two disc category. To my ear, it all sounded like something you would hear watching a Ken Burns documentary.
I was listening to the Anthology at a time when my wife happened to have house guests. I sat beside my computer with a nice cold beer, heaved a sigh, and pressed "play all". At first, I did not think that I could make it through the whole CD, let alone the five that followed. My wife came downstairs, and sat on the couch across the room. She was puzzled at my musical selection, but was not going to encourage me by asking why I was listening to songs that our great grandparents may have hummed, or sang, while helping their neighbours to raise a barn. I smiled at her, and continued to listen, actually enjoying a lot of the fiddle music, and some of the songs that were precursors to old style country. Our guests came in to the room and joined us. Nothing was said about the soundtrack to the evening, but it shortly became the elephant in the room. I burst out laughing, giving no explanation for my musical selection, but informed them that we could listen to something else after four more songs. There were some quizzical looks, but we actually did begin to discuss the music. Which, I suppose proves that it is still relevant. It was mentioned how it would be fun to sing those songs in the kitchen of an old farmhouse, with friends and family present, maybe some moonshine to take the edge off. An image of warmth and social interaction, in a world where a two line text replaces a six page handwritten letter, was suggested, and we all found ourselves nodding in agreement.
I will likely not be listening to this one again, I don't really feel that I gained anything from it, other than a sense that the musicians that developed this music further must have heard something that I didn't. And I am glad that they did. The Anthology was listed at number 276 on the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
My favourite track- King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O by Chubby Parker which is basically Froggy went a Courtin'. And that, my friends, is good times, no matter when it was recorded.
Buy it here.
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