2nd of 2 CDs in Leadbelly Golden Classics series
11/12/2000
(1 out of 5 stars)
"(24') Taken from 78s, this is a fine selection of Lead Belly guitar/vocal solos, but with generally quite poor sound. Four of the ten tracks given here are duplicated on either "Vols. 1 & 2" COL5603 (52') or "Vols. 3 & 4" COL5604 (54') of Collectables' "Lead Belly Memorial" 2-CD series, which is a much better buy; the other six are unique on Collectables CDs. All of the "Memorial" tracks were originally recorded by Moses Asch in his studio, and his pressings went to Stinson Records as a result of Asch's Folkways bankruptcy; however, Asch's masters are now at the Smithsonian, which has produced its own "Lead Belly Legacy" series of CDs. The 6 unique tracks on this CD appear not to be Asch recordings, but I haven't tried to verify this."