Search - Songs & Ballads of American :: Songs and Ballads of American History and of the Assassination of Presidents

A true curio, this reissue of an LP originally released in 1952 is split in two parts. The first half is dominated by a cappella versions of Civil War tunes sung by song collectors who are firmer in their scholarship than in their timbre. The second, more entertaining portion of the rather brief anthology consists of banjoist-vocalist-folklorist Bascom Lamar Lunsford plucking away at songs inspired by political assassinations. It's fascinating to hear lyrics that name-check the likes of William McKinley, James Garfield, and Abraham Lincoln, as well as their infamous attackers, Leon Czolgosz, Charles Guiteau, and John Wilkes Booth. (Bluegrass fans will recognize "Zolgotz" as near kin to "White House Blues," which Bill Monroe famously turned into a breakdown.) A thorough booklet boasts Duncan Emrich's original notes, as well as lyrics and photos. American history buffs and folklorists of all stripes will find this engaging. --Steven Stolder