Search - Various Artists :: The Harry Smith Project: The Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited (2 CD/2 DVD BOX SET)

Harry Smith's Anthology Revisited. Result: A Complete Triump

David Mandau | Takoma Park, MD | 10/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've known and loved Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music since I first bought the CD version (from Amazon--my first online CD purchase!) in 1998. Suffice it to say, any tribute to it is going to have its work cut out for it. Luckily, the Harry Smith Project box set is incredibly enjoyable--and educational--all the way through.



The format of the box is unusual and traditional. Unusual in that it consists of two DVDs and two CDs. Traditional in that it comes in a big 12" by 12" box, the kind that they don't seem to make anymore. (That trend is real shame in my book, by the way--a box set should have heft and not be a puny little thing.) It's the same size as the original box, so it looks great sitting on the shelf next to it--a nice touch.



Both CDs and one of the DVDs consist of highlights from several tribute shows staged by producer extraordinaire Hal Willner a few years ago. (I planned to attend one of the shows but never made it--but that's another story.) The music runs the gamut--fairly traditional renditions of Anthology songs by folkies like Geoff Muldaur, the McGarrigle sisters, and Eliza McCarthy to more-radical reworkings by more contemporary artists.



A few highlights:

-Wilco (and David Johansen, separately) tackling Richard "Rabbit" Brown's James Alley Blues, probably my favorite song from the Anthology. It's always struck me as an odd mix of the old-fashioned and the modern, so it's great to hear Wilco slap a rhythm section on it and turn it into a sprightly folk-rock tune.

-Nick Cave's John the Revelator. I know this as a Son House song--basically a gospel blues. Nick, backed by a wailing trio of femail singers, turns it from a gospel moan into a devilish stomp. Brilliant!

-Lou Reed's version of See that My Grave Is Kept Clean. Another blues tune, this time by Blind Lemon Jefferson. I'm not as familiar with Lou's solo work as I ought to be. I do know that he used to fine members of the Velvet Underground if they used a blues lick during rehearsals. I wonder how much he owes for this performance, which shows that Lou can do pounding elemental electric blues as a well as anyone. The verses are separated by extended guitar rave-ups which are just amazing. Perhaps my favorite performance on the set.

-Elvis Costello's version of Butcher Boy. Elvis strumming on a driving one-chord (I think) jam. I've never heard him sing the blues, I don't think. This comes awfully close.



Anyway, those are just the highlights. I've only listed to the CDs and live DVD once, so I'm sure more will emerge over time.



The final disc is the documentary entitled The Old Weird America. In some ways, it might be best to watch this disc before you dig into the rest of the set. The reason: because it pretty clearly and compellingly lays out Harry Smith's history and make a case for his great influence on 20th century music. Lots of talking heads--Greil Marcus, Elvis, Johansen, Steve Earle and others--and a fair sampling of the live performances round out this fascinating look at a man who none of us will truly ever understand, though we can of course appreciate his impact.



Anyway, this is NOT a purist folk release. But it IS perfect for anyone who loves the adventurous spirit of the original Anthology, or anyone who loves the artists featured. Get it--you won't be disappointed.

"

Fantastic--the "folk process" documented!

bogus picker | bay area | 01/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are curious about this but are not familiar with the original "Anthology of American Folk Music"--GET IT, and listen. It is like looking back in time, sort of like the Hubble telescope, only we are looking at images from our own human heritage, and perhaps ourselves.



As Hal Willner says, there are pieces you will love and pieces you might not like. But in truth, this is how the artists in this collection interpreted the originals. And even in the ones I was less than enthusiastic about, I saw something, and went back with a greater appreciation of the original. As a result I developed more enthusiasm for the new performance. This is something to be savored over and over.



I had been listening to Folkways LPs and subscribing to Singout! since the early '60s, and aquired the anthology in the early '70s. I had no previous knowledge of many performers in this set. So this was an eye-opener for me. I even read a review of a person, although generally positive, who wondered why "The Folksman" were in this. My answer is, "we perhaps should not take anything too seriously, and what if the gift of life itself is just a joke?""

Very interesting souvenir of a once in a lifetime experience

Alan F. Deremo | California | 04/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I attended the concert on the first night in LA, from which a majority of the material here was drawn (I actually stuck it out 'til the 2:00 am conclusion!) What drew me to the show is much the same as the appeal of this set - the chance to see 30 or more of your favorite singers and musicians on the same stage (and a few who you could do without), playing songs from what just might be the greatest and most influential compilation (or "mix tape") of all time! At the very least, this is a very nice souvenir of the event. The interviews and backstage/rehearsal footage in the DVD are very illuminating and are ample testimony to the mad genius of Hal Willner (creator/producer).

Some of the performances here are a lot less impressive that my memory of them, while others (David Johansen, Richard Thompson and Elvis Costello, among others) hold up very well. Willner should be commended for showcasing criminally underrated artists like Robin Holcomb and Van Dyke Parks, as well as for pushing some people (like Beck and Beth Orton) out of their comfort zone material-wise, resulting in some very memorable performances. Some of my other favorites here: Sonic Youth (with trombonist Roswell Rudd) burn up the stage on "Dry Bones", David Thomas is an insane genius, Bob Neuwirth, Geoff Muldaur and Steve Earle all individually show they are up to the task.

There were some classic moments from the night I attended that didn't make it to this release, including Garth Hudson's bizarre and amazing "Recessional Music" on the Royce Hall pipe organ, and Daniel Lanois' mini-set of the Anthology's Cajun songs (accompanied by his super-loud electric guitar). The pre-Mighty Wind Folksmen, introducing some much needed perspective, are rightfully represented here. However, not included was their version of "Flashdance," which somehow said it all (the audience were larfing). Also, not to be forgotten was Mary Margaret O'Hara's train wreck version of "Better Things" (which is represented here by a less chaotic version from a different night). It caused a mass exodus - as it was about midnight at that point, a lot of people were probably suddenly remembering they had babysitters or jobs to go to in the morning!

Being a lot more familiar with the original Anthology recordings now than I was prior to the concert, I am probably a lot more critical of these interpretations, some of which are frankly a bit superficial. Also, it is a bit more noticeable, especially on the DVD, which performers hadn't done their homework and learned the songs thoroughly before the show! On the other hand, some of the versions here caused me to have new appreciation for the songs themselves and really focus on the brilliance and bizarreness of the lyrics. A lot of contemporary songwriters could stand to check them out..

On the technical end, the camera work on the DVD is a bit "on the fly" but not too bad considering there was probably very little rehearsal/blocking. Audio-wise, the recording quality is much better than expected (I'm guessing there was a litlle bit of post-production repair, including fixing some fluffed lyrics). The second DVD ("Old Weird America") that delves a bit more into Harry Smith and the origins of the Anthology, has been shown a bit in art house theaters around the country and is almost worth the price of the set by itself."