INSPIRATIONAL: 17,000 traditional folk songs preserved by Alan Lomax

Thursday, July 3, 2025

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https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2025/6/one-man-recorded-over-17000-traditional-folk-songs-to-preserve-the-true-sound-of-america?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4b9c55d78644b3a882a4d

One man recorded over 17,000 traditional folk songs to preserve the true sound of America
By Katherine Gross
Published 13 June 2025

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To take a break from his studies, at 17 he joined his father on a work trip sponsored by the Library of Congress to collect folk songs around America. It was from this trip in 1934 that Alan’s legacy as an ethnomusicologist would blossom – over the course of his nearly 70-year career, he would document over 17,000 traditional songs, dances, interviews, and social practices from independent cultures within America to preserve the traditions and diversity of our heritage. 

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His life work was collected by the Library of Congress in 2004, and can be explored in the Lomax Digital Archive.

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I vaguely remember hearing some of these in 1972-1974 when I was stationed in DC.  While the recordings were far from the pristine sound we get today, they were fascinating.  Like saving the Library at Alexandria, humans have a rich history that needs to be preserved.

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RANT: “Rich Men North Of Richmond” reminds me that “America is not the greatest country in the world anymore”

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Rich Men North Of Richmond reminds me of Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and the anti-war folk singers in the 60’s. Hit a responsive chord in my thinking. Perhaps this is an anthem for the next revolution?

Remember when “Question Authority” was all the rage. “Rage against the dying of the light”!  Henry V – Speech – Eve of Saint Crispin’s Day “America is not the greatest country in the world anymore” – The Newsroom 2012 

When does “We, The Sheeple” wake up, if ever?
 
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