More than fifty years ago, on a trip dubbed “the Southern Journey,” Alan Lomax visited Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee, uncovering the little-known southern backcountry and blues music that we now consider uniquely American. Lomax’s camera was a constant companion, and his images of both legendary and anonymous folk musicians complement his More than fifty years ago, on a trip dubbed “the Southern Journey,” Alan Lomax visited Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee, uncovering the little-known southern backcountry and blues music that we now consider uniquely American. Lomax’s camera was a constant companion, and his images of both legendary and anonymous folk musicians complement his famous field recordings. These photographs—largely unpublished—show musicians making music with family and friends at home, with fellow worshippers at church, and alongside workers and prisoners in the fields. Discussions of Lomax’s life and career by his disciple and lauded folklorist William Ferris, and a lyrical look at Lomax’s photographs by novelist and Grammy Award-winning music writer Tom Piazza, enrich this valuable collection.
The Southern Journey of Alan Lomax: Words, Photographs, and Music
More than fifty years ago, on a trip dubbed “the Southern Journey,” Alan Lomax visited Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee, uncovering the little-known southern backcountry and blues music that we now consider uniquely American. Lomax’s camera was a constant companion, and his images of both legendary and anonymous folk musicians complement his More than fifty years ago, on a trip dubbed “the Southern Journey,” Alan Lomax visited Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee, uncovering the little-known southern backcountry and blues music that we now consider uniquely American. Lomax’s camera was a constant companion, and his images of both legendary and anonymous folk musicians complement his famous field recordings. These photographs—largely unpublished—show musicians making music with family and friends at home, with fellow worshippers at church, and alongside workers and prisoners in the fields. Discussions of Lomax’s life and career by his disciple and lauded folklorist William Ferris, and a lyrical look at Lomax’s photographs by novelist and Grammy Award-winning music writer Tom Piazza, enrich this valuable collection.
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Brad McKenna –
I've always loved Blues music. Lately, I've been reading about the history of the music. So naturally, Mr. Lomax was on my list. He was the most prolific recorder of southern music. He helped make "race records" a thing. Granted it's a wee bit racist to call it that but what are you going to do. He recorded a myriad of southern folk music artists for the Library of Congress. That's the music that gave birth to the blues. It was used to prisoners to ease tension as they chopped wood or picked cot I've always loved Blues music. Lately, I've been reading about the history of the music. So naturally, Mr. Lomax was on my list. He was the most prolific recorder of southern music. He helped make "race records" a thing. Granted it's a wee bit racist to call it that but what are you going to do. He recorded a myriad of southern folk music artists for the Library of Congress. That's the music that gave birth to the blues. It was used to prisoners to ease tension as they chopped wood or picked cotton. It was also used by poor folks to disempower their destitute conditions. Given the horrible condition in which Lomax found himself recording music, it's small wonder that he had to flee the country because of his Communist sympathies during Senator McCarthy's Red Scare. This was basically a long essay by Tom Piazza (the dude who wrote Why New Orleans Matters) and a few dozen pages of photos Lomax took during his southern journey. If you're interested in the Blues, I'd definitely pick this up. It's a quick read and its interesting to see an unfiltered look at The South in the early 1900s.
Tim Fiester –
A fascinating (brief) essay about a monumental folklorist who discovered, recorded and touted great folk and blues musicians. There were a few great anecdotes, but Lomax's pictures (of chain-gang singers and backwoods pickers, among others) were the best. My only complaint about this book is its length: entirely too short. I wanted more details, more stories about Lomax's trip in 1959 and of the people he met. Also, there is a music CD that came with the book. I've only listened to half of it so A fascinating (brief) essay about a monumental folklorist who discovered, recorded and touted great folk and blues musicians. There were a few great anecdotes, but Lomax's pictures (of chain-gang singers and backwoods pickers, among others) were the best. My only complaint about this book is its length: entirely too short. I wanted more details, more stories about Lomax's trip in 1959 and of the people he met. Also, there is a music CD that came with the book. I've only listened to half of it so far (before I return the book to the library) but I have some new names to locate on Spotify, Pandora and so on.
Rick Jackofsky –
A short, well written, introduction to the work of songcatcher Alan Lomax along with a nice collection of his photos and a CD sampler representative of the music he collected on his 1959 "Southern Journey." This two month journey through the South was Lomax's first American musical expedition after returning from his European "exile." A short, well written, introduction to the work of songcatcher Alan Lomax along with a nice collection of his photos and a CD sampler representative of the music he collected on his 1959 "Southern Journey." This two month journey through the South was Lomax's first American musical expedition after returning from his European "exile."
Allison –
With a helpful interpretive introduction (William Ferris) and overview (Tom Piazza), this collection of Lomax's photographs brings renewed attention to this incredible project--and indeed to Lomax's entire career. With included cd, this book is a feast for the senses! With a helpful interpretive introduction (William Ferris) and overview (Tom Piazza), this collection of Lomax's photographs brings renewed attention to this incredible project--and indeed to Lomax's entire career. With included cd, this book is a feast for the senses!
Carl –
Marvelously well done and includes a cd with excerpts from Lomax's collection. The photographs are marvelous and speak volumes of a time and place in America's history which would seem like another planet to today's Youth. Marvelously well done and includes a cd with excerpts from Lomax's collection. The photographs are marvelous and speak volumes of a time and place in America's history which would seem like another planet to today's Youth.
Todd Fife –
Let me be plain, the 4 stars are mainly for the photographs and the music cd included . . . not so much for the essay.
W. –
E
Bob –
Outstanding on every level, incredible photos, great cd, etc.
Mike –
amazing photographs and a great essay by tom piazza, who also wrote the stellar "devil sent the rain" and "why new orleans matters". plus a CD, to boot. amazing photographs and a great essay by tom piazza, who also wrote the stellar "devil sent the rain" and "why new orleans matters". plus a CD, to boot.
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