More people should know that name than do, and this revisitation of the definitive anthology of American folk music is part tribute, part profile raiser. That's not to say Harry didn't get his props; his original Anthology Of American Folk Music bagged two Grammys and was certified gold this year. But he passed away in '91, and it's time to remind.
This release pulls live recordings from 1999's Harry Smith tribute shows in London, Brooklyn, and LA, and features Beck, Sonic Youth, Elvis Costello, Lou Reed, Van Dyke Parks, Nick Cave, David Johansen, Steve Earle, Richard Thompson, Beth Orton, (tired yet?), and more more more. The CD/DVD boxed set has renditions of the timeless folk of the '20s and '30s -- songs that paved the way for all that indie that fills our ears. Don't believe it? Check that bad seed, Nick Cave, doing a gritty "John The Revelator" (video). And more streams for your procrastinating pleasure:
Beth Orton - "Frankie" (QT | WMA | (Video)
Wilco - "James Alley Blues" (QT) | WMA)
And we're giving away one set! To enter the Harry Smith Anthology Giveaway, post a comment about the track that looks best to you. We'll select a winner on Friday 10/20 at 6PM EST. Full CD and DVD tracklisting below (crazy lineup!).
DISC ONE: (CD)
1. David Johansen, "OLD DOG BLUE"
2. Steve Earle, "PRISON CELL BLUES"
3. Wilco, "JAMES ALLEY BLUES"
4. Beth Orton, "FRANKIE"
5. Beck, "LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN"
6. Kate & Anna McGarrigle, "SUGAR BABY"
7. Elvis Costello, "THE BUTCHER?S BOY"
8. David Thomas, "WAY DOWN THE OLD PLANK ROAD"
9. Richard Thompson with Eliza Carthy, "THE COO COO BIRD"
10. Ed Sanders, "MY BABY DONE LEFT ME"
11. Nick Cave, "JOHN THE REVELATOR"
12. Eric Mingus with Gary Lucas, "OH DEATH WHERE IS THY STING?"
13. Roswell Rudd with Sonic Youth, "DRY BONES"
14. Garth & Maud Hudson, "NO DEPRESSION IN HEAVEN"
15. Geoff Muldaur, "K.C. MOAN"
17. Gavin Friday with Maurice Seezer, "WHEN THAT GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN"
DISC TWO: (CD)
1. Robin Holcomb, "A LAZY FARMER BOY"
2. Van Dyke Parks with Mondrian String Quartet, "SAIL AWAY LADY"
3. Geoff Muldaur, "POOR BOY BLUES"
4. Marianne Faithfull, "SPIKE DRIVER BLUES"
5. Lou Reed, "SEE THAT MY GRAVE IS KEPT CLEAN"
6. Kate & Anna McGarrigle with Elvis Costello, "OMMIE WISE PART 1 & 2
(WHAT LEWIS DID LAST?)"
7. Gavin Friday, "FATAL FLOWER GARDEN"
8. Bob Neuwirth with Eliza Carthy, "I WISH I WAS A MOLE IN THE GROUND"
9. David Thomas, "FISHING BLUES"
10. Mary Margaret O?Hara, "HE GOT BETTER THINGS FOR YOU"
11. Mocean Worker, "HARRY GOES A COURTIN? (THE MOWO! LIVE HOOTENANNY THROW-DOWN)"
12. Robin Holcomb & Todd Rundgren, "THE HOUSE CARPENTER"
13. Don Byron, Percy Heath & Bill Frisell, "THIS SONG OF LOVE"
14. Nick Cave, "SHINE ON ME"
15. David Johansen, "JAMES ALLEY BLUES"
16. Petra Haden, "SINGLE GIRL MARRIED GIRL"
DISC THREE (DVD):(Also available separately)
Concert Film ? The Harry Smith Project Live
1. Elvis Costello, "THE BUTCHER?S BOY"
2. David Johansen, "OLD DOG BLUE"
3. Nick Cave, "JOHN THE REVELATOR"
4. Beck, "LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN"
5. Ed Sanders, "ONE HOT SUMMER NIGHT WITH HARRY SMITH"
6. Kate & Anna McGarrigle, "SUGAR BABY"
7. Lou Reed, "SEE THAT MY GRAVE IS KEPT CLEAN"
8. Beth Orton, "FRANKIE"
9. Rosewell Rudd with Sonic Youth, "DRY BONES"
10. The Folksmen, "OLD JOE?S PLACE"
11. Robin Holcomb & Todd Rundgren, "THE HOUSE CARPENTER
12. Gavin Friday with Maurice Seezer, "WHEN THAT GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN"
13. Philip Glass, "ETUDE NO. 10"
14. David Johansen, "JAMES ALLEY BLUES"
15. Eric Mingus with Gary Lucas, "OH DEATH WHERE IS THY STING?"
16. Petra Haden, "SINGLE GIRL, MARRIED GIRL"
17. Richard Thompson with Eliza Carthy, "THE COO COO BIRD"
18. Bob Neuwirth with Eliza Carthy, "I WISH I WAS A MOLE IN THE GROUND"
19. Geoff Muldaur, "POOR BOY BLUES"
20. Don Byron, Percy Heath & Bill Frisell, "THIS SONG OF LOVE"
21. Kate & Anna McGarrigle with Elvis Costello, "OMMIE WISE PART 1 & 2
(WHAT LEWIS DID LAST?)"
22. Steve Earle, "PRISON CELL BLUES"
23. David Thomas, "FISHING BLUES"
The Harry Smith Project: Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited is out 10/24.
