Southern Journey, Vol. 5: Bad Man Ballads

Southern Journey, Vol. 5: Bad Man Ballads

Track Listings

1. Jesse James - Almeda Riddle

2. Po' Lazarus - Bright Light Quartet

3. Railroad Bill - Hobart Smith

4. John Henry - Ed Lewis

5. Willie Brennan - Neil Morris

6. Hangman Tree - Almeda Riddle

7. Columbus Stockade

8. Early in the Mornin'

9. Pretty Polly - Estil C. Ball

10. Lazarus - Henry Morrison

11. Claude Allen - Hobart Smith

12. Cole Younger

13. Lawson Murder - Spencer Moore

14. Tom Devil

15. Hawkins County Jail - Hobart Smith

16. Dangerous Blues

17. Po' Lazarus

Tracks:

Jesse James - Almeda Riddle
Po' Lazarus - Bright Light Quartet
Railroad Bill - Hobart Smith
John Henry - Ed Lewis
Willie Brennan - Neil Morris
Hangman Tree - Almeda Riddle
Columbus Stockade - J.E. Mainer Band
Early In The Mornin' - Johnny Lee Moore & Prisoners
Pretty Polly - Estil C. Ball
Lazarus - Henry Morrison
Claude Allen - Hobart Smith
Cole Younger - Oscar Gilbert
The Lawson Murder - Spencer Moore/Everett Blevins
Tom Devil - Ed Lewis & Prisoners
Hawkins County Jail - Hobart Smith
Dangerous Blues - Floyd Batts
Po' Lazarus - James Carter & Prisoners

Customer Reviews:

Voices from a pastoral past.......2001-08-28

While you can certainly buy music with better production (these songs were produced "on the spot" in sometimes less than ideal conditions),better musicianship and more competent vocals, you would be hard pressed to find a contemporary collection that is more heartfelt and stirring as the one offered here. This music embodies our past ~ the roots from which grew blues and bluegrass. The "artists" represented on this CD are just plain folks that learned their instruments and songs from family and friends,passed down from the preceding generations. When taken within the context of the collection each selection is a gem on its own. Among these gems, many have a rare and haunting beauty. You should buy this CD if you have even a passing interest in American roots music

Southern Journey, Vol. 5: Bad Man Ballads.......1999-12-19

Alan Lomax recorded these folk songs during the late 1950's in people's houses and in prisons. Incredible to have recordings of prisoners singing to the beat of their axe strokes as they work. Housework seems less mundane when doing it with this music on. Wide range of music represented here, but many of the songs in this volume are concerned with crime, especially murder, and prison life. Two (actually three) great versions of Po' Lazarus, and an interesting John Henry. I would have given it 5 stars except there's 1 track I hate and two others I don't care for. That leaves 14 great tracks.