Comments on: Dreams and Songs of the Noble Old

Dreams and Songs of the Noble Old

flapjax at midnite — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:02:07 -0800

Dreams and Songs of the Noble Old, a film by Alan Lomax, takes a loving look at the talents and wisdom of elderly musicians, singers, and story-tellers from southern American folk traditions. All the musicians featured in the film have soul and musical energy to spare: great, great performances and engaging reminiscences make this film a real treat. Please see the [more inside] for a collection of links to several of the outstanding performers featured in the film.

Fiddler Tommy Jarrell's Wikipedia page, and his page at Old Time Music. That site by the way: it's a good 'un. Wikipedia page for bluesman Jack Owens, who shares some common ground (particularly in repertoire, it would seem) with the great Skip James. Here's little more on Owens. The spry, occasionally bawdy and spectacularly bearded Sam Chatmon can be seen and heard performing That's Alright and Brownskin Woman. And here's Chatmon's Wikipedia page. Chatmon was a member of the Mississippi Sheiks and a brother (reputedly) of Charlie Patton. The wonderful Janie Hunter is profiled here at the National Endowment for the Arts. And you might want to check this out, and this. Wikipedia page for Nimrod Workman, and his page at National Endowment for the Arts. Here's his brief NY Times obituary from 1994, when he died at the ripe old age of 99. Here's a link to a one-hour radio show focussing on Nimrod: feast your ears, courtesy of Down Home Radio.

By: Faux Real

Faux Real — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:15:44 -0800

I do love me some Lomax. Thanks.

By: roombythelake

roombythelake — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:30:29 -0800

I look forward to spending time with this when I have some time to spend. Thanks!

By: humannaire

humannaire — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:33:37 -0800

Wow, Jack Owens sure sounds good on the ears. To me, that's a voice of gold!

By: Megami

Megami — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:58:51 -0800

Thanks for this. To be honest, I am not much of a folkie, but my academic supervisor has just spent four days 'hanging out with the hippies' (his words) at our local folk festival, and he loves this stuff. He is sure to be thankful as well.

By: Miko

Miko — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:26:13 -0800

I am so thankful for Folkstreams. Thanks for the good post!

By: wemayfreeze

wemayfreeze — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:25:17 -0800

What a great resource. Thanks, fj@m!

By: vronsky

vronsky — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:10:05 -0800

Cool post flap! I saw a documentary a few years ago about Lomax, and there was a section which showed some early footage of old negro work songs (their words not mine). One that stuck with me was a chain gang chopping down a tree or something while they chanted - something, something, something... Gri-za-lee bear. I know I am not describing this very well but does anyone have a clue what song this was? The "grizzly bear" refrain is all I can remember.

By: LobsterMitten

LobsterMitten — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:28:39 -0800

wooo.

By: vronsky

vronsky — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:37:27 -0800

I found it!

By: salishsea

salishsea — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:00:02 -0800

flapjax...you're batting well these days, what with this and the accordian post. well done.

By: Miko

Miko — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:06:50 -0800

wronsky: This one? I included it in a post about prison songs a while back. That's the Seegers collecting, not Lomax - if there's another one with video of chain gang songs, would you link it? You might also like Land Where the Blues Began. Highly recommended.

By: Herodios

Herodios — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:55:14 -0800

Inspiring. Some of these old dudes in their 80s and 90s still got the pipes for that high lonesome sound! -- it gives me hope I'll have some left when I'm up there. And I can't get enough of the sacred harp. Thanks, flaps.

By: owhydididoit

owhydididoit — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:45:08 -0800

Excellent post, thank you! And thanks for the introduction to folkstreams. What a trove!

By: madamjujujive

madamjujujive — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:07:42 -0800

Wow, so glad I didn't miss this post. I will have to save it for another time, but it sure looks excellent - thank you, flapjax!

By: vronsky

vronsky — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:57:18 -0800

That's it miko, thanks. (this is good flap :)