Commentary on Jesse James and American oral literature

Audio file

Date recorded: April 19, 1969
Contributor(s): Performer: Lomax, Alan; Recordist: Lomax, Alan
Subject(s):
Genre: interview/commentary
Culture: Anglo-American, Southern U.S.
Instruments: voice
Setting: The home of Fred McDowell
Location: Texas City, Galveston County, Texas, United States
Physical form: Reel to Reel
Tape number: T9000
Track Number: 5
Archive ID: T9000R05
Note: The song about Jesse James caused controversy because there was a Howard faction and a James faction. An old lady was set upon for singing it. The Harvard English professors were surprised to learn that the American west had produced folk poetry equal to that of the British isles. "Trail Of The Buffalo" ("Buffalo Skinners") is an example of a protest song.
Transcript:
Belongs to: Texas City 1969
About the session: A lecture and performance given by Alan Lomax in Texas City, Texas, on April 19, 1969. Lomax illustrates the development of American folk music through New England hymns to Black spirituals and bad-man ballads. The recording was given to Lomax by Robert P. Shinn.
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