The Alan Lomax Recordings document blues and gospel music recorded by folklorist Alan Lomax between 1945 and 1965. The files were digitized by the Association for Cultural Equity, which deposited digital research copies with the Blues Archive.
Folklorist, ethnomusicologist, producer, documentarian, and author Alan Lomax (31 January 1915 – 19 July 2002) was one of America’s most prolific collectors of folk songs. Documenting musical traditions in America, Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean and many other areas, Lomax followed the folksong collecting work of his parents John and Ruby Lomax. Through his radio shows, concert promotions, audio productions, and books, Lomax introduced large audiences to the music of Woody Guthrie, Jelly Roll Morton, Muddy Waters, Leadbelly, and countless others.
Due to copyright concerns, the recordings in this collection can only be accessed by arrangement with the Department of Archives and Special Collections. If you are interested in reproducing any of these recordings, you must contact the Association for Cultural Equity.
Image credit: Cold Room at the Alan Lomax Archive at the Library of Congress
1959
You got a mean disposition, Alan Lomax and John Dudley (folksinger)
Unidentified song fragment at Fred McDowell's home, Alan Lomax, Felix Dukes, and Fred McDowell
Ain't been able to get back home no more (Rosie), Alan Lomax and Heuston Earms
I been havin' troubles, Alan Lomax and Heuston Earms
Interview with Heuston Earms about different styles of Rosie, Alan Lomax and Heuston Earms
Interview with Heuston Earms about good work song leaders, Alan Lomax and Heuston Earms
Interview with Heuston Earms about singing and his time in prison, Alan Lomax and Heuston Earms
Interview with Heuston Earms about the song 'Camp C's Rosie', Alan Lomax and Heuston Earms
Interview with Heuston Earms about the song 'Poor Lazarus' his childhood, and his hardships, Alan Lomax and Heuston Earms
Interview with Heuston Earms about the song 'Stewball', Alan Lomax and Heuston Earms
Rosie, sung by Heuston Earms (style A), Alan Lomax and Heuston Earms
Rosie, sung by Heuston Earms (style B), Alan Lomax and Heuston Earms
Rosie, sung by Heuston Earms (style C), Alan Lomax and Heuston Earms
Stewball. Session II, Heuston Earms, Alan Lomax and Heuston Earms
Berta. Session I, Alan Lomax and John Edwards
Sing till the power of the Lord come down. Session II, Alan Lomax and Famous Smith Radio Chorus
Blues before sunrise, Alan Lomax and City Joe Forest
Down on the levee blues, Alan Lomax and City Joe Forest
Down on the levee blues (false start), Alan Lomax and City Joe Forest
Drink on, little girl. Session I, Alan Lomax and City Joe Forest
Red Cross store, Alan Lomax and City Joe Forest
Talk, ambience, Forest City Joe, Alan Lomax and City Joe Forest
Train time, Alan Lomax and City Joe Forest
Unidentified song fragment, Forest City Joe, Alan Lomax and City Joe Forest
You gotta cut that out, Alan Lomax and City Joe Forest
Drink on, little girl. Session II, Alan Lomax, City Joe Forest, Thomas Martin, and Sonny Rodgers
Forrest City boogie, Alan Lomax, City Joe Forest, Thomas Martin, and Sonny Rodgers
Forrest City jump, Alan Lomax, City Joe Forest, Thomas Martin, and Sonny Rodgers
She lived her life too fast. Session I, Alan Lomax, City Joe Forest, Thomas Martin, and Sonny Rodgers
She lived her life too fast. Session II, Alan Lomax, City Joe Forest, Thomas Martin, and Sonny Rodgers
You don't love me that way, Alan Lomax, City Joe Forest, Thomas Martin, and Sonny Rodgers
You gotta cut that out (false start). Session II, Alan Lomax, City Joe Forest, Thomas Martin, and Sonny Rodgers
You gotta cut that out (false start). Session I, Alan Lomax, City Joe Forest, Sonny Rodgers, and Thomas Martin
Sitting on top of the world (Panola County, Miss.), Alan Lomax, Elisha Franklin, William Major James, Viola James, Ed Young, and Lonnie Young
Chevrolet, Alan Lomax, Elisha Franklin, Lonnie Young, William Major James, Viola James, and Ed Young
Jim and John. Session II, Alan Lomax, Elisha Franklin, Lonnie Young, William Major James, Viola James, and Ed Young
On that rock, Alan Lomax, Elisha Franklin, Lonnie Young, William Major James, Viola James, and Ed Young
Oree. Session III, Alan Lomax, Elisha Franklin, Lonnie Young, William Major James, Viola James, and Ed Young
Green Sally up, Alan Lomax, Mattie Gardner, Jessie Pratcher, and Ida Mae Towns
I'm bound to get to Heaven at last, Alan Lomax, Mattie Gardner, Jessie Pratcher, and Ida Mae Towns
Little Sally Walker (Como, Mississippi), Alan Lomax, Mattie Gardner, Jessie Pratcher, and Ida Mae Towns
Mary Mack, Alan Lomax, Mattie Gardner, Jessie Pratcher, and Ida Mae Towns
Wished I was in Heaven sitting down. Session I, Alan Lomax, Mattie Gardner, Ida Mae Towns, Fred McDowell, Denise Gardner, and Lucille Powell
God is a wonder in my soul, Alan Lomax and S. Garner
Berta. Session II, Alan Lomax and George Golden
Poor Lazarus, sung by George Golden, Alan Lomax and George Golden
Forty miles, Alan Lomax and Leroy Grant
Mama Lucy, Alan Lomax and Leroy Grant
I'm a soldier in the army of the Lord, Alan Lomax and Louise Green
Boll weevil holler. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Boll weevil holler. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Candy gal, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Death have mercy (spare me over another year). Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Death have mercy (spare me over another year). Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Death have mercy (spare me over another year). Session III, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Great day, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
I got a home in that rock, Vera Hall, Livingston, Alabama, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Last month of the year (last stanza), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Last month of the year, Livingston, Alabama. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Last month of the year, Livingston, Alabama. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Last month of the year, Livingston, Alabama. Session III, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Mama's gonna buy (Come up horsey; Little lap dog), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
No room at the inn (false start), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
No room at the inn (song). Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
No room at the inn (song). Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
No room at the inn (song). Session III, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
No room at the inn (story). Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
No room at the inn (story). Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
No room at the inn (story). Session III, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Ridin' in a buggy; Candy gal, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Talk, ambience, Vera Hall, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Trouble so hard (fragment), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Trouble so hard. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Trouble so hard. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Wild ox moan (Black woman). Session III, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Wild ox moan (Black woman). Session VI, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Wild ox moan. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Wild ox moan. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Young speckled lady. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Going to Memphis, Alan Lomax and Clifton Haughton
You got dimples in your jaws, Alan Lomax, Roland Hayes, Darnell Walker, and Willie Jones
When the train comes along, Alan Lomax, Rose Hemphill, Sidney Carter, and Fred McDowell
Bumblebee done stang me, Alan Lomax, Ruby Hemphill, Lucille Rice, and Bobby Jean Hemphill
Cornbread rough, cornbread tough, Alan Lomax, Ruby Hemphill, Lucille Rice, and Bobby Jean Hemphill
Hold up the gatepost, Alan Lomax, Ruby Hemphill, Lucille Rice, and Bobby Jean Hemphill
In and out the window, Cindy, Alan Lomax, Ruby Hemphill, Lucille Rice, and Bobby Jean Hemphill
Jumpety jump, Alan Lomax, Ruby Hemphill, Lucille Rice, and Bobby Jean Hemphill
Little Sally Walker (Senatobia, Mississippi). Session I, Alan Lomax, Ruby Hemphill, Lucille Rice, and Bobby Jean Hemphill
Little Sally Walker (Senatobia, Mississippi). Session II, Alan Lomax, Ruby Hemphill, Lucille Rice, and Bobby Jean Hemphill
Little Sally Walker (Senatobia, Mississippi). Session III, Alan Lomax, Ruby Hemphill, Lucille Rice, and Bobby Jean Hemphill
Pease porridge, Alan Lomax, Ruby Hemphill, Lucille Rice, and Bobby Jean Hemphill
Red bird, Alan Lomax, Ruby Hemphill, Lucille Rice, and Bobby Jean Hemphill
Sally go round the sunshine, Alan Lomax, Ruby Hemphill, Lucille Rice, and Bobby Jean Hemphill
Banjo man, Alan Lomax and Sid Hemphill
Banjo man (fragment), Alan Lomax and Sid Hemphill
Beaver dam, Alan Lomax and Sid Hemphill
Don't let my rabbit get away. Session I, Alan Lomax and Sid Hemphill
Don't let my rabbit get away. Session II, Alan Lomax and Sid Hemphill
Interview with Sid Hemphill about the song 'Banjo man', Alan Lomax and Sid Hemphill
Interview with Sid Hemphill about the song 'Emmaline, take your time', Alan Lomax and Sid Hemphill