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

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1959

 

Bill Bailey, Alan Lomax, Miles Pratcher, and Bob Pratcher

 

Buttermilk, Alan Lomax, Miles Pratcher, and Bob Pratcher

 

If it's all night long. Session II, Alan Lomax, Miles Pratcher, and Bob Pratcher

 

I'm gonna live anyhow till I die, Alan Lomax, Miles Pratcher, and Bob Pratcher

 

Old hen cackle, run get the egg, Alan Lomax, Miles Pratcher, and Bob Pratcher

 

Interview with Henry Ratcliff about his biography, Alan Lomax and Henry Ratcliff

 

(Look for me in) Louisiana, Alan Lomax and Henry Ratcliff

 

Preaching by Reverend Reynolds, Alan Lomax and Rev. Reynolds

 

Stop breaking down, Alan Lomax, Sonny Rodgers, City Joe Forest, and Thomas Martin

 

We need rain. Session I, Alan Lomax and James Elder Rogers

 

Kokomo. Session II, Alan Lomax, Will Shade, Eugene Smith, Charlie Burse, Memphis Jug Band, Robert Carter, Dewey Corley, and Brother Owens

 

This little light of mine, Alan Lomax and James Shorty

 

I know a man, Alan Lomax and Robert Sim

 

West Indian blues, Alan Lomax, Eugene Smith, Dewey Corley, Robert Carter, Charlie Burse, and Will Shade

 

I'm going to Newport News, Alan Lomax, Eugene Smith, Dewey Corley, Will Shade, Charlie Burse, and Robert Carter

 

Kokomo. Session I, Alan Lomax, Eugene Smith, Dewey Corley, Will Shade, Charlie Burse, and Robert Carter

 

Goodbye honey, you call that gone, Alan Lomax and Lucius Smith

 

Interview with Lucius Smith about the song 'Memphis blues' and his tunings, Alan Lomax and Lucius Smith

 

Interview with Lucius Smith about the song 'The Devil's dream', Alan Lomax and Lucius Smith

 

Make Lulu behave herself. Session II, Alan Lomax and Lucius Smith

 

Memphis blues, Alan Lomax and Lucius Smith

 

Interview with Lucius Smith about 'Goodbye honey, you call that gone', Alan Lomax, Lucius Smith, and Shirley Collins

 

Interview with Lucius Smith about the song 'Beaver dam', Alan Lomax, Lucius Smith, and Shirley Collins

 

Interview with Lucius Smith about the song 'Make Lulu behave herself'; Banjo tuning, Alan Lomax, Lucius Smith, and Shirley Collins

 

Polly, will you marry me. Session I, Alan Lomax, Lucius Smith, and Shirley Collins

 

Polly, will you marry me. Session II, Alan Lomax, Lucius Smith, and Shirley Collins

 

Baptism at St. James Church. Session I, Alan Lomax and G. I. Townsel

 

Baptism at St. James Church. Session II, Alan Lomax and G. I. Townsel

 

Boy blue rock, Alan Lomax, Darnell Walker, Roland Hayes, and Willie Jones

 

Joe Lee's rock. Session I, Alan Lomax, Darnell Walker, Roland Hayes, and Willie Jones

 

Joe Lee's rock. Session II, Alan Lomax, Darnell Walker, Roland Hayes, and Willie Jones

 

Interview with William Washington about the song 'My Jack don't drink no water', Alan Lomax and William Washington

 

My Jack don't drink no water, Alan Lomax and William Washington

 

Rocks is my pillow, Alan Lomax and Willie Washington

 

I'm going home. Session I, Alan Lomax and Ervin Webb

 

I'm going home. Session II, Alan Lomax and Ervin Webb

 

Interview with Ervin Webb about the song 'I'm going home', Alan Lomax and Ervin Webb

 

Interview with Ervin Webb about 'You's one little wretch', Alan Lomax and Ervin Webb

 

John Henry sung by Grover Wells, Alan Lomax and Grover Wells

 

Rosie, sung by Grover Wells, Alan Lomax and Grover Wells

 

Unidentified field holler, Alan Lomax and Grover Wells

 

Little baby Frenchman, Alan Lomax, Grover Wells, and L. A. Bedford

 

Power, Alan Lomax and Mattie Wigley

 

Power. Fragment I, Alan Lomax and Mattie Wigley

 

Commentary by Isham Williams, Alan Lomax and Isham Williams

 

Got on my travelin' shoes (Tate County, Miss.), Alan Lomax and Isham Williams

 

Have you ever heard a man speak like this before?, Alan Lomax and Isham Williams

 

The old ship of Zion, Alan Lomax and Isham Williams

 

Tom Devil (false start), Alan Lomax and Ernest Woodson

 

Tom Devil. Session I, Alan Lomax and Ernest Woodson

 

Talk, ambience, Ed Young (I), Alan Lomax and Ed Young

 

Talk, ambience, Ed Young (II), Alan Lomax and Ed Young

 

Church, I know we got another building, Alan Lomax, Ed Young, and Lonnie Young

 

Church, I know we got another building (false start), Alan Lomax, Ed Young, and Lonnie Young

 

Talk, ambience, Ed and Lonnie Young, Alan Lomax, Ed Young, and Lonnie Young

 

Oree (at Fred McDowell's home), Alan Lomax and Lonnie Young

 

Jim and John. Session III, Alan Lomax, Lonnie Young, and Ed Young

 

Interview with Ed Young and Lonnie Young, Sr. about the song 'Jim and John', Alan Lomax, Lonnie Young, Ed Young, and Shirley Collins

 

Jim and John. Session I, Alan Lomax, Lonnie Young, Ed Young, William Major James, Viola James, and Elisha Franklin

1952

 

I get the blues when it rains, Alan Lomax and Big Bill Broonzy

 

In a shanty in old shanty town, Alan Lomax and Big Bill Broonzy

 

In a shanty in old shanty town (false start), Alan Lomax and Big Bill Broonzy

 

Interview with Big Bill Broonzy on black men and white women, sex, and relationships, Alan Lomax and Big Bill Broonzy

 

Interview with Big Bill Broonzy on Joe Turner, Alan Lomax and Big Bill Broonzy

 

Interview with Big Bill Broonzy on privilege, jealousy, disloyalty, and violence among Southern blacks, Alan Lomax and Big Bill Broonzy

 

Interview with Big Bill Broonzy on the language and origins of the blues, Southern black identity, and blues musicianship, Alan Lomax and Big Bill Broonzy

 

Interview with Big Bill Broonzy on the record industry and playing in bands, Alan Lomax and Big Bill Broonzy

 

Interview with Big Bill Broonzy on the similarities between American blacks and the people of France, Alan Lomax and Big Bill Broonzy

 

Interview with Big Bill Broonzy on why he loves the blues, reading and writing, pride, and black unity, Alan Lomax and Big Bill Broonzy

 

Joe Turner blues, Alan Lomax and Big Bill Broonzy

 

Joe Turner blues (fragment), Alan Lomax and Big Bill Broonzy

1948

 

Because the Lord is my shepherd. Session I, Alan Lomax

 

Because the Lord is my shepherd. Session II, Alan Lomax

 

Come up, horsey (go to sleep and don't you cry), Alan Lomax

 

Dear blessed Lord, Alan Lomax

 

Early in the morning. Session I, Alan Lomax

 

Early in the morning. Session II, Alan Lomax

 

Holy, holy, holy, Alan Lomax

 

Scripture lesson, Alan Lomax

 

Sermon by Reverend Butler (III); God answers prayer, Alan Lomax

 

There's nothing like the Holy Spirit, Alan Lomax

 

The weather get warm (fragment), Alan Lomax

 

Unidentified long meter hymns, Dallas, Texas, Alan Lomax

 

Wondrous glory (when we reach that other shore). Session II, Alan Lomax

 

Disability boogie woogie, Alan Lomax and Clarence Alexander

 

Prison blues, Alan Lomax and Clarence Alexander

 

By and by, O Lord, Alan Lomax and Minnie Barksdale

 

I am thine, o Lord, Alan Lomax and Minnie Barksdale

 

I'll fly away, Alan Lomax and Minnie Barksdale

 

Just a little talk with Jesus makes it right, Alan Lomax and Minnie Barksdale

 

Lord, remember me, Alan Lomax and Minnie Barksdale

 

The Lord will make a way somehow, Alan Lomax, Minnie Barksdale, and Sister Williams

 

Black gal (I don't want no jet black woman), Alan Lomax and Dan Barnes

 

Old Alabama, Alan Lomax and Dan Barnes

 

Introduction to the recording of the service by Reverend L.J. Bates, Alan Lomax and Rev. L. J. Bates

 

Let the light from the lighthouse shine on me; Amazing grace, Alan Lomax and Rev. L. J. Bates

 

Prayer fragment, Alan Lomax and Rev. L. J. Bates

 

Sermon on the man of God and the apostle John by Reverend L.J. Bates. Session I, Alan Lomax and Rev. L. J. Bates

 

Sermon on the man of God and the apostle John by Reverend L. J. Bates. Session II, Alan Lomax and Rev. L. J. Bates

 

Sermon on the man of God and the apostle John by Reverend L.J. Bates. Session III, Alan Lomax and Rev. L. J. Bates