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
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