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
1948
Announcement at Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Alan Lomax and Rev. Butler
Sermon on being ready for services by Reverend Butler (I), Alan Lomax and Rev. Butler
Sermon on being ready for services by Reverend Butler (II), Alan Lomax and Rev. Butler
Unidentified lining hymn, Greenville, Mississippi, Alan Lomax and Rev. Butler
When I lay my burden down, Alan Lomax and Rev. Butler
Lord, I'll try, Alan Lomax, Rev. Butler, Minnie Barksdale, and Mary Stapleton
Unidentified lining hymn; The Lord's prayer, Testimony, Alan Lomax and John Henry Caver
Fox chase, Alan Lomax, Curry Childress, and C. B. Banks
Announcement of collection at Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Alan Lomax and Rev. Collins
Introduction of W.G. Gage, President of the Washington County Singing Convention, Alan Lomax and Rev. Collins
Rosie, sung by C.B. Cook. Session I, Alan Lomax and C. B. Cook
Rosie, sung by C.B. Cook. Session II, Alan Lomax and C. B. Cook
Rosie, sung by C.B. Cook. Session III, Alan Lomax and C. B. Cook
Rosie, sung by C.B. Cook. Session IV, Alan Lomax and C. B. Cook
Rosie, sung by C.B. Cook. Session V, Alan Lomax and C. B. Cook
Whoa buck, Alan Lomax and C. B. Cook
Prayer during collection, Alan Lomax, L. C. Crook, and Minnie Barksdale
Prayer, Alan Lomax and Rev. Cyphers
Prayer and reading from 2 Timothy, Alan Lomax and Rev. Cyphers
Recitation of Psalm 1, Alan Lomax and Rev. Cyphers
Sermon by Reverend Cyphers on starting power and staying power, Alan Lomax and Rev. Cyphers
Don't you hear poor mother calling?, Alan Lomax and Hollie Dew
O 'Berta, Alan Lomax and Hollie Dew
If I can just make it in, Alan Lomax and W. G. Gage
If Dewey gets elected (fragment), Alan Lomax and Woody Guthrie
The road is rocky (Rocky road blues). Fragment I, Alan Lomax and Woody Guthrie
The road is rocky (Rocky road blues). Fragment II, Alan Lomax and Woody Guthrie
The road is rocky (Rocky road blues). Fragment III, Alan Lomax and Woody Guthrie
Announcement by Reverend J.H. Haley, Alan Lomax and J. H. Haley
Father, I stretch my hand to thee, Alan Lomax and J. H. Haley
The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23), Alan Lomax and J. H. Haley
Wondrous glory (when we reach that other shore). Session I, Alan Lomax and J. H. Haley
Prayer by Reverend M.C. Bradshaw, Alan Lomax, J. H. Haley, and M. C. Bradshaw
Ain't gonna rain no more (fragment), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
All hid (is it all hid?), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
All my sins been taken away, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Another man done gone (false start), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Another man done gone. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Another man done gone. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Another man done gone. Session III, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Boll weevil (fragment), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Boll weevil. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Boll weevil. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Boll weevil. Session III, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Boll weevil. Session IV, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Come up horsey (fragment), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Come up horsey. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Come up horsey. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Come up horsey. Session III, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on becoming a Christian. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on becoming a Christian. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on becoming a Christian. Session III, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on becoming a Christian. Session IV, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on Blind Jesse and why people sing, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on buying sheet music, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on courtship games and riddles, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on her family. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on her family. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on her favorite songs, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on her mother's death, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on her mother's songs and her siblings, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on her singing ability, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on her troubles, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on hide and seek, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on interracial relationships, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on music's role in church. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on music's role in church. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on prayer meetings, finding religion, and Rich Amerson, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on remarriage and her cataracts, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on Reverend Giles, who preached himself to death. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on Reverend Giles, who preached himself to death. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on Rich Amerson, spiritual and secular songs, and her widowhood, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on songs for revivals and funerals, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on songs learned orally versus those from books, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on sopranos and her cataracts, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on spiritual lyrics, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on the song 'Ain't going to rain no more', Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on the song 'I found a way', Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on the song 'John saw the number' and maintaining a Christian perspective through adversity, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on the song 'Rosie baby and mother', Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on the song 'Streets of gold', Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Commentary by Vera Hall on the song 'Young speckled lady', Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Down on me, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
East Virginia. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
East Virginia. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Go down old Hannah (fragment), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Goodbye, old paint. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Goodbye, old paint. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
He that believe have an everlasting home, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
I can pray, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
I couldn't hear nobody pray, sung by Vera Hall, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
I found a way. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
I found a way. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
I got a home in that rock, Vera Hall, New York City, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
I know the Lord will make a way, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
I'll fly away, sung by Vera Hall, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Interview with Vera Hall about dance steps and patting, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Interview with Vera Hall about old songs versus new; Old time religion (fragment), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Interview with Vera Hall about playing church and singing, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Interview with Vera Hall about the songs 'Railroad Bill' and 'Stagolee', Alan Lomax and Vera Hall