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
Interview with Vera Hall about the songs she sings when alone, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
John saw the number, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Last month of the year, New York City. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Last month of the year, New York City. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Let me ride (Vera Hall), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Mean old bedbug blues, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Oh Lord, have mercy, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Railroad Bill. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Railroad Bill. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Railroad Bill. Session III, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Request by Alan Lomax for the song 'Riding in a buggy', Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Riding in a buggy. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Riding in a buggy. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Riding in a buggy. Session III, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Riding in a buggy. Session IV, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Rising sun blues. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Rising sun blues. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Rocky road, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Rosie baby. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Rosie baby. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Rosie baby. Session III, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Rosie baby. Session IV, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Shout for joy, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Show me the way, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Stagolee (false start), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Stagolee. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Stagolee. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Streets of gold, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
The black cat. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
The black cat. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
The black cat (The black cat and the white cat) (fragment), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
The little wooden church, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Trouble in mind. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Trouble in mind. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Trouble in mind. Session III, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Trouble in mind. Session IV, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Trouble in mind. Session V, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Unidentified hummed tune, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Use me Lord (fragment), Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
What is the soul of man?, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
When I can read my titles clear. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
When I can read my titles clear. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Wild ox moan (Black woman). Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Wild ox moan (Black woman). Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Wild ox moan (Black woman). Session IV, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Wild ox moan (Black woman). Session V, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Wild ox moan (Black woman). Session VII, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Wild ox moan (Black woman). Session VIII, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Yes ma'am; Interview with Vera Hall about the song 'Yes ma'am', Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Yes, ma'am. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Yes ma'am. Session II, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
Young speckled lady. Session I, Alan Lomax and Vera Hall
My God is real, Alan Lomax and Lily Hill
High rollin' sergeant, Alan Lomax and Walter Jackson
Katy left Memphis (O Rosie), Alan Lomax and Walter Jackson
Rosie, sung by Walter Jackson, Alan Lomax and Walter Jackson
Rosie, sung by Walter Jackson (false start), Alan Lomax and Walter Jackson
Stewball. Session IV, Walter Jackson, Alan Lomax and Walter Jackson
Tangle eye blues, Alan Lomax and Walter Jackson
Garbage man, Alan Lomax and George Johnson
Prodigal son, Alan Lomax and George Johnson
Jumpin' Judy, Alan Lomax, Willy Lacey, Walter Jackson, Elnora McGhee, and Benny Will Richardson
Guide me o thou great Jehovah, Alan Lomax and J. E. Myers
Yield not to temptation, Alan Lomax and Nora Phillips
It makes a long time man feel bad (Benny Will Richardson), Alan Lomax and Benny Will Richardson
John Henry (duplicate), Alan Lomax and Benny Will Richardson
John Henry sung by Benny Will Richardson, Alan Lomax and Benny Will Richardson
Old dollar Mamie, Alan Lomax and Benny Will Richardson
O Rosie, Alan Lomax and Benny Will Richardson
Prettiest train, Alan Lomax and Benny Will Richardson
Stewball. Session I, Benny Will Richardson, Alan Lomax and Benny Will Richardson
Early in the morning, Alan Lomax, Benny Will Richardson, Willy Lacey, Walter Jackson, and Red Little
When I went to Leland, Alan Lomax, Benny Will Richardson, Willy Lacey, Walter Jackson, and Red Little
That awful day will surely come, Alan Lomax and Mrs. Ross
Bye bye baby, Alan Lomax, Robert Yancey Sanders (Prison Singer), and W. D. "Bama" Stewart (Prison Singer)
I don't want you, Alan Lomax, Robert Yancey Sanders (Prison Singer), and W. D. "Bama" Stewart (Prison Singer)
Take me back baby, Alan Lomax, Robert Yancey Sanders (Prison Singer), and W. D. "Bama" Stewart (Prison Singer)
Sometimes I wonder, Alan Lomax, Robert Sanders, and Leroy Campbell
Hollers, Alan Lomax, Milton Smith, and Tim Taylor
Commentary by W.D. 'Bama' Stewart on getting into the penitentiary, work song leaders, and the best prison singers, Alan Lomax and W. D. "Bama" Stewart (Prison Singer)
Commentary and toast by W.D. 'Bama' Stewart, Alan Lomax and W. D. Stewart
I'm goin' home, Alan Lomax and W. D. Stewart
Interview between Alan Lomax and W.D. 'Bama' Stewart, Alan Lomax and W. D. Stewart
Levee camp holler, sung by W.D. 'Bama' Stewart, Alan Lomax and W. D. Stewart
Stackerlee, Alan Lomax and W. D. Stewart
Stewball. Session II, Tim Taylor, Alan Lomax and Tim Taylor
Well, I wonder, Alan Lomax and Tim Taylor
Did you hear about Louella Wallace?, Alan Lomax, Tim Taylor, Milton Smith, and Hollie Dew
Take this hammer, Alan Lomax, Tim Taylor, Milton Smith, and Hollie Dew
Tall tales, Alan Lomax, Tim Taylor, W. D. "Bama" Stewart (Prison Singer), Hollie Dew, and Benny Will Richardson
Early in the morning (fragment), Alan Lomax and Henry Jimpson Wallace
Murderer's home, Alan Lomax and Henry Jimpson Wallace
Murderer's home (fragment), Alan Lomax and Henry Jimpson Wallace
No more, my Lord. Session I, Alan Lomax and Henry Jimpson Wallace
No more, my Lord. Session II, Alan Lomax and Henry Jimpson Wallace
This old town is along a railroad, Alan Lomax and Henry Jimpson Wallace
Announcement and sermon by Reverend L.W. Williams, Alan Lomax and L. W. Williams
I'm going to Memphis, Alan Lomax and Percy Wilson
1947
Microphone test, Alan Lomax
Microphone test (continued), Alan Lomax