Topic: Leadbelly in the Times

[eric]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/22/arts/music/lead-belly-folk-music-giant-has-a-smithsonian-moment.html

[uncle bud]

I see that the Smithsonian Channel also has stuff to watch online. Hopefully the Lead Belly documentary mentioned in the article will be viewable.

[dj]

I have to say I love this quote:

?I worry about someone now who cares about the context and history of music,? said Jeff Place, archivist for the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and a co-producer. ?Downloading means missing all of that story, so we wanted to create a book that has CDs with it, rather than the other way around ? a museum exhibit in a coffee-table set.?

Obviously, the music is the most important thing in a set like this.  But I also find that knowledge of context and the history of the music and musician (and producer, record company, etc.) really increases my appreciation and enjoyment of the music.  I've downloaded music when that's the only way it's available, but give me a good set of liner notes and full discographical information along with my music and I'll be in heaven.

[Stuart]

If you buy direct from S-F, there's a Promo code good for 20% off: SINGOUTLEAD

It drops the price to $64. Another $5.96 got me  3 Day FedEx shipping to Seattle.

[StoogeKebab]

If you buy direct from S-F, there's a Promo code good for 20% off: SINGOUTLEAD

It drops the price to $64. Another $5.96 got me  3 Day FedEx shipping to Seattle.

Ouch... I paid $150...

[Stuart]

"Ouch" is right. I usually wait until I've gotten oven my initial excitement before I jump on new releases. And I don't mind paying a few extra bucks to buy them from the source, especially directly from the artist or from the smaller labels who get all the money as opposed to just a slice. But an extra $80 would definitely hurt.

[uncle bud]

Extra $40 in shipping to Canada. No other option. Pass.

[Stuart]

I agree, Andrew. Beyond a certain point, it's just not worth it. I'm sure that the price will come down--somewhat--once S-F and Amazon aren't the only sellers.

[Bunker Hill]

Slightly off topic but the link below allows download of John Cowley's mammoth Library of Congress recordings appraisal of Leadbelly. John fist published this in Blues & Rhythm (1991) and revised it in 2011. When I spoke with John at an event in London earlier this month he's contemplating a further revison!

http://sas-space.sas.ac.uk/3092/

[StoogeKebab]

"Ouch" is right. I usually wait until I've gotten oven my initial excitement before I jump on new releases. And I don't mind paying a few extra bucks to buy them from the source, especially directly from the artist or from the smaller labels who get all the money as opposed to just a slice. But an extra $80 would definitely hurt.

Haha, I would agree generally, but when my grandma (offering to pay part) asked me what I wanted for Christmas - I couldn't miss the chance. A quick look at my other posts will reveal that I am a compulsive completist. Also, no matter where I get it from, the exchange rate with Australia combined with the shipping would jack up the price anyway.