Browse Titles - 263 results
What's the Use of Walking if There's a Freight Train Going Your Way?: Black Hoboes and Their Songs
written by Paul Garon, 1942- and Gene Tomko, fl. 2006 (Charles H. Kerr Publishing Company, 2006), 276 page(s)
Sample
written by Paul Garon, 1942- and Gene Tomko, fl. 2006 (Charles H. Kerr Publishing Company, 2006), 276 page(s)
Field of Study
American Music
Content Type
General reference book
Author / Creator
Paul Garon, 1942-, Gene Tomko, fl. 2006
Date Published / Released
2006
Publisher
Charles H. Kerr Publishing Company
Topic / Theme
African American Music, Folk Music
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Little Lump of Coal
produced by John Cohen, 1932-; performed by George S. Davis, 1906-1992; in When Kentucky Had No Union Men (Folkways Records, 1967), 3 mins
George Davis began working in the coal mines at thirteen. After he injured his arm in a mining accident, Davis knew he'd never be a great guitarist, so he concentrated on writing songs about the problems miners and their unions faced. This album presents eighteen of his powerful songs.
Sample
produced by John Cohen, 1932-; performed by George S. Davis, 1906-1992; in When Kentucky Had No Union Men (Folkways Records, 1967), 3 mins
Description
George Davis began working in the coal mines at thirteen. After he injured his arm in a mining accident, Davis knew he'd never be a great guitarist, so he concentrated on writing songs about the problems miners and their unions faced. This album presents eighteen of his powerful songs.
Field of Study
American Music
Content Type
Music recording
Performer / Ensemble
George S. Davis, 1906-1992
Contributor
John Cohen, 1932-
Author / Creator
George S. Davis, 1906-1992
Date Published / Released
1967
Publisher
Folkways Records
Topic / Theme
Working-classes, Labor unions, Mining industry
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Wizard of the Strings
directed by Peter Friedman, fl. 1992; produced by Alan Edelstein, fl. 2012-2015; performed by Roy Smeck (United States: Privately Published, 1985), 27 mins
Roy Smeck, born in 1900, became one of the first self-made stringed instrument virtuosos, playing the vaudeville circuit in his early days. In 1926 he appeared in the first sound films ever made, Warner Bros./Vitaphone (the first music video!). That made an instant celebrity out of Roy and was just the beginning o...
Sample
directed by Peter Friedman, fl. 1992; produced by Alan Edelstein, fl. 2012-2015; performed by Roy Smeck (United States: Privately Published, 1985), 27 mins
Description
Roy Smeck, born in 1900, became one of the first self-made stringed instrument virtuosos, playing the vaudeville circuit in his early days. In 1926 he appeared in the first sound films ever made, Warner Bros./Vitaphone (the first music video!). That made an instant celebrity out of Roy and was just the beginning of six decades of accomplishments on the banjo, guitar, Hawaiian guitar and ukulele. He wrote instruction/method books, arranged innumer...
Roy Smeck, born in 1900, became one of the first self-made stringed instrument virtuosos, playing the vaudeville circuit in his early days. In 1926 he appeared in the first sound films ever made, Warner Bros./Vitaphone (the first music video!). That made an instant celebrity out of Roy and was just the beginning of six decades of accomplishments on the banjo, guitar, Hawaiian guitar and ukulele. He wrote instruction/method books, arranged innumerable tunes for the uke; and made the first multiple-soundtrack movie for Paramount Pictures. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment, though, was very simply being the foundation of popular music through his ukulele music of the twenties and thirties. The film features Roy performing in the 1926 Vitaphone clip and other early sound films when his vituosity was at at its peak, and touching scenes when, in his eighties, he still performs, teaches, and exudes joy and charm. Testimonials from other giants of the era include Mel Bay, Gene Autry, and Arthur Tracy.
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Field of Study
American Music
Content Type
Documentary
Performer / Ensemble
Roy Smeck
Contributor
Alan Edelstein, fl. 2012-2015
Author / Creator
Peter Friedman, fl. 1992, Roy Smeck
Date Published / Released
1985
Publisher
Privately Published
Speaker / Narrator
Roy Smeck
Person Discussed
Roy Smeck
Topic / Theme
Folk music, Musical instruments, Performing arts life, Musical performances, Musicians, Vaudeville, Folk Music, Americans
Copyright Message
Copyright © 1985 Peter Friedman
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