Question.587 - D 6: Documentary Blues recordings by Alan Lomax 4040 unread replies.5454 replies. Continuing the theme of documentary art — introduced documentary photography in the first quarter of the semester — we're now going to sift through and hopefully enjoy documentary recordings of American Blues performances recorded in the 1970s and 80s by folklorist and ethnographer Alan Lomax (1915 - 2002) (Links to an external site.). There's a Texas connection, by the way. Lomax was born in Austin, where his father, John Lomax, also a noted folklorist, worked at the University of Texas. The younger Lomax attended UT Austin for college. As a folklorist and ethnographer, both father and son made a career of traveling around the United States recording regional music.
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Madison Dunn 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccn6_60NhJI&list=PL7E44622E11A03C54&index=3 (Links to an external site.) The video depicts a beautiful use of Guitar. The music is raw the music has got an earthly character to it. The song is a beautiful rendition of what it sounds to be a tale to be spoken about, the music has all the elements of life, it has sadness and joy. The music has heart and soul in it, it connects to the audience equally and soothes us with the heart calming music. It connects to the audience through its real touch and authenticity in the voice. 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h3Mc5_u83o&list=PL7E44622E11A03C54&index=5 (Links to an external site.) In the age of technology where everything is manufactured and synthesized, this piece of music seems to be the natural blessing in the artificial world. I enjoy the atmosphere of the recording, it is a complete natural set up, whether it’s the talk they have. The recording also provides us the first hand account of how the laborer's were treated. Yet they are happy playing the music enjoying the life as it comes across to them. Alan Lomax has done an amazing job with this recording capturing the raw emotions in its truest form. 3. I feel it emotes an important wisdom, that you need to love and live your life the way it is. Even though the African-American community went through different issues from racial issues of segregation, the industrialization of community musical forms, and the impact of corporate manipulation of Black people's culture. Yet Willie Dixon has kept the music alive in his heart. That is the power of music, which makes a person fight the toughest battles with a smile on their face and charm in their heart. The whole sentiments reflects through his music. It is what we call as “life”.More Articles From Humanities