After researching, learning, and polishing songs found on early recordings of country music, multi-instrumentalist Mike Seeger laid down these rousing tracks in 1962 at his home in New Jersey. His... more

Five-Time Grammy Nominee Mike Seegar Is One of the Most Respected Musicians in the Folk Bluegrass Scenen. Mountain Music Legend Ralph Stanley Said of Mike "I'd Say He Educated a Lot of People, in the... more

As the American South moved from a primarily agrarian economy to an industrial one, the change was felt strongly by country musicians, and it revolutionized every aspect of their music. In Tipple,... more

Featuring the cream of the Folkways bluegrass crop (and what a crop it is), this hour-plus collection stars many giants of the genre: Bill Monroe ("Get Up John"), Red Allen ("Live and Let Live"),... more

Who could chronicle the history of this great American art form—the train song—better than Smithsonian Folkways? A 36-page booklet rides along with Jay Gould's Daughter Pete Seeger; Wabash Cannonball... more

Smithsonian Folkways takes you to the heart of Appalachia for 38 vintage string-band sides—76 minutes on one CD! Includes "Red Bird" Clark Kessinger; "Bonaparte's Retreat" Mike Seeger; "Sally in the... more

The first, and certainly the most prominent of the old timey revival bands! This outstanding collection includes 26 cuts from 12 albums by the original band, which included Mike Seeger, John Cohen... more

Simply 25 of the finest '40s-to-'60s performances from the Folkways vaults: "Pastures of Plenty" Woody Guthrie; "Changes" Phil Ochs; "Betty and Dupree" Brownie McGhee; "We Shall Overcome" Pete... more

Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten (1896-1987) wrote her well-known song "Freight Train" at the age of 11 and sang it for nearly 80 years. Through her songwriting, her quietly commanding personality, and her... more

22 songs favored by leaders of antiwar, civil rights, industrial labor, farm worker, and other struggles throughout American history. "Jesus Christ" Woody Guthrie, "Blowin' In The Wind," New World... more

Two dozen cuts tap the traditions of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. These banjo/fiddle workouts, bluegrass gems and ballads include Sugar Baby Dock Boggs; Southbound Doc & Merle Watson;... more

It's more than an instrument—it's a symbol of the American South. Here are 30 prime examples of banjo artistry from more than 300 LPs (44-page booklet, too): "Bright Sunny South" Dock Boggs; "Johnson... more

From 1961 to 1965, New York city's trailblazing Friends of Old Time Music presented 14 concerts that brought dozens of legendary traditional musicians before city audiences for the first time, and... more

Eric Clapton himself called Roscoe his favorite country musician, and for good reason—that high lonesome sound never sounded higher or more lonesome than it did when this old-timer played. Here are... more

The granddaddy of contemporary folk revival groups! With an authentic string band sound inspired by 78-rpm recordings from long ago, this compilation of albums—The Early Years, 1958–1962; Volume II:... more

More than 40 years of classic Folkways recordings distilled down to one 28-track CD: Roving Gambler Country Gentlemen; Sitting on Top of the World Doc Watson; Watson's Blues Bill Monroe/Doc Watson;... more

This compilation features over an hour of previously unreleased tracks culled from the archives of Mike Seeger, one of America's foremost collectors. Artists include Dock Boggs, Snuffy Jenkins, Tom... more

There's nothing like a healthy does of bluegrass music, much like the 23 songs on this terrific compilation. With the Pike County Boys, Smiley Hobbs and a whole host of other talent, you'll hear some... more

Mike, Peggy, Barbara, and Penny Seeger join forces on this album of folk songs, which includes ballads, lullabies, and ring games. Particularly interesting is the accompanying essay by musicologist... more

The great masters of fiddle and banjo play the string-band songs that paved the way for bluegrass: John Brown's Dream New Lost City Ramblers; Carroll County Blues Doc Watson/Fred Price; Country Blues... more