by Robert Wilkinson
Today we’re celebrating what would have been the 135th or 136th birthday of Mister Huddie Ledbetter, better known as the legendary Lead Belly, aka Leadbelly. He was one of the first Delta blues musicians to become a legend, and wrote many songs that have become folk standards since then.
From Wikipedia:
Huddie William Ledbetter (January 20, 1888 or January 23, 1889 – December 6, 1949) was an American folk and blues musician, and multi-instrumentalist, notable for his strong vocals, virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the songbook of folk standards he introduced.He is best known as Lead Belly. Though many releases list him as "Leadbelly," he spelled it "Lead Belly." This is also the usage on his tombstone, as well as of the Lead Belly Foundation. Although Lead Belly most commonly played the twelve-string, he could also play the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, and accordion.
... (in 1940-41), Lead Belly appeared as a regular on Alan Lomax and Nicholas Ray’s groundbreaking CBS radio show, Back Where I Come From, broadcast nationwide. He also appeared in night clubs with josh White, becoming a fixture in New York City's surging folk music scene and befriending the likes of Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, Woody Guthrie, and a young Pete Seeger, all fellow performers on Back Where I Come From. During the first half of the decade he recorded for RCA, the Library of Congress, and for Moe Asch (future founder of Folkways Records), and in 1944 headed to California, where he recorded strong sessions for Capitol Records. Lead Belly was the first American country blues musician to see success in Europe.
By all means, check out what Wikipedia has on the turbulent life of this legend of the blues. His work has been covered by everyone – I mean EVERYONE – who ever made it big, and 10,000 who didn’t.
Today’s feast are some of the best from this true American original! They were all recorded in the 1930s and 1940s.
First, his best-known composition, made famous by Pete Seeger and the Weavers. For your enjoyment, one of the rarest clips in the world! Check out this film clip of Lead Belly performing his original version of “Goodnight Irene”
And now another of the rarest clips in the world! It’s Lead Belly live on film in color in 1945 performing “Pick A Bale of Cotton”
This year I found the entire 9 minute film clip, shot in 1945 and edited by Pete Seeger. For a snapshot of a world from 70 years ago, here’s Lead Belly Live – 3 Songs from 1945
And now for another rare clip! It’s an excerpt from a 1935 March of Time newsreel (produced by Time magazine) which re-enacts Leadbelly's release from Angola Prison, Louisiana. The legendary music chronicler John Lomax plays himself, and Leadbelly performs 'Goodnight Irene'. For your enjoyment, “Good Night Irene”
From here, it’s strictly audio-only originally recorded on some very primitive equipment!
Here’s an original Lead Belly performance of the traditional prison song, “Midnight Special” Here’s a more polished production from later on of “Midnight Special”
“Gallows Pole.” Here’s the Led Zeppelin version of “Gallows Pole”
Here’s the first song he ever wrote. From 1912, his tune about an interesting event in history. From Wikipedia, “Initially played when performing with Blind Lemon Jefferson (1897–1929) in and around Dallas, Texas, the song is about champion African-American boxer Jack Johnson’s being denied passage on the Titanic. While Johnson had in fact been denied passage on a ship for being black, it had not been the Titanic. Still, the verse sang: "Jack Johnson tried to get on board. The Captain, he says, 'I ain't haulin' no coal!' Fare thee, Titanic! Fare thee well!" Ledbetter later noted he had to leave out this passage when playing in front of white audiences.” For your enjoyment, “Titanic”
From 1942, “Mister Hitler”
“Where Did You Sleep Last Night”
“I’m Alone Because I Love You”
Here’s Sheryl Crow live cranking out “Black Betty”
“Nobody Knows The Trouble the Trouble I’ve Seen”
Here’s a gem! It’s an audio-only clip from the early 40s with Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Sonny Terry, and Cisco Houston performing “We Shall Be Free”
Last year I had a 25 minute clip of Lead Belly and Woodie Guthrie in Dec 1940 on NYC radio titled “Lead Belly and Woodie Guthrie – 6 Folk Songs of America “ but it’s gone. Instead, here’s another rare gem! It’s 20 minutes of Lead Belly and Woodie Guthrie in Dec 1940 doing 7 songs on Washington DC radio! Woodie Guthrie and Lead Belly [Set list: Intro with Lead Belling humming “Goodnight Irene,”, “I Went Rowin’ and My Gal Went Too” (aka “You Can’t Lose Me Chollie”), “Frankie and Albert,” “John Hardy,” “Jesse James,” “Tom Joad,” and “The Boll Weevil.”]
We’ll close this tribute with what is said to be his last sessions in September 1948, performing “Grey Goose”
This year we have several compilations from different times in his career for our encores. We’ll begin our first encore, with a 25 song clip with a lot of great tunes!
Leadbelly – The Remaining ARC and LOC Recordings Vol. 1 1934-35
The second encore is a 40 minute collection from April 1939 to June 1940. Leadbelly Complete Recorded Works Volume 1 – April 1939 – June 1940
Third, I found this amazing 53 clip set of his tunes from throughout his career. Leadbelly Blues
This year’s final encore is a treat! Recorded 6 months before his death, here’s a full 55 minute concert Lead Belly gave at the University of Texas in June 1949! Leadbelly Live in Concert – 1949
There’s also a 1976 movie about his life called Leadbelly – The Official Movie, but it’s impossible to find. Here’s a short clip of Leadbelly Talking About the Blues
The “official Leadbelly site” is no more. If you want to know more about him, along with some other great historical resources, here’s Lead Belly
Here’s a 5 minute clip about Leadbelly. The Story of Texas Music
Last year I had a great 23 minute documentary called The Truth About Leadbelly which documents the discrepancy in his birth day and year, but this year it’s gone.
Our final offering is part 2 of a documentary focusing on the legendary documentarians John and Alan Lomax and their discovery of Leadbelly and Muddy Waters. The Story of the Blues Pt. 2
10,000 musicians owe it all to Lead Belly. His music will last forever.
© Copyright 2024 Robert Wilkinson
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