Every now and then, a record of major cultural importance and creative integrity comes along. This is such a record. Alan Lomax died in 2002 at the age of 87, leaving behind a truly unique and influential body of work. His voluminous collected writings, field recordings, films and photographs have helped the world appreciate and preserve the music that fundamentally influenced much of what we hear today. And while this collection of songs represents some of the most influential early American and West Indian recordings, Lomax also travelled the world in his quest to identify and record music of major traditional and cultural significance.

As I listened to the opening track, Joe Lee’s Rock by Boy Blue (Roland Hayes - vocal and harmonica), Joe Lee (Willie Jones - guitar) and Darnell Walker(drums), I was struck by the clarity and dynamism of the recording. This particular song you will recognise as the dominant sample used by Moby in Find My Baby from his landmark album PLAY. Lomax recorded this track during a field trip (underwritten by Atlantic Records)through America’s South East region. Lomax used the most advanced recording technology available at the time, which probably accounts for the wonderful base sound quality available to the producers of this album. Fabulous. The next track is Woody Guthrie’s Do Re Mi (that includes a short song introduction by the artist) taken from his very first recording session. Again, it’s beautifully recorded and utterly charming. Third track, Jesus On The Mainline, is a gospel song in the traditional ‘call-and-response’ unaccompanied form that was also recorded during the aforementioned field trip. It is sonically astounding and a song that will have you clapping your hands alongside the players. Incredible.

Track four is Midnight Special by Leadbelly (Huddie Ledbetter) that was captured at the Louisiana State Penitentiary by Lomax and his father, JohnPaul McCartney, Van Morrison, Spencer Davis, Dion, Bob Dylan, and Wilson Pickett. Trouble So Hard by Vera Ward Hall (recorded in 1959) and Sometimes by Bessie Jones (with a group of children) are other songs extensively sampled by Moby, and sound wonderful here. Then perhaps the finest example of the supreme analogue recording quality possible in 1959 with Motherless Children sung by Felix Dukes. The guitar work by Mississipi Fred McDowell is beautifully reproduced and sounds as though the guy is playing in your lounge. Another gem from 1959 is Didn’t Leave Nobody But The Baby, a lullaby performed by Sidney Lee Carter. A version of this song featured on the classic soundtrack to the movie, O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU.

In all, there are twenty-two fascinating, engrossing and historic recordings here covering a diversity of pace and mood. Available also on SACD, the sound quality is superb, especially considering that all were originally live recordings. Steve Rosenthal (sound restoration and mastering producer), Adam Ayan and Bob Ludwig (mastering), Phil Klum (additional sound restoration) and Matt Boynton (DSD recording and transfers) deserve Grammies for what they have achieved. This is one album that all lovers of music should own and treasure. It is also a landmark recording and a fitting tribute to the artists and a true hero of our times, Alan Lomax. Essential.

5/5