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It's a bit of a bold move to suggest that the breadth, depth, and length of "Black roots music" could be captured in the running time of two discs, but Birthright makes a valiant effort that is as focused on listenability as it is on historical accuracy and cultural representation. In the age of mutable playlists, the fixed sequence of a compilation album means that its true success is keeping listeners engaged in the act of drawing sonic and contextual connections that are as enjoyable as they are surprising. Thus, Birthright benefits from the convergent expertise of its compilers—noted music historian Dr. Ted Olson (Professor of Appalachian Studies at East Tennessee University) and multiple Grammy-winning producer Scott Billington—and is both as erudite as it is enjoyable. Eschewing a chronological sequence as well as any sort of roll-call genre representation, Birthright opts for more organic interconnectedness, blasting out of the gate with a banger: "Bourbon Street Parade" by Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Of course New Orleans isn't the nucleus for Black roots music in America (there are many nuclei, which is kind of the point of this compilation), but if you were asked for a thesis statement on the idea, you could do a lot worse, given the range of traditions that flow through—and out of—New Orleans' musical heritage. Many of those traditions (and many more) are waypoints on this 40-track journey, with strong and surprising selections from artists both legendary and lesser-known. To their credit, the compilers have largely avoided the overplayed and obvious; The Staples Singers singing "Motherless Children" is far more impactful than yet another appearance for "Respect Yourself," and choosing "When I Lay My Burden Down" to represent John Lee Hooker is absolutely genius. Meanwhile, the set provides plenty of representation from historical artists like the Martin, Bogan, and The Armstrongs and Joseph Spence as well as newer acts like Ranky Tanky, in addition to icons like Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Clifton Chenier, Skip James and others. Such choices not only help make this an exceptionally listenable compilation, but they also reinforce the overarching theme of the set, which effectively argues that the Black musical traditions that have had a distinct and profound effect on American musical culture are not static, historical signposts, but instead are richly complex, intricately interconnected, and still incredibly vibrant and forward-moving. © Jason Ferguson/Qobuz
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Preservation Hall Jazz Band, MainArtist - Paul Barbarin, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Rounder Records. Manufactured and distributed by Concord Music Group, Inc.
Traditional, ComposerLyricist - Corey Harris, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Reynolds, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jonathan Wyner, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Billington, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rodney Evans, Snare Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Shardé Thomas, Flute, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - R.L. Boyce, Snare Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Jamal Millner, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Rising Star Fife And Drum Band, Unknown, Other - Otha Andre Evans, Vocals, Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Aubrey Turner, Drum, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2003 Rounder Records Corp.
Fred McDowell, ComposerLyricist - Mississippi Fred McDowell, MainArtist
℗ 1995 Rounder Records Manufactured and distributed by Concord Music Group
Traditional, ComposerLyricist - Dom Flemons, Producer, Recording Producer - Justin Robinson, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Rhiannon Giddens, 5-String Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Carolina Chocolate Drops, MainArtist - Joe Thompson, Vocals, Fiddle, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Timothy Duffy, Producer, Recording Producer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Quiana Parler, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Hamilton, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Quentin Baxter, Producer, Drums, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - John Clayton Ross, ComposerLyricist - Clay Ross, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ranky Tanky, MainArtist - Charlton Singleton, Trumpet, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Elliott Elsey, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Resilience Music.
Wayne Martin, Producer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Etta Baker, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Lesley Williams, Producer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Louis Amade, ComposerLyricist - Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Canray Fontenot, MainArtist - Amédée Ardoin, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2010 Rounder Records Manufactured and distributed by Concord Music Group
Ozzie Cadena, Producer - Rudy Van Gelder, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sonny Terry, ComposerLyricist - Brownie McGhee, ComposerLyricist - Leonard Gaskin, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Belton Evans, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Lightnin' Hopkins, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Prestige Records, Inc./Original Blues Classics
Traditional, ComposerLyricist - Bruce Jackson, Editor, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jean-Francois Lemieux, Arranger, Work Arranger - Benny Richardson, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Center For Studies In American Culture, Producer, Recording Producer
℗ 1975 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Roebuck Staples, Arranger, Work Arranger - Traditional, Composer - Orrin Keepnews, Producer - The Staple Singers, MainArtist
℗ 2016 Concord Music Group, Inc.
Sonny Terry, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Brownie McGhee, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Traditional, ComposerLyricist - Michael Maloney, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Dink Roberts, Banjo, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Charly Weber, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Smithsonian Folkways Records.
Carl Martin, Mandolin, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ben Bernie, ComposerLyricist - Kenneth Casey, ComposerLyricist - Maceo Pinkard, ComposerLyricist - Howard Armstrong, Violin, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ted Bogan, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Chisholm, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Melford, Producer, Recording Producer - Bruce Kaplan, Producer, Recording Producer - Martin, Bogan & The Armstrongs, MainArtist - Tom Ahrens, Producer, Recording Producer - L.C. Armstrong, Vocals, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1972 Rounder Records.
Traditional, ComposerLyricist - Monk Boudreaux, FeaturedArtist - Ron Levy, Producer - The Golden Eagles, Arranger, Work Arranger, MainArtist
℗ 1988 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
James Jones, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Clifton Chenier, Accordion, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Cleveland Chenier, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Clifton Chenier and His Band, MainArtist - Philip Walker, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Candy, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Wilton Siemen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1955 Specialty Records
Skip James, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Nehemiah James, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1966 Vanguard Records
Paul Barbarin, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Mort Greene, ComposerLyricist - George Lewis, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Lester Santiago, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - George Cates, ComposerLyricist - Artie Matthews, ComposerLyricist - Lawrence Marrero, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Alvin Alcorn, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - George Lewis' Ragtime Band, MainArtist - Alcide Pavageau, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Grauer, Producer, Recording Producer - Bill Matthews, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Phil De Lancie, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1951 Riverside Records
Traditional, Composer - Bessie Jones, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Michelle Johnson, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Laurie Flannery, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Kaplan, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Donald Gibson, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Nowlin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jacqueline Burns, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Sandra Walthour, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Regina Gibson, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Barbara Ann Ross, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Barbara Walthour, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jacki Spector, Editor, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2001 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Traditional, ComposerLyricist - Joseph Spence, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Raymond Pinder, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Edith Pinder, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Geneva Pinder, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Guy Droussart, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1990 Rounder Records
Gregory Davis, ComposerLyricist - Dirty Dozen Brass Band, MainArtist - Kevin Harris, ComposerLyricist - Kirk Joseph, ComposerLyricist - Scott Billington, Producer, Recording Producer - Terrence Higgins, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Savoy Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Cedric Burnside, Drums, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Luther Dickenson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, Producer, Recording Producer
℗ 2021 Single Lock Records
Traditional, Composer - Amythyst Kiah, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roy Andrade, Producer, Banjo, Associate Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Ted Olson, Producer, Recording Producer - Ben Bateson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Great Smoky Mountains Association.
W.C. Handy, ComposerLyricist - Lonnie Johnson, MainArtist - Elmer Snowden, MainArtist
℗ 1960 Prestige/Bluesville Records
Goat, Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - King James, Producer, Bottles, Electric Bass, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Neville MARCANO, ComposerLyricist - Daniel Tremblay, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Leyla McCalla, Banjo, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Joakim Hjejle, ComposerLyricist - Andrew Gilchrist, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Philip Knudsen, ComposerLyricist - Thomas Boeje, ComposerLyricist - Free Feral, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Ben Polcer, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2018 Jazz Village Records.
Traditional, Composer - Dom Flemons, Vocals, Harmonica, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Guy Davis, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ben Hunter, Fiddle, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Seamons, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2015 Music Maker Recordings.
Taj Mahal, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - John Estes, Composer - Keb' Mo', Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Concord Records
David Farrell, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Coyne, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Reynolds, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Charles Chavis, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Classie Ballou, Jr., Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Rellis Chavis, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Boozoo Chavis, Vocals, Button Accordion, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Sonny Landreth, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Scott Billington, Producer, Recording Producer - David Greely, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Wilson Chavis Jr., ComposerLyricist
℗ 2000 Rounder Records.
Phillip Campbell, Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Charles Campbell, Pedal Steel, AssociatedPerformer - Traditional, ComposerLyricist - Bob Stone, Producer, Recording Producer - Ronny Cates, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Campbell Brothers, MainArtist - Katie Jackson, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Strachwitz, Producer, Executive Producer - Carlton Campbell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1997 Arhoolie Records.
Traditional, ComposerLyricist - John Lee Hooker, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Craft Recordings, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Traditional, ComposerLyricist - Mike Seeger, Editor, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Austin, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lesley Riddle, Arranger, Guitar, Vocals, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1993 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Professor Longhair, MainArtist - H. R. Byrd, ComposerLyricist - Tee Terry, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Rounder Records. Manufactured and distributed by Concord Music Group, Inc.
Mississippi John Hurt, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1998 Vanguard Records, a Welk Music Group Company
JESSE FULLER, Cymbals, Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica, Kazoo, Unknown, Other, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Rothchild, Producer, Recording Producer
℗ 1963 Prestige Records
Unknown, Composer - Odetta, MainArtist
℗ 2006 Vanguard Records, a Welk Music Group Company
Traditional, ComposerLyricist - JOHN JACKSON, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Glenn Jones, Producer - Wendy Ritger, Producer
℗ 1979 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Tuts Washington, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1983 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Traditional, ComposerLyricist - Rev. Gary Davis, MainArtist - Blind Gary Davis, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kenneth S. Goldstein, Producer
℗ 1960 Prestige Records, Inc./Bluesville/Original Blues Classics
Bruce Jackson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Inmate named Peter, Author, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1976 Rounder Records.
Joe Wilson, Producer, Recording Producer - Traditional, ComposerLyricist - Phil Wiggins, Arranger, Harmonica, Work Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Cephas & Wiggins, MainArtist - John Cephas, Arranger, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Work Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Reiniger, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Larry MacBride, Producer, Recording Producer
℗ 1984 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Traditional, ComposerLyricist - Sweet Honey in the Rock, MainArtist - Evelyn Maria Harris, Producer
℗ 1988 Rounder Records. Manufactured and distributed by Concord Music Group, Inc.
Album review
It's a bit of a bold move to suggest that the breadth, depth, and length of "Black roots music" could be captured in the running time of two discs, but Birthright makes a valiant effort that is as focused on listenability as it is on historical accuracy and cultural representation. In the age of mutable playlists, the fixed sequence of a compilation album means that its true success is keeping listeners engaged in the act of drawing sonic and contextual connections that are as enjoyable as they are surprising. Thus, Birthright benefits from the convergent expertise of its compilers—noted music historian Dr. Ted Olson (Professor of Appalachian Studies at East Tennessee University) and multiple Grammy-winning producer Scott Billington—and is both as erudite as it is enjoyable. Eschewing a chronological sequence as well as any sort of roll-call genre representation, Birthright opts for more organic interconnectedness, blasting out of the gate with a banger: "Bourbon Street Parade" by Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Of course New Orleans isn't the nucleus for Black roots music in America (there are many nuclei, which is kind of the point of this compilation), but if you were asked for a thesis statement on the idea, you could do a lot worse, given the range of traditions that flow through—and out of—New Orleans' musical heritage. Many of those traditions (and many more) are waypoints on this 40-track journey, with strong and surprising selections from artists both legendary and lesser-known. To their credit, the compilers have largely avoided the overplayed and obvious; The Staples Singers singing "Motherless Children" is far more impactful than yet another appearance for "Respect Yourself," and choosing "When I Lay My Burden Down" to represent John Lee Hooker is absolutely genius. Meanwhile, the set provides plenty of representation from historical artists like the Martin, Bogan, and The Armstrongs and Joseph Spence as well as newer acts like Ranky Tanky, in addition to icons like Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Clifton Chenier, Skip James and others. Such choices not only help make this an exceptionally listenable compilation, but they also reinforce the overarching theme of the set, which effectively argues that the Black musical traditions that have had a distinct and profound effect on American musical culture are not static, historical signposts, but instead are richly complex, intricately interconnected, and still incredibly vibrant and forward-moving. © Jason Ferguson/Qobuz
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 40 track(s)
- Total length: 02:20:04
- Main artist: Various Artists
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Craft Recordings
- Genre: Folk/Americana
© 2022 Craft Recordings. ℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
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