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The Mississippi: River of Song

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2-CD set

The Mississippi: River of Song
Available November 1998


The River of Song CD set offers a landmark presentation of contemporary musicians who have forged their styles out of the rich musical heritage found along the banks of the Mississippi. The combination of musical diversity and striking continuity found in this remarkable region, which slices through the center of the United States, is reflected by a range of artists including Soul Asylum, John Hartford, Chippewa Nation, Babes in Toyland, and the Mississippi Mass Choir.
       More than 36 tracks recorded on location from 1995 to 1997 provide over two hours of music. A Deluxe booklet with extensive annotation accompanies the 2-CD set, which is available November 17, 1998 in record and book stores, on the Internet and from mail order (800.410.9815).
       Click on a track below for a brief audio clip of the song on the cd or another song by the same group.

Disc 1
  1. Chippewa Nation, Powwow Song
  2. Babes in Toyland , 22
  3. John Koerner , Sail Away, Ladies
  4. Soul Asylum, I Did My Best
  5. The Skål Club Spelmanslag , Red-Headed Swede
  6. Wang Chong Lor , The Singing Leaf
  7. Sounds of Blackness , I'll Open My Mouth to the Lord/I'll Be Ready
  8. Karl Hartwich, Kim Marie
  9. The Manny Lopez Quintet , Jazz Me Blues
  10. La Otra Mitad, La Unica Estrella
  11. Greg Brown, Flat Stuff
  12. John Hartford, Miss Ferris
  13. The Bob Lewis Family, Born to Be with You
  14. Eugene Redmond and Sylvester "Sunshine" Lee , Milestone
  15. Fontella and Martha Bass, I'm So Grateful
  16. Oliver Sain, Stop Breaking Down
  17. The Bottle Rockets, Get Down, River
  18. The Ste. Genevieve Guignolée Singers, La Guignolée
Disc 2
  1. The Boundless Love Quartet, The Sweetest Song I Know
  2. Sonny Burgess, T for Texas (Blue Yodel #1)
  3. The Memphis Horns and Ann Peebles, St. Louis Blues
  4. Levon Helm and James Cotton, Going Back to Memphis
  5. Robert Lockwood, Jr., Take a Little Walk with Me
  6. Big Jack Johnson, Catfish
  7. Big Jack Johnson and the Jelly Roll Kings, Shake Your Money Maker
  8. Little Milton, Grits Ain't Groceries (All Around the World)
  9. The Mississippi Mass Choir, We Praise Your Holy Name
  10. Kenny Bill Stinson, Taters and Gravy and Chicken-Fried Steak
  11. D.L. Menard, La Porte d'en Arrière
  12. Geno Delafose, Bon Chien
  13. David and Roselyn, Marie Lavaux
  14. Henry Butler, Basin Street Blues
  15. Irma Thomas, Time Is on My Side
  16. Eddie Bo with Henry Butler, Check Your Bucket
  17. Soul Rebels, Let Your Mind Be Free
  18. Irvan Perez, La Vida de un Jaibero
Retail distribution through KOCH International (516.484.1000). Catalogue no. SFW 40086.

For more information, contact:
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
955 L'Enfant Plaza, Suite 7300
Washington, DC 20560-0953
E-mail: folkways@aol.com
tel (202) 287- 3251
fax (202) 287-7266


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