Various

These two collections document the essential culture and history of the pioneers, as British folk song tradition was transformed by the experiences of successive generations living in the new world. Apart from rudimentary guitar and banjo accompaniment on songs like Woody Guthrie’s impish “Gypsy Davy”, most of these ballads are a cappella performances. The Virginia singer Mrs. Texas Gladden interprets songs with a melodic purity that is a revelation. While she gets four songs on volume one and two on volume two, her artistry deserves wider exposure and would be a worthy addition to the Lomax Portraits series.