Album: Play Parties in Song and Dance
Artist: Lead Belly
Year: 1941
Genre: Folk
Grade: B
By 1941, Lead Belly had split with producer/ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax and teamed up with Moe Asch of Asch Recordings (later Folkways Records). Lead Belly’s first “album” for the label was Play Parties in Song and Dance, a slight collection of children’s folk songs.
The album is far from essential and a far cry from the raw blues that Lead Belly is known for. Instead of Southern prison songs, we get square dances and Christmas carols. And even though there’s nothing wrong with some good old-fashioned family fun, you probably don’t want a convicted felon/murderer singing to your kids.
“Play Parties in Song and Dance” Album Review
