The Life and Legend of Leadbelly - Softcover

Wolfe, Charles K.; Lornell, Kip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060924683 ISBN 13: 9780060924683

Publisher: Perennial, 1994

Synopsis

A biography of the legendary folk and blues singer discusses his influences, his close relationships with folk greats Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and his involvement in left-wing politics and the labor movement

About this title

About the Author

Three-time Grammy nominee and author of twelve books on American vernacular music, Charles Wolfe is a professor of english at Middle Tennessee State University. He lives near Nashville. Kip Lornell is an associate professorial lecturer at George Washington University, a research associate at the Smithsonian Institution, author of five other music-related books, and the recipient of a 1997 Grammy for his work on the Anthology of American Folk Music. He lives in Washington, D.C.

From Publishers Weekly

Well researched and thoughtful, this biography depicts the career of Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter (1888-1949), among the most influential of American folksingers. Folk music enthusiasts will be familiar with the highlights of Leadbelly's life--how his music earned him a pardon from prison, how folk-music experts John and Alan Lomax discovered and promoted him, how songs he either wrote or embellished ("Goodnight Irene" and "Midnight Special," for example) have become an integral part of American musical tradition--but it is the level of detail that Wolfe and Lornell bring forward that makes this book a standout. Leadbelly's early years in Louisiana and Texas, his introduction to music and his life in prison are portrayed in a fast-paced style that lends immediacy to the book. The introduction to the Lomaxes, Leadbelly's foray into New York society, his eventual estrangement from John Lomax and his recording and performance career are equally well chronicled in this notable effort. Wolfe is an English professor at Middle Tennessee University; Lornell is a consultant for the Leadbelly Archives at the Smithsonian. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Perennial
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0060924683
• ISBN 13: 9780060924683
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352