Leadbelly followed in 1934 with “Frankie and Albert” (a corruption of Al Britt), but the tune and lyrics are essentially the same as today. The early versions are largely lost in the mists of time, but we know that the now familiar melody was around as early as 1925 when Ma Rainey used it–and the general outlines of the Frankie and Johnny story–for her “Stack-O-Lee Blues.” In 1928, Mississippi John Hurt recorded “Frankie” which firmed up the story line of the woman wronged who killed her philandering lover. The first songs were being sung even before “Al” Britt died, three days after the shooting. – St Louis Globe-Democrat, October 16, 1899.įrom the beginning, this was a story that gripped audiences. The bullet entered Britt’s abdomen, penetrating the intestines. The woman claimed that Britt had been paying attentions to another woman. The shooting occurred in Britt’s room at 212 Targee Street, and was the culmination of a quarrel. Then we’ll give the background on a song you’ve probably never heard and tie them all together.Īllen Britt, colored, was shot and badly wounded shortly after 2 o’clock yesterday morning by Frankie Baker, also colored. Last week we looked at the historical underpinnings of “Stagger Lee” and this week we’ll follow up with the story behind “Frankie and Johnny”, or as it was originally titled “Frankie and Albert”. Had that been the case there would have been no "Rolling Stone", no Rolling Stones and no Rolling Stone.This article was written and kindly submitted by Bear Rasmuson. Certainly without Alan Lomax, Muddy Waters may never have been discovered outside his home town. Popular music may have taken a different course had not the Lomax's made their voyages of discovery. During the 90s his field recordings were gradually made available on compact disc by Rounder Records.
#JOHN AND ALLEN LOMAX SERIES#
In later decades he made extensive use of new technology, returning to the southern states to videotape performances for his five-part documentary series American Patchwork, which was broadcast in 1990 on the PBS channel. Twelve years of research culminated in Cantometrics, a set of seven cassettes with a book. As a singer, Alan performed both in the USA and Britain. The latter song had been recorded by John Lomax in 1908, and originates from an Irish ballad, converted and adapted by cowboys. It featured such classics as "Frankie", "Darlin' Corey" and "Git Along Little Doggies". Sings Great American Ballads, on HMV Records, included Guy Carawan (banjo) and Nick Wheatstraw (guitar). In addition to his many other activities, Alan Lomax was a fine performer in his own right, as can be heard on Texas Folk Songs, which contains the standards "Ain't No More Cane On The Brazo's" and "Billy Barlow". He also ventured abroad to the Caribbean. The results were subsequently released on Atlantic Records as part of a series called "Southern Folk Heritage". He later returned to the USA to conduct field recordings in the southern states. Alan Lomax travelled to Britain during the 50s and collaborated with Ewan MacColl on the radio series Ballads And Blues. John and Alan Lomax were also responsible for collecting a number of the songs of the Ritchie family of Kentucky. Lomax later took him to New York where he performed to college audiences.
Lead Belly was discovered in a Louisiana prison, but John Lomax managed to secure his release, employing him as a chauffeur. The Lomaxes met a number of blues singers who later became almost household names, including Lead Belly, Son House and Muddy Waters. After special service in World War II, Alan became the Director of Folk Music for Decca Records.
#JOHN AND ALLEN LOMAX ARCHIVE#
By the time Alan was 23 years old he was assistant director of the Archive of Folk Song at the Library. In 1934, John Lomax became honorary consultant and head of the Library of Congress archive of folk song. As a result of the Depression and economic crash of the 30s, John Lomax became jobless, and started collecting folk songs and related material on a full-time basis.
Until that time, John Lomax had been an administrator at a college, and had collected cowboy songs, including "Home On The Range", as a hobby. They collected songs for the Library of Congress Archive, for which Woody Guthrie was later recorded. 26 January 1948, Greenville, Mississippi, USA), on field recording trips during the 30s, collecting folk songs and tunes from various states in the USA. John Avery Lomax, 23 September 1867, Goodman, Mississippi, USA, d.
19 July 2002, Safety Harbor, Florida, USA) travelled with his father, John A. A well-known and well-read folklorist, Alan Lomax (b.
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