Illustrated discography of Dr. Harry Oster recordings (original) (raw)

year
of
release

title / label # / notes

1957

A Sampler Of Louisiana Folksongs
A selection of Louisiana songs from Negro, Negro French, Cajun, Creole French, and Anglo-Saxon

Abe Davis
- Take My Hand, Precious Lord @ youtube
Mrs Samanthia Holmes
- To My Seat Set Down @ youtube
Robert Gilmore
- Wasn't That An Awful Day In Natchez
Godar Chalvin
- Settin' Side Dat Road Wid A Ball An' Chain In My Leg
- Allons Au Bal Colinda
Wallace "Cheese" Reed, Cyprien Landrino, Alton Landrino, Mrs Rodney Frugé
- Allons Danser, Colinda
Lafayette Jarreau
- Oh Cam, Anons Couper Eine 'Tite Polka
Caesar Vincent
- Mes Amis à la Table Ronde
- Travailler C'est Trop Dur
- Mon Aimable Catin

Mrs Alma Bartholomew
- Trois Jolis Dragons
- C'est la Sainte Marguerite
- La Chanson de Mariage
Terry Clement, Laurent Clement, Grant Paul Clement
- La Chanson du Mardi Gras @ youtube
Mrs Joseph Gutekunst
- Devinez Ce Qu'il A Dans Ces Beaux Bois
John P. Brashears
- There Was A Flower In A Garden
David Lewis
- Dandoo
- Didn't He Ramble?
John P. Brashears
- The House Carpenter
Mrs Catherine Brookshire Blanchet
- Weevily Wheat
- Choose Your Love As We Go Round

originally on red vinyl, later reissues on black vinyl
cover illustration by Frank Stevens

Louisiana Folklore Society
LSF 1201 (red vinyl)

Louisiana Folklore Society
(later issue) LFS A-1
(black vinyl)

1959

Louisiana Folksong Jambalaya
sung by Harry Oster

Old French@ youtube (Side A)
- Trois jolis dragons
- C'est la Sainte Marguerita
- La chanson de mariage
- Jamais je t'oublierai
Negro
- The Boll Weevil
- Sugar in de Gourd
- Tone Your Bell
- Our Little School
- The Race of the Natchez and the Robert E. Lee

Negro (cont.)
- Carryin' Sacks
- John Henry
Negro French
- Fomme-la dit mo malheure
Cajun
- J'ai passe devant ta porte
- Allons danser Colinda
- La danse de Mardi Gras
Anglo-Saxon
- There Was A Flower In The Garden [Pretty Fair Maid]
- The Cambric Shirt
- Chose Your Love As We Go Around [Four In The Middle]

Louisiana Folklore Society
LFS A-2

1959

bottom left is a review of that LP from Bluebrint
- British Blues Connection (August 1992), pp. 18-19

Arhoolie R 2011 inner gatefold

Robert Pete Williams, Guitar Welch, Hogman Maxey: Angola Prisoners' Blues

Robert Pete Williams - Levee Camp Blues (6:07) # ° @ youtube
Hogman Maxey - Stagolee °° @ youtube
Guitar Welch - Electric Chair Blues °° @ youtube
Robert Pete Williams - Prisoner's Talking Blues § °° @ youtube

Robert Pete Williams - Motherless Children Have A Hard Time § ° @ youtube
Hogman Maxey - Black Night Is Fallin' °° @ youtube
Robert Pete Williams Some Got Six Months * °° @ youtube
Guitar Welch - I'm Gonna Leave You Mama °° @ youtube
Robert Pete Williams - I'm Lonesome Blues || °° @ youtube

° re-released on Arhoolie CD 394 ("Levee Camp Blues" is a different (slightly longer: 7:07) version!) °° re-released on Arhoolie CD 419

rec. 1959 at Angola State Penitentiary, Louisiana by Dr. Harry Oster and Richard B. Allen; all artists play on Harry Oster's 12string guitar
# rec. January 26, 1959
* February 12, 1959
|| February 22, 1959
§ March 21, 1959

Robert Pete Williams discography

notes by Harry Oster
and Richard Allen
& Paul B. Crawford

Louisiana Folklore Society
LFS A-3 (US 1959)

notes by Harry Oster
and Richard Allen
& Paul B. Crawford

Louisiana Folklore Society
LFS A-3 (US 19??)

notes by Harry Oster
and Richard Allen
& Paul B. Crawford

= Collector JGN 1003 (UK 1961)

notes by Harry Oster
and Richard Allen
& Paul B. Crawford

= Arhoolie R 2011 (1971)
Angola Prisoner's Blues

notes by Harry Oster
& Paul B. Crawford

(=) Arhoolie CD 419

Arhoolie Records discography

= Doxy DOY636 (It 2010)

1959

Louisiana Folklore Society
LFS A-4

= Arhoolie 5009

= Arhoolie CD 359
(along with most selections
from ARH LP 5015)

1959

on labels: "FLS A-5"

Prison Worksongs

Rodney Mason, Rev. Rogers & Roosevelt Charles
- Berta
Guitar Welch, Hogman Maxey & Andy Mosley
- Take This Hammer
Rev. Rogers, Rodney Mason & Smith
- Stewball
Odea Mathews
- Five Long Years for One Man
Guitar Welch, Hogman Maxey & Andy Mosley
- Alberta Let Your Bangs Grow Long
James Russel & Gang
- I Had Five Long Years
Johnny Butler & Gang
- Early In The Mornin'

Roosevelt Charles, Davis & Rodney Mason
- All Teamed Up in Angola's Mule Lot
Willy Rafus & Gang
- I Got a Hurtin' In My Right Side
Rodney Mason, Willy Rafus & Davis
- Let Your Hammer Ring
Willy Rafus, Andy Mosley & Johnny Butler
- Cleaning This Highway
Guitar Welch, Hogman Maxey & Robert Pete Williams
- John Henry
Odea Mathews
- Something Within Me
Murray Macon
- Jesus Cares

CD bonus tracks:
Emanuel Dunn
- Working On The Levee (Part 1)
- Working On The Levee (Part 2)
Big Louisiana
- Take This Hammer
Creola Scott/Ceola Scott
- Pickin' Cotton All Day Long
Emanuel Dunn
- My Mule "Grey"

rec. 1959 in Angola State Penitentiary, LA by Harry Oster
front cover photo by Harry Oster

Robert Pete Williams discography

notes by Harry Oster

Louisiana Folklore Society
LFS A-5 (US 1959)

= Collector JGN 1006 (UK 12/1961)

notes by Harry Oster
& Chris Strachwitz

= Arhoolie R 2012

notes by Harry Oster
& Chris Strachwitz

Arhoolie CD 448 (US 1997)

1959

Angola Prison Spirituals

Andy Mosely & Robert Pete Williams
- I'm On My Way
Robert Pete Williams
- Church On Fire With The Word Of God
Robert "Guitar" Welch
- What Shall I Do
Angola Quartet
- Brother Norah
Tom Dutson & Robert Pete Williams
- Little School Song
Robert Pete Williams
- Dyin' Soul
Roosevelt Charles
- Let My People Go

Robert Pete Williams
- So Much Is Happenin' In The News
Tom Dutson & Robert Pete Williams
- Dig My Grave With A Silver Spade
Andy Mosely & "Hogman" Maxey
- Brother Mosely Crossed The Water
Angola Quartet No. 2
- I'm Stranded On The Banks Of Jordan
Robert Pete Williams
- I'm Goin' Back With Him When He Comes
Rev. Benjamin E. Osborne
- The Old Ship Of Zion

CD bonus tracks:
Robert Pete Williams
- When I Lay My Burden Down
Angola Quartet
- See How They Done My Lord
- Be With Me Jesus
Angola Vocal Group
- Rise And Fly
Andy Mosely & "Hogman" Maxey
- I Know I Got Religion
- Jesus
Angola Choir
- I Take Jesus (Do Lord, Remember Me)
- Each Day (Life's Evening Sun)
- Steal Away

rec. 1959 in Angola State Penitentiary, LA by Harry Oster

Robert Pete Williams discography

notes by Harry Oster
Louisiana Folklore Society
LFS A-6

notes by Harry Oster

= 77 LA 12/13 (UK)

77 Records discography

notes by Harry Oster
& Chris Strachwitz

= Arhoolie CD 9036 (2003)

1959

Snooks Eaglin: New Orleans Street Singer

- Careless Love
- Come Back, Baby #
- High Society
- Let Me Go Home Whisky
- Trouble In Mind #
- St. James Infirmary
- I Got My Questionaire #
- The Drifter Blues #

- Rock Island Line
- Every Day I Have The Blues #
. Sophisticated Blues
- See See Rider
- One Scotch, One Bourbon
- A Thousand Miles From Home #
- I'm Looking For A Woman #
- Look Down That Lonesome Road

rec. 1958 by Harry Oster; ed. by Kenneth S. Goldstein

# re-released 1994 on Storyville STCD 8023
"New Orleans Street Singer"

Folkways FA 2476

= Le Chant Du Monde FWX 52476

= Storyville SLP 119 (1964)
= Storyville 670119
"Blues From New Orleans Vol. 1"

custom CD from
www.folkways.si.edu

Snooks Eaglin discography

"(...) Louisiana Folklore Society, which I started together with two other people (...). My first albums were publications of the Folklore Society. That gave it some sort of dignity and official sponsorship. It did not include any money on the societies part, I did cover all expenses on my own. In late 1959, I switched from Louisiana Folklore Society to issuing records on my own label, Folk-Lyric." (Harry Oster in 1995 interview by Ranko Vujosevic)

Louisiana Folklore Society LFS A-1 - LFS A-6 --> Folk-Lyric FL 107 ff.

1960

Snooks Eaglin / Lucius Bridges / Brother Randolph New Orleans Washboard Blues resp. Possum Up A Simmon Tree resp. New Orleans Blues

Folk-Lyric FL 107 / Arhoolie 2014 / Storyville SLP 179 tracks (15):
- Possum Up A Simmon Tree * @ youtube @ Spotify
- That's All Right ## @ youtube @ Spotify
- Veal Chop And Pork Chop {} @ youtube @ Spotify
- I Ain't Gonna Study War No More (Down By The Riverside) # || @ youtube @ Spotify
- Model T And The Train () @ youtube @ Spotify
- Jack O'Diamonds [] @ youtube @ Spotify
- Death Valley Blues # || @ youtube @ Spotify
- This Train ### @ youtube @ Spotify

- Bottle Up And Go *** @ youtube @ Spotify
- Mardi Gras Mambo **** @ youtube @ Spotify
- Rock Me Mama || # @ youtube @ Spotify
- John Henry * @ youtube @ Spotify
- Locomotive Train (instr) () @ youtube @ Spotify
- I Had A Little Woman # || @ youtube @ Spotify
- Don't Leave Me Mama (Rock Me Mama no. 2) # @ youtube @ Spotify

Arhoolie CD 348 tracks (23):
- Country Boy Down In New Orleans || [previously unissued in the U.S.] @ Spotify
- Mama Don't You Tear My Clothes || [previously unissued in the U.S.] @ Spotify
- I've Had My Fun || [previously unissued in the U.S.] @ Spotify
- Bottle Up And Go || [previously unissued in the U.S.] @ Spotify
- Give Me The Good Old Boxcar || [previously unissued in the U.S.] @ Spotify
- Walking Blues [previously unissued in the U.S.] @ Spotify
- Possum Up A Simmon Tree # [Folk-Lyric 107 / Arhoolie 2014]
- That's All Right || [Folk-Lyric 107 / Arhoolie 2014]
- Veal Chop And Pork Chop {} [Folk-Lyric 107 / Arhoolie 2014]
- Down By The Riverside || [Folk-Lyric 107 / Arhoolie 2014]
- Model T And The Train # [Folk-Lyric 107 / Arhoolie 2014]
- Jack O'Diamonds [] [Folk-Lyric 107 / Arhoolie 2014]
- Death Valley Blues || [Folk-Lyric 107 / Arhoolie 2014]
- Rock Me Mama (Don't Leave Me Mama) || [Folk-Lyric 107 / Arhoolie 2014]
- John Henry # [Folk-Lyric 107 / Arhoolie 2014]
- Locomotive Train # [Folk-Lyric 107 / Arhoolie 2014]
- I Had A Little Woman || [Folk-Lyric 107 / Arhoolie 2014]
- Rock Me Mama # [Folk-Lyric 107 / Arhoolie 2014]
- Mailman Passed || [previously unissued in the U.S.] @ Spotify
- Going Back To New Orleans || [previously unissued in the U.S.] @ Spotify
- Mardi Gras Mambo # || [previously unissued take] @ Spotify
- Bottle Up & Go # || [previously unissued take] @ Spotify
- This Train # || [previously unissued take] @ Spotify

P-Vine PCD-93733 tracks (all in all 26):
- Possum Up A Simmon Tree #
- That's All Right ||
- Veal Chop And Pork Chop {}
- I Ain't Gonna Study War No More (Down By The Riverside)
- Model T And The Train #
- Jack O'Diamonds []
- Death Valley Blues ||
- This Train
- Bottle Up And Go
- Mardi Gras Mambo #
- Rock Me Mama || #
- John Henry #
- Locomotive Train #
- I Had A Little Woman ||
- Don't Leave Me Mama (Rock Me Mama)
- Give Me The Good Old Boxcar || [bonus track]
- This Train (alt tk) || [bonus track]
- Bottle Up And Go (alt tk) || # [bonus track]
- Mardi Gras Mambo (alt tk) || # [bonus track]
- I've Had My Fun || [bonus track]
- Bottle Up And Go (tk 4) || [bonus track]
- Going Back To New Orleans || [bonus track]
- Mama Don't You Tear My Clothes || [bonus track]
- Walking Blues [bonus track]
- Mailman Passed (And Didn't Leave No News) || [bonus track]
- Country Boy Down In New Orleans [bonus track]

rec. 1958 in New Orleans, LA by Harry Oster & Richard Allen

# Snooks Eaglin, voc, 6-str g, || 12-str g
## Snooks Eaglin, voc, 6-str g, || 12-str g; Percy Randolph, hca; Lucius Bridges, wb
### Snooks Eaglin, voc, 6-str g, || 12-str g; Percy Randolph, hca; Lucius Bridges, voc, wb

* Lucius Bridges, voc; Snooks Eaglin, 6-str g; Percy Randolph, wb
** Lucius Bridges, voc, g, wb; Snooks Eaglin, 6-str g, || 12-str g, wb; Percy Randolph, wb, ** hca
*** Lucius Bridges, voc; Percy Randolph, hca; Snooks Eaglin, wb
**** Lucius Bridges, voc; Snooks Eaglin, voc; Percy Randolph, hca

{} Percy Randolph, voc, slapping shoe-shine rag
[] Percy Randolph, hca, voc; unknown, tom tom (actually the head of a banjo)
() Percy Randolph, voc, hca; Snooks Eaglin, 6-str g, hca; Lucius Bridges, wb

Folk-Lyric FL 107 (I) drawing by Norman Gross
Folk-Lyric FL 107 (II) drawing by Malcolm Quantrill
Arhoolie/Storyville photo by Harry Oster

notes by Harry Oster "Folk-Lyric Records, 1945 Bay St., Baton Rouge, LA"

Folk-Lyric FL 107 (I) (US 1959) "New Orleans Washboard Blues"

notes by Harry Oster "Folk-Lyric Recording Co., 3323 Morning Glory, Baton Rouge, La."

Folk-Lyric FL 107 (II) (US 1960) "Possum Up A Simmon Tree"

notes by Harry Oster with some editing by Chris Strachwitz

= Arhoolie 2014 (US 1971) "Possum Up A Simmon Tree"

notes by Harry Oster

= Storyville SLP 179 (Denmark 1975) "New Orleans Blues"

(=) Arhoolie CD 348 (US 1991) "Country Boy Down In New Orleans"

notes by Harry Oster with some editing by Chris Strachwitz

(=) P-Vine PCD-93733 (Jp 2013) "Possum Up A Simmon Tree"

Storyville Records discography
Arhoolie Records discography
Snooks Eaglin discography
Percy Randolph discography

1959

Robert Pete Williams: Those Prison Blues

Folk Lyric FL 109 = 77 LA 12/17
- I'll Be Glad When I'm From Behind Iron Walls
- Louise #
- Blue In Me §
- Come Here Baby, Tell Me What Is Wrong With You #
- I Got The Blues So Bad §
- Boogy Woman (+ Hogman Maxey, 12-str. g)

- Pardon Renied Again #
- Army Blues (+ Hogman Maxey, 12-str. g)
- Blues In The Dark
- Make Me A Pallet On The Floor
- Angola Special #

Arhoolie R 2015
- Pardon Denied Again #
- This Wild Old Life #
- Texas Blues #
- Up And Down Blues #
- I'm Blue As A Man Can Be #
- Louise #
- Blue In Me §
- I Got The Blues So Bad §
- Come Here Baby, Tell Me What Is Wrong With You #

green = track on both LPs
# on Arhoolie CD 394 § on Arhoolie CD 395

rec. 1959 & 1960, Angola State Penitentiary, LA by Harry Oster; Robert Pete Williams, voc, 6- or 12-str. g

notes by Harry Oster

Folk-Lyric FL 109 (US 1959)

= 77 LA 12/17 (UK 1963)

Arhoolie R 2015 (US 1971)

Arhoolie CD 394

Arhoolie CD 395

Robert Pete Williams discography

1960

Billie & DeDe Pierce: New Orleans Jazz

- Eh La Bas # * § @ youtube
- Gulf Coast Blues # @ youtube
- Some Of These Days # §
- You Can Depend On Me #
- The Peanut Vendor * §
- Jelly Roll # §

- Mama Don't Allow # § //
- Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out #
- Going Back To Florida #
- Panama §
- St. James Infirmary #
- John Henry § ||

Arhoolie CD 488 bonus tracks:
- Get A Working Man
- Panama Rag
- In The Racket

rec. 1959 in New Orleans, LA by Harry Oster and Richard Allen; Billie Pierce, p, # voc; De De Pierce, cornet, * voc; § Brother Randolph, washb; Lucius Bridges, // tom toms, || voc
Arhoolie CD 488 bonus tracks rec. for Erwin Helfer's Tone label; Billie Pierce, voc, p

notes by Harry Oster

Folk-Lyric FL 110 (US 1960) "New Orleans Jazz"

notes by Harry Oster

= Arhoolie 2016 (US 1971) "New Orleans Music"

notes by Harry Oster

Storyville SLP 178 (Denmark 1975) "New Orleans Jazz"

notes by Harry Oster

= Storyville 670 178 "New Orleans Jazz"

= Arhoolie CD 488 (2000) "Gulf Coast Blues"

Arhoolie Records discography
Storyville Records discography

1961

1945 Bay Street, Baton Rouge 2, LA

also: original sleeve with re-release labels

3323 Morning Glory, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Blind Pearly Brown: Georgia Street Singer [earlier release]
Rev. Pearly Brown: Georgia Street Singer [later release]

- God Don't Never Change @ youtube @ Spotify
- Just A Closer Walk With Thee @ Spotify
- You're Gonna Need That Pure Religion @ Spotify
- Savior, Don't You Pass Me By @ Spotify
- Motherless Children @ youtube @ Spotify
- Oh What A Morning @ Spotify
- I Must See Jesus @ Spotify

- Nobody's Fault But Mine @ youtube @ Spotify
- I Know It Was The Blood @ Spotify
- By And By (I'm Gonna See The King) @ Spotify
- Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning @ youtube @ Spotify
- If I Never See You Anymore @ Spotify
- Ninety-Nine And A Half Won't Do @ Spotify
- It's A Mean Old World @ Spotify
- The Great Speckled Bird @ Spotify

rec. 1961 in Macon, GA by Harry Oster and Richard Allen; Pearly Brown, voc, g

CD bonus tracks (not recorded by Harry Oster):
- Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning * @ Spotify
- You Gotta Move § @ Spotify
- I'm On My Way To The Canaan Land *§ @ Spotify
- Good By #* @ Spotify
- What A Morning #* @ Spotify

bonus tracks rec. 1974 at KPFA Radio in Berkeley, CA by Chris Strachwitz; Pearly Brown, voc, g, # 12-str g; * Christine Brown, voc; § Bob Young, hca; Duane Cox, washtub b; previously unissued
Folk-Lyric FL 108 cover photo by Harry Oster; Arhoolie CD 9025 cover photo by Chris Strachwitz

notes by Harry Oster

Folk-Lyric FL 108 (US 1961)

notes by Harry Oster

= Folk-Lyric FL 108 (US 196? re-release)

≠ Arhoolie 2017 (scheduled for January 1976 release)
[release never materialized, some Folk-Lyric LPs were sold from Arhoolie bins]

original notes by Harry Oster & new notes by Chris Strachwitz

(=) Arhoolie CD 9025 (US 2002) "You're Gonna Need That Pure Religion"

Arhoolie Records discography
Rev. Pearly Brown discography

196?

Country Negro Jam Sessions@ youtube (full album)

Butch Cage & Willie Thomas
- 44 Blues * @ youtube
Robert Pete Williams & Guitar Welch, 2nd g
- Mississippi Heavy Water Blues @ youtube
Clarence Edwards
- Smokes Like Lightning
Butch Cage & Willie Thomas
- Who Broke The Lock || @ youtube
Clarence Edwards
- You Don't Love Me
Butch Cage & Willie Thomas
- It's The Sign Of The Judgement || @ youtube
Ben Douglas
- Foxhunt

Sally Dotson with Smoky Babe & Hillary Blunt
- Your Dice Won't Pass (2:51) # [aka "Someday Baby"] @ youtube @ Spotify
Butch Cage & Willie Thomas
- Jelly Roll ** @ youtube
Rebecca Smith etc.
- I've Got Religion
Smoky Babe
- Going Downtown Boogie (3:44) [Talkin' Blues or Talkin' Baby] ## @ youtube @ Spotify
Clarence Edwards
- Stack O' Dollars
Willie Thomas & Butch Cage
- Brown Skin Woman # @ youtube
Leon Strickland with Lucius Bridges
- I Won't Be Your Low Down Dog No More

unissued track from November 3, 1960 session:
Smoky Babe
- Leavin' Blues ##

additional tracks on CD 372: °°
Butch Cage & Willie B Thomas
- The Piano Blues // @ youtube
Smoky Babe
- Cotton Field Blues
Otis Webster
- The Farm Blues
- The Boss Man Blues
Butch Cage & Willie B Thomas
- Whoa Mule! ^^ @ youtube
Otis Webster
- Boll Weevil Blues
Clarence Edwards/Cornelius Edwards/Butch Cage
- Thousand Miles From Nowhere @ youtube
Butch Cage & Willie B. Thomas
- Dead And Gone ^^ @ youtube
- Called For You Yesterday ^^ @ youtube
- Me & My Chauffeur ^^ @ youtube
- Baby Please Don't Go ^^ @ youtube

rec. during the late 1950s and early 1960s in southwest Louisiana by Harry Oster; Arhoolie R 2018 prod. by Harry Oster & Chris Strachwitz

rec. 1960 at Butch Cage's home in 5131 Old Slaughter Road, Zachary, LA by Harry Oster; Butch Cage, voc, vn; Willie Thomas, voc, g
# rec. August 7, 1960; Butch Cage, voc, vn; Willie Thomas, voc, g
* rec. October 10, 1960; Butch Cage, voc, vn; Willie Thomas, voc, g
** rec. October 21, 1960; Butch Cage, voc, vn; Willie Thomas, voc, g
// rec. December 11, 1960; Butch Cage, voc, vn; Willie Thomas, voc, g
|| rec. May 15, 1962 [?]; Butch Cage, voc, vn; Willie Thomas, voc, g

cover photo of Butch Cage and Willie Thomas with their wives (Rosa and Martha) by Harry Oster

°° announced in a catalog for issue in February 1962 as Folk-Lyric album titled "Boll Weevil and Bossman Blues", but that LP never materialized

notes (booklet)
by Harry Oster

Folk-Lyric FL 111 (US 1960)

notes by Harry Oster
(with some additional comments
by Chris Strachwitz)

= Arhoolie R 2018 (US 1970)

= Trio PA-6028 (Jp 1978?)

Trio Records discography

notes by Chris Strachwitz

(=) Arhoolie CD 372 (US 1993)

Arhoolie Records discography

196?

John Burgess: The Art Of The Bagpipe

- Leaving Lunga
- Athole Cummers/Thomson's Dirk
- John MacDonald Of Glencoe/Arniston Castle/Mrs. MacPherson Of Inveran
- The Hen's March
- The Braes Of Locheil
- Lament For The Children

- Parker's Welcome To Perthshire
- John Paterson's Mare
- Loch Monar
- Lady MacBeath/The Smith Of Chilliechassie
- Donald Cameron/Maggie Cameron/Sandy Cameron
- The Shaggy Grey Buck
- The Stirlingshire Militia
- Bonny Argyll
- The Old Wife's Dance
- Blair Drummond/Pretty Marion
- Donald MacLean's Farewell To Oban
- Paddy O'Rafferty

Folk-Lyric FL 112

13a

1960

Finnegan's Wake and other Irish Folksongs sung by Dominic Behan

- Finnegan's Wake
- Bonny Boy
- Mrs. McGrath
- Master McGrath
- Dicey Riley
- Kelvin Lass
- McCafferty
- Bucket of Mountain Dew
- Van Diemen's Land
- The Wearing of the Green

- The Limerick Rake
- Boston Burglar
- Hand Me Down My Petticoat
- The Charladies' Ball
- The Rocks of Baun
- Buacailinn Donn
- Brian O'Linn
- The Ballad of Perse O'Reilly
- Botheration
- Mrs. Hooligan's Christmas Cake

Folk-Lyric FL 113

1962

Peggy Seeger sings and plays American Folksongs For Banjo

- John Riley II
- Jesus Borned In Bethlea
- Morman Crossing
- Willie Moore
- London Bridge (Is A-Falling Down)
- Hiram Hubbert
- Young Emily
- Walkin' And A-Talkin'

- Wife Wrapt In Wether's Skin
- Handsome Molly
- Two Sisters
- Weevily Wheat
- Turnip Greens
- Fair Rosamund
- Opera Reel / Devil's Dream
- Betsy's Reel / Portsmouth Hornpipe
- Henry Cooper
- Red Haired Boy

= Folk-Lyric FL 114

1962

Betsy Miller and Ewan MacColl: A Garland Of Scots Folksong

- The Bonnie Banks O' Airdrie
- The Auld Man's Mare's Dead
- The Braes O' Balquither
- The Crooked Bawbee
- Lovely Nancy
- Galla Water
- Will Ye Go To Flanders?

- The Spinning Wheel
- Robbie And Grannie
- A Wee Drappie O'T
- Lord Randal
- To Daunton Me
- The Duke Of Athol

Betsy Miller is Ewan MacColl's mother

= Folk-Lyric FL 116

1962

Primitive Piano

Tone 1 LP / Collector JGN 1001 / Folk-Lyric FL 117 / The Sirens 101 track sequence:
Billie Pierce
- Get A Working Man
- Panama Rag
- In The Racket
Speckled Red
- Dad's Piece # @ youtube
- Early In The Morning # @ youtube
- Oh Red # @ youtube

Doug Suggs
- Doug's Jump
- Sweet Patootie
James 'The Bat' Robinson
- Bat's Blues
- Four O'Clock

The Sirens CD track sequence:
- Dad's Piece - Speckled Red #
- Early In the Morning - Speckled Red #
- Oh Red - Speckled Red #
- Doug's Jump - Doug Suggs
- Sweet Patootie - Doug Suggs
- Bat's Blues - James Robinson
- Four O' Clock - James Robinson
- Keep A Knockin - Billie Pierce
- See See Rider - Billie Pierce
- Florida Blues - Billie Pierce
- By and By - Billie and DeDe Pierce
- By and By - Billie and DeDe Pierce
- Smoke Like Lightning - Doug Suggs
- Slow and Low - Doug Suggs
- Interview with Doug Suggs by Erwin Helfer

rec. 1956/57 by Erwin Helfer and William Russell

# rec. September 2, 1956 in the home of John Phillips in St. Louis by Erwin Helfer; Speckled Red, voc, p

Tone 1 LP (US 1957)

[Alistair Banfield: "ABC 1" on the original cover, because printers weren't informed what the catalogue number was at the time of the printing of the sleeve]
= Collector ABC 1 / JGN 1001 (UK 1959)

= Folk-Lyric FL 117 (US 1962)

The Sirens 101 (US 1975?)

(=) The Sirens CD SR5005 (US 2003)

Speckled Red discography

1960

Smoky Babe And His Friends: Hot Blues

Folk-Lyric FL 118 / 77-LA-12-12 track sequence:
- Rabbit Blues []
- Too Many Women #
- Two Wings *
- Mississippi River So Deep & Wide #
- I'm Broke And I'm Hungry
- My Baby She Told Me #

- Black Ghost []
- Ain't Got No Rabbit Dog
- Bad Whiskey
- Black Gal // [not on Arhoolie R 2019!]
- My Baby Put Me Down
- Going Back Home

Arhoolie R 2019 track sequence:
- Too Many Women #
- Two Wings *
- I'm Broke And I'm Hungry
- Mississippi River #
- My Baby She Told Me #
- Rabbit Blues []

- Black Ghost []
- Ain't Got No Rabbit Dog //
- Bad Whiskey
- My Baby Put Me Down #
- Going Back Home

all tracks rec. February 1960 in Scotlandville, LA by Harry Oster
# Smoky Babe, voc, g; Henry Thomas [= Lazy Lester], hca
* Smoky Babe, voc, g; William Dotson, voc
[] Smoky Babe, voc, g; Sally Dotson, voc
// Smoky Babe, voc, g; Clyde Causey, hca
photographer: Harry Oster

notes by Harry Oster

Folk-Lyric FL 118

notes by Harry Oster

= 77 LA 12-12 (UK 1962)

notes by Harry Oster

= Arhoolie R 2019 (US 1971) "Hot Blues"

notes by Harry Oster

Arhoolie CD 440 (US 1996)

77 Records discography
Arhoolie Records discography
Smoky Babe discography

196?

Peggy Seeger: Popular Ballads

- Lady Isabel And The Elf Knight
- The False Love Won Back
- Old Bangham
- Green Beds
- The Lady And The Dragoon
- The Four Maries

- The Dreadful Ghost
- The Farmer's Curst Wife
- Earl Brand
- Young Beichan
- Fair Maid On The Shore

Folk-Lyric FL 120

1960

A.L. Lloyd: Selections from the Penguin Book of English Folk Songs

- The Devil And The Ploughman
- The False Bride
- A Sailors Life
- Rounding the Horn
- Salisbury Plain
- One Night As I Lay On My Bed
- George Collins
- Gaol Song
- The Whale Catchers
- The Trees They Do Grow High
- Ye Mariners All
- Six Dukes Went A Fishing
- The Grey Cock
- The Sailor From Dover
- Lovely Joan
- Gentleman Soldier

Folk-Lyric 121

= Collector JGB 5001

1961

Jim Smoak & The Louisiana Honeydrippers: Bayou Bluegrass

- Calinda
- Run, Boy, Run
- Liza Jane
- My Last Dollar Is Gone
- Old Dan Tucker
- The Lakes Of Ponchartrain
- Rabbit, Where's Your Mammy?
- Underneath The Weeping Willow

- Chicken Pie
- Kissin' Cousins
- Woodchuck In The Deadnin'
- Poor Man
- Whoah, Mule, Whoah
- Great Big Billy Goat
- Bill Cheatum
- Raisin' A Ruckus Tonight
- The Fisher's Hornpipe

CD bonus tracks:
- East Bound Train
- Hop Light, Ladies
- Silver Dagger
- Mama Don't Allow

rec. by Harry Oster

Folk-Lyric FL 122

= Arhoolie (1972)

notes by Chris Strachwitz and Harry Oster

(=) Arhoolie CD 9032 (US 2002)

20a

1960?

Cajun Folk Music
Southern Journey 15

- Chères Joues Rosé
- Iota Two Step
- Les Blues d'Elton
- La Danse de Mardi Gras
- Wedding March
- 99 Year Waltz (Valse de Bambocheur)

- Lost Lover Breakdown (Lake Arthur Stomp)
- Chère Mom
- Molitor Waltz
- The Prison Song (Les Blues de la Prison)
- Maxie Waltz (Grand Bois)
- Contredanse

rec. 1956-1959 by Harry Oster; Austin Pitre, Milton Molitor & Lurlin Lejeune

Prestige / International INT 25015

(=) Arhoolie CD 359

20b

1961

Louisiana Bluegrass with The Louisiana Honeydrippers

- Johnson's Old Gray Mule
- More Pretty Girls Than One
- Bugle Call Rag
- Cotton-Eyed Joe
- Beautiful Life
- Mama Blues
- Pretty Polly
- Hoedown
- Knoxville Girl

- Who's Goin' Down To Wilmingtown
- The Girl In The Blue Velvet Band
- Old Blue
- Cora Is Gone
- Liberty
- Rabbit In The Log
- Soldier's Joy
- Keep My Skillet Good And Greasy
- Little Maggie

rec. by Harry Oster

Prestige / International INT 13035

1962

Snuffy Jenkins and The Hired Hands

- Watermelon Hangin' On A Vine
- Step It Up And Go
- Possum Up A Gum Stump
- Spanish Fandango
- Long Journey Home
- Charmin' Betsy
- Dixie, There's No Place Like Home
- Television
- Big-Eared Mule

- The Covered Wagon Rolled Right Along
- Boggy Road To Texas
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
- Miller's Reel
- Gonna Catch That Train An' Ride
- Born In Hard Luck
- The Sweetest Gift, A Mother's Smile
- Long Time Gone
- Snuffy's Talking Blues

Snuffy Jenkins, bj, washb; Homer Sherrill, fiddle; Greasy Medlin, g, voc; Ira Dimmery, b

Folk-Lyric FL 123
[cover photograph wrong way round !]

= Arhoolie LP 5011 "Snuffy Jenkins: Carolina Bluegrass"
[cover photograph wrong way round !]

= Arhoolie CD 9027 "Pioneer Of The Bluegrass Banjo"

196?

Sylvia Mars: Blues Walk Right In

- Walk Right In #*side A @ youtube
- Trouble Trouble Trouble
- Let That Liar Pass #*
- Lowdown Death
- Back Water Blues #*
- Noah Noah
- No Hidin' Place Down There #*

- Before This Time Another Yearside B @ youtube
- He's Got Me Goin' #*
- I Have A Friend
- We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder #
- Dark Was The Night
- Things About Comin' My Way #

Sylvia Mars, voc; # Mitch Greenhill, g; * Gordie Edwards, hca
photo by Harry Oster

notes by Harry Oster

Folk-Lyric FL 124

196?

Blind Gary Davis: Pure Religion And Bad Company

- Pure Religion
- Mountain Jack
- Right Now
- Buck Dance
- Candy Man
- Devil's Dream
- Moon Goes Down
- Coco Blues

- Runnin' To The Judgement
- Hesitation
- Bad Company
- I Didn't Want To Join The Band
- Evening Sun Goes Down
- Seven Sisters
- My Heart Is Fixed

Smithsonian Folkways SFW40035 bonus tracks:
- Time Is Drawing Near [previously unreleased]
- Crucifixion [previously unreleased]

rec. June 1957 in New York City by Fred Gerlach and Tiny Robinson; prod. by Doug Dobell

Folk-Lyric FL 125 (US)

notes by Paul Oliver

= 77 LA 12/14

notes by Bruce Bastin
(=) Smithsonian Folkways CD SF 40035 (US 1991)

1961

Robert Pete Williams: Free Again

- Free Again
- Almost Dead Blues
- Rolling Stone
- Two Wings
- A Thousand Miles From Nowhere

- Thumbing A Ride
- I've Grown So Ugly
- Death Blues
- Hobo Worried Blues
- Hay Cutting Song

rec. by Harry Oster

Bluesville 1026

= Prestige 7808

= OBCCD-553-2
fantasyjazz.com

= Fantasy F24716 (US 1973) (along with BVLP 1046 Snooks Eaglin) "Rural Blues"

= Ace CD CHD 705

Bluesville Records discography
Robert Pete Williams
discography

1960

Snooks Eaglin: Message From New Orleans

- Mamma, Don't You Tear My Clothes
- Walking Blues
- Mean Old World
- Give Me The Old Box-Car
- Every Day Blues
- I Had My Fun
- Blue Shadows Blues
- She's A Black Rat

- Who's Been Foolin' You?
- I Must See Jesus
- Fly Right Baby
- That's All Right
- Bottle Up And Go
- Who Can Your Good Man Be
- Don't You Lie To Me
- Malaguena

rec. in New Orleans by Harry Oster

notes by Tony Standish

Heritage HLP 1002 (UK 1960)

Snooks Eaglin discography
Heritage Records discography

196?

Snooks Eaglin's New Orleans Blues

- Don't You Tear My Clothes
- That's All Right
- I Must See Jesus

- Bottle Up & Go
- Who Can Your Good Man Be
- Walkin' Blues

7 inch 45 rpm EP

Heritage H-301 (UK 196?)

Snooks Eaglin discography
Heritage Records discography

1962

Blind Snooks Eaglin: That's All Right

- Don't You Tear My Clothes
- Mailman Passed
- I'm A Country Boy
- I Got A Woman
- Alberta
- Brown Skinned Woman
- Don't You Lie To Me

- That's All Right
- Goin' Down Slow
- Bottle Up And Go
- The Walkin' Blues
- One More Drink
- Fly Right, Baby

rec. 1961 by Harry Oster

Bluesville 1046
= XTRA 5051 (UK 1968)

= P-Vine PCD-1046 (Jp)

= OBCCD-568-2
fantasyjazz.com

= Fantasy F24716 (US 1973) (along with BVLP 1026 Robert Pete Williams) "Rural Blues"

= Ace CD CHD 705

Bluesville Records discography
Snooks Eaglin discography

1962

Ewan MacColl: Merry Muses of Caledonia
Robert Burns songs

prod. by Kenneth S. Goldstein & Harry Oster; edited & annotated by Kenneth S. Goldstein

"edition strictly limited to 500 copies"

Dionysus D1

distributed by Folk-Lyric

27a

1962

Billie & De De Pierce

- Love Song Of The Nile [sic]
- Gravedigger's Blues

rec. in New Orleans by Harry Oster; Billie Pierce, voc, p; De De Pierce, tp

Storyville SEP 389

Storyville Records discography

1963

The Blues of Smoky Babe: Hottest Brand Goin'

- Now Your Man Done Gone []
- Hottest Brand Goin' //
- Something Wrong With My Machine \\ ^^^
- Insect Blues §
- Long Way From Home #
- I'm Goin' Back To Mississippi #

- Melvanie Blues *
- Locomotive Blues * ^
- Ocean Blues *
- Boogy Woogy Rag *
- Coon Hunt * ^ ^^
- Cold, Cold Snow ||

all tracks rec. in Scotlandville, LA by Harry Oster
# rec. February 10, 1960; Smoky Babe, voc, g
[] rec. February 27, 1960; Smoky Babe, voc, g
* rec. February 10/25/27, 1960; Smoky Babe, voc, g; Clyde Causey, ^ hca, ^^ voc; ^^^ Henry Thomas [= Lazy Lester], hca
\\ rec. February 10, 1961; Smoky Babe, voc, g; Henry Thomas [= Lazy Lester], hca
// rec. March 10, 1961; Smoky Babe, voc, g
§ rec. March 27, 1961; Smoky Babe, voc, g
|| rec. June 14, 1961; Smoky Babe, voc, g

notes by Harry Oster

Bluesville BV 1063

= Ace CH 261 (UK 1/1989)

= OBC OBCCD-595-2 (US 2001)

Bluesville Records discography
OBC Records discography
Smoky Babe discography

1963

Southern Prison Blues
Blues Anthology Vol. 9

Hogman Maxey
- Duckin' And Dodgin' @ youtube
John Henry Jackson & A.C. Craig
- My Baby Got To Go @ youtube
Otis Webster
- Penitentiary Blues @ youtube
Guitar Welch
- Lonesome Blues @ youtube
Jesse Butcher & Guitar Welch
- They'll Miss Me When I'm Gone @ youtube
Hogman Maxey
- Rock Me Mama @ youtube

Guitar Welch
- Boll Weevil Blues @ youtube
Hogman Maxey
- Hard Headed Woman @ youtube
Otis Webster
- Standing At The Greyhound Bus Station @ youtube
John Henry Jackson & A.C. Craig
- Tell Me Pretty Baby @ youtube
Otis Webster
- Ball And Chain For Me [this track actually not enclosed on Tradition LP] @ youtube
Guitar Welch
- Bad Luck Blues @ youtube
The Cool Cats
- Goin' Home To My Old Used To Be @ youtube

rec. 1959 at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, by Harry Oster

notes by Harry Oster

Everest / Tradition TR 2066 (US 1961?)

= Storyville SLP 125 (Denmark 196?)

= Storyville SLP 125 (Fr 196?) "festival"

= Storyville Special 616002 (UK 1965) "Louisiana Prison Blues"

= Storyville ST 21 008 (Fr)

= Albatros VPA 8300 (It 1976)

(=) Guimbarda GS-11027 (Sp 1979) "Bluesmen 2"

= Everest / Dargil 2066 (Portugal 198?)

(=) Collectables COL-CD-0850 (US 2007)

(=) Essential 942311027 (2007)

Storyville Records discography
Albatros Records discography

1963

Jesse Fuller
Greatest Of The Negro Minstrels

- Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home (2:35) °° @ youtube
- Crazy About A Woman (3:00) °° @ youtube
- C.C. Rider
- Ninety Nine Years (3:12) °° @ youtube
- Stranger's Blues (4:34) °° @ youtube
- I Want A Little Girl

- Old Cincinnati Blues
- Long As I Can Feel The Spirit
- Black And Blue
- Brownskin Woman
- I Got My Eyes On You
- Preacher Lowdown (2:08) °° @ youtube
- San Francisco Bay Blues (3:37) °° @ youtube

rec. November 1962 at Cornell University in San Francisco, CA by Harry Oster
cover drawing by Norman Gross

°° reissued on Arhoolie CD 360

notes by Harry Oster

Folk Lyric FL 126 (US 1963)

Jesse Fuller discography

196?

The Country Blues

Clarence Edwards, Cornelius Edwards, Butch Cage
- Mean Old Frisco
Smoky Babe
- Boogy
Clarence Edwards, Cornelius Edwards, Butch Cage
- Miss Sadie May
Smoky Babe
- I Went Down 61 Highway
Clarence Edwards, Cornelius Edwards, Butch Cage
- Stagalee
Smoky Babe & Sally Dotson
- Black Ghost
Lemon Nash & Henry Thomas
- New Orleans Blues

Smoky Babe
- Regular Blues
Clarence Edwards, Cornelius Edwards, Butch Cage
- I Can't Quit You Baby
Hilary Blunt
- A Thousand Miles From Nowhere
Clarence Edwards, Cornelius Edwards, Butch Cage
- This Is My Life
Butch Cage & Willie Thomas
- Bugle Call Blues
Clarence Edwards, Cornelius Edwards, Butch Cage
- Goin' Back To New Orleans
Smoky Babe
- Talkin' Baby

rec. at informal sessions in the homes of Butch Cage & Mabel Lee Williams near Baton Rouge, LA by Dr. Harry Oster

notes by Harry Oster

Storyville SLP 129 (Denmark 196?) "Storyville Blues Anthology Vol. 10"

= Teichiku ULS-1825-R (Jp 1975)

Butch Cage & Willie Thomas discography

196?

Country Spirituals

Snooks Eaglin
- Down By The Riverside
Butch Cage, Willie Thomas & crowd
- Whe I See The Blood
Della Williams
- Motherless Children
New Orleans Street Gospel Singers
- I Will Be Your God
Otis Webster
- In My Saviours Care
Charles Henderson, Butch Cage, Willie Thomas & crowd
- Jesus On The Main Line

Rev. Pearly Brown
- If I Never See You Anymore
Andy Mosely, George Williams & Hogman Maxey
- I Know I Got Religion
Otis Webster
- This Little Light Of Mine
Angola Quartet
- Be With Me Jesus
Robert Pete Williams
- I'm Glad My Mother Teached Me How To Pray
Rev. Pearly Brown
- Nobody's Fault But Mine
Butch Cage, Willie Thomas & crowd
- If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again

rec. by Harry Oster

notes by Harry Oster

Storyville SLP 135 (Denmark 196?)

Butch Cage & Willie Thomas discography

1964

Snooks Eaglin: Blues From New Orleans Vol. 2

- Mailman Passed And He Didn't Leave No News
- I Must See Jesus #
- She's One Black Rat #
- Give Me The Good Old Boxcar *
- Don't You Lie To Me #
- Well I Had My Fun #

- Browns Skin Woman #
- Mama Don't You Tear My Clothes #
- Who's Been Foolin' You #
- When Shadows Fall #
- One More Drink #
- I Got A Woman #
- Mama Talk To Your Daughter

rec. by Harry Oster
Snooks Eaglin, voc, g
* Snooks Eaglin, voc, g; Lucius Bridges, wb
Lucius Bridges, voc, wb; Snooks Eaglin, g

# re-released 1994 on Storyville STCD 8023 "New Orleans Street Singer"

notes by Harry Oster

Storyville SLP 140 (Denmark 1964)

Snooks Eaglin discography

1964

Snooks Eaglin: Portraits In Blues Vol. 1

- Country Boy
- Fly Right Back Baby #
- Well I Had My Fun
- Bottle It Up And Go
- Mama Don't You Tear My Clothes
- I Don't Know #
- Mean Old World #

- Alberta #
- That's Allright #
- Malaguena #
- When They Ring Them Golden Bells #
- Went Out Walkin'
- Remember Me #

rec. by Harry Oster
# re-released 1994 on Storyville STCD 8023 "New Orleans Street Singer"

notes by Paul Oliver

Storyville SLP 146 (Denmark 1964)

= Amiga 856 282 (GDR 1971) Blues Collection #12

= Teichiku ULS-1811-R (Jp 1975) "Snooks Eaglin"

Snooks Eaglin discography

1964

Roosevelt Charles: Blues, Prayer, Work & Trouble Songs

- Mean Trouble Blues
- Mule Blues
- Uncle Bud
- Meeting At The Old Camp Ground
- The Boll Weevil And The Bale Weevil
- Pick 'Em Up Higher
- I'm a Gamblin' Man
- Jonah And The Whale

- Greenback Dollar Blues
- Wasn't I Lucky?
- Cane Choppin'
- That Old Ship Of Zion
- Jesus Is-A Listening
- It's Gettin' Late
- Freight Train Blues
- Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burnin'

rec. 1960 by Harry Oster

Vanguard VRS 9136

= VRS 9136 (UK 1978) "Mean Trouble Blues"

35a

1965

Folk Voices of Iowa

- Muziky - Milton Myroslav
- Pilo by sa pilo (= We would like to drink)
- Kan du glemme gamle Norge? (= Can you forget old Norway?)
- Kjaerringa med staven (= The woman with the stick)
- Hils til dem der hjemme (= Greet the folks from home)
- Fein Liebchen (= Dear love)
- Immer noch ein Tröpfchen (= Still another drop)
- Weisst du wieviel Sterne stehen? (= Do you know how many stars are in the sky?)
- How many stars are in the sky?
- Holy is the Lord
- Der Vater in dem Himmel passt auf auf Dich (= There's a Father in heaven watching over you)
- Hij was ein smokkelaar (= He was a smuggler)
- De zilverfloot (= The silver fleet)
- Mesquakie chant
- Kitty Kitty O
- Black Jack Davy
- Soldier's joy
- Bonaparte's retreat
- Columbus, Georgia
- Uncle Pen
- Dill pickle rag
- Twenty-one years
- Little birdie
- I shall not be moved

Joe Pazour, Jerry Cincara, Curt Moen, Carman Hanson, Hans Aschim, Ulrich Sielaff, William Dittrich, Laura Browne, East Union Mennonite Church of Kalona, Siebolt Hartinga, Lenore Hartinga, John Papakee, Grace Papakee, Stan Hinson, Leo Murphy, Alan Murp; collected & edited by Harry Oster

booklet with notes by Harry Oster

University of Iowa Press 800U-9778

197?

Folksongs Of The Louisiana Acadians Vol. 2

- Lance Meg Waltz - French Jig - Wallace "Cheese" Read
- The Waltz Of The Wayside
- Rabbit Stomp
- Ma Cher Belle
- Empty Bottle Stomp - Wallace "Cheese" Read
- La Belle De La Louisianne
- Ton Avait
- Ton Aura Plus
- Cher Mom
- Molitor Waltz - Milton Molitor
- Lost Lover Breakdown - Austin Pitre
- Le Blues De Elton - Milton Molitor
- Contredanse - Austin Pitre
- Chere Joues Roses

rec. between 1956 and 1959 by Harry Oster in Mamou and Eunice, LA

Arhoolie 5015 (US 197?)

1972

Herman E. Johnson: Louisiana Country Blues

- I Just Keeps On Wanting You @ youtube
- You Don't Know My Mind @ youtube
- Motherless Children @ youtube
- Depression Blues # @ Spotify
- She's A-Looking For Me @ youtube

- She Had Been Drinking # @ youtube
- I'm Growing Older # @ Spotify
- Po' Boy @ Spotify
- Leavin' Blues # @ Spotify
- Piano Blues @ Spotify
- Where The Mansion's Prepared For Me @ youtube

rec. November 3, 1960, March 26, 1961, April 5, 1961, April 27, 1961 & May 12, 1961 in Baton Rouge, LA by Harry Oster; Herman E. Johnson, voc, g, # el g

notes by Harry Oster

notes by Harry Oster

Arhoolie CD 440 (US 1996)

Arhoolie Records discography
Smoky Babe discography
Herman E. Johnson discography

1979

Butch Cage: Raise A Ruckus Tonight

Butch Cage with Willie Thomas
- Mean Old Frisco
Robert 'Pete' Williams
- Black Cat Bone
Clarence Edwards
- Awful Blue
Butch Cage with Willie Thomas
- If I Had My Way
Charles Henderson
- She Was A Woman Didn't Mean No Man No Good
Clarence Edwards
- Come On Baby, Don't You Want To Go
Butch Cage with Willie Thomas
- Tomorrow Gonna Be My Trying Day
- Raise A Ruckus Tonight

Butch Cage with Willie Thomas
- Let Your Light Shine On Me
Charles Henderson
- Rock Island Blues
Clarence Edwards
- I Got A Coal Black Mare
Charles Henderson
- Corrine, Corrina
Butch Cage with Willie Thomas
- I Shall Not Be Moved
Robert 'Pete' Williams
- Hoodoo Blues
Clarence Edwards
- Can't Stand To Be Your Dog
Butch Cage with Willie Thomas
- I Take The Blues When It Rains

field recordings made in Louisiana in 1960 and 1961 by Harry Oster

Flyright LP 545

Butch Cage & Willie
Thomas discography

Flyright Records discography

1980

John And Old Marster
Negro Folk Tales

Jim Daniels #
- The Champion Swimmer
Emmanuel Dunn
- John And The Owl

Emmanuel Dunn
- John And The Stones
Son House
- Two At The Gate

# rec. by Vincent Kohler, all others rec. by Harry Oster

accompanying booklet text taken from: Harry Oster: "Negro Humor: John and Old Marster." Journal of the Folklore Institute 5 (1968), pp. 42-57

Flyright FLY EP 01

Flyright Records discography

199?

New Orleans Jazz

Billie & DeDe Pierce
- Mama Don't Allow
- Going Back To Florida
- Eh La Bas
- Gulf Coast Blues

Arhoolie CD 346

1991

Snooks Eaglin: Country Boy Down In New Orleans

- Country Boy Down In New Orleans
- Mama Don't You Tear My Clothes
- I've Had My Fun
- Bottle Up And Go
- Give Me The Good Old Boxcar
- Walking Blues
- Possum Up A Simmon Tree
- That's All Right
- Veal Chop And Pork Chop
- Down By The Riverside
- Model T And The Train
- Jack O'Diamonds
- Death Valley Blues
- Rock Me Mama
- John Henry
- Locomotive Train
- I Had A Little Woman
- Rock Me Mama
- Mailman Passed
- Going Back To New Orleans
- Mardi Gras Mambo
- Bottle Up & Go
- This Train

includes all of ARH 2014 plus previously unissued solo and group recordings

rec. 1958 by Harry Oster
Snooks Eaglin, voc,
6- & 12-string g, wb,
tom-toms
Lucius Bridges, wb, voc
Percy Randolph, harm,
voc, washb

Arhoolie CD 348

Snooks Eaglin discography

199?

Folksongs Of The Louisiana Acadians

- Grand Texas - Chuck Guillory
- Colinda - Wallace "Cheese" Read
- Tu Peux Cogner - Mrs. Odeus Guillory
- La Patate Chaude - Mrs. Rodney Fruge
- Je Charche Tout Partout - Wallace "Cheese" Read
- T'Es Petite, Mais T'Es Mignonne - Wallace "Cheese" Read
- La Danse De La Limonade - Mrs. Rodney Fruge
- La Betaille Dans Le 'Tit Arbre - Isom J Fontenot
- Grand Mamou - Savy Augustine
- La Danse De Mardi Gras - Bee Deshotels
- Mes Souliers Sont Rouges - Bee Deshotels
- Contredanse Francaise - Isom J. Fontenot
-Y Avait Boitine Boiteuse - Bee Deshotels
- Aux Natchitoches - Bee Deshotels
- Contredanse De Mamou - Shelby Vidrine
- Saute Crapeau - Isom J. Fontenot
- Cadet Roussel - Isom J. Fontenot
- L'Arbre Est Dans Ces Feuilles - Bee Deshotels
- J'Ai Traverse La Mer Et Les Montagnes - Isom J. Fontenot
- Fiddle Stomp - Wallace "Cheese" Read
- Ma Chere Belle - Wallace "Cheese" Read
- French Jig - Wallace "Cheese" Read
- Empty Bottle Stomp - Wallace "Cheese" Read
- I Met A Girl In The Swamp - Wallace "Cheese" Read
- You Had Some But You Don't Anymore - Isom J. Fontenot
- Two-Step De Lanse Maigre - Isom J. Fontenot
- Mamou Breakdown - Wallace "Cheese" Read
- Prison Song - Austin Pitre
- Ninety Nine Year Waltz - Milton Molitor
- Lost Lover Breakdown - Austin Pitre
- Le Blues De Elton - Milton Molitor - Contredanse - Austin Pitre - Molitor Waltz - Milton Molitor - Hey Mom - Milton Molitor

Arhoolie CD 359

1994

Robert Pete Williams: I'm Blue As A Man Can Be

- Pardon Denied Again
- This Wild Old Life
- Just Tippin' In #
- Louise
- Church On Fire No. 2 #
- Texas Blues
- I'm Blue As A Man Can Be
- Up and Down Blues
- So Much Is Happenin' In This Wicked World #
- Come Here Baby
- Levee Camp Blues
- Two Wings #
- Angola Special
- Motherless Children Have A Hard Time
- Please Lord, Help Me on My Way #

# previously unreleased

Arhoolie CD 394

Robert Pete Williams
discography

1994

Robert Pete Williams: When A Man Takes The Blues

- When A Man Takes The Blues *#
- I Had Trouble *#
- All Night Long #
- Dyin' Soul
- I Got The Blues So Bad
- Sinner Don't You Know #
- Hot Springs Blues #
- This Train Is Heaven Bound #
- Sant Fe Blues
- Blue In Me
- Death Comes Creepin' In Your Room #
- Wife And Farm Blues #
- I Want To Die Easy #
- Robert Pete Williams Monologue *#

# previously unreleased
* rec. April 1970 in Berkeley, CA by Chris Strachwitz

Arhoolie CD 395

Robert Pete Williams
discography

199?

Wallace "Cheese" Read: Cajun House Party

- Bayou Pom Pom
- One-Step A Chaumont
- Les Veuves De La Coulee
- Read's Two-Step
- Tolan Waltz
- Grand Texas
- Bosco Stomp
- Chere Mama Creole
- Le Pays De L'Acadien
- Keep A Knocking
- Tu M'as Quitté Dans La Louisiane
- Perrodin Two-Step
- Cankton Waltz
- J'ai Laisse De La Maison
- 'Tit Canard Mulet
- Mamou Two-Step
- Louisiana Two-Step
- Parting Waltz
- Saute Crapeau
- La Branche du Murier
- Chère Meon
- Madame Sosthene
- Chère Tout-Toute
- Mamou Breakdown
- La Valse de Mauvaise Penchant
- Mon Coer (Est Barré) Dans L'Armoire
- Battle of New Orleans
- Chère Bébè
- Valse de L'Anse Maigre

recorded by Chris Strachwitz in 1979
recorded in the late 1950s by Dr. Harry Oster, previously unissued

Arhoolie CD 415

199?

Angola Prisoners' Blues

- Prisoner's Talking Blues (Robert Pete Williams) #
- Stagolee (Hogman Maxey) #
- Electric Chair Blues (Guitar Welch) #
- Black Night Is Fallin' (Hogman Maxey) #
- Some Got Six Months (Robert Pete Williams) #
- I'm Gonna Leave You Mama (Guitar Welch) #
- I'm Lonesome Blues (Robert Pete Williams) #
- Angola Bound (A Capella Group)
- Worried Blues (Hogman Maxey)
- Josephine (Guitar Welch)
- Soldier's Plea (Clara Young)
- The Moon Is Rising (Odea Mathews)
- I'm Still In Love With You (Thelma Mae Joseph)
- I Miss You So (Vocal Group)
- Hello, Sue (Butterbeans)
- Fast Life Woman (Hogman Maxey)
- Careless Love (Otis Webster)
- Have You Ever Heard The Church Bells Tone (Roosevelt Charles/Otis Webster)
- 61 Highway (Guitar Welch)
- Strike At Camp I (Roosevelt Charles)

# from Arhoolie LP 2011
all others previously unreleased

rec. between 1952 and 1960
Angola State Penitentiary
Louisiana
by Harry Oster

Arhoolie CD 419

Robert Pete Williams
discography

199?

Smoky Babe, Herman E. Johnson: Louisiana Country Blues

Smoky Babe
- I'm Broke And I'm Hungry
- Too Many Women
- Two Wings
- Mississippi River
- My Baby She Told Me
- Rabbit Blues
- Black Ghost
- Ain't Got No Rabbit Dog
- Bad Whiskey
- Black Gal
- My Baby Put Me Down
- Going Back Home
- Regular Blues
Herman E. Johnson
- I Just Keeps On Wanting You
- You Don't Know My Mind
- Motherless Children
- Depression Blues
- She's A-Looking For Me
- She Had Been Drinking
- I'm Growing Older
- Po' Boy
- Leavin' Blues
- Piano Blues
- Where The Mansion's Prepared For Me

Smoky Babe rec. in 1960 by Harry Oster in Scotlandville, La.; previously issued on Folklyric LP 118 and Arhoolie LP 2019

Herman E. Johnson rec. in 1961 by Harry Oster in Baton Rouge, La.; previously issued on Arhoolie LP 1060

Arhoolie CD 440

Smoky Babe discography

199?

Prison Worksongs

Rodney Mason, Rev. Rogers & Roosevelt Charles
- Berta
Guitar Welch, Hogman Maxey & Andy Mosley
- Take This Hammer
Rev. Rogers, Rodney Mason & Smith
- Stewball
Odea Mathews
- Five Long Years for One Man
Guitar Welch, Hogman Maxey & Andy Mosley
- Alberta Let Your Bangs Grow Long
James Russel & Gang
- I Had Five Long Years
Johnny Butler & Gang
- Early In The Mornin'

Roosevelt Charles, Davis & Rodney Mason
- All Teamed Up in Angola's Mule Lot
Willy Rafus & Gang
- I Got a Hurtin' In My Right Side
Rodney Mason, Willy Rafus & Davis
- Let Your Hammer Ring
Willy Rafus, Andy Mosley & Johnny Butler
- Cleaning This Highway
Guitar Welch, Hogman Maxey & Robert Pete Williams
- John Henry
Odea Mathews
- Something Within Me
Murray Macon
- Jesus Cares
Emanuel Dunn
- Working On The Levee (Part 1)
- Working On The Levee (Part 2)
Big Louisiana
- Take This Hammer
Creola Scott/Ceola Scott
- Pickin' Cotton All Day Long
Emanuel Dunn
- My Mule "Grey"

rec. 1959 in Angola State Penitentiary, LA by Harry Oster

notes by Harry Oster
& Chris Strachwitz

Arhoolie CD 448

Robert Pete Williams
discography

2002

Reverend Pearly Brown: You're Gonna Need That Pure Religion

- God Don't Never Change *
- Just A Closer Walk With Thee *
- You're Gonna Need That Pure Religion *
- Savior, Don't You Pass Me By *
- Motherless Children *
- Oh What A Morning *
- I Must See Jesus *
- Nobody's Fault But Mine *
- I Know It Was The Blood *
- By And By (I'm Gonna See The King) *
- Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning *
- If I Never See You Anymore *
- Ninety-Nine And A Half Won't Do *
- It's A Mean Old World *
- The Great Speckled Bird *
- Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning (2)
- You Gotta Move
- I'm On My Way To The Canaan Land
- Good By
- What A Morning (2)

* rec. 1961 in Macon, Georgia by Harry Oster and Richard Allen
remaining tracks rec. 1974 at KPFA Radio in Berkeley, CA by Chris Strachwitz; Pearly Brown, voc, g; Christine Brown, voc; Bob Young, hca; Duane Cox, washtub b; previously unissued
cover photo by Chris Strachwitz

Rev. Pearly Brown discography

Folk-Lyric FL 108

original notes by Harry
Oster & new notes
by Chris Strachwitz

Arhoolie CD 9025 (US 2002)

Arhoolie Records discography

2003

Angola Prison Spirituals

Andy Mosely & Robert Pete Williams
- I'm On My Way
Robert Pete Williams
- Church On Fire With The Word Of God
Robert "Guitar" Welch
- What Shall I Do
Angola Quartet
- Brother Norah
Tom Dutson & Robert Pete Williams
- Little School Song
Robert Pete Williams
- Dyin' Soul
Roosevelt Charles
- Let My People Go
Robert Pete Williams
- So Much Is Happenin' In The News
Tom Dutson & Robert Pete Williams
- Dig My Grave With A Silver Spade
Andy Mosely & "Hogman" Maxey
- Brother Mosely Crossed The Water
Angola Quartet No. 2
- I'm Stranded On The Banks Of Jordan
Robert Pete Williams
- I'm Goin' Back With Him When He Comes
Rev. Benjamin E. Osborne
- The Old Ship Of Zion
Robert Pete Williams
- When I Lay My Burden Down
Angola Quartet
- See How They Done My Lord
- Be With Me Jesus
Angola Vocal Group
- Rise And Fly
Andy Mosely & "Hogman" Maxey
- I Know I Got Religion
- Jesus
Angola Choir
- I Take Jesus (Do Lord, Remember Me)
- Each Day (Life's Evening Sun)r
- Steal Away

rec. 1959 in Angola State Penitentiary, LA by Harry Oster

notes by Harry Oster
& Chris Strachwitz

= Arhoolie CD 9036

Robert Pete Williams
discography

2007

Negro Prison Blues and Songs
"Recorded live at the Mississippi and Louisiana State Penitentiaries By Alan Lomax" [sic]

- The Murderer's Home - Jimpson and Group
- No More, My Lord - Jimpson and Group
- Old Alabama - B.B. and Group
- Black Woman - B.B. and Group
- Jumpin' Judy - Walter "Tangle Eye" Jackson
- Whoa Buck - C.B.
- Prettiest Train - "22"
- Old Dollar Mamie - "22"
- It Makes A Long Time Man Feel Bad - "22"
- Rosie - C.B. And Axe Gang
- Levee Camp Holler (interview) - D.W. "Bama" Stuart
- What Makes A Work Song Leader? (interview) - D.W. "Bama" Stuart
- Early In The Mornin' - "22", Little Red, Tangle Eye & Hard Hair
- How I Got In The Penitentiary (interview) - D.W. "Bama" Stuart
- Tangle Eye Blues - Walter "Tangle Eye" Jackson
- Stackerlee - D.W. "Bama" Stuart
- Prison Blues - Alex
- Duckin' And Dodgin' - Hogman Maxey #
- My Baby Got To Go - John Henry Jackson & A.C. Craig #
- Penitentiary Blues - Otis Webster #
- Lonesome Blues - Guitar Welch #
- They'll Miss Me When I'm Gone - Jesse Butcher & Guitar Welch #
- Rock Me Mama - Hogman Maxey #

# from Tradition TR 2066

notes claim all tracks coming from Alan Lomax recordings --- no mention of Harry Oster !

Collectables COL-CD-0850

2007

Blues From The Big House - Southern Prison Songs
The Alan Lomax and Harry Oster Recordings

disc 1
- Murder's Home - "Jimpson" & five others
- No More, My Lawd - "Jimpson" and men with axes
- Old Alabama - "B.B." and six others
- Black Woman - "B.B." and six others
- Jumpin' Judy - "Tangle Eye", "Fuzzy Red", "Hard Hair" and others
- Whoa Buck - "C.B."
- Prettiest Train - "22" with group
- Old Dollar Mamie - "22" with group
- Makes A Long Time Man Feel Bad - "22" with group
- Rosie - "C.B." and ten others with axes
- Levee Camp Holler - "Bama"
- What Makes A Work Song Leader? - (Interview with prisoners)
- Early In The Mornin' - "22", "Little Red", "Tangle Eye" and "Hard Hair"
- How I Got In The Penitentiary - (Interview)
- Tangle Eye Blues - "Tangle Eye"
- Stackerlee - "Bama"
- Prison Blues - "Alex"

disc 2
- Duckin' And Dodgin' - Hogman Maxey
- My Baby's Got To Go - John Henry Jackson
- Penitentiary Blues - Otis Webster
- Lonesome Blues - Guitar Welch
- They'll Miss Me When I'm Gone - Jesse Butcher & Guitar Welch
- Rock Me Mama - Hogman Maxey
- Boll Weevil Blues - Guitar Welch
- Hard-Headed Woman - Hogman Maxey
- Standing At The Greyhound Bus Station - Otis Webster
- Tell Me Pretty Baby - John Henry Jackson
- Ball And Chain For Me - Otis Webster [previously unissued]
- Bad Luck Blues - Guitar Welch
- Goin' Home To My Old Used To Be - The Cool Cats

disc 2 formerly Tradition TR 2066

Essential 942311027

2014

Smoky Babe: Way Back in the Country Blues
the lost Dr. Oster recordings

- Boss Man Blues @ Spotify
- Backyard Boogie @ youtube @ Spotify
- Bad Luck And Trouble @ Spotify
- Diggin' My Potatoes @ Spotify
- What's Wrong With You @ Spotify
- Chicago Bound @ Spotify
- If I Had Listened To What My Mama Say @ Spotify

- On Mr. Walter's Farm @ Spotify
- I'm Going Home On The Morning Train @ Spotify
- I'm Goin' Away Baby °° @ Spotify
- Way Back In The Country Blues @ Spotify
- Shake, Shake Mattie @ Spotify
- I'm Wild About You, Black Gal °° @ Spotify
- Arkansas Blues °° @ Spotify
- Terraplane Blues °° @ Spotify
- Goin' Home Blues @ Spotify
- Boogie Gal @ Spotify

°° CD bonus tracks

rec. February 1960 in Scotlandville, LA and August 1961 in Vance, MS by Harry Oster; edited and prod. by Chris Strachwitz and Adam Machado

Smoky Babe discography

notes by Adam Machado

Arhoolie LP 548 (US 2014)

notes by Adam Machado

(=) Arhoolie CD 548 (US 2014)

Arhoolie Records discography

Additional information appreciated !!!

Sources / Further reading:
- Eric LeBlanc: A Tribute to Dr. Harry Oster, discography/bibliography
- Harry Oster: The evolution of Folk-Lyric Records. - Blues & Rhythm # 95 (1994), p. 10-12
- own record collection
- ebay auctions
- diverse other internet resources

thanks to Alan Balfour, Chris Smith, Alistair Banfield, Robert Ford, Steve Franz, Max Hoeffner and Benoît Brière for additional info / scans

[ Harry Oster recording P E R C Y R A N D O L P H (most likely January/February 1958 in New Orleans); source: Les Génies du Blues, Volume 2.- Paris (Editions Atlas) 1993, p. 67 ('D.I.T.E. / I.P.S.' [French photo agency]; photographer's name not given); click to enlarge! ](oster/grafik/oster34.jpg)
Harry Oster recording Percy Randolph
(most likely January/February 1958 in New Orleans)
source: Les Génies du Blues, Volume 2.- Paris (Editions Atlas) 1993, p. 67
("D.I.T.E. / I.P.S." [French photo agency]; photographer's name not given)

Dr. Harry Oster; source: Arhoolie Records webpage; photographer: Joan Liffring
source: Arhoolie Records webpage; photographer: Joan Liffring

Edward Oster (Harry Oster's brother) at his store

(founded in 1962 as "Central Sales Co.", in 1998 changed to "Guitar Stop")

Harry Oster: Living Country Blues
1969 Folklore Associates (first edition) / 1975 Minerva Press reprint
(scans courtesy Alan Balfour)