Freedom: The Golden Gate Quartet & Josh White at the Library of Congress

by Golden Gate Quartet

Overview

In 1940, the Golden Gate Quartet and Josh White performed a historical concert at the Library of Congress celebrating the 75th anniversary of the 13th amendment, but it wasn't just any regular concert: alongside Sterling A. Brown and Alan Lomax, Alain Locke spoke of the history behind the songs, all of which is contained here. The historical significance of Freedom is huge; it is an aural document of efforts (much written about) to reach out, communicate, and educate across racial boundaries via entertainment -- arguably the most successful route to blur the lines. It's a remarkable document and a wonderful performance by both the Golden Gate Quartet and Josh White. Interestingly, Freedom was recorded the same year Congress passed the Alien Registration Act, the law which directly led to the McCarthyism which devoured White's successful career in 1950 because of his involvement with Paul Robeson in similar engagements such as this. ~ Gregory McIntosh

Product Details

Release Date:	02/26/2002
Label:	BRIDGE
UPC:	0090404911422

Tracks

1. Freedom  -  Golden Gate Quartet
2. The Negro Spiritual  - Alain Locke  -  Golden Gate Quartet  - Josh White
3. Noah  -  Golden Gate Quartet  -  Traditional
4. I'm So Glad (Trouble Don't Last Always)  -  Golden Gate Quartet
5. We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder  -  Golden Gate Quartet
6. Oh Mary, Don't You Weep  -  Golden Gate Quartet
7. Traveling Shoes  -  Golden Gate Quartet  -  Traditional
8. How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone?  - Leroy Carr  - Josh White
9. What Are the Blues?  -  Dr. Sterling Brown  -  Golden Gate Quartet  - Josh White
10. Poor Lazarus  -  Golden Gate Quartet  - Josh White
11. John Henry  -  Golden Gate Quartet  -  Traditional  - Josh White
12. The Social Song  -  Dr. Sterling Brown  -  Golden Gate Quartet  - Josh White
13. Silicosis Blues  - Josh White
14. Trouble  -  Golden Gate Quartet  -  Traditional  - Josh White
15. Introduction With Juba Recitation  - Willie Johnson  - Alan Lomax  -  Golden Gate Quartet  - Josh White
16. Old Dan Tucker  -  Golden Gate Quartet  -  Public Domain  - Josh White
17. Introduction to Mr. Rabbit  -  Golden Gate Quartet  - Alan Lomax
18. Mr. Rabbit, Your Ear's Mighty Long  -  Golden Gate Quartet  - Josh White
19. The Negro Work Song  -  Golden Gate Quartet  - Alan Lomax
20. The Railroad Workers Camp  -  Golden Gate Quartet  - Alan Lomax
21. Negro Song Afterword  -  Golden Gate Quartet  - Alan Lomax
22. Rock My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham  -  Golden Gate Quartet  - Josh White
23. Run, Sinner, Run  -  Golden Gate Quartet  - Josh White

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Golden Gate Quartet   Primary Artist
Josh White   Primary Artist
Dr. Sterling Brown   Primary Artist
Alain Locke   Primary Artist
Willie Johnson   Primary Artist
Alan Lomax   Primary Artist,Guest Artist

Technical Credits

David Starobin   Producer,Annotation,Editing
Becky Starobin   Producer
Josh White   Composer,Performer
Public Domain   Composer
Adam Abeshouse   Mastering,Restoration
Donna Williams   Concert Coordinator
Pete Ciccone   Graphic Design
Horace Clarence Boyer   Annotation,Liner Notes
Willie Johnson   Performer
Alan Lomax   Commentary,Performer
Leroy Carr   Composer
Silas Brown   Editing
Alexis Napoliello   Coloration
Traditional   Composer
Sterling A. Brown   Commentary