Folksongs of the Other America: Field Recordings from the Upper Midwest, 1937-1946

FAIN: FT-56641-09

James P. Leary
University of Wisconsin System (Madison, WI 53715-1218)

Partial support is sought to complete a multi-CD/book package documenting significant recordings made from 1937-1946 for the Library of Congress with performers from more than 25 indigenous and immigrant groups in the Upper Midwest. In summer 2009 and during a sabbatical for the 2009-2010 academic year (drawing on expense funds from a UW-Madison Kellett Research grant) I will complete key tasks already begun: 1) locating (if still unknown) and contacting descendants for permission to include performances; 2) acquiring additional biographical information and photographs; 3) in a few instances where knowledge is lacking, conducting field research on the legacy of performers from the 1930s and 1940s; 4) providing descendants with copies of their ancestors' field recordings; 5) supplying translators with copies of relevant recordings; 6) working with a sound technician to create "master" CDs; 7) writing and editing the accompanying book putting the recordings in context.

Media Coverage

(Review)
Publication: see Decscription box for many instances
Date: 12/23/2021
Abstract: This publication/production resulted in both reviews and media coverage from too many sources/reviewers/bloggers to list.
URL: https://uwpress.wisc.edu/books/5231.htm

Associated Products

Folksongs of Another America: Field Recordings from the Upper Midwest, 1937-1946 (Book)
Title: Folksongs of Another America: Field Recordings from the Upper Midwest, 1937-1946
Author: James P Leary
Abstract: Challenging and considerably broadening popular and scholarly definitions of American folk music, Folksongs of Another America recovers the diverse, multilingual traditions of immigrant, Native American, rural, and working-class performers in America's Upper Midwest during the 1930s and 1940s. The book extensively documents 187 tunes and songs in more than twenty-five languages, with full original lyrics and English translations, biographical notes on the performers and field workers, and many historic photographs. Spanning ballads, hymns, laments, versified taunts, political anthems, street cries, and recitations, these performances were captured during a tranformative era in American history and culture.
Year: 2015
Primary URL: https://uwpress.wisc.edu/books/5231.htm
Primary URL Description: University of Wisconsin Press page for this publication
Secondary URL: https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AFSOAA
Secondary URL Description: Folksongs of Another America is a multi-media project comprised of a book, five compact disks, and a DVD/film. Free access to the sound files on the five CDs and the film are available at the secondary URL, thanks to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Library.
Publisher: Co-publication, University of Wisconsin Press and Dust-to-Digital
Type: Other
ISBN: 978-299301507
Copy sent to NEH?: No

Folksongs of Another America: Field Recordings from the Upper Midwest, 1937-1946 (Radio/Audio Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Folksongs of Another America: Field Recordings from the Upper Midwest, 1937-1946
Writer: James P Leary
Producer: James P Leary
Abstract: Challenging and considerably broadening popular and scholarly definitions of American folk music, Folksongs of Another America recovers the diverse, multilingual traditions of immigrant, Native American, rural, and working-class performers in America's Upper Midwest during the 1930s and 1940s. The book extensively documents 187 tunes and songs in more than twenty-five languages, with full original lyrics and English translations, biographical notes on the performers and field workers, and many historic photographs. Spanning ballads, hymns, laments, versified taunts, political anthems, street cries, and recitations, these performances were captured during a tranformative era in American history and culture. The companion musical tracks and documentary film will be freely available for listening, viewing, or download through a partnership with the University of Wisconsin Libraries' Digital Collections Center.
Date: 07/01/2009
Primary URL: https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AFSOAA
Primary URL Description: Access to all digital sound files originally issued on CD to accompany the Folksongs of Another America book. Thanks to the Digital Collections Center in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Library, in cooperation with University of Wisconsin Press, the sound files can be streamed or downloaded.
Secondary URL: https://dust-digital.com/products/folksongs-of-another-america-field-recordings-from-the-upper-midwest-1937-1946
Secondary URL Description: Folksongs of Another America was a book/5 CD/DVD co-publication of University of Wisconsin Press and Dust-to-Digital. The original publication is out-of-print. UW Press has published a paperback edition, sans CDs/DVD, and made the sound files & film freely available. Dust-to-Digital, the secondary URL creator, offers a PDF of the book and digital files as downloads.
Access Model: Open Access to sound recordings
Format: CD
Format: Digital File
Format: Web

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