Anthology of American Folk Music

Anthology of American Folk Music is a landmark compilation assembled by collector Harry Smith in the early 1950s that gathers pre-World War II recordings across blues, country, folk, Cajun, gospel and country blues traditions. The tracks, drawn from 78 rpm-era commercial and regional sources, emphasize raw acoustic performances, solo blues singers, string bands and regional dance tunes, and the set's sequencing and notes helped shape later folk and roots revivals. The sound ranges from sparse country blues and narrative ballads to lively fiddle and Cajun numbers, offering a broad introduction to American vernacular music of the 1920s and 1930s.