Illinois Humanities Council 0703

This is the third CD volume in the Folksongs of Illinois series, produced with funding and obvious loving encouragement from the Illinois Humanities Council. I wish every state in the country would take their lead.

This series establishes a broad, and I mean wonderfully broad, definition of folk music that includes blues, gospel, country, traditional ballads and ethnic sounds from a diverse population scattered throughout the Prairie State. The recordings range from almost the earliest possible to material generated specifically for this project.

Folksongs of Illinois #3 opens with electric blues from the stockyards and ends with a new recording of the traditional song, "Way Down In Shawneetown." In between you'll find songs and tunes from obscure ethnic groups like the Kosatka Concertina Quartette and Eddie Terlikowski with Little Wally Jagiello, as well as some familiar Illinois heroes like Big Bill Broonzy and Old Town School of Folk Music founder, Win Stracke. Prepare yourself to be stunned by the sheer power of the voice of Mahalia Jackson and charmed by famed children's performer, Ella Jenkins. I was also glad to hear a brief conversation between Studs Terkel and Big Bill Broonzy preceeding the courageous recording of "Black, Brown, And White Blues."

The Package comes complete with informative and scholarly liner notes including short essays on collecting folk music, music on records and radio, public folklore and revivalists. There is also a delightful illustration of Mr. Broonzy on the cover, created by Heather McAdams.

I applaud the Illinois Humanities Council for recognizing the importance of documenting and sharing the important musical culture of the state of Illinois. I applaud as well the dozens of artists who contributed to this ambitious undertaking.

Michigan? Florida? Maine? You're next! -- MW

Originally published in print: Sing Out! Vol. 52 #1 Spring 2008