Alan Lomax

Lomax's impact on the 20th century is incalculable. The folklorist and musicologist's field recordings of both American and international artists not only helped spawn the folk revival, but the world music movement as well. This sampler is a perfect introduction to Lomax's massive discography. You get to taste just about everything: African American work songs, calypso, Irish folk, delta blues, Appalachian balladry. There's even some anti-fascist hell-raising courtesy of Mr. Woody Guthrie.