Here’s a great idea that I hope other institutions will pick up. The state-funded Florida Folklife Collection has released two collections of folk music taken from the state’s vast archives. The music reflects the wide cultural diversity in Florida.

More Music For The Florida Folklife Collection is a marvelous compilation. Most of it was recorded at the Florida Folk Festival with superb sound quality. You will find some major names here like Doc Watson, Bill Monroe, and Etta Baker. But some of the real gems are from lesser known artists who may have been forgotten if it wasn’t for Folk Art research projects like this. It’s hard to pick favorites from such a high quality collection but I’ll try. Don Groom sings in “I Believe” about a dream world where “Elvis is alive and Jimmy Hoffa’s comin’ home someday” Thelma Bolton and Tom Walton sings a rousing blues about “Butter Beans”. There’s classic bluegrass by the Stanley Brothers from a 1956 radio broadcast. Jeannie Fitchens’ “Cruel Mother” is a beautiful folk ballad in the traditional style. Finally, James Kelly’s fiddling on “Wellington’s Reel” is simply amazing.

The album is available in downloadable 256kbps MP3. There are WMA and RA files but they seem to be streaming only. There is a volume one that you can find here but it unfortunately does not meet this site’s criteria as there are no separate downloadable tracks. But don’t despair. You can request a complimentary CD from the state archives!

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