Previously I reviewed More Music From The Florida Folklife Collection. I also complained that the first volume, which was not reviewed, did not have downloadable tracks in MP3. It appears someone with the Florida Folklife Archives heard me as it now has separate downloadable tracks! So here is a bonus for you readers; an official review and link to the original Music From The Florida Folklife Collection!

This first collection uses very obscure artists and has a traditional grass roots feeling. The recordings were recorded over a longer period of time. The earliest one is a 1939 recording of author and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston singing an old work song, “Shove It Over”. Most are from the Florida Folk Festivals of the 1950s and 1980s. Others are field recordings. Again, picking highlights is difficult. There’s moving 1956 gospel from the Amigo Male Singers. Archie Lee gives an funny and unique take on “The Arkansas Traveler”. You can find ‘Ol’ Timey Music’ in “The Old Country Church” and “Devil’s Dream”. Little Benny Cox’s “Just Got Married” is delightful even though the song is a bit strange coming from an 11 year old boy. The Blues fans will delight in Moses Williams’ “Which Way Did My Baby Go”. It is all brought together with some nice Latino tracks, an Native American chant, and some spoken narratives. Due to it’s reliance on older recordings and mostly unknown non-professional talent, I must say this is more of a archival collection than the first and may be more representative of Florida folk heritage than the second volume.

The MP3s are recorded in 128 kbps MP3. I would ask you to support the artists but I have a feeling you may not hear most of these musicians anyplace else!

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