"Black Betty"

[Avante]

I think this is the first recording of this old time classic.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaQv3Cl06ow

Ironhead Baker and a gang of convicts at a Texs prison farm.

[Katherine Robinson]

The beautiful thing about older recording is that they are practically virgin in that this was a time there wasn't much of a technique to alter recordings and editing was very subtle if even existent. You hear what you would hear if you were actually there, minus sound quality of course.

[Avante]

The beautiful thing about older recording is that they are practically virgin in that this was a time there wasn't much of a technique to alter recordings and editing was very subtle if even existent. You hear what you would hear if you were actually there, minus sound quality of course.

The great Lead Belly was first recorded in Angola Prison as was another great Robert Pete Williams. Both Muddy Waters and Mississippi Fred McDowell were first recorded on their front porch. All by portable recording units. Fantastic stuff.