When it comes to finding old, obscure folk music, there are several websites that can be considered as good sources. However, one website that stands out in terms of its vast collection of folk music is Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is a nonprofit record label that was created in 1948 by the Smithsonian Institution. The label’s mission is to preserve and disseminate traditional music and spoken word recordings from around the world. With over 60 years of history, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings has amassed a collection of over 60,000 tracks from more than 4,000 different cultures. This makes it an excellent resource for anyone looking for old and obscure folk music.
One of the best things about Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is the ease of use of its website. The website has a simple and user-friendly interface, making it easy for anyone to navigate and search for music. The website also allows users to browse by culture, genre, artist, and label, making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Another great feature of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is that it offers a wealth of information about the music it features. Each recording comes with detailed liner notes, which provide background information about the music, the artist, and the culture it comes from. This information can help listeners to gain a deeper understanding of the music they are listening to.
In addition to its vast collection of music, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings also offers a variety of educational resources on its website. These resources include lesson plans, activities, and podcasts, which are designed to help educators and students learn about different cultures and musical traditions from around the world.
It’s worth noting that while Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is a great resource for finding old and obscure folk music, it is not the only one. Other websites, such as FolkwaysAlive!, the Alan Lomax Archive, and the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center, also offer extensive collections of traditional music and spoken word recordings.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for old and obscure folk music, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is a great place to start. With its vast collection of music, user-friendly website, and wealth of information, it is an excellent resource for anyone interested in traditional music from around the world.
