From tales of jealous lovers to gunslinging outlaws and assassins, American roots music has long embraced the concept of the murder ballad. These seminal recordings offer an intriguing insight into this macabre genre which continues to be reinvented by musicians to this day. This Rough guide offers a unique insight into the American tradition of the murder ballad, and includes seminal renditions of the legendary folk standards 'Stack- O- Lee', 'Frankie and Johnny' and 'Tom Dooley'. Featuring the legendary blues divas Bessie Smith and Victoria Spivey, plus pioneering country musicians Jimmie Rodgers, Charlie Poole and B.F. Shelton.
Track Listing:
1. Pretty Polly - B.F. Shelton
2. Frankie and Johnny - Jimmie Rodgers
3. Billy Lyons and Stack O'Lee - Furry Lewis
4. Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair - Bessie Smith
5. Tom Dooley - Grayson & Whitter
6. Charles Guiteau - Kelly Harrell
7. Old John Hardy - Clarence Ashley
8. Louis Collins - Mississippi John Hurt
9. Railroad Bill - Will Bennett
10. Murder in the First Degree - Victoria Spivey
11. Henry Lee - Dick Justice
12. White House Blues - Charlie Poole & The North Carolina Ramblers
Year of Production: 2024
