Leadbelly: A Tribute
(which also has been released under the title
A Tribute to Leadbelly
) is the recording of a concert held at Hunter College in New York City organized by
Leadbelly'
s nephew,
Tiny Robinson
, and featuring three acts:
Pete Seeger
&
Arlo Guthrie
,
Sonny Terry
Brownie McGhee
, and the
Lunenberg Travelers
. Serving as openers, the
present the gospel side of
Leadbelly
in the songs
"You Must Have That True Religion"
and
"I Know It Was the Blood."
Terry
McGhee
have a four-song set devoted to
the bluesinger that includes a tribute song,
"The Best of Friends,"
and a ten-minute exploration of
"John Henry."
Headliners
Seeger
Guthrie
then take up the bulk of the program with a
-oriented version of their usual folk tag team, alternately exhorting and instructing the audience in how to sing along on
favorites they have performed extensively elsewhere.
traces the development of the folk song that became
the Weavers
hit
"Kisses Sweeter Than Wine"
through
s intercession, while
repeats his version of
"On a Monday"
previously heard on the
/
album
Together in Concert
. Everyone comes back for a three-song encore of
"Midnight Special,"
"Meeting at the Building,"
"Good Night Irene."
It makes for an excellent representation of some of
s most memorable material, performed by people directly influenced by him. ~ William Ruhlmann