Abby: Too many examples of dishonesty in reference to sources, unreported collations of texts from various sources, including using without credit material previously printed by others (often attached to tunes from other sources), allowing the myth of his role in getting Leadbelly out of prison to remain a popular legend in the folk world, the outrageous exploitation of Leadbelly and Iron Head Baker, paternalistic racism, etc., etc.

John A. Lomax did a lot GREAT collecting, preserving and disseminating much of the most powerful and beautiful music ever recorded in this country, but Porterfield and Wilgus have both made it very clear that his publications are surprisingly deceptive. I also feel that no one should have the right to "own" traditional American folksong, regardless of our debt to them for the gathering of it.

Sandy