Leadbelly back up vocalist?

Subject: Lead Belly back up vocalist?
From: Bret Maiers
Date: 23 May 99 - 10:24 AM

I'm looking for the name of the singer who accomponies Lead Belly on "Outshine the Sun" & "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen". These versions are on the album "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" released on Rounder Records (Also known as The Library of Congress Recordings Vol. 5) Any info on where I might be able to find more recordings by this singer would also be welcome. Thank you in advance.

Subject: RE: Lead Belly back up vocalist?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 23 May 99 - 12:05 PM

Hi Bret. Haven't heard the cuts, but Leadbelly recorded cuts with singers: Josh White, Golden Gate Quartet, Woody, Cisco, Sonny, Bess Lomax, Pete, Alan Lomax and Martha Promise(Ledbetter) Was it any of those?
rick

Subject: RE: Lead Belly back up vocalist?
From: Bret Maiers
Date: 23 May 99 - 05:51 PM

I think I can eliminate all of those except Josh White, Alan Lomax, & Martha Promise. I don't believe I've heard these folks sing before. The vocals are what could be described as a forced falsetto(sp?). I guess it could also be Sonny because I don't think I have anything with him singing for any extended amount of time. Does this help narrow down the field any? Rick, thanks for responding & I would just like to quickly add that I'm pretty new to this site (2-3 months) and I just love it. I've only been listening to early folk music for about five years but I have learned more at this site in two months then in the last half decade. Everytime I click on here I end up going away with a smile, some new knowledge, & a good feeling about the people that frequent this site and the sincere fellowship that they show towards one another. It sure is a breath of fresh air. Thanks everyone.

Subject: RE: Lead Belly back up vocalist?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 23 May 99 - 11:16 PM

Hi Bret. Welcome. Leadbelly gets my vote for most original folk musician ever. Hmmm sounds awfully like his wife Martha. Leadbelly sang very high so most of the guys would sing under him. Cisco occasionally used falsetto with Woody and might have with Leadbelly, but til I hear it I'll go with Martha.

Subject: RE: Lead Belly back up vocalist?
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 May 99 - 11:48 PM

This is almost like the "Influential Folkie" thread with the twist here on originality. And just a few minutes ago on another thread, I was making a similar case for Bill Monroe. And maybe original isn't the right word for either of them............When we were on the other thread, influential was an easier concept. Both of these men were major influences not so much on the process as on the style/format that American folk music took. Instrument types, playing styles, harmonies, the pulling together of so many elements into something completely new...very creative men.

catspaw