Jim, Thanks very much for all your hard work. Now I'll have to start saving my money to buy the Bear Family boxed set. I also enjoyed reading the obituary and letters about Asbell in the ASJA Newsletter. Thanks.

The issue of the spelling of Asbell's name is an interesting one. Every reference I can find pertaining to Asbell's folk singing days uses the Asbel spelling. I also found an obituary of Alan Lomax by Irwin Silber in which Silber uses the single “l” spelling. I think Silber actually knew Asbell. Perhaps Asbell changed the spelling when he became a published and respected author. Perhaps it had something to do with the blacklist. It'll be interesting to find some details on the change.

I also discovered that Song Of My Hands was recorded by Barbara Dane on her 1973 album “I Hate The Capitalist System.” Now there's another album I've got to go find.

      - Mark