The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #15709   Message #142185
Posted By: Doctor John
29-Nov-99 - 01:23 PM
Thread Name: Recordings of Tom Joad?
Subject: RE: Recordings of Tom Joad?
Woody recorded "Tom Joad" (2 parts) for RCA Victor in 1940. You can find the ballad on Rounder CD "Dust Bowl Ballads" ( CD1040)which includes all the 14 he recorded in 1940, although only 12 were released (in 2 78rpm albums) at the time. It has appeared on 10" and 12" Folkways LP's in the past (presumably still available by special order from SF as tape or CD) but this is the same as the Victor recording. I understand shortly after the initial release of the original records, Victor, learning of Woody's left wing activities ,withdrew the albums from sale. Moses Asch, with Woody's encouragement but without Victor's permission ,took copies and released them himself (quite rightly too in my view). I don't think he made another recording of it. There's a version by Cisco Houston on a Vanguard LP (I Ain't Got No Home) but I think it's no longer available. Dr John