I didn't get to hear the Anthology until 6 or 7 years ago, but I was familiar with so much of the material it was llike meeting an old friend, and some new ones. Speaking of which, I did get to meet Harry Smith when I worked at the New York Folklore center in the '70's. He was just as strange as people said he was, but what magnificent work he did!
The Anthology seems to have set the course of the underground music scene since it came out 50 years ago.

HERE'S TO HARRY SMITH, MAY HIS NAME FOREVER STAND,
MAY HE ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED BY THE FOLKIES THROUGH THE LAND,
NOW HIS RACE IS OVER AND THE CURTAIN ROUND HIM FALLS,
MAY HIS SPIRIT EVER LINGER ON THE WABASH CANNONBALL!

Mark Ross