Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 02:24 PM

Miriam Makeba, I should have said.

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 02:23 PM

Should Harry Belafonte and Miriam really be in this list? I know they have spent part of their lives in the USA, but surely he is more Afro Caribbean and she is, well, African African?

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 02:14 PM

Belafonte

~S~

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 12:04 PM

Kim and Reggie Harris a shocking ommission so far ...

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: pdq
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 11:58 AM

Here is a photo of...

                                       Rhiannon Giddens

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 11:55 AM

%#@*&!!!

Almost forgot (how could I!?) Elizabeth Cotten!

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: Claymore
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 11:36 AM

In seconding Gregs comments above I should point out that Rhiannon Giddens of the Choclate Drops, and Sparky both maintain that blacks did not have their "folk" contributions "stolen" from them, they let them go.

Rhiannon is very strong in the Scottish folk song community from Cape Fear, NC and calls contra dances up and down the east coast. She is very strong in dialect from Gullah to Broad Scots to Appalachian al la Elizabeth LaPrelle. About five years ago she was the featured singer at a Burns Night in Charlottesville, VA, and took the house with "Red Is The Rose".

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: artbrooks
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 11:05 AM

I believe that DDPro has said else where that he/she is Chinese.

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 10:59 AM

DDPro's previous posts seem to indicate English is a second language. Give him/her some slack folks. Have to admit "Waiting for an answer" gave me a moment's pause.. LOL

Harry Belafonte?

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 10:54 AM

Miriam Makeba? Paul Robson? Odetta?

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 10:46 AM

Can DDPro possibly be from another culture? The cadence of his/her words makes me think so.

Miriam Makeba, Ritchie Havens...

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 10:12 AM

He can't be serious if he didn't Leadbelly was black.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 08:58 AM

DDPro-

Try checking out Sparky Rucker. Certainly Odetta. Certainly Jackie Washington and Josh White (senior and junior). Another contemporary singer is Taj Mahal.

Is this really a serious question?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 06:08 AM

Well, thanks!
I have heard some songs of Leadbelly (When I Was A Cowboy, etc) but I didn't know he was an African American until you tell me! Quite funny, I think.

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 05:32 AM

Well, I wouldn't know where to start answering your question. How about trying Leadbelly and Robert Johnson, and then move on from there as your tastes develop? Or, if you want people a bit younger and alive, try that banjo lot, or the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Subject: RE: Any African American sing 'FOLK' songs?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 04:54 AM

Keb Mo signs and plays blues, and so does Guy Davis. Blues can fall within the 1954 definition.

Subject: Any African American sing FOLK songs?
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 04:24 AM

I have never heard any African American singing folk songs. Do African Americans only sing Jazz song, or some of the African Americans also sing folk songs?
Waiting for an answer.