Burl Ives records: Historical America in Song

Subject: Burl Ives records
From: Pablo
Date: 09 Apr 00 - 12:49 PM

My 1953 (Vintage Press) Burl Ives paperback songbook includes a list of his LPs at the back. He had a whole series released by Encyclopedia Britannica Films that included discs covering different historical periods. I wanted to try and get his versions of songs from the Revolutionary War era. Do the discs exist, or must we wait until the great MIDI cornucopia of the future gets around to these? Anyone have a clue--any librarians reading this?

So many thanks. Pablo

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: Pablo
Date: 09 Apr 00 - 01:51 PM

Number 2 of the 6-album series Historical America in Song, is "Songs of the Revolution." It includes: The Escape of John Web, I Know Where I'm Going, My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free, On Springfield Mountain, Chester, What A Court Hath Old England, Ballad of the Tea Party, The Boston Tea Tax, White Cockade, Free America, Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier, Yankee Doodle, Rifleman's Song at Bennington, The Battle of the Kegs, Ballad of Saratoga, Cornwallis Country Dance, Sir Peter Parker, Yankee Man o'War, Skip-to-My-Lou, Careless Love, and Wayfaring Stranger.

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: raredance
Date: 09 Apr 00 - 10:10 PM

I have seen two of the 6 record boxed sets with book on Ebay in the last year (that probably means there were mopre because I don't follow it religiously). I initially bid on both that I saw, but they went for more than I was willing to pay. I found a listing for the set in a nearby universty library. I was there a week ago and checked out a cassette copy of the LPs. The catalog listing indicated the record was in the "humanities" department, the main library only had the tape copies. the reference librarian was not there and the weekend student staff had no idea where to look for the LPs and the book if they still exist. Whoever taped the LPs some time ago apparently had a totally manual turntable. When the record side finishes you get to listen to 10-15 minutes of the needle going around in the middle of the disk until the tape mercifully ends. I have the 6 tapes upstairs right now but have only listened to one tape so far. None of the tapes even have the songs listed. Talk about incompetent management of an archive.

rich r

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 10 Apr 00 - 12:19 AM

* All you ever wanted to know about BURL IVES *

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: Pablo
Date: 29 Apr 00 - 11:27 PM

Here's the answer, as far as I am concerned. (Mr. Offer, I am sorry not to have linked more effectively. Haven't been doing me html homework.)

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=20886&messages=3

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: Tiger
Date: 30 Apr 00 - 07:36 AM

pablo....

I have this set, if you get desperate. Are you looking for a few in particular?

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: Pablo
Date: 06 May 00 - 09:07 PM

Tiger, I tried a personal message in reply to your very kind offer, but must not have reached you. Send me one with your address, and...thanks so much! Pablo

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 May 00 - 11:30 PM

Also see THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN, same period music... Barry Phillips, Gourd Music, songbook also available. Sorry no URL-- search on Gourd.

Great stuff!

~S~

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: Tiger
Date: 07 May 00 - 05:28 PM

Got the note, Pablo. The recording is done and will be on its way soon.

Standard Mudcat rate for this type of service = buy me a beer when I come to Brooklyn.

...Tig

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: Pablo
Date: 07 May 00 - 10:21 PM

...at Sparky's, which I just learned has a twice-monthly session.

You're heroic.

Best, Pablo

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: Grandma Marshall
Date: 08 May 00 - 10:03 AM

Love it when people talk about the very reason I became a FOLKIE in the '50's and that was because of Byrl Ives. I have the original album of his and the audio songs on it, on my web site. Stop by and have a listen! http://www.geocities.com/ohioweaver.geo/ Diane

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: Easy Rider
Date: 08 May 00 - 11:33 AM

Did somebody say "Brooklyn"? That's my home turf. I'll buy you BOTH beers, especially if I can have a set of those tapes.

Burl Ives was my first introduction to folk music, in the early fifties, I had (may still) his album of children's songs ("The Grey Goose") and a live album from a Command Performance in London.

EZR ( [=O=)===={:::}

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: GUEST,Beachcomber
Date: 08 May 00 - 06:02 PM

Does anyone know of a Burl Ives recording of the song/ "LOOK TO THE RAINBOW" from the Broadway show called "Finian's Rainbow", I believe. I heard it played on a record request programme once but never have again ??

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: GUEST,AHL
Date: 08 Apr 04 - 12:45 PM

My appologies for jumping in here, but I need help. There's this Burl Ives song that I loved when I was a kid, and I can't find it anywhere. The title of the tune was something like "Old Salt Water Guitar." If you knowledgable gentleman could help me get a hold of the lyrics, I would much appreciate it.

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 12:05 AM

Gentlemen?

I have a Burl Ives song book, but it has Irish songs. No hint of this in the other few books I just scanned, she said.

SRS

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: Amos
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 12:35 AM

Give us some lines from memory. I t does not show up under that title. I've heard an awful lot of Burl Ives recordings, but not one by that name. What was the song about?

And if you can recall, what was the album about?


A

Subject: RE: Help: Burl Ives records
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 12:41 AM

W ithin the last week I obtained a box set w/ hardcover book of lyrics, Burl Ives-America's Musical Heritage. The set-6 lps-is copywrited 1963, and contains all the songs listed above and more...about 100 songs. The set is packaged like those old Time-Life offerings but I didn't get the slipcase so I don't actually know if it is from T-L. You might look for this package if you're an Ives afficionado.

I like many types of folk music and presentation, but one singer with simple accompaniment seems to me ideal.

John

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records
From: Amos
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 11:44 AM

AHL:

Any further information on this song?

A

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records
From: GUEST,Donovan
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 06:44 PM

My name is Brian.My girlfriend is constantly telling me of a Burl Ives record she adored as a child that brought her so much joy.I would love to find it for her.I think it would be the perfect Christmas gift for her.In this time of economic uncertainty and the pressures of everyday adulthood I think a little piece of simpiler times is just what she needs to lift her spirits since we wont have the money for a "big" Christmas.Sometimes its the little things that get you through.This is where I need your help I want it to be a suprise and she seems to remember very little about the album itself.She has told me she thought it was a religious album featuring small children.It may have had something to do with the begining of time.She seems to remember a small child asking,"Mr. Lives tell us a story..."and him responding something that had the words"there were no puppies no guppies....".Misha is 32 and I am 35 so it was probably from sometime before the mid 70's.I know this is not a lot of information to go on but it would mean the world to me if you could assist me in finding the name of the recording and also where i might find a copy.Mr Ives is a beloved part of both our childhoods a we think of him fondly.Sometimes when bills pile up and paychecks get small it takes the words of a jolly man from your childhood to make you smile.Thats all I want for my Misha.Any help would be appreciated.
                        
                              
                                  my e-mail: [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Burl Ives experts?
From: pdq
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 07:03 PM

Burl Ives did lots of children's songs and lots of Christmas songs also.

Here are two records that may be what you are looking for. They seem to have made it to CD format:


"Favorites for Children"
2008           CD            Shout Factory            8266631105

"Little White Duck and Other Children's Favorites"
200?       CD            CBS                           33183

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 07:14 PM

Hi, Brian -
I don't know of the record right off, but this Burl Ives Discography (click) may help you. If you click on each album cover, you'll find a list of the songs on that album. There's also a discography on Wikipedia, and at CMT.com

Once you find the name of the album, there's a good chance you can find it on eBay - or come back to us and ask us for help.

I see you posted four copies of your request - I deleted all but this one, because multiple copies of messages tend to confuse the discussion.

-Joe Offer, Forum Moderator-

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records
From: kendall
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 08:37 AM

I was introduced to folk music by Buryl Ives, but he slipped in my respect when I found out what he did to Pete Seeger.

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records
From: NormanD
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 05:51 PM

Was it one of The Weavers who said about Burl Ives - "He could sing and crawl on his stomach at the same time"?

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records
From: GUEST,Doc John
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 03:48 PM

Yes, Norman D, I'm sure that's right. Listening to him singing on those Asch 'Union Boys' recordings makes me wince. Then there's that famous photo of him and Woody Guthrie readng 'Hobo News'. I suppose he's like Blair in moving across the political spectrum for his own purpose.
Could anyone tell me where his funny accent comes from?
Doc John

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records
From: GUEST
Date: 31 May 09 - 05:01 PM

is there an album with my old saltwater guitar

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records
From: Stringsinger
Date: 01 Jun 09 - 11:58 AM

Burl Ives did rat out on his old friends before HUAC. However, it's really hard to stand in judgement completely. I wouldn't have done what he did but having lived through that period I remember the hysteria. I remember the political polarity like it is today. Actually,
Pete emerged as the winner. His values prevail and it's not about catching the brass ring on the career merry-go-round. The fact that he's not "on the charts" I think is OK. I agree with Tom Lehrer. When Kissinger gets the Nobel Peace Prize, that's a joke. Pete doesn't need it.

Burl's career took a nose-dive IMHO after his sell-out to the "Committee".

He needs to be credited for popularizing the "ballad style" of singing folksongs to the public. He never played much more than "um chunk" in his guitar accompaniment which put the focus on his voice beautifully. He had a rich and beautiful tenor (albeit trained)
which conveyed the content of his songs with clarity and pleasantness.

Some on this list prefer a folksong voice to sound like sandpaper or chalk scrapes on a blackboard. Burl wasn't this kind of performer. He had studied Schubert Lieder and although many might disagree with me, I don't think it detracted one bit from his sincere presentation of songs which to me sound authentic.

I don't think it adds one bit to have a revival performer attempt to sound like the screech of brakes without oil or to copy the scratches on an old 78 recording. I think that this is disingenuous. Pete Seeger managed to produce a clear and effective narrative style in his ballads. (It has to be said, however, that throwing your head back and straining your neck muscles is not good for the health of your voice) Burl's great contribution to folk music was using an intelligent and musical (albeit simple) approach to the ballad text.

Louis Armstrong sang with beautiful phrasing which highlighted his style and made up for the raspiness of his voice. He was also a magnetic entertainer. His personality shone through his performance. Anyone who tries to sing like Louis is flying a commercial airliner without a license.

The old traditional singers have a quality and personality that reflects their lives and backgrounds and are authentic because they are not trying to be something they aren't.

The revivalists who are honest, not phony-ing up their voices but just singing naturally and plainly are doing a service to the preservation of this style of singing.

This discussion opens a can of worms but is worthy of note IMHO.

Frank

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Jun 09 - 12:25 PM

I listened to Burl a lot in my formative years. He helped lead me to music I barely knew existed at the time.
When I heard about his troublesome testimony and its effects, I just sort of decided to disassociate the two incarnations in my head.
The one makes me sad, the other brought me pleasure & knowlege, but since it can make little difference for me to dwell and the sad parts, I just leave them in a 'compartment' and remember the good parts.

Subject: HISTORICAL AMERICA IN SONG by BURL IVES
From: GUEST,Lester
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 04:50 PM

I have an Enclyclopaedia Bitannica Films HISTORICAL AMERICA IN SONG collection with 5 of 6 comlete albums containing 5 records in each album. Album 1 is SONGS OF THE COLONIES, Album 2 is SONGS OF THE REVOLUTION, Album 4 is SONGS OF THE SEA, Album 5 is SONGS OF THE FRONTIER, Album 6 is SONGS OF EXPANDING AMERICA.

DOES ANYONE HAVE INFO ON THESE? WHERE CAN I FIND INFO ON THEM? THEY WERE MADE IN THE 1950'S OR BEFORE AS THE RECORDS PAPERWORK SHOWS. HELP. EMAIL ME AT [e-mail]

Subject: RE: HISTORICAL AMERICA IN SONG by BURL IVES
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 06:07 PM

I don't know if this will help, but an observation or two. I assume you have these sets on 78 RPM discs.

Britannica Films made film, film strips and recordings to be used in classrooms, not for popular use. As you surmise, this set was published ca. 1950/51.

Burl Ives recorded primarily for DECCA in those days; it would be my guess that the actual songs were from the Decca catalogue with the intros you mention prepared especially for Britannica, much like Book of the Month Club used Vanguard recordings for their folk music anthologies of the '60s.

You might be able to contact Britannica or the successor to Decca to see if they ever released this material in any other form, LP or even CD, and if it is currently available. I would doubt it is, but the fun is in the search.

This sounds like a great collection to have, if only as an historic curiosity. Hope you can play it and save it to newer technologies. Good luck.

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records: Historical America in Song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 06:33 PM

Gee, Historical America in Song has its own Wikipedia page. That should give you everything you need, Lester.

-Joe Offer-
(e-mail sent)

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records: Historical America in Song
From: Severn
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 08:50 PM

There's kind of a truncated version of the concept that was put out on the Spoken Arts label called "The Spoken Arts Treasury Of American Ballads & Folk Songs". Six LPs and a "teacher's guide and song book" make up the collection with individual themed LPs being:

1) Tales For Singing: Our English Inheritance

2)News Ballads: Reporting the American Revolution and the War Of 1812

3)Travelling Songs: Sailing Free & Adventuring West

4)Heart Songs: American Folk Creations

5)Popular Songs: Music Hall & Battlefield 1800-1865

6)The Big Country: Cowboys, Indians, Badmen

Lps 2, 3 and 5 divide a side to each half of the topic.

In the teacher's guide it says copyright 1963 by Franklin Watts Inc., but also says teacher's Guide Copyright 1970 by Spoken Arts Inc., so I would think that some of the Encyclopedia Brittanica 1963 recordings were recycled in this project.

I found my copy recently in a yard sale.






BUR LIVES?

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records: Historical America in Song
From: Severn
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 09:09 PM

....or if not Britanica, whoever issued the Burl Ives: America's Musical Heritage set of 1963 recordings mentioned by GUEST John on his 09 Apr, 04 post.

At the time of issue the record company's adress was:

Spoken Arts Inc.
New Rochelle NY 10801

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records: Historical America in Song
From: GUEST,beachcomber
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 08:25 AM

Another Guest (Last May) enquired about the song "Salt Water Guitar" by Burl well it is on a    CD Compilation BCD15667, hope this info gets through .

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records: Historical America in Song
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 12:00 PM

Jaysus,how do you guys do that!? Severn, the 09Apr04 post is mine...but I had forgotten all about it. In fact, I haven't listened to any of that set in 3-4 years.

That said, the AMH set, while having a lot of song overlap with GuestLester's recordings, it is not congruent. My set was part of the Longines Symphonette Series (as it turns out), and was pressed by Decca, which bolsters my thought that the Britannica set was also so manufactured.

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records: Historical America in Song
From: GUEST,beachcomber
Date: 29 Aug 09 - 03:10 PM

Many, many moons ago I asked for help in tracking down two Burl Ives recordings 1)" When they ring those Golden Bells" and 2) "Look to the Rainbow" I have managed to find both now, thanks to the post of Joe Offer and his link to a Discography.
Do any Mudcatters have CD including those tracks to sell, swap, donate , anyway ??
No 1) Is on BCD 15667 and No 2) is included in the Two CD Set DOVE 7142/ DL4876
Please, please I haven't heard those songs fully, for years.

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records: Historical America in Song
From: GUEST,Traci
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 09:40 PM

I am looking for the Burl Ives bible story recordings. I vividly remember him saying, "Hi, I'm Burl Ives and I'd like to tell you a story." He goes on to say something about no puppies or guppies or pink lemonade and something about before the world was made. Does anyone remember this?

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records: Historical America in Song
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 12:53 PM

i have the Burl Ives-America's Musical Heritage 6 record set and book in original box in good shape. Willing to sell.

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records: Historical America in Song
From: Don Firth
Date: 22 Sep 14 - 02:19 PM

Well--that certainly clears up a lot....

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Burl Ives records: Historical America in Song
From: GMGough
Date: 22 Sep 14 - 04:43 PM

just because it happened -
Burl Ives performed in Oxford UK in 1979 and some/all
of the concert was broadcast on BBC Radio (probably Radio 2)

The songs broadcast:

Big Rock Candy Mountain / Lavender Cowboy / Git Along Little Dogies /
Shearing Song / Poem / The Soldier / Barbara Allen / Music Alone /
Edward / Kilgarry Mountain / The Fox / Funny Way of Laughing /
Foggy Foggy Dew / Little Window / Time (shel siverstein) / Blue Tail Fly

Subject: Historical America In Song
From: GUEST,Maheen
Date: 03 Sep 16 - 01:52 AM

I can't find this 78 album set anywhere online. Can anyone please help me find this 78 RPM set by Burl? thanks!