Three versions of the hoary dance tune "Eighth of January" from the Alan Lomax Collection, in commemoration of the 200-year-anniversary of the end of the Battle of New Orleans, January 8th, 1815. 

Albert & Emma Hammond: Eighth of January (Lexington, Ala., 1959)

Sid Hemphill & band: Eighth of January (Sledge, Miss., 1942)

The Black Encyclopedia of the Air was designed for broadcast over black radio networks, consisting of 30 “one-minute-plus” educational spots, narrated by WLIB-Harlem DJ radio personality Jack Walker, “the Pear-Shaped Talker” (and former chairman of the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers). Alan Lomax, along with singer and historian Raoul Abdul -- with whom he'd compile the anthology 3000 Years of Black Poetry -- devised scripts that drew on the Cantometrics performance style research, covering topics such as the diversity of black lullaby traditions; African male choruses and “overlap” singing; and a black history of American pop music. Non-musical entries discussed black contributors to medicine (heart surgeon Dr. Daniel Hale Williams) and engineering (Lewis Latimer and his carbon lightbulb filament). Teaching materials and reading lists were provided with the series. 

Black Encyclopedia of the Air #1: Ray Charles

A report on the birth of "cool" in West African orchestras, and its subsequent migration across Africa (and the world).

The Black Encyclopedia of the Air was designed for broadcast over black radio networks, consisting of 30 “one-minute-plus” educational spots, narrated by WLIB-Harlem DJ radio personality Jack Walker, “the Pear-Shaped Talker” (and former chairman of the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers). Alan Lomax, along with singer and historian Raoul Abdul -- with whom he'd compile the anthology 3000 Years of Black Poetry -- devised scripts that drew on the Cantometrics performance style research, covering topics such as the diversity of black lullaby traditions; African male choruses and “overlap” singing; and a black history of American pop music. Non-musical entries discussed black contributors to medicine (heart surgeon Dr. Daniel Hale Williams) and engineering (Lewis Latimer and his carbon lightbulb filament). Teaching materials and reading lists were provided with the series.

Black Encyclopedia of the Air #13: "African Cool"

Originally titled "Crazy Horns: the American horn style that goes back to Africa." Featuring music of the Ethiopian Army Band (recorded by Ayelework Abebe), Ugandan horns (field recordings by Klaus Wachsmann), and Albert Ayler (his "Ghosts" composition).

The Black Encyclopedia of the Air was designed for broadcast over black radio networks, consisting of 30 “one-minute-plus” educational spots, narrated by WLIB-Harlem DJ radio personality Jack Walker, “the Pear-Shaped Talker” (and former chairman of the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers). Alan Lomax, along with singer and historian Raoul Abdul -- with whom he'd compile the anthology 3000 Years of Black Poetry -- devised scripts that drew on the Cantometrics performance style research, covering topics such as the diversity of black lullaby traditions; African male choruses and “overlap” singing; and a black history of American pop music. Non-musical entries discussed black contributors to medicine (heart surgeon Dr. Daniel Hale Williams) and engineering (Lewis Latimer and his carbon lightbulb filament). Teaching materials and reading lists were provided with the series.

Black Encyclopedia of the Air #9: "Crazy Horns"

The Black Encyclopedia of the Air was designed for broadcast over black radio networks, consisting of 30 “one-minute-plus” educational spots, narrated by WLIB-Harlem DJ radio personality Jack Walker, “the Pear-Shaped Talker” (and former chairman of the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers). Alan Lomax, along with singer and historian Raoul Abdul -- with whom he'd compile the anthology 3000 Years of Black Poetry -- devised scripts that drew on the Cantometrics performance style research, covering topics such as the diversity of black lullaby traditions; African male choruses and “overlap” singing; and a black history of American pop music. Non-musical entries discussed black contributors to medicine (heart surgeon Dr. Daniel Hale Williams) and engineering (Lewis Latimer and his carbon lightbulb filament). Teaching materials and reading lists were provided with the series.

Black Encyclopedia of the Air #3: "The Blues, Baby"

Song leader and Mississippi State Penitentiary inmate Heuston Earms discusses work-songs, his time in the penitentiary, his childhood and parents' fights, and the murder that landed him in prison. Recorded by Alan Lomax at Parchman's Camp B, Lambert, Miss., September 19-20, 1959. Earms told Lomax he was eligible for parole in 1962; when and if he got out of Parchman is unknown. He died July 4, 1989. His place of death was listed as Tutwiler, Miss., 16 miles southwest of the Lambert camp. 

Interview with Parchman Farm inmate Heuston Earms (1959)

Alan Lomax Archive and the Association for Cultural Equity.  Alan Lomax (1915-2002) folklorist and ethnomusicologist, recognized for his cultural advocacy, scholarly work, field collections, and public programs.

Alan Lomax Archive

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