I present ephemera from 1900 onwards, random sounds and songs that seem to work well together.
The star of the show is Huddie William Ledbetter (better known as âLead Bellyâ), a man who gave the expression âlarger than lifeâ meaning. Imprisoned several times for assault and murder, each time he made it out to continue his love of music. After being âdiscoveredâ by musicologist â John Lomax â Leadbelly went on the road as his driver and guide to the deep south.
That is the short story, and long version is even more colourful. Why his life hasnât been tuned into a splashy bio-pic is beyond me.
Lead Belly â Lininâ Track and Ainât You Glad (The Blood Done Signed My Name)
The song resonates of course because of his marriage to a young bride. It seems to have been a love match with the age disparity not remarkable for his time and place.