Ep 2. Worlds of Sound: The Ballad of Folkways

Inside the Music is a music documentary series that takes viewers deep into the lives and works of some of the most influential musical artists of all time. In season 1 episode 2, titled Worlds of Sound: The Ballad of Folkways, the show explores the history and legacy of the iconic music label Folkways Records.

Folkways Records was founded in 1948 by Moses Asch, a visionary record producer who had a passion for preserving the diverse sounds and cultures of the world through music. Over the course of more than three decades, Folkways Records released thousands of recordings that spanned a wide range of genres, including traditional folk music, blues, jazz, world music, spoken word, and more.

The episode begins with a look at the early days of Folkways Records, when Asch was just starting out and struggling to make ends meet. Despite the challenges he faced, Asch remained committed to his vision of creating a record label that would showcase a wide range of diverse musical traditions and voices.

As the episode unfolds, viewers are treated to a fascinating journey through the vast and eclectic catalog of recordings that Folkways Records produced over the years. From the hauntingly beautiful ballads of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger to the soulful blues of Lead Belly and Mississippi John Hurt, the label's roster was a who's who of some of the most important and influential musicians of the 20th century.

But it was not just famous musicians who were featured on Folkways Records. Asch also had a mission to record the everyday sounds and voices of ordinary people, giving a platform to people who might otherwise not have been heard. This included everything from recordings of playground games and street vendors to field recordings of folk music from around the world.

The episode also explores the impact that Folkways Records had on the wider musical landscape, both in the United States and around the world. Through interviews with music historians and scholars, viewers learn about the label's role in shaping the folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as its influence on artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger.

But Folkways Records was not just a label for folk music. As the episode shows, the label also released recordings of jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane, as well as pioneering electronic music from figures like Raymond Scott and Bruce Haack.

Overall, Worlds of Sound: The Ballad of Folkways is a fascinating and illuminating look at one of the most important and influential music labels of all time. Through interviews with musicians, historians, and other experts, viewers are given a glimpse into the vision and passion that drove Moses Asch and the other pioneers of Folkways Records to create a musical legacy that continues to inspire and influence artists today.