Gabriel Brown performing "John Henry"

Gabriel Brown performing "John Henry"

Brown, Gabriel

Hurston, Zora Neale

Lomax, Alan

Blues

Folklorist Alan Lomax recorded this selection in 1935 in Eatonville, Florida. The selection is broken into two parts demonstrating Florida A&M College graduate Gabriel Brown’s exceptional guitar talent. Brown alludes to working-class hero John Henry in the song. Audiences often viewed blues artists as working-class heroes in their own right. Brown tapped into the growing popularity of blues music. His unique and intricate guitar style led him to performances in New York City, professional recording contracts, and a busy touring schedule after World War II.

Lomax, Alan

http://www.loc.gov/folklife/sampler/FLsampler.html

Library of Congress

June, 1935

Audio Recording/MP3

English

Sound