Benefit Playlist
November 13, 2026 | by
Singing the Alan Lomax Archive
Listen to the Archive
Explore the original archival recordings that inspired the artists of ACE's first benefit concert to create their own interpretations of songs from the collection.
01
Stephanie Jenkins
If I Were a Blackbird (That Could Whistle and Sing)
Recording Jean Ritchie, 1949
Wonder Who Gonna Make It to the City
Recording Unknown, 1934
Julie Ann Johnson
Recording Branch H. Higgins, 1937
02
Grace Bergere
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Recording Peggy Seeger, 1957
When a Fellow Is Out of a Job
Recording Grant Rogers, 1966
03
Peter Stampfel
Lady Gay
Recording Aunt Molly Jackson, 1939
The Bonny Boy or The Trees They Do Grow High
Recording A. L. Lloyd, 1959
Western Plains
Recording Lead Belly, 1934 (Spotify)
04
Catherine Russell
Life Is Like That
It's a Mean Old World to Try to Live In
Recording Pearly Brown, 1966
I Get the Blues When It Rains
Recording Big Bill Broonzy, 1952
05
Laura Cantrell
Barbara Allen
Poor Ellen Smith
CC Rider
Recording Lead Belly, 1935 (Bandcamp)
06
Luther Dickinson
Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning
Recording Mississippi Fred McDowell, 1959
61 Highway Blues
Recording Mississippi Fred McDowell, 1959
Shake 'Em on Down
Recording Mississippi Fred McDowell, Miles Pratcher & Fannie Davis, 1959
07
Kyp Malone
Poor Wayfaring Stranger
Recording Jean Ritchie, 1949
Masters of War
Recording Bob Dylan, 1963
See That My Grave Is Kept Clean
Recording Hobart Smith, 1959