Alan Lomax portraits of Stavin' Chain and Wayne Perry performing, Lafayette, La.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints and

Photographs Division, Alan Lomax Collection

---o0o---

Breakin' rocks in the hot sun: two photographs from Alan Lomax

click to enlarge - photos courtesy of

the Library of Congress, Alan Lomax Collection

click to enlarge - photos courtesy of

the Library of Congress, Alan Lomax Collection

Prisoners breaking rocks at a prison camp. The exact date of these photographs is unknown, but  they were taken between 1934 and 1950.  From Alan Lomax, the national treasure and incredible ethnomusicologist and folklorist. 

---o0o---

Photograph: Leadbelly in Prison, Angola, Louisiana

By Jack Brummet, Music Editor

click to enlarge

photograph courtesy of the Library of Congress

Prints and Photographs Division

This photograph, by the great ethno-musicologist Alan Lomax, shows Leadbelly a/k/a Hudie Ledbetter in prison in Angola, Louisiana.  That is Leadbelly in the foreground.  The picture was shot in 1934.  On the back of the photo, in Lomax's hand, is written:   "Prison compound No 1. Angola, La. Leadbelly in foreground."  This photograph is included in the Lomax collection of photographs, mostly depicting folk (country, blues, bluegrass).  The photos of musicians were taken as he traveled the south and recorded local musicians.  This music changed modern American music, and inspired several generations of roots, folk, country, and rock musicians.

---o0o---