S2:E9 // Moses Asch and Folkways Records (Part 2 - SEASON FINALE)

American Songcatcher

This is our season finale, part two of a special audio-documentary series on Folkways Records founder Moses Asch, in collaboration with Smithsonian Folkways. Part one walked us through Moe’s childhood, teenage years, early career, the first two labels he created, bankruptcy, as well as the early years of Folkways Records. In part two, we traverse 40 years of iconic recordings with pioneering and lesser known artists, business hardships, milestones, the fledgling years of Folkways, and Moe’s death. We’ll also examine the acquisition of the massive Folkways catalog by Smithsonian, illustrate how Moe’s legacy has intertwined with the identity of American music, and highlight some of the incredible work that Smithsonian has done to preserve and expand on what Moe accomplished.

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Collaboration Credits:

Smithsonian Folkways

Full Moses Asch interview with Arhoolie Records’ founder Chris Strachwitz

Interviewees:

Richard Carlin - Worlds of Sound: The Story of Smithsonian Folkways

Michael Asch

Jeff Place (Smithsonian Folkways)

John Smith (Smithsonian Folkways)

Dom Flemons

Charlie Parr

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Media Credits:

Making people's music : Moe Asch and Folkways records - Peter D Goldsmith

Smithsonian | SF2 | NY Times | Redalyc | Arhoolie | Jstor.com | NPR | Routledge