Public Domain: Songs from the Wild Land (2000)

About this title: Drawing from the mother lode of traditional songs in the public domain, songwriter Dave Alvin brings an authentic voice and extraordinary understanding to his chosen tracks. Familiar songs from the folk canon like "Shenandoah" and "Walk Right In" are reworked by him and a full band with arrangements incorporating the roadhouse style they've honed from years of working together. He also unearthed lesser-known songs like "Mama, Ain't Long for Day" (perhaps credited to Blind Willie McTell), "Sign of Judgment," and "Railroad Bill," having learned versions from records he unearthed as a kid by ... read more

Tracks:

1. Shenandoah
2. Maggie Campbell Blues
3. A Short Life of Trouble
4. What Does the Deep Sea Say?
5. Engine 143 [Carter]
6. Delia
7. Dark Eyes
8. Walk Right In [Cannon/Woods]
9. Murder of the Lawson Family
10. Don't Let Your Deal Go Down
11. Railroad Bill
12. Texas Rangers
13. Mama, 'Tain't Long Fo' Day
14. East Virginia Blues
15. Sign of Judgment
16. [Untitled Instrumental Track]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.