Folkways archive is online

A treasure trove with tens of thousands of folk, blues, jazz, classical, world music and spoken-word recordings is now open to computer-owning music lovers around the world through a new agreement between Microsoft’s MSN and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.

Historic recordings including Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” and Leadbelly’s “Irene” as well as rarities from all corners of the world are part of the Folkways archive, which the Smithsonian acquired in 1987. All 35,000 Folkways recordings, from tribal chants of Mbuti pygmies in central Africa to the jazz-funk of the L.A.-based Chambers Brothers, will be available for download for 99 cents apiece at www.music.msn.com/Smithsonian.

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Randy Lewis