I must confess from the start that I am no expert on folk music of any sort, let alone American folk music.

But there is something about genuine folk music that appeals. It has an unrefined honesty and spontaneity that sets it apart from other music.

Now I'm not talking about what passes for "folk" music in modern times, which is often just a sounding board for political leanings left and right. I'm referring to the original music of peoples long ago, from Europe West and East, Africa and the Americas. Not only does it give an insight into the lives and times of these people, it also shows the evolution of music of today.

So who was Harry Smith?

Harry Smith was no musicologist in the conventional sense of scholarly training. He was an eccentric, alcoholic, gritty renaissance man. He made experimental films, and art, but is best known for assembling certainly the most famous, and probably the most influential collection of what he called American Folk Music.

He was a collector of neglected and almost forgotten recordings from the 1920's and 30's. This was his American Folk Music. Not field recordings or dusty museum pieces, but music that was recorded, or in his words "music that somebody thought important enough to put on record and somebody else thought it was worth paying for".

And, in the 1950's he saw this rich legacy decaying and being lost forever. So, from his own collection, he assembled 84 pieces of music that he regarded as ther most significant of them all. The music ranges from Appalacian murder ballads to Cajun to early blues to bluegrass to gospel. And more Cajun.

The presentation was remarkable: 6 LP's organised in 3 volumes of 2 LP's each, grouped as Ballads, Social Music and Songs. Harry's liner notes was an entire booklet, with Harry's unique artwork on the cover, reproductions of the original record covers, and his annotations of each piece, including a potted summary of each plot. Two examples:

"Theft of Stetson Hat Causes Deadly Dispute; Victim Identifies Self as Family Man"

"Single Girl: Dressed Fine, Goes to Store Buys, Going Where Please. Married Girl: Wears Any Kind, Rocks Cradle Cries, Baby on Knees"

This CD re-release preserves the original feel and structure of the Anthology. Packaged in a gorgeous fabric-covered box, the 6 CDs are in 3 volumes of 2 CDs each. Harry's original booklet is included, with an additional excellent 100 page booklet of essays, appreciations and photographs that puts the whole collection into perspective.

As a bonus, one of the CDs doubles as a CD-ROM for the technologically capable, with live footage of Harry Smith himself.

This collection is not always easy listening. Most of the performers were amateurs, and the recordings are often scratchy and faded. And there is a bit too much Cajun for my taste. But the authenticity is overpowering. Listening to these recordings takes you back to more simple times, but also more difficult and desperate times. These are recordings of hardship, lonliness and pain, and also of love and joy.

But the most amazing thing about the Anthology of American Folk Music is that this is the music that set the blueprint for modern popular music. Listen to these discs, and you will hear the origins of Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Tom Waits, the Rolling Stones and even the Beatles. And everybody who came after.

Somewhat of an acquired taste, Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music is a landmark recording, but also an entertaining and revealing collection for modern times.

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