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Lomax's Porch Recording Sessions
- Alan Lomax recorded obscure musicians on front porches, in churches, and prisons across the American South.
- A memorable video from the 1980s shows a blues party in North Carolina, reflecting Lomax's decades-long effort to capture American microcultures.
Innovative Recording Techniques
- Lomax used a large vinyl record recorder powered by his car battery to capture music in natural settings.
- The long microphone cable allowed recording right on people's porches, creating intimate and authentic sound captures.
Legacy of the Lomax Family
- Alan Lomax began his archival work following his father John Lomax's footsteps, traveling the South recording folk songs.
- John Lomax's initial focus was cowboy songs, leading Alan to take over the archive when his father left the Library of Congress.