leadbelly rock island line

[ELVIS4221]

HE IS SO IMMORTAL.

THE GREATEST JOY THIS EARTH HAS EVER PRODUCED

[BNforever2009]

Thinking about those big Mountain type steam locomotives that the Rock Island used to have pulling the Rocky Mountain Rocket passenger trains thru Colorado and Kansas at 90mph and sometimes 100mph!!! Thats when the Rock had damn good track back then.

[penumbra155]

Several of my uncles on my father's side of the family were engineers or rail inspectors with the Rock Island Express WAAAAAAAYYYYYY back, like in the 20's and 30's. Is that the same rail line that Leadbelly is singing about?

[salamafrica]

There's a cool version covered by Mano Negra

[mherbert]

NO Lead Belly NO Beatles- I didnt make that up George Harrison did! Go to the indiegogo site & look up leadbellyfilm

[Xesumaidem]

i love this recording. i've it on a smithsonian disc. love it! thanks for sharing w/ the world, joe.

[sspowersource]

Great music.Your listening to one of the founders of folk music. without him we dont get country, blues or rock. If you like good country music. Try Hank 3, Lucky Tubb, Wayne Hancock or Dale Watson.

[RRyyNNee]

wtf is he talking about in the beginning.  cool as music though

[AndrewP222]

@RRyyNNee He's talking about the origins of the song "Rock Island Line"... not sure about the sheep, pigs, goats etc!

[AndrewP222]

@RRyyNNee The goats, sheep, pigs etc is part of the story, he's trying to get through the 'depot agent' with goods that aren't allowed through.

[anndistin]

@RRyyNNee Hi Hes telling the toll man he is carrying stock so wont have to pay-It is suggested the pig iron is negro slaves being smuggled I think Lonnie Donegan sings more clearly and may explain

[smp156]

this is part-5

you can start from part-1

/watch?v=TbPzkXY_VA8&feature=r­elated

the leadbelly movie

[NEABALDO]

i love this

[TheBlackLagooner]

This is great, and so is "Bottle Up & Go", which, in my opinion is the FIRST rock'n'roll song ever!

[solzanna]

Isn't there a video around somewhere -- why only still images daggone it

[joehancock01]

I do not know. you'll have to do some research.

[megashaggydogg]

@solzanna They didn't film negroes playing music in the 40's. Nor did they film negores fighting the war, it must be an American thing are kid!

[malequa]

simply amazing

[gorblimey61]

Huddie Ledbetter was the man. That was awesome!

[colindominy]

There have been many versions of this famous old song, performed by a veritable cavalcade of highly-talented artists over the years .. but, no-one that I've ever heard can give it the feel, the 'natural' negro gutsy passion and bluesy-grit like good old Lead Belly ....

[slamirez86]

God, he was unreal.

[creaturebotman]

The way he leads you into the song sort of feels like you are right there.

Thank God this man was recorded.

This is part of the fabric of America.

[Fozzymaple]

when was this version of Rock Island Line recorded?

[velvetgonzo]

Ive be looking this version thanks for the upload

[Brylantor]

Yeah, this is Lead Belly. Listen to his voice, that's true grit right there.

[breadmaker99]

wonderful history

[Mangomn2003]

Nice!

[wrong4this]

Thank you for the post. I love this song!!!