I am so, so happy to be sharing sacred harp music with you today. If sacred harp singing intrigues you at all, you must see this documentary for historical, cultural, and musical context. You might also like this video, featuring voluble musicologist, Alan Lomax, and some knowledgeable friends.

In the meantime, take a look at the trailer for "Awake My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp". You can purchase the film on Amazon, or stream it on Netflix.

Side note: The first generation of bluegrass musicians had sacred harp singing in their bones. They grew up with it, and incorporated many of its hymns and stylistic elements into bluegrass music.

Leadbelly, Alan Lomax, and the Relevance of a Renewed Interest In American Vernacular Music

Dom Flemons saves the day as revisionist history rears its ugly head.

So, The Lomaxes – champions of African-American vernacular music, or cheap white exploiters?

Flemons, formerly with The Carolina Chocolate Drops, and now thriving as a solo artist, sets the record straight with a thoughtful, even-handed and, most importantly, well-researched piece, entitled
Leadbelly, Alan Lomax, and the Relevance of a Renewed Interest In American Vernacular Music.