John's Island South Car / Various

In the spring of 1970, ethnomusicologist Henrietta Yurchenco took her American Folk Music class to John's Island, South Carolina, where the people who welcomed them were money poor but rich in spirit. Recorded on location, this album of compelling spirituals, blues, and energetic singing games is not only a musical document but a social one, as the students learned about local life. Of special interest was the vital role the church played in the community; during the Civil Rights Movement, it met spiritual needs and also provided a center for social action. The liner notes include lyrics, directions for children's game songs, as well as highlights of a roundtable discussion held during Yurchenco's stay on the island.