{"product_id":"lead-belly-the-smithsonian-folkways-collection-definitive-5-cd-box","title":"Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection - Definitive 5-CD Box","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur review of Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection finds this 5-CD box set best suited for dedicated collectors and serious listeners of traditional American blues. The single biggest reason to buy is the depth of material: 108 tracks spanning Lead Belly's career, presented with careful curation and a substantial 140 page book that adds context to the recordings. This edition was co-produced by Jeff Place and Bob Santelli for Lead Belly's 125th celebration and includes 16 previously unreleased tracks, making it a significant archival release rather than a casual greatest-hits compilation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e5 CDs, 108 tracks:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provides an extensive survey of Lead Belly's recorded work, offering hours of listening across his varied repertoire.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e140 page book:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supplies historical context, photos and notes that help the listener understand the recordings and Lead Belly's life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e16 previously unreleased tracks:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adds fresh material for collectors and scholars interested in rare performances and alternate takes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCo-produced by experts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jeff Place and Bob Santelli's involvement ensures thoughtful curation and respect for archival integrity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePart of a 125th anniversary release:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ties to museum exhibitions and a documentary add cultural significance beyond the audio itself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection is ideal for serious fans of Lead Belly and students of traditional blues who want a comprehensive, well-documented set that goes beyond single-disc compilations. The inclusion of previously unreleased material and a detailed book makes it especially useful for researchers, archivists, and anyone who values historical context alongside the music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCasual listeners who prefer a shorter highlights package or those looking for a low-cost introduction to Lead Belly may find this box set more than they need, both in scope and price. If you want a single-disc sampler for quick listening, a different release focused on essentials would be a better fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eExceptional depth with 108 tracks that showcase Lead Belly's range across blues and folk traditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHigh archival value thanks to 16 previously unreleased tracks and expert co-production.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe 140 page book enhances appreciation with historical notes and imagery.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNot aimed at casual listeners; the breadth and documentation may overwhelm someone seeking a short collection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eTrack-level recording details receive mixed feedback from customers, so audiophiles seeking exhaustive session notes may find some gaps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArtist\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLead Belly \/ Various\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLabel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmithsonian Folkways\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 CD box set\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTracks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e108 tracks (16 previously unreleased)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBook\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e140 page companion book\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProducers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJeff Place and Bob Santelli\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRelease date\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFebruary 10 (125th year celebration)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Smithsonian Folkways collection is a rich, carefully assembled archive that belongs in the library of any serious blues fan or music historian. Its combination of broad audio coverage, newly released performances, and a substantial companion book provides strong value for those who want historical depth and listening variety rather than a quick hits package.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the set include unreleased material?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the box set includes 16 previously unreleased tracks alongside the 108 total tracks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs there documentation with the music?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the release includes a 140 page book with notes and context to accompany the recordings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho produced this collection?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe set was co-produced by Jeff Place and Bob Santelli as part of Lead Belly's 125th year celebration.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Smithsonian Folkways","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48237546799323,"sku":"B00QHCKH8U","price":66.11,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/81FhlS44AML._SL1500.jpg?v=1770747258","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/lead-belly-the-smithsonian-folkways-collection-definitive-5-cd-box","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}