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When Sierra Ferrell sings “Goodnight Irene,” she isn’t just covering an old folk song—she’s stepping into a piece of American music history. The song was originally written and recorded by folk and blues legend Lead Belly in the 1930s, and it later became one of the most famous folk standards ever recorded. Ferrell’s version brings the song back to its roots while adding her own haunting, old-time style. With her vintage voice and stripped-down delivery, she captures the loneliness and emotional weight that made the song so powerful in the first place. It feels less like a modern cover and more like something drifting out of a different era. Moments like this are why Sierra Ferrell has become one of the most captivating voices in Americana and roots music today—she doesn’t just perform songs, she revives them. vc: @farmer_doug1 #sierraferrell #leadbelly #americanamusic #americanaqueue
When Sierra Ferrell sings “Goodnight Irene,” she isn’t just covering an old folk song—she’s stepping into a piece of American music history. The song was originally written and recorded by folk and blues legend Lead Belly in the 1930s, and it later became one of the most famous folk standards ever recorded. Ferrell’s version brings the song back to its roots while adding her own haunting, old-time style. With her vintage voice and stripped-down delivery, she captures the loneliness and emotional weight that made the song so powerful in the first place. It feels less like a modern cover and more like something drifting out of a different era. Moments like this are why Sierra Ferrell has become one of the most captivating voices in Americana and roots music today—she doesn’t just perform songs, she revives them. vc: @farmer_doug1 #sierraferrell #leadbelly #americanamusic #americanaqueue
In memory of Huddie William Ledbetter January 20 1888 or 1889 – December 6, 1949), better known by the stage name Lead Belly, was an American folk and blues singer notable for his strong vocals, virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the folk standards he introduced, including his renditions of “In the Pines”, “Pick a Bale of Cotton”, “Goodnight, Irene”, “Midnight Special”, “Cotton Fields”, and “Boll Weevil”. “Goodnight, Irene” or “Irene, Goodnight,” is a 20th-century American folk standard, written in 3/4 time, first recorded by American blues musician Huddie ‘Lead Belly’ Ledbetter in 1933. A version recorded by The Weavers was a #1 hit in 1950. Pete Seeger of The Weavers has characterized it as Lead Belly’s “theme song. #leadbelly #leadbetter #goodnightirene #folksinger #folkmusic #inmemory #inthepines #blackbetty #gospel #legend #oldsongs #folk A folklorist, John Lomax and his son Alan Lomax, with funding from the Library of Congress recorded Huddie William Ledbetter, commonly known as Lead Belly or Leadbelly. They first meet him while he was imprisoned. They were deeply impressed by his vibrant tenor voice and huge repertoire, they recorded him on portable aluminum disc recording equipment for the Library of Congress. They returned to record with new and better equipment in July of the following year (1934), all in all recording hundreds of his songs. On August 1, Lead Belly was released (again having served almost all of his minimum sentence), this time after the Lomaxes had taken a petition to Louisiana Governor Oscar K. Allen at Ledbetter's urgent request. The petition was on the other side of a recording of his signature song, "Goodnight Irene.
In memory of Huddie William Ledbetter January 20 1888 or 1889 – December 6, 1949), better known by the stage name Lead Belly, was an American folk and blues singer notable for his strong vocals, virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the folk standards he introduced, including his renditions of “In the Pines”, “Pick a Bale of Cotton”, “Goodnight, Irene”, “Midnight Special”, “Cotton Fields”, and “Boll Weevil”. “Goodnight, Irene” or “Irene, Goodnight,” is a 20th-century American folk standard, written in 3/4 time, first recorded by American blues musician Huddie ‘Lead Belly’ Ledbetter in 1933. A version recorded by The Weavers was a #1 hit in 1950. Pete Seeger of The Weavers has characterized it as Lead Belly’s “theme song. #leadbelly #leadbetter #goodnightirene #folksinger #folkmusic #inmemory #inthepines #blackbetty #gospel #legend #oldsongs #folk A folklorist, John Lomax and his son Alan Lomax, with funding from the Library of Congress recorded Huddie William Ledbetter, commonly known as Lead Belly or Leadbelly. They first meet him while he was imprisoned. They were deeply impressed by his vibrant tenor voice and huge repertoire, they recorded him on portable aluminum disc recording equipment for the Library of Congress. They returned to record with new and better equipment in July of the following year (1934), all in all recording hundreds of his songs. On August 1, Lead Belly was released (again having served almost all of his minimum sentence), this time after the Lomaxes had taken a petition to Louisiana Governor Oscar K. Allen at Ledbetter's urgent request. The petition was on the other side of a recording of his signature song, "Goodnight Irene.
Happy birthday to Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter (1888-1949), one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century, the King of the Twelve-String Guitar, an encyclopedia of American music. His spellbinding songbook captures the many sides of life and the humanity that is somewhere in all of us. Lead Belly was an important figure in the development of Folkways Records and recorded dozens of sides on acetate discs with founder Moses Asch in the 1940s. Link in bio to listen to the career-spanning retrospective Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection, and learn more in the liner notes on our website. 📸 Lead Belly Portrait, Courtesy of Lead Belly Estate #LeadBelly #SmithsonianFolkways
Happy birthday to Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter (1888-1949), one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century, the King of the Twelve-String Guitar, an encyclopedia of American music. His spellbinding songbook captures the many sides of life and the humanity that is somewhere in all of us. Lead Belly was an important figure in the development of Folkways Records and recorded dozens of sides on acetate discs with founder Moses Asch in the 1940s. Link in bio to listen to the career-spanning retrospective Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection, and learn more in the liner notes on our website. 📸 Lead Belly Portrait, Courtesy of Lead Belly Estate #LeadBelly #SmithsonianFolkways
Lead Belly sings "Goodnight Irene" in Wilton, CT in 1934/35 I can't let today continue on without some more love towards one of my favourite early blues artists. I'll always have a soft spot for the repetitive, catchy, and fun nature of older music when the melodies and lyrics were far simpler. Hopefully you can enjoy this one too, even with the lower audio quality. It's not certain when this was filmed, but Lead Belly experts believe it was either 1934 or 1935. The interesting thing to note here, which you may find interesting, was that this was filmed for the Library of Congress. If this still remains there... I'm not certain but I hope so. It's a beautiful day to be blue Original uploader: King Rose Archives Original vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn50JSI0W-E&list=RDxn50JSI0W-E&start_radio=1 #goodnightirene #leadbelly #blues #bluesmusic #music #1930s #1934 #1935 #bluesevolution
Lead Belly sings "Goodnight Irene" in Wilton, CT in 1934/35 I can't let today continue on without some more love towards one of my favourite early blues artists. I'll always have a soft spot for the repetitive, catchy, and fun nature of older music when the melodies and lyrics were far simpler. Hopefully you can enjoy this one too, even with the lower audio quality. It's not certain when this was filmed, but Lead Belly experts believe it was either 1934 or 1935. The interesting thing to note here, which you may find interesting, was that this was filmed for the Library of Congress. If this still remains there... I'm not certain but I hope so. It's a beautiful day to be blue Original uploader: King Rose Archives Original vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn50JSI0W-E&list=RDxn50JSI0W-E&start_radio=1 #goodnightirene #leadbelly #blues #bluesmusic #music #1930s #1934 #1935 #bluesevolution
Jamming some CCR today. Here’s “Midnight Special”. #CCR #creedenceclearwaterrevival #leadbelly #rocknroll #johnfogerty @johnfogerty
Jamming some CCR today. Here’s “Midnight Special”. #CCR #creedenceclearwaterrevival #leadbelly #rocknroll #johnfogerty @johnfogerty
Happy Sunday Y’all. #gospelblues #leadbelly #petergreen #christappgreen
Happy Sunday Y’all. #gospelblues #leadbelly #petergreen #christappgreen
where did you sleep last night (extra sleepy version) #acousticcover #nirvana #leadbelly
where did you sleep last night (extra sleepy version) #acousticcover #nirvana #leadbelly
Love this one so much. Was gonna be one of my first covers on here but each time I did it I felt I could do it better so I like this version. Ps the mirrorball was my birthday gift to myself thank you very much. #goodnightirene #leadbelly #soul #blues #bluegrass #country #classiccountry #oldies #oldschool #mirrorball #vintage #vintagestyle #vintagemusic #30s #40s #50s #mandolin #guitar #uprightbass #newmusic #cover #singer #foryou
Love this one so much. Was gonna be one of my first covers on here but each time I did it I felt I could do it better so I like this version. Ps the mirrorball was my birthday gift to myself thank you very much. #goodnightirene #leadbelly #soul #blues #bluegrass #country #classiccountry #oldies #oldschool #mirrorball #vintage #vintagestyle #vintagemusic #30s #40s #50s #mandolin #guitar #uprightbass #newmusic #cover #singer #foryou
In the Pines / Where Did You Sleep Last Night COVER w/ @fantasticnegrito #blues #guitar #nirvana #leadbelly #cover
In the Pines / Where Did You Sleep Last Night COVER w/ @fantasticnegrito #blues #guitar #nirvana #leadbelly #cover
Hollywood. February 12, 1959. While Ernie was known to bring the guitar out for a duet wih more than one guest, this understated, haunting performance of the traditional ballad, ‘In The Pines’ was the first and only time in five seasons he accompanied himself solo on his treasured Martin D-35 for the showcase number. Classic. @tennesseeernieford @countrymusichof @birthplaceofcountrymusicmuseum @martinguitar @nbc #ClassicTV #americanfolkmusic #inthepines #billmonroe #leadbelly
Hollywood. February 12, 1959. While Ernie was known to bring the guitar out for a duet wih more than one guest, this understated, haunting performance of the traditional ballad, ‘In The Pines’ was the first and only time in five seasons he accompanied himself solo on his treasured Martin D-35 for the showcase number. Classic. @tennesseeernieford @countrymusichof @birthplaceofcountrymusicmuseum @martinguitar @nbc #ClassicTV #americanfolkmusic #inthepines #billmonroe #leadbelly
Huddie William Ledbetter Born January 1888 or 1889– December 6, 1949) better known by the stage name Lead Belly, was an American folk and blues singer notable for his strong vocals, virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the folk standards he introduced, including his renditions of “In the Pines” (also known as “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?”), “Pick a Bale of Cotton”, “Goodnight, Irene”, “Black Betty”, “Midnight Special”, “Cotton Fields”, and “Boll Weevil”.Ledbetter usually played a twelve-string guitar, but he also played the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, and windjammer (accordion).[4] In some recordings he also used clapping or stomping to accompany his singing. Ledbetter’s songs covered a wide range of genres, including gospel music, blues, and folk music, as well as a number of topics, including women, liquor, prison life, racism, cowboys, work, sailors, cattle herding, and dancing. He also wrote songs about people in the news, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, Jean Harlow, Jack Johnson, the Scottsboro Boys and Howard Hughes. Ledbetter was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2008. #Leadbelly #DCHistory #DeltaBlues #BougeoirBlues #HiddenHistory
Huddie William Ledbetter Born January 1888 or 1889– December 6, 1949) better known by the stage name Lead Belly, was an American folk and blues singer notable for his strong vocals, virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the folk standards he introduced, including his renditions of “In the Pines” (also known as “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?”), “Pick a Bale of Cotton”, “Goodnight, Irene”, “Black Betty”, “Midnight Special”, “Cotton Fields”, and “Boll Weevil”.Ledbetter usually played a twelve-string guitar, but he also played the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, and windjammer (accordion).[4] In some recordings he also used clapping or stomping to accompany his singing. Ledbetter’s songs covered a wide range of genres, including gospel music, blues, and folk music, as well as a number of topics, including women, liquor, prison life, racism, cowboys, work, sailors, cattle herding, and dancing. He also wrote songs about people in the news, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, Jean Harlow, Jack Johnson, the Scottsboro Boys and Howard Hughes. Ledbetter was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2008. #Leadbelly #DCHistory #DeltaBlues #BougeoirBlues #HiddenHistory
Miles has been so inspired on this Seattle trip that he figured out this Leadbelly song (after listening to Nirvana‘s rendition of it on repeat while we’re driving), and is now playing it every time we’re “in the pines” (aka hiking through the forest) @milesmusickid is 6 years old #Leadbelly #Nirvana #KurtCobain #NirvanaUnplugged #wheredidyousleeplastnight #inthepines #seattle #seattlemusic #davegrohl #6YearsOld
Miles has been so inspired on this Seattle trip that he figured out this Leadbelly song (after listening to Nirvana‘s rendition of it on repeat while we’re driving), and is now playing it every time we’re “in the pines” (aka hiking through the forest) @milesmusickid is 6 years old #Leadbelly #Nirvana #KurtCobain #NirvanaUnplugged #wheredidyousleeplastnight #inthepines #seattle #seattlemusic #davegrohl #6YearsOld
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