The album was released in May 1941, at a time when World War II was raging but the United States remained neutral. The Soviet Union and Nazi Germany were still at peace, as provided by the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. American Communists and "fellow travelers", including the Almanacs, followed the anti-interventionist stance dictated by the Soviet Union through the Comintern, which accounts for the appearance of anti-war songs on the album. However, on June 22, Germany invaded the Soviet Union. The Almanacs changed direction and began agitating for U.S. intervention in Europe. Songs for John Doe was quickly pulled from distribution, and those who had already purchased copies were asked to return them. After the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor, in February 1942 the Almanacs went into the studio to record a set of songs supporting the American war effort. The new political line was evident on the group's 1942 album, Dear Mr. President.
The opening song "Ballad of October 16" uses the melody of the folk song "Jesse James".
For the album, six masters were recorded in a two- or three-hour session. "'C' For Conscription" and "Washington Breakdown" were recorded as a single take.
Sam Gary discography (with picture of that album's cover)
October 31, 2023
songs, john, 1941, debut, album, first, released, product, almanac, singers, influential, early, folk, music, group, studio, album, almanac, singersreleasedmay, 1941recordeda, central, park, west, studio, york, city, late, march, early, april, 1941genrefolklab. Songs for John Doe is the 1941 debut album and first released product of the Almanac Singers an influential early folk music group Songs for John DoeStudio album by The Almanac SingersReleasedMay 1941RecordedA Central Park West studio New York City Late March or early April 1941GenreFolkLabelAlmanac RecordsProducerErin BarnayThe Almanac Singers chronologySongs for John Doe 1941 Talking Union 1941 The album was released in May 1941 at a time when World War II was raging but the United States remained neutral The Soviet Union and Nazi Germany were still at peace as provided by the Molotov Ribbentrop Pact American Communists and fellow travelers including the Almanacs followed the anti interventionist stance dictated by the Soviet Union through the Comintern which accounts for the appearance of anti war songs on the album However on June 22 Germany invaded the Soviet Union The Almanacs changed direction and began agitating for U S intervention in Europe Songs for John Doe was quickly pulled from distribution and those who had already purchased copies were asked to return them After the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor in February 1942 the Almanacs went into the studio to record a set of songs supporting the American war effort The new political line was evident on the group s 1942 album Dear Mr President The opening song Ballad of October 16 uses the melody of the folk song Jesse James For the album six masters were recorded in a two or three hour session C For Conscription and Washington Breakdown were recorded as a single take Track listing editSongs for John Doe track listing Track Song Title By1 Ballad of October 16 Millard Lampell2 Billy Boy Millard Lampell3 C For Conscription Millard Lampell and Pete Seeger4 Liza Jane Millard Lampell and Pete Seeger5 Plow Under Millard Lampell and Pete Seeger6 The Strange Death of John Doe Millard Lampell7 Washington Breakdown Pete Seeger and Lee HaysPersonnel editPete Seeger vocal banjo Lee Hays vocal Millard Lampell vocal Josh White vocal guitar Sam Gary vocalExternal links editSam Gary discography with picture of that album s cover Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Songs for John Doe amp oldid 1160715668, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
