>Alan Lomax isn’t uncontroversial.

He’s a candidate for canonisation with some people.

Dave Marsh thinks differently in his comments on the New York Times’ obituary in 2002 and closes his column fittingly with the words “Sometime soon, we need to figure out why it is that, when it comes to cultures like those of Mississippi black people, we celebrate the milkman more than the milk.“

Be that as it may.

The legacy that he left is overwhelming.

Six originals, six covers

Sloop John B (Histe Up The John B.’s Sails)- Cleveland Simmons group from The Alan Lomax Popular Songbook
Sloop John B – The Beach Boys from Forrest Gump

Jesus On The Mainline – Jame Shorty, Viola James & church congregation from The Alan Lomax Popular Songbook
Jesus on the Mainline – Cooder / Lindley Family from Vienna Opera House 7-6-95

The House Of The Rising Sun (Rising Sun Blues) – Georgia Turner from The Alan Lomax Popular Songbook
House Of The Rising Sun – The Animals from The Britpack

Motherless Children – Felix Dukes, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Como from The Alan Lomax Popular Songbook
Motherless Children – Eric Clapton from 461 Ocean Boulevard

Rock Island Line – Kelly Pace from The Alan Lomax Popular Songbook
Rock Island Line – Lonnie Donegan from King Of Skiffle

Rosie – CB and axe gang from The Alan Lomax Popular Songbook
Whole lotta rosie – AC/DC from Let there be rock

OK, maybe not that one….