Dawn Landes – The Liberated Woman’s Songbook
Dawn Landes picked up the physical copy of The Liberated Woman’s Songbook in a thrift store in 2020; it’s a book of actual songs folks used over time starting in the 1800s and arcing to early 1970. Published in 1971, the collection was put together by Jerry Silverman, as he gathered 77 folk songs together on the topic of women’s struggles and protests – organized and otherwise. In 2022, when Roe v Wade was overturned by the stacked Supreme Court, setting back women’s freedoms to an astonishing degree, Landes returned to the songbook for a sense of solidarity and new inspiration. In the process she embarked on a journey of inhabiting the songs herself, and then, “with friends.” It wasn’t long before this album concept was born and growing toward the light.
The songs are arranged chronilogically, tracing through movements, events, and protests. “Hard is the Fortune of All Womankind,” written in 1830, is the opening track. This song was recorded by Peggy Seeger in 1954 and then by Joan Baez in 1961 under the title “The Wagoner’s Lad.” A clear arrangement with mountain style singing using crystal highs and dynamics, and, a woman is “a slave to her husband the rest of her life….”
“One Hundred Years” was written in 1852 by Fanny Gage who organized a pioneer women’s convention in 1851. This is a shuffly version with high lonesome whistles and sets up a protest song beat. “Things will improve in one hundred years time.” It’s either wishful thinking, or hope.
“The Housewife’s Lament,” was a song found within the diary of Sarah A. Price of Ottawa Illinois, written in 1866, whose sons were all killed in the Civil War. “I saw an old woman the picture of gloom…this was her song…” The snares gently echo a military field march in the distance as the song reminds you not to get caught up in the mundanities of drudgery and take life for granted.
“Which Side Are you On,” from 1931, featuring Kanene Pipkin of The Lone Bellow, is a union song written to the same melody by two different women in Kentucky. “Don’t scab for the bosses, don’t you listen to their lies… which side are you on.” The harmonies are an inspiration. “We are getting stronger every day.” Hope so.
This is fewer than half of the songs on the album – all of them are worth listening to. This is a historic document bringing songs to life. Lilting, empowered, hopeful, and despairing – the range is all captured here in the arrangements and recordings. Undoubtedly, Dawn must be in contact with music preservationists for this historic effort, and hopefully, a multi volume set.
Musicians on the album are Dawn Landes on vocals, guitar, and organ; Josh Kaufman on guitars, keys, drums, bass, mandolin, vibes, percussion et al; JT Bates on drums; Annie Nero on upright bass; James Felice on accordion; Matt Douglas on horns and flutes; Oliver Hill strings; Emily Frantz on vocals and fiddle; and Kanene Pipkin (The Lone Bellow), Rissi Palmer, Lizzy Ross (Violet Bell), Charly Lowry, and Annie Nero on vocals.
Find more information on her website here: https://www.dawnlandes.com/home/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Dawn Landes “Meet Me At the River” Spins Off in New Unpredictable Directions
The album was produced by Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman, The National, Bob Weir) and reimagined by Dawn Landes and Josh Kaufman. It was recorded at Little Pink (in New York) and The Garage (in North Carolina) ; mixed and mastered by D. James Goodwin . The cover design was by Nathan Golub with photo by Shervin Lainez .
