This collection, which dates from 1926-1986, documents the output of Moses Asch through the various record labels he founded and co-founded, and includes some of his personal papers. The Asch collection includes published recordings, master tapes, outtakes, business records, correspondence, photographs, and film.
Scope and Contents:
The Moses and Frances Asch Collection measures 841 cubic feet and dates from 1926-1987, with some contemporary, relevant correspondence, clippings, and ephemera added after 1987.
Most of the collection consists of audio recordings (commercial 78 rpm and long-playing records, open reel tapes, acetate discs, and test pressings), correspondence with recording artists and producers, artwork, photographs, ephemera, clippings, record production materials, writings, and business papers relating to Folkways Records. Materials relating to Folkways Records can be found primarily in the Correspondence, Folkways Production, Business Records, Photographs, Artwork, Sound Recordings, and Film series.
The collection also contains some biographical materials and personal correspondence, including materials related to Asch's first business, Radio Laboratories, located in the Biographical Materials series. Correspondence, ephemera, photographs, record production materials, business papers, and recordings relating to Asch's record labels before Folkways Records (Asch Recordings, Disc Company of America, Cub Records) are located in the Early Label Materials series as well as the Audio Recordings and Photographs series.
Arrangement note:
The collection is arranged in 10 series:
Series 1: Correspondence, 1942-1987
Series 2: Folkways Production, 1946-1987
Series 3: Business Records, 1940-1987
Series 4: Woody Guthrie papers, 1927-1985
Series 5: Early Label Materials, 1940-1949
Series 6: Biographical Materials, 1926-1987
Series 7: Photographs
Series 8: Artwork
Series 9: Audio Recordings
Series 10: Film
At this time, the collection is partially processed. Please contact rinzlerarchives@si.edu for more information.
Biographical/Historical note:
The son of Yiddish writer Sholem Asch, Moses Asch was born in Poland in 1905. His childhood was spent in Poland, France, Germany, and New York. While young, Asch developed an interest in radio electronics, which ultimately lead him to his life's work, recording the music and sounds of the world. He established several record labels in succession, sometimes partnering with other record companies. Two of his fist record companies, Asch Recordings and DISC Co. of America, went bankrupt. They were followed by his best-known label, Folkways Records, which was founded in 1948 with Marian Distler (1919-1964). He was still working on Folkways recordings when he died in 1986.
Folkways Records sought to document the entire world of sound. The 2,168 titles Asch released on Folkways include traditional and contemporary music from around the world, spoken word in many languages, and documentary recordings of individuals, communities, and current events. Asch's business practices revolved around the commitment to keep every recording issued by Folkways in print, despite low sales. Asch stayed afloat by cutting costs where he could (such as color printing) and offering a high-quality product, meticulously recorded and accompanied by extensive liner notes. In doing this, he could charge a slightly higher price than other commercial outfits. Despite a tenuous relationship with financial solvency, Folkways grew to be not only one of the most important independent record companies in the United States in the 20th century, but also one of the largest and most influential record companies in the world.
Moses Asch's record labels featured famous and lesser known American writers, poets, documentarians, ethnographers, and grass roots musicians on commercial recordings. American folk icon Woody Guthrie recorded on the Asch, Disc, and Folkways labels, and the Asch Collection includes some of his correspondence, lyrics, drawings, and writings. The collection also includes correspondence with other notable musicians and artists such as John Cage, Langston Hughes, Margaret Walker, Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter, Pete Seeger, Peggy Seeger, Ewan MacColl, Alan Lomax, Henry Cowell, and Kenneth Patchen. Also in the collection are ethnographic field notes and photographs by as well as correspondence with Béla Barók, Sidney Robertson Cowell, Harold Courlander, Helen Creighton, Laura Boulton, and Samuel Charters. Asch hired various prominent artists and graphic designers including David Stone Martin, Ben Shahn, John Carlis, and Ronald Clyne to create album cover art for his recordings. Much of the original art and designs for these covers can be found in the Asch Collection.
Asch's output of recordings on various labels, including published recordings, open reel master tapes, outtakes, and acetate disks, in addition to his business papers, correspondence, photographs, and other files were acquired by the Smithsonian Institution in 1987. The collection came to the Smithsonian with the understanding that all 2168 titles under the Folkways label would be kept available in perpetuity.
Shared Stewardship of Collections:
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage acknowledges and respects the right of artists, performers, Folklife Festival participants, community-based scholars, and knowledge-keepers to collaboratively steward representations of themselves and their intangible cultural heritage in media produced, curated, and distributed by the Center. Making this collection accessible to the public is an ongoing process grounded in the Center's commitment to connecting living people and cultures to the materials this collection represents. To view the Center's full shared stewardship policy, which defines our protocols for addressing collections-related inquiries and concerns, please visit https://doi.org/10.25573/data.21771155.
Provenance:
Ralph Rinzler arranged the Smithsonian's acquisition of the Moses and Frances Asch Collection in 1987, beginning with Asch before his death in 1986 and continuing with extensive discussions between Rinzler and the Asch family. Since its acquisition, archivist Jeff Place and others have added contemporary, relevant correspondence with Folkways artists and related individuals.
Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
11. End of the Line 12. Pastures of Plenty 13. Grand Coulee Dam 14. Talking Columbia 15. Oregon Trail 16. Going Down the Road Feeling Bad (Woody Guthrie, Cisco Houston and Sonny Terry) 17. Dying Miner 18. Waiting at the Gate 19. Rambling Round 20. New Found Land 21. Talking Columbia 22. Pastures of Plenty
110 New Found Land / Sonny Terry, Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
112 Pastures of Plenty / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
111 Talking Columbia / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0031
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York.
General:
Folkways 5212
CDR copy
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
5. Better World A-Comin' (Woody, Cisco) 6. Grassy Grass Grass 7. Grassy Grass Grass 8. Washy Wash Wash 9. Washy Wash Wash 10. Little Sack of Sugar 11. I Want My Milk (I Want it Now) 12. Choo Choo 13. Swimmy Swim Swim 14. I'll Eat You, I'll Drink You 15. I Want My Milk (I Want it Now) 16. Ship in the Sky (with Cisco Houston)
Track Information:
101 Better World A-Comin' / Cisco Houston, Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
102 Grassy Grass Grass / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
104 Washy Wash Wash / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
106 Little Sack of Sugar / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
107 I Want My Milk (I Want it Now) / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
111 I Want My Milk (I Want it Now) / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
112 Ship in the Sky / Cisco Houston, Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0032
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York.
General:
CDR copy
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
103 When the Saints Go Marching In / Sonny Terry, Woody Guthrie. Harmonica.
104 New River Train / Sonny Terry, Woody Guthrie. Harmonica.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0470
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States, 1952.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
12. Sonny Terry and Rhythm 13. We Gonna Shout Right on That Shore- Sonny Terry and Pete Seeger 14. --- 15. John Henry- Brownie McGhee, Sonny Terry, and Pete Seeger 16. Go Tell Aunt Rhody- Woody Guthrie, Cisco Houston, Sonny Terry 17. Louise- Sonny Terry, Pete Seeger 18. Instrumental- Sonny Terry, Woody Guthrie 19. Worried Man Blues- Woody Guthrie
Track Information:
101 Untitled / Sonny Terry. Harmonica.
102 John Henry / Sonny Terry, Pete Seeger. Harmonica,Banjo.
103 Pick a Bale of Cotton / Sonny Terry, Pete Seeger. Harmonica,Banjo.
105 Louise / Sonny Terry, Pete Seeger. Harmonica,Banjo.
106 A Man is Nothing But a Fool / Sonny Terry, Pete Seeger. Harmonica,Banjo.
107 Going Down the Road Feeling Bad / Sonny Terry, Cisco Houston, Woody Guthrie. Harmonica,Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0473
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
7. Bed on the Floor (with Cisco) 8. Little Darling (with Cisco) 9. Miner's Song (Dig Dig Dig) 10. Train Blues (Woody, Cisco, Sonny) 11. Danville Girl #2 (Woody, Cisco, Sonny) 12. I Ride an Old Paint (with Cisco)
Track Information:
101 Bed on the Floor / Cisco Houston, Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
102 Little Darling / Cisco Houston, Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
106 I Ride an Old Paint / Cisco Houston, Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-3275
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
101 Talking Dust Bowl / Dick Wingfield, Will Geer. Guitar.
102 Pastures of Plenty / Dick Wingfield, Will Geer. Guitar.
104 This Land is Your Land / Dick Wingfield, Will Geer. Guitar.
105 The Great Historical Bum / Dick Wingfield, Will Geer. Guitar.
103 Worried Man Blues / Dick Wingfield, Will Geer. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-3290
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
101 When the Saints Go Marching In / Dick Wingfield, Will Geer. Guitar.
102 Philadelphia Lawyer / Dick Wingfield, Will Geer. Guitar.
103 Irene (Goodnight Irene) / Dick Wingfield, Will Geer. Guitar.
104 Jesus Christ / Dick Wingfield, Will Geer. Guitar.
105 Better World A-Coming / Dick Wingfield, Will Geer. Guitar.
106 Pretty Boy Floyd / Dick Wingfield, Will Geer. Guitar.
107 Ship in the Sky / Dick Wingfield, Will Geer. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-3291
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
25. Baltimore to Washington (with Cisco) 1. Little Black Train 2. Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet (Woody, Cisco, Bess) 3. Slip Knot 4. Poor Boy 5. Mean Talking Blues 6. Stepstone (with Cisco)
Track Information:
101 Baltimore to Washington / Cisco Houston, Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
102 Little Black Train / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
103 Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet (Child No. 76)/ Cisco Houston, Woody Guthrie, Bess Lomax Hawes. Guitar.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
5. On a Monday 6. Shorty George 7. Duncan and Brady 8. Old Riley 9. Leavin' Blues (acapella) 10. Pigmeat 11. Cotton Fields 12. Ha Ha This A-Way 13. Sukey Jump 14. Black Girl (In the Pines) 15. Rock Island Line 16. Blind Lemon 17. Borrow Love and Go 18. Green Corn (with Woody Guthrie and Cisco Houston) 19. Yellow Gal 20. You Can't Lose Me, Cholly 21. Laura 22. Good Morning Blues 23. Leavin' Blues 24. Big Fat Woman 25. Gray Goose 26. Pick a Bale of Cotton (with the Oleander Quartet) 27. Take This Hammer 28. Sylvie 29. Moanin' 30. Meeting at the Building (with the Oleander Quartet) 31. We Shall Walk Through the Valley 32. Irene (Goodnight Irene)
Track Information:
101 On a Monday / Lead Belly. Guitar.
128 Irene (Goodnight Irene) / Lead Belly. Guitar.
127 We Shall Walk Through the Valley / Lead Belly. Guitar.
126 Meeting at the Building / Lead Belly, Oleander Quartet. Guitar.
125 Moaning / Lead Belly. Guitar.
124 Bring Me a Little Water, Silvy / Lead Belly. Guitar.
123 Take This Hammer / Lead Belly. Guitar.
122 Pick a Bale of Cotton / Lead Belly, Oleander Quartet. Guitar.
121 The Gray Goose / Lead Belly. Guitar.
120 Big Fat Woman / Lead Belly. Guitar.
119 Leaving Blues / Lead Belly. Guitar.
118 Good Morning Blues / Lead Belly. Guitar.
117 Laura / Lead Belly. Accordion.
116 You Can't Lose Me, Cholly / Lead Belly. Guitar.
115 Yellow Gal / Lead Belly. Guitar.
114 Green Corn / Lead Belly, Cisco Houston, Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
113 Borrow Love and Go / Lead Belly. Guitar.
112 Blind Lemon / Lead Belly. Guitar.
111 Rock Island Line / Lead Belly. Guitar.
110 Black Girl (In the Pines) / Lead Belly. Guitar.
109 Sukey Jump / Lead Belly. Guitar.
108 Ha Ha This A-Way / Lead Belly. Guitar.
107 Cotton Fields / Lead Belly. Guitar.
106 Pigmeat / Lead Belly. Guitar.
105 Leaving Blues / Lead Belly. Guitar.
104 Old Riley / Lead Belly. Guitar.
103 Duncan and Brady / Lead Belly. Guitar.
102 Shorty George / Lead Belly. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-2373
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
106 Good Morning Blues / Sonny Terry, Cisco Houston, Woody Guthrie. Harmonica.
105 Louise / Sonny Terry. Harmonica.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-2993
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States, May 25, 1965.
General:
Verve/Folkways 9010
PRODUCTION NOTES IN BOX;SIDE 2; CDR copy
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
101 Do the Boogie Woogie (ACT-426) / Sonny Boy Williamson. Guitar.
102 Muleskinner Blues (ACT-426) / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
103 New York Town (ACT-426) / Woody Guthrie, Cisco Houston. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FP-1992-7RR-0002
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
101 Cowboy Song (ACT-427) / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
102 Bile Them Cabbage Down (ACT-444) / Woody Guthrie, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Terry. Guitar,Harmonica.
103 Scabs Crawl In, The (ACT-008) / People's Songs (Organization), Lee Hays, Pete Seeger. Guitar,Banjo.
104 We Pity the Bosses Five (ACT-008) / People's Songs (Organization), Lee Hays, Pete Seeger. Guitar,Banjo.
105 Keep That Line Movin' (ACT-008) / People's Songs (Organization), Lee Hays, Pete Seeger. Guitar,Banjo.
106 Come on Along (ACT-008) / People's Songs (Organization), Lee Hays, Pete Seeger. Guitar,Banjo.
Local Numbers:
FP-1992-7RR-0005
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
101 Roll the Union On (ACT-008) / People's Songs (Organization), Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie.
102 Choo Choo (ACT-009) / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
103 Choo Choo (ACT-009) / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
104 900 Miles (ACT-015) / Woody Guthrie. Guitar,Fiddle.
106 Molly Don't You Grieve (ACT-016) / Lead Belly. Guitar.
107 Move On, Soldier Boy (ACT-016) / Lead Belly. Guitar.
108 Out on the Western Plains (ACT-016) / Lead Belly. Guitar.
105 Liza Jane (ACT-016) / Lead Belly. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FP-1992-7RR-0009
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
106 Ship in the Sky (ACT-043) / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
107 Million Miles, A (Reuben's Train) (ACT-043) / Woody Guthrie. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FP-1992-7RR-0010
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
107 Poor Boy (ACT-050) / Woody Guthrie, Cisco Houston. Guitar.
108 Baltimore to Washington (ACT-050) / Woody Guthrie, Cisco Houston. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FP-1992-7RR-0011
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
