American Favorite Ballads, Vol. 2
Pete Seeger · 1958
47 min · 18 tracks · traditional folk music
A vibrant collection of traditional folk melodies that evoke the heart and spirit of American storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Oh, Susanna Start here — This song serves as an iconic introduction to American folk music, showcasing its simple yet memorable melody alongside Seeger's engaging vocal delivery.
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Midnight Special — The track highlights Seeger's ability to convey deep emotional narratives through traditional songs, capturing themes of hope and longing.
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Black Girl (In The Pines) — This rendition emphasizes the haunting beauty of the lyrics and the song's historical significance within American folk tradition, making it a standout piece.
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House of the Rising Sun — Seeger's version brings a fresh perspective to this classic tale of caution and regret, showcasing his knack for storytelling through music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases traditional folk songs with engaging arrangements but lacks a strong cohesive narrative.
What we noticed
- Many tracks are performed in a call-and-response style, inviting listener participation and emphasizing communal singing.
- The pacing varies, with some songs maintaining a steady tempo while others shift to more reflective or slower interpretations.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- nostalgic sing-alongs with friends
- warm acoustic storytelling moments
- short bursts of charm
- gentle melodies for quiet evenings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy tracks
- want complex, layered arrangements
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Reinforced Seeger's role as a folk ambassador, boosting interest in American roots music.
- Career context
- By 1958, Pete Seeger was already a prominent figure in the folk music revival, following his influential work on earlier volumes of 'American Favorite Ballads'. This album represents his continued commitment to preserving and popularizing American folk traditions at a time when the genre was gaining mainstream attention.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Woody Guthrie· Odetta· Joan Baez
Tracklist
- 1 Oh, Susanna Start here 4:33
- 2 The Riddle Song 2:28
- 3 Beautiful City 2:58
- 4 Sally Ann 1:33
- 5 The House of the Rising Sun 2:36
- 6 Young Man Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn 1:15
- 7 Midnight Special 2:54
- 8 Careless Love 3:08
- 9 Hard Travelling 2:47
- 10 Poor Boy 2:19
- 11 Black Girl (In The Pines) 2:34
- 12 Alabama Bound 2:22
- 13 Stagolee 2:15
- 14 Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair 2:31
- 15 Go Tell Aunt Rhody 3:17
- 16 The Water Is Wide 3:36
- 17 The Fox 1:49
- 18 The Keeper and the Doe 2:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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