Harry Belafonte ‎- "Mark Twain" And Other Folk Favorites (1954)

"Mark Twain and other Folk Favorites" is the debut album by Harry Belafonte, released by RCA Victor in 1954.

Harry Belafonte's first album features a solid variety of songs from American folk tradition, learned during his studies of folk music at the Library of Congress in the early 1950s. He had signed with RCA Victor in 1952, recording a series of well-received singles.

Belafonte's new-found love for music of the West Indies can be found in songs such as "Man Piaba" (which he wrote) along with songs from English and Scottish tradition such as "Lord Randall" and "The Drummer & the Cook." Songs from African-American tradition include the chain gang song "Tol' My Captain" and the ubiquitous "John Henry." "Mark Twain" was a good initial effort, but Belafonte's repertoire and delivery would get stronger with the next album.

Tracklist:

1. "Mark Twain" (Traditional, Harry Belafonte) – 3:42
2. "Man Piaba" (Belafonte, Jack K. Rollins) – 3:30
3. "John Henry" (Traditional) – 3:27
4. "Tol' My Captain" (Paul Campbell) – 2:45
5. "Kalenda Rock (Mourning Song)" (Traditional) – 3:2
6. "The Drummer and the Cook" (Traditional, Paul Campbell) – 2:04
7. "The Fox" (Traditional, Campbell) – 2:43
8. "Soldier, Soldier" (Traditional, Campbell) – 1:37
9. "The Next Big River" (Traditional, Campbell) – 0:20
10. "Delia" (Fred Brooks, Lester Judson) – 2:58
11. "Mo Mary" (Richard Dyer-Bennett) – 2:15
12. "Lord Randall" (Traditional, Campbell) – 4:07

Paul Campbell was a fictitious entity used to copyright material in the public domain.

Harry Belafonte - "Mark Twain" And Other Folk Favorites (1954)
(256 kbps, cover art included)