Libby Holman - The House of The Rising Sun 1940s
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- Опубліковано 10 жов 2009
- Libby Holman's musical style changed in the 1940s when she teamed up with Josh White and began to study a repertoire of what she would call 'Americana' - namely Blues, Spirituals, and Folk Songs.
Actively involved in supporting the Civil Rights Movement, Holman & White were turned away from entertaining the troops overseas during WWII as the USO did not accept 'racially mixed shows.' Instead they went on the road to perform in nightclubs. Libby Holman would eventually self-produce a one woman revue, Blues, Ballads and Sin Songs which she performed in 1954.
![The Animals - House Of The Rising Sun (Music Video) [4K HD]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/N4bFqW_eu2I/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Animals - House Of The Rising Sun (Music Video) [4K HD]](/img/tr.png)
I never realized how many versions of this song there was
Me neither, but The Animals perfected it.
Animals made it sound way better, but ruined it by changing pronouns and making it about gambling instead of the prostitution story it was. It's not even a cover, its basically a new song.
@Peasant Scrublord exactly.
All evidence is anecdotal
I had no idea how steeped in history it was.
@@drnny6705 anecdotal evidence.
Nobody knows what it's about.
This is why I love youTube so much. Where else would I have heard this record but here? I am a huge music fan & love discovering old stuff, yet never heard this before. House of the Rising Sun is an old folk song that probably originated in England a few hundred years ago & evolved over the years. The title & lyrics changed to suit the times. but the theme remains the same.
+Mr22thou I agree about the youtube part but it probably originated in new orleans lol, earliest known recording is leadbelly
+Nick Botero ***Wikipedia has an interesting article on the possible origins of the song. Alan Lomax considers it's genesis to be in18th century England. Another contender is France, of the same time period. Once it found it's way to the North America south-east, musicians altered it to reflect their lives here. There's more interesting information in the article. Check it out!
+Mr22thou I am sure that every culture has a "house of the rising sun"
+Nick Botero
Just FYI, a lot of Leadbelly's music was taken from traditional songs, handed down orally across the generations, before there was recorded music. Lyrics evolved over time, being adapted (sometimes with the rougher and rude bits censored) or simply misremembered. 'Goodnight Irene' was a good example of this.
+Carol Hoffman ***Probably true.
Libby Holman and Josh White are so good I want to light a candle or something. Five stars (out of a possible four)!
lesoleil levant "the rising sun" was a hotel on conti street in the new orleans french quarter in 1822. it served as a brothel, also. marie laveau lived about a block away.
Never heard this until now, but it's absolutely haunting, and incredibly soulful. Wow!
Lots of passion in this, for a very passionate and desperate story. Holman had a very passionate and desperate life her own self. I remember when she died. Her passing made national news.
Listening to this version...I can swear I can almost feel the moist Louisiana heat.
The tragic history and eerie legends of the deep south are encapsulated perfectly in this cover of the song.
Also, I just listened to “Frankie Teardrop” a few minutes ago. My house is probably haunted.
what a haunting voice...marvelous!!!
'Haunting' is the only word
On an expedition with his wife to eastern Kentucky, folklorist Alan Lomax set up his recording equipment in Middlesborough, Kentucky. In 1937 he recorded a performance by Georgia Turner, the 16-year-old daughter of a local miner. Lomax called it "The Rising Sun Blues." It is not suspected that a 16-year-old Kentucky girl knew much about brothels, but DID know a bit about the old broadside ballads.
this song was meant for a woman to sung it... it's about a girl who works at a brothel to pay off her father's lost gambling money.
You should do a movie.
And to also pay off her brother's student loan. 😆
According to Dave Van Ronk the Rising Sun is a women's prison, not a brothel.
The first generation was about a woman who operated the house as both a gambling den and brothel, the second generation (we are here) is from the perspective of a sex worker in the brothel. Third generation (matching more closely to the animals' popularization) is a different song about the son of the second generation's vocalist after she settled down with a gambler like her own father. The son himself falls into ruin to the house and the curse continues. The fourth generation (alt J's version) is about a melancholy boy who's parentage lay with the first generation's line. They pretend on Sundays to be good and upstanding as it's become increasingly hard to operate with religious fanaticism that isn't just lying through gritted teeth reaching the area.
@@fredwarren this song is several songs. The lore is deeply contradictory due to the interpretations of it through several generations having several ideas about several things that all differ and yet still have cohesive narrative if you take everything in the lyrics as they are.
What depth of soul that voice carries.. gorgeous.. and she is so glamourously beautiful. Huge!
+Julie Swahn
Well said. Hers is a most chilling version. Absolutely captivating.
Odd that the USO did not accept her & Josh White performing for the troops, while giving the green light to Louis Armstrong's mixed band. His drummer, Danny Barcelona, was born in Honolulu, hardly African-American like the rest of the members.
Urbino237
"Chilling" is a perfect adjective to describe her voice.. thanks for that. How the USO could have bypassed her? I have no idea! Crazy.. Too much beauty, maybe ;)
+Julie Swahn Although you may well have a point concerning her glamourous looks, my suspicions would lie more in the direction of Josh, where his anti-segregationist stand and other positions on human rights at the time likely earned him a no-fly checkmark beside his name. A shame really, because their performing for the troops would have been met with thunderous applause.
You Said It Don't Have Her Vocals .. But ? See House Of The Rising Sun Keith Wigley ... Its Only The River Keith Wigley And Kathy s Song Cover and Others..
Easily the most haunting version of HOTRS I've ever heard.
Just watched "Reckless" on TCM which was based on Libby Holman's relationship and marriage to Zachary Smith Reynolds. Wow! Had never heard of her before today. Voice is incredibly haunting and beautiful!
She is just Killin here. So many deep roots to so many great songs...
This is one of the only songs with no original stories of creation. We know of its first recordings, but it was already a very old and known song before that. One of the most beautiful, and deep, songs ever created.
The oldest known existing recording is by Appalachian artists Clarence "Tom" Ashley and Gwen Foster, who recorded it for Vocalion Records in 1934.[2] Ashley said he had learned it from his grandfather, Enoch Ashley.
Gail Copeland
theres a great version by Rosco Holcombe and later by Doc Watson...in a major key!
Hope you get this as I realise your comment is from 2years ago.
But it was published in a woman's magazine in 1925 and that was from a woman's perspective.
It's an old song that dates back to the civil war days
This is the best version... Love it. Thanks for posting.
Beautiful video, I'd never heard this version or of her but now it's my favorite one. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.
Beautiful and it makes so much more sense from a women's point of view.
+Gary Tanno Some musicologists suggest that this song WAS written by a woman originally. If the "house" in question was a brothel as some believe, then it makes sense to be written by a woman.
Because it was written from a women point of view . ; It some women who was forced to work in a Brothel to pay off her Fathers or Boyfriends Gambling Debts . Quit a Tear jerking story !
So sad and true.
@Dustin Hawk Homosexuality was illegal back then, so it wouldn't have been referred to so openly.
Anecdotal.
Nobody knows.
Speculation.
That makes it even that more poignant.
The moment you realise that the gender-swap totally changes the meaning of the song...
Never seen it like that but yes.
Josh White's guitar provides a perfect accompaniment to Ms. Holman's voice. The song was in Mr. Whites repertoire and was released by Mr. White in October 1944. The song was first collected by Alan Lomax from a Tennessee woman named Georgia Turner. Ms. Turner insisted that the house of the Rising Sun was the Libby Parish Prison for Women in New Orleans. The arched stone over the gate had a stone carving of a rising sun right in the middle of the arch. IF one analyzes the words of the original couple of versions, it seems obvious that the House of the Rising Sun was a prison and not a brothel, why else would, "Put on my ball and chain" make sense?
I have never heard this version before. All I can say is wow, just wow!
Fabulous voice and backing…Nobody now sings no more this way, that's too bad.
Diamanda Galas is the closest. But no cigar.
Not only a great voice but a beautiful woman. Belle interprétation.
Like most others say you cannot beat this...
thankx for uploading
Was für eine Stimme!
Ich bin berührt bis ins Innerste.Kannte diese frühe Version noch nicht.
This is the second version, arranged by Josh White. The first version by Clarence Tom Ashley was a straight country song. Josh White is on Guitar here. He had more to do with modern guitar playing than he ever was given credit for.
It's more correct to say the "first recorded" version, considering people were singing it way before then... it being a folk song and all.
Absolutely stunning !
I am surprised Holman and White are not more well known. This was was fricken amazing.
Read about her life, and you'll see why she has been somewhat ignored. Her performing shouldn't be forgotten.
WOW! This is some raw-wonderful and beautiful singing! I am so impressed and worried why I never heard of her until today.
OMG!!! This is soul, beatifull voice. 👏👏👏🎶
Libby Holman, uma deusa!
Rather haunting version thanks to u tube we get to discover these artists,,,
Que epico! Sin duda una de las mejores canciones de la historia
one of broadway's great torch singers, and it's easy to see why.
"The house of rising sun" desde da 1* ouvida, sabia que era uma das 10 mais de todos os tempos. Canção Universal!
Sublime!
Hipnotizante...é de arrepiar!
I have always told people the Animals song is an old folk song about a brothel. And it is. Just listen to this and it's very clear.
love her glissando's at her interpretation of this great blues.
Oh my goodness gracious, I had no idea...
How beautiful and amazing...I didn't know she had done anything after losing her son. Thank you for this!
Wow this is the first time I even heard about Libby Holman
wow,I didn't know that House of the rising sun was written in the 1940's,I honestly thought that The Animals wrote it,this is beautiful to hear the original version,I also love Frigid pinks version.
no one really knows how old this song is, was first recorded in 1928. this is a great version though!
I'm starting to realize why 'old people' scoffed at the Animals' version in the 1960's.
Actually I did not realize they scoffed at the Animals' version.
Listen to Joan Baez ' version.
@@donnahilton471 This is ua-cam.com/video/pfRjTTDsCHk/v-deo.html
@@donnahilton471 Listen to Ledbelly's
Wonderful performance. Reminds of Judy Henske.
A wonderful version of this song. Why haven't I heard this version before?
thank you
Wow, what a voice. Love it.
Thanks for your history of THOTRS. Fascinating how such an old song still moves us today.
Fabulous !
Did you know, there are over 40 versions of this song here on UA-cam?
great one ...just wow
A lot of thanks!
wow this great and I am sorry I have never even heard this version. LOVE IT
Great classic song!!!
This is is INCREDIBLE. At long last, a version that comes from the perspective of the hooker as opposed to telling a story about one. KNOCK OUT...
Amazing!
Phenomenal voice and interpretation.
So, so good
Awesome ! Thanks for sharing ! :)
The music of the soul ❤️
this versions new to me but what a fantastic rendition..i googled Libby and hollywood should write a movie about her..what a life!
Love the diffrencies just good
I guess I found a new love and her name is Libby! thanks You Tube!
This is haunting and beautiful..for years I thought this song came from"The Animals"
I did too. I love how UA-cam provides an in depth music history education if only one just follows the notes and clicks in the right places.
Much, much older than the Animals; likely centuries. I recommend you check out The House of the Rising Sun Through History on You Tube. It has snippets of many versions with links to full versions.
@@roncarpenter7240 easy 300 years old.
Es lo máximo del Blues, lo añoro.
great version
Que voz!
She teamed up with guitar player and singer Josh White in 1942. I'm not sure but probably this version was recorded and released by Decca on 78 # 18306.
Is there anybody around who has the 2 titled she did with Johnny Richards in 1947?
Something to remember you by / Body and soul
jazzrealities
I didn't know this song was this old!!!
This is one of those songs that are in the public domain, no one knows were it really comes from, since they are simply classics every one and their uncle sings them (rightly so). BTW, no dues to pay!
What an unusual voice - I'd never heard her before.
true; she had a rare alto voice.
Magnificent voice
I reckon this woman must've been pretty ahead of her time, cos many successful female folk singers of the 60's like Joni Mitchell & Grey Slick were basically trying to do this kind of thing with their voices.
So, being that this was recorded sometime in the mid '40's, I would presume, was this the first rendition of the song in a minor key? Ashley & Foster's, Acuff's, Guithrie's & Leadbelly's versions were all in in major keys. Most versions that followed in the '50's were done in the minor key similar to this recording. And, Josh White did add to the song, both words & music. So, I wonder if he's the one behind this arrangement, that would stay with the song? I know Dave Van Ronk would later (in the late '50's) add a few touches that would become the song that most of us are familiar with today.
What a voice! With no real backup. Haunting.
This is f ing fantastic.
Super!!! Beauty!!!!
GRANDE!!!!
wonderful
exquisite
hauntingly great
Try Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" - like Libby Holman, another pioneer from the same period !!
Tallulah ran with Libby Holman.
One day someone asked Tallu, "How's Libby Holman?"
She answered, "Oh, she's between murders."
damn this woman can belt! amazing
wow!
Magnífico !
This is only the second singer, the other being Linda Ronstadt, that sang with, I think it's called, a natural vibratto in her voice. Beautiful.
Especially considering the dozens of famous female blues singers of the 1920s and 30s in America and Paris - -- Ora Alexander Mildred Bailey Blue Lu Barker Lucille Bogan Ida Cox Fannie May Goosby Coot Grant Bertha Rosetta Howard Helen Humes Alberta Hunter Lil Johnson Hattie McDaniel Viola McCoy Josie Miles Ma Rainey Bessie Smith Victoria Spivey Sister Rosetta Tharpe Sophie Tucker Ethel Waters Sippie Wallace Estelle Yancey ... and dozens more.
Love it
THOTRS is a classic folk ballad, based on the 18th-Century English tradition of broadside ballads. Musicologists say that is is based on "The Unfortunate Rake" and English emigrants took the song to America, where it was adapted to its later New Orleans setting.
Alan Price of The Animals has claimed that the song was originally a 16th-Century English folk song about a Soho brothel.
QUE BELA MULHER QUE VOZ
BELLISSIMA
It's got a beat and you can dance to it!
It's such an amazing voice... I feel like most people would be too afraid to sing so flamboyantly.
Those eyes how they pierce.
putting it on 2x speed makes it sound like she’s singing into a fan
That ad says "March 11th". My birthday!!