The Upper Louisiana Delta and the North Central Hill Country

The region served by the LA Tech regional folklorist is the Northeast and north central Louisiana Parishes.  These parishes are predominantly British and African American, and include both Lowland and Upland South culture. Most of the region is rural, but includes the cities of Monroe and Ruston.  The parishes included in the region, and these recordings are: Bienville, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, Webster, and West Carroll.

Upper Louisiana Delta Region

Ouachita, Richland, and Franklin Parishes

Celebrating Our Heritage Song Service recorded at the Union Hill Baptist Church, Monroe, Louisiana, 2-4-1995:

•  "It's Gonna Rain" - Convention Specials
•  "Roll, Jordan, Roll" - The Royal Newtown Spirituals

Concordia Parish

Gray Montgomery, recorded in Vidalia, Louisiana,10-11-90:

• Boogie

East Carroll Parish

Wedel Family (example of Mennonite shapenote singing) recorded in their home in Transylvania, Louisiana, 8-28-94:

• "Washed in The Blood (of the Lamb)"
• "I've Been Changed"
• "Shepherd of Love"
• "Ten Thousand Tongues"
  

North Star Baptist Church Service Excerpt. Rev. A. L. Thomas, recorded in Lake Providence, Louisiana, 1989:

• "Amazing Grace" - North Star Baptist Church Congregation
• "Leaning on Everlasting Arms" - North Star Baptist Church Choir

West Carroll

Oldham Family Quartet, Church of God, recorded in Oak Grove, Louisiana,   9-9-1994:

• Warren Paint Commercial Parody
• "I Feel Like Traveling On"
• "Sweet Beullah Land"

North Central Louisiana Region

Lincoln Parish

Wildwood Express Band, Triad Benefit, 5-13-00:

• Intro of Joe Woods, “For the Good Times”

Eva Colvin Family Singing, Ruston, 3-22-96. Note: Older generation grew up in Lincoln Parish; next generation grew up in various parishes: Lincoln, Bienville, Caddo, and East Texas.

• "What a Friend"
• "Send the Light"

Fred Beaver and Friends, Fred Beavers (fiddle), Leslie Raborn (mandolin), Tracy Tyler (electric guitar), Doc Chipmon (guitar). Ruston, 1984:

• "My Little Girl"
• "The Waltz You Saved for Me"
• "Ragtime Annie"

Jackson, Lincoln

Price Family, Simsboro, Family Gospel Singing, 5-29-00:

• “The Circuit Riding Preacher”
• "Suppertime” (last verse) and narration

Jackson/Winn

Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church Service, Ministers: David Godwin, Goldonna; Hilton Mercer, Jonesboro. Goldonna, Winn Parish, 5-13-84:

• "Amazing Grace" (first verse)
• "Mercy Seat" (first verse)
• "Rock of Ages" (first verse)
• Introduction to Sermon by Hilton Mercer: Tribute to Mothers for Mother’s Day (sets theme of sermon: the Church as Mother)
• Transition from spoken to chanted sermon by Hilton Mercer
• David Godwin’s sermon opening and transition into chanted sermon
• Closing of David Godwin’s sermon
• "What Wondrous Love is This?" excerpt of song sung through Foot Washing/Communion service.

Claiborne Parish

Mitchell and Josie Sheldon, Blues and Gospel, Hynesville, LA

• "I Want Jesus to Make Up My Dying Bed" by Josie Shelton
• "Midnight Special" sung by Mitchell Shelton, Haynesville

 

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