Vinyl plays with crackles; a few light-clicks during the last song (play-graded). Cover looks great; a few creases near edges; light-scuffing and surface impressions (front/back); tiny surface abrasions on front; slight discoloration with darker discoloration spots on back. Inner-sleeve is generic white. Spine is partly readable with wear. Shelf-wear along top/bottom-edge and corners. Split near right of top-edge; bottom-edge is almost completely split. Opening is crisp with signs of light use and divots. Mid 50's pressing with colorful Nipper logo. (Not a cut-out.)
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.