Hey, Curtis Metcalf here — we’re gonna have some fun on this edition of From the Vault… When I began volunteering at the Pacifica Radio Archives in 2002, I saw an opportunity to contribute to Pacifica by helping make important programs from Pacifica’s rich broadcast history available to a wide audience. In that first year I discovered a shelf of old recordings from the San Diego Folk Festival that caught my attention– it just so happens that I have a personal interest in many types of folk music, including country blues, 1950’s country western, African and reggae. When I took a closer look at the musicians performing at the San Diego Folk festival I noticed some amazing names like Rose Maddox, Patsy Montana, Lydia Mendoza,and The Balfa Brothers — all names that made me want to take these programs off the shelves and have a good listen. And when I listened, I just knew that I had to share…
This week, I’m happy to present some of the songs that would amaze me if I heard them on the radio today… so please - sit back and enjoy this priceless collection of live recordings from thirty years past, courtesy of the Pacifica Radio Archives.
(Originally broadcast on June 22, 200