"Roots of Folk" is a historical compendium of the best of Vanguard's artists as well as some artists that weren't signed to the label directly, but performed at the famous Newport Folk Festivals of the 1960s. Stretching from folk's early roots in protest songs of the Depression through the folk revival and the blues and jug band music that helped set the stage from folk's transfer into rock, this package delivers the artists and the songs that helped define an era. Containing 45 songs by 42 different artists, "Roots of Folk" is the perfect introduction for new listeners, as well as those who lived through and remember firsthand this vital American music.

Disc One - Roots of Folk:

1. Joe Hill (Paul Robeson)
   
2. Irene (Leon Bibb)
   
3. Kumbaya (The Weavers)
   
4. This Land Is Your Land (Cisco Houston)
   
5. Roll On Buddy (Ramblin' Jack Elliott)
   
6. Another Man Done Gone (Odetta)
   
7. Turn, Turn, Turn (Judy Collins)
   
8. If I Had A Hammer (The Weavers)
   
9. Donna Donna (Joan Baez)
   
10. The Battle of New Orleans (Jimmie Driftwood)
    
11. Amazing Grace (Doc Watson & Clarence Ashley)
    
12. It Takes A Worried Man (Maybelle Carter)
    
13. Little Maggie (Sandy Bull)
    
14. Freight Train (Elizabeth Cotten)
    
15. Tom Dooley (Doc Watson)
    

Disc Two - Singers & Songwriters:

1. The Universal Soldier (Buffy Saint-Marie)
   
2. Violets of Dawn (Eric Andersen)
   
3. M.T.A. (The Kingston Trio)
   
4. Walk Right In (The Rooftop Singers)
   
5. Catch The Wind (Donovan with Joan Baez)
   
6. Pack Up Your Sorrows (Mimi & Richard Farina)
   
7. It Ain't Me Babe (Joan Baez with Bob Dylan)
   
8. People Get Ready (The Chambers Brothers)
   
9. I Ain't Marchin' Anymore (Phil Ochs)
   
10. Ramblin' Boy (Tom Paxton)
    
11. Mr. Bojangles (Jerry Jeff Walker)
    
12. Many A Mile (Patrick Sky)
    
13. Early Morning Rain (Ian & Sylvia)
    
14. Jug Band Music (Jim Kweskin Jug Band with Geoff Muldaur)
    
15. Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag (Country Joe & The Fish)
    

Disc Three - Folk Blues:

1. Candy Man (Mississippi John Hurt)
   
2. I'm So Glad (Skip James)
   
3. Seventh Son (John Hammond)
   
4. Rambling Round Your City (Odetta)
   
5. Samson and Delilah (Reverend Gary Davis)
   
6. Cocaine (Dave Van Ronk)
   
7. Empire State Express (Son House)
   
8. San Francisco Bay Blues (Jesse Fuller)
   
9. Baby Please Don't Go (Lightnin' Hopkins)
   
10. See See Rider (The Chambers Brothers)
    
11. Walkin' Blues (Muddy Waters)
    
12. Drink Muddy Water (Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee)
    
13. Great Fire Of Natchez (John Lee Hooker)
    
14. Midnight Special (Pete Seeger with Willie Dixon & Lafayette Leake)
    
15. Blues With A Feeling (Paul Butterfield Blues Band)