We often take for granted the supremacy of artists such as Doc Watson, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Lead Belly, Big Bill Broonzy, Brownie McGhee, and other folk music legends. Classic Folk sheds new light on the success of the urban intellectual-driven movement that made rural white and African-American artists and their music favorites of audiences everywhere. This recording features classic performances by classic artists doing some of their classic songs during the great folksong revival of the 1940s through 1960s. It is some of the great performances from the vaults of Folkways Records. Compiled and annotated by Jeff Place.

1. Pastures of Plenty - Woody Guthrie
   
2. We Shall Overcome - Pete Seeger
   
3. Rock Island Line - Lead Belly
   
4. No More Auction Block - Paul Robeson
   
5. Deportees (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) - Barbara Dane
   
6. John Henry - Doc Watson
   
7. John Hardy - Mike Seeger
   
8. Betty and Dupree - Brownie McGhee
   
9. Gallis Pole - Fred Gerlach
   
10. Polly Von - Paul Clayton
    
11. Butcher Boy - Peggy Seeger
    
12. Duncan and Brady - Dave Van Ronk
    
13. Railroad Bill - Hobart Smith
    
14. Wayfaring Strange - Burl Ives
    
15. Big Rock Candy Mountain - Haywire Mac
    
16. Born 100,000 Years Ago - Cisco Houston
    
17. Sugar Babe, It's All Over Now - Mark Spoelstra
    
18. Changes - Phil Ochs
    
19. Black and White - Earl Robinson
    
20. Most Fair Beauty Bright - Jean Ritchie
    
21. Cielito Lindo - Pete Seeger
    
22. Tom Dooley - The New Lost City Ramblers
    
23. Freight Train - Elizabeth Cotton
    
24. Down on Me - Mary Pickney and Janie Hunter
    
25. This Train (Bound for Glory) - Big Bill Broonzy