Kate Smith Albums

What The Critics Say

When Kate Smith recorded the tracks on Sings Folk Songs in 1958, she was no stranger to the genre, having recorded similar collections in the '40s. On this album, the term "folk" refers to commercial country & western as well as traditional folk. Hearing the imposing Smith sing "When you see me comin' better step aside/A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died" on "Sixteen Tons" may be the album's highlight, but the remainder is equally fine, including "The Wreck of the Old '97" and Jimmie Rodgers' folk-pop hit "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine." The arrangements are unusual and pop-oriented, suggesting that no effort was made toward "authenticity"; considering some of the pretentious highbrow "folk" music of the era, the album is certainly the better for it. ~ Greg Adams, All Music Guide