Kansas Folk Music from the Petersons

In the 1970s and 80s, many people exchanged cassette audio tapes as a way of using technology to keep in touch.  My grandmother Marie (Peterson) Schoen had a number of these tapes in her home at the time of her passing, including one sent to her in 1985 from her brother Sigvald and his son Arlo.  Now, if you knew Arlo, you of course are aware of his gift for conversation.  On these tapes however, we find a treasure trove of folk music recorded by him on guitar, and Sigvald on the "mouth harp" (harmonica), to go along with a lot of spoken messages from both. 

The music is remarkable; especially considering that Sigvald was 85 at the time, and having signficant dementia. It does not appear to have affected his ability to remember the tunes, as it is clear from listening to them talk that they were playing completely from memory.

Some of the names of the songs I could not make out, nor did I recognize.  So take the names with a grain of salt :)

Enjoy.