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Hazel Dickens
Artist

Hazel Dickens

Genre: Country, Traditional Country, Old-Timey, Traditional Folk, Neo-Traditional Folk, Political Folk, Protest Songs, Close Harmony, North American, String Bands
Origin: U.S.A
Active: 1955 - 2011
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Biography

Hazel Dickens, a protest and folk singer, came of age as the eighth of eleven siblings in an impoverished mining household in West Virginia, channeling country and bluegrass idioms to illuminate the hardships of non-unionized mineworkers and a brand of feminism grounded in longstanding customs rather than the upheavals of the 1960s. She entered the world on June 1, 1935, in Mercer County, West Virginia, absorbing her initial musical exposure from her father, a Baptist minister and occasional banjo player who hauled freight for a mining company. Country traditionalists such as Uncle Dave Macon, the Monroe Brothers, and the Carter Family left a lasting imprint on her approach.

Dire family circumstances prompted her move to Baltimore at age 19, where she joined her sister and two brothers in factory work. The four siblings regularly visited old-time festivals and gatherings, both as spectators and as participants. At one such event Dickens encountered Mike Seeger, younger brother of folk legend Pete Seeger, and the pair assembled a band that featured her brothers as well.

Over the next decade she became a fixture in the folk and bluegrass circles of the Baltimore/Washington, D.C., region, supplying bass and lead vocals to several ensembles, among them the Greenbriar Boys during their 1960s tours alongside Joan Baez. Around the same period she formed a creative alliance with Alice Gerrard, Mike Seeger’s wife and a classically trained vocalist drawn to old-time repertoire. The two researched early feminist songs at the Library of Congress and added them to their own performances.

They appeared across the United States, with particular frequency in the South, and cut two albums for Folkways: Who’s That Knocking (And Other Bluegrass Country Music) in 1965 and Won’t You Come & Sing for Me in 1973. The partnership dissolved in 1973, after which later compilations drew on archival material, and Dickens embarked on a solo trajectory. She furnished four songs for the soundtrack of the Academy Award-winning coal-mining documentary Harlan County, USA.

Three years afterward she contributed to the score of With Babies and Banners and launched her solo recording career five years after that. Her three Rounder albums—Hard Hitting Songs for the Hard Hit (1981), By the Sweat of My Brow (1983), and It’s Hard to Tell the Singer from the Song (1987)—mix old-time country selections with protest material and more contemporary country numbers. Rounder later issued A Few Old Memories, a distillation of highlights from those three releases.

The National Endowment for the Arts bestowed a National Heritage Award upon her in 2008. Widely acknowledged as a trailblazer in bluegrass and women’s music alike, Hazel Dickens died at age 75 in Washington, D.C., on April 22, 2011, from complications of pneumonia.

Top Songs

  1. A Few Old MemoriesCoal TattooA Few Old Memories · 1987A Few Old Memories3:00
  2. Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit PeopleWest Virginia My HomeHard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People · 1980Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People4:32
  3. A Few Old MemoriesPretty BirdA Few Old Memories · 1987A Few Old Memories3:43
  4. Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit PeopleBustedHard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People · 1980Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People2:33
  5. Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit PeopleAragon MillHard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People · 1980Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People3:04
  6. It's Hard to Tell the Singer From the SongA Few Old MemoriesIt's Hard to Tell the Singer From the Song · 1987It's Hard to Tell the Singer From the Song4:12
  7. It's Hard to Tell the Singer From the SongHills Of HomeIt's Hard to Tell the Singer From the Song · 1987It's Hard to Tell the Singer From the Song4:14
  8. Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit PeopleLonesome Pine SpecialHard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People · 1980Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People3:32
  9. Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit PeopleLost PatternsHard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People · 1980Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People4:10
  10. Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit PeopleOut Among The StarsHard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People · 1980Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People3:31
  11. Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit PeopleScraps From Your TableHard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People · 1980Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People2:55
  12. Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit PeopleBeautiful Hills Of GalileeHard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People · 1980Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People4:57
  13. A Few Old MemoriesOld Calloused HandsA Few Old Memories · 1987A Few Old Memories4:30
  14. It's Hard to Tell the Singer From the SongWill Jesus Wash The Bloodstains From Your HandsIt's Hard to Tell the Singer From the Song · 1987It's Hard to Tell the Singer From the Song3:34
  15. By The Sweat Of My BrowOnly The LonelyBy The Sweat Of My Brow · 1983By The Sweat Of My Brow4:06
  16. By The Sweat Of My BrowOld And In The WayBy The Sweat Of My Brow · 1983By The Sweat Of My Brow3:12
  17. By The Sweat Of My BrowAre They Gonna Make Us Outlaws Again?By The Sweat Of My Brow · 1983By The Sweat Of My Brow2:53
  18. By The Sweat Of My BrowBy The Sweat Of My BrowBy The Sweat Of My Brow · 1983By The Sweat Of My Brow3:23
  19. Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit PeopleRocking Chair BluesHard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People · 1980Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People4:20
  20. A Few Old MemoriesWorking Girl BluesA Few Old Memories · 1987A Few Old Memories3:22

Albums

Heart Of A Singer

Heart Of A Singer

1998
Heart Of A Singer
Hazel Dickens · Album · 1998
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  1. Forsaken LoverHazel Dickens, Ginny Hawker, Carol Elizabeth Jones3:57
  2. Lay Me To RestCarol Elizabeth Jones, Ginny Hawker2:51
  3. Not A Word Of That Be SaidGinny Hawker, Hazel Dickens, Carol Elizabeth Jones4:10
  4. Old Memories Mean Nothing To MeCarol Elizabeth Jones, Ginny Hawker4:17
  5. Love Me Or Leave Me AloneHazel Dickens, Ginny Hawker, Carol Elizabeth Jones2:30
  6. Times Are Not What They Used To BeGinny Hawker, Hazel Dickens4:16
  7. Faded Pressed RoseHazel Dickens, Carol Elizabeth Jones, Ginny Hawker3:52
  8. Jealous HeartGinny Hawker, Hazel Dickens, Carol Elizabeth Jones3:39
  9. Old RiverGinny Hawker, Hazel Dickens2:59
  10. I Can't Find Your Love AnymoreHazel Dickens, Carol Elizabeth Jones2:36
  11. Let Me GoCarol Elizabeth Jones, Ginny Hawker4:02
  12. Time Is Winding UpCarol Elizabeth Jones, Ginny Hawker4:19
  13. Coming Down From GodCarol Elizabeth Jones, Hazel Dickens, Ginny Hawker2:42
A Few Old Memories

A Few Old Memories

1987
A Few Old Memories
Hazel Dickens · Album · 1987
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  1. A Few Old MemoriesHazel Dickens4:16
  2. Beyond The River BendHazel Dickens2:55
  3. BustedHazel Dickens2:37
  4. Old And In The WayHazel Dickens3:12
  5. It's Hard To Tell The Singer From The SongHazel Dickens3:18
  6. Don't Bother To CryHazel Dickens2:42
  7. Hills Of HomeHazel Dickens4:15
  8. Pretty BirdHazel Dickens3:43
  9. Only The LonelyHazel Dickens4:08
  10. Coal TattooHazel Dickens3:00
  11. Little LenaldoHazel Dickens4:05
  12. Old Calloused HandsHazel Dickens4:30
  13. Scars From An Old LoveHazel Dickens5:01
  14. You'll Get No More Of MeHazel Dickens2:45
  15. Mama's HandHazel Dickens4:33
  16. Working Girl BluesHazel Dickens3:22
  17. West Virginia, My HomeHazel Dickens4:34
  18. Play Us A WaltzHazel Dickens4:40
It's Hard to Tell the Singer From the Song

It's Hard to Tell the Singer From the Song

1987
It's Hard to Tell the Singer From the Song
Hazel Dickens · Album · 1987
Play
  1. You'll Get No More Of MeHazel Dickens2:41
  2. A Few Old MemoriesHazel Dickens4:12
  3. Do Memories Haunt You?Hazel Dickens3:34
  4. Here Today, Gone TomorrowHazel Dickens2:48
  5. Hills Of HomeHazel Dickens4:14
  6. Don't Bother To CryHazel Dickens2:40
  7. It's Hard To Tell The Singer From The SongHazel Dickens3:16
  8. Only A HoboHazel Dickens2:46
  9. Will Jesus Wash The Bloodstains From Your HandsHazel Dickens3:34
  10. California CottonfieldsHazel Dickens2:34
  11. Play Us A WaltzHazel Dickens4:41
By The Sweat Of My Brow

By The Sweat Of My Brow

1983
By The Sweat Of My Brow
Hazel Dickens · Album · 1983
Play
  1. Beyond The Rive BendHazel Dickens2:53
  2. Only The LonelyHazel Dickens4:06
  3. By The Sweat Of My BrowHazel Dickens3:23
  4. Mama's HandHazel Dickens4:31
  5. Little LenaldoHazel Dickens4:05
  6. Are They Gonna Make Us Outlaws Again?Hazel Dickens2:53
  7. Go Away With MeHazel Dickens3:24
  8. Your Greedy HeartHazel Dickens3:30
  9. Scars From An Old LoveHazel Dickens5:01
  10. The Ballad Of Ira HayesHazel Dickens3:49
  11. Old And In The WayHazel Dickens3:12
  12. Here Today And Gone TomorrowHazel Dickens3:01
Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People

Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People

1980
Hard Hitting Songs For Hard Hit People
Hazel Dickens · Album · 1980
Play
  1. BustedHazel Dickens2:33
  2. Aragon MillHazel Dickens3:04
  3. Old Calloused HandsHazel Dickens3:48
  4. Scraps From Your TableHazel Dickens2:55
  5. Out Among The StarsHazel Dickens3:31
  6. West Virginia My HomeHazel Dickens4:32
  7. Tomorrow's Already LostHazel Dickens3:45
  8. Lonesome Pine SpecialHazel Dickens3:32
  9. Lost PatternsHazel Dickens4:10
  10. Beautiful Hills Of GalileeHazel Dickens4:57
  11. Rocking Chair BluesHazel Dickens4:20
  12. They'll Never Keep Us DownHazel Dickens2:46
Hazel Dickens And Alice Gerrard

Hazel Dickens And Alice Gerrard

1976
Hazel Dickens And Alice Gerrard
Hazel Dickens · Album · 1976
Play
  1. Let That Liar AloneHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:33
  2. When I Loved YouHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:43
  3. Working Girl BluesHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:21
  4. West Virginia My HomeHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:39
  5. Mama's Gonna StayHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard2:49
  6. Montana CowboyHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard2:19
  7. Mean Papa BluesHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:09
  8. Nice Like ThatHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard2:41
  9. Mary JohnsonHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:10
  10. Ramblin' WomanHazel Dickens3:08
  11. Beaufort County JailAlice Gerrard3:02
  12. Banjo Picking GirlHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:06
  13. James Alley BluesHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard2:33
  14. True Life BluesHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard2:36
Hazel & Alice

Hazel & Alice

1973
Hazel & Alice
Hazel Dickens · Album · 1973
Play
  1. Mining Camp BluesHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:25
  2. Hello StrangerHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:12
  3. The Green Rolling Hills Of West VirginiaHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:25
  4. A Few More Years Shall RollHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard4:32
  5. Two SoldiersHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard2:57
  6. The Sweetest Gift A Mother's SmileHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:25
  7. Tomorrow I'll Be GoneHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard2:36
  8. My Better YearsHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:18
  9. Custom Made Woman BluesHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:14
  10. Don't Put Her Down You Helped Put Her ThereHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:48
  11. You Gave Me A SongHazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard3:21
  12. Pretty BirdHazel Dickens4:24
  13. Gallop To KansasAlice Gerrard1:43