The Weavers – Old Paint (Ride Around Little Dogies) / Wimoweh - 78 RPM Decca – 27928 - Promo

Released in early 1952, this Decca promo 78 RPM represents a pivotal moment in both folk music history and the career of The Weavers. The A-side, "Old Paint (Ride Around Little Dogies)," is a traditional American cowboy ballad delivered with the group's signature lush vocal harmonies, supported by the Gordon Jenkins Chorus and Orchestra. While the group was enjoying massive success, they were simultaneously facing the height of the Red Scare; shortly after this release, the group would be blacklisted, making original pressings from this final peak period particularly significant for collectors.

The B-side, "Wimoweh," is the true historical powerhouse of this disc. This track is Pete Seeger’s adaptation of Solomon Linda’s 1939 South African Zulu chant "Mbube." While Seeger’s phonetic interpretation of the original chant led to the title "Wimoweh," the song eventually evolved into the mega-hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Recorded on October 25, 1951, this version brought African musical themes into the American Top 15 nearly a decade before it became a global pop phenomenon. This promotional copy, often distinguished by its unique label color or "Sample" markings, was distributed primarily to radio stations and is highly sought after for its superior audio fidelity and historical rarity.

Genre: Folk, Pop

Style: Vocal, Folk Revival

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