Play Parties in Song and Dance (or Play Parties in Song and Dance as Sung by Lead Belly) is an album by Lead Belly recorded in 1941 and released a few months later by Asch Recordings.[1]
In 1941, Lead Belly was introduced to Moses "Moe" Asch by mutual friends. Asch ran a small record label, mainly releasing folk records for the local New York City market.[2] Lead Belly's initial recording sessions for Asch were held in May and July 1941 at the Asch Recording Studios, located on West 46th Street in New York City.[3] He recorded a total of eight songs, six of which were released. The three-disc 78 rpm album was released around October 1941 and each copy was sold for $2.50. According to royalty statements from Asch, the album had sold 492 copies by the end of April 1942. Lead Belly received $29.52 in royalties at the rate of six cents an album, or two cents an individual record. Charles Wolfe and Kip Lornell notes that this rate was "in line for that . . . time."[1]
