Sound files are marked by an "ear" icon. All files are in Real Audio designed for the average modem user, some have a higher resolution Real Audio or MP3 as a second choice for those with better speed.
Please remember that many of these recordings come from unusual sources, home recordings by the artists, live recordings and informal sessions. The audio quality will vary a lot, from high-end audiophile to some pretty "down-home" stuff. We chose material based on how much fun it was, for what it says about the musicians; for performance more than for technical perfection. The chance to hear someone in their kitchen or sitting in the back yard jamming, being at ease, is as important as the studio recordings these artists all make. Enjoy this unique experience!
Most of the songs available on RootsWorld are full tracks from the artists' albums or special tracks contributed by the artists especially for use on the web site. We have procured special permission from both the record companies (RIAA take note) and the composers/publishers (ASCAP/BMI take note, please?), in order to bring you this music in all its subtlety and energy. Occasionally, when we could not procure record company permission, we have limited the music to the legal "30 second limit" allowed by law when we thought the music was too important to miss.
The files are in Real Audio's G2 format. This may require some folks to download a more recent player. If you don't have a recent version of the Real Audio Player, you can get it here.
