Valerie June - “Irene (Goodnight Irene)“ [Live at the Kennedy Center | April 2015]

In April 2015, breakout artist Valerie June performed at the Kennedy Center as part of an all-star line-up for the Lead Belly at 125 tribute concert honoring the great American songster Huddie “Lead Belly“ Ledbetter. In a rehearsal space the day before, she interpreted the American folk standard “Irene (Goodnight, Irene),“ a signature song that is included in the new box set ’Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection.’ June curated a set of Southern songs for this month’s People’s Picks playlist, the third of a monthly playlist series curated by musicians and friends of Smithsonian Folkways: ’Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection’ available on CD Box Set and Digital. Stream/download/purchase: Smithsonian Folkways: Spotify: