American Song

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America's original art contribution to the world - jazz.
So deep.  So rich.  But where did it come from?

There were at least four different sources; and yet one of these - the blues - is also much more than a contributing art form.  The blues is almost mythology itself.  
Sprung from the earth, like the plantation soil where so many slaves lived and died, the blues at once describes and also gives life to everything in its path.

I hope you enjoy this episode.  If you do, please tell me about it!  Leave a comment to let me know what you think of our podcast so far - what you like, and what you'd like to know more about!  I'll get back to you, and possibly even address any questions or suggestions in an upcoming episode!

Many recordings have been sourced to prepare this week's episode.  Here's a list of what I've included:

Grace and Beauty 
composed by James Scott
source: Jazz Piano History

Elite Syncopations
composed and performed by Scott Joplin 
source: Scott Joplin Piano Rolls

The Entertainer
composed and performed by Scott Joplin
source: Jazz Piano History

Wynton Marsalis interview
taken from Ken Burns "Jazz" documentary

Bleeding Hearted Blues
composed and performed by James P. Johnson
 source:  Library of Congress

Boogie Woogie Stomp
composed and performed by Pine Top Smith
source:  Jazz Piano History

Son House interview
source: YouTube video

Trouble of the World
performed by Mahalia Jackson
source:  Gospels, Spirituals & Hymns

Go Down Old Hannah
performed by Texas Prison Gang
source:  YouTube

Terraplane Blues
composed and performed by:  Robert Johnson
source:  The Ultimate Jazz Archive

Contact Joe Hines at [email protected]

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Hi All,

Episode two of “American Song” is an exploration of some of the early regional music from before the 20th century.  Like some of the things we listened to in episode one, many of these forms survive and continue to be popular today!

In this half-hour episode, we’ll listen to Appalachian and Mountain music, then travel down to Louisiana for a sampling of Cajun music!  No trip to Louisiana is complete without at least a short stop in New Orleans – we’ll be back to New Orleans again in episode three.  This week, however, we’re digging into the march music; early jazz music was, at least in part, played of ex- marching band members.  And I hope you’re leaving a little room on your plate for some Mexican food – or at least music!  Our neighbors to the south have contributed to our culture like everyone else.

Here’s a list of the music used in this episode: 

 West Virginia Gals
Recorded 11/26/66 in the family home of Glen Lyn; Giles County, Virginia.
Source:  Library of Congress

Barbara Allen
Sung by “Granny Porter”; Wade Ward, fiddle player.
Source: Ballads and Songs of the Blue Ridge Mountains; Persistence & Change

Camden Clog Dancing
Mike Adamson YouTube video

Darlin’ Cori
Cedric Watson on Gourd Banjo
Cedric Watson YouTube video

Wash Tub Bass
Demonstration by Mick Ralphs
YouTube video

Whiskey Before Breakfast
Performed by:  Stephen Seifert 
YouTube video

High On a Mountain
Performed by:  Ola Belle Reed
Classic Mountain Songs; Smithsonian Folkways

Cajun Comedian
Comedy by:  Kent Gonsoulin
YouTube video

La Danse du Mardi Gras
Performed by: The Balfa Brothers

Pomona Waltz
Emil Waldtleufel; composer
Recorded by E. Berliner Gramophone; 1897
Source; Library of Congress

Soldier’s March
Performed by Prince’s Military Band
Recording Date; 3-25-1909
Source:  Library of Congress

Panama Rag
Performed by:  Regimental Band of the Republic (instrumentalist)
Recorded By:  American Record Co.
Date:  1905

La Cucaracha
Performed by:  Cuco Sanchez

Volver, Volver
Performed by:  Vicente Fernandez

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Welcome to American Song.

There are few things I love more than music, and America.
Both of these worlds have been my home since my earliest days.

I've been thinking about producing this podcast for many years now.   And now, this is episode one;   With this podcast, I want to tell a story about how many cultures have contributed to the music we listen to today, and how the people of the United States have a common and proud heritage.  We are a great people because of our diversity.  This diversity made it possible to create totally new ways of addressing challenges and opportunities.  It made it possible for our country to lead in science, the arts, business - nearly every endeavor.

I'm choosing to tell the story with something that I, and many people like me, love.  Music.
I'm going to tell the story about how every modern form of music we listen to today has it's roots in the cultures that brought their unique musical arts with them when they arrived on our shores.

The music I've included in this first episode mostly comes from the digital archives available through the Library of Congress.  

This podcast will be updated at least once a month.  I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you'll come back to listen every month.   I've got no sponsors; this is a labor of love.  So, if you like what I'm doing here, please encourage me by spreading the word!   

I look forward to hearing your ideas or experiences that you might like to share.  If you love America and music the way I do, I hope together we can build a community that celebrates both of those blessings together.  

God bless America!