Season 2, Episode 3 // God's Golden Shore

Featured in this Episode:

Traditional - “Man of Constant Sorrow” (:28)

Ma Rainey (13:08)

Bill Monroe (31:40)

Patsy Cline (51:29)

Bruce Molsky (1:08:17)

Teaser:

Thought to be rooted in the early hymns brought to America, this old-time folk song has reveled in the spotlight more than once in the roots music community, especially after being featured in the 2000 film “O’ Brother Where Art Thou.” A defining voice of the 1920’s and 1930’s, this female artist wrote the book on fashion, songwriting, and entrepreneurship while harnessing the soul of the blues in some of the earliest recordings of the genre. Dubbed the Father and creator of Bluegrass music, this mandolin aficionado learned how to weave the blues with old-time with piercing tenor mountain harmonies and blistering fast tempos. A life taken too soon, this woman’s voice epitomized country music for nearly a decade, and inspired generations of singers in her wake, even until today. A scholar, teacher and virtuosic fiddle and banjo player, he’s a quintessential “musician’s musician” and is widely considered among the premier ambassadors of America’s old-time mountain music.

⁠Listen to my new traditional record: FOLK SONGS FOR OLD TIMES’ SAKE

Performances:

“Man of Constant Sorrow” - Traditional (10:14)

“Prove It On Me Blues” - Ma Rainey (28:26)

“In the Pines” - Traditional (47:50)

“Walkin’ After Midnight” 1:06:20

“Red Rocking Chair” | 1:20:48

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Traditional: Black Deer Festival | American Songwriter 

Ma Rainey:  Women’s HIstory | National Museum AAH |  Black Past 

Bill Monroe: Folkways | Britannica | Alan Cackett | Bluegrass HOF

Patsy Cline: Grunge | Biography | Britannica

Bruce Molsky: Official | WBUR | Banjo News