AMERICAN ROUTES
Earl Scruggs & Tom Rush Earl Scruggs & Tom Rush June 22nd, 2022 (Hour 1)
Earl Scruggs & Tom Rush

Earl Scruggs‘ legendary banjo playing, aptly named “Scruggs Style,” has left its mark on American pop culture and inspired generations of banjo players. In the late 1960s, Scruggs, along with his sons, bravely crossed musical boundaries, but his musical journey really started back at the beginnings of bluegrass, playing with Bill Monroe and later, Lester Flatt. In this American Routes encore, we talk to Earl and his sons, Randy and Gary, about performing on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium and why he doesn’t need to crack jokes about the banjo. New Hampshire-born folk singer songwriter Tom Rush may have gone to Harvard and studied with a ballad scholar, but he still knows how to sing the blues. We’ll visit with Rush to learn more about Boston’s folk scene in the 1960s, his time as a radio DJ and his inspired approach to songwriting.

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IN THE SPIRIT OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. WITH CYRIL NEVILLE

January 15th, 2020

For the Martin Luther King holiday we honor his spirit and struggle with African American spirituals, protest anthems, freedom jazz and soul power. New Orleans musician and activist Cyril Neville tells of growing up with Mardi Gras Indian rituals and street music and the importance of both to Black community life in the city. From our archives, the late jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard talks free form music and freedom of expression. Plus, Bob Dylan gives voice to the social unrest of the Sixties. Cellist and singer Leyla McCalla, formerly of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, reprises “The Capitalist Blues” for a new generation. And Big Mama Thornton brings a musical storm tide with her defiantly upbeat take on “Wade in the Water.” Be in that number with American Routes for MLK Day weekend!

  • Listen to Hour One
  • Listen to Hour Two

HOUR ONE

  • Open Bed: Freedom Jazz Dance Eddie Harris
    Atlantic Jazz- Saxophones Vol. 1, Rhino
  • This is My Country The Impressions
    God Bless the U.S.A., MCA
  • Yes We Can Lee Dorsey
    Lee Dorsey: The Masters, Eagle
  • I'm On My Way Barbara Dane
    I'm On My Way/Go 'Way from my Window, Trey Records
  • Abraham, Martin & John Charles Brown
    Bad, Bad Whiskey, Specialty Records
  • A Tribute to Martin Luther King Otis Spann
    Live the Life, Shout
  • Wade in the Water Big Mama Thornton
    Ball and Chain Part 1/Wade in the Water, Arhoolie
  • Instrumental: Freedom Sound The Skatalites
    Ball of Fire, Island
  • Brother John The Wild Tchoupitoulas
    The Wild Tchoupitoulas, Mango
  • Macongo Letta Mbulu
    Hugh Masekela Presents the Chisa Years 1965-1975, BBE
  • SEGMENT: Cyril Neville

    Listen
  • Instrumental: Corrina, Corrina Bob Dylan
    The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Columbia
  • I Belong to the Band Reverend Gary Davis
    Harlem Street Singer, Prestige Bluesville
  • I Shall Be Released Bob Dylan
    Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits, Columbia
  • Blowin' in the Wind Stevie Wonder
    Greatest Hits, Motown
  • Closing Bed: We Shall Overcome Charlie Haden and Hank Jones
    Steal Away-- Spirituals, Hymns & Folk Songs, Verve

HOUR two

  • Open Bed: Backlash Freddie Hubbard
    Backlash, Koch
  • SEGMENT: Freddie Hubbard

    Listen
  • Instrumental: Down By the Riverside George Lewis
    Jazz at Preservation Hall: The George Lewis Band of New Orleans, Atlantic
  • I Shall Not Be Moved Zion Harmonizers & Olympia Brass Band
    Best of New Orleans Gospel Vol. 2, Mardi Gras Records
  • The Capitalist Blues Leyla McCalla
    The Capitalist Blues, self-release
  • No Banker Left Behind Ry Cooder
    Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down, Nonesuch
  • Soul Power James Brown
    In the Jungle Groove, Polydor
  • Instrumental: The Prayer Oliver Sain
    St. Louis Breakdown- The Best of Oliver Sain, Excello
  • Black, Brown and White Big Bill Broonzy
    Defiance Blues, HOB
  • Peace In the Valley Red Foley
    Classic Country Music Volume II, Smithsonian
  • Peace in the Valley The Gate City Singers
    Testify! The Gospel Box, Rhino
  • Take My Hand Precious Lord Sister Rosetta Tharpe
    Sister Rosetta Tharpe, MGM
  • Just a Closer Walk with Thee Mahalia Jackson
    Sings the Best-Loved Hymns of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Columbia/Legacy
  • Closing Bed: Walk Through the Streets of the City Joe Lastie Jr. and the Lastie Family Gospel
    Preservation Hall Recordings presents Joe Lastie Jr. and the Lastie Family Gospel, Preservation Hall Recordings

THE LATEST STREAMS

  • June 22nd, 2022

    EARL SCRUGGS & TOM RUSH

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  • June 15th, 2022

    SOUNDS OF FREEDOM: FONTELLA BASS AND FREDDIE HUBBARD

    Listen
  • June 8th, 2022

    SHADES OF THE BLUES

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