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AMERICAN ROUTES ON INSTAGRAM

I SWUNG THE ELECTION: MUSIC & POLITICS

All eyes are on the 2004 election. With this American Routes Music & Politics special we ask you to lend your ears to the democratic process as we bring you songs by and about politicians — including John Kerry’s high school rock band — protest music, campaign songs and more. Guests include Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia on fiddling to get elected; Cook County Commissioner and soul singer Jerry Butler discusses the difference between performance and politics; former Sec. of the Interior Stewart Udall recalls music in the Kennedy White House; and the King of Bluegrass, Jimmy Martin, wonders if we’ll have a guitar-picking president. Plus topical music from Howlin’ Wolf, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Grateful Dead. Democracy is the best sound around.

HOUR ONE

  • Open Bed: Happy Days are Here Again Casa Loma Orchestra
    Songs of the Depression, Bear Family
  • I Swung the Election Jack Teagarden
    Jack Teagarden and His Orchestra, 1934-1939, Classics
  • Vote for Mr. Rhythm Ella Fitzgerald
    Ella Fitzgerald, Cocktail Hour
  • Jordan for President Louis Jordan
    Let the Good Times Roll, Bear Family
  • I Don't Want to Be President Percy Mayfield
    His Tangerine and Atlantic Sides, Rhino
  • Tell Me Why You Like Roosevelt, Part 2 Otis Jackson
    Roosevelt's Blues: African-American Blues and Gospel Songs on FDR, Agram Blues
  • CLIP: Roosevelt "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"
    20th Century Time Capsule, Buddha
  • Franklin Roosevelt's Back Again Cox Brothers
    Old Time Southern Dance Music, Old Timey
  • Instrumental: Stars and Stripes Forever / Sweethearts on Parade The Kalima Brothers
    Legends of the Ukulele, Rhino
  • Every Man a King Randy Newman
    Good Old Boys, Warner
  • CLIP: Randy Newman
  • Kingfish Randy Newman
    Good Old Boys, Warner
  • CLIP: Earl K. Long speech
  • Ballad of Earl K. Long Jay Chevalier
    45rpm,
  • Instrumental: Liberty Will Keys
    A Banjo Original, County
  • Sales Tax Mississippi Sheiks
    Roosevelt's Blues: African-American Blues and Gospel Songs on FDR, Agram Blues
  • Taxes on the Farmer Feeds Us All Ry Cooder
    Into the Purple Valley, Warner
  • INTERVIEW: Senator Robert Byrd

    Listen
  • Take the Star Out of the Window John Prine
    Diamonds in the Rough, Atlantic
  • Sam Stone Laura Cantrell
    Future Soundtrack for America, Barsuk
  • The Day After Tomorrow Tom Waits
    Real Gone, Anti
  • The ‘Saint-Gaudens' in Boston Common (Excerpt #2) Bill Frisell
    Bill Frisell: Have a Little Faith, Nonesuch

HOUR two

  • Open Bed: "Greenfields" "You Can't Sit Down" "Yellow Jacket" The Electras
    The Electras - '60s Garage Rock Band Reissue, The Electras R&R Band
  • INTERVIEW: Jimmy Martin

    Listen
  • Guitar Pickin' President Jimmy Martin
    Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys, Bear Family
  • God Guide Our Leader's Hand Jimmy Martin
    Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys, Bear Family
  • Christ for President Billy Bragg and Wilco
    Mermaid Avenue, Elektra
  • Dead Presidents Little Walter
    The Essential, MCA
  • I Could Never Be President Johnnie Taylor
    Lifetime, Stax
  • Instrumental: Wolverine Blues Al Hirt
    Greatest Hits, Intersound
  • SEGMENT: Music of the Kennedy White House with Stewart Udall

    Listen
  • I Want to Know Why James & Fannie Brewer
    Can't Keep From Crying, Testament
  • Bobby Kennedy Corrido Lalo Guerrero
    Recorded live for Folk Masters Series,
  • Watergate Blues Howlin' Wolf
    The Back Door Wolf, MCA
  • CLIP: Richard Nixon Resignation Address
    Great Speeches of the 20th Century, Rhino
  • Backlash Blues Nina Simone
    Livin' in the House of Blues: Defiance Blues, House of Blues
  • Instrumental: The Watergate Blues Modern Jazz Quartet
    Warner Jazz Les Incontournables, Warner Music France
  • INTERVIEW: Cook County Commissioner Jerry Butler

    Listen
  • Long Walk to DC Staple Singers
    Soul Folk in Action, Stax
  • Be Careful How You Vote Sunnyland Slim
    Be Careful How You Vote, Earwig
  • U.S. Blues Grateful Dead
    Mars Hotel, Grateful Dead
  • End Bed: Stars and Stripes Forever Eubie Blake
    The Eighty-Six Years of Eubie Blake, Columbia

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