AMERICAN ROUTES
Songs as Poems; Poems as Songs Songs as Poems; Poems as Songs August 10th, 2022 (Hour 1)
Songs as Poems; Poems as Songs

We listen for poetry in music and music in poetry, songs as poems and poems as songs with Langston Hughes, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Ken Nordine. Plus, a visit to New York’s City Lore with poet-folklorist Steve Zeitlin, who rides the POEMobile to the People’s Poetry Gathering and then back to New Orleans to meet Louisiana’s poet laureate, Mona Lisa Saloy.

  • Info
  • ABOUT
  • BEST OF
  • UPCOMING
  • ARCHIVE
  • SUPPORT
  • JOURNAL
  • STATIONS
  • MEDIA KIT
  • INDEX
  • STAFF
  • CONTACT
BROWSE BY DATE
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
  • 1999
  • 1998

SUPPORT GREAT STORYTELLING

We rely on your support to remain on air and online. Your contribution helps us bring you interviews with great American artists and the carefully curated music mix that you’ve enjoyed over the years.

Donate

 

AMERICAN ROUTES ON INSTAGRAM

MLK: SOUNDS AND SPIRITS

January 15th, 2003

Honoring the late Civil Rights leader with two hours of songs and stories in his spirit from inspiring leaders in music past and present. Harry Belafonte—a confidant of MLK— recalls his career in music and social activism, including the recently available “Anthology of African-American Music.” Plus tales of one of jazz’s great eccentrics — Sun Ra — remembered by band members Marshall Allen and Michael Ray, and biographer John Szwed.

  • Listen to Hour One
  • Listen to Hour Two

HOUR ONE

  • Open Bed: "Pop's Instrumental Staple Singers
    Soul Folk In Action, Stax
  • Address To Civil Rights Marchers in Washington D.C. Martin Luther King
    Great Speeches of the 20th Century, Rhino
  • Swing, Low Sweet Chariot / Every Time I Feel The Spirit Paul Robeson
    The Power And The Glory, Sony
  • Compared To What Les McCann
    Swiss Movement, Rhino
  • The Death of Dr. Martin Luther King Big Joe Williams
    Shake Your Boogie, Arhoolie
  • Everybody Will Be Happy The Staple Singers
    Great Day, Fantasy
  • We Shall Overcome Laurel Aitken
    The Pioneer of Jamaican Music, Reggae Retro
  • Instrumental: Freedom Sound The Skatalites
    Ball of Fire, Island
  • INTERVIEW: Harry Belafonte

    Listen
  • Instrumental: I Have a Dream Herbie Hancock
    Jazz Profile: Herbie Hancock, Blue Note
  • 34 Blues Charley Patton
    Screamin' and Hollerin' The Blues: The Worlds of Charley Patton, Revenant
  • Oxford Town Bob Dylan
    The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Sony
  • Mississippi Goddam Nina Simone
    In Concert / I Put A Spell On You, PolyGram
  • O, Day Bessie Jones
    Southern Journey Vol.12: Georgia Sea Islands, Rounder
  • Blackbird The Beatles
    The Beatles [White Album], Capitol
  • God Bless the Child Dave Van Ronk
    Two Sides of Dave Van Ronk, Fantasy

HOUR two

  • Watch My Step / Movin' On Up Keith Frank
    Movin' On Up!, Maison de Soul
  • We're A Winner Curtis Mayfield & Impressions
    People Get Ready: Curtis Mayfield Story, Rhino
  • Go Tell it on the Mountain Bob Marley & The Wailers
    Trenchtown Rock: The Anthology 1969-78, Trojan
  • Let Your Mind Be Free Soul Rebels
    Let Your Mind Be Free, Mardi Gras
  • Instrumental: Riot Miles Davis Quintet
    The Best of the Miles Davis Quintet, Columbia/Legacy
  • INTERVIEW: John Szwed, Marshall Allen and Michael Ray on Sun Ra

    Listen
  • Joe Louis Is a Fightin' Man The Dixieaires
    Joe Louis: An American Hero, Rounder
  • King Joe, Part 1 Count Basie and His Orchestra with Paul Robeson
    Joe Louis: An American Hero, Rounder
  • John Henry Big Bill Broonzy
    Sings Folk Songs, Folkways
  • Instrumental: John Henry Duane Eddy
    The Twang's the Thang/Songs of Our Heritage, Bear Family
  • What is Truth Johnny Cash
    The Essential Johnny Cash 1955-1983, Columbia/Legacy
  • Your Flag Decal Won't Get You into Heaven Anymore John Prine
    John Prine, Atlantic
  • Down By The Riverside Snooks Eaglin
    Country Boy In New Orleans, Arhoolie
  • Just a Little While to Stay Here Dr. Michael White
    A Song For George Lewis, Basin Street
  • End Bed: Goodbye, Everybody Joseph Armstrong
    Southern Journey Vol.12: Georgia Sea Islands, Rounder

THE LATEST STREAMS

  • August 10th, 2022

    SONGS AS POEMS; POEMS AS SONGS

    Listen
  • August 3rd, 2022

    CARIBBEAN CRUISE & SOUTH LOUISIANA SOJOURN: GARIFUNA GUITARIST AURELIO & CREOLE ACCORDIONIST CEDRIC WATSON

    Listen
  • July 27th, 2022

    THE FOLK REVIVAL REVISITED

    Listen
A|R

  • Donate
A|R AMERICAN ROUTES
  • ABOUT
  • BEST OF
  • ARCHIVE
  • UPCOMING
  • SUPPORT US
  • JOURNAL
  • STATIONS
  • STAFF
  • CONTACT
  • Tulane University
  • NEA
  • PRX