
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
AN ENCORE PRESENTATION OF PRISON SONGS WITH LATE-MERLE HAGGARD & AARON NEVILLE
American Routes explores the music associated with outlaws and life behind bars, from “Ball and Chain” to “Jailhouse Rock,” from Johnny Cash’s San Quentin show to Leadbelly’s “Midnight Special.” We revisit our 2000 interview with the late-Merle Haggard, and then talk to Aaron Neville about his experience with incarceration. Plus a visit to the “Wildest Show in the South”—the Angola, Louisiana Prison Rodeo.
HOUR ONE
- Open Bed: Po Lazarus James Carter and the Prisoners
O Brother, Where Art Thou? Soundtrack, Lost Highway - Folsom Prison Blues Johnny Cash
Live at Folsom Prison, Sony - Riot in Cell Block #9 Wanda Jackson
Vintage Collections, Capitol - He's In the Jailhouse Now Memphis Sheiks
From Where I Stand, Warner - Prison Bound Robert Nighthawk
The Aristocrat of the Blues, Chess/ MCA - SEGMENT: Merle Haggard Pt.1
Listen - If Only I Could Fly Merle Haggard
If Only I Could Fly, Anti - SEGMENT: Merle Haggard Pt. 2
Listen - Cole Younger Edward L. Crain
Anthology of American Folk Music, Smithsonian Folkways - Outlaw Blues Bob Dylan
Bringing It Back Home, Columbia - 21 Days In Jail Magic Sam
Magic Sam 1957-1966, West Side Guitar, Cobra - Instrumental: Aurora En Pekin Marc Ribot Y Los Cubanos Postizos
Marc Ribot Y Los Cubanos Postizos, Atlantic - The Tijuana Jail Johnny Bond
The Best of Johnny Bond, Varese Vintage - Jailhouse Blues Dinah Washington
Sings Bessie Smith, Verve - Jailhouse Rock Albert King
King Does the King's Things, Stax - The Things That I Used to Do James Brown
James Brown: Messing with the Blues, Polydor - Have Mercy Judge Chuck Berry
The Chess Box, Chess/MCA - Tipitina Allen Toussaint
American Routes live recording,
HOUR two
- Angola Bound Aaron Neville
The Very Best of Aaron Neville, A&M - Parchman Farm Johnny Rivers
Anthology 1964-1977, Rhino - SEGMENT: Angola Prison Farm Rodeo (Israel Ducree, Cliff Bowman, Harry Kursey, Alex Hinnis and Terry Hawkins)
- Stewball Ed Lewis and Prisoners
Southern Journey: 61 Highway Mississippi, Folkways - Chain Gang Sam Cooke
Greatest Hits, RCA - Back On the Chain Gang Pretenders
The Singles, Sire - Instrumental: Work Song Grant Green
2 by 5 Guitar Jazz, 32 Jazz - SEGMENT: Aaron Neville
Listen - How Blue Can You Get BB King
Live In Cook County Jail, MCA - Instrumental: Midnight Special Tiny Grimes
Atlantic Rhythm and Blues 1947-1974, Atlantic - Midnight Special Leadbelly
From Where I Stand: The Black Experience In Country Music, Warner Bros. - Midnight Special Creedence Clearwater Revival
Hot Stuff, Fantasy - I Shall Be Released Heptones
Sea of Love, Rounder - I'm Goin' Home Ervin Webb and Prisoners
Southern Journey: 61 Highway Mississippi, Folkways - End Bed: Blues After All Jimmy Smith
Retrospective, Blue Note