AMERICAN ROUTES
Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland & Balla Kouyaté Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland & Balla Kouyaté May 18th, 2022 (Hour 1)
Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland & Balla Kouyaté

It’s Blueswomen, Jazzmen, African roots and branches. Chicago blues singer Shemekia Copeland‘s father, the late blues guitarist Johnny Copeland, brought her into his music as a child. As an adult, she found new ways to use blues to express her perspective. We’ll hear from some of Shemekia’s heroes including Etta James, Ruth Brown, Alberta Hunter and Big Mama Thornton. Then a conversation and performance by Boston-based Mandinka balafon player Balla Kouyaté and music inspired by and from the continent of Africa from Randy Weston, Miriam Makeba and the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Shemekia Copeland photo by Mike White

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MLK: SOUNDS AND SPIRITS

January 14th, 2004

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 “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

  • May 18th, 2022

    BLUES AND JAZZ, AFRICAN ROOTS AND BRANCHES WITH SHEMEKIA COPELAND & BALLA KOUYATé

    Listen
  • May 11th, 2022

    BREAKING OUT: BRITISH BLUES TO NEW ORLEANS BOUNCE

    Listen
  • May 4th, 2022

    KINGPINS OF THE GULF COAST: RODNEY CROWELL & DR. JOHN

    Listen
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