Labor Day: Roots Rock & Soul, Jazz & the Working Wo/Man's Blues

Aug 30

For Labor Day weekend, we take a break from the grind with a sonic salute to the heroic “Factory Girl” and those all too familiar with the “Workin’ Man Blues.” We explore the pains and joys of labor with tunes about coal miners, undertakers, chain gangs, and paydays. We hear a tribute to Cesar Chavez and the 1969 farm workers strike in Delano, CA. And we time travel with Lord Invader to 1940s Brooklyn to attend the West Indian Labor Day Carnival. Finally, we settle under the neon signs of New Orleans’ famed Chickie Wah Wah club to hear a live set from Telecaster master and rockabilly journeyman, Bill Kirchen.

HOUR ONE

Open Bed: The Undertaker Man Kermit Ruffins

The Big Butter and Egg Man, Justice

Every Man to His Own Profession Louis Jordan

Let the Good Times Roll, Bear Family

Work, Work, Work Lee Dorsey

Wheelin' and Dealin': The Definitive Collection, Arista

Blue Monday Fats Domino

Out of New Orleans, Bear Family

Labor Day Lord Invader

Calypso in New York, Folkways

I'm Not Going to Work Today Clyde McPhatter

A Shot of Rhythm and Blues, Sundazed

Instrumental: Work Song Cannonball Adderley

Sweet and Dangerous Jazz Blues, Disky

Bed: Hammer Ring Henry Scott and Group

Wake Up Dead Man, Rounder

Chain Gang The Persuasions

We Came To Play, Capitol

Work Song Nina Simone

Anthology: The Colpix Years, Rhino

A Hard Day's Night Peggy Lee

Ultra Lounge- On the Rocks Part 1, Capitol

Factory Girl Rolling Stones

Beggar's Banquet, ABCKO

Ain't Nobody Dori Freeman

Dori Freeman, Free Dirt Records

16 Tons Eugene Church

45 rpm single, King

Instrumental: Moanin' Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

Art Blakey is Jazz, Music Club

Moanin' Sarah Vaughn

Jazz Profile: Sarah Vaughn, Blue Note

When Will We Be Paid The Staple Singers

We'll Get Over, Stax

Corrido de César Chávez Los Perros del Pueblo Nuevo

Classic Protest Songs from Smithsonian Folkways, Smithsonian Folkways

Quarters Wilco

Schmilco, Anti-

Workin' Man Blues Jerry Lee Lewis

Killer Country , Mercury

Workin' for the Man Roy Orbison

For the Lonely: 18 Greatest Hits, Rhino

I've Been Working Van Morrison

His Band and the Street Choir, Warner

Closing Bed: Work Song Grant Green

2 By 5: Guitar Jazz, 32 Jazz

HOUR TWO

Open Bed: The Finger Bill Kirchen

Hot Rod Lincoln Live, Hightone

Hillbilly Truck Driving Man Bill Kirchen

Live at Chickie Wah Wah, American Routes original recording

Let's Rock Austin Delone