A Change is Gonna Come: Words and Music in the Spirit of Martin Luther King

As historic events take place in Washington, DC this holiday, American Routes reflects on the legacy of Martin Luther King in both words and music. We’ll talk music with Civil Rights activist and college professor Julian Bond. Jazz trumpet legend Freddie Hubbard stops by to share stories of his life in the jazz world during those tumultuous times. All this plus songs and voices to commemorate our past and look to our future.

HOUR ONE

Open Bed: We Shall Overcome Charlie Haden and Hank Jones
Steal Away, Verve

Beautiful Tomorrow Mahalia Jackson
How I Got Over: The Apollo Sessions, West Side

Clip: McCoy Tyner

Alabama John Coltrane
Live At Birdland, Impulse

Freedom for the Stallion Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint
The River In Reverse, Verve

Yes We Can Lee Dorsey
Lee Dorsey: The Masters, Eagle

Lord, Don't Move the Mountain Inez Andrews
Testify: The Gospel Box, Rhino

Instrumental: Keep the Faith Donald Harrison
Real Life Stories, Nagel Heyer

SEGMENT: Julian Bond

Instrumental: Compositional Theme Story: Medleys, Anthems and Folklore Charles Mingus
Mingus Plays Piano, Impulse

I'm Tired, I'm Tired (Things Better Change Before It's Too Late) Marva Whitney
James Brown's Original Funky Divas, Polydor

When He Spoke Ruth Davis
The Great Gospel Women, Vol. 2

SEGMENT: Isaac Hayes

Paths of Victory Odetta
Odetta Sings Dylan, Camden

Redemption Song Johnny Cash with Joe Strummer
Redemption Songs, American

Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn Emmylou Harris
Roses in the Snow, Warner

HOUR TWO

Open Bed: Backlash Freddie Hubbard
Backlash, Koch

Buck's Going To Frenchtown Buckwheat Zydeco
Jackpot!, Tomorrow

It's Been A Change Solomon Burke
Home In Your Heart: The Best of Solomon Burke, Atlantic

Calypso Freedom Willie Peacock
Voices of the Civil Rights Movement, Smithsonian Folkways

Clip: Cyril Neville

Meet the Boys on the Battlefront The Wild Tchoupitoulas
The Wild Tchoupitoulas, Mango

Clip: Hugh Masekela

MaCongo Letta Mbulu
Hugh Masekela Presents the Chisa Years 1965-1975, BBE

Instrumental: Marcus Garvey Monty Alexander with Ernest Ranglin
Rocksteady, Telarc

SEGMENT: Freddie Hubbard

Instrumental: Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Jason Moran
Artist in Residence, EMI

Wade in the Water Mavis Staples
Live Hope at the Hideout, anti

Wide River to Cross Levon Helm
Dirt Farmer, Vanguard

I Shall Be Released Nina Simone
The Very Best of Nina Simone

Knockin' on Heaven's Door Bob Dylan
The Best of Bob Dylan, Columbia

Blowin' in the Wind Stevie Wonder
Greatest Hits, Motown

End Bed: The Prayer Oliver Sain
St. Louis Breakdown: The Best of Oliver Sain, Excello