July 4th: Soul of America

Who better to supply an all-American 4th of July soundtrack than our humble citizen selves? This year, we’ll meet two soulful gentlemen who could only have come from the good ol’ USA. Smokey Robinson talks about his voice and his timeless Motown singles with the Miracles, as well as the songs he wrote and produced for others, like “My Guy” for Mary Wells and the Temptations’ “My Girl.” And meet Mr. Wiggles, the king of Richmond VA’s “Fatback Sound.” Also, craftsman Charles Gillam, who carves blues history out of Mississippi River driftwood. It’s a red, white and blues Independence Day… may the Fourth be with you!

HOUR ONE

Open Bed: Dancing in the Street Ramsey Lewis Trio
In Person, Chess

Summer Days Bob Dylan
Love & Theft, Sony

Guitar Town Steve Earle
Best of alt Country, K-Tel

Dixie Skillet Lickers
Freedom: Songs from the Heart of America, Columbia

Stars and Stripes Forever Kalima Brothers Featuring Jesse Kalima
Legends of Ukulele, Rhino

Instrumental: Stars & Stripes Forever Van Dyke Parks
Discovering America, Sundazed

In Crowd Ramsey Lewis
In Person 1960-67, MCA

Going to a Go-Go Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Going to a Go-Go, Motown

INTERVIEW: Smokey Robinson

Instrumental: You Keep Me Hangin' On The Funk Brothers
Standing in the Shadows of Motown soundtrack, Hip-O

The House I Live In The Ravens
Ol Man River, Savoy

The Freedom Train Paul Weston's Orchestra
Freedom: Songs from the Heart of America, Columbia

Star Spangled Banner Duke Ellington
Freedom: Songs from the Heart of America, Columbia

Go to the Mardi Gras Henry Butler
Live at American Routes 5th Anniversary Concert at House of Blues

Down by the Riverside Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery
Masters of Jazz Vol.4, Rhino

HOUR TWO

Open Bed: Bugle Boy March Dr. Michael White
A Song For George Lewis, Basin Street

You're a Grand Old Flag James Cagney
Yankee Doodle Dandy, Rhino

Political Science Randy Newman
Sail Away, Warner

We'll Meet Again Peggy Lee and Benny Goodman
Freedom: Songs from the Heart of America, Columbia

America Chita Rivera & Company
Star Spangled Rhythm: Voices of Hollywood and Broadway, Smithsonian Collection

Only in America The Drifters
Rockin' and Driftin', Rhino

INTERVIEW: Mr. Wiggles

Old Uncle Tom is Dead Mr. Wiggles
Mr. Wiggles Again, Sound of Soul

Instrumental: Dixie-Doodle Link Wray & the Wraymen
Slinky! The Epic Sessions '58-'61, Sundazed

Change is Gonna Come Terrence Trent D'Arby and Booker T & the MGs
Freedom: Songs from the Heart of America, Columbia

INTERVIEW: Charles Gillam

Down By the Riverside Papa Celestin
Marie Laveau, GHB

Instrumental: America the Beautiful Star Spangled Band
Red, White & Bluegrass, CMH

America the Beautiful Keb' Mo'
Freedom: Songs from the Heart of America, Columbia

This Land is Your Land Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Hard Travelin', Fantazy

No Depression Uncle Tupelo
No Depression, Sony

Back in the USA Chuck Berry
His Best, MCA

End Bed: Under the Double Eagle Bill Boyd
Classic Country Music: A Smithsonian Collection, Smithsonian

Previous
Previous

'Where Have All the Folk Songs Gone': The Alan Lomax Legacy and a Conversation w/ Pete Seeger