MUSICAL STARS AND CULTURAL STRIPES: AMERICAN ROOTS INDEPENDENCE DAY REVISITED

It’s Fourth of July, and we dig into the archives for the roots of American Routes. It all began with a series of Independence Day concerts held annually at the Washington Monument before the fireworks show on the National Mall and featured the best of American vernacular musical culture. We’ll sample from nearly a decade’s worth of concerts, highlighting spectacular stage performances by the Staple Singers, Tito Puente, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, New Orleans Tuxedo Brass and more. It’s Musical Stars & Cultural Stripes: American Roots Independence Day Revisited.

HOUR ONE

Open Bed: Do What You Wanna Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording

Henry Butler Patriotic Medley Henry Butler with Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording

Sleepytime Down South Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band with Henry Butler
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording

Muskrat Ramble Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band with Henry Butler
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording

Black and Blue Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band with Henry Butler
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording

The Secondline (Joe Avery's Piece) Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band with Henry Butler
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording

Instrumental: Dippermouth Blues Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band with Henry Butler
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording

Rip It Up Marcia Ball
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1998 Original Recording

Red Beans Marcia Ball
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1998 Original Recording

La Ti Da Marcia Ball
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1998 Original Recording

Red Hot Marcia Ball
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1998 Original Recording

Instrumental: Boppin' the Rock Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording

Bayou Noir/Back of Town Two-Step Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording

The Mardi Gras Song Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording

Chere Bassette Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys with Nelda Balfa
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording

Zarico est pas sale Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording

End Bed: J'etais au Bal (with fiddlesticks) Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording

HOUR TWO

Open Bed: Eddie's Hoedown/Memories Cover Everything I Own Johnson Mountain Boys
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1995 Original Recording

Knoxlyn's Breakdown Johnson Mountain Boys
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1995 Original Recording

My Better Years Johnson Mountain Boys
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1995 Original Recording

Orange Blossom Special Johnson Mountain Boys
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1995 Original Recording

Woman's Dance Song Akwasasne Mohawk Singers
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording

Instrumental: On Broadway Tito Puente
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1999 Original Recording

Machito Forever Tito Puente
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1999 Original Recording

Dejame Sonar Tito Puente
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1999 Original Recording

Oye Como Va Tito Puente
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1999 Original Recording

Instrumental: Jump for Joy The Campbell Brothers
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording

Happy Birthday America/Come Go With Me The Staple Singers
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1997 Original Recording

Respect Yourself The Staple Singers
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1997 Original Recording

I'll Take You There The Staple Singers
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1997 Original Recording

End Bed: Ida Reed Otha Turner and Rising Star Fife & Drum
American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1993 Original Recording