Shades of the Blues

We explore the sonic hues of the blues in jazz, R & B, country, Cajun and pop. We’ll hear blues inflections in the music of Gene Vincent and George Jones, Nina Simone and Joni Mitchell. Then we crash a blues house party at the National Folk Festival for music and conversation with British rocker Albert Lee, Piedmont harmonica master Phil Wiggins, St. Louis guitarist Marquise Knox, and Cajun accordionist Steve Riley. We’re looking toward blue skies and blue horizons on American Routes!

HOUR ONE

Open Bed: I Got the Blues T-Bone Walker

The Complete Imperial Sessions, EMI

Blues Stay Away from Me Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps

Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps, Capitol

CLIP: Nina Simone

Sugar in My Bowl Nina Simone

The Very Best of Nina Simone: Sugar in My Bowl 1967-1972, RCA

Crazy Arms Jerry Lee Lewis

Sun Classics, Charly

Blue Monday Fats Domino

Out of New Orleans, Bear Family

Color of Blues George Jones

The Classic Mercury Years, Mercury

George Jones Talkin' Cell Phone Blues Drive-By Truckers

The Fine Print: A Collection of Oddities and Rarities (2003-2008), New West

Instrumental: Blues Back McCoy Tyner Trio

Reaching Forth, Impulse

Blue Blue Day Tracy Nelson

Mother Earth Presents Tracy Nelson Country , Reprise

Long Gone Lonesome Blues Hank Williams

The Complete Hank Williams - 10 CD Deluxe Edition, Mercury

First Time I Met the Blues Buddy Guy

Buddy's Blues, Chess/MCA

Blues Won't Give Me No Rest (Live) Henry Gray

American Routes recording at the 2016 Baton Rouge Blues Festival,

Instrumental: Como Mississippi Fred McDowell

Mississippi Fred McDowell, Rounder

Ramblin' On My Mind Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings, Columbia

Turbulent Indigo Joni Mitchell

Turbulent Indigo, Reprise

Blue Skies Cassandra Wilson

Blue Skies, JMT

That Lucky Old Sun Big Mama Thornton

Stronger Than Dirt, Mercury

Blues for the Melody Inn The Mighty Four

Dancing at the Melody Inn, American Music

Rainy Day Women 12 x 35 Bob Dylan

Blonde on Blonde, Columbia

Closing Bed: Blue Horizon Sidney Bechet

Blue Horizon: The Sidney Bechet Story, Proper Records

HOUR TWO

Open Bed: Blues House Party Rag Phil Wiggins Blues House Party

American Routes recording at the 2018 National Folk Festival,

Two Step Too Albert Lee

American Routes recording at the 2018 National Folk Festival,

SEGMENT: Albert Lee

SEGMENT: Marquise Knox

Flip, Flop, and Fly Marquise Knox

American Routes recording at the 2018 National Folk Festival,

Instrumental: Alley Strut Henry Townsend

Mule, Nighthawk

SEGMENT: Marquise Knox Pt. 2

SEGMENT: Phil Wiggins

Instrumental Jam Phil Wiggins

American Routes recording at the 2018 National Folk Festival,

SEGMENT: Steve Riley

Drunkard's Blues Steve Riley

American Routes recording at the 2018 National Folk Festival,

Instrumental: Eunice Two-Step Lawtell Playboys

La-La: Louisiana Black French Music, Maison de Soul

SEGMENT: Steve Riley Pt. 2

Blue Runner Steve Riley

American Routes recording at the 2018 National Folk Festival,

Fool's Night Out Phil Wiggins, Marquise Knox, Albert Lee, Steve Riley and Band

American Routes recording at the 2018 National Folk Festival,

Closing Bed: Guitar and Harmonica Rag Joh Cephas and Phil Wiggins

Going Down the Road Feeling Bad, Evidence Music