Compared to What?
It’s no secret these are troubled times regarding the role of government, political attacks and secrecy in a nation in conflict with itself. We asked our listeners to help pick music and musicians that deal with the troubles we’re facing, and we added a few songs and singers that fit the mood as best we could, including the Staple Singers, Allen Toussaint, Woody Guthrie, Toots and the Maytals, Son Volt, Carole King, John Coltrane, Los Super Seven, Dr. John, and Tom Waits. So we’re just trying to make it real, and the big question remains: Compared to What?
HOUR ONE
Open Bed: Compared to What Les McCann, Eddie Harris
Compared to What, Warner Music Group
Freedom Jon Batiste
WE ARE, Verve
Yes We Can Can Allen Toussaint
Our New Orleans, Nonesuch
Let's Make A Better World Earl King, Sam Charters
The Sonet Blues Story, Universal
Instrumental: Freedom Jazz Dance Eddie Harris
The In Sound, Atlantic
If I Had a Hammer Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash
Any Old Wind That Blows, Sony
I'll Take You There The Staple Singers
The Very Best of the Staple Singers, Concord Music Group
One Small Voice Carole King
Once Small Voice, Rockingale Records
Everyday People Sly & The Family Stone
Stand, Sony
Instrumental: We Shall Overcome Regina Carter
Swing States: Harmony in the Battleground, Tiger Turn
Keep On Pushing The Impressions
Keep on Pushing, Geffen Records
We Shall Overcome Toots & The Maytals
Sweet and Dandy, Beverley's Records
Going Down This Road Feeling Bad Doc and Merle Watson
The Essential Doc Watson, Vanguard Records
You Got to Move Rev. Gary Davis
Have a Little Faith, Fantasy, Inc.
I’ve Endured Ola Belle Reed, David Reed and Bud Reed
Rising Sun Melodies, Smithsonian Folkways
This Land is Your Land Woody Guthrie
My Dusty Road, Rounder
Tear Stained Eye Son Volt
Trace, Warner Bros. Records.
Alabama John Coltrane
The Gentle Side of John Coltrane, ABC Impulse!
End Bed: Blues to Bechet John Coltrane
The Atlantic Studio Album Collection, Atlantic
HOUR TWO
I Shall Be Released Marion Williams
The New Message, Atlantic
Plane Wreck at Los Gatos (Deportee) Los Super Seven
Los Super Seven, RCA Nashville
La Bamba Playing For Change, Cesar Rosas, David Hidalgo, Andrés Calamaro, La Marisoul, Baby Ndombe
Playing for Change 3: Songs Around the World, Playing For Change Records
Hey Jude Wilson Pickett
Hey Jude, Atlantic
You Are Not Alone Mavis Staples
You Are Not Alone, Anti Inc.
Instrumental: Fables of Faubus Charles Mingus
Mingus Ah Um, Columbia
Let’s Make a Better World Dr. John
Desitively Bonaroo, Atco Records
One Love/People Get Ready Bob Marley and the Wailers
Legend - Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Island Records
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free Nina Simone
Silk and Soul (Expanded Edition), Sony
Instrumental: Genuflection Kyle Roussel
Nola À La Mode, Roussel Records
The World is on Fire American Aquarium
Things Change, New West Records
Day After Tomorrow Tom Waits
Real Gone (Remastered), Anti
Saint Honesty Sara Barreilles
Amidst the Chaos, Epic Records
Simple Song of Freedom Tim Hardin
Simple Songs of Freedom–The Tim Hardin Collection, Columbia/Legacy
Here Comes The Sun Richie Havens
Live at the Cellar Door and at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Five Star Recordings
Closing Bed: Hymn to Freedom Oscar Peterson Trio
Night Train, Verve