More Words and Music

Music as literature—a concept explored by songwriter, singer and guitarist Laura Cantrell, who joins us to talk about her picaresque journey from Nashville to New York. And writer, cultural critic and Boston native Nat Hentoff recalls his famous associations from Charles Mingus to Billie Holiday and why Charlie Parker loved country music. Plus Delhi, LA soul man Toussaint McCall talks about the writing of his magnum opus “Nothing Takes the Place of You.” Country, jazz, blues, R&B and more come together for this hardcover edition of American Routes.

HOUR ONE

I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter Lionel Ferbos & John Robichaux
Lars Edegran Presents Lionel Ferbos and John Robichaux, GHB

Write Me a Few of Your Lines Fred McDowell
The Best of Mississippi Fred McDowell, Arhoolie

Mailman, Mailman Sonny "Golden Boy" Williamson
Shreveport Stomp: Ram Records Vol. 1, Ace

Instrumental: Dub Latina Calexico
Feast of Wire, Quarterstick

Tragedia de los Cargadores Frank Cantu with Conjunto Topo Chico
The Roots of the Narcocorrido, Arhoolie

I've Written So Many Tunes Spade Cooley and the Western Swing Dance Gang
Shame On You, Bloodshot

Shame On You Spade Cooley and the Western Swing Dance Gang
Shame On You, Bloodshot

Shame On You Jerry Lee Lewis
Classic Jerry Lee Lewis, Bear Family

Shame Randy Newman
Bad Love, Dreamworks

Mack the Knife Lotte Lenya and Louis Armstrong
Lotte Lenya Sings Kurt Weill, Sony

Jonah and the Whale Louis Armstrong
Louis and the Good Book, MCA

(Open Up the Book) Take a Look Ferlin Husky
Vintage Collections, Capitol Vintage

Instrumental: Travelin’ Chet Atkins
The Essential Chet Atkins, RCA

Angel from Montgomery John Prine
Souvenirs, Oh Boy!

Poor Ellen Smith Molly O'Day and the Cumberland Mountain Folks
Columbia Country Classics, Vol. 1, Columbia

INTERVIEW: Laura Cantrell

HOUR TWO

Open Bed: I Could Write a Book The Miles Davis Quintet
Relaxin' With Miles, Prestige

I Could Write a Book Sarah Vaughan
You're Mine You, Roulette

Writing on Rocks Across the USA Terry Allen
Juarez, Sugar Hill

Book of Love The Monotones
Chess Rhythm & Roll, MCA/Chess

INTERVIEW: Toussaint McCall

Nothing Takes the Place of You Toussaint McCall
Nothing Takes the Place of You: The Ronn Recordings, Fuel 2000

He Stopped Loving Her Today George Jones
Super Hits, Epic

Stand By Your Man Candi Staton
Candi Staton, Capitol

Stand By Your Man Johnny Gimble
Hits of Western Swing, CMH

Drunkard's Waltz Belton Richard
The Essential Belton Richard Cajun Music Collection, Swallow

The Letter Johnny Walker Read Asleep at the Wheel
Texas Gold, Capitol

Quiet Whiskey Wynonie Harris
Bloodshot Eyes: The Best of Wynonie Harris, Rhino

How to Write Folk and Western Music Hank Williams
The Complete Hank Williams, Mercury

My Bucket's Got a Hole in It Hank Williams
The Complete Hank Williams, Mercury

My Bucket's Got a Hole in It Jimmy Rushing
Five Feet of Soul, Roulette

Daddling Jay McShann
Some Blues, Chiaroscuro

INTERVIEW: Nat Hentoff

Gary's Notebook Lee Morgan
The Sidewinder, Blue Note

End Bed: I'm Gonna Sit Right Down & Write Myself a Letter Fats Waller
The Centennial Collection, BMG