Big Voices with k.d. lang & Topsy Chapman
From shouters to chanteuses, R&B melisma to the high lonesome sound of bluegrass, this week we bring you some of the biggest voices on the American soundscape. Neo-retro vocalist k.d. lang comes by to talk about her loves and influences from ’50s country to smoky lounge music. New Orleans singer Topsy Chapman tells us how a stint as a singing waitress on Bourbon Street and growing up with 15 siblings led her to an international career as a song stylist.
HOUR ONE
Open Bed: I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues Earl Hines
Earl Hines in New Orleans, Chiaroscuro
I Gotta Right to sing the Blues Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong The Complete RCA Victor Recordings, BMG
I'm Going To Live the Life I Sing About in My Song Marion Williams
Precious Lord: Recordings of the Great Gospel Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey, Columbia/Legacy
That's How I Got to Memphis Solomon Burke
Nashville, Shout! Factory
The Weight The Band
Across the Great Divide, Capitol
I've Been Loving You Too Long Ike and Tina Turner
Bold Soul Sister: The Best of the Blue Thumb Recordings, Hip-O
Instrumental: Third Man Theme Mickey Baker
The Wildest Guitar, Stone
Reconsider Baby Elvis Presley
The King of Rock and Roll: The Essential 60's Masters, RCA/BMG
Crazy Patsy Cline
The Patsy Cline Collection, MCA
Instrumental: Faded Love Johnny Gimble et al
Hits of Western Swing, CMH
INTERVIEW: k.d. lang
That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day) Johnny Cash
American III: Solitary Man, American
Both Sides, Now Joni Mitchell
Hits, Reprise
Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Meet Joe Black Soundtrack, Universal
HOUR TWO
Open Bed: I Wish I Could Sing George Coleman
George Coleman: Bongo Joe, Arhoolie
Sing, Sing, Sing Louis Prima
Capitol Collectors Series, Capitol
Wheel of Fortune The Barry Sisters
Hebrew National Kosher Classics, RCA
Lonely at the Top Randy Newman
Sail Away, Reprise
The Best is Yet to Come Frank Sinatra w/ Count Basie
It Might as Well Be Swing, Reprise
Straight to the Top Tom Waits
Franks Wild Years, Island
Instrumental: Just Another Sucker on the Vine Tom Waits
Swordfishtrombones, Island
I Feel Like Singing Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks
Where's the Money?, MCA
Doin' the New Lowdown Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson
Stars of the Apollo, Columbia/Legacy
INTERVIEW: Topsy Chapman
Please Don't Drive Me Away Sam Cooke
Night Beat, RCA
She Thinks I Still Care George Jones
The Definitive Collection: 1955 - 1962, Mercury
Today I Sing the Blues Aretha Franklin
Aretha Sings The Blues, Columbia
Instrumental: Jesus Will Fix It For You Sonny Treadway
Jesus Will Fix It, Arhoolie
Tryin' to Make Heaven My Home Viola Jones & Congregation
Southern Journey, Vol. 3: 61 Highway Mississippi, Rounder
Rivers of Babylon The Melodians
The Best of the Melodians, 1967-1973, Trojan
Down by the Riverside Mahalia Jackson
The Essential Mahalia Jackson, Columbia
End Bed: Basin St. Blues Henry Butler
American Routes original recording