Song Makers and Song Takers: William Bell and Chris Smither

This week on American Routes, we hear from great songwriters and performers and those who emulate them. Original songs can take on new forms and meaning when interpreted by different voices, and we’ll hear some of those renditions and transformations this week. We’ll hear the rocking Southern sound of the Drive-By Truckers covering Bob Dylan, and Ray Charles doing Hank Williams. Our guest William Bell, from Memphis, will tell us all about his music being played by the Byrds and bluesman Albert King. And we’ll go live on stage in Northampton Massachusetts with New Orleans blues guitarist Chris Smither for songs and stories.

HOUR ONE

Open Bed: Rent Party Booker T. Jones

The Road from Memphis, Anti-

I Can't Stand the Rain Ann Peebles

Ann Peebles- St. Louis Woman/Memphis Soul, HiBook Records

You Don't Miss Your Water William Bell

The Complete Stax/Volt Singles: 1959-1968, Atlantic

SEGMENT: William Bell

Instrumental: Willow Weep for Me Booker T. Jones

Soul Limbo, Stax

Cold Cold Heart Dinah Washington

Jazz Masters 19, Verve

Half as Much Ray Charles

The Complete Country & Western Recordings 1959-1986,

Worried Man Blues George Jones

Winding Stream: The Carters, the Cashes and the Course of Country Music, Omnivore Records

Ain't Nobody Dori Freeman

Dori Freeman, Free Dirt Records

16 Tons Eugene Church

16 Tons 45 rpm single, King

Instrumental: Slim Jenkins' Place Booker T. Jones

The Complete Stax/Volt Singles: 1959-1968, Atlantic

Like a Rolling Stone Drive-By Truckers

The Fine Print 2003-2008, New West

Tonight I'll Be Staying Here with You Esther Phillips

How Many Roads: Black America Sings Bob Dylan, ACE Records

It Ain't Me Babe Johnny Cash

Orange Blossom Special, Columbia

Stuck Inside of Mobile with the (Memphis Blues Again) Bob Dylan

Blonde on Blonde, Columbia

Closing Bed: I Can't Stand the Rain Booker T. Jones

That's the Way it Should Be, Columbia

HOUR TWO

Open Bed: Statesboro Blues Chris Smithers

Don't Drag It On, Poppy

My Creole Belle Mississippi John Hurt

Avalon Blues, Origin Records

Dixie Flyer Randy Newman

The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 2, Nonesuch

Old Jim Crow Nina Simone

Nina Simone in Concert, Philips Records

Okra Olu Dara

In the World: From Natchez to New York, Atlantic

Les Ognons Albert Nicholas and His Creole Serenaders

Jazz a la Creole, G.H.B. Records

Instrumental: Watermelon Man Herbie Hancock

Takin' Off, Columbia

SEGMENT: Chris Smither

Instrumental: Instrumental, No. 2 Carl Perkins and Scotty Mooe

The Clasic Carl Perkins, Bear Family

Match Box Carl Perkins

The Classic Carl Perkins, Bear Family

Honey Don't Carl Perkins

The Classic Carl Perkins, Bear Family

Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby The Beatles

Beatles For Sale, Parlophone

Homeward Bound Simon & Garfunkel

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, Columbia

American Tune Allen Toussaint

American Tunes, Nonesuch

Closing Bed: St. Charles Street Parade Wardell Quezergue

After the Math, Jazz Foundation