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Reading List
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- All Shook Up: How Rock 'N' Roll Changed America - Glenn C. Altshuler
- The Life and Music of Miss Peggy Lee, Peter Richmond
- The B-Side: The Death of Tin Pan Alley and the Rebirth of the Great American Song - Ben Yadoga
- Singing From the Floor: A History of British Folk Clubs - JP Bean
- Playing Changes: Jazz for the New Century - Nate Chinen
- Lets Do It: The Birth of Pop - Bob Stanley
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Resources
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Roots Music Podcasts
Author Archives: Richard Barry
“Lonesome Valley” – Mississippi John Hurt (1964)
“Lonesome Valley” is a traditional American gospel folk song, first recorded in the 1920s. It has for a long time been pretty standard fare for country artists, including the Carter Family early on, and then the Monroe Brothers and the … Continue reading
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“Early Morning Riser” – Pure Prairie League (1972)
For fans of country rock, and I am definitely one, Bustin’ Out, the second album released by Pure Prairie League, is a classic. The odd thing about it is that it was released in 1972 but didn’t get much notice … Continue reading
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“I am a Pilgrim” – Frank Hamilton (1959)
“I Am a Pilgrim” is a traditional hymn going back to the mid-19th century, first recorded by the Norfolk Jubilee Quartet in 1924, an African-American group, and recorded and performed many times since by gospel, folk, and bluegrass artists. The … Continue reading
Posted in Folk Revival
Tagged Frank Hamilton
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“I’m Sittin’ on Top of the World” – Al Jolson (1928)
“I’m Sittin’ on Top of the World” was published in 1925 – words by Ray Henderson, lyrics Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young. Al Jolson recorded the song in 1925, and then sang it in the 1928 part-talkie film The Singing Fool and in his biographical movie The … Continue reading
Posted in Jazz at the Movies
Tagged Al Jolson
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“Haven’t We Met?” – Kenny Rankin (1975)
When I was an undergraduate, I went through a very serious Kenny Rankin phase. That would have been in the late ’70s, which was probably a strange thing for a guy that age to be into. I thought that if … Continue reading
“It Might As Well Be a Spring” – Nina Simone (1959)
“It Might As Well Be Spring” is a Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein classic from the 1945 film State Fair, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song that year. Jeanne Crain performed it in the movie, but the voice was dubbed … Continue reading
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“Mambo Boogie” – Johnny Otis (1951)
Johnny Otis (1921-2012) had quite the resume: singer, musician, composer, arranger, bandleader, talent scout, disc jockey, record producer, television show host, artist, author, journalist, minister, and impresario. Beside being a major influence on R&B and rock and roll, his various … Continue reading
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“But Beautiful” – Road to Rio (1948)
But Beautiful is from the film “Road to Rio,” which is the fifth in the series of famous “Road” films starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour. The IMDb summary of the film states: Two inept vaudevillians stow away … Continue reading
Posted in Jazz at the Movies
Tagged Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke
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The Boswell Sisters: “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” (1932)
The Boswell Sisters, who were raised in New Orleans, consisted of sisters Martha, Connee, and Helvitia (Vet) Boswell. They were best known for their tight family harmonies and were a prominent act in the 1930s. Their website says this: They were three … Continue reading
Posted in Early Jazz
Tagged 1930s, Boswell Sisters
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Arthur Fields: “How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm” (1919)
I have a fully functional 1903 Victrola record player that once belonged to my grandfather. Family lore has it that he found it in an old barn in upstate New York and refurbished it himself. In many ways the interest … Continue reading
Posted in Tin Pan Alley
Tagged Arthur Fields, Joe Young, Walter Donaldson
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