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Related Pieces
Piece Description
In April of 1900 a passenger train colided with a freight train near the little town of Vaugn, Mississippi. Miraculously none of the passengers was hurt, but the train's engineer, John Luther Jones, was killed instantly. You may not think you know engineer Jones, but most Americans certainly recognize him by his nickname. Hal Cannon of the Western Folklife Center went looking for the history of Casey Jones, trying to learn why he became a folk song legend. Originally broadcast on NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, April 30, 2000.
3 Comments
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Review of Casey JonesI enjoyed this piece so much more than I expected to. I grew up hearing songs about Casey Jones in the classroom, on cartoons, and on the radio. But to hear this well thought out story about Casey's life and legend was just incredible. I appreciate the wealth of information presented in this piece, and I was especially moved by one of Hal's last remarks. I certainly cannot imagine Michael Jordan or Oprah living forever in a folk song... |
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Review of Casey JonesThis is a superbly produced feature about the history of the legendary African-American train engineer John Luther Jones, also known as Casey Jones. It is a delightful mélange of historic recordings, interviews, music, sound effects and narration that is beautifully mixed. This piece documents the spectacular train accident in which Casey’s passenger train collides with a freight train, and the resultant legend that was created and preserved in song. The old recordings are cleaned up beautifully, and the mix is as good as it gets. The feature will resonate with train buffs, history aficionados and lovers of folk music, as well as anyone who enjoys an excellent example of radio at its finest. |
Broadcast History
Originally broadcast on NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, April 30, 2000.
Transcript
Transcript
Hal Cannon
0:00:00
In the 1930s if you grew up on big band and swing, you might remember Wingy Manon and his orchestra.
Sounds
0:00:07
song Casey Jones plays
Hal Cannon
0:00:13
In the early 1960s country music star Johnny Cash sang Casey's story this way.
Sounds
0:00:16
Johnny Cash version of Casey Jones
Hal Cannon
0:00:24
And by the 1970s rock and roll's Grateful Dead packaged this powdered version.
Sounds
0:00:29
Grateful Dead version of Casey Jones
Hal Cannon
0:00:39
Since it's first wax release 90 years ago, there have been scores of recordings from blues to bluegrass to burlesque, but most people are surprised to learn Casey Jones was a real man, an engineer who really died with his locomotive. Of all the Casey Jones recordings, this is the rarest.
Sim Webb
0:00:58
I, Simeon Webb, was his fireman and I will tell you about our last...
Read the full transcript
Musical Works
Mississippi John Hurt: "Casey Jones"
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Ben Trefny
Posted on October 04, 2005 at 10:42 PM | Permalink
Review of Casey Jones
This is a fun exploration of the roots of a song. I feel that in this age of disposable entertainment, it's really nice to hear something that reflects upon the stories that built up modern culture. Casey Jones is one of those.
The piece is carried along nicely by music and storytelling. I've got to say that anything that features Mississippi John Hurt is always worth listening to, and this has Hurt. The story didn't always hold my attention, but as a light piece, it's nicely made and it brings some truth to the mythology.
One note for producers: the end says "For NPR News..." so that should be struck before broadcast.