Songs of the Humpback Chubb
Series: What's in a Song
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Length: 00:04:02
- Playing
- Songs of the Humpback Chubb
- From
- Western Folklife Center Media
Ecologist Larry Stevens sings the saga of the Humpback Chubb, a small odd-looking fish that lives at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and which has been struggling to survive since the Colorado River was dammed years ago. Larry sings from the perspective of the Humpback Chubb longing for the days before dam.
Also in the What's in a Song series
Journey
(00:03:08)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Geraldine Barney sings about how she drew strength from the teachings of her Navajo elders when she left the reservation to attend music school in a big Eastern city.
Factory Girl
(00:04:41)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Folklorist Archie Green rediscovers one of America's oldest work songs during a field trip in which he meets an aging mill worker who sings "Factory Girl" from her deathbed.
The Last Letter
(00:04:08)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Music historian Bill C. Malone recalls his family gathering around their first radio to listen to old country songs like "The Last Letter."
La Llorona
(00:03:00)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Musician Cipriano Vigil describes the myth that inspired the song "La Llorona".
Loch Lomond
(00:04:37)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
British pianist Leslie Howard tells the story behind this familiar Scottish classic.
Man in the Bed
(00:04:08)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Songwriter Dave Alvin describes his song "Man in the Bed" which tells the story of the last day of his father's life.
Bells of Ireland
(00:02:46)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Rosalie Sorrels sings about the gardens her two Irish grandmothers used to keep, and how the flowers they grew were a reflection of their very different personalities.
Escalante Adios
(00:03:39)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Curly Musgrave talks about "Escalante Adios" his ballad that gives a cowboy's perspective of the establishment of a national monument in Southern Utah.
Grand Canyon Gold
(00:02:47)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Navajo singer Alger Greyeyes sings of the beauty of food and the meaning of a bounty from the earth.
Don't Laugh at Me
(00:03:58)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Steve Seskin tells the story of "Don't Laugh at Me," a song that spawned a movement.
Piece Description
Ecologist Larry Stevens sings the saga of the Humpback Chubb, a small odd-looking fish that lives at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and which has been struggling to survive since the Colorado River was dammed years ago. Larry sings from the perspective of the Humpback Chubb longing for the days before dam.
Broadcast History
Originally broadcast on NPR's Weekend Edition May 15, 2005.
Additional Files
- Hal Cannon and Taki Telonidis of the Western Folkife Center (HalCannonTiki05.jpg)
- What's in a Song (VoicesWestWoodcut1.jpg)



Anna Brozek
Posted on December 08, 2005 at 10:18 AM | Permalink
Review of Songs of the Humpback Chubb
What a delightful song and thought provoking story. I am thankful that Western Folklife Center was able to bring this song to the public. I don't know where else I would have heard the tale of the Humpback Chubb and I believe they have an important story to tell. Whether one is for or against the Grand Canyon Dam, it is certainly important for us all to understand that our interactions with nature affect many areas of life.