16-07: Rock and Soul from Memphis to Muscle Shoals, 2/17/2016
From American Routes | Part of the American Routes series | 01:58:58
featuring Sam Phillips, Jerry Lee Lewis, Barbara Sims and Candi Staton
This week on American Routes, we talk to Barbara Sims about her time working at Sun Studios as a publicist and promoter, and the search for the next Elvis. Then we dig into the archives for classic interviews with Sun’s founder Sam Phillips, Elvis’ sidemen DJ Fontana and Scotty Moore and the Killer, Jerry Lee Lewis. Then we head over to North Alabama for a conversation on love, God and music with soul and disco siren Candi Staton.
16-01: Music, Comics & Collecting Records, 1/6/2016
From American Routes | Part of the American Routes series | 01:58:58
featuring R. Crumb and Jerry Zolten
This week on American Routes we spin some shellac and wax nostalgic with the iconic cartoonist, musician and record collector Robert Crumb, who’ll share with us his love of musical times gone by. Then we talk to educator and vinyl aficionado Jerry Zolten about the story of Paramount Records, started by a furniture manufacturer, whose recorded legacy is now contained in two swank suitcases.
15-46: The Sonic Journey of Alan Lomax: Recording America and the World, 11/18/2015
From American Routes | Part of the American Routes series | 01:58:55
Featuring Pete Seeger, John Szwed and more
American Routes follows the journeys made by folklorist Alan Lomax as he documented the diversity of the traditional music of America, in the face of what he felt was the increased threat by popular “monoculture.” We’ll look into Lomax’s work as a sound recordist, cultural theorist, radio host and above all, shaper of 20th century pop culture through his discoveries.
15-30: Wade in the Water: Songs and Stories of the River, 7/29/2015
From American Routes | Part of the American Routes series | 01:58:56
featuring Aaron Neville, Al Green & Richard Campanella
As the muddy Mississippi winds its way past us in New Orleans, we're reminded of the power and place of these waterways in American culture. First, we seek the source of the mighty river at the headwaters in Minnesota. Then listen to stories of steamboat captains, riverboats and rural fisherman. And learn about New Orleans own relation to the river with Tulane professor Richard Campanella. Plus river tales from Captain Doc Hawley, Aaron Nevilleand Al Green.
15-28: Giants of Jazz: Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane, 7/15/2015
From American Routes | Part of the American Routes series | 01:58:56
featuring McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Saunders, TS Monk, Ravi Coltrane
For this special American Routes program, we follow the lives of two giants of jazz: Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. From their humble North Carolina beginnings to their triumphs on the world stage, we’ll trace their individual and inspired paths to creativity. And we’ll visit with the musicians who played with the greats, including McCoy Tyner and Pharoah Sanders, and the next generation, TS Monk and Ravi Coltrane.
15-05: Hard Times and Honky Tonks, 2/4/2015
From American Routes | Part of the American Routes series | 01:58:55
Dale Watson, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
The sounds may seem old but the songs are not. This week on American Routes we visit with a few musicians who are known for crafting modern country music from old-time inspirations. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings share with us how they fit "an electric peg into an acoustic hole." Then conversation with Austin's king of the honky-tonks, Dale Watson, who literally wears his musical inspirations on his sleeve.