Topical songs have been a major component of American folk music for many years. This week weâll hear some of the classic songs about warfare, railroads, coal mining and unions. Music from The Almanac Singers, Big Bill Broonzy, Guy Carawan, … Continue reading →
     JUNIOR WELLS Southside Blues Jam Delmark 628 www.delmark.com  A brilliant harmonica player and emotionally arresting singer, Junior Wells was mentored by the legendary diatonic harp maven Little Walter Jacobs and released his first album, … Continue reading →
     THE VAGABAND Medicine for the Soul Eggsong 002 www.thevagaband.co.uk  This is the sophomore project from the United Kingdomâs eight-piece, Norfolk-based, ensemble The Vagaband that is helmed by singer-songwriter and guitarist Jose McGill along with … Continue reading →
     IAN ZACK Say No To The Devil: The Live and Musical Genius of Rev. Gary Davis University of Chicago Press www.press.uchicago.edu  When someone like Bob Dylan says heâs âOne of the wizards of modern … Continue reading →
     JORMA KAUKONEN Ainât In No Hurry Red House 282 www.redhouserecords.com  Jorma Kaukonen is really in a serene place in his life now. He gets out and plays live as much as he wants to, … Continue reading →
     GURF MORLIX Eatinâ At Me Rootball www.gurfmorlix.com  Gurf Morlix won mainstream recognition during his time as Lucinda Williamsâ guitar player, musical director and producer. After they had a falling out over the bandâs musical … Continue reading →
Twice in recent weeks Iâve delved into Hazel Dickensâs work to find songs that walk the line between life and death in Americaâs coal fields. âBlack Lungâ is no murder ballad, but we saw how it used Primitive Baptist singing … Continue reading →
WFDU-FMâs TRADITIONS Playlist for February 22, 2015 With the annual WFDU-FM fund drive coming to an end, my co-host Bill Hahn and I shared a number of listener favorites and requests on this weekâs broadcast. We aired these songs partially as … Continue reading →
Smithsonian Folkways is releasing a massive 5CD collection of the music of Leadbelly on February 24th. On this weekâs edition we will listen to some of the songs on that great collection. Weâll also hear some classic renditions of Leadbelly … Continue reading →
WFDU-FMâs TRADITIONS Playlist for February 15, 2015 Huddie Ledbetter, best known to the world as Lead Belly, passed away in December 1949, a few short months before the Weavers recording of his âGoodnight Ireneâ entered the Billboard best seller chart. … Continue reading →
