Podcast: In Praise of Labor
Episode #15-36 | airing 9-02-15
In celebration of Labor Day this week’s program dedicated to the American Labor Force. A recent Associated Press survey found 58% of American Adults approve of Labor Unions. This is the highest level since 2008 when 59% supported the establishment of Unions. Organized Labor was the cornerstone in the establishment of the American middle class. Through wage negotiation, the establishment of safety regulations, the 8 hour day and 5 day week, retirement plans and owner provided health benefits, unions have made the workplace a much more pleasant environment. This week we’ll hear songs about Unions and occupations.
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Artist / “Title” / CD / Label
Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer” / Songs Of Hope And Struggle /
Smithsonian-Folkways
Alan Jabbour, Tommy Thompson, Sandy Bradley / “Shooting Creek” /
Hollow Rock Legacy / Jabbour-Flying Fish
Paul Robeson / “Joe Hill” / Classic Labor Songs / Smithsonian
Folkways
Woody Guthrie / “Pastures of Plenty” / Classic Folk Music /
Smithsonian Folkways
Pete Seeger / “The Death of Harry Sims” / The Essential Pete
Seeger / Vanguard
Hazel Dickens / “Coal Tattoo” / Coal Mining Women / Rounder
Magpie / “Working Girl Blues” / Working My Life Away / Collector
John McCutcheon / “Mr. Block” / Joe Hill’s Last Will / Appalsongs
Deborah Holland / “I Am A Union Woman (Join the CIO) / The Panic
is On / Gadfly
Bruce Molsky / “Peg and Awl” / Poor Man’s Troubles / Rounder
Alan Jabbour, Tommy Thompson, Sandy Bradley / “Paddy on the
Turnpike” / Hollow Rock Legacy / Jabbour-Flying Fish
Si Kahn & the Looping Brothers / “Aragon Mill” / Aragon Mill
The Bluegrass Sessions / Strictly Country
Strange Creek Singers / “Poor Old Dirt Farmer” / Strange
Creek Singers / Arhoolie
Debra Cowan / “Dad’s Dinner Pail” / Among Friends / Muzzy
House
Norman & Nancy Blake / “Otto Wood the Bandit” / Blind Dog /
Rounder
Maria Dunn / “Speed Up” / Piece By Piece / Distant Whisper
Finest Kind / “No More Fish, No Fishermen” / Heart’s Delight /
Fallen Angle
Florence Reese-The Almanac Singers / “Which Side Are You On” /
Classic Labor Songs / Smithsonian Folkways
Pete Seeger / “If I Had a Hammer (excerpt)” / Songs of Hope and Struggle /
Smithsonian Folkways