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by Robert Cochran & Michael Cockram
Deep in the roots of American music, there are artists whose influence and talent have been largely overlooked or forgotten. In the Backtracks podcast, folklore scholar Professor Robert Cochran and musician Michael Cockram explore the music and lives of these under-appreciated pioneers.Backtracks is a non-profit, educational podcast produced in association with the Ozark Folkways Fayetteville Folk School, a community music space.Contact us with comments, questions and information at: backtracks444@gmail.comIntro: Susan ShoreIntro music: Rent House Stomp by Big Bill Broonzyozarkfolkways.org.
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- 1 weeks ago37 min
Gladys Knight | Torch songs and carrying the torch of soul and rhythm & blues.
Over a career spanning more than half a century, Gladys Knight has established herself as an iconic American voice. While she is sometimes referred to as the "Empress of Soul", her repertoire reaches into many genres. In this episode we will explore her career from her debut at seven years old to her current position as the director of the Be One Choir. Through personal turmoil her voice remained rock solid: at once soothing, powerful and dynamic.Video:Kennedy Center Honors Gladys Knight:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g-yrYPfaMg&t=38sThe Be One Choir:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNIU-R38lmA
- Jul 28, 202632 min
The Persuasions | Expanding the boundaries of a cappella music
The Persuasions began as a doo wop a cappella quintet singing on the street corners of Brooklyn, New York. From that simple beginning their career careened in surprising and innovative directions. "Discovered" over the phone by rock musician, satirist and composer Frank Zappa, the group created huge discography from the sacred to the profane; all with impeccable arrangements and harmony.Spike Lee's film "Do it A Capella"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UZZpkRwnNQ&t=4334sInterview with front man Jerry Lawson on Frank Zappa and the Persuasions:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuT710R9tjkTwo of the harder to find songs:Good Old A Capellahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vInVtExVw0Y&list=RDvInVtExVw0Y&start_radio=1The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing (Frank Zappa tribute album):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c9EfRZXglg&list=RDvInVtExVw0Y&index=2
- Jun 13, 202632 min
Martin, Bogan and Armstrong | The Legacy of the Old-Time Black String Bands
From their beginnings in Knoxville Tennessee playing on street corners in the late 1920's through their resurgence on the festival circuit in the 70's and 80's, Martin, Bogan, and Armsrtong carried the torch of the old-time Black string band tradition . Their vast repertoire included swing, blues, show tunes, tin pan alley favorites, and any genre that would get their audience tapping their feet. With relentless energy, these consummate entertainers helped keep alive a string band tradition reaching back to the beginnings of African American musical history.R. Crumb's Sweet Shellac podcast on black string bands of the 20's and 30's:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JB-Nf-x1zM&t=1043sAllison Williams and Elizabeth Scott - Old time banjo and Music History.This page has great resources on old-time black string bandshttps://folklife.uark.edu/apprenticeships/williamsscott26/The African-American String Music Tradition - Afro pop interview with Howard Armstrong:https://www.afropop.org/audio-programs/the-african-american-string-music-tradition-2?curator=MusicREDEFHoward Armstrong PBS POV documentary "Sweet Old Song" available for purchase on film maker Leah Mahan's website:https://www.leahmahan.com/films/sweet-old-song/
- Apr 24, 202635 min
Charlie Rich | The long road to finding his voice
Most people remember Charlie Rich for his 1973 country/pop hits and his controversial pyrotechnical antics at the 1975 Country Music Awards. But before his star rose in Nashville, he had early rock and roll hits on Sun Records. Later in his career, after his fame faded, he teamed up with music historian and producer Peter Guralnick to make the album he dreamed of; a soulful mix of jazz, blues, and R&B.Songs:Lonely Weekendshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1YD_Ejb450Most Beautiful Girl in the World:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLbGeZSUrhgLife's Little Ups and Downshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kO7p2bpya0Pictures and Paintings:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDNmFzY5WxwBobby Blue Bland's versions of Who Will the Next Fool Be?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjzY5i3jDbcVideos:Charlie Rich on the Jimmy Dean Show Songs:River Stay Away from my DoorBig Boss Man (Not Lonely Weekends as I said in the podcast)1975 CMA Awards:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf3t3unp-Gg
- Mar 22, 202637 min
Clifton Chenier | The man who brought Zydeco music to the world
From the heart of French-speaking Louisiana, Clifton Chenier transformed the rural Zydeco of his father's generation into an international embodiment of high-energy good-time music. He was the first to broaden the genre by incorporating other forms such as blues, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues. Despite the addition of electric instruments and new forms, his accordion-driven music never strayed far from it's origins of creating a place for working people to leave their troubles behind and let the good times roll.Interview with Chris Strachwitz:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGUqnOYUi1ASongs:J’Ai Conet, C’Est Pas Me Femme (I Know She’s Not My Woman)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwioXT2UDW4Someone Told Me it was Over:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIhc4CQFah8&list=RDcIhc4CQFah8&start_radio=1Release Me:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Q2kKsNNS8A Tribute to the King of Zydeco. "Release Me", featuring Lucinda Williams, Tommy McLain, and Keith Frank is available through a variety of services: https://orcd.co/releaseme1"A Tribute to the King of Zydeco" available for pre-sale now: https://linktr.ee/valcourrecordsReserve your limited-run vinyl copy of "A Tribute to the King of Zydeco" now: https://www.valcourrecords.com/vinyl/... 100% of profits benefit the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship Fund, created by Valcour Records with the Center for Louisiana Studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Learn more about the fund here: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/...Grand Mamou (Big Mamou):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh9NhkWWVswI'm Coming Home (to See my Mother):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_06Ig59jo8
- Mar 1, 202643 min
Willie Dunn | The resonant voice of Canada's indigenous people; with guest Kelly Mulhollan
Largely unknown on the folk scene in the US, Willie Dunn is an important figure in framing the stories of native Canadians in songs, films, and art. With a rich voice, strong melodies and subtle arrangements, his music brings to light an overlooked chapter in the history of North America.For this episode we're joined by musician and author Kelly Mulhollan of the duo Still on the Hill.https://www.stillonthehill.com/Links:Film:The Ballad of Crowfoot:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qsZsfn6PC4Songs:Pity the Countryhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qsZsfn6PC4Son of the Sun:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4ZG-6SxEBkCharlie:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWEl9naKPZoPontiac:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svwrIF7atVIDigging Roots Band website:https://www.diggingrootsmusic.com/
- Jan 20, 202634 min
Henry Thomas | The mystery of the hobo songster
Little is known about the life of Henry Thomas, but his legacy of 23 recorded songs influenced generations of folk, rock, and blues musicians. He often accompanied himself on the "quills" a pan flute-like instrument probably fixed in a brace around his neck. Often using the name "Ragtime Texas" Thomas was born in east Texas and was known to travel by train as a hobo, Otherwise his life is a mystery.Songs:Fishing Blueshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OilNFHa1AOcBull Dog Blueshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcLgJ-K49a8Arkansas:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdtoZzctg1cVideo: Otha Turner cane fife player in the Mississippi fife and drum tradition:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MgK8RtFWQY&list=WL&index=11Sid Hemphill - Devil's Dreamhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP3GKaX_Kz8Video of African Quill playingRitual dance nsambo and panflutes Nyanga (Mozambqie)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLLX_xqoK_0&list=WL&index=11Possible video of Henry Thomas playing guitar and quills:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75v6uwO5tVADon Flemmons, contemporary songster, demonstrates the quills and "hooting" technique:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqIdB9cNt5Q
- Dec 28, 202534 min
Lydia Mendoza | Idol of Mexican-American music
From her modest beginnings in the Mendoza family band playing for migrant farm workers, Lydia Mendoza became the undisputed queen of Tejano music, receiving awards from presidents and appearing on a US postage stamp. In her 70 years of performing, she never strayed from her Tejana roots, singing cinematic tales of love, treachery and courage. Whether singing alone accompanying herself on bajo sexto or performing with a conjunto band, Mendoza’s voice rings out strong and pure.Thanks to Scott Newby for suggesting Lydia Mendoza for this episode, and also to Cathy Whitney and Oscar Calzada for helping with translation.Songs:Mexico in la Lagunahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvm6BeoAvj8Celosa (Live)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X-L39r1oTI&list=RD9X-L39r1oTI&start_radio=1Mal Hombrehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwTSPb3YVbICorrido de Juaquin Murrietahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymR2oV9W9VQNoche de Estrellashttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ4yaiW1h4gLa Boda Negrahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1sInnfrxjcInformation about the artwork of Jose Guadelupe Posada can be found at the Posada Art Foundation.https://www.posada-art-foundation.com/One book on his work is entitled Posada's Broadsheets – Mexican Popular Imagery 1890-1910;Patrick Frank; University of New Mexico Press; 1998
About Backtracks
Deep in the roots of American music, there are artists whose influence and talent have been largely overlooked or forgotten. In the Backtracks podcast, folklore scholar Professor Robert Cochran and musician Michael Cockram explore the music and lives of these under-appreciated pioneers.Backtracks is a non-profit, educational podcast produced in association with the Ozark Folkways Fayetteville Folk School, a community music space.Contact us with comments, questions and information at: backtracks444@gmail.comIntro: Susan ShoreIntro music: Rent House Stomp by Big Bill Broonzyozarkfolkways.org.
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