HOW MUSIC CHANGED, PART 13-13 – THE LEGACY OF LOUIS ARMSTRONG

PLAY THE SHOW

Part 13 in our Louis Armstrong series covers the pre-war era of 1938-1941. If you have any doubt at all that Louis was able to maintain his artistry this far into his career, we hope to dispel it entirely with the songs covered in today’s show, including;

1) Jubilee

2) I Double Dare You

3) When the Saints Go Marching In

4) Shadrack

5) I Can’t Give You Anything But Love

6) Elder Eatmore’s Sermon on Generosity

7) Elder Eatmore’s Sermon on Generosity (Bert Williams)

8) What Is This Thing Called Swing?

9) You’ve Got Me Voodoo’d

10) Harlem Stomp

11) Wolverine Blues

A FEW SINGLES FROM EARLY 1970

PLAY THE SHOW

This is OUR first show of the new decade dedicated to music from exactly 40 years ago, one of our favorite musical eras, the ‘60s. No, I’m not going insane. The way we see it at American Hit Radio, the ‘60s – as we have come to know them – began in January 1964 with the arrival of the Beatles, and lingered until some time in 1972, when a cultural shift ultimately moved away from the ideals of the ‘60s. I think the music will prove out this theory adequately enough, so here are the songs featured in today’s show;

1) Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) – Sly & the Family Stone

2) Everybody Is a Star- Sly & the Family Stone

3) Rainy Night in Georgia – Brook Benton

4) The Thrill Is Gone – B.B.King

5) Bridge Over Troubled Water- Simon & Garfunkel

6) Travelin’ Band – CCR

7) Who’ll Stop the Rain – CCR

8) He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother - The Hollies

9) Call Me – Aretha Franklin

10) Leaving On a Jet Plane – Peter, Paul & Mary

11) Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head – B.J. Thomas

HOW MUSIC CHANGED, PART 13-12 – THE LEGACY OF LOUIS ARMSTRONG

PLAY THE SHOW

By 1937, Louis Armstrong’s career began to change significantly. His new manager, Joe Glaser, had begun to implement a number of maneuvers to increase Louis’ exposure, and in the process, his income. It was a long time coming, and it was wonderful for Louis to finally have some pocket money (he was only the most artistically important musician in the world at this time!), but the effect this had on his artistry (or his personal integrity) was much more ambiguous. Movies and radio were the two mediums that Glaser pursued, with mixed results. Today’s show focuses on those results.

Here are songs featured in today’s program;

1) The Skeleton in the Closet

2) Public Melody Number One

3) On a Little Bamboo Bridge

4) Sun Showers

5) On the Sunny Side of the Street

6) “Harlem” Radio Broadcast - a)Program Intro

b) I’ve Got a Heart Full of Rhythm

c) After You’ve Gone

d) Pennies from Heaven

e) That’s What I Like

f) Darling Nellie Gray

g) Washington and Lee Swing

h) Fleischmann’s Yeast Commercial

i) Sign-Off Station ID

A FEW TRACKS FROM JANUARY 1960

PLAY THE SHOW

It’s been a while since the new decade has rolled around, and we’ve spent so much time reviewing some of our favorite stuff from 2009 that we have yet to do a typical ‘anniversary’ show. So then, let’s get back on track by tripping back 50 years to January 1960. All songs from today’s show are now officially 50 years old – hard to believe in some cases, and no surprise in others.

Here, then, are songs covered in today’s program;

1) Let It Be Me – The Everly Brothers

2) Beyond the Sea – Bobby Darin

3) Where Or When – Dion & the Belmonts

4) Theme from “A Summer Place” – Percy Faith & His Orchestra

5) Teen Angel – Mark Dinning

6) Silver Dagger – Joan Baez

7) Wildwood Flower – Joan Baez

8) Bye Bye Johnny – Chuck Berry

9) Down the Road Apiece – Chuck Berry

10) Let It Rock – Chuck Berry

11) It’s So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) – The Everly Brothers

12) Nashville Blues – The Everly Brothers

13) What About Us – The Coasters

HOW MUSIC CHANGED, PART 13-11 – THE LEGACY OF LOUIS ARMSTRONG

PLAY THE SHOW

Our story picks up in 1935, as Louis completes an n extended working vacation in Europe. He returns to America only to find that his personal business is in a shambles, particularly as his management is concerned. Louis attempts to pick up the pieces, and finds himself with a new manager, on a new record label. Musically, he hits the cruise control button, which annoys critics but results in a catalog of consistently brilliant music.

Songs covered today include;

1) I’m In the Mood for Love

2) Got a Bran’ New Suit

3) Old Man Mose

4) Thanks a Million

5) Shoe Shine Boy

6) Solitude

7) I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket

8) Lyin’ To Myself

9) Ev’ntide

10) Swing That Music

A Few Selections from 2009, Part 3

PLAY THE SHOW

It’s not often that we get to cover contemporary music – and even still, the word ‘contemporary’ is relative, as we are talking about music from 2009 when it’s already 2010 – this is SO last year already! For us, it hardly matters. Since we spend most of our effort looking back 20, 30, 40 or even 50 years, looking at last year is positively new for us! So, here is one last look- our 3^rd in this series, at a few releases from 2009.

Here’s a list of stuff we cover today;

1) Catch and Release- Silversun Pickups (Swoon)

2) Lisztomania – Phoenix (Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix)

3) Walkabout - Atlas Sound )Logos)

4) Up a Tree (Went This Heart IHave) - Cotton Jones

5) Weary Mind - Frankel (Anonymity Is the New Fame)

6) My Timing Is Off – The Eels (Hombre Loco)

7) The Ego Delusion – Soundtrack of Our Lives (Communion)

8) Unthought Known – Pearl Jam (Backspacer)

HOW MUSIC CHANGED, PART 13-10 – THE LEGACY OF LOUIS ARMSTRONG

PLAY THE SHOW

Part 10 in our series covering the music and life of Louis Armstrong covers a period of transition in Louis’ life. Any musician’s life can be hard, especially if you divide most of your time between touring, performing and recording. As an American Black man touring the country in the pre-civil rights era, the difficulties were nearly insurmountable. Add in crooked managers, various mob interests who would just as soon you dead than alive, and the worst economic depression in recent history, and you quickly realize that we can’t really begin to imagine Armstrong’s state of mind during this period.

If you were to judge the times solely by his recorded output, Louis seems eternally happy, self-satisfied and generally pleased with the state of the world. He single-handedly took it upon himself to make others feel good, at a time when feeling good was not an easy thing to accomplish.

Here are song selections featured in today’s program;

1) I’ve Got the World on a String

2) I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues

3) Medley of Armstrong Hits (Part 1)

4) High Society

5) Honey, Do!

6) Hustlin’ and Bustlin’ For Baby

7) Laughin’ Louie

8) Song of the Vipers

9) Sweet Sue, Just You