Hello, Good Friends,
The 4th of July can get us thinking about things like patriotism, our roots, government, the human condition as it relates to our nationality, spirituality, and how we express these things. This being the 250th Anniversary of US independence from Great Britain heightens all of that and is dramatically colored by current events. As always, music and art are here to help us process, navigate, and express our emotions about all of this. Lisa Smith and I were discussing the evolving nature of Big Blend Radio with their new Media House and the types of conversations we would like to have about music. Playlists are a type of digital jukebox. Jukeboxes were created in The USA, and we thought they would be the perfect way to frame an in-depth discussion of Songs of America. That title will bring up something different for every person, and we want to create a wide-open space to explore as much of it as possible in the next year.
Some people will obviously think of patriotic songs. Others might think of country music, or folk music. As part of our year-long discussion at some point, we hope to talk with individuals involved with the Great America Songbook Foundation, which uses very specific criteria to highlight certain 20th-century popular songs and jazz standards. On the Big Blend, we strive to look at things from as many angles as possible. Today we released our first episode, in which we chose 10 songs to start a conversation about how vast the range of possibilities. Because no two Americans are alike, no tow people will agree on what a show about American Songs should entail. I’ve often found that when I don’t like certain genres of music, I just don’t understand them. When I have conversations with people who like those genres, I often begin to appreciate them. Context is crucial. We’re very excited about what we will learn from each other and the guests we bring on the shows this year and look forward to widening our understanding of other people by understanding the music they make and the music they love.
On this episode we include “Summertime” from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Google says it’s the most recorded popular song of all time. Leontyne Price is one of our great opera legends and she’s from the South. You can hear that in her breathtaking rendition. Ella Fitzgerald and Janis Jopin are among many others who have beloved covers of the song. I also wanted to make a nod to our rich choral tradition and to the shape note and revivalist musical movements in American history. In the podcast I talk about why I chose Aaron Copeland’s “Zion’s Walls.”
You’ll also her Bruce Springsteen belting “Born in the USA,” “Joplin singing “Mercedes Benz,” Chuck Berry wailing on “Maybelline,” Nat King Cole crooning “Route 66,” Dolly Parton singing “Coat of Many Colors,” and Dean Martin singing “Memories are Made of this.” We included my song, “You Paved the Way,” as a tribute to all who have brought us to this moment. Each song brings up a lively discussion of history, culture, spirituality, style, eclecticism, storytelling, and so much more.
You’ll hear Simon and Garfunkel sing the line, “They’ve all come to look for America.” Most of us descend from people who did just that. And we continue to search for all the meaning and beauty this land can offer us. We are excited about looking for America in her songs this year. We hope you join us on this jukebox journey by clicking this link.
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