Pete, Woody & Mahalia

A Tim Robbins interview with Pete Seeger. Among other things, Seeger discusses Woody Guthrie and the song "We Shall Overcome".





Mahalia Jackson's rendition of "We Shall Overcome".

Johnnie Wright (1914-2011)

A post to mark the passing, at 97, of Johnnie Wright. He was a country music performer, big in the 1950's and 60's, both as a solo singer, and as half of the Johnny & Jack duo. He also frequently performed with his wife of over 70 years, Kitty Wells.

Two songs, "Move It On Over" and "Down South in New Orleans" from the film Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar. This film is worth seeing for good music, and totally outrageous outfits.



"I Get So Lonely" - performing with Jack Anglin as Johnny & Jack



There are a couple songs on this clip, but Johnnie performs "Is Love Worth All the Heartache" with his wife, Kitty Wells, at the beginning of the clip.

Alisa Weilerstein performs Elgar

Last night I went to see the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Strathmore Hall. One of the pieces they performed was Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B Minor. The Cellist was Alisa Weilerstein, who coincidentally was awarded a MacArthur Genius Award earlier in the week. I had seen Weilerstein perform Elgar's Cello Concerto several years ago with the BSO. I prefer Elgar's concerto to Dvorak's, but I was still happy to get a chance to see her perform again.

Here the Interview with her released by the MacArthur Foundation, followed by the last movement of Elgar's cello concerto.



The last movement of Elgar's Cello Concerto performed with Daniel Barenboim and the Berliner Philharmoniker

Jacob's Vision

The Stanley Brothers—Carter and Ralph— perform "Jacob's Vision"

Wade Mainer (1907-011)

Last week influential banjo player Wade Mainer died at 104 years old. Here is an interesting interview that Mainer did when he was in his late 90's. Among other things he discusses playing for FDR, and performing with Woodie Guthrie. These videos contain Mainer performing several songs, both solo and with his wife Julia.

Interview pt.1




Interview pt.2



Interview pt.3

The Mamas & the Papas

Following up my last post on Cass Elliot, here are a couple videos of her performing with The Mamas & the Papas. You can't beat this group for harmony.

"California Dreamin'"



The autobiogaphical "Creeque Alley"



"Words of Love"

Cass Elliot - 70

Had she not died so young, Cass Elliot, aka Mama Cass, would have been 70 today. Born in Baltimore, she graduated from high school in Alexandria, VA, and went on from there to become one of the most popular singers in the country.

Later this week I will do a post of her performing with the Mamas and the Papas, but she had such an amazing voice when she performed alone, that I am going to post some videos of her performing solo today.

"Make You Own Kind of Music"



"Dream a Little Dream of Me" sung to Tom Smothers.



Not exactly a solo, but not with the Mamas and the Papas either. Cass Elliot, Mary Travers & Joni Mitchell perform "I Shall Be Released"

I Am Going Home To Heaven

"I Am Going Home To Heaven" - Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver

Stephen Foster

Following up on yesterday's post of Harmony Lane, the film about Stephen Foster, here is a straight up post about him. I have a previous post with several versions of what is probably his most performed song today, "Hard Times".

Here are a couple more interpretations of songs he wrote 150 years ago.

"Oh, Susanna" - Ruthie Foster



"Gentle Annie" - UCLA University Chorus



"Beautiful Dreamer" - Raul Malo, just audio.

Harmony Lane

Harmony Lane. The complete 1935 film about the original American songwriter, Stephen Foster.

Bill Monroe - 100

Today would have been the 100th birthday of the Father of Bluegrass Music, Bill Monroe. NPR's broadcast a remembrance of him yesterday. (Listen Here)

To mark the occasion here are a couple videos of him performing.

"Uncle Pen" - Monroe wrote this song about his Uncle Pendleton Vandiver.



"Rolling in My Sweet Baby's Arms", another song Monroe wrote.



In 1939 at the age of 28, Monroe joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. The first song he ever performed there was this Jimmie Rodgers' song "Muleskinner Blues".




"Molly and Tenbrooks" - No video and Monroe did not write this, but this is one of my favorite songs that he performed, so I am posting it anyway.

Emmylou Harris and Goats

You know I can't resist an Emmylou Harris song, so how could I pass up this video of baby goats set to Emmylou Harris singing "Born to Run".

Don't You Wanna Go To Heaven

Dailey and Vincent perform "Don't You Wanna Go To Heaven", with Christian Davis, and Joe Dean Jr.

Maura O'Connell

Some recent concert videos from one of my favorite singers, Maura O'Connell.

"Summerfly", a song written by Cheryl Wheeler.



"Crazy Love", a Van Morrison song.



"Galileo", a song written by Declan O'Rourke

Joe Hill

Here is Joan Baez at Woodstock, in 1969, singing "Joe Hill". Hill, a labor organizer, was convicted of murder, and executed by a Utah firing squad in 1915. The execution was controversial. President Wilson twice ask the Governor of Utah to stop the execution.

A new book contains recently discovered evidence that Hill was not guilty of the murder. The Pittsburg Post-Gazette has this article about the book: Examining a Labor Hero's Death

Baez also performs "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot".

How Far am I from Canaan

"How Far am I from Canaan" - The Gospel Harmonettes with Lillian Caffey and Dorothy Love Coates on lead.

Little Bird

A couple songs from Kasey Chambers' recent album, Little Bird. The album has been out almost a year in Australia, but only recently came out in the States. "Love Like a Hurricane", which I posted last week (8/26/11}, is also off this album.

"Little Bird"



"Beautiful Mess"



"Someone Like Me"