Studs has a conversation with Easley Blackwood, and Ralph Shapey, composers and Paul Fromm philanthropist and patron of the music arts. They discuss contemporary music, composing music, composers and the passion of creating music.
Miss Dillon discusses being a bookseller, bookselling, and life in London. [Interview with Miss Dillon ends at 41:27] James Cameron discusses law and order, Chicago, and spending time with Studs Terkel. Studs Terkel interviews them in England. Includes the songs "Amazing Grace" and another song called "Amen".
Studs Terkel spends time walking around the Lincoln Park Be-In Mother's Day, 1967. He talks to people of all walks of life and generations. The question, "What is a Be-In?" is posed to all he talks to.
Ned Rorem discusses the differences between writing books and writing compositions, his book "The Paris Diary of Ned Rorem", and how he uses poetry in his compositions.
Studs engages the former Chicago Symphony Orchestra conductor, Sir Georg Solti, in a wide-ranging conversation about his life and career. From his early studies in Budapest with Béla Bartók, his string of good-luck opportunities before, during, and after World War II, meeting Toscanini in Lucerne, and starting on top conducting in Frankfurt, London, and finally Chicago. He discusses his many German and European musical influences and contemporaries, and stresses the importance of education, arts funding, and hard work.
Studs Terkel spends time walking around the Lincoln Park Be-In Mother's Day, 1967. He talks to people of all walks of life and generations. The question, "What is a Be-In?" is posed to all he talks to.
Studs interviews Allen Stone, Steven Larson, and Judith Erickson about the opera, "Regina," playing at the Chicago Opera Theater. They describe the variety of music and dances in the opera. Stone, Larson, and Erickson name the cast and their roles and describe the characters. Each share how they came to be in theater. Stone explains how the company started. Larson describes the orchestra and the chorus. Erickson reads some of the lyrics of the aria, "The Best Thing of All," at the end of act one. Stone, Larson, and Erickson read various lines from the opera.
Studs interviews Jabbo Smith and presents some of his musical performances. The musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording. Smith shares the story of his childhood in the Jenkins Orphanage and how he came to learn music there. He discusses the songs he wrote and people he played with throughout his career and how he came out of retirement in Holland on the trombone.
Studs interviews Bud Freeman about his career in Jazz and his book, "Working" as well as his album, "Complete Bud Freeman." Freeman shares stories about his dad and brother during his childhood. He discusses various songs from his album and shares stories about his interactions with other jazz musicians. Studs reads a few passages from Freeman's book. They discuss how Freeman's creative practices and how his music has changed over the years. Musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording.
Studs interviews Lawrence Freeman about his career in jazz. Studs notes that he first interviewed Freeman in 1939 as his first guest on his radio program with WGES. Freeman shares the names and events of influences in his life. He describes his interactions with other jazz musicians throughout his career and shares some stories about his brother, father, and childhood. Studs quotes Mark Miller of the Toronto Globe, music critic, for what he notes about Freeman.
Studs interviews George Esteves, the director of the Chicago Chamber Choir. They discuss the musical numbers that the choir will perform in their Mother's Day concert. Dexter Bailey will accompany. Esteves reads the lyrics in Italian of "Ecco Mormorar L'Onde" a Torquato Tasso poem, and Studs reads it in English. Esteves also reads some lyrics of the "Contate Irene Kiesewetter" by Schubert Franz. Esteves shares how members of the choir are recruited. Esteves names all the soloist members of the choir.
Studs interviews blues singers Willie Dixon, Sunnyland Slim, and Willie Mae Big Mama Thornton about the blues. They discuss the blues festival in Chicago for which they are all in town for and name other musicians who will be performing. Sunnyland Slim talks about being on the road and the hard times. Thornton describes the blues as music made from life experiences.
Paul Angle discusses his book "Crossroads: 1913," and Win Stracke provides a musical review. The three gentlemen talk in depth about the book with live and recorded music interspersed. Music: "Water--Oh!, Water For Me" and "The Rosary." "The Voice of Vienna" (a waltz).