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Ola Belle Reed folk singer, songwriter and blue grass musician talks about her childhood in the Appalachians as well as her musical influences that inspire her musical career.
In a quick roundtable discussion, Moe Asch, Jerry Silverman and Dick Waterman cover the topic of music. Much to their surprise, American folk music is very popular over in Europe. All three men agree that one's everyday experiences, past or present, do become subjects of writers' songs.
They briefly discuss coal mining in Appalachia, specifically Blackey Kentucky. Includes an interview with Joe Begley a coal miner from Blackey, Kentucky.
The opening song is a rebroadcast from a previous recording with Studs Terkel. John Prine talks about his family history in Paradise, Kentucky and when he was born and raised in Maywood, Illinois (Chicago Greater Area). Prine is known for humorous lyrics about love, life, and current events, as well as serious songs with social commentary, or which recollect melancholy tales from his life. All the songs are played in the studio from his albums "John Prine" and "Diamonds in the Rough"
Using a Trobriand drum and harmonica, Ella Jenkins plays examples of call and response music with Studs. A few of her popular songs play between their discussion. Ella explains how her music came to be from the Chicago neighborhood streets with influences from her Uncle and other blues and folk musicians. Songs played include "Tahboo," "Miss Mary Mack," "You'll Sing a Song and I'll Sing a Song," "Come Dance By the Ocean," and "Dulce." Songs have been removed due to copyright restrictions.
Big Bill Broonzy discusses the blues and growing up in Arkansas with parents who were former slaves. He talks about the family dynamic and sings: "Willie Mae", "Crawdad song", "Going down this road feeling bad" and "John Henry".
This 1959 broadcast was recorded after Alan Lomax traveled Europe collecting folk music.
This 1959 broadcast was recorded after Alan Lomax traveled Europe collecting folk music.