Backtracks

From the heart of French-speaking Louisiana, Clifton Chenier transformed the rural Zydeco of his father's generation into an international embodiment of high-energy good-time music. He was the first to broaden the genre by incorporating other forms such as blues, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues. Despite the addition of electric instruments and new forms, his accordion-driven music never strayed far from it's origins of creating a place for working people to leave their troubles behind and let the good times roll.Interview with Chris Strachwitz:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGUqnOYUi1ASongs:J’Ai Conet, C’Est Pas Me Femme (I Know She’s Not My Woman)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwioXT2UDW4Someone Told Me it was Over:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIhc4CQFah8&list=RDcIhc4CQFah8&start_radio=1Release Me:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Q2kKsNNS8A Tribute to the King of Zydeco. "Release Me", featuring Lucinda Williams, Tommy McLain, and Keith Frank is available through a variety of services: https://orcd.co/releaseme1"A Tribute to the King of Zydeco" available for pre-sale now: https://linktr.ee/valcourrecordsReserve your limited-run vinyl copy of "A Tribute to the King of Zydeco" now: https://www.valcourrecords.com/vinyl/... 100% of profits benefit the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship Fund, created by Valcour Records with the Center for Louisiana Studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Learn more about the fund here: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/...Grand Mamou (Big Mamou):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh9NhkWWVswI'm Coming Home (to See my Mother):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_06Ig59jo8

Largely unknown on the folk scene in the US, Willie Dunn is an important figure in framing the stories of native Canadians in songs, films, and art. With a rich voice, strong melodies and subtle arrangements, his music brings to light an overlooked chapter in the history of North America.For this episode we're joined by musician and author Kelly Mulhollan of the duo Still on the Hill.https://www.stillonthehill.com/Links:Film:The Ballad of Crowfoot:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qsZsfn6PC4Songs:Pity the Countryhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qsZsfn6PC4Son of the Sun:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4ZG-6SxEBkCharlie:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWEl9naKPZoPontiac:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svwrIF7atVIDigging Roots Band website:https://www.diggingrootsmusic.com/

Little is known about the life of Henry Thomas, but his legacy of 23 recorded songs influenced generations of folk, rock, and blues musicians. He often accompanied himself on the "quills" a pan flute-like instrument probably fixed in a brace around his neck. Often using the name "Ragtime Texas" Thomas was born in east Texas and was known to travel by train as a hobo, Otherwise his life is a mystery.Songs:Fishing Blueshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OilNFHa1AOcBull Dog Blueshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcLgJ-K49a8Arkansas:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdtoZzctg1cVideo: Otha Turner cane fife player in the Mississippi fife and drum tradition:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MgK8RtFWQY&list=WL&index=11Sid Hemphill - Devil's Dreamhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP3GKaX_Kz8Video of African Quill playingRitual dance nsambo and panflutes Nyanga (Mozambqie)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLLX_xqoK_0&list=WL&index=11Possible video of Henry Thomas playing guitar and quills:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75v6uwO5tVADon Flemmons, contemporary songster, demonstrates the quills and "hooting" technique:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqIdB9cNt5Q

From her modest beginnings in the Mendoza family band playing for migrant farm workers, Lydia Mendoza became the undisputed queen of Tejano music, receiving awards from presidents and appearing on a US postage stamp. In her 70 years of performing, she never strayed from her Tejana roots, singing cinematic tales of love, treachery and courage. Whether singing alone accompanying herself on bajo sexto or performing with a conjunto band, Mendoza’s voice rings out strong and pure.Thanks to Scott Newby for suggesting Lydia Mendoza for this episode, and also to Cathy Whitney and Oscar Calzada for helping with translation.Songs:Mexico in la Lagunahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvm6BeoAvj8Celosa (Live)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X-L39r1oTI&list=RD9X-L39r1oTI&start_radio=1Mal Hombrehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwTSPb3YVbICorrido de Juaquin Murrietahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymR2oV9W9VQNoche de Estrellashttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ4yaiW1h4gLa Boda Negrahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1sInnfrxjcInformation about the artwork of Jose Guadelupe Posada can be found at the Posada Art Foundation.https://www.posada-art-foundation.com/One book on his work is entitled Posada's Broadsheets – Mexican Popular Imagery 1890-1910;Patrick Frank; University of New Mexico Press; 1998

Most often cited as the inventor of the power chord, Link Wray's loud gritty sound had a big influence on rock, heavy metal and punk music. Later in his career he embraced his Native American roots and produced a strong body of work that ranged from acoustic blues to southern rock.Documentary: Rumble | The Indians that Rocked the Worldhttps://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/rumble/Youtube interview:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql_4wAinGig

In the 1950’s, the 16-year-old lead singer for the Chantels, Arlene Smith wrote hits and sang with a confidence and power. While the content and production of the songs are simplistic by todays standards, her full-throttled singing would influence vocalist from Janis Joplin to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers sings the Arlene Smith song "Maybe" at Slane Castle, Ireland:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dd-X-lkc70

From his beginnings as a session guitar player at the famed Muscle Shoals Sound studio to writing hits and his “larynx-shredding” vocals, Eddie Hinton was the “young genius who could do it all.” But as popular tastes shifted away from rhythm and blues, Hinton refused to crossover to pop music and his career faded. He continued to perform and record but his rough and tumble life style took its toll and died at 51 in his mother’s home.Audio of Eddie Hinton singing She Caught the Katy at the Poretta (Italy) Soul Festival 1991. Video footage at his mother's house in Alabama circa 1994.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdXqmCJvPEg

While Brenda Patterson had several strong solo albums, movie soundtracks and sung backup for Dylan and Ry Cooder, she somehow missed broad mainstream success. We look back at the span of her career in multiple genres - all with a soulful Memphis-infused sound.

The quintessential outsider artist, Washington Phillips composed unique ethereal gospel and morality songs that have influenced artists including Sister Rosetta Tharp, Ry Cooder. and Ralph Stanley.Phillips, an eccentric "jack-leg preacher" made his living selling wares from his mule cart in central Texas. He eventually recorded his music in the late 1920's but remained in obscurity until other artists discovered his songs.Special thanks to the major sources for this episode:Dust to Digital Recordshttps://dust-digital.com/Michael Corcoranhttps://www.michaelcorcoran.net/juneteenth-wash-phillips-son-of-slaves-makes-music-for-the-ages/