The Arhoolie Label

There are a handful of record labels that subscribe to the ‘deeper roots’ dogma. And our show tries to cover all of them. But East Bay’s own Arhoolie, whose catalog was recently acquired by Smithsonian Folkways is a very special example, maybe the premiere example, of what it means to dig deeper. Founded in 1960 by Chris Strachwitz, a German transplant who moved to the States in 1947, Arhoolie was founded on the principle that the best music could be found by traveling the backroads. And that is precisely how it got started, with a recording device in his trunk and an ear for the sublime. Join us this Friday evening as we explore just a hint of the music you’ll find on a landmark roots label.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Big Mama Thornton Wade in the Water This Ain't No Mouse Music [Disc 1] Amazon
3Mance Lipscomb Sugar Babe Texas Songster Amazon
4Mance Lipscomb Jack O' Diamonds Texas Songster Amazon
5Snooks Eaglin Mama Don't You Tear My Clothes Country Boy Down In New Orleans Amazon
6K.C. Douglas High Water Rising Mercury Blues Amazon
7Lightnin' Hopkins Lightning Boogie Gold Star Sessions, Vol. 1 Amazon
8Big Joe Williams Shake Your Boogie Shake Your Boogie Amazon
9R.L. Watson & Johnny Woods Praying On The Old Campground & Lonesome Blues Mississippi Delta Blues Jam In Memphis Amazon
10Paramount Singers There's A Leak In This Old Building 15 Down Home Gospel Classics Amazon
11The Campbell Brothers Feat. Katie Jackson I Feel Good 15 Down Home Gospel Classics Amazon
12Sonny Treadway Don't Let The Devil Ride Sacred Steel Guitar Amazon
13Annie Mae & Fred McDowell I'm Going Over The Hill 15 Down Home Gospel Classics Amazon
14Sonny Treadway Amazing Grace Sacred Steel Guitar Amazon
15Bill Neely Satan's Burning Hell Texas Law & Justice Amazon
16Bill Neely I'm A Truck Drivin' Daddy Texas Law & Justice Amazon
17Del McCoury Hey, Hey Bartender 16 Down Home Country Classics Amazon
18Kirk Sutphin Yellow Rose Of Texas Masters of the Banjo Amazon
19Laurie Lewis & Dudley Connell The Johnson Boys Masters of the Banjo Amazon
20The Hodges Brothers Bogue Chito Fling Ding 16 Down Home Country Classics Amazon
21Rose Maddox Single Girl 16 Down Home Country Classics Amazon
22Maddox Bros. and Rose I Want to Live and Love This Ain't No Mouse Music [Disc 1] Amazon
23Adolph Hofner Dirty Dog South Texas Swing Amazon
24Lydia Mendoza Amor En Duda First Queen Of Tejano Music Amazon
25Lydia Mendoza A Ti Madre First Queen Of Tejano Music Amazon
26Lydia Mendoza Amor Bonito First Queen Of Tejano Music Amazon
27Don Santiago Jiminez, Sr. La Duena de la Llave Tex Mex Fiesta Amazon
28Flaco Jiminez Un Mojado Sin Licencia This Ain't No Mouse Music disc 2 Amazon
29Clifton Chenier Bogalusa Boogie Bogalusa Boogie Amazon
30Savoy Family Band Two-Step de Amede This Ain't No Mouse Music disc 2 Amazon
31Pine Leaf Boys Pine Grove Blues This Ain't No Mouse Music disc 2 Amazon
32HowellDevine Can't Be Satisfied Modern Sounds of Ancient Juju Amazon

California’s Burning

We are remembering what happened here in Sonoma County last October when the firestorm hit, devastating communities and lives. Over 5000 homes and dozens of lives were lost. Disaster struck overnight and our music today reflects back with songs of disaster, songs of burning hell, and music that reminds us that Mother Nature will have its way. Blues from John Lee Hooker and Howlin’ Wolf, traditional country gospel from Bill Neely and Kitty Wells, and more in a Friday evening remembrance.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2The David Thom Band California's Burning That Old Familiar Amazon
3Under The Radar Ride These Flames Beyond The Niche Amazon
4Kitty Wells He Will Set Your Fields on Fire Dust on the Bible (1959) Amazon
5Kilby Snow, Mike Seeger He Will Set Your Fields On Fire Close To Home: Old Time Music From Mike Seeger's Collection, 1952-1967 Amazon
6Clyde Moody 06 – Where There's Smoke (There's Bound to Be Fire) The Hillbilly Waltz King Amazon
7Bill Neely Satan's Burning Hell Texas Law & Justice Amazon
8Howlin' Wolf The Natchez Burning Blues From Hell Amazon
9John Lee Hooker Burning Hell The Ultimate Collection 1948-1990 [Disc 2] Amazon
10John Lee Hooker The Motor City Is Burning The Definitive Collection Amazon
11Otis Spann Burning Fire The Great Blues Men Amazon
12Bob Brozman American House Fire Blues Fire in the Mind Amazon
13Dave Alvin Barn Burning King Of California Amazon
14Dave Alvin California's Burning Dave Alvin and The Guilty Women Amazon
15John Mellencamp Eden Is Burning John Mellencamp Amazon
16Dixon Brothers The School House Fire Down In The Basement: Joe Bussard's Treasure Trove Of Vintage 78s: 1926-1937 Amazon
17J. H. Howell Burning Of Cleveland School Classic Field Recordings Amazon
18Max Steiner And The MGM Studio Orhestra Atlanta in Flames Gone With the Wind Amazon
19Dixie Jubilee Singers & Bryant's Jubilee Quartet What's You Gonna Do When The World's On Fire? Dixie Jubilee Singers (1924-1928) & Bryant's Jubilee Quartet (1931) Amazon
20Selah Jubilee Singers I'm Tormented In The Flames Complete Recorded Works – Vol. 1 (1939-1941) Amazon
21Sisters Of Song In God's House Fire In My Bones : Raw + Rare + Otherworldly African-American Gospel, 1944-2007 Amazon
22Mandolin Orange Wildfire Blindfaller Amazon
23Lightnin' Hopkins Burnin' in L.A. Po' Lightnin' Amazon
24D.L. Menard/Eddie LeJeune/Ken Smith Les Flammes D'Enfer (The Flames of Hell) The Best of Louisiana Music [Rounder] Amazon
25Jude Taylor and His Burning Flames Burnin Flames Special Putomayo Presents Zydeco Amazon
26Buckwheat Zydeco Where There's Smoke There's Fire Menagerie Amazon
27Buddy Miller Fire and Water Universal United House Of Prayer Amazon
28Janiva Magness Your House Is Burnin' Love Wins Again Amazon

Roger Miller Tribute

There’s a new tribute album out, celebrating the music of country renaissance troubadour Roger Miller.  Produced by his son Dean it’s a fully formed varietal that, as Rolling Stone magazine critic Stephen Betts notes, features a dazzling lineup after being beset by repeated delays since 2015. Miller was an extraordinary songwriter with offbeat humor, part Hank Williams, part Will Rogers, and a poet of the uncommon whose song King of the Road “was positively average compared to his other oddball compositions, including Dang Me, Chug-a-Lug, and You Can’t Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd” as Betts goes on to point out. Our show features tracks from the album, some other notable covers of Roger Miller’s music, and, of course, some wacky, some tame originals from Roger himself.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Asleep at the Wheel Chug-A-Lug (feat. Huey Lewis) King of the Road: A Tribute to Roger Miller Amazon
3Roger Miller Dad Blame Anything A Man Can't Quit King Of The Road – The Genius Of Roger Miller (CD2) Amazon
4Doug Kershaw You Don't Want My Love The Best Of Doug Kershaw Amazon
5Ernest Tubb Half a Mind Ernest Tubb: The Definitive Collection Amazon
6Faron Young A World So Full of Love The Complete Capitol Hits of Faron Young (2 of 2) Amazon
7Emmylou Harris; Rodney Crowell Invitation to the Blues Old Yellow Moon Amazon
8George Jones Tall Tall Trees George Jones The Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection Amazon
9Roger Miller Tall, Tall Trees King Of The Road – The Genius Of Roger Miller (CD3) Amazon
10Roger Miller My Uncle Used to Love Me But She Died The Complete Smash-Mercury Singles Amazon
11Charley Pride Billy Bayou 20 Classics Amazon
12Jim Reeves Home Essential Jim Reeves Amazon
13Roger Miller Little Green Apples All Time Greatest Hits Amazon
14Bill Kirchen Husbands and Wives (Album) Word To The Wise Amazon
15Roger Miller/Willie Nelson Husbands and Wives Old Friends/Funny How Time Slips Away Amazon
16Willie Nelson Old Friends One Hell Of A Ride Amazon
17Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson & Merle Haggard Old Friends King of the Road: A Tribute to Roger Miller Amazon
18Patsy Cline When Your House Is Not A Home [Radio Transcription] The Patsy Cline Collection [Disc 2] Amazon
19Little Jimmy Dickens When Your House Is Not A Home Four Classic Albums Plus Singles 1954-1962 Amazon
20Merle Haggard Leavin's Not the Only Way to Go Chicago Wind Amazon
21Ray Price Invitation To The Blues Columbia Country Classics Volume 2: Honky Tonk Heroes Amazon
22Jon Rauhouse Pardon This Coffin The Executioners Last Songs, Volume 3 Amazon
23Roger Miller King Of The Road The Best Of : Vol 2 Amazon
24Dick Curless King of the Road A Tombstone Every Mile (7CD Set) CD4 (1950-1969) Amazon
25Roger Miller Kansas City Star The Best Of : Vol 2 Amazon
26Kacey Musgraves Kansas City Star King of the Road: A Tribute to Roger Miller Amazon
27Roger Miller Dang Me King Of The Road – The Genius Of Roger Miller (CD1) Amazon
28Willie Nelson When Two Worlds Collide Old Friends/Funny How Time Slips Away Amazon
29Alison Krauss You Oughta Be Here With Me / I've Been a Long Time Leaving (feat. The Cox Family) King of the Road: A Tribute to Roger Miller Amazon
30Alison Krauss River In The Rain Windy City Amazon
31Roger Miller Where Have All The Average People Gone King Of The Road – The Genius Of Roger Miller (CD3) Amazon
32Roger Miller Hoppy's Gone The Best Of : Vol 2 Amazon
33The Dead South One Dying And A Burying King Of The Road: A Tribute To Roger Miller [Disc 2] Amazon
34Nick Lowe Old Toy Trains Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection For All The Family Amazon
35Roger Miller (The Day I Jumped) From Uncle Harvey's Plane The Best Of : Vol 2 Amazon

Yip Harburg Tribute

Yip Harburg was a songmaker. He was part of a select few in the early to mid-century who found their calling as lyricists, writing words that transformed music to story and story to film and Broadway spectacles. We could gloss over his contributions by simply saying “he’s the guy who wrote Over The Rainbow or April in Paris or Brother, Can You Spare a Dime”. But his career was more than that. It’s no secret that Yip’s politics were carefully crafted in song. The phrases “honky-tonk parade” and “Barnum and Bailey world” were veiled criticisms of the “phony as it can be” corporate and political leadership in America, written by a freethinking, socially conscious lyricist. Our show today will honor some of his best songs and include interview excerpts featuring both Yip and his son, Ernie.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2The George Shearing Quintet And Orchestra What Is There To Say White Satin Black Satin Amazon
3Anita O'Day Old Devil Moon Anita Sings The Most Amazon
4Frank Sinatra It's Only A Paper Moon Swing And Dance With Frank Sinatra Amazon
5Peggy Lee Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe The Best of Miss Peggy Lee [Bonus DVD] Disc 1 Amazon
6Martha Tilton How Are Things In Glocca Morra? The Liltin' Miss Tilton [Disc 2] Amazon
7Nellie Lutcher April In Paris Nellie Lutcher & Her Rhythm [Disc 2] Amazon
8Lena Horne Ain't It The Truth Lena Horne: A Musical Anthology Amazon
9Lena Horne Then I'll Be Tired of You Harburg, E.Y., 1896-1981 Amazon
10Nat King Cole Trio Then I'll Be Tired Of You The Nat King Cole Trio: The Complete Capitol Transcription Sessions [Disc 3] Amazon
11Ella Logan How Are Things in Glocca Morra? The Best of Broadway: The Late '40s Amazon
12Ray Bolger If I Only Had A Brain The Wizard Of Oz Amazon
13Groucho Marx & Bing Crosby Lydia The Tattooed Lady The Marx Brothers Greatest Hits Amazon
14Ella Logan When the Idle Poor Become the Idle Rich Harburg, E.Y., 1896-1981 Amazon
15Judy Garland Over The Rainbow That's Entertainment! The Best Of The MGM Musicals Amazon
16Judy Garland We're Off To See The Wizard The Wizard Of Oz Amazon
17David Wayne When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love Harburg, E.Y., 1896-1981 Amazon
18Don Francks & Petula Clark Old Devil Moon – Finian's Rainbow Warner Bros.: 75 Years Of Film Music – Songs (3) Amazon
19Dinah Washington Look To The Rainbow Smoke Gets In Your Eyes [Disc 2] Amazon
20Carmen McRae The Eagle and Me Harburg, E.Y., 1896-1981 Amazon
21Blossom Dearie Down With Love Once Upon A Summertime Amazon
22Jeri Southern Down with Love Harburg, E.Y., 1896-1981 Amazon
23Dean Martin I'm Yours Late at Night with Dean Martin Amazon
24Judy Garland Paris Is A Lonely Town – Gay Purr-Ee Warner Bros.: 75 Years Of Film Music – Songs (3) Amazon
25Judy Garland The Jitterbug Harburg, E.Y., 1896-1981 Amazon
26Bing Crosby Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? Harburg, E.Y., 1896-1981 Amazon
27Rudy Vallee Brother Can You Spare A Dime Vagabond Lover Amazon
28Barbara Cook and Jerome Courtland Here's to Your Illusions Harburg, E.Y., 1896-1981 Amazon
29Count Basie April In Paris Ken Burns Jazz: Count Basie Amazon