Cocaine is one of a few substances that have served as a muse, both in word and effect, in various forms of art throughout history, particularly in the 20th century. Its influence can be found repeatedly in the music industry, peaking in use during the 1980s when it was used by performer and listener as the disco and party-going atmosphere exploded, Contributing to this bacchanal were films depicting its use (and abuse) with plot themes embracing the white powder in storytelling. Cocaine’s impact is predominant in the genres of rock, jazz, and hip-hop and many performers have openly discussed their cocaine use, and its influence can be heard in lyrics, musical styles, and even album artwork. This week’s show looks at this muse with sounds from Margo Price, The Reverend Horton Heat, Lucille Bogan, Fred Neil and a host of others from 1929 to the present.
Category Archives: Early Jazz
420 Fun
It’s a topical theme…it’s a medicinal thing…it’s a blend of sounds celebrating vipers and jives from the past century. We will join in the celebration (in spirit anyway) of the date and time that three Marin County teenagers are said to have inaugurated over a half century ago. There is no shortage of material to pull from the well of Americana…whether that be from the 1920s or from the 2010s. We’ll brighten up the playlist with music that will help us kick back. We’ll pour over a selected list of great sounds from the last 100 years that either directly or indirectly find us thinking about (or maybe imbibing in) the herb so many care about. There will be music from John Prine, Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, Ray Charles and some early century jazz nuggets you will find hard to resist. Friday morning sounds from the Cherry Street Historic District of Santa Rosa, California, streaming to West County and the world on KOWS-LP, Occidental 92.5 FM and kowsfm.com/listen.
Fats Waller Revisited
Fats Waller was a master of stride piano, a style that emerged in the early 20th century and became a cornerstone of jazz. His virtuosity in this style influenced countless pianists who came after him. But he is remembered most for his songwriting and the lively and humorous quality to his performances, incorporating all of these elements into his music. His ability to infuse joy and playfulness into his compositions and improvisations set him apart and made his music accessible to a wide audience. His contributions to the Great American songbook include jazz standards like “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” and “Black and Blue” which have been covered by countless artists over the years. This morning on Deeper Roots, we drop in to revel in the music, humor, warmth and charisma that was Thomas “Fats” Waller.
Guitar Routes
It’s a deep dive we’re taking today into the digital dustbin of the past century with the focus being on fretwork, string bending, bottlenecks and tripping the lap steel fantastic. That’s right…a collection of fascinating tonal embellishments that cross the genres of country, jazz, blues, folk and pop. Our show this morning will feature some Lonnie Johnson, Les Paul, Chet Atkins, John Fahey, Grady Martin and a few others. It’s a trip with a few well knowns but more not so much and you’ll just have to make room in your day because the sounds can’t be ignored. We’ll hear standards like Guitar Rag, Riders in the Sky, Black Mountain Rag, Indiana March, and a special playlist highlighting the work of Grady Martin in both country and rock. We’re once again hoping for the best as October and November approach.
Dope Head Blues
It’s one of the novelty topics but that’s only whistling in the graveyard now, isn’t it? An episode of vipers and wild nights backstage, a reflection of the party atmosphere and the debauchery that would often take place after long nights of performing and jiving. We’ll also touch on the devil’s weed, as it was once known before the recognition of Victorian sensibilities was ejected in favor of common sense. The music will include primarily blues and jazz but we’ll also dip into some later novelty sounds to keep us all honest with the topics of coke, opium, marijuana, and pills on the agenda. Sweet bath house sounds from Bette Midler, wistful sounds from Phil Lawrence and Dan Hicks take center stage alongside the music of The Cats & The Fiddle, Fats Waller, Barney Bigard, and Cab Calloway. Quite a lineup and quite a topic surrounded by junkies, reefers, hadacol concoctions, and mellow stuff…so we hope you’ll drop by on a Friday morning in Sonoma County.
Crazy Blues Centennial
It was the year 1920. One of the more important events in the annals of popular music in the United States occurred 100 years ago this month. Mamie Smith and Her Jazz Hounds’ recording of Perry Bradford‘s tune “Crazy Blues” became an instant hit and was the first significant recording in the blues genre. And Mamie herself was also the first African American female popular singer to lead a commercial recording. This week on Deeper Roots we celebrate with the first installment of a show featuring two hours of music including two very special guests: Gillian and Gary Atkinson, proprietors of Document Records in the UK. I had a chance to interview the two about the label and about the dawn of blues and jazz recording including the early century social impact of black artists. A very special opportunity offered for a very special time. We’ll also hear about a recent video release called Searching for Secret Heroes, a resurrection of a long lost documentary made by Sam Charters, released by Document this past April.
Ants In My Pants
Whether it was Prohibition, the need for comic relief from the worst Depression our country has known, or the release from Victorian norms in the age of the flapper…something was afoot. The humor it portended is not something that we all understand in this age… but it’s worth looking at. Novelty ruled the day and every Victrola and Edison radio spilled a silly song, whether it worked from puns or light humor (pop music), corny songs that sometimes had hidden charms (country and folk), or right in your face real life naughty bits (the blues)…there was something for everyone to sample. We’ll hear from Lonzo and Oscar, Milton Brown, Frank Crumit, George Formby, and Lonnie Johnson in this week’s episode of Deeper Roots. A hoot and a holler by any other name on Sonoma County Community Radio.
Hot Piano Rhythms
Celebrate this week with some rocking boogie woogie, country, and rhythm and blues with a special emphasis on the pounding of the ivories. We’ll put the speakers to the test as the rug gets thrown aside and the neighbors all celebrate and rocking good time with Fats, Ella Mae and Her Boogie Woogie Seven, Dr. John, Ray Charles, Merrill Moore, Moon Mullican and a host of others. Tune in for Beer Bottle Boogie, Cherokee Boogie, and Crazy Rhythm as the piano is given the top billing. A hundred years of American music with the focus on good…no, great…music. Friday morning antics coming your way on Sonoma Community radio.
Leon Redbone Tribute
“The only thing that interests me is history – reviewing the past and making something out of it”. A man after our own heart here at Deeper Roots, shining bright like that old harvest moon. We lost Leon this past week and his family lovingly announced his passing with the following prose deserving of the mysterious Mr. Redbone: “It is with heavy hearts we announce that early this morning, May 30th 2019, Leon Redbone crossed the delta for that beautiful shore at the age of 127. He departed our world with his guitar, his trusty companion Rover, and a simple tip of his hat. He’s interested to see what Blind Blake, Emmett, and Jelly Roll have been up to in his absence.” We’ll take some time to honor the music that so inspired this delightful entertainer who elevated the blues, early century pop, and country into a form that extracted the joy of life and bottled like fine wine over the past 40 years. We’ll even reach into the Redbone bins for a handful of delightful covers. A simple tip of our hat to Leon as he crosses to the other shore…
100 Years Ago
We’re taking this ‘Century of America’s Music’ theme quite serious this week. The tracks we’ll be playing are from the the first few decades of the 20th Century. Parlor music had lost its attraction by the turn of the century in favor of minstrel, vaudeville, and the emergence of Tin Pan Alley. Ragtime and jazz would evolve in an organic manner and blues would inform much of the jazz and band music that would become popular with the advent of the Victrola. Music today includes tracks from Vernon Dahlart, Billy Murray, Frank Crumit, and Ben Selvin & His Orchestra as we find the music of the teens and early 20s on a show that keeps our tagline strong. Tune in for this celebration of American popular music in its infancy.