Episodi

  • Henry Thomas | The mystery of the hobo songster
    Jan 20 2026

    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 Blues

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OilNFHa1AOc

    Bull Dog Blues

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcLgJ-K49a8

    Arkansas:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdtoZzctg1c

    Video: Otha Turner cane fife player in the Mississippi fife and drum tradition:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MgK8RtFWQY&list=WL&index=11

    Sid Hemphill - Devil's Dream

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP3GKaX_Kz8

    Video of African Quill playing

    Ritual dance nsambo and panflutes Nyanga (Mozambqie)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLLX_xqoK_0&list=WL&index=11

    Possible video of Henry Thomas playing guitar and quills:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75v6uwO5tVA

    Don Flemmons, contemporary songster, demonstrates the quills and "hooting" technique:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqIdB9cNt5Q

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    34 min
  • Lydia Mendoza | Idol of Mexican-American music
    Dec 28 2025

    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 Laguna

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvm6BeoAvj8

    Celosa (Live)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X-L39r1oTI&list=RD9X-L39r1oTI&start_radio=1

    Mal Hombre

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwTSPb3YVbI

    Corrido de Juaquin Murrieta

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymR2oV9W9VQ

    Noche de Estrellas

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ4yaiW1h4g

    La Boda Negra

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1sInnfrxjc

    Information 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

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    35 min
  • Link Wray | The power chord and beyond
    Nov 25 2025

    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 World

    https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/rumble/

    Youtube interview:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql_4wAinGig

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    44 min
  • Arlene Smith and the early “girl groups” that pioneered the sound of R & B and rock vocalists
    Oct 23 2025

    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

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    37 min
  • Eddie Hinton | A soulful raw talent and the career that should have been
    Sep 29 2025

    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.

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    32 min
  • Brenda Patterson - A Vocal Powerhouse Revisited
    Aug 20 2025

    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.

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    37 min
  • Washington Phillips - Unearthly Music of Morality, Mystery and Glory
    Jul 21 2025

    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 Records

    https://dust-digital.com/

    Michael Corcoran

    https://www.michaelcorcoran.net/juneteenth-wash-phillips-son-of-slaves-makes-music-for-the-ages/

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    37 min