W. C. Handy & the Birth of the Blues

In 1912, when Handy published the “Memphis Blues,” the word blues was used primarily to describe an emotional state—depression, melancholy. Songs specifically about these issues did not come into being until something like 400 years after the first mentions of the...

W. C. Handy & the Birth of the Blues

For many years, Michael Barrett and I discussed doing a program devoted to the blues, that quintessential American genre. But we were never sure how to tackle such a broad topic. Then our friend, the musicologist and early blues scholar Elliott Hurwitt proposed that...
Mose Allison:  If You Live

Mose Allison: If You Live

As we prepare for W. C. Handy & the Birth of the Blues with program consultant Elliott Hurwitt, we revisit his first week hosting Song of the Day. This song was originally posted on October 30, 2015. Mose Allison was born on a farm outside Tippo, Mississippi, in...
Champion Jack Dupree:  I Don’t Know

Champion Jack Dupree: I Don’t Know

As we prepare for W. C. Handy & the Birth of the Blues with program consultant Elliott Hurwitt, we revisit his first week hosting Song of the Day. This song was originally posted on October 29, 2015. Champion Jack Dupree was born in New Orleans around 1910 and...
Count Basie:  Sent for You Yesterday

Count Basie: Sent for You Yesterday

As we prepare for W. C. Handy & the Birth of the Blues with program consultant Elliott Hurwitt, we revisit his first week hosting Song of the Day. This song was originally posted on October 28, 2015. They called the Count Basie Orchestra “The Band That Plays the...