This week ( in the 1st half hour) Henrietta, Eli and guest host Bob Malenky play examples of the music of early immigrants from Ireland and Scotland, Protestant farmers who settled in Appalachia, and discuss the social conditions that gave rise to this music. Then in the second part of the program Eli plays some tracks he likes, but without changing the genre too much. Tune in again next week for the 2nd half of the program, featuring 19th and early 20th century popular music from the Northern urban Irish Catholic factory workers who emigrated later.

Of special note in this program is the connection between the church singing of the appalachan Primitive Baptists, and the Presbyterian church singing from the the Isle of Lewis off the coast of Scotland. They’re the same! Except one’s in English and the other’s in Gaelic. That style of singing is absolutely at the foundation of old-time, bluegrass and some early country vocal style.

Irish American Music Part 1/2 – Rural

Links:

Of special note in this program is the connection between the church singing of the appalachan Primitive Baptists, and the Presbyterian church singing from the the Isle of Lewis off the coast of Scotland. They’re the same! Except one’s in English and the other’s in Gaelic. That style of singing is absolutely at the foundation of old-time, bluegrass and some early country vocal style.

Isle of Lewis Wikipedia Article

Gaelic Psalm Singing webpage – Has audio clips

The Free Church of Scotland – Get converted

 

This week, Henrietta and Eli speak with enthnomusicologist/anthropologist & musician Peter Gold. Peter was one of Henrietta’s students at City College back in the mid 1960’s and was her field recording assistant on a number of recording expeditions in Mexico and the American South. We’ll hear selections from those field recordings, selections from Peter’s own CDs and hear about Peter’s latest book, “Navajo and Tibetan Sacred Wisdom: The Circle of the Spirit.”

Interview with Peter Gold

Links:

Ancient Ways Project– Peter Gold’s front organization.

Humane Being – Peter’s Blog, a bunch of great writing that he’s done.

Navajo and Tibetan Sacred Wisdom: The Circle of the Spirit – Peter’s most recent book

Blog entry on new film on Pete Seeger that Peter Gold recommended

The Real Mexico – CD reissue of field recordings that Henrietta made with Peter’s assistance back in the late 60’s. Awesome stuff! Another friend of mine, my former banjo and fiddle teacher and also former student of Henrietta’s, Jody Stecher, was also a field recording assistant on this album.

Folk Songs of Puerto Rico – Another great album of Henrietta’s field recordings for which Peter Gold was the recording assistant. Henrietta’s son, Peter Yurchenco was also an assistant on this record.

John’s Island, South Carolina: Its People and Songs – Another great album of Henrietta’s field recordings for which Peter Gold was the recording assistant.

info@ancientwaysproject.org – Contact Peter Gold

Having just celebrated Passover, this week Henrietta, Eli and guest host Bob Malenky decided to play a bunch of tracks sampling Jewish music from around the world- The Middle East, Mediterranean, Africa, Europe and the United States. Then, in the second part of the program, Eli will play a number of tracks that he just plain and simple wanted to play.

Jewish Music from Around the World
(followed by some of Eli’s current favorite tracks)

This week I’ll be spending an hour with Mat Callahan, musician and author of the book, “The Trouble with Music.” Mat is an extraordinarily knowledgable, clear thinking, and out spoken cultural worker, protesting the organization of our supremely messed up popular culture. This show is mostly us talking, not too much music- but I think what Mat says here is important, so important that it merits sitting and listening to. Its the best thought out and articulated criticism of “fast-food music” available.

We’ll discuss everything from his concept of “Anti-Music” to the development and function of Muzak to Leo Tolstoy’s revolutionary aesthetics. Its all about the music of liberation and the liberation of music.

Mat is in New York right now on an East Coast tour promoting his new CD “Welcome,” so we will hear tracks from that as well. Please click the links for more info and Mat’s tour dates.

Interview w/ Mat Callahan – Musician and Author