Sound sessions from Smithsonian Folkways

One of the great delights of the Internet is the opportunity to enjoy that which would otherwise be almost impossible. Recently I commented on the Smithsonian Folkways radio programmes, currently playing on Radio NZ National late on Friday nights and the fact that podcasts were available.

I am pleased to have identified another series of radio programmes available in MP3 format from the Smithsonian. These are the Sound Sessions:-

• Pete Seeger

Pete Seeger is the dean of 20th Century folk singers. He has been performing and lending his energies to causes he believes in for more than 60 years. Stories from Jeff Place and newly digitized interviews with Pete and musicians who know him lend a rich perspective to his life and music.

• Paul Robeson

An American giant of 20th-century music, Paul Robeson stood tall against racism, McCarthyism, and blacklisting to proclaim the majesty of African-American culture. Jeff Place and Dr. Bob Cataliotti discuss his life and work.

• Dock Boggs

Jeff Place shares music and interviews with the Virginian miner who revolutionized the banjo and influenced modern muscians from Bob Dylan to Jeff Tweedy.

• Bill Monroe

Known as “The Father of Bluegrass,” Bill Monroe shaped this American musical form. Hear interviews and rare live recordings from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

• Woody Guthrie

The life and music of American folk icon Woody Guthrie. Rare outtakes and stories from Smithsonian Folkways archivist Jeff Place give new meaning to Guthrie’s music and his relationship with Folkways Records.

• Doc Watson

The life and music of the Doc Watson, American roots music legend. Smithsonian Folkways archivist Jeff Place shares stories and plays songs and interviews to demonstrate the Doc Watson “style.”

The comments above are from the site, but you need to go there to access the MP3 links and to learn more.

At present the series is added to monthly. In addition they are broadcast on WAMU 88.5 in Washington DC, this station has a mix of genres and is worth a look and a listen.

Please visit the referenced sites as there is so much more to enjoy – above and beyond what is noted here. WAMU 88.5 is celebrating 40 years of Bluegrass broadcasting from July 2007 to July 2008 with various special programmes.