At his Nashville studio, John Prine and I listen to the recordings that first gave him the idea that he might be able write songs of his own: Dylan’s “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carol,” Roger Miller’s “Dang Me” and Hank Williams’ live radio broadcast, “The Health and Happiness Show.” The piece ends with Prine’s reminiscences his father’s birthplace of Paradise, Kentucky and the song he spun from it.
On Saturday, April 8, 2006, my recent “Listening In” interview with John Prine will air on Weekend America. We listened to the recordings that he was listening to when he first got the idea he wanted to make up songs of his own – Mississippi John Hurt, Hank Williams (Sr.), Roger Miller, Bob Dylan. In the piece, we end by listening to “Paradise” and then “The Glory of True Love” from his 2005 album, “Fair and Square.”
Prine has written some fantastic lyrics over his 35 year career – what is your favorite line from Prine? What is your favorite Prine rhyme? Let me know at prine -at- listeningin -dot- org.
“Music and Mardi Gras” begins in New York with Tom Piazza, author of “Why New Orleans Matters,” playing recordings that show us why New Orleans matters to him. Next, we are transported to New Orleans, listening to the same songs with Gregg Stafford on his porch. Stafford is a staunch proponent of New Orleans’ traditional music and occasional bandleader at Preservation Hall. Mardi Gras “Indian” songs elicit their feelings about having a Mardi Gras in the wake of Katrina. The piece features music by the Silver Leaf Brass Band, Danny Barker and the Wild Tchoupitoulas.
On commercial music radio, it seems Wolfman Jack has been replaced by just… Jack. Features Bruce “Cousin Brucie” Morrow, who went to Sirius after WCBS’s controversial flip to the Jack format. Gideon D’Arcangelo reports.
Original Broadcast
I want to know what you’re listening to. I also want to know when you listen to it, how you found it, what you are listening to it on and, most importantly, why you are listening to it. How does music fit into your life? Why does it move you? I am constantly searching for new ideas about music and how people listen to it for my radio documentary programs. Send me a story about you and your music to gideon -at- listeningin -dot- org.
