Sat 8 Nov 2008
Studs Terkel And The Blues
Posted by Jeff under Blues News
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By now you’ve probably heard about the passing of oral historian, radio host and writer Studs Terkel. It’s a shame he didn’t hang on long enough to see Barack Obama win the presidency. Studs was a champion of the underdog, the “non-celebrated” and had plenty to say on racial issues. I don’t claim to be an expert on Studs and in fact feel a bit guilty that I didn’t read more by him. As I write this I glance over to my book shelf to see Studs’ Hard Times looking back at me guiltily and unread. What I did know about Studs was his connection with the blues; in particular the two wonderful albums of interviews and music that were issued on the Folkways label: Big Bill Broonzy: His Story (1956) and Blues With Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee (1958). These were from Studs’ radio program which he began In 1953 on WFMT, Chicago and ran until 1998. There was also another album with Pete Seeger, which I don’t own, called Studs Terkel’s Weekly Almanac: Radio Programme, No. 4: Folk Music and Blues. Oh, and like myself, Studs was born in the Bronx which is always a plus in my book.
I won’t rehash Studs’ background as the internet is loaded with obituaries but I thought I would share the above mentioned Folkways albums. I should mention that these albums can be purchased at the Smithsonian Global Sound website. The tracks from Blues With Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee come from my own LP that I digitized while the tracks from Big Bill Broonzy: His Story I downloaded from the Smithsonian website because my LP is too battered.
Key To The Highway (MP3) 
What Are The Blues (MP3)
Blood River Blues (Brownie’s Blues) (MP3)
Crow Jane Blues (MP3)
Willie May (MP3)
Daisy (MP3)
Louise / Shuffle Rag (medley) (MP3)
The Blues (MP3)
Talk on the Blues (MP3)
Talk on the Spirituals (MP3)
Oh, What a Beautiful City (MP3)
I’m Going To Tell God How You Treat Me (MP3)
Hush, Somebody Is Calling Me (MP3)
When the Saints Go Marching In (MP3)
Early Days: Plough Hand Blues / C.C. Rider (MP3)
Blues: Bill Bailey (MP3)
Willie Mae Blues (MP3)
Experiences: This Train / Mule Ridin’ / Talking Blues (MP3)
Travelling: Keys to the Highway / Black, Brown and White (MP3)
Joe Turner Blues No. 1 (MP3)
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