AMERICAN ROUTES
Songs as Poems; Poems as Songs Songs as Poems; Poems as Songs August 10th, 2022 (Hour 1)
Songs as Poems; Poems as Songs

We listen for poetry in music and music in poetry, songs as poems and poems as songs with Langston Hughes, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Ken Nordine. Plus, a visit to New York’s City Lore with poet-folklorist Steve Zeitlin, who rides the POEMobile to the People’s Poetry Gathering and then back to New Orleans to meet Louisiana’s poet laureate, Mona Lisa Saloy.

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VISIONS OF GENIUS: REMEMBERING RAY CHARLES

June 28th, 2006

Celebrate this 4th of July with a great American hero. Ray Charles’ unique vision blended the best of jazz and R&B, gospel and soul, country and pop into distinctive music that forever changed the American soundscape. This two hour American Routes special includes our exclusive interviews with Ray and those closest to him, tracing the radiant arc of his life and music. Voices include: Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler; saxophonist and bandleader, David “Fathead” Newman; singer and Raelette Mable John; Ray’s chauffeur and assistant of more than forty years Vernon Troupe; his ex-wife and confidante Della Bea Robinson; and producer-engineer Terry Howard. Hear Ray’s classics and the stories behind them, as well as his songs by Elvis, Percy Mayfield, Willie Nelson and others.

  • Listen to Hour One
  • Listen to Hour Two

HOUR ONE

  • Open Bed: Rockhouse Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino
  • Hallelujah I Love Her So Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino
  • SEGMENT: Early Experiences

    Listen
  • Let the Good Times Roll Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino
  • I Got a Woman Elvis Presley
    The King of Rock 'N' Roll, RCA
  • SEGMENT: Gospel
  • This Little Girl of Mine Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino
  • Hit the Road Jack Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino
  • Instrumental: Hit the Road Jack David 'Fathead' Newman
    I Remember Brother Ray, Highnote
  • SEGMENT: Raelettes
  • Swanee River Rock Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino
  • SEGMENT: What'd I Say

    Listen
  • SEGMENT: Live
  • I Got A Woman Ray Charles
    Live, Atlantic
  • SEGMENT: The Road/Ray the Man
  • Instrumental: Hallelujah I Love Her So Ray Charles & Milt Jackson
    Soul Meeting, Atlantic Jazz
  • SEGMENT: Della Bea and Ray
  • SEGMENT: Blindness
  • SEGMENT: America The Beautiful
  • America The Beautiful Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino
  • Rockhouse Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino

HOUR two

  • Open Bed: Blue Genius Ray Charles & Milt Jackson
    Soul Brothers/Soul Meeting, Atlantic Jazz
  • Side By Side Ray Charles & Betty Carter
    Dedicated to You, Rhino
  • Sinner's Prayer Ray Charles & B.B. King
    Genius Loves Company, Concord
  • SEGMENT: Ray in studio w/Blues Lab kids
  • Busted Johnny Cash
    Essential Johnny Cash, Columbia
  • You Are My Sunshine Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino
  • Instrumental: Wagon Wheels Grant Green
    Goin' West, Blue Note
  • SEGMENT: Country
  • I'm Movin' On Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino
  • It Makes No Difference Now Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino
  • Georgia on My Mind Willie Nelson
    Stardust, Columbia Legacy
  • SEGMENT: Drugs
  • SEGMENT: Race
  • In The Heat of The Night Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino
  • Instrumental: Georgia on My Mind Tuts Washington
    New Orleans Piano Professor, Rounder
  • SEGMENT: New Orleans
  • I Got a Woman Kermit Ruffins & Rebirth Brass Band
    Throwback, Basin St.
  • SEGMENT: Memories

    Listen
  • Drown In My Own Tears Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino
  • Come Rain or Come Shine Modern Jazz Quartet & Branford Marsalis
    A Celebration, Atlantic Jazz

THE LATEST STREAMS

  • August 10th, 2022

    SONGS AS POEMS; POEMS AS SONGS

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  • August 3rd, 2022

    CARIBBEAN CRUISE & SOUTH LOUISIANA SOJOURN: GARIFUNA GUITARIST AURELIO & CREOLE ACCORDIONIST CEDRIC WATSON

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  • July 27th, 2022

    THE FOLK REVIVAL REVISITED

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