LECTURE/CONCERT - Songlist and program description

Music always reflects both the economic and technological changes within a culture.  As our music changes, we see things like transportation, wars, the role of government, as musical symbols. Before each song, the period American History is discussed. Between songs, parallels are drawn between the country's progress and the music that America produced.

1. A "Field Holler"

The seeds of American Music are sown by Africans using rhythm and rudimentary English. 

2. Walking Blues- ROBERT JOHNSON

3. Your Feets Too Big- FATS WALLER

The Blues of Delta, the Jazz of New Orleans,  and Woody Guthrie's ballads in the Midwest are important early stages of what is to come.  

4. Choo Choo Ch' Boogie- LOUIS JORDAN

5. Hey Good Lookin'-  HANK WILLIAMS

The era of the railroad changes the country. Swing and Country Music are created from Jazz and Folk. Electric instruments and accessible phonograph records change the musical landscape forever.  

5. Maybelline- CHUCK BERRY

We revel in the age of the automobile and our mobile independence. Rock and roll is born and Chuck Berry is at its forefront with Elvis not far behind.

6. Blowing in the Wind- BOB DYLAN

7. Going Down the Road- WOODY GUTHRIE

Rebellion and counterculture in our music. Folk music has a revival in thE 70’s.  Politically motivated music is written.

8. The Letter  -  THE BOXTOPS

9. Its Gonna Rain- BIRMINGHAM SUNLIGHTS (Performed as a Rap)

Rock and Roll leads the way to Rock, Pop, and HipHop Music. A melding of styles occurs due to greatly increased communication and media access. Rap music has a profound effect on urban culture and on the way music is created.      

10.  Toot Toot- CLIFTON CHENIER 

11. Let the Melody Live On- GEORGE KILBY JR