This week at WAIM Radio, we're cracking open the history books for an hour of the past brought to life with song. Which historical tune is your favorite?
Actually, wasn't Snoopy's Christmas (the one where the Red Baron gets Snoopy to land behind enemy lines but then says "Merry Christmas, Mein Friend") based on an actual WWI event?
Tom Russell's "Mississippi River Running Backwards" references both an 1812 earthquake (given incorrectly as 1912 in the song) and hurricane Katrina (again). I love the backing horns (from Calexico): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzUi5tXywac
TS's mention of Deportee makes me think of Dick Gaughan's performance of "Victor Jara" (by Adrian Mitchell & Arlo Guthrie about the murder of Victor Jara) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz25LrDyzbg
Antietam-Tobin Sprout. The 7” version
The War-Lucero
Deportee(Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)-Los Super Seven version though all of them are great.
Battle of New Orleans-Johnny Horton. One of the earliest songs I remember hearing and liking.
I just listened to that version of Plane Wreck at Los Gatos. It's lovely.
That is a really nice version.
(Arlo Guthrie's version had been my go-to, but that may be better and certainly feels less like a historical artifact)
These are all great. I have a special place for that Lucero number. Gets me every time.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (Gordon Lightfoot)
My favorite answer to this question. Very well played, my friend.
Yes! You cannot possibly do this show without that.
You are correct, sir.
Came here to say exactly this.
Midwesterners unite!
“James K. Polk” - They Might Be Giants
And for some reason my brain went to “Snoopy and the Red Baron.”
Snoopy for the win!
Actually, wasn't Snoopy's Christmas (the one where the Red Baron gets Snoopy to land behind enemy lines but then says "Merry Christmas, Mein Friend") based on an actual WWI event?
"The Ballad of Ira Hayes" (Johnny Cash).
Peter LaFarge: https://youtu.be/0pzm4LMpdnM
"Manhattan Project" by Rush.
Nice one, Jackie.
Thank you for being so tolerant of my Rush obsession!
"North to Alaska"-Johnny Horton
"Ohio"-CSN&Y
"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"-The Band
And some of my favorites have alreay been mentioned! 😉
These are so good, that two of them made the show! Nice choices.
There are so many to choose from; but apparently I got onto a roll on songs about famous storms.
Sonny Landreth "Blue Tarp Blues" about the after-effects of Hurricane Katrina: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAONSmh6MX4
Related "Wasn't That A Mighty Storm" about the Galveston Flood; this is a nice version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8JV728HQqs
also Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927" -- this is a great version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iasWaoYiyJY
Tom Russell's "Mississippi River Running Backwards" references both an 1812 earthquake (given incorrectly as 1912 in the song) and hurricane Katrina (again). I love the backing horns (from Calexico): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzUi5tXywac
Iris Dement does a great cover of Greg Brown's "The Train Carrying Jimmy Rodgers Home" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8txoip5hxo
TS's mention of Deportee makes me think of Dick Gaughan's performance of "Victor Jara" (by Adrian Mitchell & Arlo Guthrie about the murder of Victor Jara) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz25LrDyzbg
These are so great, Nick. Thanks for sharing. I need to check out the Victor Jara track, for sure.
Billy Bragg does a Dick Gaughan tune or tune, I believe. Great stuff.
Also, I realized that I know the song, but not that much about Victor Jara. Looking him up, this was an informative summary: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200812-vctor-jara-the-folk-singer-murdered-for-his-music
When you have time I would definitely say that Dick Gaughan is worth a listen-- one of the highlights from a powerful live album.
Simple Minds- "All the Things She Said"
The Police- "Invisible Sun"
Grateful Dead- "New Speedway Boogie"
Bruce Hornsby & the Range- "The Way It Is"
Bruce Springsteen- "The Rising"
"The Rising" is a really good selection. All of my picks were about events older than 9/11, I am pretty sure.
The Commander Thinks Aloud by The Long Winters (about a different type of shipwreck...)
Also: Drive By Truckers “Ramon Casiano”
DBT!
Dion - "Abraham, Martin, and John"
Bob Marley - "Buffalo Soldier"
Sting - "Russians"
I too thought of "Russians" almost immediately. "They Danced Alone" popped in my noggin as well. Good stuff, Barry.
The Gulf of Araby- Natalie Merchant (cover of Katell Keining)
Ooh, I don't know this. Will explore. Thanks, Kristin.
It’s sooo fantastic!! After hearing it a few times I had to google to see what it was about.
I'm always late to the party, but I'm here to annoy you with a Taylor Swift recommendation: the last great american dynasty