Backtracks
by Robert Cochran & Michael Cockram
Latest episode
Gladys Knight | Torch songs and carrying the torch of soul and…
Gladys Knight | Torch songs and carrying the torch of soul and…
About this podcast
Deep in the roots of American music, there are artists whose influence and talent have been largely overlooked or forgotten. In the Backtracks podcast, folklore scholar Professor Robert Cochran and musician Michael Cockram explore the music and lives of these under-appreciated pioneers.
Backtracks is a non-profit, educational podcast produced in association with the Ozark Folkways Fayetteville Folk School, a community music space.
Contact us with comments, questions and information at:
[email protected]
Intro: Susan Shore
Intro music: Rent House Stomp by Big Bill Broonzy
ozarkfolkways.org.
Episodes
- Gladys Knight | Torch songs and carrying the torch of soul and rhythm & blues. · 38 min · Season 2 Episode 1Over a career spanning more than half a century, Gladys Knight has established herself as an iconic American voice. While she is sometimes referred to as the "Empress of Soul"…
- The Persuasions | Expanding the boundaries of a cappella music · 33 min · Season 1 Episode 12The Persuasions began as a doo wop a cappella quintet singing on the street corners of Brooklyn, New York. From that simple beginning their career careened in surprising and…
- Martin, Bogan and Armstrong | The Legacy of the Old-Time Black String Bands · 32 min · Season 1 Episode 11From their beginnings in Knoxville Tennessee playing on street corners in the late 1920's through their resurgence on the festival circuit in the 70's and 80's, Martin, Bogan…
- Charlie Rich | The long road to finding his voice · 36 min · Season 1 Episode 10Most people remember Charlie Rich for his 1973 country/pop hits and his controversial pyrotechnical antics at the 1975 Country Music Awards. But before his star rose in…
- Clifton Chenier | The man who brought Zydeco music to the world · 37 min · Season 1 Episode 9From the heart of French-speaking Louisiana, Clifton Chenier transformed the rural Zydeco of his father's generation into an international embodiment of high-energy good-time…
- Willie Dunn | The resonant voice of Canada's indigenous people; with guest Kelly Mulhollan · 44 min · Season 1 Episode 8Largely unknown on the folk scene in the US, Willie Dunn is an important figure in framing the stories of native Canadians in songs, films, and art. With a rich voice, strong…
- Henry Thomas | The mystery of the hobo songster · 34 min · Season 1 Episode 7Little is known about the life of Henry Thomas, but his legacy of 23 recorded songs influenced generations of folk, rock, and blues musicians. He often accompanied himself on the…
- Lydia Mendoza | Idol of Mexican-American music · 35 min · Season 1 Episode 6From her modest beginnings in the Mendoza family band playing for migrant farm workers, Lydia Mendoza became the undisputed queen of Tejano music, receiving awards from…
- Link Wray | The power chord and beyond · 44 min · Season 1 Episode 5Most often cited as the inventor of the power chord, Link Wray's loud gritty sound had a big influence on rock, heavy metal and punk music. Later in his career he embraced his…
- Arlene Smith and the early “girl groups” that pioneered the sound of R & B and rock vocalists · 37 min · Season 1 Episode 4In the 1950’s, the 16-year-old lead singer for the Chantels, Arlene Smith wrote hits and sang with a confidence and power. While the content and production of the songs are…
- Eddie Hinton | A soulful raw talent and the career that should have been · 32 min · Season 1 Episode 3From his beginnings as a session guitar player at the famed Muscle Shoals Sound studio to writing hits and his “larynx-shredding” vocals, Eddie Hinton was the “young genius who…
- Brenda Patterson - A Vocal Powerhouse Revisited · 37 min · Season 1 Episode 2While Brenda Patterson had several strong solo albums, movie soundtracks and sung backup for Dylan and Ry Cooder, she somehow missed broad mainstream success. We look back at the…
- Washington Phillips - Unearthly Music of Morality, Mystery and Glory · 37 min · Season 1 Episode 1The quintessential outsider artist, Washington Phillips composed unique ethereal gospel and morality songs that have influenced artists including Sister Rosetta Tharp, Ry Cooder…
