S1:E3 // They Call The Rising Sun

American Songcatcher

Season 1, Episode 3 // They Call The Rising Sun

Featured in this Episode:

Traditional - "Rising Sun Blues" or "House of the Rising Sun" (1:37)

Bessie Smith - "Tain't Nobody's Business" (16:46)

The Carter Family - "Wildwood Flower" (40:30)

Townes Van Zandt - "Pancho and Lefty" (1:04:17)

Blind Boy Paxton - "Nobody Cares For Me" (01:22:42)

Teaser:

Was there ever a “house of the rising sun” in New Orleans or elsewhere, or was it a myth brought from the UK? Raised by her sisters in deep poverty, a Chattanooga girl rises to be known as “Empress of the Blues” right before The Great Depression, gone too soon. How did one family become responsible for making mountain and country music mainstream in America? A Texas songwriter whose life paralleled the tragically poetic songs he wrote. Today, a young man who grew up in LA transports audiences to soundscapes of the 20’s and 30’s.

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"Shine A Light":

www.BalladofAmerica.org

Source Credits:

#1: American Blues Scene | The Vintage News | LA Times

#2: My Black History | NNDB | History.com

#3: NPR | Encyclopedia Virginia

#4: Traces of Townes | Texas Monthly

#5: The Bluegrass Situation | Village Voice

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