Sounds to Grow On show

Sounds to Grow On

Summary: The CKUA Radio Network presents Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On, a new 26-part series featuring the original recordings of the Folkways Collection, now a cornerstone of Smithsonian Folkways Records' vast catalogue. Hosted by Michael Asch, the only child of Folkways Records' founder Moses Asch, the weekly one-hour program debuted Sunday, January 18th, 2009. This series, researched by Robert Wiznura, is a co-production of The Smithsonian Women's Committee, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, folkwaysAlive! at the University of Alberta, and the CKUA Radio Network. Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On is about Moses "Moe" Asch, and, more specifically about Folkways Records, the company he founded in 1948, and its catalogue of staggering diversity and eclecticism. Upon Moe's death in 1986, the Folkways catalogue and related materials, comprising nearly 2,200 LP's, were turned over to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. The label now operates as Smithsonian Folkways Records, which maintains the original catalogue, as well as produces and sells new recordings in the spirit of Folkways and Moe Asch. Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On broadcasts throughout the CKUA radio network on the FM dial and live online stream Sundays from 3 PM to 4 PM Mountain Standard Time and in rebroadcast Mondays from 4 AM to 5 AM MST. In addition, episodes are available anywhere/anytime via the podcast. This is the second radio series from CKUA about Smithsonian Folkways, following up on the 24-part series The Folkways Collection that is also available as a podcast.

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  • Artist: Smithsonian Folkways
  • Copyright: ℗ & © 2009 Smithsonian Folkways

Podcasts:

 Tony Schwartz (Program #10) | File Type: audio/x-mpeg | Duration: 58:07

This show is about the world of sound captured by Tony Schwartz and produced on Folkways Records. While not a household name, Schwartz is a legendary figure in the advertising business. There is another side to Tony Schwartz. It is found in his passion for recording sounds, particularly human made sounds and for New York City. The marriage of these passions is found in sound documents that range from short sound poems to lengthier sound essays. Often produced for his radio show, sometimes these found their way to become tracks on albums he made for Folkways Records. Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On is a 26-part series hosted by Michael Asch that features the original recordings of Folkways Records.

 Going to the Dogs (Program #9) | File Type: audio/x-mpeg | Duration: 58:06

The theme of this show is about Smithsonian Folkways material inspired by dogs, so Michael Asch has called the show “Going to the Dogs.” The idea for the show came from Rob Wiznura, researcher on this radio series, and a guy who likes dogs, and puns about them. Michael is less committed, more of a cat man. Hear songs, sounds and documentary segments, all on the canine theme. Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On is a 26-part series hosted by Michael Asch that features the original recordings of Folkways Records.

 Broadsides (Program #8) | File Type: audio/x-mpeg | Duration: 58:00

This episode of Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On focuses on topical songs, mostly from a small-distribution, widely influential magazine from the 1960s and 70s and 80s called Broadside Magazine. In 1962, the first issue cost 35 cents and consisted of a meager 300 copies. But it included songs from such masters as Malvina Reynolds, Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs. Broadside brought many topical singer songwriters to the public’s attention, including, in addition to Reynolds, Ochs and Dylan; Tom Paxton, Richard Farina, Janis Ian and Buffy St. Marie, to name just a few. Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On is a 26-part series hosted by Michael Asch that features the original recordings of Folkways Records.

 Songs of Animals (Program #7) | File Type: audio/x-mpeg | Duration: 58:07

In this show we jump into the world of animal sounds and songs about animals. Of course there are many songs about animals. But Michael’s father Moe Asch also released a number of recordings of animal sounds, some straightforward recordings and others, well, you’ll hear throughout the hour. Michael will pair a song about an animal with the sounds of the animal, all from the wide ranging Folkways Records catalogue. Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On is a 26-part series hosted by Michael Asch that features the original recordings of Folkways Records.

 Bluegrass (Program #6) | File Type: audio/x-mpeg | Duration: 58:07

This hour features bluegrass music on Folkways Records. Bluegrass is a style developed mostly in Appalachia that combines the music of Scots-Irish, African-American, jazz and blues. Michael presents a personal journey, choosing from those performances he considers 'classic.' Performers include Bill Monroe, Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard, Roger Sprung, The Country Gentlemen, The Lily Brothers, Eric Weisberg, Ralph Rinzler and Mike Seeger. Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On is a 26-part series hosted by Michael Asch that features the original recordings of Folkways Records.

 The Unfortunate Rake (Program #5) | File Type: audio/x-mpeg | Duration: 58:01

In this hour Michael traces the history of a folksong, probably most familiar to you as "The Streets of Laredo" but also reflected in the song "St James Infirmary." In 1960, Folkways released an album put together by folklorist Kenneth Goldstein called The Unfortunate Rake: A Study in the Evolution of a Ballad. Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On is a 26-part series hosted by Michael Asch that features the original recordings of Folkways records.

 The Harlem Renaissance (Program #4) | File Type: audio/x-mpeg | Duration: 57:37

A remarkable thing about Folkways is the number of significant movements in the 20th century with which it was in tune. One such movement is the African-American poetry scene, starting with the Harlem Renaissance that began in the 1920s. The Harlem Renaissance is a rather loose term that identifies a flourishing of poetry and prose to emerge from Harlem. The poetry ranges greatly stylistically. But what unites all these poets, including Langston Hughes and Claude McKay, is that they focus in some way on the experience of the African-American in the U.S. Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On is a 26-part series hosted by Michael Asch that features the original recordings of Folkways records.

 Introduction (Program #1) | File Type: audio/x-mpeg | Duration: 57:49

Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On is a 26-part series featuring the original recordings of Folkways records. Host Michael Asch is the only child of Moses and Frances Asch. He was a professor of Anthropology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton until his retirement. However, as he says in this first program: "The show is not about me. It is about my father, and more specifically about the record company my father founded and ran for 38 years. The company’s name is Folkways Records, and, due to the foresight and perseverance of many people at the Smithsonian Institution, the company still continues as Smithsonian Folkways Records. This program features an overview of great Folkways sounds."

 My Favourite Things (Program #2) | File Type: audio/x-mpeg | Duration: 57:48

This episode is dedicated to music on Folkways that has a special place for Michael Asch. It includes some of his favourites and some of his father's favourites. Some of these songs are from Moe's childhood and some are from Michael's early adulthood when he worked for Folkways. Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On is a 26-part series hosted by Michael Asch that features the original recordings of Folkways records.

 The Midnight Special (Program #3) | File Type: audio/x-mpeg | Duration: 57:38

In program three the focus is on the blues, but from a particular personal angle. Listeners from Chicago may well recognize the title "The Midnight Special," as being used on a radio show that has been broadcast on WFMT since 1953 and is now broadcast as well over the net. Michael thought to honor that program by recreating what he heard when moved to Chicago to attend university in the fall of 1961. Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On is a 26-part series hosted by Michael Asch that features the original recordings of Folkways records.

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