Largely 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, stong melodies and subtle arrangement, his music brings to light an overlooked chapter in the history of North America.

For this episode we're joined by musician and author Kelly Mulhollan of the duo Still on the Hill.

https://www.stillonthehill.com/

Links:

Film:

The Ballad of Crowfoot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qsZsfn6PC4

Songs:

Pity the Country

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qsZsfn6PC4

Son of the Sun:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4ZG-6SxEBk

Charlie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWEl9naKPZo

Pontiac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svwrIF7atVI

Digging Roots Band website:

https://www.diggingrootsmusic.com/

Little 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 "quills" a pan flute-like instrument probably fixed in a brace around his neck. Often using the name "Ragtime Texas" Thomas was born in east Texas and was known to travel by train as a hobo, Otherwise his life is a mystery.

Songs:

Fishing Blues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OilNFHa1AOc

Bull Dog Blues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcLgJ-K49a8

Arkansas:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdtoZzctg1c

Video: Otha Turner cane fife player in the Mississippi fife and drum tradition:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MgK8RtFWQY&list=WL&index=11

Sid Hemphill - Devil's Dream

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP3GKaX_Kz8

Video of African Quill playing

Ritual dance nsambo and panflutes Nyanga (Mozambqie)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLLX_xqoK_0&list=WL&index=11

Possible video of Henry Thomas playing guitar and quills:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75v6uwO5tVA

Don Flemmons, contemporary songster, demonstrates the quills and "hooting" technique:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqIdB9cNt5Q

From 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 presidents and appearing on a US postage stamp. In her 70 years of performing, she never strayed from her Tejana roots, singing cinematic tales of love, treachery and courage. Whether singing alone accompanying herself on bajo sexto or performing with a conjunto band, Mendoza’s voice rings out strong and pure.

Thanks to Scott Newby for suggesting Lydia Mendoza for this episode, and also to Cathy Whitney and Oscar Calzada for helping with translation.

Songs:

Mexico in la Laguna

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvm6BeoAvj8

Celosa (Live)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X-L39r1oTI&list=RD9X-L39r1oTI&start_radio=1

Mal Hombre

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwTSPb3YVbI

Corrido de Juaquin Murrieta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymR2oV9W9VQ

Noche de Estrellas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ4yaiW1h4g

La Boda Negra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1sInnfrxjc

Information about the artwork of Jose Guadelupe Posada can be found at the Posada Art Foundation.

https://www.posada-art-foundation.com/

One book on his work is entitled Posada's Broadsheets – Mexican Popular Imagery 1890-1910;

Patrick Frank; University of New Mexico Press; 1998

Most 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 Native American roots and produced a strong body of work that ranged from acoustic blues to southern rock.

Documentary: Rumble | The Indians that Rocked the World

https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/rumble/

Youtube interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql_4wAinGig

In 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 simplistic by todays standards, her full-throttled singing would influence vocalist from Janis Joplin to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers sings the Arlene Smith song "Maybe" at Slane Castle, Ireland:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dd-X-lkc70

From 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 could do it all.” But as popular tastes shifted away from rhythm and blues, Hinton refused to crossover to pop music and his career faded. He continued to perform and record but his rough and tumble life style took its toll and died at 51 in his mother’s home.

While 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 span of her career in multiple genres - all with a soulful Memphis-infused sound.

The quintessential outsider artist, Washington Phillips composed unique ethereal gospel and morality songs that have influenced artists including Sister Rosetta Tharp, Ry Cooder. and Ralph Stanley.

Phillips, an eccentric "jack-leg preacher" made his living selling wares from his mule cart in central Texas. He eventually recorded his music in the late 1920's but remained in obscurity until other artists discovered his songs.