Posts that showcase a song about the Mississippi River

Song of the Day: Don’t Need It All by William Elliott Whitmore

I'm going to see William Elliott Whitmore perform at the end of this month, so this seems like a good time to highlight one of his songs. Will grew up just north of Keokuk, Iowa on a blufftop farm overlooking the Mississippi River, so it shouldn't be a surprise that he's written a song or

By |2016-10-21T15:28:59-05:00March 3rd, 2012|Song of the Day|Comments Off on Song of the Day: Don’t Need It All by William Elliott Whitmore

Song of the Day: Proud Mary by Ike & Tina Turner

This month I've been posting links to exceptional songs about the Mississippi River that were recorded by African American musicians, in honor of Black History Month. Proud Mary was written by John Fogerty and first recorded by CCR in 1969, but I prefer the version cut by Ike and Tina Turner a couple of years

By |2016-10-21T15:28:59-05:00February 25th, 2012|Song of the Day|Comments Off on Song of the Day: Proud Mary by Ike & Tina Turner

Song of the Day: Mississippi River Blues by Big Bill Broonzy

Big Bill Broonzy (born Lee Conly Bradley, probably in 1903) was one of 17 children born to Frank Broonzy Bradley and Mittie Belcher, both of whom were former slaves.  Broonzy grew up in Arkansas, learning the violin at an early age, moved to Chicago sometime in his 20s, married, and eventually gained fame for his

By |2016-10-21T15:28:59-05:00February 18th, 2012|Song of the Day|Comments Off on Song of the Day: Mississippi River Blues by Big Bill Broonzy

Song of the Day: Homeless Blues by Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith is among the best blues singers of any generation. Period. Her catalog of recorded music includes several songs that reference the Mississippi River, like this one about the epic 1927 flood. Browse through other Song of the Day picks here.

By |2016-10-21T15:28:59-05:00February 11th, 2012|Song of the Day|Comments Off on Song of the Day: Homeless Blues by Bessie Smith

Song of the Day: To Be Free by Fontella Bass

I'm going to contribute to Black History Month in a small way by highlighting four songs from African American artists who wrote or performed memorable songs about the Mississippi River. My first pick is from St. Louis native Fontella Bass, someone who you might know because of the song Rescue Me but who really should be more famous.

By |2016-10-21T15:29:00-05:00February 4th, 2012|Song of the Day|Comments Off on Song of the Day: To Be Free by Fontella Bass

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