I’m getting a helluva musical education by accident. Without any plan or forethought, I plunged into the idea of making a list of songs that have something to do with the Mississippi River. Now, 171 songs later, I’m amazed at how complicated this has become. One of the major complications is that I decided early
The Mississippi River has inspired generations of musicians to write songs about it. In the list below, you will find songs that go back to the beginning of recorded music and others that were recorded in the past year. Many of the songs are from genres we now call roots music or Americana—traditional blues and
Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three Are there musical styles that are timeless, whose appeal cuts across generations? The success of Pokey LaFarge seems to argue “yes.” LaFarge, influenced by the ragtime of early 20th century, breathes new life into a traditional form, creating music that is contemporary but with deep roots.
Is there such a thing as Mississippi River Music? When I bought my first blues record, back when I was a teenager and I was still smarter than my phone, that question was not on my mind at all. The album I bought, BB King’s Greatest Hits, might just have been my gateway to
Population (2010) 99,685 Introduction Davenport is an old river town that has been a central cog in the region's life since it was founded. It's a fun place to visit, with plenty to do and a beautiful and easy to get to riverfront. Give yourself at least a couple of
Hi, y'all. I've been hitting the festival circuit the last couple of weekends and thought I would share the joy. Here is a summary of three of the best ones. TugFest Tug Fest is brilliant. I just can’t help thinking that the whole thing started as a bet after a few drinks. “Hey, I could
