Posts that showcase a song about the Mississippi River
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
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
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
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.
Marking the 200th anniversary of the last of the large earthquakes along the New Madrid fault.
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.
