Critical Thinking Playlist -- 07 July -- American Music for Summer

As I was out of the country for two weeks and then out of Chicago for the Fourth of July weekend (wonderful wedding, Jennifer and Casey!), my Monday night Critical Thinking this week on 98.7WFMT Radio and wfmt.com was a disc program entitled American Music for Summer.

Herewith the playlist:

Jazz Sonata by George Antheil -- Marc-André Hamelin, piano, in a state of jazz, Hyperion CDA67656, 2008

"Make Believe" -- John Raitt and Barbara Cook (left), Show Boat, 1962 Columbia Studio Cast Recording

"Why Do I Love You?" -- Barbara Cook and John Raitt, Show Boat, 1962 Columbia Studio Cast Recording

"After the Ball" -- Barbara Cook and Merrill Staton Choir, Show Boat, 1962 Columbia Studio Cast Recording

"Bill" (from Show Boat) -- Helen Morgan, 1932 Brunswick recording, from above Show Boat Studio Cast CD re-release

"It Might As Well Be Spring" -- Barbara Cook, Oscar Winners: The Lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein II, 1997

"The Gentleman Is a Dope" -- Barbara Cook, Oscar Winners: The Lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein II, 1997

"All the Things You Are" -- arr. Ward Swingle, The Swingle Singers, Mood Swings, 2003

"Summertime" -- Eileen Farrell, 1958, from Opera Arias & Songs CD re-release, Testament SBT 1073, 1996

"Village Ghetto Land" - Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life, 1976

"Sir Duke" - Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life, 1976

Footnotes:  1.  I played these last two songs after reading Jann S. Wenner's surprisingly good cover story interview with Senator Barack Obama in the new July 10 dated issue of Rolling Stone magazine wherein the presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee waxes rhapsodic about Stevie Wonder, Dylan, Springsteen, and the Stones. While I'm two years older than the Senator, our musical upbringing sounds similar -- at least on the Black music side: I was no rocker and growing up had no friends who were either.

I'd be happy to play any of Senator John McCain's musical selections if anyone wants to send me a list from the Republican candidate.  And I've invited both gentlemen to come into the studio and spin some discs with me -- equal time and all that.

2.  I recorded the program midday on Monday not knowing the set list  for Miss Cook's wonderful Martinis at the Martin cabaret performance at Ravinia's Martin Theatre a few hours later, so it was an especial pleasure to hear Miss Cook sing "It Night As Well Be Spring" there last night and then "again" on the drive home

Herewith the playlist:

Jazz Sonata by George Antheil -- Marc-André Hamelin, piano, in a state of jazz, Hyperion CDA67656, 2008

"Make Believe" -- John Raitt and Barbara Cook (left), Show Boat, 1962 Columbia Studio Cast Recording

"Why Do I Love You?" -- Barbara Cook and John Raitt, Show Boat, 1962 Columbia Studio Cast Recording

"After the Ball" -- Barbara Cook and Merrill Staton Choir, Show Boat, 1962 Columbia Studio Cast Recording

"Bill" (from Show Boat) -- Helen Morgan, 1932 Brunswick recording, from above Show Boat Studio Cast CD re-release

"It Might As Well Be Spring" -- Barbara Cook, Oscar Winners: The Lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein II, 1997

"The Gentleman Is a Dope" -- Barbara Cook, Oscar Winners: The Lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein II, 1997

"All the Things You Are" -- arr. Ward Swingle, The Swingle Singers, Mood Swings, 2003

"Summertime" -- Eileen Farrell, 1958, from Opera Arias & Songs CD re-release, Testament SBT 1073, 1996

"Village Ghetto Land" - Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life, 1976

"Sir Duke" - Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life, 1976

Footnotes:  1.  I played these last two songs after reading Jann S. Wenner's surprisingly good cover story interview with Senator Barack Obama in the new July 10 dated issue of Rolling Stone magazine wherein the presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee waxes rhapsodic about Stevie Wonder, Dylan, Springsteen, and the Stones. While I'm two years older than the Senator, our musical upbringing sounds similar -- at least on the Black music side: I was no rocker and growing up had no friends who were either.

I'd be happy to play any of Senator John McCain's musical selections if anyone wants to send me a list from the Republican candidate.  And I've invited both gentlemen to come into the studio and spin some discs with me -- equal time and all that.

2.  I recorded the program midday on Monday not knowing the set list  for Miss Cook's wonderful Martinis at the Martin cabaret performance at Ravinia's Martin Theatre a few hours later, so it was an especial pleasure to hear Miss Cook sing "It Night As Well Be Spring" there last night and then "again" on the drive home