Modern Tradition: Ben Harper and Carl LeBlanc
The singer-songwriter Ben Harper has been on the scene since the early '90s, but now he's digging deeper into the blues with the legendary harpman Charlie Musselwhite. We'll talk with Ben about the musical journey from his family's music store to his recent recording that he calls his "graduation" album. Then an in-studio conversation with a guitarist who has played with Sun Ra and now plays banjo with Preservation Hall, New Orleans' own Carl LeBlanc.
HOUR ONE
Open Bed: Homeless Childe Ben Harper The Will to Live, Virgin
Mean Ol' Lonesome Train Lightnin' Slim The Excello Story Volume 2, 1955-1957, Hip-O
Fool for a Lonesome Train Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals Lifeline, Virgin
Sitting on Top of the World Mississippi Sheiks The Roots of Robert Johnson, Yazoo
Sitting on Top of the World The Grateful Dead The Grateful Dead, Warner Bros.
Looking the World Over Whispering Smith Swamp Blues, Ace/ Excello
Blueberry Hill Fats Domino Out of New Orleans, Bear Family
Instrumental: We Can't End Up This Way Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite Get Up!, Stax
Be My Guest Ben Harper and Skatalites Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino, Vanguard
Happy Together Dr. Michael White Adventures in New Orleans Jazz Part 2, Basin Street
The Blues is All Wrong Chuck Leavell featuring Candi Staton Back to the Woods, Evergreen Arts
I Ain't Superstitious Howlin' Wolf His Best, MCA
Superstition Stevie Wonder Talking Book, Motown
Instrumental: 39th and Indiana Charlie Musselwhite Stand Back! Here Comes Charlie Musselwhite's South Side Band, Vanguard
Fishing Blues Taj Mahal They All Played for Us: Arhoolie Records 50th Anniversary Celebration, Arhoolie
Strange Land Charlie Musselwhite Stand Back! Here Comes Charley Musselwhite's Southside Band, Vanguard
SEGMENT: Ben Harper
Instrumental: Faded Ben Harper Will To Live, Virgin
HOUR TWO
Open Bed: His Last Parade (March) Carl LeBlanc Those Who Have Ears, Carl LeBlanc
On the Sunny Side of the Street James Booker Junko Partner, Hannibal
Mess Around Dr. John Dr. John's Gumbo, ATCO
Sneakin' Sally through the Alley Lee Dorsey Soul Mine, Charly
Mississippi Mud Shemekia Copeland with J.J. Gray 33 1/3, Telarc
Gonna Stick to You Baby Lonesome Sundown The Excello Story Volume 3, 1957-1961, Hip-O
Instrumental: Under My Thumb Pickin' on the Rolling Stones Pickin' on the Rolling Stones, CMH
Rolling Stone Robert Pete Williams Free Again, Bluesville
Prodigal Son Rolling Stones Beggars' Banquet, London
12 Gates to the City Marie Knight Let Us Get Together, MC Records
Night Train to Memphis Jerry Lee Lewis Sun Gospel, Bear Family
Shake It J.P. Harris and the Tough Choices I'll Keep Calling, Cow Island Music
Shake Your Hips Slim Harpo The Best of Slim Harpo, Excello
Sown Yonder We Go Ballin' Smiley Lewis Shame, Shame, Shame, Bear Family
Instrumental: Plarine Days Carl LeBlanc
Justin Time: A Tribute to Justin Adams, Carl LeBlanc
SEGMENT: Carl LeBlanc
Didn't He Ramble Kermit Ruffins Livin' A Treme Life, Basin Street
End Bed: Basin Street Blues Henry Butler American Routes original recording,