We reach for “mystic chords of memory” with singer-songwriter Joe Ely and gospel/soul man Roscoe Robinson to hear about the ground they’ve covered as veteran touring musicians. Joe starts us off in Lubbock, Texas, where he grew up, and tells of railroading across America, running off with the circus, musical explorations with the Flatlanders, and his role in Austin’s Cosmic Cowboy scene. Now in his 91st orbit around the sun, Roscoe remembers his childhood in Dermott, Arkansas, the family’s north migration, traveling the gospel circuit through the Jim Crow South, taking the stage at the Apollo Theater, and his life-long spiritual journey. We spin travel tunes from artists’ influences like Buddy Holly, Flaco Jimenez, and the Staple Singers; plus, some pre-election reflection songs from Johnny Cash, Lauryn Hill, and Keb Mo.

To usher in the season of the witch, we invoke the power of hoodoo charms and haunted melodies, blood moons and black magic. And we hang with the Bay Area’s artsy punk rockers Shannon & the Clams as they tell of ghostly encounters, spirit animals and memories from Halloweens past. Plus, spooky chills and thrills from Miles Davis, Memphis Minnie and Hank Williams.

This week on American Routes we cue the music and dim the lights for great music moments in film. We’ll sit down with Oscar nominees Joel and Ethan Coen, writers/directors of such iconic films as True Grit, O Brother Where Art Thou? and The Big Lebowski and discover the magical role of music in their movies. Then, conversation with cinema-verite masters D. A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, who’ll detail the craft of their “glorified home movies” such as Dylan’s Dont Look Back and The War Room, and their latest feature Kings of Pastry. Plus, clips from films we love, and songs that make the silver screen shimmer.