Suggested Recordings

These are the compact discs and individual tracks used in the lesson plan on the musical heritage of the Americas described in the accompanying article. Some of these recordings will be easily found in record stores or online, some will not. For most tracks, a two-minute excerpt should be sufficient.

Day One

“Takoma,” Inti-Illimani. (Music of the Andes). From the album Lejania, Xenophile/Green Linnet, 1998. (Music of the Andes)

“Akiwowo,” Babatunde Olatunje. (West African drum chant). From the album Drums of Passion, Columbia, 1959.

“Soniquete,” Paco de Lucia. (Spanish flamenco guitar and vocal). From the album Zyryab, Verve World, 1990.

“La Ripia” and “La Cumbia esta Herida,” Toto la Momposina. (Colombian Afro-Indian folk music and cumbia). From the album Pacanto, World Village, 2001.

“Congo Yambumba,” Los Munequitos de Matanzas. (Afro-Cuban rhumba percussion and vocals.) From the album Live In New York, Qbadisc, 1998.

“Revolta Olodum,” Olodum. (Afro-Brazilian samba drumming). From the album 10 Years, Sound Wave, 1991.

“The Obvious Child,” Paul Simon. (Contemporary pop with Brazilian drums). From the album Rhythm of the Saints, Warner Bros., 1990.

“Buscando America,” Ruben Blades. (Contemporary salsa with relevant lyrics). From the album Buscando America, Elektra, 1984.

Day Two

“Sundiata,” Boubacar Traore. (West African griot singing). From the four-disc set African Heartbeat, Shanachie, 1998.

“Stor, a Stor, a Ghra,” Altan. (Traditional Gaelic children’s song). From the album Blackwater, Virgin, 1996.

“Stop Breakin’ Down Blues,” Robert Johnson. (Delta blues). From the two-disc set Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings, Columbia/Legacy, 1990.

“Kar Kar Madison,” Boubacar Traore. (Malian music played on electric guitar). From the album Mali to Memphis, Putamayo, 1999.

“I’m In the Mood,” John Lee Hooker. (Delta blues played on electric guitar). From the album Mali to Memphis, Putamayo, 1999.

“Morning Dew”/”Wabash Cannonball”/”Father Kelly’s Reels,” The Chieftains with Ricky Skaggs. (Traditional Irish reels medley segueing into Appalachian country). From the album Another Country, RCA 1992.

“Scotland,” Bill Monroe. (Bluegrass instrumental). From the album Bill Monroe: Country Music Hall of Fame Series, MCA, 1991

“That’s All Right” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” Elvis Presley. (Elvis’ first recording session for Sun Records in Memphis.) From the album Sunrise, RCA 1999.

“Stop Breaking Down,” Rolling Stones. (British rockers cover Robert Johnson). From Exile on Main Street, Virgin, 1972.

These are the albums and individual tracks used in the lesson plan on the birth of rock and roll and the rise of popular youth culture.

Day One

“Cross Road Blues,” Robert Johnson. (Delta blues). From the album The Complete Recordings, Columbia Legacy, 1990.

“Boogie Woogie Stomp,” Albert Ammons. (Boogie woogie piano). From the album The First Day, Blue Note, 1992.

“Everybody’s Gonna Have a Wonderful Time Up There In Heaven,” Pilgrim Travelers. (A cappella gospel vocals). From the album Walking Rhythm, Specialty, 1992.

“This May Be the Last Time,” The Original Five Blind Boys of Alabama. (Gospel vocals.) From the album Oh Lord – Stand By Me/Marching Up to Zion, Specialty, 1991.

“New Mule Skinner Blues,” “Walking In Jerusalem,” “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” Bill Monroe. (Bluegrass). From the album Bill Monroe: Country Music Hall of Fame Series, MCA, 1991.

“Fat Boy Rag,” Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. (Western swing with electric guitar). From the album Anthology, 1935-1973, Rhino, 1991.

“Whiskey Do Your Stuff,” Louis Jordan. (Jump-blues). From the album One Guy Named Louis, Capitol Jazz, 1992.

“Night Train,” Jimmy Forrest. (R&B saxophone). From the album Honkers and Bar WalkersVol. 1, Delmark, 1992.

“Good Rocking Tonight,” Roy Brown. (Rhythm and Blues). From the album Good Rocking Tonight, Rhino, 1994.

“Rocket 88,” Jackie Brenston with his Delta Cats. (R&B with electric guitar). From the six-disc set The R&B Box: 30 Years of Rhythm and Blues, Rhino, 1994.

“Rock Around the Clock,” Bill Haley and the Comets. (Rock and roll). From the album The Best of Bill Haley & his Comets, MCA, 1999.

“Maybellene,” Chuck Berry. (Rock and roll). From the album His Best. Vol. 1, MCA/Chess, 1997.

“Ida Red,” Asleep at the Wheel. (Western-swing demonstrating the country influence on Chuck Berry). From the album Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, Liberty, 1993.

“That’s All Right,” Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup. (Blues). From the album That’s All Right Mama, RCA/Bluebird, 1992.

“That’s All Right,” “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” “Good Rocking Tonight,” “Blue Moon,” Elvis Presley. (Rock and roll). From the album Sunrise, RCA, 1999.

Day Two

“Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender,” “All Shook Up,” Elvis Presley. (Rock and roll conquers popular youth culture). From the album Elvis: 50 Worldwide Gold Hits, Vol. 1, RCA, 1988.

“All Shook Up,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” Otis Blackwell. (Recordings of Presley hits by the man who wrote them). From the album All Shook Up, Shanachie, 1995.

“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Breathless,” Jerry Lee Lewis. (Rock and roll piano and vocals). From the album Greatest Hits, Rhino, 1984.

“Blueberry Hill,” Fats Domino. (First black crossover to white rock and roll). From the album My Blue Heaven – The Best of Fats Domino, Vol. 1, EMI, 1990.

“The Girl Can’t Help It,” Little Richard. (Rock and roll piano and vocals). From the six-disc set The R&B Box: 30 Years of Rhythm and Blues, Rhino, 1994.

“School Day,” “Rock and Roll Music,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Johnny B. Goode,” Chuck Berry. (Rock and roll guitar and vocals). From the album His Best, Vol. 1, MCA/Chess, 1997.

“I Want You to Be My Girl,” Frankie Lyman and the Teenagers. (Rock and roll with doo-wop vocals). From the six-disc set The R&B Box: 30 Years of Rhythm and Blues, Rhino, 1994.

“Young Blood,” The Coasters. (Rock and roll group vocals with humorous, teen-oriented lyrics). From the six-disc set The R&B Box: 30 Years of Rhythm and Blues, Rhino, 1994.

“That’ll Be the Day,” “Not Fade Away,” Buddy Holly. (Teen-oriented rock and roll). From the album The Best of Buddy Holly, MCA, 1999.

“Bo Diddley,” Bo Diddley. (Rock and roll guitar demonstrating black influence on Buddy Holly). From the six-disc set The R&B Box: 30 Years of Rhythm and Blues, Rhino, 1994.

“Can’t Help Falling In Love,” Elvis Presley. (Big hit from the Presley movie “Blue Hawaii). From the album Elvis: 50 Worldwide Gold Hits, Vol. 1, RCA 1988.

“That’ll Be the Day,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “I Saw Her Standing There,” The Beatles. (British Invasion rock and roll). From the album Anthology 1, Capitol/Apple, 1995.

“The Last Time,” The Rolling Stones. (Jagger and Richards steal a songwriting credit from the Blind Boys of Alabama). From the album Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass), Abkco, 1986.