Sound of History: Recent Episodes
Sound of History
Where an aspiring music history nerd attempts to teach the basics to someone who knows nothing about it.
N.W.A. took the emerging genre of Hip Hop and created a new, aggressive sound that quickly became called Gangster Rap. Mika and Nick take a look at this super-important group and this pivotal moment in rap history
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As a part of Run DMC, Jam Master Jay helped define the early years of hip hop. When his life was tragically cut short, no one could understand why. Nick and Jacob break down the story and answer the question: who killed Jam Master Jay?
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Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five helped to usher in a world of Hip Hop. They were legendary pioneers of a new genre. But parts of their story turned pretty dark.
HipHop #MusicHistory
Hip Hop culture burst on to the scene in the 80s and completely changed American culture and music. Nick and Mika take a look at where it came from and the Golden Age of Hip Hop
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For this bonus episode, we take a look at the life and work of one of the most iconic and influential pop stars of all time: Prince.
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Madonna is a cultural, musical, and business icon. This is the story of how Madonna became one of the biggest forces in the history of American pop culture.
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One of the most popular conspiracy theories in music history revolves around Avril Lavigne dying and being secretly replaced by her best friend. Nick and Jacob take a deep dive into this theory and see if it's got any legs (it doesn't)
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Pop music in the 80's was a wild world full of so many different things. The industry exploded during this decade. Mika and Nick take a look at some of the biggest artists and genres that dominated this time frame.
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R.E.M. redefined what it meant to be an underground/indie band. They forever changed the landscape of music and ushered in a new scene. This is the story of R.E.M.
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Punk and other genres of the late 70s created the perfect soil to grow a completely new way to become musicians: alternative rock. Mika and Nick take a look at this ambiguous but important genre
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Mötley Crüe were one of the most notorious bands in music history. Through their hard partying ways, Mötley Crüe set the standard for what a glam metal band could be. Mika and Nick take a look at their story and their journey.
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The world of the 80s was kind of like the wild west: alcohol, massive hair, and plentiful power chords. Mika and Nick take a look at possibly the quintessential musical style of the 80s.
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Most people think of Rumours when they think of Fleetwood Mac. That era of the band is easily one of the most recognizable and that album is one of the best of all time. This is a look at what Fleetwood Mac was going through when they recorded that album.
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Fleetwood Mac are one of the most iconic bands in the history of music. But, even before there was Stevie Nicks and Rumors, Fleetwood Mac was full of interesting, passionate, and talented musicians. This is the story of the beginning of Fleetwood Mac.
Soon, we'll release part two and talk about the Fleetwood Mac that most people know.
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For better or worse, Michael Jackson is an American icon. He had a difficult childhood, made worse by his massive popularity from a very early age. Listen as Mika and Nick take a longer look at the life and career of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop.
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In this episode of Sound of Conspiracies, Jacob and Nick take a look at three more ridiculous and lighthearted music history conspiracy theories.
First, they examine the strange dance-fad song called "Peanut Duck." Who is the singer of that song and what does it actually mean?
Then, they look at the evidence that seems to suggest Jay Z is a time-traveler.
Finally, the talk about the theory that says Stevie Wonder is not actually blind.
Are any of these theories at all believable? Let's get to the bottom of it.
Regardless of what you think about the channel, MTV was a cultural force for decades. Mika and Nick take a look at what MTV did and how it got there.
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Debbie Harry and Blondie helped to define the pop culture of the early 80s. Blondie was an iconic band and we took a look at their story and their music.
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New Wave was a genre of music that emerged alongside and out of the ashes of the first wave of punk. New Wave was a strange genre, but it influenced the course of music history. Mika and Nick take a look at the story of New Wave and the artists that made it something massive.
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The Sex Pistols might not have invented punk music, but they started a revolution in the British music scene. Plus, the Sex Pistols had one of the wildest rides in the history of popular music. Join us as Mika learns more about their story and their music.
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In many ways, the Ramones epitomized the early punk sound. The Ramones first album defined what punk was. Mika and Nick take a look at their story to find out more about their sound and style and everything that made them Ramones.
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In the mid 70s, punk music came on the scene in New York and hit the music industry like a shot in the arm. Mika and Nick take a look at where it came from and some of the biggest names there at the start.
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ABBA is not necessarily Disco, but they are Disco adjacent. And one of the biggest musical groups in history. Mika and Nick take a look at ABBA's long and storied career to find out more about the people behind the iconic music.
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The Bee Gees are one of the most successful groups of all time. They are also almost synonymous with disco. However, their history is large and varied. Mika and Nick take a look at the story of the Bee Gees.
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In this episode, Mika and Nick take a look and one of the shortest-lived, but most impactful musical phenomena in history. Disco directly shaped much fo the culture in the late 70s as well as the dance music that we still listen to. But the beginning of disco wasn't as cheery and carefree as it may seem.
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In this episode, Mika and Nick take a look at the life and legacy of one of America's (and Canada)'s greatest artists. Joni Mitchell inspired so many people and created so much legendary music.
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Singer-Songwriter was a super important genre born out of folk, blues, and protest songs. Mika and Nick take a look at where it all came from and what it might mean. There is also some healthy discussion about what Singer-Songwriter actually is. Join in with the discussion on Twitter
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Is Elvis really alive? This is probably one of the most enduring and legendary conspiracies in the history of music. Did the King of Rock and Roll fake his own death and slip into hiding? Has he been popping up now and then in various sightings? Or was he hiding in plain sight as another masked singer named Orion?
Jacob and Nick take a look at this super popular theory and weigh the merits of the evidence to determine if Elvis is actually alive.
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In this episode, Mika and Nick take a look at one of Nick's all-time favorite artists: Billy Joel. They talk about Billy Joel's career and his life, one hit song at a time.
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Tupac and Jim Morrison are two legendary musicians. Their music has impacted countless lives. Plus, the mystery and intrigue around their deaths have kept people guessing for decades. Nick, Jacob, and a special guest take a look at the conspiracies surrounding the deaths of these two icons. Are they actually dead? Or are they hiding out somewhere?
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Elton John is one of the titans of music history. He is one of the most prolific and successful musical artists of all time. Mika and Nick take a look at his long, impressive career and listen to a lot of Elton John's music.
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Mika and Nick take some time to talk about a highly commercialized version of rock that takes some of the chaos out of it. Soft Rock is all about escape and easy listening.
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Queen is one of the most iconic and accomplished rock bands in history. Queen and Freddie Mercury have influenced more artists, musicians, and icons than we could name.
In this episode, Mika and Nick take a look at Queen's history and legacy.
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Some people might not consider Arena Rock to be its own genre of music - but we do! We talk about what makes it different and then tell the story of two major bands from the genre, Boston and Kiss.
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Mika hears the story of the most famous music festival in American history. Love it or hate it, Woodstock is iconic and the story is a wild ride.
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Led Zeppelin is one of the most iconic bands in the history of music. Mika and Nick take some time to talk about their story and their impact on music.
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Metal is often misunderstood genre. In this episode, Mika learns that she likes early metal more than she thought she would. Nick and Mika talk about Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, and the birth of the metal genre.
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The Grateful Dead did their own thing and took over the musical world their own way. Mika and Nick take a look at their story and learn all about their culture and music.
On the second episode of Sound of Conspiracies, Jacob and Nick talk about the tragic deaths of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. Who was responsible for them and what are some of the theories that have been discussed?
Mika and Nick take a look at one of the first major diversions in American rock music. Though short-lived, Psychedelic rock influenced and birthed so much of the music we know.
On the first episode of Sound of Conspiracies, Nick is joined by Jacob from the What's Your Spaghetti Policy Podcast to talk about one of the most discussed conspiracy theories in music history. Was Paul McCartney killed in a car accident and secretly replaced by a lookalike? Hear all of the evidence and make your own conclusion.
This is a brand new sub-show where Nick teaches his friend Jacob all about the biggest conspiracy theories in music history. The first episode should be dropping soon!
We're super excited for you guys to hear this new project.
Today we talk about one of the most powerful vocalists in the history of music: Aretha Franklin.
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In this episode, we discuss the life and legacy of James Brown and Mika learns that she might not like him all that much.
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We haven't talked about funk yet, so Mika and Nick take some time to examine this new genre and some of the key players in it, like PFunk, Sly and the Family Stone, and Professor Longhair.
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Phil Spector is the most notorious and potentially the most influential producer in music history. Mika and Nick take a look at his complicated past.
Diana Ross is one of the most powerful forces in the history of American music. She paved the way for so many great artists after her. Mika and Nick take a look at her life and her work - at least her work so far.
Led by the somewhat controversial Berry Gordy, Motown dominated pop music for most of the 60s. Mika and Nick take a look at the label and what the Motown sound actually was.
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The Beatles are arguably the biggest band to ever exist. Mika and Nick briefly examine their story and their impact.
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The Rolling Stones have been called the Greatest Rock and Roll Band. Mika and Nick take a look at their history and some of their music as they continue to talk about the British Invasion.
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The British Invasion marked one of the most explosive and influential periods in American music history. Mika and Nick examine a few of the bands that helped create this sound that took the country by storm.
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We took a little break to reflect on the podcast so far. What do we like and what would we change? Then we played a fun game. Fun for Nick, anyway. Mika hated it. Feel free to play along and let us know your score.
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In this episode, we wrap up our discussion on the Rat Pack (and adjacent crooners) by talking about Nat King Cole. We play a lot of music, tell his story, and even debate the very existence of Bonus Episodes.
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Frank Sinatra looms larger than most other figures in the history of American entertainment. Everyone knows his name. Mika and Nick take a look at his story and his career.
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Dean Martin is a legendary performer in American history. Mika and Nick take a look at his incredible work as a member of the Rat Pack.
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We continue our look at the different Rat Pack members, but this week we turn our attention back to music and examine the story of the incredible Sammy Davis Jr.
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We start off our little Rat Pack break with our first ever non-music episode. We cover the actor, director, and producer Peter Lawford and the comedian and host Joey Bishop.
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We follow up our history of Bluegrass by talking about Bill Monroe and his legendary influence on the entire course of this genre.
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Bluegrass is a smaller, but important genre, in the history of music. Mika and Nick take a look at how bluegrass was born and some of the key figures at the start.
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Ray Charles was one of the most important figures in the development of Soul Music. Mika and Nick take a look at the Genius and play a lot of his music.
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We talk about Sam Cooke, Stax Records, Aretha Franklin, Gospel Music and so much more in this wild episode.
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Mika, a self-declared Elvis hater, spends over an hour learning about his life and music.
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Chuck Berry is arguably the most important innovator of the early rock and roll sound. His music influenced and impacted most of the legends of Rock. Listen as Mika and Nick tell his story.
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We've finally made it to the most explosive genre of music to come out of America: rock and roll. We talk about where it came from and what it did to society.
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Hank Williams is arguably the first superstar of country music and is known as one of the greatest country artists of all time. Mika and Nick take a look at his troubled life and listen to some of his best songs.
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For our second episode on country music, we take a look at several different genres emerging around country in the 40s and 50s. All of these directly influenced the birth of rock and roll.
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Little Richard, beyond being a musical pioneer and legend, had an interesting career and life. Mika and Nick spend almost an hour learning about all he accomplished.
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Rhythm and Blues is a direct precursor to Rock and Roll. Mika and Nick take a look at this wide and varied genre to try and figure out what it actually is.
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Muddy Waters is a blues icon who has influenced American music in more ways than many people know. Mika and Nick look at his incredible story and talk a bit about what we owe him.
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It's our second shot at the blues! Mika and Nick focus in on Chicago blues as they inch ever closer to the birth of Rock and Roll. Also, they take a detour to briefly showcase the life of Howlin' Wolf.
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The Temptations are one of the most iconic and loved vocal groups in the history of music. Mika and Nick take a look at the often crazy but always fascinating story of The Temptations.
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Doo Wop was a musical form birthed out of urban cities and it took the world by storm. Mika and Nick examine where it came from and what it meant for the wider world of American music.
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Few figures loom as large in the history of American music as Bing Crosby. Movie star, record setting singer, Bing did it all. In this special episode, Mika and Nick take a look at his life and career.
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Along with starting the race records craze, Mamie Smith is known as the Queen of the Blues for good reason. Mika and Nick learn more about how she helped start the diva image.
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This week, Mika and Nick take a look at an unfortunate moment in American music history that fortunately gave us a lot of amazing artists and music.
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For the last Bonus Episode of the war era, Mika and Nick take a look at, perhaps, the best songwriter of the time period: Irving Berlin. Irving was a national institution during his time and his story is one you won't want to miss.
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Mika and Nick continue their review of Broadway in the Great Depression era by looking at two brothers who defined this period of musical theater: George and Ira Gershwin.
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For the first time, Mika and Nick have guests in the studio! Our friends Madison and Blake join us as we venture back into the weird, wonderful world of Broadway during the Jazz Age and Great Depression.
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Nick and Mika continue their examination of early country music by looking at the Father of Country Music himself, Jimmie Rodgers. How did he start yodeling? What does he have to do with Jimmy Carter? We answer that and more in this episode.
Country music is all around us! Mika and Nick take a look at the birth of commercial country music, including the Bristol sessions, Gid Tanner and the Skillet Lickers, and a little bit more Fiddlin' John Carson.
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Mika and Nick take a look at the first family of country music: The Carter Family. They examine the early lives of the original members, how they completely changed folk and country music, and listen to plenty of songs.
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We're finally done talking about jazz (at least for a little bit) and we're focusing in on folk, also known as American Roots Music.
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Today, Mika and Nick take a look at America's first ever pop star: Rudy Vallee.
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Videos in This Episode:
Rudy Vallee's Radio Show Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPyJGWWcN8Y&list=LLBr-TTrqolsqWXBOk3im0-g&t=25s
"Deep Night" by Rudy Vallee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzUg-2vPkOQ
University of Maine Stein Song by Rudy Vallee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-sfdtRBIfI
"As Times Go By" by Rudy Vallee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yTzjc056qM
Mika loves crooners, but we're not talking about any that she knows in this episode. Instead, we cover the origin story of crooners: where did they come from and how did they create the archetype for the American Pop star?
Check out "My Daddy is a Hipster" the new children's book from Madison Farren: https://www.madisonfarrenwrites.com/shop/hipsterdad
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Videos in This Episode:
"When My Sugar Walks Down the Street" by Gene Austin and Aileen Stanley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ-T8WtzvTc
"My Blue Heaven" by Gene Austin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2MUy2uOesw
"You Call it Madness, I Call it Love" by Russ Columbo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K-jfAOzFVk
Al Jolson, The World's Greatest Entertainer, has a story that is full of ups and downs. Mika and Nick attempt to cover every aspect of his overly-dramatic life.
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Videos in This Episode:
"Ma Blushin Rosie" by Al Jolson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=023QwhDNdIQ
"That Haunting Melody" by Al Jolson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaFr07iIn5c
"Rum Tum Tiddle" by Al Jolson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiotRMjlg6w
"You Made Me Love You" by Al Jolson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI5FAwhjrNE
"Mammie" by Al Jolson in The Jazz Singer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIaj7FNHnjQ
It is time for the first ever Sound of History Battle of the Bands! Mika hears the stories of Benny Goodman and Count Basie, two of the biggest bandleaders through the Swing Era, and then decides who should be the real King of Swing. Who do you think is the King of Swing?
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Videos in This Episode:
"He's Not Worth Your Tears" by Benny Goodman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNvbPeJ6bDw
"Moonglow" by Benny Goodman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHcneaZIvVM
Benny Goodman's iconic Carnegie Hall Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGP2SM4OTM4
"Rumba Negro" by the Kansas City Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MX01XJMjj8
"One O'Clock Jump" by Count Basie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3JyQnYPkZk
Count Basie and Band in Reveille with Beverly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_my8dhgHeM
Count Basie with Frank Sinatra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-_wI2fF58w
Mika and Nick take a look at jazz's little brother: swing. What makes it different from jazz? Who were the big players? Who invented battle of the bands? We talk about all of this (sort of).
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Videos in This Episode:
Benny Goodman on the Let's Dance radio show:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frp6eP_s9_c
Stompin' at the Savoy by Chick Webb's band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgX5_waK--w
Continuing the survey of jazz, Mika and Nick look at the First Lady of Song and talk about Ella Fitzgerald. Her story is truly fascinating, inspiring, and enlightening and she had a voice to match.
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Videos in This Episode:
"Love and Kisses" by Ella Fitzgerald with Chick Webb's Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMN7vhO_mZA&t=56s
"A-Tisket-A-Tasket" by Ella Fitzgerald: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bgFkeDLpSI
Ella in the movie "Ride 'Em Cowboy": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3VZUjQPPVU&t=70s
"Flying Home" by Ella Fitzgerald: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgJsQoCeOfo
Ella's last TV performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MAKxhFetyI&t=25s
Louis Armstrong is one of the most powerful and important figures in the history of American music. Mika and Nick take a look at his incredible life story, from his humble beginnings in the battlefield of New Orleans to becoming the ambassador of jazz.
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Videos in This Episode:
Chimes Blues by the Creole Jazz Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpxXFg1_H7g
Heebie Jeebies by Louis Armstrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksmGt2U-xTE
Ain't Misbehavin by Louis Armstrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljuo5fkW-fs
If We Never Meet Again by Loius Armstrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTWJYn90bV0
Hello, Dolly by Louis Armstrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7N2wssse14
Hello, Dolly by Louis Armstrong and Barbra Streisand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcbw0GETjZw
Jazz was the soundtrack for the Roaring 20s. Nick and Mika take a look at Jazz Age America and the different societal influences that caused jazz to flourish within the culture.
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Videos in This Episode:
"Mammy" by Al Jolson in The Jazz Singer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIaj7FNHnjQ
"It Don't Mean a Thing" by Duke Ellington: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDQpZT3GhDg
We finally talk about the biggest musical genre in American history. Nick and Mika talk about New Orleans jazz, the early players, and what "Jelly Roll" actually means.
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Videos in This Episode:
"Jelly Roll Blues" by Jelly Roll Morton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4o01H7lnbs
"Livery Stable Blues" by Original Dixieland Jazz Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um4xhfwYnvg
We take a bit of a break from the standard format to talk about an important musical figure that we overlooked: The American March King, John Philip Sousa.
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Videos in This Episode:
The Gladiator March: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGsRw_Ezrmw
Semper Fidelis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgABUZ4i9co
Washington Post March: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxrh1CrMmTY
Stars and Stripes Forever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-7XWhyvIpE
Robert Johnson is a legendary figure in blues and rock history. Was his life as crazy as the stories say? Mika learns all of the legends surrounding his talent and playing.
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Videos in This Episode:
"Death Letter Blues" by Son House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdgrQoZHnNY
"Ramblin on My Mind" by Robert Johnson, potentially written by Ike Zimmerman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUyKnEiv70Y
"Me and the Devil Blues" by Robert Johnson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYsnRc09csQ
"Crossroads Blues" by Robert Johnson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MCHI23FTP8
Mika and Nick tackle a musical genre close to the heart of every true American: the blues. What were they? How did they get started? And how exactly did Leadbelly get his name? Learn all of that and more in this episode.
Here is how to help middle Tennessee recover from the devastating tornados: https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pith-in-the-wind/blog/21119626/nashville-tornado-how-to-help-where-to-get-help
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Videos in This Episode:
"Memphis Blues" written by W.C. Handy, performed by the Victor Military Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AxZ3P2NKgw
"St. Louis Blues" by W.C. Handy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpp75gQ-T6Y
"Jellybean Blues" by Ma Rainey with Louis Armstrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLkOJ3rhbg4
"Crazy Blues" by Mamie Smith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaz4Ziw_CfQ
"Black Snake Moan" by Blind Lemon Jefferson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3yd-c91ww8
"House of the Rising Son" by Leadbelly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tOpyipNJs
Here is an interview with W.C. Handy: https://www.sacred-texts.com/ame/cig/cig12.htm
Check out this resource from Centuries of Sound - https://centuriesofsound.com/2017/02/15/1878-1885/
Ragtime swept the nation, but three musicians stood above the rest. Here is the story of Ragtime's Big Three: Joseph Lamb, the Little Professor, and, of course, King Scott Joplin.
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Videos in This Episode:
"Contentment Rag" by Joseph Lamb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9B1UKtCb1k
"Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBInnwV21DM
"Magnetic Rag" by Scott Joplin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BweSQtoc8D0
The ending number of Treemonisha by Scott Joplin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cy7k1c6fa8
BONUS: "Frog Legs Rag" by James Scott: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEeIX8lxxGM
Mika and Nick take a look at a fun musical genre called Ragtime. Mika wants you to know that she was right and that Ragtime is, in fact, the music from Western silent movies.
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Videos in This Episode:
"You've Been a Good Ole Wagon But You Done Broke Down" by Ben Harney: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtde0dOTCB0
Ben Harney singing The Wagon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Harney
"Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMAtL7n_-rc
We're FINALLY rounding out the 1800's by talking about a few things that aren't music genres, but still need to be talked about. Mika learns all about Tin Pan Alley and the birth of music recording.
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We sincerely apologize for the audio issues in this episode. We have no idea why Nick's microphone decided to sound so bad and our cat had a lot of stuff to add, apparently. Still, it's a good episode and you'll be a stronger person for batteling through it.
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Videos in This Episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3qPT30LejM
Very good article from the Smithsonian about the phonograph's impact on culture: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/phonograph-changed-music-forever-180957677/
Mika and Nick take a look at the life of Laura Keene, a pretty awesome, powerful woman who became one of the first and best female theater managers in Broadway history. All of her accomplishments are typically overshadowed by one pretty momentous night, but she did a lot and deserves to be talked about.
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This week, Mika and Nick examine a topic close to Mika's heart: Broadway and musical theater. A horrendously complex topic, they do their best to tell it's history in 30 minutes. Mika really wants this topic to be it's own season and she urges you to ask for it.
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Videos in This Episode:
You Naughty, Naughty Men: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu1Y-M0c8hY
The Major General's Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXf0o2d-W5w&t=165s
Martin Beck built the Orpheum Circuit into a vaudeville empire in the West. Through their love/hate relationship with the Kieth/Abee Circuit in the East, vaudeville took the nation by storm. This week, Mika and Nick look a the history of the Orpheum Circuit and how Martin Beck may have saved Harry Houdini's career.
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Nick and Mika finally move away from minstrelsy and tackle the world of Vaudeville. What is blue material? Why should you #FollowtheHam? Can we bring back "Hully Gee"? Will it play in Peoria? Learn all of that and more in this episode.
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Videos in This Episode:
"Nobody" by Bert Williams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RtRuoaIbg4
A later Vaudeville performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsVQ9e8nWx0&t=84
Mika and Nick take a deeper look at two of the most influential acts in minstrelsy: Stephen Foster, known as the Father of American Music, and the Christy Minstrels, the group he wrote for.
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Videos in This Episode:
Open Thy Lattice Love - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3PrFFT0K9s&t=4s
Oh, Susana! -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYiXyZwgPB8
Camptown Races - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXE_PfcXtYE&t=19s
In the first episode of The Sound of History podcast, we talk about everyone's favorite topic: minstrelsy. Mika learns just how terrible the first truly American form of music was, how it started and how it ended.
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YouTube Videos in This Episode:
Jump Jim Crow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG2zd6NCzJ8
Dixie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OKdbc0DYpM
Welcome to the first Sound of History of episode! This is a music history podcast where Nick, an amateur music history nerd, attempts to teach music history to his wife Mika, who doesn't know or care all that much about music history.
In this episode, we don't actually talk about music history, but we run through how the show will work, our origin story, and then play a fun game.
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Music Used:
"Midnight Train to Georgia" written by Jim Weatherly and performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips for Buddah Records. Universal - Polygram International Inc. Publishing
"Great Balls of Fire" written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer. Performed by Jerry Lee Lewis for Sun Records in 1957. Published by Sony/ATV and Chappel and Co.
"Gimme Shelter" written and by Kieth Richards and Mick Jagger. Performed by The Rolling Stones for Decca and ABCKO. Published by ABCKO music.
"Crocodile Rock" written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Performed by Elton John for MCA (U.S.) and DJM (UK). Published by Universal - Songs of Polygram Music Inc.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" written by Freddie Mercury and performed by Queen for Elektra (U.S.) and EMI (U.K.). Published by EMI Blackwood Music Inc.
"All Along the Watchtower" written by Bob Dylan and performed by Jimi Hendrix for Olympic Records. Published by Bob Dylan Music OBO Dwarf Music
"Walk Like a Man" written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. Performed by The Four Seasons for Vee-Jay. Published by Kobalt Music
"Is This Love?" written by Bob Marley and performed by Bob Marley and the Wailers for Tuff Gong/Island Records. Published by Kobalt Music
"I Got You Babe" written by Sonny Bono. Performed by Sonny and Cher for ATCO Records. Published by Cotillion Music.
"Son of a Preacher Man" written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins. Performed by Aretha Franklin for Atlantic Records. Published by Sony/ATV Tree Publishing.
All songs used under Fair Use as defined by section 107 of the Copyright Act. All copyrighted material used for nonprofit/educational purposes.