Episode 109

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Political protest songs from Neil Young
A Peter Seeger tribute from Springsteen
A more subdued CD by Secret Machines
Neo-psychedelica from The Black Angels
A steel drum tribute to The Ramones
Early twentieth century New Orleans Jazz
A gorgeous "audio film" from China

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Neil Young has a long tradition of writing powerful and political protest songs, like "Ohio," on the Kent State National Guard shootings, and "Let's Roll" about the 9-11 terrorist attacks. His latest CD, Living With War takes on President Bush and the war in Iraq.

Neil Young

CD: Living with War
Song: "Let's Impeach the President"
Label: Warner

Listen to "Let's Impeach the President"


"Let's Impeach the President" is one of ten new songs on the album. You can hear the whole CD in its entirety, including songs like "Families" and "America the Beautiful" at www.neilyoung.com

On his latest CD, the Boss pays tribute to one of his musical heroes, folk singer Pete Seeger. Though this collections doesn't include any songs written by Seeger, it includes covers of many tunes Seeger made popular, like "We Shall Overcome" and "John Henry."

Bruce Springsteen

CD: We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
Song: "John Henry"
Label: Sony

Listen to "John Henry"

Secret Machines are known for powerful, driving rock inspired by bands like Led Zeppelin, particularly in the drumming of Josh Garza. Their latest CD is more subdued and less driving than previous work, but still powerful and inspired.

Secret Machines

CD: Ten Silver Drops
Song: "All At Once (It's Not Important)"
Label: Warner/Reprise

Listen to "All At Once (It's Not Important)"

Just two years old, the Black Angels play with the confidence and power of veteran rockers. Based in Austin, the band take cues from classic psychedelic rock with fuzz-powered guitars, infectious riffs and heavy, droning rhythms.

The Black Angels

CD: Passover
Song: "Young Men Dead"
Label: Light in the Attic

Listen to "Young Men Dead"

The steel drum is synonymous with tropical music of the Caribbean. If percussionist Tracy Thornton had his way, it'd also be synonymous with punk rock. On his latest CD, Thornton offers inspired covers of classic tunes by the Ramones... all on steelpans.

Tracy Thornton

CD: Pan for Punks: A Steelpan Tribute to the Ramones
Song: "Blitzkrieg Bop"
Label: Self Released

Listen to "Blitzkrieg Bop"

Watch a video sample of "Blitzkreig Bop"

The New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra plays its own style of New Orleans jazz from the early 20th century. On this CD they mix waltzes and ballads with novelty songs and the sounds of American Tin Pan Alley.

The New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra

CD: Here Comes the Hot Tamale Man
Song: "Here Comes the Hot Tamale Man"
Label: Hump Records

Listen to "Here Comes the Hot Tamale Man"

Read and hear more on the New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, including their version of the All Things Considered theme song.


We have no purchase information for this CD. Please visit the artist's Web site for more details.

The producers of Winter and Winter records say Showboat to China is a "sound story about the 'Paris of the East,' about the 'Whore of Asia,' about the 'Golden Era' of the greatest city in Asia in the 1930s and 1940s." It's a gorgeous collection of songs the artists hope will transport listeners to another place and time.

Duan Kaikai / Cao Yun

CD: Metropolis Shanghai: Showboat to China
Song: "The Moon Over the Fountain"
Label: Winter and Winter

Listen to "Tomorrow is a Long Time"

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