Fascinatin' Rhythm
Program Schedule
| KPBX 91.1 | |
|---|---|
| Saturday |
1pm - 2pm |
Fascinatin' Rhythm explores the history and themes of American popular music from Stephen Foster to Stephen Sondheim. These weekly "radio essays," illustrated by recordings, won the 1994 George Foster Peabody Award for letting "our treasury of popular tunes speak (and sing) for itself with sparkling commentary tracing the contributions of the composers and performers to American society." The Peabody citation called Fascinatin' Rhythm "a celebration of American culture." The program originates from WXXI-Classical 91.5.
About the host:
Michael Lasser, a theater critic and writer, is host and producer, and Andrew Croucher is the technical director for the hour-long, nationally-syndicated program.
Program Listings:
June 15, 2013
Johnny Burke, Part 1
The first of two shows devoted to lyricist Johnny Burke, who knew how to write hits.
June 22, 2013
Johnny Burke, Part 2
The second of two shows devoted to lyricist Johnny Burke, who knew how to write hits.
June 29, 2013
In the Grace of Your Room
Songs that Trace the Emotions of Privacy, Solitude, Loneliness, and Independence
July 6, 2013
Putting a Flavor to Life
A batch of eccentric love songs to put some snap, sizzle, and spice to the taste of love.
July 13, 2013
Singing Songs of Araby
When we sang about the exotic East, we either breathed the air of elevated romance or laughed ourselves silly.
July 20, 2013
Yes, Yes, My Baby Said Yes, Yes
Agreeable songs, happy songs, ecstatic songs, all for when you get the right answer.
July 27, 2013
The Songs of J. Fred Coots
His name may sound like a joke but there’s no joking about this composer’s been songs.
August 3, 2013
Way Out West
Songs about the West courtesy of Tin Pan Alley, located about as far East as you can get.
August 10, 2013
Women on the Edge
On the edge of a new world, that is, as standards of romantic behavior were changing.
August 17, 2013
The Country Boy Goes to Town
The country and the rural are the two poles of Hoagy Carmichael’s songs.
August 24, 2013
Free and Easy
Despite all the romantic hyperbole, popular music has always had an essential strain that’s laid back, relaxed, and, as the title says, free and easy.
August 31, 2013
You, That’s Who
One of the essential participants in popular music’s two-character stories.
September 7, 2013
And the World Goes Round
Songs in which the world is everything from great, big, wide, and wonderful to a place you’re sitting on top of.
September 14, 2013
Richard Whiting in the 1920s
The first of two parts devoted to the songs of one of the Hollywood’s major songwriters.
September 21, 2013
Richard Whiting in the 1930s
The second hour of Richard Whiting’s songs, culminating in his untimely death at the age of 46.
September 28, 2013
Winners and Losers
Songs for betting everything you’ve got on love and winning. Sometimes.
Jack-Daniyel Strong