Sound Sessions from Smithsonian Folkways is an audio journey into the rich, eclectic, and sometimes eccentric Smithsonian Folkways archive. Host Sam Litzinger and archivist Jeff Place comb the stacks for music and stories about this historic record label for monthly broadcasts that feature newly digitized audio, including rare outtakes, interviews, and never-before-heard recordings. Programs cover American folk icons, emerging artists who are continuing and transforming musical traditions around the world, and the sounds of our everyday lives, from the natural environment to the office desk. Interviews with Smithsonian Folkways staff and the artists bring a fresh, behind-the-scenes perspective to a record label that preserves a national musical treasure, documents “people’s music” from around the world, and connects people to their own and others’ heritage.
New episodes air monthly on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. on WAMU 88.5 in Washington, D.C., and often on WAMU’s Bluegrass Country. You can also download the MP3s below.
This project was made possible with the generous support of the Smithsonian Women's Committee.
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Lead Belly
November 9, 2008
Alvin Singh II, director of the Lead Belly Foundation (www.leadbelly.org) (and Lead Belly's great-nephew), joins fellow-archivist Jeff Place and host Sam Litzinger to discuss the life and music of Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter, the vastly influential "king of the twelve-string guitar." Find more Lead Belly music here.
Sonam Dorji of Bhutan
September 7, 2008
Bhutan, a small nation nestled between India and China, was one of the featured programs of the 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Bhutanese musician Sonam Dorji joins Smithsonian Folkways Associate Director Atesh Sonneborn and host Sam Litzinger on the Festival grounds in a discussion about the music, people, and culture of Bhutan, the “Land of the Thunder Dragon.” Click here to watch Sonam Dorji perform at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and click here to listen to Bhutanese music from Smithsonian Folkways.
Joe Hickerson
August 17, 2008
Joe Hickerson, folk singer, folklorist, archivist, and librarian, joins fellow-archivist Jeff Place and host Sam Litzinger for an animated discussion of folk music collecting, the Library of Congress archives, and the story behind Where Have All the Flowers Gone? the song he co-wrote with Pete Seeger. Hickerson was the Librarian and Director of the Archive of Folk Song/Culture at the Library of Congress from 1963 to 1998 and currently writes the column "Song Finder" for Sing Out! Magazine.
Oud Music
July 13, 2008
On this edition of Sound Sessions, Jeff Place and Smithsonian Folkways associate director — and oud enthusiast— Atesh Sonneborn join host Sam Litzinger to discuss the music of the oud. The pear-shaped stringed instrument, pronounced “ood,” appears in virtually every genre of music across a large swath of the globe, including the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and Europe. The discussion follows the oud’s origins, sound, and notable performers across varied musical forms. Find more oud music here.
The Silk Road
June 1, 2008
Host Sam Litzinger and archivist Jeff Place invite Richard Kennedy, acting director of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, as their audio guide for a musical and cultural journey along the famed Silk Road trade route. In this program, Kennedy discusses the flow of ideas, culture, music, and art that crossed the mountains and deserts of Central Asia to East Asia and the Mediterranean. Find more music from the Silk Road here.
Jean Ritchie
May 1, 2008
Jean Ritchie is an American folk singer, songwriter, and dulcimer player from rural Kentucky who, upon moving to New York City in the 1940s, became known as the “Mother of Folk.” Host Sam Litzinger and archivist Jeff Place discuss the life and music of Jean Ritchie with guest Stephanie Smith, assistant archivist at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Find more music from Jean Ritchie here.
Pete Seeger
March 2, 2008
Pete Seeger is the dean of 20th century folk singers. He has been performing and lending his energies to causes he believes in for more than 60 years. Stories from Jeff Place and newly digitized interviews with Pete and musicians who know him lend a rich perspective to his life and music. Find more Pete Seeger music here.
Paul Robeson
February 24, 2008
An American giant of 20th century music, Paul Robeson stood tall against racism, McCarthyism, and blacklisting to proclaim the majesty of African-American culture. Jeff Place and Dr. Bob Cataliotti discuss his life and work. Find more Paul Robeson music here.
Dock Boggs
January 6, 2008
This Virginia miner revolutionized the banjo and influenced modern musicians from Bob Dylan to Jeff Tweedy. In this program Jeff Place shares music and interviews. Find more Dock Boggs music here.
Bill Monroe
December 16, 2007
Known as "The Father of Bluegrass," Bill Monroe shaped this American musical form. Hear interviews and rare live recordings from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Find more Bill Monroe music here.
Woody Guthrie
November 25, 2007
Rare outtakes and stories from Smithsonian Folkways archivist Jeff Place give new meaning to the life and music of American folk icon Woody Guthrie and his relationship with Folkways Records. Find more Woody Guthrie music here.
Doc Watson
October 2007
Focusing on the life and music of the Doc Watson, American roots music legend. Smithsonian Folkways archivist Jeff Place shares stories and plays songs and interviews to demonstrate the Doc Watson "style." Find more Doc Watson music here.