178 - American Popular Song: The Songs of Willard Robison (1976)

Recorded in early April 1976, with a broadcast date of October 3, 1976, it's American Popular Song Show #1! This is the first show NPR listeners heard, and, for many, their first exposure to Alec Wilder Singer Barbara Lea joins Alec and Loonis for a lively exploration of the pastoral songs of Willard Robison (1894-1968), "a strange, indigenous talent"All songs by Willard Robison, exceptPlenty Good Enough For Me lyrics by Loonis McGlohon, music by Alec WilderMel Alexander plays bass, Tony Cooper drums. Clarinet on Deep Ellum Blues by Bob MitchellThank you, SCETV, original producer of this great series! Please consider re-running it again!For an illuminating contemporaneous look at American Popular Song radio show #1 see https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/01/archives/radio-alec-wilder-and-the-art-of-pop-song.html “Songs are part of my emotional being. And I'm not ashamed of it at all. I've written half a ton of concert music. It's an entirely different point of view. And yet I go back to songs like I go back to an old friend, to a garden, to a fireplace, to a cat that's come back after being away.” – Alec WilderDon't miss the 33rd Annual FRIENDS OF ALEC WILDER CONCERT at the Shapeshifter Lab, 18 Whitwell Place in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday, September 16, 2018! See the photo for detailsAlec Lives!