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Folk legend Shirley Collins joins Cerys to share her experiences in America with folklorist Alan Lomax discovering iconic blues artists such as Mississippi Fred McDowell.

The English folk legend, Shirley Collins, joins Cerys to share her experiences in America with the celebrated folklorist Alan Lomax. The pair travelled through America together recording in Kentucky, Arkansas, Virginia, Alabama, and Mississippi. They recorded the likes of 91-year-old Sid Hemphill, and discovered the blues of Mississippi Fred McDowell, recording in mountains and prisons along the way.

The recipient of an MBE for services to music as well as the Radio 2 Good Tradition award, Shirley Collins is for many, England's greatest folk singer.

Plus, part three of our series of one minute harmonica lessons with Ben Hewlett, chairman of Harmonica UK. And, as it’s Blue Monday - the gloomiest day of the year according to modern mythology, Cerys will be fighting it by exploring the happier side of the blues!

From cutting edge contemporary sounds to scratchy old vinyl from the past, whether it’s from Memphis, Mali, or Manchester, no stone is left unturned in the search for the best of the blues.

57 minutes

Last on

Mon 21 Jan 2019 21:00

Music Played

  • Freddie Robinson

    Good Feeling

    • Shattered Dreams - Funyk Blues 1967 - 1978.
    • BGP.
  • Leyla McCalla

    Lavi Vye Neg

    • The Capitalist Blues.
    • Jazz Village.
  • Chris Rea

    Happy on the Road

    • Road Songs for Lovers.
    • BMG.
  • John Mayall & Bluesbreakers

    That's What Love Will Make You Do

    • Nobody Told Me.
    • Forty Below Records.
  • In Conversation: Shirley Collins

    • Miles & Bob Pratcher

      I'm Gonna Live Anyhow 'Till I Die

      • Southern Journey Vol. 3: 61 Highway Mississippi.
    • Mississippi Fred McDowell

      Germany Blues

      • Southern Journey Vol. 3: 61 Highway Mississippi.
    • Shirley Collins

      Sur le Borde de l'Eau

      • Lodestar.
      • Domino Records.
    • George Stoneman

      Sally Anne

    • Viola James

      Tryin' To Make Heaven My Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

      • Southern Journey Vol. 3: 61 Highway Mississippi.
    • Rosa Lee Hill

      Rolled And Tumbled

      • Southern Journey Vol. 3: 61 Highway Mississippi.
    • Viola James

      Tryin' To Make Heaven My Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

      • Southern Journey Vol. 3: 61 Highway Mississippi.
  • Mitch Woods

    C. C. Rider (feat. Van Morrison & Taj Mahal)

    • Friends Along The Way.
    • Entertainment One.

Broadcast

  • Mon 21 Jan 2019 21:00