CA 101H Why Music?: 1920s

WOU, Summit, and Articles, etc.

This program is a time capsule of a boisterous era that began with a surge of hope and ended on the verge of the Great Depression. Topics include the presidencies of Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge, the post-World War I “return to normalcy,” the economic boom and the affordable Model T, the Red Scare, Garveyism, the Scopes trial, Prohibition, and the unique pop culture of the decade. (31 min.)

Listen to a 1923 recording of America the Beautiful performed by the Shannon Quartet. Free online from the National Jukebox at the Library of Congress.

Watch a music video with a recording by the Shannon Quartet.

Listen to a 1917 recording by Louise Homer.

Read about the history of the song. Includes links to the full-text of the sheet music (1917 edition) and several recordings by U.S. Military bands.

Watch a music video that features a 1930s recording by Ethel Waters.

Listen to a 1929 recording by Louis Armstrong.

Read a brief biography of Fats Waller published in Grove Music Online.

Listen to a recording by W.C. Handy & Orchestra.

Listen to a recording by Bessie Smith.

Listen to a story from NPR about St. Louis Blues and an important 1925 recording by Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong. Story concludes with the complete 1925 recording.

View digital sheet music for St. Louis Blues, published: New York: Handy Bros. Music Co., Inc., 1914.

Includes a recording of Bessie Smith performing St. Louis Blues.

View W.C. Handy's profile page on the National Public Radio web site. Includes interviews, feature stories and/or performances archived at NPR Music