"Yankee Doodle Went To Town" - Week 2 Playlist

Pledge of Allegiance - Red Skelton
Living in America - James Brown
Celebration - Kool and The Gang
US Blues - Grateful Dead
America - Neil Diamond
This Land is Your Land - Bruce Springsteen
R-O-C-K in the USA - John Mellencamp
America - Waylon Jennings
My Country Tis of Thee - Aretha Franklin
Yankee Doodle - The Carter Family
Freedom - The Isley Brothers
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - The Andrews Sisters
America the Beautiful - Ray Charles
The National Anthem - Mark O'Conner

Playlist Notes from OK Eric

Pledge of Allegiance - Red Skelton
Red Skelton was one of the great comedians of the 20th century. A true American. I grew up watching him on TV. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K0fFeHX474&feature=related
Living in America - James Brown
Not much else to be said about “the hardest working man in show business”. This groove sets the stage for a funkified 4th of July celebration! And James says, “got to have a celebration”!! Which brings me to:
Celebration - Kool & The Gang
What’s that you say, “this doesn’t have anything to do with the 4th of July”. Well, “it’s time for us to come together” my friend. Celebrate the good times of freedom!
US Blues - Grateful Dead
This one opens with “Red and White..blue suede shoes...”. I had a pair of those sometime around 1972. Jeannie Snyder punched me in the nose on the school bus one afternoon and when it was all said and done, they were all red! I loved those shoes because they made me think of the 4th and shooting fireworks off.
America - Neil Diamond
This song almost (I said almost) makes me wanna join the armed forces! Majestic. Dramatic. Rock-n-Roll baby! We should all at the very least choreograph our fireworks to this song!
This Land is Your Land - Woody Guthrie
Don’t be afraid of folk music. And don’t write off Woody before you give his collection of brilliant folk songs a listen. My kids love Woody! And this song will help us all share in the responsibility of taking care of this great land we live in. I really wonder just how many times this song has been performed. In front of crowds. Around campfires, fireplaces, dinner tables, playgrounds...millions I’m sure.
R-O-C-K in the USA - John Mellencamp
This one is here to start a riot on the dance floor. From the opening guitar/bass/drum swirl any attempts to avoid the bobbing the head, stomping the foot or playing air guitar are futile! Drummer Kenny Aronoff’s snare provides the firecracker you’re looking for on the 4th.
America - Waylon Jennings
Written by Sammy Johns of Chevy Van fame! (kids-disregard mention of Chevy Van...uh...it’s a bad song....uh....horrible...go clean your room!) Waylon performed this song for the re-opening of the Statue of Liberty in 1985. Ol’ Hoss’ voice embodied American grit to me. I’m sure we’ll find more opportunities to place more than one of his classic on a list or 5 here at okplaylist.
My Country Tis of Thee - Aretha Franklin
From the Obama inauguration. A rendition that makes one proud to be an American.
Yankee Doodle - The Carter Family
The first family of Country Music. Now kids, don’t shy away here. Sing-a-long and sing loud! We here at okplaylist don’t expect you to like everything but just like at home, we expect you to at least take a bite and taste it.
Freedom - The Isley Brothers
A great track that OK Russ introduced me to. Tellin’ it like it is when it comes to the subject of Freedom!
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - The Andrews Sisters
Great production! Great performance! Keep this era alive!
America the Beautiful - Ray Charles
Classic! Brother Ray at his best! Stop and listen!
The National Anthem - Mark O'Conner
Outstanding musician! Our anthem performed to perfection.

Playlist Notes from OK Russ

Russ will return next week with more fun comments...