WGXC-90.7 FM
From the New American Radio Archive: "Natchez to New York" (1989) by Olu Dara and "Passage" (1991) by Homer Jackson
90.7-FM in NY's Upper Hudson Valley and wgxc.org/listen everywhere
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New American Radio was organized by Helen Thorington, Executive Producer and Regine Beyer, Associate Producer.
"Natchez to New York" (1989) by Olu Dara: It's one of those quiet evenings on the front porch in Natchez, Mississippi. Just crickets, the distant sound of a few cars, and a bluesy song for harmonica and guitar—as sweet as the sugar shack it talks about. But there's trouble ahead as Neville, a down-home juke-joint man and Diana, who pursues a career at New York's Metropolitan Opera, collide. In Neville's words: "Good Lord woman, send Madam Butterfly back to bed. What's left to eat? I can't stand no opera on no empty stomach." They sing and fight and sing and fight until eventually, they go together—from Nachez to New York. An improvisational work in a fixed form! Commissioned by New American Radio.
"Passage" (1991) by Homer Jackson: A collage that focuses on the migration of Black Americans from the South to the North. Passage examines the migration's physical, metaphysical, psychological, and social aspects and their effects on Black communities and the nation as a whole. Stories, music, the voices of elders, excerpts from old newsreels, country blues and urban jazz, the sounds of rural America and of metropolitan areas, poetry, and dramatic skits make this an entertaining and informative work. Commissioned by New American Radio.
In its ten years as a weekly national series, 1987-1998, New American Radio (NAR) commissioned and distributed over 300 original works: conceptual new drama, associational documentary, language explorations, sonic meditations, environmental compositions, musical explorations and works that pioneer new dimensions in acoustic space. Wave Farm is thrilled to be partnering with New American Radio to ensure these works remain available to listeners today and into the future.
New American Radio was organized by Helen Thorington, Executive Producer and Regine Beyer, Associate Producer. A special thanks to both Helen Thorington and Jo-Anne Green for their generous support and collaboration of this partnership, and their contribution to the field at large!
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