Since last October Locust Street has provided attentive readers with music and images from post-WWII America. The site owner, about whom little can be discerned, started with 1945 and is now finishing up 1948. All types of music have been represented - jazz, blues, pop, country, bluegrass and classical - from the then wildly popular to the unjustly obscure. Links are provided to mp3s of these pieces, albeit only for a limited amount of time, so you can listen for yourself. Each post's short narratives, links and period graphics add context and significance. Links are also given to sites where the music can be purchased.
This music and these times are significant to me because I too started in 1945. Many of these songs were among my first musical memories, or influenced what I heard later. By 1954 I was listening intently to the radio as rhythm & blues gave birth to rock & roll. By that time I had already listened to the dying embers of the big band era, the early broadcasts of "race music", and the safe-as-milk pop music of the day. I was ready for something different.
But nothing emerges from a vacuum. As these posts illustrate, the music that defined my generation had its roots in America's rich musical heritage. The owner of Locust Street obviously loves this heritage as much as I do.
Like good home cookin', this site is a labor of love. You might enjoy it also.
2 comments:
Mr Edwards--
I had noticed a few people had come to my site from a recommendation of yours, and upon visiting, found this very kind wordsd. Thanks so much, and I am grateful that you enjoy "Locust St."--I don't get that much feedback, so it is always a pleasure to hear if someone enjoys it.
As I was born in 1972, needless to say my small essays and speculations are third-hand observations of the times I am chronicling--so I would appreciate it if someone like you, who actually was around during the period, would call me out if I err or totally miss the mark, as I am certain will happen.
Again, thanks!
Chris
Chris,
I am pleased to hear from you and that your site is getting a bit more of the attention it deserves. I my blog is new and aimed at a few friends and family so I doubt my recommendations will mean much traffic. Still I am daily blown away by the quality of some of the blogs I have stumbled across. And I just had post about yours.
It will be many more posts until you get to music I personally remember. My first record purchase was a 78 rpm disc of "Blueberry Hill"." I wish I still had it. It was 45s after that and listening to the radio after school. I can still hear mother tell me to turn that noise down. After a brief flirtation with early 60' jazz it was "Louie, Louie," Motown, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and the Grateful Dead. Then the Band and "Music from Big Pink" sent me off in a different direction. No wonder my daughter calls me Captain Tangent.
I recent years, the cd and mp3 years, I have become fascinated with proto-rock and roll. I have collected quite a few tracks now dating from 1946 to 1954. But your effort is broader than mine; it presents a time and place as well as sounds. I hope you are enjoying your research and developing your posts as much as I am enjoying reading and hearing them.
At some point I would like to read a background post about your site. Just how did a person born in '72 become so interested and knowledgeable about the post-war years? And what motivated you to share in Locust St.? And where is Locust St.?
Regards...
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