Show 86: USA Blues, Pt. 11: New York

I'm your host. For today's 86th episode of the CC Blues Show, we'll be resuming our USA Blues series where I take you through all fifty states, playing every significant blues musician that sprung up from each and every one of 'em. Last week, we went on a big run across the nation ending in New York, and tonight we'll be finishing off the state and moving on to North Carolina. But this ain't your "Mack the Knife," "Beyond the Sea" Bobby Darin. This is an edgy, topical, self-produced Darin recording for his own brand new label, Direction Records. With this move, Darin was able to exercise some real creative freedom where he explores themes of counterculture, protest, and police brutality. "Me and Mr. Hohner" is a standout track from his second album on the New Direction label. Here, he breaks from his usual style, delivering spoken-word lyrics that sound decades ahead of their time. Darin paints a vivid picture of police harassment in South Philly under Frank Rizzo, who was notorious for his hardline tactics and oppression of marginalized communities. Now, there's tons of diversity in New York's music. You've got your urban cowboys like Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Arlo Guthrie, and Neil Diamond. You've got your hep-cat blues artists like Richie Havens, John Hammond Jr., Lou Reed, and John Sebastian. But you've also got the timeless acts like Tony Bennett, Harry Belafonte, and Bobby Darin, who we'll be commencing tonight's show with. So as we explore New York's musical pioneers, brief but impactful tonight, let's appreciate the courage of Bobby Darin, the counterculture icon, Pete Seeger, labor leader, and Harry Belafonte. But now, here's "Me and Mr. Hohner" by Bobby Darin.