Songs

Question 1

“Castle House Rag”
James Reese Europe
1914

Answer 1

Genre/time period: ragtime (1896-1918)

Characteristics

Cultural Points

Question 2

“My Blue Heaven”
Gene Austin
1927

Answer 2

Genre/time period: the golden age of tin pan alley (1920s and 30s)

Characteristics

Cultural Points

Question 3

“St. Louis Blues”
Bessie Smith
1925

Answer 3

Genre/time period:
- Race Records, specifically classic blues (1920s)

Characteristics:

• Not 12 bar blues: has complex B/middle section
• Voices: reed organ, cornet, solo female vocal
• Form: 12 bar blues form, but modified
• Time: duple; B section suggests Latin rhythms of habanera and tango
• Performance notes: Tin Pan Alley structure with Af-Am style elements

Cultural Points about the piece/genre:
- Sold well in both both black and white markets

Question 4

“Kind Hearted Woman Blues”
Robert Johnson
1936

Answer 4

Genre/time period: Race records, specifically country blues (1926, 1941)

Characteristics

• Voices: vocals and guitar
• Time: duple, tempo rubarto (“to steal time) in vocals, syncopation in guitar
• Lyrics: AAB form
• Composed of floating verses
• Textures: mostly homophonic, some call and response

Question 5

“Wrappin’ It Up” (The Lindy Glide)
Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra
1934

Answer 5

Genre/time period: swing (1935 - 1945)

Characteristics

Cultural Points

Question 6

“Caravan”
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra
1937

Answer 6

Genre/time period: swing (1935 - 1945)
Characteristics

Cultural Points

Question 7

“Paper Doll”

Mills Brothers. 1942

Answer 7

Genre/time period: swing (1935 - 1945), specifically vocal groups

Characteristics

Cultural Points

Question 8

“New San Antonio Rose”
Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys
1940

Answer 8

Genre/time period: swing (1935 - 1945), specifically western swing (WW2)

Characteristics:

• Form: AABA
• Instrumentation: big band, mariachi, male vocals
• Texture: homophony, thick

Cultural Points