WFMU's 2019 Specials Roundup

December 21, 2019 10:54 AM

Independent freeform radio station WFMU lists some radio specials you might have missed in 2019 — freely available for online listening, complete with playlists.

A few of the offerings:

Versions of Jimmie Rodgers' Blue Yodels #1-13: the Complete Collection on Vocal Fry with Dan Bodah

Jimmie Rodgers, the Father of Country Music, wrote an influential series of songs called the blue yodels. We listen to them all — from Blue Yodel #1 to Blue Yodel #13 — in versions by titans of blues, jazz, and country music, and wrap up with a Kenyan tribute to “Chemirocha.”

Black Country on Honky Tonk Radio Girl with Becky

The role of black Americans in country music is often mischaracterized, reduced to tokenism, or just plain way off base. Gaylord Fields joins Becky to try to set a hugely complicated record straight.

2019 WFMU Female Rap Special on Put The Needle On The Record with Billy Jam

One of a few female hip-hop specials that Billy Jam produced over the past 12 months, this summer female rap special featured a non-stop mix of new music (mostly 2019 releases) from a diverse list of femcees (female emcees).

Mardi Gras Hangover on Downtown Soulville with Mr. Fine Wine

A post-Mardi Gras hair-of-the-dog slug of the good stuff: all New Orleans soul 45s.

WFMU, extensively and previously.

posted by mandolin conspiracy (8 comments total)

My favorite special this year was The Evan “Funk” Davies Annual Punk/Post-punk/Power Pop/New Wave college radio daze Throwback Show
posted by 1970s Antihero at 11:03 AM on December 21, 2019 [3 favorites]

We are lucky to live in a world where WFMU exists
posted by wheelieman at 3:19 PM on December 21, 2019 [5 favorites]

Here is my favorite episode of Seven Second Delay of the year.
posted by wheelieman at 3:26 PM on December 21, 2019

Oh my gosh - Jimmie Rogers has been so present in all the pop culture my spouse and I have been consuming lately. Every time we hear his name we pretend to raise a glass.
posted by 41swans at 3:27 PM on December 21, 2019

I've been a Swag for Life member for as long as they've had that level. I really only listen to Billy Jam these days and I'm glad to see it here.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:48 PM on December 21, 2019

immediately signing up for witch camp
posted by phooky at 7:36 PM on December 21, 2019

Thank you *so much* for posting this. Yet another fine thing I'd never, ever have crossed paths with except for MetaFilter -- I am so wanting to dig in to that Joe Frank special.

So much great "stuff" on MetaFilter, not enough time to get it all in........
posted by dancestoblue at 8:52 PM on December 21, 2019

In ancient times (pre-internet) the station was owned by Upsala College, and I used to listen from Brooklyn. There was a show (~1982?) called "Synthetic Pleasure" which played some incredible synthesizer music.
posted by Goofyy at 4:32 AM on December 22, 2019 [1 favorite]