Playlist: Musicians sing the blues as an economic downturn changes tour plans

By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji

Thursday, July 31 2008

The downturn in the economy is changing the music business. New bands can't afford to tour, and the ones that do spend more on gas than they do on hotel rooms. The Takeaway's resident musician, Jack “The Martini Cowboy” Grace, sings the blues about the highs and lows of touring when times are tough.

Guest: Jack “The Martini Cowboy” Grace, The Takeaway’s resident musician

I need Money- John lee Hooker

Posted by charlie wilcox, 7 a.m. Thursday, July 31 2008 Permalink

_money's too tight to mention_ simply red

Posted by ted nellen, 7:02 a.m. Thursday, July 31 2008 Permalink

The Kinks - Superman

Posted by Richie Lopez, 7:04 a.m. Thursday, July 31 2008 Permalink

How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live - Ry Cooder Nobody Wants You When You're Down and Out - Bobby Womack Shipbuilding - Robert Wyatt

Posted by Leslie, 7:06 a.m. Thursday, July 31 2008 Permalink

For this time, I suggest 'The Restless Consumer' by Neil Young (from 'Living with War'). But to be more upbeat, I keep humming 'You've gotta have heart' and 'High Hopes'.

Posted by Les Aldridge, 7:10 a.m. Thursday, July 31 2008 Permalink

"It's Money That I Love", by Randy Newman. (By the way, the Donna Summer song featured on the show was actually from 1983, not the '70s).

Posted by Mike, 7:14 a.m. Thursday, July 31 2008 Permalink

"Dust Bowl" by: 10,000 MANIACS....Wow, what devastating imagery !!! "The Hard Times" by: KISS....they hit the nail right on the head . Absolutely LOVE your show. I listen EVERY morning. Thanks for all of your hard work ! -Adam in Harlem

Posted by Adam Lewis, 7:32 a.m. Thursday, July 31 2008 Permalink

wHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT THIS PLAYLIST THIS MORNING, I THOUGHT, 'GREAT!MUSIC TO CHEER US UP IN THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN.' I'M NO POLLYANNA, BUT I DO SOMETIMES TURN TO MUSIC TO BRIGHTEN MY MOOD. I STILL WILL SUBMIT MY FIRST CHOICE: "MOVE ON UP" BY CURTIS MAYFIELD. (ALSO SAMPLED BY KANYE WEST IN "TOUCH THE SKY") THANK YOU.

Posted by JAQUELYN KISZEWSKI, 7:53 a.m. Thursday, July 31 2008 Permalink

since Jack already chipped in with "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It" and Adam in Harlem beat me to the spellbindingly sorrowful "Dust Bowl", i'll just ask why so many songs dealing with economic hardship are by Van Halen or about dogs, if not both? also, does Jack know any good songs ABOUT Van Halen BY dogs? until soon, Jonathan ( LES)

Posted by Jonathan, 8:13 a.m. Thursday, July 31 2008 Permalink

My vote for Hard Times theme song is: "Happy Days Are Here Again" - the song that became an anthem of hope during the Great Depression. If you think it seems dated, just listen and you'll probably find yourself humming the song for days afterward: It's catchy, it's peppy and it's a perfect cheer-up song.

Posted by Nili, 8:29 a.m. Thursday, July 31 2008 Permalink

"Poor Old Dirt Farmer" sung by Levon Helm 2007

Posted by Anne, 10:41 a.m. Thursday, July 31 2008 Permalink

"Hard Rain" by Bob Dylan "Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin’, Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter, Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley, And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall."