WEEK 1: RHYTHMS
Grizzly Bear – the video starts with Alan Lomax, who recorded the song being sung by African-American prisoners.
I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Marvin Gaye
In The Midnight Hour – Wilson Pickett
WEEK 2: ALL YOU NEED IS MUSIC
Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
Blame It On the Boogie – The Jacksons
Dancing In The Street – Martha & The Vandellas
WEEK 3: THE TRACKS OF MY TEARS
Nobody’s Fault But Mine – a version by the Blind Boys From Alabama
What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted? The first video is Jimmy Ruffin’s original version. The second is a stunningly emotional rendition by Joan Osborne.
The Tracks of My Tears – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
WEEK 4: MEN SINGING ABOUT WOMEN
See See Rider – The origin of the song is unclear. This is a very raw version by Leadbelly. We’ll do it slightly differently.
Baby I Need Your Loving – The Four Tops. Yes, this will be “challenging” to do with a choir, but should be fun.
Thirty Days – Run-DMC. 1980s hip-hop.
WEEK 5: WOMEN SINGING ABOUT MEN
A Good Man Is Hard To Find – Bessy Smith
Hit The Road Jack – Ray Charles
Touch Me In The Morning – Diana Ross
WEEK 6: FINDING THE LIGHT
Follow the Drinking Gourd – this is a version by Eric Bibb
People Get Ready – The first video is the original by Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions. But I had to show you Eva Cassidy’s version as well. Just beautiful.
Happy – Pharrell Williams