8 episodes

Why do people love singing together? And how do we get the non-singers to join in?

Choral Fixation Jacqui Clydesdale, Liz Walker

    • Music
    • 4.8 • 21 Ratings

Why do people love singing together? And how do we get the non-singers to join in?

    Protest Singing, Part 3: Black Lives Matter

    Protest Singing, Part 3: Black Lives Matter

    In the third and final part of their protest singing series, Liz and Jacqui talk to four activists and singers about protest music in the Black Lives Matter movement. They cover kids and their phones, Zoom choirs in the time of COVID, Kendrick Lamar's 'Alright,' club bangers, viral hits from unlikely sources, and the idea that we are imbued by our very humanity with a right to sing... and protest.

    NOTE: This episode contains song clips with unbleeped lyrics.

    • 58 min
    Protest Singing, Part 2: We Shall Overcome

    Protest Singing, Part 2: We Shall Overcome

    Liz and Jacqui do a song spotlight on the best-known protest song of the 20th century, We Shall Overcome. On this epic journey, they cover Catholic hymns, Protestant theology, army bands, Stand By Me, fashion-forward bangs, the proper pronunciation of the name "Guy," union organizing, Chuck D, and the value of using the right tactics at the right time.

    • 46 min
    Spotlight Song #2: Barrett's Privateers (and Other Sea Shanties)

    Spotlight Song #2: Barrett's Privateers (and Other Sea Shanties)

    Jacqui and Liz do a deep dive into the sea... shanty that is Barrett's Privateers (and others). Featuring interviews with legendary folk musician Garnet Rogers and TikTok sea shanty sensation Sam Pope, this episode comes with its very own playlist on Spotify (called Big Shanty Tunes).

    • 58 min
    Protest Singing, Part 1: A Little Bit of History

    Protest Singing, Part 1: A Little Bit of History

    In the first of a three-part series, Jacqui and Liz outline a brief history of protest music and get into what singing together can do for a group's common effort. They also highlight some early sing-along hits of the protest genre, and the discussion ranges from druids to dandies, with stops for Pete Seeger, pirates, the Mamas and the Papas, Sardinians, He-Man, and evangelical hymns.

    • 38 min
    Spotlight Song #1: Hasselhoff's Looking for Freedom

    Spotlight Song #1: Hasselhoff's Looking for Freedom

    In the very first Spotlight Song episode, Liz explains to Jacqui why David Hasselhoff is big in Germany. Hint: He may have helped end the Cold War, and the CIA didn't even have to write his hit single.

    • 28 min
    Choir! Choir! Choir! and Pop-up Pub Choirs

    Choir! Choir! Choir! and Pop-up Pub Choirs

    Liz and Jacqui interview Nobu Adilman, one of the co-founders of Choir! Choir! Choir! and Kate Rae, charter member of same. They cover singing in bars, surprise divorce, the value of beer to a singalong, The Circumstances, dealing with death, art experiments, connection, the Fredericton Pub Choir, weeknight bedtimes when you’re old, choirs that barf, tributes to music legends, the Winnipeg Beer Choir, vulnerability, and the big ball of love. (Also featuring Mike Bravener and Ian Campbell)

    • 50 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
21 Ratings

21 Ratings

329Air ,

Thoughtful and interesting

This was both interesting and informative. A lot of good information about how the song developed, morphed and changed over the years. Thanks for all your hard work in researching this project. It’s great.

shatnerian ,

Terrific and Original!

A fun podcast that explores the joys and history of group singing. Highly recommended!

ParksvilleSue ,

Choral Fixation

I enjoyed the episode on Protest Singing, which recounted how popular tunes are co-opted to suit new causes. I remember my English mother who, as an immigrant to the US, was aghast to hear “God Save the Queen” changed into “My Country ’tis of Thee.”

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