World Cafe Playlist for 12/21/2020

Michael Mwenso joins host Raina Douris

As a kid, Michael Mwenso befriended James Brown and even got the chance to sing and dance on stage with the soul legend. Now, Michael leads his own band, Mwenso and the Shakes, making his own style of funk music. This year, he also took on a new role, as professor of a class called “Protest, Hope and Resilience Through Black Arts” at the University of Buffalo. Michael joins host Raina Douris to share some of his favorite protest songs today, from Louis Armstrong, Yes, and more.

*XTC “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead” Nonsuch

Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra “(What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue” Odeon Swing Music Series (vol. 12)

Big Bill Broonzy “Black, Brown and White” Trouble in Mind

Mahalia Jackson “How I Got Over” The Essential Gospel Sampler

James Brown “I Don’t Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing (Open Up The Door I’ll Get It Myself)” Foundations of Funk

Yes “Release, Release” The Studio Albums 1969-1987

Mwenso and the Shakes “No Regrets” Emergence [The Process of Coming Into Being]

Talking Heads “Road to Nowhere” Little Creatures

Arlo Parks “Black Dog” Collapsed in Sunbeams

Stephanie Lambring “Fine” Autonomy

The Sundays “Wild Horses” Blind

The Rolling Stones “Time Waits For No One” It’s Only Rock & Roll

The Staves “Good Woman” Good Woman

Brandi Carlile “Throw It All Away” Brandi Carlile

Teenage Fanclub “Home” Endless Arcade

R.E.M. “Superman” Life’s Rich Pageant

Hour Two
*Bob Marley & The Wailers “Sun Is Shining” Kaya

Lianne La Havas “Can’t Fight” Lianne La Havas

Mondo Cozmo “Automatic” Plastic Soul

The Dandy Warhols “Bohemian Like You” Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia

Sierra Ferrell “Why’d Ya Do It” Why’d Ya Do It (single)

Punch Brothers “I Blew It Off” The Phosphorescent Blues

Holly Humberstone “Falling Asleep At The Wheel” Falling Asleep At The Wheel

Phoenix “Trying To Be Cool” Bankrupt!

Pearl Jam “Glorified G” Vs.

Steve Earle “Harlem River Blues” J.T.

Cordovas “High Feeling” Destiny Hotel

Starcrawler “I Need To Know (feat. Mike Campbell)” I Need To Know (single)

Margo Price “Stone Me” That’s How Rumors Get Started

Jack Johnson “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” In Between Dreams

Vampire Weekend “Ya Hey” Modern Vampires of the City

*Optional Song