In
celebration of Black History Month, we’re tracing the origins of Bob
Dylan’s reverent and timeless Civil Rights anthem “Blowin’ in the Wind,”
from the tune that likely inspired it to the song’s initial release,
through the musical reciprocity it inspired among other recording
artists and far beyond.
Shortly after arriving in New York City in January 1961, Dylan first
heard The New World Singers [NWS]’s rendition of “No More Auction Block
for Me.” If you listen to versions of the song (like this 1947 recording
by Paul Roberson), you can hear the similarities musically and
phonetically between the two—and by no accident.
In ensuing years, “Blowin’ in the Wind” has been covered and released by
well over 300 artists and has served as inspiration for landmark
anthems as diverse as “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke and “Long
and Whining Road” by Public Enemy.
Watch to hear Dee Dixon and Noel Paul Stookey reflect on their roles in
bringing “Blowin’ in the Wind” to listeners worldwide.
Acclaimed Indigenous vocalist Emma Donovan and Melbourne rhythm combo
The Putbacks burst on to the Australian scene with their album Dawn in
2015, announcing a new voice in Australian soul music. Emma’s
songwriting is optimistic, impassioned, and bruisingly honest, The
Putbacks’ music is fluid, live and raw, and the collaboration has won
friends and admirers all over the world.
We play lots of Australian content at 3CSC FM. We love to slip in some gems from the local talent as a reminder of the unique sound that is unmistakibly Australian on your way to your next class.
It is impossible to talk about Australian music of the past
50 years without factoring in the contribution of Michael Gudinski, the
co-founder of Mushroom Records, who died in his sleep on Monday night, aged 68. This week wqe pay tribute to the local promoter with songs that Michael helped become anthems of Australain music.
From the first Sunbury Pop Festival of 1972 – a three-day
outdoor event that paved the way for Big Day Out and others in the decades to
come – to the breakthrough success of Skyhooks in 1975, to helping build the
careers of Split Enz, Sunnyboys, Kylie Minogue, Hunters and Collectors, Yothu
Yindi, Vance Joy and many more, his impact on the local industry was enormous.
Add in his role in touring some of the biggest bands in the
world to these shores, and the loss is almost incalculable. As Jimmy Barnes
wrote: “Today the heart of Australian music was ripped out. I felt it, my
family felt it, the music business felt it, the world felt it.”
News of Gudinski’s sudden death was met with shock and
sadness across the world, with the promoter and label boss described as loud,
passionate, loyal and above all a fan of music to the very end.
“My friend Michael Gudinski was first, last, and always a
music man,” Bruce Springsteen said through his label, Sony. “I’ve toured the
world for the last 50 years and never met a better promoter.
“Michael always spoke with a deep rumbling voice, and the
words would spill out so fast that half the time I needed an interpreter. But I
could hear him clear as a bell when he would say, ‘Bruce, I’ve got you
covered’. And he always did.
“He was loud, always in motion, intentionally (and
unintentionally) hilarious, and deeply soulful. He will be remembered by
artists, including this one, from all over the world every time they step foot
on Australian soil. Our deepest condolences to his wife and partner Sue and to
the whole Gudinski family.
