Anyone have favorite songs from the FDR era? Send them to me. Preferably inappropriate or surprising tunes.
Apparently more songs were written about FDR than any president. Check out this NPR piece: http://www.npr.org/programs/wesat/features/2001/010421.fdr.html
This book and its accompanying album also look pretty amazing: http://www.amazon.com/Roosevelt%C2%92s-Blues-African-American-Gospel-American/dp/0878059385
I'm officially adding it as supplementary reading for the first meeting of our American history book club.
So to summarize, buy or check out the following books immediately:
The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope by Jonathan Alter
Roosevelt's Blues: African-American Blues and Gospel Songs on FDR by Guido van Rijn (make sure to get the accompanying CD)
As I choose some favorite songs, I'll start posting chords and, if possible and legal, sheet music so that everyone who's planning to attend one of our in-person meetings in Brooklyn with an instrument can start practicing.
I remain
your obt svt,
Lloyd (Ulysses S. Dee)
