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People's Picks: Sunny War

People's Picks: Sunny War
People's Picks: Sunny War | Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Here is a collection of different black voices from the past. Some singing and some speaking with their hands. A little Blues, Jazz, Calypso, Zydeco and Rock & Roll. A few of these songs narrate what my ancestors experienced in the Jim Crow era. The Blues was a form of protest and I'm glad these recordings exist. I often wonder about the musicians who weren't recorded and what stories they had to share... Here are 14 songs I found moving. Some made me laugh, some made me cry and some made me dance. Enjoy!

Nashville-based musician Sunny War blends gospel, punk rock, folk, and country blues, and is nominated for the Americana Music Association's 2023 Emerging Act award. Her eclectic and innovative album, Anarchist Gospel, is out now.

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