When you think of Americans whose music has made a lasting difference, you might think of Scott Joplin, Woody Guthrie, Maybelle Carter, Harry Belafonte… or Roger Payne.
Thank you Jim. Your blast from the past is quite precient and refreshing. I still have my copy of that amazing album. Interesting, that a couple of days ago while cleaning up a shelf of old journals, I came upon a copy of the April 1985 Oklahoma Union Farmer that featured "Texan Jim Hightower Presents Farm Policy Reform Act", accompanied by a photo of that dashing young congressman.
Glad you are still shaking things up. We need you back in Congress, Ransom
I heard about him on NPR. The most interesting part was at the end where they found, through sonograms, that dolphins have speech patterns as complex as humans. Unfortunately, so far, we don't speak the same language.
Thanks so much Jim; I sure remember the popularity of the “Songs of the Humpback Whale” LP (yes, VINYL!) and it's so thoughtful to bring back Payne's story and memory. I had been sorta off reading my generation's obits for a while--the last one I pulled up (bad phrasing there, sorry) was for "Napoleon the 14th" , the singer of the "novelty" mental illness tune "They're Coming to Take Me Away (Ha Ha!) . I probably should've been taken away for buying that piece of schlock instead of investing in the "Humpback Whales" album as did Ransom Rideout below. I guess class shows...
Thank you Jim. Your blast from the past is quite precient and refreshing. I still have my copy of that amazing album. Interesting, that a couple of days ago while cleaning up a shelf of old journals, I came upon a copy of the April 1985 Oklahoma Union Farmer that featured "Texan Jim Hightower Presents Farm Policy Reform Act", accompanied by a photo of that dashing young congressman.
Glad you are still shaking things up. We need you back in Congress, Ransom
I heard about him on NPR. The most interesting part was at the end where they found, through sonograms, that dolphins have speech patterns as complex as humans. Unfortunately, so far, we don't speak the same language.
Ah, the singing of the whales! Thank you Jim. Always enjoy your contributions. I miss the newsletter but getting use to your posts here.
Thanks so much Jim; I sure remember the popularity of the “Songs of the Humpback Whale” LP (yes, VINYL!) and it's so thoughtful to bring back Payne's story and memory. I had been sorta off reading my generation's obits for a while--the last one I pulled up (bad phrasing there, sorry) was for "Napoleon the 14th" , the singer of the "novelty" mental illness tune "They're Coming to Take Me Away (Ha Ha!) . I probably should've been taken away for buying that piece of schlock instead of investing in the "Humpback Whales" album as did Ransom Rideout below. I guess class shows...
This is blowing my mind. I knew of Payne as a lepidopterist and ecologist. Whoa!
A good one, Thx , Jim PHN
Songs of the Humpback Whale is one of my favorite albums. I’m sort to say I never paid attention to its creator.