Democracia / Democracy (How Can You Lose?)

 

Listen to this week's show   

"A democracia é o pior de todos os sistemas, com exceção de todos os outros," sings Sérgio Godhinho, the Portuguese composer of musica de intervenção (protest songs), on "A Democracia (Aforismos)" (Aos Amores, EMI, 1989). Winston Churchill had said in 1947: "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms."  

 

The seed for this week's show is Amy London's new lyric and vocalese to a mid-50s Benny Carter tune entitled "How Can You Lose," from London's wonderful new release, Alto Madness (Five Cat Records, 2026). She waxed topical on the upcoming US midterm elections, and it inspired a geographically and emotionally diverse set of songs about democracy, with all the hope, disappointment, and beauty that entails. 

 

The program begins with London and Godinho, then jumps to the Oakland-based Afrobeat band ALBINO! (Rhino, Mighty Niblet Records, 2007) for a reminder that "democracy is not for sale." Solidarity Sing Along digs deeper in with miner and folk singer Jim Garland's "I Don't Want Your Millions, Mister," a song from the 1930s. Following that, Arlo Guthrie tells us a personal story and sings his famous father's most famous song, "This Land is Your Land."   

 

Doralyce's brief but biting "A Democracia," comes next, calling for agrarian reform (Canto da Revolução, Fatiado Discos, 2017), followed by Phoebe Legere's plea to "never let go of the land" ("Democracy," Blue Curtain, Einstein Records, 2000). 

 

We then turn to Lin-Manuel Miranda's "Non-Stop" from Hamilton: An American Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording, 2004), and move from North American to Guinea-Bissau for Zé Manel Fortes' "Regulos na Democracia" (African Citizen, Modjo Music, 2003). Dan Fogelberg takes us back to the US for his "Democracy" (Portrait: The Music of Dan Fogelberg, Epic, 1993). We close things with "Demokrasi" (Hameh, Self Produced, 2006) from Melody and Safoura Safavi, an Iranian-born duo who go by Abjeez, a Persian word for sister. Thanks as always for for listening. Keep singing and remember that your vote is your voice.

 

Click below to expand the playlist. 

 

Caminhos do Jazz with Katchie airs live on Saturday mornings at 10 Central. 

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 What's that catchy theme music for Caminhos do Jazz? Damas Grátis (Ladies Free) / 4:37 / 2007 / Eduardo Neves / Gafieira de Bolso / Eduardo Neves 

This post and program was produced without the aid of AI tools.