The Blues

Elizabeth Bathory was a fabulously wealthy Noblewoman accused of torturing and killing some 600 women in the 16th century.Her story is popularly spoken about as one of history's deadliest women... but is it true? And if it isn't, why has it stuck?Helping us get to the bottom of t ...  Show more

It's the most famous sunken ship in history, but its story is surrounded by a lot of myth.Were the working classes locked below deck and doomed to drown? Could the Titanic have avoided the iceberg? And most importantly (to us, at least), what sex and scandals took place on board? ...  Show more

Black women have been the heart and soul of blues music since its inception. We talk about some of the mothers, queens and empresses of the blues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Black culture is a pivotal pillar of broader American culture. From fashion, to language, to being the sonic foundation to much of American music. In this special episode, our hosts do a deep dive into country music and how its roots are grounded in Black music. Using Beyoncé’s l ...  Show more

Today’s episode has a lot of pluck! It’s all about the banjo. For over 100 years, the banjo has been associated with country and bluegrass music, two genres that over-index with white musicians. But, with the help of Rhiannon Giddens, we find out that this uniquely American instr ...  Show more

Songs include: Black Is the Color Of My True Love's Hair, Black Bottom Stomp, That Old Black Magic, Black and Blue, Black Snake Moan, Black Coffee, Black Eyes and Black and Tan Fantasy. Performers include: Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughn, Glenn Miller, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Jo Sta ...  Show more