Branford Marsalis joins New Orleans correspondent Gwen Thompkins

The 2020 film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom tells the story of blues singer Gertrude “Ma” Rainey. It was directed by George C. Wolfe who recruited Branford Marsalis to compose the film’s soundtrack. On the next World Cafe, Branford Marsalis talks about scoring the film and why he had to record the music he’d written in his hometown, New Orleans. 

*Bruce Hornsby “Long Tall Cool One” Harbor Lights
Branford Marsalis “Levee’s Song” Recorded Live for the World Cafe
Branford Marsalis “Song For Trumpet” Recorded Live for the World Cafe
Louis Jordan “Ain’t That Just Like a Woman” Jack, You’re Dead: The Essential Blue Archive
Branford Marsalis “Simi Valley Blues” I Heard You Twice The First Time
Branford Marsalis “I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together” In My Solitude: Live at Grace Cathedral
Sting “Driven To Tears” Bring On The Night
Preservation Hall Jazz Band “Santiago” So It Is
Allison Russell “Nightflyer” Outside Child
Gregory Alan Isakov “Dark, Dark, Dark” Evening Machines

Hour Two
*Rufus Wainwright “I Don’t Know What It Is” Want One
Arlo Parks “Too Good” Collapsed in Sunbeams
David Bowie “Golden Years” Station to Station
The Howlers “I Don’t Love You All The Time” I Don’t Love You All The Time (single)
Iggy Pop “Lust for Life” Lust for Life
Pearl Charles “Only for Tonight” Magic Mirror
The Rolling Stones “She’s A Rainbow” Through the Past Darkly
Leon Bridges “Motorbike” Gold-Diggers Sound
Peter Gabriel “In Your Eyes” So
The Twilight Singers “When Doves Cry” Spin Presents Purplish Rain
Lord Huron “Not Dead Yet” Long Lost
Bjork “Venus As A Boy” Debut
Julien Baker “Faith Healer” Little Oblivions

*Optional Song