We've got a special one for you today! Kyle Long, host of Cultural Manifesto on WFYI sat down with us this week for an episode full of Indianapolis music history, culture, and so much more. We discussed Kyle's favorite former and current venues around town, the upcoming renovation of the Madame Walker Theatre Center, and his involvement in creating a music series that brings musicians from the famed Indiana Avenue to Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis. And check out his upcoming event, the Brazilian Carnaval hosted by Cultural Cannibals at The Jazz Kitchen on Saturday, February 22.
We asked Kyle to list 3 of his favorite songs which we have linked below with his descriptions of each. Enjoy!
1. R.D. Burman and Asha Bhosle “Dum Maro Dum” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMbyHqrokYQ
This song changed my life. I found it on a cassette I purchased at an Indian grocery store near Lafayette Square Mall in the late '90s. The song was composed by the Bollywood music genius R.D. Burman for the 1971 film 'Haré Rama Haré Krishna.' The film was a conservative critique on the supposedly negative influence of Western hippies on Indian culture, but ironically the song “Dum Maro Dum” became an anthem for Indian hippies. The lyrics refer to smoking weed and the chorus roughly translates to: "Take another hit and all your troubles will be gone." The song is voiced by the incredible Asha Bhosle, of the legendary Mangeshkar family.
2. Amnesty “We Have Love”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIcu8ElZZqk
I had to pick at least one Indianapolis song, and Amnesty is one of my all-time favorite Indianapolis bands. Their music has been sampled in hit songs from Kanye West to Jay-Z, yet they remain relatively unknown here in Indianapolis. This track was recorded in 1973 at the home of Moe Whittemore, a New Palestine, Indiana based music producer/engineer.
3. [tie] Richard Groove Holmes “Onsaya Joy” / Trudy Pitts “Steppin' In Minor”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jZZ1-xEjTA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7Dt2bPy5DY
Valerie, you mentioned your love of jazz Hammond organ - I too share a similar affection for the instrument, and these are my two favorite examples. Both are epic psychedelic Hammond journeys!
