W383 – Music Americana: The New Golden Age

Artists become celebrated as their words and music speak to the hopes and dreams of the people, with grace, humor, passion, and style. From the historic grandeur of Tchaikovsky to the spare classicism of Pink Floyd; from the tales of the Singing Cowboys to the Key West parables of Jimmy Buffett; from the sultry sound of Peggy Lee to the bigger-than-life presence of Tina Turner; from the street-corner dreams of doo-wop groups to the footlights of “Moulin Rouge”, their music describes our lives and times in song. This course examines the work, biographies, and enduring importance of these musical artists and attempts to sort myth from reality, using updated videos and excerpts from feature films, live performances, and a few surprises.