While the Roots–everyone’s favorite late night house band–prepare for the West Coast premiere of Ask Your Mama this August, insatiable Langston Hughes fans should check out this week’s cover story: Franklin Bruno’s exploration of the poet’s 1957 Broadway musical comedy Simply Heavenly. The production featured a nearly-forgotten gem sung by Brownie McGhee that I can’t stop humming. Listen:
Bruno’s excellent reporting on the production features UFOs, Pete Seeger, Passing Strange, Sonny Terry, The Defender, and a whole lot more. Check it out here.





A sad, sweet song.
Posted By: Miriam Levine on June 10, 2009 at 9:07 pmReport this comment
The Roots? Mentioned on Harriet? No kidding.
This is perhaps one of the illest posts on Harriet for that fact alone. Feel like I can let my clip on tie down a little.
Posted By: Michael on June 14, 2009 at 7:39 pmReport this comment