The Music of Langston Hughes

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.