Fascinatin’ Rhythm

Historians and musicologists point out that popular music provides a surprisingly accurate mirror of the changing values, attitudes, manners, and aspirations of the American people. Fascinatin’ Rhythm, described by one listener as “radio essays with songs used as illustrations,” is a vivid example of this fact. For fifteen years, this informative and thoroughly enjoyable program has explored and entertained the public in weekly broadcasts. Host Michael Lasser, both a broadcaster and a teacher, approaches the past century through an examination of lyrics and musical styles. He lets our treasury of popular tunes speak (and sing) for itself with sparkling commentary tracing the contributions of the composers and performers to American society. For an ongoing presentation and celebration of American culture through popular music, a Peabody to WXXI-FM for Fascinatin’ Rhythm.