Episode 12 – Cool Tunes for a Hot Planet

Watch Episode 12: RESIST!

FEATURED ARTISTS: Tom Paxton, John McCutcheon & Friends: Ukranian Now, James Kahn: O the Ocean Rolls, Larry Lobert: Isn’t This a Time , Various Chilean Musicians: The Right to Live in Peace, HOSTED BY Warren Senders

ABOUT the ARTISTS and their WORKS

Ukrainian Now, by venerated folksingers Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon, is more than a call for unity with the embattled Ukrainian people – it is a recognition of our commonality. Of the universal truth that when one human being is oppressed, we are all oppressed. Singers in this anthem include Paul Stookey and Peter Yarrow, Holly Near, Emma’s Revolution, and many more – celebrating the notion that coming together makes us stronger than the things that divide us.

James Kahn’s O the Ocean Rolls is a folksong in the sea shanty tradition about a boatload of refugees making their way to a better life. Unlike many songs about “the immigrant issue,” this one focuses on the individual people in the boat, their human stories, and what happens to each along the way. To paraphrase an old quotation, “A million deaths is a statistic; one death is a tragedy,” this song poignantly examines the tragedy.

Isn’t This a Time, by Larry Lobert, is unfortunately a little too timely. The lament sings about being in an era “when everything is for sale,” when thieves become jailers, when cruelty is rampant, and the weak are blamed. It’s the time we are living in now in this country. The title echoes the Thomas Paine quote, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” And the song’s refrain, “First they came for…” derives from Martin Niemoller’s warning about the rise of the Nazis in the 1930’s: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a socialist. Then they came for…” more groups the speaker was not a member of – until they finally came for him, and there was no one left to speak out. This song appeals to us to speak out, before it’s too late.

The Right to Live in Peace (El Derecho De Vivir en Paz) is sung here by many Chilean stars, based on Victor Jara’s 1971 song – a moving plea that became the rallying cry of the Chilean uprising in 2019. It sings of the right to live without fear, in peace, liberty, and dignity. As in the Freedom Marches of our own Civil Rights protests, songs like this can be taken up by thousands in the streets, empowering a movement – inspirational hymns to the best in us, to the impulse we share – to live together, in mutual respect for each other and the planet.

SONG CREDITS – EPISODE 12

SONG CREDITS – EPISODE 12: Immigration and Democracy

Podcast Theme excerpted from ‘Back To Life’ © 2022 Seth Handelman Recorded at Autumn Leaf Studios – Nashua, New Hampshire Saxophones, Guitars – Seth Handelman Bass, Drum track – Alan J. King Recording Engineer: Alan J. King

Ukrainian Now Words and Music by John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton © 2022 John McCutcheon Appalsongs, ASCAP and Tom Paxton Bristow Songs. SESAC Lead Vocals: John McCutcheon Harmony vocals: Tom Paxton Chorus: Noel Paul Stookey (Solo on Bridge), Peter Yarrow, Tom Paxton, Holly Near, Bill Miller, Tret Fure, Crys Matthews, Emma’s Revolution, Rebel Voices, Joe Jencks, Chris Lavin, Carrie Newcomer. Musicians: Jon Carroll (harmony vocal/piano/organ/accordion), JT Brown (harmony vocals/bass), Steve Fidyk (drums), Pete Kennedy & Jim Roberts (electric guitars), Stuart Duncan (fiddle/mandolin), Joe Jencks – electric bouzouki. Engineered At – Bias Studios Mastered At – Bias Studios Mastered By – Mike Monseur Recorded At – Cowboy Arms Hotel And Recording Spa Recorded At – Mark Howard Studio Published By – Bristow Music Published By – Appalsongs Manufactured By – Oasis Disc Manufacturing Pressed By – Disc Makers – MHF2050

O the Ocean Rolls Music and Lyrics © 2022 James Kahn James Kahn – Lead Vocal David West – Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Vocals, tres, requinto Wee Dougie Clegg – Tenor and Baritone Vocals Video: Outlier Productions © 2025 P Falkenberg and J. Cochran

El Derecho De Vivir en Paz (The Right to Live in Peace) ©1971 Victor Jara Various Chilean Artists: Different Chilean artists recorded this song, with modifications to the original lyrics, in the context of the Chilean people’s popular nonviolent uprising against the dictatorship in 2019.

Musicians who participated (voices): Roberto Márquez, Mon Laferte, Joe Vasconcellos y Denisse Malebrán, Fernando Milagros y Fran Straube, Javiera Parra y Pedro piedra, Francisca Valenzuela, Tommy Boysen, Pollo Gonzales, Manuel García, Moral Distraída, Camila Moreno, Pedro Piedra, Mariel Mariel, Javiera parra, C funk, Lalo Ibeas, Nano Stern, Augusto Schuster, Gepe, Benjamin Walker y Paz Court, Kanela y Eli Morris, Consuelo Schuster, Princesa Alba y Gianluca, Camila Gallardo.

Musicians who participated (instruments, arrangements) Vocal production: Christopher Manhey. Recording, programming, editions: Pablo Stipicic. Violins, Tiple: Nano Stern. Acoustic guitar: Pablo Jara, Charango. Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar: Eduardo Iensen. Bass, Synthesizer, Metallophone: Valentín Trujillo, Quena. Sax: Pedro Villagra. Percussions: Danilo Donoso. Programming, Editions: Vicente Sanfuentes. Accordion: Juan Angel. Electric guitar solos: Ángel Parra. Bronzes: Moral Distraida.

Music producers and engineers: Christopher Manhey, Pablo Stipicic, Valentín Trujillo, Eduardo Iensen. Mixer: Pablo Stipicic. Mastering: Chalo González. Audiovisual equipment: Director: Camila Grandi. General production: Sebastián Astudillo. Direction of photography: Rafael Russo. Photography assistant: Ulises Moya, Second camera: Mae Solis. Photograph: Loretta Castelletto. Still Photograph: Val Palavecino. Still Photograph: Lucas Benavente. Camera on CDMX: Cristóbal de la Cuadra.

Thanks to: Jamabros, Julio Zúñiga. Recording Studios: La Salitrera (Chile). Indierocks (México)