Rough Sundays

Rough Sundays — Vol. XLVIII

Back after a 3-week break and the first show from the United States in over a decade, it's your weekly breakfast cocktail of gospel, blues, funk, soul and tolerable jazz. We kick it off with the track that sparked the idea for this show, and then head into French Pop, New Orleans royalty, Bob Dylan's hero, Los Angeles religion and even some Lee Dorsey... plus a lot more. So make your coffee. Get your coffee. Sip your coffee. And let us handle the waking-you-up part—in less than 25 minutes. It's Rough Sundays!

Rough Sundays — Vol. XLVII

The final show from Istanbul - for a while, at least - and it is a DOOZY. New Orleans gospel and South African acapella and a bit of New Orleans funk and then the Godmother of Rock n' Roll and then the Queen of Rock n' Roll and sooooo much more. Hit play to ensure a most-wonderful Sunday!

Rough Sundays — Vol. XLVI

Another slow, sunny Sunday here in Istanbul and an absolutely phenomenal (we ran tests) show to get you up and into it. From Patsy Cline to 70s Turkish funk, mamas + papas + triplets, New Orleans "fluttering" and a gorgeous track from the Malian guitarist Ali Farka Touré—it's Rough Sundays, hooray!

Rough Sundays — Vol. XLV

Blue skies in Istanbul—peppered with the occasional police helicopter—means a fun and upbeat Rough Sundays this week. From Oscar Peterson to mustachioed French crooners, a song made famous by a famous American television show and an Italian track so insane, it'll make your jogging soundtrack. It's 32 minutes of pure Sunday bliss, so get listening! 

Rough Sundays — Vol. XLIV

Back from a three-week hiatus, but bearing musical gifts to make up for it. From the raw power of Son House to the Ethiopian Elvis, some proper James Cleveland revival sounds and not one, but two Queens — one Cuban, the other New Orleans. It's half-an-hour of wake-me-up-slowly Sunday goodness. Hit play! 

Rough Sundays — Vol. XLIII

A bittersweet final show from South Africa — a country that provided more sites, sounds, color, culture and confusion than any other place we've done the show from — and it's a celebration of the best tracks we've uncovered these past three months. From the controversial Brenda Fassie to the sounds of Soweto provided by my tour guide Lerato, a few more upbeat + anti-apartheid tracks and we end it all with an appearance from GoPhari, who explains the importance of the final song - one that was forbidden to be sung in the 1970s. It's Rough Sundays - The Best of South Africa Show! 

Rough Sundays — Vol. XLII

Our second-to-last show from South Africa and packed with some gorgeous old tracks — from the inventor of "Zumba" to one of the most moving choir performances you'll ever hear, some more penny whistling and even "The Voice of South Africa" making an appearance. 

Rough Sundays — Vol. XLI: Songs Against Apartheid

While the evils of apartheid justifiably made the top headlines, it was the music coming both from within — and later, from outside — that drew international attention to one of the world's darkest chapters. But they weren't dark songs - quite the opposite, in fact; deceivingly upbeat and catchy. So join us for an (incredibly) brief overview of what exactly apartheid was, but more for the incredible tracks made to speak out against the racist government... including one that will absolutely surprise you. From Cape Town, South Africa, it's Rough Sundays. 

Rough Sundays — Vol. XL

An XL show (our 40th!) and an XL lineup. Half an hour of old South African music — featuring two gems from the township of Soweto, more Mbaqanga, Joseph Shabalala and friends live, a bit of Boyoyo and yet another track from the incredibly addictive Amaswazi Emvelo. Plus much, much more. It's Rough Sundays - live from Cape Town!

Rough Sundays — Vol. XXXIX

Without knowing it, host Aric S. Queen used an incorrect term when talking about a certain group of people and was not only called out, but found himself in some serious trouble, so in order to (begin to) right this wrong, an apology show was put together — a show so good that not only do we go back to Soweto for some township goodness, but we’re also joined by singer / writer Laura Jansen — of whom you can see in the new film “Annette” alongside Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard — to talk about Miriam Makeba’s influence on her. Not to mention a 1970s track so addictive, we’re forced to play it twice. Plus much, much more.

From Cape Town, South Africa, it’s Rough Sundays!

Coffee. Sit. Play. Listen. Okay. Perfect.