Tootle of a Devilish Song
Summary
Reporter Gabe Bullard explores the history of Swiss yodeling, tracing its origins as a cattle call and its evolution into a global phenomenon. The episode details how the vocal technique crossed the Atlantic to influence American entertainment, where it merged with blues to help create country music through artists like Jimmy Rogers. It also examines how Switzerland used yodeling as a cultural defense against Nazi Germany, leading to standardized traditions that are now being reinvented by a new generation of musicians blending the style with jazz, reggaeton, and other genres.
Topics discussed
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Introduction: Basel, Switzerland and Jodelerfest
At the Festival: Traditions and First-Time Yodelers
The Science and Origins of the Yodel
Historical Theories: Cattle Calls and Communication
Tourism and the Commercialization of Yodeling
Notating the Yodel and Its Spread to Europe
Yodeling Arrives in America: Vaudeville and Minstrel Shows
Jimmy Rogers: The Father of Country Music
The Rise of the Blue Yodel and Country Music
Yodeling in Hollywood and Modern Country Music
Swiss National Identity and the 1943 Yodeling Textbook
The Modern Revival: Young Yodelers and New Genres
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Deep Cuts: Archival Recordings and Black Contributions
Credits and Show Information
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