Dominik’s Radio Times

Show

RNR Trains Pt 2

Programme
Roots And Roads
Date
No date recorded
Length
58 min

About this show

Introduction

In this episode of Roots and Roads, Dominik presents the second part of a theme focusing on train songs. He reflects on why trains capture the imagination of songwriters more than boats or planes and discusses the storytelling of Tom Waits. The programme also features a non-English song by the Czech group Neřež, titled 'Vlakem na Kolín'.

Dominik presents the second part of a two-part theme focusing on train songs. He observes that trains capture the imagination of songwriters more than boats or planes, noting the emotional resonance of the medium. The segment includes a discussion on the song 'Vlakem na Kolín' by Neres, which describes using a train to escape a woman or feelings in the heart, and 'City of New Orleans', where the train speaks to the listener. Dominik adds a humorous note that frequent commuters from Norwich to London might not share this love for every train.

Topics

  • Train-themed music and its emotional resonance
  • The appeal of train travel in songwriting
  • Non-English language songs about trains

Participants

  • Dominik

Names are taken from the archive as written and may include spelling variants.

Listen · this show’s clips

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Roots And Roads · Show Opening

Roots And Roads · Spoken extract

RNR Trains Pt 2

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Passages from the broadcast

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Of songwriters, perhaps more than any other form of transportation, I could not find as many songs about planes. I'm sure, or boats, but trains. There's something about them—the promise, the hope, the sadness, the despair, the nostalgia.

That so inevitable, never stopping, never ceasing rhythm, of the wheels and the passing imagery changing in front of all of our eyes, that.

Is just something that just makes sense somehow, resonates with us, and tells us about so many things about our world, and connects us to our fellow human beings in all sorts of ways.

Selected music

Trains, Part Two

  1. 1
    Untitled · Duke Ellington
  2. 2
    Downtown Train · Patty Smyth
  3. 3
    Train Song · Tom Waits

    Why it was chosen Since they started with Tom Waits (via the Patty Smyth cover), the presenter wants to continue with another of his songs about trains

  4. 4
    On This Train · Cassandra Wilson
  5. 5
    Freight Train Blues · Davy Graham

    Why it was chosen The presenter is in a bluesy mood and wants to keep that going

  6. 6
    Morning Train · Chris Barber's Band
  7. 7
    Night Train · James Brown

    Why it was chosen A morning train may become a night train if the journey is long enough

  8. 8
    This Train · Vocal Essence Ensemble

    Why it was chosen The train is seen as the perfect vehicle for getting into better and greater things

  9. 9
    Vlakem Na Kolín · Neřež

    Why it was chosen Part of a regular feature of songs not in the English language

  10. 10
    Everybody Loves A Train · Los Lobos

    Why it was chosen A train is good for escaping from sadness

  11. 11
    City Of New Orleans · Arlo Guthrie
  12. 12
    Last Train · Abigail Washburn