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Wednesday, August 07, 2002

By Adrian McCoy

If Pittsburgh had its own unique soundtrack, with songs that have some connection to the city, what would it be? It could include "Blue Velvet" and "Blue Moon," or Stephen Foster's "Oh Susannah" and Donnie Iris' "Ah Leah."

	Voters suggest songs that play for Pittsburgh Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center post-gazette.com poll: "Soundtrack" artists

Based on the belief that plenty of good music has come out of Pittsburgh, the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center has launched a "Soundtrack of Our City" initiative, asking Pittsburghers to vote for their most memorable songs. The music should be about Pittsburgh or composed or performed by Pittsburgh artists. The ones with the most votes will be used to compile a series of city "soundtracks," which will be played in the History Center's Great Hall.

The initial response has been enthusiastic. So far, the 290 votes cast represent a wide spectrum -- and they underscore what a fertile ground for all kinds of musical talent the city has been. A wide range of musical tastes and demographic groups have responded -- Henry Mancini, Perry Como, Rusted Root and the Buzz Poets all have a spot on the list.

Front-runners are "Pumping Iron" by Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, "Moon River" by Henry Mancini, "Penny on the Floor" by the Clarks, along with several songs ("Earth Angel," "Five O'Clock World") by the Vogues.

There are the usual suspects -- Billy Strayhorn's classic "Take the 'A' Train," "Since I Don't Have You" by the Skyliners and "Pennsylvania Polka." And there are some unusual ones, such as Anne Feeney's "Have You Been to Jail for Justice?" and Fred Rogers' "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"

The suggestions go beyond the bounds of popular music. Sports team-related songs such as "Here We Go" are getting votes. Some folks submitted Sister Sledge's "We Are Family" because of its association with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the 1979 World Series. And Pirates/Penguins organist Vince Lascheid is getting some votes.

The many ethnic groups who settled here also shaped the sound of the city: Eastern European and German immigrants, whose traditional music and instruments are still preserved today by groups like the Tamburitzans and the Teutonia Maennerchor. The large Irish Scottish population's music is echoed in folk and Appalachian music.

Geography played a role in the local music scene. "This was a great layover for musicians between New York and Chicago. Pittsburghers were able to see a lot of top acts," says Steve Doell , director of archives at the History Center. Also, when big names came through town, they often needed backup from local musicians, who had a chance to work with well known singers or bandleaders.

The candidate lists are a snapshot of the area's rich music history -- which is ultimately what the History Center is getting at. "It might open up some doors to some collecting initiatives," says Doell.

Adrian McCoy is a free-lance writer for the Post-Gazette.