on the road, soundtrack

So this weekend I immersed myself in Jack Kerouac's On the Road. I followed it up with John Leland's Why Kerouac Matters: The Lessons of 'On the Road' (They're Not What You Think) which not only deepened my appreciation of Kerouac's novel but cleared up a lot of misconceptions about the book and Kerouac. One of my favorite aspects of the novel was the music and Leland compiled a great list of songs that Kerouac references. I thought I'd share.

The film version is in production now with director Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries) attached. I can't imagine anyone else who would be able to bring this to the screen but him.

Lover Man - Billie Holiday


Central Avenue Breakdown - Lionel Hampton


Cement Mixer - Slim Gaillard


Duke Ellington - C-Jam Blues


Red Norvo - Congo Blues


Perez Prado - Mambo Jambo


Blue Skies - Frank Sinatra


A Fine Romance - Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers


Hallelujah I'm a Bum - Al Jolson


Beethoven's Fidelio