Anna Across America - Mississippi River

Today, our tour finds us on the banks of one of America's greatest geographical landmarks -- the Mississippi River.  From its humble beginnings in northern Minnesota, the river becomes mighty as it meanders southward 2,350 miles through ten states toward the Gulf of Mexico.

The Mississippi River -- with its mighty and muddy characteristics and cultures that line its shores -- have inspired writers like Mark Twain, William Faulkner, and Herman Melville.

And then there is Edna Ferber's novel Show Boat that became a well known play and movie that takes place on the Mississippi River.   The production's central music piece Ol' Man River is awash with imagery and emotion as seen in the clip from the movie versions below:

1936 - http://youtu.be/yyJtGNk9iEU
1951 - http://youtu.be/pSzYRo9j7YM

Through the years, musicians from every genre have added their interpretation to the American classic including:

The Temptations -- http://youtu.be/0T7TgNdN8k8
A young Frank Sinatra -- http://youtu.be/xTnw_MmVptQ