Recent Shows
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Broadcast week of June 10, 2013 | Special Guest Hillel Tigay
Hillel Tigay
Our guest this week on Art of the Song is Hillel Tigay. As a cantor at the IKAR Synagogue in Los Angeles, Hillel took up the challenge presenting 2,000-year-old Hebrew texts in a more accessible musical setting. Filtering these ancient lyrics through musical influences like Peter Gabriel and U2, the result is JUDEO, a CD collection of Psalms and biblical verses set to modern music. Holding the vision that music is indeed a universal language, the record was made with love by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. According to Hillel Tigay, “The music recorded here attempts to offer the listener, whether deeply pious, agnostic, or secular, a tangible sense of something greater than oneself.” We spoke with Hillel shortly after the release of JUDEO. [visit Hillel's website]
Broadcast week of June 03, 2013 | Special Guest Sid Selvidge Tribute Show
Sid Selvidge Tribute Show
This week on Art of the Song we celebrate the life of our colleague Sid Selvidge. We are deeply saddened by his passing. Sid was a consummate musician and internationally known public radio producer. As a friend and colleague, Sid was very helpful in the early development and funding of Art of the Song Creativity Radio. It’s unusual for radio hosts to sit down and talk on air about the passions that got us into our programs in the first place. With Sid we found a friend and mentor as producers and as musicians. As executive producer of NPR’s Beale Street Caravan, Sid Selvidge was a walking, talking lexicon of the musical history found in Memphis, TN. We had the pleasure of interviewing Sid about his music and the music of Memphis in 2008. We’ve taken that Art of the Song episode, added some new music and previously unheard portions of the interview, and created a special one-hour tribute to music and legacy of Sid Selvidge. [visit Sid's website]
Broadcast week of May 27, 2013 | Special Guest Blue Sky Riders
Blue Sky Riders
Our guests this week on Art of the Song are Blue Sky Riders. The spark began when grammy winner Kenny Loggins and veteran writer/producer Gary Burr got together for a songwriting date. Of that meeting, Kenny said, “When we sang together, we sounded like brothers. The last time I experienced that kind of blend was with Jimmy Messina in 1971.” The two decided to form a band and invited renowned singer-songwriter Georgia Middleman to join them for another writing session. Says Loggins, “We wrote our first song and were singing with a three-part blend that comes once in a lifetime.” Thus Blue Sky Riders were born. [visit Blue Sky Rider's website]
Broadcast week of May 20, 2013 | Special Guest Bill Staines
Bill Staines
This week on Art of the Song we talk with renowned New England troubadour Bill Staines. Associated Press lauded Bill as “one of the best songwriters in folk music today, penning lyrics that invoke a sense of place, and a generous spirit to go along with his pretty melodies”. His songs have been recorded by Nanci Griffiths, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Peter, Paul and Mary just to name a few. We caught up with Bill in Albany N.Y. just before a gig.[visit Bill's website]
Broadcast week of May 13, 2013 | Special Guest Tom Paxton
Tom Paxton
Our guest this week on Art of the Song is legendary folksinger Tom Paxton. He has become a voice of his generation, addressing issues of injustice and inhumanity, laying bare the absurdities of modern culture and celebrating the tenderest bonds of family, friends, and community. In describing his influence on his fellow musicians, Pete Seeger has said: “Tom’s songs have a way of sneaking up on you. You find yourself humming them, whistling them, and singing a verse to a friend. Like the songs of Woody Guthrie, they’re becoming part of America.” Tom Paxton has been an integral part of the songwriting and folk music community since the early 60′s Greenwich Village scene, and continues to be a primary influence on today’s “New Folk” performers. We spoke with Tom in front of a live audience in Albuquerque, New Mexico. [visit Tom's website]
Broadcast week of May 06, 2013 | Special Guest Simon Spire
Simon Spire
Our guest this week on Art of the Song is Simon Spire. Originally from New Zealand, his musical journey drew him to New York where he recorded his latest album, Four-Letter Words. Simon’s songs traverse the ground between upbeat alt-pop and singer-songwriter introspection, investigating both individual and collective transformation and exploring the boundaries of identity and human potential. A three-time award-winner in the USA Songwriting Competition, Simon Spire has been described as “a rising star with an extraordinary talent for forthright and introspective song craft.” We visited with Simon at Argot Studios in New York City. [visit Simon's website]
Broadcast week of April 29, 2013 | Special Guest Jon Herington
Jon Herington
Our guest this week on Art of the Song is Jon Herington. Jon is the veteran touring and recording guitarist for Steely Dan, the Dukes of September Rhythm Revue and the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for the John Herington Band. His newest solo release, Time On My Hands, reflects the bluesy, driving rock that had it gestation in the New York City club scene. His style is a mixture of traditional electric blues with a hint of jazz thrown in to keep you on your toes. We had the pleasure of an early morning conversation with Jon in his SoHo rehearsal studio.[visit Jon's website]
Broadcast week of April 22, 2013 | Special Guest Susan Werner
Susan Werner
This week on Art Of The Song we feature Singer/Songwriter Susan Werner. Susan’s penchant for new musical experiences and reinvention of her style, is supported by her mastery of the instrument she plays and her joy in vocal expression. She talks with us about her journey into the heartland of creative process.[visit Susan's website]
Broadcast week of April 15, 2013 | Special Guest Tony Furtado
Tony Furtado
Tony Furtado is an indie record label’s dream artist. He has lived primarily on the road for the last two decades. He is gregarious, engaging and entertaining, on and off stage. He’s been called a genius on banjo and slide guitar, and his own creative interpretation hybrid of Americana and indie folk/rock is engaging and captivating. According to PASTE Magazine, "He mixes bluegrass roots with a mainstream pop streak, easily holding the spotlight, thanks to his restrained virtuosity on acoustic and slide guitar and a warmly engaging voice reminiscent of T Bone Burnett..." We spoke with Tony in front of a LIVE audience at the Moab Folk Festival. [visit Tony's website]
Broadcast week of April 08, 2013 | Special Guest Freebo
Freebo
From bass player/band member with Bonnie Raitt for a decade to countless studio sessions and tours with artists ranging from John Mayall, CSN, Maria Muldaur and Ringo Starr, to T.V. appearances on "Saturday Night Live," "Midnight Special," and "Muppets Tonight," as well as tuba performances with Dr. John and the legendary Spinal Tap, Freebo has achieved status and respect in a creative and highly competitive field. Not satisfied with simply resting on his laurels as a top sideman, however, Freebo has continued to push his creative envelope, and has evolved into an award winning singer/songwriter with three solo CDs to his credit. [visit Freebo's website]
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