Legacy Podcasts

Wynton Marsalis – Swinging into the 21st part 4

Andy Cahn — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:25:07 +0000

Legacy Podcasts celebrates Wynton Marsalis’ 50th birthday by launching the “Swinging into the 21st” series – looking back on the variety of themes present in the series of 10 albums he recorded for Columbia and Sony Classical 1999-2000.

In stores now from Legacy Recordings – Swinging into the 21st – Saluting Wynton’s 50th birthday by looking back on his groundbreaking 1999 series of 10 albums, available now from the Wynton at 50 store in a variety of unique, collectible configurations – including the “Taste of New Orleans” bundle pictured below.

Wynton Marsalis – Swinging into the 21st part 3

Andy Cahn — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:26:18 +0000

Wynton Marsalis – Swinging into the 21st part 2

Andy Cahn — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:23:19 +0000

Wynton Marsalis – Swinging into the 21st part 1

Andy Cahn — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:31:39 +0000

Dave Brubeck 4

Andy Cahn — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 13:00:41 +0000

Dave Brubeck 3

Andy Cahn — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:00:55 +0000

Dave Brubeck 2

Andy Cahn — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:13:46 +0000

Dave Brubeck was born 90 years ago on this day (Dec 6) in Concord, CA. Happy Birthday! The Legacy of a Legend podcast continues with a look at his early days on the road with both his quartet and young kids. Despite their growing popularity with “Take Five” from the Time Out album, and roles as American Jazz Ambassadors, the multi-racial band still had to deal with Jim Crow laws that forced them to stay in separate hotels in many US cities.

Dave Brubeck 1

Andy Cahn — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:13:34 +0000

Legacy Podcasts celebrates Dave Brubeck’s 90th birthday with the four-part Legacy of a Legend podcast series. Brubeck and his longtime collaborators look back on his influential life and career. Episode 1 includes stories about his childhood in Irvine, CA and excerpt of “Ode to a Cowboy” and other classic pieces.

Jazz: The 59 Sound 4

Andy Cahn — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:29 +0000

Jazz: The 59 Sound 3

Andy Cahn — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:00:27 +0000

Today’s podcast looks at Miles Davis’ background and what led to his own musical changes in 1959. Davis actually recorded two groundbreaking records that year – “Kind of Blue” and “Sketches of Spain.” Journalist Ben Ratliff adds how these records helped to change how people listened to Jazz, and Carlos Santana remembers what Bill Graham told him about “Sketches of Spain.”

In stores now:

Producer: Joyride Media

Jazz: The 59 Sound 2

Andy Cahn — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00:32 +0000

In 1959, Jazz musicians and fans were both ready for changes beyond the bebop sound that had been popular since the mid 1940s. Unfortunately, there was some resistance at the record companies responsible for bringing the new music to the marketplace. Eventually, the labels were happy their artists like Dave Brubeck persisted, once “Take Five” became the biggest selling jazz single of all time.

Ben Ratliff, Dave Brubeck and Brubeck’s manager Russell Gloyd recall what was different about Time Out.

In stores now – Dave Brubeck Quartet: Time Out (2CD+DVD 50th Anniversary Edition)

Producer: Joyride Media

Jazz: The 59 Sound 1

Andy Cahn — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:30:20 +0000

Welcome to the first episode of JAZZ: THE ’59 SOUND – a four-part look into how 1959 became jazz’s greatest year. Dave Brubeck – Time Out, Charles Mingus – Mingus Ah-Um and Miles Davis & Gil Evans – Sketches of Spain are three 1959 jazz albums featured as examples of new directions musicians began taking that year.

Throughout this series, you’ll hear clips of songs from those albums, as well as interviews with Dave and Darius Brubeck, Sue Mingus, journalist Ben Ratliff and others.

Producer: Joyride Media

Free mp3 downloads by Miles Davis & Gil Evans, Charles Mingus and Dave Brubeck from Amazon.com

Fats Waller 4

Legacy Recordings — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:29:46 +0000

Producer: Joyride Media

Reccomended: Fats Waller: If You Gotta Ask

Miles Kind of Blue 4

Legacy Recordings — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:51:52 +0000

Producer: Joyride Media

Fats Waller 3

Legacy Recordings — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 06:28:12 +0000

Fats Waller’s famous compositions of the 1930s and 40s have attained an immortal, standard-level of recognition and have stood the test of time. But what is lesser known is that Fats Waller was also an entertainer par excellence, bringing the music he performed to life with jokes and asides to the audience. As historian Dick Hyman explains, “he was engaging in signifying – critiquing something while you are actually performing. Satirizing what he is singing in very sophisticated ways.” Playwrite and critic Murray Horowitz calls Waller “one of the greatest jazz musicians of the first 50 years of the music, but also one of the great comedians of the golden age of American comedy”!

Music included: “Ain’t Misbehavin’” “Bessie Bessie” “Christopher Columbus” “A Change in Me” “It’s a Sin to Lie” and “Your Feets Too Big”

Producer: Joyride Media

Reccomended: Fats Waller: If You Gotta Ask

Miles Kind of Blue 3

Legacy Recordings — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:51:15 +0000

In this podcast, musicians Herbie Hancock, David Amram and Jimmy Cobb address the music theory behind Kind of Blue, and how the feeling of the musicians was equally as important as the compositions themselves in its creation. Considered “Modal Jazz” as it is written from a few basic notes that form the structure of the song, it is as Herbie Hancock says “a new use of an old technique.” David Amram expounds: “Miles knew that music from India, the middle east and native music around the world would have a basic scale, and the sophistication would be in HOW you did it.” Herbie Hancock concurs with Amram on his interpretation of this historic album: “Musicians could easily learn the songs, of course the challenge was playing them.”

Songs included: “All Blues” “Blue in Green” and “Freddie Freeloader”

Producer: Joyride Media

Fats Waller 2

Legacy Recordings — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 06:26:18 +0000

Strangely enough, two things happened to Fats after he died: he essentially disappeared from our culture’s memory for over 30 years, and when he was talked about, it centered around his clowning and humor, which was sorely misunderstood. Despite his untimely death, Fats Waller spent nearly every day of his short life making the music he loved. In that time, he created a rich, prolific legacy that today is justly revered.

Producer: Joyride Media

Reccomended: Fats Waller: If You Gotta Ask

Miles Kind of Blue 2

Legacy Recordings — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:30:27 +0000

Our second Miles Davis segment begins with legendary saxophonist Jackie McLean and Kind of Blue drummer Jimmy Cobb talking about the sound Miles was after with his 1959 sextet at the first Kind of Blue recording session on March 2, 1959. Herbie Hancock also adds his thoughts on Miles’ priority for the session to capture the moment – not to do multiple takes of the same piece to create something mistake-free.

Music heard in all the Miles Davis episodes comes from the new 50th Anniversary Legacy Edition of Kind of Blue – winner of “Best Album Notes” at this past weekend’s Grammy© Awards! So please join us in congratulating the author, Francis Davis, for his achievement.

Producer: Joyride Media

Fats Waller 1

Legacy Recordings — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:19:32 +0000

Thursdays are Fats Waller day here at the Legacy Podcasts, in honor of Black History Month.

Fats Waller is one of America’s great composers and performers of the 20th century. His songs, stride piano style and on-stage and on-screen antics were legendary and made him one of the first African-American superstars.

Count Basie sat at his feet to learn, Art Tatum considered Fats the best, and Waller’s stride style influenced Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck and many others.

Producer: Joyride Media

Reccomended: Fats Waller: If You Gotta Ask

Miles Kind of Blue 1

Legacy Recordings — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:50:25 +0000

Our Black History Month feature continues with another great African-American musician – Miles Davis, to honor the 50th anniversary of his landmark album “Kind of Blue.” Collaborators, friends, critics and historians look back on how this record was created and its impact on music and pop culture over the last 50 years.

Santana: Multi-Dimensional Warrior 3

Andy Cahn — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:12:21 +0000

Recommended: Santana: Multi-Dimensional Warrior

Producer: Joyride Media

Santana: Multi-Dimensional Warrior 2

Andy Cahn — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:09:47 +0000

In this second episode, guitarists Derek Trucks and John McLaughlin continue the discussion about how Santana’s music relates to his deep, inner spirituality. Carlos Santana also adds some rare insights on this matter. Featured songs include “Spirit,” “Live is Worth Living,” “Samba Pa Ti” and more.

Recommended: Santana: Multi-Dimensional Warrior

Producer: Joyride Media

Add the Santana widget to your own website or blog – includes this podcast series, videos, photos and the latest news on Santana releases, events and tour dates.

Santana: Multi-Dimensional Warrior 1

Andy Cahn — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:45:03 +0000

Welcome to part 1 of the Santana Multi-Dimensional Warrior podcast series!

Carlos Santana is one of the all-time great rock guitar heroes, and the driving force behind 40 years of classic anthems. He’s also recorded dozens upon dozens of albums that feature a wide range of music beyond his classic hits like “Black Magic Woman” and “Smooth.”

Throughout this podcast series, Carlos takes you deep into his catalog to play bits of tracks he personally selected for the new 2-CD compilation, Multi-Dimensional Warrior. He explains what this title means, how it connects him to his heroes (including Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley), and how “Luz Amor Y Vida,” “I Believe it’s Time” and other tracks reflect his deep spirituality.

You’ll also hear from two generations of guitar greats who have collaborated with Carlos Santana – Derek Trucks and John McLaughlin.

Recommended: Santana: Multi-Dimensional Warrior

Producer: Joyride Media

To Be Free – The Nina Simone Story 3

Andy Cahn — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:47:20 +0000

Part 3 of the Nina Simone podcast series takes an in-depth look at how Nina’s career was affected by the civil rights struggle of the 50s and 60s. The injustices of racism inspired the songs she wrote and performed, but her public stances on these issues did not endear her to the establishment. Nina’s friend, poet Camille Yarbrough, will always remember three phone calls from the FBI (including one at 3am), asking what she knew about Nina’s “business.” Her response is priceless.

This episode also includes pieces of some of Nina’s best-known original songs – “Backlash Blues,” “Mississippi God Damn,” and “Revolution” (credited as a Nina Simone composition, though clearly borrowing from The Beatles). These and other songs can be heard with the Rhapsody Playlist link below.

Recommended: To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story

Producer: Joyride Media

Nina Simone Rhapsody Playlist

To Be Free – The Nina Simone Story 2

Andy Cahn — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:45:38 +0000

The Nina Simone podcast series continues with a great story from Nina Simone’s close friend, Vertamae Grosvenor, involving a “to go” plate of home cooking Nina wanted for a flight nearly 20 years ago. This is an excellent example of content about a legendary artist that you can only hear in these Legacy Podcast episodes. After listening to this piece, please browse around the site to hear similar pieces about Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and so many other great musicians.

This segment kicks off with a bit of Nina singing “See Line Woman.” Even if you are new to Nina’s music, you may know this song thanks to recent covers by Feist and Ollabelle, and the Masters at Work Remix on the Verve Remixed collection. You can also click below to compare all these tracks in Rhapsody.

You’ll also hear comments by Patti Smith, as she remembers being inspired by a Nina Simone concert she saw at New York’s long-gone venue, The Village Gate.

Recommended: To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story

Producer: Joyride Media

See Line Woman Rhapsody Playlist

To Be Free – The Nina Simone Story 1

Andy Cahn — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:42:13 +0000

Welcome to the three-part podcast series, To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story.

Nina Simone was as powerful and complex a person as the music she played. In this first episode, Nina’s daughter, known simply as Simone, and journalist David Nathan try their best to define what Nina meant by the concept of “black classical music.” A great example of this mixture of muscical ideas is found in the performance of “Love Me or Leave Me” from the Ed Sullivan Show in 1960.

This piece also features some great comments by folk singer, Odetta, and Nina’s musical director Al Schackman. It also includes music from the new deluxe box set, also titled To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story.

Recommended: To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story

Producer: Joyride Media

The Tony Bennett Podcast, part 3

Podmaster — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:25:24 +0000

Tony Bennett and Dick Golden conclude their discussions of the American Songbook with “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Anything Goes,” and “She’s Funny That Way.” Although these songs were written more than fifty years ago, they are never dated, are well known all over the world. As Bennett says, “they are our greatest ambassadors.”

The Tony Bennett Podcast, part 2

Legacy Recordings — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:06:05 +0000

With Host Dick Golden, Tony Bennett tells stories behind his most memorable recordings of the American Songbook classics, and the impact they have had our lives. In the second part of this podcast series, Bennett looks back on “The Very Thought Of You,” “A Foggy Day,” and “You Go to My Head” and the versions compiled for his 2007 release, “Tony Bennett Sings the Ultimate American Songbook.”

The Tony Bennett Podcast, part 1

Podmaster — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:03:27 +0000

Tony Bennett and Dick Golden discuss the great music of the American Songbook, the legendary composers who wrote them, and Bennett’s long career of performing these standards. This first episode features Bennett’s thoughts on “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” “Moonglow,” “That Old Black Magic” and “It Had to Be You.” You will also hear excerpts of Tony Bennett’s recordings of these classics as featured on his CD, “Tony Bennett Sings the Ultimate American Songbook.”