450. Dylan Sevey on Weird Al Yankovic 'Running With Scissors' (1999)
My guest today is Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Dylan Sevey, best known for his work with The Minks, Ron Gallo, Aaron Lee Tasjan, and the incredible Weird Al Yankovic tribute band Weird Pals. Dylan joins me to discuss Weird Al's 1999 masterpiece 'Running With Scissors'. We chat about the entirely unique place Weird Al has carved for himself within the music industry, how he laid the cultural ground work for future musical comedy acts, the depth of respect and research he puts into each genre he parodies, the origin story of Weird Pals, how at its core Yankovic's catalogue is a celebration of all genres of music, the extraordinary art of the Weird Al polka, and how both a Weird Al concert and a Weird Pals show provides a level of musical breadth and diversity you're unlikely to experience elsewhere. For those attending Weird Al Yankovic's show at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville on Sept 20, Weird Pals will be playing an after party gig across the road at Acme Feed & Seed after the show. We'll see you there!
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449. Paul Thorn on Marshall Crenshaw 'Marshall Crenshaw' (1982)
This week, I'm joined by the poet laureate of Tupelo, Mississippi, mister Paul Thorn. Growing up as a preacher's son, Paul wasn't allowed to listen to secular music, so when he managed to sneak a copy of Marshall Crenshaw's perfect debut album, it became a constant and sole companion for years. Paul takes us with him on his journey with the album as he grew into a young man, and why the album still resonates with him today.
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448. Ryan Davis on Mayo Thompson 'Corky's Debt To His Father' (1970)
Today I'm joined by singer-songwriter Ryan Davis to talk about an album that defines the phrase cult classic - Red Krayola frontman Mayo Thompson's only solo album 'Corky's Debt To His Father'. We talk about how the album came and went on release, only to be rediscovered by later generations following reissues in the 90s and 00s, the combination of Thompson's idiosyncratic vocals and lyrics with the slick session backing band, the influence on Ryan's own lyrics and music and how Ryan managed to get Mayo Thompson to perform the album in full for the first time ever at his 'Cropped Out' music festival.
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447. Shelby Means on Alison Krauss & Union Station 'So Long So Wrong' (1997)
Today I’m joined by bluegrass singer, songwriter and superstar bassist Shelby Means, who this year finally released her debut self-titled solo album, to talk about the classic trailblazing bluegrass album by Alison Krauss & Union Station, ‘So Long So Wrong’. Shelby talks about how Krauss supplanted Emmylou Harris as her dad’s favorite singer, not understanding song lyrics as a kid, discovering the Beatles through bluegrass, the changing lineups of Union Station, the innovative production of the record, the tension between perfectionism and feel, Shelby's experiences recording with members of Union Station and more.
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446. Ian Stewart (Asleep At The Wheel) on Fiddlers 4 'Fiddlers 4' (2002)
Today I'm joined by Asleep At The Wheel's Ian Stewart to shine a spotlight on the cult classic fiddle super-group album 'Fiddlers 4' - Cajun legend Michael Doucet, old-time master Bruce Molsky, progressive bluegrasser Darol Anger, and cellist Rushad Eggleston. Ian talks about falling in love with the album as a kid attending fiddle camps, how the album fuses different styles and genre approaches from each member, polyrythms, cross tuning, the fiddle as a star instrument instead of accompanying, the one and done nature of the group, the sometimes prescriptive nature of roots genres, meeting all four Fiddlers 4 and playing one of the songs from the album with Michael Doucet.
Musicians, writers, actors and more talk about the music they love and how it's influenced and inspired them. Guests include Phoebe Bridgers, Jason Isbell, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Bob Odenkirk, Benmont Tench, Neil Finn and more.
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