Poor Edward - Alice [291]

As Waits takes a left-turn into a very different story from the 19th century, we're joined by Miranda Horvath and Jo Lewis to take a look at some of the gender politics in the tale of Edward Mordrake, and how nostalgia/fear/obsession are represented in this week's tracks.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Poor Edward, Alice, Tom Waits (2002)

All Of My Mates Are Owls, from Imaginary Advice podcast 39 "I Heart 1984", Ross Sutherland (2017)
Timecode from 10m40s - 19m30s

Chained Together For Life, The Alice Demos, Tom Waits (1992 - unreleased)

There Is Nothing Like A Dame, South Pacific 1988 London Cast Recording, Rogers & Hammerstein (1949/1988)

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Grapefruit Moon - The Early Years vol 2 [250]

Actor/musicians and vocal coaches Sarah Mahony and Dan De Cruz join Martin and Sam for some fruit-based imagery, a little demo/studio comparison, and some proper musical illustration courtesy of a guest with real musical facility. Also, 250 episodes, woo!

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Grapefruit Moon, The Early Years vol 2, Tom Waits (1993)

Pink Moon, Pink Moon, Nick Drake (1972)

Re: The Moon, Imaginary Advice, Ross Sutherland (2018)


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9th & Hennepin - Big Time (film) [167]

Song by Song's roaming poet Ross Sutherland (of the Imaginary Advice podcast) returns to discuss the umbrella-based rooftop iteration of this terrifying dream poem. Looking at some of the logistical and emotional elements of the recording, we also embark on a soup-based metaphor for the film as a whole. It's great guys, another totally coherent bit of musical analysis.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
9th & Hennepin, Big Time (film), Tom Waits (1988)

9th & Hennepin, Rain Dogs, Tom Waits (1985)

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Bride of Rain Dog (instrumental) - Rain Dogs [124]

We lean back into the strange this week, as Waits returns to another instrumental oddity, apparently designed to underscore Ross Sutherland's new career as an egg-disappearing clown. Is this piece designed as a counterpoint to Rain Dogs itself, or an allusion to the Bride of Frankenstein film, or just a bit of odd noise to make the album as strange as possible?

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Bride of Rain Dog, Rain Dogs, Tom Waits (1985)

Downtown Train music video, Rain Dogs, Tom Waits (via YouTube) (1985)

Gevurah, Bar Kokhba, John Zorn (1996)

At 60, 'Challenges Are Opportunities' For John Zorn, Interview with Terry Gross for Fresh Air, NPR (2013)

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Union Square - Rain Dogs [120]

Back with Ross Sutherland, Sam and Martin talk about one of the most New York-centric tracks on this NY-themed album, with conversation on the speed of music as compared to its drive and pace, the presentation of underground culture in mainstream(ish) music, as well as the eccentricities of Lou Reed's dealer's wardrobe.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Union Square, Rain Dogs, Tom Waits (1985)

I'm Waiting For The Man, The Velvet Underground and Nico, The Velvet Underground (1967)

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9th & Hennepin - Rain Dogs [118]

Song by Song welcomes our latest guest host, Ross Sutherland of the Imaginary Advice podcast, to discuss some of the dense language in both this latest track from Rain Dogs as well as the very different Americana stylings of poet David Berman. Discussion ranges from the experience found in the process of creation, the distance that Waits creates in his writing perspectives and the value of a canned mojito on the night train back to Peterborough.

Please note that the text of the Berman poems can be found in the YouTube description linked below.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
9th & Hennepin, Rain Dogs, Tom Waits (1985)

"Governors On Sominex" & "My Life at Home During Banking Hours", Actual Air, David Berman (1999)

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