Filipino Box Spring Hog - Mule Variations [268]

Helen Rosner returns after a week away for one more episode with Song by Song. She brings her culinary expertise to the party, explaining for Martin & Sam (and the audience) some of the gastronomic details Waits is bringing in this Bone-Machine-era rework. We discuss the musical and geographical locators in the song, and contrast this American perspective on the Philippines with a 1990s opposite.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Filipino Box Spring Hog, Mule Variations, Tom Waits (1999)

Not All The World Is America, Smokey Mountain, Smokey Mountain (1990)

Filipino Box Spring Hog, Born To Choose/Bone Machine outtake, Tom Waits (c. 1992)

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Chocolate Jesus - Mule Variations [266]

Is Waits talking about confectionary, Christianity or something else in this track? Helen Rosner returns to discuss her perspectives on all sides of the equation with Sam & Martin, along with communion wafer recipes, Brazilian religious statuary, and exactly how one goes about eating a saviour.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Chocolate Jesus, Mule Variations, Tom Waits (1999)

Christo Redemptor, Stand Back! Here Comes Charley Musselwhite's South Side Band, Charlie Musselwhite (1967)

Cristo Redentor, A New Perspective, Donald Byrd (1963)

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Picture in a Frame - Mule Variations [265]

Food writer and Tom Waits fan Helen Rosner joins Martin and Sam to curate her end-of-life mixtape, as well as interrogate the central message of this tender and minimal love song.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Picture in a Frame, Mule Variations, Tom Waits (1999)

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, First Take, Roberta Flack (1969)

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, New Briton Gazette vol. 2, Peggy Seeger/Ewan MacColl (1962)

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