The breadth and intimacy of Waits's writing is highlighted by our new guest host, director Justin Audibert, who joins Martin and Sam for this quasi-title track from Mule Variations. We discuss the emotional expression of singing through popular music, how Waits paints a portrait of America with specifics and generalities, and yodelling. Lots on yodelling. You didn't ask for this, but you're getting it. Yodelling. You're welcome.
Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Get Behind The Mule, Mule Variations, Tom Waits (1999)
Blue Yodel No. 8 (Mule Skinner Blues), Jimmie Rodgers (1930)
Labor Blues, The Memphis Blues 1927-1931, Tom Dickson (1928)
He's Misstra Know-It All, Innervisions, Stevie Wonder (1973)
Log into the Spotify web player to hear these tracks.