Add to Playlist Emma Rawicz and Julian Joseph, with special guest Rhiannon Giddens
Sep 13, 2024
Jazz pianist and bandleader Julian Joseph discusses the interplay of musical harmony and groove, linking Elton John's work to modern Southern jazz. Rhiannon Giddens, a Grammy-winning musician and banjo specialist, explores the banjo's roots, tracing its journey from West Africa to America. She demonstrates early gourd-bodied banjos and clarifies the connection between the akonting and modern banjo. The conversation delves into the suppression of Black musical histories and the significance of preserving these stories.
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Personal Composition For Grief
- Julian Joseph played his composition "Loyalty and Insight" which commemorates his mother's passing.
- He described the music as deeply emotional and said it moved Anna Phoebe to tears.
Studio Applause Creates a Live Illusion
- Producer Gus Dudgeon added canned applause to make "Bennie and the Jets" feel like a live show.
- The applause was sourced from Elton John's 1972 Royal Festival Hall and Jimi Hendrix's 1970 Isle of Wight concerts.
Harmonic Twist Drives The Hook
- Elton John's use of major7#11-style chords gives "Bennie and the Jets" a distinctive, evocative harmonic colour.
- Julian Joseph explains those chords take listeners on a harmonic journey and help create the song's hook.