America, the broken? Richard Misrach photographs the country's splendor and scars

Richard Misrach is one of the most influential photographers of his generation, known for his haunting, large-scale images of the American West. His work captures both the region’s breathtaking beauty and the profound ways humans have altered the landscape. His photographs are housed in the collections of MoMA, the Whitney, and the Getty—but for Misrach, they serve a deeper purpose: creating a historical record. Here are his songs.

1. Angel from Montgomery - Bonnie Raitt 
2. Misirlou - Dick Dale & The Del Tones
3. Effendi - McCoy Tyner Trio
4. The Times They Are a-Changin’ - Bob Dylan 
5. Music for 18 Musicians -  Steve Reich  
6. La Vie en Rose - Grace Jones
7. The Garden - Jacob Bloomfield-Misrach

Listen to Richard Misrach’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com.

See some of the art mentioned in this episode here: https://sfstandard.com/2025/03/18/richard-misrach-photographer-life-in-seven-songs/

Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.