Strong Songs

Peter Martin, a jazz pianist and educator, discusses his rich musical lineage and the formative Suzuki method that shaped his approach to jazz. He shares tales of early encounters with legends like Wynton Marsalis and Betty Carter, revealing how mentorship and networking can spark a musician's growth. Martin reflects on the evolution of jazz education through his online platform, Open Studio, emphasizing inclusivity and community. The conversation dives into the changing landscape for young jazz musicians and the importance of personal connections in the music world.

Jad Abumrad, a Peabody Award-winning podcaster known for his work on Radiolab, discusses his ambitious 12-part series on Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. He dives into the historical context and musical innovations that shaped Fela's legacy. Jad shares his journey from music composition to audio storytelling and reflects on how Fela's experiences in America influenced his sound. They explore the transformative atmosphere of Fela's Shrine in Lagos and how his music served as a political weapon, enchanting audiences while addressing pressing social issues.

Kirk Hamilton, a musician and host of Strong Songs, joins the discussion on Koji Kondo's monumental work in Super Mario. They delve into how Kondo transformed hardware limitations into a treasure trove of catchy tunes. The creation of iconic sound effects like the jump and power-up jingles is explored, highlighting their rhythmic and emotional depth. Kirk also explains the intricacies of the beloved Overworld Theme and how foundational jazz influences shaped the sonic landscape of Mario, solidifying its place in gaming history.

Leigh Sales, an Australian TV presenter and musician, joins for a lively discussion on TV theme music. They dive into the emotional resonance of iconic themes like 'The Office' and 'Parks and Recreation'. Leigh shares her journey of picking up the cello later in life and reflects on her voice roles in 'Bluey'. The duo analyzes how themes create narrative context and captivate audiences, exploring everything from 'M*A*S*H' to 'Succession'. They end with Leigh's top music picks, proving that great themes stick with us long after the credits roll.

The podcast dives into the iconic music of HBO shows, celebrating unforgettable themes like 'Game of Thrones' and 'Watchmen.' Listeners are treated to a deep analysis of Ramin Djawadi's five-note motif and how it shaped genre television. Kirk highlights how Trent Reznor's atmospheric score for 'Watchmen' breaks traditional molds, while the intricate melodies of 'Succession' capture the essence of legacy. The discussion also covers the poignant music of 'The Leftovers,' revealing how these scores enhance storytelling and evoke powerful emotions.

With so many dozens of albums over so many wildly disparate eras, it can take a lifetime to truly get your arms around Bob Dylan. On this episode, Kirk is joined by two guests who have spent their lifetimes doing exactly that. Matt Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell, in addition to co-hosting the terrific political history podcast Know Your Enemy, are both lifelong Dylan fans. This spring, they came on the show to give listeners a tour of Dylan's many eras, and to give newcomers a place, or places, they might start getting to know him better.DYLAN SONGS DISCUSSED, IN RELEASE CHRONOLOGY“Blowin in the Wind”  and “Corrina, Corrina” from Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, 1963 (and as sung by Peter, Paul and Mary)“Like A Rolling Stone,” “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues,” “From a Buick 6” from Highway 61 Revisisted, 1965“Subterranean Homesick Blues,” “Mr. Tambourine Man,” and “Outlaw Blues” from Bringing it All Back Home, 1965“Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” and “Pledging My Time” from Blonde on Blonde, 1966“All Along the Watchtower” and “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” from John Wesley Harding, 1967“Lay, Lady, Lay” and “Girl from the North Country” (with Johnny Cash) from Nashville Skyline, 1969“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” from Pat Garret & Billy The Kid Original Soundtrack, 1973“Forever Young” from Planet Waves, 1974“Tangled Up in Blue” from Blood On The Tracks, 1975“Hurricane” and “Romance in Durango” from Desire, 1976“Changing of the Guards” from Street-Legal, 1978“Serve Somebody,” and “Do Right to Me Baby (Do Unto Others)” from Slow Train Coming, 1979“Saved” from Saved, 1980“The Groom’s Still Waiting At the Alter” and “Lenny Bruce” from Shot of Love, 1981“Pressing On” and "Solid Rock" live in Toronto, 1980“Neighborhood Bully,” “Jokerman,” “Sweetheart Like You” from Infidels, 1983“Dark Eyes” from _Empire Burlesqu_e, 1985“Brownsville Girl” from Knocked Out and Loaded, 1986“Sylvio” from Down In The Groove, 1988“Everything Is Broken” and “Most of the Time” from Oh Mercy, 1989“Hard Times” from Good As I Been to You, 1992“Train of Love,” Johnny Cash tribute, 1999“Pay In Blood” from Tempest, 2012“I’m A Fool To Want You“ by Frank Sinatra, Jack Wolf, and Joel Herron from Shadows in the Night, 2015, and as recorded by Frank Sinatra“Polka Dots and Moonbeams” by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke, from Fallen Angels, 2016“How Deep is the Ocean” by Irving Berlin from Triplicate, 2017“I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You” from Rough and Rowdy Ways, 2020ALSO DISCUSSED/REFERENCED:The Know Your Enemy episode about Dylan's The Philosophy of Modern Song"Moonlight Mind" by Will Epstein and High Water from Crush, 2016"Lonely Woman" by Ornette Coleman from The Shape of Jazz to Come, 1959"Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" as recorded by Tom Petty and the HeartbreakersSam’s review of A Complete Unknown in The NationBob Dylan: Expecting Rain websiteEpisode one, "Weather”, from Dylan’s radio show Theme Time Radio Hour, featuring Muddy Waters on "Blow Wind, Blow”Audio from D.A. Pennebaker’s 1967 documentary Bob Dylan: Don’t Look BackAudio from Scorses’s 2005 documentary No Direction Home: Bob DylanGUEST MUSIC PICKS:Sam: Lucinda Wiliams, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, 1998Matt: Willie Nelson, Across the Borderline, 1993--------------------SEPTEMBER 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSAccessViolation – Andy – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Cesar – Christopher McConnell – Christopher Miller – Corpus Frisky – Damon White – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Dave Florey – David Mascetti – Elizabeth Culver – Jamie White – Jay Swartz – Jenness Gardner – Jeremy Dawson – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Lisa Crotty – Melanie Andrich – Melissa Lucas – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Paul Delaney – Rick Keeler – Robyn Metcalfe – Rush – Sami Samhuri – Thomas McIlheran SEPTEMBER 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONSAaron Cain – Aaron Wade – Aaron Wilson – Abbie Berg – Abraham Benrubi – Achint Srivastava – Adam Clark – Adam Stofsky – Adam W – Ailie Fraser – AJ Schuster – Alan Maass – Alex Miller – Alexander – Alexander Polson – Alison Dugan – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Andrew Fair – Andrew Hofer – Angela Livingstone – Anthony Mentz – Arjun Sharma – Aruni Jayatilleke – Ashley – Bea – Ben Stein – Bernard Khoo – Betsy Barre – Bill Thornton – Bonnie Prinsen – Brad Callahan – Brendan McLeod – Brett Douville – Brian Amoebas – Brian Rinckenberger – Brian John Peter – Bruno Gaeta – Carlos Lerner – Caro Field – Catherine Clause – Cbalmain – Charles McGee – Cheryl Wilke – Chris K. – Chris Remo – Christian Hessmann – Christopher Selby Spink – Clare Holberton – Claudia Carty – Clint McElroy – Colin Hodo – Dallas Hockley – Dan Cutter – Dan Elias – Dani – Daniel Kaberon – Daniel Markoff – Daniel Nervo – Dave Douglass – Dave Kolas – Dave Malloy – Dave Sharpe – David – David – David – David Futter – David Joske – David Noah – David Stroud – Deebs – Dent Earl – Dermot Crowley – Dhu Wik – Diane Hughes – Diane Turner – Dick Morgan – Donald Mackie – Doreen Carlson – Doug Belew – Douglas H. Frazer – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – E. Margaret Warton – Edward Steen – Eoin de Burca – Eric Helm – Eric Prestemon – Eric Sp – Erik – Ethan Bauman – Ethan Laser – Freddy Freeman – Gary Pierce – Gavin Doig – Geraldine Butler – Glenn Jackson – Grettir Asmundarson – Henry Mindlin – Hidden Jester – Ian Karmel – Ian Pidd – Ian Steding – Inmar Givoni – Irritable – James – James Johnson – James McMurry – Jamie – Janice Berry – Jason Gerry – Jason Pratt – Jeff – Jeff Ulm – Jeffrey Bean – Jeffrey Olson – Jennifer Bush – Jez – Joe Gallo – John Bauman – John Berry – John Halpin – Jonathan Daniels – Jordan Gatenby – Joseph Romero – Josh Singer – Joshua Hill – JRRJ – Julie Kellman – Justin McElroy – Kaya Woodall – Kayla Russell – Kellen Steffen – Kelli Brockington – KenIsWearingAHat – Kenneth Jung – Kevin Marcelo – Kevin Potter – Kevin Stafford – Kym Griffith – Lauren Knotts – Lauren Reay – Lawrence – Lee R. – LG – Linda Duffy – Lisa Turner – Lottie Aron – Lowell Meyer – Luigi Boccia – M. Shane Borders – Margaret McReynolds – Martín Salías – Mathias Schmidt – Matt Baxter – Matt Betzel – Matthew Jones – Max – Melanie Stivers – Melissa Kuhns – Melmaniac – Merv Adrian – Meryl Allison – Michael – Michael Berman – Michael Casner – Michael Singer – Michael Wisnosky – Mino Capossela – Misty Haisfield – Monica St. Angelo – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Naomi Watson – Nathan Gouwens – Nell Morse – Ol Parker – Pascal Rueger – Paul Wayper – Peter Harding – PhantomMare – Philip Kelly – Portland Eye Care – Princess of Whales – Rachel – Rand LeShay – Randal Vegter – Randy Souza – Richard Sneddon – Richard Toller – Rishi Sahay – Rob Tsuk – Robert Granat – Robert Heuer – RsP – Ryan Rairigh – Sarah Vetters – Sean Murphy – Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble – Simon Hellman – Stephen – Stephen Tsoneff – Stephen Wolkwitz – Steve B – Steve Martino – Steve Paquin – Stu Baker – Suzanne Crawford – Sy Jacobs – Tanner Morton – TB – Thomas – Tim Sheehan – Tom Coleman – Tucker Ped – Wendy Gilchrist – Whit Sidener – Wiggy Hash – Zach Putnam – Zak Remer ----LINKS-----💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!Patreon | One-Time Donation🏠 HOMEPAGE👚 MERCH💬 DISCORD SERVER📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC📷 KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram | Bluesky🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music🎨 SHOW ART:Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

Join The Wailin' Jennys—Heather Masse, Nicky Mehta, and Ruth Moody—as they discuss their two-decade musical journey. They share insights on the evolution of songwriting, embracing imperfections in their creative process, and the emotional connections music fosters. The trio also reflects on the powerful influence of the Indigo Girls, explores the artistry behind their own songs like 'Love's Recovery,' and delves into the dynamics of live performances, revealing what keeps their harmony strong and their passion alive.

Kirk Hamilton, host of the Strong Songs podcast and a skilled horn player, joins pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin to dissect the funk legend Tower of Power. They explore what makes the band a staple of the genre, celebrating intricate drumming, powerful horn arrangements, and standout tracks like 'What Is Hip?'. The conversation delves into the rich history of Bay Area funk, the art of musical fills, and the unique dynamics of collaboration within the band, all while sharing humorous production stories. Get ready for some serious funk appreciation!

John Shorb, a talented saxophonist from The Apocalypse, shares his heartfelt journey through the vibrant 1960s Baltimore music scene. He dives into the nostalgic sound of the band and the powerful influence of his father's passion for music. Shorb reflects on memorable recordings and the emotional connection that music fosters between generations. Highlighting key figures like Greg Novik, he captures the blend of love, loss, and legacy that makes music a timeless vessel for cherished memories.

Bill Withers, the legendary singer-songwriter behind classics like 'Lean on Me' and 'Ain't No Sunshine,' discusses the emotional depth and relatability of his music. He shares how his humble beginnings shaped his songwriting journey, emphasizing themes of friendship and vulnerability. The conversation explores the simple yet profound nature of 'Lean on Me' and its resonance with listeners. Additionally, Withers reflects on the complexities of love and the personal struggles that inform his heartfelt lyrics, celebrating the universal messages found in his work.