Episodios

  • Kirk returns to Kind of Blue, taking a closer look at two more tunes off of the 1959 jazz classic. First, he digs into the modified 12-bar blues "Freddie Freeloader," with a focus on Wynton Kelly's much-emulated opening piano solo. He then compares and contrasts how John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley approached the closing track, "Flamenco Sketches" on tenor and alto sax, respectively.

    Music by: Miles Davis and Bill Evans

    The Musicians:

    Miles Davis, Trumpet
    Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Alto Sax
    John Coltrane, Tenor Sax
    Wynton Kelly & Bill Evans, Piano
    Paul Chambers, Bass
    Jimmy Cobb, Drums

    Produced by Irving Townsend; Engineered by Fred Plaud

    Album: Kind of Blue, 1959

    Listen/Buy via Album.Link

    ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

    The 2021 episode of Strong Songs about the album's opening track, "So What" Adam Maness and Peter Martin’s excellent music podcast β€œYou’ll Hear It” Kirk’s 2025 β€œYou’ll Hear It” guest appearance discussing Tower of Power’s 1973 self-titled album Kind of Blue: The Making of the Miles Davis Masterpiece by Ashley Kahn, 2000 β€œCold Sweat” by James Brown, 1967 β€œEverybody Wants to Rule The World” by Tears For Fears from Songs From The Big Chair, 1985 β€œSome Other Time” by Leonard Bernstein by Bill Evans and Tony Bennett from The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album, 1975 β€œA Love Supreme, Pt. 2: Resolution” - by John Coltrane from A Love Supreme, 1965

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    MAY 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS
    Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Butch Vig - Greg - Matt R

    MAY 2026 HALF NOTE PATRONS
    Colin Hodo - Paul De Surra - James Johnson - Arjun Sharma - Justin McElroy - Alexander Polson - Richard Toller - Melanie Stivers - Matt Betzel - Jeffrey Olson - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Bill Thornton - Andrew Fair - Andrew Baker - Amanda Furlotti - Brad Callahan - Jennifer Bush - AJ Schuster - Tanner Morton - Gavin Doig - Chris K - Alexander - David - Naomi - Dave Sharpe - Caro Field - Jonathan Daniels - Eric Helm - Melmaniac - Dhu Wik - Tom Coleman - Diane Turner - Clare Holberton - Randy Souza - Pascal Rueger - Joshua Hill - Stephen Tsoneff - Michael Casner - Diane Hughes - Angela Livingstone - cbalmain - Eric Prestemon - Lauren Reay - Nathan Gouwens - Nell Morse - Karma Jay - Dallas Hockley - M Shane Borders - Kevin Potter - Eoin de Burca - Bonnie Prinsen - Linda Duffy - Ryan Rairigh - Achint Srivastava - Doug Belew - Abbie Berg - Jason Pratt - Geraldine Butler - Bernard Khoo - David Joske - Donald Mackie - Steve Paquin - Mino Capossela - Kelli Brockington - Adam W - Josh Singer - Rob Tsuk - Ailie Fraser - JRRJ - Jeffrey Bean - Rishi Sahay - Zak Remer - Adam Stofsky - Kenneth Jung - Bruno Gaeta - Paul Wayper - Lisa Turner - Wendy Gilchrist - Doreen Carlson - Janice Berry - Christian Hessmann - Richard Sneddon - Portland Eye Care - Deebs - Michael Shain - Jamie - David Futter - Jeff Ulm - Aaron Wade - Greg Henion - KenIsWearingAHat - Ethan Bauman - Catherine Clause - Charles McGee - Tim Sheehan - E Margaret Warton - Matt Baxter - Dr Arthur A Gray - Steve Martino - Stu Baker - MartΓ­n SalΓ­as - Peter Harding - John Halpin - Douglas H Frazer - Heather J - Alan Maass - Dave Malloy - Robert Granat - Kaya Woodall - Kellen Steffen - Sean Murphy - Jim Sellers - Ben Stein - Bla Blupp - Dick Morgan - Lee R. - Misty Haisfield - Carlos Lerner - Dent Earl - Aaron Wilson - Chris Remo - Brian Johan Peter - Ethan Laser - James McMurry - Anthony Mentz - Thomas - Matthew Jones - Eric Sp - Max - Rand LeShay - Stephen Wolkwitz - Paul Bigelman - Monica St. Angelo - Henry Mindlin - Dave Kolas - Lauren Knotts - Joe Gallo - Merv Adrian - Michael Singer - Inmar Givoni - Mordok’s Vape Pen - Clint McElroy - Ol Parker - Dan Cutter - Jeff - Michael - James - Kevin Marcelo - Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble - Ashley - Melissa Kuhns - Jordan Gatenby - Andrew Hofer - Ian Pidd - Irritable - Meryl Allison - Sy Jacobs - Lawrence - Praline - Kevin Stafford - Daniel Nervo - Philip Kelly - Bea - Julie Kellman - Daniel Kaberon - TB - Aruni Jayatilleke - Rachel - Kym Griffith - PhantomMare - Alison Dugan - Margaret McReynolds - HiddenJester - Brian Rinckenberger - RsP - Lottie Aron - Alex Miller - Steve B - Ian Karmel - Zach Putnam - Stephen - Adam Clark - Freddy Freeman - Erik - Mathias Schmidt - Cheryl Wilke - Tucker Ped - Sarah Vetters - Aaron Cain - Daniel Markoff - Alexis - Alex - Eric Stone - Alan Kress - R J Helow - Max Barnes - Michael Martin - John Domina - James - Andrew Knutson - Doug - Sam Grogan - EwokEater42 - MT - Linda Lange - James Hicks - Michael Adamski - Mark MacIntosh - Jeff Stormer - Michael Sumner - Edward Reisert - Klodrik - Aron - Kevin Davis - Matt - Louise Clarke - Richard Randall - AlanB - Will King - PJ and Ethan - TheShirtRipper - Rebecca Kline - Ned Rosen - Simon Hellman - Jim M - Ben Buddy Slack - NΓ©a

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

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    🎨 SHOW ART:
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  • Kirk surfs an avalanche straight into Thrash Valley, where he delves into the depths of Megadeth's 1990 opus "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due." It's an unstoppable rockslide of layered riffs, tempo shifts, power chords, and... power thirds?

    Written by: Dave Mustaine

    Album: Rust in Peace, 1990

    Listen/Buy via Album.Link

    ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

    "Tornado of Souls" by Mustaine/Ellefson from Rust in Peace, 1990 β€œThe Four Horsemen” by Metallica (Hetfield, Ulrich, and Mustaine) from Kill β€˜Em All, 1983 β€œPeace Sells” by Megadeth from Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?, 1983 β€œWelcome To The Jungle” by Guns n’ Roses from Appetite For Destruction, 1987 β€œSpeed Metal Symphony” by Cacophony from Speed Metal Symphony, 1987 Mr. Tabs' "Holy Wars" transcription (YouTube) Megadeth Live in 1992 at Hammersmith Odeon β€œChannel 1 Suite” by The Buddy Rich Big Band feat. Don Menza, 1968 "What It Sounds Like" from KPop Demon Hunters, 2025 Angry Crowd Sound by Michael Ghelfi Studios Megadeth plays β€œHoly Wars” live on Sirius XM in 2022

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    APRIL 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS
    Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Greer Bevel - Butch Vig - PJ and Ethan - Greg

    APRIL 2026 HALF NOTE PATRONS
    Colin Hodo - Paul De Surra - James Johnson - Arjun Sharma - Justin McElroy - Alexander Polson - Richard Toller - Melanie Stivers - Matt Betzel - Jeffrey Olson - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Bill Thornton - Andrew Fair - Andrew Baker - Amanda Furlotti - Brad Callahan - Jennifer Bush - AJ Schuster - Tanner Morton - Gavin Doig - Chris K - Alexander - David - Naomi - Dave Sharpe - Caro Field - Jonathan Daniels - Eric Helm - Melmaniac - Dhu Wik - Tom Coleman - Diane Turner - Clare Holberton - Randy Souza - Pascal Rueger - Joshua Hill - Stephen Tsoneff - Michael Casner - Diane Hughes - Angela Livingstone - cbalmain - Eric Prestemon - Lauren Reay - Nathan Gouwens - Nell Morse - Karma Jay - Dallas Hockley - M Shane Borders - Kevin Potter - Eoin de Burca - Bonnie Prinsen - Linda Duffy - Ryan Rairigh - Achint Srivastava - Doug Belew - Abbie Berg - Jason Pratt - Geraldine Butler - Bernard Khoo - David Joske - Donald Mackie - Steve Paquin - Mino Capossela - Kelli Brockington - Adam W - Josh Singer - Rob Tsuk - Ailie Fraser - JRRJ - Jeffrey Bean - Rishi Sahay - Zak Remer - Adam Stofsky - Kenneth Jung - Bruno Gaeta - Paul Wayper - Lisa Turner - Wendy Gilchrist - Doreen Carlson - Janice Berry - Christian Hessmann - Richard Sneddon - Portland Eye Care - Deebs - Michael Shain - Jamie - David Futter - Jeff Ulm - Aaron Wade - KenIsWearingAHat - Ethan Bauman - Catherine Clause - Charles McGee - Tim Sheehan - E Margaret Warton - Matt Baxter - Dr Arthur A Gray - Steve Martino - Stu Baker - MartΓ­n SalΓ­as - Peter Harding - John Halpin - Douglas H Frazer - Heather J - Alan Maass - Dave Malloy - Robert Granat - Kaya Woodall - Kellen Steffen - Sean Murphy - Jim Sellers - Ben Stein - Bla Blupp - Dick Morgan - Lee R. - Misty Haisfield - Carlos Lerner - Dent Earl - Aaron Wilson - Chris Remo - Brian Johan Peter - Ethan Laser - James McMurry - Anthony Mentz - Thomas - Matthew Jones - Eric Sp - Max - Rand LeShay - Stephen Wolkwitz - Paul Bigelman - Monica St. Angelo - Henry Mindlin - Dave Kolas - Lauren Knotts - Joe Gallo - Merv Adrian - Michael Singer - Inmar Givoni - Mordok’s Vape Pen - Clint McElroy - John Berry - Ol Parker - Dan Cutter - Jeff - Michael - James - Kevin Marcelo - Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble - Ashley - Melissa Kuhns - Jordan Gatenby - Andrew Hofer - Ian Pidd - Irritable - Meryl Allison - Sy Jacobs - Lawrence - Praline - Kevin Stafford - Daniel Nervo - Philip Kelly - Bea - Julie Kellman - Daniel Kaberon - TB - Aruni Jayatilleke - Rachel - Kym Griffith - PhantomMare - Alison Dugan - Margaret McReynolds - Betsy Barre - HiddenJester - Brian Rinckenberger - RsP - Lottie Aron - Alex Miller - Jez - Steve B - Ian Karmel - Zach Putnam - Stephen - Adam Clark - Freddy Freeman - Erik - Mathias Schmidt - Cheryl Wilke - Tucker Ped - Sarah Vetters - Aaron Cain - Daniel Markoff - Alexis - Alex - Eric Stone - Alan Kress - R J Helow - Max Barnes - Michael Martin - John Domina - James - Andrew Knutson - Doug - Sam Grogan - EwokEater42 - MT - Linda Lange - James Hicks - Michael Adamski - Mark MacIntosh - Jeff Stormer - Michael Sumner - Edward Reisert - Klodrik - Aron - Kevin Davis - Matt - Richard Randall - AlanB - Will King - TheShirtRipper - Rebecca Kline - Ned Rosen - Simon Hellman - Jim M

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

    🏠 HOMEPAGE

    πŸ‘š MERCH

    πŸ’¬ DISCORD SERVER

    πŸ“¬ KIRK'S NEWSLETTER

    🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS

    🎢 KIRK'S MUSIC

    πŸ“· KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
    Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

    🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    🎨 SHOW ART:
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

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  • Kirk returns to the world of Joni Mitchell for a look at the many sides of her masterpiece "Both Sides, Now." From her initial 1960s live performances, to her 1969 studio recording, to the Grammy-winning orchestral rendition she released in 2000, each version of "Both Sides, Now" shows us a different side of Joni, and of ourselves.

    Written by: Joni Mitchell

    Album: Clouds, 1969 | Both Sides Now, 2000

    Listen/Buy via Album.Link

    ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

    2022 Strong Songs episode on "Help Me" from Court and Spark β€œUrge For Going” by Joni Mitchell, recorded by George Hamilton IV, 1967 β€œHelp Me” by Joni Mitchell from Court and Spark, 1974 β€œBoth Sides Now” as recorded by Judy Collins and Dave Van Ronk Excerpt from Henderson the Rain King by Saul Bellow, 1959 Joni onstage w/ Brandi Carlile at The Newport Folk Festival, 2022 Joni talks with CBC's Jian Ghomeshi in 2013

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    MARCH 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS
    Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Thomas McIlheran - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Greer Bevel - Butch Vig - PJ and Ethan

    MARCH 2026 HALF NOTE PATRONS
    Colin Hodo - Paul De Surra - James Johnson - Arjun Sharma - Justin McElroy - Alexander Polson - Richard Toller - Melanie Stivers - Matt Betzel - Jeffrey Olson - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Bill Thornton - Andrew Fair - Andrew Baker - Amanda Furlotti - Brad Callahan - Jennifer Bush - AJ Schuster - Tanner Morton - Gavin Doig - Chris K - Alexander - David - Naomi - Dave Sharpe - Caro Field - Jonathan Daniels - Eric Helm - Melmaniac - Dhu Wik - Tom Coleman - Diane Turner - Clare Holberton - Randy Souza - Pascal Rueger - Joshua Hill - Stephen Tsoneff - Michael Casner - Diane Hughes - Angela Livingstone - cbalmain - Eric Prestemon - Lauren Reay - Nathan Gouwens - Nell Morse - Karma Jay - Dallas Hockley - M Shane Borders - Kevin Potter - Eoin de Burca - Bonnie Prinsen - Linda Duffy - Ryan Rairigh - Achint Srivastava - Doug Belew - Abbie Berg - Jason Pratt - Geraldine Butler - David Noah - Bernard Khoo - David Joske - Donald Mackie - Steve Paquin - Mino Capossela - Kelli Brockington - Adam W - Josh Singer - Rob Tsuk - Ailie Fraser - JRRJ - Jeffrey Bean - Rishi Sahay - Zak Remer - Adam Stofsky - Kenneth Jung - Bruno Gaeta - Paul Wayper - Lisa Turner - Wendy Gilchrist - Doreen Carlson - Janice Berry - Christian Hessmann - Richard Sneddon - Portland Eye Care - Deebs - Michael Shain - Jamie - David Futter - Jeff Ulm - Aaron Wade - KenIsWearingAHat - Ethan Bauman - Catherine Clause - Charles McGee - Tim Sheehan - E Margaret Warton - Matt Baxter - Gary Pierce - Dr Arthur A Gray - Steve Martino - Stu Baker - MartΓ­n SalΓ­as - Peter Harding - John Halpin - Douglas H Frazer - Heather J - Alan Maass - Dave Malloy - Robert Granat - Kaya Woodall - Kellen Steffen - Sean Murphy - Jim Sellers - Ben Stein - Bla Blupp - Dick Morgan - Lee R. - Misty Haisfield - Carlos Lerner - Dent Earl - Aaron Wilson - Chris Remo - Brian Johan Peter - Ethan Laser - James McMurry - Anthony Mentz - Thomas - Matthew Jones - Eric Sp - Max - Rand LeShay - Stephen Wolkwitz - Paul Bigelman - Monica St. Angelo - Henry Mindlin - Dave Kolas - Lauren Knotts - Joe Gallo - Merv Adrian - Michael Singer - Inmar Givoni - Mordok’s Vape Pen - Clint McElroy - John Berry - Ol Parker - Joseph Romero - Dan Cutter - Jeff - Michael - James - Kevin Marcelo - Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble - Ashley - Melissa Kuhns - Jordan Gatenby - Andrew Hofer - Ian Pidd - Irritable - Meryl Allison - Sy Jacobs - Lawrence - Praline - Kevin Stafford - Daniel Nervo - Philip Kelly - Bea - Julie Kellman - Daniel Kaberon - TB - Aruni Jayatilleke - Rachel - Kym Griffith - PhantomMare - Dave Douglass - Alison Dugan - Margaret McReynolds - Betsy Barre - HiddenJester - Brian Rinckenberger - RsP - Lottie Aron - Alex Miller - Jez - Steve B - Ian Karmel - Zach Putnam - Adam Clark - Freddy Freeman - Erik - Mathias Schmidt - Cheryl Wilke - Tucker Ped - Sarah Vetters - Aaron Cain - Daniel Markoff - Alexis - Alex - Eric Stone - Alan Kress - R J Helow - Max Barnes - Michael Martin - John Domina - James - Andrew Knutson - Doug - Sam Grogan - EwokEater42 - MT - Linda Lange - James Hicks - Michael Adamski - Mark MacIntosh - Jeff Stormer - Michael Sumner - Edward Reisert - Klodrik - Aron - Kevin Davis - Matt - Louise Clarke - Richard Randall - Alan B - Will King - TheShirtRipper

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

    🏠 HOMEPAGE

    πŸ‘š MERCH

    πŸ’¬ DISCORD SERVER

    πŸ“¬ KIRK'S NEWSLETTER

    🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS

    🎢 KIRK'S MUSIC

    πŸ“· KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
    Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

    🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    🎨 SHOW ART:
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

  • Kirk heaps on a second helping of TWO previous Strong Songs artists: Queen and David Bowie, whose 1981 collaboration "Under Pressure" topped the charts while showing how a mid-song transformation is done.

    Written by: David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, Roger Taylor

    Album: Hot Space, 1982

    Listen/Buy via Album.Link

    ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

    Previous Strong Songs episodes on Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and "Starman" β€œKiller Queen” by Queen from Sheer Heart Attack, 1974 β€œBohemian Rhapsody” by Queen from A Night At The Opera, 1975 β€œSomebody To Love” by Freddie Mercury from A Day at the Races, 1976 β€œWe Are The Champions” by Freddie Mercury from Jazz, 1977 β€œFlash Gordon Theme” from Flash Gordon Original Soundtrack, 1980 β€œAnother One Bites The Dust” by John Deacon from The Game, 1980 β€œBack Chat” by John Deacon from Hot Space, 1982 β€œCat People” by Giorgio Moroder and David Bowie from Cat People OST (1982) and Just Dance, 1983 Brian May in Total Guitar, March 2024 Freddie Mercury TV interview with Lisa Robinson, 1984

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    FEBRUARY 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS
    Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Nathaniel Bauernfeind - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Rush - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Thomas McIlheran - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Greer Bevel - Butch Vig

    FEBRUARY 2026 HALF NOTE PATRONS
    Colin Hodo - Paul De Surra - James Johnson - Arjun Sharma - Justin McElroy - Alexander Polson - Richard Toller - Melanie Stivers - Matt Betzel - Jeffrey Olson - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Bill Thornton - Andrew Fair - Andrew Baker - Amanda Furlotti - Brad Callahan - Jennifer Bush - AJ Schuster - Tanner Morton - Gavin Doig - Chris K - Alexander - David - Naomi - Dave Sharpe - Caro Field - Jonathan Daniels - Eric Helm - Melmaniac - Dhu Wik - Tom Coleman - Diane Turner - Clare Holberton - Randy Souza - Pascal Rueger - Joshua Hill - Stephen Tsoneff - Michael Casner - Diane Hughes - Angela Livingstone - cbalmain - Eric Prestemon - Lauren Reay - Nathan Gouwens - Nell Morse - Karma Jay - Dallas Hockley - M Shane Borders - Kevin Potter - Eoin de Burca - Bonnie Prinsen - Linda Duffy - Ryan Rairigh - Achint Srivastava - Doug Belew - Abbie Berg - Jason Pratt - Geraldine Butler - David Noah - Bernard Khoo - David Joske - Donald Mackie - Steve Paquin - Mino Capossela - Kelli Brockington - Adam W - Josh Singer - Rob Tsuk - Ailie Fraser - JRRJ - Jeffrey Bean - Rishi Sahay - Zak Remer - Adam Stofsky - Kenneth Jung - Bruno Gaeta - Paul Wayper - Lisa Turner - Wendy Gilchrist - Doreen Carlson - Janice Berry - Christian Hessmann - Richard Sneddon - Portland Eye Care - Deebs - Jamie - David Futter - Jeff Ulm - Aaron Wade - KenIsWearingAHat - Ethan Bauman - Catherine Clause - Charles McGee - Tim Sheehan - E Margaret Warton - Matt Baxter - Gary Pierce - Dr Arthur A Gray - Steve Martino - Stu Baker - MartΓ­n SalΓ­as - Dubmarine - Peter Harding - John Halpin - Douglas H Frazer - Heather J - Alan Maass - Dave Malloy - Robert Granat - Kaya Woodall - Kellen Steffen - Sean Murphy - Jim Sellers - Ben Stein - Bla Blupp - Dick Morgan - Lee R. - Abraham Benrubi - Misty Haisfield - Carlos Lerner - Dent Earl - Aaron Wilson - Chris Remo - Brian Johan Peter - Ethan Laser - James McMurry - Anthony Mentz - Thomas - Matthew Jones - Eric Sp - Max - Rand LeShay - Stephen Wolkwitz - Paul Bigelman - Monica St. Angelo - Henry Mindlin - Dave Kolas - Lauren Knotts - Joe Gallo - Merv Adrian - Michael Singer - Inmar Givoni - Mordok’s Vape Pen - Clint McElroy - John Berry - Ol Parker - Joseph Romero - Dan Cutter - Jeff - Michael - James - Kevin Marcelo - Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble - Ashley - Melissa Kuhns - Jordan Gatenby - Andrew Hofer - Ian Pidd - Irritable - Meryl Allison - Sy Jacobs - Lawrence - Praline - Kevin Stafford - Daniel Nervo - Philip Kelly - Bea - Julie Kellman - Daniel Kaberon - TB - Aruni Jayatilleke - Rachel - Kym Griffith - PhantomMare - Suzanne Crawford - Dave Douglass - Alison Dugan - Margaret McReynolds - Betsy Barre - HiddenJester - Brian Rinckenberger - RsP - Lottie Aron - Alex Miller - Jez - Steve B - Ian Karmel - Zach Putnam - Edward Steen - Adam Clark - Freddy Freeman - Erik - Mathias Schmidt - Cheryl Wilke - Tucker Ped - Sarah Vetters - Aaron Cain - Daniel Markoff - LG - Alex - Eric Stone - Alan Kress - R J Helow - Max Barnes - Michael Martin - John Domina - James - Andrew Knutson - Doug - Sam Grogan - EwokEater42 - MT - Linda Lange - James Hicks - Michael Adamski - Mark MacIntosh - Jeff Stormer - Michael Sumner - Edward Reisert - Klodrik - Aron - Kevin Davis - Matt - Louise Clark - Richard Randall

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

    🏠 HOMEPAGE

    πŸ‘š MERCH

    πŸ’¬ DISCORD SERVER

    πŸ“¬ KIRK'S NEWSLETTER

    🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS

    🎢 KIRK'S MUSIC

    πŸ“· KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
    Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

    🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    🎨 SHOW ART:
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

  • Kirk kicks off Strong Songs Season Eight with a second helping of Toto, whose song "Africa" got the very first episode of Strong Songs he ever made. This time around he's focusing on 1982's "Rosanna," a song that shows just what Toto could do when every member of the band gave it their all.

    Written by: David Paich

    Album: Toto IV, 1982

    Listen/Buy via Album.Link

    ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

    Guess That Record Interview with David Paich Toto Live at the Montreaux Jazz Festival, 1991 Music Radar interview with Porcaro and Paich about the synth sounds Jeff Porcaro explains the Rosanna groove to Drummerworld Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary on HBO, 2024 β€œHome At Last” from Aja and β€œBabylon Sisters” from Gaucho by Steely Dan β€œFool In The Rain” by Led Zeppelin from In Through The Out Door, 1979 β€œLido Shuffle” by Boz Scaggs and David Paich from Silk Degrees, 1977 β€œHold the Line” by David Paich from Toto, 1978 β€œAin’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got) by Lambert/Potter, sung by the Four Tops, 1973 β€œGive β€˜M Time” by Sammy Nestico recorded by Count Basie Big Band, 1975

    --------------------

    JANUARY 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS
    Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Nathaniel Bauernfeind - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Rush - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Elizabeth Culver - Rick Keeler - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Thomas McIlheran - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Greer Bevel

    JANUARY 2026 HALF NOTE PATRONS
    Colin Hodo - Paul De Surra - James Johnson - Arjun Sharma - Justin McElroy - Alexander Polson - Richard Toller - Melanie Stivers - Matt Betzel - Jeffrey Olson - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Bill Thornton - Andrew Fair - Andrew Baker - Amanda Furlotti - Brad Callahan - Jennifer Bush - AJ Schuster - Tanner Morton - Gavin Doig - Chris K - Alexander - David - Naomi - Dave Sharpe - Caro Field - Jonathan Daniels - Eric Helm - Melmaniac - Dhu Wik - Tom Coleman - Diane Turner - Clare Holberton - Randy Souza - Pascal Rueger - Joshua Hill - Stephen Tsoneff - Michael Casner - Diane Hughes - Angela Livingstone - cbalmain - Eric Prestemon - Lauren Reay - Nathan Gouwens - Nell Morse - Karma Jay - Dallas Hockley - M Shane Borders - Kevin Potter - Eoin de Burca - Bonnie Prinsen - Linda Duffy - Ryan Rairigh - Achint Srivastava - Dermot Crowley - Doug Belew - Abbie Berg - Jason Pratt - Geraldine Butler - David Noah - Bernard Khoo - David Joske - Donald Mackie - Steve Paquin - Mino Capossela - Kelli Brockington - Adam W - Josh Singer - Rob Tsuk - Ailie Fraser - JRRJ - Jeffrey Bean - Rishi Sahay - Zak Remer - Adam Stofsky - Kenneth Jung - Bruno Gaeta - Paul Wayper - Lisa Turner - Wendy Gilchrist - Doreen Carlson - Janice Berry - Christian Hessmann - Richard Sneddon - Portland Eye Care - Deebs - Jamie - David Futter - Jeff Ulm - Aaron Wade - KenIsWearingAHat - Ethan Bauman - Catherine Clause - Charles McGee - Tim Sheehan - E Margaret Warton - Luigi Boccia - Matt Baxter - Gary Pierce - Dr Arthur A Gray - Steve Martino - Stu Baker - MartΓ­n SalΓ­as - Kayla Russell - Dubmarine - Peter Harding - John Halpin - Douglas H Frazer - Alan Maass - Dave Malloy - Robert Granat - Kaya Woodall - Kellen Steffen - Sean Murphy - Grettir Asmundarson - Jim Sellers - Ben Stein - Dick Morgan - Lee R. - Abraham Benrubi - Misty Haisfield - Carlos Lerner - Dent Earl - Aaron Wilson - Chris Remo - Brian Johan Peter - Ethan Laser - James McMurry - Anthony Mentz - Thomas - Matthew Jones - Eric Sp - Max - Rand LeShay - Stephen Wolkwitz - Paul Bigelman - Monica St. Angelo - Henry Mindlin - Dave Kolas - Lauren Knotts - Joe Gallo - Merv Adrian - Michael Singer - Inmar Givoni - Mordok’s Vape Pen - Clint McElroy - John Berry - Ol Parker - Joseph Romero - Dan Cutter - Jeff - Michael - James - Kevin Marcelo - Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble - Ashley - Melissa Kuhns - Jordan Gatenby - Andrew Hofer - Ian Pidd - Irritable - Meryl Allison - Sy Jacobs - Lawrence - Praline - Kevin Stafford - Daniel Nervo - Philip Kelly - Bea - Julie Kellman - Wiggy Hash - Daniel Kaberon - TB - Aruni Jayatilleke - Rachel - Kym Griffith - PhantomMare - Suzanne Crawford - Dave Douglass - Princess of Whales - Alison Dugan - Margaret McReynolds - Betsy Barre - HiddenJester - Brian Rinckenberger - RsP - Lottie Aron - Alex Miller - Jez - Steve B - Ian Karmel - Zach Putnam - Edward Steen - Adam Clark - Freddy Freeman - Erik - Mathias Schmidt - Cheryl Wilke - Tucker Ped - Sarah Vetters - Aaron Cain - Daniel Markoff - LG - MJS - Alex - Eric Stone - Alan Kress - R J Helow - Max Barnes - Michael Martin - John Domina - Maddie S - James - Andrew Knutson - Doug - Sam Grogan - EwokEater42 - MT - Linda Lange - James Hicks

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

    🏠 HOMEPAGE

    πŸ‘š MERCH

    πŸ’¬ DISCORD SERVER

    πŸ“¬ KIRK'S NEWSLETTER

    🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS

    🎢 KIRK'S MUSIC

    πŸ“· KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
    Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

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  • Strong Songs Season Eight will kick off on Friday, January 16!

    If you want to listen a week early, get monthly "Inside the Episode" bonuses, and support the creation of Strong Songs, go sign up for the Patreon. We're running a sale for the whole month of January - use the code STRONG8 when signing up, and your first month will be just $1.

    See you in a couple weeks for the season premiere!

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

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  • Kirk sits down with jazz piano legend Peter Martin to talk about Peter's musical background, his momentous early encounters with Wynton Marsalis and Kenny Kirkland, the jazz scene of the 1990s, how the Suzuki method works, and why jazz students today should be less shy about talking to their heroes.

    Check out Peter's online jazz education program Open Studio, as well as You'll Hear It, the music podcast he co-hosts with Adam Maness.

    DISCUSSED/REFERENCED:

    β€œVariations Sur β€˜Le Carnaval de Venise” feat. Wynton Marsalis and the Eastman Wind Ensemble from Carnival, 1987β€œPath Adjacent” Peter Martin w/ Gregory Hutchinson, Sarah Hanahan & Reuben Rogers from Generation S, 2023β€œBag’s Groove” by Milt Jackson from Miles Davis, Bag’s Groove, 1967β€œTea For Two” by Youmans/Ceasar, played by Art Tatum from Piano Starts Here, 1968β€œBroad Way Blues” by Ornette Coleman from New York Is Now, 1968β€œSwingin’ at the Haven” by Branford Marsalis from Royal Garden Blues, 1986β€œNow’s The Time/Billie’s Bounce” by Charlie Parker from Jamey Aebersold Vol. 6: All Birdβ€œNaima’s Love Song” by Betty Carter from I_t’s Not About The Melody_, 1992β€œMental Phrasing” by Roy Hargrove live w/ Joshua Redman, Ron Blake, Peter Martin, Rodney Whitaker, Greg Hutchinsonβ€œTurnaround” by Joshua Redman w/ Pat Metheny from Wish, 1993β€œJig-A-Jug” by Joshua Redman and β€œSt. Thomas” by Sonny Rollins” from Spirit of the Moment: Live at the Village Vanguard, 1995β€œCat Battles” and β€œOne Shining Soul” by Joshua Redman from Freedom in the Groove, 1996β€œThe Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner” intro and β€œMind and Body” from Solo, Live in New York, 2015β€œWhy Approach Chords Matter” - Adam Maness for Open Studio on YouTube, 2025β€œ2 Down & 2 Across,” β€œSing a Song of Song,” β€œBefore It’s Time to Say Goodbye” by Kenny Garrett feat. Kenny Kirkland from Songbook, 1997β€œPhyrzzinian Man” by Wynton Marsalis from Black Codes from the Underground, 1985β€œNecessary Evil” by Elvin Jones and β€œWhatever Possessed Me” by Chet Baker feat. Pat LaBarbera (Tenor) and Kenny Kirkland from Brother John, 1982β€œStella by Starlight” by Hoagy Carmichael, performed by the Miles Davis Quintet on My Funny Valentine: In Concert, 1965

    --------------------

    NOVEMBER 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    AccessViolation – Andy – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Cesar – Christopher McConnell – Christopher Miller – Corpus Frisky – Damon White – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Dave Florey – David Mascetti – Elizabeth Culver – Greg – Jamie White – Jay Swartz – Jenness Gardner – Jeremy Dawson – Joe Laska – Julie Rowe – Ken Hirsh – Lisa Crotty – Melanie Andrich – Melissa Lucas – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Paul Delaney – Rich Fish – Rick Keeler – Robyn Metcalfe – Rush – Sami Samhuri – Thomas McIlheran

    NOVEMBER 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Aaron Cain – Aaron Wade – Abbie Berg – Abraham Benrubi – Achint Srivastava – Adam Clark – Adam Stofsky – Adam W – Ailie Fraser – AJ Schuster – Alan Kress – Alan Maass – Alex – Alex Miller – Alexander – Alexander Polson – Alison Dugan – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Andrew Fair – Andrew Hofer – Andrew Knutson – 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 – Christian Hessmann – Christopher Selby Spink – Clare Holberton – Claudia Carty – Clint McElroy – Colin Hodo – Dallas Hockley – Dan Cutter – Dani – Daniel Kaberon – Daniel Markoff – Daniel Nervo – Dave Douglass – Dave Kolas – Dave Malloy – Dave Sharpe – David – David Futter – David Joske – David Noah – 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 – Dubmarine – E. Margaret Warton – Edward Steen – Eoin De Burca – Eric Helm – Eric Prestemon – Eric Sp – Eric Stone – Erik – Ethan Bauman – Ethan Laser – Freddy Freeman – Gary Pierce – Gavin Doig – Geraldine Butler – Glenn Jackson – Grettir Asmundarson – Heather J – Henry Mindlin – HiddenJester – Ian Karmel – Ian Pidd – Inmar Givoni – Irritable – James – James – James Johnson – James McMurry – Jamie – Janice Berry – Jason Pratt – Jeff – Jeff Ulm – Jeffrey Bean – Jeffrey Olson – Jennifer Bush – Jez – Jim Sellers – Joe Gallo – John Berry – John Domina – John Halpin – Jonathan Daniels – Jordan Gatenby – Joseph Romero – Josh Singer – Joshua Hill – JRRJ – Julie Kellman – Justin McElroy – Karma Jay – 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 – Luigi Boccia – M. Shane Borders – Maddie S – Margaret McReynolds – MartΓ­n SalΓ­as – Mathias Schmidt – Matt Baxter – Matt Betzel – Matthew Jones – Max – Max Barnes – Melanie Stivers – Melissa Kuhns – Melmaniac – Merv Adrian – Meryl Allison – Michael – Michael Berman – Michael Casner – Michael Martin – Michael Singer – Mino Capossela – Misty Haisfield – MJS – Monica St. Angelo – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Naomi – Nathan Gouwens – Nell Morse – Ol Parker – Pascal Rueger – Paul Bigelman – Paul Wayper – Peter Harding – PhantomMare – Philip Kelly – Portland Eye Care – Princess Of Whales – R. J. Helow – Rachel – Rand LeShay – Randy Souza – Richard Sneddon – Richard Toller – Rishi Sahay – Rob Tsuk – Robert Granat – 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 – The Daily Solve With Chris Remo – Thomas – Tim Rosenwong – Tim Sheehan – Tom Coleman – Tucker Ped – Wendy Gilchrist – Wiggy Hash – Zach Putnam – Zak Remer

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

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  • Writer, composer, and Peabody Award-winning podcaster Jad Abumrad joins Kirk to talk about Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, his new 12-part series on the life, music, and legacy of Afrobeat superstar Fela Kuti.

    DISCUSSED/REFERENCED:

    β€œMiryea’s Death” by Jack Nitzche from Revenge, 1990β€œPrologue” by Alexandre Desplat from Birth, 2004Excerpt from Port(al), music by Paola Prestini and Jad Abumrad, performed by the Brooklyn Youth Chorusβ€œIt’s Highlife Time” and β€œAmaechi’s Blues” by Fela Kuti and his Koola Lobitos, ca. 1963-69β€œJeun Ko Ku,” β€œEko Ile,” and β€œJe’nwi Temi” by Fela Kuti from Afrodesiac, 1973β€œZombie” by Fela Kuti from Zombie, 1976β€œThe Great Curve” by Talking Heads from Remain in Light, 1980β€œLife During Wartime” and β€œOnce in a Lifetime” by Talking Heads from Stop Making Sense, 1984β€œThe Prince We Never Knewβ€œ - Sasha Weiss’ essential New York Times feature on Ezra Edelman’s unreleased Prince documentaryβ€œRITUAL” by Jon Hopkins from Ritual, 2024β€œOpen Eye Signal” by Jon Hopkins from Immunity, 2013β€œA Quiet Glow” by Siavash Amini from Songs for Sad Poets, 2022β€œIn The Dust of This Planet” - 2014 Radiolab Episode featuring the poetry of Eugene Thackerβ€œThe Right Man (Daniele Baldelli & Marco Dionigi Cosmic Remix)” from The Units - Connections, 2011β€œquiero sentirme bien” by Kali Uchis from Sin Miedo, 2020β€œLooking for Love” by The Tallest Man On Earth from Henry St., 2023β€œSweet Surrender” by Sarah McLachlan from Mirrorball, 1999

    --------------------

    OCTOBER 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    AccessViolation – Andy – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Cesar – Christopher McConnell – Christopher Miller – Corpus Frisky – Damon White – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Dave Florey – David Mascetti – Elizabeth Culver – Greg – 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


    OCTOBER 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Aaron Cain – Aaron Wade – Aaron Wilson – Abbie Berg – Abraham Benrubi – Achint Srivastava – Adam Clark – Adam Stofsky – Adam W – Ailie Fraser – AJ Schuster – Alan Kress – Alan Maass – Alex – 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 – 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 – Eric Stone – Erik – Ethan Bauman – Ethan Laser – Freddy Freeman – Gary Pierce – Gavin Doig – Geraldine Butler – Glenn Jackson – Grettir Asmundarson – Henry Mindlin – HiddenJester – Ian Karmel – Ian Pidd – Inmar Givoni – Irritable – James – James Johnson – James McMurry – Jamie – Janice Berry – Jason Pratt – Jeff – Jeff Ulm – Jeffrey Bean – Jeffrey Olson – Jennifer Bush – Jez – Jim Sellers – Joe Gallo – John Berry – John Halpin – Jonathan Daniels – Jordan Gatenby – Joseph Romero – Josh Singer – Joshua Hill – JRRJ – Julie Kellman – Justin McElroy – Karma Jay – 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 – Luigi Boccia – M. Shane Borders – Margaret McReynolds – MartΓ­n SalΓ­as – Mathias Schmidt – Matt Betzel – Matthew Jones – Max – Max Barnes – Melanie Stivers – Melissa Kuhns – Melmaniac – Merv Adrian – Meryl Allison – Michael – Michael Berman – Michael Casner – Michael Singer – Michael Wisnosky – Michelle Laughran – Mino Capossela – Misty Haisfield – MJS – Monica St. Angelo – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Naomi Watson – Nathan Gouwens – Nell Morse – Ol Parker – Pascal Rueger – Paul Bigelman – Paul Wayper – Peter Harding – PhantomMare – Philip Kelly – Portland Eye Care – Princess Of Whales – R. J. Helow – 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 Rosenwong – Tim Sheehan – Tom Coleman – Tucker Ped – Wendy Gilchrist – Whit Sidener – Wiggy Hash – Zach Putnam – Zak Remer

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

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  • This episode of Twenty Thousand Hertz originally ran in August 2025.

    Kirk's 2020 episode of Strong Songs about the music of Super Mario

    TWENTY THOUSAND HERTZ SHOW NOTES:

    This episode was written & produced by Casey Emmerling.

    From the springy jump sound to the iconic Overworld Theme, the sound of Super Mario Bros. is instantly recognizable. With just five lo-fi audio channels and 40 kilobytes of space, composer Koji Kondo created a soundscape full of unforgettable melodies. In this episode, we explore how Kondo’s playful instincts, rhythmic trickery, and love of jazz fusion defined the sound of Mario. Featuring Kirk Hamilton of Strong Songs and Thomas of Thomas Game Docs.

    MUSIC FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE

    Rocker Jr. - Shake [B]IT
    DJARTMUSIC - 8 Bit Console from My Childhood
    moodmode - Game 8-Bit On
    XtremeFreddy - Bit Beats 1
    moodmode - Level VII
    Wesley Slover - Analog Jam 1103
    Space_Cat - Light It Up
    moodmode - Level VI
    William Benckert - Dance of the Pixel Birds

    Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see our new video series.

    If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mystery.20k.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Support the show and get ad-free episodes at ⁠⁠⁠20k.org/plus⁠⁠⁠.

    Follow Dallas on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Join our community on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reddit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Follow Kirk Hamilton’s podcasts ⁠Strong Songs⁠ and ⁠Triple Click⁠.

    Subscribe to Thomas’ Youtube channel, ⁠Thomas Game Docs⁠.

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

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  • It's fun to talk about TV theme songs, so that's what Kirk and special guest Leigh Sales did. Does this episode need any more introduction than that? Probably not.

    Check out Leigh's wonderful podcast Chat 10 Looks 3

    A YouTube Playlist of many of the themes discussed (and some they didn't get to)

    DISCUSSED/REFERENCED:

    The Office Theme - β€œHandbags and Gladrags” - 1967 by Mike D’Abo, perf. Big George Webley -US theme 2005 by Jay FergusonParks & Recreation - 2009, by Gaby Moreno and Vincent JonesWelcome Back Kotter - by John Sebastian (1974 - 1979)β€œSuicide is Painless” by Johnny Mandel, from MA_S_HThe Nanny Theme by Ann Hampton CallawayThe Brady Bunch theme by Frank De Vol & Sherwood SchwartzGilligan’s Island theme by Sherwood Schwartz (lyrics) & George Wyle (music)Beverley Hillbillies theme by Paul Hennig feat. Lester Flatt & Earl ScruggsMoney For Nothing/Beverley Hillbillies by Weird Al Yankovic from UHF, 1988"Money For Nothing" by Dire Straits from Brothers in Arms, 1985The Americans theme by Nathan Barr"Do Ya Wanna Taste It" by Wig Wam from Peacemaker, 2021The Pi Song from AsapSCIENCESymphony No. 8 in B Minor, D. 759 by Franz Schubertβ€œGreen Acres Theme” by Vic Mizzyβ€œWoke Up This Morning” by Alabama 3, from The Sopranos"A Beautiful Mine" from Mad Men by RJD2β€œSex and the City Theme” by Douglas J. CuomoSix Feet Under theme by Thomas NewmanBreaking Bad theme by Dave PorterHouse of Cards Theme by Jeff BealTank! by Yoko Kanno and Seatbelts

    LEIGH'S MUSIC PICKS:

    Frank Sinatra Live at the Sands, β€˜66 with the Count Basie Orchestra conducted by Quincy JonesINXS - Kick, 1987The Villagers - Becoming a Jackal, 2010

    --------------------

    OCTOBER 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    AccessViolation – Andy – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Cesar – Christopher McConnell – Christopher Miller – Corpus Frisky – Damon White – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Dave Florey – David Mascetti – Elizabeth Culver – Greg – 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

    OCTOBER 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Aaron Cain – Aaron Wade – Aaron Wilson – Abbie Berg – Abraham Benrubi – Achint Srivastava – Adam Clark – Adam Stofsky – Adam W – Ailie Fraser – AJ Schuster – Alan Kress – Alan Maass – Alex – 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 – 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 – Eric Stone – 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 – Inmar Givoni – Irritable – James – James Johnson – James McMurry – Jamie – Janice Berry – Jason Pratt – Jeff – Jeff Ulm – Jeffrey Bean – Jeffrey Olson – Jennifer Bush – Jez – Jim Sellers – Joe Gallo – John Berry – John Halpin – Jonathan Daniels – Jordan Gatenby – Joseph Romero – Josh Singer – Joshua Hill – JRRJ – Julie Kellman – Justin McElroy – Karma Jay – 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 – Luigi Boccia – M. Shane Borders – Margaret McReynolds – MartΓ­n SalΓ­as – Mathias Schmidt – Matt Betzel – Matthew Jones – Max – Max Barnes – Melanie Stivers – Melissa Kuhns – Melmaniac – Merv Adrian – Meryl Allison – Michael – Michael Berman – Michael Casner – Michael Singer – Michael Wisnosky – Michelle Laughran – Mino Capossela – Misty Haisfield – MJS – Monica St. Angelo – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Naomi Watson – Nathan Gouwens – Nell Morse – Ol Parker – Pascal Rueger – Paul Bigelman – Paul Wayper – Peter Harding – PhantomMare – Philip Kelly – Portland Eye Care – Princess of Whales – R. J. Helow – 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 Rosenwong – Tim Sheehan – Tom Coleman – Tucker Ped – Wendy Gilchrist – Whit Sidener – Wiggy Hash – Zach Putnam – Zak Remer

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

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  • Originally Aired October 20, 2020

    The Wildlings are south of the wall, the robots are rising up, Seventh Kavalry's on the move, and two percent of the world's population has vanished. Time for another edition of Strong TV Songs!

    This time around the focus is on HBO, a network that has defined much of the broader TV landscape over the past couple of decades. So let's dig into a bunch of great music from a bunch of good shows, with themes for Dothraki raiders, Alethiometers, robot farmgirls, nuns with guns, monstrous moguls, and lost souls.

    Special thanks to the key of C minor for making this episode possible.

    REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

    β€œWoke Up This Morning” by Alabama 3 from Exile on Coldharbour Lane, 1997β€œSix Feet Under” by Thomas Newman, 2001β€œDeadwood” by David Schwartz, 2004β€œWay Down In The Hole” by Tom Waits from Franks Wild Years, 1987. Performed by Waits, The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Neville Brothers, DoMaJe, and Steve Earleβ€œGame of Thrones” by Ramin Djawadi, 2011"Game of F***in' Thrones" by Anamanaguchi, 2012β€œPacific Rim” by Ramin Djawadi feat. Tom Morello from Pacific Rim, 2013β€œDoom Patrol” by Clint Mansell and Kevin Kiner, 2019β€œHis Dark Materials” by Lorne Balfe, 2019β€œWestworld” and β€œSweetwater” by Ramin Djawadi, 2016β€œEzio’s Family” by Jesper Kyd from Assassin’s Creed II, 2009"How The West Was Really Won,” β€œNun With a Motherf***ing Gun,” and β€œChildren of Krypton” by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, 2019β€œSuccession” by Nicholas Britell, 2018"Kiss from Daddy" by Demi Adejuyigbe, 2019β€œThe Departure” and β€œDona Nobis Pacem” by Max Richter from The Leftovers, 2014

    OUTRO SOLOIST: Luke Price

    This episode's outro soloist is Portland fiddle player Luke Price. When he's not working as a side man in a variety of killer bands, Luke joins his wife Rachael to form the excellent songwriting duo DEAN!. You can follow them on Instagram and listen to some of their stuff on their website, wearedean.com.

    --------------------

    SEPTEMBER 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    AccessViolation – 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 PATRONS

    Aaron 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 – MartΓ­n SalΓ­as – 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

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

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    πŸ“· KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
    Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

    🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    🎨 SHOW ART:
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

  • 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

    β€œBlowin in the Wind” and β€œCorrina, Corrina” from Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, 1963 (and as sung by Peter, Paul and Mary)β€œLike A Rolling Stone,” β€œJust Like Tom Thumb’s Blues,” β€œFrom a Buick 6” from Highway 61 Revisisted, 1965β€œSubterranean Homesick Blues,” β€œMr. Tambourine Man,” and β€œOutlaw Blues” from Bringing it All Back Home, 1965β€œRainy Day Women #12 & 35” and β€œPledging My Time” from Blonde on Blonde, 1966β€œAll Along the Watchtower” and β€œI’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” from John Wesley Harding, 1967β€œLay, Lady, Lay” and β€œGirl from the North Country” (with Johnny Cash) from Nashville Skyline, 1969β€œKnockin’ on Heaven’s Door” from Pat Garret & Billy The Kid Original Soundtrack, 1973β€œForever Young” from Planet Waves, 1974β€œTangled Up in Blue” from Blood On The Tracks, 1975β€œHurricane” and β€œRomance in Durango” from Desire, 1976β€œChanging of the Guards” from Street-Legal, 1978β€œServe Somebody,” and β€œDo Right to Me Baby (Do Unto Others)” from Slow Train Coming, 1979β€œSaved” from Saved, 1980β€œThe Groom’s Still Waiting At the Alter” and β€œLenny Bruce” from Shot of Love, 1981β€œPressing On” and "Solid Rock" live in Toronto, 1980β€œNeighborhood Bully,” β€œJokerman,” β€œSweetheart Like You” from Infidels, 1983β€œDark Eyes” from _Empire Burlesqu_e, 1985β€œBrownsville Girl” from Knocked Out and Loaded, 1986β€œSylvio” from Down In The Groove, 1988β€œEverything Is Broken” and β€œMost of the Time” from Oh Mercy, 1989β€œHard Times” from Good As I Been to You, 1992β€œTrain of Love,” Johnny Cash tribute, 1999β€œPay In Blood” from Tempest, 2012β€œI’m A Fool To Want Youβ€œ by Frank Sinatra, Jack Wolf, and Joel Herron from Shadows in the Night, 2015, and as recorded by Frank Sinatraβ€œPolka Dots and Moonbeams” by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke, from Fallen Angels, 2016β€œHow Deep is the Ocean” by Irving Berlin from Triplicate, 2017β€œI’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You” from Rough and Rowdy Ways, 2020

    ALSO 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 Dylan

    GUEST MUSIC PICKS:

    Sam: Lucinda Wiliams, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, 1998Matt: Willie Nelson, Across the Borderline, 1993

    --------------------

    SEPTEMBER 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    AccessViolation – 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 PATRONS

    Aaron 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 – MartΓ­n SalΓ­as – 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

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

    🏠 HOMEPAGE

    πŸ‘š MERCH

    πŸ’¬ DISCORD SERVER

    πŸ“¬ KIRK'S NEWSLETTER

    🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS

    🎢 KIRK'S MUSIC

    πŸ“· KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
    Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

    🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    🎨 SHOW ART:
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

  • The Wailin' Jennys have been singing together for more than two decades - recording albums, touring the world, and filling venues large and small. After all these years, the trioβ€”Ruth Moody, Heather Masse, and Nicky Mehtaβ€”have reached both a plateau and an inflection point. What's it like for a musical group that's been together for that long; for singers who've found such perfect vocal harmony for one another? How do they each think of songwriting, and of creative work in general? On their recent west coast tour, they stopped by the studio for a chat about those things and more.

    THE WAILIN' JENNYS ARE:

    Ruth Moody - Banjo, Guitar, Vocals
    Nicky Mehta - Guitar, Drums, Vocals
    Heather Masse - Bass, Vocals

    Featuring excerpts from the Jennys' albums Bright Morning Stars, iTunes Session - EP, 40 Days, and Firecracker

    FEATURED/DISCUSSED:

    "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Jim Steinman, sung by Bonnie Tyler and Rory Dodd"Paradise by the Dashboard Light," "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)," "Objects in the Rearview Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are" - by Jim Steinman sung by Meat Loaf"Closer To Fine" and "Love's Recovery" by Indigo Girls from Indigo Girls, 1989Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert, 2016Kirk's essay on creativity, "Follow The Spark"Jeff Tweedy talking songwriting on The Ezra Klein Show"What Am I Here For" by Jade Bird

    MUSIC PICKS:
    Heather: Bonny Light Horseman, Keep Me On Your Mind/Set You Free, 2024
    Ruth: Aaron Neville, "Louisiana 1927"
    Nicky: Afghan Whigs, Black Love

    --------------------

    AUGUST 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Melissa Lucas – Thomas McIlheran – Andy – Lisa Crotty – Rick Keeler – Elizabeth Culver – Meryl Allison – Robyn Metcalfe – Cesar – Corpus Frisky – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Damon White – Jay Swartz – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Paul Delaney – Sami Samhuri – Jeremy Dawson – AccessViolation – Dave Florey


    AUGUST 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Mathias Schmidt – Erik – Freddy Freeman – Adam Clark – Stephen – Brendan McLeod – Zach Putnam – Ian Karmel – Steve B – Worcester – Jim – Jez – Alex Miller – Lottie Aron – RsP – Michael Wisnosky – Brian Rinckenberger – Dan Elias – Hidden Jester – Betsy Barre – Ian Steding – Margaret McReynolds – Alison Dugan – Princess of Whales – Dave Douglass – Suzanne Crawford – PhantomMare – Kym Griffith – Rachel – Aruni Jayatilleke – TB – Daniel Kaberon – Wiggy Hash – Whit Sidener – Julie Kellman – Simon Hellman – Bea – Claudia Carty – Dani – Glenn Jackson – Christopher Selby Spink – Philip Kelly – Daniel Nervo – Kevin Stafford – Lawrence – Sy Jacobs – Irritable – Ian Pidd – Andrew Hofer – Jordan Gatenby – Melissa Kuhns – Ashley – Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble – Kevin Marcelo – James – Michael – Jeff – Dan Cutter – Joseph Romero – Ol Parker – John Berry – Danielle Kriz – Clint McElroy – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Inmar Givoni – Michael Singer – Merv Adrian – Joe Gallo – Michael York – Lauren Knotts – Dave Kolas – Henry Mindlin – Monica St. Angelo – Stephen Wolkwitz – Rand LeShay – Maxeric Sp – Matthew Jones – Thomas – Anthony Mentz – James McMurry – Ethan Laser – Brian John Peter – Chris Remo – Aaron Wilson – Dent Earl – Carlos Lerner – Misty Haisfield – Abraham Benrubi – Lee R. – Dick Morgan – Ben Stein – Grettir Asmundarson – Sean Murphy – Randal Vegter – Kellen Steffen – Kaya Woodall – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Alan Maass – Douglas H. Frazer – John Halpin – Peter Harding – David – Kayla Russell – John Bauman – MartΓ­n SalΓ­as – Stu Baker – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Luigi Boccia – E. Margaret Warton – Tim Sheehan – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – KenIsWearingAHat – Aaron Wade – Jeff Ulm – David Futter – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Richard Sneddon – Christian Hessmann – Janice Berry – Doreen Carlson – Wendy Gilchrist – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Miles Forman – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jung – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jeffrey Bean – JRRJ – Ailie Fraser – Rob Tsuk – Josh Singer – Adam W – Kelli Brockington – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – Donald Mackie – David Joske – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Jason Pratt – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Linda Duffy – Bonnie Prinsen – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nell Morse – Nathan Gouwens – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cbalmain – Angela Livingstone – Diane Hughes – Michael Casner – Lowell Meyer – Stephen Tsoneff – Joshua Hill – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Dhu Wik – Melmaniac – Eric Helm – Jonathan Daniels – Caro Field – Dave Sharpe – Naomi Watson – David Alexander – Jeff Patterson – Chris K. – Gavin Doig – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Brad Callahan – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Andrew Fair – Bill Thornton – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Colin Hodo

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

    🏠 HOMEPAGE

    πŸ‘š MERCH

    πŸ’¬ DISCORD SERVER

    πŸ“¬ KIRK'S NEWSLETTER

    🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS

    🎢 KIRK'S MUSIC

    πŸ“· KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
    Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

    🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    🎨 SHOW ART:
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

  • Back in May, Kirk joined pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin of the You'll Hear It podcast to talk about what makes Tower of Power great. It was a very fun conversation, so he asked if he could run their episode in the Strong Songs feed. And here we are!

    Listen to You'll Hear It anywhere you find podcasts, and find both Adam and Peter (and many others) teaching jazz lessons at OpenStudio.com.

    ORIGINAL SHOW NOTES
    May 19, 2025

    We hand the mic to Kirk Hamilton from the Strong Songs podcast to help us break down the groovy 1973 self-titled release: Tower of Power. We unpack what makes this Oakland funk outfit a generational institution – from David Garibaldi’s precision drum fills and Rocco Prestia’s machine-gun bass lines to what may be the tightest horn section of all time. We dig into standout tracks like β€œWhat Is Hip?” and β€œSoul Vaccination,” spotlight Lenny Pickett’s wild ascent from TOP to SNL, and detail some funny production quirks (like why the drums are panned hard left). It’s a full-course tour through funk, soul, and brass brilliance – with a healthy side of stank face.

    --------------------

    AUGUST 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Melissa Lucas – Thomas McIlheran – Andy – Lisa Crotty – Rick Keeler – Elizabeth Culver – Meryl Allison – Robyn Metcalfe – Cesar – Corpus Frisky – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Damon White – Jay Swartz – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Paul Delaney – Sami Samhuri – Jeremy Dawson – AccessViolation – Dave Florey


    AUGUST 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Mathias Schmidt – Erik – Freddy Freeman – Adam Clark – Stephen – Brendan McLeod – Zach Putnam – Ian Karmel – Steve B. – Worcester – Jim – Jez – Alex Miller – Lottie Aron – RsP – Michael Wisnosky – Brian Rinckenberger – Dan Elias – Hidden Jester – Betsy Barre – Ian Steding – Margaret McReynolds – Alison Dugan – Princess of Whales – Dave Douglass – Suzanne Crawford – PhantomMare – Kym Griffith – Rachel – Aruni Jayatilleke – TB – Daniel Kaberon – Wiggy Hash – Whit Sidener – Julie Kellman – Simon Hellman – Bea – Claudia Carty – Dani – Glenn Jackson – Christopher Selby Spink – Philip Kelly – Daniel Nervo – Kevin Stafford – Lawrence – Sy Jacobs – Irritable – Ian Pidd – Andrew Hofer – Jordan Gatenby – Melissa Kuhns – Ashley – Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble – Kevin Marcelo – James – Michael – Jeff – Dan Cutter – Joseph Romero – Ol Parker – John Berry – Danielle Kriz – Clint McElroy – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Inmar Givoni – Michael Singer – Merv Adrian – Joe Gallo – Michael York – Lauren Knotts – Dave Kolas – Henry Mindlin – Monica St. Angelo – Stephen Wolkwitz – Rand LeShay – Maxeric Sp – Matthew Jones – Thomas – Anthony Mentz – James McMurry – Ethan Laser – Brian John Peter – Chris Remo – Aaron Wilson – Dent Earl – Carlos Lerner – Misty Haisfield – Abraham Benrubi – Lee R. – Dick Morgan – Ben Stein – Grettir Asmundarson – Sean Murphy – Randal Vegter – Kellen Steffen – Kaya Woodall – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Alan Maass – Douglas H. Frazer – John Halpin – Peter Harding – David – Kayla Russell – John Bauman – MartΓ­n SalΓ­as – Stu Baker – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Luigi Boccia – E. Margaret Warton – Tim Sheehan – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – KenIsWearingAHat – Aaron Wade – Jeff Ulm – David Futter – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Richard Sneddon – Christian Hessmann – Janice Berry – Doreen Carlson – Wendy Gilchrist – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Miles Forman – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jung – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jeffrey Bean – JRRJ – Ailie Fraser – Rob Tsuk – Josh Singer – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – Donald Mackie – David Joske – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Jason Pratt – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Linda Duffy – Bonnie Prinsen – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nell Morse – Nathan Gouwens – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cbalmain – Angela Livingstone – Diane Hughes – Michael Casner – Lowell Meyer – Stephen Tsoneff – Joshua Hill – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Dhu Wik – Melmaniac – Eric Helm – Jonathan Daniels – Caro Field – Dave Sharpe – Naomi Watson – David Alexander – Jeff Patterson – Chris K. – Gavin Doig – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Brad Callahan – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Andrew Fair – Bill Thornton – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Colin Hodo

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

    🏠 HOMEPAGE

    πŸ‘š MERCH

    πŸ’¬ DISCORD SERVER

    πŸ“¬ KIRK'S NEWSLETTER

    🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS

    🎢 KIRK'S MUSIC

    πŸ“· KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
    Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

    🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    🎨 SHOW ART:
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

  • THE APOCALYPSE WERE:
    Tony Capuano - Guitar, Lead Vocals
    John Shorb - Alto Sax
    Gene Meros - Tenor Sax
    Greg Novik - Bass, Backing Vocals (guitar on Stormy Monday)
    Oggie Hamilton - Drums, Backing Vocals

    Featuring The Apocalypse playing:

    β€œGood Good Lovin’” and β€œTry Me” by James Brownβ€œHi-Heel Sneakers" by Tommy Tuckerβ€œThe Shadow of Your Smile” by Mandel & Webster"I Don't Want To Cry" by Dixon/Jacksonβ€œSack of Woe” by Cannonball Adderleyβ€œThink” by Lowman Pauling"The Midnight Hour" by Steve Cropper & Wilson Pickett"Shout" by The Isley Brothersβ€œStormy Monday” by Aaron ’T-Bone’ Walker"Song For My Father” by Horace Silver

    ALSO FEATURED/DISCUSSED:

    β€œStainless Soul,” β€œWichita Lineman,” and β€œWatch Your Step” by The New Apocalypse from Stainless Soul, 1969. Listen via Demir Kelebek on YouTube

    "Moanin" by Bobby Timmons recorded by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers on Moanin', 1959

    Excerpt from Hot Rod Hulbert's WWIN Show via RadioMaven77

    The Herald Times obituary for Ogden Hamilton

    The Baltimore Sun obituary for Greg Novik

    β€œGreg’s Goodbye” by Leah Erskin for Baltimore Magazine, 2017

    --------------------

    JULY 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Melissa Lucas – Thomas McIlheran – Andy – Lisa Crotty – Rick Keeler – Elizabeth Culver – Robyn Metcalfe – Cesar – Corpus Frisky – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Damon White – Jay Swartz – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Paul Delaney – Sami Samhuri – Jeremy Dawson – AccessViolation – Dave Florey


    JULY 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Freddy Freeman – Adam Clark – Stephen – Brendan McLeod – Zach Putnam – Ian Karmel – Steve B. – Worcester – Jim – Jez – Alex Miller – Lottie Aron – RsP – Michael Wisnosky – Brian Rinckenberger – Dan Elias – Hidden Jester – Betsy Barre – Ian Steding – Margaret McReynolds – Alison Dugan – Princess of Whales – Dave Douglass – Suzanne Crawford – PhantomMare – Kym Griffith – Rachel – Aruni Jayatilleke – TB – Daniel Kaberon – Wiggy Hash – Whit Sidener – Julie Kellman – Simon Hellman – Bea – Claudia Carty – Dani – Glenn Jackson – Christopher Selby Spink – Philip Kelly – Daniel Nervo – Kevin Stafford – Lawrence – Sy Jacobs – Irritable – Ian Pidd – Andrew Hofer – Jordan Gatenby – Melissa Kuhns – Ashley – Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble – Kevin Marcelo – James – Michael – Jeff – Dan Cutter – Joseph Romero – Ol Parker – John Berry – Danielle Kriz – Clint McElroy – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Inmar Givoni – Michael Singer – Merv Adrian – Joe Gallo – Michael York – Lauren Knotts – Dave Kolas – Henry Mindlin – Monica St. Angelo – Stephen Wolkwitz – Rand LeShay – Maxeric Sp – Matthew Jones – Thomas – Anthony Mentz – James McMurry – Ethan Laser – Brian John Peter – Chris Remo – Aaron Wilson – Dent Earl – Carlos Lerner – Misty Haisfield – Abraham Benrubi – Lee R. – Dick Morgan – Ben Stein – Grettir Asmundarson – Sean Murphy – Randal Vegter – Kellen Steffen – Kaya Woodall – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Alan Maass – Douglas H. Frazer – John Halpin – Peter Harding – David – Kayla Russell – John Bauman – MartΓ­n SalΓ­as – Stu Baker – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Luigi Boccia – E. Margaret Warton – Tim Sheehan – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – KenIsWearingAHat – Aaron Wade – Jeff Ulm – David Futter – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Richard Sneddon – Christian Hessmann – Janice Berry – Doreen Carlson – Wendy Gilchrist – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Miles Forman – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jung – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jeffrey Bean – JRRJ – Ailie Fraser – Rob Tsuk – Josh Singer – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Victoria Yu – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – Donald Mackie – David Joske – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Jason Pratt – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Linda Duffy – Bonnie Prinsen – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nell Morse – Nathan Gouwens – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cbalmain – Angela Livingstone – Diane Hughes – Michael Casner – Lowell Meyer – Stephen Tsoneff – Joshua Hill – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Dhu Wik – Melmaniac – Eric Helm – Jonathan Daniels – Caro Field – Dave Sharpe – Naomi Watson – David Alexander – Jeff Patterson – Chris K. – Gavin Doig – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Brad Callahan – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Andrew Fair – Bill Thornton – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Colin Hodo

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

    🏠 HOMEPAGE

    πŸ‘š MERCH

    πŸ’¬ DISCORD SERVER

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    πŸ“· KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
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    🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    🎨 SHOW ART:
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

  • For the Season Seven finale, Kirk takes a look at Bill Withers' enduring hit "Lean On Me." In the process, he takes a broader look at a bunch of Withers' other most famous songs to better understand how this plainspoken, seemingly ordinary guy managed to write so many extraordinary songs.

    Written by: Bill Withers

    Album: Still Bill, 1972

    Listen/Buy via Album.Link

    ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

    β€œAin’t No Sunshine” and β€œGrandma’s Hands” by Bill Withers from Just As I Am, 1971β€œLonely Town, Lonely Street,” β€œLet Me In Your Life,” and β€œUse Me,” by Bill Withers, and β€œWho Is He (And What Is He To You)” by Bill Withers/Stan McKenny from Still Bill, 1972β€œLovely Day” by Bill Withers and Skip Scarborough, 1977β€œJust The Two of Us” by Bill Withers, William Salter, and Ralph MacDonald, recorded by Grover Washington Jr., 1981β€œThe Way” by Meshell Ndegeocello and β€œWho Is He (And What Is He To You)” recorded by Ndegeocello on Peace Beyond Passion, 1996Excerpts from Live at Carnegie Hall, released 1972Excerpts from the 2010 documentary β€œStill Bill,” dir. Damani Baker and Alex Vlack2004 Songfacts interview w/ WithersWithers' 2015 Rock Hall of Fame acceptance speechRecord needle sound via Sounds Recorded

    --------------------

    JUNE 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Thomas McIlheran – Andy – Lisa Crotty – Rick Keeler – Elizabeth Culver – Meryl Allison – Robyn Metcalfe – Cesar – Corpus Frisky – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Damon White – Jay Swartz – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Paul Delaney – Sami Samhuri – Jeremy Dawson – AccessViolation – Dave Florey


    JUNE 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Ian Steding – Margaret McReynolds – Alison Dugan – Princess of Whales – Dave Douglass – Suzanne Crawford – PhantomMare – Kym Griffith – Rachel – Aruni Jayatilleke – Ryan Gillen – TB – Daniel Kaberon – Wiggy Hash – Whit Sidener – Julie Kellman – Simon Hellman – Bea – Claudia Carty – Dani – Glenn Jackson – Christopher Selby Spink – Philip Kelly – Daniel Nervo – Kevin Stafford – Lawrence – Sy Jacobs – Irritable – Ian Pidd – Andrew Hofer – Jordan Gatenby – Melissa Kuhns – Ashley – Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble – Kevin Marcelo – Samantha Coates – James – Jeff – Dan Cutter – Joseph Romero – Ol Parker – John Berry – Danielle Kriz – Clint McElroy – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Inmar Givoni – Michael Singer – Merv Adrian – Joe Gallo – Lauren Knotts – Dave Kolas – Henry Mindlin – Monica St. Angelo – Stephen Wolkwitz – Rand LeShay – Maxeric Sp – Matthew Jones – Thomas – Anthony Mentz – James McMurry – Ethan Laser – Brian John Peter – Chris Remo – Aaron Wilson – Dent Earl – Carlos Lerner – Misty Haisfield – Abraham Benrubi – Lee R. – Callum Webb – Dick Morgan – Ben Stein – Grettir Asmundarson – Sean Murphy – Randal Vegter – Kellen Steffen – Kaya Woodall – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Alan Maass – John Halpin – Peter Harding – David – Kayla Russell – John Bauman – MartΓ­n SalΓ­as – Stu Baker – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Luigi Boccia – E. Margaret Warton – Tim Sheehan – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – KenIsWearingAHat – Jordan Block – Aaron Wade – Jeff Ulm – David Futter – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Richard Sneddon – Janice Berry – Doreen Carlson – Wendy Gilchrist – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Miles Forman – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jung – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jeffrey Bean – JRRJ – Ailie Fraser – Rob Tsuk – Josh Singer – Amy Lynn Thornsen – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Victoria Yu – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – Donald Mackie – David Joske – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Madeleine Mader – Jason Pratt – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Linda Duffy – Bonnie Prinsen – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nell Morse – Nathan Gouwens – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cbalmain – Angela Livingstone – Diane Hughes – Michael Casner – Lowell Meyer – Stephen Tsoneff – Joshua Hill – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Dhu Wik – Melmaniac – Eric Helm – Jonathan Daniels – Caro Field – Dave Sharpe – Naomi Watson – David Alexander – Jeff Patterson – Chris K. – Gavin Doig – Sam Fenn – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Brad Callahan – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Andrew Fair – L. B. Morse – Bill Thornton – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Nate from Kalamazoo – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Colin Hodo

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

    🏠 HOMEPAGE

    πŸ‘š MERCH

    πŸ’¬ DISCORD SERVER

    πŸ“¬ KIRK'S NEWSLETTER

    🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS

    🎢 KIRK'S MUSIC

    πŸ“· KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
    Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

    🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    🎨 SHOW ART:
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

  • Kirk answers a bunch of listener questions on topics like bluegrass guitar, the music of Blue Prince, good apps for training theory skills, Robert Fripp's "Frippertronics," a mysterious sound on a Gene Clark song, different types of music notation, and the legacy of the blues. All that, and a trio of terrific singer/songwriters stops by the studio to help answer a question about lyrics.

    Come see Triple Click Live! Friday, July 11 at the Alberta Rose Theatre in Portland, OR. Tickets Here

    Kirk has new music for sale on Bandcamp: Music For Podcasting and his original score for Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread

    Thanks to The Wailin' Jennys for coming on the show! Stay tuned for a full-length interview episode this summer, and go see them live if you can. They are amazing.

    7/27/2025 Update: Several people wrote in with theories about the "Lady of the North" sound, and Kirk has been convinced it's an electric violin.

    FEATURED/DISCUSSED:

    β€œWhite Trash Wedding” by The Chicks from Home, 2002A live performance of β€œWhite Trash Weddingβ€β€œSimon’s Theme” by Trigg & Gusset from the Blue Prince original soundtrack, 2025Kirk’s recent essay about Blue Prince and musicTwo good free music sites: musictheory.net and muted.ioβ€œWhat Am I Here For” by Jade Bird from Something American - EP, 2017β€œAcross The Sea” by The Wailin’ Jennys from Bright Morning Stars, 2011β€œLady of the North” by Gene Clark from No Other, 1974Bass legend Lee Sklar on YouTubeMark Lager's 2024 No Other retrospective in Under The Radar MagazineThe terrific Wonder of Stevie podcastTantacrul’s tremendous video about the history of music notationβ€œHammond Song” by The Roaches, 1979Chords of Orion video explaining and re-creating Frippertronicsβ€œThe Heavenly Music Corporation II” by Robert Fripp and Brian Eno from No Pussyfooting, 1973β€œSt. James Infirmary” rec. Joseph β€œKing” Oliver, 1930β€œCross Road Blues” rec. Robert Johnson, ~193xβ€œDown Hearted Blues” rec. Bessie Smith, 1929Two versions of "Wedding Song" by AnaΓ―s Mitchell from Hadestown, 2018Kirk’s essay about musical creation and β€œThe Spark”

    OUTRO SOLO: Rob Reich, prolific bay area multi-instrumentalist, died unexpectedly a few weeks ago at the age of 47. It's an unfathomable loss. Rob recorded an outro solo for Strong Songs back in its very first year, so we're including it in this episode as a tribute to him and his generous musical spirit. Read more about Rob here.

    --------------------

    JUNE 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Thomas McIlheran – Andy – Lisa Crotty – Rick Keeler – Elizabeth Culver – Meryl Allison – Robyn Metcalfe – Cesar – Corpus Frisky – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Damon White – Jay Swartz – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Paul Delaney – Sami Samhuri – Jeremy Dawson – AccessViolation – Dave Florey

    JUNE 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Ian Steding – Margaret McReynolds – Alison Dugan – Princess of Whales – Dave Douglass – Suzanne Crawford – PhantomMare – Kym Griffith – Rachel – Aruni Jayatilleke – Ryan Gillen – TB – Daniel Kaberon – Wiggy Hash – Whit Sidener – Julie Kellman – Simon Hellman – Bea – Claudia Carty – Dani – Glenn Jackson – Christopher Selby Spink – Philip Kelly – Daniel Nervo – Kevin Stafford – Lawrence – Sy Jacobs – Irritable – Ian Pidd – Andrew Hofer – Jordan Gatenby – Melissa Kuhns – Ashley – Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble – Kevin Marcelo – Samantha Coates – James – Jeff – Dan Cutter – Joseph Romero – Ol Parker – John Berry – Danielle Kriz – Clint McElroy – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Inmar Givoni – Michael Singer – Merv Adrian – Joe Gallo – Lauren Knotts – Dave Kolas – Henry Mindlin – Monica St. Angelo – Stephen Wolkwitz – Rand LeShay – Maxeric Sp – Matthew Jones – Thomas – Anthony Mentz – James McMurry – Ethan Laser – Brian John Peter – Chris Remo – Aaron Wilson – Dent Earl – Carlos Lerner – Misty Haisfield – Abraham Benrubi – Lee R. – Callum Webb – Dick Morgan – Ben Stein – Grettir Asmundarson – Sean Murphy – Randal Vegter – Kellen Steffen – Kaya Woodall – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Alan Maass – John Halpin – Peter Harding – David – Kayla Russell – John Bauman – MartΓ­n SalΓ­as – Stu Baker – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Luigi Boccia – E. Margaret Warton – Tim Sheehan – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – KenIsWearingAHat – Jordan Block – Aaron Wade – Jeff Ulm – David Futter – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Richard Sneddon – Janice Berry – Doreen Carlson – Wendy Gilchrist – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Miles Forman – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jung – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jeffrey Bean – JRRJ – Ailie Fraser – Rob Tsuk – Josh Singer – Amy Lynn Thornsen – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Victoria Yu – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – Donald Mackie – David Joske – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Madeleine Mader – Jason Pratt – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Linda Duffy – Bonnie Prinsen – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nell Morse – Nathan Gouwens – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cbalmain – Angela Livingstone – Diane Hughes – Michael Casner – Lowell Meyer – Stephen Tsoneff – Joshua Hill – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Dhu Wik – Melmaniac – Eric Helm – Jonathan Daniels – Caro Field – Dave Sharpe – Naomi Watson – David Alexander – Jeff Patterson – Chris K. – Gavin Doig – Sam Fenn – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Brad Callahan – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Andrew Fair – L. B. Morse – Bill Thornton – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Nate from Kalamazoo – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Colin Hodo

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

    🏠 HOMEPAGE

    πŸ‘š MERCH

    πŸ’¬ DISCORD SERVER

    πŸ“¬ KIRK'S NEWSLETTER

    🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS

    🎢 KIRK'S MUSIC

    πŸ“· KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
    Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

    🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    🎨 SHOW ART:
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

  • In 1981, Sting brought a demo of a song he'd been working on down to AIR Studios in Montserrat to see what his bandmates thought of it... and they wound up keeping the demo and just recording their parts on top. The result was "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," an unusual Police song, but an enduring hit.

    On this episode, Kirk goes deep on every aspect of Sting's exuberant yet frustrated love song, unearthing the magic that lives in each piece of the music. This episode's subject was chosen by the Patrons of Strong Songs, who vote each season to pick one of the artists Kirk will cover on the upcoming season. If you'd like to vote on an artist for Season Eight, go sign up!

    Written by: Sting

    Featuring: Stewart Copeland, drums; Andy Summers, guitar; Jean Roussel, piano & keys

    Album: Ghost in the Machine, 1981

    Listen/Buy via Album.Link

    ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

    MTV: The Making of Ghosts in the Machine w/ Jools Holland, 1982Revolver Magazine interview feature with the band, 2000Stewart Copeland talks about his approach to drummingβ€œInvisible Sun” and β€œHungry For You” by The Police from Ghost in the Machine, 1981β€œEvery Breath You Take” and "O My God" by The Police from Synchronicity, 1983β€œMessage In A Bottle” and β€œWalking On The Moon” by The Police from Reggatta de Blanc, 1979β€œOne Love / People Get Ready” by Bob Marley and the Wailers, 1965"Seven Days" by Sting from Ten Summoner's Tales, 1993β€œDeep Note” (The THX Sound) by James Morrer, 1982

    --------------------

    MAY 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Andy – Lisa Crotty – Elizabeth Culver – Meryl Allison – Robyn Metcalfe – Cesar – Corpus Frisky – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Damon White – Jay Swartz – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Paul Delaney – Sami Samhuri – Jeremy Dawson – AccessViolation – Dave Florey


    MAY 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Roger Yoon – Alison Dugan – Princess of Whales – Dave Douglass – Suzanne Crawford – PhantomMare – Kym Griffith – Rachel – Aruni Jayatilleke – Ryan Gillen – TB – Daniel Kaberon – Wiggy Hash – Whit Sidener – Julie Kellman – Simon Hellman – Bea – Claudia Carty – Dani – Glenn Jackson – Christopher Selby Spink – Philip Kelly – Daniel Nervo – Kevin Stafford – Rick Keeler – Lawrence – Sy Jacobs – Irritable – Ian Pidd – Andrew Hofer – Jordan Gatenby – Melissa Kuhns – Ashley – Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble – Kevin Marcelo – Samantha Coates – James – Jeff – Dan Cutter – Joseph Romero – Ol Parker – John Berry – Danielle Kriz – Clint McElroy – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Inmar Givoni – Michael Singer – Merv Adrian – Joe Gallo – Lauren Knotts – Dave Kolas – Henry Mindlin – Monica St. Angelo – Stephen Wolkwitz – Rand LeShay – Maxeric Sp – Matthew Jones – Thomas – Anthony Mentz – James McMurry – Ethan Laser – Brian John Peter – Chris Remo – Aaron Wilson – Dent Earl – Carlos Lerner – Misty Haisfield – Abraham Benrubi – Lee R. – Callum Webb – Lynda MacNeil – Dick Morgan – Ben Stein – Grettir Asmundarson – Sean Murphy – Randal Vegter – Kellen Steffen – Kaya Woodall – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Alan Maass – John Halpin – Peter Harding – David – Kayla Russell – John Bauman – MartΓ­n SalΓ­as – Stu Baker – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Luigi Boccia – E. Margaret Warton – Tim Sheehan – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – KenIsWearingAHat – Jordan Block – Aaron Wade – Jeff Ulm – David Futter – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Richard Sneddon – Janice Berry – Doreen Carlson – Wendy Gilchrist – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Miles Forman – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jung – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jeffrey Bean – JRRJ – Ailie Fraser – Rob Tsuk – Natalie Mistilis – Josh Singer – Amy Lynn Thornsen – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Victoria Yu – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – David Joske – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Madeleine Mader – Jason Pratt – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Linda Duffy – Bonnie Prinsen – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nell Morse – Nathan Gouwens – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cbalmain – Angela Livingstone – Diane Hughes – Michael Casner – Lowell Meyer – Stephen Tsoneff – Joshua Hill – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Dhu Wik – Melmaniac – Eric Helm – Jonathan Daniels – Caro Field – Dave Sharpe – Naomi Watson – David Alexander – Jeff Patterson – Chris K. – Gavin Doig – Sam Fenn – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Brad Callahan – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Andrew Fair – L. B. Morse – Bill Thornton – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Nate from Kalamazoo – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Colin Hodo

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

    🏠 HOMEPAGE

    πŸ‘š MERCH

    πŸ’¬ DISCORD SERVER

    πŸ“¬ KIRK'S NEWSLETTER

    🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS

    🎢 KIRK'S MUSIC

    πŸ“· KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
    Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

    🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    🎨 SHOW ART:
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

  • The jazz standard "All The Things You Are" has been performed countless times by master jazz vocalists, 30s big bands, bebop small groups, hard-bop combos, modern deconstructionists, and even soon-to-be Kings of Pop. On this episode, Kirk takes listeners through the history of the now-famous tune, from its humble Broadway origins all the way to his recording studio in Portland, where he and some friends recorded an all-new arrangement just for Strong Songs.

    Music/Lyrics: Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II

    Versions Featured:

    Broadway Original Cast Recording of "Very Warm for May," - 1939Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, feat. Jack Leonard, 1939Artie Shaw w/ Hellen Forrest, 1939Dizzy Gillespie w/ Charlie Parker, 1945Johnny Griffin w/ Hank Mobley, John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, Art Blakey on A Blowing Session, 1957Ella Fitzgerald from Sings the Jerome Kern Songbook, 1963Michael Jackson, 1973Sonny Rollins w/ Coleman Hawkins from Sonny Meets Hawk!, 1963Bill Evans w/ Chuck Israels, bass, and Larry Bunker, drums at Shelly’s Mane-Hole, 1963Keith Jarrett Trio, from Standards, Vol.1, 1983Brad Mehldau Trio, from Art of the Trio 4, 1999Jim Hall & Pat Metheney, 1999

    Strong Songs Version Featuring:

    Kirk Hamilton, tenor saxAndrew Oliver, keyboardScott Pemberton, guitarSam Howard, bassTyson Stubelek, drums

    The "All The Things You Are" Playlist:
    Spotify | Apple | YouTube Music

    ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

    The Jazz Standards: A Guide To The Repertoire by Ted Gioia, 2012The terrific 99% Invisible episode about The Real Bookβ€œAutumn Leaves” by Joseph Kosma as recorded by Cannonball Adderley and Miles Davis on Somethin’ Else, 1958β€œPennies From Heaven” by Johnston and Burke, recorded by Stan Getz with the Oscar Peterson Trio, 1957β€œBye Bye Blackbird” by Henderson/Dixon, recorded by Miles Davis on β€˜Round About Midnight, 1957β€œAll Of Me” by Marks and Simons, played by Charlie Parker, Lennie Tristano and Kenny Clarke, 1951β€œI Got Rhythm” by George Gershwin, recorded by Sonny Stitt on The Hard Swing, 1961Rachmaninoff: Prelude in C-Sharp Minor, performed by Jason Minnis, 2011β€œGoodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John, 1973β€œBird of Paradise,” recorded by Charlie Parker w/ Howard McGhee, Tpt. on The Complete Dial Recordings, Feb 1947β€œPrince Albert” recorded by Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers (Mobley, Dorham, Watkins, Silver) live at Cafe Bohemia, 1955β€œPoinciana” by Simon/Bernier recorded by Amhad Jamal Live At The Pershing, 1958

    --------------------

    MAY 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Andy – Lisa Crotty – Elizabeth Culver – Meryl Allison – Robyn Metcalfe – Cesar – Corpus Frisky – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Damon White – Jay Swartz – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Paul Delaney – Sami Samhuri – Jeremy Dawson – AccessViolation – Dave Florey

    MAY 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Roger Yoon – Alison Dugan – Princess of Whales – Dave Douglass – Suzanne Crawford – PhantomMare – Kym Griffith – Rachel – Aruni Jayatilleke – Ryan Gillen – TB – Daniel Kaberon – Wiggy Hash – Whit Sidener – Julie Kellman – Simon Hellman – Bea – Claudia Carty – Dani – Glenn Jackson – Christopher Selby Spink – Philip Kelly – Daniel Nervo – Kevin Stafford – Rick Keeler – Lawrence – Sy Jacobs – Irritable – Ian Pidd – Andrew Hofer – Jordan Gatenby – Melissa Kuhns – Ashley – Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble – Kevin Marcelo – Samantha Coates – James – Jeff – Dan Cutter – Joseph Romero – Ol Parker – John Berry – Danielle Kriz – Clint McElroy – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Inmar Givoni – Michael Singer – Merv Adrian – Joe Gallo – Lauren Knotts – Dave Kolas – Henry Mindlin – Monica St. Angelo – Stephen Wolkwitz – Rand LeShay – Maxeric Sp – Matthew Jones – Thomas – Anthony Mentz – James McMurry – Ethan Laser – Brian John Peter – Chris Remo – Aaron Wilson – Dent Earl – Carlos Lerner – Misty Haisfield – Abraham Benrubi – Lee R. – Callum Webb – Lynda MacNeil – Dick Morgan – Ben Stein – Grettir Asmundarson – Sean Murphy – Randal Vegter – Kellen Steffen – Kaya Woodall – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Alan Maass – John Halpin – Peter Harding – David – Kayla Russell – John Bauman – MartΓ­n SalΓ­as – Stu Baker – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Luigi Boccia – E. Margaret Warton – Tim Sheehan – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – KenIsWearingAHat – Jordan Block – Aaron Wade – Jeff Ulm – David Futter – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Richard Sneddon – Janice Berry – Doreen Carlson – Wendy Gilchrist – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Miles Forman – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jung – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jeffrey Bean – JRRJ – Ailie Fraser – Rob Tsuk – Natalie Mistilis – Josh Singer – Amy Lynn Thornsen – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Victoria Yu – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – David Joske – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Madeleine Mader – Jason Pratt – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Linda Duffy – Bonnie Prinsen – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nell Morse – Nathan Gouwens – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cbalmain – Angela Livingstone – Diane Hughes – Michael Casner – Lowell Meyer – Stephen Tsoneff – Joshua Hill – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Dhu Wik – Melmaniac – Eric Helm – Jonathan Daniels – Caro Field – Dave Sharpe – Naomi Watson – David Alexander – Jeff Patterson – Chris K. – Gavin Doig – Sam Fenn – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Brad Callahan – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Andrew Fair – L. B. Morse – Bill Thornton – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Nate from Kalamazoo – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Colin Hodo

    --------------------

    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
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    🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
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    🎨 SHOW ART:
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  • Turn around... every now and then I get a little lonely and the snare is sounding small
    Turn around... every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of sleigh bells
    Turn around... every now and then I get a little bit nervous that the cannons will not fire
    Turn around...

    ...every now and then Kirk decides to take on a classic 80s power ballad, and winds up learning a thing or two about when to use castanets and how to pull off an elegant key change. (Are you still singing along? Wow.)

    Written and Produced by: Jim Steinman

    Featuring: Bonnie Tyler and Rory Dodd, co-lead vocals

    Album: Faster than the Speed of Night, 1983

    Listen/Buy via Album.Link

    ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

    The "Literal Version" of the Total Eclipse music videoWarren Huart's terrific "Produce Like a Pro" article and video about the songβ€œLost in France” and β€œMore Than a Lover” by Bonnie Tyler from The World Starts Tonight, 1977β€œBat Out of Hell” and β€œParadise by the Dashboard Light” by Jim Steinman as sung by Meat Loaf and Ellen Foley on Bat Out of Hell, 1977β€œMaking Love Out Of Nothing At All” by Jim Steinman and recorded by Air Supply, 1983β€˜One-Hit Wonder’ Bonnie Tyler Resumes Her Singing Career with a β€˜Total Eclipse’ of the Charts, People Magazine, November 1983β€œFor Those About To Rock, (We Salute You)” by AC/DC, 1981Tchaikovsky’s β€œ1812 Overture” by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukrane, 2005

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    APRIL 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Andy – Lisa Crotty – Elizabeth Culver – Meryl Allison – Robyn Metcalfe – Cesar – Corpus Frisky – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Damon White – Jay Swartz – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Paul Delaney – Sami Samhuri – Jeremy Dawson – AccessViolation – Dave Florey

    APRIL 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Dave Douglass – Suzanne Crawford – PhantomMare – Kym Griffith – Rachel – Aruni Jayatilleke – Ryan Gillen – Terry Auvenshine – TB – Daniel Kaberon – Wiggy Hash – Whit Sidener – Julie Kellman – Simon Hellman – Bea – Claudia Carty – Dani – Glenn Jackson – Christopher Selby Spink – Philip Kelly – Daniel Nervo – Kevin Stafford – Lawrence – Sy Jacobs – Irritable – Ian Pidd – Andrew Hofer – Jordan Gatenby – Melissa Kuhns – Ashley – Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble – Kevin Marcelo – Samantha Coates – James – Jeff – Dan Cutter – Joseph Romero – Ol Parker – John Berry – Danielle Kriz – Clint McElroy – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Inmar Givoni – Michael Singer – Merv Adrian – Joe Gallo – Lauren Knotts – Dave Kolas – Henry Mindlin – Monica St. Angelo – Stephen Wolkwitz – Rand LeShay – Maxeric Sp – Matthew Jones – Thomas – Anthony Mentz – James McMurry – Ethan Laser – Brian John Peter – Chris Remo – Aaron Wilson – Dent Earl – Carlos Lerner – Misty Haisfield – Abraham Benrubi – Lee R. – Callum Webb – Lynda MacNeil – Dick Morgan – Ben Stein – Grettir Asmundarson – Sean Murphy – Randal Vegter – Kellen Steffen – Kaya Woodall – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Alan Maass – John Halpin – Peter Harding – David – John Bauman – MartΓ­n SalΓ­as – Stu Baker – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Carolina – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Luigi Boccia – E. Margaret Warton – Tim Sheehan – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – KenIsWearingAHat – Jordan Block – Aaron Wade – Jeff Ulm – David Futter – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Richard Sneddon – Janice Berry – Doreen Carlson – David McDarby – Wendy Gilchrist – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Miles Forman – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jung – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jeffrey Bean – JRRJ – Ailie Fraser – Rob Tsuk – Natalie Mistilis – Josh Singer – Amy Lynn Thornsen – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Victoria Yu – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – David Joske – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Madeleine Mader – Jason Pratt – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Linda Duffy – Bonnie Prinsen – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nell Morse – Nathan Gouwens – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cbalmain – Angela Livingstone – Diane Hughes – Michael Casner – Lowell Meyer – Stephen Tsoneff – Joshua Hill – Geoff Golden – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Dhu Wik – Melmaniac – Eric Helm – Jonathan Daniels – Caro Field – Dave Sharpe – Naomi Watson – David Alexander – Adam Georgandis – Chris K. – Gavin Doig – Sam Fenn – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Brad Callahan – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Andrew Fair – L. B. Morse – Bill Thornton – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Nate from Kalamazoo – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Colin Hodo

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    πŸ’ƒSTRONG SONGS LIVE!πŸ•Ί
    July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
    Buy Tickets Here

    ----LINKS-----

    πŸ’° SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Patreon | One-Time Donation

    🏠 HOMEPAGE

    πŸ‘š MERCH

    πŸ’¬ DISCORD SERVER

    πŸ“¬ KIRK'S NEWSLETTER

    🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS

    🎢 KIRK'S MUSIC

    πŸ“· KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
    Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

    🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    🎨 SHOW ART:
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics