Justin Richmond on You'll Hear It: "Still Crazy After All These Years" — Paul Simon

When Chicago released their debut album in 1969, they blended brass, jazz sophistication, and rock power into something completely their own. By 1975, when Chicago IX: Chicago's Greatest Hits arrived, the band had already amassed an extraordinary catalog of songs that captured both the experimental spirit of the late '60s and the pop sensibility of the '70s. That compilation became one of the best-selling albums of the decade, introducing new listeners to the band's range while cementing their legacy. Now, Chicago is celebrating the 50th anniversary of that landmark release with an expanded edition that offers fans a deeper look at this pivotal moment in the band's history. On today's episode, Bruce Headlam talks to Lee Loughnane and Jimmy Pankow of Chicago about recording their early albums. They also discuss how they came up with the idea of incorporating a horn section into a rock band. And they explain why after being on the road since the 70’s they don’t even bother to unpack their suitcases anymore. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Chicago HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Dec 55min

According to the science, it really is better to give than receive. Donating a dollar; sharing a kind word or lending someone a hand changes lives, but can also hugely boost your happiness. So we're teaming up with other podcasts from Hidden Brain to Revisionist History to ask you to give to a charity helping some of the poorest people around. We're calling it #PodsFightPoverty. Go to givedirectly.org/happinesslab right now and give whatever you can. Even a small donation will make you feel good and have a much larger impact on the world than you thought possible. To help inspire you, this special episode examines the science of giving and shares stories of heartwarming and impactful acts of kindness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Dec 47min

In July, Malcolm Gladwell taped a live episode of Broken Record at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City. It was a wonderful night of conversation and music. Drew Holcomb—a Memphis native who has spent the past 20 years performing with his band, The Neighbors—joined Malcolm onstage for the taping. On today’s episode, you’ll hear how growing up with strict Christian parents shaped Drew's artistic sensibilities through the handful of secular artists he was allowed to listen to, and how the crisis of faith he faced after his brother’s death led him to leave seminary and pursue life as a singer-songwriter. You’ll also hear stripped-down performances of Drew's songs live. And you’ll get a taste of his favorite Bruce Springsteen track, “Highway Patrolman,” with impromptu background vocals from Malcolm Gladwell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Nov 1h 18min

When S.G. Goodman released her debut album, Old Time Feeling, in 2020, critics hailed it as a stunning introduction to a bold new voice in Americana. Co-produced with Jim James of My Morning Jacket, the album showcased Goodman's ability to balance classic Southern sounds with progressive ideas, earning widespread acclaim and landing on numerous year-end best-of lists. S.G. was raised in Hickman, Kentucky, in a family of row crop farmers and storytellers. That upbringing shaped her worldview and her songwriting—she sings about small-town living with both deep affection and clear-eyed critique. Now, with her third album, Planting By The Signs, S.G. continues to mine rich themes like love, loss, and reconciliation. The record is inspired in part by the ancient tradition of farming according to the cycles of the moon—a practice passed down through generations in her family. On today's episode, Bruce Headlam talks to S.G. Goodman about growing up in a family of storytellers and how that tradition makes its way into her songwriting. She also discusses co-producing her latest album and how she was able to make a bigger, more atmospheric-sounding record. And she performs the song "I'm In Love" live. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from S.G. Goodman HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Nov 47min

We’re excited to share an episode from one of our favorite podcasts, Heavyweight, a new addition to the Pushkin slate of shows. Heavyweight, hosted by Jonathan Goldstein, creates space for difficult conversations and resolving long-standing regrets and unanswered questions. Balancing humor and empathy, host Jonathan Goldstein helps his subjects pinpoint the moment things went wrong and joins them on a quest to make them right. This episode features Michael, who, as a high school senior got his lucky break—the chance to star in a big-budget movie. Shooting wrapped, a premier date was set…and then he found out that his success was all based on a lie. Find Heavyweight on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Nov 38min

Joe Boyd has spent more than six decades as a producer, label executive, and writer whose influence extends far beyond the studio. From producing Nick Drake's luminous folk albums to working with Fairport Convention, Pink Floyd, and R.E.M., Boyd has shaped some of the most enduring recordings in modern music history. But Joe Boyd isn't just a behind-the-scenes architect of sound—he's also a chronicler of the music he loves. In his 2007 memoir, White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s, he offered an insider's perspective on a transformative era, while his latest book, And the Roots of Rhythm Remain: A Journey Through Global Music, published in 2024, takes readers across continents in search of the traditions that continue to shape contemporary sound. From Cuba to Mali, from Brazil to Bulgaria, Boyd traces the connections that bind global music together and celebrates the artists who keep these traditions alive. On today’s episode Justin Richmond talks to Joe Boyd about working with famed Warner Brothers CEO Mo Ostin in the ‘60s. He also talks about the exhaustive research he did in writing his latest book and why he decided to pinpoint three specific Global regions as the genesis for all popular music. And Joe recalls how he came to produce the seminal 1973 documentary on Jimi Hendrix. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Joe Boyd HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 Nov 1h

Jensen McRae writes songs that cut straight to the bone—intimate, unflinching examinations of identity, relationships, and the complexities of coming of age in today's world. Since releasing her debut EP, Who Hurt You?, in 2021, she's garnered attention for her literary approach to songwriting and her ability to balance vulnerability with sharp observation. Her music often grapples with difficult subjects: navigating mixed-race identity, processing heartbreak, and confronting the uncomfortable truths we tell ourselves. But there's also warmth and humor in her work which can be heard that today when she performs three songs live—"Savannah" and “Let Me Be Wrong” from her new album I Don't Know How But They Found Me, and "White Boy" from her 2022 full-length release, Are You Happy Now? On today’s episode I talk to Jensen McCrae about her journey as an artist, why she gravitates toward niche communities online like Reddit, and her list of goals that include both winning the Grammy for Album of the Year and a mayoral run in her native Los Angeles. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Jensen McRae HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Okt 1h 13min