In his new book "Sittin' In," Grammy Award-winning record executive and music historian Jeff Gold brings to life the renowned jazz nightclubs of the 1940s and 1950s in an astounding visual history of American music.Gold talks to us about this explosive moment in the history of Jazz and expounds on these spaces as the center of artistic and social change. These clubs formed a profoundly inclusive and communal scene in American culture and music during a time of otherwise widespread segregation.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Everyone loves cover songs. And a great cover often makes a song stronger. Why is that? Author Ray Padgett, of the website www.covermesongs.com, lets us in on the origins of classic covers — and tells the larger story of how cover songs have evolved over the decades.The Beatles made “Twist and Shout” famous, but who did it first? Where did the Righteous Brothers "Unchained Melody" come from? Aretha Franklin demanded “Respect,” Patti Smith blew up "Gloria," DEVO deconstructed "Satisfaction," and Talking Heads recast Al Green's "Take Me To The River." Hear more from Ray in this episode!AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

The two Steves thank you for your support. We'll be back in January and here's a sneak peak as to what's coming! Plus a *great* version of a Holiday classic from our friends Frankie and The Poolboys! Enjoy! AllMusicPodccasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Becoming Jimi Hendrix traces “Jimmy’s” early musical roots, from a harrowing, hand-to-mouth upbringing in a poverty-stricken, broken Seattle home to his stint as a reluctant recruit of the 101st Airborne who was magnetically drawn to the rhythm and blues scene in Nashville. As a sideman, Hendrix played with the likes of Little Richard, Ike and Tina Turner, the Isley Brothers, and Sam & Dave — but none knew what to make of his spotlight-stealing rock guitar experimentation, the likes of which had never been heard before.Author Brad Schreiber walks us through these formative years, as Hendrix developed his style in the rough and tumble clubs of Nashville, New York, and London, where he would break through and become the world's greatest rock'n'roll guitar player.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Roger Steffens is one of the world’s leading Bob Marley and reggae music experts. His book So Much Things To Say is a revelatory, one-of-a-kind oral history on the life and music of the legendary Rasta prophet, told in the words of those who knew him best.Part 2:Steffens takes us on Bob's journey from Kingston slums to Madison Square Garden, through the major controversies of Marley's life, examining who actually ordered the assassination attempt on his life, scrutinizing claims of CIA involvement and investigating why Bob Marley’s fatal cancer wasn’t diagnosed sooner. And, of course, the incredible music Bob Marley left behind.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Podcast Media Network.

Roger Steffens is one of the world’s leading Bob Marley and reggae music experts. His book "So Much Things To Say" is a revelatory, one-of-a-kind oral history on the life and music of the legendary Rasta prophet, told in the words of those who knew him best.Part 1:Roger takes us through Bob Marley’s early days, and the formation of the original Wailin’ Wailers. Bob, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer were a unique combination, and we learn what each brought to the table, to their music, and what led to the dissolution of this classic trio.AllMusicBooks is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Leonard Cohen's record label refused to release his 1984 album Various Positions —which included the song "Hallelujah" — in the United States. Luckily, Velvet Underground founder John Cale was one of the few who did hear "Hallelujah," and he covered it for I'm Your Fan. Jeff Buckley would hear that version, and take the song into the stratosphere.Author Ray Padgett talks about that album and about tribute albums as a whole and what they mean to the record business. Good, bad, and worse, Ray goes deep into this unique and very popular subset of the industry. AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Author Adam Steiner joins us to talk about the creation and cultural impact of Nine Inch Nails' album "The Downward Spiral," one of the most influential and artistically significant albums of the twentieth century.Steiner goes deep into Trent Reznor and his state of mind during the recording process, the deeply disturbing music and videos he created, and the chilling location where the album was recorded.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Author Brad Schreiber takes us on a guided tour through the past 100 years of politically-conscious music, from Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan to the Bob Marley, the Dead Kennedys and NWA. Covering a wide variety of genres, including reggae, country, psychedelia, rap, punk, folk and soul, Schreiber tells fascinating stories about the origins and the impact of dozens of world-changing songs, while revealing political context and the personal challenges of these legendary artists.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

In this episode, we stretch out a bit and examine "Gunning For Hits," a music-based graphic novel series. Set in the shady New York City scene of the mid-80s, this music business thriller stars Martin Mills, a record company talent scout with an inscrutable past, and his attempts to sign a rock band that will conquer the world.Author and creator Jeff Rougvie knows his stuff. He was the former Director of A&R for Rykodisc, one of the great independent music labels. He worked with both David Bowie, Elvis Costello, and Frank Zappa, amongst many other artists, to bring their catalog reissues to compact disc on the innovative label. Rougvie takes us inside the the music business, his Gunning For Hits series, and the world of graphic novels.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Every song tells a story, but every song also has its own story — the ideas or events that inspired it, the songwriters who created it, the artists that recorded it, and the impact that it made.Fiona McQuarrie tells us some fascinating tales that will appeal to music lovers, readers interested in popular culture, and anyone who wants to find out more about songs that they love. And who knows? You just might end up discovering a new favorite tune.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Often called "the bible of alternative rock," Trouser Press was a highly influential music magazine in the '70s and 80s. We speak with Ira Robbins, who was a founder, writer, editor and publisher with the magazine and the series of "Trouser Press Record Guides" that followed.Robbins has recently put all 94 issues — in their entirety — online at www.trouserpress.com, and is adding new content as well. He's recently authored a new novel, based in the glam-rock music world, called "Marc Bolan Killed in Crash."AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Highway To Hell was AC/DC's infamous last album recorded with singer Bon Scott, who died of "death by misadventure," in London in February of 1980. Scott's demise has forever secured the album's reputation as a partying primer and a bible for lethal behavior, branding the album with the fun chaos of alcoholic excess and its flip side, early death.Author Joe Bonomo talks with us about this album, the power of adolescence, the durability of rock & roll fandom, and the transformative properties of memory. Why does Highway To Hell matter to anyone beyond non-ironic teenagers? Find out here.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

From Bessie Smith and The Supremes to Joan Baez, Madonna, Beyonce, Amy Winehouse, Dolly Parton, Sleater-Kinney, Taylor Swift, and scores more, women have played an essential and undeniable role in the evolution of popular music including blues, rock and roll, country, folk, glam rock, punk, and hip hop. Today, in a world traditionally dominated by male artists, women have a stronger influence on popular music than ever before.Editor Evelyn McDonnell talks to us about “Women Who Rock,” an all-out celebration of 104 of the greatest female musicians. McDonnell takes us into the selection process, how the book was organized, and the profiles and illustrations of the musicians, all written and composed by women writers, journalists, and artists.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

During his 30 years in the photography business, Jimmy Steinfeldt has worked with everyone from Miles Davis to the Ramones. Jimmy was first published in 1985 in SPIN magazine. Rolling Stone soon followed, publishing a classic photograph of Madonna from the “Like A Virgin” tour.Jimmy tells us about the Minneapolis music scene in the '80s, and the difference in shooting in LA, the biggest market in the world. He also takes us backstage to give us the backstory on his shoots, including Johnny Cash, Dee Dee Ramone, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and many others!AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Singer, songwriter, and producer Wayne Warner details his relationship with country music’s major record labels, the common practices in making hit records, and tell us about his experiences with great artists he has worked with, including Taylor Swift and Bonnie Tyler, as well as many country legends. But how did Nashville react to his fierce independence, and his adoption of two African American sons? A brutally honest conversation with the man whose hit, “Turbo Twang” reached the top of the country charts, gives us a look behind the curtain of Nashville's famous Music Row.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Roy Christopher traces the story of how hip-hop invented the twenty-first century and tells us how the hallmarks of hip-hop — allusion, self-reference, the use of new technologies, sampling, the cutting and splicing of language and sound — would come to define the culture of the new millennium.Christopher takes in the ground-breaking work of DJs and MCs such as Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash and Rammellzee, alongside writers like Philip K. Dick and William Gibson, and links graffiti and DIY culture to present a fascinating continuum of music of the past, present, and future— all tied to hip hop.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Take a trip back in time, as Van Morrison arrives in Boston to begin writing what would become his masterpiece, "Astral Weeks." Author Ryan Walsh joins us to unearth the album's fascinating backstory — along with the untold secrets of the time and place that birthed it.Walsh paints an incredible picture that includes Peter Wolf (of the J. Geils Band), the "Bosstown" sound, Jonathan Richman, the Velvet Underground, and James Brown. Join us for a look into this unique history of 1968 Boston.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer's Life in Music takes us into the studio during the recording sessions for some of the most talented and successful artists in rock music history, including Van Morrison, The Doobie Brothers, Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Little Feat, Sammy Hagar, and Van Halen.Author Greg Renoff recounts Ted's memories and the behind-the-scenes dramas and reveals the inner workings of Ted's professional and personal relationships with some of the most talented and successful artists in rock music history.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

STIFF Records was a maverick of an independent label. Founded by Dave Robinson and Jake Riviera, their motto was "If It Ain't Stiff, It Ain't Worth a F*ck!" One word sums up why Stiff Records came into being: frustration. Their brash and humorous takes artwork, marketing, and the music itself changed the industry. While Stiff tongue-in-cheek called itself "the undertakers to the industry," they would bring the world Elvis Costello, Ian Dury and The Blockheads, Nick Lowe and Madness, among many others. Author Richard Balls takes us through the story of one of the most unique and influential labels in the history of music.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

In our second season opener, author Faith Pennick takes on D'Angelo's epic album Voodoo, where the singer puts his own pleasures and insecurities up front. However, the sonic expansiveness of Voodoo proved too nebulous for airplay and was nearly overshadowed by a four-minute music video featuring D'Angelo's sweat-glistened six-pack abs. Ms. Pennick takes us deep inside the sessions, the band, the late-night listening parties and what it was about D'Angelo that "almost made black women in particular and women in general, collectively pass out."AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Host SteveJ and engineer Steve Folsom fill listeners in on who they are and what they've done in past lives. This episode also expounds on AllMusicBooks.com and the creation of that website, as well as the story behind the "Deep Dive" podcast, with a little help from some of our guests. AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

Things have changed. Quickly. Everyone will adapt. Here's where the AllMusicBooks podcast "DEEP DIVE" is at this moment...all good, and we hope you all are as well... AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

In the 1960s and 1970s, nothing symbolized the rift between black and white America better than the seemingly divided genres of country and soul music. In the legendary studios of the "country triangle" — Memphis, Nashville, and Muscle Shoals, Alabama — integrated groups of musicians like Booker T & the MGs and the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section produced music that both challenged and reconfirmed racial divisions in the United States.Author Charles L. Hughes tells us how this country-soul triangle gave birth to new ways of thinking about music, race, labor, and the South in this pivotal period. Artists from Aretha Franklin to Willie Nelson to the Allman Brothers became crucial contributors to the era's popular music and American racial politics during the turbulent years of civil rights protests, Black Power and white backlash.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

The Modern Lovers is the essential document of American alienation, an escape route from the cultural wasteland of postwar suburbia. But The Modern Lovers was never meant to be an album; it is a collection of demos, recorded in fits and starts as Jonathan Richman and his band negotiate modernity and the music industrySean L. Maloney talks with us about one of punk rock's foundational documents, the archetype for indie obsession, and why Pablo Picasso just might have been called an asshole. All but disowned by its author, The Modern Lovers was an album doomed by its own coolness from day one. Hear why...AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.