Book Musik 056 – Unstrung: Rants and Stories of a Noise Guitarist by Marc Ribot

Tosh and Kimley discuss Unstrung: Rants and Stories of a Noise Guitarist by Marc Ribot

Tosh and Kimley discuss Unstrung: Rants and Stories of a Noise Guitarist by Marc Ribot. Ribot first started making some serious noise on the music scene in the 1980s adding incredible sounds to records by the likes of Tom Waits and Elvis Costello as well as being an integral member of the downtown New York music scene playing with John Zorn, The Lounge Lizards and leading several bands of his own with wildly varying styles. This is his first book and it’s a mix of music writing and short fiction. Marc has a wicked smart sense of humor and isn’t shy to talk about his strong political leanings. And you can bet that he’ll crank it up to 11!

Spotify playlist | Apple playlist

Listen on Substack or your favorite podcast app

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik 036 – Side by Side: Selected Lyrics by Robert Wyatt & Alfie Benge

Side by Side: Selected Lyrics by Robert Wyatt & Alfie Benge

Tosh and Kimley discuss Side by Side: Selected Lyrics by Robert Wyatt and Alfie Benge. Wyatt started his music career as a founding member of The Soft Machine in the 1960s and released his first solo album in the early 70s. Alfie, his wife, manager, and creative partner is an artist who has done all of his cover art as well as writing many of his lyrics. Robert and Alfie are former card-carrying members of the Communist Party of Great Britain and avid followers of ‘pataphysics – the science of imaginary solutions. The tension between serious and playful, political and dreamy is a key feature in their work. This collection of lyrics and artwork is a beautiful testament to their inspiring collaboration.

Listen on Substack or your favorite podcast app

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik 034 – I’m Your Fan: The Songs of Leonard Cohen (33 1/3) by Ray Padgett

I'm Your Fan: The Songs of Leonard Cohen by Ray Padgett

Tosh and Kimley discuss I’m Your Fan: The Songs of Leonard Cohen (33 1/3) by Ray Padgett. Tribute albums are often derided and tend to elicit a love/hate reaction. When done right, they can illuminate a song and boost an artist’s career as did this one for Leonard Cohen. Padgett looks into not only the specifics of this Leonard Cohen tribute album but the history of the genre in general and some of the key players like producer Hal Willner and frequent contributor Juliana Hatfield. When one great artist covers another great artist it can be sublime. Or it could make your ears bleed. Art is always a gamble…

Listen on Substack or your favorite podcast app

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17