All I want to do is talk about Madonna Snyder and Finkle

SPECIAL SUMMER EPISODE: A Conversation w/ Ann Powers, author of Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell
For Part Two of our celebration of Joni Mitchell, the great ANN POWERS, esteemed rock writer and NPR music critic, joins Mark for a conversation about her brilliant new book Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell.  Topics include: the question of critical enthusiasm, Ann Beattie, Don DeLillo & Don Henley, Joni’s plug into the pulse of the culture, Joan Didion and Play It As It Lays, Roberta Flack, Miles Davis, Art Nouveau and Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter, Joni’s evolving obsession with rhythm (and percussionists), Los Lobos, Chaka Khan, Prince’s song for Joni, the Jazz Fusion scene of the mid-1970s, Jaco Pastorius, Brandi Carlisle and the Joni Jams, Taylor Swift and a celebration of the studio nerd, the underrated Larry Klein, Joni’s relationship with the press, Joni’s live performances, Michelle Mercer, and what moment in music Ann would travel in a time machine.  Plus, a passionate reappraisal of Joni’s four 1980s albums on Geffen Records and the value of meeting (and not!) your musical heroes.  Special thank you to Dey Street Books and Mr. Brian Ulicky for his assistance with this conversation.

Order Ann’s book at your local independent bookstore here!

Mark and Kenny spend a long awaited spring afternoon in conversation about one of Madonna’s early musical influences - Joni Mitchell - and their favorite album 1976’s Hejira, as well as road trips and motels, a crackerjack collection of jazz fusion musicians, a genius’ search for bravery and clarity in both personal relationships and the relationship with herself, a renewed search in the American Dream. This episode is part of a two-part celebration of Joni Mitchell..Part Two arrives on friday June 14th, “No regrets Coyote”.

Kenny and Mark wrap up some loose threads (and Season Five!) with a celebratory discussion of the title song from Madonna’s THIRD greatest hits album.  Topics include: the continuing challenges of a greatest hits record, Paul Oakenfold, Ciaran Gribbin, INXS and the late great Michael Hutchence, a tribute to Fine Young Cannibals, Benny Benassi, a desire for the throb, the Dance of Life, Jesus Luz and his song “Running Man”, Kenny’s fan fiction starring Steven Klein, David Letterman and the “Madge” debate, hockey sticks, Jimmy Fallon, SNL, Lady Gaga, Lourdes, Akon, and the scattering of remixes.  Plus, unearthing “Broken” and its brutal poetic truths, and the Mirwais/Monte Pittman collaboration “It’s So Cool.”  THANK YOU 4 LISTENING to Season Five: GODDESS (nothing lasts forever).  “We need love, love, LOVE!"

Mark and Kenny load it up to discuss one of the two new tracks included on Madonna’s third (or fourth?) greatest hits collection from 2009.  Topics include: Lil Wayne (and his many feuds), DJ Frankie, the Jackie Boyz, R&B swagger, cigars, drive-by recording, the return of Louise Oriole, troublesome mixes, Paul Van Dyk, David Guetta, Tracy Young, gun metaphors in songwriting, the appeal of a 5PM curtain time, Kenny goes rifle shooting upstate, incriminating evidence, Snow White, and Mark plays Chester Fletcher - the beloved grandson of JB Fletcher - in a reboot of Murder She Wrote.  “I don’t know Page Corbin!”

Mark and Kenny load it up to discuss one of the two new tracks included on Madonna’s third (or fourth?) greatest hits collection from 2009.  Topics include: Lil Wayne (and his many feuds), DJ Frankie, the Jackie Boyz, R&B swagger, cigars, drive-by recording, the return of Louise Oriole, troublesome mixes, Paul Van Dyk, David Guetta, Tracy Young, gun metaphors in songwriting, the appeal of a 5PM curtain time, Kenny goes rifle shooting upstate, incriminating evidence, Snow White, and Mark plays Chester Fletcher - the beloved grandson of JB Fletcher - in a reboot of Murder She Wrote.  “I don’t know Page Corbin!”

Kenny and Mark take a mega, near-THREE hour dive into the 2008-2009 world tour as well as the documentary I Am Because We Are.  Topics include: Nathan Rissman, Michael Moore, Desmond Tutu, Hustling at Cannes, Hamutsan Serve, Kevin Antunes, Stefanie Roos, Sofia Boutella, unnecessary thrones, Madonna’s hat, Britney Spears, ad hoc car shows, Keith Haring, double-dutch jump rope, a tribute to Michael Jackson, Little Orphan Annie, destructive rage, subways, Nikki Richards, Monte Pittman, Eurythmics, skirting paneling and skirting camp, the Madonna stance, accordion players, political statements, the glorious echoes of Niki Haris, fan requests, chess metaphors, the challenges of “Frozen”, and proving that we don’t have “the luxury of time”.  Plus, connecting Sticky&Sweet to the current Celebration Tour, shuffling setlists, Kenny drags Sheldon to another mall in Miami, and Mark tries to skip Kenny’s concert grading system!  “Before your very eyes!”