Fourth Annual Holiday Songs Special

Jesse Colin Young is a revered figure in the American folk-rock scene. In The Youngbloods, which blended folk, rock, blues, and jazz elements, widespread acclaim came from their iconic 1967 hit single, "Get Together," a song that became an anthem for peace and brotherhood during the turbulent 1960s. The song's enduring message of unity and love continues to resonate with audiences today, cementing the band's legacy in American music history. But beyond his success with The Youngbloods, Jesse Colin Young has enjoyed a prolific solo career, releasing numerous albums that showcase his versatility as an artist. One of his notable solo works is the album "The Perfect Stranger," originally released in 1982. This album, celebrated for its introspective lyrics and rich musical arrangements, was recently re-released, offering both longtime fans and new listeners the opportunity to experience its timeless appeal. "The Perfect Stranger" highlights Jesse's ability to traverse musical genres with ease, and also showcases duets with legends such as Michael McDonald and Carly Simon.  Throughout his career, Jesse Colin Young has also remained a passionate advocate for environmental and social causes, using his music as a platform for change. His contributions to the music industry and his commitment to activism have left an indelible mark, making him a true legend in the world of folk-rock. Enjoying the show? Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, Goodpods, or Spotify! Connect with us on Facebook and X (Twitter). For the stories behind the songs, go to Songfacts.com. Proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Singer/songwriter Erica Falls' incredible voice and electrifying stage presence have solidified her as a prominent figure in the music industry. Hailing from the vibrant musical landscape of New Orleans, Erica's journey in music began at an early age, shaped by the sounds of jazz, soul, and funk that permeate the city streets. With a career spanning over two decades, Erica has honed her craft, working with renowned artists including Trombone Shorty, John Fogerty, Sting, The Revivalists, and many others. Her solo work, which includes albums such as "Homegrown," showcase her versatility and remarkable talent, and have earned her a dedicated following worldwide. With her unparalleled vocal prowess and unwavering passion for music, Erica Falls continues to captivate audiences, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry as a true luminary and innovator. Enjoying the show? Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, Goodpods, or Spotify! Connect with us on Facebook and X (Twitter). For the stories behind the songs, go to Songfacts.com. Proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

José James is a groundbreaking singer/songwriter known for seamlessly blending jazz, soul, hip-hop, and R&B into a distinctive and captivating musical style. José rose to prominence in the mid-2000s with the release of his debut album, "The Dreamer" (2008), which garnered widespread acclaim for its fusion of jazz improvisation with soulful melodies and hip-hop-inspired rhythms. Throughout his career, José has continued to push the boundaries of genre and style, collaborating with a diverse array of artists and exploring new sonic landscapes. His latest album, "1978," has further solidified his reputation as a dynamic and versatile artist. José James continues to push the boundaries of contemporary jazz and soul, cementing his legacy as one of the most exciting voices in modern music. We spoke with Jose about his creative process, his new music, and what's next. Enjoying the show? Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, Goodpods, or Spotify! Connect with us on Facebook and X (Twitter). For the stories behind the songs, go to Songfacts.com. Proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Singer/songwriter Zada is only 20 years old, but she has already carved out a name for herself in the music industry. Born in Ethiopia and based in Vancouver, Zada showcases a full range of influences in her singing and songwriting.  She released her debut album, Water in the Desert, on March 1, and it's already gaining critical acclaim. We caught up with Zada and had a conversation about her approach to songwriting, her love of performing, and what's next for her musically. Enjoying the show? Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, Goodpods, or Spotify! Connect with us on Facebook and X (Twitter). For the stories behind the songs, go to Songfacts.com. Proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Calling Narada Michael Walden a "musical powerhouse" would be a severe understatement. A former member of the legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra, he's also a prolific producer, has been the drummer for Journey, co-wrote the classic Aretha Franklin song "Freeway of Love," and now has a new album, "Euphoria," with the single "The More I Love My Life," featuring Carlos Santana, Sting, and Stevie Wonder. It was a joy to speak with Narada about everything ranging from the music that inspires him down through how practicing gratitude changed his life. Enjoying the show? Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, Goodpods, or Spotify! Connect with us on Facebook and X (Twitter). For the stories behind the songs, go to Songfacts.com. Proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary songwriter Mike Stoller, of the songwriting team Leiber and Stoller, is speaking with us in this episode. Together with Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller wrote a breathtaking number of classics for Elvis Presley, The Coasters, The Drifters, Peggy Lee, LaVern Baker, Ben. E. King, and more, including "Jailhouse Rock," "Hound Dog," "Santa Claus Is Back in Town," "Stand By Me," "Love Potion #9," "Yakety Yak," "Kansas City," "Poison Ivy," "Along Came Jones," "Bossa Nova Baby," and so many more.  Although Jerry passed in 2011, Mike continues the duo's legacy and is still actively working. Songfacts Podcast host Stephanie R. Myers spoke with Mike, now 90 years old, to discuss his work on the recently released album Brendan McCreary Sings the Love Songs of Mike Stoller, tell the story behind the fascinating Peggy Lee song "Is That All There Is?" and talk about his new project, working on the musical Beaches. Enjoying the show? Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, Goodpods, or Spotify! Connect with us on Facebook and X (Twitter). For the stories behind the songs, go to Songfacts.com. Proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every year we ask the hosts at the Pantheon podcast network to tell us their holiday favorites and break down the songs. This year, we hear about Alanis Morissette's cover of "Last Christmas," Barbra Streisand's "Jingle Bells," and a few songs we've never heard before, from the likes of Charles Brown, Captain Sensible and the Fuzztones. Here's our list of Christmas songs on Songfacts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You won't find many bass players on the jam band scene more respected than Oteil Burbridge. He's best known for his time in The Allman Brothers Band, where he served from 1997 until the group ended their storied career in 2014. Before that, Burbridge was in the Aquarium Rescue Unit, a group founded by former wrestling manager Colonel Bruce Hampton that was known for blending top-tier musicianship with freewheeling fun. After The Allman Brothers, Burbridge formed Dead & Company with John Mayer, Jeff Chimenti, and Grateful Dead alums Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann. This summer, they embarked on their last tour. Burbridge's latest project is Dead-adjacent: An album of eight ballads written by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia called Lovely View Of Heaven. You can hear his jazz influence all over the record, and I have to say his singing is on point as well. Burbridge has been performing these songs with his group Oteil & Friends. Burbridge is usually on the hosting end of the podcast - he has his own called Comes a Time - but here he joins me to take us through the album and offer some incredible insights on the Hunter/Garcia songwriting team. https://www.oteilburbridge.com/ https://www.songfacts.com/ https://www.facebook.com/songfacts https://twitter.com/Songfacts http://pantheonpodcasts.com/ https://twitter.com/pantheonpods Hosted and Edited by Corey O’Flanagan https://twitter.com/ofe1818 https://www.instagram.com/coreyofe/ [email protected] Songfacts Podcast Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3IThMW5yB8XnFh5cS2gTxR?si=KAhiqWRcSIy5uxb2sZPFTA This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In August 2023, Metallica launched an official podcast, The Metallica Report, hosted by two longtime members of their camp: Renée Richardson and Steffan Chirazi. Renée runs the band's All Within My Hands foundation and has been interviewing and covering the band since her days as a DJ in San Francisco; Steffan is a British journalist who started covering the band for Sounds in the '80s and was later poached by Metallica to run their official magazine, So What! (yeah, Metallica isn't just a band - they're an organization). We're thrilled to have Renée and Steffan as guests on the show to glean their insights into Metallica's music and find out what's happening on the M72 Tour, where the band play two completely different shows in each city, with film screenings and other events in between. After hearing this episode, you'll get a clear understanding of what motivates the band and might even give their Lou Reed collaboration another listen. https://www.metallica.com/podcast.html https://www.songfacts.com/ https://www.facebook.com/songfacts https://twitter.com/Songfacts http://pantheonpodcasts.com/ https://twitter.com/pantheonpods Hosted and Edited by Corey O’Flanagan https://twitter.com/ofe1818 https://www.instagram.com/coreyofe/ [email protected] Songfacts Podcast Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3IThMW5yB8XnFh5cS2gTxR?si=KAhiqWRcSIy5uxb2sZPFTA This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Lee Tasjan, a terrific singer-songwriter who was a guest on the Songfacts Podcast in 2021, turned me on to Julia Cannon, another very gifted songwriter who also produces, sings and plays multiple instruments. Cannon is highly introverted, so her promotion is mostly word-of-mouth. Once you hear what she has to offer, you'll probably spread the word too. "How many issues can I blame on my absentee dad?" That's one of many questions Cannon asks on her new album, How Many. We'll start with that song, then get into some other songs from her catalog, find out her songwriting and production philosophies, and learn about her move from Alaska to Boston, where she studied at the Berklee College of Music. https://www.juliacmusic.com/ https://www.songfacts.com/ https://www.facebook.com/songfacts https://twitter.com/Songfacts http://pantheonpodcasts.com/ https://twitter.com/pantheonpods Hosted and Edited by Corey O’Flanagan https://twitter.com/ofe1818 https://www.instagram.com/coreyofe/ [email protected] Songfacts Podcast Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3IThMW5yB8XnFh5cS2gTxR?si=KAhiqWRcSIy5uxb2sZPFTA This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices