Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson

Original air date February 16, 2019 | Time 59:00

WJFF recently presented The Last Waltz at the Callicoon Theater, a documentary by Martin Scorsese about The Band's final concert in 1978. I had never seen the movie before and was astounded at the level of musicianship from the Band and the incredible lineup of performers, from the blues of Muddy Waters, the jazz of Van Morrison and the artistry of Joni Mitchell and Eric Clapton. In this episode of Now and Then we explore the life and most recent work of Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson, two of the founding members of the Band.

After recovering from throat cancer in the 90's, Levon Helm produced "Midnight Rambles" at his venue in Woodstock in the 2000's, harking back to an idea he first expressed to Martin Scorsese during the filming of The Last Waltz. Before passing away in 2012, he released two final studio recordings for which he received Grammy awards and we listen to songs from Electric Dirt from 2010.

Robbie Robertson continued to work with film producer Martin Scorsese and composed the soundtracks for his movies from 1980 - 1986 including Raging Bull, The Kind of Comedy and The Color of Money. Robbie was the composer of all the Bands songs including "The Weight", "Up on Cripple Creek" and others but he was not the lead singer on these songs. He signed with Geffen records in 1986 and has recorded seven solo albums, singing and playing lead guitar. Robbie's mother was a native American of the Mohawk tribe and in 1994 Robbie released Music for the Native Americans, using traditional Indian chants and original songs featuring his son Sebastian on drums. We also listen to tracks from his 2011 How to Become Clairvoyant.

Stevie Wonder and Prince

Original air date January 19, 2019 | Time 59:00

As we prepare to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr's birthday, lets explore the artistry of two of the great singer songwriters of our time. Both of these men showed musical talent from their earliest years, with Stevie signing his first recording contract when he was 11 yrs old. Prince was 17 yrs old when he released his first album. They are both virtuoso musicians and each of them often recorded and produced songs as a solo performance, being the only musician on all the instruments and vocals. They each offered unique points of view on life and love and have influenced our contemporary culture in lasting and valuable ways. Each of them have sold more than 100 Million records. Stevie Wonder started the campaign to make MLK's birthday a national holiday.

Boogie On Regae Woman, Fullingness First Finale 1974 - Stevie Wonder
If It's Magic" and As, Songs in the Key of Life 1976 - Stevie Wonder
When Doves Cry, Purple Rain 1984 - Prince
Shut This Down, 1000's of Xs and Os, June, Hitnrun Phase One 2015
So What the Fuss with Prince on guitar and A Time to Love with Paul McCartney on guitar, A Time to Love 2005 - Stevie Wonder

Road Trip (In Your Mind) - Knopfler, Mitchell, McCartney, Zappa, Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Sheeran, Michael Nesmith

Original air date January 12, 2019 | Time 59:00

It's great to be in a place that you love, home and warm in the winter. But! There's nothing like travel to lift the spirit and today we're taking a ROAD TRIP on the wings of song!

Joni Mitchell "Free Man in Paris" from Court and Spark 1973
Mark Knopfler "Lights of Taromina" from Tracker 2018
Paul McCartney "Back in Brazil" from Egypt Station 2018
The Beatles "Kansas City" from Live at the BBC 1965
Frank Zappa "Montana" from Overnite Sensation 1973
Richard & Mimi Farina "Reno Nevada" from Celebrations for a Grey Day 1965
Bob Dylan "Memphis Blues Again" from Blonde on Blonde 1966
Leonard Cohen "First We Take Manhattan" from Live in London 2009
Ed Sheeran "Barcelona" from Divide 2017
Michael Nesmith "Rio" from From a Radio Engine to a Photon Wing 1977

Season of Memories - Beatles, Mitchell, Collins, Stevie Nicks, David Crosby, Van Morrison, GOASTT

Original air date Dec 8, 2018 | Time 59:00

There's a rhythm to life, the passing of time and the memories that make us who we are - self identity. This time of year brings back family, old friends and past loves into one's thoughts.

Beatles "In My Life" composed by Lennon & McCartney from "Rubber Soul"
Joni Mitchell "Let the Wind Carry Me" composed by Joni Mitchell from "For the Roses"
Judy Collins "My father" composed by Judy Collins from "Who Knows Where the Time Goes"
Peter Paul and Mary "Bob Dylan's Dream" composed by Bob Dylan from "Album 1700"
Joan Baez "Diamonds and Rust" composed by Joan Baez from "Diamonds And Rust"
Stevie Nicks "for What It's Worth" composed by Stevie Nicks from "In Your Dreams"
David Crosby "Paint You a Picture" composed by David Crosby from "Lighthouse"
Sting "Hounds of Winter" composed by Sting from "If On a Winter's Night"
Van Morrison "Memory Lane" composed by Van Morrison from "Keep Me Singing"
Judy Collins "Who Knows Where the Time Goes" composed by Sandy denny
The GOASTT "Don't Look Back Orpheus" composed by Sean Lennon from "Midnight Sun"

David Crosby, Snarky Puppy, Becca Stevens - New Music

Original air date Dec 1, 2018 | Time 59:00

David Crosby is flourishing in his 70's as he composes some of the best music of his life. He has released new recordings every year for the past four years. He's been working with a group of musicians that understand his muse and rise to the occasion spectacularly.

Especially interesting is the song "Vagrants of Venice", a futuristic sci-fi look at life post climate change when the seas have risen and people live on the rooftops, survival is all they know. Becca Stevens composes the music and her signature electric guitar creates the atmosphere, just brilliant.

"Glory" from Here If You Listen (2018) by David Crosby, Becca Stevens, Michelle Willis, Michael League
"Vagrants of Venice" from Here If You Listen (2018) by David Crosby, Becca Stevens, Michelle Willis, Michael League
"Sky Trails" from Sky Trails (2017) by David Crosby, Becca Stevens
"The City" from Lighthouse (2016) by David Crosby, Michael League
"I Asked" from Family Dinner Vol 2 (2015) by Snarky Puppy with Michael League featuring Becca Stevens
"Song to the Moon" from Family Dinner Vol 2 (2015) by Snarky Puppy with Michael League featuring Michelle Willis
"Regina" from Regina (2018) by Becca Stevens, produced by Michael League
"Well Loved" from Regina (2018) by Becca Stevens, produced by Michael League
"Venus" from Regina (2018) by Becca Stevens, produced by Michael League

Ten Strong Women

Original air date Sept 22, 2018 | Time 59:00

Judy Collins "My father" composed by Judy Collins from "Who Knows Where the Time Goes"
Fotheringay "Nothing More" composed by Sandy Denny from "fotheringay"
Joni Mitchell "Let the Wind Carry Me" composed by Joni Mitchell from "For the Roses"
Joan Baez "Diamonds and Rust" composed by Joan Baez from "Diamonds And Rust"
Meshell Ndegeocello "I'm Diggin' You (Like an Old Soul Record)" composed by Ndegeocello from "Plantation Lullabies"
Erykah Badu "Appletree" composed by Eryka Badu, Robert Bradford from "Baduism"
Stevie Nicks "for What It's Worth" composed by Stevie Nicks, Michael Campbell from "In Your Dreams"
Adele "Catch Fire to the Rain" composed by Adele Adkins, Fraser T. Smith from "21"
Taylor Swift "Clean" composed by Taylor Swift, Imogene Heap from "1989"
Pretenders "Alone" composed by Chrissie Hynde, Dan Auerbach, Richie Smith

Paul McCartney's "Egypt Station"

Original air date Sept 15, 2018 | Time 59:00

Stevie Wonder "The Secret Life of Plants", "Outside My Window" and "Black Orchid" composed by Stevie Wonder, Yvonne Wright from "Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants"
Becca Stevens and Jacob Collier "As" composed by Stevie Wonder from "Regina" (2018)
Becca Stevens "Regina", "Lean On" and "Well Loved (feat. Laura Mvula)" from "Regina"
Paul McCartney "Back in Brazil", "Happy With You" and "Hunt You Down" from "Egypt Station" (2018)

Secret Lives, Secret Loves, Secret Treasure

Original air date August 4, 2018 | Time 59:00

Everyone has an inner life, a personal view of the world and a unqiue path through life. Songwriters give us a look into the hidden desires of the heart and the deeper beliefs of the mind.

Leonard Cohen "In My Secret Life" composed by Leonard Cohen from "Ten New Songs"
Steve Winwood "Secrets" composed by Steve Winwood from "Nine Lives"
Adele "Rumor Has It" composed by Adele / Paul Epworth from "21"
Stevie Nicks "Secret Love" composed by Stevie Nicks from "In Your Dreams"
Stevie Wonder "The Secret Life of Plants" composed by Stevie Wonder from "Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants"
Paul McCartney "House of Wax" composed by Paul McCartney from "Memory Almost Full"
Traffic "Hidden Treasure" composed by Steve Winwood from "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys"
Fotheringay "nothing more" composed by Sandy Denny from "fotheringay"
Nick Drake "Things Behind the Sun" composed by Nick Drake from "Pink Moon"
Joni Mitchell "the silky veils of ardor" composed by Joni Mitchell from "Don Juans Reckless Daughter"

Like a River (Steve Chinske) - Live at the Speakeasy in 1990

This song was written by Steve Chinske in New York City in 1990. I performed it at the Speakeasy on MacDougal St in the Village on May 30, 1990. There's a lot of tape hiss but it's the only recording made. And it also speeds up and down a little... Lovely song!

Families Reunited, Immigration and Refugees in America

Original air date June 30, 2018 | Time 59:00

Today, alll across the United States people are marching. Here's a link to an article in the NY Times: Protests Across U.S. Call for End to Migrant Family Separations

Musicians, and singer songwriters especially, have always played a pivotal role in the conversation on issues both political and personal. Today's music addresses the issue of refugees, immigration and families in very specific references. Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion" is eerily appropriate, along with David Crosby's "Look in Their Eyes" where he reminds us "She's holdng her child the way your mother held you."

Paul Simon "Mother and Child reunion" 1971
David Crosby "Look in Their Eyes"from "Lighthouse" 2016
Neil Young & Crazy Horse "Wayfarin' Stranger"from "Americana" 2012
Moxie Raia "Follow Me (feat. Wyclef Jean)" 2016
David Crosby "Capitol" from "Sky Trails" 2017
Phil Ochs "Power and the Glory"
David Crosby and Graham Nash "Immigration Man" 1972
Neil Young "Rockin' in the Free World" from "freedom" 1989
Bruce Springsteen "American Land" from "we shall overcome the seeger sessions" 2007
Gregory Porter "Running (Refugee Song)" featuring Common 2016
Sting "Inshallah" composed by Sting from "57th & 9th" 2017