Rhythms Magazine

Sly Lives! Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie review the latest streaming doco on Sly and The Family Stone

Sly Lives! is a 2025 documentary about the life of Sly Stone and the band Sly and the Family Stone. 

The film is also known as The Burden of Black Genius. 

It was directed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and premiered at Sundance in January 2025. It's the second documentary directed by Questlove, following his Oscar-winning documentary Summer of Soul.

It was released on Hulu and Disney+ on February 13, 2025 and Michael Mackenzie and Brian Wise discuss the enormous influence this troubled genius has had on funk, soul, psychedelia since his multi-gendered, multi-racial band became superstars in the late 1960s.

LEON BRIDGES IN CONVERSATION

Texas-born and bred singer Leon Bridges has just began his Australian tour in Bowral on Sunday January 19 and he has appearances in Sydney (January 21) and at at the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Thursday January 23. Brian Wise spoke to Leon about his career and his latest album, simply titled Leon. The interview also contains music from the latest album. Concert details and tickets at: leonbridges.com

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN REVIEW - BRIAN WISE & MICHAEL MACKENZIE

Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie discuss A Complete Unknown, James Mangold's biopic on Bob Dylan starring Timothy Chalamet as Bob, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo (Suze Rotolo), Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger. Is this the best music biopic of all time?

Paul Kelly

 

Paul Kelly joined Brian Wise in the studio at Triple R in Melbourne to talk about his recent American our, the film How To make Gravy based on his song of the same title and his latest album Fever Longing Still. He also performs two songs from the new album for us: 'All Those Smiling Faces' and 'Down To The River With Dad'. 

Michael Connelly Pt 2 : The Music of Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer

Michael Connelly is the American author of thirty-seven novels,  including the Harry Bosch series, the Lincoln Lawyer series, and the Renée Ballard series.

They alone have sold more than eighty million copies worldwide.

Michael Connolley was in Australia for the Sydney and Brisbane Writers Festivals and spoke to Rhythms Editor Brian Wise about the use of music, especially jazz, in his Bosch series and other works.

It was produced by Michael Mackenzie.

Michael Connelly Pt 1: The Music of Bosch

Michael Connelly is the author of thirty-seven novels, including #1 New York Times bestsellers Desert Star, The Dark Hours, and The Law of Innocence. His books, which include the Harry Bosch series, the Lincoln Lawyer series, and the Renée Ballard series, have sold more than eighty million copies worldwide.

Connelly is a former newspaper reporter who has won numerous awards for his journalism and his novels.

He's the executive producer of three television series: Bosch, Bosch: Legacy, and The Lincoln Lawyer. He spends his time in California and Florida.

Michael Connolley was in Australia for the Sydney and Brisbane Writers Festivals and spoke to Rhythms Editor Brian Wise about the use of music, especially jazz, in his Bosch series and other works.

Produced by Michael Mackenzie.

BOO MITCHELL

Our guest in this Rhythms podcast is Boo Mitchell, the son of legendary Memphis producer Willie Mitchell, whose Royal Studios featured the incredible Hi Rhythm Section playing behind a myriad of hits from the likes of Al Green, Ann Peebles and many more. Boo has his own formidable career working with many high profile musicians at Royal and producing the acclaimed 2014 documentary Take Me to the River, celebrating the intergenerational and interracial musical influence of Memphis, in the face of pervasive discrimination and segregation. There is also a New Orleans version and in this podcast Boo reveals plans for another documentary in an overseas location. 

Boo Mitchell is bringing some of the remaining Hi Rhythm Section members to Blues on Broadbeach this weekend (May 16-19)with guest vocalists Lina Beach and Jerome Chism. Boo will also be showing Take Me To The River and taking about the documentary. 

 

MARTHA WAINWRIGHT

Martha Wainwright is touring Australia this month and Rhythms Editor Brian Wise caught up with her by Zoom to talk about the tour, her return to touring, writing new songs and a tribute to singer/songwriter Connie Converse. The podcast starts with music from Martha's lates studio album Love Is Reborn. 

Songs: Hole In My Heart/Getting Older/Love Will Be Reborn - Martha Wainwright (Love Will Be Reborn), Five Years Old - Loudon Wainwright III (Fame & Wealth), One By One - Martha Wainwright, Wild Mountain Thyme (feat. Anna McGarrigle, Chaim Tannenbaum, Lily Lanken, Lucy Wainwright Roche & Martha Wainwright) - Rufus Wainwright (Folkocracy).

You can find Martha's tour dates at: https://www.marthawainwright.com/shows

 

JON CLEARY

Jon Cleary is currently touring Australia with his Absolute Monster Gentlemen. Rhythms Editor Brian Wise spoke to him just before he set off for the tour and just after he had played The Bitter End in New York, which is s story in itself.  Jon is also appearing at Blues On Broadbeach this weekend, May 16-19, 2024.

You can check out Jon's touring dates here: https://www.joncleary.com/tour

JEFF TWEEDY

Wilco are touring Australia in March and Rhythms Editor Brian Wise spoke to Jeff Tweedy about the band's latest album Cousin and Jeff's new book World Within A Song: Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music. 

This edition of the Rhythms Podcast is sponsored by Love Police Tours. You can find full details of the Wilco tour at lovepolice.com.au/tours.