Rhythms Magazine

Don Walker on Lightning In A Clear Blue Sky

Don Walker is one of Australia’s most revered, respected and most successful songwriters. He first established his reputation as the principal songwriter in Cold Chisel, the most played band on Australian radio and his career has extended through solo albums (under his own name or Catfish) and albums with Tex Perkins and Charlie Owens in Tex, Don and Charlie. Many others have recorded his songs and he is rightfully a member of the Australian songwriting Hall of Fame as well as a multiple ARIA and APRA award winner.  Don’s latest solo album, his first for ten years, is titled Lightning In A Clear Blue Sky and I caught up with him by zoom to have an extensive chat about it. 

Tommy McLain & CC Adcock

Swamp pop legend Tommy McLain began his career in the 1950s and enjoyed his biggest hit, 'Sweet Dreams', in 1966. CC Adcock was a founding member if Lil' Band O' Gold who toured Australia twice and he has also had his own acclaimed solo albums out. CC has produced Tommy's first album in 40 years, I Ran Down Every Dream which features guests Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and Augie Meyers amongst others. Tommy and CC are currently visiting Australia. You can check their tour dates here: love police.com.au 

Robert Glasper talks Grammys, going to school with Beyonce, Nina Simone, jazz and Miles Davis

Five-time Grammy Award winning musician Robert Glasper was raised in Texas and went to school with Beyonce before heading off to New York to pursue his love of jazz music playing with some notables of the genre.

However, Glasper's musical horizons extend way beyond jazz and while he won a Grammy for his work on the music for the Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead he has won another four for his R&B albums, mainly the Black Radio series.

Robert Glasper will be appearing at Bluesfest Melbourne and Bluesfest in Byron Bay as well as gigs in Brisbane and Sydney.

This Rhythms podcast is sponsored by Bluesfest Melbourne.

Steve Earle talks tribute albums, Justin, and Tender Mercies

This episode features Steve Earle, who's been a frequent visitor to Australia since the late 80s when he was riding high in the charts with his third album Copperhead Road.

Earl didn't release his debut album Guitar Town until he was 27 years old, but he'd already established himself as a noted songwriter in Nashville.

By the end of 2022, Steve Earle had released 21 studio albums, many with his long standing band The Dukes.

He's also a published author, has appeared in the TV series The Wire, has produced an album by Joan Baez, and also been involved in several stage plays.

He's also released tribute albums to some of his key influences, such as Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark and Jerry Jeff Walker, and in 2021 released the album JT - a tribute to his son Justin Townes Earle who died in 2020.

Steve will be appearing at Blues Fest in Melbourne along with Lucinda Williams over the Easter weekend, and also at Blues Fest in Byron Bay, plus the Enmore Theatre on April 3.

This podcast sponsored by Bluesfest Melbourne.

Mary Coughlan - Headed For Port Fairy With A New Project Underway

Mary Coughlan began her recording career in 1985 with the acclaimed album Tired & Emotional. Since then Mary has released another fifteen studio and live albums and has become one of Ireland’s most celebrated vocalists. Mary’s life – turbulent at times - has been chronicled in the stage play Woman Undone and also in her latest studio album Life Stories, which she will no doubt showcase in her forthcoming appearance at the Port Fairy Folk Festival and other dates, But she is also working on a fascinating new project that she will talk about in this podcast. 

Billy Bragg: The Million Little Things That Didn’t Happen

Billy Bragg, the Bard from Barking, is a singer-songwriter and activist renowned for his politically charged lyrics and social commentary. Billy began his career in the early 1980s with the release of his debut album, Life's A Riot with Spy Vs Spy, which featured the hit song "A New England" and established what was to become an abiding interest in politics.

Over the years, Billy has released a dozen studio albums, several live albums, and has collaborated with other artists such as Wilco and Joe Henry. He is also a published author with books on Skiffle and politics. In addition to his music career, Bragg has been involved in various political campaigns and social issues. He is known for his passionate performances and dedication to using his platform to promote social justice. 

Brian Wise caught up with Billy Bragg to talk about his latest album, recorded and released during the pandemic, The Million Things That Never Happened. (Brian and Billy first spoke in 1984 not long after the release of that first album!).

Billy Bragg will be back in Australia in March/April 2023 for a series of special shows including a headline appearance at the Port Fairy Folk Festival.

This episode of the Rhythms Podcast is sponsored by The Port Fairy Folk Festival. 

Eric Bibb discusses his new album and forthcoming tour to Australia

Eric Bibb has the perfect background for a folk/blues musician. His father was the renowned singer Leon Bibb which enabled Eric to mix with some of music's greats - including Bob Dylan - in New York's Greenwich Village scene of the 1960s. Eric has been recording and touring since 1972 but for many years has lived in Sweden which gives him a different perspective on his homeland. His last studio album was Dear America, released in 2021.

Eric will be appearing at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, March 10-13, 2023 (portfairyfolkfestival.com) and doing other dates. Check out his touring schedule at . 

This Rhythms Podcast is made possible by the Port Fairy Folk Festival - www.portfairyfolkfestival.com.

Michael Goldberg On James Calvin Wilsey

Guitarist James Calvin Wilsey was   responsible for one of the most memorable song intros of all time on 'Wicked Game' by Chris Isaak; yet Wilsey remains largely unknown. Michael Goldberg sets out to rectify that with his book Wicked Game: The True Story of Guitarist James Calvin Wilsey. In this Rhythms podcast, Goldberg talks to Brian Wise about the book.

Bonnie Raitt : Just Like That

Bonnie Raitt talks to Brian Wise about her latest album Just Like That. Bonnie was on the cover of the very first Rhythms magazine back in April 1992 and appeared on the cover of the 30th anniversary edition in May/June 2022. For more information check out rhythms.com.au

Girl From The North Country

Brian Wise talks to Terence Crawford, narrator of the acclaimed play Girl From The North Country, written by Conor McPherson, which opens at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne on April 29 and runs through to June 4. The play, which has already had a season in Sydney, will also be in Canberra from August 25. and in Brisbane at QPAC from September 8.