Category: Folk

Judy Collins – Who Knows Where the Time Goes (1968) and Alice Cooper – Billion Dollar Babies (1973)

July 7, 2025

Although it is best remembered as a shock rock anthem by hard rock icon Alice Cooper, “Hello Hooray” was first introduced by folk singer Judy Collins. One of the unlikeliest cross overs in music history, the song was inspired by Eastern religion and reincarnation and written by Canadian singer-songwriter Rolf Kempf after a road trip to Los Angeles went very wrong, leaving him broke, possessionless and stranded in Laurel Canyon. The unusual story of “Hello Hooray,” and how Rolf Kempf manifested success under dire circumstances, and the strange journey that brought his song to the top of the charts.

Leonard Cohen – Various Positions (1984)

June 22, 2025

Although it has become one of the most covered songs of the 21st century, with more than 300 official versions of it in existence, Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” was once an obscure deep cut from an album that Columbia Records refused to release. However, through the support of other artists who won’t stop recording it, “Hallelujah” has become one of the most recognizable standards of the modern era. But, has “Hallelujah” outlived its welcome? A deep dive into the history of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” from the devastating rejection of his 1984 album “Various Positions,” to its organic rise to prominence. Extra: John Cale, Jeff Buckley and how a green skinned animated ogre endeared the music of Leonard Cohen to the mass audience.

Leonard Cohen – Songs from a Room (1969)

June 10, 2025

In 1959 Leonard Cohen invited a crying woman at a grocery market on the Greek Island of Hydra to join him and his friends who were sitting in the sun. The crying woman was Marianne Ihlen, and she would not only go on to become Leonard Cohen’s long time companion, but inspire some of his most beloved songs. A look at the globe spanning love story of Leonard and Marianne, from its fantasy land beginnings on Hydra, to it’s tumultuous end in New York City, and Leonard Cohen’s last act of love in 2016. Extra – the origins of “Bird on a Wire,” “So Long, Marianne,” “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbe,” and Cohen’s final song to Marianne from beyond the grave.

Leonard Cohen – Songs of Leonard Cohen (1968)

May 27, 2025

In 1967 celebrated Canadian poet and novelist Leonard Cohen sought to launch a career as a songwriter, despite having little faith in his ability as a singer or guitarist. However, one special composition about his cerebral relationship with a mysterious woman who lived down by the river would not only go on to enchant the imaginations of music fans worldwide, but would launch Leonard Cohen to international fame as a singer/songwriter. A deep dive into Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne,” and the real life story of Suzanne Verdal, the woman who inspired the song and both the romantic mythology and tragic reality which eternally ties her to the Leonard Cohen story. Extra: How Judy Collins helped launch Leonard Cohen to stardom, and his dramatic debut in Philadelphia as a solo performer.

Leonard Cohen – The Future (1992)

April 29, 2025

As Montreal singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen went from being a cult favorite to entering the mainstream at the beginning of the 1990’s, he released his 1992 album “The Future,” gaining new fans and sealing his place as part of the modern music industry. Meanwhile, a moody seventeen year old Sam Tweedle sees the video for “Closing Time” broadcast on Much Music, giving him a cultural hero and sending him on a futile quest to achieve Bohemian cool. A look at Leonard Cohen’s reemergence into prominance during the grunge era and the continuing influence of “The Future.”

Bob Dylan – Blonde on Blonde (1966)

April 1, 2025

In the summer of 1965 socialite and fashion icon Edie Sedgwick took New York City by storm via her association with Andy Warhol and for being a sensation wherever she went. One of the era’s most famous muses, it has been highly theorized that she was the woman behind a number of Bob Dylan’s compositions, most signficantly “Just Like a Woman” and “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat.” But what was the deal with Bob Dylan and Edie Sedgwick? Whatever it was, Bob Dylan won’t talk about it. A look at the rise and fall of Edie Sedgwick and the songs that she inspired. Extra: Bob Dylan’s rivalry with Andy Warhol.

Scott McKenzie – The Voice of Scott McKenzie (1967)

August 19, 2024

In 1967 reluctant singer Scott McKenzie had one of the biggest hits of the era with “San Fransisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair,” which became both an anthem for the entire “flower power” movement, and inspired thousands of wayward youth to migrate to California. However, despite its success, Scott McKenzie managed to get lost in the shuffle of the Summer of Love. A look at the origins of “San Fransisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” and the voice of Scott McKenzie. Extra: How the Montery Pop Festival gave birth to “San Fransisco,” and Scott McKenzie’s life long friendship with “Papa” John Phillips.

Cass Elliot – Dream a Little Dream (1968)

August 3, 2024

After the break up of The Mamas and the Papas, Cass Elliot rose to the top as the breakout member of the pop favorite, especially after the surprise success of “Dream a Little Dream of Me” in the summer of ’68. Teamed up with superstar producer John Simon for her solo debut, Cass sought to create an authentic version of herself and harness the brand of music that was coming out of her Laurel Canyon community. However, marketing issues and expectations with her record label and a disastrous Caesar’s Palace performance would nearly tank her solo career before it even began. The story of “Dream a Little Dream of Me” and the missteps during the first year of Cass Elliot’s move to being a solo performer..

The Mugwumps – The Mugwumps (1967)

July 25, 2024

Immortalized with their mention in the hit song “Creeque Alley,” more people have heard of The Mugwumps than have actually heard thier music. In 1964 Denny Doherty, Zal Yanovsky, Cass Elliott and Jim Hendricks, four musicians from recently defunct folk bands, joined forces to become The Mugwumps. In five short months they would form, record an album, have John Sebastian join the group and then break up before going their separate ways to super stardom. A look at the short but important life of one of the 1960’s best curiosities.

The Journeymen – New Directions in Folk Music (1963)

July 18, 2024

In 1961 childhood pals John Phillips and Scott McKenzie joined up with banjo player Dick Weissman to form the folk trio The Journeymen. With McKenzie on lead vocals and Phillips as the primary arranger, the group created intricate vocal harmonies, giving listeners a first glimpse of a sound that would eventually dominate the decade. Extra: The problem with writing about Papa John. Can we celebrate his music without celebrating the man?

The Rose Garden – The Rose Garden (1968)

June 14, 2024

In 1967 Los Angeles band The Rose Garden hit the Billboard Top 20 with their folk-rock single “Next Plane to London.” However, struggling to find their identity and divided internally by a production team who sought to put female singer Diana De Rosa into the spotlight, after one hit and a single album The Rose Garden was nothing more than bitter weeds. The quick rise and fall of a promising sunshine pop band, and the story of their break out hit “Next Plane to London.”

Melanie – Candles in the Rain (1970)

January 24, 2024

This week we said goodbye to the Little Sister of the Sun, Melanie Safka. Sam Tweedle revisits his 2012 interview as Melanie talks about the events that inspired her first Billboard hit “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain).” From her unlikely debut on the Woodstock stage, the collaboration with the Edwin Hawkins Singers that nearly didn’t happen, and the night that the song saved a platoon of men in Viet Nam, Melanie tells the story of “Lay Down” in her own words.

Arthur Brown – The Crazy World of Arthur Brown (1968)

October 26, 2023

In 1968 performance artist Arthur Brown brought his Faustian nightmare journey through hell to music audiences via his album “The Crazy World of Arthur Brown” and became the godfather of “shock rock.” Through his high pitched wails and the helmet that shot flames from his head, Brown would be considered a “one hit wonder,” but changed the face of rock performance forever. A look at the career of “The God of Hellfire,” the birth of shock rock and Arthur Brown’s continuing influence on the rock n’ roll landscape today.

Bob Dylan – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (1963)

May 26, 2023

When Bob Dylan released his sacond album, “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,” in 1963, he gained world wide fame for his political writings and anti-war musings. But behind the songs was the influence of his then girlfriend Suze Rotolo, who was immoralized walking with him on the album’s front cover. Who was Suze Rotolo, and how did she help shape the legend that would become Bob Dylan? A look into their relationship and Suze’s important place in the Bob Dylan mythos.