- Claudine Longet – Claudine (1967)
There seems to be only two things that people remember about Claudine Longet – that she was married to laid back crooner Andy Williams, and that she killed her lover, Olympic skier Spider Sabich. But before the headlines, the scandal and the sensational trial, Claudine Longet was known as a singer! With her soft whispy voice and her thick Parisian accent, Claudine Longet was recording some of the most unusual and inspired covers of the 1960’s in a way that may have been out of step with record buyers when released, but have aged beautifully over time. A deep dive into Claudine Longet’s music career which continues to be under appreciated and misunderstood still today.
- Glen Sherley – Live at Vacaville, California (1972)
Although he never had a hit, singer-songwriter Glen Sherley earned a place in country music lore as the prisoner who Johnny Cash signaled out for writing the song “Greystone Chapel” at his historic 1968 concert at Folsom Prison. After bonding with Cash following the performance, The Man in Black took the Man in Prison Grays under his wing, opening doors for him on the outside and setting him up in the music industry prior to his release, which led to the production of Sherley’s debut album, “Live at Vacaville, CA.” One of the most authentic outlaw country albums ever recorded, it continues to be a rare gem overlooked by the public. A deep dive into Glen Sherley – his life, his crimes, his music, his relationship with Johnny Cash and the tragic end that would go on to haunt the Man in Black until his final days.
- Korla Pandit – The Universal Language of Music, Vol. 3 (1969)
Appearing out of seemingly nowhere on the Los Angeles entertainment scene in 1949, organist Korla Pandit was an unlikely local sex symbol who brought the culture and music of India to early television via his KTLA-TV program “Korla Pandit’s Adventures in Music.” Under his jeweled turban, Pandit was a true man of mystery. But, two years after his death in 1998, the mystery of Korla Pandit became even more profound when writer RJ Smith revealed that everything we thought we knew about “The Godfather of Exotica” was a lie, and there never was a Korla Pandit at all! So who was the man in the turban, and what was his connection to a long forgotten boogie woogie pianist named Johnny Redd? A story of how one man reinvented himself to escape racism and oppression in 1950’s America, and the lengths he took to ensure that nobody discovered the true identity of “The Genie of the Keys.”
- Korla Pandit – Music of Hollywood (1962) and Liberace – Liberace Plays Rhapsody in Blue (1966)
During the earliest days of television, two Los Angeles based keyboardists battled it out for ratings and audiences and became two unlikely sex symbols. On KTLA-TV was the mysterious Korla Pandit, the turbaned “Godfather of Exotica” with the hypnotic eyes with a dash of mysticism. On KLAC-TV was Liberace, with his keyboard smile and a chatty warmth who no woman could seem to get to settle down. Both shows were similar, except for the ways they weren’t, creating an often one-sided “winner takes all” feud which has been lost to time. The story of Korla Pandit and how he came to dominate television, and the coming of Liberace and his rise to fame. Two piano men, two cult followings, and two secrets that could dismantle both their careers and public personas forever.
- The Monkees – Christmas Party (2018)
On December 25th, 1967 The Monkees performed the 16th Century Spanish vilancico “Riu Chiu” on the Christmas broadcast of their popular TV show, marking the first and only time they sang live on camera during the series, creating a magical moment beloved by fans. For decades to come, through every movement of their careers, The Monkees have released holiday music although none of it has made it into the popular Christmas soundscape. We explore fifty years of Monkees holiday memories, from the mysterious “Riu Chiu,” to their rare 1976 Christmas single “Christmas is My Time of Year,” through their MTV period and finishing on their only official Christmas project, “Christmas Party.” Decade by decade, Monkee fans have always been able to celebrate Christmas with Davy, Mike, Micky and Peter. Extra: Howard Kaylan and The Christmas Spirit, and producer Chip Douglas, the Santa Claus who keeps giving the gift of Monkee music!
- Jackson Browne – Jackson Browne (aka Saturate Before Using) (1972)
In 1971 singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, not yet famous, was in London for a series of concerts and composing music for what would be his debut album when he met a young widow from California named Salli Sachse. After ten days with her, he wrote one of his most beautiful ballads about their fleeting love affair. Through interview excerpts and personal memories, Sam Tweedle pays tribute to the life and career of model, actress, artist and muse Salli Sachse, the woman behind Jackson Browne’s “Something Fine.”
