#948 - Ralph MacDonald - Second Interview

The second Ralph MacDonald Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

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We’re bringing to you an interview from our radio archives with the late, great Ralph MacDonald. This was recorded by phone in 2008. Ralph was born in Harlem, New York in 1944 and passed away in Stamford, Connecticut in 2011.

In the interview, the Legendary Ralph MacDonald checked in from New Orleans Jazz Fest to discuss his album, "Mixty Motions.” That’s m-i-x-t-y. A producer, songwriter, percussionist, performer and Grammy-award winner, Ralph MacDonald had roots in the Caribbean. With his songwriting team of William Salter and William Eaton, Ralph wrote “Where is the Love?,” “Just the Two of Us,” “Mister Magic” and more. His songs were covered by artists like Bill Withers, Grover Washington Jr, Roberta Flack, Harry Belafonte, Jimmy Buffett and others.

The son of Calypsonian MacBeth the Great, Ralph MacDonald went onto be a member of Harry Belafonte's band when he was young. For over 20 years he was an important member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, as the percussionist.

His last album “Mixty Motions” is a fusion of the many styles of music Ralph embraced from Jazz, African Rhythms, Calypso, Samba and others. This was Paul’s second time speaking with Ralph MacDonald, and this interview is fascinating. MacDonald shared opinions, history, and his philosophy on music.

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The Paul Leslie Hour is a talk show dedicated to “Helping People Tell Their Stories.” Some of the most iconic people of all time drop in to chat. Frequent topics include Arts, Entertainment and Culture.