Let It Roll EXTRA

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe’re relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. In this episode, Nate is joined by Author, David Wondrich, to discuss his overlooked classic: “Stomp and Swerve: How American Music Got Hot 1843-1924.” In this episode, David takes Nate way way back into the history of American music, long before the inven…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe’re relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. In this episode, host Nate Wilcox interviews author Dale Cockrell about the musical ferment bubbling under the New York demimonde in the 1800s as described in his book ⁠”Everybody’s Doin’ It: Sex, Music, and Dance in New York, 1840-1917”.⁠This episode orig…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe’re starting the second seasons of our Let It Roll relaunch in chronological order by subject matter. In this episode, host Nate Wilcox interviews Emily Bingham, the author of ⁠”My Old Kentucky Home: The Astonishing Life and Reckoning of an Iconic American Song⁠.”Host Nate Wilcox asks Emily to detail the 150 years of myth-making around Stephen Foster’…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe’re relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. In this episode, host Nate Wilcox welcomes back Dave Thompson to continue discussing Dave’s book ⁠An Evolving Tradition: The Child Ballads in Modern Folk and Rock Music⁠.This episode covers James Francis Child himself, how he came to collect British ballad…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe’re relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. In this episode, host Nate Wilcox welcomes back Ned Sublette to continue the discussion about his book “⁠Cuba and Its Music: From the First Drums to the Mambo.” ⁠Ned and Nate discuss Louis Moreau Gottschalk, the most popular and important 19th Century Amer…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe’re relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. In this episode, host Nate Wilcox welcomes back Dave Thompson to continue discussing Dave’s book ⁠An Evolving Tradition: The Child Ballads in Modern Folk and Rock Music⁠.This episode covers the very oldest examples of The Child Ballads, with lyrical themes…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe're relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. In this episode, host Nate Wilcox welcomes Norman Lebrecht author of "⁠Why Beethoven: A Phenomenon in One Hundred Pieces.⁠" Nate asks Norman about Beethoven's innovative business practices, his conflicts with royalty, his opposition to the sexual mores of …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe’re relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. In this episode hosts Nate Wilcox and Garrett Cash dive into the roots of African-American spirituals and Gospel’s deep roots in African musical practice.The discussion is based on Robert Darden’s “⁠People Get Ready!: A New History of Black Gospel Music.⁠“…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe’re relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. In this episode, host Nate Wilcox welcomes back Ted Gioia to continue their discussion of his book “⁠Music: A Subversive History⁠.”Nate and Ted talk about the less than perfect realities of the lives of the great composers. From the murderous makers of mad…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe’re relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. In this episode, Nate Wilcox and author Ned Sublette have the second of several conversations about Ned’s book “⁠⁠Cuba and Its Music: From the First Drums to the Mambo⁠⁠.”This episode looks at the musical developments in the colonial Caribbean as the Spani…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe’re relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. In this episode, Nate Wilcox and author Ned Sublette have the first of several conversations about Ned’s book “⁠⁠Cuba and Its Music: From the First Drums to the Mambo⁠⁠.”This episode focuses on the cultural collisions and cross-pollination triggered when E…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe’re relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. In this episode,Nate Wilcox and author Dave Thompson discuss the first chapter of Dave’s book ⁠An Evolving Tradition: The Child Ballads in Modern Folk and Rock Music⁠.The Child Ballads, so called because they were collected by Francis James Child in the 1…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe’re relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. In this episode, host Nate Wilcox welcomes Ned Sublette, author of “⁠The Cultural Blend That Made New Orleans Music Unique: Let It Roll From the Beginning...to the End 3.⁠“Sublette’s book is “a tale of imperial war, religious conflict, the search for treas…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe're relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. Hosts Nate Wilcox and Yuri Campbell look back at Nate's discussion with Ted Gioia about his book "Music: A Subversive History" and what we learned about the uncontrollable, dangerous power of music, music as magic, and how authorities always try to tame m…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comWe’re relaunching Let It Roll by reposting every episode in chronological order by subject matter. This episode goes back to the beginnings of human culture and features Ted Gioia discussing his book ”Music: A Subversive History.” Ted and Nate discuss the tension between the social outsiders who’ve always been the source of musical innovation and the ma…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston take it back to Tejas for the final installment of the first series of "We Dig Rock Docs" with a discussion of Les Blanks' classic 1976 film Chula Fronteras.Originally dropped in 2022.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston discuss “Hype!” the masterful telling of what happened when Seattle’s happy little underground scene became an international pop culture sensation, attracting thousands of wannabes and hundreds of reporters to the city.This episode originally dropped in 2022.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comJust before the release of Nevermind and "Smells Like Teen Spirit", Nirvana toured Europe opening up for mentors Sonic Youth. Hosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston look back on this iconic moment from their youth in their discussion of the documentary 1991 - The Year Punk Broke.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston continue our series on rock documentaries with a discussion of two very different takes on the Sex Pistols story, -- The Great Rock & Roll Swindle and The Filth and the Fury -- both films directed by Julien Temple.This episode originally dropped in 2022.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comNew York Dolls bassist Arthur “Killer” Kane was the focus of Greg Whiteley’s 2005 documentary which told the story of his final months in Los Angeles and an unexpected Dolls reunion in London. Hosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston also discuss the meteoric rise and tragic fall of the Dolls in New York and London in the 1970s.This episode originally drop…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comThe MC5 pioneered punk, heavy metal and high energy mid-western rock in late 1960's Detroit and paid a heavy price. Hosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston continue their discussion of rock documentaries.This episode was originally dropped in 2022 and is based on the unreleased documentary MC5: A True Testimonial.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comJustin Bankston returns to join Nate in discussing some of their favorite music documentaries. The series debut looks at filmmaker Les Blank and his documentary treatment of Leon Russell at work on an album in Nashville, playing live in LA and NOLA and at home in his studio complex in Oklahoma.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston interview James Brown biographer R.J. Smith about his involvement in the creation of Mike Judge's Tales from the Tour Bus.Cinemax seems to have removed the series from Amazon Prime Video and other services and to my knowledge it was never released on DVD, but most of the episodes seem to be available on Vimeo.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston discuss Mike Judge's brilliant Tales from the Tour Bus season 2: Funk. This episode covers Betty Davis, muse of Miles Davis and a funk queen in her own right.Cinemax seems to have removed the series from Amazon Prime Video and other services and to my knowledge it was never released on DVD, but most of the episodes …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston discuss Mike Judge's brilliant Tales from the Tour Bus season 2: Funk. This episode covers Morris Day, leader of The Time and rival to Prince himself.Cinemax seems to have removed the series from Amazon Prime Video and other services and to my knowledge it was never released on DVD, but most of the episodes seem to …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston discuss Mike Judge's brilliant Tales from the Tour Bus season 2: Funk. This episode covers The Godfather of Funk, James Brown.Cinemax seems to have removed the series from Amazon Prime Video and other services and to my knowledge it was never released on DVD, but most of the episodes seem to be available on Vimeo.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston discuss Mike Judge's brilliant Tales from the Tour Bus season 2: Funk. This episode covers funk bassist Bootsy Collins.Cinemax seems to have removed the series from Amazon Prime Video and other services and to my knowledge it was never released on DVD, but most of the episodes seem to be available on Vimeo.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston discuss Mike Judge's brilliant Tales from the Tour Bus season 2: Funk. This episode covers the two-parter on punk funk king Rick James.Note: I accidentally uploaded the wrong files for the Blaze Foley and Jeff Feuerzeig episodes earlier this week. Click their names to hear those episodes. Sorry about that.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston discuss Mike Judge's brilliant Tales from the Tour Bus season 2: Funk. This episode features legendary P-Funk leader George Clinton.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston finish our appreciation of Tales from the Tour Bus season one with an interview with Jeff Feuerzeig, the writer & producer of the Johnny Paycheck, George Jones and Tammy Wynette episodes.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston appreciate the season 1 finale of Tales from the Tour Bus featuring undersung Austin music legend Blaze Foley.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston continue the Let It Roll mini-series in which we comment on a great music animated documentary series. In this episode, Justin and Nate discuss Mike Judge's treatment of Waylon Jennings, king of the country music outlaws.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston continue the new Let It Roll mini-series in which we comment on a great music animated documentary series. In this episode, Justin and Nate discuss Mike Judge's treatment of outlaw songwriter Billy Joe Shaver.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston continue the Let It Roll mini-series in which we comment on a great music animated documentary series. In this episode, Justin and Nate revel in the epic tragicomic tale of the love between two of country music's all-time best.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston continue the new Let It Roll mini-series in which we comment on a great music animated documentary series. In this episode, Justin and Nate struggle with the charismatic yet problematic Jerry Lee Lewis.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston kick off a new Let It Roll mini-series in which we comment on a great music animated documentary series. In this episode, Justin and Nate revel in the hilarious and touching tale of Johnny Paycheck and Mike Judge's brilliant telling.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge conclude their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "⁠Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year⁠" with a look at the triumphs and tribulations of Live Aid.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge continue their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" with a discussion of the composition and recording of "We Are The World."

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge continue their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" with a discussion of the composition and recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas."

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge continue their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" with a look at the surprisingly strong year had by older performers like Foreigner, Journey's Steve Perry, Don Henley and Hall & Oates.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge continue their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" with a look at Bruce Springsteen's breakthrough to national superstardom with Born in the USA. Nate struggles to maintain his official stance of aesthetic neutrality.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge continue their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" with a look at the 1984 inaugural MTV Awards and some of the artists who dominated the channel that year.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge continue their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" with a look at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and some of the musicians featured there including Etta James and Lionel Richie. There's also a discussion of a man much missed at the Olympics, the late Marvin Gaye as we…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge continue their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" with a look at the dance club scene that produced Madonna, her work with DJ/producer Jellybean Benitez, the emergence of House music in Chicago, the HI-NRG scene in the gay clubs and the rapid evolution of electro in…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge continue their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" with a look at a historic year for indie rock, post-punk and hardcore groups like R.E.M., Big Black, Naked Raygun, Husker Du, Black Flag and the Meat Puppets plus the whole neo-American rock scene headed up by X, the…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge continue their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" with a look at the rise of Prince through the early 80s and his massive triumph with the film and album "Purple Rain."

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge continue their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" with a look at the biggest tour of 1984: The Jackson's Victory tour.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge continue their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" with a look at hip-hop in 1984 from the deluge of quickie exploitation movies, an attempt at a hip-hop Soul Train, the rise of Run-DMC and the meeting of Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin that resulted in Def Jam record…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge continue their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" with a look at country music in 1984 from Willie Nelson's collaboration with Julio Iglesias to the rising new traditionalists Reba McEntire, George Strait and the Judds.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit letitrollpodcast.substack.comHosts Nate Wilcox and Ed Legge continue their discussion of Michaelangelo Matos' "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" with a look at Island Record's success with Bob Marley's Legend compilation, the rise of reissue labels like Rhino Records and the quest for the "next Bob Marley."