Nakedly Examined Music Podcast

Queen Esther started releasing her solo albums mixing Americana and jazz in 2004, with her fifth in the works now.  We discuss "The Whiskey Wouldn’t Let Me Pray" from Gild the Black Lily (2021), "Somebody Else’s Baby" from The Other Side (2014), and “Trouble” from by Hoosegow (Queen Esther and Elliot Sharp) from Mighty (1996). End song: "Where Is Home?" from Rona (forthcoming). Intro: "Help Me" from Talkin’ Fishbowl Blues (2004). For more see queen-esther.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Upgrade your showering at nebia.com/nem (code NEM).

Mark led the Pop Group through two albums in the late 70s two later reunion album and has released nine solo albums of trippy, experimental dance music. We discuss "Rage of Angels" (feat. Front 242) from VS (2022), "Age of Miracles" by The Pop Group from Citizen Zombie (2015), and "Liberty City" by Mark Stewart & the Maffia from Learning to Cope with Cowardice (1983). End song: "Cast No Shadow (Leather Strip Mix)" by feat. Stephen Mallinder and Eric Random from VS. Intro: "She Is Beyond Good and Evil" by The Pop Group from Y (1979). More at markstewartmusic.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Upgrade your showering at nebia.com/nem (code NEM). Get 15% off at at MasterClass.com/examined.

Ben has released over 20 albums of retro rock since the early '80s, written for TV soundtracks, produced bands like Ween, and hosts a radio show. We discuss "Wayne Fontana Was Wrong" from The World of Ben Vaughn (2022), "I’m Sorry (But So Is Brenda Lee)" from Vaughn Sings Vaughn (Vol. 1) (2007), "Too Sensitive For This World" from from Dressed in Black (1990), and "Candyman" by Alan Vega, Alex Chilton, Ben Vaughn, from Cubist Blues (1996). We listen to his lockdown single, "Dancing in My Mind." Intro: His 1985 single, "My First Band." For more, see benvaughn.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsor: Get 15% off at atMasterClass.com/examined.

Bob has released 20+ albums since the early '80s. We discuss  "Forecast of Rain" from Blue Hearts (2020), "I Don’t Know You Anymore" from Beauty & Ruin (2014), "JC Auto" by Sugar from Beaster (1993), and "In A Free Land" by Hüsker Dü, 1982 singe remixed for Savage Young Du (2017). End song: the title track to his new acoustic EP, The Ocean. Intro: "If I Can't Change Your Mind" by Sugar from Copper Blue (1992). For more see bobmould.com.  Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Upgrade your showering at nebia.com/nem (code NEM). Get 15% off at at MasterClass.com/examined.

Wesley started performing as John Wesley Harding in the late '80s (often eliciting comparisons in his early work to Elvis Costello), moved from England to the U.S. in 1991, and has 20+ releases, switching to his own name in 2013 as a result of his success as a novelist. We discuss "The Impossible She" (and end by listening to "Come Back Yesterday") from Late Style (2021), whose music was written by David Nagler; "When I Knew" from Wesley Stace (2013), and "Your Ghost (Don’t Scare Me No More)" from Awake (1998). Intro: The title track from Here Comes the Groom (1990). For more see wesleystace.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Upgrade your showering at nebia.com/nem (code NEM).

Clive is a keyboardist, orchestrator, singer, and composer of three musicals and several concept albums as a solo artist or collaborator. He's played with Pendragon since 1986 and has led the bands Shadowlands and Arena since the 90s. We discuss "Dragon Fire" from his most recent solo album, Song of the Wildlands (2021), "Silent Words" from his musical King's Ransom (2017), and "The Tinder Box" by Arena from The Seventh Degree of Separation (2011). We conclude by listening to "A Descent into Madness" by Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman from Dark Fables (2021). Intro: "The Key" by Strangers on a Train from The Key Part 1: Prophecy (1990). More at clivenolan.net. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Upgrade your showering at nebia.com/nem (code NEM). Get 15% off at at MasterClass.com/examined.

David has released 8 albums and some EPs as the London-based Comet Gain since 1994, putting out literate, energetic, sloppy rock, typically splitting the lead vocals with a female voice. As a pandemic project, he just released his first album under his own name. We discuss "Mum’s and Dad’s Other Ghosts" from Those We Met Along the Way (2021), "An Arcade From The Warm Rain That Falls" from Howl of the Lonely Crowd (2011), and "The Kids at the Club" from Realistes (2002). End song: "Mid 8Ts" from Fireraisers Forever! (2019). Intro: "Strength" from Magnetic Poetry (1997). More at comet-gain.bandcamp.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsor: Upgrade your showering at nebia.com/nem (code NEM).

Shankar played with John McLaughlin in Shakti in the mid-70s and has released over 25 solo albums while backing A-list artists including Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Frank Zappa, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Metallica, Korn, and more. We discuss "Can't Wait" (feat. Jonathan Davis) from Chepleeri Dream (2020), "Back Again" from M.R.C.S. (1991), and "Darlene" from Touch Me There (1979), plus we introduce "Savior" from Christmas from India. Intro: "Psychic Elephant" from Vision(1983). For more, see lshankar.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Get 15% off at Masterclass.com/NEM. Upgrade your showering at nebia.com/nem (code NEM). Hear Chuck D. host Words + Music at audible.com/songs.

The Grammy winner and 90s hitmaker has released 10 studio album since 1994 after backing Peter Gabriel on his Secret World tour in the early '90s. We discuss "Blues in Gray" from Revolution (2019), "Father" from 7 (2015), and "Hush, Hush, Hush" from This Fire (1996). We also listen to "Steal Away/Hidden in Plain Sight" from American Quilt (2021). Intro: "I Don’t Want to Wait," also from This Fire. For more, see paulacole.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsor: Upgrade your showering at nebia.com/nem (code NEM).

The legendary Texas singer-songwriter has put out 10 studio albums since 1989. We discuss "If It Don't Bleed" (and listen to "Blackberry Winter") from The Horses and the Hounds (2021), "How'm I Gonna Find You Now" from Complicated Game (2015), and "Be With Me" from It Had to Happen (1997). Intro: "Choctaw Bingo" from Saint Mary of the Woods (2002). For more see jamesmcmurtry.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Upgrade your showering at nebia.com/nem (code NEM). Get 15% off at at MasterClass.com/examined.

Lilli is also an activist, folk-rock diva, and record label exec. She's released 10 albums and 3 EPs since 2003. We discuss "Coffee Shop Girl" and listen to "Copper John" from Americana(2021), "Warm and Gentle People" from We Belong (2019), and "Song for the End of Days" from Castles of Her Crystalline (2005). Intro: "Lady" from The Coming of John (2003). Hear more at folkrockdiva.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsor: Upgrade your showering at nebia.com/nem (code NEM).

Ray started Asleep at the Wheel in 1969 and has put out 26 albums of original tunes and classic covers while touring constantly. We discuss the title track from Half a Hundred Years (2021), "Pedernales Stroll" from Keepin' Me Up Nights (1990), and "Am I High" from The Wheel (1977). Intro: "The Letter (That Johnny Walker Read)" from Texas Gold (1975). Closer: "The Road Will Hold Me Tonight" feat. Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson, recorded in the early 80s but only released now on the new album. Learn more at asleepatthewheel.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Gift one annual membership and g Gift one annual membership and get one free at MasterClass.com/examined. Get 3 months free of Amazon Music Unlimited at Amazon.com/nempod.

Chuck joined Green on Red as guitarist in 1985 and has released 15 solo albums of tuneful guitar rock since 1990, touring constantly and doing a lot of co-writing. We discuss "Womankind" from The Land That Time Forgot (2020), "Your Skin" from Bobby Fuller Died for Your Sins (2017), "Castro Halloween" from Temple Beautiful (2012). We conclude by listening to "Wish Me Luck" from Night Surfer(2014). Intro: "Summertime Thing" from No Other Love (2002). For more see chuckprophet.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Gift one annual membership and get one free at MasterClass.com/examined. Upgrade your showering at nebia.com/nem (code NEM). Hear Eddie Vedder on I Am Mine at audible.com/Vedder.

John has released 45 albums since 1975 of original folk, traditional folk, children's music (garnering six Grammy nominations for those), and instrumentals: He is fluent on guitar, banjo, violin, dulcimer, and more. His songs very often tell stories, and we discuss several of those: "Atonement" from Bucket List (2021), "Soup" from Wintersongs (1995), and "Water from Another Time" from Gonna Rise Again (1987). We end by listening to "The Night John Prine Died" from Cabin Fever: Songs from Quarantine (2020). Intro: "Christmas in the Trenches" from Winter Solstice (1984). For more, see folkmusic.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Gift one annual membership and get one free at MasterClass.com/examined. Get 3 months free of Amazon Music Unlimited at Amazon.com/nempod.

Steve is best known as guitarist/arranger for Oingo Boingo through their eight albums from 1981-1995 and for following its leader Danny Elfman into a life creating movie soundtracks. However, his activity as composer goes all the way back to the late '60s. We discuss "Tango" by jackiO from their self-titled album (2019), "The Wake" and "Checking Out/Streets of Managu" from his soundtracks to Guilty as Charged (1991) and The Art of Travel (2008), and "Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow" by Strawberry Alarm Clock from Incense and Peppermints (1967). Outro: "Nothing to Feel" by Fejj from Alive (1979) Intro: the title track to Dead Man's Party by Oingo Boingo (1985). Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsor: Upgrade your showering at nebia.com/nem (code NEM).

To what degree to our childhood favorites persist into adulthood? Are we doomed to love the songs of our generation best? What causes the generation gap in musical tastes? Your host Mark Linsenmayer, plus Pretty Much Pop regulars Erica Spyres and Brian Hirt, and Jon, the host of The Hustle Podcast, share their nostalgia and discuss "guilty pleasures," the different pre-critical stages at which songs burrow themselves into our brains, aging pop stars, film soundtracks, and more. For more Pretty Much Pop, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsor: Get 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/examined.

Dar has released 11 albums on labels since 1993 of highly literate, introspective folk-pop songs. We discuss "Berkeley" (and listen to "Today and Everyday") from I'll Meet You Here (2021), "Empty Plane" from Emerald (2015), and " Are You Out There" from End of the Summer (1997). Intro: "As Cool As I Am" from Mortal City (1996). For info see darwilliams.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsor: Get 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/examined. 

Jerry is DEVO's co-frontman and chief philosopher. They've released nine albums since 1978. His solo career has been sporadic, with a release as Jihad Jerry & the Evildoers in 2006 and a few singles. We discuss his new song and video "I'm Gonna Pay U Back," and one of those Jihad Jerry tracks (that album now reissued to include the new track) "The Owl," and the 1979-recorded Devo track "Fountain of Filth" (released on Hardcore Devo Vol. 2). We conclude by listening to his 2016 single "It's All Devo." Intro: "Whip It" by Devo from Freedom of Choice (1980). For more see geraldvcasale.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Save 10% on Nebia shower stuff by using code nem at nebia.com/nem (excludes pre-order products). Get 3 months free of Amazon Music Unlimited at Amazon.com/nempod.

Emma-Jean is a trumpeter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and techie who runs her own label. She's had five releases since 2016. We discuss "Say Something" (and listen at the end to "Spectre"  from Yellow (2021), "Open - Remix feat. Blu" (a 2020 single), and "Um" from Um Yang (2020). Intro: "Baro Bop" from Walrus (2016). For more see emmajeanthackray.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Get 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/examined. Get 3 months free of Amazon Music Unlimited at Amazon.com/nempod.

Melvin has played bass on over 200 albums since 1980 in the worlds of jazz, rock, and hip-hop, and has numerous songwriting credits, playing with Defunkt, Arto Lindsay, Henry Rollins, Bernie Worrell, Vernon Reid, etc. We discuss his solo tune featuring Kokayi "Get Some" from 4+1 Equals 5 for May 25 (2021), the title track from The Terror End Of Beauty (2018) by his trio Harriet Tubman, and "Howard Beach Memoirs" by Power Tools (with Bill Frisell and Ronald Shannon Jackson) from Strange Meeting (1987). We end by listening to "Canto por Odudua" by Melvin Gibbs' Elevated Entity from Ancients Speak (2009) Intro: "Melvin's Tune" from Defunkt (1980). More at music.melvin-gibbs.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Like our Facebook page. Support us on Patreon. Sponsors: Visit HelloFresh.com/examined14 and use code examined14 for up to 14 free meals with free shipping. Save 10% on Nebia shower stuff by using code nem at nebia.com/nem (excludes pre-order products).