The Track Star Podcast

Elvis Costello joins Jack on the Track Star Podcast to explore the music that has stayed with him throughout his life. From the sharp pop instincts of Nick Lowe and the blues-rooted rock of Fleetwood Mac to Randy Newman’s storytelling, Stevie Wonder’s soul and reggae grooves, and Bruce Springsteen’s rock anthems, the conversation spans generations, genres, and approaches to songwriting.   They also revisit Costello’s own work and along the way, he reflects on the connections between listening, writing, and performing. Today, Costello releases the 49th anniversary box set of his 1977 debut album, My Aim Is True. Nearly five decades later, he joins us to look back at the music that shaped him.   This Episode's Track List: So It Goes - Nick Lowe Man of the World - Fleetwood Mac Little Criminals - Randy Newman Watching The Detectives - Elvis Costello Master Blaster (Jammin’) - Stevie Wonder Alison - Linda Ronstadt Growin’ Up - Bruce Springsteen

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing the legendary ‘90s rapper/singer Queen Latifah on some hip hop and soul tracks. As a New Jersey native, Queen Latifah has plenty of stories about her hometown classics. And through each song, she takes us down her musical journey while shocking us with her effortless music knowledge. ​ With each track Jack plays, Queen Latifah has an intriguing behind-the-scenes story about the artist, giving perspective on her own musical influences through fascinating anecdotes. This Episode's Track List:  Rapper’s Delight - The Sugarhill Gang Me & Mr Jones - Amy Winehouse Jolene - Dolly Parton I Know You, I Live You - Chaka Khan Buddy (Native Tongue Decision) - De La Soul Name It Claim It - The Clark Sisters Just Another Day… - Queen Latifah

This week on the Track Star* Jack is joined by Ravi Coltrane, Grammy nominated saxophonist, bandleader and composer, as well as the son of the legendary John Coltrane and co-owner of the RKM Music record label. Together Ravi and Jack reminisce about the golden age of jazz and one of jazz’s most influential figures through his most iconic tracks.The soundtrack of this episode takes us through John Coltrane’s transformative career, as Ravi helps describe exactly what made his sound so beautiful. Ravi also shares personal anecdotes about John Coltrane’s recording history and process, while reflecting on the revolutionary legacy that made jazz what it is today.00:00 - Intro00:21 - Miles Davis (ft. John Coltrane) - Round Midnight02:50 - Thelonious Monk (ft. John Coltrane) - Trinkle Tinkle07:54 - John Coltrane - Blue Train11:25 - John Coltrane - Russian Lullaby14:32 - Miles Davis (ft. John Coltrane) - So What16:09 - Miles Davis (ft. John Coltrane) - So What17:10 - John Coltrane - Giant Steps19:58 - John Coltrane - Chasin’ The Trane24:34 - John Coltrane - Alabama27:05 - John Coltrane - A Love Supreme, Part I - Acknowledgement33:34 - John Coltrane - Ascension - Edition I / Pt. 1

Travis Barker, best known for his work as drummer in the band Blink-182, joins us today on Track Star* to listen to some iconic rap, rock, punk, and hardcore, and break down some of his earliest and most important influences, explaining how the music they made, from Led Zeppelin to the Muppets, changed his life.  Revealing his favorite punk and metal bands, as well as the drummers that inspired him to work hard and play harder, Travis shows us that making great music is an exercise of equal parts joy and dedication. Telling a complicated life story between drum breaks and hard rock classics, Travis takes the time today to share with us a new perspective on his life and the moments behind the music that defined it. This Episode's Track List:  Paul Revere - Beastie Boys Beat on the Brat - Ramones Aint Talkin Bout Love - Van Halen Rock and Roll - Led Zeppelin Super Rad! - The Aquabats! My War - Black Flag I’m the One - Descendents Raining Blood - Slayer Love for Sale - The Buddy Rich Big Band

Questlove, the multi-dimensional musician, filmmaker, and artist, joins us today on Track Star* to show us his deep and profound appreciation for music, and to teach us about the role music has played throughout his life.  Originally gaining notoriety as drummer and co-frontman of the Roots, Questlove became a core member of the Soulquarian collective. Today, Questlove gives us a peek into the group's creative process, as well as a lesson on the history of the collective and the members who made it iconic. As we walk through different musical moments and movements, Questlove takes the time to share with us his love for music and the people who make it.  This Episode's Track List:  The Light - Common Don’t Leave Me This Way (ft. Teddy Pendergrass) - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes I Won’t Last a Day Without You - Carpenters For the Love of Money - The O’Jays Bang the Drum All Day - Todd Rundgren Long Lonely Nights - Lee Andrews & The Hearts Loan Me a Dime - Boz Scaggs

Lenny Kaye is an icon of the punk rock scene. As a member of the Patti Smith Group, as well as in his work as a solo artist and rock critic, Kaye joins us today on Track Star* to listen to a few songs and break down some important Punk history. Beginning with a discussion of the songs and movements that influenced Kaye himself as a child, the conversation soon shifts to a broader discussion of what defined the punk scene and mindset, and how that developed over time.  Kaye joins us today for an invaluable, first-person perspective on the New York punk movement of the late 70s, interrupted only occasionally by singing and dancing.  This Episode's Track List:  Gloria - The Cadillacs  Never Let You Go - The Five Discs Johnny Too Bad - The Slickers Know Your Rights - The Clash The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion) - Grateful Dead Sonic Reducer - Dead Boys White Wedding - Billy Idol

Today on the Track Star Podcast, we are joined by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS to talk about rock and roll songwriting, the New York City music scene, and what it really takes to make a song, or a band, truly great.  With a collection of songs spanning American and English rock, punk, Motown, and more, Paul and Gene share their thoughts on how different artists and movements engage with the craft of songwriting and balance the art of the song with the energy of performance and the demand of the public.  Gene and Paul join us today for a crash-course on rock and roll songwriting, emphasizing, as they have throughout their careers, that the most important thing is the song.  This Episode’s Tracklist:  00:00 - Intro 00:12 - I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles 03:54 - Then He Kissed Me - The Crystals 05:20 - Then She Kissed Me - KISS 09:35 - I Can’t Explain - The Who 13:52 - Personality Crisis - New York Dolls 18:37 - Rock & Roll - The Velvet Underground 23:35 - Cum On Feel The Noize - Slade 24:58 - Ballroom Blitz - Sweet 26:16 - Bang a Gong (Get It On) - T. Rex 29:18 - The Tracks Of My Tears - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles 30:44 - New York Groove - Ace Frehley New episodes of The Track Star Podcast drop every week. Let us know what artist, theme, or unexpected guest you want us to explore next.