Audio

EP 258 | Bob Rock on Gord Downie and their album Lustre Parfait

June 3, 2023 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Two Canadian icons join forces and become partners in music.

One is/was Gord Downie. Lead singer and songwriter of The Tragically Hip.

Truly beloved. And hugely missed after losing his fight to cancer but went out in a blaze of the song with The Hip and the last Cross Canada Tour.

The other is Bob Rock. Known for his production work with Metallica, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Ron Sexsmith and The Tragically Hip.

Bob tells the story of how they became friends and how Gord contacted him and asked if he had any tracks he hadn’t used because he had  words he hadn’t used..” so let’s put them together”

The album took years to complete but when they last met. Gord says to Bob “Please finish it”

Bob Rock on Gord Downie and their album Lustre Parfait Saturday on Mulligan Stew.

EP 257 | It’s Festival Time in the West!!! Are you in?

May 28, 2023 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

All  5 guests are Artistic Directors of their folk festivals.

Four are in a group discussion about surviving the Covid years, this year’s artist lineups and celebrating the renewal of live music. The fifth is a single interview with Terry Wickham,  Artistic Director of the Edmonton Folk Fest.

Yes, they’re all competitors but they’re also participants and partners. So when Covid and lockdown took over our world they formed a group to help and support each other.

The guests are

Fiona Black –  Vancouver Folk Music Festival (July 14-16) Thefestival.bc.ca

Chris Frayer –  Winnipeg Folk Fest. (July 6-9) Winnipegfolkfestival.ca  

Sue Panning – Canmore Folk Festival (Aug 5-7) Canmorefolkfestival.com

Kerry Clarke – Calgary Folk Fest (July 27-30)  Calgaryfolkfest.com 

Terry Wickham – Edmonton Folk Fest (Aug 10-13) Edmontonfolkfest.org 

We’ll find out how Vancouver Folk Fest survived the near collapse of their festival.

How they all worked together, as a community, to support one another.

Also, their talent lineup and who they think could steal the show.

Make your plans …Summer and festival Season is upon us.

Thanks all

tdm

EP 256 | Bruce Allen on Everything & Doug Cox on Van Island Music Fest.

May 20, 2023 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

 

Welcome to the  Victoria Day May Long Weekend Edition of the Mulligan Stew Podcast..

And because it’s a long weekend, we have a longer podcast – two of them actually.

Starting things off is the birthday boy Bruce Allen – One of Canada’s most successful talent managers EVER!!

Bruce and his world-class team are responsible for planning,  leading and supporting the careers of Bryan Adams, Michael Buble, Bob Rock, Jann Arden and The Offspring. When you do  get the attention of Bruce – Watch Out! You can fire questions off in every direction. The thing is you have to be prepared to have the answers smack you upside the HEAD.

I wanted Bruce’s thoughts on the loss of our mutual friend Red Robinson – The Last DJ.  And the loss of Gordon Lightfoot as well.

Then we talked about the state of today’s music business. Like throwing a steak to a pit bull.

Bruce then launches into an update on the 2023 years of Offspring,  Jann, Bryan, Michael and Bob Rock.

Rock has released an album with the late Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip. It’s amazing. Bruce has that story as well..

Happy Birthday Happy Bruce!!

Bob Rock interview to follow soon.

 

 

The second interview is with Doug Cox, the artistic director of the Vancouver Island Music Festival. July 14-16  in Courtney/Comox.

Every year I’m fascinated by Doug’s artist lineups.

This year the headliners are Sarah McLachlan, Rickie Lee Jones and The Bros. Landreth. He asked Roy Forbes to return to his BIM character and revisit the tracks from his Thistles Album.

Two legends. Dave Alvin and Jimmy Dale Gilmore with The Guilty Ones.

Here’s Doug  Cox with backgrounds on all those artists and more.

NEXT WEEK – The Artistic Directors of Folk Festivals in Calgary, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Canmore. PLUS Terry Wickham reveals his lineup for Edmonton Folk Fest.

Have a memorable weekend – tdm

EP 255 | Paul Janeway -St Paul and The Broken Bones

May 13, 2023 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

 

Can a 3-year-old change the direction of a band?

This week the return of the force known as Paul Janeway – leader of  St Paul and the Broken Bones. Checking in from Birmingham Alabama.

We’re going to be talking about their latest album Angels in Science Fiction

Paul tells us it’s a turning point for the band after 10 years together.

Even though the core members are mostly unchanged,  this is not the soul band that swept over all of the music in 2012 with the EP Greetings from St Paul and the Broken Bones.

Now 5 albums later they’re taking their fans in another more introspective direction., The funk and groove can still be found but now Paul is writing and singing about being a father and his conversation with his wife about

“do what kind of  world are we bringing our daughter into?” They had a daughter.

Songs with lyrics like

“Dust to Dust”

“Try your best to make a difference. Starting with the people around you”

Songs about denial, fear, and acceptance.

There’s a renewed sense of spirituality throughout the album.

One question I wanted to include was

“How will these songs mesh live with the horn/soul band songs that you were playing over the past 10 years”.

Lots of stories and discussions.

Two things – they play the Saskatoon Jazz Festival on July 8

And the Calgary Stampede July 9

AND

Her name is Marigold.

EP 254 | Bruce Cockburn- Reflections on Gord & New album ‘O Sun O Moon’

May 6, 2023 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

The Stew is Bruce Cockburn..bringing stories of  his 35th album O Sun O Moon. Plus memories of Gordon Lightfoot and his place in the music of the World and especially Canada.

Answers the question: Was/is Gord the Sound of Canada?

Could you hear the space and place in his songs?

The Podcast is the complete interview with Bruce Cockburn on the release of his 35th album O Sun O Moon. And his thoughts on the music of and the loss of Gordon Lightfoot.

The YouTube this week is the video version of both conversations.

April 29th, 2023 – Our yearly Pinot Noir Geek Out!

April 29, 2023 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio 01:06:19

hello

Our yearly Pinot Noir Geek Out – with  15 top experts and a  Pinot  Blind Tasting!

THE SHOW

 Bordeaux is made by man, Pinot Noir by God.

Pinot Noir may not be the most planted grape in the World but no other varietal even comes close to the dialogue that takes place between winemakers and wine fans about the place of Pinot in today’s wine world.

Whether they love Pinot Noir or not, wine people all have an opinion on this grape. Described as “the diva of the wine world”, it takes a really focused winemaker and farmer to grow, harvest, and cellar this beauty.

The payoff is spectacular.

Notes and flavors of Clove, Cherry, Mushroom, Floral, Soil, Tea, Vanilla, blackberry, and plum. Lush and lengthy.

High acidity and lower tannin make Pinot Noir perfectly paired with pork, mushrooms, duck, and chicken.

I’ve been doing Pinot Noir interviews for 15 years and I’m still learning from the many stories being told.

I’ve gone back into the Tasting Room Radio files to share some of the stories and people who’ve stayed with me over the years.

Check this out:

Nigel Greening – Owner Felton Road Winery (Central Otago NZ)

Nigel Greening Felton Road NZ

Grant Stanley – Spearhead (South East Kelowna)

Grant Stanley

Mike Rathjen – Rathjen Cellars (Saanich)

Daniel Dragert – Kutatas (Salt Spring Island)

Layne Craig – 40 Knots (Comox)

Barb and Ian Phillip – wine educators  (Vancouver)

Christina Coletta –  Okanagan Crush Pad/Haywire (Summerland)

Chris Turyk – Unsworth (Cowichan Valley)

JAK Meyer – Meyer Family Vineyards (OK Falls/Skaha)

David Patterson  – Tantalus Vineyards (South East Kelowna)

Kurtis Kolt – Wine Educator – Judge – Sommelier (Vancouver)

Vikram Vij –  Chef – Author  (Vancouver)

This pinot noir  special concludes with a Blind Tasting of 2018 Pinots

It was organized by John Glavina – the owner of Giant Head Winery in Summerland. John wanted to include several of his pinots to discover how they stood up to the competition. (He didn’t tell anyone that his wines were in the mix)

Tasting on the day were two of the very best wine minds.  Great guys.

John Schreiner – The Dean of Canadian wine writers (15 books in total) Master Blogger.

TDM. John Schreiner. Brent Gushowaty

Brent Gushowaty – A Pinot specialist. Founder of  bcpinotnoir.com

I was delighted to be judging in such fine company.

The discussion went on for several hours and I’ve done my best to edit the prime points down into a segment of the show.

I couldn’t get all the comments on the blind wines when revealed but we did talk about the top two and several others not in the room.

The Pinot Noir poured on the day were…

2018 Giant Head Estate Winery Flagship Pinot Noir

2018 Fox and Archer – Brent G. choice

2019  Canyonview Wines Brand – CVW – Pinot Noir

2018 Spearhead- Saddle Block Vineyard

2018 Lake Breeze Aura

2018 giant head Pinot Noir Reserve

The segment is memorable just to hear the conversation between John Schreiner and Brent Gushowaty.

I thank John Glavina for the invitation for myself and the microphone plus John & Brent for the Pinot Masterclass. I also thank Harbour Air for the beautiful trip over and back.

 

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Next Week

Hillside

The Hatch/Jason Parkes Customs

Moon Curser

Unsworth

 

Clos du Soleil

Aug 4 Cowichan Pour

Sperling Vineyards

Scorched Earth

Robert Belcham /Cooks Camp

Bill Jones – Shrooms

 

 

EP 252 | Chris Waters (Globe and Mail) interviews Jason Priestley. Michal Mosny and TDM of Q&A

April 22, 2023 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Christopher Waters has been writing about wine for two decades. He is the wine and spirits columnist at The Globe and Mail, education director of IWEG Drinks Academy and a WSET certified instructor at the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, Brock University.

For 21 years, he was the editor/co-founder of Canada’s largest circulation wine publication, VINES, and author of the nationally syndicated column, Waters & Wine.
An internationally recognized wine judge.  Chris has developed and conducted masterclasses and seminars and moderated panels for organizations, such as The Wine Marketing Association of Ontario, Wines of British Columbia, Wines of Chile, Wines of Germany and Wines of South Africa.

That’s what the bio says.

Here’s what it didn’t tell you.

Anyone with a passionate interest in all things wine has always sought out the wine column in The Globe and Mail.

It has a history of getting the facts and figures right.  With not a whiff of hype anywhere, the column becomes a tutorial that can be trusted and held close.

Yes, there are times it completely geeks out and becomes a wine version of Wordle.  That’s to be expected because it’s like a weekly master class on wine and wine culture.

Chris Waters was the perfect person to take over the master class from retiring Beppi Crosariol.

After tasting Q&A (Red Blend)  and Q&A MRV  (Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier) Chris requested a Zoom interview with myself, winemaker Michal Mosny (Winemakers

Cut) and our partner Jason Priestley.

tdm and jason
Globe&mail

Michal and I get to tell the story of how he was convinced to move himself and his wife from Slovakia to Oliver, BC after watching our wine program Hollywood and Vines.

Michael Mosny

After listening to the Zoom audio recording,  I realized I was really liking a  very open and revealing Chris Waters.  Have a listen as Chris talks about how he finds the magic in the wines he tastes, how the wine world is going through rapid changes and what makes a wine truly special and what can make it truly not!

Q&A

 

Ps.. Chris gave Q&A 91 Points and MSV 92 points. “truly exciting”

Enjoy Chris Waters Globe and Mail Wine Columnist

Thanks to Michal Mosny and Jason Priestley.

(and Chad Oakes. Producer of H&V)

EP 251 | AC Newman-The New Pornographers

April 15, 2023 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

AC Newman returns to The Stew with the 7th New Pornographers studio album Continue as a Guest.

The New P’s have been acclaimed since forming in Vancouver 1997.

They were dubbed a Super Group.

They weren’t so much super as stellar.

A great blend of melodies,  hooks, word puzzles and fine harmonies.

Pitchfork has described the band’s sound as “peppy, gleeful, headstrong guitar pop“,[3] while Stereogum called the band’s debut album Mass Romantic as “one of the greatest and most immediate power pop albums ever rendered”

 

I found Carl at home in Woodstock NY. Having followed the band’s early years in Vancouver,  we had lots to talk about.

Mulligan Stew April 15th 2023- Special Guest AC Newman-The New Pornographers

April 14, 2023 Mulligan Stew

hello

“The idea of continuing as a guest felt very apropos to the times,  “Feeling out of place in culture, in society—not feeling like a part of any zeitgeist, but happy to be separate and living your simple life, your long fade-out.

Find your own little nowhere, find some space to fall apart, continue as a guest.”  Carl Newman

AC Newman returns to The Stew with the 7th New Pornographers studio album Continue as a Guest.


The New P’s have been acclaimed since forming in Vancouver in 1997.

They were dubbed a Super Group.

They weren’t so much super as stellar.

A great blend of melodies,  hooks, word puzzles and fine harmonies.

Pitchfork has described the band’s sound as “peppy, gleeful, headstrong guitar pop“,[3] while Stereogum called the band’s debut album Mass Romantic as “one of the greatest and most immediate power pop albums ever rendered”

I found Carl at home in Woodstock NY. Having followed the band’s early years in Vancouver,  we had lots to talk about.

(The complete interview can be heard on our Podcast and video on YouTube)

New Music from

 

  • Lucinda Williams
  • Natalie Merchant
  • Chicago
  • Madison Cunningham
  • Bette LaVette
  • Tommy Emmanuel
  • Natalie McMaster, Donnell Leahy
  • And Rhiannon Giddens.
  • Marc Jordan
  • Jesse Roper
  • Jason Isbell
  • Ron Sexsmith
  • Jill Barber

Classics from

  • Rosanne Cash
  • Jon Batiste
  • Mongo Santamaria
  • Stones
  • John Lennon
  • Keb Mo
  • Steve Miller
  • Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.

After all the well-earned chat on  Wide Cut Stew Saturday morning – it felt good to let the music flow..  Enjoy!!

PLAYLIST:

The Stew with TDMulligan Guest – AC Newman – The New P’s. playlist – mulliganstew.ca
Pin it down Madison Cunningham Who are you now
Plan B Bette Lavette Lavette
Cajun Girl Tommy Emmanuel (Little Feat-Sam Bush) Tommy Emmanuel
Drift away The Rolling Stones Tattoo You (Super Deluxe)
Mulligan Stew Guest – AC Newman – The New Pornographers playlist mulliganstewdotca
Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) John Lennon Beautiful Boy Soundtrack
Cheers to new beginnings Dominique Fils Aime single
Henry Keb Mo Slow Down
Deane House River Cafe We thank them both
Abracadabra Steve Miller Band Abracadabra
New York Comeback Lucinda Williams (Bruce and Patti) Stories from a rock & roll heart
Magical Mystery Tour Chicago Single
Special Guest AC Newman- New P’s Coming UP – Rhiannon, 2 Natalie’s & Smokey. MulliganStew.ca
Woman of the house Natalie McMaster, Donnell Leahy, Rhiannon Giddens Canvas
Tower of Babel Natalie Merchant single
Tears of a clown Smokey Robinson and The Miracles Hitsville
The Stew – with TDMulligan Coming UP – The New Pornographers playlist mulliganstew.ca
spare tire Ariel Posen and Cory Wong Single
The Stew – Year 27 Terry David Mulligan Guest – AC Newman – The New Pornographers
Space Captain Herbie Hancock (Tedeschi-Trucks) Imagine Project
Everybody wants to rule the World Marc Jordan Waiting for the Sun to rise
Make it all work out Jesse Roper single
Middle of the Morning Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit single
TDMulligan coming up AC Newman Interview Next – Ron Sexsmith
Diamond Wave Ron Sexsmith The Vivian Line
The Stew – Year 27 playlist mulliganstew.ca NEXT – AC Newman
AC Newman Interview The New Pornographers TDMulligan
Really Really Light The New Pornographers Continue as a Guest
AC Newman Interview TDMulligan Complete Int on MulliganStew Podcast
Pontius Pilates Home Movies The New Pornographers Continue as a Guest
AC Newman Interview complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast and tdm YouTube channel
Cat and Mouse with a Light The New Pornographers Continue as a guest
Sea of Heartbreak Rosanne Cash (Bruce Springsteen) The List
Beautiful Life Jill Barber Homemaker
I need you Jon Batiste We are
Watermelon Man Mongo Santamaria Watermelon Man

EP 250 | Ron Sexsmith

April 8, 2023 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

“The Vivian Line is unlikely to land on anyone’s hip/hot list. Rather Sexsmith, now pushing 60, is content to churn out radiant, sublime, transcendent music that unobtrusively exists in its own delicate bubble, inviting us in to join him on his unique musical path.”  American Songwriter

“Ron Sexsmith’s albums have always had a generally laid-back vibe, but in recent years this has become ever more wistful and soothing, a listening experience rather like snuggling up in a favourite blanket and letting your troubles wash away. Sign me up.”  Folk Radio UK

 

Those already deeply appreciative of Ron’s songwriting chops include a stellar list of vocalists to have recorded Sexsmith compositions. That group includes such international stars as Rod Stewart, Emmylou Harris, Nick Lowe, plus Canadian favourites Michael Bublé, Feist and kd lang.  Ron’s  work has also elicited effusive praise from the likes of Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, Steve Earle and Chris Martin, to name just a few. Over the course of a recording career now spanning 36 years, Ron has been nominated for 12 Juno awards, winning three times.

Now it’s time to visit The Vivian Line. Explore, linger, enjoy.”

I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Ron Sexsmith many times over the course of his 17 albums.

I like diving into deep conversations with him as much as I truly love his songs and melodies.

I also admire what he stands for.  No co-writes, no writing by committee,  no bending and shaping to suit the music fans who still don’t know who he is.

However, when he plays live, you know the room is filled with people who “get it” and it really does feel like a community.

So what is it he “does’?

Ron Sexsmith writes songs that you find yourself humming, and sings in an ever-developing soft voice that still resonates with character. His lyrics are thoughtful, kind and etched with very dry humour.

I loved this conversation with Ron. I hope you do as well.

His 17th album is now out – it’s called The Vivian Line.

Named after a rural road connection between his old home in Toronto to his new country home in Stratford.

FYI – There’s a reference to Richard Manual from The Band. He was born in the area and there’s a bench in his memory in the countryside that Ron will visit when he’s on his creative walks.

Discover Ron Sexsmith. Your heart will thank you many times over.

 

Listen and Order Album now: https://rsexsmith.lnk.to/vivianline https://www.ronsexsmith.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSexsmith Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsronboy/