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Kirk Hamilton

Strong Songs

In light of Janis Stockhouse's unexpected death at the tail end of 2024, we're re-posting Kirk's 2019 interview with her for anyone who might want to listen to it.

Janis started teaching at North high school in Bloomington, Indiana, in the early 1980s. It was a time when "jazz education" as a concept was still a relatively new thing. She retired 38 years later, having grown the North band program into a well-known Midwest institution, winning countless awards at festivals around the world and regularly turning out graduates who would go on to become professional musicians, as well as many others who would simply have a lifelong love of music.

On this episode she tells the story of starting out at North and developing the program, along with her thoughts on how to get students to practice, which composers she prefers for student groups, women in jazz, funding for the arts, and some good old-fashioned album recommendations.

For more information about Janis and the many tributes and memorials to her, visit The Janis Stockhouse memorial concert website.

REFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE:

Janis's 2004 book Jazzwomen: Conversations With Twenty-One Musicians, which she co-wrote with Wayne Enstice - there are used copies on Amazon, and you should really track down a copy and read it

The late great jazz legend David Baker, whose NYT obituary captured at least some of his legacy: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/30/arts/music/david-baker-who-helped-bring-jazz-studies-into-the-academy-dies-at-84.html

MUSIC ON THIS EPISODE:

 • "IU Swing Machine" by David Baker as played by 
the 2016 IU Celebration Big Band • "Don't Get Sassy" by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis big band
 • "Hang Gliding" by Maria Schneider from 
Alegresse • "Bright Eyes" as played by the Bill Holman big band
 • "Take the 'A' Train" by Billy Strayhorn as performed by the Duke Ellington orchestra
 • "Vol. 6: All 'Bird' - Now's The Time" Play-A-Long by Jamey Aebersold (featuring Kenny Barron and Ron Carter(!!))
 • "Laugh, Clown, Laugh" by Abbey Lincoln from 
Abbey Is Blue • , 1959
 • "Song Patrol" by Jane Ira Bloom from 
Early Americans • , 2016
 • "Lingala" by the SF Jazz Collective from their 2005 self-titled album
 • "So What" and "Flamenco Sketches" by Miles Davis from 
Kind of Blue, • 1959
 • "My Favorite Things" as performed by John Coltrane on 
My Favorite Things • , 1966
 • "Mercy Mercy Mercy" by Josef Zawinul as performed by the Cannonball Adderley quintet on 
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy • , 1966

OUTRO SOLOIST: BJ CORD

This episode's outro soloist is BJ Cord, a fellow Bloomington North graduate and fantastic trumpet player based in Portland. BJ works at Monette trumpets making some of the most beautiful horns in the world, and is a regular presence on their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monettetrumpets

Remembering Janis Stockhouse, The Great Band Director

In between seasons, Kirk re-ran a bunch of old episodes and prefaced each one with a new music recommendation. He's taking those down recasts in preparation for season seven, but it seemed like a good idea to put all the music recommendations in one place. So that's what this episode is!

DISCUSSED AND RECOMMENDED:

 • "The Meadow" by Nickel Creek from 
Celebrants • , 2023
 • "Chip Monkey" by Kick the Cat from 
Weirdo • , 2002
 • "Fade to Black" by Howard Levy and Chris Siebold from 
Art + Adrenaline • , 2018
 • "Disco Snails" and "Hit the Target" by Vulfmon and Theo Katz from 
Dot • , 2024
 • Various tracks from Delicious in Dungeon, composed by Yasunori Mitsuda and Shunsuke Tsuchiya
 • "Party" by Ryokushoku Shakai from 
Party! EP • , 2024
 • Sumika - "Unmei" from 
Unmei EP • , 2024
 • "Duck Ankles" by David Sanborn from 
Taking Off • , 1975
 • "Young Americans' by David Bowie (feat. Sanborn) from 
Young Americans • , 1975
 • "The Night Owl" by Anat Cohen from Quartetinho: 
Bloom • , 2024
 • "Stranded" by Sierra Hull from 
Weighted Mind • , 2016
 • "Samba Party" and "Drop D" by Matteo Mancuso from
 The Journey • , 2023
 • "Nite Crawler" by Larry Carlton from 
Larry Carlton • , 1978

----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS 
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

JANUARY 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Dave Sharpe
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

JANUARY 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
SeattleTransAndNonbinary ChoralEnsemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Mark Nadasdi
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Matt Schoenthal
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Chris Kotarba
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Tim Rosenwong
Alan Maass
Nick Galloway
Heather J
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Carolina
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
David McDarby
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
Jason Reitman
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Achint Srivastava
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Liz Seger
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Geoff Golden
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

A Bunch of Great Music Recommendations

Strong Songs Season Seven is now underway! You can listen to the season premiere right now on Patreon, or here in the main feed in two weeks, on March 7.

For those next two weeks, sign up to become a patron of the show and use the code "STRONG" and you'll get 80% off your first month. So basically, you can listen to the premiere right now for one dollar. Or just wait, that's fine too. The promo ends on March 7.

MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: "Up From A Dream" by HAIM from Women in Music, Pt. III

----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS 
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

Season Seven Announcement!

Strong Songs Season Seven kicks off with two of the most famous songs ever recorded, from one of the biggest bands in the world. U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" and "With or Without You" make up two-thirds of the three-song "suite" of hit singles that kicked off their 1987 album The Joshua Tree. As it turns out, the two songs have a lot to say to one another! They also have a lot to say about how U2 wrote music, and about the beautiful, messy human process of collaborative creativity.

Written by: U2

Produced by: Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois

Album: The Joshua Tree, 1987

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

Classic Albums: The Joshua Tree • , 1999, dir. Philip King, Nuala O'Connor
 • Strong Songs episodes "Rhythm + Harmony = Music," "The Four Electric Guitars," "'In Your Eyes' by Peter Gabriel," and "Wichita Lineman' by Jimmy Webb and Glen Campbell

----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS 
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

FEBRUARY 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

FEBRUARY 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
SeattleTransAndNonbinary ChoralEnsemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Mark Nadasdi
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Matt Schoenthal
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
Nick Galloway
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Carolina
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
David McDarby
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
Jason Reitman
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Achint Srivastava
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Geoff Golden
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Dave Sharpe
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Adam Georgandis
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

"Where The Streets Have No Name" and "With Or Without You" by U2

Kirk digs into Fiona Apple's breakneck 1999 single "Fast As You Can," a cornerstone in her late 90s collaborations with Jon Brion, as well as her work with drummer Matt Chamberlain.

Written by: Fiona Apple

Produced by: Jon Brion

Album: When The Pawn..., 1999

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

 • Jon Brion 
in Performing Songwriter Magazine • , 2000
 • "Criminal" by Fiona Apple from Tidal, 1996
 • "Tymps (The Sick in the Head Song) by Fiona Apple from Extraordinary Machine, 2005
 • "Monday" by Jon Brion from I Heart Huckabees, 2004
 • "Epistrophy" by Thelonious Monk recorded w/ Milt Jackson in 1948
 • Sound Space Studios 
demonstrating a Chamberlin keyboard
----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS 
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

MARCH 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Andy
Lisa Crotty
Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

MARCH 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Rachel
Aruni Jayatilleke
Ryan Gillen
Terry Auvenshine
TB
Daniel Kaberon
Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Mark Nadasdi
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Matt Schoenthal
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kellen Steffen
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
Nick Galloway
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Carolina
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Tim Sheehan
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
David McDarby
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
Jason Reitman
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Achint Srivastava
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Bonnie Prinsen
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Geoff Golden
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Dave Sharpe
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Adam Georgandis
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

"Fast As You Can" by Fiona Apple

Kirk digs into one of the most dense and challenging records in his collection, with an analysis of "Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)" from The Mars Volta's 2003 progressive rock opus De-Loused in the Comatorium.

Written by: Omar Rodríguez-López, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and Jeremy Ward

Produced by: Omar Rodríguez-López & Rick Rubin

Album: De-Loused in the Comatorium, 2003

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

 • Excerpts from 
Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird • (2023, dir. Nicolas Jack Davies)
 • "One Armed Scissor" by At the Drive-In from Relationship of Command, 2000
 • Excerpts from The Mars Volta's 2002 demo from Landscape Tantrums, and their 2001 first demo
 • Episode photo by Robin Laananen

----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS 
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

MARCH 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Andy
Lisa Crotty
Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

MARCH 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Rachel
Aruni Jayatilleke
Ryan Gillen
Terry Auvenshine
TB
Daniel Kaberon
Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Mark Nadasdi
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Matt Schoenthal
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kellen Steffen
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
Nick Galloway
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Carolina
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Tim Sheehan
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
David McDarby
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
Jason Reitman
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Achint Srivastava
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Bonnie Prinsen
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Geoff Golden
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Dave Sharpe
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Adam Georgandis
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

"Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)" by The Mars Volta

Kirk pays a visit the musical world of The Muppets, from their Sesame Street origins in the 60s to the globe-hopping, cinematic heights of the 70s and 80s, with plenty of detours along the way.

FEATURING:

"Sesame Street Theme" by Joe Raposo, Jon Stone, and Bruce Hart

"Mah Na Mah Na" by Piero Umilliani from Sweden: Heaven and Hell

"Pinball Number Count" by Walt Kraemer and Ed Bogas, feat. The Pointer Sisters

"Rainbow Connection" by Paul Williams (Lyrics) and William Ascher (Music), sung by Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

 • "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" by Josef Zawinul from 
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Live at 'the Club') • , Cannonball Adderley Quintet, 1966
 • "Sesame Street Theme" performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips
 • "Sesame Street Theme" arr. Dennis DiBlasio for Maynard Ferguson on 
Storm • , 1982
 • "Bein' Green," "'C' is for Cookie," "Happiness Hotel," and "Sing" by Joe Raposo
 • Rowlf (<3) and Kermit 
pitch Sesame Street • in 1968
 • "Mah Nah Mah Na" 
on Sesame Street, • 1969
 • ... and 
on The Muppet Show • , 1976
 • "Groovin' High" by Dizzy Gillespie, recorded w/ Charlie Parker and Slam Stewart, 1945
 • A 
letter from Walt Kraemer • on the writing and recording of "Pinball Number Count"
 • "The Neutron Dance" by Allee Willis and Danny Sembello recorded by The Pointer Sisters on 
Break Out • , 1983
 • "Red Clay" by Freddie Hubbard from 
Red Clay • , 1970
 • "The Muppet Show Theme" by Jim Henson and Sam Pottle
Buddy Rich vs. Animal drum battle • from 
The Muppet Show • , 1981

PINBALL NUMBER COUNT CHEAT SHEET

Intro:
4 + 3 + 4 + 3

Verse:
4 + 4 + 3 + 3
4 + 4 + 3
4 + 4 + 4 + 3
4 + 4 + 4 + 5

Solos:
In regular 4/4, with a bar of 5 at the very end

----LINKS-----

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 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

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strongsongspodcast.com/store

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newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

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🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

APRIL 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Andy
Lisa Crotty
Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
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David Mascetti
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Ken Hirsh
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Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
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AccessViolation
Dave Florey

APRIL 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

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Ryan Gillen
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TB
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irritable
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Mordok’s Vape Pen
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eric sp
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Robert Granat
dave malloy
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john halpin
Peter Harding
David
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Dr Arthur A Gray
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cbalmain
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Joshua Hill
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Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
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David
Alexander
Adam Georgandis
Chris K
Gavin Doig
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Tanner Morton
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David Stroud
Brad Callahan
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Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

The Music of the Muppets

This is the trailer for Strong Songs, recorded in June of 2020. Hope you give the show a listen!

----LINKS-----

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Trailer

On the first episode of Strong Songs, Kirk breaks down Toto's hit song "Africa," a single so good that it still lights up the Internet today.

Band/Artist: Toto

Album: Toto IV, 1982

Composed by: David Paich and Jeff Porcaro

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

----LINKS-----

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"Africa" by Toto

This week, Kirk breaks down one of his favorite songs from one of his favorite albums.

Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al" was a single from his incredible 1986 album Graceland, and its music video introduced a generation to the wonders of goofy lip-synching and fretless bass solos. It's a harmonically simple tune with a cleverly dense arrangement, and brilliantly uses musical layering.

Band/Artist: Paul Simon

Album: Graceland, 1986

Composed by: Paul Simon

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

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"You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon

Darkness falls across the land, and it's the right time for Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Kirk picks apart Rod Temperton's dance floor classic in all its groovy, corny, sound effect-y glory.

Band/Artist: Michael Jackson

Album:Thriller, 1982

Composed by: Rod Temperton

Produced by: Quincy Jones

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

------

A NOTE FROM KIRK:

It’s been a couple months since I produced this episode, and just a few days since I watched the first part of “Leaving Neverland,” a devastating new HBO documentary in which two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, detail their alleged childhood sexual abuse at the hands of Michael Jackson. It’s an intense and difficult documentary to watch, but I recommend that everyone listening to this episode do so. Jackson’s estate denies it all, but watching people on camera relaying such painful memories, in such excruciating detail, is both wrenching and convincing.

It’s impossible to separate an amazing song like “Thriller” from the man who sang it. I still think Thriller is a great song and admire the many people involved in making it, but hearing Robson and Safechuck’s accounts, on top of the similar stories I and the culture at large brushed aside or shrugged our shoulders at when they first surfaced many years ago, has certainly changed the way I hear Jackson’s voice. I’m leaving this episode as is, but I wanted to add this note, as well as to link to this New York Times editorial on Jackson’s legacy by Wesley Morris, which says so much, so well.

~KH 3/6/2019

----LINKS-----

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"Thriller" by Michael Jackson

Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst

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