All Your Days

In the fall of 2002, I turned on a four-track and demo-ed the album I intended to record as a follow-up to my record 'Life Underwater.' A lot of things changed after that. The new season of ‘All Your Days’ starts with the story of lost work and how it was made between the events of September 11, 2001, and the day I switched on the recorder. A portrait of a year marked by fire and death, haunted spaces and creations, by the accidental making of a time capsule that would emerge 20 years later as a testament of sorts. 

Clips in this episode: 

1. Opening Themes: Dark Shadows / Collinwood (The Robert Cobert Orchestra, Dark Shadows [The Original Music]) - 1999
2. Sleep (Resurrections Version) (James O’Brien, ‘Church of the Kitchen Sink: Resurrections) - 2023
3. Touch You (Resurrections Version) (James O’Brien, ‘Church of the Kitchen Sink: Resurrections) - 2023
4. After the Prom (Resurrections Version) (James O’Brien, ‘Church of the Kitchen Sink: Resurrections) - 2023
5. Mourning Day (Resurrections Version) (James O’Brien, ‘Church of the Kitchen Sink: Resurrections) - 2023
6. Same Old World (Resurrections Version) (James O’Brien, ‘Church of the Kitchen Sink: Resurrections) - 2023
7. Surrender (Resurrections Version) (James O’Brien, ‘Church of the Kitchen Sink: Resurrections) - 2023
8. Black Helicopters (Resurrections Version) (James O’Brien, ‘Church of the Kitchen Sink: Resurrections) - 2023
9. Church of the Kitchen Sink (Resurrections Version) (James O’Brien, ‘Church of the Kitchen Sink: Resurrections) - 2023

‘All Your Days’ returns for Season Five on June 6. We’re joined this summer by incredible artists and musicians reaching for the next ring while reconciling lives and careers at times caught in the storms of the interior and exterior world. As always, our guests are people that have intersected with the personal. These are artists and innovators, visionaries and creators that have materially changed the world in which I work. Our guests are inventors, and re-inventors, creative minds that have survived and thrived in the most competitive places at the most ridiculously challenging times. 

Part two of a stunning and wide-open conversation with Melissa Ferrick. From the Spotify class action suit to writer’s block to the revival and reinforcement of a practice to the transformation of a life into one that strives for balance between artist and academic, the podcast is joined again by this incredible voice, one that has been putting in the work since 1991. We pick up Melissa’s journey from where we left off in the heady early days, tracking days of triumph and troubles all the way to the present, where the artist — and the academic — are on the cusp of new and powerful moments. And we get a sneak peek at Melissa’s new single. 

Clips in this episode:

1. David Lowery v. Spotify (Dan Kopko, ‘Copyright Answers: Copyright & Music’) - 2016
2. Why Did Taylor Swift Pull Her Music From Spotify? (Joe Levy + Trish Regan, ‘Street Smart’) - 2015
3. A2IM/Melissa Ferrick/NMPA (Portia Sabin, ‘The Future of What, Episode 64’) - 2017
4. Goodbye Youth (Melissa Ferrick, ‘GoodBye Youth’) - 2008
5. It’s Been A Long Time (Melissa Ferrick ‘In The Eyes of Strangers’) - 2006
6. The Truth Is (Melissa Ferrick, ‘The Truth Is’) - 2013
7. What Music Teaches You (Melissa Ferrick, Berklee College of Music) - 2013
8. Black Tornado (Melissa Ferrick, ’70 People at 7000 Feet') - 2004
9. Welcome to My Life (Melissa Ferrick, ’70 People at 7000 Feet’) - 2004

In 1991, nineteen-year-old Melissa Ferrick got a phone call. The caller told her that she was about to open for Morrissey. She had about an hour to get to the amphitheater. And the next day, they sent a car to take her away on tour with Moz. It has been a long time since I last spoke with Melissa. And never before have we spoken to each other about the stories and experiences and details that she shares. Part 1 of 2, this episode is such a generous conversation re: early days, transformations, triumphs, frustrations ... and "Drive." Our conversation floored me with its specificity and sometimes its vulnerability and always by how powerfully the way Melissa Ferrick describes her world resonates.  

Clips in this episode:

1. Do Re Mi (Ani DiFranco and Melissa Ferrick, Live in New York - 2011)
2. Seconds (Melissa Ferrick, Live in Hollywood - 2009)
3. Giving Day 2021 (Melissa Ferrick and Steve Kurz, Northeastern College of Arts, Media and Design - 2021)
4. Morrissey in Houston (Christi Myers, 13 Eyewitness News - 1992)
5. Happy Song (Melissa Ferrick, 'Massive Blur' - 1993)
6. Hello Dad (Melissa Ferrick, 'Massive Blur' - 1993)
7. Massive Blur (Melissa Ferrick, 'Massive Blur' - 1993)
8. Freedom (Melissa Ferrick, 'Freedom' - 2000)
9. Drive (Melissa Ferrick, 'Freedom' - 2000)
10. North Carolina (Melissa Ferrick, 'Freedom' - 2000)
11. Closer (Melissa Ferrick, 'Live at Union Hall' - 2007)

Chris Chandler is a maker of new things out of two things, out of three things, out of four — one of the world’s consummate collaborators, sharing tracks with luminaries, fusing the verse he inhabits with the chords and choruses of artists such as Dan Bern, Jim Infantino, Peter Yarrow, Anne Feeney and Paul Benoit. I’ve known Chris a bit over the years, and years ago shared stages with him here and there, and I’ve always been moved and awed by what he manages to do with a pair of vocal cords and the truth. But I’ve never heard his full story or gotten under the hood with the head that makes it all work. Until this episode.

Clips in this episode:

1. Jupiter Falling (James O’Brien, Live at City Winery [unreleased, Dan Bern intro] — 2023)
2. Stone Mountain/Georgia (Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit, ‘So Where Ya Headed?’ — 2009)
3. Hannibal / Would You Die for a Necktie? (Chris Chandler and Dan Bern, ‘Collaborations’ — 1999)
4. Carnaval (Chris Chandler and Anne Feeney, Live at Kerville — 2003)
5. Travels with Charlie (Chris Chandler, ‘As Seen on No Television — 1992)
6. Lionel Say / Breakfast Serial Killers, (Chris Chandler and Jim Infantino, ‘Collaborations’ — 1999)
7. Loafer’s Glory / Nothin ‘ to Do But Go (U. Utah Phillips and Mark Ross, ‘Loafer’s Glory’ — 1997)
8. Sourmouth Sprout (Chris Chandler and Anne Feeney, ‘Hold Me Up to the Light’ [Peter Wilde] — 2003)
9. Last Thoughts on Elvis Presley (Chris Chandler, ‘Convenience Store Troubadours’ — 1996)
10. Eli Whitney was an A-Hole / Maggie’s Farm (Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit, ‘Pocket Call From My Dreams’ — 2017)
11. Meek Rising - Don’t Go Back to Sleep (Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit, ‘Don’t Go Back to Sleep’ — 2022)
12. Lightning Bugs and Barflies (Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit, ‘Matadors’ — 2011)

Ted Drozdowski penned what is probably the most important article about my musical work in the whole of my strange little start-and-stop songwriting career. But that's not what this episode is really about. Ted Drozdowski packed his bags and traveled the world and played the blues, and he gets to say that forever. That is part of what this episode is about, and that he is a believer in the power of the guitar, and that he is connected to some part of an older source, an older trunk line. This is his story, an artist's story. Ted Drozdowski is our guest on this episode of 'All Your Days.'

Clips in this episode:

1. Death Letter (Scissormen, 'Jinx Breakers' - 2005)
2. Nobody But You (Live) (Junior Kimbrough, 'You Better Run: The Essential Junior Kimbrough' - 2002)
3. Big Shoes (Scissormen, 'Big Shoes - Walking and Talking the Blues' - 2012)
4. When the Devil Calls (Scissormen, 'Luck In a Hurry' - 2008)
5. Hellhound On My Trail (John Sinclair & His Blues Scholars, 'Steady Rollin' Man' - 2001)
6. Corey Harris & Othar Turner (d.Martin Scorsese, 'The Blues' - 2003)
7. Big Shoes: Walking and Talking the Blues (d.Robert Mugge - 2010)
8. 57 Flavors (Ted Drozdowski, 'Coyote Motel' - 2019)
9. The River (Live) (Coyote Motel, 'Still Among the Living (Live)' - 2020)
10. The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman's Portrait Photography Trailer (d.Errol Morris - 2017)

The sound of John Sinclair giving his poetry to a room is a deep motion, a rumble from some planetary layer. The sound of John Sinclair giving this interview is a hurricane motion, a gale force communication from a past and present that cannot be ignored. His is a story that includes great artists of our time, of his time — the 1960s especially — of a time that feels long ago until you hear the voices again ... huge, urgent, howling. Poet, activist, ally, cause celebre, White Panther, prisoner, a free man — and all the complications that come with all those things — this is John Sinclair on 'All Your Days.'

Clips in this episode:

1. My Buddy (John Sinclair & His Boston Blues Scholars, ‘Steady Rollin' Man’ - 2001)
2. Sentimental Journey (Les Brown, 'Best of the Big Bands' - c.1944)
3. Maybellene (Chuck Berry, 'The Definitive Collection' - 1955)
4. Rebel Without A Cause (d. Nicholas Ray, 1955)
5. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones, 'Hot Rocks 1964–1971' - 1965)
6. I Am Not Your Negro (d. Raoul Peck, 2017)
7. Kick Out the Jams (Uncensored Version) (MC5, 'The Big Bang!' - c.1969)
8. WPP Central Committee - Music is a Revolutionary Force (p. Cary Loren, field recording - c.1968–69)
9. D. C. B. A. 25 (Jefferson Airplane, 'Surrealistic Pillow' - 1967)
10. Abbie Hoffman incident - Woodstock (field recording - 1969)
11. John Sinclair (John Lennon, 'Some Time in New York City' - 1972)
12. Do It (John Sinclair, 'Beatnik Youth' - 2017)
13. Ain't Nobody's Business (John Sinclair, 'Beatnik Youth' - 2017)

Archaeologist and historian Edward L. Bell joins ‘All Your Days’ to talk about his recent book, a history — and a mystery (and he's come the furthest in solving it) — tied to stories of slaves in the Northeast U.S. and what we think we know about bastions of abolition. A lot. Heavy talk. Good talk. Needed talk. Ed and I go back as musical friends as well, and I learn a lot about this person I’ve known for many years, including his parents’ early days around Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly, and our shared connection to Ferron’s incredible songwriting.

Clips in this episode:

1. Shadows On A Dime (Ferron, ‘Not A Still Life: Live At The Great American Music Hall’ - 1992)
2. Classroom Scene (‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ - 1989)

Walter Geer III is a creative director in the advertising world. In 2018, he approached me with this one specific story, and in this episode, we return to that moment, that project — one that is now ongoing, one that focuses on social justice, equality, ambition, expectations, repercussions, and perseverance. One that's changed Walt's life and changed the lives of people working with words and images and sound throughout his industry. And made some of them angry, too. This is a story of what it means to stand up, to take flak for standing up, and to keep standing up regardless. Walter Geer III is our guest on this episode of ‘All Your Days.’

Clips in this episode:

1. Advertising or Marketing (Bill Hicks, ‘Revelations: Variations’ - 2019)
2. Walter Geer III at Mosaic Awards 2022 (American Advertising Federation - 2022)
3. Ask The Experts - Anita Sheares + Walter T. Geer III (The Advertising Club of New York - 2020)
4. ThinkNW Diversity Summit Summer 2021 - Walter T. Geer III + Anastasia Williams (ThinkNW - 2021)
5. Black Madison Ave Trailer (NewYorkFestivals - 2022)

His name is Dhani Jones. He was a middle linebacker in the NFL from 2000 to 2011, from the New York Giants to the Eagles to the Cincinnati Bengals. And that’s only part of the story. Dhani hosts TV shows on The Travel Channel and CNBC, publishes a book about his sport, starts companies and creative agencies and invests in visionary organizations that are shaping the future, all while working for equality in our schools and workplaces. He’s one of the most inspiring people I know, in a rare class of doers — the kind that talks the talk and walks the walk. In this episode of ‘All Your Days,’ Dhani Jones is my mind-blowingly passionate guest for a deep talk about persistence and recognition, passion, curiosity — and about exhaustion as a process rather than an obstacle. It’s a big one. This is Dhani Jones.

Clips in this episode:

1. ‘Vin Scully was the voice of baseball. Hear some of his greatest calls.’ (MLB - 2022)
2. ‘Hedman turn, he shoots, he scores!’ (SPORTSNET - 2017)
3. ‘NFL Announcers "Speaking Too Soon”’ (Ding Productions - 2021)
4. ‘Dhani Jones Interview with Adam Neft on 97.1 The Fan’ (97.1 The Fan - 2011)
5. ‘Dhani Tackles the Globe’ (RedL1neF1lms - 2011)
6. ‘Dhani Tackles the Globe (Thailand)’ (freelandfilms - 2011)
7. ‘Rachel Jacobson - From The Hardwood Court To The Sky’ (The Pathfinders with Dhani Jones - 2022)