Inside MusiCast

Ed Motta has waited five years to deliver a new album that is loaded with lots of surprises. On “Behind The Tea Chronicles”, our former guest takes us on a journey that is unpredictable, yet is rooted in the passions that are close to Ed. The Rio-born musician allows these passions - Steely Dan, food, vintage television and cinema, wine, and even comic books - to pour into the new album.  And, he has not rushed the process. It has taken him two years to record. You’ll find this album rather cinematic…embracing aspects of Film Noir, stage plays, vintage French comic books, and even Western musical influences. The album has left us speechless, yet we loved his approach - as it was all created with the utmost care for the production quality…the kind that Ed has embraced on all of his projects. Today we’ll let him tell you the story, but the real story is embedded in the music of his new album, “Behind The Tea Chronicles”.  Inside MusiCast is glad to welcome back the one and only, Ed Motta.

When Cindy Blackman Santana sits down at her drum kit and picks up a pair of sticks, this moment becomes the key that unlocks her world of creativity, spirituality, and freedom.  Cindy has had a passion for drumming since she was very young, with jazz being the cornerstone.  Her style is a fusion of influences from mentors and legends that carved their paths before her, such as Tony Williams, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Roy Haynes and many others.  Her path to the world of music has been filled with connections that have led the way for her to show the world her incredible talent.  From studying at Berklee, to an early gig with the Drifters, an 18 year stint with Lenny Kravitz, several solo projects and collaborations, to her current gig with Santana, Cindy puts her heart and soul into every note she plays.  Here to chat with us about her incredible career in music is none other than Cindy Blackman Santana.

Originally from Miami, Terry Wollman was formally educated in Boston, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arranging from the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Soon after arriving in Los Angeles, Terry built a solid reputation as an in-demand session guitarist and producer contributing to all styles of music, from jazz to pop, rock, blues, R&B and beyond. An accomplished and versatile producer, composer, and musician, Terry has commanded such diverse projects with touring, producing, recording and performing with renowned artists including Melissa Manchester, Keb’ Mo’, Joe Walsh, Tony Bennett, Dick Van Dyke, Alan Bergman, Dave Grusin, Mindi Abair, Wilson Phillips, Al Jarreau, Billy Preston, Gerald Albright, and Eartha Kitt, to name just a few.  He’s also recently released a brand new solo project titled “Surface”, which includes an incredible cast of musicians.  Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Terry Wollman.

The Second Arrangement is the title of a Steely Dan song that was once accidentally erased by a studio tech during the band’s Gaucho sessions and thought never to be heard again.  It has been the subject of lore amongst Steely Dan fans for decades, until bootlegs and samples of demos began finding their way onto the internet, which gave fans an idea as to what this lost, Gaucho-era track actually sounded like.  In 2011, the band performed the track live during a Rarities Night show at the Beacon Theater in New York, which sparked the imaginations of fans, not to mention musicians such as Scott Sheriff, an ardent Steely Dan fan who fronts arguably the best Steely Dan tribute band, 12 Against Nature.  Scott, along with several talented studio musicians in Nashville, decided to resurrect The Second Arrangement, and recently released a video version of the completed song, which has already gained worldwide attention.  Here to discuss the momentum behind recreating this track is Scott Sheriff.

With more than a decade of Level 42 success to his credit, Mike Lindup released “Changes”, his debut solo album in 1990 and it was immediately embraced by his fans.  Fast forward 33 years and Mike has just released the follow-up, “Changes 2” - a 12 track collection of songs that explores a variety of musical territory, with lyrics that are provocative, insightful, and even humorous.  The album also includes several guest musicians and vocalists, including his longtime friend Dominic Miller, Manu Katché, Ursula Rucker, Omar, Tony Momrelle, Alex Wilson, Jon Culshaw, and even his Level 42 bandmate, Mark King, among others.  Here to discuss this wonderful new album is none other than Mike Lindup. 

Over the course of our 17 year history, Inside MusiCast’s mission has been to reveal the careers and stories of the great studio musicians.  Today’s guest is a perfect fit, as he’s spent the majority of his career supporting some of the biggest names in the music business with his incredible guitar prowess, such as Crowded House, Seal, John Waite, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Rick Springfield, Phil Collins, Madonna, Toy Matinee, Don Henley, Santana, Celine Dion, Dave Matthews Band, Goo Goo Dolls and so many more.  And over the past decade, he’s grown his YouTube channel to nearly a half million subscribers with informative videos discussing guitar tips, gear, instructional features and great guests. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Tim Pierce.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we welcome back a perennial favorite, Steve Lukather.  We all know Luke as one of the finest guitarists and musicians in the recording industry, but he’s also one of the most candid and honest that you’ll ever meet.  He wears his heart on his sleeve and is as forthcoming about his perspective on music as he is about life.  His new solo album “Bridges” drops this coming Friday, June 16 and he’s turned to his lifelong bandmates, David Paich and Joseph Williams, to assist with creating this incredible collection of eight new songs.  The album includes contributions from other musicians and writers Toto fans will recognize, such as Simon Phillips, Shannon Forrest, Lee Sklar, his son Trev, Randy Goodrum, Stan Lynch, and several other stellar musicians.  Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome back to the show, Steve Lukather. 

Sonny Abelardo has been the man behind the curtain for a variety of musical acts for a large portion of his career in the music industry.  He’s worked as a professional music and production manager for decades, managing all the details that bring an artist to the stage - and there’s a lot to organize in order to move crew, equipment, and the musicians themselves so that we fans can enjoy great shows. But there’s a lot more to Sonny’s resumé that we’ll uncover today, as he reveals some very interesting moments in his career path that surprised even us.  Inside MusiCast is excited to welcome Sonny Abelardo.

Marc Jordan continues to challenge and reinvent himself as a songwriter, composer, and vocalist.  On his latest album release, titled “Waiting For The Sun To Rise”, the Juno award winning artist has penned several original songs, blended with a few new arrangements of some well-known tunes, such as the Tears For Fears classic “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”.  The album contains a harmonious blend of jazz, folk, and pop.  Lyrically, Marc reflects on his time living in the American West, thoughts about the problems our world is facing, loneliness sparked by the pandemic, and the joys of the natural world.  This is arguably his most introspective collection of songs in his vast canon of work, backed by lush strings from the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, with collaborations from Lou Pomanti and Randy Brecker.  Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome back to the show, Marc Jordan. 

Earlier this year, an iconic voice in the music world left us: David Crosby.   From the Byrds, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, his duo projects with Graham Nash, CPR, his solo projects and so much more, Croz continued to tour and create new music until the very end.  For the past three decades, an integral part of Crosby’s creative process was guitarist Jeff Pevar.   On this episode of Inside MusiCast, Jeff joins us to chat about his relationship with Croz, including how they discovered each other back in the early ‘90s, along with stories about performing, touring, writing and recording with this iconic musician.  Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome back to the show, Jeff Pevar.