The Tantara Hour

This episode has a sampling of student songwriters who began to get noticed on the BYU campus from the beginning of the 90's through the end of the first decade of the new millenium.  We review their achievements and contributions after BYU.

We're used to hearing our favorite records, but have you ever thought about the steps that usually lead to the making of that record?  That's the idea for the show today -- the demo recordings that lead to that final recording.  If there's a Nashville slant, it's deliberate, because it's in the Music City where the demo system most flourishes.

Singer-songwriter Cherie Call discusses with Ron in studio finding metaphors and poetry in everyday situations.  Her perceptions lean toward the spiritual, and as a total package her music brings comfort and joy to listeners of all ages.  They listen to some of her favorite songs during this hour.

This week, a survey of the amazing career of James Taylor, spanning decades and giving the world so many memorable songs with lyrics that remind us not only of the songwriter's life, but also our times and memorable events as well.  Music included from all across his discography including mentioning his latest album "Before This World".

Aspects of Age in song lyrics as well as a discussion of the various phases we go through in our lives, as chronicled by the most gifted and astute songwriters.  Also musical comments on the subject from the likes of Vanessa Williams, Dan Fogelberg, Willie Nelson, and a debut artist Jake Tengelsen.

In one of the earliest Tantara Hour episodes, Ron identified and showcased the work of several promising songwriters.  This week we revisit some of those former BYU music students whose talent showed early.  It includes the Maxfield Brothers Andrew and Stuart, Mindy Gledhill, as well as the campus dating-song favorite "Pretend That She's Ugly", by Lamar Holley.  Also a guest appearance by BYU's 9-man a cappella group Vocal Point.

"Jazz influenced classical compositions for the clarinet," says Jaren Hinckley of BYU, describing the contents of this Tantara collection.  Ron Simpson spends this hour exploring the material, commenting on the composers, and enjoying the excellent playing of both clarinetist Hinckley and his pianist partner Vince Humphreys.

Honoring BYU's acclaimed academic folklorist, who found magic in the stories that circulate among common people, Ron Simpson this week listens to the music of Bert Wilson.  Also he discusses his similar approach to songwriting, celebrating lyrics that reveal people in their everyday settings.  Musical examples in this episode range from 1920's troubadour Vernon Dalhart to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

We celebrate BYU's second collection of choral works by Eric Whitacre, "Eric Whitacre Vol. 2," recorded at BYU in 2008. Choral director Ronald Staheli of the BYU Singers discovered Eric Whitacre while he was still in Nevada, and prior to graduate school. Dr. Staheli's subsequent first album of Whitacre's choral works sold well, and drew early attention to his "sound." We follow Mr. Whitacre to London, where he now lives with his famly. BYU can be proud to be among the earliest fans, earliest adopters of the brilliant choral music of Eric Whitacre.

"You Were On My Mind by We Five was the #3 song of 1965, but what about the album cuts? A 1965 memory triggers a posthumous tribute for country legend Merle Haggard. And then a 2016 look at the Lumineers sophomore album "Cleaopatra," and finally, thoughtful looks at Australian indie success Gotye fellow Australian, the brilliant, tragic ArtPop creator Szimon, and the heartwarming efforts of family and friends, culminating in the EMI release of Szimon's album "Tigersapp."