Mulligan Stew

• Count Me In Documentary on drumming and drummers-Interview Director Mark Lo

  Mark Lo  (Director/Producer) has worked in film and TV for more than 20 years. First, as a music agent and supervisor, collaborating with composers and artists to bring music to picture and then as an Executive Music Producer Mark recently produced and directed the feature music documentary Count Me In. A  celebration of drummers and their unique ability to drive generations of music.     I love being a drummer. Everyone thinks you’re dumb. What they don’t realise is that if it weren’t for you, their band would suck. – Dave Grohl Eat drums! Eat cymbals! – Animal   Drumming was the only thing I was ever good at. John Bonham   Count Me In is a celebration of the role of the drummer in popular music.  Mark Lo’s British-made doc dates back to the even darker days of 2021.  It’s drummers talking about other drummers and appreciating great drumming, and if that works for you, then hear the drummer and get wicked.   The documentary includes interviews with the late Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Stewart Copeland (The Police), Roger Taylor (Queen), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Cindy Blackman Santana (Lenny Kravitz, Santana) and Jim Keltner (The Traveling Wilburys) and many others. They all seem to talk about Keith Moon (The Who), John Bonham (Led Zep), and Neil Peart (Rush).   Watching Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, John Bonham, Ginger Baker, or Keith Moon play for the first time is amazing. Of course, many of those legends were inspired themselves by the great American jazz drummers like Max Roach, Buddy Rich, and Gene Krupa. Still, watching Nicko McBrain from Iron Maiden give a detailed account of the differences in style between Starr and Watts is remarkable.   Enjoy the drumology session on the Mulligan Stew Podcast.  Turn it Up and Count Me In. 

  --------  

  39:17
• EP 553 | Podcast guest is the fantastic singer, songwriter - Mike Farris.

  Mike's new album is called The Sound of Muscle Shoals.   He's waited almost 20 years to round up the next generation of Swampers and record at the world-famous FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals. Wow - was it worth the wait?  Mike Farris lives and sings The Sound of Muscle Shoals. The sound is a mix of blues, soul and country. The NY Times called it Indigenous American Music. The same sound that came from Etta, Aretha, Boz, Paul Simon, Wilson Pickett, Neil Young, Percy Sledge, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, The Staple Singers and many more. Long before heading for FAME studios, Mike had to clean up his life, and he talks about hitting rock bottom. That's when his wife said, "We're going to do something different this time.  We'll start by talking about the why's. Why, when you start getting successful,  you self-destruct?" Mike said, "That scared the hell out of me."   Mike is many years clean now, and he's riding the Slow Train to Muscle Shoals.  Enjoy The Sound of Mike Farris!!

  --------  

  57:03
• EP 352 | Robert Schwartzman and Colin Bluntstone interview HUNG UP ON A DREAM: THE ZOMBIES DOCUMENTARY

  60 years later, we welcome Colin Blunstone - Lead singer of The Zombies   How is it possible that an English band that was part of the British Invasion of the early '60s is still being played and referenced in 2025? The band was The Zombies. The two leaders were songwriter and singer Rod Argent and lead singer Colin Blunstone. They had three world hits. A fourth hit the charts after they had broken up. Many years later, they were inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland.   I always loved the sound of the Zombies—a singular mix of rock, blues and very cool jazz. In a sea of sameness, Colin's vocals were unmistakable. Great harmonies lifted each song and the arrangements were unlike anyone else in "The Invasion". Now, along comes Hung Up on a Dream,  a documentary capturing their careers and lives. Directed by Robert Schwartzman. Both will be joining us in the second hour.

  --------  

  34:52
• EP 351 | Dan Mangan and new Album 'Natural Light'

  Dan Mangan released his 7th album, Natural Light, last Friday.   A year ago, Dan Mangan asked the players in his road band to join him at a cottage to demo the songs for Natural Light.   These players would likely not be in studio when he rerecorded the songs.   However, after recording the first song  - It Might Be Raining - they looked at each other, laughing. It was pure magic. The room worked, the band worked and the songs really worked  They did two songs the next day and  2 more the third day. Four songs the 4th day.    The demos in the cottage became the album Natural Light.   Our interview covers a lot of ground. Dan opened up about his highs and lows. At one point, he was not being able to find a label that believed in his music.   He made a decision not to let anyone mess with his dreams,  so he started his own label. Dan says, This is the very best music he's ever made.   He brings tales of acceptance and rejection. Of finding a balance between his dreams and his family.   It Might Be Raining - was written for his children in preparation for the world he/we were leaving them. The songs bring Hope. I believe Natural Light to be one of the albums of the year.

  --------  

  54:16
• EP 350 | Guest Joel Plaskett and new album 'Songs From The Gang'

  We met over coffee on the streets of Victoria to talk about Songs from The Gang - A Celebration of Joel Plaskett.  A #1 LP on the CKUA Top 30. His music friends recorded covers of his songs and kept it a secret for a year. Anyone who knows the music business will admit that is a minor miracle. Joel's Gang included Sloan, Alan Doyle, The Sheepdogs, Matt Andersen,  Jenn Grant, etc. Joel's stories just spilled out - one after the other.

  --------  

  37:40

More Arts podcasts

Trending Arts podcasts

About Mulligan Stew