When it comes to finding out what makes musicians tick, Mako Funasaka has proven himself to be a master interviewer capable of relaxing and opening up his subjects, revealing valuable insights into their careers and musical pedigrees. At the same time, his reputation for providing an audience with intelligent, penetrating portraits that help define, if not explain, each artist's influences and approach. Historically, Funasaka has focused on illuminating blues artists, helping to define this oft-neglected genre through illustrating its role in much of today's music. Yet this new series will go well beyond the blues, embracing many categories of music which will include folk to classical, jazz to funk and most things in-between, Funasaka, a self-confessed 'non-musician', has been documenting music since 2001, originally indoctrinated back in 1970 with his first exposure to Top 40 radio.
http://www.podcasts.com/the-talkinblues-podcast-7b759d2bf
The Talkin'Blues Podcast Episode 2: Shakura S'Aida
Shakura S'Aida is a singer, actor, entertainer, producer, mom and many, many other things. I first worked with Shakura, when Bruce Greenaway and I shot a video of her performing at the Maples Blues Awards back in 2009. Since then, I've had the privilege of doing a number of videos with her and her wondeful band to promote her last two recordings. Shakura is someone who I deeply respect as an artist and more importantly, as a very good friend who continually inspires me. This interview took place in May of 2015. For more information on Shakura, please go to: www.shakurasaida.com. (Music: "Time" by Shakura S'Aida. Special thanks to Gary Vaughan and Bruce Greenaway.)<br>