For all you folks that were waiting for an episode on curved space, warped time, twisted DNA and the wonkiness of being: this is your Lucky Day! Bill & James doggedly explore these topics along with: chattering minds, canines, bliss, and time collapsing. You may have to wait 'til 'Yesterday Is Here' to get it, but trust us, it's worth it. Let’s celebrate December 7th 1949: hail, hail…The Eyeball Kid! Start the Party!
Viva Mictecacihuatl: Just Another Day Of The Dead
Okay, folks...hold onto your sombreros! Bill & James dare to assert that Dia de Muertos is not just another day at the office. They attempt to squeeze the life out of this heavy subject and bring it into the light. Make sure your Ipanema Insurance hasn't lapsed, strap in, and keep your arms and legs in the vehicle at all times as we careen down this very dark rabbit hole...aaaaaaaaiiiiiiiihhhh!
The Human Guinea Pig: Rain Dogs Keep Fallin’ On His Head
Bill & James catch up with our very own Human Guinea Pig Brad Smith who's had the entire season to ruminate on Rain Dogs. His verdict? You'll have to listen to find out, folks. We can disclose however that Brad extracted an essential plumbing tip, if all you have is lower brass horns laying around the house. Our Guinea Pig may never get into Esquire Magazine, but we believe Tom Waits is slowly gnawing his way into Brad's furry little heart. Time, Time, Time will tell.
Just Passin' Through: Tailbone To Marylebone And Beyond
Inspired by a quote from the late great Jonathan Winters, Bill and James ponder the meaning of life, the denial of death, and important tips on refrigerator care and maintenance. That’s right, folks...it’s another hour of fun for the entire family. Featured songs include: Cold Cold Ground, Time, I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, and Whistle Down The Wind. Feel the Love!
Deep Cuts: The Road Less Traveled Is B.S.
This week, we bid a fond farewell to one of the guys we owe it all to folks, that 70s icon who shed his mortal coil last week: Burt Reynolds. Plus Bob Frost and his hilarious quips, courtesy of American Lit prof and almost centerfold...The Scherm! To his wife's horror, we dragged him into our dark web again, where thrush music called us to play songs that are not, in our inestimable opinions, listened to enough, or gotten to yet: deep cuts and mixed nuts. The bell's rung: fill those seats with your butts!
Upside Flow: Tennessee Rain Dogs
It's ironic, folks. Bill & James record this episode 6 miles apart in Tennessee via Zencastr. Smoky Mountain rain drives this drenched discussion right off the road...we learn about Tom Waits' first accident caused by James Brown, and how Bill's worst accident ends upside-down. Feel the soaked confetti!
River Reunion: Barns, Ballads, & Bricoleurs
Well, folks...it's another historic episode where Bill & James reunite at the river in the Tennessee mountains. This time, in a Smoky Mountain cabin with the lights dimmed to put them in the mood to riff on a Big-3-B episode. Along the way, as you've come to expect, they discuss spiders, hospital clowns, bears, condors, eagles, rainbow trout, and golf. Also, things get so deep, they call up Dr. Tim Scherman to help them dig out of their muckety muck. Feel the love!
Bob’s Your Uncle: Dylan That Is
A major early influence as noted by Tom, who placed transcriptions of Bob Dylan’s lyrics on his bedroom walls, James & Bill pay tribute to the Nobel Prize Winning Master and uncover the secret connection, that’s right folks, the first in a special series dedicated to two men with the middle name Allen. Plus condors, herons and bears, oh my, and billions and billions of passenger pigeons blotting out the sun as they fly by, this episode has it all, including a special bonus at the end. Denny Crane!
Blues, Reds & Whites: Independent As A Bison On Ice
Bill and James double down and celebrate America's Birthday in true Waitsian fashion by talking about Day of The Dead, special steaks, and jail breaks. They run their playlists up the flagpole to see who salutes, then shoot off all their fireworks just for you, folks.
Painting by James W. Johnson
Nuns 'N' Flare Guns: Flying High Without A Net
Bill & James once again rev up the Zencastr dual-cam microphones and walk the wi-fi wire without a net for your amusement. The Flying Walendas they ain't. As you've come to expect, their discombobulated conversation eventually shakes out Bill's story of committing a mortal sin with Pope John Paul II and a bunch of nuns in Washington, D.C. with good ol' Charlie Brown as his trusty sidekick. Along the way they're talkin' Quincy Jones, Billy Joel, Regis Philbin, and, of course, Tom Waits and Primus.
Ron Anglin: West Point, 82nd Airborne, Hospital Clown
Memorial Day returns and we open Season 3 by commemorating with former Assault Helicopter Platoon Leader, Paratrooper, School Teacher and now Hospital Clown, Ron Anglin as he regales us with all stories military, historically and rhetorically. Featuring Tom's soldier songs with a special version on the ukulele. Salute the confetti folks!
The Human Guinea Pig: Bathing In Swordfishtrombones
Completely chambered with nothing but Swordfishtrombones, water, and chocolate confetti for all of Season 2, our one and only Human Guinea Pig, Brad Smith, professional singer and raconteur, finally emerges to share his unexpected findings, and boy was it worth the wait! Plus, Grand Recantations for the entire Season 2. Feel the Bonus!
