Mother Machree, folks! We implore you: watch Tom Wait's performance in the Coen Brother's, "The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs" before you listen to this episode. This is not a drill: spoiler alert! We're talkin a high-falutin' romp through a kind of European theatre, exclusive archival interview clips with the legendary Director Peter Brook, and a spontaneous burst of Tom Waits jumping on stage with Mavis Staples. How are you going to keep us down in the hole now that we've been to Des Bouffes du Nord?
Goodbye 2019: Grand Recantations & Salutations
After careful review we were shocked to discover that once again, we were not foolproof in Season 4 and 5 and blunders were made, by not only Bill and James, ok but mostly. So here's our end of the year bonus episode with the retractions and corrections from the entire year of 2019. Enjoy and Happy New Year!
The Human Guinea Pig: Bone Machine Holiday Special
Wow, folks! Tom just made his 70th revolution around the sun. The Holiday Season is upon us, and we finally release Brad Smith, our very own Human Guinea Pig from the chamber after more than 9 months sequestered with only chocolate confetti, water, beer and Bone Machine to try and digest. As you well know, there's no telling what he's going to say, but here's a teeny tiny spoiler alert: Tom's masculine face ain't moanin' at The Waffle House! Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Being There: Carlos Castaneda, Particle Physics & Where They Keep The Clocks
Bill, James, Cheryl, & Da Scherm skip the four play, fall in love all over again, then get right down to business: from four A's to A.A., from New York to Paris, they even skirt the subject of women interpreting Tom's allegedly shamanistic heart. Scherm The Revelator then lets a big ol’ cat out of the bag, immediately opening a whole new can of worm wranglers. That's right folks: states are altered, reality gets bent, but what can we say except...long live Tom Waits, Primus & Puddles Pity Party!
Soldiers Stories: Walking Wounded Down Veterans Way
And we're back folks! Recorded on the cusp of Veteran's Day, The Scherm joined us to dig into a lively discussion on Tom's potent songs about war and we paid a timely tribute to all of you who've served in the military. With a surprise cover by one of the all time greats, this is one unusual episode. Feel the Love!
Major League Orcas: The Sardine Run, Jesus' Blood, & Arjuna's Dilemma
What's the point?! Bill & James & The Scherm run amok diving deep down into The Sardine Run, in search of big answers, and instead devour everything in sight. They emerge not sated at all, finding themselves Starving In The Belly Of A Whale. Take THAT, Jonah! As you've come to expect, folks, they forthwith espouse upon the Hard Ground, mental illness, redemption, higher love, Sweeney Todd, and a little blessing from Bill's Bible: The Black Rider.. R.I.P. Daniel Johnston...long live King Kong!
Rainbow Serpent: Licking Frogs, Trouser Snakes & Kunapipi
Bill, James & Cheryl go all the way, folks! That's right: from anthologies to Aborigines, the Amazon to Moundsville, West Virginia, and Rickie Lee Jones to Vincent Price...this episode has more than even we could imagine. No ancient peoples were injured in the making of this podcast. Feel the high!
Artwork by Trevor Grove
Four: Black Hole In One
If you're ready for a foursome, folks...Bill & James, The Professor & Mary Ann (a.k.a. Da Scherm & Cheryl King) are teeing off from the blue tees. Inspired by the Tennessee mountains once again they uncover it all. We're talking apocalyptic physics, map theorems, and Noble Truths confessed around the Barbershop...all par for the course. Be the ball, and get a grip!
Tennessee Time: Stories From The Stream
Bill & James are once again finally side by side on a Great Smoky Mountains stream speaking into the very same microphone. They cry, they laugh, they crawl on their bellies like reptiles. They're up the creek without a paddle, much less a kayak. Two genders die in songs, discover how insects breathe, the usual fare... Feel the reunion, folks!
The Unexplained: Marc Ribot, Smokey Hormel and Giant Squids
Cheryl King and The Scherm join Bill & James to kick off Season 5! Cheryl’s mouth is all over her face, Scherm brings his high-falutin’ brain, and Bill & James talk too. If you’re looking for the big answers, down deep in the rabbit hole of Tom Waits, this is the episode for you, folks!
Finalmente Libero: Boxers, Briefs And Jeopardy
Bill and James end Season 4 with a bang, reuniting with their favorite folks to celebrate the occasion, and the amazing music of Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan. Love, laughter, and watching old movies in their underwear, that’s what it’s all come down to…need we say more? Except: feel the love, folks!
Tom & Leon Redbone: They Stayed Like That For 127 Years
A true one-of-a-kind, Leon Redbone brought back songs from the vaudeville, tin pan alley, blues and jazz traditions, toured with Tom Waits in the 70's, and is credited for bringing Tom to the Austin City Limits Stage. With his recent passing, Bill and James pay tribute and dive into the crossroads where Tom and Leon meet. Feel the blues folks!
