For this episode we're joined by veteran music scribe and A&R man Mitchell Cohen to discuss his long career and his brand-new book.
We start in the Bronx of Mitchell's youth and hear about the impact on him of local hero Dion DiMucci. From there we take the D train down to mid-'60s Greenwich Village and relive our guest's discovery of the scene he chronicles in Wake Me, Shake: New York City, the '60s & the Pop-Rock Youthquake.
After celebrating the beloved Lovin' Spoonful we turn our attention to their fellow Village denizens the Blues Project, listening to clips from Sam Williams' 2022 phone interview with Project/Blood, Sweat & Tears alumnus Steve Katz.
En passant we also touch on Laura Nyro, Shadow Morton and other New Yorkers who opted not to join the '60s exodus to California. Mitchell then talks about the years he spent at Arista Records – the subject of his first book and the label to which, in 1989, he signed Dion.
The heartbreaking death of Dolly Parton demanded we pay tribute to the life and art of that extraordinary woman. Having written a beautiful piece about "America's sweetheart" back in 2019, our guest is perfectly placed to explain her unique appeal.
Finally, Jasper and William talk us out with their thoughts on newly-added library pieces about Betty Davis, Kelis, Trent Reznor and Sleep Token.
Many thanks to special guest Mitchell Cohen. Wake Me, Shake Me: New York City, the '60S and the Pop-Rock Youthquake is published by Trouser Press and available now.
Pieces discussed: Shall We Dance? Shadow and the Shangs: a teenage melodrama, David Johansen: Position Of A Vagabond Missionary, Steve Katz audio (2022), How Dolly Parton Became America's Sweetheart, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton: Confessions of a Power Crazed Wig-Model, Dolly Parton: American Idol, New York Report: Betty Davis, Kelis: AfroPunk, Trent Reznor: The Great Dictator and Sleep Token.
