Hi, Friends...While preparing this week's program I encountered a couple of CD's well worth checking out...With his brand new release on Rounder Records, Tom Jones reinvents himself completely as he confronts the "Spirit in the Room." Jones covers Tom Waits, Joe Henry, Bob Dylan and others as if every word were etched on his soul and each note on this disc is right as rain. Next is an older (1996 ) Nonesuch Records release, in which jazz pianist Fred Hersch presents a dazzling collection of Billy Strayhorn tunes titled "Passion Flower-Fred Hersch Plays Billy Strayhorn" that range from the well-known "Lush Life" to the more obscure "Ballad for Very Tired and Very Sad Lotus Eaters." With Drew Gress, bass, Tom Rainey, drums, and string orchestra conducted by Eric Stern. Cuts from each of these discs can be heard on this week's "Open Range" but I believe that each one presents a rich reward heard in its entirety. See you Saturday! 3pm CT repeated @ Midnight
As the host of Open Range, Steve Johnson brings a lifetime of hearing and performing a wide variety of music to this unique program. Growing up in a home where everything from opera to Bill Evans and the Beatles were heard and embraced, he studied piano in college where he became passionate about free-form radio where you might hear everything from punk rock to classic country or jazz in the course of a few hours. Open Range is your invitation to an hour of radio unleashed- presented with heart and humor. All you need for this adventure is an open mind and open ears.