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Monkeying Around – Your Brain on Music Podcast with Johnny J Blair
Monkeying Around. Johnny J. Blair is our guest this week. He has toured with the Monkees, Davey Jones, Al Stewart and more. He tells the tales.
Your Brain on Music– Each week we dissect an iconic song from both a layman’s perspective (mine) and a scientific perspective offered by guest neuroscientists, musicologists and more. We will explore things like: What makes this song iconic and intriguing?
Our Artist this Week
“Singer at Large” Johnny J. Blair has been playing music professionally since the 1980s, having toured internationally, released many recordings, and worked with major artists. However, over the years, one of his joys is to perform for the residents in assisted living homes. “I’ve played the Royal Albert Hall, Disney, Las Vegas, cruise ships, temples in India, and little places all over the world, but there’s something special about playing for our ‘seasoned citizens.’” Johnny’s set includes familiar songs from The Great American Songbook (Johnny Mercer, Cole Porter, Hank Williams, folk songs), Elvis Presley, “The Rat Pack” (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin), movies (Sound of Music, Mary Poppins), “cowboy songs” (Gene Autry, Sons of the Pioneers), and much more.
Other Features
Following Johnny, Connie Tomaino offers practical tips for you to use music in your everyday life for health and wellness. Connie is the Executive Director and co-founder, along with Oliver Sacks, of the Institute for Music and Neurological Function.
Gratitude to listener Denny Sarokin for sharing his thoughts on a song that has impacted his life.
Introduction courtesy of Jim Nantz and, additionally, thanks to Ariel Sol for the original music. https://www.arielsol.com/
About Your Brain on Music
Each week we dissect a famous song from both a layman’s perspective (mine) and a scientific perspective offered by guest neuroscientists, musicologists and more. We will explore things like: What makes this song iconic and intriguing? What is your initial reaction and interpretation of the song? How does this song make you feel? What emotions, memories are stirred? What is happening in our brains when we listen to it? What musical elements contribute to the songs impact? Can we learn anything from the production techniques? How do the vocal delivery, instrumentation, arrangement contribute to the mood and atmosphere? How has the song influenced music culture? How can listeners deepen their appreciation of the song after understanding its elements? We will invite celebrity music guests to talk about music in their lives and how songs, beyond their own, have impacted their lives, including that day’s featured song.
