KFAI's MinneCulture Presents

Celebrating Blue from Paul Ingles ~ A one-hour in-depth examination of one of the most heralded albums of all time. We'll learn from musicians, fans, and music critics about what makes Joni Mitchell's  Blue  so compelling and how it has left a distinctive fingerprint on rock and roll history. The landmark record was rated #30 Rolling Stone 's Top 500 Albums of All-Time; the highest rank by any female musician in the 2003 list. The magazine also called her "one of rock's most daring and uncompromising innovators." Along with her confessional lyrics, innovative open guitar tunings, and jazz-inflected vocals, Mitchell put the experience of being a woman on revolutionary display. In this special, we also hear lots from Mitchell herself in both archival interviews as well as her music. Released on June 22nd, 1971, this month marks the 50th anniversary of the album.

Dylan Part Four: Oh Mercy from Joyride Media ~ Bob Dylan has always been a unique American voice, and some believe that's most evident in the music he's made since the late 1980's. Returning to his roots in folk and blues, Dylan has fine-tuned American music with the mind of a poet and the bravado of a rock and roller . In this hour, we'll hear the maturity and grace of Dylan's artistic ideas covering the years from 1989 to 2007. The special is hosted by Patti Smith and features interviews with David Kemper, John Cohen, David Gans , Carolyn Wonderland, Josh Ritter, Ian MacLagen , John Hiatt, and many more.