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Get "under the hood" of the music we all love so much. In each episode, pro musicians John Montagna and Jeff Ganz examine a seminal musician, record or song and, well, break down what makes him, her or it so important. Jeff and John are consummate pros, but – first and foremost – they're fans. They love this stuff, and figure you will, too.For lots of other things to thrill your inner music geek, visit CultureSonar.com.
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The late, great Mac Rebennack, aka Dr John, was THE ambassador for the sound of New Orleans music for an entire generation. “Breaking It Down" co-host Jeff Ganz was fortunate enough to have crossed paths with the Night Tripper himself. He shares his story, followed by a handful of our fellow musicians who have their own personal remembrances of the…
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Among many other descriptions, the phrase "musician's musician" applies to legendary drummer Steve Gadd. He's played EVERYTHING: from military marches to pop hits to smokin' jazz and funk. Just ask collaborators like Paul Simon, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Kate Bush, Joe Cocker, Grover Washington Jr., Chick Corea, Lee Ritenour, and Al D…
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For most of us, the music we loved as teenagers is the music that molded us. When we hear it, something just clicks in the deepest recesses of our being. But do our youthful favorites stand up to adult scrutiny? In this episode of “Breaking It Down,” Jeff and John muse on the topic of listening to “yesterday’s favorites with today’s ears” — and re-…
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To paraphrase the mighty Rodney Dangerfield, some bands get no respect. Despite decades of top-notch musical output, their work is often overlooked by the general public, and embraced instead by a select group dedicated of enthusiasts. In this episode, Jeff and John dig into their personal favorite artists and bands which they feel are unjustly und…
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Is it a riff? A hook? An arrangement? Whatever they are, those little earworms make a hit a hit. The songs just wouldn’t be the same without them. In this episode, Jeff and John grab their instruments to volley riffs back and forth — and muse on what makes them so special. It’s a geekish tour-de-force, covering rock, pop, funk, jazz, standards and …
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James Jamerson changed the way hit records sound. His jazz-inflected, endlessly inventive bass playing added a whole new level of sophistication to pop records. Plus, he brought the serious funk. In this premiere episode of "Breaking It Down," pro musicians John Montagna and Jeff Ganz (both bass players, not incidentally) get deep inside the style,…
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