Music
**The Paul Leslie Hour**

For 22 years, The Paul Leslie Hour has been about one thing: helping people tell their stories. From legends of arts and entertainment to today’s cultural voices, Paul Leslie brings conversations you won’t hear anywhere else. New episodes every week.

Latest Episodes:

#953 - Lennie Gallant Returns Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

#953 - Lennie Gallant Returns

Lennie Gallant Returns to The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here?

Well, considering that your ears perked up and you squinted, I like our chances. Thank you for tuning in to The Paul Leslie Hour, featuring interviews with the greatest writers and artists of our time.

We’re very pleased to welcome Lennie Gallant on the show for his second interview. Prince Edward Island singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant makes astonishing records that display not only his phenomenal songwriting, but also his stunning voice.

According to The Guardian: “Gallant truly is a master tunesmith. His lyrics and the melody lines that flow through them are beautifully interwoven and go straight for the heart almost every time.”

The late Jimmy Buffett called Lennie Gallant “one of my favorite Canadian songwriters.”

Speaking of Jimmy Buffett, Lennie Gallant contributed two songs to the final posthumous Jimmy Buffett album and was also featured on the track “Portugal or PEI.”

Lennie sings in English and French, he is also in the duo Sirène et Matelot with Patricia Richard.

Before we get rolling, please subscribe to Paul Leslie’s YouTube channel. You’ll be very glad you did.

And with that, I think we’re all ready to hear from Lennie Gallant himself.

#952 - Will Kimbrough Returns Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

#952 - Will Kimbrough Returns

Will Kimbrough Returns to The Paul Leslie Hour!

Are you here? You are! And thank you for tuning in to The Paul Leslie Hour!

Will Kimbrough returns for his second interview with Paul. Will Kimbrough is a respected and beloved singer-songwriter, performing and recording artist and record producer.

Now, Will Kimbrough, gifted songwriter that he is, co-wrote five songs on “Equal Strain on All Parts,” the final, posthumous album of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. He joins us to talk about that and more.

Real quick, please subscribe to Paul Leslie’s YouTube channel. We’ve got much more content like this coming. And maybe you’d like to treat Paul to a hot or cold beverage? Sure, why not just go right here.

And with that, I must say those words I say about this time. Let’s listen. Together.

The Paul Leslie Hour is a talk show dedicated to “Helping People Tell Their Stories.” Some of the most iconic people of all time drop in to chat. Frequent topics include Arts, Entertainment and Culture.

#951 - Lord Superior Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

#951 - Lord Superior

The Lord Superior Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here? We wouldn’t dream of starting this episode of The Paul Leslie Hour without YOU being here. Thank you for the honor.

We have an interview from the radio archives with the late Mr. Andrew Marcano who will always be known in the world of Calypso music as Lord Superior. He was born in Rio Claro, Trinidad in 1937 and passed away in New York in 2018.

Lord Superior, sometimes called “Supie” first crossed paths with the reigning King of Calypso, the Mighty Sparrow at the tender age of 17. Eventually, Lord Superior was considered by some as the guardian of Calypso's legacy and culture.

This interview broadcast in 2009. Checking in from Trinidad, Lord Superior discussed his involvement in the documentary film "Calypso Dreams," which chronicles the history and mystery behind calypso, a music that is about life. He also discussed his musical roots, his opinions on the genre and the stories behind many of his clever songs.

Real quick. We hope to feature more interviews with Calypsonians in the future. The best way to keep up with our interviews and reviews is by subscribing to Paul Leslie’s YouTube channel. You can also like The Paul Leslie Hour on Facebook

It’s time to begin the interview now. When you hear Lord Superior tell his story, you will join us in echoing his statement, “Long Live Calypso!” Let’s listen. Together.

#950 - Michael Horne Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

#950 - Michael Horne

The Michael Horne Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here? We like it when you’re here. Actually…we love it. Thanks for being here, tuned into The Paul Leslie Hour.

On this episode we present our interview with Michael Horne who produced the documentary film Calypso Dreams. This interview was originally broadcast on the radio in 2009. Calypso Dreams features exclusive interviews, footage and musical performances from some of the greatest Calypsonians of yesterday and today.

Michael Horne discovered Trinidad after learning to play the steel pan, which lead him to visit Trinidad. There, he eventually discovered the Calypso tents and became infatuated with this distinctly Afro-Caribbean genre of music which many are calling a dying art.

We’ve got more great interviews like this. Yes, we do. You can subscribe to Paul Leslie’s YouTube. It’s free. And you can ring the bell. We thank you.

And now, it’s time for Michael Horne to talk about Calypso Dreams. Let’s listen. Together.

#949 - Geoffrey Dunn Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

#949 - Geoffrey Dunn

The Geoffrey Dunn Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here? Here’s to you, for being here, listening to The Paul Leslie Hour.

We’re going to keep that whole calypso thing going. We’ve got a very interesting interview from the archives with Geoffrey Dunn. This originally broadcast on radio in 2009.

Dr. Geoffrey Dunn is producer and director of the documentary film Calypso Dreams. Do yourself a favor—consider watching that one. Calypso Dreams features interviews and musical performances and was filmed in Trinidad. The film features interviews and archival footage of the greatest Calypsonians of all times, and seeks to answer the question “what is Calypso?” It also seeks to ask “what is going to happen to it?”

We’ve got so many interviews that we want to restore and get out into the world. It’s very labor-intensive and there are expenses. You can support independent media and the spoken word by going right here, and we thank you! Every bit helps.

And now we invite you to join us as Dr. Geoffrey Dunn speaks about a uniquely Afro-Caribbean music which may or may not survive the passing of time. We certainly hope it will. Let’s listen. Together.

#948 - Ralph MacDonald - Second Interview Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

#948 - Ralph MacDonald - Second Interview

The second Ralph MacDonald Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here? We have nothing, but heartfelt admiration and respect for every listener to The Paul Leslie Hour.

We’re bringing to you an interview from our radio archives with the late, great Ralph MacDonald. This was recorded by phone in 2008. Ralph was born in Harlem, New York in 1944 and passed away in Stamford, Connecticut in 2011.

In the interview, the Legendary Ralph MacDonald checked in from New Orleans Jazz Fest to discuss his album, "Mixty Motions.” That’s m-i-x-t-y. A producer, songwriter, percussionist, performer and Grammy-award winner, Ralph MacDonald had roots in the Caribbean. With his songwriting team of William Salter and William Eaton, Ralph wrote “Where is the Love?,” “Just the Two of Us,” “Mister Magic” and more. His songs were covered by artists like Bill Withers, Grover Washington Jr, Roberta Flack, Harry Belafonte, Jimmy Buffett and others.

The son of Calypsonian MacBeth the Great, Ralph MacDonald went onto be a member of Harry Belafonte's band when he was young. For over 20 years he was an important member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, as the percussionist.

His last album “Mixty Motions” is a fusion of the many styles of music Ralph embraced from Jazz, African Rhythms, Calypso, Samba and others. This was Paul’s second time speaking with Ralph MacDonald, and this interview is fascinating. MacDonald shared opinions, history, and his philosophy on music.

Before we get started, we ask that you please consider subscribing to Paul Leslie’s YouTube channel. It would greatly help us in our mission and you’ll get free access to all our upcoming content.

Before we begin, we ask that you make the most of every day. Starting with this one. Let’s listen. Together.

#947 - Mighty Sparrow Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

#947 - Mighty Sparrow

The Mighty Sparrow Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here? A thing like that! You tuning into The Paul Leslie Hour. Thanks for being here.

It is with great honor we present an interview with the unrivaled Calypso King of the World, the Mighty Sparrow. From his beginnings in Gran Roi, Grenada, he migrated to Trinidad at one year old. It’s been said about the Mighty Sparrow that “He rightfully wears the Calypso crown having defeated every single challenger to his throne.”

The Mighty Sparrow has recorded over 70 albums and performed all over North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa. His story and music are both mesmerizing. Join us as we present this interview from the archives with the Mighty Sparrow, the Bird with the Word, the Supreme Serenader!

And while we’re introducing the Mighty Sparrow, we’d like to humbly invite you, gentle listener, to subscribe to Paul Leslie’s YouTube channel and don’t forget to ring that bell! Oh yeah, and maybe like The Paul Leslie Hour on Facebook too. We’d love to hear from you.

And now ladies and gentlemen, it’s an extreme pleasure and excited reverence that we begin this grand episode. It’s time. It’s time…

#946 - Calypso Rose Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

#946 - Calypso Rose

The Calypso Rose Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here? Oh yes you are. Welcome to The Paul Leslie Hour. Boy are we excited to present the interview from our radio archives with Calypso Rose, called the Heart and Soul of the Caribbean.

This was originally broadcast in 2008. Who is Calypso Rose? She’s the undisputed Queen of Calypso. Calypso Rose hails from Tobago and started composing songs from the age of 15, and has written over 800 songs to date. Her songs have been covered all over the world in many languages, including by American star Bonnie Raitt. Her immortal song, “Fire in Me Wire,” has gone down in history as a Calypso anthem.

Calypso Rose has been recognized by organizations and countries throughout the world, including when she received the Medal of Merit from the Trinidad and Tobago government by order of her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth of England. Her credits are numerous, but you can tell her appeal is in her lovable nature. While catching up with Paul after a rehearsal in the Virgin Islands, she shared the story of her life.

Through Calypso music she has seen the world and accomplished more than anyone could ever imagine. This interview you’re about to hear shows her bountiful enthusiasm for life. Her sense of humor. She even sang to us. You will be glad you listened to this interview.

Real quick, we want to thank any of you who are patrons of the spoken word and independent media. Or maybe you’d like to be one of those people who helps spread the gift of stories. Just go right here, and we thank you for contributing.

And now it’s time to hear from Calypso Rose, an artist recognized all over the world, known for blazing the trail for many modern female and male Calypso singers. As she tells the story of her life and songs, we ask that you latch on to her optimism and thirst for life. It’s infectious. Join Calypso Rose as she makes the story of Calypso come alive.

#945 - A. J. Rice Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

#945 - A. J. Rice

A. J. Rice is a special guest on The Paul Leslie Hour!

Are you here? Wherever you are, know this—we’re glad you’re here, tuned in to The Paul Leslie Hour.

Your host Paul has been interviewing people for 20 years now, but there’s never been a guest like this. A. J. Rice is the author of The Woking Dead: How Society’s Vogue Virus Destroys Our Culture. The book is full of wit and information.

Pundit and journalist Monica Crowley had this to say:

“In The Woking Dead, A.J. Rice nails the cultural madness and dark manipulations of the radical left as few others do or can: with smarts, humor, and refreshing common sense. A must-read for those who care about the precarious state of our beloved America today.”

A.J. Rice is also the President of Publius PR, having represented some of the biggest names inmedia, and publicizing some of the top books of the last couple of decades. Just check out publiuspr.com and you’ll see what we mean.

And while you’re clicking around on the web, won’t you subscribe to Paul Leslie’s YouTube channel. It’s the best way to keep up with all of our content.

And now ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for A.J. Rice? I could be ready if you are!

#944 - Allen Reynolds Returns Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

#944 - Allen Reynolds Returns

Allen Reynolds Returns to The Paul Leslie Hour!

Are you here? I’m here, but so are you! What a coincidence. Welcome to The Paul Leslie Hour.

We’ve got something good for you, this was recorded during Paul’s recent trip to Nashville. It’s an in-person interview with legendary producer Allen Reynolds.

Reynolds produced the first albums in the careers of Don Williams, Crystal Gayle and Garth Brooks. He’s also an inductee in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The songs of Allen Reynolds were recorded by Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris and Jerry Lee Lewis just to name, but a few.

We want to thank you all for tuning in, but also all of you who support independent media. Just go right here, and give yourself and others the gift of stories. You make this show possible.

What do you say we get this episode started? Let’s listen. Together.