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:

#833 - Maury Yeston Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

#833 - Maury Yeston

The Maury Yeston Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here? If you’re here, it’s obviously because you like to know stuff. It’s also possible you like to listen to people talking. In fact, on every single episode of The Paul Leslie Hour that there’s ever been has someone or another talking.

Your host Paul Leslie talks, the announcer, (that’s Dan Gold) talks too. But the person who talks the most in every episode is the guest. Understandable. This time we present an interview from our library of interviews, with Maury Yeston. He’ll be talking.

Maury Yeston allows us into his musical mind! He is a composer, lyricist, educator, musicologist and Tony award-winner. Perhaps best known for his music and lyrics heard on the Broadway stage, Maury Yeston wrote the lyrics and melodies for “Nine,” (based on Fellini’s film 8½ )as well as “Titanic.” He wrote the music and lyrics for “Phantom,” based on the 1910 novel “The Phantom of the Opera.” Yeston also wrote a great deal of songs for the Broadway musical “Grand Hotel.”

In addition to several original Broadway cast albums of his songs, a compilation album of his songs was released entitled “The Maury Yeston Songbook.” And it’s worth noting Broadway actress Laura Osnes released an entire album of his songs entitled “If I Tell You (Songs of Maury Yeston).”

If you are fascinated by the art of songwriting or a lover of musical theatre, this interview will be of great interest to you. Maury Yeston freely expresses his thoughts and recollections. Writers and lovers of songs alike will enjoy this fascinating interview.

Before we start the interview, we just want to thank all of you who have subscribed to Paul Leslie’s YouTube channel. Slowly, but surely it’s growing. Won’t you subscribe? It’s the best way to stay plugged in to the show.

And now, it’s time we played the interview with the unforgettable Maury Yeston!

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.

#832 - Barbara Cook Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

#832 - Barbara Cook

The Barbara Cook Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here? I know that you are here, and let me start by expressing our respect and gratitude for your decision to tune in to The Paul Leslie Hour. Thank you!

These interviews we curate and broadcast are snapshots in time. They’re sound portraits of people who have created something special. The guests are people who have captured the attention and appreciation of your host, that’d be Paul.

Sometimes those people have passed away. On this episode we present our interview with the late Barbara Cook. It was a very magical moment when she called in to chat for a few minutes.

Broadway legend Barbara Cook talked about her life as a singer, actress and recording artist. Barbara Cook discussed her favorite songwriters, and her album “You Make Me Feel So Young.”

She was one of the rare singers to receive acclaim into her eighties. Barbara Cook was especially known for her interpretations of the songs written by theatre legend Stephen Sondheim.

We have many interviews like this, worthy of being heard. Please consider supporting our efforts by going right here, and we thank you for helping independent media.

I think it’s about time. Let’s listen…. together.

#831 - Randy Edelman Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

#831 - Randy Edelman

The Randy Edelman Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here? You’re here, because this is the place to be baby!

You’ve come to the place with the laidback pace. We're gettin’ this listen fest underway so you can get your dose of inspiration, communication and just a little bit of fuel for your aspirations, you know exactly what I mean, cuz you just know the show.

We’ve got a tape from the wayback “press play” machine, an interview with music man Randy Edelman. Hailing from Teaneck, New Jersey and known from coast to coast…. Randy’s done some fabulous things with sound.

LIKE WHAATTT? You may be askin’, if you didn't know about the Randy Edelman magic touch already! Well he’s a film and television composer, putting the perfect, pristine, marvelous, musical touches to go with what your eyeballs are peepin’ on screens at home or at the theatre. We liked the music he added to that Last of the Mohicans movie. Hey, the music may have been the best part of that flick! We mean that in a good way, since that’s the only way we mean anything.

Then there’s our man Randy Edelman the singer-songwriter and recording artist. Some of you not only saw him on stage, you got the wax too. Randy wrote some luscious songs. We gotta tip our hat for his song “Weekend in New England.” Yess, son! Even our chum Barry Manilow flipped over that tune. He covered it on his fourth disc. Uhhh-huh.

We got no age limits on this interview, young or old we just ask you think about hittin’ that subscribe button for The Paul Leslie Hour on YouTube! Can ya do it, baby? If you’re old enough to be on YouTube, you’re old enough to get a subbie and we’d really dig it if you rang that bell, ya hear?

So enjoy this in-depth interview with Randy Edelman. This one hit the laidback radio airwaves quite a few years back, when he’d come out with his album “The Pacific Flow to Abbey Road.”

Whether you’re in Malibu or Maui, or your mama’s place - we hope you enjoy this eppy-soda. It’s for you baby. Until next time Danny Gold is gonna prop his feet up and listen right along with you. I’ll catch you on the flip side. Have a ball, baby.

Support The Paul Leslie Hour by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-paul-leslie-hour

#830 - Melissa Manchester Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

#830 - Melissa Manchester

Are you here? Now, I don’t want to assume, but I’m going to level with you. I knew you were here. I knew you were here before you even thought about it. Now you may wonder…just how did I know? That, my friend…is the nature of The Paul Leslie Here.

I’m pleased you’re checking out this episode. This is an interview from the archives with the remarkable Melissa Manchester. Now, your host, the interviewer was born in the 1980s…but, you may like to know that he has spent a lot of time, mellowing out, all by himself, listening to Melissa Manchester on vinyl records. You can kind of picture it, can’t ya?

By the way - we think you’ll enjoy checking out the latest single from Melissa Manchester. The song is “Through the Eyes of Love” written by Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager. Anyways, let us know.

You already may get an idea that Paul’s interview with Melissa Manchester was a laidback deal. She called in, and it was one of those very relaxed phone interviews, for radio. Good ol’ radio.

These days, we’re trying our best to get content like this out there to the masses. We’d love it if you’d consider helping out. Just go here, and be a patron of the spoken word.

And now, let’s here the interview with Melissa Manchester. I know you’re going to enjoy this interview. Knowing you like I do. Hey, thanks for stopping by.

Support The Paul Leslie Hour by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-paul-leslie-hour

#829 - Jack Feldman Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

#829 - Jack Feldman

The Jack Feldman Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here? Life is but a dream, if only were here. Okay, I’m pretty sure that this is real life and not a fantasy, but I can tell you what I know for sure. I know that this is The Paul Leslie Hour and that you are welcome to it.

I know this much too. We’ve got an interview from the archives with songwriter Jack Feldman. This is from quite a few years back, before Paul had a pretty nice microphone. I know, because he told me, he had a contraption to record phone calls for later radio broadcast. The results varied, but now you know.

Here’s what else you should know about our friend Jack. Jack Feldman is a Tony-award winning lyricist who has written many songs for theatre, recording artists, as well as animated motion pictures.

Along with composer Alan Menken, Jack Feldman wrote the score for Newsies, which won a Tony in 2012. Did you know that?

Okay, well know this: Jack Feldman has also had great success in the pop music world. With lyricist Bruce Sussman and composer Barry Manilow, Feldman wrote many songs for Barry Manilow including the classic "Copacabana (At the Copa).” Bet you know that one!

It’s worth knowing that other artists have recorded songs he has had a hand in writing including Wayne Newton and Bette Midler as well as several songs heard in Disney soundtracks.

Whatdya know! Slowly, but surely our subscription drive on YouTube is growing. We really would love it if you’d join us there. It’s free and fast. Go to Paul Leslie's channel on YouTube and subscribe!

Now, let’s play that interview with lyricist Jack Feldman. There’s so much we need to know!

#828 - Adrienne Anderson Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

#828 - Adrienne Anderson

The Adrienne Anderson Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here? Please. Won’t you be here. We need and love it when you are here listening to The Paul Leslie Hour.

So, your host Paul Leslie had the good fortune to see Barry Manilow and his band of talented musicians performing in Savannah, Georgia on January 15th. That’s a big reason why we’re playing this interview from the archives with the incomparable Adrienne Anderson.

Adrienne Anderson is the very talented lyricist who was introduced to us by lyricist Marty Panzer. She is most known for the songs she co-wrote with composer Barry Manilow. You know, some of the most beloved songs recorded and performed by Barry Manilow feature the lyrics of Adrienne Anderson, including “Daybreak” and “Could It Be Magic,” and many more.

Songs Adrienne Anderson wrote have been recorded by many great artists including Melissa Manchester, Bette Midler, Donna Summer and Isaac Hayes. Interesting tidbit: The late great Frank Sinatra sang a televised performance of the song “See the Show Again” on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

Fans of Dionne Warwick may be familiar with Anderson’s work from the song “Deja Vu” which she co-wrote with Isaac Hayes. With Peter Allen, Adrienne Anderson co-wrote “I Go to Rio” which became a signature song for Allen. The song was later covered by the band Pablo Cruise as well as Peggy Lee.

We’ve been telling the human story for 19 years and counting. If you believe in what we do, become a patron of the spoken word. Just go right here and we thank you for listening and supporting.

I’m excited to hear this interview with Adrienne Anderson. She’s a special one, for sure. Let’s listen together.

#827 - Marty Panzer Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

#827 - Marty Panzer

The Marty Panzer Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here? If you’re here, your work is done! All you have to do now is listen.

So, we saw in the paper that Manilow is talking about his first new pop album in years. Which is the perfect segue for this:

We’ve got an interview queued up from the archives, one of Paul’s all time favorites. It’s also the interview that has received the most emails from people who tuned in.

A great newspaper journalist named Brandee A. Thomas was interviewing Paul back in 2011. Paul told her: “Probably my favorite interview of all times was with a lyricist named Marty Panzer. He wrote ‘Through the Years’ for Kenny Rogers and he wrote a lot of songs for Barry Manilow.”

So who is Mr. Panzer? Marty Panzer is a great lyricist who has songs known all over the world. He began writing songs with his friend Barry Manilow when they worked in the CBS-TV mailroom. They wanted a career in music so they began writing commercial jingles.

From there, you could say Marty Panzer’s songs have more than taken off–he wrote songs for Barry Manilow like “It’s a Miracle,” “This One’s for You,” “All the Time,” and “Even Now.”

Not only has Marty Panzer written songs for Barry Manilow, but he wrote the Kenny Rogers classic “Through the Years.” His songs have been recorded by the likes of Dionne Warwick, Frankie Valli, Gladys Knight, Julio Iglesias, Dusty Springfield, and others.

Marty Panzer has 35 gold and platinum records, four BMI million play awards, a 3 million play award, and record sales in excess of 70 million units. Impressive, isn’t it?

There’s also a live event called “An Evening with Marty Panzer,” featuring songs, stories and performances by many guest composers and artists. Paul saw “An Evening with Marty Panzer” in 2012, and we’ll tell you that story soon. Stay tuned.

Real quick, just remember that The Paul Leslie Hour is made possible by people just like you. Just go right here, and we thank you for being a patron of the spoken word.

Okay. The songs of Marty Panzer are loved by many, and the host of this show is no exception. It is our pleasure to present a great and passionate lyricist, a man who says he is about … “things that last.”

The Marty Panzer interview was played on the radio many times, and now it’s available on all of the new media like Spotify, Apple, iHeartRadio and more. It is our hope that what you are about to hear will find a way into your heart and soul. Let’s pull out that precious tape. Let’s listen together.

#826 - Enoch Anderson Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

#826 - Enoch Anderson

The Enoch Anderson Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour!

Are you here? Everyone that’s here. Continue being tuned in. We’re going to wait about 3 seconds more for everyone to get situated. Oh, and physically and mentally all on the same page.

Okay, welcome to The Paul Leslie Hour! We’re delighted you’re here about to listen to this interview from the archives with Enoch Anderson. We’ll tell you right now, this was a phoner. That’s what we call a telephone interview, but the connection was not crystal clear. Forgive us.

Enoch Anderson has been writing songs with composer Barry Manilow since the 1970s. As he tells us in this interview, for many years he was known as the one who “never had a single.” With the release of 15 Minutes, Manilow’s first album of original songs in recent years, Enoch Anderson began getting even more recognition for his ability with words. Anderson wrote lyrics to almost all of the songs on the “15 Minutes” album, with the exception of one song written by Adrienne Anderson and a few written by Manilow himself.

Get this. Incredibly, Enoch Anderson said this was his first radio interview. We hope you enjoy what he had to say.

Before we start the interview, please know that The Paul Leslie Hour is made possible by viewers and listeners like you. Please go here. We want to continue to make more material like this available to the masses, but we can’t do it without your help.

All right, let’s find out more about Enoch Anderson, right here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

#825 - Julie Harkness Arnold Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

#825 - Julie Harkness Arnold

The Julie Harkness Arnold Interview on The Paul Leslie Hour!

Are you here? Oh c’mon, I’ll be 100 percent real with you. I already know you’re here. You’re here. And we love you for it. Thanks for tuning into another episode of The Paul Leslie Hour.

I want to tell you a little story since you’re here. This is about the interview you’re about to hear, that was broadcast on the radio and has been tucked away ever since.

This one goes way back, Paul was really green, just a rookie. A kid. He was recording this interview with Jules Harkness, also known as Julie Arnold, at a very luxurious hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. At the time Jules was dancing with Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band. The much younger Paul was told what a kind, sweet woman Jules is. Very true.

Now, Paul was asked about this interview and all he could do was tell the truth. Ya gotta tell the truth.

When Jules Harkness walked into the room to do the interview, Paul was struck by one fact. What a strikingly beautiful woman Mrs. Jules Harkness Arnold is. He forgot for a moment what he was there for.

In fact, he confided to his brotherly traveling confederate Jeff Pike that he had almost forgotten to breathe. That’s the truth, folks! We tell you this because we respect you. That’s the story and we’re stickin’ to it. Of course, Paul did his best to pretend it was business as usual.

Now, Jules Harkness, along with Heather Dee Perry were dancers for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. Jules is also known as Julie Harkness Arnold. This interview focuses on the theme of dancing, and how Jules found her way into the Coral Reefer Band and auditioning for Jimmy Buffett. Oh yeah and life on the road with the Coral Reefers, and what it’s been like to dance in front of thousands.

Then there’s many other activities she is involved in: writing, charity, and her husband David A. Arnold’s TV and comedy career. David A. Arnold made one of the best comedy records ever, entitled “Cause I Gotta Go to Work in the Morning.” Paul loves that album.

Before we get into the interview, just remember that we’ve been going for 19 years and counting. We need more folks to subscribe to The Paul Leslie Hour on YouTube. Just go on there and it’ll keep you up to date whenever we do a new interview.

And now let’s take you to that interview with Julie Harkness Arnold recorded in Atlanta, Georgia. And Paul, see if Paul was breathing or not.

Wherever you are listening to this, we just want to say how much we appreciate you listening. God Bless and Keep You All.

#824 - Jack Pearson Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

#824 - Jack Pearson

The Jack Pearson Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Are you here? Let’s see what we’ve got for you today on The Paul Leslie Hour.

We have a short chat with legendary guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, session player and producer Jack Pearson, a man who has worked in the genres of rock, jazz, pop, country, you name it. Born in Nashville, Tennessee; Jack Pearson is known for his time with the Allman Brothers Band.

Pearson has also worked with Gregg Allman, Tommy Emmanuel, Jimmy Hall, Lee Ann Womack, Delbert McClinton, Bobby “Blue Bland, Martina McBride, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Jimmy Buffett, Mac McAnally and many others. Not to mention his own studio records which are much prized.

Just want to take a moment and thank each and every one of you that have subscribed to the YouTube channel. Hey, we really appreciate it. It’s the best way to be sure you won’t miss our great content. Just go to The Paul Leslie Hour on YouTube and hit subscribe. Will ya do it? Gosh, we’re so thankful to you.

All right, let’s hear what Paul and Jack Pearson had to talk about. Something tells me this is going to be a laid-back interview.

The Paul Leslie Hour - Helping People Tell Their Stories is a talk show with new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Some of the most iconic people of all time drop in to chat. Frequent topics include Arts, Entertainment and Culture.