403 - Jim Asbell with Frank McInvale

Jim Asbell is a singer-songwriter and recording artist very influenced by "the tropics" in his songwriting. He's a guitarist and an emotive singer with a dedicated fanbase. He had released an album entitled “Man Overbored” (spelling intentional). He was kind enough to come into the studio and not only give an in-depth interview, but also perform some acoustic / vocal performances. It's something I have not forgotten. we recorded this at Jordan Digital Studios in the great State of Georgia.

Frank McInvale came along as the President of Jim Asbell's fan club to see the interview and the musical performances. In order to get another perspective, I decided to ask him a few questions to make a more unique experience for the listeners.

This recording is what happened and went on to be broadcast on the radio. It's presented here for your listening pleasure and general interest.

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.

#402 - Gordon Lightfoot Returns May 01, 2020

Show notes

402 - Gordon Lightfoot Returns

Gordon Lightfoot is one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time and that's not an exaggeration. The greatest songwriters were influenced by him, Bob Dylan has frequently cited him as the best. The most iconic singers, everyone from Elvis Presley to Barbra Streisand have performed and recorded Lightfoot's songs.

This is my second interview with the legendary Gordon Lightfoot. He's released "Solo" his first new album in 16 years. The record is vocals and guitars only. When you hear Gordon's rich voice and wonderfully guitar playing, you'll realize you don't need much more. In addition to talking about the release, Gordon and I talk about his friendship with the late John Prine and the singers and groups he affected: from Peter, Paul and Mary to Jimmy Buffett.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's a great pleasure and honor to welcome to this show, the one and only Gordon Lightfoot.

#401 - Al Di Meola Apr 29, 2020

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401 - Al Di Meola

It's a great privilege to interview one of the most important, acclaimed and revered guitarists in the world. Al Di Meola is a performing and recording artist, a composer, bandleader, and collaborator with the greatest artists in jazz and rock. His latest album "Across the Universe," is Al Di Meola's interpretations of the incredible songs of the Beatles. It is his second release of this kind.

#400 - Joe Ely Apr 27, 2020

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400 - Joe Ely

It's Episode #400 of The Paul Leslie Hour! He's been called one of the greatest songwriters of our time and his music has drawn inspiration and influenced country music, rock and roll and Tex-Mex. Joe Ely is a singer, songwriter, a performer with thousands of shows under his belt, and a prolific recording artist with many critically acclaimed albums to his name. His latest record entitled "Love in the Midst of Mayhem," was released April 17, 2020. This release was finished and recorded during the international COVID-19 pandemic. Ely released the album with a sense of urgency.

It is a great honor to welcome Joe Ely, one of the most beloved and respected of the Texas troubadours. He's right here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

#399 - Brandon Maggart Apr 24, 2020

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399 - Brandon Maggart

It's a great honor when you're joined by an all around storyteller. Brandon Maggart is an actor, writer, poet, author and painter. As an actors he's worked in film, television and on Broadway. As a book author he writes the Papa's Footprints series, the most recent entitled Whisky, Women and Banana Peels, with an upcoming book entitled Where Possums Dance and the Willow Sings.

Brandon Maggart is a pleasure to interview as he has an uninhibited, freewheeling style. He seems to know that the human story knows no bounds. In an interview given with passion and thought, I felt fortunate to hear him recite some of his writing as a spoken word piece. This is an interview with a creative soul. Ladies and gentlemen, it's the Brandon Maggart interview on The Paul Leslie Hour.

#398 - Dana Nielsen Apr 22, 2020

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398 - Dana Nielsen

It's a great pleasure to present the Dana Nielsen interview, a man with multi-faceted talents when it comes to music, in particular the recording arts. Dana Nielsen is a record producer, mixer, recording engineer, songwriter and saxophonist. You want to talk about diversity of styles! Dana has worked on projects for Adele, Bob Dylan, Smashing Pumpkins, Justin Timberlake, Neil Diamond, Black Sabbath and on major movies. Dana Nielsen the guy? Despite his many accomplishments he's about as real as they get. It's not often you get to pick the brain of someone so gifted at their art, but still completely unassuming and very cordial. That's Dana Nielsen. He's right here on The Paul Leslie Hour, and we couldn't be happier.

#397 - Jack Phillips Apr 20, 2020

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397 - Jack Phillips

Jack Phillips is a songwriter, a singer and a recording artist. He joined us to talk about his album Café Nights in New York, an album that was influenced in short by many nights of listening to the late great Bobby Short singing at the Cafe Carlyle in New York City. The album features the late Eddy Davis and Conal Fowkes from the Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band featuring Woody Allen. This was originally broadcast on the radio.

#396 - Conal Fowkes Apr 17, 2020

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396 - Conal Fowkes

Conal Fowkes is a great pianist, vocalist, double bassist, teacher and performer who has been featured on Woody Allen soundtracks as well as performing with the Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band. As a recording artist, he's made one of the most interesting albums entitled "Dizzy Fingers," which is a solo piano and vocal. The songs on the album are not as well known gems from the Tin Pan Alley era. A great friend and musical collaborator of Eddy Davis, this interview with Conal Fowkes was originally broadcast on the radio in 2008. It has been remastered and it's a great pleasure to present it to anyone and everyone interested.

#395 - Eddy Davis Apr 15, 2020

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395 - Eddy Davis

Banjoist Eddy Davis was born September 26, 1940 and passed away April 7, 2020. This interview with Mr. Davis was recorded in December 2008. The word "legend" gets thrown around a lot, but Eddy Davis certainly was one. An extremely talented banjoist, for anyone who listens to this interview you'll also find he was a great storyteller. To a lot of people he was known for leading the Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band that played many Monday evenings at the Cafe Carlyle in New York City. The band was known for playing traditional jazz and featuring Woody Allen on clarinet. Eddy Davis can be heard on the soundtrack of Woody Allen's films "Radio Days" and "Midnight in Paris" and had a small part in "Sweet and Lowdown." He can also be seen and heard in the documentary film "Wild Man Blues" about Woody Allen's passion for New Orleans jazz.

A talented instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer and very entertaining performer, he made some of the most enjoyable recordings around. He was a truly unique artist. We talked of doing another interview and I could never seem to pin him down. I was honored and delighted to interview him. I hope for anyone who knew him they will enjoy this recording of him talking in such detail. For those who never got to see him perform, I hope this will inspire you to try and locate some of his records which are all exceptional. The world of music has suffered a great loss. Eddy Davis will be greatly missed.

#394 - Cynthia Basinet Apr 13, 2020

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394 - Cynthia Basinet

Cynthia Basinet is a crooner carrying on the classic tradition of singing the Great American Songbook. Cynthia Basinet is most known as a singer, recording artist and a concert performer. She's interpreted some of the greatest classics in American music. She has worked an actress, a model and is known for her humanitarian work.

It's a soulful, in-depth interview with a vocalist who presents meaningful songs and continues to expand her repertoire to this day.