The Musician's Loupe
By Elaine Chao and Trist Curless
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Image by Elaine Chao and Trist Curless
Category: Music Commentary
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Episodes: 33
Description
A discussion about music and musicianship by Trist Curless (jazz singer, educator, sound engineer, and recording engineer, formerly of m-pact and The Manhattan Transfer) and Elaine Chao, M.Ed (multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, beatboxer, singer-songwriter, author, and former educator). Each week, we listen to a song together and discuss the music we love through the lens of decades in the music industry. Topics include analysis of songwriting, chord progression, instrumentation, recording technology, and arrangement.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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Freedom anthems, toxic moms, and power chords: So Have I For You (Nikka Costa)
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Jun 16, 2026 |
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Tempo, sparseness, and a vocal-sax duet : Blue Velvet (The Branford Marsalis Quartet, featuring Kurt Elling)
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Jun 09, 2026 |
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Bootlegs, minimalism, and a songwriting legacy: A Place in Heaven (Prince)
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Jun 02, 2026 |
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Vocal effects, a toxic relationship, and emotional stasis: Worst Thing I Could Do (ARORA)
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May 26, 2026 |
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A breakup, musical stops, and a dismissive complimentary close: Best (Theo Katzman)
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May 19, 2026 |
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Big Band, Baseball, and AM Radio: On the Sunny Side of the Street (Tommy Dorsey & his orchestra, featuring the Sentamentalists)
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May 12, 2026 |
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Tragedy, cover songs, and a surprising tagline: I Can’t Make You Love Me (George Michael)
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May 05, 2026 |
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A healthy relationship, an unexpected child, and forever: Breathless (CPR)
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Apr 28, 2026 |
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Rhythmic surprises, key changes, and classic movies: Lasso the Moon (Level 42)
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Apr 21, 2026 |
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BONUS: The value of analog creation in a digital world
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Apr 14, 2026 |
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Traditional Cuban music, the State Department, and a party trick: Montuno Sampling (Vocal Sampling)
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Apr 14, 2026 |
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Tempo changes, grief, and a bass trombone: When You Were Lovin’ Me (Neil Sedaka)
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Apr 07, 2026 |
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Anguish, loss, and a class ring: She’s Got You (Patsy Cline)
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Mar 31, 2026 |
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Dissonance, structure, and a personal reinvention: symptom of life (Willow)
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Mar 24, 2026 |
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Memories, mid-tempos, and Friday nights: Reminiscing (Little River Band)
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Mar 17, 2026 |
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Vocalese, a carrot garden, and a very naughty rabbit: Cottontail (Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross)
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Mar 10, 2026 |
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Latin rhythms, song structure, and a superstition - An Olive Tree (Basia)
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Mar 03, 2026 |
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New wave, gospel, and loud hotel gossip: Badman’s Song (Tears for Fears)
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Feb 24, 2026 |
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The blues, collaborative duets, and a harmonica solo: Everyday (I Have the Blues) (Tony Bennett)
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Feb 17, 2026 |
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Solo voice, multiple registers, and live performance: Blackbird (Bobby McFerrin)
|
Feb 10, 2026 |
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Chord progressions, jazz rhythms, and a call for community: The Baker’s Daughter (Laila Biali)
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Feb 03, 2026 |
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Brass, dissonance, and pedal tones: Overture (Björk)
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Jan 27, 2026 |
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South African harmonies, bilingual songwriting, and hailing a taxi: Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (Paul Simon)
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Jan 20, 2026 |
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Simplicity, storytelling, and a breakup averted: Never on the Day You Leave (John Mayer)
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Jan 13, 2026 |
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Hocket, pocket, and a surprise brass breakdown: Workin' Day and Night (Michael Jackson)
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Jan 06, 2026 |
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Vocal jazz, doo-wop, and a little melodica: In the Still of the Night (I’ll Remember) (Johnny Mathis)
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Dec 30, 2025 |
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Standards, phrasing, and the jazz ballad: Over the Rainbow (Lorez Alexandria)
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Dec 23, 2025 |
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Anthems, harmonies, and unexpected soul: If You Believe (Kenny Loggins)
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Dec 16, 2025 |
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Minimalism, metaphor, and heartbreak: Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer (Stevie Wonder)
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Dec 09, 2025 |
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BONUS: A belated introduction
|
Dec 03, 2025 |
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Clever songwriting, vintage vibes, and a bit of whimsy: The Laundromat Swing (Rachael and Vilray)
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Dec 02, 2025 |
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Storytelling songs, pop culture references, and the underdog: You Don’t Mess Around with Jim (Jim Croce)
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Nov 25, 2025 |
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Retro funk, pop, and a powerful bridge: Half of the Way (Vulfpeck)
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Nov 18, 2025 |