This week on the Track Star* Jack is joined by Ravi Coltrane, Grammy nominated saxophonist, bandleader and composer, as well as the son of the legendary John Coltrane and co-owner of the RKM Music record label. Together Ravi and Jack reminisce about the golden age of jazz and one of jazz’s most influential figures through his most iconic tracks.
The soundtrack of this episode takes us through John Coltrane’s transformative career, as Ravi helps describe exactly what made his sound so beautiful. Ravi also shares personal anecdotes about John Coltrane’s recording history and process, while reflecting on the revolutionary legacy that made jazz what it is today.
00:00 - Intro
00:21 - Miles Davis (ft. John Coltrane) - Round Midnight
02:50 - Thelonious Monk (ft. John Coltrane) - Trinkle Tinkle
07:54 - John Coltrane - Blue Train
11:25 - John Coltrane - Russian Lullaby
14:32 - Miles Davis (ft. John Coltrane) - So What
16:09 - Miles Davis (ft. John Coltrane) - So What
17:10 - John Coltrane - Giant Steps
19:58 - John Coltrane - Chasin’ The Trane
24:34 - John Coltrane - Alabama
27:05 - John Coltrane - A Love Supreme, Part I - Acknowledgement
33:34 - John Coltrane - Ascension - Edition I / Pt. 1

On today’s episode of the Track Star Podcast, we are joined by a guest who, in his new book, Resident Punk, shares memories from living with some of punk’s most recognizable names. Jack is joined by Legs McNeil, the journalist known as one of the three founders of the legendary Punk magazine, as well as the author of Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk and Resident Punk: How I Smoked, Drank, and Stumbled my way through the ‘70s Punk Scene.

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Together they reflect legendary figures in the ‘70s punk movement – such as The Ramones, Richard Hell, Heartbreakers, and Blondie – and its origins. Through fascinating personal anecdotes, Legs McNeil guides us through the history of one of music’s most radical genres and shows us the behind-the-scenes of iconic moments.

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This Episode's Track List:

Good Thing - Paul Revere & The Raiders

High Tension Wire - Dead Boys

Ghost Rider - Suicide

No Fun - Sex Pistols

Chinese Rocks - Heartbreakers

Detroit 442 - Blondie

Today on Track Star Versus*, Apple TV's MAYDAY stars Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh go head-to-head in a battle of music knowledge. The pair test their expertise across ’80s rock, new wave, and pop classics from artists including Queen, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper and more!

Between competitive guesses, needle drops, and plenty of singing along, Ryan and Kenneth bring their quick wit and undeniable chemistry to an especially lively round of Track Star Versus*.

This Episodes Track List:

Under Pressure - Queen & David Bowie

Every Breath You Take - The Police

Time After Time - Cyndia Lauper

Don’t Get Me Wrong - Pretenders

Freedom - Wham!

Today on Track Star*, Jack chats with legendary Colombian musician and singer-songwriter Juanes. Juanes shows us how his music taste grew alongside him, from Latin folk in his younger years to hard rock and metal, both in English and Spanish. His deep love for all kinds of music shines as he speaks about the iconic artists and songs that shaped him, especially the sounds of his hometown of Medellin, Colombia. His infectious enthusiasm transports us to his childhood and reveals the wide-range of influences behind his artistsry. This Episode's Track List: Black Dog - Led Zeppelin Seek & Destroy - Metallica No Tengo Dinero - Juan Gabriel Adiós Muchachos - Carlos Gardel Vestido de Cristal - Kraken El Amor Después Del Amor - Fito Páez De Música Ligera - Soda Stereo Como Abeja al Panal - Juan Luis Guerra

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing Oscar-nominated actor Andrew Garfield on funk, soul as well as some vocal jazz. In this episode, Andrew shares how different styles of music affect his interpretations of the characters he plays, as well as sharing stories about the obscure French Hip-Hop group he was a member of and his life-changing concert experiences.

Watch as he breaks down the soul and vocal ‘purity’ of the timeless classics , and displays the truly special way in which he listens to all kinds of music.

This Episode's Track List: 

Tieduprightnow - Parcels

Father Figure - George Michael

Lovely Day - Bill Withers

Mississippi Goddam - Nina Simone

Grace - Jeff Buckley

Water Get No Enemy - Fela Kuti

The Wind That Shakes the Barley - Martin Carthy

Just a Gigolo / I Ain’t Got Nobody - Louis Prima

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing a local librarian from the NY Public Library, Dan, and his encyclopedic knowledge of 70s/80s rock. While regaling us with fascinating anecdotes surrounding a range of his favorite artists, his deep passion for music is obvious and infectious. Dan has a remarkable knack for expressing exactly what he loves about each and every track Jack throws at him, creating one of the most entertaining and informative episodes of Track Star* to date. 

Dan adds perspective to the artists behind beloved rock classics through captivating details, and remarkably descriptive explanations of musical style, in this terrific new episode of Track Star*.

This Episode's Track List: 

Black Cow - Steely Dan

Excitable Boy - Warren Zevon

Gotta Get Up - Harry Nilsson

Ocean Man - Ween

I’m Holding You - Ween

Watching the Detectives - Elvis Costello

Home - Mac DeMarco

Jesus Just Left Chicago - ZZ Top

Makes No Sense at All - Hüsker Dü

In a Jar - Dinosaur Jr.

Today on Track Star*, we’re putting Emmy-nominated actress Dakota Fanning’s music knowledge to the test with a mix of Southern classics, childhood favorites, and songs that shaped her along the way.

Ahead of her new film The Sun Never Sets, Dakota reflects on growing up between Hollywood film sets and a traditional Southern upbringing, sharing stories from her childhood, career, and the music tied to it all. Watch the full episode as Dakota Fanning puts her music knowledge to the test and shares stories from a life spent on and off screen.

This Episode's Track List: 

Little Deuce Coupe - The Beach Boys

Cherry Bomb - The Runaways

Shoes - Lil Wayne

Jesus was a Crossmaker - Judee Sill

Weather for Tennis - Hilary Duff

The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia - Reba McEntire

Una Palabra - Carlos Varela

Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing Alabama’s very own Whitmer Thomas on home-state classic hits and punk-driven 2000s tracks. Showcasing his own musical influence and childhood upbringing, Whitmer Thomas takes us on a tour through his journey as a singer and stand-up comedian and how they intertwined, with anecdotes that shaped his career along the way.

From stories of van tours as a teenager, being raised by his musical mother, and his love-hate relationship with Alabama, Whitmer Thomas has us hooked on this episode of Track Star.

This Episode's Track List: 

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Reckless Abandon - Blink-182

First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes

Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season - Jimmy Buffett 

Why Can’t We Be Friends - War

If It Makes You Happy - Sheryl Crow

Every Morning - Sugar Ray

Little Criminals - Randy Newman

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing the iconic Australian pop star Troye Sivan on Y2K euphoria and melancholy R&B classics. Revealing the extent of his own musical influence and knowledge, Troye Sivan gives us the opportunity to learn about his journey as a singer and performing artist and his recent experience touring with legendary genre-bending musician Charli XCX.

With personal stories, a rapid guessing speed, and sunglasses that Jack himself wants to purchase now, Troye Sivan brings a laidback chatty vibe to this episode of Track Star. 

This Episode's Track List: 

Happy & Sad - Kacey Musgraves

No Ordinary Love - Sade

Virtuoso - Ryan Beatty

SS26 - Charli XCX

All For You - Janet Jackson

Since I Left You - The Avalanches

Music - Madonna

Sleeping In - The Radio Dept.

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing legendary rapper Too $hort on Funk deep-cuts and influential Hip-Hop classics. Revealing the extent of his music knowledge, Too $hort gives us the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the overlapping worlds and influences of Motown, Funk, and Hip-Hop.

Too $hort takes the time today to show us some of the music he was raised on, breaking down how his father’s love of Funk and Motown influenced his own creative process and musical appreciation.

With personal stories and impressive knowledge, Too $hort presents a unique and important perspective on early Hip-Hop figures and influences. 

This Episode's Track List: 

Distant Lover - Marvin Gaye

Mary Jane - Rick James

Computer Love - Zapp

You Dropped A Bomb On Me - The Gap Band

It Was a Good Day - Ice Cube

I Get Around (ft. Shock G, Money B) - 2Pac

Stompin’ And Pimpin - 8Ball & MJG

EARFQUAKE - Tyler, The Creator

I Don’t F**k With You - Big Sean

DADZ LOVE - Justin Bieber, Lil B

Last Time That I Checc’d (ft YG) - Nipsey Hussle

Fantastic Voyage - Lakeside

Love’s Train - Con Funk Shun

Today on Track Star*, we are joined by Brandon Flowers to talk about some of the songs and artists that have inspired his work, both as a solo artist and frontman of The Killers. 

Listening to some classic songs and sharing personal stories of bleached hair, Strokes-induced depression, and playing with Bruce Springsteen, Brandon breaks down how artists like Bruce, The Strokes, and others became a part of his life and fundamentally changed how he approached music. 

Brandon takes the time today to share with us his love for a wide range of music and show us the importance of listening to and learning from a wide variety of influences.

This Episode's Track List: 

Crying - Roy Orbison

Cry! Cry! Cry! - Johnny Cash

Hard to Explain - The Strokes

Louisiana 1927 - Randy Newman

Badlands - Bruce Springsteen

Watching the Detectives - Elvis Costello

Everyday - Weyes Blood

Pulling Mussels (From the Shell) - Squeeze