Dateline 1979: A young Charlie Hunter with his mom stumbles into a local guitar shop in Berkley,CA looking to pick up some basics so he can just know how to play a little guitar. The teacher he would meet that day happened to be a young Joe Satriani who just happened to have a gig teaching local kids how to play guitar. Not metal guitar , not progressive rock guitar. ACTUAL guitar. Nuts and bolts guitar. So it was at Second Hand Guitars that a young Charlie got his ass handed to him on a weekly ...
May 13, 2014
Question: Who’s the only artistic director of a major world player arts program that also happens to be able to say they had a full athletic scholarship to Montana State University to play volleyball? I know,this is a gimme question but for those few of you that don’t already know the answer please allow us to introduce you to Kristy Edmunds. Kristy runs Center for The Art Of Performance or as it’s more well known “CAP”. UCLA’s spectacular performing arts center. Mowo! sat down with Kristy and h...
May 05, 2014
Charlie sat down with Dave Dederer and had an incredible chat. You guys may know Dave as the guitarist of The Presidents of The United States Of America. Dave joins Charlie in his hotel room, makes a coffee. Dave is a fascinating individual because he’s managed to find success in both music and in the white collar world. Two very different worlds indeed. He also worked at a communist pizza parlor. Just had to put that out there because I wonder if they had a “Trotsky Pie” and what would be on it...
Apr 28, 2014
What’s the absolute coolest thing that George Carlin and Richard Pryor have in common? ( hint……it wasn’t having heart attacks) ….ok…..The answer is Rocco Urbisci. Rocco worked closely along side Richard Pryor on multiple films and tv shows. He co-wrote “Jo Jo Dancer Your Life Is Calling” with Richard and also Directed the NBC series “The Richard Pryor Show”. As if that wasn’t amazing enough in and of itself, Rocco is also directed all the comedy specials during George Carlin’s amazing run on HBO...
Apr 21, 2014
Dorthaan Kirk is the heart and soul behind one of the best jazz radio stations in The United States, WBGO out of Newark,New Jersey. A tireless ambassador for jazz and music in general. Dorthaan also happens to be the widow of legendary musician Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Charlie got to sit down with Dorthaan and talk about what it was like for her to move to Los Angeles as a teenager in the late 50’s. Life with Rahsaan. Her incredible run of work at WBGO and about her letter from “Turkey”. You’ll figu...
Apr 14, 2014
PLAY BALL!!!!! This week we decided that with the new baseball season upon us that Mowo! should sit down with amazing baseball writer Dan Epstein ( hearty cheer heard round the internets). You may know Dan as the author of the definitive book on baseball in the the 1970’s entitled “Big Hair And Plastic Grass-A Funky Ride Through Baseball and America In The Swinging 70’s”. If you don’t know that book , look it up and make sure to read it as it’s an incredible ride through one of the best decades ...
Apr 07, 2014
Charlie got to sit down with Trombonist Curtis Fowlkes at his home in Brooklyn. You guys may know Curtis as a member of The Jazz Passengers Curtis has also worked extensively with Charlie Haden , Charlie Hunter ( yes that Charlie Hunter! ), The Lounge Lizards , Bill Frisell , John Zorn, Marc Ribot , The Big Apple Circus , and as a member of the house band in Robert Altman’s “Kansas City”(Hal Willner anyone?) but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Curtis. Curtis talks about growi...
Mar 31, 2014
This week we continue our conversation with the great Stewart Levine. For those that don’t remember where we left off we had decided to break for lunch. I can now confirm that a Badger Salad was NOT on the menu. Please check out part 1 of the conversation because I don’t want to repeat who and what Stewart Levine is here. During this conversation we cover Stewart’s time producing mega hits in England with Simply Red , Womack & Womack and Jamie Cullum. We also cover Stewart’s very spot on vie...
Mar 25, 2014
Charlie got to sit down with his 103 year old grandfather Mr. Sindey Greenman. Born in New York, City in 1911, Sidney remembers clearly the efforts to support the troops in WW I. That’s right I said WW I. He used to bring peach pits to school to support the war effort but you’ll have to listen to the episode to understand why. (it’s kind of amazing actually). Speaking of World Wars, Mr. Greenman also served his country in WW II in the Pacific theater. The son of jewish immigrants from Poland who...
Mar 17, 2014
It brings us great joy to add legendary drummer and incredible human being James Gadson to The Compared To What Podcast family of conversations. Mowo! got to visit James at his home and sit with him for a little while and chat. It’s not often you get to sit down with someone that can say (very modestly we might add) that they’ve played on upwards of 500 Gold and Platinum albums. For those not familiar with James here’s a quick list of artists he has played with: Bill Withers , Charles Wright And...
Mar 10, 2014
“There’s usually plenty of room on the high road”. That quote kinda sums up Monte Croft. While Monte is a highly accomplished recording artist and musician who has worked with many of the biggest names in music he is also an incredible thinker and has a distinct viewpoint on things. Even if you’re just friends with him on Facebook for example,on a daily basis you’ll learn something very interesting from him. Charlie sat down with Monte and the two talked about Monte’s experiences while being sig...
Mar 03, 2014
Full discloser: I (Mowo!) have known Hal Willner since I was the age of 5. The conversation you are about to hear contains some real gems. We’ve known each other for 35+ years. The conversation is bound to get a little inside. Having said all of that I am getting ahead of myself. Let me introduce you to Hal Willner. Hal has worked on a little lit of everything over the last 40 years. A champion of the downtown new york jazz scene………rock scene…….art scene………you name it, if there is a scene, he kn...
Feb 26, 2014
Charlie sat down with Bobby Previte and had probably the most complete conversation to date on the show. It begins and ends on the same note. Really an incredible conversation. The epitome of what we want you guys to experience as listeners to this show. Bobby has had a really accomplished career as a drummer. One of the originators and main proponents of the New York “Downtown” music scene in the early 1970’s. He has worked with many different acts and is a leader in his own right. Bobby has wo...
Feb 17, 2014
Mowo! sat down with Recording Artist, Songwriter, Record Producer and all around creative musician Joe Henry. This was the first time the two ever had a chance to sit down and have a little conversation. The two have worked with many of the same musicians and artists over the years but both share a real love for Richard Pryor which is where the conversation starts off ( Joe and his brother David have a book out now about Richard and while we promote NOTHING on this show …”Furious Cool-Richard Pr...
Feb 10, 2014
Charlie sat down with Guitarist Jim Campilongo and had what might be the purest guitar conversation to date on the show. The show opens with Jim’s stunning version of “The Minute Waltz” by Chopin. Nuff said. What transpires is actually only a part of a two hour conversation that followed. We will release some extra material in the coming weeks so you can hear the incredible playing. Jim has worked with many artists over the years as well as being an incredible artist himself. He’s shared the sta...
Feb 04, 2014
Mowo! got to sit down with his old pal Moby. It should be noted that he got to sit down with his friend Moby outside poolside at Moby’s house.From time to time the audio is compromised by the subtle breezes of the rarified air of the Hollywood Hills hitting the recorders microphone. We apologize for the audio blips and bleeps but the content of the conversation far outweighs the audio quality. Subjects touched upon = The rats of the Hollywood Hills , Crack Addicted Landlords , Junkies jumping in...
Feb 04, 2014
Charlie got to sit down with old friend Dionne Farris. You may know Dionne from her days as a key member of the Hip Hop group Arrested Development. Without a doubt you know her her smash hit from the 90’s “I know”. She’s an incredible singer and musician who has continued to grow and master her craft. Do not judge this book by it’s cover. Dionne breaks down the experience of pop stardom and it’s a really fascinating tale indeed. You’ll really enjoy this conversation and you may even hear Charlie...
Jan 28, 2014
How many people do you know that can say that they’ve worked with Ray Charles, The Rolling Stones and Charles Manson? The answer is none. You know actually none people that can say that until now. Meet Gary Stromberg. Gary is a fascinating individual. He got his start in film making , moved on to publicity with a very very short foray into recording producing with a homicidal maniac named Charles Manson. Shortly after that he produced one of the classic films of the 1970’s entitled “Car Wash”. D...
Jan 28, 2014
If you ever get a chance to meet Paul Canales please ask him about the process of opening and starting a restaurant. His explanation of this process when Charlie sat down with him is one of the funniest things we’ve heard in years. it’s the stuff that this podcast is all about actually. Paul owns and is the head Chef at Oakland’s Duende. Duende is very hip (actually hip not this new nonsensical version of the word) restaurant that features some of the bay areas most creative music as well. AS me...
Jan 21, 2014
Nels Cline more than anyone understands the expression. “slow and steady wins the race”. Charlie got to sit down with Wilco’s guitarist and talk about the long creative road that lead him to joining one of rocks most creative bands. A real innovator on his instrument Nels is one of the best conversations yet and funny enough it was Charlie’s very first interview…….He’s a natural! (round of applause) The two cover a wide range of experiences that Nels as had over the span of many years. Do yourse...
Jan 20, 2014
Les McCann is one of the true legends of music. At least that’s how we look at it here at the Compared To What Podcast. While some of you may be familiar with his mega hit recording along with Eddie Harris of “Compared To What”(yes the inspiration for the name of this podcast). He also is a real innovator in the history of recorded music. A real pioneer in the use of Synthesizers (please check out the album “Layers”). A great singer,songwriter,comedian,photographer and just about everything else...
Jan 17, 2014
Brand New Grammy Winner Lalah Hathaway is probably the most singular voice of her generation. She’s also an incredible musician who will sing a chord at will and slay you. Deservedly she’s also been nominated (thankfully WON this year) for multiple Grammies. Mowo! was lucky enough to sit down with her and have a nice chat ranging through many topics. The one major thought that was left with Mowo! after this conversation is that Lalah should eventually host some sort of Late Night Talk show. They...
Jan 15, 2014
Mike Clark is one of the best drummers you’ve ever heard. Believe me on this because you’ve probably heard him hundreds of times without realizing you have. Mike has appeared on a massive amount of Hip-Hop and R&B hits via sampling a topic Mike and Charlie touch on briefly. Mike is known for being an important part of Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters. Mr. Clark was at the center of a very fertile and creative music scene in the Bay Area in the mid late 60’s. A scene where rock, funk , soul and j...
Jan 14, 2014
Stewart Levine is many things. Record Producer,Musician,Raconteur and Expert Cappuccino Brewer are but a few of these things. Mowo! after much wrangling and convincing got Mr. Levine (a.k.a “The President”) to sit down and talk about his experiences in music and life in general. For those who have ever wondered what it was like to tour in a big band this is the conversation for you! I hope you like Seconals ,Vodka and Pernod. Truly one of the most enjoyable conversations Mowo! has had in years. ...
Jan 13, 2014
Welcome to the Podcast. Seriously,sit down and relax,get comfortable and prepare yourself for probably the best conversation about the inspiration for the starting of a podast between a 7 string guitarist and a 30’s inspired electronic musician you will ever hear. Impressed? We know we are. In this episode The hosts sit down and interview each other about why they wanted to start the show in the first place. “This was Charlie’s idea so blame him!” says co-host Adam Dorn (A.K.A Mocean Worker). We...
Jan 12, 2014
Charlie and Mowo! discuss Nels Cline. You may know Nels as the guitarist for Wilco. You may not however know Nels as a product specialist for the Roland Corp. He tells an incredible story about demo’ing products at a trade show but don’t worry yourself about that now. Listen to Charlie and Mowo! talk about Nels instead!
Jan 07, 2014
Charlie and Mowo! discuss the amazingness that is Les McCann. This very podcast is named after and inspired by Les McCann and Eddie Harri’s rendition of the timeless classic…..”Compared To What”. Mowo! talks about growing up and knowing Les and eventually touring with him as a bass player. Also it should be noted that Les is just about one of the best piano players ever. There……..I said it....
Jan 06, 2014
Lalah Hathaway is a grammy nominated recording artist who probably should also be considering a career in comedy and late night talk show hosting…….Charlie and Mowo! discuss Mowo’s sit down with his old friend and chord singing genius Ms. Hathaway.
Jan 04, 2014
In this mini episode of Compared To What Charlie and Mowo! discuss the awesomeness that is drummer Mike Clark. You may know Mike from Herbie Hanckock’s Headhuhnters band. Charlie grew up touring and playing with Mike and learning stuff on the road that your mom and dad can’t teach you. PUSH PLAY AND ENJOY
Jan 03, 2014
Welcome to The Compared To What Podcast. Charlie Hunter and Mocean Worker are your hosts. (Please look them up on the interwebs. They’ve worked on some incredible music over the years) The show is inspired by the classic recording “Comapred To What” by Les McCann and Eddie Harris. The song was written by Gene McDaniels and lyrically is perfect not only for the time they were written in 1960’s) but very much for today as well. Technically the podcast went live at 3:05 PDT on January 17, 2014. See...
Jan 02, 2014
