How Joni Mitchell shaped how we talk about music

FromCommotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

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How Joni Mitchell shaped how we talk about music

FromCommotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

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Length:

28 minutes

Released:

Jun 26, 2024

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Music critic Ann Powers journeys through the life of Joni Mitchell in her unauthorized biography 'Traveling'.

Released:

Jun 26, 2024

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (67)

Big laughs. Smart takes. Every day. Commotion is where you go for thoughtful and vibrant conversations about all things pop culture. Host Elamin Abdelmahmoud calls on journalists, critics, creators and friends to talk through the biggest arts & entertainment stories of the day, in 30 minutes or less.

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An Israeli artist's statement on the world's biggest art stage: The 60th annual Venice Biennale opens this weekend, but one exhibit will be closed to the public. Ruth Patir, the artist representing Israel, is refusing to open her exhibit until “a cease-fire and hostage release agreement is reached.” Elamin speaks with Kate Brown, senior editor at Artnet News about how Ruth's protest is making waves in the art world. Plus, Elamin is joined by The Verge’s tech writer Emma Roth and music journalist Marc Masters to talk about the resurgent popularity of physical media including vinyl, CDs, DVDs and cassette tapes. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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Scoop and the interview that ended Prince Andrew’s career: After a disastrous interview with the BBC in 2019 about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew stepped away from royal duties and public life. The story behind how that interview came to be is the focus of “Scoop” on Netflix. Elamin speaks with UK film critic Hanna Flint and royal watcher Ellie Hall about the enduring desire to see the Royals portrayed on-screen. Plus, Elamin is joined by technology reporter Cade Metz to talk about The New York Times investigation into the length big companies like Google, Meta and Open AI are going to in order to develop the smartest artificial intelligence models. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
Where did all the blunt cultural criticism go?, and trouble in the small press world: Elamin is joined by culture writer Niko Stratis and Delia Cai to talk about Delia's pop up blog, Hate Read (which invites critics to write anonymous reviews of art they hate). Plus, Small Press Distribution suddenly closes up shop, leaving hundreds of independent publishers in the lurch. Jane Friedman unpacks what happened and how the world of small press is struggling in the aftermath. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
WrestleMania 40 was a turning point for WWE: Elamin is joined by wrestling fans Damian Abraham (of the band F*cked Up) and culture critic Pablo,The Don to discuss highlights of WrestleMania 40, and also the state of the franchise, given its new deal with Netflix and the controversy surrounding its former CEO Vince McMahon. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
26 min listen
What happens to TikTok now? And the new Bon Jovi docu-series: Elamin is joined by music critics Niko Stratis and Maura Johnston to talk about the new docu-series "Thank you, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story," and whether it does justice to the band's legacy. Plus, Elamin speaks with culture writer Ana Diaz of Polygon about the so-called Tik Tok “ban” and what it means for the future of the hugely popular app. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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Civil War is at the top of the box office, but what is it trying to say?: Culture critics Rad Simonpillai and Omar El Akkad unpack Alex Garland’s new film "Civil War." by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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Kill Tony is one of the biggest comedy shows right now, and The People's Joker is finally out: Elamin is joined by Commotion regular Matt Hart and comedian Ali Hassan to talk about how the chaotic, unapologetically crude, and competitive stand-up showcase "Kill Tony" became one of the most popular comedy podcasts in North America. Plus, Josie Riesman explains why Vera Drew’s "The People’s Joker" is the most compelling take on one of the most iconic villains in cinema. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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Fallout, Netflix's Ripley, and J.Cole's diss track saga and whether artist rivalries make for better art: For this week's group chat, Elamin Abdelmahmoud sits down with culture critics Niko Stratis, Rad Simonpillai, and Pablo,The Don. They respond to news of O.J. Simpson's death. Plus, they review the shows, "Fallout" and "Ripley" and talk about the backlash J.Cole is receiving after apologizing for a diss track he wrote about Kendrick Lamar. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
26 min listen
A searching conversation with Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha: It's been just over 6 months since Hamas attacked Israeli civilians, which led to the war in Gaza. Elamin speaks with Mosab Abu Toha - a Palestinian poet whose home in Gaza was destroyed - to talk about how he and other artists are able to keep creating in the face of destruction. Mosab Abu Toha recently wrote an <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/01/01/a-palestinian-poets-perilous-journey-out-of-gaza" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">essay </a>for The New Yorker about his harrowing journey out of Gaza. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
22 min listen
Unpacking the Shōgun finale, and can we Scrabble Together?: As the epic series "Shōgun" airs its final episode on Disney+ this week, TV critics Inkoo Kang and Kaiya Shunyata talk about what sets this adaptation of James Clavell’s novel apart from others before it, and how its emphasis on Japanese dialogue over English enriches our understanding of the story. Plus, Elamin is joined by Slate’s Dan Kois to discuss the backlash to ‘Scrabble Together,’ a more inclusive alternative to the iconic board game that is reportedly inspired by Gen-Z's demands for non-competitive board game options. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
Diving into Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department: Culture critics Tyler Foggatt, Cassie Cao and Adam Sternbergh join guest host Ali Hassan with their thoughts on the latest album from Taylor Swift and the new series Conan O’Brien Must Go. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
27 min listen
Why people can't stop thinking about Baby Reindeer, and the plight of Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi: Stand-up comedians Ashley Ray and James Mullinger talk about the hit Netflix show Baby Reindeer, which is based on star Richard Gadd's real experiences of being stalked early in his career. Plus, Samira Mohyeddin shares the powerful story of Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi, who was recently sentenced to death by the Iranian regime. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
Commotion Introduces: Split Screen: Kid Nation: The controversial reality TV show known as ‘Kid Nation’, which borrowed its premise from Lord of the Flies, was cancelled shortly after its 2007 debut. Producers took 40 kids into a makeshift desert town to fend for themselves and create their own society. Was the series an opportunity to discover what kids are capable of? Or simply a ploy for ratings? With access to former ‘Kid Nation’ contestants, their families, and the show’s creators, culture journalist Josh Gwynn uncovers how this cult TV show became a lightning rod for an ongoing debate about the ethics of reality TV. Welcome to Split Screen, an examination of the utterly captivating, sometimes unsettling world of entertainment and pop culture. From reality TV gone awry, to the cult of celebrity, each season of Split Screen takes listeners on an evocative journey inside the world of showbiz. Ex-contestants, producers, and cultural critics uncover complicated truths behind TV’s c by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
37 min listen
How theatres are being tricked by AI, and the dark comedy The Sympathizer comes to TV: Guest host Ali Hassan speaks with theatre critic Aisling Murphy to talk about her recent article in The Toronto Star where she outlines how some theatre companies have been duped by AI-generated reviews, and what that says about the role of criticism today. Plus, Viet Thanh Nguyen wrote his novel The Sympathizer as a response to movies about the Vietnam War like Apocalypse Now, which sidelined Vietnamese voices. Ali talks to Inverse entertainment editor Hoai-Tran Bui about how the dark comedy thriller translates to TV. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
Can Oprah make amends for her role in popularizing diet culture, and the new X-men '97 adaptation: Oprah Winfrey is back and she wants to talk about losing weight. Again. She’s hosted a series of specials on the topic, stepping up to acknowledge the role she's played in creating a toxic diet culture. But she's also thinner, thanks to weight loss drugs she admits to taking. Elamin is joined by writers Scaachi Koul and Gianluca Russo to talk about this massive rebrand for the weight-loss industry. Plus, comic book superfan Frankey Smith will be on Commotion to talk about X-Men ‘97 and why this revival of the beloved 90s cartoon is being called the best X-Men adaptation to date. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
How covering O.J. Simpson reshaped entertainment: In the wake of O.J. Simpson's death last week, writers David Dennis Jr., Jael Richardson, and Eric Harvey reflect on how O.J.'s murder trial in 1995 pushed conversations about race, privilege, domestic violence, and narcissism into the national spotlight, and how the unprecedented media hysteria over the trial set the table for the TMZ-driven, true-crime, reality-TV-obsessed world that we're living in now. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
The 2024 Met Gala highlights and Luxe Listings Toronto: The annual Met Gala isn’t just about who’s wearing what, it’s when fashion truly becomes art. This year’s theme is “the garden of time.” The morning after, Elamin talks with Danya Issawi and Gianlucca Russo about who won the red carpet. Plus, reality shows about luxury real estate have been streaming powerhouses for years, and Toronto’s finally entering the conversation with Luxe Listings Toronto. The CBC’s Jackson Weaver talks about the version of Toronto the show is selling, the cast of realtors, and what it’s like to watch this show during a housing crisis. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
Why Burton Cummings is trying to stop his old band from playing his songs: Elamin sits down with Burton Cummings, the former frontman of The Guess Who, to talk about the legal action he's taking against his old band. It's aimed at preventing the current version of The Guess Who from performing the classic songs that Burton wrote while they're out on the road. Burton Cummings explains why he's taking these unprecended measures. Plus, last week the Writers Guild of Canada voted in favour of striking should its current negotiations for a new labour deal with Canadian film studios and distributors hit a stalemate. Elamin speaks with screenwriter Anthony Q. Farrell to find out what’s at stake in these negotiations. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
24 min listen
Weinstein's court win, and Zendaya's moment in Challengers: Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Jackson Weaver, and Hanna Flint respond to news that Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction was overturned by a New York appeals court and what that says about the #MeToo movement today. They also discuss the moment Zendaya is having with her brand new film Challengers. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
28 min listen
The Fall Guy and the future of the blockbuster: Elamin is joined by film critics Barry Hertz and Teri Hart to talk about the new Ryan Gosling/Emily Blunt film ‘The Fall Guy.’ Plus, artist and poet Ian Kamau discusses the legacy of his late father Roger McTair, one of Canada’s first Black filmmakers. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
Do true crime stories help or exploit? And unpacking Drake's new diss track: It's been ten years since the first episode of the hit podcast Serial came out, and we've been riding this wave of true crime entertainment ever since. Sarah Weinman and Karen K. Ho join Elamin to talk about how the genre has grown over the last decade, and where it still falls short. Plus, David Dennis Jr. reacts to Drake’s latest Kendrick diss track entitled ‘Taylor Made Freestyle,’ and talks about how the use of AI in this song and throughout this particular rap feud is raising new concerns about its use in pop music. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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MAILBAG: The Tortured Poets Department and this moment in Taylor Swift: For Commotion's inaugural mailbag episode, host Elamin Abdelmahmoud sits down with fellow Swifties Emma Godmere and Amelia Eqbal to answer questions from listeners about everything we've learned after listening to The Tortured Poets Department on repeat for a week, and what the album says about this moment in time for the current biggest artist in the world. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
55 min listen
The most political Eurovision in recent memory, and Randy Travis's AI song: Eurovision was the most political it’s ever been this year because of the war between Israel and Hamas. Elamin speaks with Commotion Eurovision correspondent Karen Fricker about what happened. Then, it was a devastating blow to country music when legendary singer Randy Travis lost his voice to a stroke in 2013. With the assistance of artificial intelligence, he’s released his first new song in more than a decade called Where That Came From. Elamin speaks with music writer Steacy Easton about the new song, and how it's being received. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
The lasting influence of soul artist Jackie Shane: A new documentary tells the extraordinary story of Jackie Shane, a trailblazing transgender singer from the south, who had a flash of fame in Toronto in the early 1960s. But just as she was about to become a star, she vanished. Rodney Diverlus and Ravyn Ariah Wngz talk about Jackie Shane's legacy, and why she still matters so much today. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
How Black Twitter changed the culture: Commotion regulars Marlon Palmer and Syrus Marcus Ware join Elamin to talk about a new docuseries called 'Black Twitter: A People's History,' and how a community transformed pop culture and became a force for change on Twitter (now X). Plus, psychotherapist Jhanelle Peters talks about a new trend, TikTok Therapy. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
How Tubi became a streaming giant, and A24's film Tuesday: The free, ad-supported streaming platform Tubi is currently posting higher viewership numbers than more prestigious subscription services like Paramount+ and Disney+. Culture writers Kaiya Shunyata and Anne T. Donahue join guest host Amil Niazi to explain what’s behind the platform's surprising success – and it’s not just about because it’s free. Plus, the A24 film 'Tuesday," starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, tells the story of a mother whose teenage daughter has a terminal illness. Writer Sophie Kohn talks about how the movie addresses death and grief. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
Anne Hathaway's Idea of You, and Dua Lipa's star moment: This week on the group chat, how much does Dua Lipa reveal about herself on her new album, Radical Optimism? And in the movie The Idea of You, one of the characters is rumoured to be based on Harry Styles. But will this film satisfy audiences hungry for romance? Elamin Abdelmahmoud sits down with Suzy Exposito, Kathleen Newman-Bremang and Jennifer Wilson. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
28 min listen
Bridgerton is back, and why no one seems to like the Amy Winehouse movie: Culture critics Leila Latif, Louise Bruton and Jael Richardson weigh in on the first half of Bridgerton season 3, and the Amy Winehouse biopic 'Back to Black.' by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
28 min listen
Did Kendrick win the beef? And Seinfeld says the 'extreme left' killed comedy: Commotion regulars Dalton Higgins and David Dennis Jr. join Elamin with reaction to Kendrick Lamar’s latest diss response to Drake - ‘Euphoria’ - and the criticisms the track lobs at Drake and his credibility. Plus, Jerry Seinfeld turned 70 this week, and he's blaming wokeness for the death of comedy and bemoaning the end of the movie business, just as he releases a new film. Comedian Ali Hassan talks about why curmudgeonly Jerry is having a moment, and why he might be wrong. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
25 min listen
Is the music industry built for mothers?: When Lily Allen opened up about being a mom recently, her comments went viral. She said that in terms of pop stardom, having kids ruined her career. Guest host Amil Niazi is joined by musician Amy Millan and psychotherapist Tamsin Embleton to talk about the realities of juggling a career as an artist and being a mom. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
23 min listen

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The year in music so far, and what is the song of the summer?: Music experts Suzy Exposito, Rosie Long Decter, and Carl Wilson join the Commotion Group Chat to deliver their Mid-Year Music Report, highlighting which artists have held our attention in a highly competitive year for blockbuster pop releases, and which single deserves to be crowned 2024’s Song of the Summer. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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Is Will Smith's comeback complete?: Since the Oscars slap, Will Smith's been on a redemption tour. This summer he stars in a new Bad Boys movie and performed a new song at the BET Awards. Entertainment writer Jackson Weaver and radio personality Marlon Palmer talk to Elamin about how the movie star's comeback is going. Plus, culture critic Laura Kipnis discusses the upcoming AI reading companion Rebind that allows readers to ask an AI version of herself, as well as Margaret Atwood, Roxane Gay and Lena Denham, questions about the books they’re reading. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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Why Fancy Dance is a turning point for Indigenous cinema: The new film Fancy Dance, starring Lily Gladstone and directed by Erica Tremblay, is set on a reservation in Oklahoma – not far from where Killers of the Flower Moon was set. Angela Sterritt and Marek Tyler talk about how the two films are in conversation with each other – and why they agree, it’s Lily Gladstone’s most important role to date. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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Kanye gutted a house by a famous architect, and The Last Timbit musical: Architect and journalist Naomi Pollock discusses the ethics of subjecting rare, artistically unique homes to radical renovations – as Kanye West recently did to a Malibu beach house designed by legendary Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Plus, Elamin chats with CBC Entertainment writer Jackson Weaver about “The Last Timbit” and whether a show about Tim Hortons, created by Tim Hortons, is worth biting into. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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Carley Fortune brings out Canada's romantic side: When Carley Fortune released her latest novel 'This Summer Will be Different,' it shot to the top of The New York Times Best Seller list. It's a romance novel, set on Prince Edward Island. Elamin is joined by culture writer Kathleen Newman-Bremang, author Farah Heron, and Book Influencer Alicia Foshay to talk about why romance novels are having a moment right now, and how Carley Fortune's books are making Canada sexier. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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The Bear is back, what does it tell us about friendship?: Rad Simonpillai, Jackson Weaver and Hanna Flint join Elamin to talk about the week's big arts and pop culture stories, starting with The Bear's highly anticipated return for a third season, and how the new movie The Bikeriders explores the rise of the Outlaws motorcycle gang. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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How Slave Play changed the conversation around theatre, and Céline Dion's new doc: With the release of the doc ‘Slave Play. Not a Film. A Play’ - Elamin is joined by culture critic Kathleen Newman-Bremang and award-winning playwright Amanda Parris to discuss the controversial stage production that inspired it, and its creator Jeremoy O Harris’ provocative approach to mining U.S. slavery, interracial relationships and anti-Blackness. Plus, cultural commentator Thomas Leblanc reviews “I Am: Celine Dion”, which is out now on Amazon Prime. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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A new podcast about the internet's most viral moments, and why aren't people wearing headphones?: Writers Niko Stratis and Clare Martin discuss Jamie Loftus’ new podcast on viral internet phenomena, Sixteenth Minute (of Fame), and what it says about how we behave online. Plus, have you noticed people seem to be giving up on headphones? Blaring music on portable speakers, watching the game or scrolling through reels on their phone -- for everyone around them to hear. Erik Piepenburg wrote about it for the New York Times .. he joins Elamin to talk about why we seem to be OK sharing so much out loud. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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Living in Charli XCX's Brat world, and how the alt-right is co-opting dance music: Culture critics Reanna Cruz and Scaachi Koul unpack why popstars are following in Charli XCX's Brat footsteps. Plus, with reports of some alt-right communities co-opting popular dance songs to push their agendas via social media and streaming platforms - digital culture writer Kieran Press-Reynolds joins Elamin to discuss this trend and what it might mean for dance music artists and that industry writ large. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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Bonus: How to celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day all summer long: Today we have a special bonus episode for you from our sibling show Unreserved, a fearless space for Indigenous voices. Host Rosanna Deerchild is ready to Indigenize your summer with a tastemaker’s guide to the best books, movies, podcasts and more.  More episodes of Unreserved are available at: <a href="https://link.chtbl.com/ATYuMWIP" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://link.chtbl.com/ATYuMWIP</a> by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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Remembering Donald Sutherland, highlights at the Indspire Awards and the new cheerleading movie Backspot: Donald Sutherland, Canadian actor and icon, has died at the age of 88. Entertainment reporter Teri Hart joins guest host Amil Niazi for a look back on his legacy. Plus, culture critics Angela Sterritt, Falen Johnson and Marek Tyler review the new cheerleading film Backspot starring Mohawk actor Devery Jacobs and celebrate the latest recipients of the Indspire Awards. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
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243: Joan Wasser (Joan As Policewoman): Joan Wasser began her career as a session musician for artists like Elton John, Lou Reed, John Cale, and Sparklehorse. It wasn't until she was in her 30s, that Joan began writing her own, highly-acclaimed material as Joan As Policewoman. She and Joe spend by The Trap Set with Joe Wong
68 min listen
Emily Kinney by ID10T with Chris Hardwick
78 min listen
Linda Nochlin Explores the Role of Women in the Arts in a Previously Unaired Interview: In this extensive interview from a year before groundbreaking feminist art history Nochlin passed away, we talk to her about women in the art world, particularly in the Abstract Expressionist movement. by Hyperallergic
57 min listen
'Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project' Directors Joe Brewster & Michèle Stephenson by IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
48 min listen
PJ Harvey: Part 1 with Ann Powers by Bandsplain
225 min listen
2023.11 George Fest review, pt.1: On 28 September, 2014 Dhani Harrison hosted a charity concert celebrating the life of George. Conan O'Brien, members of Spoon, the Cult and Killers took the stage to play favorites written by George (and a select few others) backed by a top-notch g... by When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About the Beatles
67 min listen
Judith Bernstein by Talk Art
65 min listen
Feminist Memory by Call Your Girlfriend
51 min listen
Episode 10-Yonathan Avishai: Music Is Life: Yonathan Avishai and I met in a conference room at Bexley Public Library in the village of Bexley in Columbus, Ohio. He was bright, friendly, and alert despite his long flight the day before. Yonathan is an Israeli-born French resident. His flight... by Strictly Jazz Sounds-SJS
52 min listen
Leon Borensztein, “Sharon” (Kehrer Verlag, 2016): Photographer Leon Borensztein began Sharon (Kehrer Verlag, 2016), his most personal project, thirty years ago when his daughter was born: “Throughout my artistic career, I have been driven by the need to give voice to the unheard and unseen. by New Books in Art
46 min listen
47: The Life of Cyn: On the one year anniversary of her passing, Robert and Richard examine the life of the first Mrs. John Lennon, using her own words along the way. by Something About the Beatles
78 min listen
Leon Borensztein, “Sharon” (Kehrer Verlag, 2016) by New Books in Photography
46 min listen
Jonny Sun — The Strange Hope of Being an Alien by Sounds Good with Branden Harvey
54 min listen
#6 - The Deadliest Dentist in Soho: On 18th January 1908, 41 year old Jane Farvish entered her local dentist’s for the first and last time, and yet, although she had a simple problem to solve, her agonizing and painful death is not the most shocking element of this case. by Murder Mile UK True Crime
28 min listen
Jordan Munson by Cultural Manifesto
20 min listen
Ep. #875: Ann Powers by Kreative Kontrol
96 min listen
May Pang: May Pang is an author, photographer, jewelry designer and the subject of the just-released documentary THE LOST WEEKEND: A LOVE STORY, in which she recounts her legendary 18-month romantic relationship in ’73/’74 with John Lennon. by The Back Room with Andy Ostroy
1 min listen
35: The Spirit of Music by The Nietzsche Podcast
84 min listen
Episode #19 – ‘Hamburg Spring ’62 – Lennon’s Original Lost Weekend’: Just over a decade before his ‘Lost Weekend’ in L.A., John had a full dress rehearsal during The Beatles’ third stint in Hamburg. It was April 1962, his friend and former bandmate Stu Sutcliffe had just died from a brain hemorrhage at age 21 and Lennon... by The Beatles Naked
20 min listen

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How Joni Mitchell shaped how we talk about music

How Joni Mitchell shaped how we talk about music

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