Maxwell Riley, live in the studio on Listening Lyrics, April 8, 2022

Maxwell Riley, a Davis-based multi-instrumentalist and producer, writes music that ranges from psychedelic jazz fusion to cosmic space funk. Max is inspired by acts like Jeff Beck, Steely Dan, Nile Rogers, Dire Straits, and Pink Floyd, to name a few, and has been producing music since the 6th grade.

The Folk Brothers for April 6, 2022: Story songs

We program a lot of traditional music on the Folk Brothers, but we also find great contemporary ballads -- story songs -- to play. A case in point is the three pieces we presented this morning: West Virginian Chris Haddox's new song about Mikhail Kalashnikov, the reluctant inventor of the automatic rifle; Brighton (UK) band Bird In The Belly's (pictured here) song "After London," based on Victorian naturalist and author Richard Jeffries' post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel "After The City"; and No-No Boy's song about the Sand Creek Massacre of the Cheyenne in 1864.

Also on today's show: new tracks from Tony Furtado, Brittany Hass, Midnight North, and Kieran Kane and Rayna Gellert.

Davisville, April 4, 2022: Newsom wants to compel treatment for severely mentally ill among the state’s homeless

Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed “care courts” for every California county. They would “allow treatment for more homeless people with severe mental health and addiction disorders,” says the Associated Press, “but also compel some of them into care.”

That’s a change — compelling severely disturbed people to accept care, instead of just offering it to them. Bill Pride, executive director of Davis Community Meals and Housing and one of today’s guests on Davisville, estimates that half of people who are homeless have a severe mental health disorder. This change could make a major difference in their lives, and in the extent of homelessness. Pride cautions that achieving this change in care would require years of sustained efforts and expense. We also talk with Yolo Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven about the county’s existing Mental Health Court, and how Newsom’s proposal might work alongside what Yolo already does.

Nat Lefkoff recorded live in the studio, on Listening Lyrics, April 1, 2022

Nat Lefkoff is a musician "dedicated to distilling the human condition," his website biography says. "He will disarm you with a modest demeanor as his tectonic voice shifts your consciousness alongside his skillfully crafted lyrics. His acclaimed songs 'Great White Planes' and 'Damn' show off the honesty, vulnerability and intensity of his lyrics and enchanting performance style. The warm tone of his voice sweeps from an understated whisper to an erupting volcano. His performances are a visceral experience that pull at your heart until it surrenders. Nat's music is more than a collection of chords and sincere words, it is the experience of life, masterfully articulated into song."

The Folk Brothers, March 30, 2022: The story behind a song

This morning, we played Dublin-based Lankum's rendition of the song "Salonika." Although not traditional -- its authorship is unknown -- it was a popular dance hall song in Cork during World War 1. The Munster Fusiliers were attached to British forces stationed in Thessaloniki, Greece. Wives of the Irish soldiers received a stipend. Young Irishmen who didn't join up were called "slackers" -- there certainly wasn't much love for the British army at the time -- but their families suffered financially. The song went out of fashion for decades, but was repopularized by groups like The Dubliners and The Clancy Brothers during the '60s folk revival. Singer Jimmy Crowley says "it's a tremendous song, because it gives insights into the lives of Irish women during WW1."

Jazz After Dark March 29 2022

Jazz from the 1940s, 1960s, and more: Billie Holiday, Erroll Garner, Stan Kenton And His Orchestra, Louis Armstrong & Billie Holiday, Lee Morgan, Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker, Cannonball Adderley & Bill Evans, Herbie Mann & The Bill Evans Trio, Pete Fountain, Eddie Jefferson, Stan Getz, Pedro Iturralde with Donna Hightower, and Cassandra Wilson.