72. David Lindley (Part 1)

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Multi-instrumentalist and hero to me, David Lindley, joins me on the podcast this month in another 2-part epic conversation! Lindley is one of the great electric lap steel and Weissenborn players on the planet, and over the last 25 years has also deeply explored African, Arabic, Asian, Celtic, Malagasy, and Turkish music and incorporated it into his own recordings and shows. His early career took him from the psychadelic world-music genre bending band Kaleidoscope over to the UK where he toured and recorded with the incredible Terry Reid (almost the singer for Led Zep). Lindley returned to the US in the seventies to make his indelible mark on rock and pop music with many hit albums with Jackson Browne, before becoming one of rock's most in demand session musicians, lending his skills to the recorded works of Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt, Crosby and Nash, Warren Zevon, and many others. After toying with success as a sideman, Lindley decided to instead devote himself to his own music and formed the now legendary El Rayo-X. Their records and shows were some of the most exciting music to come out of the States in the early 80’s. Lindley also collaborated with Ry Cooder on many of his classic soundtracks through the 80’s as well. Lindley then redefined himself as more of an acoustic player in the 90’s and performed solo and duo shows all over the world with Hani Nasser and Wally Ingram, releasing low budget recordings that had a huge impact on me, performing on the weissenborn, saz, oud and other instruments. It was a true thrill to spend some time with Mr. Dave, and I’m glad to present my conversation with him for you to enjoy. Join me next Wednesday for Part 2 of this episode!

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