Return Of The Duke

Duke Special is back on the show tonight, talking about his three new CDs, his bold plans to raise music financing though online pledging and a series of upcoming gigs in unusual places. He'll also be bringing in some records by other artists that have impacted on his creative journey. That may involve tunes by The Magnetic Fields, Them, American Music Club plus Kate & Anna McGarrigle.

I'm looking forward to it. Of the Three CDs he's set to release, I especially admire the Kurt Weil songs based on Huckleberry Finn. That whole process is such a weave of ideas from Old Europe to the New World and back again. I'm also most curious to know how producer Steve Albini bedded into the 'Hector Mann' project. Meantime, the soundtrack to the Mother Courage theatre production reveals the artist in a very novel place, pushing his expectations and ours. All good.