Summary
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
Norah Jones welcomes singer, songwriter, bassist, and producer Meshell Ndegeocello for a special episode featuring intimate musical performances and wide-ranging conversations. The guest explains how she transitioned from writing on guitar during her first year of sobriety to collaborating with producer Craig Street on her acclaimed third album Bitter, and shares the story of acquiring a broken bass from a guitar store in the Chelsea Hotel that supposedly belonged to Jaco Pastorius. Throughout the session, the host and the guest perform stripped-down versions of songs including "Bitter," Curtis Mayfield's "Power to the People," and selections from the guest's James Baldwin tribute project, "No More Water." They also discuss their upbringings, religious backgrounds, the complexities of viewing the world without genre or political divisions, and finding empathy in turbulent times.
- When facing creative blocks or difficult production environments, returning to basics and collaborating with trusted friends can help salvage a project. 8:32
- Singing and playing bass simultaneously can create a creative contradiction between the insular focus of a bassist and the audience engagement required of a singer. 15:21
- Listening broadly to music from bluegrass to jazz helps dissolve rigid genre categories and reveals that songs are simply sound waves. 18:16
- Cultivating empathy for everyone, including soldiers and figures on all sides of conflicts, is essential as we age and seek to understand human violence. 25:38
Chapters
- 0:00Podcast Intro and Host Greeting
The episode opens with the host, Nora Jones, introducing herself and the format, mentioning the guest and the music project.
- 1:35Introduction of Michelle and Daggy Ocello
Nora introduces the guest, Grammy‑winning bassist and producer Michelle and Daggy Ocello, and highlights her current James Baldwin tribute project.
- 2:56Musical Roles and Creative Process
Michelle explains how she separates her bass and vocal roles and shares insights into her creative approach and past collaborations.
- 3:30Musical Collaboration and Song Selection
The hosts and guest discuss the songs they will play together, including “Bitter” and “Power to the People,” and the process of choosing tracks.
- 7:31Personal History and Influences
Michelle recounts her early career, relationships with producers like Craig Street, and how her experiences shaped her music.
- 9:19Touring and Performance Reflections
Michelle shares her touring experiences, the emotional impact of performing, and her thoughts on the audience’s reception.
- 13:00Closing Reflections and Thank You
The episode concludes with gratitude, final remarks, and a recap of the songs played during the session.
- 33:40Exploring Identity, Race, and Spirituality
The conversation turns to Michelle’s views on identity, religion, and spirituality, reflecting on her upbringing and beliefs.
Highlights
- 7:31
Producing Bitter After Flamesstory
The guest explains how her third album began with another producer and went up in flames, leaving her with a dollar left before she called Craig Street.
- 11:37
Meeting at New Bluestory
The host and guest reminisce about meeting about twenty-five years ago when the host played in Ilhan's band Wax Poetic at New Blue.
- 15:06
Contradiction of Bass and Voiceinsight
The guest contrasts her experience playing bass, which requires complete insular focus, with singing, which requires engaging an audience.
- 16:24
Acquiring Jaco's Broken Bassstory
The guest describes finding a broken bass in a guitar store near the Chelsea Hotel that a store clerk claimed belonged to Jaco Pastorius.
- 21:43
Power to the People Performanceinsight
The host and guest deliver an emotionally charged duet of Curtis Mayfield's classic civil rights anthem "Power to the People."
- 34:53
Reconciling Nihilism and Faithinsight
The guest shares how adopting a worldview of absolute nothingness led her to a dark nihilism, prompting her to search for a balanced middle way.
Quotes
Sponsored segments
- Granger 0:13–0:33
- Before the Moment 12:25–13:12
- Toyota 13:19–13:52
- Before the Moment 32:07–33:01
- Toyota 33:08–33:39
- Before the Moment 42:31–43:22
- Toyota 43:01–43:57
- Toyota 53:45–54:21
- Before the Moment 54:24–54:55
- Chase Freedom Flex 55:00–55:35
- Food Lion 55:42–56:12
About this episode
GRAMMY-winning singer, songwriter, bassist, and producer Meshell Ndegeocello has built a singular career and left a lasting influence on generations of artists.
Transcript
7,227 words · 8 speakers
Topics
- Music Production
- Songwriting
- Bass Guitar
- Civil Rights
- Faith and Spirituality
- Sobriety
- Jazz and Soul
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