Reprinted from http://jazzwax.com
Dick Cavett was the first hip American TV talk-show host in the rock era. Steve Allen was plenty cool, Johnny Carson was Rat-Packy and Merv Griffin always seemed like the owner of an ice-cream shop in the big band era. Dick, by contrast, was in tune with the youth culture and often had rock and soul artists on his show as performers and guests. Unlike Ed Sullivan, Dick wasn't awkward around young icons. He was always remarkably at ease, curious and simpatico. [Photo of Dick Cavett at his home, above, in Montauk, N.Y. by Peter Ross for The Wall Street Journal]
In today's Wall Street Journal (go here), I chat with Dick [above with Janis Joplin] about what life was like growing up in Nebraska and how he became such a funny storyteller, despite enduring a family tragedy at a young age. As Dick talks, you can't help but marvel at how naturally funny he is. He's brilliant and witty, but never at anyone's expense. Like any good entertainer, he feeds off your reaction. Dick's new book is Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic Moments and Assorted Hijinks (Henry Holt) (go here).
Across the Atlantic, in the Europe edition of The Wall Street Journal today (available in London and the rest of the Continent or go here), I chat with country star Lee Ann Womack [above] about the five albums she takes with her on long drives through Texas. Lee Ann's new album is The Way I’m Livin’ (Sugar Hill).
Back in the States, I interview author Russell Banks [above] for tomorrow's Review section of the Wall Street Journal(go here) on his favorite song—David Bowie's Space Oddity, recorded by the Langley Schools Music Project on the album Innocence & Despair (Bar/None) (go here). Russell's new book is A Permanent Member of the Family” (Ecco) (go here).
And finally, in case you missed my essay on Gary McFarland for the paper's Leisure & Arts section earlier in the week, you'll find it here.
Used with permission by Marc Myers
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