E163: Evelyn McDonnell on Joan Didion + The Motels + Carla Bley R.I.P.

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In this episode we welcome acclaimed critic, author and professor Evelyn McDonnell and invite her to discuss her new Joan Didion book, along with the Motels, Britney Spears and California's pop history in general.

Evelyn talks about her early L.A. memories and childhood move to Wisconsin before we hear how she progressed from her college paper in Providence, RI, to becoming the pop critic for the Miami Herald. We also note books such as her Runaways biography Queens of Noise, a suitable jumping-off point for a long conversation about her fellow Californian, Didion.

Mark and Martin reminisce about the impact of Didion's extraordinary essay collections Slouching towards Bethlehem and The White Album, after which we follow her career through to the bestselling Year of Magical Thinking. The L.A. theme continues as we hear two clips from Steve Roeser's 2001 audio interview with Motels singer Martha Davis, putting that band into historical context with discussion of the pre-punk D.I.Y. "Radio Free Hollywood" shows in 1976.

From there we fast-forward to the very different "L.A. Woman" that was and is Britney Spears, which in turn prompts our guest to give her very pertinent take on the [Jann] "Wennergate" debacle of the past month. At a significant remove from all this Hollywood Babylonia was avant-jazz giant Carla Bley, whose death we mark in a conversation about 1971's extraordinary Escalator Over The Hill.

Finally, Mark mentions pieces he's recently added to the RBP library, including interviews with Laurie Anderson and the Byrds' Roger McGuinn, and Jasper rounds the episode off with remarks on pieces about Herbie Hancock and Steve Goodman's Hyperdub label.

Many thanks to special guest Evelyn McDonnell. The World According to Joan Didion is published by HarperOne and available now.

Pieces discussed: Hollywood Swinging: Joan Didion in '60s L.A., The Runaways, The Motels' Martha Davis audio, Britney Spears at Staples Centre, Britney Spears interviewed by Steven Daly, Carla Bley interviewed by Brian Case, Carla Bley at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Dwight Twilley Band, Dwight Twilley: Magical Mystery Man, Queen Latifah/DJ Mark the 45 King, The Byrds, Laurie Anderson, Steve Goodman & Hyperdub and Herbie Hancock.