Paxton has been writing songs throughout his career but chose to release an album of his own compositions to reflect his contemporary feelings and observations, inspired by his cultural heritage and personal experiences.
Paxton aims to get the most out of his instruments, creating a full sound that doesn't require additional accompaniment, inspired by the country blues style where one musician can create a complete musical world.
Paxton had trouble with his peripheral vision and central vision, which made walking and navigating unfamiliar environments hazardous, and later prevented him from driving. Technological advancements like the iPhone helped mitigate some of these issues.
The Beatles' first trip to America in 1964 marked a significant turning point in their career, leading to massive popularity and cultural impact, as documented in the Disney+ documentary 'Beatles 64'.
Ella Fitzgerald's Gershwin Songbook, recorded in the late 1950s, brought renewed attention and commercial success to Ira Gershwin's songs, helping to financially support him and introduce his work to new audiences.
Ira Gershwin provided the line about bluebirds flying at the end of 'Over the Rainbow,' enhancing the song's emotional impact and thematic depth, though he did not receive official credit for this contribution.
Ira Gershwin approached lyric writing with a blend of literary influences, clever wordplay, and a desire to express his thoughts on love and art, often incorporating subtle references and tricky rhymes that added depth to his songs.
Initially, George's melodic ideas often started the songwriting process, with Ira working alongside him to develop lyrics. Over time, their collaboration became more balanced, especially in later works where lyrics played a more prominent role in the storytelling.
Musician Jerron Paxton is known for performing music from the 1920s and '30s. He just came out with an album of his own songs, called* Things Done Changed*. Paxton brought some of his instruments to his conversation with Sam Briger. Also, Terry Gross talks with author Michael Owen about Ira Gershwin, the lyricist behind many of the most enduring songs in The Great American Songbook. TV critic David Bianculli reviews the documentary Beatles '64.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)