Elaine Chao and Trist Curless

The Musician's Loupe

Music EN ↓ 33 episodes

A discussion about music and musicianship by Trist Curless (jazz singer, educator, sound engineer, and recording engineer, formerly of m-pact and The Manhattan Transfer) and Elaine Chao, M.Ed (multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, beatboxer, singer-songwriter, author, and former educator). Each week, we listen to a song together and discuss the music we love through the lens of decades in the music industry. Topics include analysis of songwriting, chord progression, instrumentation, recording technology, and arrangement.

Author

Elaine Chao and Trist Curless

Episodes

Freedom anthems, toxic moms, and power chords: So Have I For You (Nikka Costa) 16.06.2026 31:56

Nikka Costa’s “So Have I For You” is a must-listen, with unique chord changes, powerful vocal delivery, and the emotional storytelling that defines her acclaimed album "Everybody Got Their Something." In this main segment, we break down the track’s genre-blending influences, discuss the subtle complexities of its lyrics, the arrangement, and instrumentation. Elaine interprets the lyrics as a react...

Tempo, sparseness, and a vocal-sax duet : Blue Velvet (The Branford Marsalis Quartet, featuring Kurt Elling) 09.06.2026 30:06

This week, we dive into "Blue Velvet" by Kurt Elling and Branford Marsalis, a haunting, ethereal soundscape between voice and tenor saxophone. Trist and Elaine discuss the subtle recording effects, delicate musicianship, and the emotional transformation of this classic ballad. The conversation compares this rendition to iconic versions by Bobby Vinton and Tony Bennett, highlighting how tempo, orch...

Bootlegs, minimalism, and a songwriting legacy: A Place in Heaven (Prince) 02.06.2026 31:35

Prince’s “A Place in Heaven” stands out as a hidden gem in his vast catalog. This episode dives deep into its unique musical structure, production history, and the artist’s experimental genius. We unpack the song’s waltz-like 3/4 time signature, unexpected chord changes, and minimalist instrumentation, discussing how Prince’s prolific creativity led to a vault of unreleased tracks. We also analyze...

Vocal effects, a toxic relationship, and emotional stasis: Worst Thing I Could Do (ARORA) 26.05.2026 31:58

A cappella electronica? This episode covers “Worst Thing I Could Do,” from contemporary a cappella group ARORA’s groundbreaking album, Bioluminescence . The group leverages advanced vocal effects and processing, creating ethereal, electronic textures that blur the line between human voice and synthesizer. In this week’s conversation, Trist and Elaine rave over the chord changes, dynamic arrangemen...

A breakup, musical stops, and a dismissive complimentary close: Best (Theo Katzman) 19.05.2026 30:00

Listen to the song YouTube - https://youtu.be/h1ATm0c6AxA Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/1n11viwoaXFWfC9uZ1NFqb?si=d490e74dbe7f4994 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/best/1493029104 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0837KZQLD?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_E9l5274gs9HHbWiawDsognJWu&trackAsin=B0837LFF1R Other links How to End a Lett...

Big Band, Baseball, and AM Radio: On the Sunny Side of the Street (Tommy Dorsey & his orchestra, featuring the Sentamentalists) 12.05.2026 26:14

This week, we review a classic big band arrangement of “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” highlighting the delayed entrance of the vocal group and other elements that make it a classic 1940s big band tune. This song has a vintage sound, and we jump into both the recording and playback technology that influenced that era of music. In the Mailbag segment, we discuss the relationship between an artis...

Tragedy, cover songs, and a surprising tagline: I Can’t Make You Love Me (George Michael) 05.05.2026 31:51

This episode reviews George Michael’s cover of “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” the classic Bonnie Raitt hit, covering the differences between the vocal delivery and instrumentation. But there's a mystery: the surprising tag that George Michael added to the end of his version, which takes a tragic song and gives a surprising twist of hope on it. In the mailbag portion of the segment, Trist and Elaine d...

A healthy relationship, an unexpected child, and forever: Breathless (CPR) 28.04.2026 31:37

This week, we dig into “Breathless" by CPR, a group formed by David Crosby and a son he dsicovered late in life. The intricate harmonies, unexpected chord changes, and the interplay between acoustic and electric instrumentation belies the song's artistic depth and emotional resonance. The lyrics use repetition, descriptive imagery, and the metaphorical portrayal of a supportive and joyful relation...

Rhythmic surprises, key changes, and classic movies: Lasso the Moon (Level 42) 21.04.2026 31:31

We review UK band Level 42’s “Lasso the Moon” from the 1991 Album “Guaranteed,” covering the song’s unusual chord changes and additional beats, which add rhythmic complexity and surprise to the composition. In the review of the lyrics, we discuss the vivid imagery and poetic artistry, painting a detailed picture of a woman’s longing and emotional journey, with references to a scene from the classi...

BONUS: The value of analog creation in a digital world 14.04.2026 16:15

This special bonus episode is the full discussion in response to a Mailbag quote about AI in music, which turned into a deeper conversation about analog creation, live music, and community. Key takeaways Trist and Elaine dig into the growing presence of AI in music production and its potential to create "perfect" music. They point out that AI lacks the emotional depth, innovation, and human conne...

Traditional Cuban music, the State Department, and a party trick: Montuno Sampling (Vocal Sampling) 14.04.2026 30:27

Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz-5NDMYcrE Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/7aVCFiwe5TipJ6tToCvIWl?si=7bef5111b9724a73 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/montuno-sampling/1290453682 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B075ZQDWXY?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_rJMToaKnfUs5sq7C4vPAqkLeA&trackAsin=B075ZPWNYY Ot...

Tempo changes, grief, and a bass trombone: When You Were Lovin’ Me (Neil Sedaka) 07.04.2026 25:06

Listen to the song YouTube - https://youtu.be/Gjsr6Siv41c Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/6OuUISbNW1tLkDCilb6OSX?si=f5f8facb463f4444 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/when-you-were-lovin-me/1838780486 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FQFWKL3F?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_DJ7aVn46RvgzAdUL8H5LMNxI6&trackAsin=B0FQFBDSL5 Other links...

Anguish, loss, and a class ring: She’s Got You (Patsy Cline) 31.03.2026 28:24

Listen to the song YouTube - https://youtu.be/6ck__iCtc-8 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/5IQPBVTvQ4mfdkzs0GFEZ6?si=2f866ddf86394a66 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/ca/song/shes-got-you/1443840404 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B07L6C8HX4?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_67xRkpxxKOMh1xxmkCOiFGwwx&trackAsin=B07L6B9462 Key takeaways Trist a...

Dissonance, structure, and a personal reinvention: symptom of life (Willow) 24.03.2026 30:18

Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8txXdr4kkqQ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/70nmpLYSyZ58QTUzUiB1VA?si=9f0f8e7f007c4f6c Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/symptom-of-life/1737442321 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0CYTK33WX?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_yfvgQ0eYvSPgxaqRb9eqS7AIe&trackAsin=B0CYTKXWL6 Key...

Memories, mid-tempos, and Friday nights: Reminiscing (Little River Band) 17.03.2026 29:10

Listen to the song YouTube - https://youtu.be/hyRbhTUc6aI Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/6qXFNKuKBD6DQljVKrLzsl?si=ebf0e898f6f84eb0 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/reminiscing/1645806384 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0BFPKLH4B?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_c3v27s32uwmhUmya7imRWCUSg&trackAsin=B0BFPWJ2Z5 Other links Recordando...

Vocalese, a carrot garden, and a very naughty rabbit: Cottontail (Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross) 10.03.2026 31:49

Listen to the song YouTube - https://youtu.be/r55laPFEY0k Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/0lif2WoJ1LOQWmmJ1JV9gY?si=599443ee63cb4524 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/cottontail/170501696 Amazon - https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B00138H29K?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_O64dpDZHgJ98zsvP8EC2LNl4X&trackAsin=B00137VE90 Other links Duke...

Latin rhythms, song structure, and a superstition - An Olive Tree (Basia) 03.03.2026 31:47

Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAgbvUL8Ap4 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/3CiONr7T1221WXvNDCS4jh?si=1dea603406ec4a40 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/be/song/an-olive-tree/457233483 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B00138H6BO?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_MWTDQIz8Ts7CyqmMuiQGflwhR&trackAsin=B00138EFVS Other...

New wave, gospel, and loud hotel gossip: Badman’s Song (Tears for Fears) 24.02.2026 30:30

Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92FRHjqY-WI Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/10QGEFiAS7ANZ8jLqEkKOE?si=0de83e5028dd4698 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/bad-mans-song/1527555433 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B08FTDNVPY?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_EkGTvVs5mPjm77WaMZQwNFsl6&trackAsin=B08FTDCT55 Key t...

The blues, collaborative duets, and a harmonica solo: Everyday (I Have the Blues) (Tony Bennett) 17.02.2026 29:11

Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ethfkbryt0 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/0djVp1dfkHrq6dxnFkjgMi?si=ebab0df0719945fa Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/everyday-i-have-the-blues-with-stevie-wonder/572652905 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B00A70V8TU?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_7ocbabTtLIkc6aWbBg6IMQ8WB&...

Solo voice, multiple registers, and live performance: Blackbird (Bobby McFerrin) 10.02.2026 28:12

Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v8uzMFb74M Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/5bNoizZe6YhwPXGt0mu7fX?si=22a02fc363a44d9e Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/nz/song/blackbird/41228105 Amazon - https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0011ZYCU2?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_5PzlbJJBi2oR2UNWbHSRu4VZo&trackAsin=B0011ZP7H4 Key...

Chord progressions, jazz rhythms, and a call for community: The Baker’s Daughter (Laila Biali) 03.02.2026 31:37

Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCOWHFugLhc   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/6axEByVcWO1rGvJ8wbG2Fy?si=832914b3dd424062   Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/au/song/the-bakers-daughter/1502087315   Amazon - https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B085NW7BRC?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_EYeB2kM01aUtFssDMJz3YW...

Brass, dissonance, and pedal tones: Overture (Björk) 27.01.2026 31:35

Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w6apA_LbOE Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/1cgesvTA9wgm2x6a6AEjnn?si=03d52c468f934754 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/overture/313221988 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0027OQ2ZY?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_JV1c672eQzcyAHeWfT24LjGtR&trackAsin=B0027OQ3AI Other links...

South African harmonies, bilingual songwriting, and hailing a taxi: Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (Paul Simon) 20.01.2026 29:37

Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXe2HzFOJYQ   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/71GvlH0VdeClloLIkHrAVu?si=86a85fa9cc56478c   Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/diamonds-on-the-soles-of-her-shoes/529574619   Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0085LMFAE?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_InQKPS94PVgshxX...

Simplicity, storytelling, and a breakup averted: Never on the Day You Leave (John Mayer) 13.01.2026 30:54

Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1d5c1fVxSA Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/3TQbr3G3U5wlwEJejmqC1F Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/never-on-the-day-you-leave/1224353385 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B06Y3HV2N3?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_gArDR5BzTxFt1Suiqwo03YUHf&trackAsin=B06Y3R6LPH Other links...

Hocket, pocket, and a surprise brass breakdown: Workin' Day and Night (Michael Jackson) 06.01.2026 31:49

Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWnyCxva6bA Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/6BdiFsPMPkSEEO4fFXFVWX Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/workin-day-and-night/186166410 Amazon - https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B00138KJY0?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_n0DKAlMsv9XvZL5bSVgX5cY0z&trackAsin=B00137QO0O Other links...