Broken Record Don Was

Don Was has had a remarkable career moving between different corners of the music world. In the 1980s, he fronted the eclectic band Was (Not Was), mixing funk, rock, and pop in unexpected ways. As a producer, he’s helped shape landmark albums for artists like the B-52’s and Bonnie Raitt, and worked with Bob Dylan and become a regular producer for the Rolling Stones. For the past decade, Don has led Blue Note Records as its president, bringing new energy to the storied jazz label.

Now, Don has released his own album, Groove in the Face of Adversity, a tribute to Detroit and the music that came out of the city where he grew up.

On today’s episode, Justin Richmond talks to Don Was about his wide-ranging career and why his new album is his first under his name. Don also talks about how working with musical heroes like Willie Nelson, Leonard Cohen, and Brian Wilson in the ’90s initially shut down his own creative ambitions. And he reflects on his time at Blue Note and how his experience as a touring artist himself allows him to relate to the label’s roster in a completely different way.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Don Was HERE.