Just in time for Halloween! In the first of two parts, we will weave a kind of dual biography: Harry Houdini and the spiritualist movement. While Houdini is perfecting his craft to become the world's most famous illusionist, scores of Americans and Europeans are being drawn into darkened rooms with mediums who can talk to the dead. Eventually, maybe inevitably, these two, the magician and the movement, will intersect and then clash.

As usual, here is a possible reading list for your enjoyment:

The Spiritualists by Ruth Brandon

The Witch of Lime Street by David Jaher

Houdini! by Kenneth Silverman

Ghost Hunters by Deborah Blum

Talking to the Dead by Barbara Weisberg

Calling the S

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In our second and final episode on the life and music of Dolly Parton, we pick up in the 1980s. Dolly makes a splash into Hollywood, endures some dark times in her personal life, gets dropped by her long-time record label, and roars back under new management. Then Jason makes his pitch for Dolly being among the top 5 American women in history and we reflect on how profiling a pop culture figure differs from the other subjects we've tackled.

If you're interested in listening to any of the songs we've discussed, here's a list of titles to try out:

Mule Skinner Blues

Jolene

Silver Dagger

Wildflowers

My Tennessee Mountain Home

Just Because I'm a Woman

I Will Always Love You

If I had Wings

The Bargain Store

Shine (Austin City Limits)

PMS Blues

Backwoods Barbie

If you hadn't been there I wouldn't be here

9 to 5

Rockstar

Travelin Prayer

Blue Smoke

Cash on the Barrelhead

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It's time for Jason to make his case! In part 1 of 2 biographical sketches of Dolly Parton, we discuss Dolly's background, her early music career, her challenges and opportunities, and try our hands as music critics with a handful of her songs. Along the way, we light-heartedly discuss covered songs, opine on whether Whitney or Dolly did I will Always Love You better, trot out a few other famous personalities who worked with Dolly, and at one point Jason shares a shocking take on whether Carl Perkins or Elvis did Blue Suede Shoes better.

Further Reading
There is no shortage of information on Dolly Parton available. Most of her story has been told her way or by Dolly herself. Maybe that's one-sided but, then again, it has worked to create an image of Dolly that almost nobody dislikes. Very few can lay claim to that feat.

My Life and Other Unfinished Business by Dolly Parton

Songteller: My life in lyrics by Dolly Parton

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