Podcast series, Sound Barrier dedicates its premiere season to Sylvester. What a treat these eight episodes are as they trace the rise of musical phenomena Sylvester, who shamelessly and proudly embodied the triple threat identities of black, gay, and femme during an era still dominated by the cis white patriarchy. Sylvester dared to simply be himself. And that act gave us a remarkably talented man who helped us dance our fear, worries and grief away during the shocking early years of the AIDS crisis. From Spotify,
When Jason King was a kid, his family had a compilation full of disco hits from K-tel records in their music collection. On that tape was the song “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” from the singer Sylvester. Jason—who is a musician, a nationally recognized journalist, and the Chair of NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music—didn’t know much about Sylvester at the time. In fact, he wasn’t even sure if Sylvester’s signature falsetto belonged to a man or a woman. But he knew it was his favorite song on the tape.
As an adult, Jason’s love of this song led him to learn more about Sylvester, an openly gay Black man living in 1970s America who dressed in drag and challenged gender conventions with a fervor few other musicians possessed. Though he wasn’t a household name, Sylvester’s innovative sound and persona paved the way for countless artists—particularly LGBTQ+ artists—to express themselves freely. And this is a big reason why Jason’s appreciation for Sylvester has made its way into his journalistic and academic work.
This has set the stage for the launch of Sound Barrier, our new documentary podcast hosted by Jason that aims to explore artists who have made pioneering contributions to music and culture. Fittingly, he has turned his focus to Sylvester for season one—exploring not only the singer’s life, but also the influence Sylvester has continued to have on BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists after his death.
King’s outstanding passion for all things Sylvester along with his intensive research into Sylvester’s musical career proves a winning combination. King brings so many excellent talking heads into this series. Triumphant, must-listen to podcast series focused on one of the best musical talents of the 70’s and 80’s. You’ll come because I told you to, but you’ll leave with a new appreciation for Sylvester’s prominent place in a generation of music, and his role in gay liberation and AIDS activism. All hail Sylvester. 5 out of 5.
Sound Barrier: Sylvester streams on Spotify.
Read an interview with Sound Barrier creator Jason King.
Listen to Sylvester’s music on Spotify.
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Aside from my Reel Charlie Speaks, I also host a podcast at my work where we gather three library staff and myself each month to talk about our favorite new books. In the Spring, Fairfield What Are Your Reading dedicates an episode to our One Book, One Town read. This year we welcome Ivan Maisel and his wife Meg Murray to discuss Ivan’s book, I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye, Maisel’s memoir about the loss of their son to suicide. My colleague Mary Coe and I listen to Ivan and Meg’s journey through grief as individuals, a couple, and parents.
Reel Charlie 