Marc Ribot Live In Studio

Summary

All Of It: Episode Featuring Marc Ribot Live In Studio

Release Date: June 11, 2025 | Host: Alison Stewart | Guest: Marc Ribot | Album Discussed: Map of a Blue City

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Introduction to Marc Ribot and His New Album

In this engaging episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart welcomes renowned guitarist Marc Ribot to WNYC's music studio. Marc Ribot, a veteran musician known for his collaborations with icons like Elton John, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and Robert Plant, joins to perform live from his highly anticipated new album, Map of a Blue City. This marks Ribot's first vocal-centric album, a project that has been three decades in the making.

Alison Stewart introduces Ribot with enthusiasm:

"My next guest, Marc Ribot has spent a lot of time in music studios with artists ranging from Elton John to Tom Waits to Elvis Costello and Robert Plant. But today he's in WNYC's music studio to perform live from his new album, Map of a Blue City." [00:38]

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Live Performance: "Elizabeth"

The episode opens with Ribot performing the poignant song "Elizabeth". This track is deeply personal, reflecting Ribot's experience of being with his father during his final moments.

Alison Stewart identifies the song and prompts further discussion:

"The name of that song is Elizabeth." [04:02]

Marc Ribot elaborates on its significance:

"Elizabeth refers to the town in New Jersey. Elizabeth, New Jersey. The song refers to, well, the experience of being with my father when he died." [04:09]

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Marc Ribot’s Early Life and Musical Journey

Ribot shares insights into his upbringing in New Jersey, specifically South Orange, and his time at Columbia High School. He humorously reflects on his academic struggles and early music aspirations.

"I think I was probably cutting that class. I wasn't a very good student." [05:00]

He recalls a guidance counselor’s dismissive remark upon learning Ribot had been accepted into college:

"When I was leaving there, I remember the guidance counselor... they must have lowered their standards." [05:07]

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Creation and Evolution of "Map of a Blue City"

Mark Ribot discusses the long and winding path of creating Map of a Blue City, highlighting the album's inception in the early 1990s and the challenges faced over three decades.

"I eventually realized they were probably too weird for anybody to cover them. So then I started to try to put it out myself." [05:50]

Ribot explains how intermittent breaks and renewed efforts shaped the album:

"Each time it added up after a while, but eventually Hal Wilner heard some of them and liked them and we did a series of sessions." [06:38]

Producers played a crucial role in bringing the album to fruition:

"Ben Greenberg... he convinced me not to throw it in the garbage. That's what he brought out." [08:29]

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Inspiration Behind the Album Title

The album's evocative title, Map of a Blue City, is inspired by Ribot's daughter. Her imaginative drawings of urban landscapes sparked the creative vision for the album.

"She was working on a drawing that was all in blue magic marker... she said, it's because it's a map of a blue city." [09:27]

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Live Performance: "Death of a Narcissist"

Ribot performs another hauntingly beautiful track, "Death of a Narcissist", which delves into themes of introspection and emotional turmoil.

Alison Stewart identifies the song and notes its variation on the record:

"The name of that song is Death of a Narcissist. Yeah, it's different on the record." [13:54]

Ribot discusses his approach to ensuring each performance remains fresh and unique:

"Everything is completely different on the record. I have, like, a horror of doing the same song the same way twice." [14:01]

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Ribot’s Guitar and Musical Craftsmanship

A focal point of the conversation is Ribot's cherished guitar, a 1928 Gibson HG O O, which has been with him for over three decades. He shares the instrument's history and its integral role in his music.

"It's a Gibson. It's a HG O O... this one's got that something." [15:07]

Ribot describes the guitar's distinctive sound:

"It sings a little bit." [15:45]

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Songwriting Process and Vocal Challenges

Ribot provides a candid look into his songwriting process, often channeling personal frustrations and emotions into his music.

"I get more and more upset about something... it might come out as a song." [15:59]

He also openly discusses his self-critique regarding his vocal abilities:

"I noticed it was terrible. That's what I noticed right away." [16:39]

Despite critical remarks, Ribot embraces his vocals as his voice as an instrument to convey messages:

"I see myself as somebody who wants to say something, and this happens to be the closest weapon at hand." [17:44]

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Collaboration and Production Insights

Marc Ribot highlights the collaborative efforts that were pivotal in finalizing the album, especially his work with producer Ben Greenberg and the late Hal Wilner.

"I want to... I'm grateful to... Hal Wilner was here to thank and Ben Greenberg is here to thank..." [20:14]

He reflects on the challenges of including certain tracks due to licensing issues, mentioning a Serge Gainsbourg cover that couldn't make it onto the album:

"Warner Brothers Pictures... decided that they didn't want like my version." [19:23]

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Final Thoughts and Album Release

As the conversation wraps up, Ribot expresses his gratitude and excitement for the album's release, encouraging listeners to support his work.

"Be the first kid on your block to own a copy. It was, I'm glad I did it finally." [20:19]

He extends heartfelt thanks to the individuals who supported the album's creation:

"...Mary, my manager who, you know, kept pushing to make it happen." [20:19]

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Conclusion

This episode of All Of It offers an intimate glimpse into Marc Ribot's artistic journey, the evolution of his debut vocal album Map of a Blue City, and the personal experiences that shape his music. Through heartfelt performances and candid conversations, Ribot invites listeners to explore the depths of his creative process and the cultural narratives woven into his work.

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Notable Quotes:

• "I didn't want to put out what we had recorded. I loved some of it and others I didn't love." [06:38]
• "You know my number?" [08:03]
• "It's easy to sing. It's almost pretty much the same as talking, except you try to have some kind of pitch." [18:07]
• "I have non stage fright. And that's the only time that I actually feel safe." [18:52]

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About ALL OF IT:

ALL OF IT is a WNYC show that delves into the multifaceted world of culture and its consumers. Hosted by Alison Stewart, the program seeks to engage thinkers, creators, and cultural makers, fostering a diverse community that celebrates varied perspectives. By curating and companioning the rich cultural tapestry of New York City, ALL OF IT embodies anthropologist Cristina De Rossi’s expansive view of culture:

"Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones, and a million other things."

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For more episodes and cultural insights, tune in to ALL OF IT weekdays from 12:00 - 2:00 PM on WNYC.

Transcript

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[Alison Stewart]

You'Re listening to all of it on WNYC. I'm Alison Stewart. My next guest, Marc Rubeau has spent a lot of time in music studios with artists ranging from Elton John to Tom Waits to Elvis Costello and Robert Plant. But Today he's in WNYC's music studio to perform live from his new album, Map of a Blue City. It's the veteran guitarist's first album, vocal Music, and it's been three decades in the making. He'll be celebrating the album's release with a show tonight at Roulette in Brooklyn. He joins me now to play a few songs. Hi, Mark.

[Marc Ribot]

Hi.

[Alison Stewart]

Would you start us off with a song?

[Marc Ribot]

Certainly will.

[Unknown Performer]

Take back your black leviathan.

[Marc Ribot]

Your tiger tiger burning, burning bright. Let this gentle creature breathe through earthly lungs another hour. That's how we prayed around your bed.

[Unknown Performer]

Your frail heart beat out its last.

[Marc Ribot]

Tattoo until the morphine could no more and we sat weeping in our impotence.

[Unknown Performer]

So Yitka dal the Yitkadash. That's just the way it is. The Yidna say so we laid our fathers down.

[Marc Ribot]

Where swiftly flow the gentle garden State, the parkway river of lost souls commuting onwards through eternal night. Remember one who drove like you and now lies dreaming in Elizabeth.

[Alison Stewart]

You're listening to Marc Ribo. The name of that song is Elizabeth.

[Marc Ribot]

Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

Can you tell us a little bit more about it?

[Marc Ribot]

Well, Elizabeth refers to the town in New Jersey. Elizabeth, New Jersey. Where? And the song refers to, well, the experience of being with my father when he died. And, well, I hope it speaks for itself, but, yeah, that's what it's about.

[Alison Stewart]

You grew up in New Jersey, right?

[Marc Ribot]

Yes, I did.

[Alison Stewart]

In South Orange.

[Marc Ribot]

Born in Newark, Orange and eventually South Orange. Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

Where'd you go to high school?

[Marc Ribot]

Columbia High School. The Cougars. That was the name of our football team, by the way.

[Alison Stewart]

You know, my mother taught at Columbia high school for 30 years. Mrs. Stewart.

[Marc Ribot]

I think I was probably cutting that class. I wasn't a very good student.

[Alison Stewart]

I warned you when we. We were joking Before I said, I'm the daughter of a public school teacher. I'll keep you in mind.

[Marc Ribot]

No, no. When I was leaving there, I remember the guidance counselor, when he heard that I actually got accepted into a college, he said, they must have lowered their standards.

[Alison Stewart]

Gotta love guidance counselors. What about being from New Jersey inspires you to write?

[Marc Ribot]

You mean like mad New Jersey stung me into poetry or something like that? Well, I don't know, but, you know, hey, look, the boss is from New Jersey and he writes some good tunes, so why not me?

[Alison Stewart]

So I understand the songs on this album date back to the early 1990s, right?

[Marc Ribot]

Way back. Some do. Some are more recent. I mean, where have they been hiding? Well, in plain sight, really. I think. When? Maybe it was in the press release or something when it said, I've been working on it for 30 years. That's a slight exaggeration. The working part, you know, it originally started out as some demos that I figured, okay, I'll record these tunes and then get some rock star to cover them and I'll make a million dollars. But then I eventually realized they were probably too weird for anybody to cover them. So then I started to try to put it out myself. And then. Anyways, whenever I encountered an obstacle, I quit for three years and then eventually picked it up again.

[Alison Stewart]

Three years, specifically?

[Marc Ribot]

Well, you know, each time it added up after a while, but eventually Hal Wilner heard some of them and liked them and we did a series of sessions. And, well, for reasons, it's difficult, I can't explain because I don't quite understand them myself, but I was. I didn't want to put out what we had recorded. I loved some of it and others I didn't love. And I decided to think about it for a while and the while turned into, well, 10, 12 years. And then I did the classic thing that I'm always advising other singers, songwriters who I work with, not to do, which is don't fall in love with your demos. But I had done that. And then, anyways, the whole thing got shelved so many times and picked back up. And eventually producer Ben Greenberg heard them and he told me, look, you should put this out. And I say, yeah, but does it all fit on one record? He said, yes, I'll make it fit. And he's really a brilliant producer. And he did.

[Alison Stewart]

I think you said that the songs were maybe too weird for other people to sing. Why were they? Why are they weird?

[Marc Ribot]

I don't know. Ask the other people. But, you know, on the other hand, if you know any rock stars who want to record them? You know my number?

[Alison Stewart]

Do you think they were? They were that you wrote them knowing that you would sing them one day?

[Marc Ribot]

Well, I mean, I didn't have any choice. There I was. There they were. There was my, you know, pro tools. And so I sang them.

[Alison Stewart]

You mentioned that Ben Greenberg was a good producer. Good producers bring out the best in their talent, whatever the talent is. What did he bring out in you?

[Marc Ribot]

Well, he convinced me not to throw it in the garbage. That's what he brought out. So, I mean, and also he did miraculous technological things which, like I said, made these sessions, some of which were recorded, and half of which were recorded in my bedroom, and the other half of which were recorded in a very professional studio like this one. Made them sound as if they were all in the same place, probably by making them all sound like they were recording it in my bedroom. But still, you know, that's something.

[Alison Stewart]

I'm speaking to Mark Ribo about his new album, Map of a Blue City. He'll be at Roulette tonight for an album release show. He's performing in our studio live. The title of the album was inspired by your daughter.

[Marc Ribot]

Yeah, when she was like eight, she was really into drawing these. She was really into urban design. And she would draw these maps of cities and she'd know, you know, have the park and the child friendly restaurant, and she'd draw all the buildings and know who lived in them and their names of their dogs and cats and stuff. And one day she was working on a drawing that was all in blue magic marker. And. And. And so I said, well, why are you making a blue map? And she said, it's because it's a map of a blue city. And so I. I thought that was too good to let go.

[Alison Stewart]

Could we hear another song?

[Unknown Performer]

Yeah. I always believe in the love of my life I would find my reflection My one true redemption. So I searched all over the world in every beautiful mirror and in every reflecting pair of light look, we're up on the mountaintop we're down in the beautiful valley in the cool deep well springs of suburbia Many times I thought I found her Many times I was disappointed But I never stopped looking for the love of my life.

[Marc Ribot]

Then one day I. I found the love of my life and I stared into the deep pools of her eyes and I saw. Yes, I saw. I could see. I could finally see. Revelation reveal the deepest secrets of our souls.

[Unknown Performer]

But this did not make me happy. In fact, I was disgusted. So I ran away And I never looked back so when you see me.

[Marc Ribot]

Standing here I'm really running and when.

[Unknown Performer]

You hear me sing this song I'm really running I lead a life of quiet desperation and that's the way it is as long as time and time itself Keeps running Keeps running I'll keep running, babe Keep running.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest is Mark Ribau. The name of that song is Death of a Narcissist. Yeah, it's different on the record.

[Marc Ribot]

Oh, yeah, it's very different. I'm doing. Everything is completely different on the record. I have, like, a horror of doing the same song the same way twice.

[Alison Stewart]

Why is that?

[Marc Ribot]

Oh, I don't know. It's, you know. Do you remember. Do you ever see that movie Nashville?

[Alison Stewart]

Yeah.

[Marc Ribot]

Remember the first scenes where. What's the actor's name? He's so great. He plays in that as the country singer in that. And you hear him doing, like, eight takes of this horrible tune, trying to crank up the same emotion in the same place. And I don't know, it's everything that's terrible about music in that. In that one scene. So I just didn't want to be him.

[Alison Stewart]

You are playing a guitar, though, that looks like it has been played before.

[Marc Ribot]

That's true. You know, in fact, most of the guitar is from, I think, 1928 or something, but most of the damage on it is from the. From the 30 years in which I've owned it.

[Alison Stewart]

Tell me a little bit about that guitar. You said it's one of your favorites.

[Marc Ribot]

It's a Gibson. It's a HG O O. HG stands for Hawaiian guitar, which is from the Hawaiian guitar craze of whenever it was a long time ago. But it was turned back into a guitar from. It was originally a Dobro. It was turned back into a guitar, and I don't know why it's my favorite, but it is. I played another one that was same year, same make, and I didn't like it at all. But this one, you know, this one's got that something.

[Alison Stewart]

It sings a little bit.

[Marc Ribot]

Yeah, I try to. It does. It definitely does.

[Alison Stewart]

When you were writing these songs over these years, did they always have vocals that went with them?

[Marc Ribot]

Yeah. My process in working on these things is like, I get more and more upset about something, and then, you know, just at the point where it's. You know, where I could be writing it as an angry letter to the editor or to some unfortunate other person, or I could jump out the window. Then it usually. Then it might come out as a song. You know, so the music and the words kind of appear at the same moment.

[Alison Stewart]

When you decided to sing for this record, what did you notice about your voice?

[Marc Ribot]

I noticed it was terrible. That's what I noticed right away. An impression that was quickly confirmed by. What was the name of the critic who wrote. Because I actually haven't seen critics.

[Alison Stewart]

Schmittics.

[Marc Ribot]

Yeah, well, you know, I mean, where would we be without them? But was it. Was it. Anyways, since I can't remember his name. I would love to remember his name. But like, one, the typical review, because I've sang a bunch of tunes with Ceramic Dog or my other bands that I've recorded, usually there's a vocal or two on there. And one review that was kind of typical said, whoever told Rebo he could sing should be shot. But, you know, now here I am, like, singing. But, you know, I mean, I don't see myself as like a singer, for that matter, guitarist. I see myself as somebody who wants to say something, and this happens to be the closest weapon at hand.

[Alison Stewart]

Do you like performing?

[Marc Ribot]

I do. I think I'm happiest when I'm playing guitar. Guitar in someone else's band. I don't have to talk or sing or even, like, look up, you know.

[Alison Stewart]

But how. How do you work on your performing? Because it is just you?

[Marc Ribot]

Well, I kind of don't.

[Alison Stewart]

Don't.

[Marc Ribot]

No. You know, sometimes I try to play the songs enough so I can hopefully remember most of the words, you know. But before this, I was touring and I tour a lot. Instrumental on this guitar solo and play for 90 minutes on a good night. I don't even talk, you know, And I like doing that quite a bit. I feel. In fact, you know, a lot of people talk about stage fright. I kind of have non stage fright. And that's the only time that I actually feel safe.

[Alison Stewart]

Is it hard for you to sing?

[Marc Ribot]

You know, I don't know if it's hard for me to sing. It might be hard to listen to, but it's easy to sing. It's almost pretty much the same as talking, except you try to have some kind of pitch.

[Alison Stewart]

I want to ask you about a couple more songs on the album. There's a Carter Family cover on the album and a poem by Allen Ginsberg as well. How did these two songs. Songs.

[Apple Card Advertisement]

Yes.

[Alison Stewart]

Why did they wind up on the album?

[Marc Ribot]

Well, you'll have to ask Ben Greenberg that. We started with a bunch of tunes and we whittled them down to the ones that are on there. In fact, there was another one that was supposed to be on there, which was a version of a Serge Gainsbourg tune, La Noyer, but that whittling was done by, oh, it was Warner Brothers Pictures, God bless them, would not give us the rights. Some nameless bean counter at Warner Brothers Pictures is, you know, decided that they didn't want like my version.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest has been Mark Ribaut. First of all, I like the sound of your voice.

[Marc Ribot]

Why, thank you. So does my mom.

[Alison Stewart]

Is there anything you want to tell us about Map of a Blue City before we go?

[Marc Ribot]

Well, you know, be the first kid on your block to own a copy. It was, I'm glad I did it finally. And I want to, you know, I'm grateful to. Well, I wish Hal was here. Hal Wilner was here to thank and Ben Greenberg is here to thank and also Mary, my manager who, you know, kept pushing to make it happen.

[Alison Stewart]

Mark, thanks for joining us.

[Marc Ribot]

Thank you.

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