WFUV's Take Five

From 2011: Behind the movie soundtrack success, Randy Newman is an old school songsmith. After over four decades at his craft, he looked at his catalog in a series of albums that brings the songs back to just voice and piano, and Randy did the same in a Studio A session with host Claudia Marshall at FUV.

From 2009: Julian Lennon, whose picture of Lucy inspired his father's song for the Beatles, released a single with James Scott Cook called 'Lucy,' to raise money for lupus research. Julian and James told FUV's Darren Devivo that this song isn't just about a girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

From 2011: From The Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule and more, Warren Haynes is known as the one of the best (and busiest) guitarists around, but he adds a dose of soul to his southern rock sound on his solo album, 'Man In Motion.' Haynes told host Darren DeVivo a bit more of the background during a return visit to FUV's Studio A.

From 2011: After much anticipation, the NYC band Cults finally released its full-length, self-titled debut in 2011. That year they also stopped by FUV's Studio A to talk to The Alternate Side's Alisa Ali about the so-called mystery surrounding their band, and to play some songs from the album live.

From 2011: Amos Lee's fourth album 'Mission Bell' found him working with Calexico's Joey Burns as producer, and taking his Philly sound southwest. When host Rita Houston welcomed Amos for a solo visit to FUV, he played a few of the songs from the album live in our Studio A.

From 2012: As 'Biophilia' visited New York City, FUV's Rita Houston visited the home of its creator, Bjork, to learn more about the show and the album behind it.

From 2012: From the stage of Rockwood Music Hall, Nada Surf performs songs from its album, 'The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy,' in an FUV Live show hosted by Russ Borris — and explains the lineage behind the title.

From 2011: The album 'Been Listening' from London folksinger Johnny Flynn and his band The Sussex Wit, has a broader scope than their 2008 debut 'A Larum' — adding Spanish and African influences, strings, and a horn session. After its release, Johnny joined host Claudia Marshall at FUV for a conversation and solo performance of a few songs from the album.

From 2011: There's a new guitar-slinging bluesman in town, and his name is Gary Clark Jr. Learn more about the Austinite and his EP 'The Bright Lights' as Gary joins FUV's Alisa Ali in Studio A.

From 2008: Michael Franti has spent his career finding a way to speak out, motivate, uplift, and unite — all through music. No small task, but energy is key and a major factor in his Jamaica-made album 'All Rebel Rockers.' With Spearhead and special guest Cherine Anderson joining in, Michael performed a few of the songs from the album at FUV, and told host Claudia Marshall about what people added and will hopefully take from the record.

From 2011: After the 2010 'Curtis Lane' EP, the full-length debut from Active Child was eagerly anticipated. When 'You Are All I See' was finally released, Active Child stopped by Studio A to play a few live songs from it, and to talk to The Alternate Side's Alisa Ali.

From 2011: Iron & Wine’s album 'Kiss Each Other Clean' was a little more produced than some of Sam Beam's past work, but the songwriting and Beam's whispery voice were in fine form — on the album and in a Studio A session with FUV's Rita Houston.

From 2011: You can hear Marshall Crenshaw hosting 'The Bottomless Pit,' Saturday nights on FUV, but he's of course, still a music-loving songwriter. So, host Claudia Marshall invited Crenshaw to Studio A to play a few songs — on guitar and from his iPod.

From 2012: John Hiatt is still serious about making records, and it shows. His latest album (his 21st) is 'Mystic Pinball,' and like his 2011 release, 'Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymns,' it was produced by Kevin Shirley. This one returns John to a grittier sound, and it also brought him back to FUV for a conversation with host Claudia Marshall.

From FUV's Russ Borris, 2012: 'Having released their third record 'Neck of the Woods,' I was excited to talk to Brian Aubert and Nikki Monninger of Silversun Pickups about the album. I've always found the band's music to be a combination of tension and intensity, exemplified by Aubert's guitar style and vocals. But, as people, Brian and Nikki weren't the least bit intense. In fact, they're actually quite funny. We joked about the band showing up to their very first gig with no songs as well as what it was like to record the new album in Brian's hometown of Topanga Canyon in Los Angeles. The duo played a few songs from 'Neck of the Woods,' plus the favorite 'Panic Switch.' Don't be fooled by the acoustic setting. These songs were still intense and definitely rocked.'