Today’s show involved reconfiguring the usual “Talking Animals” format: We still delivered a long-form interview—in this case, with singer-songwriter-animal champion Kathleen Edwards. 
But we broke that conversation into episodic hunks, presented around four songs
Edwards performed in-studio over the course of the hour. (We jettisoned other regular elements: the comedy piece, Name That Animal Tune, etc.) All four of the tunes she played were from her last full-length album, “Total Freedom,” and in the spirit of “Talking Animals,” two were animal songs. We began the conversation addressing–if not breaking–the news that Edwards has become a part-time St. Petersburg resident. Edwards enthusiastically details what prompted her and her husband to buy a place there, what attributes of St. Pete most appealed to them, and so on. This leads to highlighting her first St. Pete show since her residency status shifted: a forthcoming concert at the Floridian Social, set for Feb. 19, a performance on which she’ll be backed by a full band. She discusses her participation in
the recent major tour of “The Last Waltz,” member of the line-up that included Warren Haynes, Don Was, and Anders Osborn, underscoring how much she enjoyed the experience. In answer 
to my question, she told me her favorite moment nightly amidst an evening of many was Warren Haynes singing “Caravan,” pointing out Haynes remarkable vocal resemblance to Van Morrison. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqNggt5kam8) Given that this was “Talking Animals,” albeit an unusual edition, we did indeed talk animals including the current canine members of her family, recounting the relationship she forged with an Ontario-based golden retriever rescue, Golden Rescue, leading to fostering her beloved Redd, a foster fail—and the focus of “Who Rescued Who,” a moving elegy for Redd that she performed during this show. She also describes what’s behind her passion for Siamese cats, and her growing sense of wonder over casual birdwatching, very much including the various feathered friends she sees in and around her St. Pete home. Edwards touches on other shows and special performances on the horizon, including a handful of concerts sharing the bill with Jason Isbell. [Photo of Kathleen with guitar by Sean Kinane; at microphone by Duncan Strauss] (https://kathleenedwards.com/, https://www.instagram.com/kittythefool/, https://www.facebook.com/kathleenedwardsmusic)
This show streamed on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=856506245574408
COMEDY CORNER: There was no Comedy Corner today.
MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals; KATHLEEN EDWARDS LIVE: “Glenfern,” “Options Open,” “Who Rescued Who,” “Birds On A Feeder”
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play “Name That Animal Tune” today.
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