Speaking Truth to Power Through Stories and Song

Words + Music, Vol. 5

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Speaking Truth to Power Through Stories and Song

By: Tom Morello

Narrated by: Tom Morello

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About this listen

"Can music change the world? Of course it can, it does every day. Music sure as hell changed me." (Tom Morello)

Rock god. Justice fighter. Rabble-rouser. Ivy Leaguer. An American renegade and fearless truth teller. Rage Against the Machine’s guitar virtuoso, Tom Morello, is many things; but perhaps, he himself, sums it up best: a one-man revolution. For the first time ever, hear Morello fuse the deeply personal with the political in a rapturous, badass, one-man show that skillfully balances soul-bearing stories with spellbinding guitar fury: Speaking Truth to Power Through Stories and Song by Tom Morello.

Executive produced by the legendary, multi-Grammy winning producer and composer T Bone Burnett, Morello’s performance adds to a growing list of iconic talent (Patti Smith, James Taylor, Common) who give voice to Audible’s Words and Music series: a new type of audio-only memoir that blends storytelling, music, and performance to create a one-of-a-kind listening experience.

Morello begins at the beginning, opening up about his tumultuous childhood in small-town Illinois, his grappling with sense of identity and ultimate artistic purpose. "I was the only black kid in an all-white town, the only anarchist at a conservative high school, the only heavy metal shredding guitar player at Harvard University, and the only Ivy League Star Trek loving nerd in the world’s biggest political rock rap band.” As Morello takes us thru poignant moments of an astounding and meaningful career (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, the Nightwatchman, Springsteen and the E-Street Band, Prophets of Rage, The Atlas Underground) we hear firsthand of the triumphs and tragedies, riffs and rebellions that mark a life in shattering artistic bounds, confronting the establishment, and creating/collaborating on music that matters.

By the time Tom closes out the show by leading a palpably super-charged audience through a banging version of “Killing in the Name Of”, Lennon’s working-class anthem “Power to the People”, and, finally, a spirited and wholly sincere “This Land Is Your Land”, a piercing truth resounds: Tom Morello is a singular force and a most essential type of artist: the kind who not only inspires but empowers. In the words of T Bone Burnett, who provides a tender lead-in to the rare performance, “There is no more articulate or intelligent musician today than Tom Morello. He is a magical guitarist and a deep storyteller whose life and artistry reflect and challenge the time we live in.”

Art of Storytelling

Audio Performances & Dramatizations

Celebrity Memoir Essentials

Entertainment & Performing Arts

Music

Storytelling

Rage

Inspiring

Adaptation

Guitar

Thought-Provoking

Witty

Feel-Good

Tom Morello Answers the Audible Questionnaire

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Go Behind the Scenes of Tom Morello at Minetta Lane Theater

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About the Creator and Performer

Incendiary rock guitarist and acoustic troubadour Tom Morello, known for his innovative guitar solos and thunderous chords, is a groundbreaking artist whether in his solo career or as an original member of the rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, two acts responsible for multiple Grammy Awards and a combined 30 million albums sold worldwide. He’s released four solo albums as The Nightwatchman, created the genre obliterating Atlas Underground project, and formed the band Street Sweeper Social Club with Boots Riley of The Coup. Morello has also been recognized by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the "100 Greatest Guitar Players of All-Time (#26)." Morello has produced or collaborated with artists of diverse genres including Wu Tang Clan, Johnny Cash, Tool, John Fogerty, Anti-Flag, Public Enemy, Joe Strummer, Crystal Method, Calle 13, Dave Mathews Band, Johnny Cash, Killer Mike. Travis Barker, and Pete Seeger. In addition, he joined Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band for six years on tour and is featured lead guitarist on Springsteen’s Wrecking Ball and High Hopes albums. In 2016, Morello joined forces with fellow Rage Against The Machine bandmates Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk, as well as Cypress Hill’s B-Real and Public Enemy’s Chuck D and DJ Lord to form the band Prophets of Rage. In 2020 Rage Against The Machine announced its reformation and an extensive world tour. Morello is also known for his lifelong valiant activism.

About the Executive Producer

T Bone Burnett has earned an unparalleled reputation as a first-rate innovative artist, songwriter, producer, performer, film and concert producer, record company owner, and artists’ advocate. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Burnett grew up in Fort Worth, Texas where he first began writing songs and making records. Burnett was traveling the country as a freelance record producer when he was asked by Bob Dylan to play guitar in his band on the now-legendary Rolling Thunder Revue tour, leading Burnett to form the Alpha Band with David Mansfield and Steven Soles. Burnett made three acclaimed albums with the group before making a string of solo records in the 1980s, at the end of which he began to work in film, beginning with Roy Orbison’s A Black and White Night.

Burnett is an Academy Award winner, a Golden Globe winner, and thirteen-time Grammy Award winner. He’s worked and collaborated with musicians across many genres including Elton John, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, B.B. King, Tony Bennett, k.d. lang, Elvis Costello, Rosanne Cash, Sam Shepard, The Civil Wars, Taylor Swift, Ryan Bingham, Steve Earle, Leon Russell, and Sara Bareilles. Burnett’s first major foray into film was his collaboration with the Coen Brothers on The Big Lebowski, and he has since held multiple titles for numerous films. He also has multiple credits in television, including as the executive music producer and composer for the HBO series, True Detective, and the initial season of the ABC television series, Nashville. Burnett was nominated for a 2017 Emmy Award for his work with Jack White and Robert Redford on American Epic, a multi-part, multimedia project based upon the earliest recordings of roots music in the United States and their impact around the world.

Featured Article: The top 100 celebrity memoirs of all time

The best celebrity memoir audiobooks are in a league of their own—there is no greater listening experience than a memoir performed by the celebrity behind the title. Their charisma and authenticity greatly enhance the experience, making it all the more engaging. Many listeners who would never think to read a celebrity memoir in print gravitate to the genre in audio. There’s something magical about hearing, in their own voice, the nitty-gritty of a star’s path.

ORIGINALS

Inspiring Life Story • Captivating Storytelling • Excellent Musical Integration • Powerful Personal Journey

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I don’t know how I missed RATM (stuck in “classic” rock mode too long, I suppose) but I am definitely now a fan of Tom Morello. He’s smart, witty, eloquent and I love that he’s not afraid to stand up to injustice or stupidity in TPTB. Adding Rage to my Pandora feed. Let’s see where it takes me.

Loved it!