Mulligan Stew May 17th 2025-A Taj Mahal Birthday party. Special guest Kevin Hearn finds & plays legendary pianos in Jamaica

Most music fans know Kevin Hearn as the pianist and songwriter for Barenaked Ladies.

Few would know that Kevin was the band leader for Lou Reed for 7 emotional years.

Or that he fought a battle with leukemia for many years, even while touring with BNL.

Gord Downie knew all those stories when he asked Kevin Hearn and Kevin Drew to help him prepare for live performances of his final music project – Secret Path!

Because he had just been down his own darkened path, Kevin Hearn was able to bring comfort and strength to the recording of Gord’s final songs.

Kevin takes us through those moments, including Gord’s last words to him, about his friendship with Lou Reed and then takes us on another journey – this time to Jamaica.

Kevin’s new solo album is called Portland Parish. Recorded in three locations. A small jungle cottage, the legendary Trident Hotel and the long-abandoned Trident Castle.

Kevin plays originals, covers (Lou Reed and Sun Ra Arkestra) on a collection of creaking pianos weathered by time and nature. If you listen closely, you can hear chirping frogs and dogs barking in the distance. Several of the pianos were damaged and barely playable.

Kevin says “the idea was to seek out semi-abandoned pianos in spaces said to be haunted and improvise.”

The complete interview can be heard on the Mulligan Stew Podcast and seen on the Terry David Mulligan YouTube Channel.

In hour one, we celebrate one of the greats in modern music – Taj Mahal. Saturday, he turns 82.

New music from Dan Mangan, Honey Bear, the Band, Brandi Carlile, Keiran Kane, Little Feat, Willie Nelson, Mumford and Son, The Wood Bros.

Thanks for any and all mentions!!