Strange Brew – Caroline's European Road Trip 2
Presented by Caroline Paidasch-Murphy

Broadcast every Monday from 12–2 PM on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Strange Brew is a show that celebrates music, history, and cultural connections through a mix of unexpected and electrifying tunes. Hosted by Caroline Paidasch Murphy, each episode takes listeners on a musical journey filled with insight, humor, and passion.

In this episode, Great Women of Song and Sass, Caroline curates a dynamic playlist dedicated to some of the most iconic and influential female vocalists in history. From smoky jazz standards to bold cabaret numbers and trailblazing rock anthems, this episode is a tribute to the power, elegance, and audacity of women in music.

The show opens with the legendary Liza Minnelli and her iconic performance from Cabaret, setting the stage for a musical thread that weaves through German influences and vintage Hollywood glamour. The godmother of German punk, Nina Hagen, follows with her eclectic energy, and then Marilyn Monroe brings the heat with Heat Wave.

Caroline then delves into the exotic, mesmerizing voice of Yma Sumac, a Peruvian-American singer known for her astounding four-and-a-half-octave range. Featuring songs from her album Mambo, Caroline shares fascinating trivia, including how Sumac’s music found its way into modern media, from Spy Games to Cirque du Soleil.

Moving into the realm of French elegance, Strange Brew highlights Françoise Hardy, whose musical and fashion influence in the 1960s remains unparalleled. Alongside her, the wisdom of the day is imparted through the show's signature Animal Spirit Card Reading, with this episode’s message brought by the fierce and fearless Panther Spirit, urging listeners to embrace their inner power and boldness.

The setlist continues with the ethereal and groundbreaking Kate Bush, featuring her masterpiece Running Up That Hill, famously revived by Stranger Things. Caroline provides a deep dive into Bush’s Hounds of Love album, its conceptual storytelling, and its lasting legacy in music history.

Jazz and big band lovers are treated to the smooth, timeless vocals of Anita O’Day, a former Stan Kenton Big Band singer, followed by the one and only Peggy Lee. Caroline shares an insightful anecdote about Lee’s clever technique of drawing in an audience by singing softly, a lesson in subtlety and charisma that still resonates today.

The show’s cabaret influences shine again with the unforgettable Marlene Dietrich and Liza Minnelli’s Mein Herr, leading into a comedic yet sultry moment with Madeline Kahn’s I’m Tired, a beloved number from Blazing Saddles. Lana Del Rey’s Summertime Sadness marks a contemporary addition, showcasing how today’s artists channel the spirit of their predecessors.

As the show draws to a close, Caroline pays tribute to Barbra Streisand’s unwavering confidence with Don’t Rain on My Parade—a musical anthem of self-empowerment. In a final nod to the history of women in music, Strange Brew closes with Josephine Baker’s playful Don’t Touch My Tomatoes, before a powerful finale with Whitney Houston’s Love Will Save the Day.

Full of history, personality, and a bold soundtrack, this episode of Strange Brew is a celebration of female artistry, resilience, and style. Whether through sultry jazz, avant-garde punk, or powerhouse ballads, these women of song and sass continue to inspire and captivate audiences across generations.

Tune in every Monday from 12–2 PM on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, or stream live at www.rbm.org.au.