Pt. 2: Producing Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, & Introducing Jaco Pastorius
In Part 2 of this epic conversation, Narada Michael Walden takes Elmo inside the studio where some of the biggest records in pop history were made. From Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' to Mariah Carey's early breakthroughs to Aretha Franklin's commercial comeback — Narada was the architect of sounds that defined an era.
They go deep on the philosophy behind Narada's production approach: how he channeled his background as a jazz-fusion drummer into creating pop records with soul and swing, the specific techniques he used to get the best out of artists like Whitney and Aretha, and what it felt like to watch those records become part of the fabric of popular culture.
And then there's the Jaco Pastorius story — how Narada came to introduce the legendary bassist to the world through the Weather Report connection, and what it was like to witness genius up close in real time.
"With Whitney, I wasn't just producing a record. I was helping to introduce the world to the greatest voice it had ever heard."
The complete story of producing one of the greatest pop singles ever recorded — the creative process, the studio chemistry with Whitney, and what it took to create a track that matched her extraordinary voice.
How Narada produced the records that brought Aretha Franklin back to the commercial mainstream, the respect and collaboration involved in working with the Queen of Soul, and what those sessions revealed about great artists and great producers.
The story of Narada's work with Mariah Carey early in her career, what he recognized in her immediately, and how his production approach helped shape the sound that would make her one of the best-selling artists of all time.
How Narada's background as a jazz-fusion drummer informed every production decision — the emphasis on feel, groove, and musicianship that gave his pop records a depth and swing that most producers couldn't replicate.
The remarkable story of how Narada helped introduce Jaco Pastorius to the world — the circumstances, the connection to Weather Report, and what it was like to witness a musician of Jaco's once-in-a-generation talent in real time.
Narada reflects on a production legacy that spans decades and dozens of landmark recordings — what he is most proud of, what he wishes he had done differently, and what the music means to him now.
The Whitney Houston 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' session story — from the first demo to the final record, told by the man who was in the room and made every call.
Narada describes what it was like to work with Aretha Franklin — the reverence, the creative tension, the joy, and what he learned about what it means to truly serve an artist of that caliber.
The Jaco Pastorius story in full — how Narada came to know the legendary bassist, what he witnessed in those sessions, and the bittersweet awareness that he was in the presence of something that would never be repeated.
A masterclass on pop production from a drummer's perspective — how Narada's rhythmic instincts shaped every aspect of his work as a producer, from arrangement to tempo to the placement of every drum hit.
Narada's reflection on producing Mariah Carey at the very beginning of her career — what he heard in her voice immediately, the specific choices he made to capture it, and how those early records set the template for everything that followed.
A deeply personal conversation about what it means to have shaped the soundtrack of a generation — the gratitude Narada feels, the responsibility that came with it, and what he hopes the music still does for people today.
Available on all major platforms.