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Speaking Truth to Power Through Stories and Song: Words + Music, Vol. 5
"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. This is Tom Morello at Minetta Lane Theatre: Speaking Truth to Power Through Stories and Song.
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."
©2019 Tom Morello (P)2020 AO Media LLC
Length: 1 hr and 42 mins
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. This is Tom Morello at Minetta Lane Theatre: Speaking Truth to Power Through Stories and Song.
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."
©2019 Tom Morello (P)2020 AO Media LLC
Length: 1 hr and 42 mins
115 pages, Audible Audio
Published August 31, 2020
7 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Tom Morello
42 books35 followersAmerican guitarist best known for his tenure with the band Rage Against the Machine and then with Audioslave. Morello is currently a touring musician with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. He is also known for his acoustic solo act called The Nightwatchman, and his latest group Street Sweeper Social Club. Morello is also the co-founder (along with Serj Tankian) of the non-profit political activist organization Axis of Justice, which airs a monthly program on Pacifica Radio station KPFK (90.7 FM) in Los Angeles.
Born in Harlem, New York, and raised in Libertyville, Illinois, Morello became interested in music and politics while in high school. He attended Harvard University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies. After his previous band Lock Up disbanded, Morello met Zack de la Rocha and the two founded Rage Against the Machine together. He is best known for his unique and creative guitar playing style, which incorporates feedback noise, unconventional picking and tapping as well as heavy use of guitar effects. Morello is also noted for his leftist political views and activism; his creation of his side project The Nightwatchman offered an outlet for his views while playing apolitical music with Audioslave. He was ranked number 40 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
In 2011 it was announced that Morello would write a new 12-issue comic book series for Dark Horse Comics, entitled Orchid. The series is a post-apocalyptic story in which the title character is "a teenage prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her." The first issue was published in October 2011, and Morello is releasing an exclusive new song to accompany each issue. Orchid is illustrated by Canadian artist Scott Hepburn.
The release party sponsored by Dark Horse was held at Jetpack Comics in Rochester, New Hampshire on October 12, 2011.
Born in Harlem, New York, and raised in Libertyville, Illinois, Morello became interested in music and politics while in high school. He attended Harvard University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies. After his previous band Lock Up disbanded, Morello met Zack de la Rocha and the two founded Rage Against the Machine together. He is best known for his unique and creative guitar playing style, which incorporates feedback noise, unconventional picking and tapping as well as heavy use of guitar effects. Morello is also noted for his leftist political views and activism; his creation of his side project The Nightwatchman offered an outlet for his views while playing apolitical music with Audioslave. He was ranked number 40 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
In 2011 it was announced that Morello would write a new 12-issue comic book series for Dark Horse Comics, entitled Orchid. The series is a post-apocalyptic story in which the title character is "a teenage prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her." The first issue was published in October 2011, and Morello is releasing an exclusive new song to accompany each issue. Orchid is illustrated by Canadian artist Scott Hepburn.
The release party sponsored by Dark Horse was held at Jetpack Comics in Rochester, New Hampshire on October 12, 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
November 17, 2020
Absolutely LOVED this!
A black, Irish and Italian American with an honors degree in political science from Harvard, Tom Morello is a force to be dealt with.
He fights for the underdogs in his music and in his daily life. He's smart, he's funny, he can laugh at himself and man oh man, can he ever play the guitar.
"Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me." -Rage Against the Machine
I feel inspired and instead of continuing with my next planned audio, I'm going to listen to Barack Obama's new memoir instead. It's been so long since I've been inspired, I've forgotten how it felt.
A black, Irish and Italian American with an honors degree in political science from Harvard, Tom Morello is a force to be dealt with.
He fights for the underdogs in his music and in his daily life. He's smart, he's funny, he can laugh at himself and man oh man, can he ever play the guitar.
"Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me." -Rage Against the Machine
I feel inspired and instead of continuing with my next planned audio, I'm going to listen to Barack Obama's new memoir instead. It's been so long since I've been inspired, I've forgotten how it felt.
September 2, 2020
If Ted Talks featured Rock Stars and other subversives.
September 11, 2020
Tom Morello doing what he does best...getting political and rocking everyone's face off!
September 9, 2020
Interesting story and music. It’s good to know about Tom Morello.
September 15, 2020
Part life story, part music performance. My brother is a massive Morello fan, but I didn’t know anything about his personal history outside of music prior to this. He’s a fantastic, and very funny, storyteller. This was a fun way to kill an hour and a half. I could listen to him talk about his badass activist mom all day.
June 28, 2021
I'm really enjoying this words and music Audible series.
I loved this one. I'm a big fan of Morello's and this was really well done. He's a great story teller and is able to draw the listener right in. If you're not familiar, he was the guitarist for Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave and he currently has a solo career (and periodically performs with Bruce Springsteen). He also has a degree in political science from Harvard and is a political activist. I found this both entertaining and motivating. I highly recommend this one. Even if you're not a fan of his music there is still a great story here.
I loved this one. I'm a big fan of Morello's and this was really well done. He's a great story teller and is able to draw the listener right in. If you're not familiar, he was the guitarist for Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave and he currently has a solo career (and periodically performs with Bruce Springsteen). He also has a degree in political science from Harvard and is a political activist. I found this both entertaining and motivating. I highly recommend this one. Even if you're not a fan of his music there is still a great story here.
July 10, 2021
This is great! I downloaded it because my husband is a fan of the music and the man, and though I still don’t care much for the music (it’s fine, but I’ll never choose it), I’m now all in for Tom Morello as a person. What a powerful force for good in a fucked-up world.
February 4, 2022
Amazing and timely!
September 28, 2020
Knocked this out while shopping / walking in Kohl's.
Loved every bit of it.
Loved every bit of it.
April 28, 2021
His guitar solo in “The Ghost of Tom Joad” w/ Bruce Springsteen is my absolute favorite.
September 16, 2020
My 15-year-old is unschooled and stumbled upon this while downloading another book. I happened to walk through as he was listening and instantly fell captive. I graduated high school in the mid-‘90s so Tom’s music has been a constant in my life but I’ve never known anything about him. He’s wise and charming, his stories so interesting and relatable. I spend a lot of time seeking such content to put in front of my son and I’m thrilled we found this and listened together. He was definitely inspired by Tom’s words, and I was as well.
September 18, 2020
Decent autobiographical piece performed by Tom Morello, where he plays some songs and details some key moments in his transition from regular guy to innovative rock guitarist. Would've liked it to be a little longer.
January 3, 2021
This was a pretty awesome Words + Music Audible Original. Annnd makes me sad because we were supposed to see Rage at Boston Calling in May 2020 but COVID. So mad. Rage is on my husband's band bucket list. So was TOOL but we luckily got to see them in November 2019!
September 1, 2022
"Can music change the world? Of course it can, it does every day. Music sure as hell changed me." - Tom Morello
I'll admit I did not know that much about Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello, but I had known of the range of his work, from metal to folk, and the wide range of his collaborations. He was also in Audioslave, and as social justice warrior-see his title--he has toured with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. As with other Audible Originals, this is a mix of memoir and music, where Morello takes us from growing up black (mixed race) in Libertyville, Illinois (I write this in Chicago today), facing racism, into sports, a comic book and Star Wars nerd, then Harvard grad with now several albums across the spectrum.
This is a sweet, sometimes loud, sometimes profane (what, you expected haiku?), funny, intelligent story. I was impressed and as a result interested in listening (or re-listening) to some more of his music. He does a powerful version here of Springsteen's "The Ghost of Tom Joad," among other things, even "This Land is Your Land," in addition to some of his folk and Rage music. I admire his commitments and appreciate how he just does not fit neatly into typical musical or any other kinds of identity boxes.
I'll admit I did not know that much about Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello, but I had known of the range of his work, from metal to folk, and the wide range of his collaborations. He was also in Audioslave, and as social justice warrior-see his title--he has toured with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. As with other Audible Originals, this is a mix of memoir and music, where Morello takes us from growing up black (mixed race) in Libertyville, Illinois (I write this in Chicago today), facing racism, into sports, a comic book and Star Wars nerd, then Harvard grad with now several albums across the spectrum.
This is a sweet, sometimes loud, sometimes profane (what, you expected haiku?), funny, intelligent story. I was impressed and as a result interested in listening (or re-listening) to some more of his music. He does a powerful version here of Springsteen's "The Ghost of Tom Joad," among other things, even "This Land is Your Land," in addition to some of his folk and Rage music. I admire his commitments and appreciate how he just does not fit neatly into typical musical or any other kinds of identity boxes.
February 12, 2022
I actually listened to the bulk of this in 2021, but Morello's stories stay with me because he's an artist that leaves an indelible imprint, pressed by political passion and intelligence. What I was most taken by in hearing Tom tell his story was the role of his parents, particularly his mother, in the shaping of who he is musically and politically. His mom is a force of nature.
While many of Tom's fans are aligned with his RATM songs, I'm more a fan of his solo work as The Nightwatchman. He proves his own adage: "You don't have to be loud, son, to be heavy as shit." His acoustic socio-political songs are a testament to this, and hearing him provide some context around who he is, where he comes from, and how he's stayed true to his beliefs was an insightful dive into the unsurprising but refreshing reveal that Tom Morello is exactly who he appears to be: opinionated, impassioned, thirsty for justice, and willing to aim a sonic blowtorch at the power structures that keep us at odds.
While many of Tom's fans are aligned with his RATM songs, I'm more a fan of his solo work as The Nightwatchman. He proves his own adage: "You don't have to be loud, son, to be heavy as shit." His acoustic socio-political songs are a testament to this, and hearing him provide some context around who he is, where he comes from, and how he's stayed true to his beliefs was an insightful dive into the unsurprising but refreshing reveal that Tom Morello is exactly who he appears to be: opinionated, impassioned, thirsty for justice, and willing to aim a sonic blowtorch at the power structures that keep us at odds.
January 19, 2023
A very exciting autobiography in music and words. It is also political, although not necessarily aimed at any particular political party.
I am sympathetic to how he lays out the problem. I am not sure what his solution is. If it is to make rich people more socially conscious and willing to help the poor then I am with him. If he is suggesting that we take the money from the rich by force, then I am less with him. Taxes are a form of taking money by force and that is considered normal. But laws aimed at taking money (and thus property) from one group of people and giving to another group of people is just wrong. When you take money from the poor and give it to the rich, that is just as wrong as when you take money from the rich and give it to the poor. Building infrastructure to help the poor seems reasonable, though it has been tried before and failed. Perhaps this generation could do it and not let it fail.
But whatever his solution, he is full of energy. I like his music. I doubt I will join him in his revolution, though.
I am sympathetic to how he lays out the problem. I am not sure what his solution is. If it is to make rich people more socially conscious and willing to help the poor then I am with him. If he is suggesting that we take the money from the rich by force, then I am less with him. Taxes are a form of taking money by force and that is considered normal. But laws aimed at taking money (and thus property) from one group of people and giving to another group of people is just wrong. When you take money from the poor and give it to the rich, that is just as wrong as when you take money from the rich and give it to the poor. Building infrastructure to help the poor seems reasonable, though it has been tried before and failed. Perhaps this generation could do it and not let it fail.
But whatever his solution, he is full of energy. I like his music. I doubt I will join him in his revolution, though.
September 3, 2020
Rock, EDM and A Voice for Freedom and Justice!
“Feels like we’re living in Pompeii and the only Boat out is The Titanic!” Says Morello in this combination of Story and Music from the Minetta Lane Series, but our response must be to live life, play loud Rock and Roll and lift up the Voices of those who don’t have them! Fight the Power! It was a great evening to listen to.
Too, I was amazed by the diversity of his career, the people he’s played with, and the places he’s played. From The NOLA Ninth Ward to Skid Row and Sing Sing Prison. From Johnny Cash to Heavy D, Springsteen and Paul McCartney. And from Rage against The Machine to Audioslave and Nightwatchman, his guitar and his voice are incredibly powerful.
His rendition of Ghost of Tom Joad should be his Anthem for His Truth is Marching On! Five Stars!
“Feels like we’re living in Pompeii and the only Boat out is The Titanic!” Says Morello in this combination of Story and Music from the Minetta Lane Series, but our response must be to live life, play loud Rock and Roll and lift up the Voices of those who don’t have them! Fight the Power! It was a great evening to listen to.
Too, I was amazed by the diversity of his career, the people he’s played with, and the places he’s played. From The NOLA Ninth Ward to Skid Row and Sing Sing Prison. From Johnny Cash to Heavy D, Springsteen and Paul McCartney. And from Rage against The Machine to Audioslave and Nightwatchman, his guitar and his voice are incredibly powerful.
His rendition of Ghost of Tom Joad should be his Anthem for His Truth is Marching On! Five Stars!
October 19, 2025
Of the 30 or so Words+ Music productions I've experienced, Tom Morello's is in my Top 3 (Common and Jack Black/Tenacious D being the other 2), and definitely the MOST worthy, inspiring, righteously defiant, and actionable. Morello is entertaining, down to earth if not humble, willing to be vulnerable, and extremely articulate. I hadn't been a RATM fan before, not fully understanding what the machine was, and now that I do, as the current machine has spun into an even more corrupt, greedy and cruel one, I'm enlivened to listen to RATM and find more ways to speak up against those who do not deserve to control our country. Learning that Morello also played folk and with Springsteen is not only admirable and unexpected, but also respectable and impressive. Tom Morello is on the RIGHT side of history, and inspires others to join him.
September 13, 2020
This was a fun short biography of Tom Morello, the guitarist from Rage Against the Machine. I loved his commentary on his upbringing and how his mother pushed him to learn and explore alternate viewpoints, which lead to him embracing Marxist social structures and pushing for the change he wants to see in the world from when he wa sin high school and continuing through today. The music that he interspersed throughout the talk made for a great overview of how his sound has grown and changed throughout his career. The man is talented, and he got that way through constant, neverending practice. So much practice. And that's why I'm nowhere near as good at the guitar as my guitar heroes are.
Worth a listen if you enjoy Rage's music or autobiographies.
Worth a listen if you enjoy Rage's music or autobiographies.
August 15, 2023
Audible’s Words + Music series #5 - Another fun listen. Very informative and he confirmed, yet again, what it feels like to be mixed. You’re not white enough to be white and you’re not black enough to be black and other times, people want you to be so much like them that they just pretend you are to make them feel better/more comfortable. I love how he’s used his influence to raise awareness for others. To do something good. To move the needle in this country and I hope it keeps moving forward.
September 19, 2020
I have never been a metal fan and didn’t even know who Tom Morello was before this. Wow! Now I will at least listen to his music and appreciate it for its depth, meaning and musical complexity in a way I wouldn’t have before. Great storytelling with him interweaving music with his life story and philosophy which was very funny at times. Worth a listen at any time but especially at this juncture in our country’s history.
December 6, 2020
Besides being a guitar superhero, Morello is also a very gifted storyteller. He isn't umming and aaahing his way through some awkward or cliched stories of his youth. He narrates his life and his vision with enthusiasm, humor, and, if I may, rage. His account of Michael Moore's direction of the Sleep Now in the Fire video is worth the price of entry alone. A very entertaining and insightful listen.
January 6, 2022
Really interesting and energetic autobiographical storytelling from Morello about the arc of his personal life and music career, including his lived experience as a half-Kenyan kid growing up in suburban Illinois and as a "white"-passing rock star, interspersed with live performances of music from Rage and Audioslave and the E Street Band. Quick listen (~2 hours) on audiobook in the car, highly recommend for all fellow Rage fans.
April 7, 2022
I'm only a casual listener of Tom Morello's music. Mostly his work with Rage Against the Machine. I only listened to this cause I already had finished all of the words+music of artist I am a big fan of. I'm really glad I did because it was the best one so far. I particularly enjoyrd the political activism parts of his life.
His stories are the most captivating of any of the audiobook series that I have listened to. Will defiantly be giving this one another listen soon.
His stories are the most captivating of any of the audiobook series that I have listened to. Will defiantly be giving this one another listen soon.
June 18, 2022
The parts where he was talking about his life story and especially the music we’re amazing. When he was boasting so much about his social justice initiatives and what he’d done it got a little old. I get it, when that is your life’s passion you want to talk about it and it’s integrated into every part of who you are. It just seemed put on and kind of fake after a while, like he was a politician trying to pump up his image in preparation for a campaign announcement.
August 5, 2023
Omg ♥️ if I didn’t already love, adore & respect the hell out of this man, I sure AF do now!
I don’t know what we did to deserve this man (and his goddess of a mother!), but thank I will continue to thank the gods of rock & equality for him.
He is not only entertaining as hell to listen to, but is absolutely brilliant and fascinating. I am SO GLAD that I stumbled upon, and listened to this! It is worth every second of your time! I promise!
I don’t know what we did to deserve this man (and his goddess of a mother!), but thank I will continue to thank the gods of rock & equality for him.
He is not only entertaining as hell to listen to, but is absolutely brilliant and fascinating. I am SO GLAD that I stumbled upon, and listened to this! It is worth every second of your time! I promise!
November 9, 2020
He’s basically Springsteen on steroids. While Bruce usually embeds his political stories more subtly in his songs, there is NOTHING subtle about Tom Morello, musically OR politically.
It’d be a 5 except some of this comes across as pretty self-aggrandizing... but what autobiographical work doesn’t?
Audiobook (w/music) is a must!
It’d be a 5 except some of this comes across as pretty self-aggrandizing... but what autobiographical work doesn’t?
Audiobook (w/music) is a must!
December 6, 2020
Really enjoyed this book (?) or shall we call it a talk/performance- such a great look into who Tom Morello is and how he became who he is. The music in between the talks just washed over my body like a light shining on my mind. I never paid attention to his playing until I heard his words in juxtaposition to his experience.
January 5, 2022
One of the best from the "Words + Music" series thus far from Audible. It was a recording of a live performance, which I thought would hinder the quality (this has been the case with others in the series). However, for Tom Morello, having an audience was an asset. The stories, and music, he shared were emotional - for him, the live audience, and those listening via Audible.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews