Cory Wong is a Minneapolis native and Vulfpeck collaborator known for pushing rhythm guitar from a background instrument to the star of the show. Wong’s a walking encyclopedia of funk guitar, and he takes us through the riffs and styles—from Nile Rodgers to Quincy Jones—that power modern bops such as Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” and Jessie Ware’s “Step Into My Life.” For Cory, rhythm guitar isn’t just a source of propulsive joy, but a sound that’s intimately connected to different regional scenes: change one note in a riff and you’ve moved from Philadelphia to Cincinatti. Every bubble and chuck speaks to a history of musical innovation - a history Cory mines on his new album-slash-variety show, Cory and the Wongnotes. Mixing comedy sketches, massively funky performances, and interviews, Cory’s project imagines what happens when the bandleader takes over as late night host.Songs Discussed (it’s a long one)VULFPECK - Cory WongDoja Cat - Say SoMark Ronson - Uptown Funk (Audio) ft. Bruno MarsDua Lipa - LevitatingChic - Good TimesEarth, Wind & Fire - Shining StarOhio Players - Love RollercoasterPrince - I Wanna Be Your LoverMaroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger feat. Christina AguileraMorris Day & The Time - The BirdBootsy Collins - Stretchin' Out (In a Rubber Band)Gap Band - I Don't Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance (Oops Up Side Your Head)James Payback - The PaybackSly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)Jessie Ware - Step Into My LifeChic - Le FreakDavid Bowie “Modern Love” Duran Duran “Notorious” Diana Ross - I’m Coming OutThe B52’s “Love Shack” Avicii “Lay Me Down” Diana Ross - Upside DownSister Sledge - We Are FamilySister Sledge - Thinking Of You Sister Sledge - He’s The Greatest Dancer Steve Winwood “Higher Love” chorusStevie wonder - Higher GroundMichael Jackson - Billie JeanMichael Jackson - ThrillerDaft Punk - Get Lucky (Feat. Pharrell Williams)David Bowie - Let's DanceMadonna - Like a VirginEminem - Lose YourselfMiley Cyrus - Party In The U.S.AStevie wonder - Higher GroundMichael Jackson - Billie JeanMichael Jackson - ThrillerDaft Punk - Get Lucky (Feat. Pharrell Williams)David Bowie - Let's DanceMadonna - Like a VirginEminem - Lose YourselfMiley Cyrus - Party In The U.S.ACory Wong - Tiki Hut StrutCory and The Wongnotes - Episode 4, “Genre (ft Grace Kelly)” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices