"My whole approach is to have a conversation with the listeners. The words have to mean something to me." 

I first heard Larry sing c2010 at The Other Side, the long-closed piano bar in Silverlake. His voice is a little rough-edged, which grabs your attention, and he almost speaks many of the lyrics of his songs - whether it's "It Isn't Easy Being Green," "Lush Life," or one of the highly suggestive songs the crowd always loved to hear.

Larry's past includes stints in the Air Force and at ABC-TV as a graphic designer, and his story proves F. Scott Fitzgerald was probably drunk when he said, "There are no second acts in American lives." Larry is on his third act ... at least.

This piece originally aired in 2012; sit back and enjoy. And then go buy "Close Your Eyes," "Larry Davis Too," or any of his other albums on iTunes.

Happy New Year!

Support for this podcast comes from Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live; and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Off-Ramp's Chistmas present to you is our annual holiday special, A Christmas Carol Redux, which combines the old time radio version - starring Lionel Barrymore - with new versions of the perennial holiday production. Enjoy!

Support for this podcast comes from Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live; and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Take THAT, Ira! RH Greene's Off-Ramp doc "Vampira and Me" is now a movie. Plus, the man who pitched a foetus, Crenshaw kids' summer plans, and Jerry's junk.

A man who built his own bronze foundry, a new documentary about a Tijuana crime reporter, steve mARTin, and something about the Kings and Father's Day.

Merry Lepper, first US woman to run a marathon, did it in Culver City, 1963; Langers' anniversary; how one woman learned to face death and helped others do the same.

We'll take you to The Other Side for one more round & one more song, visit two performances you'll want to catch, & ask why Molly is live Tweeting the War of 1812.

For Memorial Day: Who was Oskar Schindler, really? What happened the night the U.S.S. Indianapolis sunk? What difference can a photo make for a military family?

Typing on Andy Rooney's typewriter, Pasadena's newest wine store, Really Old Jews Tell Jokes, and the logistics of bringing in the space shuttle.

Peter Mac as Judy Garland celebrates the arrival of Mother's Day, Middle School Students act out real life drama, Pogues's expat tells all.

Rob Schmitz on China and Apple, Richard Chamberlain in The Heiress at the Pasadena Playhouse; Bookman David Kipen on Expo Line; Merv Griffin's historic TV archive