You know, usually when we think about a forest fire, we picture like lightning strikes or a prolonged drought or maybe a careless camper leaving a fire smoldering in the brush. But I want you to put yourself in California in 1965. A massive, terrifying wall of flame is just tearing through the Los Padres National Forest. We are talking about an absolute inferno that eventually consumes 508 acres of land.

And Marshall Grant played the upright bass, slapping the strings to create a percussive thump. But crucially, they didn't have a drummer. In early 1950s country and rockabilly, drum kits were often considered too loud or cumbersome for small studio setups or local gigs. So you have a rhythm section with no actual rhythm instrument.

• It feels like we are going on a journey into the ultimate American paradox
• Right, which ...