This podcast offers a comprehensive overview of the life and work of Ben Ratliff, an American journalist, music critic, and author. Specifically, the source is an excerpt from a Wikipedia article detailing his biography, professional career, and published works. The biography section highlights his 20-year tenure writing about pop and jazz music for The New York Times and lists his various journalistic contributions to publications like Rolling Stone and The New York Review of Books. Furthermore, the source includes a specific list of his five books, such as Every Song Ever and a critical biography of John Coltrane, alongside information about his academic background, including his degree from Columbia University and his teachi ...