For the 50th episode of the podcast, we’re mixing it up a bit. I just finished reading a fascinating book by Andrew Grant Jackson where he lays out his opinion that 1965 was “The Most Revolutionary Year In Music”. Let’s have a listen to some of the sounds from ’65 and see if we agree. The Beatles, the Stones, the Byrds, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Motown… it’s all here in 1965.
— This show is just one of many great music-related podcasts on the Pantheon network. Check them all out!
A Robyn Hitchcock song is so unique, it could only come from the mind of Robyn Hitchcock. From his first recordings with The Soft Boys in the ’70’s through to his solo work today, Robyn is a singular artist with a vision all his own. This is a track from my favorite Hitchcock album, Element Of Light.
“Airscape” (Robyn Hitchcock) Copyright 1986 August 23rd/Bug Music
As mentioned during the podcast – the Glass Harmonica:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_harmonica
— My podcast is just one of many great music-related shows on the Pantheon network. Check ’em out!
Wealth and excess go together; emptiness and detachment are right around the corner. This song delves into all of that, along with a particular obsession. What do you do when money no longer buys you a thrill? Bryan Ferry has some thoughts…
NOTE: Though there’s no profanity used in this episode, the discussion does involve sexual activities so be warned… you might wanna listen to this one on headphones.
“In Every Dream Home A Heartache” (Bryan Ferry) Copyright 1973 Careers-BMG Music Publishing (BMI)
This podcast makes multiple references to Marie-Hélène de Rothschild’s “Surrealist Ball”. More details on the infamous event here, if you’re interested:
https://dangerousminds.net/comments/glimpses_of_the_extravagant_surrealist_ball_of_1972
https://therake.com/stories/icons/party-animals-the-rothschild-surrealist-ball/
The song as used in the opening scene of “Mindhunter” Season 2, Episode 1 on Netflix:
The “I’m In Love With That Song” Podcast just one of many great music-related shows on the Pantheon network. Check them all out!
To say Rush has a devoted fan base would be an understatement. I know, because I was a card-carrying member of the “Rush Backstage Fan Club” back in the ’80’s. Perhaps no Rush song connected so directly with their fans as “Subdivisions”. On this episode, we celebrate Neil Peart with a deeper look at this fan favorite.
“Subdivisions” (Music by Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson, Words by Neil Peart) Copyright 1982 Core Music Publishing
On this episode, we revisit the great ’70’s hard rock/power pop album Attention Shoppers! by Starz. “X-Ray Spex” is a blast of punky pop with some interesting use of studio effects. Turn it up!
“X-Ray Spex” (Peter Sweval, Joe X. Dube, Michael Lee Smith, Brendan Harkin & Richie Ranno) Copyright 1978 Starzongo Music, Inc/Rock Steady Music, Inc/ASCAP
On this special Bonus podcast, it’s time for another holiday pick. Here’s an ol’ Christmas classic with a power pop twist: “We Three Kings” by Odds. Happy Holidays, everyone!
“Kings Of Orient (We Three Kings)” (Traditional) Odds, 1991
Michael Carpenter is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer & engineer from Australia who, in a better world, would be a lot more famous. A master of hooks & harmony, he’s one of the best modern power pop artists out there. Here’s a track that’s a personal favorite of mine. Check it out & then go buy some of his music.
“Kailee Anne” (Michael Carpenter) Copyright 2000 Michael Carpenter; Copyright 2000 Not Lame Recording Company
It Came From Boston: 5 experienced musicians come together to make something new: keyboard whiz Greg Hawkes; the bassist with the killer voice, Benjamin Orr; drummer David Robinson from the legendary Modern Lovers; one of the tastiest guitarists in the business, Elliot Easton; and singer/songwiriter/guitarist & mastermind Ric Ocasek. Merging classic guitar rock with the burgeoning synth-pop sounds to bring New Wave to the masses, The Cars defined that sound for the late-70’s/Early ’80’s. It all started on local Boston radio with this song.
“Just What I Needed” (Ric Ocasek) Copyright 1978 Lido Music, Inc.
There’s no shortage of great songs in the Rolling Stones catalog, but “Gimme Shelter” may be the song that tops them all. Dark and foreboding as only the Stones can do, this track has all the hallmarks of the Rolling Stones at their best: iconic guitar riffs by Keef, Jagger at the top of his game, and the Watts/Wyman rhythm section doing what they do best (plus Nicky Hopkins on piano). But what pushes this one from merely brilliant into sublime is the vocal performance by Merry Clayton– for my money, one of the greatest moments on record. All together, this one belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Rock.
“Gimme Shelter” (Mick Jagger & Keith Richards) Copyright 1969 ABKCO Music Inc.
“Rain” was the first glimpse of The Beatles exploration of psychedelia. Perhaps more than any other Beatles track, this song highlights the rhythm section with brilliant performances by Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney. Add Lennon’s lyrics and great vocals, and you’ve got one of the best songs to come out of the trippy, mind-expanding ’60’s. On this episode, we take a closer look at the individual performances and studio trickery– backwards, forwards, sped up & slowed down– that went into this classic track.
“Rain” (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) Copyright 1966 Northern Songs
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