Love That Album Episode 185 - You Am I "Deliverance"

 

The 1990s was a particularly exciting time in Australian rock music. The musical movements that started in the US and the UK in the 90s have been well documented (particularly in reference to certain bands), but not so much has been written about the purple patch of creativity that took place in Australia over that decade. Over the last few years, my guest for this episode has taken it upon himself to rectify that, showing particular dedication to his favourite band....that just happens to be of that decade.

Welcome to episode 185 of Love That Album.

I'll make a confession here.....my 90s musical choices were probably different to many of the artists that were part of that purple patch, but it is undeniable how new and innovative bands were becoming – partly influenced by what happened in Seattle, but so much was independent of what was happening overseas. The Whitlams, Regurgitator, The Cruel Sea, The Fauves, Something For Kate and some kids from Newcastle were amongst many that were a huge part of the landscape.

One band in particular, though, had the knack of combining 90s with the 60s and the 70s. You Am I fronted by the extremely charismatic Tim Rogers started out grunge. In short order, though, they moved away from that to write and perform songs that combined rock aggression with melodicism, and could also write a “tear in your beer” ballad. (Big Star mixed with Hellacopters and The Replacements.....my opinion and I'm sticking with it). You Am I released 3 albums in a row that went to number 1 on the charts.....no other Australian band had ever done that. Yet, in the US and Europe, they remained a cult act.

Danny Yau is the host of Just Ace, a podcast dedicated to documenting the 90s Australian alternative music scene – whatever the hell that means (IYKYK). He's also You Am I's number 1 fan, and accidental archivist. I invited Danny to join me to discuss You Am I's 6th album (and their second one after the 90s) Deliverance. The band always made the music they wanted, but with no support from their major label forthcoming, they decided to make an album with no consideration to label requirements. It would have been easy to chat about the albums they're most associated with HiFi Way and Hourly Daily (both 10 out of 10 records), but we do things differently on this little show.

Danny and I discuss a myriad of things including the Melbourne–Sydney rivalry, the difference between how Australians and Americans define “rooting”, songs of sadness and joy, and what the 90s meant in terms of Australian music.....and we do a hell of a lot of You Am I talk.....some of it in relation to our focus album, Deliverance. We ran out of time towards the end, but I had a ton of fun chatting with Danny, and we've even agreed on a future episode of See Hear Podcast he's going to join Tim, Kerry and myself on – discussing a film about a fictional 90s band....of course.

Tune into the excellent Just Ace podcast wherever you get your shows or at https://www.justace90s.com/

You can find Danny's own music at https://dannyyau.bandcamp.com/ or at https://thereservations.bandcamp.com/

If you’ve been enjoying the show, please consider giving us a favourable review on iTunes and let your friends know that our show exists. If you don't enjoy the show, tell your adversaries to tune in. We don't care who listens.....

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Network of music podcasts. Check out all the other wonderful shows at http://pantheonpodcasts.com

You can send me feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

You can download the show by searching for Love That Album on whatever podcast app you favour (except Spotify).

Download episode 185 from here.

Love That Album Episode 184 - Record Store Memories Part 2

 

For those who haven't caught up with episode 183 of LTA, I came up with the idea of speaking with a range of previous guests from the show (musicians, podcasters, TV and radio broadcasters) to talk with me about their earliest recollections of walking into the sacred temple that is a record / CD store. I wanted to know what drew them to the stores they went to, what the guys / gals behind the counter were like, hijinks that went on in the stores, how their musical tastes were influenced by LPs they discovered for the first time in said stores.

Welcome to episode 184 of Love That Album.

I had 10 conversations with 11 people (was hoping for a 12th, but.......life happens). Too many for one episode, so I divided the conversations into two parts. For this second part of the recollections of record stores, I speak with the following magnificent bastards:

Eric “Reanimator” Peterson – ex-host of Love That Album: The Compilation Edition

Ben Eisen and Shannon Hurley – Host and Numbers Girl of All Time Top Ten podcast and partners in the duo Lovers And Poets

Mike White – Host of The Projection Booth and a ton of other great shows at Weirding Way Media

Michael Pursche – Host of Sitting In a Bar In Adelaide on Lofty 88.9 Radio in the Adelaide Hills

Tim Merrill – My co host at See Hear and all-round wonderful human being.

I had a marvelous time finding out a ton of things about their record stores, really a wonderful part of their personal history, and their towns' history. My thanks to all of them for being so willing to hang out with me for these conversations.

If you haven't yet checked out episode 183 to here more of these conversations, do that as well.....not at all required to appreciate 184, though, so listen in whatever order you please.

You can send me feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to https://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice (not Spotify). The archive is at https://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com/

Download episode 184 from here.

Love That Album Episode 183 - Record Store Memories Part 1

 

Being music fans (especially of a....ummm...certain age), we've all been in a record or CD store as a regular. I like to think that the best record stores I've been in are like walking into Cheers – everybody knows your name, and will treat you as family, be it dysfunctional or not.

Welcome to episode 183 of Love That Album.

I've been in small family record stores, big impersonal chains where the staff couldn't care less what your musical interests are, specialist record stores, stores run by grumpy guts (if you're in Melbourne, you may remember a shop that was far from paradise under its original owner) and stores run by welcoming staff who want to introduce their favourite bands into your life. Record stores are not like any other capitalist venture on the planet.

Yes, you pay your money and come away with an “item”. Often, though, the interaction with the guy or gal behind the counter is like a meeting of the minds as you discuss why that band's last 3 albums fell below standard of the first 5, or why the album currently on the stereo is by an unknown guy you just HAVE to give your time to. Some stores have been known to challenge customers to walk around naked (it's true!!!), while others will have staff that roll their eyes as you ask for “that album by that guy......you know who I mean....ummm”

I've decided to ask a dozen of my favourite podcasters / broadcasters / record shop owners / people I respect to join me on the show to tell me about their favourite memories of being or working in a record store. Yes, it's an exercise in nostalgia, but that shouldn't be a dirty word in this case. It's an opportunity to talk about a place that makes us happy or frustrated......but it's never dull like a night out at the supermarket.

The first 5 of these correspondents joining me for separate conversations are:

David Kowalski – host of The Sound and the Fury Podcast

Brett Vargo – co host of Only Three Lads Podcast

“Farmer” John Couture – host of the Vinyl Relics Podcast

Pat Monaghan – owner of Rocksteady Records

Brian Nankervis – co host of Rockwiz and The Friday Revue

All 5 of these fine gents very graciously gave of their time and recollections for your and my entertainment and edification. Download, enjoy, and take comfort in the fact that in 2 weeks, more is coming your way on this topic. I highly recommend you search them all out in their regular ventures...they KNOW of what they speak.

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice (not Spotify). The wider back catalogue of episodes can also be found at https://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to https://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

You can send me feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Download episode 183 from here.

 

Love That Album episode 182 - Bob Dylan New Morning

 

How many podcasts must a listener download before they can hear about Bob Dylan?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind......actually it's probably anytime you damn well like.

Welcome to episode 182 of Love That Album podcast.

There are tons of Bob Dylan specialist podcasts out there....why on earth would I feel the need to add to the contemplation and rumination about Bob already being discussed? A fair question....not one I'm sure I have the answer to. How's this? I love his second 1970 album New Morning, and so do my guests, Shane Pacey (maestro guitarist of the Bondi Cigars and Shane Pacey Trio) and Brett Vargo (of the Only Three Lads Podcast).

There are people with doctorates earned for determining the religious subtext of Bob Dylan's “Can you Please Crawl Out your Window”.....we're not in that league. We're just three music lovers who have thoughts about Dylan's music, what the apparent meaning of a pineapple on your front lawn is, and, what the connection is between Dylan and Sesame Street Fever is....and we're not afraid to talk to you about it – have at it, Dylanophiles.

We had a lot of fun discussing New Morning, an album that while generally liked, is not seen in the league of Highway 61 Revisited or Blood On The Tracks. Should it be? I don't think we answer that, but we give you plenty to pontificate on why the album deserves a place in any music lover's heart, not just Dylan fans.

My gratitude to regular guest Shane Pacey....he took his place at the virtual table under difficult circumstances, and I appreciate him all the more for it. He's a regular on this show because he's brilliant with music discussion. You can find out all sort sorts of stuff about him at either https://bondicigars.com/ or https://shanepaceytrio.com.au/

I also express gratitude to first time (really second time, but don't let that confuse you) LTA guest Brett Vargo. Only 3 Lads is also part of the Pantheon Network of music discussion podcasts, and is compulsory listening for me every week (I'm not exaggerating...it really is). On your favourite podcast app or at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/only-three-lads-classic-alternative-music-podcast/id1499018289

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice (not Spotify). The wider back catalogue of episodes can also be found at https://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to https://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

You can send me feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Download episode 182 from here.

Love That Album episode 181 - Favourite albums of ECM Records

 

We've come to the end of another year at LTA headquarters. Normally, I'd be doing a wrap up with friends in the music community as to their favourite discoveries of the year.......I wasn't feeling like doing that this year. If there's one thing that's consistent with this podcast, it's inconsistency.

Welcome to episode 181 of Love That Album.

For ages, I'd been wanting to put together a show to discuss a selection of records from the ECM label. ECM was started in 1969 by Manfred Eicher. The label started out dedicated to jazz exclusively, but it has branched out into classical recordings as well – no surprise seeing as Eicher was trained as a classical musician. ECM has been home to so many wonderful musicians....too many to include in what is effectively a sampler episode of its work.

I have been glad to have made friends with a lovely fellow in the LTA Facebook group, Ed Ross. I've known two important things about him – he loves his puns (the more you groan, the more he feels his work is done), and he loves his music, particularly power pop and jazz. I approached him to see if he'd be interested in chatting with me on the show about four important ECM records, and was very happy when he agreed.

As is LTA's way, there are many digressions and references to other artists and albums, but the intended focus is on these records:

Keith Jarrett – The Koln Concert

Pat Metheny Group – Offramp

John Abercrombie – Timeless

Gary Burton and Chick Corea – Crystal Silence

If you're a longtime fan of ECM, don't ask why wasn't some other artist or album focused on....unless you're volunteering to join me for volume 2 of this series.....if you know nothing about the label, download, grab a beverage, and let Ed and myself tell you stories about broken pianos, guitars that sound like battle horns, and the greatest drummer in jazz (I won't hear any arguments about this).

Huge thanks to Ed for making himself and his knowledge available for the show. First time guest – it won't be his last.

BUT WAIT.....there's more. I'd asked the LTA FB group to send me their thoughts about their favourite ECM recordings. I received two emails from my long time friend Rani Gerszonovicz (who introduced ECM to me when we were in our early 20s) and last month's guest, author / musician Lisa Torem. I read their correspondences during the show, and Ed and I muse over their opinions. Thanks so much, Rani and Lisa.

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice (not Spotify). The wider back catalogue of episodes can also be found at https://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to https://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

You can send me feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Download episode 181 from here.

Love That Album Episode 180 - The Beach Boys "Sunflower" and "Surf's Up"

 

Time to get your surfboards waxed, get into your togs,and head to the beach.....if you're in the Southern Hemisphere. While you're splashing in the southern waves, you might want to soundtrack your time with music from the band most identified with Northern Hemisphere beaches....except we're not discussing any beach songs. Huh?

Welcome to episode 180 of Love That Album.

It had been a while since I had my beloved team of Shane Pacey and Kerry Fristoe on the show, so I invited them to join and gave Kerry the pick of album to discuss. She selected the 1971 Beach Boys release, Surf's Up. I added their 1970 album – the debut album on the Brother Records label – Sunflower to the mix. I felt that the albums are tied together in some ways (and given the recent box set of these sessions, Feel Flows, so do the Beach Boys). They're also quite different in many ways. We're here to contrast these albums from each other, and what came before it.

But wait.....we have another wonderful guest. Joining the show for a second time is Lisa Torem. She's about to publish a book in early 2025 called “Beach Boys 1965-1979: (On Track)”. She knows her BB, that's for sure. The conversation goes to interesting places as we discuss the group's relation to ecology, politics, 1950s wistfulness, lust, harmonies (not fraternal....the other kind), musical sincerity, and much more. We look into the merits of each BB as songwriter, and why it seemed their popularity declined in the US before rising slightly with the release of these albums. Shane and I crack bad puns....I get taken over the coals for reading too deeply into something (isn't that what this show is about????) In other words.....it's a typical LTA.

There's a specialist podcast about the Beach Boys I recommend called “Sail On”...so check them out (AFTER you listen to us, of course).

Check out Lisa's website at https://www.lisatorem.com/  to see what she's up to, and how to get a hold of her books. We discussed Suzanne Vega last year, but she's written about other musicians as well. Turns out Lisa herself is a musician / songwriter as is her daughter Madi Torem. Madi has just released a single called Look Both Ways Before You Cross My Heart written by Lisa. Give a watch of the music video...great song...Madi has a touch of Stevie Nicks to my ears. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wk2KjbTkso

You can look around Shane's work at either https://shanepaceytrio.com.au/ or at https://bondicigars.com/ There's a terrific live gig with the Trio at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1iDpLOMQTw

You can read Kerry's terrific film essays at https://prowlerneedsajump.wordpress.com/ and tune into her every month on See Hear podcast.

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice (not Spotify) or from the website at 

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to  https://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

You can send me feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Download episode 180 from here.

Love That Album 179 - Interview with Glen Humphries, author of "Aussie Rock Anthems: The Stories Behind Our Biggest Hit Songs"

 

As music lovers, we've all had a soundtrack to our lives....it's provided to us by the radio. Maybe at this point in the 21st century, that's less of a given. Was it the internet that killed the radio star? Who can truly say, but for most of the rock era, radio has provided songs that millions of music fans would discover, sing along to, discuss with their friends, learn to play on their instrument of choice, get amorous to, get stoned to, or cherish for some personal reason.

Welcome to episode 179 of Love That Album.

It's been said that in the early days of rock and roll, tyranny of distance made Australian music tougher than its Northern Hemisphere counterparts. Henry Silva might have asked, “Bullshit Or Not?” What is for certain is that Australian rock musicians could often become huge in their home country, but not raise an eyebrow anywhere else (the reverse is also true, but that's a story for another episode).

Author Glen Humphries has just published a terrific book called “Aussie Rock Anthems: The Stories Behind Our Biggest Hit Songs". He writes 40 essays about popular songs from the 1960s through to the first decade of the 21st century. These essays tell stories about songs that many Australians grew up with. Some became popular outside our borders, some didn't. These songs show a huge diversity – where else will you get Shadap You Face occupying the same tome as Khe Sanh? At some stage or another, these songs all meant something to the wider Australian populus, and Glen weaves fascinating tales that cover politics, sporting pride, cultural cringe, and musical invention. I was rapt to have someone to discuss these songs with me. Neither of us were fans of every one of the songs covered in the book, and inevitably, people will argue about what was left out. What's important is that these songs all have interesting backstories and are worthy of being celebrated.

Tune into find which songs Glen and I absolutely detest...and those we love.

You can watch the videos of all the songs in the book at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-hDK76bIps&list=PLJN0hAdSkVNXxaVd4l4hWOAa3l5u85rAH&fbclid=IwY2xjawFJFx5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTzxc0uDiMYmVj1_cUK_A_2TDL93qk8AIbZ7I4wJ_XSchZykEzkHEKWB5Q_aem_uII4NG3Lme6zceP8Gxn8Ig

or you can listen to the Spotify playlist at: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/28mak27jhmIWSFsYGGlFgC?si=iOUWpNq-QfmuHUVDsB9erA&pi=dtdCj9ZKQYKeC&nd=1&dlsi=6991f678a35947b1

You can get the book from the usual places you get books (like bookstores) or Amazon or at https://www.geldingstreetpress.com/product/aussie-rock-anthems-top-40/

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice (not Spotify). The wider back catalogue of episodes can also be found at https://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to  https://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

You can send me feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Download episode 179 from here.