Love That Album podcast Episode 34 - Pretenders 1 and 2

For episode 34 of Love That Album, Michael Pursche and I discuss the first two albums by The Pretenders (funnily enough called Pretenders and Pretenders 2).

Formed back in 1978, the original recorded lineup of Chrissie Hynde, Martin Chambers, Pete Farndon and James Honeyman-Scott only lasted two albums (both Scott and Farndon died of drug related causes). These are the albums where (in my opinion) the Pretenders were a real band, rather than just being a backup vehicle for Hynde. These albums are wonderfully produced by Chris Thomas who takes a different approach for each song to show off the band’s versatility. They showed they were equally at home with punk, jangly melodic pop, ballads and hard rock. If all you’d heard was the single “Brass In Pocket”, then put on the first album opener, “Precious” you were in for a rude shock. The songs sounded like they were from two different bands. No sheen, no over production. These albums are emotional and honest. Michael and I discuss our favourite songs from both these great albums.

Eric Reanimator presents his “An Album I Love” segment to discuss the debut album for Concrete Blonde, another band with a distinctive female lead vocalist.

Download the show either from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com or search for “lovethatalbum” in the itunes store.

Send any feedback to rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au – either written or mp3.

Start a discussion at the Love That Album facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum and tell us which groups or performers you think presented the most versatility on the one album.

Right click to download and save Episode 34 here

 

Love That Album Episode 33 - The Music of Sky

For episode 33 of Love That Album podcast, Michael Pursche and I are not tackling a single album, but rather, looking at the overall work and career of Sky, the superband comprised of three English and two Australian musicians including classical guitar maestro John Williams (NO, NOT THAT JOHN WILLIAMS).

The musicians in Sky were all session musicians or classical musicians (seen the Deer Hunter? You know John Williams. Fan of David Bowie or Lou Reed? You know the bass playing of Herbie Flowers). They’ve been tagged as a prog band, but this is so far from the truth. They used their classical influences and technique to make classical pieces their own or create their own magnificent  compositions – all the while with a real sense of fun. Their concerts were as much about people smiling and laughing as well as admiring top notch musicianship. Michael and I discuss what we like about most of their albums, and talk about the backgrounds of all the band, how they changed stylistically between keyboard players and whether disco balls were a nice touch at their shows.

Also on the show, I speak with the former drummer for Sky (now percussionist for London Chamber Orcehstra), Tristan Fry.  He was a wonderful interview subject, very friendly and more than happy to talk about the days he spent with Sky. You really get the feeling from listening to him that these were days he treasured highly, and his enthusiasm made the interview a memory I will always cherish.

For the “An Album I Love” segment, Eric Reanimator discusses Norwegian band, Ulver’s “Wars of the Roses”, a departure from their metal roots.

Download the show either from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com or search for “lovethatalbum” in the itunes store.

Send any feedback to rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au – either written or mp3.

Start a discussion at the Love That Album facebook group at

http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum and tell us your favourite instrumental band.

Right click to download and save Episode 33 here