Love That Album Episode 170 - Suzanne Vega "99.9F"

 

There are some artists who make a career of changing their musical styles between albums. They took risks to remain artistically relevant or just because they don’t want to repeat themselves. David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Wilco, The Beatles, John Cale, XTC are all examples…..a ton of others could be nominated.

Let’s talk about Suzanne Vega.

Welcome to episode 170 of Love That Album podcast.

From the mid-80s, Suzanne Vega had recorded some great records featuring songs that sounded like a mix of old school folk and polished pop. She wrote songs of domestic abuse, changes in her personal life, love lost, and her favourite coffee shop in NYC. Then after the unexpected success of a couple of producers remixing her “coffee shop” song, “Tom’s Diner”, she wanted to explore other options to how her recorded music would sound.

She chose the exciting producer of the moment, Mitchell Froom, to help her record something that would sound different to previous albums, and the result was “99.9F” released in 1992. Her personal style of songwriting hadn’t altered, but it’s the arrangements and the production that make this album sound a world away from the debut eponymous album released just a few years earlier.

I’m joined by two new guests to discuss this album and a bunch of peripheral subjects. First up is Eric Senich, host of the terrific Booked On Rock podcast – dedicated to the discussion of music books with authors. I’m also joined by the wonderful author, Lisa Torem, who has released 3 books in the On Track series of books – the latest one being on the discography of Suzanne Vega. Together, we look through the themes of 99.9F, how it changed from the sound of her earlier records, determining if the art is in the songwriting or the recording, and whether one temperature scale is more erotic than another.

My gratitude to Lisa and Eric for being such wonderful guests, and look forward to having them on the show again.

You can go through Eric’s podcast back catalogue at https://www.bookedonrock.com/ or you can subscribe on all the usual podcast platforms – perfect for deciding what your next music book should be.

You can pick up a copy of any of Lisa’s On Track books in which she analyses the songcraft of the discography of Billy Joel, Tori Amos, and Suzanne Vega from either Amazon or at https://burningshed.com/index.php?route=product/search&filter_name=lisa%20torem&filter_sub_category=true She’s working on a website which is not quite active yet, but keep checking at lisatorem.com

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice. The wider back catalogue of episodes can also be found at http://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to http://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 I'm also on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lovethatalbumpodcast/

Proudly Pantheon.

You can download episode 170 from here.

Love That Album Episode 82 - Interview with Steve Berlin of Los Lobos

It’s time for episode 82 of Love That Album podcast.

Way back on episode 27 of the show, I discussed Los Lobos’ seminal album "Kiko" with Michael Pursche and was also joined by Steve Berlin, the band sax and keyboard player. Steve has very graciously joined me for a second time to discuss the brand spanking new album for Lobos called Gates of Gold. If you love previous albums featuring rock in a blues vein, soul, Tex-Mex and cumbia, you will be very happy with their latest album (released late September 2015).

We discuss the democratic approach to song arrangement in the band, how a famous Hollywood director changed their approach to song writing forever, and what it’s like to be part of an ensemble that’s been together for so long. We also discuss other acts Steve has produced or played with like Diamond Rugs, The Flesheaters, Los Super 7 and Neko Case.

Please join me for a very cool episode of the show.

You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com.au/

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

If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, I’d be immensely grateful.

If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.

Right click to download and save Episode 82 here.

Love That Album Episode 81 - Flesheating Cows

Welcome to episode 81 of Love that Album podcast.

This month, I decided to take a break from the podcast (slackarse that I am), but there is no way I would deprive both the listeners of an episode-  nosiree Bob. I called in Eric Reanimator (host of LTA: The Compilation Series) and Tim Merrill (my co host at See Hear podcast) to present some music discussion for you….and they’ve delivered the goods.

First up, they discuss The Flesh Eaters’ “A Minute To Pray A Second To Die” from 1981. This features a lineup of LA roots rock royalty with members of the Blasters, X and (yet to join) Los Lobos. The final result is still something leaner and rawer than any of those outfits.

Then the guys go for a real curiousity. The Minneapolis band Cows and their album “Cunning Stunts” comes under the guys’ gaze. A noise-rock band with a bugle and an interpretation of the theme from Midnight Cowboy sure as hell has my attention.

I want to thank Eric and Tim for presenting a fantastic episode which introduced me to some good music and interesting discussion. I hope you dig it.

You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from  http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com

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

 If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.

 Right click to download and save Episode 81 here

Love That Album Episode 74 - X - Under The Big Black Sun and At Home With You

It’s time for a packed episode 74 of Love That Album podcast.

I am joined by Eric Reanimator (who normally hosts the LTA - Compilation Series episodes as well as the regular show’s Album I Love segment) to discuss two bands called X: one from Los Angeles and one from Sydney.

Firstly, we discuss Los Angeles X’s “Under The Big Black Sun” from 1982. It’s a vibrant album – with some tragic lyrical themes - that combines their punk roots with their love of country, rockabilly and poetry. Then we discuss Sydney X’s “At Home With You” from 1985. Produced by the great Lobby Loyde (of Rose Tattoo and Coloured Balls), and featuring ex- Rose Tattoo member Ian Rilen on bass, this is a tough sounding album, that along with many other alternative Australian bands of the day, probably had a lot of influence on bands to make their presence felt in the nineties.

In relation to this show, I must give thanks to my friend and all-round gent, Pat Monaghan

We have a special guest Album I Love segment presenter. John Ross of Feed My ears fame generously presents for the show a brief discussion on the band The Sneaker Pimps and their album, “Becoming X” (thus keeping in with the theme of the show, you see). John brings back his love of trip-hop to the show, and I thank him for it.

We also present a tune by LTA Facebook member  Jason MacIsaac and his band The Heavy Blinkers. It’s from their wonderful album of 2013 “Health”. If you love beautiful arrangements mixed with tasteful orchestration and dig The Beach Boys “Smile”, you will love The Heavy Blinkers. I certainly do. Listen to the song….go buy the album. You’re welcome.

There’s a new intro format to the show (I acknowledge I’ve stolen the idea) I’d like to give my gratitude to my wonderful wife Joanne for her assistance with the new intro segment.  Hope you dig it.

You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com.au

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

If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, I’d be immensely grateful.

You can join the Feed My Ears Facebook page athttp://facebook.com/groups/feedmyears.

If you want to purchase a copy of “Health” then head on out tohttp://theheavyblinkers.com/

Right click to download and save Episode 74 here

Love That Album podcast Episode 27 - Los Lobos - Kiko

1992 saw the release of the album considered to be Los Lobos’ masterpiece, Kiko. They formed a partnership with Mitchell Froom and Tchad Blake who produced and engineered an album that sounded both familiar and different.

I cannot believe that it’s been 20 years since the release of Kiko. Los Lobos is celebrating by releasing a 20^th anniversary edition of the album, and I’m celebrating by making it the focus of Episode 27 of Love That Album podcast. I’m joined by Michael Pursche (of the great Sitting In A Bar In Adelaide podcast) to discuss the album song by song. I’m also thrilled to chat to Steve Berlin, the band’s saxophonist and keyboard player, about his recollections of recording the album, its legacy and being on Sesame Street as a day job (listen and find out – it’s a great story).

Also, Eric Reanimator joins us again to discuss the Jet Black Berries album “Desperate Fires”. It’s another great segment from Eric.

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.
 
Join the facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum  and start up a musical discussion on anything from albums you love to who was the best musical guest on Sesame Street.

Right click to download and save Episode 27 here