Love That Album Episode 151 - Interview with Serge Fiori of Harmonium

 

You know what it's like when you discover a band that was around a long time ago, and then you inevitably go down a rabbit hole and discover a whole lot more music in a “Kevin Bacon six degrees of separation” kind of way? That's happened to me over the last few months.

Welcome to episode 151 of Love That Album.

A few months back, Christian Swain at Pantheon Podcasts (who supports Love That Album, See Hear and a ton of other music shows) asked me if I knew of the 70s band from Montreal called Harmonium. At the time, I'd never heard of them, so I did some investigating…..I fell in love with what I heard. Their small but wonderful back catalogue started out as Laurel Canyon-esque like folk which evolved into progg-ish and art rock. It's not quite prog rock in the way that early Yes or Genesis were – there's not millions of time signature changes for one thing – but it does share some of the more classical song structures those bands started out with. Listening to their music led me to discover that Montreal was a major centre for prog bands, so I listened to some of those other bands as well.

The band were hugely popular in Canada, but separated in 1978 at the top of their game. In 2020, their songwriter and lead singer Serge Fiori was approached to give his blessing for a re-arrangement of the entire Harmonium catalogue as a symphonic work. The result is Histoires Sans Paroles: Harmonium Symphonique. This is not the first time that a classically oriented interpretation of rock music has been attempted, but Harmonium's music seemed tailor made for such a reinvention. There's a wider sonic palette for the music to work under.

I was offered the opportunity to speak with Serge for the show, and I was hugely keen to do so. He's a lovely guy who had a lot to say about the Quebec music scene of the 70s, as well as hearing his music translated into a medium different from its original conception. It's not easy to hand off your creative work to someone else to reinterpret, but to say Serge was delighted with the result would be an understatement. This album is all the more amazing considering it was recorded under 2020 pandemic conditions!!!!! A big feat for an orchestra.

Serge is completely grateful for all that being a musician and composer has given to his life, and he is grateful to Simon LeClerc, arranger and conductor of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, for respecting the spirit of the music.

Obviously, many thanks to Serge for his time, but additional thanks also go to Christian Swain for starting this off and and to Lisa Roy at Rock & Roy for making it happen.

You can get Histoires Sans Paroles: Harmonium Symphonique in physical medium or download formats from https://www.harmoniumsymphonique.com/

Download this episode of LTA from wherever you prefer getting your podcasts.

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

If you’d consider writing an iTunes review I’d be immensely grateful. However, it’d be even better if you told a friend about the podcast and Pantheon – at a barbecue, over coffee, on social media….whatever way you choose, consider me grateful. 

Proudly Pantheon

Download episode 151 from here.

Love That Album Podcast Episode 140 - Duke "Genesis"

 

Do you like Patrick Bateman? We're not actually here to discuss American Psycho, so the point is probably moot.

We ARE here, however to discuss Bateman's favourite band outside of Huey Lewis and the News, Genesis.

Welcome to episode 140 of Love That Album.

Popular myth suggests that the world is broken up into two sorts of people – those who like their rock music straight forward and edgy, and those who like virtuoso noodling with complex counterpoint and time signatures. That latter group group can be broken up into two groups – those who like Gabriel-era Genesis, and those who like 80s pop Genesis. The problem is, what about the four albums in between? (Or maybe the problem is I'm just talking guff).

In 1980, the trio of Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks released what could be considered their final album that tipped its hat to the more progressive rock days while looking forward to the popular monster that they would become in the 1980s. That album is Duke.

I am joined by sound engineer, Frank Verderosa. Up until last year, he was a part of the Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast team. He's a long time Genesis fan across all eras, but this album holds a very strong place in his heart. We had a great discussion with focus on Duke, but also discuss whether the latter Genesis albums are bereft of prog of any sort (and whether the early albums are completely free of pop), sound production values, film arcs and broadway musicals....and noticeably avoid any talk of serial killers. We DID make note of one thing that would guarantee Gilbert Gottfried's interest in having Phil Collins on his show....tune in and find out.

I was thrilled to have Frank on as guest. Keep an eye out for when he finally unleashes his podcast Unsung: The People You Don't Know You Know...it's gonna be great. If you have any audio needs or just want to read what he's up to sound-wise, go to https://www.frankverderosa.com/

Download this episode of LTA from Spotify, Stitcher or iTunes (search for “Love That Album podcast”).

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

If you’d consider writing an iTunes review I’d be immensely grateful. However, it’d be even better if you told a friend about the podcast and Pantheon – at a (socially distanced) barbecue, over coffee (on Skype), on social media….whatever way you choose, consider me grateful.

Download episode 140 from here.

Love That Album podcast Episode 92 - Blackfeather’s “In The Mountain of Madness” and Avalanche’s Self Titled album

Welcome to episode 92 of Love That Album podcast.

In this final month of my sabbatical from the podcast, the good ship LTA is steered by my great friends, previous co hosts and passionate Australian music experts, Dave Blom and Sitting In a Bar In Adelaide’s Michael Pursche.

Popular Australian music has gone through many phases over the years and presented here are 2 almost forgotten by the mainstream, Australian albums from the 1970’s that belong to two different eras, despite only being separated by a few years in terms of their release date.

At the Mountains of Madness by Blackfeather is a landmark Progressive Rock album, one that features a big hit single, the original version of "Seasons of Change" which featured Bon Scott on recorder. Scott was so taken by this song, that it was agreed that his band Fraternity would get to record it and release it. Blackfeathers' record label upon seeing the success of the Fraternity version, then decided to release the original Blackfeather version which is included on this Album. The album itself is an interesting blend of Rock and Roll combined with the sort of psychedelic noodling that would make early Pink Floyd proud. This album was recently re-issued by the Aztec label and is well worth the effort of listening to. Blackfeather then experienced several line-up changes over the years and a very different sound for their subsequent releases.

Most Australian people are familiar with the sounds of the Little River Band, Skyhooks, Sherbet and AC/DC. Avalanche straddle the gap between the first 3 of these bands and the last, but unfortunately most people wouldn't be familiar with their fantastic self titled release  from 1976. The musicians coming off the back of working with Brian Cadd produced this epic 11 track effort, that stands up well today. The music range on this album is extremely diverse and highlights the talent that each member brought to the studio.

Avalanche re-named themselves as Front Page in 1978 after Cox and Harrison had left and managed only one single "I Thought I'd Never Fall In Love Again"/"Rockin' Hollywood. After splitting, Naylor joined Jon English's backing band Baxter Funt and Campbell would be spotted in the early 80s as part of Funk band Adrian's Wall. Clive Harrison would later issue a 1982 solo album 'Once Bitten'. Geoff Cox went on to become a Media personality on radio and TV, most famous for his show "Coxy's Big break".

So, two forgotten gems, well worth checking out. We hope you Love these albums too.

As long as Michael and Dave are discussing Australian bands with art rock leanings, Eric Reanimator has appropriately picked an album for his Album I Love segment by Dead can Dance. Originally out of Melbourne, they mix art rock and Middle Eastern Sounds on their album, Eric discusses their 1993 album Into The Labyrinth.

I am so immensely grateful to my great friends for hosting the podcast and keeping your earholes loaded with great music discussion. For better or worse, I am back next month.

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

Download Sitting In a Bar In Adelaide from http://www.podcastgarden.com/podcast/siabia

If you enjoy what you the podcast, please recommend us to a friend or ten....real life, social media, the guy at work who says he likes music....

Right click to download Episode 92 from here

Love That Album episode 51 - King Lips

Hey folks, welcome to episode 51 of Love That Album. I’m going for a slight variation in format (though I think at times we fell back on the old). For some future shows, we will pick 2 albums and discuss in a more broad fashion, rather than going song by song. Less time spent per album, but hopefully, the heart of what makes the albums so good (or so shitty if that’s the case) will still be covered.

I am joined by JuanJose DeLa Cruz of the wonderful List Music Podcast (happy birthday Juan) and first timer to LTA, David Blom. Each of these fellow music fans has suggested an album for discussion. Juan picked King Crimson’s “In The Court of the Crimson King” and Dave selected The Flaming Lips’ “Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots”. Both albums have a prog flavour so I thought it was a good pairing. As well as the music, the discussion turns to war, illness, death, old computer games, Benny Hill….the usual stuff discussed on LTA. I hope you enjoy.

For his Album I Love segment, Eric Reanimator discusses Monster Magnet and their album “All Dopes To Infinity”. Hear a little Stooges in there? Good. Hold that thought……

If you’ve been enjoying the show, please pass the word that the show exists to your music loving friends, write an iTunes review, make me some chocolate muffins….any kindness will be gratefully appreciated.

You can download the podcast at iTunes by searching for “love that album”. You can stream or download it at “http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com”.

The podcast can also be listened to via Stitcher Radio. Download the app from stitcher.com, and listen to any episode streaming over your Android or Apple device after searching for “love that album”.

Send me any feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum and let us know your thoughts on prog, whether you prefer the attempt at a slightly new format, or just anything music related that you’d like to chat about.

Right click to download and save Episode 51 here