Love That Album podcast episode 162 - Pete Townshend "White City: A Novel"

 

The 1980s have often been derided musically. The truth is there was interesting stuff happening that we've conveniently forgotten. An interesting question is how the 80s treated musicians considered important in the 60s. How did they adapt with the technology and change in direction for songwriting? Once again, there are some who handled it better than others. Dylan started and finished the decade well, but.....what happened in between?

For the purposes of this conversation, we're going to focus on Pete Townshend.

Welcome to episode 162 of Love That Album podcast.

At the start of the eighties, Townshend created a couple of great records, but still with the shadow of The Who behind him. By 1985, The Who had split, so he could create a record that could reflect where his interests lay without having to worry about whether it sounded right for the 80s version of The Who – a different sounding band to what they had previously been. It could be argued that the 80s treated him well – certainly his solo albums are subjectively more interesting than the two studio Who albums of that period.

One thing Townshend followed on through his Who days was a love of telling long form stories. In 1985, he released White City: A Novel both in record and home video form. On this episode of Love That Album, I am joined by co host of Stinking Pause podcast Charlie Mahoney to talk about the music on the album, and whether the film Pete wrote and Richard Lowenstein directed was successful. In the mid eighties when the world was focused on apartheid South Africa, Townshend thought he'd use his story of a separated couple living in a council estate as a metaphor for for what was going on. Does it work?

My gratitude to Charlie for being my first co host following a hiatus of a few months. He brought great conversation to the show, and hopefully, it won't be another 7 years before he returns. You can catch Charlie, Scott and Paul discussing vintage cinema at https://stinkingpause.libsyn.com/

If you want to watch the film, it's available at https://vimeo.com/520512254

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

Download episode 162 from here.

Love That Album Podcast Episode 155 - Small Faces' "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake"

 

Are you all seated comfortable, too square on your botty? Then Love That Album can begin.

Welcome to episode 155 of Love That Album podcast.

As the 1960s rolled on, popular music evolved....and yet some of it looked back for inspiration. In the late 60s, the pop songs that had propelled the early British Invasion bands had moved on to make way for heavier sounds of psychedelia and blues based rock. The mod bands that had started out as purely “maximum R&B” were exploring different avenues while still maintaining some connections to their roots.

In 1968, The Small Faces had been through their share of grief with crooked management, contracts that did not favour them, and money woes. (Sadly, Steve Marriott's own future was set for a lot more grief). They wrote and recorded what many believe was their masterpiece, “Ogden's Nut Gone Flake”. Side 1 was a collection of hard rock, psychedelia, and old world British music-hall inspired tunes. Side 2 was a concept piece – a story about Happiness Stan who searches for the “missing” half of the moon. The story is narrated by Professor of Gobbledegook, Stanley Unwin. Oh yes, oh yes.....

I'm joined by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Ian Kitney (Overnight Jones, Tim Rogers and the Temperance Union) to contemplate the moon, lavatories, raising one's “oars”, the drumming of Kenny Jones, whether Marriott was mocking the state of contemporary British music, putting holes in one's snare drum, and what happens when George Formby is cleaning “winders”. It was a thrill to have Ian on the show – not only as a musician I've long admired, but also as a wonderful conversation partner about music we love.

I also want to give a shout out to author Alan Pattinson who has written a series of wonderful books about so many musicians and bands from the “classic” rock era. I bought his book on The Small Faces to get a feel for their history, and I'd recommend anything he'd write.

You can get Ian's albums from his Bandcamp site at https://iankitney.bandcamp.com/ including his latest called BGM – a wonderful collection of songs crossing over a number of styles over the history of pop.

You can read Alan's writings at http://alansalbumarchives.blogspot.com/ which features links to his multiple e-books about the histories and discographies of many bands you love.

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 155 from here.

Love That Album: The Compilation Seies - Episode 7 – Shakin’ Bankin’ Lovin’

Time for some more anthology discussion from Eric Reanimator.

This time around Eric talks about not one, not two, but three great compilations from bands of the early years of rock. You all know them for one or two songs, but Eric gives you the lowdown on other songs you should hear if your curiousity points that way.

First of all, we hear about The Best of Johnny Kidd and the Pirates. Everyone will be familiar with “Shakin’ All Over” – it’s been covered by all manner of bands (my favourites are The Who and Eilen Jewell). Get familiar with their bluesy Merseybeat sounds.

Next up is mid 60s New York pop band, The Left Banke. Eric discusses their compilation “There’s Gonna be a Storm”. Everybody loves their hit “Walk Away Renee” (great cover version by The Four Tops and an unusual spin by Billy Bragg – go on search it out). Eric will bring to your attention some other great songs including “She May Call You Up Tonight” (also covered by Richard and Linda Thompson). Highly recommended if you dig what is called the baroque pop sound.

Finally, Eric talks about The Love Story, about Arthur Lee’s great band that should have been HUGE. A very eclectic band. Known mostly for “Forever Changes”, this compilation shows both their gentle and more garage oriented side (songs from De Capo for instance).

Once again, Eric presents a hugely entertaining and informative show and exposes you to great music. Get onto it.

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

 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

Right click to download and save Bonus Episode 7 here

Love That Album podcast Episode 43 - The Who - Who's Next

Episode 43 of LTA is mammoth, huge…not (just) in length, but in content. I am joined by Ben Eisen of the All Time Top Ten podcast to discuss The Who’s “Who’s Next” album.

The Who had just come off the success of Tommy, and Pete Townshend was keen to tell another story called Lifehouse. Not for him to write an ordinary kitchen sink drama – no way. Mr Townshend had big ideas about a future run by a totalitarian regime (shades of 1984) where people where linked experience suits all connected together to share common activities (predictor of the internet?). One lone man wants to bring about the long forgotten practice of rock and roll (a precursor to Footloose???) to the world by organising a concert where everyone will sing and dance themselves into such a state where they will find the lost note of purity and disappear in a flash of light…….Are you following the story so far? No? Doesn’t matter.

When the project collapsed under the weight of its own heaviosity, “all” that was left was the album “Who’s Next”. Disappoiting for Townshend, but a true gift for the rock loving fraternity. This album contains the cream of song writing and musicianship. Ben and I had a blast discussing these songs, both in the context of the original Lifehouse story and as separate entities in their own right. Whether you’re into spirtituality, Sci-Fi or Keith Moon murdering his drum kit, we’ve got it covered.  Also, what do Abbot & Costello and Tom Lehrer have to do with this album? Listen to the show and find out. NOTE: If you’re a Led Zeppelin fan, DO NOT send death threats after listening to this. Ben and I both love Zep, but……

Eric Reanimator returns for an excellent segment to discuss the Nuggets 2 box set. I’ve been a long time fan of Nuggets 1, so I was really keen to hear his words of wisdom about the follow up.

You can download the podcast at iTunes by searching for “love that album”. You can stream or download it at “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 start a war – The Who vs Led Zep. Who wins? Or should that be Who wins!

Right click to download and save Episode 43 here