Love That Album podcast is back for 2016.
Episode 87 features a discussion of an album I’ve wanted to talk about
for a long time. It’s taken until now to find someone equally enthusiastic
about Joe Jackson’s 1997 album, Heaven and Hell to co-host the show. I am
joined by Tom Kwei, who along with his mate Sam Whiles, hosts an excellent show
focusing on the albums of Tom Waits called Down In The Hole. If you’re willing
to talk about Tom Waits, you’re surely up for some heavy duty conversations.
Together we discussed JJ’s musical adventurousness in pursuing many
different styles of music. Here he marries 20th Century Classical with 90s
electronics (not trip-hop style, but he must have been paying attention).
Heaven And Hell is a concept album of sorts where the linking theme
between the songs are the 7 Deadly Sins. Joe and the other singers and
musicians he collaborates with on this album tell a tale in each song for each
of the different “sins” – I guess I prefer to think of them as human traits.
Though the classification of these traits have their roots in Catholic
theology, they’ve always been the basis for secular contemplation in the arts.
Joe tells stories of lost morality in wartime, unreliable narrators, childish
behaviour, too much booze and trying to fly to the sun. Many reviewers of this album
have labelled it as pretentious, dull, or derivative. Being a nice fellow, I
don’t want to say how I label these reviewers…..Suffice to say, Tom and I would
be immensely happy if you listened to us give the case why this album is
completely worthy of your time.
I’m also very excited that some Joe Jackson fans from the aptly titled Facebook
group “Joe Jackson has Other Songs Besides Is She Really Going Out With Him”
took the time to send me their thoughts on the album which I include as
feedback to the show. Thank you so much, kind people.
Eric Reanimator returns for his Album I Love segment to pay respect to
David Bowie and his Berlin Trilogy of albums, Low, Heroes and Lodger. The nice
connection is that JJ has always been a big fan of Bowie and has played covers
as part of his live set. Also, like Bowie, he lived in Berlin for many years.
My huge thanks to Tom for being so giving of his time to join me, and
bringing his enthusiasm and fascinating thoughts. He will be back on LTA next
month.
You can download the show from iTunes (search for “Love That Album
podcast”) or from the website at 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’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend,
I’d be immensely grateful.
If
you’re a Tom Waits fan (and why wouldn’t you be!!!!), I’d urge you to check out
Down In The Hole. You can download from iTunes or listen on line at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxRst_jRx-V37voc3dOiQKQ They also contribute written articles about
Tom at https://tomwaitspodcast.wordpress.com/
If
you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.
Right click to download episode 87 here.
