Love That Album Podcast episode 116 - Emmylou Harris "Wrecking Ball"

I'm a huge admirer of people who drastically changes they way they do things because they have no satisfaction from the “tried and true” way. This is especially true of musicians. Most of the greatest ones challenged their audiences to accept them for who they wanted to be, not what they previously were.

Welcome to episode 116 of Love That Album podcast.

By 1995, Emmylou Harris needed creative change, so she met with the hot producer of the day Daniel Lanois and made Wrecking Ball. This was an album that was far removed from the country styles of Elite Hotel, Pieces of the Sky or Roses In The Snow. She picked songs from well beloved songwriters and was backed by a band whose sound was a long way from the Hot Band. This was not a rejection of her past, merely an opportunity for her to see what else she could do.

Shane Pacey from Sydney funk and blues outfits The Bondi Cigars and The Shane Pacey Trio joins the show for the first time. Shane and I discuss all manner of songwriting and arrangements on this album and what made it one of our favourite records of the nineties.

A huge thanks to Shane not only for being a part of the show, but for his patience in sticking around while I sorted through technical difficulties which nearly killed the podcast for good (I kid you not). This was not an easy show to record, and when the solution was found, it became one of the more challenging shows I've had to edit. Technology can be a wonder, but when it turns on you, it can be vindictive.....thanks to communication tool starting with S for making this show a....memorable one. Problem now sorted. Rant Over.

Dave Blom returns with an Album I Love segment to talk about the album Big Big Love from Perth band Little Birdy from 2004. My gratitude to Dave for covering for Eric while he takes a break. Dave knows and loves music.

You can download the show from iTunes (search for “Love That Album podcast”) or from the website at http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com.

You can listen to Shane's music and order albums from http://bondicigars.com/ or keep in touch with his activities at https://www.facebook.com/bondicigars. Both of his bands are fantastic and worthy of your attention. Blues with a groove.

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.

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

Right click to download episode 116 here.

Love That Album Episode 17 - Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball

On Episode 17 of Love That Album, we try something new and something old. For the first time, there are three of us discussing the album of the episode. In addition to LTA regular Geoff Smith, I’m joined from Sydney by Springsteen aficionado John Stirrat (not he of Wilco fame), to discuss Bruce’s latest long player, “Wrecking Ball”. The fact that we’re covering Bruce is the “something old”, since Jeff Jenkins and I went head-to-head way back in Episode 1 discussing Springsteen’s “Darkness on the Edge of Town” versus “Wild, Innocent & E Street Shuffle”.

So like many other artists of Bruce’s age and experience, is he treading water or is he trying something new? Can he lay claim to be the 21^st century Woody Guthrie? How does this album stack up against another potential claimant of the title, Ry Cooder’s “Pull Up Some dust and Sit Down”? How does Bruce deal with the absence of “The Champion of the Universe”, Clarence Clemons? Geoff, John and I go into these questions and discuss the themes present on the album.  Most importantly, we ask the most basic question: Is “Wrecking Ball” any good. Listen to the show and find out.

Download the show from either http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com or by searching for “lovethatalbum” in the iTunes store. Send written or mp3 feedback to rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au

Right click to download and save Episode 17 here.