Love That Album Episode 26 - The Byrds - Sweetheart of the Rodeo

1968 arrived and The Byrds were not the same lineup that had produced the jangly folk-pop their fans had grown to know and love. Down to Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman, they recruited Kevin Kelley and Gram Parsons to their ranks. Parsons convinced the group to do an all country record called Sweetheart of the Rodeo, now cited as a big influence on country rock. This was not The Byrds as we’d heard them before – although they were never going to desert their Bob Dylan covers.

For episode 26 of Love That Album podcast, I am privileged to be joined by Rockwiz host, Brian Nankervis to discuss this important record. Was this a country-rock record or pure country? As rock fans, would we be paying attention to it today if it had not been a Byrds album? Was McGuinn taking the piss out of a Louvin Brothers song? Did The Band or The Byrds interpret Dylan better? Brian and I discuss all this and more on the show.

For any listeners outside of Australia who haven’t had the good fortune to seeBrian’s show Rockwiz, you can catch recent full episodes online at http://www.sbs.com.au/rockwiz/ (and if you’re a rock trivia buff and a comedy fan, this is ESSENTIAL viewing)

Eric Reanimator joins us again to discuss (appropriately enough) the “Honky Tonk Heroes” album by Waylon Jennings. With Jennings’ very direct connection to early rock and roll, there’s ample evidence that country and rock are a great fit.

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. I’d love to hear anything you have to say about the show or your thoughts on an album you really love.

Join the facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Right click to download and save Episode 26 here

Love That Album Episode 25 - Paradise and Land Of Fortune

The late seventies saw Australian music going towards a punk style (featuring bands like the Saints) or continuing with a more bluesy-country style as typified by the Adelaide band, Stars (not to be confused with the band from Canada of the same name). Featuring impeccable musicianship and wonderful songwriting courtesy of guitarists, Andy Durant and Mal Eastick, they crafted two wonderful studio albums which, while having American roots influences, told very Australian stories.

On Episode 25 of Love That Album, I’m joined once again by host of Sitting In A Bar In Adelaide podcast, Michael Pursche to discuss both the Stars studio albums, “Paradise” and “Land of Fortune” and make reference to an all-star live album in tribute to Andy Durant who sadly died in 1980 from cancer. I'm also extremely happy to be having a chat to Mick Pealing, the former lead singer of Stars, to discuss his recollections of recording these two wonderful albums and how the Andy Durant Memorial Concert got arranged.

Eric Reanimator contributes another great An Album I Love segment discussing the great "Radios Appear" album by Radio Birdman.

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

Right click to download and save Episode 25 here

Love That Album podcast Episode 24 - Ben Folds - Songs For Silverman

On episode 24 of Love That Album podcast, Thomas Deja of the “Better In The Dark”podcast and myself delve into the dark album that is Ben Folds’ “Songs For Silverman”. He credits his wife of the time with being a source of inspiration for him on the album’s liner notes, and yet, this is most definitely a breakup album – it just happened to be released before the breakup took place. Among the songs of marital discordance, there are songs about death, fatherhood (from the perspective of a father and a son), and mortality. This is a long way from “One Angry Dwarf” and “Underground”. Yet, Folds has never shied away from dark material. This album is as melodically beautiful as it is heartbreaking – it’s his “Seachange”. Thomas and I had a great conversation and I hope you enjoy.

There’s a slight experimental change with the format this time. Music samples are played before each song is discussed rather than being played as background to the discussion. Does this work? Let me know. (There’s a hiccup on this occasion with the music sounding slightly sped up, but that will be rectified for the next show).

Also, Eric Reanimator presents another fantastic “An Album I Love” segment delving into the late 70s British punk scene.

Download from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com/ or search for “love that album” in itunes store.

Send written or mp3 feedback to rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au.

Join the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Right click to download and save Episode 24 here

Love That Album podcast Episode 23 - Big Star - #1 Record

On Episode 23 of Love That Album podcast, Mondo Film podcast presenter Justin Bozung and I discuss the sheer wonderfulness that is Big Star’s “#1 Record”.

Out of all the bands that went nowhere in their day, Big Star was the most undeserving of such a fate. In the early 70s, when existing band Icewater comprising Jody Stephens, Andy Hummel and Chris Bell invited Alex Chilton (of Box Tops fame) to join their ranks, they released a debut album of such breathtaking melodic beauty, it still leaves music fans mystified how circumstances worked so heavily against them. They were from Memphis, but their hearts belonged to England and the 60s harmony drenched pop of The Beatles and The Kinks (plus some Beach Boys thrown in for good measure).  #1 Record was the only album with this line-up. Chris Bell left the band depressed with the apathetic way the album was distributed, leaving music fans interested (and critics raving) but unavailable in record stores.

As usual, we also have another wonderful “An Album I Love” segment from Eric Reanimator.

Download from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com or search for “lovethatalbum” in itunes store.

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 Episode 23 here.