Double Lives

In the final episode of the first season, James and Dan conclude their look at Phish's 1995 'A Live One' with an in depth discussion about disc 2. They talk about the band's secret language with their audience, tackle the massive 'Tweezer' that takes up nearly half of the disc's run-time, and answer the question "Could this be the only Phish record you own?" Thank you all for a great season, we look forward to putting out the next one.

We're wrapping up the season with two-parter on Phish's 1995 double CD 'A Live One', recorded from their 1994 summer and fall tour. James and Dan dive full into disc 1 on this episode, talking about what makes Phish not only a unique live band, but a unique live-album band. How do you even capture the phenomenon of one of THE live bands of our time on a CD, especially in the mid 90s, as the band was growing rapidly along with their devoted fanbase? Dan and James go deep on one of their favorite bands, with "minimal trivial diversions". 

There are more Aretha Franklin live records out there than most bands have in their entire catalogs. Why this one? James and Dan get wowed not only by the Queen of Soul's not-of-this-world vocals, but by the fiery performance from King Curtis and the Kingpins, backed the Memphis Horns. Whether it's her superior takes on a few classic hits of the day, her own hits, or Aretha's gospel-steeped crowd work, there's a lot to talk about on this record that doesn't even clock in at an hour. 

There was no band bigger, no band greater, and no band that represented Canada better than The Tragically Hip. Their 1997 live album (the only full length live LP they ever put out) is both a snapshot of a band fully embracing their role in Canadian music, and a full-of-energy artifact of what the band could offer every night onstage. James and Dan talk about the late poet/frontman Gord Downie and his antics, the band's massive popularity in their home nation (while never really making a big splash in the US), and the evolution of The Hip from a solid barroom blues band to stadium kings.

In the 90s, there was no other group like Portishead. And there is no live album from the modern rock era that swings for the fences like this one, and pulls it off as beautifully. James and Dan both cite this album, the band, and the accompanying concert film as life changing for them as late teens, and they talk about the brilliant use of orchestration for an otherwise sample-heavy band, the delicacy of dynamics, and Beth Gibbons' haunting vocal range. 

Bill Withers may be one of the finest voices in r&b that not nearly enough people talk about. James and Dan delve into the man's career (which he began after age 30), the amazing band he put together for this concert, the sheer volume of hits he had in such a short time, and that 'Lean On Me' should be our national anthem. 

In Part 2, we slide disc 2 of 'Living In Clip' into the player for more great live Ani Difranco. James and Dan get more into Ani as a lyricist, some of her classic folk singer moves, her work with Utah Phillips, what she means to the LGBTQ community, and more hilarious onstage banter. They wrap up by answering the question: Should this be the only Ani record you own?

Welcome to Double Lives, a podcast about live albums. James Hearne and Dan Drago will take you on a deep dive into some of the best live albums out there. With two lifetimes of touring, playing live, and listening to way too many records in the van, Dan and James will help answer the questions: Should I own this record? Should it be the only one I own? What makes this live record so special, anyways?

Right out the gate, we start our two-part look at the 1997 album 'Living In Clip' by Ani Difranco. James and Dan highlight the songs, talk about how this record and Ani's music made a big impact on them growing up in Western NY, and how her live shows were unique, vibrant, and a lesson in how the personal is often the political.