Love That Album

As music lovers, we've all had a soundtrack to our lives....it's provided to us by the radio. Maybe at this point in the 21st century, that's less of a given. Was it the internet that killed the radio star? Who can truly say, but for most of the rock era, radio has provided songs that millions of music fans would discover, sing along to, discuss with their friends, learn to play on their instrument of choice, get amorous to, get stoned to, or cherish for some personal reason.

Welcome to episode 179 of Love That Album.

It's been said that in the early days of rock and roll, tyranny of distance made Australian music tougher than its Northern Hemisphere counterparts. Henry Silva might have asked, “Bullshit Or Not?” What is for certain is that Australian rock musicians could often become huge in their home country, but not raise an eyebrow anywhere else (the reverse is also true, but that's a story for another episode).

Author Glen Humphries has just published a terrific book called “Aussie Rock Anthems: The Stories Behind Our Biggest Hit Songs". He writes 40 essays about popular songs from the 1960s through to the first decade of the 21st century. These essays tell stories about songs that many Australians grew up with. Some became popular outside our borders, some didn't. These songs show a huge diversity – where else will you get Shadap You Face occupying the same tome as Khe Sanh? At some stage or another, these songs all meant something to the wider Australian populus, and Glen weaves fascinating tales that cover politics, sporting pride, cultural cringe, and musical invention. I was rapt to have someone to discuss these songs with me. Neither of us were fans of every one of the songs covered in the book, and inevitably, people will argue about what was left out. What's important is that these songs all have interesting backstories and are worthy of being celebrated.

Tune into find which songs Glen and I absolutely detest...and those we love.

You can watch the videos of all the songs in the book at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-hDK76bIps&list=PLJN0hAdSkVNXxaVd4l4hWOAa3l5u85rAH&fbclid=IwY2xjawFJFx5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTzxc0uDiMYmVj1_cUK_A_2TDL93qk8AIbZ7I4wJ_XSchZykEzkHEKWB5Q_aem_uII4NG3Lme6zceP8Gxn8Ig

or you can listen to the Spotify playlist at: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/28mak27jhmIWSFsYGGlFgC?si=iOUWpNq-QfmuHUVDsB9erA&pi=dtdCj9ZKQYKeC&nd=1&dlsi=6991f678a35947b1

You can get the book from the usual places you get books (like bookstores) or Amazon or at https://www.geldingstreetpress.com/product/aussie-rock-anthems-top-40/

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice (not Spotify). The wider back catalogue of episodes can also be found at https://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to https://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

You can send me feedback at [email protected] (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

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In some previous episodes, rather than speaking about a single album for a long time, myself (and maybe a guest) will speak about 3 albums each for a short time

In some previous episodes, rather than having a guest to chat with me about music, I'll carry on by myself. I'm not a fan of this notion, but if it's a choice between no who or a solo show, I'll do the latter.

Welcome to episode 178 of Love That Album.

This episode is a hybrid of both concepts. I am doing a partial solo show discussing 3 records in short form – two by myself, one with my friend Pat Monaghan. Circumstances dictated the solo segments, but opportunity allowed the collaboration....thanks, Pat.

Previous shows where I did the shorter segments were called Mystery Box. I wouldn't reveal what was under discussion until you tuned in.....not doing that here. I'm going to call this Three Random Albums (even though they're not) and reveal here that they are:

So Long, Noodle House – Hot Apple Band

Ramona – Grace Cummings

Back To The Cat – Barry Adamson

Three very diverse albums (two from the previous 12 months). Tune in, get some album talk, have fun.

Check out the swish new website for Pat's rekkid store, Rocksteady Records (https://www.rocksteadyrecords.com.au/) or go say hello in person if you live in Melbourne town.

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice (not Spotify). The wider back catalogue of episodes can also be found at https://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to https://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

You can send me feedback at [email protected] (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Proudly Pantheon

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Sorry for this episode being a little late….I’d meant to get it out earlier, but who knows where the time goes?????

If you’ve not deserted me…..Welcome to episode 177 of Love That Album.

Carrying on with the Fairport Convention connection of episode 176, I welcome three wonderful guests to the podcast this time around – all connected to the great Sandy Denny.

Firstly, there’s a return visit from John Penhallow, the first manager of Fairport. He’s done a lot of archival work in relation to Sandy’s music over the years, and we discuss that.

Then, there’s Sandy’s daughter, Georgia Rose Lucas and musician / composer Carla Fuchs. The two of them are behind an album released in 2023 called Songbird. Carla composed new music to lyrics written by Sandy in her journals that were never previously recorded. The two of them collaborated to make this project come to existence.

Not on the show, but huge thanks as well go to Elizabeth Hurtt, wife of the late Trevor Lucas, who took the time to tell me about the journey of these lyrics in Sandy’s journals. There had been a plan many years ago for many artists to utilise her words for new songs….that didn’t happen, but we explain what DID in the show’s discussion. Huge thanks to Elizabeth for filling me in.

My gratitude to all these wonderful folk for taking the time to talk about the Songbird project, the Attic Tracks songs put out on cassette and then CD by John on Raven Records years ago, Redgum, and Sandy’s life and music.

If you wish to search out a copy of Carla’s album, it’s available on Bandcamp at:

https://talkingelephantrecords.bandcamp.com/album/songbird

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice (not Spotify). The wider back catalogue of episodes can also be found at https://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to https://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

You can send me feedback at [email protected] (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Proudly Pantheon.

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I could write a lengthy blurb for this episode of the show as I normally do, or I could just say, “Ladies and gentlemen, I present my interview with Richard Thompson”......what's that? You need more? Okay.

Welcome to episode 176 of Love That Album.

If you've listened to early episodes of the show or hung around the Facebook group for the podcast or know me in real life, you'd know that Richard Thompson looms large in my love of popular song. He's always been a triple threat: one of the greatest guitarists (acoustic AND electric) in contemporary music. He has a wonderfully expressive singing voice (a point not acknowledged as much as it deserves). Then.....the man has a gift with writing stories – not for books or films, but for songs. The thing is he paces his tales like an author or scriptwriter would, and that's what sets him apart from his peers.

There are dark songs about lack of hope. There's songs of an unhealthy obsession with Elvis. Songs of self deprecation, survivor's guilt, and refusing to be shackled to society's rules also exist in his songbook. Is that too dark? Okay then, there's also songs of Egyptian mummies, Kenny G, and celebrating a great night out....and yes, there's songs of love including THAT song about two lovers and a motorcycle. In case you get the impression it's all about his lyricism, there's a strong gift of melody abundant in his catalogue.

This year, Richard turned 75 and celebrates with his umpteenth new album, the excellent Ship To Shore. We discuss his new rekkid, some past favourite songs of mine (cos why wouldn't I?), his guitars, Margaret Thatcher, his parents' generation that went through World War 2, and character assassination (ummm....via song, not actual assassination).

This is a show I've wanted to do for years, so I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Please tell your friends about this one....then about every other episode.

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice (not Spotify). The wider back catalogue of episodes can also be found at https://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to https://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

You can send me feedback at [email protected] (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Proudly Pantheon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the history of pop music, how often has a performer had the chance to try something radically different from what they were known for? Sure, there are some artists who evolved over the course of their career, so where they ended up was radically different from where they started. I suspect, however, the list of performers who were known and appreciated for a style who then made a big change is a lot smaller.

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re here to present the case of Grace Jones.

Welcome to episode 175 of Love That Album.

Grace Jones is that rare case of artist who was a model, then went on to have an ongoing career as a respected singer. Her first trilogy of records were rooted in the disco scene where she had a strong following. Then….Studio 54 closed, Disco Demolition happened in Chicago, and disco music finished its moment in the mainstream. Most artists would persist with what they know and fade away or go on nostalgia tours.

Grace Jones isn’t most people.

With the encouragement and support of Island Records head Chris Blackwell, she was put in a studio with the kings of reggae, and musicians representing the rock and emerging techno scene. She released her 4th album, Warm Leatherette album in 1980….very different from anything she’d done before. In 1981, she released the album many see as the pinnacle of her career,

Nightclubbing. It’s a mix of interpretations of others’ songs and a few originals. Make no mistake – everything she sings, she owns, but the support of the Compass Point Allstars really elevates the record. This was the band Grace was meant to perform with.

I am joined by Sam Whiles, the host of the excellent “Paul Or Nothing” (a show dedicated to the life and work of Paul McCartney) to discuss Nightclubbing and other aspects of Jones’ work and life. We had a great conversation that I hope you will enjoy. It’s not often….well never….that I’ve had a podcast where J.G Ballard, Donna Summer, Iggy Pop and Vanda and Young are all brought up. Frankly, LTA is all the better for it.

My gratitude to Sam for suggesting this album as the focus for the episode. If you want to hear him talk McCartney, check out Paul Or Nothing on your favourite podcast apps or at https://mccartneypod.podbean.com

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice. The wider back catalogue of episodes can also be found at https://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to https://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

You can send me feedback at [email protected] (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Proudly Pantheon.

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When the history of late 70s punk music is discussed, a point often raised is that bands like The Sex Pistols and the Damned and The Saints were reacting to the over complexity of prog bands. Certainly, it makes for a good quote, but Steve Jones is on the record as being a fan of Fleetwood Mac and Queen and other “dinosaur” bands punk was supposed to sweep away. I can’t recall for sure, but I THINK I read somewhere that Yes was some punk guitarist’s favourite band. Really, if so much of that early era of British punk was about great pop songs with buzzsaw guitars, I believe I can make a case that Yes was a band (unlike, say, early Genesis) that also played around with standard pop structure…..just for considerably longer than 2 minutes at a time. There’s the link between punk and prog (at least Yes’ approach to it).

Welcome to episode 174 of Love That Album podcast.

For the first LTA of 2024, I am joined once again by Bondi Cigars' guitarist Shane Pacey to talk about what is often considered the pinnacle of prog rock, Yes’ 1972 album Close To The Edge. We talk about rock music's progression to....ummm...prog rock, the Bill Bruford vs Alan White debate, and we also bring up Bach, King Crimson, AC/DC and Cossack Funk (you read that right!!!).

…..and Shane tells a first hand account of an unexpected musician who was a big fan of Yes (and was Shane's first guitar teacher.....you gotta tune in to find out....)

We had a lot of fun with this one

You can find Shane's music on line at

https://shanepaceytrio.com.au/ or

https://bondicigars.com/ or

https://shanepacey.bandcamp.com/album/the-gardener.

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 [email protected] (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Proudly Pantheon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to episode 173 of Love That Album.

In episode 172, I started my investigation of what were the favourite albums of the year from some great music writers and broadcasters. If you haven't caught up with that one, check out what Brian Nankervis, Jeff Jenkins and Pat Monaghan had to say (as well as a couple of great emails from listeners to the show).

Concluding this investigation for episode 173, I speak with Ian McFarlane (author of The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop) and Billy Pinnell (presenter of The Album Show on EON-FM / MMM-FM). Also, podcast listener (and huge supporter of the Melbournel music scene), Mark Andrew sent me some audio feedback. Once again, get out your pens and paper to jot down some great recommendations to follow up on.

I reiterate from last time, I'm grateful to everyone who joined me on the show this year, downloaded any episodes, or told their friends the show was worthy of their time. You're all grouse.

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice (except Spotify).

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 [email protected] (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum. I'm also on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lovethatalbumpodcast/

Proudly Pantheon.

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Welcome to episode 172 of Love That Album.

It's December, so once again, it's time for me to reach out to 5 wonderful music media people in Melbourne to discuss with me their favourite music for 2023 – new or old (but recently discovered). As per usual, these magnificent people I admire brought some great “logs to throw on the conversational fire” (to steal from David Hepworth and Mark Ellen).

However, to play all 5 people on the one episode would have made this a 4 hour plus episode.....not a sin in my book, but some people prefer shows with a more digestible time frame. To that end, I present this time around 3 of my guests, and some feedback from a couple of listeners all to talk about great music of the year. Episode 173 will feature the remaining 2 guests and more feedback.

This time around we will hear from Rockwiz and Friday Revue host Brian Nankervis, music journalist and author Jeff Jenkins, and owner of Melbourne's Rocksteady Records Pat Monaghan. I am thrilled that these fellow music fans and knowledgeable gents would give of their time to this little podcast. Get out your pen and paper and prepare to make a list of your next favourite albums.

Part 173 with Ian McFarlane and Billy Pinnell will be out within the next week or so.

Thanks so much to anyone who listened to the show, was a guest on the show, contributed conversation to the LTA Facebook group, or reached out to me directly directly over the year. More coming in 2024 (you're welcome / sorry). Also huge gratitude to my brothers and sisters over at Pantheon Podcasts....some great shows and people over there who have corresponded with me over the year – there will be some crossover shows next year. Many thanks to Christian Swain and Peter Ferioli for allowing me to swim in the Pantheon pool.

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice (except Spotify). 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 [email protected] (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum. I'm also on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lovethatalbumpodcast/

Proudly Pantheon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We tend to think more of the guitar as a rock and roll instrument, but Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Fats Domino were a big part of the early sound of rock and roll. While there are plenty of great rock piano players, that lead guy or gal mostly tends to be playing a six-string. In the 70s and 80s, the big piano frontmen were Billy Joel and Elton John – hugely popular with what they did, but much (though not all) of it was balladry. Where were the trouble-makers and the pisstakers behind the 88s?

One of them was hiding out in North Carolina.

Welcome to episode 171 of Love That Album.

By 2000, Ben Folds Five had broken up, leaving behind three incredible albums of “punk music for sissies” (Ben’s alleged description of the band). They’d created songs both raucous and tender, angry and loving, serious and funny. In 2001, Ben Folds released his first solo album “Rockin’ The Suburbs” (recorded in Adelaide), and he plays and sings nearly everything. Once again, he aimed for your funny bone, but he also told stories that could break your heart. These stories showed once again that Folds was a master of melody, harmony and was very literate.

For this episode, I am joined by the host and “numbers girl” of the wonderful All Time Top Ten podcast, Ben Eisen and Shannon Hurley. We sit around the virtual table discussing Folds’ techniques in composition and arrangement, his potty mouth, the seeming contrast between the man who could write both The Luckiest and Song For The Dumped, and real life stories from the suburbs about everyday people brought to life in this collection of short stories – love spurned, love embraced, parenthood, mental health, and cussing on the mic.

My huge thanks to both Ben and Shannon for being such great partners for this discussion about a performer who we all love. We never even mention the one song seemingly everyone knows….because Folds is so much more than that one song. I won’t let it be 3 years before Ben and Shannon rock the mics with me on LTA again.

You can catch new episodes of All Time Top Ten every week on favourite podcast app, or go to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-time-top-ten/id573735994 At the time of this LTA, there are 590 episodes recorded!!!!! Most are archived at https://www.mixcloud.com/beneisen/

If you want to check out Shannon’s variety of projects (music, art, videos), then head to https://shannonhurley.com/

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 [email protected] (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum I'm also on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lovethatalbumpodcast/

Proudly Pantheon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are some artists who make a career of changing their musical styles between albums. They took risks to remain artistically relevant or just because they don’t want to repeat themselves. David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Wilco, The Beatles, John Cale, XTC are all examples…..a ton of others could be nominated.

Let’s talk about Suzanne Vega.

Welcome to episode 170 of Love That Album podcast. From the mid-80s, Suzanne Vega had recorded some great records featuring songs that sounded like a mix of old school folk and polished pop. She wrote songs of domestic abuse, changes in her personal life, love lost, and her favourite coffee shop in NYC. Then after the unexpected success of a couple of producers remixing her “coffee shop” song, “Tom’s Diner”, she wanted to explore other options to how her recorded music would sound.

She chose the exciting producer of the moment, Mitchell Froom, to help her record something that would sound different to previous albums, and the result was “99.9F” released in 1992. Her personal style of songwriting hadn’t altered, but it’s the arrangements and the production that make this album sound a world away from the debut eponymous album released just a few years earlier.

I’m joined by two new guests to discuss this album and a bunch of peripheral subjects. First up is Eric Senich, host of the terrific Booked On Rock podcast – dedicated to the discussion of music books with authors. I’m also joined by the wonderful author, Lisa Torem, who has released 3 books in the On Track series of books – the latest one being on the discography of Suzanne Vega. Together, we look through the themes of 99.9F, how it changed from the sound of her earlier records, determining if the art is in the songwriting or the recording, and whether one temperature scale is more erotic than another.

My gratitude to Lisa and Eric for being such wonderful guests, and look forward to having them on the show again.

You can go through Eric’s podcast back catalogue at https://www.bookedonrock.com/ or you can subscribe on all the usual podcast platforms – perfect for deciding what your next music book should be.

You can pick up a copy of any of Lisa’s On Track books in which she analyses the songcraft of the discography of Billy Joel, Tori Amos, and Suzanne Vega from either Amazon or at https://burningshed.com/index.php?route=product/search&filter_name=lisa%20torem&filter_sub_category=true She’s working on a website which is not quite active yet, but keep checking at lisatorem.com

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 [email protected] (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum I'm also on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lovethatalbumpodcast/

Proudly Pantheon.

You can download episode 170 from here.

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