Records & Rockstars

Remember how there used to be World Album Premiere Specials on the radio? This is like that. 3 songs performed live plus 5 directly off the record, including a Tom Petty cover, with Steve sharing stories prompted by my questions about the songs and the players and life as a maker of music.

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This podcast version of the weekly radio show is inspired by way of riding motorcycle down country roads, marveling at both the expanses of land, and the pungent aroma of natural fertilizer. And by all the references of late to the great writer George Orwell whose literary triumphs include "Animal Farm". I just realized I forgot the song "Sex Farm" by Spinal Tap.  How even?

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This episode has no upside down flags on pickup trucks. Just music and music history and stories about songs about freedom.

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50 years since! Let me take you back to 1972 when spring fever had a pretty cool soundtrack to go with.

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More Sax and drugs and rock 'n' roll, as it were. Think Morphine. And think more sexy sax licks and solos in rock songs, in this, the finale of a 2 parter starring some legends of the saxophone.

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War, what is it good for? The Saxophone apparently. Beyond the triumphant marches of the militaristic minded, the saxophone became well known in big band music, blues and jazz and soul and rhythm and blues which gave way to good ol' rock and roll music. IN fact before the guitar took over, it was the sax that got all the solos. With their smooth and brassy tones and their unique blend of power, finesse and versatility - what an instrument to create a mood and convey emotional context and help tell a story within a song.

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The Marx Brothers of Rock, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (R.I.P.) joined me two times in the early 2000s to talk about new albums. This was the second time, before which to the surprise of many, they'd won the Grammy. They tell that hilarious story and reflect on songs from their colourful past too.

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He was one of the most prolific and influential artists to emerge from the golden age of the 60s, from his tiny studio at Dunhill Records, PF Sloan was a songwriter, a collaborator, a facilitator, an innovator and a bonafide hit-machine who was everywhere. And then he disappeared. And when he reappeared and set about to release his memoirs. That's when he called me to talk about his life, and why he disappeared. This is that. 

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Without music, life would be a mistake. We have philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche to thank for that truth. Music has long been our solace and security, as important in times of trouble as it has been in moments of triumph. And still, thankfully, much of the connection to music continues to come through the speakers of the radio.

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Sun's out buns out as we're headed on a trip so far from here. 2 free tickets to paradise. Or something like it in an episode about songs about holidays in the sun.

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