Dave Mattacks reflects on his remarkable career in music, highlighting his time in Fairport Convention and work with Paul McCartney, Elton John, and XTC. He previews Fairport Convention’s Winter 2025 tour and the forthcoming Cropedy Convention Festival. Dave offers insights into working with legendary producers like George Martin, Gus Dudgeon and Glyn Johns and approach collaborating with a diverse range of artists.

fairportconvention.com

Dave Mattacks podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Chris Leslie, Simon Nicol (2023), Dave Pegg, George Martin – Pre-Beatles Productions, Geraint Watkins, Bill Nelson, David Paton – Part 2, Davey Johnstone, Colin Moulding – Part 2

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and all usual platforms

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Renowned music producer and engineer Ken Scott recently sat down for an in-depth conversation at The CAT Club, sharing anecdotes and insights from his extraordinary career. From his early days at Abbey Road working with The Beatles, to co-producing David Bowie’s Hunky Dory at Trident, Ken’s reflections offer a glimpse into the art of recording. His stories, spanning sessions with Elton John, Lou Reed, Supertramp, and more, reveal the human touch behind the magic of music-making.

Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust: Off the Record with the Beatles, Bowie, Elton & So Much More

Ken Scott on The Beatles White Album – The Strange Brew interview

Ken Scott podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Paul Jones, Mike Vickers, Gary Brooker, Roger Cook, Woody Woodmansey, John Halsey, Davey Johnstone, John Helliwell, Gerry Beckley

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

The post Ken Scott on The Beatles, Bowie, and Beyond appeared first on The Strange Brew .

Leland Sklar has been the heartbeat of countless recordings and performances, from his work with James Taylor and Phil Collins to his latest collaboration with The Immediate Family. Leland opens up about his career beginnings, the joys and challenges of session work, and the deep camaraderie within The Immediate Family, a band of lifelong friends whose music continues to resonate today.

immediatefamilyband.com

Leland Sklar podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Danny Kortchmar, Shawn Phillips, Peter Asher, Chester Thompson, Gerry Beckley – America

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

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Danny Kortchmar has seamlessly bridged the roles of guitarist, songwriter, and producer for artists including James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne and Harry Nilsson. Now leading The Immediate Family with fellow legendary 1970s sidemen, Danny reflects on recording groundbreaking albums like Tapestry and his journey to the present.

immediatefamilyband.com

Danny Kortchmar podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Peter Asher, Michelle Phillips, Melanie, Judy Collins, Henry Diltz, Jimmy Webb

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

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Clive Langer is a pioneer with Deaf School, a craftsman behind chart-topping hits, and a collaborator with artists including Madness, Elvis Costello, David Bowie, and Morrissey. At a time he returns to his roots with The Clang Group, he reflects on his career highlights as a songwriter and producer.

The Clang Group’s new album New Clang, is set for release on 21 February 2025, and is available to pre-order here

Clive Langer podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Stephen Street, Kevin Armstrong, Bruce Thomas – Elvis Costello and The Attractions, Helen O’Hara – Dexys Midnight Runners, John Flansburgh, John Linnell – They Might Be Giants

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

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Phill Brown recalls the making of the Small Faces’ album Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake. As a tape operator at Olympic Studios, he provides insights into the recording techniques, studio dynamics, and the relationship between the group and engineer Glyn Johns on this landmark album. He also reflects on working on Jimi Hendrix’s All Along the Watchtower and The Rolling Stones’ Sympathy for the Devil before discussing his work as a sound engineer with artists including Led Zeppelin and Bob Marley.

Phill Brown – Are We Still Rolling? Studio’s Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll – One Man’s Journey Recording Classic Albums

This episode is part of The CAT Club (Classic Album Thursdays)

Podcasts also available: Arthur Brown on The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Philip Norman on John Lennon, Rob Chapman on Syd Barrett, Richard Digby Smith: The life and times of a recording studio engineer

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

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Leslie Mandoki is a visionary musician in progressive rock. As the mastermind behind Mandoki Soulmates, he united Ian Anderson, Jack Bruce, Greg Lake and Al Di Meola in a celebration of musical innovation and collaboration. He shares his daring escape from Communist Hungary and his audacious vision to merge British progressive rock with American fusion which continues today with new album, A Memory Of Our Future.

mandoki-soulmates

Leslie Mandoki podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Ian Anderson, John Helliwell, Chris Thompson, Carl Palmer, Pete Brown

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

The post Leslie Mandoki – Mandoki Soulmates appeared first on The Strange Brew .

Neil Storey highlights 12 standout tracks from Island Records’ transformative years, 1969-70. We uncover the stories behind releases from the trailblazing label, featuring Free, Traffic, Nick Drake, and Cat Stevens. The conversation also explores the cultural significance of Island Records and shines a light on overlooked releases from this remarkable era.

theislandbookofrecords.com

Island Records 1969-70 podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Island Records 1959-1968, Ian Anderson – Jethro Tull, Ian Hunter – Mott the Hoople, Verden Allen – Mott The Hoople, Simon Nicol – Fairport Convention (2023), Nick Drake: The Life

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

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Keith Hopwood of Herman’s Hermits reflects on a life in music. From the breakout hit I’m Into Something Good to writing and recording with the group, making movies, and touring with The Who (complete with Keith Moon’s wild escapades), he shares it all. After the band’s split, Keith ventured into solo projects and produced music for TV and film. Now, he’s as active as ever, celebrating the release of his memoir, A Hermit’s Tale, and preparing new music with Peter Noone.

Keith Hopwood – A Hermit’s Tale (use code STRANGEBREW for 10% off all purchases from Keith’s website)

Keith Hopwood podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Peter Noone, Graham Gouldman – 2022, Graham Gouldman – 2020, Harvey Lisberg, Allan Clarke – The Hollies (2023), Bobby Elliott – The Hollies, John Carter, Tony Hazzard – 2022

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

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Bruce Woolley has had a fascinating career in music, from his early days co-writing “Video Killed the Radio Star” to working with artists including Trevor Horn, Dollar and Grace Jones.

Bruce opens up about the long journey to get his new Bruce Woolley and the Camera Club anthology released, the origins of “Video Killed the Radio Star”, and the musicians like Thomas Dolby who passed through the group’s ranks. He also discusses his later work on Grace Jones’ “Slave to the Rhythm” and collaborations with Trevor Horn. Now performing with The Radio Science Orchestra, Bruce reflects on how the music industry has changed over the years while still staying creatively restless.

Bruce Woolley & The Camera Club: The Definitive Anthology 1977-1981

Bruce Woolley podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes, Mike Hurst

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

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