The Toast And Jams Podcast

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We still be trippin'... our third-in-a-row acid rock album review, this time by prog pioneers The Moody Blues. We went on a quest to find the lost chord and breakfast, and we succeeded. The often-overlooked Moodies weren't pop culture darlings,  they stayed out of the spotlight,  but their musicianship was topnotch.  So grab a latte, or a good old cup of Joe,  and tune in, turn on.

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Records revolve, but they stay in one place. But the Beatles evolved,  and they were on a trajectory.  They'd already conquered the pop world,  proving they could write a pop song with merit and staying power. They'd already demonstrated how to be a rock band,  but hold on--they were only beginning to show us what rock and roll is. Around the beginning of their transition,  they gave us Revolver. A fission in the songwriting,  with each doing their own thing.  A fusion in the studio,  where their creativity led to groundbreaking studio tricks. Holy WOW, this album is incredible. 

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Here comes the parade: first, one drunk and sullen poet, followed by three musicians burned out by fame and constant touring.  Here comes a producer hell bent on being the next George Martin; oh look, he's doing bump after bump of coke, too.  The record company sponsoring this parade is just looking to make more money from the band that's already churned out three successful albums. Ah yes, The Doors' Soft Parade--  let's delve in and see how this turned out. 

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This isn't party music,  nor is it road trip sing-along-in-the-car music. Nope, this is classical music,  with a generous helping of modern electronics,  experimental sounds,  and satirical humor. It's not for everybody...and that's exactly how Frank Zappa wanted it.  

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Buckingham Nicks-- you might say it's the album that was created before the magic happened... but then you listen to it and realize,  the magic was already  there. We expected something far more sophomoric, but Lindsey and Stevie had already honed their craft musically and lyrically.  And to think, if they hadn't soon after caught that magnificent break, most of us would have never heard of them and this album would be forgotten.  

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Sing us a song and make us some breakfast! Toast and Jams wraps up Season 2 with the album that made Billy Joel famous--Piano Man.  From Billy the Kid to Captain Jack,  Billy Joel weaves tales through his incredible musical compositions,  leaving us wishing we had practiced our instruments more when we were young.  

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Take a symphony, play it in a jazz style,  but make it rock and roll. That is the magic that is early Chicago.  We were blown away by the songwriting and musical talent on Chicago 2, a double album with more than double talent. We had to settle for a takeout breakfast sandwich this time, but the music made up for it.  

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A fledgling Aerosmith has some very successful flights on Get Your Wings,  and everything about hints that this band will soon soar over the rock and roll landscape.  Toast and Jams returns to Dean's Diner to review the second effort from the Boys from Boston...but wait-- are they actually from Boston? Find out in this episode. 

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The second release from rock's first super group,  Disraeli Gears demonstrates Cream's creativity,  musical prowess,  and sense of humor.  The Lamplighter serves up breakfast while Toast and Jams serves up the review,  along with a few related stories and a couple of worm holes.

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Ok, so we went a little long on this one... but it's ZEP 2! Yes, the second album from the band many consider the greatest of all time,  the album that has earned mythological status,  that catapulted Led Zeppelin to fame with the single Whole Lotta Love. Mostly original songs with a few ingenious reinventions of legendary Chicago blues tunes, Zep 2 rocks from start to finish.  So yeah, we went a little long. It was worth it.