Love That Album

It’s December, so it must be time for another Love That Album end-of-year Shooting The Shit session. In case you’re not familiar with the term, LTA has done a small number of panel shows under the Shooting The Shit moniker. We haven’t held a more general discussion in a long while, but the tradition holds that we do our “favourite first time listens of the year” show. As long as the panellists heard a particular album for the first time in 2015 (regardless of the year of release), it’s up for discussion. Because the crew is comprised of 6 of us, we’re doing this over two shows so you’re not listening for 4 hours straight!!! For episode 85, and the first of the STS faves specials, I am joined by my See Hear co-host Tim Merrill and Sitting In a Bar In Adelaide podcast host, Michael Pursche. We offer 5 albums each for your consideration as our favourite first time listens in 2015. Let me tell you folks, the key word here is “diversity”. There are a range of styles on offer here, so there will be something that will appeal to all tastes. I even have some feedback from listeners as to their favourite albums of the year. I love getting feedback for the same reason Sally Field loves getting Academy Awards…. Episode 86 will be part 2 of the end-of-year shows, and will be online in a couple of weeks. That will feature Geoff Smith, John Stirrat, and Eric Reanimator giving their well-considered choices. My thanks to my co-presenters for taking the time to record these shows with me, and my thanks to anyone who listens to the shows. There are a lot of podcasts out there to demand your time, so if you’ve let me into your headphones, I’m grateful to be included a part of your listening schedule. You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from  http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum. If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, I’d be immensely grateful. If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.   

It’s December, so it must be time for another Love That Album end-of-year Shooting The Shit session.   In case you’re not familiar with the term, LTA has done a small number of panel shows under the Shooting The Shit moniker. We haven’t held a more general discussion in a long while, but the tradition holds that we do our “favourite first time listens of the year” show. As long as the panellists heard a particular album for the first time in 2015 (regardless of the year of release), it’s up for discussion.   Because the crew is comprised of 6 of us, we’re doing this over two shows so you’re not listening for 4 hours straight!!! For episode 85, and the first of the STS faves specials, I am joined by my See Hear co-host Tim Merrill and Sitting In a Bar In Adelaide podcast host, Michael Pursche. We offer 5 albums each for your consideration as our favourite first time listens in 2015. Let me tell you folks, the key word here is “diversity”. There are a range of styles on offer here, so there will be something that will appeal to all tastes.   I even have some feedback from listeners as to their favourite albums of the year. I love getting feedback for the same reason Sally Field loves getting Academy Awards….   Episode 86 will be part 2 of the end-of-year shows, and will be online in a couple of weeks. That will feature Geoff Smith, John Stirrat, and Eric Reanimator giving their well-considered choices.   My thanks to my co-presenters for taking the time to record these shows with me, and my thanks to anyone who listens to the shows. There are a lot of podcasts out there to demand your time, so if you’ve let me into your headphones, I’m grateful to be included a part of your listening schedule.   You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from  http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com   Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum.   If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, I’d be immensely grateful.   If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.    

It’s time for episode 84 of Love That Album podcast and Mystery Box #2. What is the Mystery Box? In March of this year on episode 73, Michael Pursche and David Blom joined me to talk about a number of great Australian albums worthy of your attention, but no one knew up front what albums the others would discuss. For the second Mystery Box episode, I am joined by Paleo Cinema and Martian Drive In Podcast host Terry Frost to talk about bebop, swing, fusion, trad, big band, and free-jazz – in short, we will discuss a number of jazz albums we dig and think you listeners need in your lives if you don’t have them already there. In relation to one of my picks, I also present an interview with incredible Australian jazz drummer, David Jones. A veteran player of both the rock and jazz worlds, David has much to say about his time spent in one of the great Australian jazz fusion bands of the late seventies and early eighties, as well as his passion for the music and making sure audiences come away laughing as well as digging on the music. My huge thanks to Carmen Warrington for arranging this interview with me. Eric Reanimator is back with another Album I Love segment to talk about a couple of albums by beatnik jazz performer Ralph. Who is Ralph? Tune in and find out. Even if you’re not a jazz fan, tune in for the great chats I have with Terry and David and get a feel for the diversity of our selections. Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum. If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, I’d be immensely grateful. If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.

It’s time for episode 84 of Love That Album podcast and Mystery Box #2. What is the Mystery Box? In March of this year on episode 73, Michael Pursche and David Blom joined me to talk about a number of great Australian albums worthy of your attention, but no one knew up front what albums the others would discuss. For the second Mystery Box episode, I am joined by Paleo Cinema and Martian Drive In Podcast host Terry Frost to talk about bebop, swing, fusion, trad, big band, and free-jazz – in short, we will discuss a number of jazz albums we dig and think you listeners need in your lives if you don’t have them already there. In relation to one of my picks, I also present an interview with incredible Australian jazz drummer, David Jones. A veteran player of both the rock and jazz worlds, David has much to say about his time spent in one of the great Australian jazz fusion bands of the late seventies and early eighties, as well as his passion for the music and making sure audiences come away laughing as well as digging on the music. My huge thanks to Carmen Warrington for arranging this interview with me. Eric Reanimator is back with another Album I Love segment to talk about a couple of albums by beatnik jazz performer Ralph. Who is Ralph? Tune in and find out. Even if you’re not a jazz fan, tune in for the great chats I have with Terry and David and get a feel for the diversity of our selections. Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum. If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, I’d be immensely grateful. If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.

So I want to ask you some questions.Do you prefer a suave lounge suit over a pair of jeans and a tee shirt? Would you prefer a cocktail over a beer? Does a vibraphone solo interest you more than a guitar solo?If you answered yes to these questions, Eric Reanimator has some recommendations for you in the latest episode of Love That Album: The Compilation Edition (#21).This time around Eric is putting aside the wildness of punk and outlaw country to talk about some music to help you relax. He’s recommending and talking about three albums that fall under the descriptive of lounge exotica. Those albums are Welcome To The Ultra Lounge, Misfits Meet The Nutley Brass, (well there had to be a punk link SOMEWHERE, right?) and finally The Best Of Martin Denny's Exotica. Eric talks about why the time is right to rediscover this music and what led to it being shunned. So turn off your episodes of Mad Men, wrap your headphones over your earholes and listen to what Eric has to say. Really, the only things missing from this episode are his favourite cocktail recipes.You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from  http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.comSend the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbumIf you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.

So I want to ask you some questions. Do you prefer a suave lounge suit over a pair of jeans and a tee shirt? Would you prefer a cocktail over a beer? Does a vibraphone solo interest you more than a guitar solo? If you answered yes to these questions, Eric Reanimator has some recommendations for you in the latest episode of Love That Album: The Compilation Edition (#21). This time around Eric is putting aside the wildness of punk and outlaw country to talk about some music to help you relax. He’s recommending and talking about three albums that fall under the descriptive of lounge exotica. Those albums are Welcome To The Ultra Lounge, Misfits Meet The Nutley Brass, (well there had to be a punk link SOMEWHERE, right?) and finally The Best Of Martin Denny's Exotica. Eric talks about why the time is right to rediscover this music and what led to it being shunned. So turn off your episodes of Mad Men, wrap your headphones over your earholes and listen to what Eric has to say. Really, the only things missing from this episode are his favourite cocktail recipes. You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from  http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.

History could have dictated that the album under focus for this episode was called Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette In New York  - the artist’s real name and the city of choice for her to record her vocals for the album otherwise recorded in Memphis. In the end, the album was called Dusty In Memphis. What’s in a name? Plenty as it turns out.     I am joined by Shannon Hurley (aka Numbers Girl of the All Time Top Ten podcast) to discuss Dusty In Memphis. The album was ignored on release back in 1969, but it has since reached large levels of respect and love over the years. Its most famous cut Son of a Preacher Man is ubiquitous. In a rare return to the old format, Shannon and I discuss the album track by track, but also discuss the album’s place in the soul canon. We ask whether the album really qualifies as a "soul" album, can the Memphis Cats bring the groove (sort of a rhetorical one, really), could Randy Newman have sung the songs he wrote for this album, and does sex really beat a cup of coffee first thing in the morning?     Shannon has been releasing music under her own name, but also as part of the duo Lovers and Poets with husband Ben Eisen (previous LTA presenter and host of All Time Top Ten). We chat a little about Shannon's own musical work and I'm proud to present the premiere presentation of L&P's new song, You And Me In The Summer. A wonderful tune, and great going into the Australian summer. DIG IT!!!     Eric Reanimator returns with his Album I Love segment to discuss an EP by Ronnie Spector called She Talks To Rainbows. Produced by Joey Ramone, it features Spector's take on some classic punk.     You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com.au/     I'm immensely grateful to Shannon for being part of LTA and allowing me to play her great new song. Please support her musical endeavours by seeing her play (if you live in Los Angeles) or going to her websites http://www.shannonhurley.com or https://loversandpoets.bandcamp.com/ to check out some videos and some tunes. You can purchase mp3s or CDs there. Please consider supporting the artists who support this podcast.     Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum. If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, I’d be immensely grateful.     If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.  

History could have dictated that the album under focus for this episode was called Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette In New York  - the artist’s real name and the city of choice for her to record her vocals for the album otherwise recorded in Memphis. In the end, the album was called Dusty In Memphis. What’s in a name? Plenty as it turns out.     I am joined by Shannon Hurley (aka Numbers Girl of the All Time Top Ten podcast) to discuss Dusty In Memphis. The album was ignored on release back in 1969, but it has since reached large levels of respect and love over the years. Its most famous cut Son of a Preacher Man is ubiquitous. In a rare return to the old format, Shannon and I discuss the album track by track, but also discuss the album’s place in the soul canon. We ask whether the album really qualifies as a "soul" album, can the Memphis Cats bring the groove (sort of a rhetorical one, really), could Randy Newman have sung the songs he wrote for this album, and does sex really beat a cup of coffee first thing in the morning?     Shannon has been releasing music under her own name, but also as part of the duo Lovers and Poets with husband Ben Eisen (previous LTA presenter and host of All Time Top Ten). We chat a little about Shannon's own musical work and I'm proud to present the premiere presentation of L&P's new song, You And Me In The Summer. A wonderful tune, and great going into the Australian summer. DIG IT!!!     Eric Reanimator returns with his Album I Love segment to discuss an EP by Ronnie Spector called She Talks To Rainbows. Produced by Joey Ramone, it features Spector's take on some classic punk.     You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com.au/     I'm immensely grateful to Shannon for being part of LTA and allowing me to play her great new song. Please support her musical endeavours by seeing her play (if you live in Los Angeles) or going to her websites http://www.shannonhurley.com or https://loversandpoets.bandcamp.com/ to check out some videos and some tunes. You can purchase mp3s or CDs there. Please consider supporting the artists who support this podcast.     Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum. If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, I’d be immensely grateful.     If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.  

For your aural gratification, episode 20 of Love That Album: The Compilation Series has arrived.   Eric Reanimator takes on the question “what is gothic rock?” Like any music style, the answer is never straight forward. Just like “punk” is a wide umbrella, different artists who came under the “gothic rock” tag approached it differently.   He gives a description and history of the genre by way of three compilations: Dismal Abysmal Recordings Presents Watch Your Step, Vol.2 The Curse Of The Hearse, Gothic Rock 3 - Black On Black - Best Of 80's Collection, and Release The Rats. Humour and horror films seem to be an obvious influence on some of this material. Listen to Eric discuss and play samples of some of his favourite tunes from these compilations and see whether you dig them.   You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from  http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com   Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum    If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.    

For your aural gratification, episode 20 of Love That Album: The Compilation Series has arrived.   Eric Reanimator takes on the question “what is gothic rock?” Like any music style, the answer is never straight forward. Just like “punk” is a wide umbrella, different artists who came under the “gothic rock” tag approached it differently.   He gives a description and history of the genre by way of three compilations: Dismal Abysmal Recordings Presents Watch Your Step, Vol.2 The Curse Of The Hearse, Gothic Rock 3 - Black On Black - Best Of 80's Collection, and Release The Rats. Humour and horror films seem to be an obvious influence on some of this material. Listen to Eric discuss and play samples of some of his favourite tunes from these compilations and see whether you dig them.   You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from  http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com   Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum    If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.    

It’s time for episode 82 of Love That Album podcast.   Way back on episode 27 of the show, I discussed Los Lobos’ seminal album "Kiko" with Michael Pursche and was also joined by Steve Berlin, the band sax and keyboard player. Steve has very graciously joined me for a second time to discuss the brand spanking new album for Lobos called Gates of Gold. If you love previous albums featuring rock in a blues vein, soul, Tex-Mex and cumbia, you will be very happy with their latest album (released late September 2015).   We discuss the democratic approach to song arrangement in the band, how a famous Hollywood director changed their approach to song writing forever, and what it’s like to be part of an ensemble that’s been together for so long. We also discuss other acts Steve has produced or played with like Diamond Rugs, The Flesheaters, Los Super 7 and Neko Case.   Please join me for a very cool episode of the show.   You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com.au/   Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum.   If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, I’d be immensely grateful.  

It’s time for episode 82 of Love That Album podcast.   Way back on episode 27 of the show, I discussed Los Lobos’ seminal album "Kiko" with Michael Pursche and was also joined by Steve Berlin, the band sax and keyboard player. Steve has very graciously joined me for a second time to discuss the brand spanking new album for Lobos called Gates of Gold. If you love previous albums featuring rock in a blues vein, soul, Tex-Mex and cumbia, you will be very happy with their latest album (released late September 2015).   We discuss the democratic approach to song arrangement in the band, how a famous Hollywood director changed their approach to song writing forever, and what it’s like to be part of an ensemble that’s been together for so long. We also discuss other acts Steve has produced or played with like Diamond Rugs, The Flesheaters, Los Super 7 and Neko Case.   Please join me for a very cool episode of the show.   You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com.au/   Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum.   If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, I’d be immensely grateful.  

Welcome to episode 81 of Love that Album podcast.   This month, I decided to take a break from the podcast (slackarse that I am), but there is no way I would deprive both the listeners of an episode-  nosiree Bob. I called in Eric Reanimator (host of LTA: The Compilation Series) and Tim Merrill (my co host at See Hear podcast) to present some music discussion for you….and they’ve delivered the goods.   First up, they discuss The Flesh Eaters’ “A Minute To Pray A Second To Die” from 1981. This features a lineup of LA roots rock royalty with members of the Blasters, X and (yet to join) Los Lobos. The final result is still something leaner and rawer than any of those outfits.   Then the guys go for a real curiousity. The Minneapolis band Cows and their album “Cunning Stunts” comes under the guys’ gaze. A noise-rock band with a bugle and an interpretation of the theme from Midnight Cowboy sure as hell has my attention.   I want to thank Eric and Tim for presenting a fantastic episode which introduced me to some good music and interesting discussion. I hope you dig it.   You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from  http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com   Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum    If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.

Welcome to episode 81 of Love that Album podcast.   This month, I decided to take a break from the podcast (slackarse that I am), but there is no way I would deprive both the listeners of an episode-  nosiree Bob. I called in Eric Reanimator (host of LTA: The Compilation Series) and Tim Merrill (my co host at See Hear podcast) to present some music discussion for you….and they’ve delivered the goods.   First up, they discuss The Flesh Eaters’ “A Minute To Pray A Second To Die” from 1981. This features a lineup of LA roots rock royalty with members of the Blasters, X and (yet to join) Los Lobos. The final result is still something leaner and rawer than any of those outfits.   Then the guys go for a real curiousity. The Minneapolis band Cows and their album “Cunning Stunts” comes under the guys’ gaze. A noise-rock band with a bugle and an interpretation of the theme from Midnight Cowboy sure as hell has my attention.   I want to thank Eric and Tim for presenting a fantastic episode which introduced me to some good music and interesting discussion. I hope you dig it.   You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from  http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com   Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum    If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.

It’s time to get some solid recommendations from Eric Reanimator for great compilations on Episode 19 of Love That Album: The Compilation Edition. Both albums focus on Canadian troubadour Stomping Tom Connors, probably most famous for The Hockey Song. The first album is called Bring Your Own Plywood and features Calgary rock and country artists recording cover versions of songs written by Connors. Artists such as Agriculture Club, Knucklehead, and The Spam Avenger line up to record their favourite tunes from his monstrously large songbook. Then Eric talks about Unreleased Songs from the Vault Collection, Vol. 1 where Connors himself records some of his favourite classic country and folk songs he originally sang when he started out in the fifties. Using just his guitar and voice, he turns his focus to well known and loved songs such as the Darktown Strutter’s Ball, Truck Drivin’ Man, and Swanee River. Originally planned to be a 10 volume set, Connors unfortunately passed away after only the first volume was released.Thanks again to Eric for another fine program. You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from  http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum   If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.