Dive into the electrifying atmosphere of live music on this episode, as we take a detour from studio recordings to explore the raw energy and spontaneous magic of live performances. This time around, we're sizing up "Meadows" by Joe Walsh, from his dynamic 1976 live album, You Can't Argue with a Sick Mind.

Throughout the tapestry of music history, certain figures stand out not just for their talent but for their sheer courage and resilience. Count Jackie Shane among them-- a groundbreaking black trans woman who made a mark on the music scene in the 1950's and 60's. In our latest podcast episode, we delve into the life and legacy of Jackie Shane, a trailblazer whose story is as compelling as her music.

In this episode, we take a fascinating journey into the world of obscure Psych and Hard Rock from the 1970's with the "Brown Acid" series. Brown Acid is not just a collection of music; it represents a moment in time, a period that falls between the peace and love of the hippie era and the aggressive sounds of punk rock-- a vital documentation of a lost chapter in American music history. In this episode, you'll be treated to a selection of tracks from the series, showcasing the eclectic and often wild sounds that characterize the Brown Acid compilations.

Join us as we dive deep into one of Queen's most iconic tracks, "Death on Two Legs," from their legendary album A Night at the Opera, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. This episode features an in-depth analysis of the song's history, production, and the individual tracks that make up this classic, along with performance insights from Tyler Warren, who has played this music live with the Queen Extravaganza. Don't miss this chance to celebrate the music that shaped rock history.

This episode we celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest ever made-- "A Night At The Opera" by Queen. I'm joined by author Gillian Gaar, whose new book, Queen and A Night at the Opera 50 Years, offers a fascinating look at the making of this legendary record. Together, we explore the unique personalities of the band members, the pressures they faced leading up to the album's release, and the innovative production techniques that defined their sound.

Saxon came out of England in the 1970's and quickly established themselves as one of the leading lights of the "New Wave Of British Heavy Metal" (NWOBHM). Their 2nd album, Wheels Of Steel, is considered one of the classic Metal albums. On this episode, we dive into "747 (Strangers In The Night)", one of the hits from this album and remains a concert favorite at any Saxon show.

On this episode, we fix our gaze on guitarist Robin Trower. Though he's not a household name today, he continues to be held in high regard by guitar aficionados. His time with Procol Harum and the formation of his own power trio laid the foundation for a sound that would captivate audiences and inspire countless guitarists. From Trower's use of the middle pickup on his Fender Stratocaster to the swirling effects of the Univibe pedal, we explore the sonic artistry behind "Day of the Eagle", and the power of music across decades... from the days when guitars ruled the airwaves and heroes were measured by bend of a string.

Music has a unique way of capturing the essence of a time period, and 1975 was no exception. This year stands out in music history as a treasure trove of classic albums that have withstood the test of time, continuing to inspire and resonate with listeners even 50 years later. In the latest episode of the podcast, we take a journey through the iconic records that made 1975 a landmark year in music.

What happens when two R&B veterans team up with a psychedelic band for a one-off single? It's either one of the weirdest songs of the '60's or a forgotten classic, depending on your take on these things. For me, I'm firmly in the "lost treasure" camp. This original mash-up by Larry Williams & Johnny "Guitar" Watson, with The Kaleidoscope backing them up, is a relic from a time when anything seemed possible.

Iggy Pop made his (first) comeback with the Raw Power album, released in 1973. The album opens with the ferocious track “Search And Destroy”. Produced by David Bowie and powered by the savage energy of the reconstituted Stooges (featuring James Williamson’s guitar fury), this track set the tone, not only for this album, but for decades of punk and heavy metal to come.

This episode, we travel back to Chicago, 1965 and dive into Fontella Bass's iconic hit, "Rescue Me." Let's explore this timeless track, recorded at the legendary Chess Studios, and discover the musical elements, the stellar lineup of musicians, and the story of Fontella Bass-- an artist who did things her way.

Pink Floyd has been a cornerstone of rock history, producing some of the most iconic albums ever recorded. One song that stands out in their catalog is "Have a Cigar" from the album Wish You Were Here, a track that offers a scathing critique of the music industry. In the latest episode of the podcast, we dive deep into this song, uncovering what makes "Have a Cigar" a classic.

Welcome to our annual Bonus Holiday Episode, where I dig through my collection of Christmas & Holiday songs and pull out one of my favorites to play for you. No deep dive here, just a nice little holiday ditty to add to your playlist if you're so inclined. Also, join me at the end as say a few "thank you's" to friends, family, and most importantly, to you-- my heartfelt thanks for spending your time with the show this year. More to come in 2025, so I hope you keep listening!

For one hot moment, Broken Homes were hot new band in LA, and big success was ahead. It never materialized. The band cut 3 albums for MCA, but they went nowhere. On this episode, we dig into a track from their first album, one of my favorite LP's from the '80's and a real "desert island" record for me. The album never came out on CD, but if you can track down a copy on vinyl, I highly recommend it.

In this epic episode, we embark on a sonic exploration of The Who's towering anthem "Won't Get Fooled Again." We explore the song that encapsulates the very essence of rock music-- its intensity, grandeur, and unyielding spirit. We dive deep into the tumultuous history behind one of the most ambitious projects in rock history, The Who's "Lifehouse," and how it gave rise to an album that, despite its fraught genesis, stands as a masterpiece of the genre.

No genre had greater impact of the development of Rock & Roll than the Blues. And no instrument has contributed more to Rock than the electric guitar. In this episode, I’m joined by author Pete Prown to talk about the blues guitarists who influenced the sound of Rock (and all the genres & offshoots that followed). Some of these players became icons, others were forgotten; but they are all important figures in the evolution of the Blues and Rock—and all featured in Prown’s new book, “The Ultimate Book Of Blues Guitar Legends”, available now.

One of our greatest singer/songwriters, Matthew Sweet, suffered a stroke recently. He's facing some tough times ahead, but this isn't the first challenge he's faced. Things were not going Matthew Sweet’s way in 1990; his first two albums flopped, and his marriage fell apart. His 3rd album was make-or-break, do-or-die. If this one failed, he may never get to do another record. So he & his producer went back to basics, recording a batch of guitar-oriented songs that sound both retro and refreshingly new. The album that became known as "Girlfriend" saved his career and has become a true classic. On this episode, we explore the album’s brilliant opener, “Divine Intervention”. Let's hope he rebounds as well this time.

It's time for our occasional somewhat-annual Halloween Spooktacular episode, where we pick a song appropriate to the season and see what terror awaits us. And what better way to get into the Halloween spirit than an examination (autopsy?) of the original “shock rock” song—“I Put A Spell On You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.

Aerosmith were at their commercial & creative peak in 1976 when they released Rocks, a high-water mark in their career. The album opens with “Back In The Saddle”, one of their hardest-rocking songs and the perfect way to kick off their heaviest album. There’s lots to uncover in this song, so join us for this episode where we explore this classic track.

On this episode, we take a journey through the rich history of Stax Records, the iconic label that defined Southern Soul music, and I play some of my favorite Stax tracks from their earliest years, 1959 to 1963. Stax produced some of the most unforgettable songs in music history. Join us as I spin up some of my personal favorites, featuring legends like Booker T. and the MGs, Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, The Mark-Keys and Carla Thomas. Learn about the unique sound of Stax, the community that fostered it, and the incredible music that continues to resonate today.

One song can’t really define a whole genre, but “September Gurls” by Big Star comes pretty damn close – it IS the sound of Power Pop. Jangly guitars, plaintive vocal, angelic harmonies, all neatly wrapped up in under 3 minutes. It became a template to inspire bands as diverse as R.E.M., Cheap Trick, The Bangles, KISS, and The Replacements. Discover why Big Star is often called “the most influential band you’ve never heard of”.

Titanic Love Affair never got a big break and flew under the radar with a couple of albums before calling it quits. On this episode, we explore a song by this underappreciated band—a supremely catchy number called “Happy” that shoulda been a contender. Join us in appreciation for this song, this band, and the late, great Jay Bennett.

60 years ago—July 1964 in the UK, August 1964 in the US—The Beatles film "A Hard Day’s Night” was unleashed, driving Beatlemania to even greater heights.  Accompanying the film was the album of the same name, and its classic title cut.  One of The Beatles’ finest singles, “A Hard Day’s Night” features all the elements that made The Beatles so special.  On this episode, we break down this legendary track to see what makes it such a great song.

Small Faces are one of the all-time great British bands from the 1960's but they never got the attention, success or respect they deserved. (Some of that was due to self-inflicted damage, but still...) Their biggest hit was "Itchycoo Park", 2:45 of psychedelic pop perfection. All 4 members of the band shine, and engineer Glyn Johns gets to introduce the world to the sound of flanging. Feel inclined to blow your mind? Check out this episode.

William "Smokey" Robinson was the man behind many of Motown's greatest hits-- not just the tracks he recorded himself with The Miracles, he also wrote many hits for other Motown acts. But perhaps his greatest achievement was "Tracks Of My Tears". It was selected by the RIAA & NEA as one of the 365 Greatest Songs of the 20th Century; it's on the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's list of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll, and Rolling Stone magazine named it The Greatest Motown Song Of All Time. Join us for this episode as we explore this masterpiece.