Author: ernopepper

417. Jeff Beck

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(June 2022) Episode 417 is JEFF BECK. One of the three Gods of Guitar to emerge from the Yardbirds, he did not earn the same fame as Page or Clapton. This may be due to an idiosyncratic, haphazard output that veered in style from blues rock to jazz fusion, pop rock, rockabilly and modern rock, all of which provided platform for his guitar chops. His musical legacy, though, comes from the first two albums, with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, which laid the foundation for heavy metal and blues rock, and gave us some classic rock staples.  And of course from his much-admired innovations and talents on the six strings.

Favourite album: Truth

Favourite song: Beck’s Bolero

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: mostly for guitar-o-philes

416. Circle Jerks

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(June 2022) Episode 416 is CIRCLE JERKS, one of the better-known punk bands from the early 80s SoCal scene. The first two recordings are a good blitz of minute-length rages. But I get the sense that a Circle Jerks record is something a prog rock-listening 80s college student might pull out to show he gets punk too, eliciting an eye roll from his roommate who collects Minor Threat and Bad Brains original pressings (this may or not be based on a true story).

Favorite album: Group Sex

Favorite song: 86d (Good as Gone)

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: decent but not prime punk

415. Jerry Lee Lewis

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(June 2022) Episode 415 is JERRY LEE LEWIS. A foundational icon of rock ‘n’ roll, both for his music and his wild antics. I am not into old time rock ‘n’ roll, so this episode was done mostly for historical interest. He has recorded (he’s still alive!) prolifically, and most of his output was in the country genre, coving standards and other running-on-fumes material.

Favorite album: Jerry Lee Lewis (1957)

Favorite song: Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: only for historical interest

414. Dismember

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(June 2022) Episode 414 is DISMEMBER, the last of the ‘big four’ Swedish death metal bands in my review. Excellent speed, grind and growl. Like many fellow bands, they took a detour to more melodic sound in the mid-90s, but came back to the core effort (better IMO).

Favorite album: Indecent and Obscene

Favorite song: Skinfather

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: yes for those who appreciate death metal

413. Nkeiru Okoye

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(June 2022) Episode 413 is NKEIRU OKOYE. A contemporary composer mostly of vocal works, including an opera, theatrical pieces and song cycles. A main theme of her works is the African-American experience, both contemporary and historical.  While I’m not a fan of the operatic style, I liked the subject matter as well as the chamber works.

Favorite piece: Harriet Tubman, When I Crossed That Line To Freedom

Favorite chamber piece: Movements for String Quartet

Favorite orchestral piece: Voices Shouting Out

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: worth a listen

412. Ravi Shankar

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Episode 412 is RAVI SHANKAR. For most of us he is the introduction, if not our only exposure, to Indian classical music, usually through George. I don’t know enough about Indian classical music, with its complexities and philosophic roots, to assess Shankar’s place in it, but he is celebrated, even if derided by purists for collaborating with western musicians. But I love the music, all of it. 

Favorite album: The Genius of Ravi Shankar

Favorite song: Raga Miyan Ki Malhar

Favorite crossover piece: Concerto for Sitar and Orchestra

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: a strong yes

411. Crass

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(May 2022) Episode 411 is CRASS. An idiosyncratic first-wave UK punk group that was the musical arm of an anarchist art collective.  They deliver their political message with a punch in the face, deliberately avoiding any possibility of popular acceptance. There is also a lot of avant-punk experimentation incorporating collages, poetry, spoken word and free-form noise-making, which may be my favorite part of their sound.

Favourite album: Stations of the Crass

Favourite song: Burying the Hatchet

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: it is an acquired taste

410. Blind Lemon Jefferson

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(May 2022) Episode 410 is BLIND LEMON JEFFERSON, known as the Father of Texas Blues.  He recorded a hundred songs in the 1920s, and was popular at the time for his distinctive voice and guitar playing.  He was rediscovered in the 1960s as lots of artists covered his songs. Allegedly Jefferson Airplane took their name from him.

Favorite song: Matchbox Blues

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: yes, for awareness of original blues

409. Procol Harem

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(May 2022) Episode 409 is PROCOL HAREM. You know them from their first single “A Whiter Shade of Pale” but they were more than a one-hit wonder. The first three albums, with Robin Trower’s fuzzy guitar and Matthew Fisher’s reverberating organ, are a peak late-60s mix of quasi-psychedelia and baroque rock. They are also considered one of the first prog-rock bands. Vocalist and pianist Gary Brooker, with a voice that is the love child of Steve Winwood and Pete Townsend, is the constant from the beginning though a long run of avoidable albums.

Favourite album: Procol Harem

Favourite song: She Wandered Through the Garden Fence

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: relevant for a deeper dive into late 60s British rock, as well as those interested in the roots of prog rock

408. Wilson Pickett

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(May 2022) Episode 408 of the “opus project” is WILSON PICKETT. One of my favorite soul singers; his voice has a right level of rawness that feels close to the soul ideal. The songs in his late 1960s prime are funky and danceable without resorting to schlock or saccharine. After the early 1970s the output becomes sporadic and forgettable.

Favorite album: The Exciting Wilson Pickett

Favorite song: Land of 1000 Dances

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: a must-have for any soul playlist