Category: Episodes

404. Death

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(May 2022) Episode 404 is DEATH (the proto-punk band, not the death metal band).  My primary interest is in their role as a proto-punk band, although they didn’t make a mark outside of their native Detroit until rediscovered decades later. Also unusual in that they were a trio of Black brothers who started out in funk but got turned on to hard rock, with political and later Christian themes. Their sound is like mixing MC5, Love, the White Stripes and Glass Harp in a blender. 

Favorite album: …For the Whole World to See

Favorite song: Politicians In My Eyes

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: only of interest to those exploring the roots of punk

403. Anthrax

~ ernopepper ~ 1 Comment

Episode 403 is ANTHRAX.  One of the first and influential trash metal bands, although I would rank them a notch below Metallica and Slayer.  The trash and speed is fantastic, but the music can become burdened by sounding too much like hair metal (on the early albums) or banal hard rock (on the later ones), probably due to the rotation of lead vocalists.

Favorite album: Among the Living

Favorite song: Room for One More

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: it’s high caliber trash metal, but I would initiate yourself elsewhere

402. Blind Willie Johnson

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(April 2022) Episode 402 is BLIND WILLIE JOHSNON, one of the great gospel blues musicians, known for his bottleneck slide guitar and molasses-mixed-with-sand voice, sometimes accompanied by his wife. He had a short recording career between 1927-30, but many of his songs have been covered.

Favorite song: The Soul of a Man

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: for sure if you like pure, original blues

401. Barry White

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(April 2022) Episode 401 is BARRY WHITE. “If chocolate fudge cake could sing, it would sound like Barry White” – the baritone-bass voice that catalyzed countless romances. Smooth, soulful, iconic. 

Favorite album: Stone Gon’

Favorite song:  Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up

Favorite instrumental (could it get any more 70s in here?): Love’s Theme (credited to Love Unlimited Orchestra)

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: essential in any spin of 70s soul

400. Cypress Hill

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(April 2022) Episode 400 is CYPRESS HILL. An essential and foundational rap group, particularly for cross-over appeal. Their first two albums are a lot of fun: super funky and smothered in pot-hazed humor. I credit them for continuing to innovate over the years by integrating rap metal, rock, Latin beats, Indian music, etc.  But it’s also a reminder, for me, that I’m just not into rap music.

Favorite album: Black Sunday

Favorite song: The Phuncky Feel One

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: it’s worth a toke for casual rap fans, and a bowl for the committed

399. Anna Clyne

~ ernopepper ~ 1 Comment

Episode 399 is ANNA CLYNE. A London-born, U.S.-based composer whose music covers a range of contemporary styles, from big boisterous sounds of conventional contemporary to unsettling moody works (I don’t know yet what to label this style) I associate with her mentor Julia Wolfe and others. The instrumentation and arrangements are mostly conventional with some electronic elements thrown in.

Favourite album: The Violin

Favourite piece: Within Her Arms

Favourite solo piece: Rest These Hands

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: an enthusiastic yes

398. Kris Kristofferson

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(April 2022) Episode 398 is KRIS KRISTOFFERSON. An O.G. of outlaw country, he became a crossover superstar in music and movies (favorite: Lone Star).  As good as his songwriting was, his voice was a weak spot, especially in the slicker mid-career albums. But it turned into an asset when he reverted to spare, soulful recordings later in his career, much as Johnny and Willie did. 

Favorite album: The Silver Tongued Devil and I

Favorite song: Sunday Morning Coming Down

Favorite collaboration album: Full Moon (with Rita Coolidge)

Worst album: A Star is Born (soundtrack)

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: worth a listen as a solid 2nd-tier among country voices, but as a 1st tier for songwriting

396. Crowded House

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(April 2022) Episode 396 is CROWDED HOUSE.  It’s generally more soft rock than my taste, but I’ve always admired Neil Finn’s songwriting skill (kinda the kiwi Difford/Tilbrook).  There are some pop gems in here.

Favourite album: Woodface

Favourite song: It’s Only Natural

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: their greatest hits album (Recurring Dream) is worth having

395. Alice in Chains

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(March 2022) Episode 395 is ALICE IN CHAINS.  I’m shocked I didn’t listen to them more back in the day, as arguably the heavy metal-est of the grunge bands. Maybe because they were ubiquitous on the radio (an amazing number of these songs gave me 90s flashbacks).  Or because I never took to the dual low-range vocals, which is distinctive. But it has aged well, and it is heavy and enjoyed at volume.

Favorite album: Dirt

Favorite song: Grind

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: don’t exclude from your 90s mix

394. Reverend Gary Davis

~ ernopepper ~ 1 Comment

(March 2022) Episode 394 is REVEREND GARY DAVIS. Also known as Blind Gary Davis, he was one of the great finger-picking blues guitarists from the Piedmont tradition, as well as in a ragtime style. He became a minister and moved to New York City, so much of his songs have gospel themes.     

Favorite album: Harlem Street Singer, Trying to Get Home

Favorite instrumental album: The Guitar & Banjo of Reverend Gary Davis

Favorite song: Samson and Delilah (If I Had My Way)

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: a quality way to listen to the blues