Category: Episodes

393. The Beta Band

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(March 2022) Episode 393 is THE BETA BAND. Like me, you may know them from that iconic head-bobbing scene in the movie High Fidelity.  It’s hard to describe their esoteric mix of folk, electronica, loops, beats and experimental sounds, but it is generally enjoyable. I don’t know if it was intentional, but the “beta” in the name implies it’s not a finished project, and it sounds like it.

Favourite album: Hot Shots II

Favourite song: Dry the Rain

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: if you’re looking for something unconventional

392. Tang Dynasty

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(March 2022) Episode 392 is TANG DYNASTY, considered China’s first heavy metal band. While it’s generally not my kind of metal, it is better than I expected, especially the guitarists’ shredding and grooving. I also like how they incorporate Chinese ideas and myths, akin to the traditions of Nordic metal. Each album has its own distinct sound.

Favorite album: Epic

Favorite song: Zebra Crossing

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: try it, because you’ve probably never heard Chinese metal before

391. Isaac Hayes

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(March 2022) Episode 391 of the “opus project” is ISAAC HAYES.  You can’t top his early 70s albums for sensuous soul and hot funk. Man I love that stuff. Not to mention his contributions to southern soul at Stax, development of disco, soundtracks (Shaft!) and as an actor, and a Chef.

Favorite album: Black Moses

Favorite song: Good Love

Best enjoyed: Making sweet love by the fire, with Chocolate Salty Balls

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: essential funk and sexy soul

390. The Charlatans

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(March 2022) Episode 390 is THE CHARLATANS (UK).  A band out of Madchester scene (dream pop with funky beats) that survived its demise (where did you go Stone Roses?). They impressively transitioned through Britpop, with some good albums in the 90s, and kept evolving their sound with melodic rock and lush pop.

Favourite album: Us and Us Only

Favourite song: Forever

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: they should be in your 90s Britrock rotation

389. Grave

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(March 2022) Episode 389 is GRAVE, another of the ‘big four’ Swedish death metal bands. All the speed, thrash, growl, scream, doom and death goodness.

Favorite album: Dominion VIII

Favorite song: A World in Darkness

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: yes for both the death metal curious and committed

388. Jackie Wilson

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(February 2022) Episode 388 is JACKIE WILSON. This was a disappointment. He had a strong voice with a big range, and he was a hitmaker and showman. But his version of R&B and soul comes off as milquetoast, laden with sappy strings and chrome and lacking in emotional depth.

Favorite album: Jackie Sings the Blues

Favorite song: (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: look elsewhere for your soul

387. Blind Willie McTell

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(February 2022) Episode 387 of the “opus project” is BLIND WILLIE McTELL One of the best blues artists there ever was, notable for his fingerpicking style associated with the Piedmont blues. He usually played a 12-string, and you can hear the direct influence on Jimmy Page and others. His voice was smooth and high in a ragtime sound.  All without his sight.

Favorite song: East St. Louis Blues (Fare You Well)

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: essential for any tour of the blues

386. Kula Shaker

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(February 2022) Episode 386 is KULA SHAKER. Their debut was lightning in a bottle, a Harrisonesque mix of Britpop, Indian music and Hindu mysticism. I had it in heavy rotation back in the day. Subsequent albums, despite occasional good bits, never matched the charm.

Favourite album: K

Favourite song: Into The Deep

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: just K (debut album)

385. Blue Cheer

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(January 2022) Episode 385 is BLUE CHEER. One of the loud and heavy bands from the late 1960s – and you know how much I love loud and heavy bands from the late 1960s – that is seen as a precursor to heavy metal. The sound on their first four fuzz-laden albums (the only ones you need listen to) is like Vanilla Fudge mixed with Iron Butterfly with a cup of MC5. Like many of that era, inevitably, they reformed to record some terrible albums in later decades.

Favorite album: Vincebus Eruptum

Favorite song: Come and Get It

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: for those who like 60s deep cuts and metal historians

384. Habib Koité

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(February 2022) Episode 384 is HABIB KOITÉ. Guitarist from Mali who delivers a relaxed yet powerful style, with a reserved signing voice that blends well with the rhythms. He became quite popular in West Africa and partnered with some American artists. He adapted his guitar to the pentatonic tuning of a local stringed instrument, and his playing reminds me of Robert Fripp.

Favorite album: Musa Ko

Favorite song: Massakè

Favorite collaboration album: Brothers in Bamako (with Eric Bibb)

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: approachable and enjoyable