Category: Episodes

142. Pat Metheny

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(October 2017) I have completed episode 142 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: PAT METHENY. One of my favorite guitarists. His long and prolific recording career (50+ albums) spans a wide range of jazz genres — straight, fusion, avant-garde, progressive, folk, Latin. It is rather odd that, in my opinion, the music of a jazz musician from Missouri (mostly the early stuff) can evoke images of driving on open roads under a big Western sky.

Favorite album: As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls

Favorite song: “It’s For You”

Favorite period: 1978-84

Most boring album: We Live Here

Most ambitious album: The Way Up

Odd outlier that not many like but I do: Zero Tolerance for Silence

Compared to expectations: same

As_Falls_Wichita.jpg

141. Arnold Shoenberg

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(October 2017) I have completed episode 141 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to the complete works of an artist. This edition: ARNOLD SHOENBERG. In the first half of the 20th century, he developed new ways of thinking about and composing music — e.g. atonality, twelve-tone technique — that became highly influential and much debated. You won’t hear his work on classical radio stations, but it challenges the ear and mind, which is why I like it.

Favorite work: Serenade (Opus 24)

Favorite opera: Moses und Aron

Compared to expectations: ↑

Schoenberg-Arnold-13.jpg

140. The Eagles

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(October 2017) I have completed episode 140 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: the EAGLES. When I did my review of Fleetwood Mac, I could understand how they became Gods of 70s Soft Rock. With this retrospective, I do not get why the Eagles attained the same status. It’s an interesting case study in how to make millions out of mediocrity.

Favorite album: Hotel California

Favorite song: Hotel California

Favorite member: Joe Walsh

Compared to expectations: same

Hotelcalifornia.jpg

138. Iron Maiden

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(September 2017) I have completed episode 138 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: IRON MAIDEN. Out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Iron Maiden has always seemed a cut above, pushing all the headbanger buttons — operatic voice, apocalyptic themes, harmony guitars, thundering riffs.

Favorite album: The Number of the Beast

Favorite song: Hallowed Be Thy Name

Best period: 1980-83 (first four albums)

Worst period: 1996-98 (the two albums without Bruce Dickinson)

Special sauce: Dave Murray

Compared to expectations: same ↓↑

IronMaiden_NumberOfBeast.jpg

137. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(September 2017) I have completed episode 137 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to the complete works of an artist. This edition: WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART. I’ve never been a fan of Mozart.  I’ve found most his works too “nice” — too often lacking edge, angst, turbidity and minor keys. I do recognize his prodigal and prolific genius, for which this effort gave me a greater appreciation, but not enough to make me a fan.  This was a loooong one — more than 600 pieces.

Favorite work and symphony: Symphony No. 40

Favorite symphonic movement: second (Andante cantabile) of Symphony No. 41

Favorite opera: Le nozze di Figaro

Favorite piano concerto: No. 20 (esp. 2nd movement)

Favorite piano sonata: No. 12

Oddest piece: Adagio and Rondo for glass harmonica, flute, oboe, viola and cello (K 617)

Compared to expectations: same

152550-131-ED0EC610.jpg

136. The Grateful Dead

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(August 2017) I have completed episode 136 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: THE GRATEFUL DEAD. I attended five Dead shows in the mid-1980s. As for the recordings, I prefer the studio work, especially the early psychedelic and folky material; I’m not a jam band guy. This effort included the 22 contemporary studio and live albums, and a dozen retrospective live, bootleg, box and Dick’s Picks recordings. Yes, there is plenty more, but I got what I needed. Once you’ve heard ‘Playing in the Band’ for the 8th time, you know it’s time to move on.

Favorite album: American Beauty

Favorite song: China Cat Sunflower

Favorite period: 1969-71

Worst studio album: Go to Heaven

Worst live album: Dylan and the Dead (saw them together; it was bad)

Special sauce: Robert Hunter

Compared to expectations: same

Grateful_Dead_-_American_Beauty.jpg

134. Glass Harp

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(August 2017) I have completed episode 134 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: GLASS HARP. This power trio out of Youngstown, Ohio (!), put out three psychedelically-flavored, progressively-oriented, Christian-themed albums in the early 1970s, plus assorted later reunions. Fans of jam music will like the live recordings; guitarist Phil Keaggy has Hendrix-esque flair.

Favorite album: Glass Harp

Favorite song: Changes

Compared to expectations: same

Glass_Harp_by_Glass_Harp.jpg

133. MC5

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(July 2017) I have completed episode 133 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: MC5. Hard rockers out of Detroit (MC5 = Motor City Five, get it?) in the late 1960s, whose sound later became identified as proto-punk.

Favorite album: Back in the USA

Favorite song: Kick Out the Jams

Compared to expectations: same

mc5_-_kick_out_the_jams