1001 Album Club

Latest Episodes:

169 Leonard Cohen - Songs From a Room Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

In the 1960s, Cohen lived on the Greek island Hydra with his girlfriend Marianne Ihlen, the woman depicted on the back cover of Songs from a Room. She has related how she helped him out of a depression by handing him his guitar, whereupon he began composing “Bird on the Wire”, inspired by a bird sitting on one of Hydra’s recently installed phone wires, followed by memories of wet island nights. Another classic from a poet of a musician.

168 King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King Sep 12, 2019

Show notes

In the Court of the Crimson King was the masterpiece that essentially launched progressive rock, which was the dominant genre in high-end British pop for the next seven years. Until The Dark Side of the Moon, it was the definitive prog-rock album. Also we find out what is really going on at the end of “Moon child”.

167 The Kinks - Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire Sep 09, 2019

Show notes

Kinks frontman Ray Davies constructed the concept album as the soundtrack to a Granada Television play and developed the storyline with novelist Julian Mitchell; however, the television programme was cancelled and never produced. The rough plot revolved around Arthur Morgan, a carpet-layer, who was based on Ray and guitarist Dave Davies’ brother-in-law Arthur Anning. Come along as we sing along to the Kinks.

166 Grateful Dead - Live Dead Sep 05, 2019

Show notes

The Grateful Dead’s fourth title was likewise their first extended concert recording. Spread over two LPs, Live/Dead introduced all to the world to what it was like to experience a dead show for better or worst.

165 Isaac Hayes - Hot Buttered Soul Sep 02, 2019

Show notes

Hot Buttered Soul set the precedent for how soul would evolve into a funky groove. It remains an seminal record that many would consider the starting point for “baby making music”.

164 Youngbloods - Elephant Mountain Aug 29, 2019

Show notes

After their breakout hit “get together” the Youngbloods moved to Northern California and started blending affective pop/rock melodies and lyrics with their good time jug band roots, the Youngbloods were instantly embraced by the already blossoming Bay Area music community, but they won’t be embraced by our group.

163 Fairport Convention - Unhalfbricking Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

Considered one of the greatest English folk bands of the 1960’s Fairport Convention drew upon traditional styles and combined them with contemporary sounds to great effect. News flash Rob doesn’t like folk music.

162 Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority Aug 22, 2019

Show notes

Few debut albums can boast as consistently solid an effort as the self-titled Chicago Transit Authority (1969). Although this was ultimately the septet’s first national exposure, the group was far from the proverbial “overnight sensation.” Does being the tightest band make you the best? Let’s discuss.

161 Tim Buckley - Happy Sad Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

By 1969, Tim Buckley seemed bored with traditional acoustic folk. Happy / Sad marked the beginning of Buckley’s experimental period, incorporating elements of jazz by way of Lee Underwood’s – guitar, keyboards & David Friedman‘s vibraphone . Buckley also decided he wanted to take control of the songs and lyrics penning the entire album himself , and began to really use his voice with drawn out phasings so that they acted as another instrument blending into the songs instead of on top of the melodies. The album’s songs are a minimal tapestry that slowly draw the lister into Buckley mesmerizing visions about loneliness, love and loss.

160 Sly and the Family Stone - Stand! Aug 15, 2019

Show notes

“Stand!” is the pinnacle of Sly & the Family Stone’s early work, a record that represents a culmination of the group’s musical vision and accomplishment.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected