Riffs on Riffs

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99 Problems and a Big Fire Ain't One Oct 24, 2018

Show notes

The Black Album came out on a Friday - three weeks early due to a leak. It was a bittersweet moment for Jay-Z fans across the world seeing as though it was advertised as his final album before retiring. No need for suspense, because we all now what happened next... the retirement was short lived, thank the Rap Gods. We are still living in the era of that reversed decision, receiving hits for more than a decade, particularly every Bey and Jay collaboration from "Drunk in Love" to the "On the Run II" World Tour. But The Black Album left its mark with the controversial hit single "99 Problems," and that's our lead for this episode of Riffs on Riffs.

The song snagged a pounding drum beat, provided by mega-hit Producer Rick Rubin and his trademark sound. From there, Joe and Toby trace this infamous drum beat back to the 80's where big hair and music videos made a splash, or even sunk. Either way, it's a beat that has been sampled over 280 times in rock, hip-hop and beyond. With the help of Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and many more, the drum riff that shook the 80's got the credit it finally deserved.

What we geek out over in this episode: bad music videos, Gremlins, answer songs, Jay-Z singles, "Mississippi Queen", Rick Rubin, and bongos.

Bonus Material: NAS "Hip Hop is Dead", Iron Butterfly, Incredible Bongo Band "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" and DJ Danger Mouse's The Grey Album.

Underdog Ain't Nuthin' to Mess With Oct 16, 2018

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Wu-Tang Clan, a group of nine supremely talented and stylistically diverse rappers – Ghostface Killah, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, Method Man, Raekwon, RZA, U-God and the now-deceased Ol' Dirty Bastard – changed the hip hop game, forever. Not just in music, but in the music business. Wu-Tang was a financial movement as much as it was a music movement.

Today Joe and Toby rewind back to the inspiration for "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin' To Mess With," back before we all walked around in our Wu Wear shirts and hoodies, to a famous cartoonist. Enter W. Watts Biggers. This man created a cartoon character for General Mills to sell cereal; the character's theme song hatched a riff used by hip hop artists, R&B singers, and guitar legends for decades to come.

What we geek out over in this episode: Cheerios, ASR-10 sampling keyboard, the Serato technology, Rihanna's music videos, and THE Carlos Santana.

Bonus Material: "Runaway Love" Remix by Justin Bieber feat. Raekwon & Kanye West.

Note to PETA: There were no squirrels harmed in the making of this podcast.

The Edge of Police Booty Oct 16, 2018

Show notes

Stevie Nicks – the woman who has dominated the music scene for almost four decades as the front woman of Fleetwood Mac and chart-topping solo artist – bow to her we must. Especially for bringing us the heart pounding 80's hit, "Edge of Seventeen" with that stylish intro guitar riff. Joe and Toby trace the origins of this song back to a legendary English rock band that everyone will recognize. Yet, not everyone knows that the iconic sound from Stevie's infamous track was actually sampled from this famed mystery group. Even Destiny's Child takes this riff for a spin in today's podcast.

What we geek out over in this episode: "White Reggae," sting operations, drum sounds of the 70's, and Kelly Rowland.

Bonus Material: Mondegreens and the Queen's weeyoos.

Note to Mondegreen Beginner: "I pledge a legion to the frog of the United States of America, and to the wee puppet for witch's hands. One Asian, in the vestibule, with little tea and just rice for all."

California Woman Oct 16, 2018

Show notes

It's that head bobbin' beat we all jammed out to in the summer of '96 as Tupac Shakur went straight from a jail cell to the top of the charts. Joe and Toby unpack the intro riff to Tupac's "California Love" and retrace its steps all the way back to one of the rock n' roll icons from the Woodstock era, in order to find its original tune. You can't talk about Tupac without mentioning west coast hip-hop. You'll get a mini music history lesson, highlighting influences of the eras, including Ultramagnetic MC's, EPMD, Bernard Purdie (legendary funk musician and drummer), and Roger Troutman (notable composer/producer and Zapp frontman) also known as "the guy" who popularized the talk box.

What we geek out over in this episode: Funk legends, Bootsy and "The One", and the GEICO lemonade commercial with Ice-T. Bonus Material: Talk box. Do you feel….like we do?

Season 1 Trailer Oct 01, 2018

Show notes

Get a little taste of what's in store for Season 1 of Riffs of Riffs. Join musicians, Joe Watson and Toby Brazwell, as they put the spin on original and sampled tracks. From Joe Cocker to Prince, from Alicia Keys to Stevie Nicks, you'll love discovering how your favorite tunes got their sound. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app, and you'll get the first 3 episodes on October 17th. Learn more at EvergreenPodcasts.com.

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