The Opus

Latest Episodes:

Welcome to The Opus - Season 6: The Clash's London Calling Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

Consequence of Sound and Sony are proud to present the sixth season of The Opus. Past seasons have explored the legacy of iconic albums by Bob Dylan (Blood on the Tracks), The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Electric Ladyland), Jeff Buckley (Grace), Willie Nelson (Red Headed Stranger), and Ozzy Osbourne (Blizzard of Ozz). This time, we're answering the cry of the only band that matters, The Clash, and their landmark release London Calling. Host Andy Bothwell, a.k.a. Astronautalis, will begin picking up the pieces of the Paul Simonon's bass when episode one arrives December 5th.

The band was in uncertain territory leading into London Calling. After parting ways with their former manager and being forced to relocate to a new rehearsal space, lead songwriters Mick Jones and Joe Strummer were hit with a year-long bout of writer's block. Even on their previous record, they'd begun veering away from the punk they'd helped popularize towards more rock 'n roll sounds. By embracing styles as varied as ska, rockabilly, and pop, they were able to not only shake off their doldrums, but shake up punk rock at large.

"London Calling, is perhaps, the greatest record, from one my favorite bands of all time," says Bothwell. "To say that I am excited about covering this one, would be an ABSURD understatement! This record didn’t just change how punk sounded, it totally redefined who was punk, what punk looked like, and blew my little American mind the first time I heard it in my brother’s room back in the 80’s!"

The Opus: London Calling premieres December 5th, and you can subscribe now.

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Blizzard of Ozz: The People vs. Ozzy Osbourne Nov 07, 2019

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The Opus is out of the Blizzard and on Capitol Hill. Long before he was a teddy bear on reality TV, Ozzy Osbourne was seen as a demon through the eyes of many Americans. In fact, throughout the '80s, the Prince of Darkness was the subject of two separate court cases involving his music. Both "Suicide Solution" and "Mr. Crowley" drew ire from parents and politicians, who were no doubt fueled by the fear and rage of America's rampant Satanic Panic. This brought Ozzy into the sights of Tipper Gore and her Parents Music Resource Center. Host Andy Bothwell concludes his journey through 1980's Blizzard of Ozz by heading to America's capital with a team of experts. Today, he's joined by legendary pop culture writer Chuck Klosterman and The Columbine Effect author Beth Winegarner. Together, they discuss how Ozzy's battles during this time shaped first amendment rights for artists forever, how the war against censorship continues with social media, and how science sides with the holistic qualities of heavy metal. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne’s groundbreaking debut album, Blizzard of Oz. To celebrate, you can preview or stream music from Ozzy Osbourne here. Bonus: We’re also giving away his new career-spanning vinyl box set, See You on the Other Side.

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Blizzard of Ozz: The Unexpected Influence of Ozzy Osbourne Oct 31, 2019

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The Opus is in the thick of the Blizzard now. Tracing the influence of Ozzy Osbourne leads to some strange and wonderful places -- far beyond the confines of hard rock. From sports arenas to new hip-hop anthems, the Prince of Darkness has a reach that knows no limits. Host Andy Bothwell continues his journey through 1980's Blizzard of Ozz, but he's not alone. Today, he's joined by a motley crew that includes guitar god Zakk Wylde, musician Steve Brodsky (formerly of Converge), Portland Mercury writer Robert Ham, and, yes, Minor League Baseball executive Fillup Guiry. Together, they discuss how Blizzard of Ozz was a gateway drug into metal, how all great grunge musicians were 16 when it dropped, and how it wound up on the mixing boards for the likes of Post Malone, Trick Daddy, and Lil Jon. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne’s groundbreaking debut album, Blizzard of Oz. To celebrate, you can preview or stream music from Ozzy Osbourne here. Bonus: We’re also giving away his new career-spanning vinyl box set, See You on the Other Side.

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Blizzard of Ozz: The Prince of Darkness Finds Unlikely Shelter Oct 24, 2019

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Warning: The Opus is about to get loud. Ozzy Osbourne wasn't always The Prince of Darkness. It was a long and twisted journey in the lead-up to his 1980 solo debut, Blizzard of Ozz, one that found the legendary singer banished, wrecked, and lost without any sense of purpose. He was a broken man. Yet he was hardly abandoned. After being pulled back to life by his future life partner Sharon Arden, Osbourne found himself amidst an unlikely redemption story in his post-Black Sabbath life. That story is where this season of The Opus begins. In the first episode of our Blizzard of Ozz series, host Andy Bothwell is joined by legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde, who's performed alongside Osbourne since 1987, in addition to heavy metal writer Joseph Schafer, who has served as curator for NW Terrorfest. Together, they chart how Osbourne went from toiling away in Los Angeles' Le Park Suite Hotel to finding the classical complexity of Randy Rhoads' guitar work to ultimately creating the blueprint for the future of heavy metal. Again, things are gonna get loud. So, put on those headphones, throw up the horns, and listen below. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne’s groundbreaking debut album, Blizzard of Oz. To celebrate, you can preview or stream music from Ozzy Osbourne here. Bonus: We’re also giving away his new career-spanning vinyl box set, See You on the Other Side.

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Welcome to The Opus - Season 5: Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard of Ozz Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

The Opus is back for a fifth season from Consequence of Sound and Sony. After exploring the legacies of classic records from Bob Dylan (Blood on the Tracks), The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Electric Ladyland), Jeff Buckley (Grace), and Willie Nelson (Red Headed Stranger), we’re bundling up to enter the storm that is Ozzy Osbourne’s debut solo record, Blizzard of Ozz. Host Andy Bothwell, a.k.a. Astronautalis, will begin to traverse the frozen tundra of metal when episode one drops on October 24th. After being fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, Osbourne feared his career was over. However, with the help of his future wife, Sharon Arden, and the work of guitarist Randy Rhoads, he saw a second chance to become a heavy metal icon. Blizzard of Ozz blew in like a cold wind of change that would shift not just Osbourne’s life, but the genre as a whole, thanks to hit singles “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley”. Over three episodes, a number of musicians, artists, authors, and metal heads will delve into how the record changed Ozzy’s world and continues to impact music today. Bothwell returns to host the series to guide us through the Blizzard. “I didn’t grow up on Ozzy, I knew the hits, but I had never gone any deeper than that on Blizzard Of Ozz,” Bothwell admits. “But, after researching for this next season of The Opus, I have become a TOTAL fan! I finally understand why metal heads worship this record, and I fully accept and acknowledge Ozzy Osbourne as the Godfather of Metal, and the one true Prince of Darkness!” The Opus: Blizzard of Ozz premieres October 24th, and you can subscribe now. To prepare for the new season, stream a selection of Ozzy Osbourne’s top tracks via all major streaming services.

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Red Headed Stranger: The Wonderful World of Willie Oct 03, 2019

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The Opus is moseying on outta Texas. Wild horses, weed at the White House, the war in Iraq, and the weird web that ties the world of Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger together. The record that gave Willie his stardom has continued to shape and change the world long after its release. At a time when the world seems to be pulling itself apart, Willie Nelson continues to be a tie that binds—even the most disparate elements. In the Season 4 finale of The Opus, we take a walk in Willie’s boots, and bask in the glorious world he has created since Red Headed Stranger. Host Andy Bothwell, joined by Nathanial Rateliff of Nathanial Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Jack Torrey of The Cactus Blossoms, Carla Bozulich of The Geraldine Fibbers, and Dan Solomon of Texas Monthly Magazine, takes you inside Willie’s world, and shows you just how singular it is. Next year marks the 45th anniversary of Willie Nelson’s breakthrough country outlaw album, Red Headed Stranger. To celebrate, you can preview or stream music from Willie Nelson here. Bonus: We’re giving away a 14-LP Willie Nelson vinyl prize pack!

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Red Headed Stranger: Betting It All on Being Different Sep 26, 2019

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The Opus is still in Texas. What does Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger have in common with Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot? How does that commonality change the course of music history ever? And just how close did Willie Nelson come to slipping into total obscurity. Red Headed Stranger launched an improbable career, created a genre, and changed the world forever. In this installment of The Opus, we get a first-hand look at the massive, culture-shifting changes that came from one pivot, one moment, one record, one man’s faith in his own work. Host Andy Bothwell, along with legendary Texas historian Joe Nick Patoski, takes you through the most pivotal time in Willie Nelson’s life, and just how close we came to never knowing Willie at all. Next year marks the 45th anniversary of Willie Nelson’s breakthrough country outlaw album, Red Headed Stranger. To celebrate, you can preview or stream music from Willie Nelson here. Bonus: We’re giving away a 14-LP Willie Nelson vinyl prize pack!

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Red Headed Stranger: Willie Nelson's Outlaw Rebirth Sep 19, 2019

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The Opus is heading to Texas. Willie Nelson has reached that true iconic status in American culture that very few people ever manage to achieve, especially while they're still alive and working. But perhaps the avatar of Willie now looms so large, that we, as a culture, have forgotten all of the brilliant art and work that laid the foundation to support this musical colossus? Sure, you know the hits, but, once Willie hit his stride, he didn’t just write great songs, he made great albums. Albums that changed country music, albums that changed the American cultural landscape forever. In season four of The Opus, we take a deep dive into the album that changed it all for Wille Nelson: his 1975 cinematic masterpiece, Red Headed Stranger. In this season's first episode, host Andy Bothwell is joined by legendary Texas historian Joe Nick Patoski and music writer Rebecca Bengal to discuss the significance of this album and how it went on to shape said American icon. Join us below. Next year marks the 45th anniversary of Willie Nelson’s breakthrough country outlaw album, Red Headed Stranger. To celebrate, you can preview or stream music from Willie Nelson here. Bonus: We’re giving away a 14-LP Willie Nelson vinyl prize pack!

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Welcome to The Opus - Season 4: Willie Nelson's Red Headed Stranger Sep 13, 2019

Show notes

Consequence of Sound and Sony have teamed up once again to bring you the fourth season of The Opus, a podcast that examines the evolving legacy of music’s most iconic albums. Beginning September 19th, the series will head South as it revisits one of country's most beloved albums, Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger, with new host Andy Bothwell, aka Astronautalis. Next year sees Nelson's 18th studio record turn 45, making this the perfect time to revisit the classic LP. Given more creative freedom over his music thanks to a new contract and a new label, Nelson returned to the concept album form with Red Headed Stranger. Weaving covers of old standards in with poetic, stripped down originals, he created an outlaw country tale that transcended its genre into the mainstream consciousness. Over three episodes, The Opus will dig into what the record meant then and how it has impacted music now. Taking listeners through this tour of the album's legacy will be Bothwell, The Opus’ new permanent host. “Every great record has an infinite number of stories to tell, not just from when it was recorded, or when it was released, but for all time, as the music continues to reach and impact new people," says the alternative hip-hop artist. "I am so excited to join forces with Sony Music and Consequence of Sound to dive deep into some of the greatest records of all time, and share their stories with everyone." The Opus: Red Headed Stranger premieres September 19th.

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Grace: Keeping Jeff Buckley's Legacy Alive Aug 29, 2019

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The Opus completes its journey with the late Jeff Buckley. Jeff Buckley hasn't been alive for 22 years, and yet, he has consistently put out "new" music. Fans can thank Mary Guibert for that. She's head executive of Buckley's estate — and also his mother. Stepping in quickly after his untimely death, she's kept Buckley's voice and vision alive all these years. It's not an easy job — after all, she had to convince seasoned label heads to take her seriously, compartmentalize her grief as a mother to act as an executive, and choose what things are shared with the world and what stays private. In the season three finale of The Opus, host Carrie Courogen is joined by Guibert, as well as Rolling Stone critic David Browne, to discuss their roles, together and individually, in doing the delicate and difficult work of keeping Buckley's legacy alive. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Grace, Jeff Buckley’s proper studio catalogue will be re-released and packaged with rare recordings and bonus international material. The sets drop on August 23rd via Columbia and Sony Legacy.

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