The Opus

Latest Episodes:

Grace: Buckley and Grace After Death Aug 22, 2019

Show notes

The Opus continues its season surrounding the late Jeff Buckley. Posthumous fame and legacy have been contentious subjects for decades. An early or sudden death, as in Buckley's case, can sometimes create a mythology around the artist that leaves audiences with difficult questions to ask: How do we listen to Grace — Buckley’s only finished studio album — differently with the knowledge of his death? How do we ethically proceed with lingering unfinished material in the aftermath of such a tragedy? And do posthumous releases help us understand an artist more, or do they lend to the mythology? While Buckley the person is no longer alive, through his art, his voice continues to flourish and inspire. Host Carrie Courogen is joined by critics Daphne A. Brooks, David Browne, Annie Zaleski, and musician Warren Zanes to talk about how Buckley’s tragic death, and everything that came after, casts a long shadow over the way we listen to Grace today. 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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Grace: Post-Gender, Post-Genre: The Voice of Jeff Buckley Aug 15, 2019

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The Opus returns to dig into the mythos of the late Jeff Buckley. In his time, Buckley rose to fame amidst the prime of '90s masculine alt-rock. And yet, his first and only studio album, 1994's Grace, defies all the trappings of its era. His embracement of femininity and vulnerability made him post-genre before it was the norm. While that inability to be pigeonholed set him apart from his rock peers, it also begged the question: "What do we do with this?" Host Carrie Courogen is joined by musicians Lzzy Hale and Myles Kennedy, along with critics Daphne A. Brooks and Annie Zaleski to unpack how Buckley's defiance of genre and gender norms alike led his music to endure 25 years later. 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.

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Welcome to The Opus - Season 3: Jeff Buckley's Grace Aug 13, 2019

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Consequence of Sound and Sony have teamed up once again to bring you the third season of The Opus, a podcast that examines the evolving legacy of music’s most iconic albums. The series returns with new host Carrie Courogen to dig into the depths of Jeff Buckley’s only full-length record, Grace. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Grace remains as vital and powerful as it was when first released back in 1994. Over the course of three episodes, The Opus takes listeners through the years since, exploring how Buckley’s singular vulnerability and tragic death have impacted the way we perceive his greatest work. Through discussions with critics, artists, musicians, scholars, and other personalities, The Opus will present an unparalleled look at the magic and mastery of Grace. The Opus: Grace premieres August 15th.

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Electric Ladyland: The Enduring Legacy of Hendrix Jan 31, 2019

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Decades after his tragic death in 1970, Jimi Hendrix continues to inspire countless souls. From the elusive Hendrix chord to deluxe box sets, the singer and guitarist's legacy is long out of his hands, part of a much larger lexicon of followers, be it elders of yesteryear or newcomers who weren't even around for the '90s. In our final episode revolving around Hendrix and Electric Ladyland, host Ernest Wilkins attempts to answer, "Why?" It's a tough question, sure, but Ernest isn't alone for the trip. He's joined by another legend himself in Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, who will soon embark on the Experience Hendrix tour, in addition to poet and author Hanif Abdurraqib, whose book of essays, They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us, topped year-end lists by Buzzfeed, Esquire, NPR, Oprah Magazine, and The Chicago Tribune.

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Electric Ladyland: The Cinematic Immortality of Hendrix Jan 24, 2019

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From Easy Rider to Forrest Gump and Wayne's World to Woodstock, the legacy of Jimi Hendrix has certainly been aided by the eternal power of cinema. Host Ernest Wilkins is joined by musician and actor Mykele Deville, Daily Grindhouse editor Mike Vanderbilt, and Consequence of Sound Editor-in-Chief Michael Roffman to trace back the lineage of the legend on celluloid. However, that lineage is parallel to a long standing relationship with pop music and film, one that may have been exacerbated by the late axeman himself. To find out, the four step out to enjoy a 30,000 foot view and discuss the larger cultural impact of music in film and how Hendrix’s music itself is interwoven into American culture through iconic movie moments.

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Electric Ladyland: The Studio Wizardry of Hendrix Jan 17, 2019

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Insights from writer Dan Epstein as well as early Electric Ladyland takes highlight the fascinating ways Hendrix let his creativity soar.

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Electric Ladyland: The Deification of Jimi Hendrix Jan 10, 2019

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Host Ernest Wilkins is joined by rock critics Corbin Reiff and Dan Hyman to unpack the mythology surrounding Electric Ladyland and the man himself - the brilliant, the deified, Jimi Hendrix.

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Welcome to The Opus - Season 2: The Jimi Hendrix Experience's Electric Ladyland Jan 08, 2019

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Consequence of Sound and Sony bring you an exploration of legendary albums and their ongoing legacy. Join host Ernest Wilkins as he explores how this music continues to evolve: shaping lives, shaking rafters, and ingraining itself into our culture. Maybe you’re a longtime fan who wants to go deeper. Maybe you’re a first-time listener and you’re curious to hear more - either way, you’re in the right place.

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Blood on the Tracks: How Dylan Birthed Bootleg Culture Dec 07, 2018

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From The Basement Tapes to the mythical sessions that would become the just released More Blood, More Tracks collection - bootlegs of Bob Dylan's music are central to not just his story, but the music industry at large. Host Paula Mejia is joined by three critics, record collectors, and Dylan fans: Jesse Jarnow, Alison Fensterstock, and More Blood, More Tracks liner notes author, Jeff Slate to distinctive bootleg culture that’s thrived alongside Dylan’s studio recordings, shed some light on the myths surrounding this record, and exploring how Dylan keeps reinventing these songs in the present.

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Blood on the Tracks: Evaluating Dylan's Cinematic Legacy Nov 30, 2018

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Host Paula Mejía is joined by film critics, Monica Castillo and Jordan Hoffman to unpack Dylan’s performances on the silver screen, how his persona has been rendered in cinema, and Luca Guadagnino's forthcoming Blood on the Tracks adaptation.

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