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180 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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"I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton
13 november 2019 · 59 min
It takes an extremely strong song to top the charts three separate times in three separate decades, but "I Will Always Love You" is just such a song. Written and recorded (twice) by Dolly Parton and then re-recorded in show-stopping fashion by Whitney Houston, the ballad has morphed from a fond farewell to a former mentor, to a theatrical goodbye to a lover, to a soaring ode to the very notions of love and loss. We follow that journey from the beginning, with all the vocal tricks, dramatic line-readings, and epic key changes that were added along the way. Lees meer
Band/Artist: Dolly Parton & Whitney Houston
Albums: Jolene (1974), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), and The Bodyguard soundtrack (1992)
Composed by: Dolly Parton
Listen/Buy (Jolene) via Album.Link
Listen/Buy (TBLWIT) via Album.Link
Listen/Buy (The Bodyguard) via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
The sensational new WNYC podcast Dolly Parton's America
"The Last Thing On My Mind" by Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner
"Applejack" by Dolly Parton from New Harvest...First Gathering, 1977
"Let It Go" from Frozen performed by Idina Menzel
OUTRO SOLOIST: Dan Nervo
Mr. Dan Nervo has the tiller for this episode's outro solo. Dan plays guitar all around the San Francisco Bay Area in bands like Neon Velvet, and also teaches private guitar lessons. Hit him up if you want to get really good at guitar: https://www.facebook.com/DanNervoGuitarLessons/
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November 2019 Whole-Note Patrons
Andrew Walters - Caleb Rotach - Chad Barnard - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - Glenn Jared Norris - Mark Schechter - Merlin Mann - Ryan Torvik
November 2019 Half-Note Patrons
Alex Singer - Alexander Polson - Amanda Furlotti - Andre Bremer - Andrew Baker - Andrew Lee - Arjun Sharma - Bill Thornton - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Brooke Wilford - Chas Lednicky - Chris Brown - Cyrus N. White - David Stroud - Earl Lozada - Eero Wahlstedt - Elliot Jay O’Neill - Emily Williams - Fishbones - Forrest Chang -…
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"Making Christmas" from The Nightmare Before Christmas
30 oktober 2019 · 51 min
When the full moon starts to climb, we'll all sing out... it's time to talk about the best stop-motion animated Halloween/Christmas movie musical ever made! Hee hee hee hee heeee! Lees meer
Tim Burton and Danny Elfman's maniacal miniature-musical The Nightmare Before Christmas was unusual when it came out in 1993 and, despite the fact that it went on to became a beloved Disney classic, is still unusual today. The centerpiece ensemble song "Making Christmas," during which the well-meaning but hopeless denizens of Halloween Town attempt to craft their own kind of creepy Christmas, is a crucial turning point for the film, both narratively and musically.
In this episode, Kirk takes a closer look at what makes "Making Christmas" tick, from its densely interwoven character motifs to its ever-shifting orchestration to its earth-shaking contrabass woodwinds.
Band/Artist: Danny Elfman and the Halloween Town Cast
Album: The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack, 1993
Composed by: Danny Elfman
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
Various other songs from The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack, 1993
"The Simpsons Theme" by Danny Elfman, 1989
"Dead Man's Party" and "Weird Science" by Danny Elfman/Oingo Boingo from Dead Man's Party, 1985
"Dies Irae" performed by the monks of the Abbey of Notre Dame
"Theme from The Shining" by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind, 1980
"The Carol of the Bells" by Mykola Leontovych, 1914, with lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky, as conducted by John Williams on the soundtrack from Home Alone
Update 10/31: After I published this episode on the 30th, several listeners wrote in to tell me about the Dies Irae, a 13th century Gregorian death chant that also shares the first four notes of the "Making Christmas" motif and has turned up in a TON of movies besides. I wasn't familiar with the Dies Irae (I know!), so I've updated the episode to include a mention of it. You'll have to redownload the episode if you want to hear that version. You can…
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"Kiss From a Rose" by Seal
16 oktober 2019 · 53 min
There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say... especially if that man is named Kirk, and the thing he's telling you about is Seal's "Kiss From a Rose." Kirk goes back to the 90s for a close look at Seal's Grammy-winning, Batman-adjacent power ballad and finds a song that's much more interesting than he even remembered. It's an indulgent world of thick counterpoint, long phrases, harp flourishes, and oboe solos, with some of the richest vocal arranging this side of a chamber choir. Lees meer
Band/Artist: Seal
Album: Seal II, 1994 and the Batman Forever soundtrack, 1995
Composed by: Seal
Produced by: Trevor Horn
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
OUTRO SOLOIST: Sam Howard
This episode's outro soloist is bassist Sam Howard. Sam lives in Nashville, TN, where he performs and tours with all kinds of artists, most recently hitting the road with the wonderful singer/guitar-shredder Molly Tuttle. Sam played all the way through the Strong Songs outro, so keep an ear out for his playing mixed under the horns on the way out. You can find out what Sam's up to at his website, https://samhowardmusic.com.
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October 2019 Whole-Note Patrons
Andrew Walters - Caleb Rotach - Chad Barnard - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - Glenn Jared Norris - Mark Schechter - Merlin Mann
October 2019 Half-Note Patrons
Alex Singer - Alexander Polson - Andre Bremer - Andrew Baker - Andrew Lee - Arjun Sharma - Bill Thornton - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Brooke Wilford - Chas Lednicky - Chris Brown - Cyrus N. White - Dominik Schmitt - Earl Lozada - Eero Wahlstedt - Elliot Jay O’Neill - Emily Williams - Fishbones - Forrest Chang - Jaehoon Jeong - James Johnson - Jasmine Fellows - Jeffrey Olson - John and Sharon Stenglein - Jon O’Keefe - Joujou - Juan Carlos Montemayor Elosua - Jules Bailey - Justin Liew - Justin McElroy - Kate Albury - Kevin Morrell - Kevin Pennyfeather - Matt Gaskell - Max Schechter - Melanie Stivers - Michael Blackwell - Miriam Juskowicz - Mueller - Nate from Kal…
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Fiddle Battles and Bad Sax
2 oktober 2019 · 56 min
Kirk opens the Strong Songs mailbag to tackle your questions about demonic fiddle playing, lousy sax solos, Led Zeppelin counting, fake-out intros, reverb, children's music, and more. Lees meer
REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels Band from Million Mile Reflections, 1979
"The Eternal Triangle" by Sonny Stitt from Sonny Side Up, 1959
"The Jones Girl" by the Five Satins, 1956
"Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, 1977
"Hot For The Mountain" and "Never Too Late" by Natalie Prass from The Future and the Past, 2018
"Destination" by Nickel Creek from A Dotted Line, 2014
"My Doorbell" by the White Stripes from Get Behind Me Satan, 2005
"It's All Over Now" by the Rolling Stones, 1964
"For The Love of Money" by the O'Jays, 1974
"Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin from Led Zeppelin IV, 1971
"Gumboots" by Paul Simon from Graceland, 1986
"You Really Got Me" by the Kinks, 1964
"Baby Beluga" by Raffi from Baby Beluga, 1980
"Bananaphone" by Raffi from Bananaphone, 1994
"Here Comes the Sun" by George Harrison from Abbey Road, 1969
"Freddie Freeloader" by Miles Davis from Kind of Blue, 1959
"Searching" by Hanne Hukkelberg from Little Things, 2005
OTHER LINKS:
Gal Gracen's original Tweet about the Jones Girl sax solo: https://twitter.com/galgracen/status/1176740969988800513
A few studies about the effects of music on people in restaurants
OUTRO SOLOIST: Rob Reich
This episode's outro soloist is the wonderful bay area pianist/accordionist Rob Reich. Rob performs all over the place with a bunch of different groups, and is a total pleasure to see play. He's got a bunch of albums you can check out and contributes to an array of interesting projects (Live silent-film scores! Circus music!) and experiments. Find more at his website, http://www.robreich.com/.
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OCTOBER 2019 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS
andrew walters - CALEB ROTACH - Chad Barnard - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - Glenn - Jared Norri…
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Secrets of a Great Band Director, with Janis Stockhouse
25 september 2019 · 55 min
In this Patreon-funded special episode, Kirk sits down with his former high school band director Janis Stockhouse to talk about her life as a music educator. Lees meer
Janis started teaching at North high school in Bloomington, Indiana, in the early 1980s. It was a time when "jazz education" as a concept was still a relatively new thing. She retired 38 years later, having grown the North band program into a well-known Midwest institution, winning countless awards at festivals around the world and regularly turning out graduates who would go on to become professional musicians, as well as many others who would simply have a lifelong love of music.
On this episode she tells the story of starting out at North and developing the program, along with her thoughts on how to get students to practice, which composers she prefers for student groups, women in jazz, funding for the arts, and some good old-fashioned album recommendations.
REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
Janis's 2004 book Jazzwomen: Conversations With Twenty-One Musicians, which she co-wrote with Wayne Enstice - there are used copies on Amazon, and you should really track down a copy and read it
The late great jazz legend David Baker, whose NYT obituary captured at least some of his legacy: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/30/arts/music/david-baker-who-helped-bring-jazz-studies-into-the-academy-dies-at-84.html
MUSIC ON THIS EPISODE:
"IU Swing Machine" by David Baker as played by the 2016 IU Celebration Big Band
"Don't Get Sassy" by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis big band
"Hang Gliding" by Maria Schneider from Alegresse
"Bright Eyes" as played by the Bill Holman big band
"Take the 'A' Train" by Billy Strayhorn as performed by the Duke Ellington orchestra
"Vol. 6: All 'Bird' - Now's The Time" Play-A-Long by Jamey Aebersold (featuring Kenny Barron and Ron Carter(!!))
"Laugh, Clown, Laugh" by Abbey Lincoln from Abbey Is Blue, 1959
"Song Patrol" by Jane Ira Bloom from Early Americans, 2016
"Lingala" by the SF Jazz Collective fro…
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"Think" by Aretha Franklin
18 september 2019 · 51 min
Let's go back, let's go back, let's go way on back to that time Aretha Franklin recorded one of her best songs. Lees meer
On this episode, Kirk dives into two different versions of Franklin's classic tune "Think." First it's the laid back groove and roomy mix of the 1968 original, then it's time to fast-forward 12 years for the juiced-up arrangement she recorded with the Blues Brothers band in 1980.
It's a story of how different production techniques, arrangements, and tempos can lead to two very different—but equally excellent—versions of the same song. We've done Dancing Queen, we've covered the band Queen, so it feels like it's past time for the Queen of Soul.
NOTE: This episode is best enjoyed along with four fried chickens and a Coke.
Band/Artist: Aretha Franklin
Albums: Aretha Now, 1968 and The Blues Brothers: Original Soundtrack, 1980
Composed by: Aretha Franklin and Teddy White
Listen/Buy (Original) via Album.Link
Listen/Buy (Blues Brothers) via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"Respect" by Otis Redding, performed by Aretha Franklin on I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, 1967
"She Didn't Cut Me Loose" by Curtis Selgado from Soul Shot, 2012
Wesley Morris's excellent 2018 NYT obituary: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/arts/music/respect-aretha-franklin-death.html
Franklin's scene from The Blues Brothers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLbPv6yIvBU (you should really just watch the whole movie)
OUTRO SOLOIST: Galen Clark
This episode's outro soloist is the one and only Galen Clark. Galen plays keyboard and organ and acts as bandleader for the soul jazz group Trio Subtonic; you can find playing regularly around Portland, Oregon and occasionally on tour. Find more information at their website, https://www.triosubtonic.net.
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SEPTEMBER 2019 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS
andrew walters - CALEB ROTACH - Chad Barnard - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - Glenn - Jared Norris - Mark Schechter - Sara Walsh
SEPTEMBER 2019 HALF NOTE PATRONS
Alexan…
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"Like a Prayer" by Madonna
4 september 2019 · 45 min
Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone... except for everyone listening to this episode, because we're traveling together through doubt and deliverance with Madonna's "Like a Prayer." Kirk takes a look at the high-contrast drama of the megastar's 1989 megahit, with its cathedral-like verses, bus-driving guitar rhythms, bouncy basslines, and perfectly placed Latin percussion flourishes. The music video got a lot of attention back in the day, but there's plenty in the song itself to celebrate, from Prince's mystery guitar to Madonna's vulnerable vocals to the joyful power of the Andraé Crouch Choir. Lees meer
Band/Artist: Madonna
Album: Like a Prayer, 1989
Composed by: Madonna and Patrick Leonard
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"Open Your Heart To Me" by Madonna from True Blue, 1986
"Like a Prayer" as covered by the cast of Glee
The music video for "Like a Prayer": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA983t3Rdzs
Three excellent music documentaries: "Muscle Shoals," "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," and "20 Feet From Stardom." (Seriously, watch all three!)
OUTRO SOLOIST: Steve Pardo
This episode's outro soloist is the one and only Steve Pardo. Steve and Kirk met when they were both jazz saxophone students at the University of Miami; Steve currently lives and performs around the Nashville, TN area. He's a producer, composer, and does work in the world of video games, having spent several years at Harmonix, where he helped make music games like Rock Band and Dance Central. You can find out more at his website: https://www.stevepardo.com/
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SEPTEMBER 2019 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS
andrew walters - CALEB ROTACH - Chad Barnard - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - Glenn - Jared Norris - Mark Schechter - Sara Walsh
SEPTEMBER 2019 HALF NOTE PATRONS
Alexander Polson - Andre Bremer - Andrew Lee - Arjun Sharma - Bill Thornton - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Chas Lednicky - Chris Brown - Cyrus N. White - Dominik Schmitt - Earl Lozada - Ee…
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Pyramid Song, Nirvana & Marty McFly
21 augustus 2019 · 49 min
Kirk opens up the Strong Songs mailbag to answer your questions about Marty McFly's musical instructions, Ian Anderson's flute style, Kurt Cobain's guitar tone, how to count songs by P!nk and Radiohead, and what to do if you play an "unsexy" instrument. Lees meer
REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
Back to the Future, a 1985 movie that you've probably seen
"Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry, 1958
"Walk Me Home" by P!nk
"Where the Boys Are" performed by Connie Francis, 1960
"Come as You Are" by Nirvana from Nevermind, 1991
"Cross-Eyed Mary" by Jethro Tull from Aqualung, 1971
"Money For Nothing" by Dire Straits from Brothers in Arms, 1985
"Pyramid Song" by Radiohead from Amnesiac, 2001
PYRAMID SONG COUNTING BREAKDOWN:
Keyboard (eighth notes): [(3 3 4 3 3) + (3 3 4 3 3)] x 2 = 64 eighth notes, aka 32 beats
Drums (quarter notes): [(3 2 3) + (3 2 3)] x 2 = 32 quarter notes, aka 32 beats
Kirk also made this ludicrous infographic: https://twitter.com/kirkhamilton/status/1164239460604641280
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
The Wikipedia entry for the Mere-Exposure Effect: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mere-exposure_effect
OUTRO SOLOIST: Dan Nervo
No new outro soloist this episode - we're re-sharing a guitar solo by the fantastic Dan Nervo. Dan plays guitar all around the San Francisco Bay Area in bands like Neon Velvet, and also teaches private guitar lessons. Hit him up if you want to get really good at guitar: https://www.facebook.com/DanNervoGuitarLessons/
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AUGUST 2019 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS
Caleb Rotach - Chad Barnard - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - Glenn - Sara Walsh
AUGUST 2019 HALF-NOTE PATRONS
Alexander Polson - Andre Bremer - Andrew Lee - Arjun Sharma - Bill Thornton - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Chas Lednicky - Earl Lozada - Emily Williams - FlSHBONES - Forrest Chang - Jaehoon Jeong - James Johnson - Jasmine Fellows - Jeff Dixon - Jeffrey Olson - John and Sharon Stenglein - Jon O’Keefe - joujou - Justin Liew - Justin McElroy - Kevin Morrell - Kevin Pen…
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Strong TV Songs: Animated Edition
7 augustus 2019 · 1 uur 10 min
It's time for something a little different, as Kirk takes a look at the theme songs from some of the most beloved animated TV shows of all time. Lees meer
This super-sized episode focuses on five different pieces of music, each of which is the theme for a different animated show. It's a ton of music in a variety of styles, full of frantic key shifts, earwormy melodies, bodacious drum fills, and a surprising number of saxophone solos.
FEATURED SONGS, IN ORDER:
"The Simpsons Theme" by Danny Elfman, 1989
"Duck Tales" by Mark Mueller, 1987
"Rescue Rangers" by Mark Mueller, 1989
"A Cruel Angel's Thesis" from Neon Genesis Evangelion, by Hidetoshi Satō, Neko Oikawa, and Toshiyuki Omori, 1995
"Tank!" from Cowboy Bebop, by Yoko Kanno, 1998
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"Maria" from West Side Story's 2009 Broadway cast recording, by Leonard Bernstein
The Batman: The Animated Series theme by Danny Elfman
"The Disney Afternoon Theme" and "Monkey In Your Tank" performed by The Disney Afternoon Studio Chorus
"A Cruel Angel's Thesis: Bike Horn Cover" by Alex Small-Butera on YouTube
"Front Burner" arranged by Sammy Nestico for the Count Basie big band
"Cat Blues" and "Sax Quartet" from the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack, both by Yoko Kanno
OUTRO SOLOIST: Rob Reich
This episode's outro soloist is the fantastic bay area pianist/accordionist Rob Reich. Rob performs all over the place with a bunch of different groups, and is a total pleasure to see play. He's got a bunch of albums you can check out and contributes to an array of interesting projects (Live silent-film scores! Circus music!) and experiments. Find more at his website, http://www.robreich.com/.
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AUGUST 2019 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS
Caleb Rotach - Chad Barnard - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - Glenn - Sara Walsh
AUGUST 2019 HALF-NOTE PATRONS
Alexander Polson - Andre Bremer - Andrew Lee - Arjun Sharma - Bill Thornton - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Chas Lednicky - Earl Lozada - Emily Williams - FlSHBONES - F…
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"Paranoid Android" by Radiohead
24 juli 2019 · 55 min
Brace for a pressurized descent, as Kirk braves the undercurrents of Radiohead's alt-rock masterpiece "Paranoid Android." It's a structurally distinct, sonically adventurous, harmonically varied, and unexpectedly Bohemian Rhapsodyesque journey into the human psyche as Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and the rest of their not-so-merry band plumb the depths of 90s alienation. Lees meer
Band/Artist: Radiohead
Album: OK Computer, 1997
Composed by: Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Colin Greenwood, Philip Selway
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
"Fitter Happier" from OK Computer
"Hyper Music" by Muse
(This episode's audio was edited to correct some flanger/phaser confusion, thanks to listener Oblong Thong for sharing this cool catalogue of Greenwood's guitar effects: https://thekingofgear.com/jonny/effects)
OUTRO SOLOIST: Galen Clark
This episode's outro soloist is the one and only Galen Clark. Galen plays keyboard and organ and acts as bandleader for the soul jazz group Trio Subtonic; you can find playing regularly around Portland, Oregon and occasionally on tour. Find more information at their website, https://www.triosubtonic.net.
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JULY 2019 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS
Caleb Rotach - Chad Barnard - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - Sara Walsh
JULY 2019 HALF-NOTE PATRONS
Alexander Polson - Andre Bremer - Andrew Lee - Arjun Sharma - Chas Lednicky - Earl Lozada - Emily Williams - FlSHBONES - Forrest Chang - Jaehoon Jeong - James Johnson - Jasmine Fellows - Jeff Dixon - John and Sharon Stenglein - Jon O'Keefe - joujou - Justin Liew - Justin McElroy - Kevin Morrell - Kevin Pennyfeather - Kyle Simons - Max Schechter - Melanie Stivers - Michael Blackwell - Mueller - Nate from Kalamazoo - Nicholas Schechter - Richard Toller - Shane DeLeon - Tom Clewer - Tom Lauer
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"Barracuda" by Heart
10 juli 2019 · 47 min
It's time for the hardest rocking song ever written about sea life, as Kirk takes a deep dive into Heart's 1977 body-shaker "Barracuda." A deceptively complex song written around a deceptively straightforward riff, "Barracuda" opens the door for a discussion of the particulars of guitar tone, stompbox effects, the long history of the "galloping groove," why Ann Wilson's vocals rock as hard as they do, and a brief tribute to her sister Nancy's killer guitar chops. Lees meer
Band/Artist: Heart
Album: Little Queen, 1977
Composed by: Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Roger Fisher, Michael DeRosier
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"Pride and Joy" by Stevie Ray Vaughan
"Make a Mistake with Me" by Brad Paisley
"November Rain" by Guns 'n Roses feat. Slash
"This Flight Tonight" as performed by Nazareth
"Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin
"William Tell Overture" by Gioachino Rossini
"Crazy on You" by Heart
"Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin
A cool interview with Roger Fisher about creating his Barracuda guitar tone, as well as that "Alien Attack" sound: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcQik5m0t9Q
A Wall Street Journal interview with the Wilsons about the process of writing the song: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-rage-behind-hearts-barracuda-11557331740
OUTRO SOLOIST: Dan Nervo
This episode's outro soloist is the fantastic Dan Nervo. Dan plays guitar all around the San Francisco Bay Area in bands like Neon Velvet, and also teaches private guitar lessons. Hit him up if you want to get really good at guitar: https://www.facebook.com/DanNervoGuitarLessons/
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JULY 2019 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS
Caleb Rotach - Chad Barnard - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - Sara Walsh
JULY 2019 HALF-NOTE PATRONS
Alexander Polson - Andre Bremer - Andrew Lee - Arjun Sharma - Chas Lednicky - Earl Lozada - Emily Williams - FlSHBONES - Forrest Chang Jaehoon Jeong J- ames Johnson - Jasmine Fellows - Jeff Dixon - John and Sharon Stenglein - Jon O'Keefe - joujou - Justin Liew - J…
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"Tightrope" by Janelle Monáe
26 juni 2019 · 55 min
Whether you're high or low, you got to tip on the tightrope... and Kirk's got to tip right into a Strong Songs analysis of "Tightrope" by Janelle Monáe. It's time for some thump, some pop, and some sizzle, along with some clever rap phrasing, phrygian harmonies, surprise ukulele, and the funkiest horn section in Metropolis. Lees meer
Band/Artist: Janelle Monáe
Album: The ArchAndroid, 2010
Composed by: Janelle Monáe, Nathaniel Irvin III, Charles Joseph II, Antwan “Big Boi” Patton
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
Several other songs from The ArchAndroid; "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder from Natural Wonder Live; re-created beats from Strong Songs episodes on Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" and Michael Jackson's "Thriller."
For more on the lore behind Monáe's Metropolis suite, read this great summary by Charles Pulliam-Moore at io9: https://io9.gizmodo.com/from-metropolis-to-dirty-computer-a-guide-to-janelle-m-1825580195
OUTRO SOLOIST: BJ CORD
This episode's outro soloist is BJ Cord, a fantastic trumpet player based in Portland by way of Chicago. BJ works at Monette trumpets making some of the most beautiful horns in the world, and is a regular presence on their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monettetrumpets
THE STRONG SONGS THEME!
You can listen to a (basically) final mix of the Strong Songs Theme Song on Kirk's Soundcloud here: https://soundcloud.com/kirkhamilton/strong-songs-theme-song
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JUNE WHOLE-NOTE BACKERS:
Caleb Rotach - Chad Barnard - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - Sara Walsh
HALF-NOTE BACKERS:
Andre Bremer - Andrew Lee - Arjun Sharma - Chas Lednicky - Earl Lozada - Emily Williams - Fishbones - Forrest Chang - Jaehoon Jeong - James Johnson - Jasmine Fellows - Jeff Dixon - John and Sharon Stenglein - Jon O’Keefe - joujou - Justin Liew - Justin McElroy - Kevin Morrell - Kevin Pennyfeather - Kyle Simons - Max Schechter - Michael Blackwell - Shane DeLeon - Tom Lauer
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💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
Patreon | One-Time Donation
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"Tiny Dancer" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John
12 juni 2019 · 47 min
Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin wrote so many great songs over the years that it was impossible to pick a single one for Strong Songs. So, why not do two? Kirk dives into a pair of classics by the storied songwriting duo, talking about Elton's chameleon-like voice, his love of pedal tones and embrace of the circle of fourths, the fascinating relationship between lyricist and songwriter, and what it means for a song to sound "piano-y." Lees meer
Both songs by: Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Album 1: Madman Across the Water, 1971
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
Album 2: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, 1973
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"I'm Still Standing," "Your Song," and "Grey Seal," all by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
"I Want Love" by John/Taupin, as performed in the 2019 movie Rocketman.
NEW THEME MUSIC!
Strong Songs has a new theme song! It'll evolve a bit over the next few episodes as Kirk adds a couple more musicians to the mix, so that should be fun. Hope you dig it.
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WHOLE-NOTE BACKERS:
Caleb Rotach - Chad Barnard - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - Sara Walsh
HALF-NOTE BACKERS:
Andre Bremer - Andrew Lee - Arjun Sharma - Chas Lednicky - Earl Lozada - Emily Williams - Fishbones - Forrest Chang - Jaehoon Jeong - James Johnson - Jasmine Fellows - Jeff Dixon - John and Sharon Stenglein - Jon O’Keefe - joujou - Justin Liew - Justin McElroy - Kevin Morrell - Kevin Pennyfeather - Kyle Simons - Max Schechter - Michael Blackwell - Shane DeLeon - Tom Lauer
----LINKS-----
💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
Patreon | One-Time Donation🏠 HOMEPAGE
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💬 DISCORD SERVER
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🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS
🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC
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Hamilton, Hozier, Multiphonics & Modes
29 mei 2019 · 58 min
Mailbag May returns for round two, as Kirk continues catching up on listener questions. Lees meer
The Strong Songs mailbag continues to overflow. This week we've got some follow-ups on Hamilton as well as questions about Mariah's whistle register, vocal multiphonics, rhythmic misdirection, the lydian mode, and the differences between a sequencer, a sampler, and a synthesizer.
REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
Various pieces from Hamilton, composed by Strong Songs celebrity endorser Lin-Manuel Miranda, 2015
The graphic novel Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli, 2009
"Counting Stars" by OneRepublic from Native, 2013
"The Third Eye" by the Pillows from My Foot, 2006
"The Simpsons Theme" by Danny Elfman, 1989
"Something" by Snarky Puppy feat. Lalah Hathaway from Family Dinner Vol 1, 2013
"Emotions" as performed by Mariah Carey on Emotions, 1991
"Movement" by Hozier, 2019
"Show Me The Way" by Peter Frampton from Frampton, 1975
"Nut Bush City Limits" by Ike and Tina Turner, 1973
"Shake Your Rump" by the Beastie Boys from Paul's Boutique, 1989
"Without You" by Pete Ham and Tom Evans, as performed by Harry Nilsson, 1971
"White Winter Hymnal" as performed by Fleet Foxes, 2008
"Fugue 24" by Anathallo from Sparrows, 2002
"God Only Knows" as performed by the Beach Boys on Pet Sounds, 1966
"Baba O'Riley" by Pete Townshend and The Who from Who's Next, 1971
"Memories" by Thutmose from the Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse soundtrack, 2018
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Tool, Game of Thrones & More Cowbell
15 mei 2019 · 42 min
It's time for Mailbag May, a long-running (aka brand new) Strong Songs tradition where Kirk spends the month of May catching up on listener questions. Lees meer
The Strong Songs mailbag overfloweth, and Kirk's got enough material recorded for two Q&A episodes. For this first part, we've got questions about chords, Tool, fire extinguishers, perfect pitch, Avengers and Game of Thrones music, the popularity of the flute, earworms, drum solos, and the inherent humor of the cowbell.
REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra
"Lateralus" by Tool (apparently it's actually pronounced lah-ter-allis)
An entertaining video compilation of "The Lick": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krDxhnaKD7Q
"Turkey in the Straw," American traditional
Kirk's Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kirkhamilton
"The Avengers" by Alan Silvestri
"Happy Birthday" by the Hill Sisters
"Moondance" by Van Morrison
"Juice" by Lizzo from her 2019 album Cuz I Love You
The Saturday Night Live "More Cowbell" sketch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVsQLlk-T0s
"The Night King" and "Game of Thrones" by Ramin Djawadi from Game of Thrones
"Pacific Rim" by Ramin Djawadi from Pacific Rim
"Sight of You" by Sigrid from her 2019 album Sucker Punch
"Wipe Out" by the Surfaris, 1963
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Five Albums That Shaped Me
8 mei 2019 · 22 min
Kirk gets his Patreon pitch out of the way up front, then lists five albums that have shaped him as a musician over the years, talking a little bit about why each one is great. There could've been like a hundred different albums on this episode, but hey, let's start with five. Lees meer
Those albums are:
--
Frank Zappa, The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life, 1991
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
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The Cardigans, First Band on the Moon, 1996
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
--
Stan Getz, Stan Getz and the Oscar Peterson Trio, 1958
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
--
Spacehog, The Chinese Album, 1998
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
--
Maria Schneider, Allégresse, 2000
Listen/Buy via Album.Link | Maria Schneider's Website
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"Satisfied" from Hamilton
1 mei 2019 · 50 min
A toast to the groom! To the bride! To knowing you'll always regret the sacrifice you made for your sister! Kirk takes an overdue dive into Lin-Manuel Miranda's epic Broadway musical Hamilton, focusing on Renée Elise Goldsberry's first act showstopper, "Satisfied." Lees meer
Regret tinges an otherwise joyous day as Angelica Schuyler remembers the night she met Alexander Hamilton, fell in love with him, and quickly realized they could never be together. It's a heady mix of complex rhyme schemes, powerhouse vocals, and musical character motifs so densely interwoven that it's hard to keep track of them all.
(UPDATE 6/30/2020: This episode's audio file has been updated since it originally ran on May 1, 2019. It includes a new intro and outro, a couple of small editing tweaks, the show's current theme music, a new aside about Angelica's introduction to Alexander, and some added mentions of Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton's fabulous musical director.)
Artist: Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lin-Manuel Miranda
Album: Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording), 2015
Composed by: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
Tracks from The Hamilton Instrumentals, 2017
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"Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra
17 april 2019 · 35 min
Today's forecast calls for blue skies, and today's Strong Songs calls for an in-depth analysis of Electric Light Orchestra's "Mr. Blue Sky." It's time to welcome all our pretty faces to the human race, thanks to ELO's most enduring concert-rock classic. Kirk goes for a sunny stroll on a beautiful musical day full of layered vocals, fire extinguisher drumming, time-tested chords, Les Paul solos, vocoders, and... unexpected saxophone interludes? Lees meer
Band/Artist: Electric Light Orchestra
Album: Out Of The Blue, 1977
Composed by: Jeff Lynne
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"Yesterday" by Paul McCartney from Help!, 1965
"Confirmation" by Charlie Parker, 1946, included on In Person
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"Moanin'" by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
3 april 2019 · 43 min
Dust off your head charts and brush up your best licks, cause it's time to wade into the warm, welcoming waters of jazz. This episode's Strong Song is Bobby Timmons' gospel-tinged "Moanin'," from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers' 1959 album of the same name. Kirk zooms out a bit more than usual to talk about jazz small-group arranging, how a great solo is constructed, how jazz song-form works, and how (hopefully) to have a better appreciation for what's going on on a given jazz recording, even if you don't play. He also talks about anime. Lees meer
Band/Artist: Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
Album: Moanin', 1959 (recorded in 1958)
Composed by: Bobby Timmons
Personnel: Lee Morgan, trumpet; Benny Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie Merritt, bass; Art Blakey, drums
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"Freddie Freeloader" by Miles Davis from Kind of Blue, 1959
"Giant Steps" by John Coltrane from Giant Steps, 1960
"I Wish" by Stevie Wonder from Songs in the Key of Life, 1976
("I Wish" was also featured on a 2018 episode of Strong Songs)
"Jordu" by Duke Jordan from Clifford Brown and Max Roach, 1954
"Cherokee" by Ray Noble as performed by Clifford Brown on Study in Brown, 1955
"Tank!" by Yoko Kanno from the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack
The wonderful anime Kids on the Slope, streamable on Hulu and Crunchyroll.
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Syncopation, Subdivision & The Four Chords
21 maart 2019 · 45 min
The Strong Songs mailbag is overflowing, so it's time to dive in and answer some listener questions. Kirk digs into creative subdivision, syncopated melodies, major 9th chords, famous drum fills, chiptunes, "bad" singing that's actually good, jazz chords, Indian drum languages, and how to be a better music listener. Lees meer
Update 12/23/2020: Kirk has traveled back in time to correct this episode's erroneous diagnosis of a strange sound on Led Zeppelin's "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You."
REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"The Four Chords" as performed by The Axis of Awesome on YouTube
A cool breakdown of the "Amen Break" drum fill
"Puttin' on the Ritz" by Irving Berlin, performed by Ella Fitzgerald
"First Tube" by Phish from Farmhouse, 2000
"Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" by Anne Bredon, recorded by Led Zeppelin on their self-titled debut, 1969
"Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd from their amazingly titled album (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), 1974
"Just a Friend" by Biz Markie from The Biz Never Sleeps, 1989
"Liquid Dance" by AR Rahman, Palakkad Sriram and Madhumitha from the Slumdog Millionare soundtrack, 2008
A cool demonstration of Konnakol performed live by Umamahesh, Umashankar, and Selvaganesh
"Prom Night" by Anamanaguchi, 2014
"Spectra" by Chipzel from Spectra, 2013
"Strike the Earth!" by Jake Kaufman from the Shovel Knight soundtrack, 1989
"Mt Saint Michel + Saint Michael's Mount" by Aphex Twin from Drukqs, 2001
"Well You Needn't" by Thelonious Monk from Misterioso (Live), 1965
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"Let It Go" from Frozen
6 maart 2019 · 51 min
What happens when you put a straight-up power ballad in the middle of a Disney movie? "Let it Go" happens, that's what. On this episode, Kirk climbs to the top of a snowy peak and summons all his magical powers to figure out why Elsa of Arendelle's self-coronation song rocks as hard as it does, and what it says about the evolution of Disney musical numbers over the past 30 years. Lees meer
Band/Artist: Idina Menzel
Album: Frozen Original Soundtrack, 2013
Composed by: Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey from Escape, 1981
"Part of Your World" by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman from The Little Mermaid, 1989
"A Whole New World" by Alan Menken and Tim Rice from Aladdin, 1992
"When Will My Life Begin?" by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater from Tangled, 2010
"Defying Gravity" by Stephen Schwartz from Wicked, 2003
"How Far I'll Go" by Lin-Manuel Miranda from Moana, 2016
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"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
20 februari 2019 · 50 min
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Well, either way, this is definitely an episode of Strong Songs about Queen's genre-blending rock saga "Bohemian Rhapsody." Kirk dives into Freddie Mercury's operatic opus and learns a lot about vocal technique, piano motifs, harmonic easter eggs, studio production, Strategic Brian May Deployment™, and all the ways doubling a track can make your voice sound cool in the studio. Lees meer
Band/Artist: Queen
Album: A Night At The Opera, 1975
Composed by: Freddie Mercury
Produced by: Roy Thomas Baker
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"Don't Stop Me Now" by Freddie Mercury from Jazz, 1978
"We Will Rock You" by Brian May from News of the World, 1977
"Somebody to Love" by Freddie Mercury from A Day at the Races, 1976
"Bohemian Rhapsody" a cappella cover by Pentatonix from PTX Vol. IV: Classics
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"Dancing Queen" by ABBA
6 februari 2019 · 38 min
It's time to get lost in the bittersweet beats of ABBA's 1976 hit "Dancing Queen." On this longer-than-usual episode, Kirk tries to tease out some of the things that make this song so iconic and enduring, from its lush arrangement to its clever harmonies, repeating melodic motifs, and maximalist audio production. Lees meer
Band/Artist: ABBA
Album:Arrival, 1976
Composed by: Benny Anderson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Stig Anderson
Produced by: Stig Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
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The Beatles, Brubeck, Bond and Beyond
23 januari 2019 · 49 min
It's time for an extra-long episode as Kirk answers your questions about Phil Collins drum solos, musical Wilhelm screams, odd time signatures, Beatles instrumentation, drop-tuned guitars, Bond music, and much more. Lees meer
REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins from Face Value, 1981
Jennifer Hudson sings "The Star Spangled Banner" by Frances Scott Key and John Stafford Smith at Super Bowl XLIII, 2009
A YouTube compilation of the Wilhelm Scream
An excellent Vox video on the history of the "Orchestra Hit" sample
"When I Think of You" by Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis from Control, 1986
"In My Life" by Lennon–McCartney from Rubber Soul, 1965
"I Will Follow You Into The Dark" by Ben Gibbard from Plans, 2006
A cool NPR article about Paul Tanner's Tannerin, developed as a more playable derivation of Leon Theremin's original Theremin.
"Good Vibrations" by Brian Wilson and Mike Love from a 1966 Beach Boys LP Single
"Blue Rondo a la Turk" by Dave Brubeck from Time Out, 1959
"Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" by Lennon-McCartney from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967
"Money" by Roger Waters from The Dark Side Of The Moon, 1973
"The Way" by Tony Scalzo from All The Pain Money Can Buy, 1998
"You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire" by Josh Homme and Mario Lalli from Songs for the Deaf, 2002
"Mind Games" by John Lennon from Mind Games, 1973
A nifty "Doctor Mix" YouTube video demonstrating the Mellotron
"Theme from Dr. No" by Monty Norman, arranged by John Barry from Dr. No, 1962
"Skyfall" by Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth from Skyfall, 2012
"Manners Maketh Man" by Henry Jackman and Matthew Margeson (I failed to co-credit Margeson on the show) from Kingsman: The Secret Service, 2015
"Permission to Come Aboard" by Rupert Gregson-Williams from Aquaman, 2018
"Wonder Woman Theme" by Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL performed by Tina Guo, released as a single in 2017
"Gimme Shelter" by Jagger/Richards from Let It Bl…
-
"Thriller" by Michael Jackson
9 januari 2019 · 30 min
Darkness falls across the land, and it's the right time for Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Kirk picks apart Rod Temperton's dance floor classic in all its groovy, corny, sound effect-y glory. Lees meer
Band/Artist: Michael Jackson
Album: Thriller, 1982
Composed by: Rod Temperton
Produced by: Quincy Jones
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
------
A NOTE FROM KIRK:
It’s been a couple months since I produced this episode, and just a few days since I watched the first part of “Leaving Neverland,” a devastating new HBO documentary in which two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, detail their alleged childhood sexual abuse at the hands of Michael Jackson. It’s an intense and difficult documentary to watch, but I recommend that everyone listening to this episode do so. Jackson’s estate denies it all, but watching people on camera relaying such painful memories, in such excruciating detail, is both wrenching and convincing.
It’s impossible to separate an amazing song like “Thriller” from the man who sang it. I still think Thriller is a great song and admire the many people involved in making it, but hearing Robson and Safechuck’s accounts, on top of the similar stories I and the culture at large brushed aside or shrugged our shoulders at when they first surfaced many years ago, has certainly changed the way I hear Jackson’s voice. I’m leaving this episode as is, but I wanted to add this note, as well as to link to this New York Times editorial on Jackson’s legacy by Wesley Morris, which says so much, so well.
~KH 3/6/2019
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"I Wish" by Stevie Wonder
26 december 2018 · 27 min
Ever wish you could just be a kid again? Stevie does. Kirk breaks out the bass and digs into what makes Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" swing like it does, then looks back to some earlier Wonder tunes to guess at why his funkiest stuff tended to be in E-flat. Lees meer
Band/Artist: Stevie Wonder
Album:Songs in the Key of Life, 1976
Composed by: Stevie Wonder
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
"Superstition" by Stevie Wonder, from Talking Book, 1972
"Higher Ground" by Stevie Wonder, from Innervisions, 1973
"Wild Wild West" by Will Smith, Moe Dewese, Rob Fusari, and Stevie Wonder, from Willennium, 1999
Classic Albums: Songs in the Key of Life
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"Single Ladies" by Beyoncé
12 december 2018 · 26 min
On this episode, Kirk dives into one of the greatest pop songs of all time. Lees meer
Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" is arguably the defining song of the last decade, but it's far from your average pop tune. With its unusual tensions and unstoppable groove, it defies safe harmony and resolution, and its composers were more than happy to flip the beat and leave their audience searching for the downbeat.
Band/Artist: Beyoncé
Album: I Am... Sasha Fierce, 2008
Composed by: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Christopher Stewart, Terius Nash, Thaddis Harrell
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
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"You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon
28 november 2018 · 18 min
This week, Kirk breaks down one of his favorite songs from one of his favorite albums. Lees meer
Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al" was a single from his incredible 1986 album Graceland, and its music video introduced a generation to the wonders of goofy lip-synching and fretless bass solos. It's a harmonically simple tune with a cleverly dense arrangement, and brilliantly uses musical layering.
Band/Artist: Paul Simon
Album: Graceland, 1986
Composed by: Paul Simon
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
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"Africa" by Toto
18 november 2018 · 22 min
On the first episode of Strong Songs, Kirk breaks down Toto's hit song "Africa," a single so good that it still lights up the Internet today. Lees meer
Band/Artist: Toto
Album: Toto IV, 1982
Composed by: David Paich and Jeff Porcaro
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
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Trailer
14 november 2018 · 1 min
This is the latest trailer for Strong Songs, recorded in September 2024. Hope you give the show a listen! Lees meer
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