Michael's Record Collection
135 episodes - English - Latest episode: 22 days ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsLet's listen to records (or CDs, or mp3, or whatever you've got) together! I share stories, artist interviews and reviews from the world of music with an emphasis on rock, prog, metal, pop (especially 70s and 80s), indie, or whatever else is floating my boat at any given time. Support the show at:
patreon.com/michaelsrecordcollection
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Episode 35: Rachel Flowers - Bigger on the Inside
October 21, 2021 14:00 - 1 hour - 152 MBSometimes interviews are more of a treat than expected and this was the case when I got to talk to multi-instrumentalist and composer Rachel Flowers. You might know Rachel from the documentary Hearing is Believing, which chronicles her life. Born 15 weeks premature, Rachel lost her vision as a newborn. However, her parents quickly discovered that she had an incredible ear for music. Rachel started taking classical piano lessons at age four, was learning jazz at age nine and went on to some a...
Episode 34: Chantel McGregor - Shed Sessions
October 14, 2021 13:30 - 41 minutes - 95.6 MBFor this episode, I had a great chat with UK singer/songwriter Chantel McGregor about her two summer 2021 releases, Shed Sessions Volume One and Shed Sessions Volume Two. This chat was fun despite the fact that: 1) I forgot my notes at the office and had to wing the interview from memory, and 2) There was a bit of background white noise emanating from something on Chantel's end that I couldn't eliminate in editing. It was worse before we started recording, so we managed to make it listenable...
Episode 33: Gil Moore of Triumph - Rock and Roll Machine Documentary
October 07, 2021 14:00 - 58 minutes - 135 MBI'm extremely excited about this episode because I got to talk to Triumph drummer and co-lead vocalist Gil Moore. The band hasn't released a new album since 1992, but it's still a busy time for the legendary Canadian power trio. Triumph was recently inducted into the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame and, just a few weeks ago, a brand new documentary about the band premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. I spoke with Gil about the new documentary (Triumph: Rock and Roll Machine), the He...
Episode 32: John Young of Lifesigns - Altitude
October 05, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 143 MBProgressive rockers Lifesigns have released their third studio album with Altitude, and it might be the band's best release yet. It should appeal to most prog rock fans who grew up listening to the masters of the genre, or really any fan of melodic rock music. John Young is the vocalist and keyboard player in the band and he writes the songs. John is a gifted and versatile musician who plays in Bonnie Tyler's band and has worked with Asia and the Scorpions as well. He was kind enough to talk...
Episode 31: Nektar - New Live Release ”Sounds Like Swiss”
September 29, 2021 14:00 - 42 minutes - 97.8 MBBassist Derek "Mo" Moore and guitarist Ryche Chlanda of legendary progressive rock giants Nektar took time out to talk to me about their new live release, ...Sounds Like Swiss. The title is a play on their 1973 release ...Sounds Like This and this new three-disc (2-CD/DVD) set captures the band at the height of their powers in 1973. The DVD features a live appearance on Swiss TV while the CDs contain both that live performance and another show from 1973 in Switzerland. The guys told me why t...
Episode 30: Mike Connell of The Connells - Steadman‘s Wake
September 23, 2021 13:00 - 52 minutes - 121 MBGuitarist Mike Connell and his brother David formed a band in 1984. The band that bears their name, The Connells, is set to release its ninth studio album, and the first one in 20 years! I spoke with Mike about this excellent new record, Steadman's Wake, some of the songs on The Connells' most well-known release, "Ring" (1993), and more. It was great talking with Mike and I can't wait until you hear this record. Find out more about Steadman's Wake and The Connells at their website and purch...
Episode 29: Nathan James of Inglorious - Heroine
September 16, 2021 13:00 - 39 minutes - 91.1 MBEngland's Inglorious is one of the best hard rock bands in the business today and their 2021 album We Will Ride will be on a lot of "best of 2021" lists at the end of the year. But the band has just released its second album of the calendar year and it has a bit of a twist to it. Heroine is an album of cover songs with Inglorious performing tracks by women who have been an inspiration musically and/or vocally. Lead singer Nathan James joined me to tell me about this incredible album and how ...
Episode 28: Billy Livesay - Not What I Bargained For
September 09, 2021 13:00 - 54 minutes - 124 MBFormer Clarence Clemons guitarist Billy Livesay (pronounced "leh-vuh-see") is my guest for this episode and his band, The Livesays, have a great new album out called Not What I Bargained For. This should appeal to fans of Bruce Springsteen or Americana bands. Billy was kind enough to talk to me about the making of the new album (which just came out), working with Clarence, his influences as both a guitarist and a vocalist, and a whole lot more. I hope you enjoy this interview and I hope Bill...
Episode 27: Chip Z‘Nuff - Never Enuff: Rarities & Demos and More
September 02, 2021 13:00 - 41 minutes - 94 MBEnuff Z'Nuff was a band that got unfairly lumped in with the 80s hair metal bands but that wasn't really their blueprint. The band's music fused power pop with glam, psychedelic rock, and hard rock into a new concoction. The band rose to prominence with its self-titled debut release in the late 80s and the single "Fly High Michelle." I spoke with founder Chip Z'Nuff this week about the band's new rarities and demos box set which features songs from the band's earliest days which collects 40 ...
Episode 26: Corky Laing of Mountain - Toledo Sessions, Charlie Watts and More
August 26, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 139 MBSometimes unexpected things happen when recording podcasts, so when I lost my connection with legendary Mountain drummer Corky Laing in the middle of our conversation, I didn't panic. But I wasn't prepared for him to come back on the Zoom call with the news that Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts had died. Aside from that shocking development, I enjoyed talking with Corky about him being on the road again, his recent Toledo Sessions release and his Pompeii The Secret Sessions release, writ...
Episode 25: Brad Gillis of Night Ranger - ATBPO
August 19, 2021 13:00 - 36 minutes - 83.5 MBI'm very pleased to bring you my interview with guitarist Brad Gillis of the legendary 80s rock band Night Ranger. Brad was kind enough to tell me about the making of the excellent new album ATBPO (an acronym for "and the band played on," which is how Night Ranger responded to the COVID-19 pandemic last year). With live venues shut down, the band started writing via Zoom calls and eventually put together a killer record that just came out earlier this month. Brad also told me about his early...
Episode 24: Genesis - Lamb Lies Down on Broadway with Dave Kerzner
August 12, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 251 MBIn this episode, I reached out to prog rock musician Dave Kerzner, who has worked with virtually everyone at some point, to discuss his projects and his favorite Genesis record. He chose the 1974 classic double concept album, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Dave was the perfect person to talk about Genesis with (in general) and specifically about The Lamb. He's played that piece live for a special 20th anniversary performance at ProgFest '94 with Kevin Gilbert and Nick D'Virgilio — who went ...
Episode 23: Jack Russell's Great White - Led Zeppelin Tribute
August 06, 2021 13:00 - 44 minutes - 101 MBJack Russell has had a long and storied career in rock, fronting the well-known band Great White. That band has since split and he now leads Jack Russell's Great White, which is working on a new studio album or original songs. But the band recently spent some time in the studio recording an album full of classic songs by the mighty Led Zeppelin and now Jack Russell's Great White is set to release Great Zeppelin II: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin. Jack was kind enough to tell me about the making o...
Episode 22: Playlist Wars and Linkin Park's "Meteora"
August 03, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 192 MBOn this bonus episode I welcome Alex Gomez from the entertaining and unique Playlist Wars podcast. They've got a fantastic show with good guests and an interesting premise and every episode brings something a little different. Gomez was kind enough to tell me how he and Brian Colburn got the show started and then we dive into his favorite record: Meteora by Linkin Park. This second album by the band came out in 2003 and is well outside my comfort zone, but I did enjoy exploring it to find wh...
Episode 21: Walter Egan Discusses New Album "Fascination"
July 29, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 255 MBWalter Egan is a criminally underrated American singer-songwriter in what we now call the Americana genre. Many people will remember his 1978 smash hit "Magnet and Steel" with backing vocals by Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, but not enough people know how deep and rich his catalog really is. That catalog got even deeper and richer in 2021 with the release of Fascination, an album that chronicles his romantic pursuit of former rock super-groupie Pamela Des Barres a few years back. Walte...
Episode 20: Quiet Riot's Alex Grossi on Hookers & Blow's Debut Album
July 22, 2021 13:00 - 41 minutes - 95.3 MBGuitarist Alex Grossi from Quiet Riot and Guns N'Roses keyboard player Dizzy Reed started a side band in 2003 called Hookers & Blow as a way to have some fun and maybe get some free drinks in Hollywood. Nearly 20 years later, the band is on the cusp of releasing its self-titled debut (on digital, CD, and vinyl). It's a collection of 12 excellent cover songs, mainly from the 1970s. Two of these are Led Zeppelin classics that feature drumming from the late, great Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot). A...
Episode 19: Clive Nolan Discusses All of the Projects
July 15, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 141 MBClive Nolan is a busy guy. In addition to being in two well-known progressive rock bands (Arena and Pendragon), he writes musicals and works on a plethora of side and solo projects. I spoke with Clive about his upcoming projects, his favorite records, and much more, including his new solo album of "Viking music" based on Beowulf. Learn more about Clive's music at his website. I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefit...
Episode 18: Jesper Lindgren of Velvet Insane - Rock 'N' Roll Glitter Suit
July 08, 2021 13:00 - 39 minutes - 91 MBI'm excited to bring you one of my favorite discoveries of 2021. A Swedish band with the delightful name of Velvet Insane is bringing back the glam rock of 1973 with a new release called Rock 'n' Roll Glitter Suit, which comes out on July 16 on Sound Pollution Records. I spoke to founder and guitarist Jesper Lindgren about the making of the record, his influences, his love of glam rock, the tragedy that set his career on its current path, and more. Big thanks to Jesper for his time and I hop...
Episode 17: Dennis DeYoung - 26 East Vol. 2, Styx, and More
July 01, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 179 MBStyx founder and former frontman Dennis DeYoung is a force of nature and so setting up 30 minutes to talk to him about his new album quickly turns into an hour and 15 minutes of talking about life and death, religion, his departure from Styx, and so much more. I enjoyed hearing about his excellent farewell album (we should all sound so good at age 74) and I hope you will too, along with all the other topics he covered. Find out more about Dennis at his website. I appreciate you listening!...
Episode 16: Andy Scott of Sweet Discusses Isolation Boulevard
June 23, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 159 MBSweet (or "The Sweet" if you're European) have been churning out great glam rock hits with soaring vocal harmonies since the early 1970s. You know the songs: "Fox on the Run," "Love is Like Oxygen," "Ballroom Blitz," etc. The current lineup of the band, led by original guitarist Andy Scott -- the sole surviving classic era member of the band -- has re-recorded and reworked a dozen of the band's most beloved songs on a new release called Isolation Boulevard, a play on the 1974 classic Sweet a...
Episode 15: Wildstreet Discusses New Album "III"
June 16, 2021 13:00 - 30 minutes - 70.1 MBNew York rockers Wildstreet literally pulled their van off the side of the road to do this interview with Michael's Record Collection about the band's latest release III while on tour in the southeast. All of the band's members weigh in, particularly lead singer/guitarist Eric Jayk, about the making of III, their process, their favorite tracks from the album, and more. They're a fun bunch of guys who just want to rock and put on the best show possible for their fans. Above all, they want to ...
Episode 14: Shane Howard of Goanna on Spirit of Place
June 10, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 170 MBSinger/songwriter Shane Howard traveled to the heart of Australia 40 years ago and it changed his life. He had a spiritual awakening that led him to write "Solid Rock," a hit song (particularly in Australia) from his band Goanna's debut album, Spirit of Place. That song remains one of my favorite all-time song from the 1980s (and ever) and so I was eager to talk to Shane about how it came about and what it was like to be part of the Australian music scene at a very exciting time. Shane was m...
Episode 13: Annie Haslam - Renaissance's 50th Anniversary
June 03, 2021 13:00 - 52 minutes - 120 MBFor this episode I'm joined by Annie Haslam of the legendary symphonic progressive rock band Renaissance. The band just released its 50th anniversary live box set with the prog-length title 50th Anniversary Ashes are Burning, an Anthology - Live in Concert with the Renaissance Chamber Orchestra. Annie was kind enough to talk to me about making the live album, her long tenure in the band, her background in music, her artwork (which adorns the stage during the live performance), riding out the...
Episode 12: Ray Shulman of Gentle Giant - Free Hand
May 27, 2021 13:00 - 40 minutes - 92.2 MBIn this episode, I'm joined by Ray Shulman of the legendary progressive rock band Gentle Giant. The band's Free Hand album (1975) has been reissued with 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos mixes by Steven Wilson. Ray was kind enough to tell me how the band got involved with Wilson, who has remixed several of their releases. He also talked about the making of the album, what it was like being in the band back at the height of its powers, and much more. You can get more information on Gentle Giant ...
Episode 11: Laura Meade - The Most Dangerous Woman in America
May 21, 2021 13:00 - 50 minutes - 115 MBSinger/songwriter Laura Meade is best known for her work in the progressive rock band IZZ. She's a fantastic talent and her contributions to that band cannot be understated. However, she's also a great solo artist and has recently followed up 2018's Remedium with a new album titled The Most Dangerous Woman in America. The album centers around the theme of women who have been silenced from speaking their truths and those who history has largely forgotten. I figured out on release day that it ...
Episode 10: Ben Montgomery of Records Revisited
May 13, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 151 MBIn this episode, we're doing things a little differently. Rather than interviewing a musician about an album they did, I'm talking to a fellow music lover with a podcast that discusses many albums. Ben Montgomery of the Records Revisited podcast joins me and I ask him about his show and then it kind of devolves into two guys discussing what music they like, how they got into music, how they listen, how they approach their music collections, and more. Ben was a great hang and I enjoyed findin...
Episode 9: Rocket Scientists - 15 Years of Revolution Road
March 18, 2021 13:00 - 40 minutes - 92.9 MBIn this episode I'm joined by 2/3 of the band Rocket Scientists. Musicians Mark McCrite and Don Schiff (unfortunately Erik Norlander wasn't available) were kind enough to discuss the making of their 2006 double album Revolution Road, which is now 15 years old. This is one of my favorite Rocket Scientists records and I enjoyed hearing about how it was made and a little of the history involved. Sadly, it does involve some tragedy, as the band was set to work with talented musician and vocalist...
Episode 8: Secret Sphere - Lifeblood
March 11, 2021 14:00 - 32 minutes - 73.7 MBFor this show, I'm joined by Aldo Lonobile and Roberto Ramon Messina from Italian power metal masters, Secret Sphere. Aldo and Roberto talked to me about the band's new studio album (the band's ninth), Lifeblood. This is a fun, melodic, and at times progressive album that I really enjoyed. The guys told me a bit about the record, how it was made, their musical influences, signing with Frontiers Records, the metal scene in Italy, and more. Band members who were unable to appear on the show ...
Episode 7: Dave Cousins - The Strawbs' / "Settlement"
March 04, 2021 14:00 - 52 minutes - 121 MBDave Cousins is the leader of the legendary band The Strawbs, who have been recording albums since the late 1960s. He's also, as it turns out, a delightful fellow with which to have a conversation. Dave joined me to discuss his band's latest release, "Settlement." The album was recorded remotely by the band during the pandemic lockdown and Dave talked about how he hasn't been able to go back to his own home due to his basement flooding, having to buy gear to record the album at home, and var...
Episode 6: Eternal Return - Once Only
February 26, 2021 14:16 - 32 minutes - 74.8 MBIn this episode of MRC, I jump into a musical genre a bit outside my usual comfort zone. Eternal Return is an interesting new post-rock/ambient/experimental project that entered my radar because of the involvement of Porcupine Tree bassist Colin Edwin. The five musicians in Eternal Return all started the project while living in different countries and got together in Germany to record the album before the pandemic. The core of the group is the ambient duo Dogon (Paul Godwin and Miguel Noya...
Episode 5: Billy Sherwood - Yes/Arc of Life
February 10, 2021 23:39 - 32 minutes - 74.8 MBIn Episode 5, musician/producer Billy Sherwood, probably best known for his work with progressive rock giants Yes, joined me to discuss his newest project, Arc of Life. Recorded before the pandemic, Arc of Life began with some simple writing sessions with Jon Davison while Yes was on tour and grew from there. Billy talks about the making of the record, being in Yes, serving as a good steward of Chris Squire's legacy in that band, and many other topics. Keep up with Arc of Life on their Fac...
Episode 4: Lee Abraham - Harmony/Synchronicity
February 05, 2021 02:32 - 49 minutes - 114 MBWelcome back to Michael's Record Collection! For Episode 4 I spoke to British musician Lee Abraham about the making of his eighth studio album, Harmony/Synchronicity. The album was put together while he was in lockdown for the pandemic. Lee is a great guitarist and bass player and has been a member of the storied British prog band Galahad. Generous with his time, as ever, Lee spoke about his recent AOR influences, writing and recording the album, the equipment he used, and more. He also brok...
Episode 3: Robert Berry on 3.2 and Keith Emerson
January 29, 2021 00:07 - 46 minutes - 107 MBRobert Berry is a talented guy and he's worked with a lot of other talented musicians. His latest release is "Third Impression" under the moniker 3.2. The 3.2 project emerged out of the band 3 from the late 1980s when Berry connected with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer of ELP to record and release "To the Power of Three." The project was shelved for years until he convinced Emerson the time was right for a follow-up. Unfortunately, before all the recording had been completed, Emerson took his...
Episode 2: Randy George of The Neal Morse Band
January 20, 2021 16:14 - 55 minutes - 127 MBRandy George is a terrific multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. He may be best-known as the bassist in progressive rock supergroup The Neal Morse Band, but he's done a lot of other things. I spoke to Randy about he and his wife Pamela's Sweet Invention project, playing live during the pandemic, his christian prog rock band Ajalon (and whether we'll see another album from that band), meeting and recording with Neal Morse, the early sessions for the forthcoming fourth Neal Morse Band album, a...
Episode 1: Little Atlas - Wanderlust
December 24, 2020 03:42 - 37 minutes - 84.8 MBIn 2005, the Miami-based progressive rock quartet Little Atlas was one of South Florida's best bands and recorded what I believe to be their best album in a catalog full of great music. I interviewed lead vocalist and keyboard player Steve Katsikas and we were joined in mid-discussion by bassist Rik Bigai. The two musicians are great guys and talked me through the making of the 2005 album Wanderlust. I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon pag...