Strong Songs
176 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1.7K ratingsMusic: it's good. On each episode of Strong Songs, host Kirk Hamilton takes listeners inside a piece of music, breaking it down and figuring out what makes it work.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Strong Covers, Vol. 3
April 05, 2024 04:00 - 57 minutes - 52.5 MBFor the third edition of Strong Covers, Kirk takes on two famous covers of two equally famous songs: Jimi Hendrix's 1968 cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower," and The White Stripes' early 2000s cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene." Written by: Bob Dylan & Dolly Parton Albums: Bob Dylan: John Wesley Harding, 1967 — Jimi Hendrix: Electric Ladyland, 1968 Dolly Parton: Jolene, 1973 — White Stripes: Live Under Blackpool Lights, 2004 Listen/Buy: Watchtower Original | Cover — Jolene Orig...
"Águas de Março (The Waters of March)" by Antônio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina
March 22, 2024 04:00 - 56 minutes - 51.6 MBKirk digs into the work of master composer Antônio Carlos Jobim via his timeless 1974 duet with Elis Regina on his song "Águas de Marçco," known Stateside as "The Waters of March." He's joined by special guest Frederico Barros, Professor of Musicology at Federal University of Rio De Janeiro. Written by: Antônio Carlos Jobim Performed by: Jobim and Elis Regina Album: Elis & Tom (1974) Listen/Buy via Songwhip ALSO DISCUSSED: "The Girl From Ipamena" and "Desefinado" by Tom Jobim from Getz...
"Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden
March 08, 2024 05:00 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBTurns out some songs stand on their own, however memorable-slash-horrifying their music video might have been. Written by: Chris Cornell Produced by: Michael Beinhorn Album: Superunknown (1994) Listen/Buy via Songwhip ALSO DISCUSSED: "Spoonman" and "The Day I Tried to Live" by Chris Cornell and Soundgarden from Superunknown, 1994 Kim Thayil interview at Songfacts Norah Jones' cover of "Black Hole Sun," Live in 2021 "In My Life" by Lennon/McCartney from Rubber Soul, 1965 The 2021 St...
"In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel
February 23, 2024 05:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBStrong Songs Season Six kicks off with a widely requested classic: Peter Gabriel's 1986 yearner "In Your Eyes." Because why hire one rhythm section when you can hire two for twice the price? Written by: Peter Gabriel Produced by: Daniel Lanois Album: So (1986) Listen/Buy via Songwhip ALSO DISCUSSED: Rick Beato's Interview with So producer Daniel Lanois "DIY" by Peter Gabriel from Peter Gabriel 2: Scratch, 1978 "Sledgehammer," "Don't Give Up," and "Big Time" by Gabriel from So, 1986 ...
Some Bonus Beatles Covers
February 09, 2024 05:00 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBOn this bonus episode from May 2022, Kirk goes through a handful of other covers of the three Beatles songs he recently discussed on the show. "Gotta Get You Into My Life" by Paul McCartney/Lennon-McCartney as covered by Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers (1966) and Blood, Sweat & Tears (1975) "Eleanor Rigby" by Paul McCartney/Lennon-McCartney as covered by Aretha Franklin (1968), Cody Fry (2021), Joshua Bell and Frankie Moreno (2009) and Zoot (1970) "Blackbird" by Paul McCartney/Lennon-...
Season Six Announcement!
February 02, 2024 05:00 - 5 minutes - 4.63 MBKirk shares some details about the upcoming season of Strong Songs, which kicks off on February 9 in early access, and on February 23 in the main feed. SUPPORT STRONG SONGS: Beome a patron: Patreon.com/Strongsongs Make a one-time donation: Paypal
The Genius of Sonny Rollins (and Max Roach)
January 26, 2024 05:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MB(Originally recorded in May 2022) There's always more to say about Sonny Rollins, so Kirk shares a few of his other favorite Sonny moments, along with some additional love for Max Roach's drumming on Saxophone Colossus. REFERENCED: "St. Thomas" and "Blue 7" by Sonny Rollins from Saxophone Colossus, 1956 "St. Thomas" as performed by Joshua Redman on Spirit of the Moment: Live at the Village Vanguard, 1992 "Four" by Miles Davis performed by Sonny Rollins on A Night at the Village Vanguard,...
Weird Al For Nothin' And Your Jokes For Free
January 12, 2024 05:00 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBWeird Al has been writing songs and recording parodies for four decades, and his musical footprint is unfathomably wide. In this minisode, originally released in October 2022, Kirk gets into a few things he didn't have room for in the main feed episode about "The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota." FEATURED/DISCUSSED: "Money for Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies" by Yankovic, a parody of "Money for Nothing" by Mark Knopfler & Definitely Sting from Brothers in Arms, 1985 A really interesting So...
How Clyde Stubblefield Evolved Funk Drumming
December 29, 2023 05:00 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBRecorded in August 2022 as an addendum to the main feed episode "Strong Grooves, Volume 1," special guest Russ Kleiner takes Kirk through the evolution of James Brown drummer Clyde Stubblefield's playing from 1967 to 1970. FEATURED/DISCUSSED: "Cold Sweat" (1967), "I Got The Feelin'" (1968), "Mother Popcorn" (1969), "Funky Drummer" (1970), all feat. Clyde Stubblefield on drums. SPECIAL GUEST: Russ Kleiner Russ is one of Kirk's oldest friends, a drummer and percussionist who currently live...
The Band: The Last Waltz
December 15, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBFor the Season Five finale, Kirk takes a look at The Band and Martin Scorsese's beloved 1978 concert film The Last Waltz - "The beginning of the beginning of the end of the beginning." Featuring music by The Band: Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson Directed by: Martin Scorsese Album: The Last Waltz (1978) Listen/Buy via Songwhip ALSO DISCUSSED/REFERENCED: "The Weight" by Robbie Robertson as covered by The Staple Singers and Aretha Franklin Studi...
Phish, Evanescence, and a Taylor Swift Dispute
December 01, 2023 05:00 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBIt's time for another mailbag episode, as Kirk takes on questions about Evanescence piano, Kelis bells, and counting in songs by Phish, Vessels, Ten Years After, and Kishi Bashi. All that, and a friendly dispute about a Taylor Swift song. "Milkshake" by Neptunes/Kelis from Tasty, 2003 "Going Under" by Evanescence from Fallen, 2003 Joe Lovono plays the Aulochrome Pat Metheney plays the Pikasso 42-string Guitar Matt Glassmeyer and Jano Rix demonstrate the Shuitar Future Man plays Synth A...
Strong Solos, Vol. 2: Electric Guitar-aloo
November 17, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBThe electric guitar is a beautiful, maddening instrument, and man does it sound good in the right hands. On this episode, Kirk takes a deep dive into solos by guitar legends Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Jimi Hendrix, and Larry Carlton. FEATURED/DISCUSSED: "Seven Come Eleven" by Charlie Christian and Benny Goodman, recorded by the Benny Goodman Sextet in 1939 "Fried Pies" by Wes Montgomery from Boss Guitar, 1963 "Hey Joe" by Billy Roberts recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience on A...
The Music of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
November 03, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBKirk wasn't expecting to make a full-length episode about the music of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but then he played the game. And here we are. Picking up on 2022's deep-dive in the music of the Zelda series, this episode takes a deep dive into the score of the new game, covering the many ways it builds on the past and charts a new musical future. SPOILERS: The first 40 minutes of the episode feature some discussion of the events of Tears of the Kingdom, but no major story ...
A Little Extra Zelda
October 27, 2023 04:00 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBOn this bonus episode, originally recorded as a Patreon bonus in 2022, Kirk goes through a few great Legend of Zelda pieces that he didn't manage to get into on last year's Zelda-focused Strong Songs episode. If you want to hear next week's new episode on Tears of the Kingdom early, go become a patron now! FEATURED: "Tears of the Kingdom Theme" from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, comp. Manaka Kataoka, Maasa Miyoshi, Masato Ohashi, Tsukasa Usui "Song of Storms," "Dark World/L...
Belle & Sebastian's Very Good Chord Progression
October 20, 2023 04:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBKirk takes a tour through the cycling, modulating chord sequence in Belle & Sebastian's buoyant 2017 song "The Girl Doesn't Get It." Variation 1: | C | Dm7 | Bb | Gm F Variation 2: | C | D | Bm | Esus E Variation 3: | A | Bm | A/C# | Esus E FEATURED/DISCUSSED: "The Girl Doesn't Get It" by Belle & Sebastian from How To Solve Our Human Problems, Vol. 1, 2017 "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton performed by Whitney Houston on The Bodyguard soundtrack, 1992 ----LINKS----- SUPPORT STRON...
The Four Electric Guitars
October 06, 2023 04:00 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBThere are so many electric guitars. Truly, there is a guitar for every mood, every season, and every feeling. But there are four types of electric guitar that are a bit more widely used than other ones. On this formely-bonus-now-main-feed episode, Kirk discusses those four guitars—the Fender Stratocaster, the Telecaster, the Gibson Les Paul, and the 335—and goes through some of the Strong Songs that have featured them. FEATURED/DISCUSSED: “Spanish Castle Magic" and "Little Wing" by Jimi ...
John Williams' Star Wars Legacy, with Dan Golding
September 22, 2023 04:00 - 2 hours - 134 MBComposer John Williams is the defining sound of Hollywood and, arguably, the most widely listened to composer in the world. Kirk decided he needed some help tackling Williams' towering musical legacy, so he enlisted Australian author and musician Dan Golding as his tour guide through Williams' musical world, with a special focus on his groundbreaking score for 1980's Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. REFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE: Dan's book Star Wars After Lucas, his ABC radio show Screen ...
Counterpoint, Chaka Kahn, & Peter Gabriel
September 08, 2023 04:00 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBKirk answers your questions on 60s pop counterpoint, Chaka Kahn syncopation, Taylor Swift's re-recording project, good practice habits, Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer," and more. FEATURED/DISCUSSED: "You've Got Your Troubles" by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cool, recorded by The Fortunes Contrapunctus 1 by J.S. Bach recorded by the Emerson String Quartet on Bach: The Art of Fugue, 2003 T.I.B.W.F. by The Budos Band, from The Budos Band, 2005 "Dying to Get To Europe" by Ketil Bjornstad from S...
"Soul Vaccination" by Tower of Power
August 25, 2023 04:00 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBKirk climbs inside the machine-gun rhythms and unstoppable grooves of the legendary Oakland funk outfit Tower of Power. Written by: Doc Kupka and Emilio Castillo Album: Tower of Power (1973) Listen/Buy via Songwhip ALSO DISCUSSED: "What is Hip?" "Squib Cakes" "Only So Much Oil in the Ground" "Don't Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream)," "So Very Hard to Go," "Credit," all by Tower of Power "Saturday Night Live" theme by Howard Shore, feat. Lenny Pickett "Cold Sweat," "I Got the F...
"Killing Me Softly With His Song," as sung by Lauryn Hill, Roberta Flack, & Lori Lieberman
August 11, 2023 04:00 - 59 minutes - 54.9 MBIt's not uncommon for a song to be written for one artist, only to become widely known after being recorded by another. It's less common for a song to have yet another rebirth decades later. That's just what happened with "Killing Me Softly with His Song." Originally inspired by Lori Lieberman's profound experience at a 1971 Don McLean concert, Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox's song underwent two dramatic reinventions, first by soul titan Roberta Flack in 1973, and then by Lauryn Hill and he...
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears For Fears
July 28, 2023 04:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBKirk kicks off Strong Songs Season 5 with Tears For Fears' 1985 hit "Everybody Wants to Rule The World." From classic synths and drum machines to surprisingly avante-garde guitar solos, this song's got a lot more going on than you might remember. Written by: Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley, and Chris Hughes Produced by: Chris Hughes Album: Songs from the Big Chair (1985) Listen/Buy via Songwhip ALSO DISCUSSED: "Shout" and "Head Over Heels," both from Songs From the Big Chair, 1985 "No One...
An Operatic Odyssey, with Luigi Boccia
July 14, 2023 04:00 - 3 hours - 200 MBSpecial guest Luigi Boccia takes Kirk on a magical journey through the world of the opera tenor, from Caruso and Lauri Volpi to Di Stefano and Pavarotti. Featuring performances by Luciano Pavarotti, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Enrico Caruso, Franco Corelli, Giacomo Lauri Volpi, Jussi Björling, Sergei Lemeshev, and Jon Vickers. Find a Spotify playlist of Luigi's many Tenor examples here. -----LINKS----- SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! Paypal | Patreon.com/Strongsongs MERCH STORE store.strongsongspodcast....
Season 5 Announcement!
July 13, 2023 04:00 - 6 minutes - 5.84 MBKirk shares an update on plans for Season 5, which kicks off this week. -----LINKS----- SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! Paypal | Patreon.com/Strongsongs MERCH STORE store.strongsongspodcast.com SOCIAL MEDIA IG: @Kirk_Hamilton | Threads: @Kirk_Hamilton NEWSLETTER https://kirkhamilton.substack.com/subscribe JOIN THE DISCORD https://discord.gg/GCvKqAM8Sm OUTRO SOLO PLAY-A-LONG: https://soundcloud.com/kirkhamilton/strong-songs-outro-music-no-solo STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS Spotify | Apple Music | You...
"You're The Voice" by John Farnham, Live in Sydney
June 30, 2023 04:00 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MBJohn Farnham's "You're The Voice" was a worldwide hit, and nowhere was it more popular than in the Aussie singer's homeland. A couple weeks ago, Kirk went onstage with the hosts of the Chat 10 Looks 3 podcast, Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb, to talk about the song, the singer, and so much more. This episode is excerpted from Chat 10 Looks 3 episode 214. It was recorded live at the Enmore Theater in Sydney, Australia on June 17, 2023. Performed by: John Farnham Written by: Chris Thompson, M...
"The Chain" and "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac [Recast]
June 16, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 55.3 MBThunder only happens when it's raining, and Strong Songs only crams two songs into an episode when it's super warranted. This episode warrants just such a pairing, with a focus on two tunes by the great Fleetwood Mac. First there's the collaboratively written group-sing stomper "The Chain," and then comes Stevie Nicks' heartbeat anthem "Dreams." Both were featured on the band's classic 1977 album Rumors, and both have more than stood the test of time. "The Chain" was written by Lindsey Buc...
"Wedding Song" from Hadestown [Recast]
June 02, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 58.1 MBOn this episode, Kirk takes a deep dive into "Wedding Song," one of the signature numbers from Anaïs Mitchell's 2019 musical Hadestown. It's time for some conversational song form, a bunch of key changes, a touch of Jeff Buckley falsetto, and just a biiiiiit of trombone. Turn off your snares, and let's do this. Written by: Anaïs Mitchell, w/ arranging by Michael Chorney Directed by: Rachel Chavkin Performed By: Eva Noblezada & Reeve Carney Album: Hadestown (Original Broadway Cast Recordi...
The Light and Dark of Music, with Lily E. Hirsch
May 26, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBAuthor and musicologist Lily E. Hirsch joins Kirk to talk about the many different aspects of music she's explored in her books. REFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE: Lily Hirsch's many books, including A Jewish Orchestra in Nazi Germany: Musical Politics and the Berlin Jewish Culture League, Weird Al: Seriously, and Can't Stop the Grrrls: Confronting Sexist Labels in Music from Ariana Grande to Yoko Ono Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, Gilbert Kaplan w/ th Vienna Philharmonic Oliver Sac...
"Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens [Recast]
May 19, 2023 04:00 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBOn this episode, Kirk takes a deep dive into Sufjan Stevens's "Chicago," the centerpiece of his brilliant 2005 album Illinois. It's a towering construction supported by four chords, with building blocks of vibraphones, wurlitzers, strings, and choral harmonies. D, A, C, G. Eyes on the road; all things go. Artist: Sufjan Stevens Album: Illinois (2005) Written by: Sufjan Stevens Listen/Buy: Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify ALSO FEATURED: "The Bird Women of Golden Gate Park" by Kirk Hamilt...
"Hyperballad" by Björk [Recast]
May 05, 2023 04:00 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBIt's early in the morning; no one is awake. From the top of the mountain, the soft light of dawn comes into view. You take a deep breath, and prepare for a journey with the great genius of musical travel. On this episode, Kirk dives into Björk's 1995 electro-pop masterpiece "Hyperballad," paying special attention to how carefully she weaves together music and lyrics to create a sense of space, and thus a feeling of travel. Written and produced by: Björk Co-produced by: Nellee Hooper Albu...
The Music of The Legend of Zelda [Recast]
April 21, 2023 04:00 - 57 minutes - 52.5 MBFrom Zelda's Lullabye to Epona's Song to the Great Fairy Fountain and Dragon Roost Island, Kirk unravels some of his favorite Zelda music and explores how Nintendo's composers keep weaving them back together into beautiful new patterns. Written by: Main themes by Koji Kondo, with additional compositions by Kenta Nagata (Wind Waker), Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata, and Hajime Wakai (Breath of the Wild) Featuring music from: The Legend of Zelda (1986), A Link to the Past (1991), Ocarina of Ti...
"God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys [Recast]
April 07, 2023 04:00 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBThe sleigh bells ring, the french horn solos, and The Wrecking Crew lays down the foundation for an immaculate collection of chords and melodies, all placed over a bass line that's as Bach as it is Beach-y. Turns out there's a reason so many people call this the greatest song ever written. Artist: The Beach Boys Album: Pet Sounds (1966) Written by: Brian Wilson & Tony Asher Listen/Buy via Songwhip ------ ALSO FEATURED: "And Your Dream Comes True" by The Beach Boys from Summer Days (An...
Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense [Recast]
March 24, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBIt's time for something a little different, as Kirk puts down his record player and climbs onstage for Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads' classic 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense. It's a tour through the first hour of the film, from "Heaven" to "Burning Down the House" to "Once in a Lifetime," with some quick stops along the way. Songs by: Talking Heads (David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison) Featuring: Steve Scales (Percussion), Lynn Mabry and Ednah Holt (Vocals), ...
"Paranoid Android" by Radiohead [Recast]
March 10, 2023 05:00 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBIt'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. Band/Artist: Radiohead Album: OK Computer, 1997 Composed by: Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Colin Greenwood, Philip Selway Listen/Buy: Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify ALSO FEATURED: "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen "Fitter Happier" ...
"Sinnerman" by Nina Simone [Recast]
February 24, 2023 05:00 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBIt's time for Strong Songs' first-ever analysis of a live recording, as Kirk digs in to legendary pianist/vocalist Nina Simone's 1965 interpretation of the traditional spiritual song "Sinnerman." It's time for some syncopated piano, popless grooves, band crash-landings, hand-clap breakdowns, hip hop samples, and one spectacular vocal cadenza. Artist: Nina Simone Album: Pastel Blues (1965) Written by: Traditional, arr. Nina Simone Listen/Buy: Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify ------ ALSO F...
From Bach to Miles Davis, with Emily Reese
February 17, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 71.7 MBKirk sits down with musician and podcaster Emily Reese to talk about the beauty of Bach's "Goldberg Variations," the distinct sound of Davis/Evans/Mulligan's "Birth of the Cool," the joys of the Knight Rider theme, and her podcast Level with Emily Reese, which focuses on the wide world of video game music. FEATURED/DISCUSSED: Emily's music podcast Level with Emily: https://www.levelwithemily.com "Singin' the Blues" feat. Frankie Trumbauer on C Melody Sax "Move," by Miles Davis and "Jeru...
"Kiss" by Prince [Recast]
February 10, 2023 05:00 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBJune, 2020: It's finally time to talk about the Purple One on Strong Songs, specifically his 1986 chart-topper "Kiss." How did a song that was originally written for a standard band become so stripped-down and distinct? Why do those vocal and guitar parts work so well? And who was responsible for some of the sounds and styles Prince was channeling when he recorded it? All that and more, on this episode. Artist: Prince Album: Parade (1986) Written by: Prince Listen/Buy: Apple Music | Ama...
"Walking on Broken Glass" by Annie Lennox [Recast]
January 27, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBIt's time for a deep dive into Annie Lennox's 1992 pop banger "Walking on Broken Glass," with all its syncopated pianos, string section interludes, ever-changing backup vocals, and tasty guitar cameos. Won't you pick the pieces up? Artist: Annie Lennox Album: Diva (1992) Written by: Annie Lennox Listen/Buy: Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify ------ ALSO FEATURED: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" by The Miami Sax Quartet from Four of a Kind, 2013 “Why" and "Little Bird" by Annie Lennox fro...
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen [Recast]
January 13, 2023 05:00 - 53 minutes - 48.7 MBIs 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. This episode was originally published on February 20, 2019. Band/Ar...
"Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" by Kate Bush [Minisode]
December 30, 2022 05:00 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBHappy holidays! Here's a Patreon minisode Kirk published last summer about Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill." See you in 2023! ORIGINAL SHOW NOTES, 6/24/2022: The whole world is talking about Kate Bush's masterful 1985 song "Running Up That Hill," so Kirk figured he might as well talk about it, too. On this bonus Patreon episode, he takes a crack at re-creating the song's iconic sound and digs into some of the digital recording technology that Bush used to make it sound so distinct. FE...
"Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" by Kate Bush
December 30, 2022 05:00 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBHappy holidays! Here's a Patreon minisode Kirk published last summer about Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill." See you in 2023! ORIGINAL SHOW NOTES, 6/24/2022: The whole world is talking about Kate Bush's masterful 1985 song "Running Up That Hill," so Kirk figured he might as well talk about it, too. On this bonus Patreon episode, he takes a crack at re-creating the song's iconic sound and digs into some of the digital recording technology that Bush used to make it sound so distinct. FE...
The Music of Star Wars: Andor
December 16, 2022 05:00 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBLook, sometimes a TV soundtrack is so good that you have no choice but to make a whole podcast episode about it. And so here we are, as Kirk takes a deep dive into Nicholas Britell's ever-evolving musical score for the new Disney+ show Star Wars: Andor. Listen to Britell's Andor Score (via Songwhip): Volume One | Volume Two | Volume Three REFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE: Tracks from Star Wars: A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, composed by John Williams Tracks from Solo: A Star Wars Sto...
Year Four, In Review
November 18, 2022 05:00 - 49 minutes - 45 MBKirk takes a look back some of his many musical memories from Strong Songs, Year Four. FEATURED/DISCUSSED: "Blood and Thunder" by Mastodon from Leviathan, 2004 "Gotta Get You Into My Life" by Paul McCartney/Lennon-McCartney, as covered by Earth, Wind & Fire in 1978 "Eleanor Rigby" by Paul McCartney/Lennon-McCartney, as covered by Cody Fry in 2021 and Zoot in 1970 "Second Story" by Andrew Synowiec from Second Story, 2020 Andrew Synowiec on Instagram "Just What I Needed" by Ric Ocasek a...
Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon
November 04, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBFor the 100th episode of Strong Songs, Kirk takes a deep dive into one of the most famous concept albums ever recorded. Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" is an instantly recognizable, widely discussed album, played and replayed to the point that it's easy to forget that it was made by a handful of young people with some instruments and a mixing desk. So buckle in for a whirlwind tour of the entire record, with pauses along the way to highlight some of the sounds, styles, and techniq...
"The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota" by "Weird Al" Yankovic
October 21, 2022 04:00 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBIt's time for a Strong Songs road trip, as Kirk unravels one of "Weird Al" Yankovic's most understated, grandiose songs. So come along, for a journey through long-form story songs, sea shanty refrains, synth feelings, and an unexpectedly grand finale. We'll stay until the security guards throw us out. Album: UHF: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff, 1989 Listen/Buy via Songwhip Also Featured/Discussed: "Spam," "Money For Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies," "Hot Rocks Polka," "At...
Singing Drummers & Jazz Flute
October 07, 2022 04:00 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBIt's time to answer more of your musical questions, with topics including singing drummers, Elvis Costello harmonies, how to find a music teacher, unusual odd-meter counting, similar-sounding songs, and Anchorman's jazz flute scene. FEATURED/DISCUSSED: “Heart Don’t Stand a Chance” by Anderson .Paak from Malibu, 2016 “You & I” by Jamison Ross from Jamo, 2022 "Take The TIme" by Josh Dion Band from Live!, 2006 "Sunshine, I Can Fly" by Roul Midón live in NYC, 2013 “Seventeen” by Lake Stree...
Strong Grooves, Vol. 1 (feat. Russ Kleiner)
September 23, 2022 04:00 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MBDrummers like Clyde Stubblefield, Zigaboo Modeliste, and Bernard Purdie defined the sound of the bands they played with not because of their flashy chops, but because they knew how to lock down a groove. On this episode, Kirk goes deep into one groove apiece by each of those drummers - Stubblefield on James Brown's "Cold Sweat," Modeliste on The Meters' "Cissy Strut," and Purdie on Aretha Franklin's "Rock Steady" - with help from special guest drummer Russ Kleiner. FEATURED/DISCUSSED Cold ...
"Jesus, Etc." by Wilco
September 09, 2022 04:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBFew lyricists have Jeff Tweedy's ability to fluidly shift between plainspoken emotion and abstract imagery. The Wilco frontman has been writing beautiful, beguiling songs for more than three decades, and there is no way to pin down what any of them "means." There's only what they mean to you, right then, in the moment, as you listen to them. That's certainly true of "Jesus, Etc." one of many standout tracks off of Wilco's groundbreaking 2001 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. On this episode, Kir...
Lofi Beats & The Circle of Fifths
August 26, 2022 04:00 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBKirk answers a crop of new listener questions on topics ranging from Steve Perry's vocal technique, Art Garfunkel's guitarmonies, the Carolina Crown's viral brass section warmup, Ram Jam's chaotic riffs, and how to explain complex music theory concepts to non-musicians. FEATURED/DISCUSSED: “Elbow Grease” by Scott Pemberton from Timber Rock, 2015 “A Song for You” by Leon Russell from Leon Russell, 1970 "Scissors Cut" by Art Garfunkel from Scissors Cut, 1981 “Carolina Crown’s Hornline Dr...
"Help Me" by Joni Mitchell
August 12, 2022 04:00 - 55 minutes - 50.6 MBThere are few singer-songwriters as inimitable as Joni Mitchell, with her swirling song forms, leaping melodies, and that magical voice, untethered by the laws of gravity. On this episode, Kirk takes a deep dive into Joni's 1974 song "Help Me," a hummingbird of a tune hovering between commitment and flight, tumbling and falling past love and toward freedom. Written by: Joni MItchell Album: Court and Spark, 1974 Listen/Buy via JoniMitchell.com Also featured: “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mit...
A Jazz Mystery, Solved
July 29, 2022 04:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBAfter more than two years, a Strong Songs jazz mystery is finally solved. Thanks to listener (and outro soloist) Jeff Bean, who finally cracked the case of the mysterious lick played by Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, and may others. I can finally sleep at night. FEATURED ON THIS EPISODE: "Moanin" by Bobby Timmons recorded by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers for Moanin', 1958 "Jordu" by Duke Jordon recorded by the Clifford Brown quintet, 1954 "Seranade to a Cukoo" by the Rahsaan Roland Ki...