Drugs! Dysfunction! Harmonies!

As the folk-rock-pop band turns, I recount the twists, turns, acid, and petty fraud that brought John, Michelle, Denny, and Cass together, as well as tearing them apart.

Working on this episode has also spurred a side project: a list of Rock's Biggest Sh!theads.

* Note: if knowing what you know about John Phillips would make listening to me mention his name psychological unsafe for you, I totally understand if you want to give this a pass. I stick to the formation of the Mamas and the Papas through 1966, so the other stuff isn't mentioned, but still.

The inaugural mini-episode focusing on singles! As one might expect from a Beatles superfan, the first single under discussion comes to us from The Fab Four. I talk about a bit about how singles were listened to, John's ego death crisis, the mutual admiration society between the Beatles and Fats Domino, George's Indian-inspired output, and my all-Beatles running playlist. All in under 10 minutes!

Imagine my delight when I came across this record in the bins! In the early '80s, I definitely wanted my MTV, and Tracey Ullman brought her sketch comedy bonafides to the music video. Her short-lived career as a pop singer was a bit of a lark, but we have this, a loving tribute to '60s pop. I talk about Doris Day, Kirsty MacColl, and Debbie Harry in addition to Tracey Ullman, so we've really got a celebration of awesome women in entertainment here.

*Note: due to an unfortunately timed software update, my audio clips from the album were unusable. However, I've added links to the songs in the show notes.

Greetings commies, pinkos, and fellow travelers! We have our first live album (second if we count comedy), Joan Baez in Concert Vol. 2. I discuss the economics of record collecting, the link between folk music and progressive causes, and the variations and alternate versions of many folk songs, particularly We Shall Overcome. Bob Dylan's name is mentioned more than I anticipated.

Also, I didn't mention it in the episode, but I have a new turntable, so the quality of the audio files ripped from the album has improved!

What with seeing Paul McCartney in concert on Tuesday, followed by Thanksgiving on Thursday, I found myself on the back foot. I'm a dollar short and a day late (well, a few hours late), and I'm all out of audio clips, but I find the wherewithal to discuss budget labels, the Wrecking Crew, Las Vegas, and my difficulty remembering names.

Another vintage record sale find! I launch straight into my rants, as Discogs says this is a soul record, while Apple Music calls it jazz. Does it matter? Probably not. The songs come from everywhere--Lennon & McCartney, Edith Piaf, Joao Gilberto, Broadway, and more. I talk translations, sad stories but great music, and some guy they called The Neem.

The Music of Lennon & McCartney: https://youtu.be/wTnDbaNPySc?si=gu91KrD8Ue6l_iz-

https://blues.org/blues_hof_inductee/esther-phillips/

https://www.ctproduced.com/remembering-esther-phillips/

Let's get jazzy (again)! I discuss the giant that is Duke Ellington and two of his trusted collaborators: his protege, co-composer, and arranger Billy Strayhorn; and his longtime alto saxophone player, Johnny Hodges. I pick apart how swing encompasses more than music to jitterbug to, how subgenres are defined post hoc, and more. I also shout out fictional jazz enthusiast, sometime bass player, and Director of Football Operations Leslie Higgins.

Who else can put out a record considered "mid" that still has two certified bangers, plus a couple more solid contenders? Our man McCartney (and crew). I try to give a state of the band recap that doesn't repeat previous lore (always a challenge when going by order of purchase), talk about the Fender Rhodes, accuse some people of hating joy, and engage in an impassioned defense of Linda. And what's wrong with that?