Eavesdrop on our conversations about songs. Each episode John and Brendan discuss a new song, exploring the style, lyrics, sounds and the time in place of the song, sometimes with interesting discoveries.
12 Available Episodes (12 Total)Average duration: 00:23:42
Oct 11, 2020
Land of Confusion - Genesis
00:23:47
The one where ...
We got together before the 2020 Lockdowns.
We listen to Land of Confusion, by Genesis.
Released in 1986
Album: Invisible Touch
Political commentary meets pop rock.
Remembered and in it's day lauded for it's hysteric video production.
We end up exploring the cover by Disturbed.
Mar 09, 2020
Rebel Rebel - David Bowie
00:26:12
The one where ...
Hot Tramps get their mothers in a whirl.
We listen to Rebel Rebel, by David Bowie.
Released in 1974
Album: Diamond Dogs
the farewell song to Bowie's Glam Pop persona
Bowie channels Mick Jagger's vocal styling and element's of Keith Richards guitar riffs to create his most covered track.
If "You love bands when they're playing hard" join us until "your face is a mess".
Jan 27, 2020
Raspberry Beret - Prince and The Revolution
00:30:40
" We never recorded it. WE DID! "
The one where ...
Brendan reminds John of an earlier attempt to record this episode.
We listen to Raspberry Beret. O(+>
Released in 1985
Album: Around the World in a Day
the eclectic prince of pop, infuses psychedelic funk sounds into a video focused commercial masterpiece
Walk in through the outdoor with us and enjoy a ride back to Old Man Johnson's Farm.
Dec 19, 2019
9 - " splice, splice baby " - The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
00:21:50
The one where ... we realise Brendan has an unhealthy fear of disco.
We listen to The Chain.
• Release in 1977
• Album: Rumours
• the song that has become a show opener for the Fleetwood Mac
• the only song on the album credited to all the members of Fleetwood Mac
Dec 01, 2019
8 - " don't start the talking, I could talk all night ... " - Olivers Army - Elvis Costello
00:19:56
The one where ... we realise it's a protest song disguised as a pop song.
We listen to Elvis Costello's most successful single release in the UK.
• Release in 1979
• Album: Armed Forces
• Take some time to check out producer Nick Lowe
• The Famous 50's progression, common to doo-wop songs from the 1950's
The one where we ... force ourselves to stop listening;
• it took 3 years to write
• Learn how to use a sitar in a song
• Jon Bonham was understated in this one.
• They use 2 different time signatures.
Nov 10, 2019
6 - " they're doing it for the right reasons " - Midnight in Harlem - Tadeschi Trucks Band
00:14:48
The one where ... we mellow out and chill after being in the 80's.
We listen to a smooth and melodically layered song by Tadeschi Trucks Band.
• Band formed from the merging of two bands
• He's playing slide guitar
• She's playing the "Tele"
• The Hammond Keyboards
• They have a horn section
• 2 drums
Nov 04, 2019
5 - " They made squillions of dollars " - Photograph - Def Leppard
00:30:29
The one ... where we start out discussing Photograph by Def Leppard.
We got stuck in the 80's again
This time however;
• we got more synth than guitar
• heard more reverb than snare
• connected the dots from producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange to Michael Bolton - AC/DC - Celine Dion - Bryan Adams ...
• finally ending up discussing Peter Gabriel's, Sledgehammer.
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Dedication and thanks to Andrew "Pomy" Mason - R.I.P.
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Nov 03, 2019
4 - " Is that like not the best intro to a song you've ever heard? " - Love Song - Simple Minds
00:23:42
The one about "... the best intro to a song you've ever heard ..."
This song can take you back to your High School Formal, or remind you of movies.
Welcome back to the 1980's.
In this episode we discuss;
• Synth-pop
• effects
• there never was an extended mix
• early trance
• Alive and Kicking, Don't Forget About Me.
Oct 27, 2019
3 - " It's more Stones than The Stones " - Street Fighting Man - The Rolling Stones
00:27:58
We've chosen to launch Radio Bla Bla with our discussion of Street Fighting Man by The Rolling Stones.
This was our 3rd recorded conversation and we felt less awkward than the first two recordings we made.
We're considering those earlier recordings as "pilot episodes', which will be used in some format at a future time of shorter, or composite conversations.
In this episode we discussed;
• the suitcase drum kit
• Keith the composer
• Mick's vocal chant
• and conclude that the song is "... more Stones than The Stones ..."
Oct 11 | 00:23:47
Land of Confusion - Genesis
Mar 09 | 00:26:12
Rebel Rebel - David Bowie
Jan 27 | 00:30:40
Raspberry Beret - Prince and The Revolution
Dec 19 | 00:21:50
9 - " splice, splice baby " - The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
Dec 01 | 00:19:56
8 - " don't start the talking, I could talk all night ... " - Olivers Army - Elvis Costello