Shows
Strong Songs"Under Pressure" by Queen and David BowieKirk heaps on a second helping of TWO previous Strong Songs artists: Queen and David Bowie, whose 1981 collaboration "Under Pressure" topped the charts while showing how a mid-song transformation is done.Written by: David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, Roger TaylorAlbum: Hot Space, 1981Listen/Buy via Album.LinkALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:Previous Strong Songs episodes on Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and "Starman"“Killer Queen” by Queen from Sheer Heart Attack, 1974“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen from A Night At The Opera, 1975“Somebody To Love” by Freddie M...
2026-02-201h 00
Strong Songs"Rosanna" by TotoKirk kicks off Strong Songs Season Eight with a second helping of Toto, whose song "Africa" got the very first episode of Strong Songs he ever made. This time around he's focusing on 1982's "Rosanna," a song that shows just what Toto could do when every member of the band gave it their all.Written by: David PaichAlbum: Toto IV, 1982Listen/Buy via Album.LinkALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:Guess That Record Interview with David PaichToto Live at the Montreaux Jazz Festival, 1991Music Radar interview with Porcaro and Paich about...
2026-01-161h 00
Strong Songs"Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)" by The Mars VoltaKirk digs into one of the most dense and challenging records in his collection, with an analysis of "Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)" from The Mars Volta's 2003 progressive rock opus De-Loused in the Comatorium.Written by: Omar Rodríguez-López, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and Jeremy WardProduced by: Omar Rodríguez-López & Rick RubinAlbum: De-Loused in the Comatorium, 2003Listen/Buy via Album.LinkALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:Excerpts from Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird (2023, dir. Nicolas Jack Davies)"One Armed Scissor" by At the Drive-In from Rela...
2025-04-0459 min
Strong Songs"Where The Streets Have No Name" and "With Or Without You" by U2Strong Songs Season Seven kicks off with two of the most famous songs ever recorded, from one of the biggest bands in the world. U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" and "With or Without You" make up two-thirds of the three-song "suite" of hit singles that kicked off their 1987 album The Joshua Tree. As it turns out, the two songs have a lot to say to one another! They also have a lot to say about how U2 wrote music, and about the beautiful, messy human process of collaborative creativity.Written by: U2...
2025-03-0759 min
Strong Songs"Born to Run" by Bruce SpringsteenIn the season six finale, Kirk takes a deep dive into Bruce Springsteen's signature song, 1975's "Born to Run." It's all here: tremolo guitar riffs, glockenspiel arpeggios, endless sus chords, and a sax solo for the ages. Baby, we were born for it.Written by: Bruce SpringsteenProduced by: Springsteen, John Landau, and Mike AppelAlbum: Born to Run, 1975Listen/Buy via LynkifyALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:"Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" and "Thunder Road" from Born to Run, 1975Born to Run live at Madison Square Garden, 2000, and live in...
2024-06-281h 00
Strong Songs"Limb by Limb" by PhishPhish may be known for their 30-minute live jams, but turns out you can distill their best qualities into a song one-tenth that length. To that end, Kirk picks apart and reassembles their 1998 studio recording of "Limb By Limb" in all its polyrhythmic, guitarpeggiated glory.Music by: Trey Anastasio, with Page McConnell, Mike Gordon & Jon FishmanLyrics by: Tom Marshall & Scott HermanAlbum: The Story of the Ghost (1998)Listen/Buy via SongwhipALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:"You Enjoy Myself" by Trey Anastasio from Junta, 1989"The Story of the Ghost"...
2024-05-1759 min
Strong Songs"The Way" by Meshell NdegeocelloMeshell Ndegeocello is: a fearless songwriter, an outrageously funky bassist, and a groundbreaking producer who knows just how to get the most out of each musician she hires. On this episode, Kirk takes a deep dive into "The Way," the second track off of her 1996 record Peace Beyond Passion, and shines a light on some of the things that make her one of the greats.Written by: Meshell NdegeocelloAlbum: Peace Beyond Passion (1996)Special Guest: Sam HowardListen/Buy via SongwhipALSO DISCUSSED:"The Womb," "Ecclesiastes: Free My...
2024-04-1957 min
Strong Songs"Águas de Março (The Waters of March)" by Antônio Carlos Jobim & Elis ReginaKirk 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 JobimPerformed by: Jobim and Elis ReginaAlbum: Elis & Tom (1974)Listen/Buy via SongwhipALSO DISCUSSED:"The Girl From Ipamena" and "Desefinado" by Tom Jobim from Getz/Gilberto, 1964"Corcovado (Quiet Night of Quiet Star...
2024-03-2256 min
Strong Songs"Black Hole Sun" by SoundgardenTurns out some songs stand on their own, however memorable-slash-horrifying their music video might have been.Written by: Chris CornellProduced by: Michael BeinhornAlbum: Superunknown (1994)Listen/Buy via SongwhipALSO DISCUSSED:"Spoonman" and "The Day I Tried to Live" by Chris Cornell and Soundgarden from Superunknown, 1994Kim Thayil interview at SongfactsNorah Jones' cover of "Black Hole Sun," Live in 2021"In My Life" by Lennon/McCartney from Rubber Soul, 1965The 2021 Strong Songs interview with session guitarist Andrew Synowiec"Tom Sawyer" by Rush from Moving Pictures, 1981--------------------
2024-03-0856 min
Strong Songs"In Your Eyes" by Peter GabrielStrong 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 GabrielProduced by: Daniel LanoisAlbum: So (1986)Listen/Buy via SongwhipALSO 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, 1986Kwame Ansah-Brew demonstrates the Talking Drum--------------------FEBRUARY 2024 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS
2024-02-2353 min
Strong SongsThe Band: The Last WaltzFor 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 HudsonDirected by: Martin ScorseseAlbum: The Last Waltz (1978)Listen/Buy via SongwhipALSO DISCUSSED/REFERENCED:"The Weight" by Robbie Robertson as covered by The Staple Singers and Aretha FranklinStudio versions of several songs from the show, featured on The...
2023-12-151h 05
Strong SongsStrong Solos, Vol. 2: Electric Guitar-alooThe 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 Are You Experienced?, 1967Larry Carlton's solo on "Kid Charlemagne" by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (AKA Steely Dan...
2023-11-171h 04Strong SongsA Little Extra ZeldaOn 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/Lorule Theme," "Gerudo Valley," and "The Great Fairy's Fountain" by K...
2023-10-2724 minStrong SongsBelle & Sebastian's Very Good Chord ProgressionKirk 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 FVariation 2: | C | D | Bm | Esus EVariation 3: | A | Bm | A/C# | Esus EFEATURED/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--------------------OCTOBER 2023 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSCorpus Frisky – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Damon White...
2023-10-2021 min
Strong SongsCounterpoint, Chaka Kahn, & Peter GabrielKirk 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 FortunesContrapunctus 1 by J.S. Bach recorded by the Emerson String Quartet on Bach: The Art of Fugue, 2003T.I.B.W.F. by The Budos Band, from The Budos Band, 2005"Dying to Get To Europe" by Ketil Bjornstad from Seafarer's Song, 2004"The Place Where He Inserted the Blade" by Black Country, New Road from Ants From Up There, 2022"...
2023-09-0854 min
Strong Songs"Soul Vaccination" by Tower of PowerKirk climbs inside the machine-gun rhythms and unstoppable grooves of the legendary Oakland funk outfit Tower of Power.Written by: Doc Kupka and Emilio CastilloAlbum: Tower of Power (1973)Listen/Buy via SongwhipALSO 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 Feelin'," "Mother Popcorn," "Funky Drummer" by James Brown, 1967...
2023-08-2549 min
Strong Songs"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears For FearsKirk 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 HughesProduced by: Chris HughesAlbum: Songs from the Big Chair (1985)Listen/Buy via SongwhipALSO DISCUSSED:"Shout" and "Head Over Heels," both from Songs From the Big Chair, 1985"No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age from Songs...
2023-07-2847 minStrong SongsAn Operatic Odyssey, with Luigi BocciaSpecial 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.--------------------JULY 2023 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSCatherine Warner – Damon White – Kaya Woodall – Dan Austin – Jay Swartz – Miriam Joy – Sean D. Winnie – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Ashley Hoag – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascett...
2023-07-143h 38Strong Songs"Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" by Kate BushHappy 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.FEATURED/DISCUSSED:"Wuthering Heights" by Kate Bush from The K...
2022-12-3020 min
Strong Songs"Help Me" by Joni MitchellThere 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 MItchellAlbum: Court and Spark, 1974Listen/Buy via JoniMitchell.comAlso featured:“Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell from Ladies of the Canyon, 1970“A Case of You” and "California” by Joni from...
2022-08-1255 min
Strong SongsStrong Covers, Vol. 2Three different artists! Three different covers! Of songs by one beloved band!On the second edition of "Strong Covers," we're digging into covers of three Beatles classics: Earth, Wind & Fire's maximalist remake of "Gotta Get You Into My Life," Ray Charles' saucy reimagining of "Eleanor Rigby," and Bobby McFerrin's delicate recitation of "Blackbird." Come for the English-accented rhyme schemes, stay for the impeccable voice leading.Covered (lol) on this episode:"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 c...
2022-02-1155 min
Strong Songs"Blood and Thunder" by MastodonWhite! Whale! Holy! Grail!Strong Songs kicks off year four by getting H-E-A-V-Y, with an analysis of Mastodon's "Blood and Thunder." Pass straight past the Mellow Meadows, through the Forests and the Foothills of Rock, and see if you can reach the summit of Hard Mountain. The view from up there is amazing.Written by: MastodonAlbum: Leviathan, 2004Listen/Buy on all platforms via SongwhipOUTRO SOLOIST: Kirk HamiltonKirk is the host of Strong Songs, and he's been having a lot of fun with the guitar...
2022-01-1442 min
Songs for SundayBlest Are the Souls Who Hear and KnowThis episode is also available as a blog post: http://theabundantheartblog.com/2021/11/14/blest-are-the-souls-who-hear-and-know/--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/angela-rueger/support
2021-11-1700 min
Songs for SundayLord, with Glowing Heart I'd Praise TheeThe text for this hymn is available at https://theabundantheartblog.com/2021/11/07/lord-with-glowing-heart-id-praise-thee/--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/angela-rueger/support
2021-11-1701 minStrong SongsSinging Like A Star, with Eric VetroWhat do Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes, John Legend, and Katy Perry have in common? They all study with Eric Vetro, one of the most in-demand vocal coaches in the world.On this bonus episode, Kirk sits down with Vetro to talk about his fascinating job, how to build good habits for a strong voice, and the art and discipline (and diet!) of professional singing.CHECK OUT ERIC'S PODCAST!Eric has a fantastic new podcast called Backstage Pass with Eric Vetro, where he sits down with his superstar students to talk about their lives...
2021-11-1055 minSongs for SundayStand Up, and Bless the LordThis episode is also available as a blog post: http://theabundantheartblog.com/2021/08/22/stand-up-and-bless-the-lord/--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/angela-rueger/support
2021-11-0101 minSongs for SundaySee the Corn Again in EarThis episode is also available as a blog post: http://theabundantheartblog.com/2021/08/29/see-the-corn-again-in-ear/--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/angela-rueger/support
2021-11-0100 minSongs for SundayLord, We Are Vile, Conceived in SinThis episode is also available as a blog post: http://theabundantheartblog.com/2021/09/05/lord-we-are-vile-conceived-in-sin/--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/angela-rueger/support
2021-11-0101 minSongs for SundayGod Moves in a Mysterious WayThis episode is also available as a blog post: http://theabundantheartblog.com/2021/09/19/god-moves-in-a-mysterious-way/--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/angela-rueger/support
2021-11-0101 minSongs for SundayThy Way, O Lord, Is in the SeaThis episode is also available as a blog post: http://theabundantheartblog.com/2021/10/03/thy-way-o-lord-is-in-the-sea/--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/angela-rueger/support
2021-11-0100 minSongs for SundayOur Lord Ascends His Lofty ThroneThis episode is also available as a blog post: http://theabundantheartblog.com/2021/10/11/our-lord-ascends-his-lofty-throne/--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/angela-rueger/support
2021-11-0100 minSongs for SundayHail, Thou Once Despised Jesus!This episode is also available as a blog post: http://theabundantheartblog.com/2021/10/24/hail-thou-once-despised-jesus/--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/angela-rueger/support
2021-11-0101 minSongs for SundayDoes Jesus Care?This episode is also available as a blog post: http://theabundantheartblog.com/2017/09/17/does-jesus-care/--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/angela-rueger/support
2021-11-0102 minSongs for SundayEarth, Rejoice, Our Lord Is King!This episode is also available as a blog post: http://theabundantheartblog.com/2021/10/17/earth-rejoice-our-lord-is-king/--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/angela-rueger/support
2021-11-0100 minSongs for SundayO Thou Whose Offering on the TreeThis episode is also available as a blog post: http://theabundantheartblog.com/2021/10/31/o-thou-whose-offering-on-the-tree/--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/angela-rueger/support
2021-11-0101 min
Strong Songs"Cameo Lover" by KimbraOpen up your heart! Open up your heart! Open up your heart, let Kimbra pull you out!On this episode, Kirk goes for a swim in the extra-buoyant waters of Kimbra's 2011 pop stomper "Cameo Lover." It's an intricate musical narrative told through shifting time-feels, retro drum beats, leaping vocals, and sneaky key changes, and it's just the song to raise our spirits after a long, dark winter.Written by: Kimbra JohnsonAlbum: Vows (2011)Listen/Buy via Album.LinkALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:“Somebody That I Used to Know” by Goty...
2021-03-2455 min
Strong Songs"Hide and Seek" by Imogen HeapWhere are we? What the hell is going on? Oh right, we're here with our podcast device, listening to an episode of Strong Songs.On this episode, Kirk dives into Imogen Heap's one-woman choral masterwork "Hide and Seek," taking a closer look at the technologies and processes Heap used to get that bewitching sound, her striking use of breath and dynamic contrast, and the many subtle ways she took the oh-so familiar "four chords" and made them sound unique.Written by: Imogen HeapAlbum: Speak for Yourself (2005)Listen/Buy via Album...
2021-01-2758 min
Strong Songs"Space Oddity" and "Starman" by David BowieLet the children lose it, let the children use it, and let all the children join in for Strong Songs year three!Kirk kicks off the new year with a pair of classics by the great David Bowie: 1969's melancholy "Space Oddity" and 1972's triumphant "Starman." What goes up, as they say, must come down.Written by: David BowieAlbums: David Bowie (1969), The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)Listen/Buy Bowie via Album.LinkListen/Buy Ziggy via Album.LinkALSO...
2021-01-1353 min
Strong SongsYear Two, In ReviewAs Year Two of Strong Songs draws to a close, it's time to take a look back.SCHEDULING NOTE: Strong Songs will be off for the month of December, and will be back for Year Three at the start of January, 2021.But before that! Let's go back, back, back in time one hundred years, to the start of 2020.REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:"Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin from Led Zeppelin IV, 1971"Lovefool" by The Cardigans from First Band on the Moon, 1996"Tom Sawyer" by Rush from Moving Pictures, 1981"Toss a Coin to Your...
2020-11-2557 min
Strong Songs"A Day in the Life" by The BeatlesWake up, fall out of bed, and drag a comb across your head, cause Strong Songs is finally doing an episode about The Beatles.It's time for Kirk to tackle the fab four, and what better Beatles song to analyze than Lennon and McCartney's two-tune casserole of a closer, "A Day in the Life." Get ready for some lilting Lennon dreamscapes, some meticulous McCartney melodies, a really big glissando, and an even bigger E chord.Written by: John Lennon and Paul McCartneyAlbum: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)Listen/Buy v...
2020-11-1158 min
Strong SongsMicrotones, Minimalism & the Bebop ScaleMailbag episode! Kirk answers your burning musical questions about songs from Parks & Rec, Black Sails, Lovecraft Country, and What We Do in the Shadows, as well as microtones, minimalist songwriting, the bebop scale, practicing habits, and more.REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:“Parks & Recreation” by Gaby Moreno and Vincent Jones, 2009“Black Sails” by Bear McCreary, 2014“You’re Dead” by Norma Tanega from Walking My Cat Named Dog, 1966“Lonely World” by Moses Sumney from Aromanticism, 2017A 2018 Refinery29 article by Courtney E. Smith on the gender gap in TV composing“Melting” and "Rattlesnake" by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard from Flying Microtonal Banana, 201...
2020-10-281h 02Strong SongsStrong TV Songs: HBO EditionThe Wildlings are south of the wall, the robots are rising up, Seventh Kavalry's on the move, and two percent of the world's population has vanished. Time for another edition of Strong TV Songs!This time around the focus is on HBO, a network that has defined much of the broader TV landscape over the past couple of decades. So let's dig into a bunch of great music from a bunch of good shows, with themes for Dothraki raiders, Alethiometers, robot farmgirls, nuns with guns, monstrous moguls, and lost souls.Special thanks to the key...
2020-10-141h 05
CONNECT older episodesRocky Horror Picture ShowRocky Horror Picture Show – A Staged Reading with live music will take place on October 28th. Now in its 3rd year, this event is a shared fundraiser event for Evergreen Theatre and Alberta Playwrights’ Network. Trevor Rueger, Executive director with Alberta Playwrights Network, joins Angela Kokott.
2017-10-1804 min