Shows
The Door to PeaceDeath With Dignity: Navigating the Death of a Loved One“We need to prepare for death the same way that we prepare for life."In this podcast Mickey Fenn offers practical insights for those who facing the death of a loved one. As a hospice chaplain and someone who has encountered death both personally and professionally, her experience helping families will give you practical insights into how you can walk through the last stage of life of the one you love. Talking about death is hard. This podcast creates a pathway for you to do what is uncomfortable and discover the beautiful moments that are po...
2024-09-1448 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 Songs"Hyperballad" by BjörkIt'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: BjörkCo-produced by: Nellee HooperAlbum: Post (1995)Listen/Buy vi...
2020-09-3048 min
Strong Songs"The Chain" and "Dreams" by Fleetwood MacThunder 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 Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, and John McVie."Dreams" was written...
2020-09-0258 min
Strong Songs"Wedding Song" from HadestownWho's gonna lay the wedding table? Who's gonna make the wedding bed? And what about the rings? Funny you should ask.On 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 ChorneyDirected by: Rachel ChavkinPerformed by: Ev...
2020-08-1958 min
Strong SongsMuppet Whistles, Throat Singing & Steely DanMailbag! Episode!We've got questions about Tuvan throat singing (how does it work??), the Unsolved Mysteries theme (why is it so creepy??), the intro to Don McLean's "American "Pie" (how do they count it??), Steely Dan (why do some people hate them??), Andrew Bird's whistling solo from 2011's The Muppets (how did he do that??), Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" (what key is it in??), and more.REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:“Unsolved Mysteries Theme” composed by Gary Malkin and Michael Boyd“Halloween Theme” by John Carpenter“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd from Second Helping, 1973“Yuve Yuve Yu” by Th...
2020-08-0559 min
Strong Songs"Satisfied" from Hamilton (Updated!)A toast to the groom! To the bride! To knowing you'll always regret the sacrifice you made for your sister!In this updated 2019 episode, Kirk takes a dive into Lin-Manuel Miranda's epic Broadway musical Hamilton, focusing on Renée Elise Goldsberry's first act showstopper, "Satisfied."Regret tinges an otherwise joyous day as Angelica Schuyler remembers the night she met Alexander Hamilton, fell in love with him, and quickly realized they could never be together. It's a heady mix of complex rhyme schemes, powerhouse vocals, and musical character motifs so densely interwoven that it's hard to k...
2020-07-0149 minStrong Songs"Chicago" by Sufjan StevensD, A, C, G. Four chords, placed end to end, repeated over and over again.On 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 StevensAlbum: Illinois (2005)Written by: Sufjan StevensListen/Buy via Album.LinkALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:"The Bird Women of...
2020-05-2757 minStrong Songs"Walking on Broken Glass" by Annie LennoxAre you living in an empty room, with all the windows smashed? Then this is the podcast episode for you.It'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 LennoxAlbum: Diva (1992)Written by: Annie LennoxListen/Buy via Album.LinkALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" by The Miami Sax Quartet from Four of a...
2020-05-1359 min