Shows
Strong SongsTalkin' Tower of Power, with Adam Maness and Peter Martin [You'll Hear It]Back in May, Kirk joined pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin of the You'll Hear It podcast to talk about what makes Tower of Power great. It was a very fun conversation, so he asked if he could run their episode in the Strong Songs feed. And here we are!Listen to You'll Hear It anywhere you find podcasts, and find both Adam and Peter (and many others) teaching jazz lessons at OpenStudio.com.ORIGINAL SHOW NOTESMay 19, 2025We hand the mic to Kirk Hamilton from the Strong Songs podcast to help u...
2025-08-221h 12
Strong Songs"Lean On Me" by Bill WithersFor the Season Seven finale, Kirk takes a look at Bill Withers' enduring hit "Lean On Me." In the process, he takes a broader look at a bunch of Withers' other most famous songs to better understand how this plainspoken, seemingly ordinary guy managed to write so many extraordinary songs.Written by: Bill WithersAlbum: Still Bill, 1972Listen/Buy via Album.LinkALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:“Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Grandma’s Hands” by Bill Withers from Just As I Am, 1971“Lonely Town, Lonely Street,” “Let Me In Your Life,” and “Use Me,” by Bil...
2025-07-1158 min
Strong Songs"Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Jim Steinman and Bonnie TylerTurn around... every now and then I get a little lonely and the snare is sounding smallTurn around... every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of sleigh bellsTurn around... every now and then I get a little bit nervous that the cannons will not fireTurn around......every now and then Kirk decides to take on a classic 80s power ballad, and winds up learning a thing or two about when to use castanets and how to pull off an elegant key change. (Are...
2025-05-161h 00
Strong SongsBluey, Background Jazz, and the 'Best' Metal Guitar SoloHow should you count The Police's "Bed's Too Big Without You?" Why do so many people revere Marty Friedman's solo on Megadeth's "Tornado of Souls"? What's going on with those pauses during the Bluey theme? And what the heck is that sound on Sly and the Family Stone's "Sex Machine"? Those questions and many more on the first mailbag episode of Season Seven. Thanks to Nevada Jones (voice) and Scott Pemberton (guitar) for their expert contributions!REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:"Bed's Too Big Without You" by The Police from The Police, 1979"Thirty One" by Lydian Collective f...
2025-05-021h 08
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"Fast As You Can" by Fiona AppleKirk digs into Fiona Apple's breakneck 1999 single "Fast As You Can," a cornerstone in her late 90s collaborations with Jon Brion, as well as her work with drummer Matt Chamberlain.Written by: Fiona AppleProduced by: Jon BrionAlbum: When The Pawn..., 1999Listen/Buy via Album.LinkALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:Jon Brion in Performing Songwriter Magazine, 2000"Criminal" by Fiona Apple from Tidal, 1996"Tymps (The Sick in the Head Song) by Fiona Apple from Extraordinary Machine, 2005"Monday" by Jon Brion from I Heart Huckabees, 2004"Epistrophy" by Thelonious Monk recorded...
2025-03-2152 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 SongsRediscovering Stevie Wonder, with Wesley Morris and Josh GwynnKirk talks with Wesley Morris and Josh Gwynn about the endless world of Stevie Wonder. Morris and Gwynn are host and producer, respectively, of the brilliant new six-part podcast series The Wonder of Stevie.Check out Josh Gwynn's terrific pop culture podcast Back Issue, Wesley Morris's culture podcast Still Processing, and Morris' essential writing on Aretha Franklin, Jam & Lewis, Meshell Ndegeocello, and his mustache, as well as his 2019 essay about Black American Music.REFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE:"Wild Wild West" by Will Smith, Kool Moe Dee, Rub Fusari, and Stevie Wonder, 1999"Straight, No Chaser"...
2024-10-041h 19
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"Easter Theatre" by XTCStage left! It's time for Strong Songs to talk about XTC. Stage right! Now the song is picked, analysis can begin. Stand up! If we listen close, we'll hear some lovely notes...On this episode, Kirk takes the stage alongside "Easter Theatre," the first single off of XTC's 1999 experimental symphono-pop album Apple Venus: Vol. 1. Bring on the bassoons and power up the mellotron; we've got some shapes to stack.Written by: Andy PartridgeProduced by: Haydn Bendall & Nick DaviesAlbum: Apple Venus Vol. 1, 1999 and Instruvenus, 2002Listen/Buy via Songwhip
2024-05-3157 min
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"Heart of Glass" by BlondieYou came, you saw, you voted, and you picked Blondie as Strong Songs' first listener-selected artist! After weighing a number of possible songs to focus on, Kirk decided to go with the 1978 hit that took them from the punk clubs of New York to dance floors around the world.Wanna pick an artist for Season Seven? Go join the Patreon!Written by: Deborah Harry and Chris SteinProduced by: Mike ChapmanAlbum: Parallel Lines (1978)Listen/Buy via SongwhipSpecial Guests: Katelyn and Laurie Shook, a.k.a...
2024-05-0356 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 SongsStrong Covers, Vol. 3For 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 PartonAlbums: Bob Dylan: John Wesley Harding, 1967 — Jimi Hendrix: Electric Ladyland, 1968Dolly Parton: Jolene, 1973 — White Stripes: Live Under Blackpool Lights, 2004Listen/Buy: Watchtower Original | Cover — Jolene Original | CoverALSO DISCUSSED:Covers of "Hallelujah," "Respect," and "Gotta Get You Into My Life" featured on Strong Covers...
2024-04-0557 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 SongsPhish, Evanescence, and a Taylor Swift DisputeIt'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, 2003Joe Lovono plays the AulochromePat Metheney plays the Pikasso 42-string GuitarMatt Glassmeyer and Jano Rix demonstrate the ShuitarFuture Man plays Synth Axe Drumitar live with the Flecktones"What About Me?" by Snarky Puppy from We Like It Here, 2014"Shimmer Intend Spark Groove Defend" feat. Nels Cline...
2023-12-0159 minStrong 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 04
Strong SongsThe Music of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomKirk 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 spoilers. At around...
2023-11-031h 03Strong 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 SongsThe Four Electric GuitarsThere 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 Hendrix from Axis: Bold as Love, 1967“Like a Prayer” by Madonna from Like a Prayer, 1989“Sweet Home Al...
2023-10-0634 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"You're The Voice" by John Farnham, Live in SydneyJohn 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 FarnhamWritten by: Chris Thompson, Maggie Ryder, Andy Qunta, & Keith ReidProduced by: Glenn Wheatley
2023-06-3046 minStrong SongsThe Light and Dark of Music, with Lily E. HirschAuthor 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 OnoGustav Mahler - Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, Gilbert Kaplan w/ th Vienna PhilharmonicOliver Sacks' book Musicophelia"Hot in Herre" by Nelly from Nellyville, 2002"Trash Day" by "Weird Al" Yankovic from Poodle Hat, 2003...
2023-05-261h 04Strong SongsFrom Bach to Miles Davis, with Emily ReeseKirk 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," "Rocker," and "Venus de Milo" by Gerry Mulligan, arr Gil Evans from Birth of the C...
2023-02-171h 18Strong 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 SongsThe Music of Star Wars: AndorLook, 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 ThreeREFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE:Tracks from Star Wars: A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, composed by John WilliamsTracks from Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and...
2022-12-1657 min
Strong SongsYear Four, In ReviewKirk 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, 2020Andrew Synowiec on Instagram"Just What I Needed" by Ric Ocasek and The Cars from The Cars, 1978"You Might Think" by Ocasek/The Cars from Heartbeat City, 1984Various compositions by Koji...
2022-11-1849 min
Strong SongsPink Floyd: The Dark Side of the MoonFor 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 techniques that made The Dark Side of the M...
2022-11-041h 00
Strong Songs"The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota" by "Weird Al" YankovicIt'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, 1989Listen/Buy via SongwhipAlso Featured/Discussed:"Spam," "Money For Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies," "Hot Rocks Polka," "Attack of the Radioactive Hamsters from a Planet Near Mars," and "UHF," all from UHF: OMPSAOS, 1989"Polka Your...
2022-10-2154 min
Strong SongsSinging Drummers & Jazz FluteIt'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 Street Dive from Bad Self Portraits, 2014“Veronica” by Elvis Costello and Paul McCartney from Spike, 1989The Flute Scene From Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Bu...
2022-10-0759 min
Strong SongsStrong Grooves, Vol. 1 (feat. Russ Kleiner)Drummers 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/DISCUSSEDCold Sweat by James Brown and the Famous Flames, 1967"Cissy Strut" by The Meters from The...
2022-09-2359 min
Strong Songs"Jesus, Etc." by WilcoFew 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, Kirk explores some of the writing and arrangement techniques that help make this song, and all o...
2022-09-0953 min
Strong SongsLofi Beats & The Circle of FifthsKirk 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 Drops the Hammer in Houston”“Goodbye Yelow Brick Road” by Elton John and Bernie Taupin from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, 1973"Morning Moon" by Kanisan ft. Wishes and Drea...
2022-08-2655 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
A Dive Into The MindEpisode 17: Steve WartonThis week we’re diving into a different pool as we talk business, taking risks, self improvement and getting after it with our friend, Mr. Steve Warton.A late bloomer in the world of academia and business in general, Steve’s path was far from a straight line to success. Without a clear vision of what he wanted to do and far from a natural student, Steve tried uni and a few jobs he enjoy enough, but it wasn’t until meeting a now good friend and business partner, Matt Clark, that he really found his place...
2021-09-0549 min
Ready for Departure PodcastEpisode 17 – Landing at a farm stripFellow microlight pilot Adrian and I decided to see if we could make it to one of the local farm strips to the north of Barton.
Rossall Field, which is the base for attitude airsports, a small microlight school where flexwing, fixed wing and quite rarely, tailwheel microlight flying is taught, came recommended to us by another pilot. Rossall Field is a farm strip at Tarn Farm in Cockerham, Lancashire with 2 runways (both with reciprocal bearings). Runway 02/20 is 305 metres long and 11 metres wide, and there is a shorter 10/28 runway which is just 270 metres long. Compare that with B...
2018-11-0408 min