Shows
Sparks and SparklesEp 10: As I Sit Down to Play the Organ at Notre Dame CathedralWE'RE BACK! And we're going way back to 2006's "Hello Young Lovers" to discuss a song that has haunted us for a while: "As I Sit Down to Play the Organ at the Notre Dame Cathedral."
Sit back and enjoy as Amy and I discuss life on the road, great musicianship, and Mel attempts to pronounce "religiosity."
2023-03-0747 minSparks and SparklesIndiscreet: Part 2WE'RE BACK! (Hopefully!)
We had so much to say about the wonderful "Indiscreet" we could not get it all into one episode! Is "Indiscreet" the greatest Sparks album of all time? There's a reason so many fans love it so much!
Pour yourself a glass of something sparkling us as we get into side two, talk about our favorite tracks on side two!
2022-09-261h 08Sparks and SparklesEpisode 8: Indiscreet - Part 1Is Indiscreet the best Sparks album of them all? It's certainly up there!
Amy and Mel talk about how all of the things we love about Sparks really came together on this album. We got so into it we only managed to get through side one! Grab a sparkling beverage, fire up the listening device of your choice and join us! Cheers!
Other items discussed: Autobiography of Tony Visconti: Bowie, Bolan and the Brooklyn Boy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1978034.Tony_Visconti John Lennon's Lost Weekend: https://www.biography.com/news/john-lennon-lost-weekend Boogie Nights http...
2022-05-241h 26Sparks and SparklesPropaganda!Continuing our look at Sparks "UK period," this week we discuss the "Propaganda" album. Hot on the heels of Sparks' first commercially successful album, "Kimono My House," "Propaganda" frequently tops the list of Sparks fans' favorite albums. But is it as good as KMH? Amy and Mel have opinions!
Pop open some bubbly and have a listen!
Wines mentioned:
Toccata Rosato Sparkling Wine https://www.llwine.com/wines/2017-sparkling-rosato
Babe Rose produced by Yass Queen in Modesto CA. https://drinkbabe.net/
Solvang, CA Visitor Info: https://www.solvangusa.com/
Motorboat by Gerhard Richter
http...
2022-05-121h 22Sparks and SparklesEpisode 6 Annette and March 19th Sparks Concert in ChicagoIn this episode, we talk about the wonderful March 19, 2022 Sparks show in Chicago and about the movie Annette, which we watched together before the concert.
Sparkles enjoyed:
Canah, prosecco from Perlage in Veneto Italy
Bubbles, sparkling rose by A to Z Wineworks in Dundee, Oregon
Songs discussed on Sparks and Sparkles podcast. https://youtu.be/a1XI08y6frY
2022-04-261h 13Sparks and SparklesEpisode 5 Kimono My House Part 3 - Side BSparks talk begins at minute 5:30. On this episode, we discuss how the detailed music and lyrics on Side B oppitimize "Sparks". These songs mix wonderfully clever word play with strong vocals and rocking instrumental work and the result, as Melanie says, "is pure joy". We delve briefly back to Woofer in Tweeter's clothing and wander off into discussing Freddy Boom Boom Cannon and Marty Robbins. We also dig into the term "Pop Banger" and what it means to Melanie and why Amy is so confused by it. It was truly a pleasure to drink Sparkles and talk about these a...
2022-03-131h 02Sparks and SparklesEpisode 4 Bonus - Hope is a VerbWe posted this episode to share a little current events talk and this amazing quote from Melanie. "Hope is a verb. And it's not the ignorance of obstacles, it's the determination to overcome them."
Check out our full Episode 4 Kimono My House Part 2 - Side A: https://youtu.be/Hdm4VStqrzs
Want more Sparks? Check out our Sparks and Sparkling playlist. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3Uyuc9G337AcjuIhkNswthFKqKuhzOK
2022-02-2603 minSparks and SparklesEpisode 4 Kimono My House Part 2In this episode, we get into the Side A of Kimono My House. Melanie reads Sparks fan mail from Morrisey and we throw down about our favorite and least favorite songs. We may not agree on our favorite songs, but we do agree on how much we enjoy talking about the music and lyrics of this iconic album.
Sparks talk begins at 9:45. Songs discussed:
This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us
Amateur Hour
Falling in Love with Myself Again
Here in Heaven
Thank God it's Not Christmas
My Nation Underground (Julian Cope)
While My G...
2022-02-261h 05Sparks and SparklesEpisode 3 - Bonus - How Awesome is Edgar Wright?!?If you're interested in five minutes of Amy and Melanie gushing about how much we love Edgar Wright's work, then this mini episode is for you! This is bonus content to our Episode 3 - Sparks Live in LA!!!
2022-02-1905 minSparks and SparklesEpisode 3 - Sparks Live in LA!!!Melanie talks all about seeing Sparks Live in LA on February 7 AND 8, 2022. Spoiler alert, we talk about the set list. But Melanie shares so much more about this exciting experience. Join us as we gush about Sparks and the kickoff of their 2022 Tour! Sparks talk starts at 5:10 of our show.
For songs discussed on the Sparks and Sparkles podcast, check out our Sparks and Sparkles playist on YouTube: https://youtu.be/a1XI08y6frY
2022-02-191h 04Sparks and SparklesEpisode 2 Kimono My House - Part 1You read that episode title right...we're talkin' 'bout Kimono My HOUSE!!!! Released in 1974, and arguably, Sparks best known album, Mel and Amy kick it off big...after talking for almost six minutes about Sparkling Wine! We share our thoughts on music from this era, what we love about the music in this album, more about how much we love the music on this album and why...you get the idea. So pop open your beverage of choice and join us for some Sparks and Sparkles! Spoiler alert: we don't get through the whole album in this episode, so...
2022-02-1157 minSparks and SparklesEpisode 1Welcome to Sparks and Sparkles! Join us as we talk about the wonderful music of Sparks and enjoy a few sips of Sparkles.
This is our first episode and we jump right in with some sparkle talk and then discuss some of our favorite Sparks songs.
Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3Uyuc9G337AcjuIhkNswthFKqKuhzOK
2022-02-0455 min