Redbeard’s Blog

R.E.M.- Strange Currencies- Milton Keynes 7-30-95

At England's massive Milton Keynes Bowl in late July 1995...Enjoy "Strange Currencies" by R.E.M.
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Billy Joel- The Stranger

Billy Joel is certainly not "The Stranger" to spectacular popularity, or the record books documenting same. And it's not as if Billy Joel had not been a prolific recording singer/songwriter or an infrequent touring musician prior to his fifth album, "The Stranger", in Fall 1977. But strangely his album sales were in a decidedly negative trend after "Piano Man". "The Stranger" changed all that, permanently. Billy Joel joins me In the Studio on the album's 45th anniversary.

Peter Gabriel- Us

The various subjects on Peter Gabriel's "Us", like the deep funky grooves, are all killer and no filler, from the pleading divorced parent to his regressing child on "Come Talk to Me". the matter-of-fact demystification of personal therapy in "Digging in the Dirt", to the Biblical allusions in "Blood of Eden", inspired by Gabriel's study of capital punishment. My exclusive classic rock interview with Peter Gabriel, in front of a small intimate audience, was his first reveal of those songs in September 1992, plus "Love to Be Loved", "Steam", "Kiss That Frog", and "Secret World". Part one of two. 

Billy Joel- Only the Good Die Young reggae demo

Just for fun, check out this previously unreleased demo of Billy Joel leading his band through a playful reggae version of "Only the Good Die Young", no doubt in tribute to the popularity  of Bob Marley and the Wailers in 1977 when Billy Joel's…

The Doors- Strange Days- the late Ray Manzarek

"Strange Days", The Doors' second album in only nine months,  was uncanny in capturing seismic changes already underway in America which would signal the end to the all-too-brief "Summer of Love" in 1967. The Doors’ late co-founder Ray Manzarek In the Studio for "Strange Days".
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Steely Dan- Aja- Donald Fagen, the late Walter Becker

Two purveyors of progressive pop, rock, and jazz in Steely Dan, singer/piano player Fagen and the late guitarist Walter Becker,  discuss  "Aja" with Redbeard In the Studio.

Mark Knopfler- Kill to Get Crimson

Mark Knopfler's fifth solo album, "Kill to Get Crimson", released in September 2007, has a distinctive late Fifties Post War perspective,"...but it's not nostalgia. It's something else," Mark insists.
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Yes- Close to the Edge- Jon Anderson, Steve Howe , Rick Wakeman, Bill Bruford

A half century ago, YES's Close to the Edge was stunningly popular, with Top Five sales in both the U.S. and UK. In these thoughtful, detailed classic rock interviews, YES lead singer/lyricist Jon Anderson, guitarist Steve Howe, extraordinary drummer Bill Bruford, and keyboard innovator Rick Wakeman provide a surprisingly candid recounting of the undisputed peak of the Progressive Rock era.
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Pink Floyd- A Momentary Lapse of Reason- David Gilmour, Nick Mason

In the first half of the Eighties, Pink Floyd was M.I.A. for five long years,  conspicuous in their absence for instance at the largest one day gathering of rock royalty, Live Aid, in July 1985. It was not until the end of that year that Roger Waters' official departure from Pink Floyd was revealed to the other band members, and this bowling ball revelation left the group with the musical equivalent of the dreaded 7-10 split. David Gilmour spills the beans & spills his guts, & drummer Nick Mason analyzes the net effect, here In the Studio for "A Momentary Lapse of Reason"
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R.E.M.- Document- Michael Stipe, Peter Buck

"Document" was the mainstream breakthrough for R.E.M. in a five album stubbornly eclectic alternate route to the top of the US album sales chart in September 1987. Guitarist Peter Buck and singer Michael Stipe are my guests In the Studio for the "Document" 35th anniversary..