Mick and the PhatMan Talking Music - Details, episodes & analysis

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Mick and the PhatMan Talking Music

Mick and the Phatman

Music

Frequency: 1 episode/17d. Total Eps: 107

Join Mick and Jeff as they talk about artists, albums and music genres with passion that comes from personal connection. They’ve seen artists in concert at venues that don’t even exist today, bought albums when they were released on vinyl and, in some cases, met the artists.

Sometimes they love the artist or music they're talking about. Sometimes they don’t. But, without fail, you'll always hear something you didn’t know.

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A conversation with Radio Birdman's Rob Younger

Season 5 · Episode 3

Saturday, March 1, 2025 • Duration 01:31:33

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A special treat for you this episode! Rob Younger, lead singer of legendary Australian group, Radio /Birdman, joins us in the studio to give us his thoughts on everything from music production to the influence of the Beatles on all rock music.

Rob’s near-encyclopedic knowledge of the rock era is impressive, and it's eye-opening to hear his opinions on the shameful treatment of Stevie Wright (The Easybeats), the lyrics of Jim Morrison and Robert Plant, and guitarists "wanking" on stage, with plenty of stops in-between.

The conversation went so long, we had to split it into 2 fascinating parts!

We had a blast talking to Rob, and hope you do, too.

Playlist: Radios Appear

References: Radio Birdman, New Christs, Nick Cave, Pere Ubu, influence of The Beatles, McCartney vs Lennon, Led Zeppelin, John Bonham's drumming, Australian music of the 70's, Oxford Hotel, Frank Zappa, Died Pretty

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Could anybody really cover Bowie's "Heroes"?

Season 5 · Episode 2

Saturday, February 8, 2025 • Duration 01:14:02

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In case you hadn’t noticed, we love a good cover version! This episode, we’re looking at covers - staples, covers from strange sources, and some songs that have had a LOT of covers, including a bunch of covers of David Bowie's “Heroes”, one of Mick's favourite songs of all time.

Our Album You Must Hear before You Die is “Is This It?” by The Strokes. This punk/Britpop-influenced album got rave reviews on release in 2001 from Rolling Stone, The Village Voice, and New Musical Express. We’re not convinced.

In Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, we mourn the loss of Wayne Osmond (of the Osmond Brothers), Chad Morgan, the Aussie country great, and Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary. We hope they get to sing a rousing chorus of “Puff the Magic Dragon together.

As usual, there’s heaps of fun. Enjoy!!

Playlist (all the songs and artists referenced in the episode)

Playlist – “Heroes” covers

References: Heroes, REM, Leonard Cohen, “Suzanne”, “Hallelujah", Bob Dylan, “All along the Watchtower”, "If Not for You”, Olivia Newton-John, Johnny Cash, American Recordings, “All the Young Dudes”, Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter, XTC, White Music, “This is Pop”, Devo, “(I can’t get no) Satisfaction”, Zoot, “Eleanor Rigby”, Rick Springfield, Howard Gable, Alison Durbin, 801, “Tomorrow Never Knows”, ” 801 Live, "You Really Got Me”, Ministry, “Lay Lady Lay”, Al Jourgenson, “Heartbreak Hotel”, Elvis Presley, John Cale, June 1, 1974, Slow Dazzle, Fragments of a Rainy Season, Nirvana, "The Man Who Sold The World", “Unplugged”, Mick Ronson, Linda Ronstadt, “Different Drum”, Stone Ponies, Mike Nesmith, “You’re No Good”, “Poor Poor Pitiful Me”, Cowboy Junkies, “Sweet Jane”, Fine Young Cannibals, “Suspicious Minds”, Talking Heads, “Take Me to The River”, Elvis Costello, “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, And Understanding”, George Benson, “On Broadway”, Mia Dyson, “The Passenger”, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Sara Blasko, “Flame Trees”, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, Reg Livermore, “Celluloid Heroes”, The Kinks, Peter Gabriel, Scratch My Back, I’ll Scratch Yours, Motorhead, David Hasselhoff, Blondie, Oasis, Nico, Moby (with Mindy Jones), Phillip Glass, “There She Goes Again”, “Pale Blue Eyes”, “First we take Manhattan”,

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Great Debut Albums

Season 5 · Episode 1

Saturday, January 25, 2025 • Duration 01:33:59

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Every band/artist has to have a first album. Sometimes those albums are good, sometimes they’re not, and sometimes they just show potential. This episode, we look at some first albums over the gamut of the rock era that we regard as great, including some Australian albums. You've probably heard of most, but not all.

In rock news, we look at Neil Young, The Wiggles (yes!), Joe Bonamassa, Jethro Tull and Billboard's new list – The Top 200 Albums of the 21st Century.

Our Album You Must Hear before You Die is Paris 1919 by John Cale. Mick regards this elegant 1973 album from the Velvet Underground co-founder as a stunning listen, and a great intro to John Cale. Chris Thomas’ production is, as usual, precise, while Cale presents some wonderful imagery in the lyrics.

References: John Cale, Paris 1919, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”, Fragments of a Rainy Season, Brian Wilson, UCLA Symphony Orchestra, Words for the Dying, Dylan Thomas, Chris Thomas, Roxy Music, Eno, Sex Pistols, Pretenders, INXS, Bowie, Lou Reed, Queen, The Police, Outlandos d’Amour, “Can’t Stand Losing You”, “Roxanne”, Stewart Copeland, Sting, Rod Stewart, The Tubes, “White Punks on Dope”, “What do you want from life?”, “a baby’s arm holding an apple”, Kate Bush, The Kick Inside, David Gilmour, “Wuthering Heights”, Wuthering Heights Day, Roxy Music, Kari-Ann Moller, Chris Jagger, Andy Mackay, saxophone, “Re-make / Re-model", Bryan Ferry, Steely Dan, Can't Buy a Thrill, Jeff (Skunk) Baxter, “Do it Again”, “Reelin’ in the Years”, “Only a fool would say that”, John Lennon, Imagine, Robert Dimery, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, Peter Gabriel, The Cure, Three Imaginary Boys, Boys Don’t Cry, "10:15 Saturday Night", Robert Smith, Television, Marquee Moon, Devo, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, Rolling Stones, "Satisfaction", Mark Mothersbaugh, Violent Femmes, "Kiss Off", "Add It Up", “Glister in the sun”, "Blister in the Sun", Sex Pistols, , Marlon Brando, The Wild One, Malcolm McLaren, , “Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?”, Ramones, Mi-Sex, , Midnight Oil, “Run by Night”, 2JJ, Cold Chisel, Khe Sanh, Skyhooks, , “You just like me ‘cos I’m good in bed”, Neil Young, , Joe Bonamassa, Adele, Taylor Swift, Jethro Tull, Donald Trump

2024 - Yet another year of great stories & music!

Season 4 · Episode 20

Saturday, December 14, 2024 • Duration 01:09:15

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Well, this is the last episode of Season 4, and once again, it’s been a ball of fun (and music). 4 years and still going strong – bigger and better than ever!

We look back at “Knockin’ on Heaven's Door” and "Rock News", as well as some of our favourite episodes. We recall some of the albums we’ve listened to (before we die), some of the shows we’ve seen, some of the books we’ve bought and some of Mick’s fluffs!

We also talk about what we might do next year – more interviews, more covers, maybe a list or two.

So much to look forward to!

References: Globite, Tyka Nelson, Peter Sinfield, King Crimson, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Nick Cave in Krakow, 1001 Albums You Must Listen to Before you Die, Robert Dimery, Kevin Rowlands, PJ Harvey, musician interviews, Jarrah McCleary, Panama, Duke Dumont, “dance cry”, Nick Lowe, Buzzsprout "Send us a message”, Ed Kuepper, Thus Spake the king of Euro Disco, They Might Be Giants, Tim Freedman (The Whitlams), The Animals, Bob Mould, Crowded House, Sydney Opera House, Rockwiz, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Half Deaf & Completely Mad”, Tony Cohen, John Olson, “Icons of Rock”, Jenny Boyd, “Us & Them”, Mark Blake, Hipgnosis, Bowie, Scary Monsters, “Teenage Wasteland”, “Teenage Wildlife”, Clash, Joe Strummer, John Lydon, Shirley Strachan, Huggy Bear, Starsky and Hutch, Antonio Fargas, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Mi-Sex, Graffiti Crimes, 250 Greatest Guitarists, How critics get it so wrong, Rob Younger, Radio Birdman

Episode playlist

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Creedence Clearwater Revival – what really happened?

Season 4 · Episode 19

Saturday, November 30, 2024 • Duration 01:05:01

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Everyone knows and loves Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their run of hits at the end of the '60’s, and their enduring popularity, has rarely been equaled. Not so well-known is the story of the clashes that caused their run to end so abruptly. We take a look at how the band split and the many personal and legal issues that led to it. It ain’t pretty!

Well, we also kept our promise and listened to the new Coldplay album, “Moon Music”. How did it sound to us? Regular listeners won't be surprised at our reaction! In Rock News, we look some more at the issues surrounding Diddy, and look at the problems with the "stage hole" in Melbourne.

Our Album You Must Listen to Before You Die is 1977’s “Bat Out of Hell” by Meat Loaf. Such a great album!!

References: Houston Bernard, “Dancing in the Dirt”, Puff Daddy, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Chris Martin, Marvel Stadium, Music of the Spheres, Olivia Rodrigo, Donald Trump sneakers, Meat Loaf, Bat Out of Hell, Todd Rundgren, You took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, Jim Steinman, Rocky Horror Picture Show, car sex, El Cerruto California, Doug Clifford, Stu Cook, The Blue Velvets, Tom Fogerty, Fantasy Records, Casey Kasem, Credence Newball, Olympia beer, CCR, Dale Hawkins’ Susie Q, Apocalypse Now, Woodstock, Bad Moon Rising, Proud Mary, "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?", Hammond B3 organ, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, “Fortunate Son”, Trump (the) fortunate son, An American Werewolf in London, Evan Almighty, Keith Richards, Saul Zaentz, Allen Klein, “The Royal Albert Hall Concert”, Concord Records, Rockin’ All Over the World, Status Quo, Asylum, Warner Bros, Centerfield, Zanz Kan’t Dance, Mr. Greed, “Mardi Gras”, Rolling Stone (Jon Landau), “Classic Album Review”, “The 10 Worst Albums Ever”, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Pop, Chronicle, US Top 200, Glenn Barros, The Long Road Home

Playlist

Were the 80’s really that bad?

Season 4 · Episode 18

Saturday, November 16, 2024 • Duration 58:27

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The 80's is a decade with many musical failings. But they produced some great music, too. This episode, we look at what Rolling Stone magazine considers to be the best songs of the 80’s. We have criticised Rolling Stone in the past for the quality of their lists, and this time is no different. However, there’s some good stuff in this list, which we’re happy to acknowledge. Of course, we point out their failings as well – it'd be no fun if we didn’t, would it?!

In Rock News, we look at a new album from Coldplay (as if anybody cares!), the trials of Sean “Puffy” Combs, and The Beatles.

Our “Album You Must listen to Before you Die” is 1985’s The Nation’s Saving Grace, by The Fall. Mick loves it, Jeff doesn’t think much of it. So, what’s new?

Another fun episode. Enjoy.

References: Rolling Stone magazine, 80’s, Coldplay, ‘Moon Music', No 1 album, Sean Diddy Coombs, Puff Daddy, Diddy, Cassie Ventura, Beatlemania, Beatles '64, David Tedeschi, Disney+, The Fall, The Nations Saving Grace, John Leckie, Mark E Smith, Can, German, krautrock, Damo Suzuki, DoubleJay, TripleJ, Prince, ‘Kiss’, Madonna, ‘Like a Prayer’, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, ‘The Message’, Michael Jackson, ‘Billie Jean’, Public Enemy, ‘Bring the Noise’, Whitney Houston, ‘How Will I Know?”, The Go-Gos, ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’, Duran Duran, ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’, Kate Bush, ‘Running Up That Hill’, The Smiths, ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out’, Husker Du, Minutemen, rap artists, Bowie, Depeche Mode, Culture Club, Clash, Neneh Cherry, U2, Joy Division, AC/DC, “Hell’s Bells”, INXS, “Never Tear Us Apart”, Apple music streaming, Leonard Cohen, Tower of Song, Sisters of Mercy, “This Corrosion”, “Floodland”, Jim Steinman, “New Big Prinz”, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, “Relax", Cher, “If I Could Turn Back Time”, Missouri, Bow Wow Wow, “I Want Candy”, Haysi Fantaysee, “Shiny Shiny”, Countdown, Falco, “Rock Me, Amadeus”, A-Ha, “Take on me”, Nena, 99 Luftballon, Kim Carnes, “Bette Davis Eyes”, Shriekback, “Nemesis", parthenogenesis, Samantha Fox, Africa, Toto

Nick Lowe - What's so funny?

Season 4 · Episode 17

Saturday, November 2, 2024 • Duration 01:01:13

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This episode spends time with Nick Lowe, a British performer, who started out with pub rock band, Brinsley Schwarz, and Dave Edmunds’ Rockpile. Lowe’s solo career has produced a huge bunch of great songs – many of which you’ve heard, even if you’ve not heard of him - which have been hits for him AND covered by some amazing people! A suggestion from listener Nick from Victoria, this episode was the most fun we’ve had for some time!

Rock News features some standards – Oasis touring (yeah, right!), a new single and album from The Cure, Ozzy Osbourne inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and The Eagles playing a 10-week residency in Las Vegas. Yep, more of the same!

Our “Album You Must Listen to Before you Die” is Doggystyle (1993) by Snoop Doggy Dogg. We decide “Who cares?”. Instead, we talk about Snoop Dogg’s presence in TV and movies since the 90’s, including the 2024 Olympics!

References: Brinsley Schwarz, Dave Edmunds, Rockpile, punk, Oasis, Ozzy, The Cure, Robert Smith, The Eagles, Classic Countdown, Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Globite travel bag, Nick Lowe, Warren Zevon, ‘6 degrees of Kevin Bacon’, Carlene Carter, Johnny Cash, 1001 Albums You Must Listen to Before you Die, Robert Dimery, Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., Snoop Doggy Dogg, Doggystyle, “What’s So Funny (’Bout Peace, Love and Understanding)?”, Jesus of Cool”, “Labour of Lust”, “Marie Provost”, “Lifes Rich Pageant”, REM, Chrissy Hynde, Warren Zevon, alcohol problems, Producer, The Damned, “New Rose”, Elvis Costello, “Basher”, “Bay City Rollers, We Love You”,

Episode Playlist – the music we talked about during this episode

Spotify Playlist – Best of Nick Lowe

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"Scary Monsters" - the last great album David Bowie made

Season 4 · Episode 16

Saturday, October 19, 2024 • Duration 01:12:05

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David Bowie’s “Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)” is, for many fans, his last great album. Mick regards it as one of Bowie’s best, while “Ashes to Ashes” is Bowie's confession to a decade of hedonism. Mick and Jeff talk through what makes this album great, and look at the music environment as Bowie, along with many other 70’s greats, faced the changes in a new decade.

“Knockin’ on Heaven's Door” offers a long line of new entrants to Rock’n’Roll Heaven including Herbie Flowers, Tito Jackson, Kris Kristofferson and Liam Payne from One Direction.

Our Album You Must Listen to Before you Die, fresh from Robert Dimery’s book, is Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ “Don't Stand Me Down”, a massive failure on release in 1985 but receiving a fresh critical re-evaluation in modern times. We didn’t like it! Not least because of their complete rip-off of “Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon.

Episode Playlist

Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) - just the album

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More Trump!

One of those things – Dexy's

Bowie interview - “My Phil Collins Years”

Bowie – Ashes to Ashes live on Jools Holland

Albums we regret buying

Season 4 · Episode 15

Monday, October 7, 2024 • Duration 01:15:07

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As we grew up, music was the most important thing there was. As part of that, we bought some albums that weren’t great, and time has generally proven our assessments right! This episode, we talk about some of those "dud" albums, by artists like Bowie, U2, Led Zeppelin, Golden Earring, Neil Young, Alice Cooper, Phil Collins and Yes, to name but a few.

In Rock News, we talk about a Filipino family who perform Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love with uncanny precision and an auction of Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie’s memorabilia, wardrobe and belongings.

Our “Album You Must Listen to Before You Die” is Dire Straits’ monster 1985 hit, “Brothers in Arms”. Released at a time when Dire Straits could do no wrong, this album sold over 30 million copies worldwide and went 9 times platinum in the US alone. We damn it with faint praise.

A Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin Cover by Missioned Soulsyoutu.be

The Bridge: Neil Young Tribute Album

Playlist

References: Kenwood KA9800 amp, Pioneer PL518 direct drive turntable, Cerwin Vega 15-inch 2 way speaker, Ripper, Sounds of 79, Bowie Pinups, Diamond Dogs, “Candidate”, drugs, Spiders from Mars, “Sorrow”, Scarey Monsters (and Super Creeps), U2: Songs of Innocence, iTunes, Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, Neil Young, Trans, Geffen, “Mr. Soul”, Buffalo Springfield, “Computer Age”, Sonic Youth, “The Bridge”, Golden Earring, Moontan, “Radar Love”, Alice Cooper Goes to Hell, Yes, Yessongs Live, Phil Collins, Face Value, Lou Reed, Metal Machine Music, Pete Townshend, Psychoderelict, The Beatles, Naked, Led Zeppelin, In through the Out Door, “In the Evening”, “All my Love”

Down the Rabbit Hole - Things we find on the Web

Season 4 · Episode 14

Sunday, September 22, 2024 • Duration 01:20:08

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In today’s episode, we look at how social media gives us a grab-bag of people’s memories of stars and some who weren’t quite so successful, or scarcely successful at all. Nonetheless, they are remembered by some and lionised on social media.

The other side of "on-line" is the channels that present video imagery of any and everything, such as YouTube, TikTok and so on. Jeff presents a bunch of interesting links for you to investigate.

In “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”, we lament the passing of such greats as David Sanbourn, John Mayall, as well as a couple of guys who have played beneath the radar for most of their career but still worked with giants like Frank Zappa, Jean-Luc Ponty, Ray Charles, Steve Hackett, and many others.

Our “Album You Must Hear Before You Die” is John Mayall’s “Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton” from 1966. The album featured John Mayall, Eric Clapton, John McVie (Fleetwood Mac) and Hughie Flint (Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band) and marks the start of Clapton’s legend as a British guitar god.

References: social media, Nick Cave, “Australian bands from the 60’s - 90’s”, music nostalgia, Mi-Sex, Graffiti Crimes, Kevin Stanton, “Computer Games”, Space Race, “Live at the Wireless”, Kransky Sisters, Second Thoughts, Split Enz, Mental Notes, “Stranger than fiction”, Husker Du, Bob Mould, Greg Norton, Tim Walz, The Angels, Selina’s, Coogee Bay Hotel, cost of stadium tours, Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Mick Conway, My Wahini in Wangaratta, Tamam Shud, The Dynamic Hepnotics, A Soul Kind of Feeling, Quora, Reddit, YouTube, "What's In My Bag?", Amoeba Music, Professor of Rock, Rick Beato, Playing For Change, the Needle Drop, Top 5 Record, Billy the Mountain, (Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention), Aynsley Dunbar, Howard Kaylan & Mark Volman, The Turtles, Anthony Amaratti, Muiris Mac Cartaine

Links:
Playlist (including “Billy The Mountain”) Other Links:

Mick and the PhatMan Talking Music - Details, episodes & analysis

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Mick and the PhatMan Talking Music - Details, episodes & analysis

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