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

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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:

Amoeba Music - What's In My Bag? 

Professor of Rock 

Rick Beato  

Playing For Change 

When the Levee Breaks 

The Needle Drop 

Top Five Record Lists 

Billy the Mountain - Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention 

Computer Games – The Kransky sisters 

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All bands need a name, but the process of getting that name is different for each band. This episode, we look at how a bunch of well-known bands got their names.  Some are amusing, some are horrifying, some are dark or seedy – be ready for surprises! 

Our “album you must listen to before you die” is Arc of a Diver, by Stevie Winwood (1980).  This was a formative album during our youth, and with this million-selling album and its hit single “While You See a Chance”, Winwood was a major influence on other people we love, such as Marianne Faithfull.   

In Rock News, the major story is that the Gallagher brothers have agreed to reunite as Oasis for a UK tour in 2025. We don’t like the odds of the brothers completing the tour without fighting and would like ringside seats! 

In other news, we look at Nick Cave’s new album, Wild God, Bruce Springsteen back on tour, and Neil Young releasing Archives Vol. III, a 17-CD box set featuring 198 tracks.  Wow! 

References: Oasis, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, INXS, Guns n Roses, Bee Gees, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Fleetwood Mac, Joy Division, Nazi camps, 10CC, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Steely Dan, The Mothers of Invention, Frank Zappa, The Doobie Brothers, Rammstein, Ramstein air show tragedy, Husker Du, The Velvet Underground, Depeche Mode, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Boris Karloff, The Foo Fighters, The Angels, The Beatles, The Quarrymen, The Silver Beetles, Tony Sheridan & the Beat Brothers, Buddy Holly & The Crickets, Pink Floyd, Pink Anderson & Floyd Council, “Oh by the way, which one’s Pink?”, Cheap Trick, Slade, ZZ Top, The Rolling Stones, Radiohead, Talking Heads, Shakespeare’s Sister, The Bay City Rollers, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Tim Staffell, “Smile”, Freddie Mercury, The Band, The Hawks, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Barenaked Ladies, Jethro Tull, U2, The Hype, Beach Boys, The Pendeltons, "Surfin'", Blue Öyster Cult, “On Your Feet or on Your Knees”, Shetland Islands 

Playlist – Band names 

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Bob Mould is the founding member of Husker Du, one of the most influential guitar bands of the 80’s.  Husker Du’s wall-of-sound guitar approach was as influential as REM in creating alternative rock, and created an environment which allowed Nirvana, The Pixies and The Foo Fighters to succeed. 

In the early-90's, Sugar, Bob’s next band, built on that with a thrash/melodic collection of songs, particularly on “Copper Blue”.  Since then, Bob’s kept the flame alive for guitar-based rock with a solo career that is still giving us marvellous albums like 2012’s “Silver Age” and 2020’s “Blue Hearts”. 

Mick saw Mould in Sydney on his Copper Blue 20th Anniversary tour, and it still ranks as one of the best he’s seen.  

Our “Album you Must Hear before you Die” is Joan Armatrading’s self-titled 1976 gem.  Unusually, both Mick and Jeff love this album.   

In “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”, the boys salute Melanie Safka, who has passed away after a career that stretched from being one of only 3 female acts at Woodstock to duetting with Miley Cyrus (it’s great!).  

They also wonder why “Death by Shooting” is a major category of death for rappers!? 

The playlist is pretty damn good, too!! 

Enjoy.  

Episode playlist

Dead Rappers
Bob Mould; What's In My Bag
Melanie Live Netherlands

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Have you ever NOT bought an album based on a poor review?  You’re not the only one!  Would it shock you to learn that the critics likely know less than you about music? 

This episode, we look at how often (supposed) expert critics got it so wrong with some of the best albums of our time.  Victims of such poor efforts include Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, AC/DC and The Beatles! 

We also start a new segment we think we’ll call, “The Crazy World of the Rock Gods”, where we look at things rock stars have done that are so absurd, you couldn't possibly make them up! 

Enjoy. 

References: Billy Idol, Keith Moon, James Brown, Rolling Stone, Led Zeppelin, “Abbey Road”, The Beatles, “Something”, George Harrison, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, “Wish You Were Here”, AC/DC, “High Voltage”, “Ram”, Paul McCartney, “Exile on Main St.”, The Rolling Stones, “Low”, David Bowie, “Harvest”, Neil Young, “Blood on the Tracks”, Bob Dylan, “Never Mind the Bοllocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols”, Sex Pistols, “Pretty Vacant”, “Bad”, Michael Jackson, “The Kick Inside”, Kate Bush, The Velvet Underground and Nico


Playlist - Brilliant albums Badly Reviewed

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This week, we talk about successful artists who blew it all with dumb decisions.  Youth, fame and amazing amounts of money – what could go wrong? 

Our “Album You Must Hear Before You Die” is the wonderful Aladdin Sane, by David Bowie. The cover artwork, featuring a lightning bolt across his face is one of the best-known images in rock, while the album marks Bowie’s tougher, heavier attempt to conquer America.   

In Rock News, we hear about Gene Simmons, The Eagles, Iron Maiden, Journey, Judas Priest, Kansa, Lynard Skynyrd and ZZ Top, and raise the age-old question, “Why can’t the members of KISS just get along?” 

Enjoy 

References:  David Bowie, “Aladdin Sane”, Ken Scott, The Jean Genie, Globite bag, George Best, MC Hammer, David Crosby, TLC, 50 Cent, Lauryn Hill, Fugees, “Killing Me Softly”, Meat Loaf, “Bat Out of Hell”, Ted Nugent, Billy Joel, Leif Garrett, Willie Nelson, Mick Fleetwood, Harry Nilsson, Michael Jackson, Peter Green, Bill Nighy, Billy Mack, Love Actually, Warren Zevon 

Episode Playlist - Fame is no guarantee against stupidity

Nickelback album ranking

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Rolling Stone just released “The 250 Greatest Guitarists of all Time”.  Naturally, we take issue with the list, who's on it, who’s been left out, the balance, and everything else! 

We’re back for another season of opinionated comment on all things from the golden era of rock’n’roll.  Hold on & enjoy the ride! 

References: Rolling Stone’s “250 Greatest Guitarists”, Globite School Case, David Lindley, Mick Ronson, Shane MacGowan, Nick Cave, Wrecking Crew, Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram, Bob Mould,  

Shane McGowan’s funeral - YouTube 

Playlist - Greatest Guitarists – well, some of them, anyway! 

Rolling Stone Playlist Recommendations
Alan Holdsworth
Al Di Meola
Polyphia Fan Covers

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We looked at some exceptional music this year, and Jeff inflicted some real crap on our listeners.  Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Lou Reed, Ed Kuepper and Hallelujah – and that barely scratches the surface. 

And we got a new Globite School Case!   

And, in case you were wondering, we'll be back on Sunday 28 Jan 2024.  Subscribe and get an automatic reminder!

 Books:

• The Number Ones – Tom Breihan 
• You Are Beautiful & You Are Alone – Jennifer Otter Bickerdike 
• SAHB Story – Martin Kielty (authorised by the entire band – obviously NOT Alex!) 
• Half Deaf, Completely Mad – Tony Cohen (with John Olson) 
• Sound Man – Glyn Johns 
• A Life – Deborah Conway 

References:  Dylan, Knebworth, The Doobie Brothers, Nico, New York, David Hurley, Yes, Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen, Kiss at Australian football grand final, The Smiths, Nirvana, Shane McGowan, Rod Stewart, Tracey Chapman, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before you Die, Robert Dimery, The Wall, Pink Floyd, So, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, Remain in Light, Extreme Kayaking, Cookers, Influencers, Coachella, AI, Chat GPT, Bored Ape Yacht Club, Bitcoin, Donald Trump, Mr Beast, The Pixies, Steve Hackett, Sisters of Mercy, Underground Lovers, Nirvana, Nevermind, Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody, John Cale, Angels, Mi-Sex, Leaves Me Blind, The Number Ones, Tom Breihan, You Are Beautiful & You Are Alone, Jennifer Otter Bickerdike, SAHB Story, Martin Kielty, Half Deaf Completely Mad, Tony Cohen, Sound Man, Glyn Johns, A Life, Deborah Conway, The 250 Greatest Guitarists of all Time, Bali, Bintang, Alam Kul Kul 

Spotify playlist

Kiss at the AFL Grand Final
Gordon Ramsay
Loren Gray talks Cochella
Governor General's wife sings about invasive species

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We look at songs from a few of the major protest movements in our lifetime – racism, Vietnam, Ireland, Margaret Thatcher! 

From Woody Guthrie, through Springsteen and Dylan, to racism and Vietnam and the UK's  Margaret Thatcher, to present-day Australia, we look at some of the great protest songs.  Some of the stories behind those songs will take your breath away.  

 Our “Album You Must Hear before You Die” this time is Talking Heads’ awesome “Remain in Light” from 1980.  This album has been hailed as Talking Heads' greatest statement, the last and most accomplished of the trio of albums they recorded with Brian Eno (another of our idols). Seemingly timed to coincide with our review, the live movie “Stop Making Sense” has been completely restored and is in 4K on the big screen - 40 years on! 

 We also talk about how Ed Kuepper achieves such a big sound in concert using a special edition Fender Stratocaster. 

There’s sure to be stuff you didn’t know here! 

References:  Ed Kuepper, Fender FSR Stratocaster X, Talking Heads, “Remain in Light”, Brian Eno, “Once in a Lifetime”, “My Life in the Bush of Ghosts”, USA – Vietnam, Women's & Black rights, Woody Guthrie, Springsteen, Cisco Houston, Bob Dylan, “Hurricane”, “Eve of Destruction”, Barry McGuire, “A Change is Gonna come”, Sam Cooke, “People Get Ready”, Curtis Mayfield, Rod Stewart & Jeff Beck, “Strange Fruit”, Billie Holliday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, NWA, Public Enemy, Buffalo Springfield / Steve Stills & Neil Young, “I Feel Like I'm fixin’ to die Rag”, Country Joe and the Fish, Edwin Starr, Give Peace a Chance, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, Aretha Franklin, The Smiths, Billy Bragg, Elvis Costello, Robert Wyatt, The Cranberries, Midnight Oil, Goanna, Warumpi Band, Archie Roach 

Protest Playlist

18,000 sing Toto
Kiss Mass Russian Group
Smells Like Teen Spirit
We Will Rock You

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Matthew Sweet, an American guitarist, has had a criminally understated career, marked by a sensational solo album, “Girlfriend”, three terrific albums with Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles, “Under the Covers” (Vols 1, 2 and 3) and some very tasty soundtrack work, including the Austin Powers movies. In 2014, he also appeared as Apu’s singing voice in an episode of The Simpsons.  

Our “Album you Must Hear Before you Die” is “Rid of Me” by P J Harvey.  We hated it and can't pretend otherwise!  She was, at one point, in a relationship with Nick Cave, who admitted that he “still had a certain amount of work to do on (his) understanding of the concept of monogamy.”   

Jeff is totally impressed that Kid Rock’s built his own personal copy of The White House, with a gold elevator right in the middle.  Of course, Kid Rock’s claim to fame is that he had a hit single which sampled Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London”.  

We also try some of Mr Beast’s chocolate – pricey but available at your local supermarket. Not very good, really. 

Enjoy. 

___________________________________________________________ 

References:  Michael Stipe, “Girlfriend”, “Evangeline”, “I’ve Been Waiting”, Girlfriend – musical/stage show, Robert Quine, Richard Lloyd, Television, Tuesday Weld, Susanna Hoffs, Under the Covers, “How Soon Is Now?”, “Austin Powers in Goldmember”, Lloyd Cole, "Chelsea Hotel", I'm Your Fan: The Songs of Leonard Cohen, “The Simpsons” 

P J Harvey Rid of Me
GirlFriend
Under the Covers Mathew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs

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REM is often viewed by casual listeners as a lighter-style rock band.  This is deceptive, with the band offering complex songs with obscure lyrics, brilliant playing, covers, and an incredible refusal to compromise.  Mick and Jeff talk through REM's development from their rock cliche start – the singer, Michael Stipe, met guitarist Peter Buck in the record shop where Buck worked - to their becoming one of the biggest-ever bands in the world – all without selling out.   

MOJO Magazine called them "an ensemble growl adorned with heavenly harmonies"  which describes perfectly how their beautiful melodies, with disaffected, jaded lyrics, were influenced by The Velvet Underground. In turn they influenced such key bands as Nirvana and Pavement, as well as Radiohead, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, The Pixies and The Smiths.  

Our “Album You Must Hear before You Die” is 1971’s “Aqualung” by Jethro Tull.  It’s a special album full of brave variations – from gentle acoustic breaks to Martin Barre’s power chords and Ian Anderson’s tough vocals.  The Dickensian quality of many of the lyrics challenges organised religion. Mick & Jeff both have great memories of this album, including the night that Jeff’s keyboard player from his band, Ocean, blew the crowd away with the piano intro lifted from “Locomotive Breath” during a show south of Sydney.   

We look at The Stones' new album, “Hackney Diamonds”, their first in 18 years. Jeff thinks it’s pretty good, but Mick still keeps comparing every new Stones record to “Exile on Main Street”.  

Jeff brings some bad news.  The Bored Ape Yacht Club, famed distributor of NFTs (as credible as digital currency!) has gone belly-up, driving another nail into the digital con artist industry. 

References:  Rolling Stones, ‘Hackney Diamonds’, ‘Angry’, ‘A Bigger Bang’, Bored Ape Yacht Club, “1001 Albums You Must Hear before You Die”, Robert Dimery, Jethro Tull, “Aqualung”, Martin Barre, Ian Anderson, “Locomotive Breath”, “Hymn 43”, REM, Athens Georgia, Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, Wuxtry Records, Patti Smith, Television, The Velvet Underground, Dr. William Dement, Mandolin, “Out of Time”, Hofner bass, "Monster”, “Lifes Rich Pageant”, “Document”, “Femme Fatale”, “Pale Blue Eyes”, "So. Central Rain", alternative rock, Don Gehman, “The Flowers of Guatemala”, “Strange”, “Murmur”, “Fables of the Reconstruction”, "The One I Love", "Exhuming McCarthy", “Finest Worksong”, “The End of the World As We Know it”, “Green”, “World Leader Pretend”, “Out of Time“, “Automatic for the People”, John Paul Jones, "Everybody Hurts", "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?", "Bang and Blame"

Rolling Stones Angry
Start Me Up
Episode Playlist
Tony Martin REM
David Essex V REM