The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music – Details, episodes & analysis

Join Jay Jay this week as he welcomes audio expert Adrian Low onto the podcast. Adrian is not only a distinguished audio expert and the owner of Audio Excellence in Canada, but also happens to be one of Jay Jay's favorite audio influencers / reviewers. They delve into the disparity between contemporary listening habits and those of previous generations & reflect on how the allure of high-fidelity systems has waned, with convenience often being prioritized over audio quality. Adrian talks about the challenges faced in rekindling interest among youth, who tend to gravitate towards earbuds and computer speakers rather than traditional stereo systems. These 2 discuss the deep value that the appreciation of hi-fi audio can bring to the listener, & how accessible hi fidelity equipment holds the ability to inspire a new era of musical engagement among younger audiences. Don't miss part 1 of their conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music!

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger 

Tune in this week for part two of Jay Jay's conversation with special guest Steve Guttenberg! These 2 dive straight back into the world of audio, & what it really is that makes great sound systems tick. Steve is an audio expert - with an extensive history both as a salesman and a reviewer. Steve & Jay chat about learning to appreciate sound quality through jazz music, and the importance of understanding depth, soundstage and transparency in audio. They reminisce about their wide range of experiences they've had with different audio gear – from the highs of discovering amazing speakers to the lows of dealing with equipment that just doesn't cut it. Whether you’re a music lover or just curious about audio, this episode is a must listen! 

Don't miss this episode, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music!

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger 

This week, tune in for a very special retrospective that not only celebrates the legendary status of Electric Lady Studios, but also serves as a window into the broader cultural shifts of the 1960s and 70s. Jay Jay is joined by legendary guests Eddie Kramer and John Storyk, who engage in a lively dialogue that traverses personal history, technical advancements, and the evolution of music production as a whole. The conversation delves into the role of Electric Lady Studios (which was designed by Storyk & Kramer) as a space that fostered experimentation and artistic expression. Jay Jay’s perspective as a musician who experienced this era firsthand complements the insights of Kramer and Storyk, who both played pivotal roles in shaping the sound of a generation. The conversation ends with discussing Jimi Hendrix, his vision for the studio, and how his creative ethos continues to inspire artists to this day. This episode not only offers a first hand lens into a vibrant moment in music history, but offers listeners a profound understanding of the intricate interplay between art, technology, and human connection that defines the spirit of Electric Lady Studios.

Don’t miss this conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music!

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

This week we're revisiting an episode from the past year, with the one & only Doc McGhee as the guest! Doc is one of the most well known American music managers in the history of rock - working with the likes of Kiss, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue & Scorpions, just to name a few. Tune in to hear Doc & Jay Jay discuss the ins & outs of music management, share their best advice, and swap some of their most memorable stories. Produced & edited by Matthew Mallinger

This week's unique episode truly goes beyond the music. Uveitis is one of the leading causes of blindness among young girls in America. This disease is a personal issue as it affects Jay Jay's daughter. Knowledge is power and Jay Jays guests this week are world wide leaders in the research, treatment & cure of this disease which also affects adults as well - Dr. Stephen Foster, Dr. Stephen Anesi & Dr. Peter Chang who are this week's guests. Hear about the importance of proper treatment of the disease early on; learn all about uveitis, & how it is currently best treated around the world and in the US. Visit https://uveitis.org/ for any information & resources surrounding the disease that you may need.

Legendary rock n roll guitarist, singer & songwriter Ricky Byrd is this week's guest on The Jay Jay French Connection. Ricky spent over a decade playing Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - & has performed, recorded & toured with the likes of Roger Daltrey, Ian Hunter, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Mavis Staples, Smokey Robinson, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Page, Dion & Elvis Costello - just to name a few. Hear Jay Jay & Ricky discuss their deeply rooted connection through all things rock n roll, and be sure to check out Ricky's recently released record "Sobering Times," available on all digital platforms and through rickybyrd.com. Sobering Times is an honest and intimate reflection of recovery delivered through his signature brand of Rock ‘N’ Roll. As Goldmine Magazine states “...The Faces and The Rolling Stones with a dash of Otis...It rocks like a b*tch. His vocals are the best of his career...early indications make it seem likely that this will be his career statement.” Don't miss this conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music! Produced & edited by Matthew Mallinger

This week's focus is on Jay Jay's remarkable health journey & surviving prostate cancer, with special guest Dr. Samir Taneja. Dr. Samir Taneja is a urologist & surgeon who performed Jay Jay's prostate cancer operation in 2018. Jay Jay discusses why he finds it so important to educate yourself on any health concerns that are affecting your life, & shares his experience in doing so himself. Dr. Taneja shares his insight on prostate cancer diagnosis & methodology, and discusses the decisions that individuals who are diagnosed with prostate cancer have to weigh, differences between various treatments currently available, & why he finds active surveillance to be so important. You won't want to miss this informative story, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music! Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

This week is the first guest of the new year - the prolific British record producer Steve Lillywhite! If you're not already familiar & want to look at the list of records that Lillywhite is credited on - you'll need to sit down & set aside some time. Steve has been credited on over 500 records - collaborating with the likes of U2, The Rolling Stones, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, Psychedelic Furs, Simple Minds, Dave Matthews, & The Killers (to name a few) - receiving 6 Grammy awards along the way, and being made a Commander of the Order of The British Empire in 2012 for his contributions to music. Tune in to hear about how Steve began his career by learning to be the best tape operator possible, his deep love for punk music, how he became U2's go-to producer, & his advice on working in the music industry. Don't miss this insightful conversation on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music! Produced & edited by Matthew Mallinger

This week on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music, we're revisiting another episode highlight from 2021, with guest "Supermensch" Shep Gordon! Shep is one of the most legendary talent managers in the music industry - and he has the stories to back it. Shep has run the gamut of artists he's worked with - from Alice Cooper to Teddy Pendergrass, and Blondie to Frankie Valli. Hear these two talk all things music management, and share stories from their long runs in the music industry. Be sure to check out the documentary "Supermensch", produced & directed by Mike Myers, to learn even more about Shep's story. Produced & edited by Matthew Mallinger

This week we're revisiting a 2021 highlight, Jay Jay's conversation with best-selling author Jane Green, and author & former model Jenny Boyd. Listen to these two discuss their most recent writing projects, including Jenny's book "Jennifer Juniper: A Journey Beyond the Muse," which was released this past year. Jane & Jenny also discuss the differences between living in England and the United States, what their writing processes look like during a global pandemic, and remarkable stories from their careers, as well as being in and around the music world. -Produced by Matthew Mallinger