On each episode, a guest introduces the host, Al Melchior, to an album they love but that he doesn't know. In the process of their album deep dives, Al and his guests discuss their process of music discovery, lyrics analysis, songwriting, musical arrangements, music production and much more.
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Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer, synthesizer programmer, studio owner, film producer and author Robert Margouleff stops by YMAAA to introduce Al to David Sanborn’s 1982 album As We Speak—an album that he produced. Robert talks about how he came to produce the saxophonist’s album and why the album had the novelty of two tracks with vocals by Michael Sembello. Robert and Al covered a wide range of topics, from how drum machines changed the nature of recorded music from the ‘80s forward to the demise of fade-outs to the drawbacks of noise-canceling headphones to the use of AI in music. Robert also discussed his recently-released memoir Shaping Sounds: Stevie Wonder, DEVO, The Synth Revolution and My Life Behind the Music, and he delved into his work with Stevie Wonder (along with his production and engineering partner Malcolm Cecil) during the early- and mid-‘70s.
Robert’s website (which links to sites where you can buy his book) and socials:
Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io.
To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
Al has put a pause on publishing new Bonus Tracks episodes, but you can listen to the past ones at the You, Me and An Album Patreon for $1/month. Just go to https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum.
1:41 Robert’s introduction
3:05 Robert talks about the archive of songs that provided tracks for Stevie Wonder’s albums from Music of My Mind to Fulfillingness’ First Finale
6:08 Robert delves into his first foray into digital recording for As We Speak
8:37 Robert points out the novelty of having tracks with vocals on a David Sanborn album
10:13 Robert and Al talk about some of the unquestioned conventions of album-making
12:31 Robert makes the case against noise-canceling headphones (and for cursive handwriting)
15:28 Robert mourns the loss of rubato and “objective listening” in recorded music
19:07 Robert explains why he wanted to record As We Speak as live as possible
20:19 Robert talks about how he came to produce As We Speak
22:48 Robert recalls the recording process for the album
27:08 Robert and Al talk about Michael Sembello’s contributions to As We Speak and why the album didn’t break him out
31:31 Robert talks about the impact of cocaine and drum machines on ‘80s music (plus an aside on crating dogs)
38:13 Robert pinpoints what makes Taylor Swift’s live performances powerful
39:18 Robert explains why he does not fear the use of AI in music
46:03 Robert shares his final thoughts on As We Speak and some observations about recording drums and percussion
51:55 Al sums up his reaction to listening to As We Speak
52:41 Robert explains why Music of My Mind has a joyous, human feel
1:01:16 Al cites one part of Robert’s book that made a big impression on him
Outro music is from “Boogie On Reggae Woman” by Stevie Wonder.
Seattle-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Robert Deeble joins Al to get him acquainted with Florist’s 2022 self-titled album. Robert talks about how he got introduced to the album and why he connected with it almost immediately. He also discusses the parallels between the album and some of his own music. Al notes some connections between Florist and Robert’s latest album The Space Between Us, and Robert talks about inspirations and meanings of two of the album’s tracks, “Forest From the Tree” and “Not on Your Team.”
As Robert mentioned, you can check out his music and learn more about his work on his website, robertdeeble.com, and on his Bandcamp page, robertdeeble.bandcamp.com. You can also follow Robert on Instagram at @rdeeble.
Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io.
To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
Al has put a pause on publishing new Bonus Tracks episodes, but you can listen to the past ones at the You, Me and An Album Patreon for $1/month. Just go to https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum.
1:32 Robert’s introduction
2:16 Florist are nearly as new to Robert as they are to Al
4:59 Robert talks about some of the artists who have been influential to his music
7:07 Robert revisits his first impressions of the album
10:12 Robert shares his appreciation for music appreciators
11:51 Al found the album’s pacing and sequencing interesting
15:35 Robert talks about connections he’s discovered between his album’s and Florist’s
225. Ben Vaughn Discusses Alex Chilton, Like Flies on Sherbert
Singer, songwriter, musician, producer, TV and film composer, radio show host and podcaster Ben Vaughn drops by to introduce Al to Alex Chilton’s 1979 debut solo album Like Flies on Sherbert. Ben talks about the negative impression he got the first time he was exposed to Chilton, when he appeared on a local 1960s television show in Philadelphia, and how he eventually became a fan, friend and collaborator of Chilton’s. He explains why he thinks Like Flies on Sherbert is Chilton’s best album, digging into several of the album’s tracks and discussing the circumstances under which the album was recorded. Ben also talks about his recently-launched podcast Straight From The Hat, as well as his upcoming album with Deer Tick.
Ben also mentioned that Straight From The Hat has a website. Check out episodes and the extra goodies that Ben talked about at straightfromthehat.com.
Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io.
The first eight episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum. More monthly episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.
To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
1:48 Ben’s introduction
3:00 Ben revisits his earliest memories of Chilton
6:59 Ben shares the story of how he got introduced to Big Star
135. Steve Hackett Discusses Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights (Live In Brighton)
Former Genesis lead guitarist, prolific solo artist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Steve Hackett joins Al — an ardent Genesis fan — to discuss his just-released live album, Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights (Live In Brighton). Steve talks about his setlist choices for this album, how the songs differ from their original studio versions, which period of Genesis he thinks was the best and his upcoming studio album and tour plans.
Just about everything Steve Hackett-related can be found on his website, hackettsongs.com.
Also, be sure to follow Steve on Twitter/X and Instagram!
Twitter/X: @HackettOfficial
IG: @stevehackettofficial
Al is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.
Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/
1:12 Steve joins the show
2:14 Steve talks about next year’s Lamb Highlights tour and upcoming studio album
6:43 Steve explains the setlist choices for his new live album
9:34 Steve remembers back to Genesis’ Lamb Lies Down on Broadway tour
10:53 Steve discusses the importance of playing live versions that are different from the studio originals
14:40 Steve reveals how new versions of his songs typically get created
Indie rock icon Juliana Hatfield pays YMAAA a visit to talk about the soundtrack album for the 1980 musical motion picture, Xanadu, which features Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra. Juliana talks about being a fan of both artists growing up, her Olivia Newton-John covers album and her upcoming ELO covers album and the difficulties involved in covering other artists’ songs in general.
Al mentioned an interview with Fee Waybill that he had read in which he discusses The Tubes’ involvement in Xanadu. Here’s the link: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/the-tubes-fee-waybill-recalls-bonkers-xanadu-scene-214128554.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
Here are links to the videos for “Dancin’” that Al mentioned.
Clip of the scene from Xanadu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts9GdyGD5e4
Olivia Newton-John and Tubes video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WckwVPVnLyM
Juliana is on Instagram at @julianahatfield.
Also, check out her website, https://www.julianahatfield.com/…
…and her Substack: https://julianahatfield.substack.com/.
Al is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.
Vocalist and guitarist Maura Weaver (Mixtapes, Ogikubo Station) joins Al to introduce him to Elliott Smith’s self-titled album. Maura talks about how she got introduced to Elliott Smith’s music, why this album holds a special place for her and how it has helped to shape her own work. She also talks specifically about the throughlines between this Elliott Smith album and her just-released solo debut, I Was Due For A Heartbreak.
Be sure to keep up with Maura and her work!
@mauraweaver on Instagram and Threads
@everreadyy on Twitter/X
Al is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.
Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/
1:12 Maura joins the show
2:08 Al explains why he was glad that Maura chose this album
3:18 Maura talks about the first songs that got her into Elliott Smith
6:38 Maura gives one reason for why this album is special to her
8:08 Al starts to talk about his first reaction to Elliott Smith
9:18 Did it take time for Maura to get used to the sound of Smith’s music?
13:50 Maura discusses the elements of Elliott Smith that are poppy
19:12 Al expands on his experience with the album
132. Megan Mayhew Bergman Discusses The Audacity of Kenny Loggins
This week’s episode isn’t about an album, but rather about a particular artist’s legacy. Author and professor Megan Mayhew Bergman makes her return to YMAAA (she had been the show’s guest on Ep 93) to make the case for reexamining the career of Kenny Loggins. Megan also argues that Loggins’ musical career has been marked by audacious decisions, including choices made regarding his arrangements, lyrics, collaborations and music videos. She and Al explore the theme of audacity through a discussion of several of Loggins’ better-known songs that span the various eras of his career.
Al made note of Megan’s recent piece in The Atlantic on this summer’s flooding in Vermont. You can read it here (subscription required): https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/07/climate-change-safe-states-vermont-floods/674780/
1:14 Megan joins the show
1:24 Why are Megan and Al talking about Kenny Loggins?
2:27 Megan and Al put their Kenny Loggins game faces on for this episode
3:47 Megan recounts the moment when she realized Loggins needed a deeper examination
Song-by-song analysis
6:31 Danny’s Song
9:38 Whenever I Call You “Friend”
13:15 Was Loggins a trend-setter or trend-follower?
17:16 Celebrate Me Home
22:34 This Is It/What A Fool Believes, and a discussion of “yacht rock” and “blue-eyed soul”
This episode marks a YMAAA first, as it focuses on a band rather than an album. Al talks to each member of the Washington, DC-based alternative rock band Ex Hex — Mary Timony, Betsy Wright and Laura Harris — about the group's two albums and upcoming live dates. The interview with Timony is an excerpt from an upcoming episode, while the interview with Wright is an excerpt from Ep. 44. Al’s discussion with Harris is a standalone interview (though she will also be on a new episode soon).
Get information on Ex Hex’s live shows and more on Instagram at @exhexband and on their website, https://exhexband.com/shows!
More social media for Ex Hex and its members…
Ex Hex:
@exhexband on Twitter/X
Mary Timony:
@MaryT_Money on Twitter/X
@marytimony on Instagram
Betsy Wright
@betsybooots on Instagram
Laura Harris
@heylisaharris on Instagram
Al is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.
Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums!
130. Willie Heath Neal and Kira Annalise of The Waymores Discuss Willie Nelson, Red Headed Stranger (see show notes for TW)
The Atlanta-based country music duo The Waymores makes a return appearance on YMAAA, and this time, Willie Heath Neal and Kira Annalise introduce Al to Willie Nelson’s 1975 breakthrough album, Red Headed Stranger. Willie and Kira talk about the album’s importance to them musically and personally, the concept behind the album and the aspects of the performance and production that they particularly enjoy. They also discuss their just-released album, Greener Pastures, which was produced by the legendary Shel Talmy (The Who, The Kinks).
Al is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.
Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/
1:21 Kira and Willie join the show
2:45 Kira has had to overcome some health challenges recently
9:31 Willie and Kira talk about the things that make Red Headed Stranger special
13:57 This album was the first one for which Willie Nelson had complete artistic control
16:56 Al learned a lot about Willie Nelson’s life and career in preparing for the episode
129. Laura King Discusses The Bangles, All Over the Place
Drummer Laura King (Superchunk, Bat Fangs, R. Ring, Speed Stick) talks about her love for the album that kickstarted The Bangles’ run of ‘80s hits, All Over The Place. Laura recounts the event that started her childhood obsession with The Bangles, breaks down what makes the album special and shares her thoughts on the band’s more successful albums. She also provides updates on the many bands she plays with.
As Laura and Al mentioned, R. Ring released a new video for “Cartoon Heart/Build Me a Question” just hours before their conversation. It’s great! Check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG1RGmkPdBo
They also discussed the really cool video for R. Ring’s "Def Sup." Watch it here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovFJidJAO14
It’s also worth your time to check out the video of Speed Stick performing at the North Carolina Museum of Art. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_gpKgwyzfc
Superchunk tour dates: https://www.mergerecords.com/tour
Al is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.
Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/
20:38 One similarity between Robert’s music and Florist’s was particularly notable
26:34 Robert explains what he likes about Florist’s sound and approach
29:05 Robert talks about Emily Sprague as a lyricist
31:15 Robert and Al discuss the healing quality of Florist
36:39 Robert talks about the album’s dreamlike quality
38:06 Al picks out the one track that stood out for him
40:00 Robert makes note of Sprague’s affinity for synths
43:12 Robert and Al sum up their reactions to Florist
44:15 Robert talks about the origins of his song “Forest From the Tree”
47:42 Robert reveals the conceptual layers of “Not on Your Team”
57:50 Robert talks about his upcoming plans
Outro music is from “Orphan Song” by Robert Deeble.
Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/
1:19 Juliana joins the show
1:36 Juliana’s album choice is the perfect one for her
2:34 Juliana chose the Xanadu soundtrack for a variety of reasons
6:02 John Farrar’s songwriting was important to this album
8:29 Juliana faced some challenges when trying to cover “Suddenly”
14:57 Why didn’t Juliana include a cover of “I’m Alive” on her new ELO covers album?
17:59 Juliana didn’t become familiar with ELO’s deeper cuts until recently
23:18 Al was fascinated by “Dancin’”
30:10 Gene Kelly makes an appearance on the soundtrack
31:16 Juliana didn’t care about Xanadu being perceived as uncool
33:31 Al talks about what he likes about Juliana’s cover of “Magic”
35:50 Juliana and Al get into a discussion of Weezer’s covers
38:22 Juliana explains why she wanted to make an ELO covers album
41:25 Artists borrowing from other artists doesn’t bother Juliana
46:41 Juliana learned a lesson from covering “Don’t Bring Me Down”
50:27 Covering ELO had its own specific challenges
54:26 Did Juliana intend to record a series of covers albums?
Outro is from “Can’t Get It Out Of My Head” by Juliana Hatfield.
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