This premiere episode spotlights Paul's Grammy-winning 'comeback' album. Introduced by Ringo Starr, each song is examined from the studio perspective. Paul considers the title track to be "The best I ever did". He describes how he came up with the musical and lyrical ideas, and we hear comments from the engineers and from prominent critics, and some of the South African musicians who contributed. This release was an important step in the rise of the Grateful Dead to legend status. Stevie's double album is looked at here. Stevie had already released the smash album, Innervisions, but as Berry Gordy explains, he took the experimentation to a new level. Quincy Jones and Herbie Hancock are in the studio with Stevie, along with some other top musicians who contributed, as we examine the creation and recording process, of what many consider Stevie Wonder's finest hour. Each member explains how they achieved their distinct sound, with all of them often switching instruments.

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Earlier today I posted an article on the prematurely announced death of the album format in music. Of course, these albums are filled with masterpieces of the recording craft, and virtually any track can be listened to and enjoyed as an independent entity. Kind of Blue is considered by some to be the best jazz album ever recorded. Why has it sold so many copies? Sometimes, things just come together in such a way that you make a perfect work of art, and this is one of those times. The songs are great. The arrangements are enthralling. And the improvisation is otherworldly.
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Listening to these albums through high quality audio gear can be an horrific assault on the lugholes, which is why audiophiles seek out albums that have been mastered with a wider dynamic range. And here are some of our favourites. Stream it at Spotify here. The third LP from London singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka showcases an artist on a spectacular upward trajectory. Buy Titanic Rising from Band Camp here. Harvest it most certainly is not. But here, presented in the concert context with jokey stage banter intact, those same songs and a couple of others take on a livelier, more vibrant tone — this is a party, not a wake for departed friends. Few albums about death sound as vital and life-affirming as this one. Download Funeral Stream it on Spotify here.
I have been reading this blog for a while now but this is the first time I have felt I needed to add my two cents in. I have rediscovered what I love about the church but choose not to attend or participate. This is starting to upset me though and I'm tired of waiting for change, so how should I approach the conversation. The fact that she is dating an atheist non-Mormon shows pretty serious lack of conformity already. If they believe their religion, they will ultimately cause you pain and disappointment. I visit him every month, we managed to go on weekend trips when he's off and he's spend all his vacay time with me and his family.