Strong Songs

Kirk Hamilton

Music: it's good. On each episode of Strong Songs, host Kirk Hamilton takes listeners inside a piece of music, breaking it down and figuring out what makes it work.

  • 56 minutes 39 seconds
    Remembering Janis Stockhouse, The Great Band Director

    In light of Janis Stockhouse's unexpected death at the tail end of 2024, we're re-posting Kirk's 2019 interview with her for anyone who might want to listen to it.

    Janis started teaching at North high school in Bloomington, Indiana, in the early 1980s. It was a time when "jazz education" as a concept was still a relatively new thing. She retired 38 years later, having grown the North band program into a well-known Midwest institution, winning countless awards at festivals around the world and regularly turning out graduates who would go on to become professional musicians, as well as many others who would simply have a lifelong love of music.

    On this episode she tells the story of starting out at North and developing the program, along with her thoughts on how to get students to practice, which composers she prefers for student groups, women in jazz, funding for the arts, and some good old-fashioned album recommendations.

    REFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE:

    Janis's 2004 book Jazzwomen: Conversations With Twenty-One Musicians, which she co-wrote with Wayne Enstice - there are used copies on Amazon, and you should really track down a copy and read it

    The late great jazz legend David Baker, whose NYT obituary captured at least some of his legacy: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/30/arts/music/david-baker-who-helped-bring-jazz-studies-into-the-academy-dies-at-84.html

    MUSIC ON THIS EPISODE:

    • "IU Swing Machine" by David Baker as played by the 2016 IU Celebration Big Band
    • "Don't Get Sassy" by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis big band
    • "Hang Gliding" by Maria Schneider from Alegresse
    • "Bright Eyes" as played by the Bill Holman big band
    • "Take the 'A' Train" by Billy Strayhorn as performed by the Duke Ellington orchestra
    • "Vol. 6: All 'Bird' - Now's The Time" Play-A-Long by Jamey Aebersold (featuring Kenny Barron and Ron Carter(!!))
    • "Laugh, Clown, Laugh" by Abbey Lincoln from Abbey Is Blue, 1959
    • "Song Patrol" by Jane Ira Bloom from Early Americans, 2016
    • "Lingala" by the SF Jazz Collective from their 2005 self-titled album
    • "So What" and "Flamenco Sketches" by Miles Davis from Kind of Blue, 1959
    • "My Favorite Things" as performed by John Coltrane on My Favorite Things, 1966
    • "Mercy Mercy Mercy" by Josef Zawinul as performed by the Cannonball Adderley quintet on Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, 1966

    OUTRO SOLOIST: BJ CORD

    This episode's outro soloist is BJ Cord, a fellow Bloomington North graduate and fantastic trumpet player based in Portland. BJ works at Monette trumpets making some of the most beautiful horns in the world, and is a regular presence on their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monettetrumpets

    3 January 2025, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    "Fingertips" by They Might Be Giants [Recast]

    Kirk picks apart not one, not two, but twenty one micro-songs by the great They Might Be Giants.

    What's that blue thing doing here? Who's knocking on the wall? And for that matter, who's that standing out the window? It's time to answer those questions and many more, as Kirk delves into The Might Be Giants' singular collection of mini-songs, "Fingertips." It's a stylistic smorgasbord of sound, with everything from jazz to rock to lounge to... honestly, genre doesn't exist and "Fingertips" proves it. Each tiny song shines for its brief moment of life, and then lives on forever in your imagination. 

    Written by: John Flansburgh and John Linnell

    Album: Apollo 18 (1992)

    Listen/Buy: Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

    ALSO FEATURED/DISCUSSED:

    • "Particle Man," "Birdhouse In Your Soul," and "Minimum Wage" by They Might Be Giants and "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" by Jimmy Kennedy and Nat Simon from Flood, 1990
    • "Extra Savoir Faire" by TMBG from John Henry, 1994
    • The 2002 documentary Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns)
    • “The Simpsons Main Title Theme” by Danny Elfman, 1989
    • “Joy To The World” - lyrics by Isaac Watts as performed by Nat “King” Cole

    OUTRO SOLOIST: Kirk Hamilton

    Kirk is the host of Strong Songs. He lives in Portland, Oregon, where he likes to play the drums. He thinks he's getting good but he can handle criticism.

    ----LINKS-----

    RECAST RECOMMENDATION: "Samba Party" by Matteo Mancuso from The Journey, 2023

    SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Paypal | Patreon.com/Strongsongs

    MERCH STORE
    store.strongsongspodcast.com

    SOCIAL MEDIA
    IG: @Kirk_Hamilton | Threads: @Kirk_Hamilton

    NEWSLETTER
    newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

    JOIN THE DISCORD
    https://discord.gg/GCvKqAM8Sm

    STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    SHOW ART
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

    --------------------

    DECEMBER 2024 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Elizabeth Culver
    Meryl Allison
    Robyn Metcalfe
    Cesar
    Bob Tucker
    Corpus Frisky
    Ben Barron
    Catherine Warner
    Damon White
    Jay Swartz
    Rush
    Daniel Hannon-Barry
    Christopher Miller
    Jamie White
    Christopher McConnell
    David Mascetti
    Joe Laska
    Ken Hirsh
    Melanie Andrich
    Jenness Gardner
    Nathaniel Bauernfeind
    Paul Delaney
    Dave Sharpe
    Sami Samhuri
    Jeremy Dawson
    AccessViolation
    Dave Florey

    DECEMBER 2024 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Christopher Selby Spink
    Philip Kelly
    Daniel Nervo
    Kevin Stafford
    Lawrence
    Sy Jacobs
    irritable
    Ian Pidd
    Andrew Hofer
    Jordan Gatenby
    Melissa Kuhns
    Ashley
    Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
    Kevin Marcelo
    Samantha Coates
    James
    Mark Nadasdi
    Jeff
    Dan Cutter
    Joseph Romero
    Ol Parker
    John Berry
    Danielle Kriz
    Clint McElroy
    Mordok’s Vape Pen
    Inmar Givoni
    Michael Singer
    Merv Adrian
    Joe Gallo
    Lauren Knotts
    Dave Kolas
    Henry Mindlin
    Monica St. Angelo
    Stephen Wolkwitz
    Suzanne
    Rand LeShay
    Max
    eric sp
    Matthew Jones
    Thomas
    Anthony Mentz
    James McMurry
    Ethan Laser
    Brian John Peter
    Aaron Wilson
    Dent Earl
    Carlos Lerner
    Misty Haisfield
    Abraham Benrubi
    Lee R.
    Chris Kotarba
    Lynda MacNeil
    Dick Morgan
    Ben Stein
    Susan Green
    Grettir Asmundarson
    Sean Murphy
    Randal Vegter
    Kaya Woodall
    Robert Granat
    dave malloy
    Tim Rosenwong
    Alan Maass
    Nick Galloway
    Heather J
    john halpin
    Peter Harding
    David
    John Bauman
    Martín Salías
    Stu Baker
    Steve Martino
    Dr Arthur A Gray
    Carolina
    Gary Pierce
    Matt Baxter
    Luigi Boccia
    E Margaret Warton
    Charles McGee
    Catherine Clause
    Ethan Bauman
    KenIsWearingAHat
    Jordan Block
    Aaron Wade
    Jeff Ulm
    David Futter
    Jamie
    Deebs
    Portland Eye Care
    Richard Sneddon
    Janice Berry
    Doreen Carlson
    David McDarby
    Wendy Gilchrist
    Elliot Rosen
    Lisa Turner
    Paul Wayper
    Miles Forman
    Bruno Gaeta
    Kenneth Jung
    Zak Remer
    Rishi Sahay
    Jeffrey Bean
    Jason Reitman
    Ailie Fraser
    Rob Tsuk
    NATALIE MISTILIS
    Josh Singer
    Amy Lynn Thornsen
    Adam W
    Kelli Brockington
    Victoria Yu
    mino capossela
    Steve Paquin
    David Joske
    Bernard Khoo
    Robert Heuer
    David Noah
    Geraldine Butler
    Madeleine Mader
    Jason Pratt
    Abbie Berg
    Doug Belew
    Dermot Crowley
    Achint Srivastava
    Ryan Rairigh
    Michael Berman
    Linda Duffy
    Bonnie Prinsen
    Liz Seger
    Eoin de Burca
    Kevin Potter
    M Shane Borders
    Dallas Hockley
    Jason Gerry
    Nell Morse
    Nathan Gouwens
    Lauren Reay
    Eric Prestemon
    Cookies250
    Angela Livingstone
    Diane Hughes
    Michael Casner
    Lowell Meyer
    Stephen Tsoneff
    Joshua Hill
    Geoff Golden
    Pascal Rueger
    Randy Souza
    Clare Holberton
    Diane Turner
    Tom Coleman
    Dhu Wik
    Melmaniac
    Eric Helm
    Jonathan Daniels
    Caro Field
    Naomi Watson
    David Cushman
    Alexander
    Chris K
    Gavin Doig
    Sam Fenn
    Tanner Morton
    AJ Schuster
    Jennifer Bush
    David Stroud
    Brad Callahan
    Amanda Furlotti
    Andrew Baker
    Andrew Fair
    L.B. Morse
    Bill Thornton
    Brian Amoebas
    Brett Douville
    Jeffrey Olson
    Matt Betzel
    Nate from Kalamazoo
    Melanie Stivers
    Richard Toller
    Alexander Polson
    Justin McElroy
    Arjun Sharma
    James Johnson
    Kevin Morrell
    Colin Hodo

    27 December 2024, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    "Babylon Sisters" by Steely Dan [Recast]

    Here comes that Santa Ana wind again, blowing us right into the slightly skewed world of Steely Dan.

    It was never a question whether Strong Songs would do a Steely Dan episode, it was more a question of which song to focus on. In the end, Kirk chose "Babylon Sisters," a culmination of the band's incredible 1970s run that exemplifies Fagen and Becker's brand of pristine, laser-focused groove. It's also arguably the definitive recording of Bernard Purdie's signature Purdie Shuffle.

    Written by: Walter Becker and Donald Fagen

    Album: Gaucho (1980)

    Listen/Buy: Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

    ALSO FEATURED/DISCUSSED:

    “Sloop John B,” Bahamian folk song as recorded by The Beach Boys on Pet Sounds, 1966

    “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” by The Temptations from Law of the Land, 1972

    “Cousin Dupree” by Becker/Fagen from Two Against Nature, 2000

    “Reelin' in the years” by Donald Fagen from Can’t Buy a Thrill, 1972

    “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” by Fagen/Becker from Prezel Logic, 1974

    “Black Friday” by Becker/Fagen from Katy Lied, 1975

    "Peg," "Aja," and "Home at Last" by Becker/Fagen from Aja, 1977

    “Sing Sing Sing (With a Swing)” by Louis Prima performed by the Benny Goodman Orchestra, 1936

    “Cissy Strut” by The Meters from The Meters, 1969

    • "Rosanna" by David Paich as recorded by Toto on Toto IV, with Jeff Porcaro on drums (and Tom Scott on alto sax!)

    Rob Brown’s Purdie Shuffle tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g41Ab8iDaD0

    OUTRO SOLOIST: Kyle Molitor

    Kyle is a Portland-based trombonist who plays in all sorts of bands, and was also featured on the year three Strong Songs theme msuic. Find him on Instagram @tbonemolitor and check out his latest single here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/kylemolitor/the-jazz-feat-toranpetto

    ----LINKS-----

    RECAST RECOMMENDATION: "Nite Crawler" by Larry Carlton from Larry Carlton, 1978 and Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary  streaming on Max, 2024

    SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Paypal | Patreon.com/Strongsongs

    MERCH STORE
    store.strongsongspodcast.com

    SOCIAL MEDIA
    IG: @Kirk_Hamilton | Threads: @Kirk_Hamilton

    NEWSLETTER
    newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

    JOIN THE DISCORD
    https://discord.gg/GCvKqAM8Sm

    STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    SHOW ART
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

    --------------------

    DECEMBER 2024 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Elizabeth Culver
    Meryl Allison
    Robyn Metcalfe
    Cesar
    Bob Tucker
    Corpus Frisky
    Ben Barron
    Catherine Warner
    Damon White
    Jay Swartz
    Rush
    Daniel Hannon-Barry
    Christopher Miller
    Jamie White
    Christopher McConnell
    David Mascetti
    Joe Laska
    Ken Hirsh
    Melanie Andrich
    Jenness Gardner
    Nathaniel Bauernfeind
    Paul Delaney
    Dave Sharpe
    Sami Samhuri
    Jeremy Dawson
    AccessViolation
    Dave Florey

    DECEMBER 2024 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Christopher Selby Spink
    Philip Kelly
    Daniel Nervo
    Kevin Stafford
    Lawrence
    Sy Jacobs
    irritable
    Ian Pidd
    Andrew Hofer
    Jordan Gatenby
    Melissa Kuhns
    Ashley
    Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
    Kevin Marcelo
    Samantha Coates
    James
    Mark Nadasdi
    Jeff
    Dan Cutter
    Joseph Romero
    Ol Parker
    John Berry
    Danielle Kriz
    Clint McElroy
    Mordok’s Vape Pen
    Inmar Givoni
    Michael Singer
    Merv Adrian
    Joe Gallo
    Lauren Knotts
    Dave Kolas
    Henry Mindlin
    Monica St. Angelo
    Stephen Wolkwitz
    Suzanne
    Rand LeShay
    Max
    eric sp
    Matthew Jones
    Thomas
    Anthony Mentz
    James McMurry
    Ethan Laser
    Brian John Peter
    Aaron Wilson
    Dent Earl
    Carlos Lerner
    Misty Haisfield
    Abraham Benrubi
    Lee R.
    Chris Kotarba
    Lynda MacNeil
    Dick Morgan
    Ben Stein
    Susan Green
    Grettir Asmundarson
    Sean Murphy
    Randal Vegter
    Kaya Woodall
    Robert Granat
    dave malloy
    Tim Rosenwong
    Alan Maass
    Nick Galloway
    Heather J
    john halpin
    Peter Harding
    David
    John Bauman
    Martín Salías
    Stu Baker
    Steve Martino
    Dr Arthur A Gray
    Carolina
    Gary Pierce
    Matt Baxter
    Luigi Boccia
    E Margaret Warton
    Charles McGee
    Catherine Clause
    Ethan Bauman
    KenIsWearingAHat
    Jordan Block
    Aaron Wade
    Jeff Ulm
    David Futter
    Jamie
    Deebs
    Portland Eye Care
    Richard Sneddon
    Janice Berry
    Doreen Carlson
    David McDarby
    Wendy Gilchrist
    Elliot Rosen
    Lisa Turner
    Paul Wayper
    Miles Forman
    Bruno Gaeta
    Kenneth Jung
    Zak Remer
    Rishi Sahay
    Jeffrey Bean
    Jason Reitman
    Ailie Fraser
    Rob Tsuk
    NATALIE MISTILIS
    Josh Singer
    Amy Lynn Thornsen
    Adam W
    Kelli Brockington
    Victoria Yu
    mino capossela
    Steve Paquin
    David Joske
    Bernard Khoo
    Robert Heuer
    David Noah
    Geraldine Butler
    Madeleine Mader
    Jason Pratt
    Abbie Berg
    Doug Belew
    Dermot Crowley
    Achint Srivastava
    Ryan Rairigh
    Michael Berman
    Linda Duffy
    Bonnie Prinsen
    Liz Seger
    Eoin de Burca
    Kevin Potter
    M Shane Borders
    Dallas Hockley
    Jason Gerry
    Nell Morse
    Nathan Gouwens
    Lauren Reay
    Eric Prestemon
    Cookies250
    Angela Livingstone
    Diane Hughes
    Michael Casner
    Lowell Meyer
    Stephen Tsoneff
    Joshua Hill
    Geoff Golden
    Pascal Rueger
    Randy Souza
    Clare Holberton
    Diane Turner
    Tom Coleman
    Dhu Wik
    Melmaniac
    Eric Helm
    Jonathan Daniels
    Caro Field
    Naomi Watson
    David Cushman
    Alexander
    Chris K
    Gavin Doig
    Sam Fenn
    Tanner Morton
    AJ Schuster
    Jennifer Bush
    David Stroud
    Brad Callahan
    Amanda Furlotti
    Andrew Baker
    Andrew Fair
    L.B. Morse
    Bill Thornton
    Brian Amoebas
    Brett Douville
    Jeffrey Olson
    Matt Betzel
    Nate from Kalamazoo
    Melanie Stivers
    Richard Toller
    Alexander Polson
    Justin McElroy
    Arjun Sharma
    James Johnson
    Kevin Morrell
    Colin Hodo

    13 December 2024, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 48 seconds
    "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton [Recast]

    It takes an extremely strong song to top the charts three separate times in three separate decades, but "I Will Always Love You" is just such a song.

    Written and recorded (twice) by Dolly Parton and then re-recorded in show-stopping fashion by Whitney Houston, the ballad has morphed from a fond farewell to a former mentor, to a theatrical goodbye to a lover, to a soaring ode to the very notions of love and loss. We follow that journey from the beginning, with all the vocal tricks, dramatic line-readings, and epic key changes that were added along the way.

    Band/Artist: Dolly Parton & Whitney Houston

    Albums: Jolene (1974), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), and The Bodyguard soundtrack (1992)

    Composed by: Dolly Parton

    Listen/Buy (Jolene): Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

    Listen/Buy (TBLWIT): Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

    Listen/Buy (The Bodyguard): Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

    ------

    ALSO DISCUSSED/FEATURED:

    • The sensational new WNYC podcast Dolly Parton's America
    • "The Last Thing On My Mind" by Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner
    • "Applejack" by Dolly Parton from New Harvest...First Gathering, 1977
    • "Let It Go" from Frozen performed by Idina Menzel

    ------

    OUTRO SOLOIST: Dan Nervo

    Mr. Dan Nervo has the tiller for this episode's outro solo. Dan plays guitar all around the San Francisco Bay Area in bands like Neon Velvet, and also teaches private guitar lessons. Hit him up if you want to get really good at guitar: https://www.facebook.com/DanNervoGuitarLessons/

    ----LINKS-----

    RECAST RECOMMENDATION: "Stranded" by Sierra Hull from Weighted Mind, 2016

    SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Paypal | Patreon.com/Strongsongs

    MERCH STORE
    store.strongsongspodcast.com

    SOCIAL MEDIA
    IG: @Kirk_Hamilton | Threads: @Kirk_Hamilton

    NEWSLETTER
    newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

    JOIN THE DISCORD
    https://discord.gg/GCvKqAM8Sm

    STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    SHOW ART
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

    --------------------

    NOVEMBER 2024 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Elizabeth Culver
    Meryl Allison
    Robyn Metcalfe
    Brian Templet
    Cesar
    Bob Tucker
    Corpus Frisky
    Ben Barron
    Catherine Warner
    Damon White
    Kaya Woodall
    Jay Swartz
    Rush
    Daniel Hannon-Barry
    Christopher Miller
    Jamie White
    Christopher McConnell
    David Mascetti
    Joe Laska
    Ken Hirsh
    Melanie Andrich
    Jenness Gardner
    Nathaniel Bauernfeind
    Paul Delaney
    Dave Sharpe
    Sami Samhuri
    Jeremy Dawson
    AccessViolation
    Dave Florey

    NOVEMBER 2024 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Kevin Stafford
    Lawrence
    Sy Jacobs
    irritable
    Ian Pidd
    Andrew Hofer
    Jordan Gatenby
    Melissa Kuhns
    Ashley
    Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
    Kevin Marcelo
    Samantha Coates
    James
    Mark Nadasdi
    Jeff
    Dan Cutter
    Joseph Romero
    Ol Parker
    John Berry
    Danielle Kriz
    Clint McElroy
    Mordok’s Vape Pen
    Inmar Givoni
    Michael Singer
    Merv Adrian
    Joe Gallo
    Lauren Knotts
    Dave Kolas
    Henry Mindlin
    Monica St. Angelo
    Stephen Wolkwitz
    Suzanne
    Rand LeShay
    Max
    eric sp
    Matthew Jones
    Thomas
    Anthony Mentz
    James McMurry
    Ethan Laser
    Brian John Peter
    Aaron Wilson
    Dent Earl
    Carlos Lerner
    Misty Haisfield
    Abraham Benrubi
    Lee R.
    Chris Kotarba
    Callum Webb
    Lynda MacNeil
    Dick Morgan
    Ben Stein
    Susan Green
    Grettir Asmundarson
    Sean Murphy
    Randal Vegter
    Robert Granat
    dave malloy
    Tim Rosenwong
    Alan Maass
    Nick Galloway
    Heather J
    john halpin
    Peter Harding
    David
    John Bauman
    Martín Salías
    Stu Baker
    Steve Martino
    Dr Arthur A Gray
    Carolina
    Gary Pierce
    Matt Baxter
    Luigi Boccia
    E Margaret Warton
    Charles McGee
    Catherine Clause
    Ethan Bauman
    KenIsWearingAHat
    Jordan Block
    Aaron Wade
    Jeff Ulm
    David Futter
    Jamie
    Deebs
    Portland Eye Care
    Richard Sneddon
    Janice Berry
    Doreen Carlson
    David McDarby
    Wendy Gilchrist
    Elliot Rosen
    Lisa Turner
    Paul Wayper
    Miles Forman
    Bruno Gaeta
    Kenneth Jung
    Zak Remer
    Rishi Sahay
    Jeffrey Bean
    Jason Reitman
    Ailie Fraser
    Rob Tsuk
    NATALIE MISTILIS
    Josh Singer
    Amy Lynn Thornsen
    Adam W
    Kelli Brockington
    Victoria Yu
    mino capossela
    Steve Paquin
    David Joske
    Bernard Khoo
    Robert Heuer
    David Noah
    Geraldine Butler
    Madeleine Mader
    Jason Pratt
    Abbie Berg
    Doug Belew
    Dermot Crowley
    Achint Srivastava
    Ryan Rairigh
    Michael Berman
    Linda Duffy
    Bonnie Prinsen
    Liz Seger
    Eoin de Burca
    Kevin Potter
    M Shane Borders
    Dallas Hockley
    Jason Gerry
    Nell Morse
    Nathan Gouwens
    Lauren Reay
    Eric Prestemon
    Cookies250
    Angela Livingstone
    Diane Hughes
    Michael Casner
    Lowell Meyer
    Stephen Tsoneff
    Joshua Hill
    Geoff Golden
    Pascal Rueger
    Randy Souza
    Clare Holberton
    Diane Turner
    Tom Coleman
    Dhu Wik
    Melmaniac
    Eric Helm
    Jonathan Daniels
    Caro Field
    Naomi Watson
    David Cushman
    Alexander
    Chris K
    Gavin Doig
    Sam Fenn
    Tanner Morton
    AJ Schuster
    Jennifer Bush
    David Stroud
    Brad Callahan
    Amanda Furlotti
    Andrew Baker
    Andrew Fair
    L.B. Morse
    Bill Thornton
    Brian Amoebas
    Brett Douville
    Jeffrey Olson
    Matt Betzel
    Nate from Kalamazoo
    Melanie Stivers
    Richard Toller
    Alexander Polson
    Justin McElroy
    Arjun Sharma
    James Johnson
    Kevin Morrell
    Colin Hodo

    29 November 2024, 5:00 am
  • 51 minutes 3 seconds
    "Barracuda" by Heart [Recast]

    It's time for the hardest rocking song ever written about sea life, as Kirk takes a deep dive into Heart's 1977 body-shaker "Barracuda."

    A deceptively complex song written around a deceptively straightforward riff, "Barracuda" opens the door for a discussion of the particulars of guitar tone, stompbox effects, the long history of the "galloping groove," why Ann Wilson's vocals rock as hard as they do, and a brief tribute to her sister Nancy's killer guitar chops.

    Band/Artist: Heart

    Album: Little Queen, 1977

    Composed by: Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Roger Fisher, Michael DeRosier

    Listen/Buy:Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

    ------

    ALSO FEATURED:

    • "Pride and Joy" by Stevie Ray Vaughan
    • "Make a Mistake with Me" by Brad Paisley
    • "November Rain" by Guns 'n Roses feat. Slash
    • "This Flight Tonight" as performed by Nazareth
    • "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin
    • "William Tell Overture" by Gioachino Rossini
    • "Crazy on You" by Heart
    • "Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin

    A cool interview with Roger Fisher about creating his Barracuda guitar tone, as well as that "Alien Attack" sound: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcQik5m0t9Q

    A Wall Street Journal interview with the Wilsons about the process of writing the song: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-rage-behind-hearts-barracuda-11557331740

    OUTRO SOLOIST: Dan Nervo

    This episode's outro soloist is the fantastic Dan Nervo. Dan plays guitar all around the San Francisco Bay Area in bands like Neon Velvet, and also teaches private guitar lessons. Hit him up if you want to get really good at guitar: https://www.facebook.com/DanNervoGuitarLessons/

    ----LINKS-----

    RECAST RECOMMENDATION: "The Night Owl" by Anat Cohen's Quartetinho from Bloom, 2024

    SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Paypal | Patreon.com/Strongsongs

    MERCH STORE
    store.strongsongspodcast.com

    SOCIAL MEDIA
    IG: @Kirk_Hamilton | Threads: @Kirk_Hamilton

    NEWSLETTER
    newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

    JOIN THE DISCORD
    https://discord.gg/GCvKqAM8Sm

    STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    SHOW ART
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

    --------------------

    NOVEMBER 2024 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Elizabeth Culver
    Meryl Allison
    Robyn Metcalfe
    Brian Templet
    Cesar
    Bob Tucker
    Corpus Frisky
    Ben Barron
    Catherine Warner
    Damon White
    Kaya Woodall
    Jay Swartz
    Rush
    Daniel Hannon-Barry
    Christopher Miller
    Jamie White
    Christopher McConnell
    David Mascetti
    Joe Laska
    Ken Hirsh
    Melanie Andrich
    Jenness Gardner
    Nathaniel Bauernfeind
    Paul Delaney
    Dave Sharpe
    Sami Samhuri
    Jeremy Dawson
    AccessViolation
    Dave Florey

    NOVEMBER 2024 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Kevin Stafford
    Lawrence
    Sy Jacobs
    irritable
    Ian Pidd
    Andrew Hofer
    Jordan Gatenby
    Melissa Kuhns
    Ashley
    SeattleTransAndNonbinary ChoralEnsemble
    Kevin Marcelo
    Samantha Coates
    James
    Mark Nadasdi
    Jeff
    Dan Cutter
    Joseph Romero
    Ol Parker
    John Berry
    Danielle Kriz
    Clint McElroy
    Mordok’s Vape Pen
    Inmar Givoni
    Michael Singer
    Merv Adrian
    Joe Gallo
    Lauren Knotts
    Dave Kolas
    Henry Mindlin
    Monica St. Angelo
    Stephen Wolkwitz
    Suzanne
    Rand LeShay
    Max
    eric sp
    Matthew Jones
    Thomas
    Anthony Mentz
    James McMurry
    Ethan Laser
    Brian John Peter
    Aaron Wilson
    Dent Earl
    Carlos Lerner
    Misty Haisfield
    Abraham Benrubi
    Lee R.
    Chris Kotarba
    Callum Webb
    Lynda MacNeil
    Dick Morgan
    Ben Stein
    Susan Green
    Grettir Asmundarson
    Sean Murphy
    Randal Vegter
    Robert Granat
    dave malloy
    Tim Rosenwong
    Alan Maass
    Nick Galloway
    Heather J
    john halpin
    Peter Harding
    David
    John Bauman
    Martín Salías
    Stu Baker
    Steve Martino
    Dr Arthur A Gray
    Carolina
    Gary Pierce
    Matt Baxter
    Luigi Boccia
    E Margaret Warton
    Charles McGee
    Catherine Clause
    Ethan Bauman
    KenIsWearingAHat
    Jordan Block
    Aaron Wade
    Jeff Ulm
    David Futter
    Jamie
    Deebs
    Portland Eye Care
    Richard Sneddon
    Janice Berry
    Doreen Carlson
    David McDarby
    Wendy Gilchrist
    Elliot Rosen
    Lisa Turner
    Paul Wayper
    Miles Forman
    Bruno Gaeta
    Kenneth Jung
    Zak Remer
    Rishi Sahay
    Jeffrey Bean
    Jason Reitman
    Ailie Fraser
    Rob Tsuk
    NATALIE MISTILIS
    Josh Singer
    Amy Lynn Thornsen
    Adam W
    Kelli Brockington
    Victoria Yu
    mino capossela
    Steve Paquin
    David Joske
    Bernard Khoo
    Robert Heuer
    David Noah
    Geraldine Butler
    Madeleine Mader
    Jason Pratt
    Abbie Berg
    Doug Belew
    Dermot Crowley
    Achint Srivastava
    Ryan Rairigh
    Michael Berman
    Linda Duffy
    Bonnie Prinsen
    Liz Seger
    Eoin de Burca
    Kevin Potter
    M Shane Borders
    Dallas Hockley
    Jason Gerry
    Nell Morse
    Nathan Gouwens
    Lauren Reay
    Eric Prestemon
    Cookies250
    Angela Livingstone
    Diane Hughes
    Michael Casner
    Lowell Meyer
    Stephen Tsoneff
    Joshua Hill
    Geoff Golden
    Pascal Rueger
    Randy Souza
    Clare Holberton
    Diane Turner
    Tom Coleman
    Dhu Wik
    Melmaniac
    Eric Helm
    Jonathan Daniels
    Caro Field
    Naomi Watson
    David Cushman
    Alexander
    Chris K
    Gavin Doig
    Sam Fenn
    Tanner Morton
    AJ Schuster
    Jennifer Bush
    David Stroud
    Brad Callahan
    Amanda Furlotti
    Andrew Baker
    Andrew Fair
    L.B. Morse
    Bill Thornton
    Brian Amoebas
    Brett Douville
    Jeffrey Olson
    Matt Betzel
    Nate from Kalamazoo
    Melanie Stivers
    Richard Toller
    Alexander Polson
    Justin McElroy
    Arjun Sharma
    James Johnson
    Kevin Morrell
    Colin Hodo

    15 November 2024, 5:00 am
  • 58 minutes 2 seconds
    "Space Oddity" and "Starman" by David Bowie [Recast]

    Let the children lose it, let the children use it, and let all the children join in for Strong Songs!

    Kirk tackles a pair of classics by the great David Bowie: 1969's melancholy "Space Oddity" and 1972's triumphant "Starman." What goes up, as they say, must come down.

    Written by: David Bowie

    Albums: David Bowie (1969), The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)

    Listen/Buy Bowie: Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

    Listen/Buy Ziggy: Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

    ALSO FEATURED:

    • Audio of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, courtesy NASA
    • "A Day in the Life" by Lennon-McCartney, 1967
    • A cool Guardian interview with Rick Wakeman about playing Mellotron on Space Oddity

    OUTRO SOLOIST: Carlos "Insaneintherainmusic" Eieine

    Carlos Eienie is a prolific multi-instrumentalist and YouTube creator who's done some extremely fun jazz arrangements of great video game music, among other things. You can find him on most social media as some variant of @insaneintherainmusic, and on his website at https://www.insaneintherainmusic.com/.

    ----LINKS-----

    RECAST RECOMMENDATION: "Duck Ankles" by David Sanborn from Taking Off, 1975

    SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Paypal | Patreon.com/Strongsongs

    MERCH STORE
    store.strongsongspodcast.com

    SOCIAL MEDIA
    IG: @Kirk_Hamilton | Threads: @Kirk_Hamilton

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    newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

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    STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    SHOW ART
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

    --------------------

    OCTOBER 2024 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Elizabeth Culver
    Meryl Allison
    Robyn Metcalfe
    Brian Templet
    Cesar
    Bob Tucker
    Corpus Frisky
    Ben Barron
    Catherine Warner
    Damon White
    Kaya Woodall
    Jay Swartz
    Rush
    Daniel Hannon-Barry
    Christopher Miller
    Jamie White
    Christopher McConnell
    David Mascetti
    Joe Laska
    Ken Hirsh
    Melanie Andrich
    Jenness Gardner
    Nathaniel Bauernfeind
    Paul Delaney
    Dave Sharpe
    Sami Samhuri
    Jeremy Dawson
    AccessViolation
    Andre Bremer
    Dave Florey

    OCTOBER 2024 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Lawrence
    Sy Jacobs
    irritable
    Ian Pidd
    Andrew Hofer
    Jordan Gatenby
    Melissa Kuhns
    Ashley
    Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
    Kevin Marcelo
    Matt C
    Samantha Coates
    James
    Mark Nadasdi
    Jeff
    Dan Cutter
    Joseph Romero
    Ol Parker
    John Berry
    Danielle Kriz
    Clint McElroy
    Mordok’s Vape Pen
    Inmar Givoni
    Michael Singer
    Merv Adrian
    Joe Gallo
    Lauren Knotts
    Dave Kolas
    Henry Mindlin
    Monica St. Angelo
    Stephen Wolkwitz
    Suzanne
    Rand LeShay
    Max
    eric sp
    Matthew Jones
    Thomas
    Anthony Mentz
    James McMurry
    Ethan Laser
    Brian John Peter
    Chris Remo
    Matt Schoenthal
    Aaron Wilson
    Dent Earl
    Carlos Lerner
    Misty Haisfield
    Abraham Benrubi
    Chris Kotarba
    Callum Webb
    Lynda MacNeil
    Dick Morgan
    Ben Stein
    Susan Green
    Grettir Asmundarson
    Sean Murphy
    Randal Vegter
    Robert Granat
    dave malloy
    Alan Maass
    Nick Galloway
    Heather J
    john halpin
    Peter Harding
    David
    John Bauman
    Martín Salías
    Stu Baker
    Steve Martino
    Dr Arthur A Gray
    Carolina
    Gary Pierce
    Matt Baxter
    Luigi Boccia
    E Margaret Warton
    Charles McGee
    Catherine Clause
    Ethan Bauman
    KenIsWearingAHat
    Jordan Block
    Aaron Wade
    Jeff Ulm
    David Futter
    Jamie
    Deebs
    Portland Eye Care
    Richard Sneddon
    Janice Berry
    Doreen Carlson
    David McDarby
    Wendy Gilchrist
    Elliot Rosen
    Lisa Turner
    Paul Wayper
    Bruno Gaeta
    Kenneth Jung
    Zak Remer
    Rishi Sahay
    Jeffrey Bean
    Jason Reitman
    Ailie Fraser
    Rob Tsuk
    NATALIE MISTILIS
    Josh Singer
    Amy Lynn Thornsen
    Adam W
    Kelli Brockington
    Victoria Yu
    mino capossela
    Steve Paquin
    David Joske
    Bernard Khoo
    Robert Heuer
    David Noah
    Geraldine Butler
    Madeleine Mader
    Jason Pratt
    Abbie Berg
    Doug Belew
    Dermot Crowley
    Achint Srivastava
    Ryan Rairigh
    Michael Berman
    Linda Duffy
    Bonnie Prinsen
    Liz Seger
    Eoin de Burca
    Kevin Potter
    M Shane Borders
    Dallas Hockley
    Jason Gerry
    Nell Morse
    Nathan Gouwens
    Lauren Reay
    Eric Prestemon
    Cookies250
    Angela Livingstone
    Diane Hughes
    Michael Casner
    Lowell Meyer
    Stephen Tsoneff
    Joshua Hill
    Geoff Golden
    Pascal Rueger
    Randy Souza
    Clare Holberton
    Diane Turner
    Tom Coleman
    Dhu Wik
    Melmaniac
    Eric Helm
    Jonathan Daniels
    Caro Field
    Naomi Watson
    David Cushman
    Alexander
    Chris K
    Gavin Doig
    Sam Fenn
    Tanner Morton
    AJ Schuster
    Jennifer Bush
    David Stroud
    Brad Callahan
    Amanda Furlotti
    Andrew Baker
    Andrew Fair
    L.B. Morse
    Bill Thornton
    Brian Amoebas
    Brett Douville
    Jeffrey Olson
    Matt Betzel
    Nate from Kalamazoo
    Melanie Stivers
    Richard Toller
    Alexander Polson
    Justin McElroy
    Arjun Sharma
    James Johnson
    Kevin Morrell
    Colin Hodo

    1 November 2024, 4:00 am
  • 59 minutes 33 seconds
    "Think" by Aretha Franklin [Recast]

    Let's go back, let's go back, let's go way on back to that time Aretha Franklin recorded one of her best songs.

    On this episode, Kirk dives into two different versions of Franklin's classic tune "Think." First it's the laid back groove and roomy mix of the 1968 original, then it's time to fast-forward 12 years for the juiced-up arrangement she recorded with the Blues Brothers band in 1980.

    It's a story of how different production techniques, arrangements, and tempos can lead to two very different—but equally excellent—versions of the same song. We've done Dancing Queen, we've covered the band Queen, so it feels like it's past time for the Queen of Soul. 

    NOTE: This episode is best enjoyed along with four fried chickens and a Coke.

    Band/Artist: Aretha Franklin

    Album: Aretha Now, 1968 and The Blues Brothers: Original Soundtrack, 1980

    Composed by: Aretha Franklin and Teddy White

    Listen/Buy (Original): Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

    Listen/Buy (Blues Brothers): Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

    ------

    ALSO FEATURED/DISCUSSED:

    OUTRO SOLOIST: Galen Clark

    This episode's outro soloist is the one and only Galen Clark. Galen plays keyboard and organ and acts as bandleader for the soul jazz group Trio Subtonic; you can find playing regularly around Portland, Oregon and occasionally on tour. Find more information at their website, https://www.triosubtonic.net.

    ----LINKS-----

    RECAST RECOMMENDATION: "Party!!" by Ryokuoushoku Shakai from Party!! - EP, 2024,  and "Unmei" by Sumika from Unmei e.p., 2024, as well as the show Delicious in Dungeon on Netflix

    SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Paypal | Patreon.com/Strongsongs

    MERCH STORE
    store.strongsongspodcast.com

    SOCIAL MEDIA
    IG: @Kirk_Hamilton | Threads: @Kirk_Hamilton

    NEWSLETTER
    newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

    JOIN THE DISCORD
    https://discord.gg/GCvKqAM8Sm

    STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    SHOW ART
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

    --------------------

    OCTOBER 2024 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Elizabeth Culver
    Meryl Allison
    Robyn Metcalfe
    Brian Templet
    Cesar
    Bob Tucker
    Corpus Frisky
    Ben Barron
    Catherine Warner
    Damon White
    Kaya Woodall
    Jay Swartz
    Rush
    Daniel Hannon-Barry
    Christopher Miller
    Jamie White
    Christopher McConnell
    David Mascetti
    Joe Laska
    Ken Hirsh
    Melanie Andrich
    Jenness Gardner
    Nathaniel Bauernfeind
    Paul Delaney
    Dave Sharpe
    Sami Samhuri
    Jeremy Dawson
    AccessViolation
    Andre Bremer
    Dave Florey

    OCTOBER 2024 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Lawrence
    Sy Jacobs
    irritable
    Ian Pidd
    Andrew Hofer
    Jordan Gatenby
    Melissa Kuhns
    Ashley
    Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
    Kevin Marcelo
    Matt C
    Samantha Coates
    James
    Mark Nadasdi
    Jeff
    Dan Cutter
    Joseph Romero
    Ol Parker
    John Berry
    Danielle Kriz
    Clint McElroy
    Mordok’s Vape Pen
    Inmar Givoni
    Michael Singer
    Merv Adrian
    Joe Gallo
    Lauren Knotts
    Dave Kolas
    Henry Mindlin
    Monica St. Angelo
    Stephen Wolkwitz
    Suzanne
    Rand LeShay
    Max
    eric sp
    Matthew Jones
    Thomas
    Anthony Mentz
    James McMurry
    Ethan Laser
    Brian John Peter
    Chris Remo
    Matt Schoenthal
    Aaron Wilson
    Dent Earl
    Carlos Lerner
    Misty Haisfield
    Abraham Benrubi
    Chris Kotarba
    Callum Webb
    Lynda MacNeil
    Dick Morgan
    Ben Stein
    Susan Green
    Grettir Asmundarson
    Sean Murphy
    Randal Vegter
    Robert Granat
    dave malloy
    Alan Maass
    Nick Galloway
    Heather J
    john halpin
    Peter Harding
    David
    John Bauman
    Martín Salías
    Stu Baker
    Steve Martino
    Dr Arthur A Gray
    Carolina
    Gary Pierce
    Matt Baxter
    Luigi Boccia
    E Margaret Warton
    Charles McGee
    Catherine Clause
    Ethan Bauman
    KenIsWearingAHat
    Jordan Block
    Aaron Wade
    Jeff Ulm
    David Futter
    Jamie
    Deebs
    Portland Eye Care
    Richard Sneddon
    Janice Berry
    Doreen Carlson
    David McDarby
    Wendy Gilchrist
    Elliot Rosen
    Lisa Turner
    Paul Wayper
    Bruno Gaeta
    Kenneth Jung
    Zak Remer
    Rishi Sahay
    Jeffrey Bean
    Jason Reitman
    Ailie Fraser
    Rob Tsuk
    NATALIE MISTILIS
    Josh Singer
    Amy Lynn Thornsen
    Adam W
    Kelli Brockington
    Victoria Yu
    mino capossela
    Steve Paquin
    David Joske
    Bernard Khoo
    Robert Heuer
    David Noah
    Geraldine Butler
    Madeleine Mader
    Jason Pratt
    Abbie Berg
    Doug Belew
    Dermot Crowley
    Achint Srivastava
    Ryan Rairigh
    Michael Berman
    Linda Duffy
    Bonnie Prinsen
    Liz Seger
    Eoin de Burca
    Kevin Potter
    M Shane Borders
    Dallas Hockley
    Jason Gerry
    Nell Morse
    Nathan Gouwens
    Lauren Reay
    Eric Prestemon
    Cookies250
    Angela Livingstone
    Diane Hughes
    Michael Casner
    Lowell Meyer
    Stephen Tsoneff
    Joshua Hill
    Geoff Golden
    Pascal Rueger
    Randy Souza
    Clare Holberton
    Diane Turner
    Tom Coleman
    Dhu Wik
    Melmaniac
    Eric Helm
    Jonathan Daniels
    Caro Field
    Naomi Watson
    David Cushman
    Alexander
    Chris K
    Gavin Doig
    Sam Fenn
    Tanner Morton
    AJ Schuster
    Jennifer Bush
    David Stroud
    Brad Callahan
    Amanda Furlotti
    Andrew Baker
    Andrew Fair
    L.B. Morse
    Bill Thornton
    Brian Amoebas
    Brett Douville
    Jeffrey Olson
    Matt Betzel
    Nate from Kalamazoo
    Melanie Stivers
    Richard Toller
    Alexander Polson
    Justin McElroy
    Arjun Sharma
    James Johnson
    Kevin Morrell
    Colin Hodo

    18 October 2024, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 19 minutes
    Rediscovering Stevie Wonder, with Wesley Morris and Josh Gwynn

    Kirk talks with Wesley Morris and Josh Gwynn about the endless world of Stevie Wonder. Morris and Gwynn are host and producer, respectively, of the brilliant new six-part podcast series The Wonder of Stevie.

    Check out Josh Gwynn's terrific pop culture podcast Back Issue, Wesley Morris's culture podcast Still Processing, and Morris' essential writing on Aretha Franklin, Jam & Lewis, Meshell Ndegeocello, and his mustache, as well as his 2019 essay about Black American Music.

    REFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE:

    • "Wild Wild West" by Will Smith, Kool Moe Dee, Rub Fusari, and Stevie Wonder, 1999
    • "Straight, No Chaser" by Thelonious Monk, recorded 1967
    • Thelma Golden and Michelle Obama talking about listening to records as kids, from Episode 5 of The Wonder of Stevie

    Stevie Wonder Song Excerpts:

    • "Keep On Running" from Music of My Mind, 1972
    • "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" from Talking Book, 1972
    • "Jesus Children of America" from Innervisions, 1973
    • "Boogie On Reggae Woman" from Fulfillingness' First FInale, 1974
    • "I Wish," "Sir Duke," and "As," from Songs in the Key of Life, 1976
    • "Happy Birthday" from Hotter Than July, 1980

    ----LINKS-----

    SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Paypal | Patreon.com/Strongsongs

    MERCH STORE
    store.strongsongspodcast.com

    SOCIAL MEDIA
    IG: @Kirk_Hamilton | Threads: @Kirk_Hamilton

    NEWSLETTER
    newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

    JOIN THE DISCORD
    https://discord.gg/GCvKqAM8Sm

    STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    SHOW ART
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

    --------------------

    OCTOBER 2024 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Elizabeth Culver
    Meryl Allison
    Robyn Metcalfe
    Brian Templet
    Cesar
    Bob Tucker
    Corpus Frisky
    Ben Barron
    Catherine Warner
    Damon White
    Kaya Woodall
    Jay Swartz
    Rush
    Daniel Hannon-Barry
    Christopher Miller
    Jamie White
    Christopher McConnell
    David Mascetti
    Joe Laska
    Ken Hirsh
    Melanie Andrich
    Jenness Gardner
    Nathaniel Bauernfeind
    Paul Delaney
    Dave Sharpe
    Sami Samhuri
    Jeremy Dawson
    AccessViolation
    Andre Bremer
    Dave Florey

    OCTOBER 2024 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Lawrence
    Sy Jacobs
    irritable
    Ian Pidd
    Andrew Hofer
    Jordan Gatenby
    Melissa Kuhns
    Ashley
    Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
    Kevin Marcelo
    Matt C
    Samantha Coates
    James
    Mark Nadasdi
    Jeff
    Dan Cutter
    Joseph Romero
    Ol Parker
    John Berry
    Danielle Kriz
    Clint McElroy
    Mordok’s Vape Pen
    Inmar Givoni
    Michael Singer
    Merv Adrian
    Joe Gallo
    Lauren Knotts
    Dave Kolas
    Henry Mindlin
    Monica St. Angelo
    Stephen Wolkwitz
    Suzanne
    Rand LeShay
    Max
    eric sp
    Matthew Jones
    Thomas
    Anthony Mentz
    James McMurry
    Ethan Laser
    Brian John Peter
    Chris Remo
    Matt Schoenthal
    Aaron Wilson
    Dent Earl
    Carlos Lerner
    Misty Haisfield
    Abraham Benrubi
    Chris Kotarba
    Callum Webb
    Lynda MacNeil
    Dick Morgan
    Ben Stein
    Susan Green
    Grettir Asmundarson
    Sean Murphy
    Randal Vegter
    Robert Granat
    dave malloy
    Alan Maass
    Nick Galloway
    Heather J
    john halpin
    Peter Harding
    David
    John Bauman
    Martín Salías
    Stu Baker
    Steve Martino
    Dr Arthur A Gray
    Carolina
    Gary Pierce
    Matt Baxter
    Luigi Boccia
    E Margaret Warton
    Charles McGee
    Catherine Clause
    Ethan Bauman
    KenIsWearingAHat
    Jordan Block
    Aaron Wade
    Jeff Ulm
    David Futter
    Jamie
    Deebs
    Portland Eye Care
    Richard Sneddon
    Janice Berry
    Doreen Carlson
    David McDarby
    Wendy Gilchrist
    Elliot Rosen
    Lisa Turner
    Paul Wayper
    Bruno Gaeta
    Kenneth Jung
    Zak Remer
    Rishi Sahay
    Jeffrey Bean
    Jason Reitman
    Ailie Fraser
    Rob Tsuk
    NATALIE MISTILIS
    Josh Singer
    Amy Lynn Thornsen
    Adam W
    Kelli Brockington
    Victoria Yu
    mino capossela
    Steve Paquin
    David Joske
    Bernard Khoo
    Robert Heuer
    David Noah
    Geraldine Butler
    Madeleine Mader
    Jason Pratt
    Abbie Berg
    Doug Belew
    Dermot Crowley
    Achint Srivastava
    Ryan Rairigh
    Michael Berman
    Linda Duffy
    Bonnie Prinsen
    Liz Seger
    Eoin de Burca
    Kevin Potter
    M Shane Borders
    Dallas Hockley
    Jason Gerry
    Nell Morse
    Nathan Gouwens
    Lauren Reay
    Eric Prestemon
    Cookies250
    Angela Livingstone
    Diane Hughes
    Michael Casner
    Lowell Meyer
    Stephen Tsoneff
    Joshua Hill
    Geoff Golden
    Pascal Rueger
    Randy Souza
    Clare Holberton
    Diane Turner
    Tom Coleman
    Dhu Wik
    Melmaniac
    Eric Helm
    Jonathan Daniels
    Caro Field
    Naomi Watson
    David Cushman
    Alexander
    Chris K
    Gavin Doig
    Sam Fenn
    Tanner Morton
    AJ Schuster
    Jennifer Bush
    David Stroud
    Brad Callahan
    Amanda Furlotti
    Andrew Baker
    Andrew Fair
    L.B. Morse
    Bill Thornton
    Brian Amoebas
    Brett Douville
    Jeffrey Olson
    Matt Betzel
    Nate from Kalamazoo
    Melanie Stivers
    Richard Toller
    Alexander Polson
    Justin McElroy
    Arjun Sharma
    James Johnson
    Kevin Morrell
    Colin Hodo

    4 October 2024, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Stevie Wonder: Music of My Mind [The Wonder of Stevie]

    A cross-post of the first episode of "The Wonder of Stevie," a new six-part podcast series from Higher Ground and Pineapple Street Studios. It's a great show - find it on Apple, Amazon, Spotify... it's a podcast, you know the deal.

    Next week, we'll run a conversation between Kirk, host Wesley Morris, and producer Josh Gwynn all about what they learned making the show, and how they've come to think about Stevie and his music. In the meantime, check out some of Wesley Morris's  writing on Aretha Franklin, Jam & Lewis, Meshell Ndegeocello, and his mustache, as well as his essential 2019 essay about Black American Music.

    27 September 2024, 7:36 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire [Recast]

    Ba de ya! Say that you remember! Ba de ya! Dancing in September! Ba de yah! Musical analysiiiis!

    It's finally time for Strong Songs to take on one of the strongest bands of all, the great Earth, Wind & Fire. In honor of September 21, Kirk does a deep dive on EWF's timeless tribute to the end of summertime - those layered grooves, those funky bass parts, and those glossy, effortless vocals.

    Written by: Maurice White, Al McKay & Alee Willis
    Produced by: Maurice White

    Album: The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire Vol. 1, 1978

    Listen/Buy: Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

    FEATURED/DISCUSSED:

    • “Shining Star” and “Way of the World” by Earth, Wind & Fire from That’s The Way of the World, 1975
    • “Serpentine Fire” by Earth, Wind & Fire from All N’ All, 1977
    • “In The Stone” by EWF from I Am, 1979
    • “Easy Lover” by Phillip Bailey, Phil Collins and Nathan East, 1990
    • “Neutron Dance” by Alee Willis performed by the Pointer Sisters on Break Out, 1984
    • “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang, 1980
    • “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John and Bernie Taupin from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, 1973

    OUTRO SOLOIST: Erik Elligers

    Erik is a Connecticut-based multi-instrumentalist and music educator. He plays saxophone with the New London Big Band and sings and plays guitar for the fabulous band Goodnight Blue Moon - check them out, you won't regret it: https://www.goodnightbluemoon.com/

    ----LINKS-----

    RECAST RECOMMENDATION: "Disco Snails" by Vulfmon and Zachary Barker and "Hit The Target" by Theo Katzman feat. Eddie Barbash from Dot, 2024

    SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
    Paypal | Patreon.com/Strongsongs

    MERCH STORE
    store.strongsongspodcast.com

    SOCIAL MEDIA
    IG: @Kirk_Hamilton | Threads: @Kirk_Hamilton

    NEWSLETTER
    newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

    JOIN THE DISCORD
    https://discord.gg/GCvKqAM8Sm

    STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS
    Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

    SHOW ART
    Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

    --------------------

    SEPTEMBER 2024 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

    Meryl Allison
    Robyn Metcalfe
    Brian Templet
    Cesar
    Bob Tucker
    Corpus Frisky
    Ben Barron
    Catherine Warner
    Damon White
    Kaya Woodall
    Jay Swartz
    Miriam Joy
    Rush
    Daniel Hannon-Barry
    Christopher Miller
    Jamie White
    Christopher McConnell
    David Mascetti
    Joe Laska
    Ken Hirsh
    Melanie Andrich
    Jenness Gardner
    Nathaniel Bauernfeind
    Paul Delaney
    Dave Sharpe
    Sami Samhuri
    Jeremy Dawson
    AccessViolation
    Andre Bremer
    Dave Florey

    SEPTEMBER 2024 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

    Lawrence
    Sy Jacobs
    irritable
    Ian Pidd
    Andrew Hofer
    Jordan Gatenby
    Melissa Kuhns
    Ashley
    Seattle Trans & Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
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    20 September 2024, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    Behind the Scenes of Strong Songs [Gig Gab]

    Back in August, Kirk went on Dave Hamilton's music podcast "Gig Gab" to talk about music, Strong Songs, podcasting, and life. It was a fun conversation, and seemed worth republishing here.

    You can find the full show notes here, watch a video version here, and can check out Gig Gab at giggabpodcast.com or anywhere you get podcasts.

    13 September 2024, 4:00 am
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