Michael's Record Collection

Episode 96: Great Second Singles with the Great Song Podcast

J.P. Moser and Rob Alley of the excellent Great Song Podcast joined me this week to explore a unique topic. The three of us all selected five songs that were the second singles released from their respective albums that we loved more than that record's first single. The caveat to the topic was that us liking that first single was a requirement. This turned out to be a lot of fun and I think we got a nice mixture of different kinds of songs. Check out our picks and let me know what your favorite second singles are! The guys also talked about how they got started doing their show and tell listeners a little bit about it. You can find J.P. and rob at their regular haunt at greatsongpodcast.com or on any major podcast platform.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 95: Robin McAuley Returns with New Solo Album, ”Alive”

Robin McAuley returns to Michael's Record Collection to talk about his new solo album, Alive, which is not a live album, but a studio release that drops on Feb. 17. The album rocks, has plenty of crunch and power, but it's also melodic as hell and Robin's sings the songs incredibly well. In addition to the making of the record, he spoke about what else he's been up to, what he has planned (including some live shows!), and much more. To find out more about Robin, check out his website at http://www.robinmcauley.com/ and (if you missed it), listen to Episode 56 of this show to catch his first appearance, in which he provides a lot more of his background and talks about Black Swan's Generation Mind album.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 94: Todd Kerns Talks Heroes and Monsters

Canadian bassist and vocalist Todd Kerns (Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators) stopped by to talk about his new band, Heroes and Monsters! The trio consists of Kerns, guitarist Stef Burns (Huey Lewis & the News, Sheila E., Berlin, Alice Cooper, Y&T, etc.), and drummer Will Hunt (Evanescence, Dark New Day, Black Label Society, Staind, Slaughter, etc.). Their self-titled debut album drops Jan. 20 and features 10 tracks of excellent and varied hard rock. Heroes and Monsters makes quite an opening statement with this record and I got a little of the background on the project from Todd, who also discussed his musical influences, but we also devolved a bit into a discussion of KISS, a band we're both passionate about (Todd has played with Bruce Kulick's band on the KISS Kruise in recent years). Find out more about Todd's work at ToddKerns.com.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 93: Galahad Discusses The Last Great Adventurer Album

It's a super-sized episode of Michael's Record Collection this week as I had the pleasure of speaking with Galahad vocalist Stuart Nicholson and keyboard player Dean Baker. The two musicians were generous with their time in telling me about their latest release, The Last Great Adventurer, which came out in late October of 2022. The two went deep into their songwriting process and some of the stories behind the songs, discussed their musical backgrounds and beginnings, and more. To find out more about the band, check out their website at galahadonline.com.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

 

Episode 92: Best Music of 2022

This week, it's just me, as I go over my favorite records from the calendar year that just ended. My best of 2022 episode features several categories of albums, my top tracks, and a good-sized list of honorable mentions. Feel free to let me know what albums I might have missed, as the year isn't long enough to get to everything!

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 91: Nevena Discusses Self-Titled Debut Album

Nevena Dordevic is a talented pianist and vocalist from Serbia who now lives in Boston. She's teamed up with Lithuanian-born Swedish vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Michael Palace to record her self-titled debut album, Nevena, on Frontiers Music, which dropped on Dec. 9. It's an outstanding melodic rock album with lots of pop sensibility and hooks for days. It's one of my favorite discoveries of 2022 and I couldn't wait to talk to Nevena to hear the stories behind her musical background and this new album. She talked about her early influences, her time becoming a finalist on First Voice of Serbia, why she left Serbia to attend the Berklee College of Music, the music school she founded (Monody), and much more. You can learn more about Nevena's music at https://www.nevenamusic.com/ or follow her on Instagram or Facebook. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 90: Rob Moratti - Epical

Solo artist Rob Moratti has just released his fifth studio album and it's a wonderul melodic rock album that calls back to the great 1980s albums by bands like Journey, Toto, and Survivor, but without sounding as if it was recorded in that era. Rob was briefly Michael Sadler's replacement in Saga for the band's 2009 album, The Human Condition. I spoke to Rob about his musical background, how he got involved with Saga, and about his great new solo record that is one of my favorite melodic rock releases of 2022. Find out more about Rob's work at RobMoratti.net. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 89: Best Morning Wakeup Songs

This week, I've enlisted the help of fellow music lovers Dave Zalatoris (from the Beer in Front Podcast) and Jon Lamoreaux (from The Hustle Podcast) to discuss our favorite morning wakeup songs. We each brought five songs to the table that get us going one way or another in the morning, whether that's a fast-paced track that gets the blood pumping or a beautifully arranged song that awakens us spiritually and helps us face the day. We've crafted three very different lists and even mention some of our honorable mentions as well. Here's a handy list, in case you want to check them out:

Michael - 1. ELO - Mr. Blue Sky, 2. Queen - Headlong, 3. Iron Maiden - The Trooper, 4. Rush - The Spirit of Radio, 5. R.E.M. - The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite.

Dave - 1. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Let the Day Begin, 2. The Killers - All These Things That I've Done, 3. The Darkness - I Believe in a Thing Called Love, 4. Stevie Wonder - Superstition, 5. Frank Turner - Get Better.

Jon - 1. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Awake, 2. James - Born of Frustration, 3. The Moody Blues - Your Wildest Dreams, 4. UB40 - Breakfast in Bed (feat. Chrissie Hynde), 5. Cat Stevens - Morning Has Broken.

There are two honorable mentions each as well. I hope you enjoy this discussion as much as we did!

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 88: Remembering Fleetwood Mac Legend Christine McVie

The sad news of Christine McVie's passing hit me like a punch to the gut on Nov. 30, and I felt like it was important to talk about her place in the iconic band Fleetwood Mac. Although it seems like Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham grab all the headlines, Christine was the connective tissue, playing well off both and happy to serve both the band and the music without needing all of the attention. I enlisted the help of friend Brian Colburn from the Playlist Wars podcast (also a fine solo artist and leader of his own band, Colburn & Co.) to help me process Christine's passing and celebrate her legacy of excellent music. You can find out more about Brian's work at BrianColburn.com.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 87: John Galgano of IZZ Discusses ”I Move”

New York progressive rockers IZZ just released their 20th anniversary remastered edition of their 2002 classic I Move, with 70+ minutes of bonus material on a second disc, but the sonic improvement on the new remaster of the proper album alone is worth buying this excellent modern masterpiece again. John talked a little about the remastering and where the new material came from, the band's origins, his musical background, the period of time that led to the making of I Move, and much more. For more information about the band check out their Bandcamp or their official website, izzmusic.com. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.