Michael's Record Collection

Episode 37: Dec Burke - Life in Two Dimensions

Irish-born progressive rocker Dec Burke is known for his time in Frost* and his former band Darwin's Radio. But he's a talented and respected solo artist as well, and he just released his fourth album, Life in Two Dimensions, in late September. It's chock full of guitar heroics, with a modern sound and production, but it retains Dec's melodic sensibilities, which he places first and foremost. Dec was kind enough to take a deep dive into the album with me and also talked about his influences, how he consumes music, why he changed from keyboards to guitar as his instrument of choice, working with Frost*, and more.

You can find out more about Dec Burke on his Facebook page.  

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 will 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.

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 us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 36: Talking Rush - Signals with Something for Nothing Rush Fancast

Steve and Gerry host the excellent Rush-centric podcast Something for Nothing: A Rush Fancast each week, informing and entertaining fans of the band Rush and converting new ones. I had them on to not only tell us about their show and how they got started, but also to talk about my favorite Rush album, Signals! In the first part of the show we talk about Something for Nothing, its origins, and how Steve and Gerry became the huge Rush fans they are. Then we get into the 1982 album Signals and have a track-by-track discussion on why this is a special record. I had a blast talking Rush with two of the best Rush talkers out there.

You can find Something for Nothing: A Rush Fancast on all the major podcast platforms, and you can find them on Twitter and on Instagram. 

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 will 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.

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 us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 35: Rachel Flowers - Bigger on the Inside

Sometimes interviews are more of a treat than expected and this was the case when I got to talk to multi-instrumentalist and composer Rachel Flowers. You might know Rachel from the documentary Hearing is Believing, which chronicles her life. Born 15 weeks premature, Rachel lost her vision as a newborn. However, her parents quickly discovered that she had an incredible ear for music. Rachel started taking classical piano lessons at age four, was learning jazz at age nine and went on to some acclaim on YouTube for her performances of complex Emerson, Lake & Palmer songs. She just released her third studio album entitled Bigger on the Inside. Part jazz, part progressive rock, with classical, pop, and rock elements all mixed together, this album is a major achievement for Flowers. Her mom, Jeanie, also a musician, sat in on the interview and helped provide some insight as well.

To find out more about Rachel, please visit her website.

Order Rachel's music on Bandcamp.

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 will 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.

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 us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 34: Chantel McGregor - Shed Sessions

For this episode, I had a great chat with UK singer/songwriter Chantel McGregor about her two summer 2021 releases, Shed Sessions Volume One and Shed Sessions Volume Two. This chat was fun despite the fact that: 1) I forgot my notes at the office and had to wing the interview from memory, and 2) There was a bit of background white noise emanating from something on Chantel's end that I couldn't eliminate in editing. It was worse before we started recording, so we managed to make it listenable but it isn't up to the quality standard I'd like. Regardless, it was fun learning about Chantel's two new (mostly) cover albums, the unexpected arrangements and songs, and the unusual way she recorded her vocals at home. I hope you enjoy it.

To learn more about Chantel McGregor and buy her music, check out her website.

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 will 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.

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 us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 33: Gil Moore of Triumph - Rock and Roll Machine Documentary

I'm extremely excited about this episode because I got to talk to Triumph drummer and co-lead vocalist Gil Moore. The band hasn't released a new album since 1992, but it's still a busy time for the legendary Canadian power trio. Triumph was recently inducted into the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame and, just a few weeks ago, a brand new documentary about the band premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. I spoke with Gil about the new documentary (Triumph: Rock and Roll Machine), the Heavy Metal Hall induction, and the recent Allied Forces 40th Anniversary release. We also spoke about the band's history, music, and songwriting, and the projects coming up that Triumph fans will want to know about.

To keep up on the latest Triumph news, check out their website and follow them on Twitter.

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 will 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.

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 here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 32: John Young of Lifesigns - Altitude

Progressive rockers Lifesigns have released their third studio album with Altitude, and it might be the band's best release yet. It should appeal to most prog rock fans who grew up listening to the masters of the genre, or really any fan of melodic rock music. John Young is the vocalist and keyboard player in the band and he writes the songs. John is a gifted and versatile musician who plays in Bonnie Tyler's band and has worked with Asia and the Scorpions as well. He was kind enough to talk to me about the new album, his interesting songwriting process, his background, his bandmates, and much more. I hope you enjoy hearing about this excellent 2021 album.

To learn more about Lifesigns and their music, visit the band's website.

Become a Patreon supporter starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 31: Nektar - New Live Release ”Sounds Like Swiss”

Bassist Derek "Mo" Moore and guitarist Ryche Chlanda of legendary progressive rock giants Nektar took time out to talk to me about their new live release, ...Sounds Like Swiss. The title is a play on their 1973 release ...Sounds Like This and this new three-disc (2-CD/DVD) set captures the band at the height of their powers in 1973. The DVD features a live appearance on Swiss TV while the CDs contain both that live performance and another show from 1973 in Switzerland. The guys told me why they love releasing live albums, their approach to recording, the cool stuff they've got going on during their tour, and a lot more. This release gives Nektar fans another chance to see and hear the late, great Roye Albrighton, who passed in 2016.

Find out more about Nektar at their official website.

Become a Patreon supporter starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 30: Mike Connell of The Connells - Steadman‘s Wake

Guitarist Mike Connell and his brother David formed a band in 1984. The band that bears their name, The Connells, is set to release its ninth studio album, and the first one in 20 years! I spoke with Mike about this excellent new record, Steadman's Wake, some of the songs on The Connells' most well-known release, "Ring" (1993), and more. It was great talking with Mike and I can't wait until you hear this record.

Find out more about Steadman's Wake and The Connells at their website and purchase the album on LP, CD, or digital.

Become a Patreon supporter starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 29: Nathan James of Inglorious - Heroine

England's Inglorious is one of the best hard rock bands in the business today and their 2021 album We Will Ride will be on a lot of "best of 2021" lists at the end of the year. But the band has just released its second album of the calendar year and it has a bit of a twist to it. Heroine is an album of cover songs with Inglorious performing tracks by women who have been an inspiration musically and/or vocally. Lead singer Nathan James joined me to tell me about this incredible album and how the band turned pop songs by the likes of Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, Avril Lavigne, and Miley Cyrus into hard rock tracks. The band also covered more obvious choices like Heart's "Barracuda" and Joan Jett's "I Hate Myself for Loving You." Nathan was a blast to talk to and I enjoyed going through the album with him.

You can find out more about Inglorious and order Heroine at their website.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show for as little as $2 per month at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 28: Billy Livesay - Not What I Bargained For

Former Clarence Clemons guitarist Billy Livesay (pronounced "leh-vuh-see") is my guest for this episode and his band, The Livesays, have a great new album out called Not What I Bargained For. This should appeal to fans of Bruce Springsteen or Americana bands. Billy was kind enough to talk to me about the making of the new album (which just came out), working with Clarence, his influences as both a guitarist and a vocalist, and a whole lot more. I hope you enjoy this interview and I hope Billy will forgive me for referring to his excellent album opener "Two Sides" as "Both Sides" several times during this interview. 

For more information on The Livesays or to order the album, check out their website.

For information on Billy Livesay, check out his website.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show for as little as $2 per month at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.