The David Bowie Variations – with Mike Garson [Exclusive interview and Full Concert](2 of 4) [Listen: 1:03:13 minutes] – Saying YES to going on the road.
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S02 Ep03 (part 2 of 4) - Saying YES to the question of going back on the road again
Interview Date: December 2, 2011 @2pm EDT
Special Guest: Mike Garson is an improvisational and multi-genre piano icon who is one of the most respected and sought after rock sidemen in the industry. In addition to his side work he has also had a successful solo career in both the classical and jazz worlds as well as worked with some of the most impressive people in music. But the thing Garson is most known for is the work he has done with David Bowie. Having worked with Bowie since his North American Ziggy Stardust tour back in 1972, the amazing stories and insights into Bowie's output helps to add a depth into Bowie’s art that few, if any, could touch. Through the years, Garson has helped shape some of Bowie’s most notable songs and albums including; Aladdin Sane, Pin Ups, David Live, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans, Black Tie White Noise, Outside, Buddha of Suburbia, Earthing, Hours, Heathen, and Reality. I met up with Garson when he played live at the Detroit Institute of Arts on December 2 2011 during his “Bowie Variations tour” promoting his new album. In this podcast, Garson and I talk about his new album “Bowie Variations,” his reason behind the songs he chose, the Aladdin Sane, and Battle for Britain solo and we get into the genius of David Bowie. In this podcast, Garson and I talk about being micromanaged in the studio, the songs "Bring me the Disco King" and "Time", the albums Young Americans, and Reality, the turmoil in and around the Diamond Dogs tour, and even the latest on David Bowie (aka Davy Jones). P.S. Stay tuned, there could be some news about Bowie coming out with new album in 2012!!!
DAVID BOWIE'S TOP ALBUMS OF ALL TIME!
If you haven’t done so already, please take your protein pill and put your helmet on; we will be commencing countdown and turning the engines on in just a few minutes . . .
I hope you enjoyed last week’s podcast and our Bowie countdown. This week we are starting off at Ground control itself by counting down David Bowie’s Top albums of all time. The planet is still blue but there is something you can do and that is send me a message below in the comments (yeah, that’s right I’m the “Action Man” giving you the junk that makes you happy). Tell me what you think. Do you agree with the list, and how would you rate them differently? Do it or I’ll send my little green wheels after you. Here we go . . .
Number 10: Heathen
Heathen – A dark horse in more than one way. This album started off as a failed throw-back album titled “Toy”
Bowie Variations – the Full Concert and Exclusive Interview with Mike Garson (Part 1 of 4) [Listen: 34:27](S02Ep03)
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S02 Ep03 (part 1 of 4) - Doing the smaller budget thing with Mike Garson
Interview Date: December 2, 2011 @2pm EDT
Special Guest: Mike Garson is an 
improvisational and multi-genre piano icon who is one of the most respected and sought after rock sidemen in the industry. In addition to his side work he has also had a successful solo career in both the classical and jazz worlds as well as worked with some of the most impressive people in music. But the thing Garson is most known for is the work he has done with David Bowie. Having worked with Bowie since his North American Ziggy Stardust tour back in 1972, the amazing stories and insights into Bowie's output helps to add a depth into Bowie’s art that few, if any, could touch. Through the years, Garson has helped shape some of Bowie’s most notable songs and albums including; Aladdin Sane, Pin Ups, David Live, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans, Black Tie White Noise, Outside, Buddha of Suburbia, Earthing, Hours, Heathen, and Reality. I met up with Garson when he played live at the Detroit Institute of Arts on December 2 2011 during his “Bowie Variations tour” promoting his new album. In this podcast, Garson and I talk about his new album “Bowie Variations,” his reason behind the songs he chose, the Aladdin Sane, and Battle for Britain solo and we get into the genius of David Bowie.
The David Bowie Countdown:
(to the “Top Fifteen Bowie Albums of All Time”)
Where is David Bowie? A question every fan has been asking and very few know the answer to. Some are saying he has retired for good because of his heart, others are saying there's a rumour that he is in Berlin recording another album . . . just keep looking.
Interviews with Daevid Allen and Malcolm Mortimore [Listen: 22:37 min] “Peeling the paint” Gentle Giant (audio) plus GonG (written)
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S02 Ep02 Peeling the Paint with Malcolm Mortimore (Part 2 of 2)
Interview Date: November 29, 2011 @3:30pm EDT
TWO Special Guests this week: Written (Part 2 of 4): Daevid Allen(founding member of GonG) and Audio(Part 2 of 2): Malcolm Mortimore (of Gentle Giant).
Malcolm Mortimore is the drummer on the album "Three Friends" by Gentle Giant. He has gone on to play with some of the top players in the world such as; Van Morrison, Tina Turner, Mick and Chris Jagger, Tom Jones, Oliver Jones, and many more. In this interview Malcolm and I talk about going on tour through Europe with Sabbath and Jethro Tull, The album “Three Friends,” what it’s like being a session man ; working for people like Mick Jagger on his new album, and life after Gentle Giant.
Daevid Allen was a member of Soft Machine, GonG, and uN1vER5itY of 3rroR5. Our interview was a written one where I emailed him and he emailed me back the responses. I'm a big fan of his, so it was a thrill for me to have had the opportunity to ask him these questions. To be honest, his answers both surprised me and thrilled me. In my opinion, the GonG concepts were both intelligent and sound in their thinking, and forced me to reexamine my understanding of those classic albums and his work as a whole. I have broken up the interview to coincide with my two Gentle Giant guests Malcolm Mortimore and Derek Shulman. I hope you enjoy it.
Interviews w/ Malcolm Mortimore and Daevid Allen [Listen 23:08 S02 Ep2] ProG-Rock Special!! GonG (written) / Pulling off the whole composition with Malcolm Mortimore (audio)
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Pulling off the whole composition with Malcolm Mortimore - S02 Ep02 (part1 of 2)
Interview Date: November 29, 2011 @3:30pm EDT
TWO Special Guests this week: Written: Daevid Allen
(founding member of GonG) and Audio: Malcolm Mortimore (of Gentle Giant). Malcolm Mortimore is the drummer on the album "Three Friends" by Gentle Giant. He has gone on to play with some of the top players in the world; people like; Van Morrison, Tina Turner, Mick and Chris Jagger, Tom Jones, Oliver Jones, and many more. In this interview Malcolm and I talk about what Prog-Rock is, the Gentle Giant fans, what it was like back in the day and the new reincarnated band Three Friends.
I am also really excited about or written interview with Daevid Allen of Soft Machine, GonG, and uN1vER5itY of 3rroR5. The questions were sent to him and I received his replies. I'm a big fan of his, so this is a thrill for me to have had the opportunity to ask him these questions. I have broken up the interview to coincide with my two Gentle Giant guests Malcolm Mortimore and Derek Shulman. I hope you enjoy it.
Lastly, before we get too far into it I thought I should say a word or two about my "Prog-Rock Special"(Progressive Rock). I am at a little bit of a loss as to what to do about my use of the sometimes limiting label of Prog-Rock. You see, there seems to be a real negative association with this sub-genre called "Prog-Rock." I both understand why my guests might