Mick and the PhatMan Talking Music

Well, this is the last episode of Season 4, and once again, it’s been a ball of fun (and music). 4 years and still going strong – bigger and better than ever!  We look back at “Knockin’ on Heaven's Door” and "Rock News", as well as some of our favourite episodes.  We recall some of the albums we’ve listened to (before we die), some of the shows we’ve seen, some of the books we’ve bo...

Everyone knows and loves Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their run of hits at the end of the '60’s, and their enduring popularity, has rarely been equaled. Not so well-known is the story of the clashes that caused their run to end so abruptly. We take a look at how the band split and the many personal and legal issues that led to it.  It ain’t pretty!  Well, we also kept our promise and listene...

The 80's is a decade with many musical failings.  But they produced some great music, too. This episode, we look at what Rolling Stone magazine considers to be the best songs of the 80’s.  We have criticised Rolling Stone in the past for the quality of their lists, and this time is no different.  However, there’s some good stuff in this list, which we’re happy to acknowledge.  Of course, we p...

This episode spends time with Nick Lowe, a British performer, who started out with pub rock band, Brinsley Schwarz, and Dave Edmunds’ Rockpile. Lowe’s solo career has produced a huge bunch of great songs – many of which you’ve heard, even if you’ve not heard of him - which have been hits for him AND covered by some amazing people! A suggestion from listener Nick from Victoria, this episode was the...

David Bowie’s “Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)” is, for many fans, his last great album.  Mick regards it as one of Bowie’s best, while “Ashes to Ashes” is Bowie's confession to a decade of hedonism.  Mick and Jeff talk through what makes this album great, and look at the music environment as Bowie, along with many other 70’s greats, faced the changes in a new decade.    “Knockin’ on Heaven...

As we grew up, music was the most important thing there was.  As part of that, we bought some albums that weren’t great, and time has generally proven our assessments right! This episode, we talk about some of those "dud" albums, by artists like Bowie, U2, Led Zeppelin, Golden Earring, Neil Young, Alice Cooper, Phil Collins and Yes, to name but a few.  In Rock News, we talk about a Filip...

In today’s episode, we look at how social media gives us a grab-bag of people’s memories of stars and some who weren’t quite so successful, or scarcely successful at all.  Nonetheless, they are remembered by some and lionised on social media.  The other side of "on-line" is the channels that present video imagery of any and everything, such as YouTube, TikTok and so on.  Jeff presents a...

All bands need a name, but the process of getting that name is different for each band. This episode, we look at how a bunch of well-known bands got their names.  Some are amusing, some are horrifying, some are dark or seedy – be ready for surprises!  Our “album you must listen to before you die” is Arc of a Diver , by Stevie Winwood (1980).  This was a formative album during our youth, and with t...

It’s not unusual for bands to change their sound or style as they move through their career.  We take a look at bands that changed their sound substantially (or started a completely new sound) for a whole lot of reasons - from The Beatles, Bowie and Dylan and Black Sabbath through to Japan, The Cure and Split Enz.    Our album you must hear before you die is Let it Bleed by The Rolling Stones. Fro...

Nick Cave.  After a career that would exhaust a lesser man, he’s still recording and performing breathtaking work.  Mick’s just seen him live with only his piano, and a bass guitar, and can’t stop raving! We look at how he started and the difference between his performances and attitudes then and now.      In other news, Lenny Kravitz is still sticking to his vow of celibacy, The Police’s Andy Sum...

Musicians love to collaborate. We thought we'd have a look at some that are just great, some that are weird, and some that are simply awful! As usual, some you'll know, and some you won’t.   Our “Album You Must Hear Before You Die” is Pet Sounds , by The Beach Boys (1966). Long revered by musicians including The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, this album is a masterpiece of production an...

 Jethro Tull is one of the stranger turns taken by rock music over more than 50 years. Mick and Jeff look back at some of the band’s best work, and, maybe, some of their strangest.  The “Album You Must Hear Before You Die” is Queen II, a sensational album released the year before Queen took over the world!  Both Mick & Jeff love it!  Jeff takes a look at what AI is doing to music.  We’re not w...

This week, something a little different for you – our first live interview!  Jarrah McCleary is an Australian musician - writer, songwriter & producer - whose music, a mix of synth-heavy sounds and beats to smooth electronica, is sometimes evocative of a smoky Fifties restaurant, and at other times, the coolest nightclubs.   Starting out in Western Australia around 20 years ago, Jarrah has tou...

This episode looks at Johnny Cash’s “ The American Recordings ” , a series of 6 albums released on American Records between 1994 and 2010.  By 1994, when he signed to Rick Rubin’s American Records, it looked like Cash’s career was all but done. However, Rubin had other ideas and, over the next 10 years, worked with Cash to produce some of the most memorable work of his career.  Part of this proces...

“Songs for Drella”, Lou Reed & John Cale’s marvelous 1990 posthumous tribute to Andy Warhol, offers an intensely personal view of Warhol with songs and playing that rank among the finest in either man’s career. Their first collaboration since The Velvet Underground, nearly 20 years earlier, led to both artists vowing never to work with the other again.  Our "must-listen" album today...

We all know that rock and pop stars live in a different universe to us mere mortals.  Many make strange demands for things that must be provided before they’ll perform a show.    Today, we look at stars’ demands – whether extreme or reasonable, or blindingly hilarious!  You won’t believe some of them.      In Jeff's Rock News, Keith Richards has covered Lou Reed’s, “Waiting for the Man”, U2 h...

Bob Mould is the founding member of Husker Du, one of the most influential guitar bands of the 80’s.  Husker Du’s wall-of-sound guitar approach was as influential as REM in creating alternative rock, and created an environment which allowed Nirvana, The Pixies and The Foo Fighters to succeed.  In the early-90's, Sugar , Bob’s next band, built on that with a thrash/melodic collection of songs,...

Have you ever NOT bought an album based on a poor review?  You’re not the only one!  Would it shock you to learn that the critics likely know less than you about music?    This episode, we look at how often (supposed) expert critics got it so wrong with some of the best albums of our time.  Victims of such poor efforts include Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, AC/DC and The Beatles!    We als...

This week, we talk about successful artists who blew it all with dumb decisions.  Youth, fame and amazing amounts of money – what could go wrong?    Our “Album You Must Hear Before You Die” is the wonderful Aladdin Sane, by David Bowie. The cover artwork, featuring a lightning bolt across his face is one of the best-known images in rock, while the album marks Bowie’s tougher, heavier attempt to co...

Rolling Stone just released “The 250 Greatest Guitarists of all Time”.  Naturally, we take issue with the list, who's on it, who’s been left out, the balance, and everything else!  We’re back for another season of opinionated comment on all things from the golden era of rock’n’roll.  Hold on & enjoy the ride!    References: Rolling Stone’s “250 Greatest Guitarists”, Globite School Case, D...

We looked at some exceptional music this year, and Jeff inflicted some real crap on our listeners.  Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Lou Reed, Ed Kuepper and Hallelujah – and that barely scratches the surface.  And we got a new Globite School Case!    And, in case you were wondering, we'll be back on Sunday 28 Jan 2024.  Subscribe and get an automatic reminder!  Books: The Number Ones – Tom Brei...

We look at songs from a few of the major protest movements in our lifetime – racism, Vietnam, Ireland, Margaret Thatcher!  From Woody Guthrie, through Springsteen and Dylan, to racism and Vietnam and the UK's  Margaret Thatcher, to present-day Australia, we look at some of the great protest songs.  Some of the stories behind those songs will take your breath away.    Our “Album You Must Hear...

Matthew Sweet, an American guitarist, has had a criminally understated career, marked by a sensational solo album, “Girlfriend”, three terrific albums with Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles, “Under the Covers” (Vols 1, 2 and 3) and some very tasty soundtrack work, including the Austin Powers movies. In 2014, he also appeared as Apu’s singing voice in an episode of The Simpsons.     Our “Album you Mus...

REM is often viewed by casual listeners as a lighter-style rock band.  This is deceptive, with the band offering complex songs with obscure lyrics, brilliant playing, covers, and an incredible refusal to compromise.  Mick and Jeff talk through REM's development from their rock cliche start – the singer, Michael Stipe, met guitarist Peter Buck in the record shop where Buck worked - to their be...

Cover versions – always fascinating!!  Occasionally, an artist will cover an obscure song, or a deep cut by another artist and make it their own.  But what about when the song has ALREADY been a hit?  Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn’t; sometimes it ends up in court! This episode, we’re looking at examples of all three.   Our “Album You Must Hear Before You Die” is, believe it or not, “ And...