Highway Hi-Fi Podcast

From 1917 to 1932 a record label in Grafton, Wisconsin may have captured more important American recordings than any other label or person before or since. Not a single one of those recordings feature the accordion or performers wearing lederhosen. Episode 30 of Highway Hi-Fi focuses on Paramount Records, a chair manufacturing company, and blues recording giant. Further reading: THE BALLAD OF GEESHIE AND ELVIE from New York Times Magazine: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/04/13/magazine/blues.html Paramount Records: The Label Inadvertently Crucial To The Blues http://wlrn.org/post/paramount-records-label-inadvertently-crucial-blues New York Times: They’ve Got Those Old, Hard-to-Find Blues https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/arts/music/12petr.html Jack White Rescues Paramount Records [video from CBS This Morning] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmVMzDqAMZI   Subscribe to Highway Hi-Fi: iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn | PocketCasts | Overcast | Google Play  Twitter | Facebook | Spotify    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we talk about growing up with the king of the Children’s Music Industry, Peter Pan Records. The weird childhood records that still haunt our memories.  We continue with weird by having a quiz about how Prince spells song titles. Also, what's a Peanut Duck and how is it sweeping the nation?   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if we were to tell you that there was a single man, who you may have never heard of, who co-wrote Sgt. Pepper with the Beatles? Was responsible for Dylan going electric? Pushed Brian Wilson over the edge? Borrowed Frank Sinatra’s Lear Jet? Let down his childhood idol Elvis Presley? Had Thanksgiving with The Band at Big Pink? Conjured a curse that leads several of the world’s brightest musicians to early deaths? And was assassinated just as he was about to reveal the truth about the most famous cover-up in rock and roll history? Today, the fantastic and tragic tale of rock n roll’s greatest conspiracy victim, Mal Evans. A simple man who just happened to be around rock’s biggest stars and ultimately fell into the buzzsaw that was Paul McCartney’s vengeance. Also, songs and trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this, the most special of episodes, Ryan & Joe tackle a subject that is near and dear to their hearts: the music of Leonard Nimoy.  Leonard Nimoy produced 5 albums over 3 years and these have, for the most part, fallen by the wayside. They're actually pretty good. Ryan & Joe go through how they happened and what could have been. Also, songs & trivia! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A perfect episode for those of you feeling stuck inside of a creative rut. Today, Ryan & Joe learn to "be less critical more often" as they cover the nebulous advice practice that is Eno's Oblique Strategies Cards. Hear stories of artists who "discard an axiom" and either loved or lamented these innovative and ambiguous creativity aphorisms. Most notably, Phil Collins petulantly throwing beer cans.  So remember: Do we need holes?Trust in the you of now.Slow preparation, fast execution.Use an unacceptable color. Plus trivia and four songs featuring hobos, fevers, underwater soul singers, and Bay City Roller fanboy imposters.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when recording artists are legally required to make albums? Well, how about: a horrible dance craze called The Screw, an hour of feedback loops (more if you count locked grooves), the meanest divorce settlement album of all time, robot Neil Young, Major Tom's triumphant return, songs about Danishes, and names that can't be pronounced. This week Ryan & Joe explore the wacky, bitter world of contractual obligation albums. Also, four super songs for super people. And trivia backwards and forwards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan and Joe get all unauthorized and talk about the wild, seedy 'other' music industry: Bootleg Records.  From Bob Dylan's alleged motorcycle accident through home taping's destruction of the music industry - and beyond. Hear about the rise and fall and rise again of illegal records and the mysterious people who risked getting brained by mafia goons to make a lousy $35 so some hippie could have a recording of a show he got high at. And, for even more of your listening pleasure, 4 songs you can't live without and trivia that, honestly, you could probably live without. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Record Store Day Bonus Episode! In this episode, Ryan and Joe ramble on (and on) with Chris Brown of Bull Moose, the inventor of Record Store Day. Chris recounts the rise of RSD, where it's headed, and gives an insider perspective on record store coalitions.   The three talk about some of their favorite releases past and present.   Questions answered in this episode: Who is the Caretaker? Which Harry Nillson reissue is arguably the greatest release ever for Record Store Day? Who is considered the Leonardo DaVinci of record etching?   Huge thanks to Chris for his expertise, openness, and willing to participate in impossible trivia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In preparation for Record Store Day on April 21st, Ryan and Joe walk through the history of RSD. How did one email become the genesis of the biggest record buying day in the world?  As always, Trivia and songs you need to hear. Stay tuned for a bonus episode featuring an interview with Record Store Day Birther: Chris Brown!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan & Joe break down the history of the song "The House of the Rising Sun": how old is the song? Where did it come from? Is there a real House and, if so, where the heck is it? Has Eric Burdon ever not been a jerk? As always: Trivia and songs we want to stick in your craw.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices