Season seven kicks off with thrilling announcements, including early access for patrons and an enticing promotional offer. A new music listening club launches on Discord, inviting listeners to connect and share their love for music. Join the excitement and get involved as the community grows!

In between seasons, Kirk re-ran a bunch of old episodes and prefaced each one with a new music recommendation. He's taking those down recasts in preparation for season seven, but it seemed like a good idea to put all the music recommendations in one place. So that's what this episode is!DISCUSSED AND RECOMMENDED:"The Meadow" by Nickel Creek from Celebrants, 2023"Chip Monkey" by Kick the Cat from Weirdo, 2002"Fade to Black" by Howard Levy and Chris Siebold from Art + Adrenaline, 2018"Disco Snails" and "Hit the Target" by Vulfmon and Theo Katz from Dot, 2024Various tracks from Delicious in Dungeon, composed by Yasunori Mitsuda and Shunsuke Tsuchiya"Party" by Ryokushoku Shakai from Party! EP, 2024Sumika - "Unmei" from Unmei EP, 2024"Duck Ankles" by David Sanborn from Taking Off, 1975"Young Americans' by David Bowie (feat. Sanborn) from Young Americans, 1975"The Night Owl" by Anat Cohen from Quartetinho: Bloom, 2024"Stranded" by Sierra Hull from Weighted Mind, 2016"Samba Party" and "Drop D" by Matteo Mancuso from The Journey, 2023"Nite Crawler" by Larry Carlton from Larry Carlton, 1978----LINKS-----SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!Paypal | Patreon.com/StrongsongsMERCH STOREstore.strongsongspodcast.comSOCIAL MEDIAInsta: @Kirk_Hamilton | Bluesky: @Kirkhamilton.comNEWSLETTERnewsletter.kirkhamilton.comJOIN THE DISCORDhttps://discord.gg/GCvKqAM8SmSTRONG SONGS PLAYLISTSSpotify | Apple Music | YouTube MusicSHOW ARTTom Deja, Bossman GraphicsJANUARY 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSElizabeth CulverMeryl AllisonRobyn MetcalfeCesarCorpus FriskyBen BarronCatherine WarnerDamon WhiteJay SwartzRushDaniel Hannon-BarryChristopher MillerJamie WhiteChristopher McConnellDavid MascettiJoe LaskaKen HirshMelanie AndrichJenness GardnerNathaniel BauernfeindPaul DelaneyDave SharpeSami SamhuriJeremy DawsonAccessViolationDave FloreyJANUARY 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONSWiggy HashWhit SidenerJulie KellmanSimon HellmanClaudia CartyDaniGlenn JacksonChristopher Selby SpinkPhilip KellyDaniel NervoKevin StaffordLawrenceSy JacobsirritableIan PiddAndrew HoferJordan GatenbyMelissa KuhnsAshleySeattleTransAndNonbinary ChoralEnsembleKevin MarceloSamantha CoatesJamesMark NadasdiJeffDan CutterJoseph RomeroOl ParkerJohn BerryDanielle KrizClint McElroyMordok’s Vape PenInmar GivoniMichael SingerMerv AdrianJoe GalloLauren KnottsDave KolasHenry MindlinMonica St. AngeloStephen WolkwitzRand LeShayMaxeric spMatthew JonesAnthony MentzJames McMurryEthan LaserBrian John PeterChris RemoMatt SchoenthalAaron WilsonDent EarlCarlos LernerMisty HaisfieldAbraham BenrubiLee R.Chris KotarbaCallum WebbLynda MacNeilDick MorganBen SteinGrettir AsmundarsonSean MurphyRandal VegterKaya WoodallRobert Granatdave malloyTim RosenwongAlan MaassNick GallowayHeather Jjohn halpinPeter HardingDavidJohn BaumanMartín SalíasStu BakerSteve MartinoDr Arthur A GrayCarolinaGary PierceMatt BaxterLuigi BocciaE Margaret WartonCharles McGeeCatherine ClauseEthan BaumanKenIsWearingAHatJordan BlockAaron WadeJeff UlmDavid FutterJamieDeebsPortland Eye CareRichard SneddonJanice BerryDoreen CarlsonDavid McDarbyWendy GilchristLisa TurnerPaul WayperMiles FormanBruno GaetaKenneth JungZak RemerRishi SahayJeffrey BeanJason ReitmanAilie FraserRob TsukNATALIE MISTILISJosh SingerAmy Lynn ThornsenAdam WKelli BrockingtonVictoria Yumino caposselaSteve PaquinDavid JoskeBernard KhooRobert HeuerDavid NoahGeraldine ButlerMadeleine MaderJason PrattAbbie BergDoug BelewDermot CrowleyAchint SrivastavaRyan RairighMichael BermanLinda DuffyLiz SegerEoin de BurcaKevin PotterM Shane BordersDallas HockleyJason GerryNell MorseNathan GouwensLauren ReayEric PrestemoncbalmainAngela LivingstoneDiane HughesMichael CasnerLowell MeyerStephen TsoneffJoshua HillGeoff GoldenPascal RuegerRandy SouzaClare HolbertonDiane TurnerTom ColemanDhu WikMelmaniacEric HelmJonathan DanielsCaro FieldNaomi WatsonDavidAlexanderChris KGavin DoigSam FennTanner MortonAJ SchusterJennifer BushDavid StroudBrad CallahanAmanda FurlottiAndrew BakerAndrew FairL.B. MorseBill ThorntonBrian AmoebasBrett DouvilleJeffrey OlsonMatt BetzelNate from KalamazooMelanie StiversRichard TollerAlexander PolsonJustin McElroyArjun SharmaJames JohnsonKevin MorrellColin Hodo

Janis Stockhouse, a celebrated former band director at Bloomington High School North, transformed a fledgling music program into an award-winning powerhouse. In this engaging discussion, she shares insights on building student confidence, the importance of healthy competition, and choosing the right composers for budding musicians. Janis also dives into her passion for jazz education and the challenges of funding in public school bands, emphasizing how music can inspire lifelong love and connection at any age.

Wesley Morris, a celebrated culture critic, and Josh Gwynn, a dynamic producer and podcaster, dive deep into the legacy of Stevie Wonder. They discuss the emotional connections tied to Wonder's timeless hits like 'I Wish' and 'Sir Duke,' reflecting on their cultural significance across generations. The conversation highlights the transformative power of music in shaping identities and nostalgia, as well as the innovative techniques that define Wonder's artistry. They also explore the importance of experiencing music in its original form, celebrating the joy it brings.

Discover Stevie Wonder's incredible transformation from child prodigy to groundbreaking artist in his album 'Music of My Mind.' Delve into the challenges faced by Black artists during the Motown era and how Wonder broke barriers with hits like 'Uptight.' Uncover the soulful roots of Motown, blending sacred and secular sounds, and explore Stevie's quest for artistic independence and innovation. His use of synthesizers marks a pivotal moment in his career, showcasing his unique approach to music and creativity.

Dave Hamilton, host of the music podcast Gig Gab, shares his insights on the transformative power of music and podcasting. He discusses the nuances of songwriting, vocal mastery, and the challenges of content creation in the AI age. Dave reflects on his journey from saxophonist to podcaster, highlighting the cultural significance of iconic songs and the interconnectedness of musical influences. The conversation also touches on the intricacies of drumming and the ongoing evolution in the music industry, making it a rich and engaging dialogue for music lovers.

The podcast post-season update includes book and music recommendations. Music recs range from Steve Pardo's album to Ruth Moody's 'Wanderer'. Patreon info provided for exclusive content. Exciting plans ahead for the upcoming season.

Delving into Bruce Springsteen's 'Born to Run,' the podcast explores the iconic sax solo, tremolo guitar riffs, and deep emotional themes. Analyzing the impact of guitar tone, mix perspectives, and the enduring power of an iconic song. Also, a heartfelt dedication to the speaker's father and a break before the next season.

Podcast delves into synthesizers, saxophone techniques, cover songs, and transcribing solos. Topics include Diablo chord, intense saxophone playing, cover song complexities, and drum tuning nuances. Engaging exploration of music elements and listener questions.

Join Strong Songs as they dive into the intricate composition of XTC's 'Easter Theatre,' exploring dissonant intervals, unique chord progressions, and orchestration. Uncover the evolution of XTC's musical style, the songwriter's creative process, and the use of electric guitar and trumpet solos. Delve into the lush vocal arrangements, lyrical themes, and dynamic movements that make this symphonic-pop masterpiece stand out.