

Strong Songs
Kirk Hamilton
Music: it's good. On each episode of Strong Songs, host Kirk Hamilton takes listeners inside a piece of music, breaking it down and figuring out what makes it work.
Episodes
Mentioned books

6 snips
Feb 23, 2024 • 54min
"In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel
Explore the musical intricacies of Peter Gabriel's 'In Your Eyes', including the unique percussion instruments used. Dive into the emotional depths of the song's lyrics and dissect the layers of instruments that create a rich and dynamic sound. Learn about the evolution of the song through different performances and versions.

4 snips
Feb 9, 2024 • 28min
Some Bonus Beatles Covers
On this bonus episode, Kirk explores covers of Beatles songs including 'Gotta Get You Into My Life' by Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers and Blood, Sweat & Tears, 'Eleanor Rigby' by Aretha Franklin and Cody Fry, and 'Blackbird' by Crosby, Stills & Nash. He also discusses chord progressions, arrangements, and upcoming season six of 'Strong Songs'.

10 snips
Jan 26, 2024 • 23min
The Genius of Sonny Rollins (and Max Roach)
Sonny Rollins and Max Roach are discussed in this bonus episode. They analyze Max Roach's drum solo and Joshua Redmond's saxophone solo. They also explore Sonny Rollins' impressive saxophone solos and use of ensemble dynamics. In addition, they discuss the album 'Sunny Side Up' and the tenor saxophone battle between Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stit. Sonny Rollins' musical prowess and playful style are highlighted, as well as their admiration for Max Roach's drumming skills.

Jan 12, 2024 • 20min
Weird Al For Nothin' And Your Jokes For Free
Weird Al, a musician known for his song parodies, discusses interesting topics such as the differences between his parody of 'Money for Nothing' and the original, the iconic guitar tone in the song, recording sessions and attention to detail in capturing the original sound, his vocal abilities, and songs from Alapalooza album.

Dec 29, 2023 • 22min
How Clyde Stubblefield Evolved Funk Drumming
Guest Russ Kleiner joins the host to explore the evolution of Clyde Stubblefield's drumming in funk music from 1967 to 1970. They analyze iconic grooves like 'Cold Sweat,' 'I Got the Feeling,' 'Mother Popcorn,' and the heavily sampled beat in 'Funky Drummer'. They discuss Stubblefield's innovative drumming techniques, including ghost notes and displaced snare hits. The impact of Stubblefield's Funky Drummer beat and its influence on music is also explored. The episode ends with a quiz and appreciation for the guest.

Dec 15, 2023 • 1h 6min
The Band: The Last Waltz
Robbie Robertson, musician from The Band, discusses The Last Waltz. They explore the unique elements of their hit song 'Up on Cripple Creek', analyze Rick Danko's emotional performance in 'It Makes No Difference', and delve into guest appearances by Van Morrison, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell. They also discuss the band's versatility and their embrace of blues music. The speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging historical context when watching 'The Last Waltz'.

4 snips
Dec 1, 2023 • 59min
Phish, Evanescence, and a Taylor Swift Dispute
Unique and innovative musical instruments are discussed by guest musicians in this episode. The hosts analyze the piano part in Evanescence's 'Going Under' and explore the use of a dissonant interval in a song. They also discuss the importance of counter melodies in music arrangements. The concept of 'musicians musicians' and the admiration for technical expertise are explored. The impact of loudness in stadium concerts and the need for musicians to protect their hearing is also addressed.

10 snips
Nov 17, 2023 • 1h 4min
Strong Solos, Vol. 2: Electric Guitar-aloo
Explore the captivating world of electric guitar solos as Kirk takes a deep dive into the works of Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Jimi Hendrix, and Larry Carlton. Learn about the Cage System, different positions, and A-flat major chords. Delve into the influence and impact of these guitar legends, their techniques, and styles. Analyze Jimi Hendrix's solo techniques and embrace the joy of contemporary guitar playing. The podcast wraps up with a showcase of personal progress and outro guitar solo.

11 snips
Nov 3, 2023 • 1h 3min
The Music of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Explore the music of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, including the main theme and recurring motifs. Discuss the use of signature instruments like the Urhu and saxophone. Learn about the importance of diagetic music in Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Experience a climactic moment and reflections on the emotional journey of the game.

Oct 27, 2023 • 25min
A Little Extra Zelda
On this bonus episode, originally recorded as a Patreon bonus in 2022, Kirk goes through a few great Legend of Zelda pieces that he didn't manage to get into on last year's Zelda-focused Strong Songs episode. If you want to hear next week's new episode on Tears of the Kingdom early, go become a patron now!FEATURED:"Tears of the Kingdom Theme" from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, comp. Manaka Kataoka, Maasa Miyoshi, Masato Ohashi, Tsukasa Usui"Song of Storms," "Dark World/Lorule Theme," "Gerudo Valley," and "The Great Fairy's Fountain" by Koji KondoVarious themes from Crypt of the Necrodancer: Cadence of Hyrule, composed by Danny Baranowski feat Jules Conroy on guitarDr. Pez's Ocarina of Time prog album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDH3g6rRjM8Fantasie-impromptu in C-Sharp" by Frédéric Chopin, 1815, performed by Arthur Rubinstein----LINKS-----💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! Patreon | Paypal 🏠 HOMEPAGEstrongsongspodcast.com 👚 MERCHstrongsongspodcast.com/store 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTERnewsletter.kirkhamilton.com📷 SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: @Kirk_HamiltonBluesky: @kirkhamilton.com💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER strongsongspodcast.com/discord🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS kirkhamilton.com/gear🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC kirkhamilton.com/music🎨 SHOW ART Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics--------------------OCTOBER 2023 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSCorpus FriskyBen BarronCatherine WarnerDamon WhiteKaya WoodallDan AustinJay SwartzMiriam JoySEAN D WINNIERushDaniel Hannon-BarryChristopher MillerJamie WhiteChristopher McConnellDavid MascettiJoe LaskaKen HirshJezMelanie AndrichJenness GardnerDave SharpeSami SamhuriJeremy DawsonAccessViolationAndre BremerDave FloreyOCTOBER 2023 HALF-NOTE PATRONSDent EarlCarlos LernerMisty HaisfieldAbraham BenrubiChristopher BrunoChris KotarbaCallum WebbLynda MacNeilDick MorganBen SteinSusan GreenSean MurphyJake YumatillaAlan BroughRandal VegterGo Birds!Whit SidenerRobert Granatdave malloyNick GallowayHeather Johnsonjohn halpinPeter HardingDavidMeghan O'LearyJohn BaumanDax and Dane HuddlestonMartín SalíasStu BakerSteve MartinoDr Arthur A GrayCarolinaGary PierceMatt BaxterGiantPredatoryMolluskLuigi BocciaE Margaret WartonCharles McGeeCatherine ClauseEthan BaumanKenIsWearingAHatJordan BlockAaron WadeJeff UlmJamieDeebsPortland Eye CareCarrie SchneiderRichard SneddonJulian RoleffDoreen CarlsonDavid McDarbyWendy GilchristElliot RosenLisa TurnerPaul WayperBruno GaetaKenneth JungAdam StofskyZak RemerRishi SahayJason ReitmanAilie FraserRob TsukNATALIE MISTILISJosh SingerPhino DeLeonAmy Lynn ThornsenAdam WKelli BrockingtonVictoria YuBrad Clarkmino caposselaSteve PaquinEmma SklarBernard KhooRobert HeuerMatthew GoldenDavid NoahGeraldine ButlerMadeleine MaderJason PrattAbbie BergDoug BelewDermot CrowleyAchint SrivastavaRyan RairighMichael BermanOlivia BishopJohn GisselquistLinda DuffyBonnie PrinsenLiz SegerEoin de BurcaKevin PotterM Shane BordersDallas HockleyJason GerryNathan GouwensLauren ReayEric PrestemonDamian BradyAngela LivingstoneDavid FriedmanSarah SulanDiane HughesMichael CasnerLowell MeyerStephen TsoneffWenGeoff GoldenRob FPascal RuegerRandy SouzaClare HolbertonDiane TurnerTom ColemanMark PerryDhu WikMelEric HelmJonathan DanielsMichael FlahertyJarrod SchindlerCaro Fieldmichael bochnerNaomi WatsonDavid CushmanAlexanderChris KGavin DoigSam FennTanner MortonAJ SchusterJennifer BushDavid StroudAmanda FurlottiAndrew BakerJules BaileyAndrew FairL.B. MorseBill ThorntonBrian AmoebasBrett DouvilleJeffrey OlsonMatt BetzelNate from KalamazooMelanie StiversRichard TollerAlexander PolsonEarl LozadaJustin McElroyArjun SharmaJames JohnsonKevin MorrellColin Hodo