Discograffiti

UNREST’S MARK ROBINSON TACKLES BILLY JOEL'S DISCOGRAPHY (PART 4: 52nd Street & Glass Houses) (Ep. 236)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives.  In this episode, host Dave Gebroe talks with the epitome of DIY punk spirit (who can also write a pop hook like the best of ‘em), the great Mark Robinson (of Unrest, Grenadine, Air Miami, Flint Flon, Uncomfortable Police, et al), and together they discuss Billy Joel’s entire recorded output with commentary, stories, and star ratings for every release. If you’re a long-time listener, then you know that Dave has harbored a long-time hatred of Billy Joel…so why the sudden turnaround in taste? Discograffiti’s Mark Robinson Tackles Billy Joel (But Only Metaphorically) Series dissects every last release Billy Joel’s ever had a hand in creating. Part 4 covers the first couple records that Billy made after becoming a superstar: 52nd Street and Glass Houses. 
Here are just a few of the many things that Mark discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
The vibe and feel that Billy Joel was shooting for on the first album he made after becoming a superstar;
The rock star’s wife about whom he wrote “Big Shot”;
The song that Billy referred to as “the most bullshit song I ever wrote”;
A debate over whether “My Life” inspired the sitcom Bosom Buddies or vice versa;
The beginning of Billy’s struggle to maintain quality across side two of his albums;
Billy’s wild and wacky swerve from jazz to punky new wave;
The huge hit whose lyrics he dashed off lightning quick on the car ride to the studio;
And an in-depth deep dive on every song off 52nd Street and the first side of Glass Houses.
Listen: linktr.ee/discograffiti
I support a wife and a six-year-old son with Discograffiti as my sole source of income. 
If you’re a Mark Robinson & Billy Joel superfan like me, The Director’s Cut of this episode is ad-free and features 6 additional minutes of essential material.  Support Discograffiti by opting for this clearly superior version.
Either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Lieutenant or Major Tier, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.
The Director’s Cut: Patreon.com/Discograffiti

AN INTERVIEW WITH PRODUCER PHIL RAMONE (Ep. 235B)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives. In this episode, we feature the next entry in The Chuck Granata Pet Sounds Interview Series. It’s Chuck’s chat with legendary producer Phil Ramone, Billy Joel’s most relied-upon right-hand-man, the producer of every Billy Joel record during the height of his popularity, from 1977’s The Stranger to 1986’s The Bridge. Phil won his first production Grammy for his work on Paul Simon’s Still Crazy After All These Years in 1975, eventually becoming chairman of The Recording Academy. He also helped produce, with Quincy Jones, 2001’s televised A Tribute To Brian Wilson. His credits and accomplishments in the industry are almost literally endless, and what better place to learn about them than Chuck Granata’s 2007 memoir (co-written with Phil) Making Records: The Scenes Behind The Music. Phil passed away a few years after this interview in 2013, which makes this posthumously released “Chuck Chat” yet another priceless buried treasure.  
Here are just a few of the many things that Phil discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
The dysfunctional Wilson family dynamic, which Phil talks about with great candor;
Digging into the history of harmony, and the experience of working with The Beach Boys on Chicago’s “Wishing You Were Here”;
Working with Burt Bacharach, and Phil’s transition from engineer to producer;
The differences between east coast and west coast records in the 1960s & 1970s;
The Nylon Curtain’s debt to both The Beatles & Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys;
Why Elton John was nervous to perform at the Brian Wilson tribute;
And stereo vs. mono with regard to hearing Pet Sounds.
There’ll be a short sneak peak running publicly for free, but the entirety of this podcast will only be accessible on the Major Tier of Discograffiti’s Patreon. Don’t miss it, or you’ll only be getting part of the story. Get it as a one-off, or better yet just subscribe…and then we’ll all have world peace.
Full Episode: Patreon.com/Discograffiti (available on the Major Tier & up)
Free Sneak Peek: linktr.ee/discograffiti
Subscribe to Discograffiti's Patreon and receive a ceaseless barrage (4 shows a week!) of must-hear binge-listening. It’s completely free to be a basic member, $1 to get your backstage pass, $5/month for the weekly Sunday show by & for our community, $10 for weekly early release, ad-free, super-extended Director's Cuts of the main show plus access to half our Patreon episode archive, & $20 for Discograffiti’s weekly bonus episodes and access to our entire Patreon episode archive. There are now over 400 Patreon episodes.

UNREST’S MARK ROBINSON TACKLES BILLY JOEL'S DISCOGRAPHY (PART 3: TURNSTILES & THE STRANGER) (Ep. 235)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives.  In this episode, host Dave Gebroe talks with the epitome of DIY punk spirit (who can also write a pop hook like the best of ‘em), the great Mark Robinson (of Unrest, Grenadine, Air Miami, Flint Flon, Uncomfortable Police, et al), and together they discuss Billy Joel’s entire recorded output with commentary, stories, and star ratings for every release. If you’re a long-time listener, then you know that Dave has harbored a long-time hatred of Billy Joel…so why the sudden turnaround in taste? Discograffiti’s Mark Robinson Tackles Billy Joel (But Only Metaphorically) Series dissects every last release Billy Joel’s ever had a hand in creating. Part 3 tackles the two mid-1970s records that, after their release, wound up turning him into a superstar: Turnstiles & The Stranger.  
Here are just a few of the many things that Mark discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
The audible differences between the original James Guercio-produced version of Turnstiles and his self-produced, released version;
The band that Billy poached in order to find the musicians with whom he’d spend most of his career playing;
The Turnstiles track that most Billy Joel die-hards hold to their hearts as an all-time favorite;
What generally happens when Billy tries his hand at reggae;
The massive producer that almost helmed The Stranger before Phil Ramone stepped in;
The mind-blowing level of success which The Stranger achieved;
The song Billy wanted to drop from the track list, which wound up exploding wildly;
The hit whose melody Billy had accidentally stolen before re-writing it as “Movin’ Out”;
The connective thread between 10cc’s “I’m Not In Love” and “Just The Way You Are”;
The three separate songs that were combined into “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant”;
Why, regardless of your favorite Billy Joel track, “Vienna” may just be Billy Joel’s best song of all time;
And an in-depth deep dive on every song off Turnstiles and Streetlife Serenade.
Listen: linktr.ee/discograffiti
I support a wife and a six-year-old son with Discograffiti as my sole source of income. 
The Director’s Cut of this episode is ad-free and features a plethora of additional essential material. Support Discograffiti by opting for this clearly superior version.
Either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Lieutenant or Major Tier, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.
The Director’s Cut: Patreon.com/Discograffiti

UNREST’S MARK ROBINSON TACKLES BILLY JOEL’S DISCOGRAPHY (PART 2: PIANO MAN & STREETLIFE SERENADE) (Ep. 234B)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives.  In this episode, host Dave Gebroe talks with the epitome of DIY punk spirit (who can also write a pop hook like the best of ‘em), the great Mark Robinson (of Unrest, Grenadine, Air Miami, Flint Flon, Uncomfortable Police, et al), and together they discuss Billy Joel’s entire recorded output with commentary, stories, and star ratings for every release. If you’re a long-time listener, then you know that Dave has harbored a long-time hatred of Billy Joel…so why the sudden turnaround in taste? Discograffiti’s Mark Robinson Tackles Billy Joel (But Only Metaphorically) Series dissects every last release Billy Joel’s ever had a hand in creating. Part 2 tackles his two early-1970s, California-based albums after signing with Columbia Records: Piano Man & Streetlife Serenade. 
Here are just a few of the many things that Mark discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
The multitude of genres that Billy tries out while in California during the early 1970s, before settling into his known style;
The violent altercation that host Dave Gebroe may have had with the real-life Captain Jack’s son;
The connective threads that bind Billy and Mark as artists that must create no matter what;
The not-very-well-known gang of Billy Joel instrumentals that ended in this era;
Billy’s “saving a hooker” song that’s somehow actually taken from his own personal life;
The amount of money that Billy made off the Piano Man LP;
And an in-depth deep dive on every song off Piano Man and Streetlife Serenade.
There’ll be a short sneak peak running publicly for free, but the entirety of this podcast will only be accessible on the Major Tier of Discograffiti’s Patreon. Don’t miss it, or you’ll only be getting part of the story. Get it as a one-off, or better yet just subscribe…and then we’ll all have world peace.
Full Episode: Patreon.com/Discograffiti (available on the Major Tier & up)
Free Sneak Peek: linktr.ee/discograffiti
Subscribe to Discograffiti's Patreon and receive a ceaseless barrage (4 shows a week!) of must-hear binge-listening. It’s completely free to be a basic member, $1 to get your backstage pass, $5/month for the weekly Sunday show by & for our community, $10 for weekly early release, ad-free, super-extended Director's Cuts of the main show plus access to half our Patreon episode archive, & $20 for Discograffiti’s weekly bonus episodes and access to our entire Patreon episode archive. There are now over 400 Patreon episodes.

UNREST’S MARK ROBINSON TACKLES BILLY JOEL'S DISCOGRAPHY (PART 1: COLD SPRING HARBOR) (Ep. 234)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives.  In this episode, host Dave Gebroe talks with the epitome of DIY punk spirit (who can also write a pop hook like the best of ‘em), the great Mark Robinson (of Unrest, Grenadine, Air Miami, Flint Flon, Uncomfortable Police, et al), and together they discuss Billy Joel’s entire recorded output with commentary, stories, and star ratings for every release. If you’re a long-time listener, then you know that Dave has harbored a long-time hatred of Billy Joel…so why the sudden turnaround in taste? Discograffiti’s Mark Robinson Tackles Billy Joel (But Only Metaphorically) Series dissects every last release Billy Joel’s ever had a hand in creating. Part 1 tackles his turmoil-ridden ancient history, including early bands The Hassles and Attila, plus his debut LP, Cold Spring Harbor. 
Here are just a few of the many things that Mark discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
Dave’s complete revolution in taste from abject hatred of anything Billy Joel-related to discovering to his shock that he actually likes him;
How first wife Elizabeth’s glue-sniffing brother’s crazed antics gave Billy his initial big break in first band The Hassles;
How The Hassles metamorphosed into Billy’s sole foray into Zeppelin-inspired head-banging with his duo Attila; 
An overview of his early days struggling with depression, which culminated in Billy attempting suicide twice in a row;
How that experience turned his life around and led to his career finally taking off;
And an in-depth deep dive on the early Hassles records, plus every song off Attila and his debut Cold Spring Harbor.
Listen: linktr.ee/discograffiti
I support a wife and a six-year-old son with Discograffiti as my sole source of income. 
If you’re a Mark Robinson & Billy Joel superfan like me, The Director’s Cut of this episode is ad-free and features 12 additional minutes of essential material.  Support Discograffiti by opting for this clearly superior version.
Either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Lieutenant or Major Tier, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.
The Director’s Cut: Patreon.com/Discograffiti

AN INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN WILSON’S ENGINEER LARRY LEVINE (THE BEACH BOYS’ PET SOUNDS & SMILE) (Ep. 233B)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives. In this episode, we feature the next entry in The Chuck Granata Pet Sounds Interview Series. It’s Chuck’s chat with legendary Gold Star engineer Larry Levine, the man responsible, side by side with The Wrecking Crew, for building Phil Spector’s "Wall of Sound”. His peak accomplishments include “Be My Baby”, “Summertime Blues”, “River Deep, Mountain High”, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’”, “He’s A Rebel”, "Then He Kissed Me", A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector, Pet Sounds, Smile, and so many others. Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss poached Larry in 1967, making him A&M Records’ Chief Engineer. Larry passed away just a few years after this interview in 2008, which makes this posthumously released “Chuck Chat” yet another priceless buried treasure.  
Here are just a few of the many things that Larry discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
The early days of Gold Star and working with Phil Spector;
The Phil Spector session that became the turning point in his working relationship with the producer;
How Larry created the very first echo chamber, and an in-depth overview on how it developed over time;
Larry’s assessment of Brian Wilson’s overall character;
How Phil talked about Brian to Larry when Brian wasn’t around;
And his relationship with Chuck Britz.
There’ll be a short sneak peak running publicly for free, but the entirety of this podcast will only be accessible on the Major Tier of Discograffiti’s Patreon. Don’t miss it, or you’ll only be getting part of the story. Get it as a one-off, or better yet just subscribe…and then we’ll all have world peace.
Full Episode: Patreon.com/Discograffiti (available on the Major Tier & up)
Free Sneak Peek: linktr.ee/discograffiti
Subscribe to Discograffiti's Patreon and receive a ceaseless barrage (4 shows a week!) of must-hear binge-listening. It’s completely free to be a basic member, $1 to get your backstage pass, $5/month for the weekly Sunday show by & for our community, $10 for weekly early release, ad-free, super-extended Director's Cuts of the main show plus access to half our Patreon episode archive, & $20 for Discograffiti’s weekly bonus episodes and access to our entire Patreon episode archive. There are now over 400 Patreon episodes.

GRAHAM NASH DISCUSSES DAVID CROSBY’S SOLO DEBUT "IF I COULD ONLY REMEMBER MY NAME" (Ep. 233)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives.  In this episode, Graham Nash discusses David Crosby’s classic solo debut If I Could Only Remember My Name with commentary and stories. Discograffiti’s Wild Tales: The Graham Nash Interview Series tackles every last release the great Graham Nash ever had a hand in creating, including CSN/Y, C&N, and his solo career, detailing a history almost too wild to be believed. 
Here are just a few of the many things that Graham discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
An overview of the initial spate of CSNY solo projects, and how they all performed relative to one another;
The origin story of the Planet Earth Rock & Roll Orchestra, and the albums on which this massive aggregate of legendary musicians have appeared (in the Director’s Cut only);
The only track on which Neil Young and Jerry Garcia are both playing guitar;
How Jerry Garcia wound up being the hero of Remember My Name, and what exactly David & The Dorks was;
The massive boatload of Crosby’s session outtakes, all of which is top-notch quality;
The outstanding financial debt for which Croz is still on the hook to Graham; 
Jerry Garcia’s favorite of his own pedal steel guitar performances;
And an in-depth deep dive on every song that comprises David Crosby’s If I Could Only Remember My Name, including David’s own lyrical analyses!
Listen: linktr.ee/discograffiti
I support a wife and a six-year-old son with Discograffiti as my sole source of income. 
If you’re a Graham Nash & CSNY superfan like me, The Director’s Cut of this episode is ad-free and features 14 additional minutes of essential material.  Support Discograffiti by opting for this clearly superiorr version.
Either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Lieutenant or Major Tier, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.
The Director’s Cut (14m extra): Patreon.com/Discograffiti

AN INTERVIEW WITH SUNDAZED RECORDS FOUNDER BOB IRWIN ABOUT THE BEACH BOYS’ PET SOUNDS (Ep. 232B)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives.  In this episode, we feature the next entry in The Chuck Granata Pet Sounds Interview Series. It’s Chuck’s chat with re-issue genius Bob Irwin. Bob and his wife Mary started the Sundazed Music label in 1989. The first Sundazed releases were The Great Lost Knickerbockers Album! by The Knickerbockers and Western Union by The Five Americans, and reflected Irwin's personal preference for garage rock and surf music. His skill at restoring old vinyl records for the (then new) CD format attracted the attention of major labels, who increasingly solicited him to help them re-issue material from their back catalogs. He also helped Sony Music release their archival Legacy Records label. Later, his restoration work included early material by the likes of Bob Dylan, Nancy Sinatra, & The Byrds.
In this episode, Bob discusses his relationship with Pet Sounds, its standing in the pantheon no matter how many times you’ve heard it, its importance and influence on music in general, and the wonders of a technology with inherent, imposed limitations.
There’ll be a short sneak peak running publicly for free, but the entirety of this podcast will only be accessible on the Major Tier of Discograffiti’s Patreon. Don’t miss it, or you’ll only be getting part of the story. Get it as a one-off, or better yet just subscribe…and then we’ll all have world peace.
Full Episode: Patreon.com/Discograffiti (available on the Major Tier & up)
Free Sneak Peek: linktr.ee/discograffiti
Subscribe to Discograffiti's Patreon and receive a ceaseless barrage (4 shows a week!) of must-hear binge-listening. It’s completely free to be a basic member, $1 to get your backstage pass, $5/month for the weekly Sunday show by & for our community, $10 for weekly early release, ad-free, super-extended Director's Cuts of the main show plus access to half our Patreon episode archive, & $20 for Discograffiti’s weekly bonus episodes and access to our entire Patreon episode archive. There are now over 400 Patreon episodes.

THE BEACH BOYS’ PET SOUNDS DEEP-DIVE: “Caroline, No” (Part 7) (Ep. 232)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives.  In this episode, Beach Boys author Chuck Granata reviews and discusses Pet Sounds’ “Caroline, No” with commentary and stories. Discograffiti’s Pet Sounds Deep-Dive Series stands as a unique combination of factual obsession and personal connection, and there’s nothing else quite like it. This is the final episode.
Here are just a few of the many things that Chuck discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
How Pet Sounds’ final track differs from the rest of the record;
The many possible Carolines who may have inspired the song;
What writing the song wound up setting in motion for Brian, as he attempted to reconnect with his high school crush, Carol Mountain;
An intensive breakdown of the song’s mysterious coda;
And how both Chuck and I connect with “Caroline, No” in a laid-bare, explicitly personal way.
Listen: linktr.ee/discograffiti
I support a wife and a six-year-old son with Discograffiti as my sole source of income. 
The Director’s Cut of this episode is ad-free and features 17 additional minutes of essential material. Support Discograffiti by opting for this clearly superior version.
Either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Lieutenant or Major Tier, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.
The Director’s Cut: Patreon.com/Discograffiti
Chuck Granata’s book Wouldn’t It Be Nice: Brian Wilson And The Making Of The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds is the ultimate dissection of Brian Wilson’s 1966 masterpiece.  Order it on Amazon or at your favorite brick n mortar bookstore. 

1001 ALBUM COMPLAINTS HOST ROB KASSEES’S STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO MAKE A RECORD (Ep. 231B)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives.  In this episode, Dave Gebroe interviews our brother podcast’s host Rob Kassees as he walks us through the process of creating and releasing your own album, something he’s done many times over by this point.  In fact, he’s just released an initial sold-out vinyl press run of a new record that has to be heard to be believed. 
 
Stay Puft is the best Ghostbusters musical you'll hear this year. Upbeat songs and catchy hooks abound as his band The Chop retells the story of science's triumph over ancient Sumerian demigods. If you love indie concept albums made by old pros whose friendship and experience ooze through the speakers at every turn, you'll love Stay Puft. Printed with love to special "Slimer-green" vinyl with all original songs and artwork. 
 
It’s a hell of a lot of fun. You can order your copy right here:  https://linktr.ee/thechopunlimited
 
There’ll be a short sneak peak running publicly for free, but the entirety of this podcast will only be accessible on the Major Tier of Discograffiti’s Patreon. Don’t miss it, or you’ll only be getting part of the story. Get it as a one-off, or better yet just subscribe.
 
Full Episode: Patreon.com/Discograffiti (available on the Major Tier & up)
 
Free Sneak Peek: linktr.ee/discograffiti
 
Subscribe to Discograffiti's Patreon and receive a ceaseless barrage (4 shows a week!) of must-hear binge-listening. It’s completely free to be a basic member, $1 to get your backstage pass, $5/month for the weekly Sunday show by & for our community, $10 for weekly early release, ad-free, super-extended Director's Cuts of the main show plus access to half our Patreon episode archive, & $20 for Discograffiti’s weekly bonus episodes and access to our entire Patreon episode archive. There are now over 400 Patreon episodes.