

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.
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Mentioned books

5 snips
Sep 22, 2023 • 2h 26min
John Williams' Star Wars Legacy, with Dan Golding
Dan Golding, an Australian author and musician, joins the host to explore John Williams' musical legacy, including his groundbreaking score for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. They discuss film scoring, video game music, the interplay of music and action in movies, John Williams' orchestration style, the complexities of Empire Strikes Back, the brilliance of 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban', exploring jazz with Charles Mingus, the intersection of music and visual art, the musical landscape of 1959, and expressing gratitude and encouraging support.

Sep 8, 2023 • 55min
Counterpoint, Chaka Kahn, & Peter Gabriel
This podcast explores various topics including 60s pop counterpoint, Chaka Kahn syncopation, Taylor Swift's re-recording project, good practice habits, Peter Gabriel's 'Sledgehammer,' and the significance of finding a musical partner. They also discuss capturing song ideas, the impact of artists' control in the music industry, and analyze the changes in 'Sledgehammer.'

4 snips
Aug 25, 2023 • 50min
"Soul Vaccination" by Tower of Power
Explore the infectious rhythm and witty lyrics of Tower of Power. Learn about saxophone types, alternative energy sources, and the impact of music. Delve into Tower of Power's self-titled 1973 album and the evolution of funk drumming. Discover Lenny Pickett's mastery of altissimo on saxophone and the improvisation in jazz/funk solos.

Aug 11, 2023 • 60min
"Killing Me Softly With His Song," as sung by Lauryn Hill, Roberta Flack, & Lori Lieberman
It's not uncommon for a song to be written for one artist, only to become widely known after being recorded by another. It's less common for a song to have yet another rebirth decades later. That's just what happened with "Killing Me Softly with His Song." Originally inspired by Lori Lieberman's profound experience at a 1971 Don McLean concert, Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox's song underwent two dramatic reinventions, first by soul titan Roberta Flack in 1973, and then by Lauryn Hill and her band Fugees in 1996. In this episode, Kirk dives into all three versions, looking to better understand how each singer put her own spin on what was already a classically strong song.Written by: Music by Charles Fox, lyrics by Norman Gimbel with uncredited contributions by Lori LiebermanRecorded by: Lori Lieberman (1972), Roberta Flack (1973), Lauryn Hill & Fugees (1996)Albums: Lori Lieberman (1972), Killing Me Softly with His Song (1973), The Score (1996), A Thousand Dreams (1995), Truly (2022)ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:"She sang ‘Killing Me Softly’ before Roberta Flack. Now she just wants you to hear her side of the story," by Geoff Edgers for the Washington Post, 2020"Lori Lieberman comes to terms with 'Killing Me Softly'" by FaceCulture, 2010"Empty Chairs" by Don McLean from American Pie, 1971"Bonita Applebum" by A Tribe Called Quest from People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, 1989OUTRO SOLOIST: Joey BrinkJoey Brink is University Carillonist and Professor of Carillon at the University of Denver, where he performs daily on the 65-bell Williams Tower. An award-winning performer and composer, he has released two albums for carillon and performed widely across North America and Europe. Watch him record his solo on YouTube and check out his site at joeybrink.com.----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--------------------JULY 2023 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSCatherine WarnerDamon WhiteKaya WoodallDan AustinJay SwartzMiriam JoySEAN D WINNIERushDaniel Hannon-BarryAshley HoagChristopher MillerJamie WhiteChristopher McConnellDavid MascettiJoe LaskaKen HirshJezMelanie AndrichJenness GardnerJeanneret Manning Family FourDave SharpeSami SamhuriAccessViolationRyan TorvikElliot Jay O'NeillAndre BremerMark SchechterDave FloreyJULY 2023 HALF-NOTE PATRONSCallum WebbLynda MacNeilDick MorganZach WamplerBen SteinSusan GreenSean MurphyJake YumatillaAlan BroughRandal VegterGo Birds!Jeff SpeckSamuel MillettWhit SidenerChance McClainRobert Granatdave malloyTim RosenwongNick Gallowayjohn halpinPeter HardingDavidMeghan O'LearyJohn BaumanDax and Dane HuddlestonMartín SalíasTim HowesStu BakerSteve MartinoDr Arthur A GrayCarolinaGary PierceMatt BaxterGiantPredatoryMolluskLuigi BocciaRob AlbrightE Margaret WartonCharles McGeeCatherine ClauseEthan BaumanRenee DowningKenIsWearingAHatJordan BlockAaron WadeTravis PollardJamieDeebsPortland Eye CareCarrie SchneiderRichard SneddonJulian RoleffDoreen CarlsonDavid McDarbyWendy GilchristElliot RosenLisa TurnerPaul WayperBruno GaetaKenneth JungAdam StofskyZak RemerRishi SahayJason ReitmanAilie FraserVonNATALIE MISTILISJosh SingerPhino DeLeonAmy Lynn ThornsenAdam WKelli BrockingtonStephen RawlingsVictoria YuBrad Clarkmino caposselaSteve PaquinDavid JoskeEmma SklarBernard KhooRobert HeuerMatthew GoldenDavid NoahGeraldine ButlerRichard CambierMadeleine MaderJason PrattAbbie BergDoug BelewDermot CrowleyAchint SrivastavaRyan RairighMichael BermanOlivia BishopJohn GisselquistLinda DuffyLiz SegerEoin de BurcaKevin PotterM Shane BordersDallas HockleyJason GerryNathan GouwensLauren ReayEric PrestemonCookies250Damian BradyAngela LivingstoneDavid FriedmanSarah SulanDiane HughesMichael CasnerLowell MeyerStephen TsoneffLorenz SchwarzWenJack SjogrenGeoff GoldenRobyn FraserPascal RuegerRandy SouzaJCClare HolbertonDiane TurnerTom ColemanMark PerryDhu WikMelEric HelmJake RobertsJonathan DanielsMichael FlahertyJarrod SchindlerCaro Fieldmichael bochnerNaomi WatsonDavid CushmanAlexanderGavin DoigSam FennTanner MortonAJ SchusterJennifer BushDavid StroudAmanda FurlottiAndrew BakerJules BaileyAndrew FairL.B. MorseBrian AmoebasBrett DouvilleJeffrey OlsonMatt BetzelMuellerNate from KalamazooMelanie StiversRichard TollerAlexander PolsonEarl LozadaJustin McElroyArjun SharmaJames JohnsonKevin MorrellColin Hodo
--------------------💃STRONG SONGS LIVE!🕺July 11, 2026 | Portland, ORBuy Tickets Here----LINKS-----💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!Patreon | One-Time Donation🏠 HOMEPAGE👚 MERCH💬 DISCORD SERVER📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC📷 KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music🎨 SHOW ART:Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

6 snips
Jul 28, 2023 • 47min
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears For Fears
Kirk kicks off Strong Songs Season 5 with Tears For Fears' 1985 hit "Everybody Wants to Rule The World." From classic synths and drum machines to surprisingly avante-garde guitar solos, this song's got a lot more going on than you might remember.Written by: Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley, and Chris HughesProduced by: Chris HughesAlbum: Songs from the Big Chair (1985)Listen/Buy via SongwhipALSO DISCUSSED:"Shout" and "Head Over Heels," both from Songs From the Big Chair, 1985"No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age from Songs For The Deaf, 2002"I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton performed by Whitney Houston on The Bodyguard soundtrack, 1992"You're The Voice" by John Farnham from Whispering Jack, 1986"Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" by Kate Bush from Hounds of Love, 1985"Kiss" by Prince from Parade, 1986"Burning Down the House" by Talking Heads from Stop Making Sense, 1983"So What" by Miles Davis from Kind of Blue, 1959"Cold Sweat" by James Brown, 1967Dan Carr's excellent synth breakdowns at Reverb Machine--------------------JULY 2023 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSCatherine Warner – Damon White – Kaya Woodall – Dan Austin – Jay Swartz – Miriam Joy – Sean D. Winnie – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Ashley Hoag – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Jez – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Jeanneret Manning Family Four – Dave Sharpe – Sami Samhuri – AccessViolation – Ryan Torvik – Elliot Jay O’Neill – Andre Bremer – Mark Schechter – Dave FloreyJULY 2023 HALF-NOTE PATRONSCallum Webb – Lynda MacNeil – Dick Morgan – Zach Wampler – Ben Stein – Susan Green – Sean Murphy – Jake Yumatilla – Alan Brough – Randal Vegter – Go Birds! – Jeff Speck – Samuel Millett – Whit Sidener – Chance McClain – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Tim Rosenwong – Nick Galloway – John Halpin – Peter Harding – David – Meghan O’Leary – John Bauman – Dax and Dane Huddleston – Martín Salías – Tim Howes – Stu Baker – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Carolina – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Giant Predatory Mollusk – Luigi Boccia – Rob Albright – E. Margaret Warton – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – Renee Downing – Ken Is Wearing a Hat – Jordan Block – Aaron Wade – Travis Pollard – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Carrie Schneider – Richard Sneddon – Julian Roleff – Doreen Carlson – David McDarby – Wendy Gilchrist – Elliot Rosen – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jung – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jason Reitman – Ailie Fraser – Von – Natalie Mistilis – Josh Singer – Phino DeLeon – Amy Lynn Thornsen – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Stephen Rawlings – Victoria Yu – Brad Clark – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – David Joske – Emma Sklar – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – Matthew Golden – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Richard Cambier – Madeleine Mader – Jason Pratt – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Olivia Bishop – John Gisselquist – Linda Duffy – Liz Seger – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nathan Gouwens – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cookies250 – Damian Brady – Angela Livingstone – David Friedman – Sarah Sulan – Diane Hughes – Michael Casner – Lowell Meyer – Stephen Tsoneff – Lorenz Schwarz – Wen – Jack Sjogren – Geoff Golden – Robyn Fraser – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – JC – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Mark Perry – Dhu Wik – Mel – Eric Helm – Jake Roberts – Jonathan Daniels – Michael Flaherty – Jarrod Schindler – Caro Field – Michael Bochner – Naomi Watson – David Cushman – Alexander – Gavin Doig – Sam Fenn – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Jules Bailey – Andrew Fair – L.B. Morse – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Mueller – Nate from Kalamazoo – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Earl Lozada – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Colin Hodo
--------------------💃STRONG SONGS LIVE!🕺July 11, 2026 | Portland, ORBuy Tickets Here----LINKS-----💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!Patreon | One-Time Donation🏠 HOMEPAGE👚 MERCH💬 DISCORD SERVER📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC📷 KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music🎨 SHOW ART:Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

Jul 14, 2023 • 3h 39min
An Operatic Odyssey, with Luigi Boccia
Special guest Luigi Boccia takes Kirk on a magical journey through the world of the opera tenor, from Caruso and Lauri Volpi to Di Stefano and Pavarotti.Featuring performances by Luciano Pavarotti, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Enrico Caruso, Franco Corelli, Giacomo Lauri Volpi, Jussi Björling, Sergei Lemeshev, and Jon Vickers.Find a Spotify playlist of Luigi's many Tenor examples here.--------------------JULY 2023 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSCatherine Warner – Damon White – Kaya Woodall – Dan Austin – Jay Swartz – Miriam Joy – Sean D. Winnie – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Ashley Hoag – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Jez – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Jeanneret Manning Family Four – Dave Sharpe – Sami Samhuri – AccessViolation – Ryan Torvik – Elliot Jay O’Neill – Andre Bremer – Mark Schechter – Dave FloreyJULY 2023 HALF-NOTE PATRONSCallum Webb – Lynda MacNeil – Dick Morgan – Zach Wampler – Ben Stein – Susan Green – Sean Murphy – Jake Yumatilla – Alan Brough – Randal Vegter – Go Birds! – Jeff Speck – Samuel Millett – Whit Sidener – Chance McClain – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Tim Rosenwong – Nick Galloway – John Halpin – Peter Harding – David – Meghan O’Leary – John Bauman – Dax and Dane Huddleston – Martín Salías – Tim Howes – Stu Baker – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Carolina – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Giant Predatory Mollusk – Luigi Boccia – Rob Albright – E. Margaret Warton – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – Renee Downing – Ken Is Wearing a Hat – Jordan Block – Aaron Wade – Travis Pollard – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Carrie Schneider – Richard Sneddon – Julian Roleff – Doreen Carlson – David McDarby – Wendy Gilchrist – Elliot Rosen – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jung – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jason Reitman – Ailie Fraser – Von – Natalie Mistilis – Josh Singer – Phino DeLeon – Amy Lynn Thornsen – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Stephen Rawlings – Victoria Yu – Brad Clark – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – David Joske – Emma Sklar – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – Matthew Golden – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Richard Cambier – Madeleine Mader – Jason Pratt – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Olivia Bishop – John Gisselquist – Linda Duffy – Liz Seger – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nathan Gouwens – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cookies250 – Damian Brady – Angela Livingstone – David Friedman – Sarah Sulan – Diane Hughes – Michael Casner – Lowell Meyer – Stephen Tsoneff – Lorenz Schwarz – Wen – Jack Sjogren – Geoff Golden – Robyn Fraser – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – JC – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Mark Perry – Dhu Wik – Mel – Eric Helm – Jake Roberts – Jonathan Daniels – Michael Flaherty – Jarrod Schindler – Caro Field – Michael Bochner – Naomi Watson – David Cushman – Alexander – Gavin Doig – Sam Fenn – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Jules Bailey – Andrew Fair – L.B. Morse – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Mueller – Nate from Kalamazoo – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Earl Lozada – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Colin Hodo
--------------------💃STRONG SONGS LIVE!🕺July 11, 2026 | Portland, ORBuy Tickets Here----LINKS-----💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!Patreon | One-Time Donation🏠 HOMEPAGE👚 MERCH💬 DISCORD SERVER📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC📷 KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music🎨 SHOW ART:Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

5 snips
Jun 30, 2023 • 46min
"You're The Voice" by John Farnham, Live in Sydney
John Farnham's "You're The Voice" was a worldwide hit, and nowhere was it more popular than in the Aussie singer's homeland. A couple weeks ago, Kirk went onstage with the hosts of the Chat 10 Looks 3 podcast, Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb, to talk about the song, the singer, and so much more.This episode is excerpted from Chat 10 Looks 3 episode 214. It was recorded live at the Enmore Theater in Sydney, Australia on June 17, 2023.Performed by: John FarnhamWritten by: Chris Thompson, Maggie Ryder, Andy Qunta, & Keith ReidProduced by: Glenn WheatleyAlbum: Whispering Jack (1986)Listen/Buy via SongwhipALSO FEATURED/DISCUSSED:The Chat 10 Looks 3 livestream archive (link may eventually stop working)John Farnham performs "You're The Voice" live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra"Royals" by Lorde from Pure Heroine, 2013"Freedom" by George Michael from Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1, 1990The trailer for the upcoming John Farnham documentary "Finding The Voice"--------------------JUNE 2023 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSCatherine Warner – Damon White – Kaya Woodall – Dan Austin – Jay Swartz – Miriam Joy – Sean D. Winnie – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Ashley Hoag – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Jez – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Narelle Horn – Jeanneret Manning Family Four – Dave Sharpe – Sami Samhuri – AccessViolation – Ryan Torvik – Elliot Jay O’Neill – Andre Bremer – Mark Schechter – Dave FloreyJUNE 2023 HALF-NOTE PATRONSLynda MacNeil – Dick Morgan – Zach Wampler – Ben Stein – Susan Green – Case Faubs – Jake Yumatilla – Alan Brough – Randal Vegter – Go Birds! – Jeff Speck – Samuel Millett – Whit Sidener – Chance McClain – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Tim Rosenwong – Nick Galloway – John Halpin – Peter Harding – David – Anthony Mahramus – Meghan O’Leary – John Bauman – Dax and Dane Huddleston – Martín Salías – Tim Howes – Stu Baker – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Carolina – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Giant Predatory Mollusk – Casey Faubion – Luigi Boccia – Rob Albright – E. Margaret Warton – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – Renee Downing – Ken Is Wearing a Hat – Jordan Block – Aaron Wade – Travis Pollard – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Carrie Schneider – Alenka Grealish – Richard Sneddon – Julian Roleff – Doreen Carlson – David McDarby – Wendy Gilchrist – Elliot Rosen – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jung – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jason Reitman – Ailie Fraser – Von – Karen Arnold – Natalie Mistilis – Josh Singer – Phino DeLeon – Amy Lynn Thornsen – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Stephen Rawlings – Victoria Yu – Kevin Rivers – Brad Clark – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – David Joske – Emma Sklar – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – Matthew Golden – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Richard Cambier – Madeleine Mader – Jason Pratt – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Olivia Bishop – John Gisselquist – Linda Duffy – Liz Seger – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nathan Gouwens – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cookies250 – Damian Brady – Angela Livingstone – David Friedman – Sarah Sulan – Diane Hughes – Jo Sutherland – Michael Casner – Lowell Meyer – Stephen Tsoneff – Lorenz Schwarz – Wen – Jack Sjogren – Geoff Golden – Robyn Fraser – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – JC – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Mark Perry – Dhu Wik – Mel – Eric Helm – Jake Roberts – Jonathan Daniels – Michael Flaherty – Caro Field – Michael Bochner – Naomi Watson – David Cushman – Alexander – Gavin Doig – Sam Fenn – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Jules Bailey – Andrew Fair – L.B. Morse – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Mueller – Nate from Kalamazoo – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Earl Lozada – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Colin Hodo
--------------------💃STRONG SONGS LIVE!🕺July 11, 2026 | Portland, ORBuy Tickets Here----LINKS-----💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!Patreon | One-Time Donation🏠 HOMEPAGE👚 MERCH💬 DISCORD SERVER📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC📷 KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music🎨 SHOW ART:Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

May 26, 2023 • 1h 5min
The Light and Dark of Music, with Lily E. Hirsch
Author and musicologist Lily E. Hirsch joins Kirk to talk about the many different aspects of music she's explored in her books.REFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE:Lily Hirsch's many books, including A Jewish Orchestra in Nazi Germany: Musical Politics and the Berlin Jewish Culture League, Weird Al: Seriously, and Can't Stop the Grrrls: Confronting Sexist Labels in Music from Ariana Grande to Yoko OnoGustav Mahler - Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, Gilbert Kaplan w/ th Vienna PhilharmonicOliver Sacks' book Musicophelia"Hot in Herre" by Nelly from Nellyville, 2002"Trash Day" by "Weird Al" Yankovic from Poodle Hat, 2003The episode of You're Wrong About, "Yoko Ono broke up the Beatles""Hyperballad" by Björk from Post, 1995"Galileo" by Emily Saliers performed by Indigo Girls on Rites of Passage, 1992"DDU-DU DDU-DU" by Blackpink from SQUARE UP - EP 2018"The Butterfly Effect" by Caroline Mallonee from String Tunes, 2023--------------------MAY 2023 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSCatherine Warner – Damon White – Kaya Woodall – Dan Austin – Jay Swartz – Miriam Joy – Sean D. Winnie – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Elliot Rosen – Ashley Hoag – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Jez – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Narelle Horn – Aidan Coughlan – Jeanneret Manning Family Four – Dave Sharpe – Sami Samhuri – AccessViolation – Ryan Torvik – Elliot Jay O’Neill – Andre Bremer – Mark Schechter – Dave FloreyMAY 2023 HALF-NOTE PATRONSBen Stein – Susan Green – Case Faubs – Jake Yumatilla – Alan Brough – Randal Vegter – Go Birds! – Jeff Speck – Samuel Millett – Abraham Benrubi – Whit Sidener – Chance McClain – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Tim Rosenwong – Nick Galloway – John Halpin – Peter Harding – David – Anthony Mahramus – Meghan O’Leary – John Bauman – Dax and Dane Huddleston – Martín Salías – Tim Howes – Stu Baker – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Carolina – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Giant Predatory Mollusk – Casey Faubion – Luigi Boccia – Rob Albright – E. Margaret Warton – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – Renee Downing – Ken Is Wearing a Hat – Jordan Block – Aaron Wade – Travis Pollard – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Anupama Raghavan – Carrie Schneider – Alenka Grealish – Richard Sneddon – Julian Roleff – Janice Berry – Doreen Carlson – David McDarby – Abigail Duffield – Wendy Gilchrist – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jung – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jason Reitman – Ailie Fraser – Von – Karen Arnold – Natalie Mistilis – Josh Singer – Phino DeLeon – Amy Lynn Thornsen – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Stephen Rawlings – Victoria Yu – Kevin Rivers – Brad Clark – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – David Joske – Emma Sklar – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – Matthew Golden – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Richard Cambier – Madeleine Mader – Jason Pratt – Stewart Oak – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Olivia Bishop – John Gisselquist – Linda Duffy – Sharon Tree – Liz Seger – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nathan Gouwens – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cookies250 – Damian Brady – Angela Livingstone – David Friedman – Sarah Sulan – Diane Hughes – Jo Sutherland – Michael Casner – Lowell Meyer – Stephen Tsoneff – Lorenz Schwarz – Wen – Jack Sjogren – Geoff Golden – Robyn Fraser – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – JC – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Mark Perry – Dhu Wik – Mel – Eric Helm – Jake Roberts – Jonathan Daniels – Michael Flaherty – Caro Field – Michael Bochner – Naomi Watson – David Cushman – Alexander – Gavin Doig – Sam Fenn – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Jules Bailey – Andrew Fair – L.B. Morse – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Mueller – Nate from Kalamazoo – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Earl Lozada – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Colin Hodo
--------------------💃STRONG SONGS LIVE!🕺July 11, 2026 | Portland, ORBuy Tickets Here----LINKS-----💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!Patreon | One-Time Donation🏠 HOMEPAGE👚 MERCH💬 DISCORD SERVER📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC📷 KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music🎨 SHOW ART:Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

Feb 17, 2023 • 1h 18min
From Bach to Miles Davis, with Emily Reese
Kirk sits down with musician and podcaster Emily Reese to talk about the beauty of Bach's "Goldberg Variations," the distinct sound of Davis/Evans/Mulligan's "Birth of the Cool," the joys of the Knight Rider theme, and her podcast Level with Emily Reese, which focuses on the wide world of video game music. FEATURED/DISCUSSED:Emily's music podcast Level with Emily: https://www.levelwithemily.com"Singin' the Blues" feat. Frankie Trumbauer on C Melody Sax"Move," by Miles Davis and "Jeru," "Rocker," and "Venus de Milo" by Gerry Mulligan, arr Gil Evans from Birth of the Cool released 1957"Knight Rider Theme" by Stu Phillips, 1982"Funky Fanfare" and "People's Choice" by Keith Mansfield from the KPM 1000 Series of Library Recordings"Thank You for Being a Friend" by Andrew Gold, recorded by Cynthia Fee, 1985"Density," "Transluce," "Among Ruins" from Citizen Sleeper by Amos Roddy, 2022"Rameau: Les Cyclopes" by Jean Phillipe Rameau, as performed by Trevor PinnockThe Complete Beethoven Symphonies as recorded by John Elliot Gardiner's Revolutionary and Romantic OrchestraStargazer by Dave Douglas, 1994--------------------FEBRUARY 2023 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSDamon White – Kaya Woodall – Dan Austin – Thomas Darst – Ed Rankin – Timothy Morshead – Jay Swartz – Ellen Nalven – Miriam Joy – Gareth Flynn – Ronjan – Kas – Patrick – Sean D. Winnie – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – RR – Prince M. Levy-Benitez – Kathie Hullfish – Paul McElliot Rosen – Ashley Hoag – Kelsair – Andrew Baker – Rob Bosworth – Josh Pearson – Kyle Cooke – Liam Keogh – Melissa Osborne – Kathleen Reus – Cynthia Hochswender – Per Morten Barstad – Christopher Miller – Tim Byrne – Jamie White – George H. Aronson – Johanna L. Branson – Angus McKimm – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Jeffrey Jue – Niko – Joe Laska – Laurie Acreman – Ken Hirsh – Jez – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Simon Cammell – Jill Smith-Moore – Rachel Rakov – Narelle Horn – Mickey Clark – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Rob S. – Bill Rosinger – Anne Britt – Phil Griffin – David Zahm – Kyle Starr – Erin – Aidan Coughlan – Steve Philpot – Jeanneret Manning Family Four – Matt Butler – Doug Paton – R. Watson – Viki Dun – Dave Sharpe – Sami Samhuri – Craig J. Covell – AccessViolation – Ryan Torvik – Fraser – Andrew Walters – Jared Norris – Elliot Jay O’Neill – Glenn – Caleb Rotach – Andre Bremer – Mark Schechter – Dave Florey – Dan Apczynski – Sara WalshFEBRUARY 2023 HALF-NOTE PATRONSRandal Vegter – Go Birds! – Jeff Speck – Samuel Millett – Abraham Benrubi – Whit Sidener – Emlia Alford – Chance McClain – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Tim Rosenwong – Jason Morrissey – Nick Galloway – John Halpin – Jennifer Kenner – Peter Harding – David – Jared – Anthony Mahramus – Ross Shain – Meghan O’Leary – Jeffrey Puzzo – John Bauman – Dax and Dane Huddleston – Martín Salías – Tim Howes – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Carolina – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Giant Predatory Mollusk – Casey Faubion – Luigi Boccia – Rob Albright – E. Margaret Warton – Daniel Mosier – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – Owain Hunt – Renee Downing – Drew – Rohan Latimer – Ken Is Wearing a Hat – Tony – Jordan Block – Aaron Wade – Michael Flaherty – Photog19610 – Travis Pollard – Jeff Ulm – Jeff Newman – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Adam Ray – Anupama Raghavan – Demetri Detsaridis – Carrie Schneider – Alenka Grealish – Anne Gerry – Richard Sneddon – David Judson – Julian Roleff – Melissa Gallardo – Janice Berry – Doreen Carlson – Mtwolf – David McDarby – Abigail Duffield – Wendy Gilchrist – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Miles Forman – Dennis M. Edwards – Jeffrey Ferris – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jungben – Kurt Wendelken – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jason Reitman – Andy Painter – Karen Liu – Greg Burgess – Ailie Fraser – Simon Prieto – Von – Paul McGreal – Karen Arnold – Natalie Mistilis – Josh Singer – Phino DeLeon – Schloss Edward J. MD – Rhyanon Murray – Amy Lynn Thornsen – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Stephen Rawlings – Ben Machta – Victoria Yu – Kevin Rivers – Gray Dyer – Brad Clark – Christopher – Michael J. Cunningham – Kari Kirk – Mark Boggs – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – Mary Schoenmaker – Sarah – David Joske – Åshild Margrete Østtveit Odéen – Emma Sklar – Spencer Stanford – Bernard Khoo – David Blackman – Andrew Shpall – Robert Heuer – Matthew Golden – Brian Meldrum – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Richard Cambier – Madeleine Mader – Andy Smith – Timothy Dougherty – Jason Pratt – Stewart Oak – Caroline Miller – Abbie Berg – Sam Norton – Nicole Schleicher – Shelly Underhill – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Stephen Matthews – Bridget Lyons – Olivia Bishop – Jeremy Schwartz – John Gisselquist – Elaine Martin – Linda Duffy – Thomas König – Bonnie Prinsen – Sharon Tree – Belinda McGrath-Steer – Liz Seger – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Pete Simm – Susan Plein – Shawn McCarthy – Dallas Hockley – Jana J. – Terron – Jason Gerry – Rich Roskopf – Melissa Gallo – Joel Stevenson – Nathan Gouwens – Will Dwyer – Alethea Lee – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Erika L. Austin – Cookies250 – Spencer Shirley – Damian Brady – Angela Livingstone – Jeffy Thanadros – David Friedman – Phillip Dalton – Mark Edwards – Randall Browning – Sarah Sulan – Diane Hughes – Matt Beams – Kenneth Tiong – Jo Sutherland – Michael Casner – Barb Courtney – Derek and Laura Bender – Franco Famularo – Don Hutchison – Lowell Meyer – Etele Illes – Jeff Almond – Stephen Tsoneff – Lorenz Schwarz – Becca Sample – Mia – Wen – Jack Sjogren – Aparajit Raghavan – Benedict Pennington – Geoff Golden – Robyn Fraser – Alexander Geddes – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – JC – Latifah Makuyi – Brendan Jubb – Clare Holberton – Jake Tinsley – Georgia Livesay – David Zucker – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Suellen Moore – Brendon Oliver-Ewen – Kendra Reid – Judy Chapple – Tijs Soete – Stuart Terry – Mark Perry – Malory – Dhu Wik – Mel – Eric Helm – Jake Roberts – Briony Leo – Jonathan Daniels – Steven Maron – Michael Flaherty – Jarrod Schindler – Stephen – Gerry Nelson – Dave King – Albukitty – Caro Field – Wayne Marsh – Judith Stansfield – Jenifer Carr – Michael Bochner – Duncan – Brant Brantphillip – Naomi Watson – Leigh Sales – Markus Koester – David Cushman – Alexander – Toni Isaacson – Jeremy Dawson – Robbie Ferrero – Jake Dye – Chris K. – Gavin Doig – Mark Steen – Sam Fenn – Tanner Morton – Molly – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – SP – Brooke Wilford – Alex Singer – Cyrus N. White – Shaun Wiese – Miriam Juskowicz – Mark Haberlen – Dominik Schmitt – Juan Carlos Montemayor Elosua – Kate Albury – Matt Gaskell – Jules Bailey – Eero Wahlstedt – Andrew Fair – Darryl Stewart – L.B. Morse – Bill Thornton – Tim Evans – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Ravy Vajravelu – Nick Clements – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Mueller – Nate from Kalamazoo – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Jeff Dixon – John and Sharon Stenglein – Tom Lauerjou – Forrest Chang – Earl Lozada – Jon O’Keefe – Max Schechter – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – Superman TD Jesus – James Johnson – Andrew Lee – Kevin Morrell – Tom Clewer – Kevin Pennyfeather – Flshbones – Colin Hodohazy Shacter – Kyle Simons – Emily Williams
--------------------💃STRONG SONGS LIVE!🕺July 11, 2026 | Portland, ORBuy Tickets Here----LINKS-----💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!Patreon | One-Time Donation🏠 HOMEPAGE👚 MERCH💬 DISCORD SERVER📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC📷 KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music🎨 SHOW ART:Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

Dec 30, 2022 • 21min
"Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" by Kate Bush
Happy holidays! Here's a Patreon minisode Kirk published last summer about Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill." See you in 2023!ORIGINAL SHOW NOTES, 6/24/2022:The whole world is talking about Kate Bush's masterful 1985 song "Running Up That Hill," so Kirk figured he might as well talk about it, too. On this bonus Patreon episode, he takes a crack at re-creating the song's iconic sound and digs into some of the digital recording technology that Bush used to make it sound so distinct.FEATURED/DISCUSSED:"Wuthering Heights" by Kate Bush from The Kick Inside, 1978"Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" by Kate Bush from Hounds of Love, 1985Audio from Season 4, Episode 4 of Stranger ThingsInformation gleaned from Reverb Machine's excellent breakdown of the tools and techniques used on the song: https://reverbmachine.com/blog/kate-bush-synth-sounds/--------------------DECEMBER 2022 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSDamon White – Kaya Woodall – Dan Austin – Ed Rankin – Jay Swartz – Miriam Joy – Sean D. Winnie – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – RR – Elliot Rosen – Ashley Hoag – Mark and Michelle – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joshua Jarvis – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Jez – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Simon Cammell – Guinevere Boostrom – Narelle Horn – Bill Rosinger – Erin – Aidan Coughlan – Jeanneret Manning Family Four – Dave Sharpe – Sami Samhuri – AccessViolation – Ryan Torvik – Elliot Jay O’Neill – Jim Chokey – Andre Bremer – Mark Schechter – Dave FloreyDECEMBER 2022 HALF-NOTE PATRONSRobert Granat – Dave Malloy – Jason Morrissey – Nick Galloway – Heather Johnson – John Halpin – Jennifer Kenner – Peter Harding – David – Anthony Mahramus – Meghan O’Leary – Jeffrey Puzzo – John Bauman – Dax and Dane Huddleston – Martín Salías – Tim Howes – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Carolina – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Giant Predatory Mollusk – Casey Faubion – Luigi Boccia – Rob Albright – E. Margaret Warton – Daniel Mosier – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – Renee Downing – Ken Is Wearing a Hat – Jordan Block – Aaron Wade – Chad Hivner – Travis Pollard – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Adam Ray – Anupama Raghavan – Carrie Schneider – Alenka Grealish – Richard Sneddon – David Judson – Julian Roleff – Janice Berry – Doreen Carlson – David McDarby – Abigail Duffield – Wendy Gilchrist – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Dennis M. Edwards – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jungben – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jason Reitman – Greg Burgess – Ailie Fraser – Von – Paul McGreal – Karen Arnold – Natalie Mistilis – Josh Singer – Phino DeLeon – Amy Lynn Thornsen – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Stephen Rawlings – Ben Machta – Victoria Yu – Kevin Rivers – Brad Clark – Michael J. Cunningham – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – Sarah – David Joske – Emma Sklar – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – Matthew Golden – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Richard Cambier – Madeleine Mader – Jason Pratt – Stewart Oak – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Olivia Bishop – John Gisselquist – Elaine Martin – Linda Duffy – Kouroth – Sharon Tree – Belinda McGrath-Steer – Liz Seger – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Susan Plein – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nathan Gouwens – Will Dwyer – Alethea Lee – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cookies250 – Damian Brady – Angela Livingstone – David Friedman – Sarah Sulan – Diane Hughes – Kenneth Tiong – Jo Sutherland – Michael Casner – Jen Small – Lowell Meyer – Etele Illes – Stephen Tsoneff – Lorenz Schwarz – Wen – Jack Sjogren – Geoff Golden – Robyn Fraser – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – JC – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Mark Perry – Dhu Wik – Mel – Eric Helm – Jake Roberts – Jonathan Daniels – Steven Maron – Michael Flaherty – Caro Field – Michael Bochner – Naomi Watson – David Cushman – Alexander – Chris K – Gavin Doig – Sam Fenn – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Matt Gaskell – Jules Bailey – Andrew Fair – L.B. Morse – Bill Thornton – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Mueller – Nate from Kalamazoo – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Earl Lozada – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Kevin Pennyfeather – Colin Hodo
--------------------💃STRONG SONGS LIVE!🕺July 11, 2026 | Portland, ORBuy Tickets Here----LINKS-----💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!Patreon | One-Time Donation🏠 HOMEPAGE👚 MERCH💬 DISCORD SERVER📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC📷 KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music🎨 SHOW ART:Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics


