Adiós.

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By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

This jumble of words, painting a vista of zigzags logged during a life dedicated to the promotion of melody, harmony and lyrical wordplay, comes because today is my last day in service to the pop community, which I have observed and reported on for more than two decades.

This jumble of words, crafted after much thought, is my goodbye to Pure Pop Radio. Since 1995, I have brought the best of the grandest statements of talented independent pop writers and musicians to the public on the radio and in countless reviews and articles. Due to ongoing health issues, I am closing up shop, although my work over the last eight years will remain, archived and available for all to see in these pages.

I began Pure Pop Radio after two previous radio shows didn’t work out. My first was called Lost Treasures and Guilty Pleasures; the idea was to play rare, deep album cuts and bonus tracks from 45s and 12-inch singles. After only a couple of weeks, I had played most of what I had envisioned playing and subsequently junked the format. I moved on to an all-Beatles show, incorporating group and solo recordings. Much to my surprise, this got boring after a relatively short period of time. No one was more surprised than me; I’m the biggest Beatles and solo Beatles fan on the planet, but I longed for the variety that only a wide selection of artists could bring.

Enter Pure Pop Radio–pop, meaning both popular and the catchy two- to three-minute songs I grew up listening to on the radio in the sixties, and pure, meaning honest, hook-filled songwriting and performance. As the weekly show quickly grew (the weekly show eventually became a 24-hour internet radio station), it began to showcase indie artists I discovered reading pop fanzines such as Audities and Popsided. I worked fervently behind the scenes to gather songs to play, calling artists from home and from pay phones in airports (my day job sometimes involved traveling).

Early on, I began interviewing artists both in-person and on the telephone, from 10cc’s Graham Gouldman and Kevin Godley, Andrew Gold, all three members of Klaatu (Terry Draper, John Woloschuk, and Dee Long) and the Knack’s Doug Fieger to Jeffrey Foskett, Emitt Rhodes, Bill Lloyd and indie popster Ray Paul. Through the years, interviews became more important to me; I enjoyed talking to artists and finding out what made them tick.

There is usually a defining moment in one’s life that kicks their passion up a notch; for me, that was when I discovered the music of the Spongetones on a Borders Books and Music listening station. Their then-current album was Textural Drone Thing; I listened to the entire album, mesmerized by the group’s catchy, pure pop approach. My life was changed during those moments; I contacted the group’s Jamie Hoover by email and told him so, in so many fanboy words. Over the years, Jamie and Steve Stoeckel became frequent guests and friends; in 2000, on their way up to New York to play a show, the group stopped in to WEBR, the station from which I broadcast, and played acoustically and answered questions for an hour that remains one of my favorite achievements.

Another favorite achievement is my two-hour interview with XTC’s Andy Partridge, around the time of the group’s Apple Venus album, during which we spoke about the band’s catalog and much more. And there are more–many, many more moments, including interviews with melodic pop’s elite artists from Lisa Mychols and Scott Gagner to the Davenports’ Scott Klass and the late John Wicks, whom I was proud to call my close friend; we spent many a lunch hour back-and-forthing and logged many a musical adventure when he lived near me here in Northern Virginia.

During the last few years, I have had to deal with health issues that sometimes curtailed my activity. Lately, that has become harder to deal with; I found that, during certain periods of time, I was unable to continue working on Pure Pop Radio, the internet radio station, so I took that off the air. And now, I find myself mostly unable to work on reviews and articles for this website. The only thing to do was to take care of myself and close the door on Pure Pop Radio in all of its forms.

I will miss being here, reporting on the latest and greatest catchy, melodic pop being produced by indie pop artists from all over the world. I will still be around, of course, enjoying the latest sounds that strike my fancy and talking about them on social media. But my days writing reviews and articles are done.

I apologize if, in this essay, I didn’t mention you or you, even; this jumble of thoughts was never meant to be all-encompassing. My sincere thanks go out to every artist or record company executive or author or artist manager or public relations professional who ever consented to an interview and/or sent me music to play on the radio and review on this website.

It has been my pleasure and my honor to bring Pure Pop Radio to you for the past 26 years. Certainly, there were a few breaks during that long timespan, but I always came back, ready and willing to give great indie pop artists a platform for their art.

Now, I leave the job to you, my faithful readers; listen to the pop music that you love and spread the word. It is time for me to say thank you, and…

Adiós.

Alan Haber browses at Trax on Wax
Me, in the long ago, browsing at Music City (Catonsville), Maryland’s Trax on Wax, the greatest record store on planet Earth

Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, Spring 2021, Episode Three: The Legal Matters Talk Chapter, Verse and Chorus

alan headshot from schoolBy Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

It goes without saying, you might and probably do say, that the coming together of Andy Reed, Chris Richards and Keith Klingensmith as the Legal Matters was a couldn’t-be-denied fait accomplis. After all, the three musicians have been connected to each other, in one way or another, for a long time–in bands and various other musical pairings and on the level that counts most, friendship.

The groundswell of support and out-and-out love for the trio’s self-titled debut album, released in 2014, may have been surprising to some, but maybe not really to those of us who follow such things, who track the reception of albums carefully created by the best and brightest talents holding court in the world of melodic pop music.

The Legal Matters’ 2016 sophomore release, Conrad, garnered even more praise, which has led to a third long-player, Chapter Three, just released by Keith Klingensmith’s Futureman Records, an independent label that is dependent on an outpouring of love from lovers of melodic pop music, of which there are many.

Join Andy Reed, Chris Richards and Keith Klingensmith as they gather with me to talk about Chapter Three and what makes the Legal Matters tick on an all-new edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation. Presented in See! Hear! Pop!, our finely-tuned, video-riffic sight and sound format, this is another of the can’t-miss kind of in-depth conversations we’re known for. The interview begins below.

After you’ve seen and heard the lively back-and-forth, click on any of the Bandcamp players presented below and listen to a few of the tracks from Chapter Three, all of which I predict you will love and which will propel you to purchase the album on vinyl, CD or as a download. Or vinyl, CD and as a download, because you can never have enough Legal Matters music in your life.

Enjoy.

Chapter Three by The Legal Matters

Chapter Three by The Legal Matters

Chapter Three by The Legal Matters

Where to Get It: The Legal Matters Store, Bandcamp, Amazon, Kool Kat Musik

Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, hosted by Alan Haber, is the internet’s premier talk show presenting melodic pop music artists talking about their work. New episodes appear here exclusively on the Pure Pop Radio website. Podcast versions of previously-aired episodes are archived here.

Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the premier website covering the melodic pop scene with in-depth reviews of new and reissued recordings, and a wide variety of features.

Well Foraged, Three Musicians Talk Chapter and Verse (and Chorus) Tomorrow on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation

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By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

Emerging from the forest and well foraged, the three musicians who rounded up a bounty of melody and harmony (see here) tell their story to me tomorrow on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation.

Andy Reed (upper left), Chris Richards (upper right), and Keith Klingensmith: The Legal Matters

At last, their identities can be revealed! Andy Reed, Chris Richards and Keith Klingensmith, appearing in fanciful pose in what can only be called animal press photos gone awry (no matter how cute they may seem), have gotten together in Andy’s cozy Reed Recording studio to wax the next installment in their ongoing search for the perfectly melodic pop song.

It so happens that this trio has scored another bullseye with Chapter Three, the Legal Matters’ third long-player, now out and about, courtesy of Keith’s Futureman Records. Tomorrow, you will be treated to one of our in-depth conversations, recorded in See! Hear! Pop!, our finely-tuned, video-riffic sight and sound format, in which we all find out everything there is to know about how this wonderfully melodic collection came to be. Drenched, as is their wont, in luscious melodies and sumptuous harmonies, these songs are the Matters’ best yet.

Here’s just one example of what the Legal Matters have come up with this third time around:

Chapter Three by The Legal Matters

Tomorrow, then. We’ll see you around 11:45 am ET for my in-depth conversation with the Legal Matters, talking about their new album, Chapter Three.

Where to Get the Legal Matters’ Chapter Three: Futureman Records on Bandcamp

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Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the premier website covering the melodic pop scene with in-depth reviews of new and reissued recordings, interviews and a wide variety of features.

Found Foraging for Food in the Forest, Three Musicians Find Melody and Harmony Instead. In Conversation Has the Story

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By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

It’s a wonder, alright, that in the light of day, covered high above by the outgrowth of trees and clouds overhead, three musicians, looking vaguely familiar, find not food but a selection of melodies, harmonies and songs to pass on to friends and family and lovers of melodic pop music.

It is a story worth telling, and tell it we shall next Tuesday with all three vaguely familiar folks, musicians all, at their respective microphones for a chat about what is finally here, the third chapter in their ongoing story. It is, you will be happy to know, a very special edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation.

Mark your calendars: Next Tuesday, May 4 right here on the Pure Pop Radio website. Three musicians, looking vaguely familiar, talking, and singing sweetly, for you all. Here they are, in fact:








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Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, hosted by Alan Haber, is the internet’s premier talk show presenting melodic pop music artists talking about their work. New episodes appear here exclusively on the Pure Pop Radio website. Podcast versions of previously-aired episodes are archived here.

Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the premier website covering the melodic pop scene with in-depth reviews of new and reissued recordings, and a wide variety of features.

New on Pure Pop Radio 4-14-21: Bill Lloyd Defines Power Pop With Curated Selection

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By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

Bill Lloyd | A Selection of Power Pop 1985-2020 – 15 Songs (Whole In One Records, 2021)

A Selection of Power Pop 1985-2020 – 15 Songs

Somewhere, somehow, there’s a person who thinks he’s come up with the most perfectly sensible and usable definition of the term power pop but, like the formulas for pantyhose that won’t ever rip or paper that won’t tear, that definition, true or not, is hidden deep in the recesses of a virtual break-proof safe. It is virtually unfindable.

Someone, somewhere, who thinks he has the perfect definition of power pop, is giggling and thinking he could release it into the wild, but why would he? That would stop the daily, hourly, minute-by-minute parlor game power pop fans have been playing since the unveiling of the internet so many years ago, perpetuated by queries that suggest that their favorite song is power pop, but what do you guys think?

Regardless of what someone might think, definitively defining the term power pop is simply not possible. Like the act of standing an egg on its end and having it stand there all by its lonesome, the term power pop will likely always be pondered by the best minds in the business and never be satisfactorily defined. There’s even a book that artfully tackles the subject, Go All the Way–A Literary Appreciation of Power Pop, edited by Paul Myers and S.W. Lauden, that will soon have a sequel.

While the quest for the really, truly, definitive definition of the term power pop continues, we have an album that collects 15 top-notch recordings by top-of-the-pops pop songsmith Bill Lloyd, billed as “a selection of power pop” that comes as close as anyone has come to defining the term. For all anyone knows, Lloyd might be the guy who has the defining definition of power pop locked away in some secret location–the real, true definition, as evidenced by this latest release.

Drawing from nine career-defining records released by Lloyd from 1985-2020, A Selection of Power Pop is evidence personified that this important artist, whose career is defined by forays into numerous stylistic nooks and crannies during his long and storied career, can power pop with the best of them.

Boy King of Tokyo
Back to Even
Bill Lloyd

Moving chronologically through his career, A Selection of Power Pop presents songs, some co-written with pop luminaries such as Marshall Crenshaw and Jamie Hoover, that count power as perhaps their most intrinsic element (although “Kiss Your Sister,” from Back to Even and “The Best Record Ever Made,” from Boy King of Tokyo, seem more poppy than power poppy to me). Of course, without strong, catchy melodies the power component of these songs wouldn’t mean much; Lloyd is among the top purveyors of melody in pop working today, or yesterday for that matter, and these songs each have incredibly strong melodies. They are powerful and melodic, the total package.

Feeling the Elephant
Set to Pop

Take the remake of “I Went Electric,” originally the opener on Lloyd’s iconic Set to Pop album, and here taken from Reset 2014; the surging, redoubtable melody, reminiscent of the best of the Kinks and the Pretenders, is indelible and feeds directly into the hair-raising electric guitar explosion that plays for about 45 glorious seconds before the song fades. A new remix by Glenn Rosenstein of “Mistakes Were Made,” which closed out the running order of Boy King of Tokyo and performs the same task here, presents a recording now zapped with extra-added dynamism and, not coincidentally, a stronger platform for one of Lloyd’s catchiest melodies. And an early Lloyd classic, Feeling the Elephant’s “Lisa Anne,” only hints at what combos of power and melody would deliver on future long-players.

How does Lloyd construct the 15 melodic power pop classics offered on A Selection of Power Pop? Only he knows, really; it’s something he does, and it comes naturally based on decades of experience and knowing what works. The idea is first, fully- or partially-formed; that idea gets worked on until it makes sense top to bottom. Then the instrumental makeup of the song gets crafted–guitars here, more guitars there, the lead vocal mixes with harmony stacks. The various elements of the song get properly mixed so there isn’t too much of that there and more of that where it makes sense; in the end, a balance is struck, causing every element to click.

These 15 songs, Lloyd’s carefully-curated selection of power pop released by him since 1985, clicks with a well-oiled touch. These songs, newly-remastered and featuring guests stars such as Al Kooper, Cheap Trick’s Tom Petersson, Big Star’s Jody Stephens, The Smithereens’ Dennis Diken, Amy Rigby and more, are powerful; together, they rev up a virtual engine that sings with creative exuberance. They are, taken together, a shining example of the writer’s art, of the performer’s interpretation. And they are classics, each and every one of them.

Where to Get It: billlloydmusicAmazonApple Music

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Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the premier website covering the melodic pop scene with in-depth reviews of new and reissued recordings, interviews and a wide variety of features.

New on Pure Pop Radio 4-7-21: The Weeklings Fool No One, Astral Drive’s Summery Breeze, and Ken Sharp Creates Dreamy Miniatures

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By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

The Weeklings | “April’s Fool” (Jem, 2021)

Really, truly, you just couldn’t–you just couldn’t have picked a better day to release this rollicking, very Lefty, Zeek, Rocky and Smokestack kind of tune, very Merseybeat-ish with a healthy dose of toe-tappery and a clever-beyond-compare aural allusion to a certain Fab track beloved by zillions.

Amirite, Mr. Jem? I should think so!

New Jersey’s Fabbest Four return with a hot-to-trot track kicking off with Smokestack’s pounding, beatitudinal drum swipes and the narrator’s spot-on reportage of the girl in front of him–“Dressed to the nines, you were so / Out of my league,” he sings, and she answers: “She said it’s alright boy, wontcha come home with me.” But all is not well, as it turns out–our narrator is an April’s fool.

But this track is no fool, name-checking a fave Beatles song title at 1:18, jumping head, hands and feet first into a joyous “Hey Bulldog” nod for 31 blissful seconds from 2:05, and going sweet a cappella for a quick bit before turning the whole rocking compote into a faux funk workout before the fade puts the track to rest.

It comes as no surprise that Lefty and Zeek turn in some truly impressive vocal-chord-stretching workouts, that Lefty wrings every possible emotion out of his bass strings, that Smokestack keeps the beat alive, that Rocky’s guitarring astounds one and all, all the way through. It comes as no surprise that “April’s Fool” is one heck of a track–a classic among all of the Weeklings tracks that came before it.

A must-have? Why, certainly.

Where to Get It: AmazonApple Music

Astral Drive | “No Matter What” (Lojinx, 2021)

The forces of magic and nature emanating from West London in the United Kingdom know no boundaries; even the ongoing pandemic year cannot keep Phil Thornalley, working tirelessly and social distancy in his Swamp studio, from his appointed rounds, during which he fills the hearts of melodic pop lovers with joy just when they need it most.

So it is absolutely no surprise that Phil’s Astral Drive project keeps rolling along with cheery, Todd Rundgren-esque nuggets, except when they’re not Rundgren-esque at all; Astral Drive’s latest release, a sweet reimagining of Badfinger’s “No Matter What,” is all Phil, all the time.

On this astral plane, “No Matter What” sheds its power pop roots for a seasonal, summery approach. Atop a light bossa nova beat and acoustic guitar pluckings, Phil sings softly as the Thornalley singers (all Phil, all the time) ooh and ooh some more just when they’re needed most, while Sally Herbert and Ian Burdge play violins and cello according to Phil’s delicate string arrangement, punctuated by particularly effective wriggling string parts that sound for all the world like slight wind gusts turning the page of a book outside on a warm day.

Welcome in to your world Astral Drive’s take on “No Matter What,” a classic song reimagined with joy and spirit in mind.

Where to Get It: AmazonApple Music

Ken Sharp | Miniatures (2021)

In your dream, it’s as if, on a summery day in August, say, or July, even, you find yourself riding through the countryside in your convertible, top down, your hair floating every which way, sunglasses filtering out the brightest light, and you come to a fork in the road; your GPS is no good here, but you luckily have a keen sense of direction.

That way, then, it is; you eschew your electronic signal and hold your left hand outward like in the old days, when you took your driving test and the instructor demanded you signal the old-fashioned way. You drive for a minute, maybe two, and there it is, a compact house built with various sizes of stone, surrounded by a finely-kept lawn. You drive up, park and walk to the front door; as you get closer to the knob, you start hearing the sounds being made inside by a musician who’s been making music for decades, lovely, short songs, a mix of baroque, folk, sixties and seventies soft pop; you knock on the door and you hear “Come on in,” so you do. You wipe your feet on the rug that says “Smile all who enter here.”

And the music plays on–guitars, keyboards, vibes, bell trees, mellotrons, ebows, bass, maracas, handclaps, and the human voice, singing sweetly and filling the house with love and joy and melodies. You meet the music maker, as you had pre-arranged; he introduces himself and says his name is Ken; his hands are busy making the sounds you are hearing, so you don’t shake his. You ask what kind of music he is making and Ken says, “I’m making catchy music–short songs, stretches of idea, none longer than a minute and fifty-seven seconds.” The shortest, Ken offers, is 50 seconds.

“There are 32 of what I call ‘Miniatures,’ and they’re a whole lot different than what I usually do. They’re lo-fi, too, but high in fiber.” Why do you call them Miniatures, you ask. “Because that’s what they are,” Ken says, smiling. “Are you doing all of this by yourself?”, you wonder aloud. “Well, Fernando Perdomo and Kaitlin Wolfberg pop up every so often, but otherwise, it’s all me.” You smile and you know that this is all a dream, or at least that’s how this all feels, the music evoking memories of Harpers Bizarre and the Left Banke and Curt Boettcher and the mid-sixties Beach Boys, among others, washing over and around and within you, sounding so comfortable as if it is all a part of you, which, of course, it is, because these are the sounds that ground you in your life, sounds that have been with you ever since you heard sounds like these growing up in decades past, from the radio, from your parents’ stereo, from your record player. This is what gets created, Ken says, when creation is filled with love.

“This is the kind of music I would play at home, at picnics, in the basement, in the attic, in the wherever,” you say. Ken says this will all be finished soon and ready for public consumption, to which you say “That is a good thing.” And then, suddenly, you wake; it all feels so real, this dream you had, and then you find yourself listening to the finished project and feeling as though you have heard it all before. And you phone a friend or instant message or tweet or whatever the kids do today to stay in touch, and you say, “You’ve got to hear these ‘Miniatures’ that Ken created. This is how dreams become reality. You really must make these ‘Miniatures’ yours.”

Miniatures by Ken Sharp

Miniatures by Ken Sharp

Miniatures by Ken Sharp

Where to Get It:  BandcampApple Music

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Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the premier website covering the melodic pop scene with in-depth reviews of new and reissued recordings, interviews and a wide variety of features.

New on Pure Pop Radio 4-6-21: Einstein’s Sister Returns; Nelson Bragg Returns, too; Kai Danzberg Sings for You, and Aaron Lee Tasjan and Lilly Hiatt Sing Sweetly for Luck Reunion and Third Man

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By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

Einstein’s Sister | “Begin Again” c/w “Standing Still” (Yummy Pop Tunes, 2020)

Announcing the triumphant return of Einstein’s Sister, Moline, Illinois’ melodic pop powerhouse, drummer Marty Reyhons pounds his kick drum and tightly-wound snare while his cymbals swish through the air, awaiting the entrance of an expressive rhythm guitar and determined bass. With Bill Douglas’s lead vocal and Tim Smith’s sweet backing vocal harmonies, the setup is complete, and the upbeat “Begin Again,” one of two ace new songs–the first since a pair that graced a 2002 Japan-only best-of compilation–is up and running.

The bluesy mid-tempo pop-rocker “Standing Still” also announces itself with a classic Marty Reyhons’ drum attack; elastic rhythm guitar stabs and electric guitar lines, deep bass plunks, and Kerry Tucker’s assured lead vocal are the stars that shine the brightest on this dynamic track.

With support from Smith (ex-Jellyfish) and guitar hero Vinnie Zummo, expressive mixing by Nick Davis, who has worked extensively with Genesis, and magical mastering by Abbey Road’s Miles Showell, Pure Pop Radio favorite Einstein’s Sister reigns supreme with an important, new release spotlighting two new superb, quite catchy numbers.

This new single, pressed on “transparent blue” vinyl, is accompanied by a CD with both new songs on it, along with instrumental versions; a download card, and a lyric and credits sheet. You can also purchase a digital download, but for $10, the physical media buy is a steal.

Welcome back, Einstein’s Sister, and stay for awhile, won’t you?

Where to Get It: Bandcamp

Nelson Bragg | “I Want Love” c/w “Lost All Our Sundays” (Steel Derrick Music, 2021)

Melodic pop fans will know and treasure musician Nelson Bragg from his two superb solo albums (2006’s Day Into Night and 2012’s We Get What We Want), his work with Anny Celsi and Duncan Maitland, and his dazzling percussion magic, performed as a member of Brian Wilson’s band for fourteen years.

Bragg’s first new release since We Get What We Want is a single precursor to a new album, Gratitude Blues, set for release later this year. The A- and B-sides–a warm cover of Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s ballad “I Want Love,” originally released on Elton’s 2001 album, Songs from the West Coast, and “Lost All Our Sundays,” a dynamic, upbeat Bragg track that was recorded in 2004 and never released, presented in a 2004 mix exclusive to this 45–both sparkle with dreamy, deeply-felt harmony vocal stacks, a Bragg trademark (a 2020 remix of “Lost All Our Sundays” will appear on Gratitude Blues). The ghostly a cappella open to “I Want Love” is a particular highlight, very clever and creative.

Housed in an attractive sleeve, the single is available from Bandcamp. Big bonus: Copies for U.S. buyers are signed and numbered by Bragg! Don’t miss this!

Where to Get It: Steel Derrick Music

Kai Danzberg | “Only You” (Big Stir, 2021)

In only five short years, Hanover, Germany’s Kai Danzberg has joined the ranks of top popsters with release after release of catchy, melodic songs. His latest is a lively, upbeat, pop-samba paean to love with vocal embellishments from Kai’s older sister, Ida. Kai’s lead vocal is perhaps his best yet–expressive and sure. “Only You” is a keeper, and one of the recent toppermost-of-the-poppermost digital singles in Big Stir’s ongoing series, now curated by musician Irene Pena.

Only You (Big Stir Single No. 123) by Kai Danzberg

Where to Get It: Bandcamp

Aaron Lee Tasjan and Lilly Hiatt | “Dublin Blues”
Lilly Hiatt and Aaron Lee Tasjan | “Angel from Montgomery”
(Luck Reunion and Third Man Records)

From 2017, this graceful pair of recordings, waxed at Americana Fest in Nashville, shine a emotional light on a pair of classic compositions from John Prine and Guy Clark. Melodic pop fans will likely know at least some of Aaron Lee Tasjan’s remarkable work (Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan! and Karma for Cheap are two shining examples); Lilly Hiatt, being the daughter of John Hiatt, will also likely be a familiar name.

This bare-bones-designed 45, one in a series of Luck Mansion Sessions releases (read about the series here and here), presents Tasjan taking the lead vocal on Clark’s “Dublin Blues,” which appeared on Clark’s 1995 album of the same name. Hiatt takes the lead vocal on Prine’s iconic “Angel from Montgomery,” from Prine’s self-titled 1971 debut. The performances, recorded live, are intimate, lovingly delivered, and a joy to hear (and you will likely dig the acoustic guitar lead runs on “Angel from Montgomery”).

Highly recommended.

Where to Get It: Third Man Records

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Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the premier website covering the melodic pop scene with in-depth reviews of new and reissued recordings, interviews and a wide variety of features.

Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, Spring 2021, Episode Two: Timmy Sean Tells a Tale from the Other Side

alan headshot from schoolBy Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

Despite the restrictions imposed on us all during this ongoing pandemic year, it’s been a productive time for Pure Pop Radio favorite Timmy Sean. His online presence increased exponentially after he produced (overnight!) a rocking version of “Agatha After All,” the pivotal song from Disney Plus’s now-iconic television show, WandaVision (Timmy and I talked about the song previously on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation).

If that weren’t enough, Timmy also wrote and produced a 20-track pop-rock opera–A Tale from the Other Side–writing, arranging, performing, engineering, producing and mixing it all on his own from the confines of his home studio (whew!). Longtime Pure Pop Radio observers will remember our yearlong coverage of Timmy’s 2015 Songs of the Week project; it’s fairly obvious that we like pretty much whatever this dude comes up with.

And so Timmy’s winning streak continues with this wonderful musical triumph. Timmy and I talked about it for this new edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation. Recorded in See! Hear! Pop!, our finely-tuned, video-riffic sight and sound format, our lively and informative conversation is now yours to savor.

Also yours to savor are a few examples of Timmy Sean’s art, appearing below. Listen and head on over to Timmy’s Bandcamp page to add A Tale from the Other Side to your music collection (link below).

Enjoy!

Where to Get It: A Tale from the Other Side
More Timmy Sean: Bandcamp

Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, hosted by Alan Haber, is the internet’s premier talk show presenting melodic pop music artists talking about their work. New episodes appear here exclusively on the Pure Pop Radio website. Podcast versions of previously-aired episodes are archived here.

Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the premier website covering the melodic pop scene with in-depth reviews of new and reissued recordings, and a wide variety of features.

Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, Spring 2021, Episode One: Brian Bringelson and Katy Pearson

alan headshot from schoolBy Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

We’ve just happily slid into spring; everything is new again–warmer, sunnier, and full of promise. In Conversation’s spring 2021 season kicks off with a sunny conversation with one of melodic pop’s happy, productive couples whose passion, no matter the season, is music.

Brian Bringelson and Katy Pearson, married and musical, have long been Pure Pop Radio favorites. My love for Brian’s music goes way back to when he was writing and recording under the nom de plume Paul Starling; Brian’s current release, Desperate Days, a superb long player billed as by Brian and Gabe Dulek and released by Keith Klingensmith’s Futureman imprint, is delighting listeners from here to there and back again. Katy, who writes and records as Bearkat, or Miss Bearkat, to be more formal, is a multi-instrumentalist with a lovely voice and lovely songs.

During this ongoing pandemic year, these married music makers have reached out to their fans with performances of various songs captured on video and posted online; behind the scenes, they have thought about and look forward to going back on their local live circuit to delight audiences with in-person performances. Whether on their own, in duo mode, or creating beautiful music with their group, Anchor and Bear, this couple is magical.

Brian and Katy are quite simply terrific music folk, big favorites of mine, and my guests on this new edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation. During this charming half-hour talk, recorded in See! Hear! Pop!, our finely-tuned, video-riffic sight and sound format, we cover all manner of subject from their separate and together musical work to Brian’s ongoing search for the best vinyl pressings available. And that, as one might say, barely scratches the surface.

After you watch and listen to this latest In Conversation offering, you are invited to click on the videos below to hear some of the music that Brian and Katy have been making, after which I would bet you will be off and running to your local online retailer for the purpose of adding some of that music to your own collections (purchase links below).

But now, here we go with our latest back-and-forth. Enjoy.

And now, some magical music you will enjoy:

Where to get it: Brian Bringelson: Bandcamp (Desperate Days), Bandcamp (Paul Starling), Bandcamp (Anchor and Bear)
Katy Pearson (Bearkat): Amazon, Bandcamp

Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, hosted by Alan Haber, is the internet’s premier talk show presenting melodic pop music artists talking about their work. New episodes appear here exclusively on the Pure Pop Radio website. Podcast versions of previously-aired episodes are archived here.

Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the premier website covering the melodic pop scene with in-depth reviews of new and reissued recordings, and a wide variety of features.

Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, Winter 2021, Episode Six: Exclusive: Timmy Sean Rocks WandaVision!

alan headshot from schoolBy Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

(This story doesn’t really contain any spoilers, but if you haven’t seen WandaVision–particularly the seventh episode–you might want to avert your eyes!)

Timmy Sean rocks WandaVision!

What happens when indie musician Timmy Sean gets blown away by the instantly iconic and revelatory song “Agatha All Along,” played during the seventh episode of Disney+’s iconic Marvel Studios television show, WandaVision? 

In a general sense, you get a rocking version of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez’s minute-long, instantly-memorable tune that has of this very moment scored 232,009 views on YouTube and countless mentions–including the online version of the New York Times–across the internet skies.

For all of the very nifty details about how Timmy Sean was moved to arrange, record and post to the internet his version of “Agatha All Along” in record time, you should direct your mouse to the play button for the interview that appears below. Other than telling you that Timmy saw the seventh episode of WandaVision at midnight west-coast-of-the-USA-time and arranged, played, sang and posted his version of the song online in around six or seven hours, I must remain mum. Because the details are rather exciting!

My exclusive, timely interview with Timmy Sean, the sixth in the current series of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation shows, recorded in See! Hear! Pop!, our finely-tuned, video-riffic sight and sound format, appears below. And below that, you can experience Timmy’s wondrous rocking version of “Agatha All Along.” (But that’s not all: A very cool Agatha-riffic meeting of musical minds between Timmy and trap/hip-hop master Leland Philpot also appears below.)

Musicians and Marvel fans will dig Timmy’s detailed tour of his overnight arranging and recording session. Timmy will be back on In Conversation soon to talk about his just-released, so-very-excellent power pop-rock opera, A Tale from the Other Side.

For now, though, join Timmy Sean and yours truly for a very special Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation chat.

Enjoy.

Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, hosted by Alan Haber, is the internet’s premier talk show presenting melodic pop music artists talking about their work. New episodes appear here exclusively on the Pure Pop Radio website. Podcast versions of previously-aired episodes are archived here.

Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the premier website covering the melodic pop scene with in-depth reviews of new and reissued recordings, and a wide variety of features.