By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio
The Davenports’ Scott Klass joined me for a typically in-depth hour on the July 18 edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation to talk about his wonderful new album, Don’t Be Mad at Me, another feather in the Davenports’ cap. That’s a particularly apt way to describe a collection of 10 melodically-charged, literate pop songs gathered under one roof.
The lovely title song, one of my favorites from Klass’s esteemed catalog, and one of the finest melodic pop songs in recent memory, barely scratches the surface of the joys that this album brings. “I Don’t Know What to Do,” a miraculous Klass and David Myhr cowrite, and the first single, a fine ballad called “Where Shall We Hang Elena?”, are two more gems that will no doubt burrow in your brain upon first listen.
Scott and I spoke about his songwriting, collaborating with Pure Pop Radio favorite David Myhr, and Don’t Be Mad at Me’s attractive art direction (by Winterpills’ Philip B. Price). We also played and looked deep into three of the songs on his miraculous new album, and took a Davenports classic from Speaking of the Davenports, “I’ll Come Down,” for a spin.
Get your vinyl or CD copy of the Davenports’ Don’t Be Mad at Me at the band’s website store. Alternatively, purchase the download version at Amazon or iTunes.
Listen to my interview with the Davenports’ Scott Klass from the July 18 edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation by clicking the play button on the following player, or click on the Pure Pop Radio button to the left to download (then right click and choose “Save audio as” to save the file to your computer). (This interview is presented in scoped format; the songs have been removed due to copyright concerns.)
Listen to a wide selection of previously-aired Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation interviews by clicking here.
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Pure Pop Radio’s signature shows, Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation (Wednesday, 9 pm ET) and Alan Haber’s Pop Tunes Deejay Show (Thursday, 8 pm ET), air exclusively on Pop that Goes Crunch Radio.
Klaatu alert: Dee Long’s visit to Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, first aired November 6, 2013, zeros in on Klaatu’s classic album Sir Army Suit, which is celebrating its 40th trip around the sun this year. Tomorrow night, June 13, you will hear Dee look back at the making of Sir Army Suit and talk about three of his songs included on the album: “Everybody Took a Holiday,” “Perpetual Motion Machine,” and “Cherie.” It’s fun to go in-depth on this classic album from one of the great melodic pop bands of all time. Tune in at 9 pm ET on Pop that Goes Crunch Radio.
This Thursday night at 8 pm ET, the 56th edition of Alan Haber’s Pop Tunes Deejay Show rolls with the world premiere of Kai Danzberg’s new summer single with Dana Countryman, “My Beautiful Day.” A wonderful, tuneful celebration of all things melodic and, of course, Beach Boys-y, the song was co-written with Dana. Dana’s wife Tricia is also present with some lovely background vocals. “My Beautiful Day” will be available to purchase, and I highly recommend that you do so, from this Friday, June 15 on Kai’s 
The self-titled Astral Drive finds Phil Thornalley doing most of the heavy lifting for a joyous tour de force composed of original songs that echo the catchy sounds that the Hermit of Mink Hollow made all those many years ago. Thornalley, a legendary producer and songwriter whose lengthy list of credits includes co-writing Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn,” producing the Cure’s album Pornography when he was 21 years old, and working as an engineer at London’s RAK Studios for producers Mickie Most, Steve Lillywhite and Alex Sadkin, fell in love with Todd Rundgren’s music when he heard Todd’s song “Useless Begging.” The rest, as they say, is history.
Now Playing in Rotation on Pure Pop Radio: “Summer of ’76” (Check back soon for more additions to our playlist)
While you’re scribbling down a reminder to listen to this week’s all-new edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, why not add a note to dig the scene on Thursday night at 8 pm ET, when the 55th Pop Tunes Deejay Show airs, with lots of new and new-to-you songs from Astral Drive, Wilkerson, Blaine Campbell, Peter Holsapple, Lannie Flowers, Arthur Alexander, the Davenports, Dave Sheinin, Ian Thompson, Tom Guerra, Lisa Mychols, Starbelly, Zuider Zee, and classics from Andrew Gold, Paul McCartney, and the Spongetones. You won’t to miss this hour-long spin, punctuated by spirited and snappy deejay patter from yours truly. And who wouldn’t want to enjoy a spot of spirited and snappy deejay patter?
The Quick, which featured Danny Wilde, later of the Rembrandts, as lead vocalist, were shepherded by the legendary Kim Fowley and producer and engineer Earle Mankey, who was a member of Halfnelson, which later became Sparks. The Quick’s one and only album, featuring clever arrangements and harmonies galore, pops and rocks with abandon. Danny and I talk about the origins of the Quick, recording Mondo Deco, and other topics, including how he came to get Rolling Stone Charlie Watts’ drum sticks (hint: Charlie gave them to Danny). Plus, you’ll hear three songs from Mondo Deco, including their mondo-creative cover of the Beatles’ “It Won’t Be Long.”
The Grand Leve’s self-titled album is a wonderful mix of pop-rock songs performed by Göran, Ulf Holmberg (ex-Longplayer), and Ian Haugland, the drummer for Swedish rockers Europe. Grand melodies abound in this new collection, a must for fans of melodic pop music. Göran and I talk about the Grand Leve, and survey his musical journey from his time in the hit pop band Visitors to his work with Ian in Brains Beat Beauty and his time with Ulf in Longplayer and, subsequently, the Longplayer Orchestra.
This Thursday night at 8 pm ET on Pop that Goes Crunch Radio, I’m back with another all-new edition of the Pop Tunes Deejay Show, this time around featuring the Red Button’s latest release, “Ooh Girl,” featuring Herman’s Hermits’ Peter Noone on lead vocal. You won’t want to miss this one.
David talks to me about a trip he took from Sweden to the United States, during which he met with his co-writers to come up with snappy songs, some of which appear on Lucky Day. Did you know that, in addition to being a heralded songwriter, David is also a senior lecturer at a music university in the north of Sweden? You’ll hear all about this during the hour. Plus you’ll find out about the big surprise in store for folks who purchase the CD version of Lucky Day!
Alan Haber’s Pop Tunes Deejay Show shifts to once-a-week status beginning this Thursday night, May 17. Thursday nights will kick off at our usual time, 8 pm ET on Pop that Goes Crunch, with super-sized episodes that you won’t want to miss. This week, we’ve got the world radio premiere of Vanilla’s new recording, a spirited cover of the Small Faces’ “Itchykoo Park,” which features none other than Strangely Alright’s Regan Lane.
Plus, you’ll hear new tracks from TSAR’s Jeff Whalen; Astral Drive, which out-Rundgrens Todd Rundgren; Al Shields and the Delahayes; We Are Muffy; the Kennedys; the Tearaways; Gretchen’s Wheel; Rob Bonfiglio; Scot Sax; Seth Timbs; Simon Love; the Electricoke, from the new ’80s-themed compilation, Back in Time; and a choice Beatles cover from the Quick (their 1976 album, Mondo Deco, will soon see reissue from Real Gone Music). And, if that weren’t enough, my snappy deejay patter! It’s an exceptional hour-plus of great melodic pop music.
Listen to the Pop Tunes Deejay Show on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 pm ET (two different shows every week); In Conversation airs every Wednesday night at 9 pm ET. Don’t miss a minute!
By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio
On April 18, singer-songwriter and longtime Pure Pop Radio favorite Anton Barbeau guested on an all-new edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation to talk about his latest album, the fantastic Natural Causes.
Secret Friend’s new record, The Divorce Album, may well be the ultimate breakup long player, but it sounds like a happy, peppy pop album, and I predict it will be a favorite of many pop fans this year.
During this lively edition of In Conversation, you’ll learn about the origins of this album and hear all about the writing and production of the songs. Direct from Thailand, meet Secret Friend’s Steven Fox as you listen to this in-depth podcast, originally broadcast on April 4.
By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio
This Wednesday, April 18, at 9 pm ET, Anton Barbeau guests on an all-new edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation to talk about his latest album, the fantastic Natural Causes. You’ll hear Anton wax poetic about three of the songs on the album: the wild and woolly “It’s the Coffee that Makes the Man Go Mad,” “Down Around the Radio,” and a remake of “Creepy Tray,” which first appeared as an upbeat bubblegum track on Anton’s 1999 release, Splendid Tray, and is recast in a new version as…well, you’ll have to listen to find out. It’s a truly heartfelt story.
The first of two all-new Alan Haber’s Pop Tunes Deejay Shows rolls tomorrow night at 8 pm ET with new spins from Wilson, the Ice Cream Conspiracists, Secret Friend, the Connection, Lannie Flowers, and Scot Sax, whose new album, Drawing from Memory, is one of the highlights of this year’s crop of melodic pop releases.