By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio
The Grand Leve’s Göran Hjertstedt was my very special guest on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation on May 30. This show was, in fact, the second of two, back-to-back episodes broadcast that evening.
Göran, formerly of Pure Pop Radio favorite band Longplayer and now the creative force behind the Grand Leve, has produced yet another marvelous mix of melodic pop and roll, 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 talked about the Grand Leve, and surveyed 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.
During this hour-plus program, we played songs from Visitors, Brains Beat Beauty, Longplayer, and, of course, the Grand Leve. Göran related the stories behind these terrific numbers (click on the links to listen to samples):
- Visitors | “Do Do Do Do (You Love Her)” | Visitors
- Brains Beat Beauty | “Steinway and Sons and Me” | First Came Moses, Now This…
- Longplayer | “Won’t Let You Down” | Longplayer
- The Grand Leve | “Free” | The Grand Leve
- The Grand Leve | “Yesterday Man” | The Grand Leve
You can, and should, purchase the Grand Leve’s debut album at Amazon.
Listen to my interview with the Grand Leve’s Göran Hjertstedt from the May 30 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.
During this show, you will also hear about three of my favorite of Colin’s compositions, written and sung during the XTC years: “Frivolous Tonight,” from Apple Venus; “One of the Millions,” from Oranges and Lemons; and “Say It,” from the Apple Bite EP that was released in conjunction with the Apple Box, a compilation of Apple Venus and its followup Wasp Star, along with the demos for both. Colin goes in-depth on all of this and more during one of our top shows of the year, now available for listening and downloading from our podcast page.
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!
Brett played songs from Up in the Air and across his catalog during his wonderful set performed this past Friday night, February 26, at Washington, D.C.’s Tree House Lounge. A converted row house only a hop, skip and a short jump from local eatery Sicilian Pizza, Tree House’s stage is situated on the second floor. The venue is notable for its policy of setting sound levels based on the vocalist’s volume. This is the first time in recent memory I can remember being able to make out every word being sung. Hats off to the Lounge.
As you can see from the photos, Brett is completely invested in his songs, all of which were delivered with strong conviction. Accompanied by his deft acoustic guitar playing, he sang his heart out. My wife and I were tremendously affected by his performance.
Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the original 24-hour Internet radio station playing the greatest melodic pop music from the ’60s to today. From the Beatles to the Spongetones, the Nines, Kurt Baker, the Connection and the New Trocaderos, we play the hits and a whole lot more. Tune in by clicking on one of the listen links below. (And dig our new, coolness-adorned logo from musician Jamie Grant (McPherson/Grant)!)
