Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio is the archive for the premiere website that covered the melodic pop scene with in-depth reviews of new and reissued recordings, and a wide variety of features. We are now closed for new activity.
Now added to the most comprehensive body of interviews with melodic pop music’s biggest stars is our exclusive talk with the great Scott Gagner, whose new album Rise and Shine is a hall-of-fame-worthy collection of sweetly-realized balladry and one of the best records of 2014. If the stars are properly aligned at the end of the year, this album will wind up on many best-of lists. Yes, it’s that good.
Scott spoke to us about his travels along his musical path, writing songs, and having master drumsmith Prairie Prince (The Tubes) lay down the beat on his album Rhapsody in Blonde. And what of Rise and Shine? There, you’ll find Posie Ken Stringfellow multi-instrumentalizing and singing. Oh yeah, that Prairie Prince. That Ken Stringfellow. Pretty cool, huh?
Listen to Scott’s interview from last week’s Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation by surfing on over to our PodOMatic podcast page. And while you’re there, why not listen to some of the other classic chats we’ve had with some very cool musical customers? Have fun!
Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes
Listen to Scott Gagner on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation on PodOMatic!
Get down, get funky pop fans! The week ahead on Pure Pop Radio is nothing less than a sweat-induced, feverish pinata full of melodic pop excitement!
Ken Michaels’ Every Little Thing…For the Beatles Fan Who Craves All Things Fab! Airs Every Monday at 9 pm ET on Pure Pop Radio!
First, the fab and gear vibes go crazy tonight at 9 pm ET, March 31, with the latest installment of Ken Michaels’ Every Little Thing. Ken delivers the Fab Four vibes as he presents an interview with George Harrison in which George speaks about perhaps his biggest Beatles number, selections from the McCartney II remaster, and a salute to the great Larry Williams, featuring his songs as recorded by the Fabs, John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band, Paul McCartney, and John Lennon. Don’t be a “Bad Boy” or a “Dizzy Miss Lizzie”–join Ken for another hour-long slice of Beatles fun!
Win a signed copy of the Grip Weeds’ Inner Grooves!
Second, the interview with the Grip Weeds’ Kurt Reil that ran last week on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation is now up and at ’em on our PodOMatic podcast page. Find out all about the Grip Weeds’ latest album, a great collection of “Rare and Under-Released” tunes that will amaze and delight your ears. It’s another one of our patented in-depth talks that practically blows your mind! Don’t miss it!
And, finally, third and not least, the terrific Scott Gagner, whose new album, Rise and Shine, is a hall-of-fame-worthy collection of all manner of lovely ballads that I predict will wind up on many of this year’s best-of lists, is this week’s guest on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation. Yes, Rise and Shine is that good–great, even. You’ll hear Scott talk about his musical life leading up the release of Rise and Shine and hear about songs included in that album. It’s a spirited talk that will fascinate you and draw your attention to another of the great melodic pop albums that practically call out to you. Air dates are this Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3 at 8 pm ET.
Scott Gagner’s marvelous Rise and Shine
So, set your alarm clocks for all of these very cool, melodic events and make your week one to remember! Enjoy!
Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes
Listen to Kurt Reil on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation on PodOMatic!
Scott Gagner. His new album, Rise and Shine, is spectacular.
On Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, we love to talk to artists who may be new to listeners. Next week, we’re thrilled to be chatting with a singer-songwriter who’s been releasing great records for a number of years and has recently released one that will surely wind up on this year’s best-of lists–a record that is about as perfect as the greatest gifts in life can be.
This record, Rise and Shine, is a lovely document–a melodic creation with a warm, beating heart worn on its sleeve. Every once in a while, an album like this comes at you at a hundred miles an hour and demands that you pay close attention. In these still early days of 2014, Scott Gagner’s song cycle is that wonderfully-realized album. This collection of lovely melodies stands tall from the gorgeous opening ballad, “I’ve Taken a Shine to You” to the closing, achingly beautiful number, “Sentimental Lullaby.” Gagner’s soulful vocals are alive, resonating from the emotional foundation that grounds these dozen gems. Rise and Shine is nothing short of a masterpiece, as affecting a collection of songs as you’re likely to hear all year.
During this typically in-depth interview, you will hear songs from Rise and Shine performed acoustically, exclusively by Scott for Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation. You will also hear about Scott’s musical life, from his early days and his first writing efforts to the masterful designs he creates for his albums and a whole lot more.
Scott Gagner’s marvelous Rise and Shine
Air dates for this program are Wednesday and Thursday, April 2 and 3, at 8 pm ET. If this is your first exposure to Scott Gagner and his music, you won’t want to miss this chance to familiarize yourself with this great artist. If you’re a longtime fan, you already know where we’re coming from. This is a can’t miss show. See you there.
Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes
Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio 