Episodes

  • Court and Spark by Joni Mitchell...Episode #13

    Court and Spark by Joni Mitchell...Episode #13
    Dec 16 2025
    Court and Spark by Joni Mitchell In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez go to Joni Mitchell’s 1974 album Court and Spark and determine which songs earn their gold, silver and bronze medals. Medal Winners ⁠Raised On Robbery⁠ ⁠Just Like This Train⁠ ⁠Free Man In Paris⁠ ⁠Twisted⁠ By the release of Court and Spark, Joni was already widely regarded as one of the most important voices of her generation. As a solo artist, she had released a remarkable run of albums—Song to a Seagull (1968), Clouds (1969), Ladies of the Canyon (1970), and the groundbreaking Blue (1971)—that earned her both critical praise and a devoted audience. Songs like “Both Sides Now,” (which Judy Collins took to #8) “Chelsea Morning,” and “The Circle Game” had also become hits for other artists, establishing her not only as a powerful performer, but as one of the most influential songwriters of the era. After years of writing deeply personal, introspective acoustic songs, with Court and Spark Joni felt herself drawn toward richer arrangements, new textures, and a wider emotional palette. To realize that vision, she collaborated with members of the L.A. Express, a talented group of jazz and session musicians, giving the album a sophisticated, fluid sound that still carried her unmistakable lyrical voice. Upon release, Court and Spark was both a critical and commercial triumph. It reached #2 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Three singles were released: “Help Me” got to #7 Joni’s only Top 10 hit, “Free Man In Paris” (#22) and Raised On Robbery (#65). Speaking of Free Man In Paris...as we discuss the song is about record executive David Geffen who later came out as gay, but was romantically involved with Cher 1973-1975. Court and Spark marks a turning point in Joni Mitchell’s artistic journey—an album where she moves fully into the space between folk, pop, and jazz, creating music that is elegant, emotionally layered, and distinctly her own. It stands today not just as one of her most approachable albums, but also one of her most masterfully constructed, a work of insight, sonic beauty, and enduring influence. Bonus Tracks Basketball Jones Twisted by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross Help Me Court And Spar⁠k Side One Court And Spark Help Me Free Man In Paris People's Parties The Same Situation Side Two Car On A Hill Down To You Just Like This Train Raised On Robbery Trouble Child Twisted Hashtags: #JoniMitchell #CourtAndSpark #1974Music #SingerSongwriter #HelpMe #FreeManInParis #LAExpress #JazzInfluence #ClassicAlbums #VinylCollection #MusicPodcast #AlbumDeepDive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • Houses of the Holy by Led Zepplin...Episode #12

    Houses of the Holy by Led Zepplin...Episode #12
    Dec 3 2025
    In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez enter Led Zeppelin’s 1973 album Houses of the Holy and award their gold, silver and bronze medals. Medal Winners ⁠The Rain Song⁠ ⁠Dancing Days⁠ ⁠Over The Hills And Far Away⁠ ⁠D’yer Mak’er⁠ ⁠The Ocean⁠ This is the group’s fifth studio album, and notably, the first Zeppelin record to actually have a title instead of a number. Coming off the monumental success of Led Zeppelin IV, the band used Houses of the Holy to push outward creatively, exploring styles beyond the heavy blues-rock they were originally known for. The album has a more colorful atmosphere compared to their earlier work. Jimmy Page layered acoustic and electric guitars with more studio effects; Robert Plant leaned into warm, expressive lyricism; John Paul Jones embraced keyboards, Mellotron textures, and early synthesizers; and John Bonham played with a powerful but increasingly varied rhythmic style. The result is an album that moves with confidence from epic rock to lush balladry, from funk-influenced rhythm experiments to playful reggae-inspired grooves. Houses of the Holy quickly hit #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Although Led Zeppelin was famously resistant to the single-driven pop market, two tracks were released as singles in the U.S.: “Over the Hills and Far Away,” which reached #51 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “D’yer Mak’er,” which reached #20. Houses of the Holy reinforced the band’s reputation not only as the biggest hard-rock act of the era, but as a group constantly evolving and comfortable taking risks at the top of the mountain. The album’s cover, designed by Hipgnosis and photographed at The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, features a series of golden-tinted children climbing the stone formations—an image loosely inspired by the science fiction novel Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke. The artwork has since become one of rock’s most recognizable visuals. Bonus Tracks The Rain Song (Live) The Ocean (Live) Side One The Song Remains The Same The Rain Song Over The Hills And Far Away The Crunge Side Two Dancing Days D'yer Mak'er No Quarter The Ocean Hashtags: #LedZeppelin #HousesOfTheHoly #ClassicRock #RobertPlant #JimmyPage #JohnPaulJones #JohnBonham #OverTheHillsAndFarAway #NoQuarter #TheOcean #RockHistory #1973Music #VinylCollection #MusicPodcast #AlbumDeepDive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • Hearts and Bones by Paul Simon...Episode #11

    Hearts and Bones by Paul Simon...Episode #11
    Nov 18 2025
    In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez dig into Paul Simon’s 1983 album Hearts and Bones. The album was written and recorded following Simon and Garfunkel’s Concert In The Park in 1981 and their world tour of 1982–1983. Some of the songs intended for Hearts and Bones were performed on the tour. Paul and Art began recording and intended that the finished product would be an all-new Simon & Garfunkel studio album. However, tensions during recording led to the project being released as a Paul Simon solo album. Hearts and Bones peaked at #35 in the U.S. Commercially, it was Paul Simon’s poorest performing solo album to date. The initial single Allergies only reached #44 and the follow up single Think Too Much (A) did not chart. To our ears, however, the album is innovative, insightful and deeply moving. The case can be made that Hearts and Bones is an important transition album between Simon’s 1970s solo success and his 1986 smash Graceland. With Hearts and Bones, Simon began experimenting with unusual rhythms, layered production, and a more adventurous studio approach. This laid the foundation for Graceland’s fusion of pop and world music. Medal Winners Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After The War Think Too Much (B) Hearts And Bones Train In The Distance Bonus Tracks Allergies Cars Are Cars Think Too Much (A) Rene And Georette Magritte With Their Dog After The War with Art Garfunkel Song About The Moon Side One Allergies Hearts And Bones When Numbers Get Serious Think Too Much (b) Song About The Moon Side Two Think Too Much (a) Train In The Distance Rene And Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After The War Cars Are Cars The Late Great Johnny Ace Hash Tags #PaulSimon #HeartsAndBones #MusicPodcast #AlbumDeepDive #80sVibes #ClassicAlbum #SongwriterSpotlight #MusicLegends #BehindTheMusic #VinylVibes #LoveAndLoss #HeartbreakSongs #StoryBehindTheSong #MusicThatMovesYou #EmotionalLyrics #SoulfulSounds #FromHeartsToGraceland #PaulSimonFans #GracelandJourney #MusicHistory #CreativeEvolution #ArtistsJourney #NowPlaying #MusicRewind #PodcastLife #PopCulture #OnThisAlbum #ThrowbackTunes #IconicAlbums Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles...Episode #10

    Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles...Episode #10
    Nov 4 2025
    In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez discuss The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and award their gold, silver and bronze medals accordingly. Often considered the most important rock album ever made, it saw The Beatles abandon touring to focus on studio recordings. Adopting the alter-ego of a fictional Edwardian-style band, they experimented with new sounds, orchestration, and studio techniques, pushing rock into the realm of art. Released during the “Summer of Love,” it became a cultural touchstone of 1967 and stayed atop the US Billboard charts for 15 weeks. It was a cultural phenomenon. Everyone was playing it. Everyone was talking about it. Sgt. Pepper won 4 Grammy Awards in 1968, including Album of the Year (first rock album to do so) and paved the way for albums (not singles) becoming the coin of the realm in pop/rock music. The album is also credited with expanding the artistic scope of rock music and influencing generations of musicians to come. As Rodger Waters from Pink Floyd said “It gave me and my generation permission to branch out and do whatever we wanted.” Medal Winners Good Morning Good Morning Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds Lovely Rita A Day in the Life Hash Tags TheBeatles #SgtPepper #SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand #ClassicAlbum #1967 #SummerOfLove #PsychedelicRock #RockHistory #MusicLegends #BeatlesForever #VinylCommunity #NowSpinning #OnTheTurntable #IconicAlbum #GreatestAlbum #FlowerPower #SixtiesVibes #Counterculture #JohnLennon #PaulMcCartney #GeorgeHarrison #RingoStarr #George Martin #BritishInvasion #AlbumOfTheYear #MusicHistory #TimelessMusic #LegendaryBand Something About The Beatles Podcast with Robert Rodriguez 259: Sgt. Pepper Olympiad – SATB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Straight Up by Badfinger...Episode #9

    Straight Up by Badfinger...Episode #9
    Oct 21 2025
    In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez go deep on Badfinger’s Straight Up. Badfinger’s story is one of great songs and huge heartbreak. Formed in the mid-1960s in Wales, the group began as The Iveys, playing a mix of British rock and pop. In 1968 they became the first band signed to The Beatles’ Apple Records. Paul McCartney gave them “Come and Get It” to record which became a worldwide hit in 1969 and they changed their name to Badfinger. Under Apple, Badfinger released — Magic Christian Music (1970), No Dice (1970), and Straight Up (1971). But their success was marred by disastrous management and legal disputes. After leaving Apple for Warner Bros. in 1973, the band recorded two more excellent albums, but financial mismanagement — particularly by manager Stan Polley — left them unable to access royalties from their hit records. In April 1975, overwhelmed by despair, lead singer and songwriter Pete Ham took his own life at age twenty-seven. In 1983 Tom Evans did the same. Straight Up is Badfinger’s third studio album with production support from Todd Rundgren, George Harrison and Geoff Emerick. It is their most commercially successful release. Two singles were released from the album Day After Day (US Billboard Hot 100 #4) and Baby Blue (US Billboard Hot 100 #14). Baby Blue’s popularity peaked again in 2013 when used in the Breaking Bad finale Medal Winners Perfection Baby Blue Name of the Game Day After Day Sweet Tuesday Morning Bonus Tracks Without You No Matter What Take It All Name of the Game (Geoff Emerick version) Carry On Till Tomorrow Suitcase (Live) Hashtags #Badfinger #StraightUp #PowerPop #ClassicRock #1970sMusic #AppleRecords #DayAfterDay #BabyBlue #ToddRundgren #GeorgeHarrison #Leon Russell Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Who By Numbers by The Who...Episode #8

    Who By Numbers by The Who...Episode #8
    Oct 7 2025
    The Who by Numbers is the seventh studio album by The Who, released in October 1975. It follows an impressive run of deep, successful, and respected work by the band: Tommy, Who’s Next and Quadrophenia. Understandably, Pete Townsend and company might have felt spent. That said, the album contains great performances by Pete, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle and Keith Moon with straight-forward production by Glynn Johns. On Who By Numbers principal songwriter Pete Townsend grapples with disillusionment, midlife anxiety, and questions about The Who’s future. Though not as thematically grand as Tommy or Quadrophenia, The Who by Numbers is respected for its honesty and stripped-down rock sound. It’s often seen as an underrated gem in The Who’s catalog. The album peaked at #8 on the US Billboard 200, becoming a solid commercial success despite its darker tone. The lead single “Squeeze Box” hit #16 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Surprisingly, the second single “Slip Kid” did not chart in the US. Bassist John Entwistle drew the album’s whimsical connect the dots cover art. Medal Winners (Click title to hear the song) Dreaming from the Waist Squeeze Box However Much I Booze Blue Red and Grey Bonus Video Squeeze Box on Freaks and Geeks #TheWho #TheWhoByNumbers #ClassicRock #PeteTownshend #RogerDaltrey #KeithMoon #JohnEntwistle #1970sRock #VinylRecords #MusicHistory https://classicrockalbumolympics.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan...Episode #7

    Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan...Episode #7
    Sep 23 2025
    Highway 61 Revisited is Bob Dylan’s sixth studio album and a defining moment in rock history. Released in 1965, it marked Dylan’s full embrace of electric instrumentation after his transitional album Bringing It All Back Home. With its biting lyrics, surreal imagery, and raw rock-and-roll energy, the album reshaped popular music’s sense of what a song could be. The album reached #3 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and #4 on the UK Albums Chart. Its lead single, “Like a Rolling Stone,” became Dylan’s biggest hit, peaking at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The opening track “Like a Rolling Stone,” is an acknowledged masterpiece - a six-minute single with a sneering vocal and memorable organ riff that shattered expectations for what could succeed on AM radio. With this album Dylan abandoned the folk revival’s acoustic purity, using a full rock band to create a hard-edged, blues-infused sound. The songs weave satire, absurdity, and social commentary into dense, cinematic narratives—ranging from carnival-like chaos (“Desolation Row”) to biblical-blues parables (“Highway 61 Revisited”). Highway 61 Revisited is widely hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time, regularly appearing near the top of “best album” lists. It set the template for ambitious rock records, proving popular music could be literate, confrontational, and epic in scope. Medal Winners (Click to the hear the song) Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues Highway 61 Revisited Ballad of a Thin Man Like a Rolling Stone It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry Bonus Tracks (Click to hear the song) Highway 61 Revisited – Johnny Winter Twist and Shout – The Beatles #BobDylan #Highway61Revisited #LikeARollingStone #1960sRock #ClassicRock #FolkRock #MusicHistory #VinylRecords #RockLegends #AlbumAnniversary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan...Episode #6

    Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan...Episode #6
    Sep 9 2025
    In this episode of CLASSIC ROCK ALBUM OLYMPICS, music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez pull Steely Dan’s Can’t Buy A Thrill off the shelf and discuss which songs earn their gold, silver and bronze medals. Can’t Buy A Thrill was the band’s 1972 debut. It reached #17 on the album charts and placed two songs in the Top Twenty: Do It Again and Reelin’ in the Years. Songwriters Walter Becker and Donald Fagen delivered a gender-bending album with jazz and Latin rhythm tones, pop/rock hooks and cryptic lyrics. Steely Dan made pop music for people who did not think they liked pop music. Medal Winners: Reelin’ In The Years Only A Fool Would Say That Midnite Cruiser Do It Again Dirty Work Visit: classicrockalbumolympics.com for more information and episodes #Hashtags: #SteelyDan #CantBuyAThrill #DoItAgain #ReelinInTheYears #DirtyWork #ClassicRock #1970sMusic #AlbumDeepDive #VinylCommunity #NowPlaying #MusicHistory #RockPodcast #SteelyDanFans #WalterBecker #DonaldFagen #StudioMagic #YachtRockOrigins #DebutAlbums #BehindTheMusic #PodcastRecommendations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins