In Episode 14 my homegirl from the South, Jo Watson, joins me to discuss the songs that make her skin vibrate, and to hack on each other a bit as we always do.

Listen as Watson confesses her love for sexy women and her crush on Tom Petty, props up the Zac Brown Band, and pulls one of my favourite songs from the Stones’ Exile On Main Street out of her playlist hat.
 

Watson’s playlist:

Bruce Springsteen – My City of Ruins

The Black Crowes – She Talks To Angels

Credence Clearwater Revival – Green River

Mudcrutch – I Forgive It All

Fleetwood Mac – Landslide

Pure Prairie League – Amie

The Zac Brown Band – Free / Into The Mystic

The Rolling Stones – Sweet Virginia

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In Episode 13 leading Canadian music correspondent, public relations wizard, and Sirius XM radio host Eric Alper joins me via Skype.

Among other things, we discuss the Genesis gateway between Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, the jazz inflections that can be found Talk Talk’s “Life’s What You Make It”, and the importance of Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly. We also count the number of genres Sheena Easton has performed within over the course of her underrated career.

And, of course, KISS find their way into the conversation. Again.

Alper’s playlist:

Genesis – Abacab

Talk Talk – Life’s What You Make It

My Bloody Valentine – Soon

Jerry Lee Lewis – Great Balls of Fire

Buddy Holly – Peggy Sue

Sinead O’Connor – I Am Stretched On Your Grave

Prince – U Got The Look

Drive-By Truckers – You Got Another

Drive-By Truckers – Daylight

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It was my privilege to host the legendary Alan Cross in Episode 12, voice of that iconic Canadian music doc we’ve all listened to at some point in our lives – The Ongoing History of New Music.

As Alan and I talk about the songs that make his skin vibrate, he tells some incredible stories about the things he touched in Abbey Road Studios, how he perplexed Paul McCartney, and his hilarious discussion with Pete Townsend about the instrumentation in “Won’t Get Fooled Again”.

And after we get through his list, we geek out over David Bowie.

Cross’ playlist:

The Who – Won’t Get Fooled Again

Peter Gabriel – Secret World (extended live version)

Oasis – Rock and Roll Star

Stone Roses – I Am The Resurrection

Paul McCartney and Wings – Live and Let Die

The Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter

Pink Floyd – Mother

The Beastie Boys – Sabotage

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Whoa!!!

In NSTS Episode 11, my man Jamie Blaine takes over the show all the way from Nashville and plays the role of host, allowing me to get in on the fun and talk a little bit about the songs that make MY skin vibrate.

Jamie does an outstanding hosting job, taking me through that very wide spectrum of emotions that all my songs conjure up – the cocaine, the Quaaludes, and everything in between.

My playlist:

AC/DC – Sin City

Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m Amazed

Led Zeppelin – Down By The Seaside

Aimee Mann – Wise Up

Motley Crue – Looks That Kill

Stereophonics – Handbags and Glad Rags

Stone Temple Pilots – Sour Girl

Lake Street Dive – Rental Love

KISS – Sure Know Something

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My old promo tour buddy from Florida Chris Long, also known as The Pink Chief, joins me in Episode 9 to riff on music like no one else can. This dude is a lunatic, and I love him for it.

During our chat, Long calls out the sterility of New Country, wonders what Keith Richards is whispering in Mick Jagger’s ear, comes clean about his fantasies, and turns the tables on me with some questions of his own.

The Chief’s playlist:

The Rolling Stones – Hot Stuff

Led Zeppelin – Tangerine

The Black Crowes – Sometimes Salvation

Sara Groves – Less Like Scars

Elton John – Ticking

Todd Rundgren – Hello It’s Me

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My brother from Tennessee, Jamie Blaine, writes for like 70 different magazines and still has time to drop by the show for a few laughs, bless his heart.

Listen in as we talk about the peculiarity that is Krokus, what it must have been like for Gene and Paul to hear Ace’s solo album for the first time, Lemmy’s beautiful ugliness, and Jamie’s woeful Rush experiment.

Turns out he does some great impressions too!

Blaine’s playlist: 

Black Sabbath – Solitude

Ace Frehley – Snowblind

Ted Nugent – Stranglehold

Motorhead – One Track Mind

Don Felder – Heavy Metal

Rush – Xanadu

Prince – Computer Blue

Plasmatics – Put Your Love In Me

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Learning design specialist and close friend Rachel Sumner drops by in Episode 7 with a highly inspiring and very interesting spin on the No Sleep Til Sudbury playlist concept, as she presents a collection of British female songwriters that taught her how to ‘feel’ as a British woman in her formative years. And, she scores additional points for being a Joni Mitchell fan.

Sumner’s playlist:

Kristy McColl – A New England

Alison Moyet – Love Letters

Eddi Reader – Patience of Angels

Sharlene Spiteri – When We Are Together

Gabrielle – Dreams

Amy Winehouse – Love is a Losing Game

Adele – Make You Feel My Love

Ellie Goulding – On My Mind

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In Episode 6, Robin Washington’s love of music is only slightly eclipsed by her gift for being a wisecracking smartass. Listen as she discusses her grandfather’s pimp tendencies, her hilarious account of grooving to The Black Crowes’ Amorica record on Spotify, her adoration of Prince, and her complete disdain for me.

Washington’s playlist:

Stacey Q – Two of Hearts

Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke

Michael Jackson – Working Day & Night

Fleetwood Mac – Silver Springs

Alice in Chains – No Excuses

The Black Crowes – Wiser Time

A Tribe Called Quest – Award Tour

Our Lady Peace – Naveed

Sting – If I Ever Lose My Faith In You

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Prolific UK author, respected music journalist, and all-around great guy Joel McIver joins me via Skype from across the pond to discuss all manner of things, including the dark details inside Soft Cell’s lyrics, a Ronnie James Dio children’s song (seriously!), and the curious punk rock absurdity behind Kim Wilde’s “Kids in America”.

All this and Cannibal Corpse and The Beatles too!

McIver’s playlist:

Ronnie James Dio/Butterfly Ball – Sitting in a Dream

The Beatles – Help!

Soft Cell – Bedsitter

Kim Wilde – Kids in America

Metallica – Disposable Heroes

Slayer – Reborn

Mahler – Symphony #5 in C#m: IV Adagietto

Sisters of Mercy – Marian (Version)

Miles Davis – Freddie Freeloader

Cannibal Corpse – The Time To Kill Is Now

Faith No More – Ricochet

David Bowie – Lady Grinning Soul

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