For February 2021, member Scott Coates picked this legendary and transformational album from Willie Nelson. This is his first album after leaving his former record label, RCA, who Willie felt was over controlling and over producing his previous albums. At 39 years old Willie stated that the freedom his new label Atlantic Records gave him to create this Shotgun Willie album, allowed him to clear his throat, and create the album he wanted. Listen along and enjoy.
Continue readingGetting to Know WiL
Welcome to the Sonic Collective. On this special episode we’ll get to know a very talented musician from western Canada. From early days in the Calgary bar scene, building his name as a solo artist, to playing with two supporting players, singer-songwriter WiL has built a loyal following many musicians would love to have. In this fickle business, what’s kept him going for so many years, what does he still love about music, and what’s next?
Continue readingReview of Dolly Parton: Jolene
Our first pick of our country music round of four influential country music artists started with member Darren Scott. He chose one of America’s greatest songwriters, Dolly Parton and her Jolene album.
Please go back to our last episode to listen to why Darren chose this album and then dive into this review and find out what we liked, and did not like about this classic album.
Continue readingReview of M83: Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
For our last pick of our double-album round, Sonic Collective member Scott Gregory picked this ambient, synth-pop, adored album, M83’s Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. Listen to this full review as we chat about how we enjoyed our pick for November 2020, which marks the 6th anniversary of our podcast. Have a listen to how the album impacted us and what our impressions were.
Continue readingDolly Parton: Jolene
The Sonic Collective has decided to pick a round of influential country music artists. Member Darren Scott explains why he chose Dolly Parton’s Jolene album. As we look to explore the most influential albums, a person cannot ignore that the title track Jolene, and another little song that did ok for her and Whitney Houston, I will Always Love You, have to be two of the most influential songs in our lifetime.
Continue readingA Chat with Sam Roberts – All of Us
On this special episode of The Sonic Collective, we chat with Sam Roberts, of the Sam Roberts band, about their October 2020 release, All of Us. He goes deep about how the songs were written and sharing it with the world in a time of COVID. But we start by going back in time, with Sam sharing what it feels like to have been recording professionally for almost two decades, being the son of parents from South Africa who immigrated to Canada, what it means to be Canadian, and even some of his musical guilty pleasures.
Get ready to hear a very candid Sam Roberts share on multiple levels.
Enjoy the musical ride!
Review of Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Welcome to the Pleasuredome
Double Album Round and Our 1st Selection! (It’s Bob Dylan, Blonde on Blonde)
Review of Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill is an amazing vocalist. She can sing. She can rap. She can do it all. This album really set the tome of what was to come for hip hop. WE know now just how powerful hip hop and rap is now, but back when this was released in the late 90s some though hip hop might just be a phase, or just more droning type pop music.
Continue readingAn Exploration of Musical Supergroups
Welcome to the Sonic Collective, and another one of our exploratory podcast episodes.
In this episode, we’ll explore musical supergroups. So what is a supergroup? Well, for us, it’s a musical performing group of three or more persons, whose members have successful solo careers, are members of other groups, or are well known in other musical professions. They come together to form an epic alignment of mighty musical talents. For us, this isn’t a duo and they must have released at least one full-length album. These supergroups can also come from any genre. The term can sometimes also be applied to a group that has no specific preferred genre. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, and today, we’ll touch on a few that fall in both categories and some in between.
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