Legendary drummer & producer Steve Jordan (The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Batiste, SNL & more), discusses the history and deep personal reverence for the music of Chess Records and the 75th vinyl reissue series.

Topics Include:

• Steve Jordan discusses touring with John Batiste at Davos Economic Summit
• He's producing Robert Cray's new album at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals
• JayVee Records finishing Willie Mitchell documentary, The Verbs album, and Tony Joe White posthumous record
• Chess Records called arguably the cornerstone of modern music
• New vinyl reissue campaign marks first proper Chess reissues in decades
• Steve's compilation "Let's Play Chess" features personally meaningful recordings
• The Dells were his first Chess records—Chicago's hardcore R&B answer to Motown
• Tommy Tucker's "High Heel Sneakers" on Checker was childhood obsession
• British Invasion reintroduced American blues that establishment had suppressed racially
• Etta James "At Last" originals fetch four to five hundred dollars
• Universal fire destroyed masters; some duplicates recovered from Europe thankfully
• Early stereo versions often poorly done with hard-panned instruments and fake echo
• Chess building preserved physically but control room was completely stripped of gear
• Steve brought API console and ribbon mics for 2010 session there
• Correctly guessed drum placement; Hubert Sumlin confirmed the next day
• Otis Spann's piano still vibrates sympathetically when musicians play the room
• Jack Wiener designed Chess gear and later mastered recordings in basement
• Mastering represents twenty-five percent of the mix, often overlooked historically
• Jamie Krentz alerted Universal to Chess catalog's 75th anniversary reissue potential
• Rarities campaign revealed extraordinary alternate takes including deep Lowell Fulsom version
• Willie Mitchell spent years perfecting Royal Recording's signature snare drum sound
• Keith Richards session led to lifelong friendship with Willie Mitchell
• Willie gave Steve one of Al Jackson's tom-toms from Al Green recordings
• Recording, overdubbing, and mixing in same room captures authentic studio sound
• John Lennon was his white whale—missed meeting him by five minutes
• Finally played with Paul McCartney on Rolling Stones' Hackney Diamonds album
• Blues Brothers debuted on SNL's third season finale with Saturday Night Live band
• Matt Guitar Murphy was a Chess session player—Steve's first Chess connection unknowingly
• John Belushi educated Steve nightly on deep Chess catalog from his Chicago roots
• Devo's SNL performance was a life-changing moment Steve witnessed firsthand

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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Carina Round discusses the new Puscifer album "Normal Isn't", their creative partnership, how motherhood transformed her songwriting, the emotional experience of revisiting The Disconnection and much more.

Topics Include:

• New Puscifer album "Normal Isn't" and concert film drop February 6th
• Puscifer described as dark multimedia project with interconnecting 20-year storyline
• New characters introduced: Belendia Black, Fanny Gray, the Synth Whisperer
• Writing began post-Existential Reckoning; Mat keeps a magical idea folder
• Maynard learned Logic software, contributed more initial musical sketches this time
• Carina waits for lyrics—word rhythms shape her vocal approach entirely
• Mat masters specific gear per album: Fairlight, Synclavier, custom guitars
• Carina sang through Eventide effects unit, letting it shape melodies
• Mat designs all stage plots, lighting, and visual concepts himself
• Carina recently started improv classes—facing her worst nightmare on purpose
• Mat discovered her at LA show; V is for Vagina hooked her
• Maynard conveys mood clearly while leaving lyrics open to interpretation
• Humbling River audition taught her: no preciousness about ideas here
• Maynard's response—"as long as it doesn't interfere with me"—was freeing
• Having an eight-year-old son completely changed her creative process
• Revisiting The Disconnection live revealed surprising wisdom in her youth
• Music became her way to connect rather than dissociate emotionally
• She bootlegged her own Interscope album just to have it on vinyl
• Kids today skip songs constantly—no commitment to full album journeys
• Rare Ocean Blue pressing was a happy accident—only 13 copies exist

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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• Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Lucinda Williams discusses her recent creative surge with multiple tribute albums, paying homage to the masters, Folkways days, post-stroke recovery and the new album World's Gone Wrong

Topics Include:

• Lucinda announces her 18th album "World's Gone Wrong" releasing January 23rd
• Reveals dramatic shift from releasing albums every 3-8 years recently
• Credits husband-manager Tom Overby for keeping creative momentum going post-stroke
• Explains how new band members made working out songs fun
• Describes creative process challenges between inspiration and studio deadlines
• Shares need for quiet, private spaces to write freely
• Reveals hotel rooms as unexpected creative sanctuaries like John Prine
• Discusses how songs emerge either formed or requiring detailed work
• Explains editing process of refining and "trimming the fat"
• Details collaboration with Tom Overby on "We've Come Too Far"
• Talks recording at Ray Kennedy's Room and Board studio
• Shares Steve Earle connection from Car Wheels on Gravel Road
• Laments losing song ideas when unable to record immediately
• Recalls taking control in studio despite band's initial surprise
• Tells sweet story of meeting Ringo Starr at Capitol Records
• Discusses transformative Beatles albums from early work to Sergeant Pepper
• Names Bob Dylan as her North Star musical mentor
• Explains The Doors' influence especially their dark poetic imagery
• Connects tribute album work to preparing for original songwriting
• Previews future projects including Neil Young tribute and stroke treatment

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

• Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios
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• Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide