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Playlist: Sound Opinions for All

Compiled By: PRX Administrator

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These Sound Opinions Episodes are available free to all stations with current memberships, even if they aren't signed up to get the show weekly.

Stations: Give airing one (or more) of these a try! Then learn how to get the show weekly at prx.org/soundopinions.

Sound Opinions Presents The Best Albums of 2015

From Sound Opinions | 59:00

PROMOS ONLY available now. Full audio coming in December. The end of the year is fast approaching! Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot look back at The Best Albums of 2015. What were some of the musical trends in this year? Which albums should you put on your holiday wish list? Find out during this special FREE hour of Sound Opinions. Available to all stations.

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Hosts and music critics Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot run down their top ten lists of the Best Albums of 2015. Artists mentioned include rapper Kendrick Lamar, Australian singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett, New Jersey punk band Titus Andronicus, and more. They also take calls from listeners in Chicago and Boston who nominate 2015 albums by Beach Slang, Sufjan Stevens, and Braids.

The Sound Opinions Holiday Spectacular: Rock 'n' Pop Christmas

From Sound Opinions | Part of the Sound Opinions Specials series | 59:00

In this FREE one-hour program, Sound Opinions hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by avid music collector Andy Cirzan for the annual Holiday Spectacular featuring seasonal tunes you won't hear anywhere else. FREE TO ALL STATIONS, even those without current PRX memberships.

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This is a Christmas special like none other. Holiday music collector and expert Andy Cirzan scours record stores, dustbins and basements to find the best and most unique tunes for the season. And each year he treats Sound Opinions listeners to a much-anticipated hour of music and a free mix to download. This year is Rock 'n' Pop Xmas--surprising holiday selections from some of the best bands in music history--XTC, The Band, The Kinks, The Beatles and more.
 
*As a special bonus, listeners are invited to download Andy Cirzan's complete holiday compilation for FREE at christmas.soundopinions.org. The mix will only be up until the end of 2013, so get it while the yule log is hot!

Sound Opinions Presents: 1977 – The Year Punk Broke

From Sound Opinions | Part of the Sound Opinions Specials series | 59:00

In this FREE, EVERGREEN one-hour program, Sound Opinions celebrates one of the most significant years in rock and roll history. 1977’s punk explosion energized young musicians, scandalized their parents, and changed the music industry forever. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot introduce listeners to the personalities, bands, and landmark records of this game-changing year, from The Ramones’ "Rocket to Russia," to The Talking Heads’ "77," to the Sex Pistols’ "Never Mind the Bollocks."

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In 1977, punk rock went from an underground fringe movement to a full-blown mass culture phenomenon. Formerly unknown bands like The Ramones, The Clash and The Sex Pistols became mega-stars and released classic albums including Never Mind the Bollocks, The Clash, and Rocket to Russia. Kids in the U.S. and Europe responded to punk’s “do-it-yourself” message by starting their own bands regardless of musical ability. Parents, governments and the major labels stood on the sidelines, wondering what it all meant.

Few years in music history have seen more dramatic changes in attitude and sound than 1977. Now Sound Opinions presents the one-hour special: 1977: The Year Punk Broke.

Tune in as hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot explore punk’s development in both New York and London, touching on landmark bands and albums along the way. Punk journalist Ira Robbins takes listeners through New York’s CBGB’s, where bands like Television, The Ramones, and The Talking Heads formed punk’s first organized scene. Later music writer Jon Savage remembers London’s “punk explosion” and the historic single that got the Sex Pistols banned across the British media. Finally, Jim and Greg share some of their favorite tracks from 1977 by bands including Wire, The Adverts, and The Voidoids.

So whether you’re a veteran of the punk underground or simply a casual music fan wondering what all the fuss and safety pins are about, join us for 1977: The Year Punk Broke.

This EVERGREEN Sound Opinions special is available free to all stations with current PRX memberships, even if they aren't signed up to get the show weekly.  Learn how to get the show weekly at prx.org/soundopinions

 

Sound Opinions Presents: 1967 – Rock & Roll Comes of Age

From Sound Opinions | Part of the Sound Opinions Specials series | 59:00

In this FREE, EVERGREEN one-hour program, Sound Opinions celebrates one of the most significant years in rock and roll. 1967 was the year that the recording studio as an instrument changed the way music is created; that the album as a united concept changed the way it is heard; that the festival experience remade the way music is celebrated live. Pop music became big business.

1967_logo_square_small If rock and roll was born in the 1950s, then by 1967-for better or worse-it had grown up. Sound Opinions celebrates this influential year in a one hour special: 1967: Rock & Roll Comes of Age.  Perhaps no year saw more pivotal changes that continue to resonate today. 1967 was the year that the recording studio as an instrument changed the way music is created; that the album as a united concept changed the way it is heard; that the festival experience remade the way music is celebrated live. Pop music became big business.

Tune in as Sound Opinions hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot explore landmark releases by The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Love and the Velvet Underground. Out went the teen-driven single...in came the album as art. They also look back at the historic Monterey International Pop Festival-a coming out party for Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Otis Redding that said to the world, "Rock and roll is here to stay." It's two renowned critics talking about one of the most important years in music. Guests include Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman, British invasion producer Joe Boyd and Monterey historian Harvey Kubernick.

So whether you are a casual music fan who remembers this era fondly, or an underground maven who wants to understand where it all started, join us for 1967: Rock & Roll Comes of Age.

This Sound Opinions EVERGREEN special is available free to all stations with current PRX memberships, even if they aren't signed up to get the show weekly. Learn how to get the show weekly at prx.org/soundopinions.


Sound Opinions Presents: Like A Rolling Stone - The Music of Bob Dylan

From Sound Opinions | Part of the Sound Opinions Specials series | 59:00

Sound Opinions marks the 70th birthday of Bob Dylan with an exploration of his life and music.

Dylanspecial_small Sound Opinions devotes an entire hour to the life and music of Bob Dylan: rock 'n' roll's great visionary and contrarian. Veteran rock critics Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis have spent decades covering Dylan's massive and complicated body of work. And now they'll debunk the myths and debate the highs and lows of Dylan's most-well known and prolific period from unplugged to electric.

The Sound Opinions hosts are joined by Dylan scholar Clinton Heylin and legendary musician and Dylan collaborator Al Kooper to talk about his development from a Greenwich Village folkie to a plugged in rocker. You'll hear rare recordings and Kooper's first-hand accounts of the infamous 1965 concert at the Newport Folk Festival and the Nashville recording sessions for Blonde on Blonde.

Like A Rolling Stone - The Music of Bob Dylan is a perfect fit for news and music stations and is available for free.  It is rich with tunes put in context by compelling stories and opinions, and underscores the significance of Bob Dylan as the "voice of a generation" confronts a new one.

Download the entire EVERGREEN episode now.

Sound Opinions Episode 305, September 30, 2011

From Sound Opinions | Part of the Sound Opinions Episodes series | 59:00

Bob Ezrin, the "producer's producer" talks about working on classic albums by Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Kiss and Peter Gabriel. Plus Jim and Greg review the new album from Brooklyn rappers, Das Racist.

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NEWS:
Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot discuss the news of the breakup of R.E.M. after 31 years and fifteen studio albums together. The Athens, Georgia quartet proved that alternative bands could achieve mainstream success by expanding their audience from in-the-know college DJs to arena crowds.

FEATURE:
Legendary producer Bob Ezrin shares behind-the-scenes stories about the making of some of rock’s most successful albums. He recalls the moments of levity that broke up intense recording sessions with artists such as Alice Cooper, Roger Waters, and Peter Gabriel. Plus he reveals the secret to getting those eerie screams on Lou Reed’s track “The Kids.”

REVIEW:
Jim and Greg review Relax, the official debut album from Brooklyn-based rappers Das Racist.

YOUR SOUND OPINIONS:
At the end of the show we hear comments from listeners.
 

Sound Opinions Episode 303, September 16, 2011

From Sound Opinions | Part of the Sound Opinions Episodes series | 59:00

Legendary bassist Bootsy Collins talks to hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot about James Brown, George Clinton and the meaning of Funk. Later Jim and Greg review the new solo album by Fleetwood Mac member Lindsey Buckingham.

Soundopinions_podcast_logo_small NEWS:
• Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot discuss news developments in the Europe regarding copyright law.  The EU extended the term of copyright on sound recordings to 70 years from 50. Had they not acted, many major early recordings by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and the Who would have fallen into the public domain. Here in the U.S. copyright law allows for artists to reclaim ownership of their work after 35 years.

• In other European news, U.K. culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has called on search engines such as Google to bar links to websites with pirated material.

FEATURE:
Jim and Greg explore the musical genre Funk. They are joined by funk pioneer Bootsy Collins. The singer, songwriter and bassist played in the JB's behind James Brown and was a member of Parliament and Funkadelic before launching a number of solo projects. His career path runs parallel to the development of funk.  Later Jim and Greg highlight their key funk tracks.

REVIEW:
Jim and Greg review Seeds We Sow by Fleetwood Mac member Lindsey Buckingham.

YOUR SOUND OPINIONS:
At the end of the show we hear comments from listeners.

 

Sound Opinions Episode 290, June 17, 2011

From Sound Opinions | Part of the Sound Opinions Episodes series | 58:59

Arcade Fire is in the studio to perform live and talk about their rise from small indie band to chart topping Grammy winners. Plus, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot review the new album by math rockers Battles.

Soundopinions_podcast_logo_small NEWS:
• Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk about Coasters lead singer Carl Gardner who died on June 12. The Coasters had a long string of R&B hits including "Yakety Yak" and "Charlie Brown."

FEATURE:
Members of Arcade Fire visit the studio to perform and talk about their rise to success. The Montreal indie band's 2010 release The Suburbs recently won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. They also opened for U2 and have been selling out their own shows across the country. Arcade Fire performs two tracks from The Suburbs including "Sprawl II" and "We Used to Wait."

REVIEW:
Jim and Greg review Gloss Drop by experimental rock band Battles. This is the group's second release, and first without lead singer Tyondai Braxton.

YOUR SOUND OPINIONS:
At the end of the show we hear comments from listeners.

The Sound Opinions Holiday Spectacular: Santa Soul

From Sound Opinions | Part of the Sound Opinions Specials series | 59:00

In this FREE one-hour program, Sound Opinions hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by avid music collector Andy Cirzan for the annual Holiday Spectacular featuring seasonal tunes you won't hear anywhere else. FREE TO ALL STATIONS, even those without current PRX memberships.

Santasoul_small Holiday music maven Andy Cirzan visits Sound Opinions every December to share with Jim and Greg a new collection of unique tunes for the season. From the weird to the wonderful, these are not your standard Christmas carols. By day Andy runs Jam Productions in Chicago. By night he searches through record stores, dustbins and basements to find gems for Sound Opinions and his annual compilation. This edition is called Santa Soul. You'll be treated to holiday soul comps of yesteryear. These are killer Xmas dusties from the '60s and '70s —tracks by well-known artists like James Brown, as well as groovy underground acts. So light up the yule log and let the soul party begin! Cheers from everyone at Sound Opinions!

This special is FREE to ALL STATIONS, including those that don't take Sound Opinions weekly.

*As a special bonus, listeners are invited to download Andy Cirzan's complete holiday compilation for FREE at christmas.soundopinions.org. The mix will only be up until the end of 2012, so get it while it's hot! 

Sound Opinions remembers Roger Ebert

From Sound Opinions | 10:30

These are two excerpts of a 2006 Sound Opinions interview with Roger Ebert. The legendary critic died on April 4, 2013.

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Suggested host intros in "Transcripts"

Roger Ebert, whose thumbs up meant so much to American moviegoers, died on April 4, 2013. The Pulitizer prize-winning film critic lost a decade-long battle with cancer. His film reviews were a fixture of the Chicago Sun-Times for over four decades, and it was in the newsroom that pop music critic Jim DeRogatis got to know him. The men shared an editor for 15 years. Today DeRogatis hosts the music talk show Sound Opinions alongside Greg Kot, music critic for the Chicago Tribune. Kot's former colleague Gene Siskel was Ebert's critical other half, and both men say without Siskel and Ebert's critical back-and-forth, there'd be no Sound Opinions.

Excerpt 1: Sound Opinions with Roger Ebert - Ebert as Rock Critic
We all know Roger Ebert the film critic, but what about Ebert the rock critic? In this clip from Ebert's 2006 appearance on Sound Opinons, he remembers his rock 'n' roll roots in Urbana, Illinois. He also shares his thoughts on early rock films like Woodstock and Don't Look Back. Of the 1967 Pennebaker film, Ebert said, "I think anybody looking at "Don't Look Back" is looking at a jerk. 

Excerpt 2: Sound Opinions with Roger Ebert - Ebert Meets the Sex Pistols
We all know Roger Ebert the film critic, but what about Roger Ebert the punk rock screenwriter? In a 2006 conversation on Sound Opinions, Ebert talked about his still-unfilmed screenplay for a Sex Pistols movie. His encounters with Johnny Rotten and Sex Pistols impresario Malcolm McLaren were ones he said he'd never forget.

Questions or comments: robin@soundopinions.org
 

The Sound Opinions Holiday Spectacular: Hillbilly Christmas

From Sound Opinions | Part of the Sound Opinions Specials series | 59:00

In this FREE one-hour program, Sound Opinions hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by avid music collector Andy Cirzan for the annual Holiday Spectacular featuring seasonal country, bluegrass, and hillbilly tunes you won't hear anywhere else. FREE TO ALL STATIONS, even those without current PRX memberships.

Hillbillychristmas_small This is a Christmas special like none other. Holiday music collector and expert Andy Cirzan scours record stores, dustbins and basements to find the best and most unique tunes for the season. And each year he treats Sound Opinions listeners to a much-anticipated hour of music and a free mix to download. This year is Hillbilly Christmas – rare Christmas recordings from the world of country, hillbilly, and bluegrass.

*As a special bonus, listeners are invited to download Andy Cirzan's complete holiday compilation for FREE at christmas.soundopinions.org. The mix will only be up until the end of 2015, so get it while the yule log is hot! 

Sound Opinions Remembers David Bowie

From Sound Opinions | Part of the Sound Opinions Specials series | 59:00

This is your quintessential hour on rock's famous chameleon David Bowie. Hosts and critics Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot explore Bowie's long career and its musical highlights. Included are excerpts with legendary producers and Bowie collaborators Brian Eno and Tony Visconti.

Bowie_small This is your quintessential hour on rock's famous chameleon David Bowie. Hosts and critics Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot explore Bowie's long career and its musical highlights. Included are excerpts with legendary producers and Bowie collaborators Brian Eno and Tony Visconti.