Music Commentary Episodes

When Roger Waters left Pink Floyd, he assumed that would be the end of the band. However, David Gilmour had other ideas. Teaming up with Nick Mason, The Wall producer Bob Ezrin, once exiled member Rick Wright and a cast of talented musicians, Gilmour revived Pink Floyd with A Momentary Lapse of reason. Derided by critics and Waters, who thwarted them with lawsuits, this 1987 release is true to Pink Floyd's sound and introduced a new generation of rock fans to the band. With Learning to Fly, On the Turning Away, One Slip and Sorrow, the band recaptures so magic and updated the legendary Floyd live show. The Wolf & Action Jackson share their memories of seeing the videos on MTV, falling in love with the subsequent Delicate Sound of Thunder live release and explore the oft maligned gem.

Iron Maiden are the greatest heavy metal band on the planet. But in 1992 the wheels were coming off a bit. 1990's No Prayer for the Dying missed the mark as they switched out guitarist Adrian Smith for Jannick Gers. Bruce Dickinson was ready to leave the band for a solo career and it seemed they may have run out of steam. Credit them for trying new things, like a power ballad, but this shows a band in transition. The title track, Fear of the Dark, is a staple of their live show now but the band was on shaky ground at this time.

As a show on classic rock we don't often encounter or review new music. We've been turned onto Steve Hackett in recent years & through discovering his music, we've been introduced to Amanda Lehmann as she has toured & recorded with Steve for years. Her album Innocence & Illusion showcases her talent as a songwriter, singer & guitar player across genres and was one of our top albums of 2021.  A delightful guest, we explore Amanda's origins & career as a musician while talking through her record track by track.

By 1969 The Beatles hadn't toured in 2+ years & had recorded separately using multi-tracks to create their legendary sound. Always ambitious, they decided to write, record & perform live a new album in 2.5 weeks in early 1969 & create a documentary on the process. Peter Jackson pieced together an amazing documentary from the footage showing breakups, hangers on and some extraordinary songwriting & playing.  Neil from DefLepPod, a native Liverpudlian, joins us to review this amazing piece of film.

2021 was an odd and difficult year for so many around the world. Live music returned a bit in the UK but not to the extent we all wished. The Wolf & Action Jackson take the opportunity to reflect on their favorite releases, their best (and worst) episodes, to say thanks to all the guests, friends & fans of the podcast and to talk about what they look forward to in 2022.

The Smiths may not have made it big the US but they were a huge influence on the next generation of rock bands to come out of the UK.  Led by Morrissey's painful laments, Johnny Marr's innovative guitar work and a solid rhythm section of Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce, The Queen is Dead may just be the best record they ever made. Not a band destined to last, or apparently to ever reunite, The Smiths occupy a special place in rock history that can't be ignored.

Fans of our show know that love to work Asia into our conversations consistently. The band have released a box set of 5 shows from different tours to show how the band & setlist evolved over the course of 30 years. Thanks to some new artwork from Roger Dean, words from long time collaborator Dave Gallant & some beautiful packaging, this is a must have for Asia fans.  We'll discuss the evolution of the bands sound & setlist while focusing on what we like and lamenting about what we don't.  Of course we'll work in all sorts of Asia facts as our favorite guilty pleasure band gets the treatment they deserve with this lovely box set.

REM were the darlings of the alternative/college rock scene in the 1980s. The quartet from Athens, GA blended folk, rock & country to create a unique sound while touring relentlessly to build their fan base. By 1987, it was time for them to step up & with the help of Scott Lit, who would go on to produce all their big albums of the rest of the 80s & 90s, evolved their sound to attract a much larger audience. Some diehards may have resisted but this record put REM on a much bigger stage.

30 years ago, U2 wanted to deliver a new, more industrial and techno sound against the backdrop of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Through personal hardships, artistic differences & real world struggles that almost broke up the band, U2 came out on the other side with a new sound that put them back on top for good. It came out just as our intrepid hosts were becoming friends as freshmen in college and this record stirs up lots of memories & emotions for them.

Highlander was released in 1986 to an underwhelming box office. Though the film lost money it gained a huge cult following thanks to cable tv & rental stores. A classic clash of good vs. evil with Sean Connery playing mentor to Christopher Lambert as they battle Clancy Brown's Kurgan character. It spawned several sequels & tv shows but none of them compare to Russel Mulcahey's original featuring the music of Queen. Part 1 of our 50th show on this fantasy classic!

1971 was a tumultuous time for The Doors as Jim Morrison faced legal troubles, battled substance abuse, and their longtime producer walked out. But out of that they created what might be their best album showing their ability to play blues, pop, psychedelic and classic Doors music. It would prove to be their last record and we go in depth while also measuring the impact of the 1991 Oliver Stone movie and Action's visit to Jim's grave.

Bruce Dickinson is a true polymath & renaissance man. After his one man show was delayed due to his contracting COVID, he returned to the stage in London & The Wolf was fortunate enough to see him.  We continue our reviews of classic records turning 50 with the extraordinary Who's Next. Pieced together from Pete Townshends attempt at the concept album Lifehouse, Who's Next stands as one of the true triumphs of rock history with Baba O'Reilly, Won't Get Fooled Again, Bargain, Going Mobile and more from a truly talented band who had come into their own.

In 1971 Marvin Gaye found himself in a time and place that he didn't recognize.  Political unrest, social injustice, an unpopular war and his own personal hardships weighed heavily on him.  But out of that came an album that would not only reflect the times in which he was living but one that holds stark similarities to the times we find ourselves in now.  Call it rock, soul, R&B - it's extraordinary music with a timely & timeless message.

November 2021 will mark the 50th anniversary of the release of Led Zeppelin's untitled 4th album which has sold nearly 40 million copies around the world. Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones & John Bonham took all that they'd learned from the first 3 records to create a true rock masterpiece at Headley Grange. We discuss what we love, what we think is overplayed, how it's stood the test of time & reminisce about growing up in American & discovering Led Zeppelin.

Live music has returned to London! The Wolf had the honor of seeing Steve and his extraordinary band live at the London Palladium after almost 2 years without live music.  Along with some new & classic solo material, the band played the live Genesis classic Seconds Out start to finish including the epic Supper's Ready. Action interviews the Wolf on a special night out in London.

The Wolf & Action Jackson are joined this week by Neil from Def Lep Pod to discuss the diamond selling 1987 juggernaut from Def Leppard, Hysteria.  With 6 Top 20 Billboard hits, Hysteria dominated the US charts for 2 years.  However, this album almost never came to be due to Rick Allen's horrific car accident, losing their producer, accumulating debt and changing musical landscape.  We discuss with Neil the difference between Def Lep's success in the States vs. the UK and dive deep into the album, b-sides and the band's history.

On September 9, 2021 the directors cut of Cinema Strangiato from the R40 tour enjoyed a one night theatrical release. Though on opposite sides of the pond, The Wolf & Action Jackson both made it out for this opportunity to see and hear Rush on the big screen.  As part 2 of the Rush double header, the boys reminisce about 30 years since the debut of Roll the Bones when they met in college, camped out for tickets and saw Rush for the first time.

The passing of Charlie Watts marks the end of an era lasting nearly 60 years for rock music and the Rolling Stones. We honor the dapper, gentlemanly, quiet rock of the Stones and offer a review of the band's last album of the 1960's, Let it Bleed.  Powered by Gimme Shelter, Can't Always Get What You Want & Midnight Rambler it was album that changed the direction of the Stones and marked the end of the 60s.

The Cult had been marketed as a gothic or post punk band in the mid-80s & made a statement with the albums Love and Electric.  But 1989's Sonic Temple raised their game and sales to whole new level thanks to producer Bob Rock and some killer riffs from Billy Duffy.  Ian Astbury's spiritual lyrics mixed with raucous guitars made Fire Woman a huge hit. More than 30 years later, it's still their biggest & an alltime favorite of Action Jackson.

On the eve of the release of their 17th record, Iron Maiden sit atop of the world of heavy metal legends. But their 7th album, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, offered a proggier sound than previous efforts. With an extraordinary stage set & beloved live VHS, Maiden England, the band showed the world their range & power which are still on display decades later.

Iron Maiden came off the World Slavery Tour in need of a rest & used their time off to experiment with the latest guitar synth technology.  Somewhere in Time incorporated those new sounds with the classic Maiden gallup as Adrian Smith took a step forward in his writing. The new video The Writing on the Wall harkens back to the epic cover & cyborg Eddie on this mid 80s classic.

The Wolf & Action Jackson may not have caught onto Oasis when they broke out in the 90s but thankfully it happened later. 2005's Don't Believe the Truth is the best of their albums in this century with the best lineup the band ever had.  From the sing-alongs like Lyla & Let There Be Love, rockers Mucky Fingers & Turn Up the Sun & the eclectic The Importance of Being Idle, this record isn't given the credit it is due.

Anytime to you get The Wolf & Action Jackson talking about KISS, it's hard to get them to stop.  On Part 2 of our take on the recent A&E documentary KISStory, we go more in-depth on the show and the past, present & future of the band.  Plus we share some personal experiences from seeing them live and one fateful night in college when The Wolf spoke to their Ace Frehley poster.

KISS changed the world in the 70s with their makeup & bombastic live show.  Over the decades there have been lineup changes, drama & some great music.  A&E's KISStory documentary is now the official tale of the band throughout the years and it revealed many little details that KISS fans have always wanted to know.  This is Part 1 of our review of the show and we include a brief review of the new Iron Maiden song/video Writing on the Wall.