ESSENTIAL COMPILATIONS
A Breakin’ Anthology
1984
Three years since first joining up on the first episode of ESSENTIAL COMPILATIONS, Lee McCormack is back to join Craig for some drinks and a track by track breakdown of both Breakin’ soundtrack albums and films!
Six-Pack of Stray Cats, Volume One
On this Six-Pack episode, Lee McCormack of the Tramps Like Us Podcast and friend of the show Kurt Runyon join Eric Miller of Pods & Sods to talk Stray Cats. Lee is shot out of a cannon on this one with the Stray Cats being his all-time favorite band – he has his guitar, he has all the trivia anyone would want, he has stories (including the time Slim Jim broke Lee’s personal drum head), and he has off-the-charts enthusiasm!! Kurt gets in a few words edgewise, hehe… this episode is a real blast as we dig into the ultimate rockabilly band!’
So throw on your bowling shirt, slick back your hair and discover or rediscover the rockabilly greatness of Stray Cats!
Six-Pack of Little Steven, Volume One
On this Six-Pack episode, Lee McCormack of the Tramps Like Us Podcast and friend of the show Kurt Runyon join Eric Miller of Pods & Sods to teach him on the solo catalog of E-Street guitarist and star of the Sopranos teeleee-vision show. We’re donning our babushkas, throwing on our overcoats, and talking some politically charged rock and roll. From his earliest solo work with the Disciples of Soul through flights of fancy with reggae, big band, eighties power-rock, and much more. We’re also getting into Steve’s unique position to bring to bear musical influences in his unyielding struggle for justice.
So throw your defiant fist in the air and discover or rediscover the soul-infused protest rock of Little Steven!
Six-Pack of Huey Lewis & The News, Volume One
On this Six-Pack episode, Lee McCormack of the Tramps Like Us Podcast and Jon Lamoreaux of The Hustle podcast rejoin Eric Miller of Pods & Sods to revisit the work of Huey Lewis & The News. With roots firmly planted in 50s and 60s rock and roll and an undeniable string of hits throughout the 80s, Huey and the boys have paved their own path in the business. There is a fair amount of back and forth in this one, how cool is Huey? What is their place in the business? Who’s to say what’s cool or not cool anyway?!? Ultimately who gives a sh*t, their work speaks for itself.
So sit back and discover or rediscover the heart of rock and roll as seen the work of Huey Lewis & The News.
Six-Pack of Ringo Starr, Volume One
On this Six-Pack episode, Lee McCormack of the Tramps Like Us Podcast and Corey Nowlin of The Seven Notes of Separation podcast rejoin Eric Miller of Pods & Sods to share six songs highlighting Ringo Starr. We have some solo songs, some Beatles songs, a live clip, and much more. This one is heavy on the drum talk, as Lee and Corey are both drummers, but it’s accessible and a fun listen for everyone. Lee (who has performed as a Ringo in a Beatles tribute for 10+ years) sits behind his kit to demonstrate some Ringo-isms, including his famous side-to-side hi-hat shuffle. We even have a bit of name that tune. which is a total blast. Plus Corey shares his deep familial connection to Ringo’s drumming and the best song ever, truly. All fun, all lovely, all Ringo.
So sit back and celebrate the legendary charm of Ringo Starr!
Six-Pack of Rush, Volume Two
On this Six-Pack episode, Lee McCormack of the Tramps Like Us Podcast and Dan Miles of the Friends of Dan podcast join Eric Miller of Pods & Sods to celebrate the life and work of Neil Peart and Rush. The impact and breadth of Rush’s musical career is beyond measure, and Neil’s words particularly resonate in the hearts and minds of millions of fans around the world. Oh, plus he’s the Drum God-iest of Drum Gods – a unique talent that elevated what one could do behind the kit and beyond the light stage as a creative force. Who’s the greatest rock drummer ever? C’mon. We all know.
Rush is an eternal brotherhood. Three young to older men that lived a life of philosophical growth, musical exploration, joy, tragedy, and friendship on record and on stage – the real relation. We’re all blessed to have witnessed and have been inspired by it – now and forever. So, join us as we grieve the loss of Neil and praise the work of Rush.
Air drumming highly encouraged, in fact required.
“A planet of playthings
We dance on the strings
Of powers we cannot perceive.
The stars aren’t aligned
Or the gods are malign.
Blame is better to give than receive.”
Six-Pack of Jerry Reed, Volume One
Ten four Good Buddy!!
On this Six-Pack episode, Lee McCormack of the Tramps Like Us Podcast and Jon Lamoreaux of The Hustle podcast rejoin Eric Miller of Pods & Sods to head east-bound and down to talk about the unique character and musicianship of the Country Music Hall of Famer, Jerry Reed. Jerry was an early, innovative guitarist that worked with Elvis long before he popped up in TV’s Alice or Scooby Doo and long before he was the Snowman in Smokey and The Bandit. A uniquely charming voice, a unique talent, full of humor and overflowing with an every-man talent, we put the hammer down and celebrate everyone’s favorite cigarette smokin’, poker playin’, truckin’ guitar man!
So sit back and discover or rediscover the guitar wizardy and charm of Jerry Reed.
12 Days of Christmas Six-Packs, Day Seven
On the seventh day of the 12 Days of Christmas Six-Packs, my true love gave to me…
Today friends of the show Lee McCormack of Tramps Like Us and Jeff Harris of Behind the Grooves are rejoining Eric to have some holiday fun, to share some laughs and some classic holiday songs, to reminisce around who got the best Star Wars toys as a kid and who didn’t, the remember the joys of Rankin and Bass specials as a kid, to question the existence of adult sized pajamas and robes, and to discuss some meaningful charities that could use some love this holiday season.
So throw break out your pretty little dollies, throw on your golden toques ya hosers, and join us by the warm glow of the fireplace for some festive music and holiday cheer.
Six-Pack of Cyndi Lauper, Volume One
On this Six-Pack episode, friend of the show Missy O’Neal and Lee McCormack of the Tramps Like Us Podcast (who has his guitar at the ready!) join Eric Miller of Pods & Sods to celebrate the work of the incomparable Cyndi Lauper. If you only know her from her hits, there is so much more to discover and Lee and Missy bring some interesting picks from throughout her career. Of course we have a couple of hits in here, but we cover a lot of ground – we talk about Cyndi’s style, her place in music, the affects of her early publicity dalliances in wrestling, her versatility, her longevity, her stagecraft, her authenticity as an artist and so much more.
So take a moment to enjoy some of Cyndi’s brilliantly true colors shining thru in this Six-Pack!
Six-Pack of Desmond Child, Volume One
On this Six-Pack episode, Lee McCormack of the Tramps Like Us Podcast and BJ Kramp of the Rock And/Or Roll podcast join Eric Miller of Pods & Sods to celebrate the work of master hit-writer Desmond Child. If you don’t know Desmond by name, you definitely know his work on huge hits by Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Ricky Martin, Joan Jett, Cher, Alice Cooper, KISS, Scorpions, Billy Squier, and dozens more. He started in the 70s with a disco-rock fusion group called Rouge before connecting with Paul Stanley to write I Was Made For Lovin’ You, which launched him as one of the most sought-after songwriters in the 80s and beyond. During his career, he’s been on all sides of the mic and the board, and we touch on all of it as we dig into a Six-Pack of this great Songwriting Hall of Famer!
So take a break from workin’ on the docks, cruise into a bar on the shore, live la vida loca and check out this Six-Pack of Desmond Child!
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