Episode 4: Venus by Shocking Blue

John Lennon took a blues guitar riff from a 1961 song by Bobby Parker. Ringo Starr took a 1959 groove by Ray Charles. But it all started with an Afro-Cuban jazz tune by Dizzy Gillespie. Separate songs that time weaves together.If you have ideas for an episode; general comments to glaring omissions or maybe just want to say hello: [email protected] podcast is assembled and produced by musician, composer, engineer/producer: Chris Lastelle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Composer Monty Norman's background was in musical theatre. Cubby Broccoli was one of his backers. So when everything lines up to start filming the 1st James Bond movie, Monty Norman is hired on to write the soundtrack. It sounded like a holiday, but it wasn't. We dive into the early British rock & roll scene and see how that collided with films about rampant teenagers. Characters with outlandish names, intrigue and indifference. It could only be James Bond.If you have ideas for an episode; general comments to glaring omissions or maybe just want to say hello: [email protected] podcast is assembled and produced by musician, composer, engineer/producer: Chris Lastelle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How a bunch of New York punks took a Rocksteady song from 1967 to the top of the charts. We track how Blondie recorded tasty covers as well as their own original songs through their career. A deep dive into Jamaican music, the world of the 'off-beat' - and the influence of Rocksteady on Reggae.If you have ideas for an episode; general comments to glaring omissions or maybe just want to say hello: [email protected] podcast is assembled and produced by musician, composer, engineer/producer: Chris Lastelle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How a songwriter was able to create 2 songs from one source. Wilbert Harrison had a million seller in 1959 with 'Kansas City'. He had to wait 10 years for his next hit with 'Let's work together' in 1969, which was adapted from his 1962 song 'Let's stick together'. Both songs were then covered becoming big hits for Bryan Ferry in 1976 and Canned Heat in 1969. If you have ideas for an episode; general comments to glaring omissions or maybe just want to say hello: [email protected] podcast is assembled and produced by musician, composer, engineer/producer: Chris Lastelle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How a self-released song from 2019 ends up being nominated for 5 Grammy Awards in 2025. Anxiety is a great example of 21st Century music. How old ideas are borrowed and sampled and turned into new ideas, blurring the lines of where songs come from and who wrote them. If you have ideas for an episode; general comments to glaring omissions or maybe just want to say hello: [email protected] podcast is assembled and produced by musician, composer, engineer/producer: Chris Lastelle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The story around Hallelujah is an odyssey that Homer would be proud of: a parade of mystical figures – not quite of this earth. Written by Leonard Cohen and rejected by his record label in 1984, it's release was a non-event. Hallelujah became famous via cover versions. Converted to a solo performance by John Cale, Jeff Buckley picked up on this cover version and recorded Hallelujah for his debut album. None of these versions was a hit at the time. But since Jeff Buckleys untimely death, we have had Shrek and Rufus Wainwright, K.D. Lang and the Winter Olympics, Alexandra Burke and The X Factor. Combined with the late in life career resurgence of Leonard Cohen, Hallelujah is now an omnipresent musical icon.If you have ideas for an episode; general comments to glaring omissions or maybe just want to say hello: [email protected] podcast is assembled and produced by musician, composer, engineer/producer: Chris Lastelle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How a Dutch band took an 1840's folk tune to the top of the charts. Shocking Blue created a psychedelic rock anthem by following ‘the folk process’. A famous song from the 1840’s gets re-interpreted over and over again. It’s no wonder ‘Venus’ sounds so familiar.If you have ideas for an episode; general comments to glaring omissions or maybe just want to say hello: [email protected] podcast is assembled and produced by musician, composer, engineer/producer: Chris Lastelle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talking Heads' rhythm section strike gold - turning a holiday in Barbados into chart-topping hits.After the end of a long tour, Talking Heads need a break - so everyone goes off to make a solo album. While many expect frontman David Byrne or keyboardist Jerry Harrison to make the biggest impact, it is drummer Chris Frantz and bassist Tina Weymouth who steal the spotlight. Their fusion of funk, hip-hop and new wave styles was so in sync with the times that it is sampled by the new breed of hip-hop producers: from Grandmaster Flash to Mariah Carey with Wu Tang Clan.Tom Tom Club had 2 hit singles and a million-selling album, a happy accident that overshadowed Talking Heads. 'Genius of love' changed everything for the band.Assembled and presented by Chris LastelleIf you have ideas for an episode; general comments to glaring omissions or maybe just want to say hello: [email protected] podcast is assembled and produced by musician, composer, engineer/producer: Chris Lastelle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A song that inspired generations of musical outlaws.When Mick Jones and Joe Strummer stumbled upon a cover song by a one-hit wonder from 1966, they had no idea they were uncovering a relic by the original rock & roll band, ‘The Crickets’. Rising from the shadow of leader Buddy Holly, they re-group to pioneer the model for independent bands of the future. A journey packed with mystery and deja vu events. Assembled and presented by Chris Lastelle. If you have ideas for an episode; general comments to glaring omissions or maybe just want to say hello: [email protected] podcast is assembled and produced by musician, composer, engineer/producer: Chris Lastelle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A classic tale of obscurity to fame. A story that weaves together Motown, Northern Soul, Synth-Pop and the tragic death of Marc Bolan - an unknown song from 1965 gets re-worked into a 1981 global hit. Random events and dumb luck, indie verses mainstream all combine in the most unbelievable journey. Assembled and presented by Chris Lastelle If you have ideas for an episode; general comments to glaring omissions or maybe just want to say hello: [email protected] podcast is assembled and produced by musician, composer, engineer/producer: Chris Lastelle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.