Sparks and Sparkles

WE'RE BACK!  And we're going way back to 2006's "Hello Young Lovers" to discuss a song that has haunted us for a while: "As I Sit Down to Play the Organ at the Notre Dame Cathedral."  Sit back and enjoy as Amy and I discuss life on the road, great musicianship, and Mel attempts to pronounce "religiosity." 

WE'RE BACK!  (Hopefully!)  We had so much to say about the wonderful "Indiscreet" we could not get it all into one episode! Is "Indiscreet"  the greatest Sparks album of all time? There's a reason so many fans love it so much!  Pour yourself a glass of something sparkling us as we get into side two, talk about our favorite tracks on side two! 

Is Indiscreet the best Sparks album of them all? It's certainly up there!  Amy and Mel talk about how all of the things we love about Sparks really came together on this album. We got so into it we only managed to get through side one!  Grab a sparkling beverage, fire up the listening device of your choice and join us! Cheers!    Other items discussed: Autobiography of Tony Visconti: Bowie, Bolan and the Brooklyn Boy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1978034.Tony_Visconti John Lennon's Lost Weekend: https://www.biography.com/news/john-lennon-lost-weekend Boogie Nights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOk0fsMGyck Blade Runner https://youtu.be/eogpIG53Cis

Continuing our look at Sparks "UK period," this week we discuss the  "Propaganda" album. Hot on the heels of Sparks' first commercially successful album, "Kimono My House," "Propaganda" frequently tops the list of Sparks fans' favorite albums. But is it as good as KMH? Amy and Mel have opinions!  Pop open some bubbly and have a listen!  Wines mentioned:  Toccata Rosato Sparkling Wine https://www.llwine.com/wines/2017-sparkling-rosato Babe Rose produced by Yass Queen in Modesto CA. https://drinkbabe.net/ Solvang, CA Visitor Info: https://www.solvangusa.com/ Motorboat by Gerhard Richter https://www.gerhard-richter.com/en/art/paintings/photo-paintings/everyday-life-18/motor-boat-1-version-5564 Woman Descending a Staircase by Gerhard Richter: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/147003/woman-descending-the-staircase-frau-die-treppe-herabgehend    

In this episode, we talk about the wonderful March 19, 2022 Sparks show in Chicago and about the movie Annette, which we watched together before the concert.  Sparkles enjoyed: Canah, prosecco from Perlage in Veneto Italy Bubbles, sparkling rose by A to Z Wineworks in Dundee, Oregon Songs discussed on Sparks and Sparkles podcast. https://youtu.be/a1XI08y6frY

Sparks talk begins at minute 5:30. On this episode, we discuss how the detailed music and lyrics on Side B oppitimize "Sparks".  These songs mix wonderfully clever word play with strong vocals and rocking instrumental work and the result, as Melanie says, "is pure joy". We delve briefly back to Woofer in Tweeter's clothing and wander off into discussing Freddy Boom Boom Cannon and Marty Robbins. We also dig into the term "Pop Banger" and what it means to Melanie and why Amy is so confused by it. It was truly a pleasure to drink Sparkles and talk about these awesome Sparks songs and other musical memories. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it. Happy Equator Day! Want more Sparks? Check out our Sparks and Sparkling playlist. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3Uyuc9G337AcjuIhkNswthFKqKuhzOK

We posted this episode to share a little current events talk and this amazing quote from Melanie. "Hope is a verb. And it's not the ignorance of obstacles, it's the determination to overcome them." Check out our full Episode 4 Kimono My House Part 2 - Side A: https://youtu.be/Hdm4VStqrzs Want more Sparks? Check out our Sparks and Sparkling playlist. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3Uyuc9G337AcjuIhkNswthFKqKuhzOK

In this episode, we get into the Side A of Kimono My House. Melanie reads Sparks fan mail from Morrisey and we throw down about our favorite and least favorite songs. We may not agree on our favorite songs, but we do agree on how much we enjoy talking about the music and lyrics of this iconic album.  Sparks talk begins at 9:45. Songs discussed: This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us Amateur Hour Falling in Love with Myself Again Here in Heaven Thank God it's Not Christmas My Nation Underground (Julian Cope) While My Guitar Gently Weeps (George Harrison) Thank God It's Christmas (Queen) Want more Sparks? Check out our Sparks and Sparkling playlist. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3Uyuc9G337AcjuIhkNswthFKqKuhzO

If you're interested in five minutes of Amy and Melanie gushing about how much we love Edgar Wright's work, then this mini episode is for you! This is bonus content to our Episode 3 - Sparks Live in LA!!!

Melanie talks all about seeing Sparks Live in LA on February 7 AND 8, 2022. Spoiler alert, we talk about the set list. But Melanie shares so much more about this exciting experience. Join us as we gush about Sparks and the kickoff of their 2022 Tour! Sparks talk starts at 5:10 of our show. For songs discussed on the Sparks and Sparkles podcast, check out our Sparks and Sparkles playist on YouTube: https://youtu.be/a1XI08y6frY