January 22, 2021

The Evolution of Taylor Swift, Phil Spector, Jazmine Sullivan & Sylvain Sylvain

Two of the best selling albums of 2020 were from Taylor Swift. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with music critic Kristin Stahlke about Swift’s remarkable year and what led to it. They also review a new album from singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan, bid farewell to New York Dolls guitarist Sylvain Sylvain and discuss Phil Spector.

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Phil Spector

Convicted murderer and abuser Phil Spector died in prisoner from complications of Covid-19 at age 81. Many decades before, Spector produced music with artists like The Beatles and Ike and Tina Turner using his wall of sound technique for which he was famous. Jim and Greg focus on highlighting the female artists who were at the center of Spector’s hits like Ronnie Spector, Darlene Love and Tina Turner.

Sylvain Sylvain

New York Dolls’ guitarist Sylvain Sylvain died January 13 at age 69 after a long bout with cancer. Jim and Greg pay tribute to his songwriting and work as a glue guy and essential part of the Dolls’ success.

Heaux Tales Jazmine Sullivan

Jim and Greg review the new record from singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan, Heaux Tales. They both really enjoyed Sullivan’s soulful voice and skillful songwriting on the theme of women’s sexual empowerment.

Taylor Swift’s 2020

Jim and Greg are joined by pop music critic Kristin Stahlke of the blog Chicago Haze to talk about Taylor Swift’s two 2020 albums folklore and evermore. They also discuss her musical evolution and production choices over the years.

Featured Songs:

Taylor Swift, dorothea, evermore, Republic, 2020
The Ronettes, Be My Baby, (Single), Phillies, 1963
Darlene Love, Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), (Live on Late Night with David Letterman), Unreleased, 1986
Ike and Tina Turner, River Deep - Mountain High, River Deep - Mountain High, London, 1966
New York Dolls, Trash, New York Dolls, Mercury, 1973
David Johansen, Frenchette, David Johansen, Columbia, 1978
Jazmine Sullivan, Lost One, Heaux Tales, RCA, 2021
Jazmine Sullivan, Pick Up Your Feelings, Heaux Tales, RCA, 2021
Jazmine Sullivan, Antoinette’s Tale, Heaux Tales, RCA, 2021
Jazmine Sullivan, The Other Side, Heaux Tales, RCA, 2021
Taylor Swift, champagne problems, evermore, Republic, 2020
Taylor Swift, this is me trying, folklore, Republic, 2020
Taylor Swift, the 1, folklore, Republic, 2020
Taylor Swift, willow, evermore, Republic, 2020
Taylor Swift, exile (feat. Bon Iver), folklore, Republic, 2020
Taylor Swift, closure, evermore, Republic, 2020
Taylor Swift, This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things, reputation, Big Machine, 2017
Taylor Swift, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, Red, Big Machine, 2012
Taylor Swift, no body, no crime (feat. HAIM), evermore, Republic, 2020
Taylor Swift, august, folklore, Republic, 2020
Taylor Swift, marjorie, evermore, Republic, 2020
Taylor Swift, mirrorball, folklore, Republic, 2020
Taylor Swift, gold rush, evermore, Republic, 2020
Frank Zappa, Peaches en Regalia, Hot Rats, Reprise, 1969

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