Playing By Ear
Every episode of this podcast breaks an album down, track by track, to cover why it's not only worth playing, but replaying.
Displaying 7 items of Playing By Ear with the tag "classic rock".
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Mini-Sode: If I Can Dream (Elvis Presley)
September 29th, 2026 | 13 mins 37 secs
1960s, 60s, classic rock, elvis, elvis presley, gospel, rock, rock and roll
While he may have left the building, Elvis remains the King. The soulful "If I Can Dream" musters all of Elvis' raw power and focuses it on hope for a better tomorrow. This song remains moving decades on, and reminds us of the promise beyond the horizon, if only we could walk hand in hand to find it.
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Mini-Sode: My Generation (The Who)
September 15th, 2026 | 16 mins 8 secs
1960s, 60s, classic rock, john entwhistle, keith moon, music, pete townshend, rock, rock and roll, roger daltrey, songwriting, the who
On this mini-episode we're t-t-talking about My Generation. A clarion call not just for the 60s but for all time, My Generation showcases all the raw power and youthful rebellion The Who could muster. From Roger Daltrey's screaming vocals, Pete Townshend's feedback-laden guitar, John Entwhistle's driving base, and Keith Moon's unbridled and unmatched drumming, no one can try to put this down.
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My Aim Is True (Elvis Costello)
September 8th, 2026 | 1 hr 51 mins
1970s, 70s, classic rock, garage rock, musician, rock, rock and roll, rock music, singer, songwriter, songwriting, vocalist
Elvis Costello's debut album "My Aim Is True" is aptly titled. Full of short, laser focused tunes, played by Costello with the raw energy of youth and pure rock and roll dreams, the album is melodic, cheeky, and a fantastic example of artist pouring out their true vision with no supervision.
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Boston
August 25th, 2026 | 1 hr 28 mins
1970s, 70s, classic rock, more than a feeling, musician, rock, rock and roll, rock music, singer, songwriter, songwriting, vocalist
One of the greatest classic rock records of all time, Boston's self-titled debut exploded with ambitious prog rock, reliable blues, and some of the most soaring vocals of the 1970s from lead singer Brad Delp. With over 20,000,000 copies sold worldwide, anyone with more than a feeling about this smoking album's place in history can have some peace of mind about this rock and roll band.
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Parallel Lines (Blondie)
April 14th, 2026 | 1 hr 43 mins
classic rock, debbie harry, music, punk, rock, rock and roll, songwriter, songwriters, songwriting
One way or another, "Parallel Lines" from Blondie is gonna get you. This 1978 album is innovative, and a convergence of genres on the rise, from punk rock, to new wave, and everything in between, anchored by Debbie Harry's limitless cool and swagger. Highly influential, this album is a gas that doesn't turn out to be a pain in the ass.
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Revolver (The Beatles)
December 23rd, 2025 | 2 hrs 34 mins
1960s, 60s, The Beatles, beatles, british invasion, classic rock, george harrison, john lennon, lennon, mccartney, music, paul mccartney, psychedelia, psychedelic, ringo starr, rock, rock and roll, rock music, songwriting
This is the end of the beginning... How do you break down one of the best albums by one of the best (if not perhaps THE best) band of all time? Kyle presents The Beatles' masterpiece, "Revolver", to Ami, Doug, and returning guest musician Sophie Gonzalez (www.themoonunits.com) for a music review that's here, there, and everywhere.
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The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society (The Kinks)
July 23rd, 2025 | 1 hr 47 mins
1960s, 60s, british, british invasion, classic rock, concept album, kinks, music, ray davies, rock, rock an roll, satire, songwriting, the kinks
Kyle brings the Kinks' hidden gem "The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society". While the Kinks were known for big proto-punk hits like You Really Got Me, this 1968 concept album finds the group celebrating and satirizing the quiet English countryside with fifteen short but memorable songs.