049 - 'ELIMINATOR' WITH JUSTIN ROSS

June 1, 2021

The Sharp Dressed Men of ZZ Top receive the 'My Classic Album' treatment as rock artist Justin Ross joins Mike to celebrate the iconic 'Eliminator' album. From the moment he first heard ZZ Top at a car rally, Justin knew this band would shape his musical identity for years to come and together he and Mike explore the impact 'Eliminator' had on the MTV generation with it's eclectic blend of blues rock and new wave influences.

How did the likes of Depeche Mode and Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark influence ZZ Top at this point in their career?
What impact did the 'Eliminator' music videos on MTV have on the success of the album?
What lyric from 'Legs' is amusingly lost in translation across the pond from America to the UK?

PLUS: Hear 'Drink The Water', a track from Justin's new album 'Into The Dark'. Grab yourself a TV Dinner and settle in for another episode of 'My Classic Album'.

For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk
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Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese
'Drink The Water' by Justin Ross (an independent release played with permission from the artist)
All music rights reserved to their respective owners.

048 - 'MOVING PICTURES' WITH TRAVIS LARSON

May 15, 2021

The Holy Triumvirate known as Rush finally make their way into the pantheon of legendary bands covered on 'My Classic Album'. Mike is joined by guitarist Travis Larson to discuss the iconic 'Moving Pictures'

From the moment Travis was given a mix tape from his school friend Jennifer including songs from 'Moving Pictures', the pair began an epic adventure of Rush fandom and ultimately a successful career in music together for over twenty years. Together Mike and Travis explore the impact 'Moving Pictures' had not only on the Travis Larson band but music lovers and even popular culture for four decades.

What classic movie scene (a favourite of Mike's) is soundtracked to 'Moving Pictures' single 'Limelight'?
How was Travis and Jennifer's experience of hearing Rush perform the entire album live on the Time Machine Tour?
In what way were Rush inspired by the likes of The Police and Talking Heads?

PLUS: Hear the title track from 'Annica', the most recent studio album from the Travis Larson Band on a mammoth edition of 'My Classic Album'.

Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese
'Annica' by the Travis Larson Band (an independent release played with permission from the artist)
All music rights reserved to their respective owners.

046 - 'THE JOSHUA TREE' WITH ERICK BIEGER

April 15, 2021

The album that cemented U2 as one of the biggest bands on the planet and established a legacy they would never get away from... even when they tried! Mike is joined by West of House's Erick Bieger to share their love for 'The Joshua Tree'.

From the first time Erick listened to 'The Joshua Tree', the album resonated with him strongly. Not only did it inspire Erick's own journey as a musician but it also raised his own awareness of American foreign policy as explored by Bono and the band throughout the album.

Which track on 'The Joshua Tree' holds a personal significance to Mike's own family history?

What connects serial killer Robert John Bardo to the song 'Exit'?

Who was Greg Carroll, the man the song 'One Tree Hill' was written in memory of?

PLUS: Enjoy 'Holy Ghosted', a track from West of House's debut album 'Crescendo of Silence'.

An all time classic finally takes its place on 'My Classic Album'

For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk

Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris'

Or on Twitter @mca_podcast

Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese

'Holy Ghosted' by West of House (played with permission from the artist from their 2020 album 'Crescendo of Silence', available on all streaming platforms)

045 - 'SEX & RELIGION' WITH JEN MAJURA

April 1, 2021

Buckle in and enjoy one of the most fun episodes of 'My Classic Album' you'll have the pleasure of listening to as Mike is joined by Evanescence guitarist Jen Majura to chat about Steve Vai's third album 'Sex & Religion'.

Conceived as a group project and released under the band name Vai, 'Sex & Religion' is an extraordinary album that not only introduced the world to Devin Townsend but also introduced a young Jen Majura to the majesty of Steve Vai and helped kickstart her own journey as a guitarist.

How has bass player TM Stevens played an integral role in Jen's musical career?

Which track on the album makes use of the Xavian scale, a musical scale devised by Steve Vai himself?

Why does Jen regularly text Devin Townsend pictures of quokkas?

PLUS: Check out 'Soul Suffer Payment', a track from the self titled debut of Jen's band Something On 11.

An episode not to be missed from 'My Classic Album'.

For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk

Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris'

Or on Twitter @mca_podcast

Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese

'Soul Suffer Payment' by Something On 11 (played with permission from the artist from their 2020 album 'Something On 11', available on all streaming platforms)

040 - 'FAIR WARNING' WITH WILL WALLNER

January 15, 2021

'My Classic Album' crashes into the 1980's as we look back at the most underrated jewel in the David Lee Roth era of Van Halen: 1981's 'Fair Warning'.

Guitarist Will Wallner joins Mike to discuss an album that took Van Halen away from the carefree vibes of their early work towards a darker, heavier and at times more sinister sound. A conversation recorded three months to the day since Eddie Van Halen's passing, 'Fair Warning' stands as a testament to the legendary guitarist's creativity and sheer vision.

Did tensions within the band contribute to the sound we hear on 'Fair Warning'?

How did David Lee Roth come up with the iconic breakdown in 'Unchained'?

How did Eddie come up with the iconic introduction to album opener 'Mean Street'?

PLUS: Hear 'Back On The Strip': a world exclusive from Will's band Vain Wallner.

Hit the ground running with another episode of 'My Classic Album'.

For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk

Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris'

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Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese

'Back On The Strip' by Vain Wallner

036 - 45 YEARS AT THE OPERA WITH SAVANNAH POPE

November 15, 2020

Three years since our last anniversary special and three years since their last appearance on 'My Classic Album', Queen are honoured on the podcast as we look back on 45 years of their iconic album 'A Night At The Opera'.

Friend of the show Savannah Pope returns to celebrate this momentous occasion as she and Mike discuss how important 'A Night At The Opera' was to Queen's future back in 1975 and address the impact that 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and the other eleven songs on the album have had since the album's release.

How close did Queen come to disbanding due to adversities they faced in the mid 1970s?

Which song on the album did the band choose to perform for Groucho Marx?

What extreme measure did Roger Taylor allegedly take to ensure 'I'm In Love with My Car' was chosen as the B-Side for 'Bohemian Rhapsody'?

Mike will also be reading memories and thoughts that you have shared about 'A Night At The Opera' throughout the show. Plus he will reveal the song voted as the best on the album as voted for by Queen fans and My Classic Album listeners alike.

It's such a jollifcation as a matter of fact! You won't want to miss a second!

For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk

Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris'

Or on Twitter @mca_podcast

Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese