Slang of Ages Podcast

This is the Slang Of Ages Podcast—where records don’t age out, they age in. LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE! Preston hosted the season finale of Season 9 ( episode 150) of the Slang of Ages podcast, focusing on the 1986 album "Chicago 18" by the band Chicago. He discussed the significant lineup changes following Peter Cetera's departure, including the addition of new members Jason Scheff on bass and vocals, and Bill Champlin, while noting that the album reached only number 35 on the Billboard charts compared to the top 10 success of its predecessor. Preston analyzed each song on the album, highlighting key tracks like "Niagara Falls," "Forever," "If She Would Have Been Faithful," and "Will You Still Love Me," which became top 40 hits, while noting that the remade version of "25 or 6 to 4" was less successful. He praised the production by David Foster and the contributions of various musicians, while observing that the band's commercial peak was declining as they adapted to modern sounds, including drum programming by Danny Seraphine. My new book, “Yes Indeed: Tales From Yes, Without Jon Anderson,” is out now! Check out patreon.com/SlangOfAgesPodcast for exclusive content, early access, and to support the Slang of Ages podcast My first book, “Toto, The Band, Not the Dog”, is also available at major book retailers and at www.slangofages.com, as well as through your online retailers. Special Thanks to my Patreon Executive Producers: Cynthia Tom, Cheryl Frazier, and Vinicio Cifuentes.

Preston hosted the penultimate episode of Season 9 of the Slang of Ages podcast, discussing Rodney Crowell's 1988 album "Street Language." He provided a comprehensive overview of the album's background, including how Crowell left Warner Brothers Records after they rejected the album for being too rock-oriented, and his decision to work with co-producer Booker T. Jones for his debut release on Columbia Records. Preston analyzed each of the album's 10 tracks, highlighting the musical contributions of various artists like Stuart Smith, Eric Johnson, Vince Gill, and the Uptown Horn Players, while explaining how Crowell's vocal approach evolved to feature less Nashville twang and more of a rock-influenced style.

In this episode of the Slang of Ages Podcast, host Preston Frazier reviewed the 1988 album "What Up Dog?" by Was (Not Was), which reached number 43 on the charts. Preston discussed the band's background, including founders David Was and Don Was, and highlighted the album's notable tracks such as "Spy in the House of Love," "Walk the Dinosaur," and "Robot Girl." He explored the album's diverse musical styles, ranging from R&B to funk, and praised the contributions of vocalists Sir Harry Bowens and Sweet P. Atkinson. Preston also noted the album's successful singles and the impressive lineup of musicians involved in its creation. This is the Slang Of Ages Podcast—where records don’t age out, they age in. LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE! My new book, “Yes Indeed: Tales From Yes, Without Jon Anderson,” is out now! Check out patreon.com/SlangOfAgesPodcast for exclusive content, early access, and to support the Slang of Ages podcast  My first book, “Toto, The Band, Not the Dog”, is also available at major book retailers and at www.slangofages.com, as well as through your online retailers. Special Thanks to my Patreon Executive Producers:  Cynthia Tom, Cheryl Frazier, and Vinicio Cifuentes. Check out all my reviews at slangofages.com. You may also donate on the ‘about’ page.

Preston reconnects with Bobby Broom to discuss his new tribute album 'Notes of Thanks,' its repertoire choices, recording details, and promotion and touring plans. Broom explained he deliberately recorded the project while Sonny Rollins is still alive, returning to a guitar trio format with bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie Watkins, whom he had not recorded with as a pure trio in over a decade; Watkins has been Rollins' drummer for the last six years of Rollins' performing career. Broom recounted how he first connected with Rollins—early gigs with Al Haig, an R.L. Ray-arranged audition, and a Carnegie Hall date that launched their collaboration—and described his song-selection process as primarily personal, with minimal referencing of Rollins' original recordings aside from checks on "Doxy" and research into "Kim" via a Night Music clip. The group agreed to include Carroll's original "Me Time." The album was recorded over two days; Broom played a Kane Top hollow-body guitar built by luthier Danny Kane Top, and contrasted vintage-style guitar sounds with his mature, melody-supporting approach. Touring plans include upcoming dates and a Jazz Showcase appearance; Listeners are directed to bobbybroom.com and Bandcamp for purchases.

This is the Slang Of Ages Podcast—where records don’t age out, they age in. Slang of Ages Host, Preston, catches up with Dennis Atlas’s new album, Principle, focusing on its creation, recording process, collaborator roles, production choices, and promotion plans. Dennis explained that most writing and recording occurred over the prior 18 months, with many songs sketched on the road and tracked primarily in his home studio while select contributors recorded at their own studios and connected remotely via SessionWire. Production decisions emphasized assigning parts only where a guest’s distinctive voice would elevate a track; Shannon Forrest’s remotely coordinated drum tracking was highlighted as tightly executed. Specific credits and arrangements were covered: John Pierce was credited as “bass advisor” after deferring to Dennis’s own bass performances, Bumblefoot delivered a standout solo on “Games,” Steve Lukather contributed on “Scare Me” and “Candy on Mars,” Marco Minnemann guested, and Joseph Williams recorded low harmony parts to create dual-octave vocals. Additional contributors included Trev (guitar, mixing), David Paich (Fender Rhodes/keyboards), and Greg Philliganes (piano and synth on “Save It for Tomorrow”). Dennis described singles and videos for tracks such as “Different World,” outlined release formats and preorder availability, and noted he is performing with Toto on their An Evening With Toto tour, praising new pianist Ray Thistlethwaite and the tour’s deeper-setlist approach. LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE! My new book, “Yes Indeed: Tales From Yes, Without Jon Anderson,” is out now! Check out patreon.com/SlangOfAgesPodcast for exclusive content, early access, and to support the Slang of Ages podcast.   My first book, “Toto, The Band, Not the Dog”, is also available at major book retailers and at www.slangofages.com, as well as through your online retailers. Special Thanks to my Patreon Executive Producers:  Cynthia Tom, Cheryl Frazier, and Vinicio Cifuentes. Check out all my reviews at slangofages.com. You may also donate on the ‘about’ page.

Preston and returning guest Joe Williams revisit concerts by Prince, David Byrne, St. Vincent, Ozomatli and other acts you may or may not heard of. Special thanks to supporters Rolando Guzman, Vinicio Cifuentes, Mark Anthony K, Cheryl Frazier,Susan Frazier and Joe Williams.

Season three of the slang of ages podcast starts on May 9, 2022. In this special edition of the podcast, Preston interviews Projekt Gemineye leader and friend of the podcast, Mark Anthony K on his album series, In The year 3073.

This very special episode of the Slang of Ages Podcast features podcast supporters Cheryl and Susan sharing their top 5 favorite album. Hear the discussion as we bring season two to a conclusion.

Many consider 1987’s Sentimental Hygiene to be Warren Zevon’s best album since Excitable Boy from 1978, but that does the release a disservice. Sentimental Hygiene is Warren Zevon’s best album, period. Of course, Excitable Boy and 1989’s Transverse City are great albums. Sentimental Hygiene combined the Southern California rock esthetic with a touch of indie panache.

William Shatner’s Has Been is the greatest record of the 21st Century. Well, at least it’s better than anything Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones or the Who have done this century, but that’s not really a high bar. The album, bold in concept and brilliant in execution, rocks with wild abandon. Poignant and touching in its impact, it boasts a message to Trekkers and people who worship Hollywood stars. William Shatner, once again, is telling us to get a life!

On this very special episode of the slang of ages podcast we discuss Jackson Browne's Lawyers In Love. Browne moves into his downtown L.A. studio and, with the help of a stellar band, including Russ Kunkel, Bob Glaub, and slide guitar master Rick Vito, produces the most controversial and hardest rocking music of his long and successful career.

Chaka Khan, Jim Keltner, David Lindley gospel vocals and the greatest slide guitarist of all time.

Exotic, mystical and musical, model Rosie Vela produces an overlooked masterpiece . Why does this album deserve your attention? How was she able to gather such fine musicians? Where is she now? Listen to Episode 7, of season 2 of the Slang of Ages Podcast for Rosie Vela’s Zazu.

In this episode of the Slang of Ages Podcast, out host Preston gets his Pop Life with Prince and The Revolution. Let’s go back to 1985 and explore the trippy funk of Around The World In A Day.

In the fifth installment of season two, Preston dives into "Interiors," Rosanne Cash's 1990 album. Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform. If you enjoy it, give it a review.

In this very special episode of the Slang of Ages Podcast, Preston goes deep into one of the best and most overlooked albums of the 1980s. We Flaunt the Imperfection with the band, China Crisis.

Two years post the release of their Grammy-winning debut, the band Living Colour released another great album and my favorite from them, Time’s Up. Boldly moving forward, the band adds unique textures to their fantastic brand of hard rock. Time’s Up is indeed a classic.

This week we touch on one of the best Steely Dan albums which was not a Steely Dan album. The late Walter Becker’s second and last solo album, Circus Money

Preston's take on JD Southers landmark album If The World Was You.

The Season One finale mixes infidelity, bottle throwing, and mental illness with great songs, fantastic playing and great vocals for this very special episode.

Joni Mitchell’s muse takes us on a controversial yet ultimately stunning musical journey. The 80’s were not all bad!

The best Doobie’s album? That’s easy! Listen as to why 1977’s Livin’ on The Fault line eclipsed all the band’s studio work.

Before the band hit the big time they made a masterpiece!

On this very special episode we explore the last Steely Dan studio album, Everything Must Go