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PODCAST · music

The Vinyl Approach

by Tom Wilmeth

Short bursts of insight about artists and their albums -- Rock, Jazz, and Beyond . . . Presented by Tom Wilmeth, Collector of Popular (and unpopular) Music.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 16, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Ep. #27 -- Wild about Harry (Belafonte)

    Tom discusses Harry Belafonte's million-selling Calypso LP and his live album. This episode includes cameos by Elvis, Bob Dylan, and Willie Nelson.

  2. Ep. 26 -- Bill Drake's History of Rock & Roll Radio Special (1969)

    Tom revisits an important musical influence -- Bill Drake's "History of Rock & Roll," a massive 48-hour radio special that was first aired in 1969.

  3. Ep. 25 -- Wilmeth's Woodstock Redux

    Before August slips away, Tom wants to say a little more about Woodstock.

  4. Ep. 24 -- Woodstock Turns 53

    Tom again obsesses over the Woodstock Music & Art Fair of 1969 and wonders how Elvis would have been received by the Woodstock audience.

  5. Ep. 23 – Paul, Wings, and Setlist Decisions

    Tom discusses Paul McCartney’s concerts as a solo performer, beginning in 1972, with a focus on McCartney’s choice of material.

  6. Ep. 22 – This One’s for The Cheker

    Musical insights and abilities of the late Mike Michalicek are recalled in this memorial episode.

  7. Quadraphonic Sound on My Mind

    Tom discusses the audio format of quadraphonic sound and its failure to connect with consumers in the 1970s.

  8. Ep. 20 – Springsteen in Concert

    Tom discusses live performances by Bruce Springsteen.

  9. Ep. 19 -- Mono on My Mind

    Tom discusses different types of monaural sound, fake stereo, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and the tight bond connecting Metallica and Adele.

  10. Ep. 18 -- The Joy of 8-track Tapes

    Tom talks about his fascination and frustrations with the forgotten format of 8-track tape cartridges.

  11. Ep. 17 -- Radio One

    Tom discusses the various types of music offered by Community Radio. He also talks about his own days as a broadcaster.

  12. Ep. 16 -- Bob Dylan: Early Guitar Styles & the 1964 Halloween Concert

    Tom talks about Dylan’s October 1964 concert and examines his early guitar style.

  13. Ep. 15 -- The Carter Family and King Crimson: What Constitutes Canon?

    Tom gives examples of works added to a musician’s existing canon and ponders the legitimacy of these inclusions. The Carter Family, King Crimson, Jimmie Rodgers, Aerosmith, George Strait, and other artists are discussed.

  14. Ep. 14 -- Fusion Music and Weather Report

    Tom talks about the origins of Fusion Music and a new biography of the band Weather Report.

  15. Ep. 13 -- Donovan and Tim Hardin

    Tom discusses the jazz-influenced accompaniment used on concert albums by Donovan and Tim Hardin.

  16. Ep. 12 – The Beatles: Questions from Listeners

    Tom discusses some unusual solo albums by The Beatles and George's 1974 American tour.

  17. Ep. 11 – Bob Dylan: Questions from Listeners

    Tom wraps-up Dylan’s 80th Birthday celebration by answering questions from Vinyl Approach listeners.

  18. Ep. 10 – Bob Dylan: Birthday & B-sides

    Tom looks at a live recording of Dylan’s “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” from his 1966 tour.

  19. Ep. 9 – Yes! It’s Duke Ellington!

    Tom ponders the parallels between Yes’ “Tales from Topographic Oceans” and Duke Ellington’s “Black, Brown, and Beige.”

  20. Ep. 8 – Willie Nelson’s Duet Recordings

    Tom talks about some of the duet recordings from Willie Nelson’s six decades of making music.

  21. Ep. 7 – John Lennon: “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You”

    Tom talks about the music of John Lennon that Yoko Ono has released since John’s death.

  22. Ep. 6 - International Women’s Day 2021

    Tom discusses a few of his favorite women musicians.

  23. Ep. 5 - What's in a Name?

    Tom discusses the importance of name recognition in the music industry.

  24. Ep. 4 – Posthumous Releases

    Tom gives examples of how a record company keeps an artist’s career alive even in death.

  25. Ep. 3 -- Bob Dylan's B-sides

    Tom discusses the B-side of Bob Dylan's elusive first single, "Corrina, Corrina."

  26. Ep. 2 -- Keith Jarrett's Solo Piano Concerts

    Tom discusses the solo piano concerts that made Keith Jarrett famous (and infamous).

  27. Ep. 1 -- Elton John's Early Albums

    Tom examines Elton John's arrival in America through his early albums and energetic live shows.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Short bursts of insight about artists and their albums -- Rock, Jazz, and Beyond . . . Presented by Tom Wilmeth, Collector of Popular (and unpopular) Music.

HOSTED BY

Tom Wilmeth

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Vinyl Approach have?

The Vinyl Approach currently has 27 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Vinyl Approach about?

Short bursts of insight about artists and their albums -- Rock, Jazz, and Beyond . . . Presented by Tom Wilmeth, Collector of Popular (and unpopular) Music.

How often does The Vinyl Approach release new episodes?

The Vinyl Approach has 27 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Vinyl Approach?

You can listen to The Vinyl Approach on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Vinyl Approach?

The Vinyl Approach is created and hosted by Tom Wilmeth.
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