Show Notes
The Late Era crew is joined by the hilarious and insightful Gregg Turkington (Neil Hamburger, On Cinema) to discuss a late-career landmark by Frank Sinatra. Best known for featuring Ol’ Blue Eyes’ immortal rendition of “Theme From New York, New York,” 1980’s Trilogy: Past, Present, Future is a surreal, self-referential, and strangely moving triple album organized through the lens of Sinatra’s own experience in show business. This means we get a selection of standards, some fresh takes on radio hits by Billy Joel and the Beatles, and… an operatic suite about interplanetary space travel and the crushing inevitability of death? We discuss all of this, plus a shocking tale of kidnapping conspiracy, a savvy bit of financial advice, and an expert round of celebrity impressions. Start spreading the news: It’s a Late Era classic.
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Late Era is a production of Osiris Media. It is edited and produced and mastered by Winston Cook-Wilson. Logo design by Liz Bee Art & Design. The executive producers of Late Era are RJ Bee & Brian Brinkman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Late Era
Hey there, Late Era fans! Check out the first episode of our new fiction podcast Sugar Maple, starring Fred Savage. If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to hear where the story goes from here!
Breaking Waves: Seattle is the story of the scene that defined rock in the ‘90s. The show traces the roots of grunge, and details the rise and fall of the Seattle scene, and concludes with a look forward, examining the legacy of grunge and highlighting the current and emerging artists who will create Seattle’s next breaking wave. Produced for Audacy by Osiris Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the gripping Late Era season finale, the core trio is joined by music critic Mark Richardson (@MarkRichardson) to discuss the polarizing, blockbuster work of Eric Clapton in the 1990s. It was a time when his MTV Unplugged set launched him to new commercial heights, and his mysterious electronic project T.D.F. propelled him into strange creative depths. The focus of our discussion is 1998’s Pilgrim, his futuristic, adult contemporary attempt to make the “saddest album ever written.” Did he succeed? Is he even a good guitar player? Is there life beyond financial stability? All your questions will be answered in this emotional, high-energy conversation—a must-listen for Slowhand-haters and acolytes the world over.
In 2005, the English art-rock legend Kate Bush returned after a hiatus that spanned more than a decade to release Aerial, one of her most ambitious and mystifying albums. Joined by critic and journalist Jude Rogers (@juderogers), the Late Era trio discusses this magnificent double album: a conceptual opus that incorporates birdsong, a recitation of the digits of pi, and tributes to Elvis Presley and Kate Bush’s son (and frequent collaborator) Albert, aka Bertie. During the conversation, we explore the musical settings of Kate Bush’s work as well as the lyrical complexities, and we discuss her journey toward making this album and her enduring influence in the 21st century. Plus, our recurring Financial Corner reaches a surprising climax. Make a deal with pod and join us for another Late Era milestone.
Jay-Z in the 2010s and beyond embodies the sort of imperial excess we’ve generally associated with rock and capital-P Pop musicians on this podcast so far. He’d already ascended the highest mountains of success. The budgets were virtually unlimited, and the hits were still coming. But somewhere along the way, he lost touch with the essential spark of his artistry. Rapper, comedian, and podcast mogul Open Mike Eagle (@Mike_Eagle) joins us for a frank discussion of Magna Carta Holy Grail—the moment when Jay’s world-conquering persona tipped closest to self-parody—as well as the complications of late-era rap albums more generally.