Show Notes
This week, we’re taking on a record that has perversely fascinated us for years: Honkin’ on Bobo, Aerosmith’s misguided attempt to capture the bluesy essence of rock’n’roll. If the blues is raw, this was microwaved twice. If the blues is about pain, this is about getting paid and getting back to your yacht. Through Bobo, we try to understand why so many aging white rockers start wearing fedoras and professing their affinity for rural Black musicians of yesteryear, and why anyone might enjoy hearing Steven Tyler cover Aretha Franklin.
Late Era is hosted by Andy Cush (Garcia Peoples, Pitchfork), Sam Sodomsky (The Bird Calls, Pitchfork, Various Publications), and Winston Cook-Wilson (Office Culture, Winston C.W., Various Publications).
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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.