Legendary songwriter, singer, producer and arranger Van Dyke Parks is famed for a unique genre-bending catalogue and collaborations with everyone from Brian Wilson to Silverchair to Skrillex. On this episode, he tells the story of one of his favorite albums - which he also happens to have co-produced: Randy Newman’s self-titled 1968 debut.
Van Dyke tells tales of the insulting liner notes that forced them to reprint the album cover, how Newman collaborated with his film composer uncle Alfred on the record, how the album went against the grain of the counterculture in pop music and Randy’s crippling lack of confidence in his own singing.
Plus, Van Dyke reveals his own proudest contribution to the album as a producer, why he doesn’t listen to pop music and the crucial advice he gave publisher Jann Wenner when he started Rolling Stone Magazine.
Listen in the player above or download the episode by clicking here.
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My Favorite Album is a podcast on the impact great music has on our lives. Each episode features a guest on their favorite album of all time - why they love it, their history with the album and how it's influenced them.
Jeremy Dylan is a filmmaker, journalist, concert promoter and photographer. He directed the the feature music documentary Jim Lauderdale: The King of Broken Hearts (out now!) and the film Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins.
If you've got any feedback or suggestions, drop us a line at myfavoritealbumpodcast@gmail.com.
LINKS
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