Obsessed By Music

After listening to some recent music podcasts where I recognised that certain 'best album' lists where created with the aim of highlighting only certain 'types' of artists, I share some thoughts about music segregation. 

20 years ago Ms. Lauryn Hill released a stone-cold classic album. She broke the mould, inspired a generation and built a lasting legacy as a solo artist. 20 years later, it's her only solo studio album.  In this episode I talk about the album, the time that has passed since its release, what Lauryn has been doing in the intervening years and I ask the question: is one classic album enough? 

What draws us in to connecting with certain songs or albums whilst not with others? I've been battling with this question myself and have finally reached a conclusion!  In this episode, I talk about the essential ingredients in the music that I enjoy the most: emotion and feeling.   

Rob Esse talks passionately about the Montreux Jazz Festival, sharing why he loves absolutely everything about it and paying tribute to the festival founder, Claude Nobs, and his everlasting Montreux legacy. 

Rob Esse plays 'Little Dark Age' by the band MGMT and provides commentary as he does a first listen of the album in real-time!  

Rob Esse recounts a magical evening spent in the company of Robert Plant and his Sensational Space Shifters, who performed an absolutely entrancing live concert at the Sydney Opera House. 

Rob Esse attends a Roger Waters concert as part of the 'Us & Them' Tour and he doesn't know what to expect. By the time the show is over, Rob has been taken on an emotional rollercoaster. Is this the kind of concert we really want to see? Listen to hear his thoughts. 

Rob Esse pays tribute to Dolores O'Riordan - the beautifully unique, haunting and tribal voice of The Cranberries. A voice that will linger forever. 

Rob Esse speaks at length about the importance of the name of a band - especially when a band plays 'live' under their original band name but without original members, lead vocalists or critical musical contributors. 

Rob Esse puts a spotlight on Queen musician and songwriter, John Deacon. Known as the quieter member of the band, John contributed sounds, ideas and songs that ended up being some of the most loved, popular music in the band's history. Although John retired from musical activity in the mid-1990's, his musical legacy continues right up to the present day. 

Rob Esse talks about his experience of attending an amazingly good concert by The Pretenders and Stevie Nicks on their joint 2017 tour. It was a night of pure rock and roll beauty and classic songwriting brilliance displayed via effortless live showmanship and unique charisma.   

Rob Esse talks about the Bob Dylan album 'Blood On The Tracks', which was voted as the number one favourite Dylan record by Albumism.com readers. It's a work of heartache, despair, anger and love - but the question remains: is it about Dylan or are the songs simply stories about other people? 

Rob Esse shares his passion for a pair of awesome live performances by Eric Clapton and his band from their 2001 Tour. The pair of songs are 'My Father's Eyes' and in particular, a truly stunning rendition of 'River Of Tears'. Both performances can be found on Eric Clapton's Live On Tour DVD: One More Car, One More Rider. 

Rob Esse pays tribute to Tom Petty - a superb songwriter, obsessive sound craftsman and maverick American musician. 

Rob Esse falls in love, quite quickly, with Kamasi Washington's Harmony of Difference EP. It's a musical work that evokes feelings of positivity, bliss, inspiration and hope, in a world that truly needs it. It is a beautifully constructed, full-flavoured suite of moving music. 

In this OBM episode, Rob Esse pays tribute to Charles Bradley who passed away recently. A deeply emotive singer who experienced his biggest success later in life, he was a much-loved recording artist and a mesmerising live performer who bared his soul to every audience he played for.

In this OBM Podcast episode Rob Esse talks about the unique sounds and studio audio perfection of the band Steely Dan. He discusses one of his favourite Steely Dan songs, Things I Miss The Most, and pays tribute to Walter Becker who recently passed away. 

Rob Esse checks out an album by artist whose solo work he's never heard before. The artist is Steven Wilson and the recently released album is called 'To The Bone'. The question is, does he capture Rob's heart? The answer lies inside this OBM Podcast episode. 

Rob Esse listens to the latest Arcade Fire record 'Everything Now'. Does he feel happy by the end of it? Do Arcade Fire surprise or evolve? Listen to the show to find out everything now!

Rob Esse listens to Tyler, The Creator’s latest album 'Flower Boy'. After not really digging Tyler’s previous work too much, Rob opens his ears to Tyler’s new record to see if he can hear or feel anything that he likes in the music. What does he think?