Sound Opinions

Chicago Public Media

Sound Opinions, the World's only rock and roll talk show; now to go. Hosted by Jim DeRogatis of the Vocalo.org and Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune. Each week Jim and Greg bring you the latest music news and reviews. Plus tune in to hear exclusive interviews and performances. Sound Opinions is a production of WBEZ and distributed by PRX.

Sound Opinions, the World's only rock and roll talk show; now to go. Hosted by Jim DeRogatis of the Vocalo.org and Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune. Each week Jim and Greg bring you the latest music news and reviews. Plus tune in to hear exclusive interviews and performances. Sound Opinions is a production of WBEZ and distributed by PRX.

More Information

Location:

Chicago, IL

Genres:

Music Podcasts

Music Talk

Music News

Talk Show Replays

Public Radio

WBEZ Podcasts

Networks:

Chicago Public Media

PRX

Description:

Twitter:

@soundopinions

Language:

English

Contact:

Sound Opinions c/o Chicago Public Radio Navy Pier 848 E. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60611-3509 888-859-1800

Website:

http://www.soundopinions.org

Email:

interact@soundopinions.org

Episodes

#673 Film & T.V. Music Supervisor Susan Jacobs, Opinions on Prince & Sam Phillips

10/19/2018

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Emmy-winning music supervisor Susan Jacobs. Over her 30 year career, she's worked with directors like Spike Lee, David O. Russell and Robert Altman on placing music within movies. Most recently, she made the jump to television with HBO's Sharp Objects and Big Little Lies. Jim and Greg talk to Susan about the effects of great music on screen and how she convinced Led Zeppelin to let her expertly use the band's music in Sharp Objects....

Duration:00:59:44

#672 Buried Treasures & Beatles Audio Engineer Geoff Emerick

10/12/2018

It's Buried Treasures time yet again. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some new under-the-radar music that you need to hear! Plus, they revisit their 2006 conversation with Geoff Emerick, an audio engineer who worked on the classic Beatles albums Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Abbey Road. Emerick passed away this month at the age of 72.

Duration:00:58:22

#671 Wayne Kramer of the MC5, Opinions on Noname & Otis Rush

10/5/2018

As the lead guitarist of the groundbreaking political rock band the MC5, Wayne Kramer experienced both the highs of recognition and the sting of defeat. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Kramer 50 years after the band's iconic debut Kick Out the Jams. They chat about his new memoir, the '60s Detroit rock scene and discuss his experiences with overcoming drug abuse and jail time. Jim and Greg will also review the new album from hip hop artist Noname and pay tribute to the late...

Duration:00:58:47

#670 Diss Tracks & Rock Doctors

9/28/2018

Though music can be a mighty force that brings people together, it can also be weaponized. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot look at memorable times musicians have used their art to settle scores in song: their favorite diss tracks of all time. They also bring back the Rock Doctors segment to help a mom find songs that empower her son without toxic masculinity. Basically the polar opposite of diss tracks.

Duration:00:58:19

#669 Dessa & Opinions on Paul McCartney

9/21/2018

Dessa is a poet, singer and hip hop artist who is as interested in scientific theory as she is in lyricism. Her latest album, Chime, showcases her unique hybrid of clever rapping and singing about sometimes weighty issues. Dessa joined hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot at the Goose Island Tap Room for a conversation and a live performance. Plus, Jim and Greg review Sir Paul McCartney's latest, Egypt Station.

Duration:00:57:49

#668 Disco & Seymour Stein

9/14/2018

For decades, people have maligned disco music. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot take an in-depth look at the genre from its origins in marginalized communities to its height of popularity. They'll also explore groundbreaking artists like Sylvester, the Bee Gees and more. Also, Greg talks to Sire Records co-founder Seymour Stein about signing acts like the Ramones and Madonna.

Duration:00:57:28

#667 Buried Treasures & Bat Fangs

9/7/2018

Looking for new music that's out of the mainstream? Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot uncover some buried treasures: under the radar tunes that you need to hear! They also interview the '80s hair metal-inspired band Bat Fangs.

Duration:00:58:01

#666 Mastodon's Brann Dailor & Songs About the Devil

8/31/2018

Over seven albums and 18 years, Mastodon has stretched the definition of metal. Co-founder, drummer and lyricist Brann Dailor recently joined hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot to look back over the band’s career. The conversation ranges from forming in Atlanta to coping with personal tragedy through music. They also couldn’t resist asking how the heck they wound up as wildlings on Game of Thrones. Plus, Jim and Greg share a few of their favorite songs about the devil.

Duration:00:59:07

#665 Billions Co-Creator & Screenwriter Brian Koppelman, Opinions on The Coup & Amanda Shires

8/24/2018

Brian Koppelman makes his living as the showrunner, co-creator and writer for the Showtime series Billions. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Koppelman about how he innovatively uses music in the critically acclaimed show. They also discuss his past career as an A&R executive, where he discovered artists like singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman. They'll also review the soundtrack to the critically acclaimed film Sorry to Bother You and the new release from country artist Amanda Shires.

Duration:00:58:29

#664 Remembering Aretha Franklin

8/17/2018

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has died at age 76. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot celebrate the life and career of the legend. They'll discuss her discography, music activism and impact.

Duration:00:58:04

#663 Roxy Music

8/10/2018

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot dig into Roxy Music's influential 1972 self-titled debut album. They get the inside story of the recording of Roxy Music with former Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera, and discuss the album's lasting impact.

Duration:00:58:05

#662 Sound Opinions at Sea & Phoebe Bridgers

8/3/2018

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot take the show to the water with the episode Sound Opinions at Sea! They'll share some of their favorite songs about oceans, seas and more! Plus, a conversation and live performance at the Goose Island Tap Room in Chicago with singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers.

Duration:00:57:27

#661 Alice Cooper, Opinions on Chance the Rapper & Deafheaven

7/27/2018

Alice Cooper invented shock-rock in the 1970s, sparking controversy with his ghoulishly theatrical live shows and hard rock hits like "School's Out" and "I'm Eighteen." Alice Cooper joins hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot for a career-spanning conversation. They'll also review new music from Chance the Rapper and Deafheaven.

Duration:00:56:59

#660 PJ Morton & Opinions on Drake

7/20/2018

PJ Morton is an indie soul artist that just happens to be in Maroon 5, one of the biggest pop groups in the country. But his solo sound is light years away from Top 40 R&B, blending his New Orleans gospel roots with strains of Stevie Wonder. PJ joins Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot for a conversation and performance. Plus, Jim and Greg discuss the cultural zeitgeist which is rapper Drake's latest album.

Duration:00:58:00

#659 Buried Treasures & MSNBC's Ari Melber

7/13/2018

It's time yet again for Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot to open their treasure chests and reveal relatively unknown new albums YOU need to hear! They'll also talk to the host of MSNBC's The Beat, Ari Melber, about his love for rap music and how he integrates it into his political coverage.

Duration:00:58:26

#658 Sound Opinions LIVE

7/6/2018

So many talented musicians perform on Sound Opinions, but we don't always have time to air every song. Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some of their favorite never-before-heard live performances from artists like Beach Slang and Arcade Fire. Plus, they unearth even more favorite performances from our archive.

Duration:00:58:41

#657 Best Albums of 2018 So Far

6/29/2018

The year is half over and we think it's time to share some of our favorite albums of 2018 so far! Find out what albums hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot have at the top of their lists, plus hear from some listeners.

Duration:00:58:34

#656 Hinds & Opinions on Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Parquet Courts & More

6/22/2018

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with two members of the Spanish women rock band Hinds about their unique take on punk rock and how they've reached fans in America and the U.K. Also, with an influx of new releases, it’s time for a review round-up! Jim and Greg give their opinions on new albums from Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Neko Case and Parquet Courts.

Duration:00:58:21

#655 Margo Price & Anthony Bourdain

6/15/2018

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by country singer-songwriter Margo Price. Price is signed to Jack White's Third Man Records, and her sound is a blend of outlaw country and roots music. A natural born storyteller, Price joined the hosts for an interview and performance. Plus, Jim and Greg revisit their interview with world traveler and chef Anthony Bourdain, who we lost recently. He was 61.

Duration:00:57:36

#654 Joni Mitchell's Blue

6/8/2018

Almost 50 years ago, singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell released what became her signature album, Blue. The record is full of complex lyrics, gorgeous guitar and deeply personal themes. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot do a classic album dissection of Blue, sharing the context of the record, exploring its lasting impact and looking in depth at its impressive track list.

Duration:00:57:28