Booked On Rock with Eric Senich

What makes one vinyl record sound extraordinary while another pressing of the exact same album falls flat? And how much should you really spend on a turntable to experience the best sound?

On this episode of Booked On Rock, music journalist and author Ken Micallef joins us to discuss his book Small Luxuries: Vinyl and explore the fascinating world of vinyl records, audiophile sound, rare pressings, and the enduring appeal of analog music.

We dive into the art of collecting vinyl, including the legendary Robert Ludwig “RL” pressing of Led Zeppelin II, valuable original Blue Note jazz albums, and collectible records by The Beatles, The Police, and Nick Drake. Ken explains what makes certain pressings special, why mastering matters, and how collectors discover hidden treasures in independent record stores.

We also explore the equipment behind the listening experience, from affordable Crosley record players and vintage Thorens turntables to Japanese phono cartridges and ultra-high-end J. Sikora turntables costing tens of thousands of dollars. Plus, discover the culture of Japanese jazz listening cafés, New York vinyl listening rooms, and why dedicated music listening remains so meaningful in the streaming era.

Whether you're a lifelong vinyl collector, a classic rock fan, an audiophile, or someone just getting started with records, this conversation offers a deeper appreciation for the music, craftsmanship, and stories hidden in the grooves.

Purchase a copy of Small Luxuries: Vinyl

Check out Ken Micallef's YouTube channel Jazz Vinyl Audiophile

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The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe

Live Aid brought Queen, Led Zeppelin, U2, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Run-DMC together for an unforgettable day in music history. But what made July 13, 1985, mean so much beyond the performances?

Author Shane Robitaille and researcher Livi Stanford join me to discuss Live Aid Runaways, a historical novel following two teenagers on a life-changing journey to the Philadelphia concert. Drawing on archival footage, contemporary reporting, and conversations with fans and people involved in the event, they explain how they brought the world of Live Aid to the page.
We explore the debate over Led Zeppelin’s reunion performance, the Tom Petty scene Shane removed from his first draft, Run-DMC’s unexpected challenges, and why Livi believes Bono’s connection with the audience captured the spirit of the day. Shane also shares how his own experiences shaped the novel’s themes of music, family, and belonging.

Whether you watched Live Aid in 1985 or discovered it years later, revisit the performances, fan memories, and human connections that keep its legacy alive.

Purchase a copy of Live Aid Runaways

Visit LiveAidRunaways.com

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🎧 Listen/Watch Ad-Free on Patreon
Support Booked On Rock and get every new episode completely commercial-free with the Backstage Pass.
Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BookedOnRock

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Follow The Booked On Rock with Eric Senich:
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Contact The Booked On Rock Podcast: thebookedonrockpodcast@gmail.com
 
The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe

What are the hidden stories behind some of the Grateful Dead’s most beloved songs? From a mysterious prison singer whose music became “I Know You Rider” to the lightning storm that inspired “Terrapin Station,” the band's catalog is filled with fascinating histories, unforgettable characters, and unexpected connections.

In this episode of Booked On Rock, author Alex Pappademas and artist Joan LeMay join us to discuss their book, Friends of the Devil, exploring the music, mythology, and creative genius of the Grateful Dead.

Discover the surprising origins of “Morning Dew,” the Janis Joplin connection to Jerry Garcia’s “Bird Song,” and the darker California counterculture influences behind “Estimated Prophet.” We also explore Garcia’s extraordinary songwriting partnership with Robert Hunter, Bob Weir’s collaboration with John Perry Barlow, and the unconventional musicianship of Phil Lesh.

Plus, hear the wild story behind the Grateful Dead’s 1969 appearance on Playboy After Dark, the band's unforgettable Festival Express tour with Janis Joplin, and how Joan LeMay brought the characters and imagery of Grateful Dead songs to life through her original artwork.

Whether you're a lifelong Deadhead or just discovering the band, this conversation reveals new ways to appreciate the songs, stories, and enduring legacy of the Grateful Dead.

Purchase a copy of Friends Of The Devil

Follow Alex & Joan on Instagram:
Alex Pappademas
Joan LeMay

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🎧 Listen/Watch Ad-Free on Patreon
Support Booked On Rock and get every new episode completely commercial-free with the Backstage Pass.
Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BookedOnRock

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💰 Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: BOOKEDONROCK
https://oldglory.com/discount/BOOKEDONROCK

Booked On Rock is part of The Boneless Podcasting Network
 
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Follow The Booked On Rock with Eric Senich:
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Contact The Booked On Rock Podcast: thebookedonrockpodcast@gmail.com
 
The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe

What happens when the dream of becoming a rock star turns into a dangerous obsession with fame, drugs, and rebellion?

Author David Barnett joins Booked On Rock to discuss his memoir Foxtail, a revealing journey through Austin, Texas's underground rock and heavy metal scene during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Growing up inspired by The Beatles, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, and the rebellious image of rock stars, Barnett formed his own band, Dome Factor, at just sixteen. But following his mother's breast cancer diagnosis, his pursuit of rock stardom became tangled with substance abuse, reckless behavior, and a deteriorating friendship with his childhood best friend.

Barnett shares outrageous behind-the-scenes stories, including a disastrous concert at Austin's legendary Back Room, a school performance that got him expelled, and a chaotic senior prom involving a police chase. He also discusses the influence of artists like Slayer, Static-X, and Lil' Keke, and makes a startling admission: at one point, he became more interested in being a rock star than actually making music.

We also explore celebrity worship, the darker side of rock-and-roll mythology, the emotional power of heavy music, and how writing Foxtail forced Barnett to confront his past.

It's a conversation about rock music, ambition, friendship, self-destruction, and the complicated road toward understanding who we really are.

Visit David Barnett's Website

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🎧 Listen/Watch Ad-Free on Patreon
Support Booked On Rock and get every new episode completely commercial-free with the Backstage Pass.
Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BookedOnRock

🛒 Old Glory -  Iconic music and sports fan merch
💰 Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: BOOKEDONROCK
https://oldglory.com/discount/BOOKEDONROCK

Booked On Rock is part of The Boneless Podcasting Network
 
BookedOnRock.com
 
The Booked On Rock Store
 
The Booked On Rock YouTube Channel
 
Follow The Booked On Rock with Eric Senich:
BLUESKY
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Find Your Nearest Independent Bookstore
 
Contact The Booked On Rock Podcast: thebookedonrockpodcast@gmail.com
 
The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe

Paul Simon’s Graceland is one of the most celebrated albums of the 1980s, blending American songwriting with South African musical traditions. But behind the groundbreaking 1986 album are fascinating stories of creative reinvention, unlikely collaborations, political controversy, and disputes over songwriting credits and royalties.I

In this episode of Booked On Rock, I'm joined by Kalvin Schmidt-Rimpler Dinh, author of Paul Simon’s Graceland from Bloomsbury’s 33⅓ Africa series, to explore the making of this landmark album. Discover how a cassette of South African accordion music inspired Simon during a difficult period in his life, why recording in apartheid-era South Africa sparked controversy over the international cultural boycott, and how musicians including Ray Phiri, Bakithi Kumalo, Isaac Mtshali, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo helped create the album’s unmistakable sound.

We also uncover the remarkable recording trick behind the famous backward bass solo in “You Can Call Me Al,” the meaning behind songs like “Graceland,” “The Boy in the Bubble,” and “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,” and the contributions of Linda Ronstadt and Joseph Shabalala. Plus, we examine the songwriting-credit disputes involving Los Lobos and Rockin’ Dopsie and ask whether Simon’s collaborators received the recognition they deserved.

More than four decades into his career, Paul Simon reinvented himself with an album that crossed musical and cultural boundaries. Forty years after its release, Graceland remains a masterpiece with a complicated legacy—and this conversation reveals why its music and controversies still matter.

Purchase a copy of Paul Simon's Graceland [33 1/3]

----------

🎧 Listen/Watch Ad-Free on Patreon
Support Booked On Rock and get every new episode completely commercial-free with the Backstage Pass.
Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BookedOnRock

🛒 Old Glory -  Iconic music and sports fan merch
💰 Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: BOOKEDONROCK
https://oldglory.com/discount/BOOKEDONROCK

Booked On Rock is part of The Boneless Podcasting Network
 
BookedOnRock.com
 
The Booked On Rock Store
 
The Booked On Rock YouTube Channel
 
Follow The Booked On Rock with Eric Senich:
BLUESKY
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TIKTOK
X
 
Find Your Nearest Independent Bookstore
 
Contact The Booked On Rock Podcast: thebookedonrockpodcast@gmail.com
 
The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe