Episodes

  • Ep 10: As I Sit Down to Play the Organ at Notre Dame Cathedral
    Mar 7 2023

    WE'RE BACK! And we're going way back to 2006's "Hello Young Lovers" to discuss a song that has haunted us for a while: "As I Sit Down to Play the Organ at the Notre Dame Cathedral." Sit back and enjoy as Amy and I discuss life on the road, great musicianship, and Mel attempts to pronounce "religiosity."

    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • Indiscreet: Part 2
    Sep 26 2022

    WE'RE BACK! (Hopefully!) We had so much to say about the wonderful "Indiscreet" we could not get it all into one episode! Is "Indiscreet" the greatest Sparks album of all time? There's a reason so many fans love it so much! Pour yourself a glass of something sparkling us as we get into side two, talk about our favorite tracks on side two!

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Episode 8: Indiscreet - Part 1
    May 24 2022

    Is Indiscreet the best Sparks album of them all? It's certainly up there! Amy and Mel talk about how all of the things we love about Sparks really came together on this album. We got so into it we only managed to get through side one! Grab a sparkling beverage, fire up the listening device of your choice and join us! Cheers!

    Other items discussed: Autobiography of Tony Visconti: Bowie, Bolan and the Brooklyn Boy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1978034.Tony_Visconti John Lennon's Lost Weekend: https://www.biography.com/news/john-lennon-lost-weekend Boogie Nights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOk0fsMGyck Blade Runner https://youtu.be/eogpIG53Cis

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 27 mins
  • Propaganda!
    May 12 2022

    Continuing our look at Sparks "UK period," this week we discuss the "Propaganda" album. Hot on the heels of Sparks' first commercially successful album, "Kimono My House," "Propaganda" frequently tops the list of Sparks fans' favorite albums. But is it as good as KMH? Amy and Mel have opinions! Pop open some bubbly and have a listen! Wines mentioned: Toccata Rosato Sparkling Wine https://www.llwine.com/wines/2017-sparkling-rosato

    Babe Rose produced by Yass Queen in Modesto CA. https://drinkbabe.net/

    Solvang, CA Visitor Info: https://www.solvangusa.com/

    Motorboat by Gerhard Richter https://www.gerhard-richter.com/en/art/paintings/photo-paintings/everyday-life-18/motor-boat-1-version-5564 Woman Descending a Staircase by Gerhard Richter: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/147003/woman-descending-the-staircase-frau-die-treppe-herabgehend

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 23 mins
  • Episode 6 Annette and March 19th Sparks Concert in Chicago
    Apr 26 2022

    In this episode, we talk about the wonderful March 19, 2022 Sparks show in Chicago and about the movie Annette, which we watched together before the concert.

    Sparkles enjoyed: Canah, prosecco from Perlage in Veneto Italy Bubbles, sparkling rose by A to Z Wineworks in Dundee, Oregon

    Songs discussed on Sparks and Sparkles podcast. https://youtu.be/a1XI08y6frY

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Episode 5 Kimono My House Part 3 - Side B
    Mar 13 2022

    Sparks talk begins at minute 5:30. On this episode, we discuss how the detailed music and lyrics on Side B oppitimize "Sparks". These songs mix wonderfully clever word play with strong vocals and rocking instrumental work and the result, as Melanie says, "is pure joy". We delve briefly back to Woofer in Tweeter's clothing and wander off into discussing Freddy Boom Boom Cannon and Marty Robbins. We also dig into the term "Pop Banger" and what it means to Melanie and why Amy is so confused by it. It was truly a pleasure to drink Sparkles and talk about these awesome Sparks songs and other musical memories. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it. Happy Equator Day!

    Want more Sparks? Check out our Sparks and Sparkling playlist. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3Uyuc9G337AcjuIhkNswthFKqKuhzOK

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode 4 Bonus - Hope is a Verb
    Feb 26 2022

    We posted this episode to share a little current events talk and this amazing quote from Melanie. "Hope is a verb. And it's not the ignorance of obstacles, it's the determination to overcome them."

    Check out our full Episode 4 Kimono My House Part 2 - Side A: https://youtu.be/Hdm4VStqrzs

    Want more Sparks? Check out our Sparks and Sparkling playlist. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3Uyuc9G337AcjuIhkNswthFKqKuhzOK

    Show More Show Less
    3 mins
  • Episode 4 Kimono My House Part 2
    Feb 26 2022

    In this episode, we get into the Side A of Kimono My House. Melanie reads Sparks fan mail from Morrisey and we throw down about our favorite and least favorite songs. We may not agree on our favorite songs, but we do agree on how much we enjoy talking about the music and lyrics of this iconic album.

    Sparks talk begins at 9:45. Songs discussed: This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us Amateur Hour Falling in Love with Myself Again Here in Heaven Thank God it's Not Christmas My Nation Underground (Julian Cope) While My Guitar Gently Weeps (George Harrison) Thank God It's Christmas (Queen)

    Want more Sparks? Check out our Sparks and Sparkling playlist. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3Uyuc9G337AcjuIhkNswthFKqKuhzO

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 6 mins