All You Ever Think About Is Sparks

SPECIAL EPISODE: What We Do Is What We Do, Episode 01: Dario Western and naturism

CAVEAT DOWNLOAD-OR: NOT SPARKS-RELATED!
Doing some logrolling today. After months of idle threats, I have finally assembled the first episode of my new podcast What We Do Is What We Do. No, it's not about the DEVO song. It's about hobbies, pastimes, and passion projects! Starring maybe you one day! The new show will have its own feed, but it's going to play nice here with the Sparks feed for now.
Mr. Dario Western (an avid Sparks fan himself, natch) joins me on my maiden voyage, giving me the naked truth on naturism and how he's merged it with his music career. Check out the music of Dario's band Laissez-Fayre here.
What's YOUR passion project? What makes YOU tick? What kind of thing do you make time in your life to pursue even though it doesn't pay the bills? Let me know, and I'll interview you too!
christianchuey@gmail.com is my email, https://twitter.com/ChristianHuey is my Twitter, and you can reach me on Facebook as well (I'm Christian Exquisitely Huey).

Episode 14: Indiscreet (1975) part one

Sparks' final album as a British band finds them at a whole new level of ambition. Hoping to make their own Sgt Pepper's, Ron and Russell find their personal George Martin in Tony Visconti, who helped Sparks arrange songs for swing bands, marching bands, string quartets, etc. I also tell the sad story of the Jacques Tati film that never was.
Check us out on FB here, or email Christian here.
Next episode will be an in-depth one-on-one with rock journalist Dave Thompson!

Episode 13: Pini Schatz interview

I'm joined by Pini Schatz, director of the documentary about Sparks fandom Never Turn Your Back on Sparks. Listen to Pini's wild ride through the world of Sparks fans across continents, cultures, and income levels. As well as revealing how he nabbed some of those interviews with famous music icons, we get to find out who flaked out on him (hint: Lighten Up)!
See the trailer for yourself here and check out the film's Facebook page here.
Stay well, Sparks fans.
Love, Christian

Episode 12: Propaganda (1974) part 2

I delve into side two of Propaganda in this one, including B-side Alabamy Right. Propaganda was a deliberate step forward from Kimono My House, in terms of musical ambition. The second and final album produced by Muff Winwood, Ron employs his "Jam-proof your composition" manifesto here to ensure no one does the same thing twice, and to ensure that Adrian Fisher never gets to play a single blues lick. How was Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth misunderstood by Ray Davies? Exactly WHAT the hell is Russell singing on Something for the Girl with Everything? I break it all down here.
Check us out on Facebook, and drop me a line at podcastsparks@gmail.com if you're lonely and want to say hi. I like friends.
--Christian

Episode 11: Interview with Martin Gordon

(I updated a new version of the file March 25, with the final versions of Martin's songs "Will of the People" and "Idiots.")
What excuse did I have for waiting longer than this for uploading and sharing? None, that's what! While I'm more or less quarantined in my house here in SXSW-less Austin, TX, I've got time on my hands. Thank goodness cabin fever is the only fever in my household at the moment!
Here's that interview with Martin Gordon I promised! He couldn't have been more generous with his time. I've included clips of songs from Martin's long and varied career. Those include: Will of the People, Idiots, Cover Girl, Nervous Wreck, No Russians in Russia, Good Personality, and Modern Major General. Please check out Martin's own website at www.martingordon.de and buy his music!
Stay well and wash everything constantly always! I'll be back soon for part 2 of my exploration of 1974's Propaganda.
Cheers, Christian

Episode 10: Propaganda (1974) part 1

Sheltered-in-place so long you've got serious cabin fever? Perfect time to listen to Sparks' second hit LP for Island, Propaganda. Propaganda was recorded in just a few weeks, in the wake of the seismic smash of its predecessor. In this episode, I dig deep into the making of the record and explore side one.
As always, drop me a note at podcastsparks@gmail.com or check us out on Facebook. Stay safe, my friends! Wash your hands and eyeballs after reading this!
Much love, Christian 

Episode 9: Kimono My House (1974) part 2

(NOTE: I uploaded a new version of this episode with different sound levels 2/26)
I explore side 2 of Kimono My House in episode 9, and throw in random tidbits about OPEC-induced vinyl shortages and Japanese musical theatre troupes. Did Doris Day know she had a doppleganger? Is there a gorilla out there doing his best impression of Ron Mael? Do YOU know how to tie a kimono? I expect the answers on my desk by the end of the day.
As promised in my intro, here's the link to Andy Moore's podcast and the episode about Sparks: https://andystreasuretrove.com/podcast/19-sparks-an-homage-to-ron-russell-mael/
Also, drummer Stevie Nistor's Gofundme to help him with chronic Lyme disease treatments: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-stevie-nistor-beat-chronic-lyme-disease
As always, feel free to drop me a line at podcastsparks@gmail.com or at my FB page.
Hasta Mañana, Monsieur! - Sincerely, Christian Huey

Episode 8: Kimono My House (1974) part 1 + Monte Mallin

We're back! Happy 2020, Sparks fans. In episode 8, I take an obsessive gander at side one of Sparks' most famous album Kimono My House. Learn how Sparks catapulted from esoteric Los Angeles weirdos to British superstars in 1974 with the monumental "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us," and its stellar parent album.After the history lesson, I bend the ear of Monte Mallin again, this time asking him about what made the late Dinky Diamond the highest-regarded of all of Sparks' many drummers over the years.Check out Monte's frequently-astounding podcast So Important as well his Spotify playlist celebrating Sparks drumming. You can find info about THIS podcast here and here, and you can email me (Christian) at podcastsparks@gmail.com.

Episode 4 redux: Halfnelson/Sparks listening party + other stuff

(Amended re-release) Richard Martinez rejoins Christian for a Sparks listening party, as we examine the first Halfnelson/Sparks album on Bearsville Records. Christian reads Joseph Fleury's liner notes from a 1975 repackaging of the first two albums, and a rare interview (from another source) with Earle Mankey rounds out the episode. Email me here, and check us out on FB here!

Episode 7: Putting together the UK band (1973) + Interview with James Lowe

Ron and Russell recruit a new band in England, and sharpen their sound with new songs. Hear how Martin Gordon, Dinky Diamond and Adrian Fisher were discovered, and how Island Records had set Sparks up to be 1974's Next Big Thing. Stick around for an interview with James Lowe, producer of Sparks' previous album A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing, and founding member of the Electric Prunes. Thanks for your support in 2019, dear listeners! Happy Holidays/Christmas/Hannukah/whatever and I'll see you in 2020!
Check us out on FB, send me an email, and join the Indiscreet fan page on FB!