Trimming The Musical Fat

It’s time to party like it’s 1999! 🎹💜In this episode of Trimming The Musical Fat, we continue our Prince side-series, working our way through his incredible run of singles released between 1978 and 1989. This time, we’re diving into 1999, the landmark 1982 album that helped propel Prince from cult favourite to international superstar.We’re putting four of the album’s standout tracks under the microscope: the apocalyptic dance-floor anthem 1999, the irresistible synth-pop classic Little Red Corvette, the frantic funk of Delirious, and the provocative, gloriously eccentric Let’s Pretend We’re Married.But how do these tracks hold up today? Which deserve their place among Prince’s finest singles, and are any guilty of being a little too funky for their own good? We’ll critique the music, explore the singles’ strengths and weaknesses, and decide which tracks truly deserve to make the cut.As we continue our mission to celebrate Prince’s greatest singles from his early career, there’s only one question left to ask…Are these tracks musical gold, or is it time to trim some of the fat?Put on your purple finery, turn up the volume, and join us as we take another slice out of the musical genius that was Prince! 💜🎶

George Harrison’s 1987 comeback album Cloud Nine gets the Trimming The Musical Fat treatment!After years away from the spotlight, George returned with an album that combined his distinctive songwriting with a fresh, polished late-80s sound — helped along by producer Jeff Lynne and a stellar cast of musicians.But is Cloud Nine a genuine classic from start to finish… or is there some musical fat that needs trimming? ✂️In this episode, Stephen and Paul Nicholson go track by track through the album, debating the big questions:🎵 Which songs deserve to make the cut?✂️ Which tracks need trimming — or should be cut completely?💿 Is Got My Mind Set on You a classic or an unlikely guilty pleasure?🎸 Is When We Was Fab one of George’s great solo songs?📻 How important was Jeff Lynne to the album’s sound?🏆 Which track is the hidden gem?🔥 And ultimately… what would our Cloud Nine Supercut look like?We’ll critique, debate, disagree and trim the album down to the very best of George Harrison’s 1987 comeback.Cloud Nine or Cloud Nein? You decide!Like the podcast? Why not show your appreciation by buying Stephen a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.comPodcast website - trimmingthemusicalfat.com /Email us - [email protected] /Join our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/274805337346926 /Check out our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm_P5WlRZ0i3tR3jEavD_5A /Bluesky - @ttmfpodcast.bsky.social

In this episode, Stephen is joined by best friend and fellow Soundgarden fan Bryan Borthwick for a deep dive into the band’s 1996 album Down on the Upside — a record both of them bought on release week, and both found… well… a bit disappointing after the towering brilliance of Superunknown.Stephen and Bryan rewind the clock to the early 90s, sharing memories of seeing Soundgarden live in 1992 when they supported Guns N’ Roses at Gateshead Stadium — a show that cemented their admiration for the band and set expectations sky‑high for their Badmotorfinger follow-up.Across the episode, they critique Down on the Upside with the benefit of hindsight, exploring what works, what drags, and why the album felt so different from its predecessor. Along the way, they share song information, band tensions, chart facts, and behind‑the‑scenes details from the era.And of course, they take on the main challenge: trimming the album down to under 50 minutes — carving out a tighter, more powerful version of Soundgarden’s most sprawling release.If you’re a fan of the band, the era, or the art of album‑reimagining, this is a must‑listen.Like the podcast? Why not show your appreciation by buying Stephen a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.comPodcast website - trimmingthemusicalfat.com /Email us - [email protected] /Join our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/274805337346926 /Check out our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm_P5WlRZ0i3tR3jEavD_5A /Bluesky - @ttmfpodcast.bsky.social

It’s been a while! Life gets in the way. Travel, work & launching a new podcast (Sheer Pod Attack: A Queen Song-By-Song Podcast), have made me ‘time poor’ these last few months. But we’re back, with another episode of our Prince side-series, this time focussing on the singles from Prince’s most famous, biggest selling album - PURPLE RAIN. Home to its iconic title track, When Doves Cry, Let’s Go Crazy, and I Would Die 4U. What do I think of them and the album as a while? Listen to find out. And I’m delighted to have a guest contributor: Eric Paul Johnson, co-host of the excellent Face The Music: An Electric Light Orchestra Song-By-Song Podcast). Eric shares his thoughts on I Would Did 4U & Take Me With You. Are you a fan of the Purple Rain album? What’s your favourite track from it?Like the podcast? Why not show your appreciation by buying Stephen a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.comPodcast website - trimmingthemusicalfat.com /Email us - [email protected] /Join our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/274805337346926 /Check out our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm_P5WlRZ0i3tR3jEavD_5A /Bluesky - @ttmfpodcast.bsky.social

The Beatles’ White Album is a sprawling masterpiece — 30 tracks of brilliance, indulgence, experimentation, and occasional chaos. But what if it had been a single LP?In this episode, we take on the ultimate trimming challenge: cutting the White Album down to a tight, cohesive 14-track record. Join us as we debate what stays, what goes, and what defines the essence of this iconic release. Expect passionate arguments, surprising omissions, and a few controversial cuts.We also explore:• The album’s fractured recording sessions and solo-driven nature• George Martin’s original vision for a leaner tracklist• Fan-favourite deep cuts vs. undeniable classicsWhether you think “Revolution 9” is genius or madness, this is your chance to hear The White Album reimagined — trimmed, tightened, and totally TTMF.Like the podcast? Why not show your appreciation by buying Stephen a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.comPodcast website - trimmingthemusicalfat.com /Email us - [email protected] /Join our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/274805337346926 /Check out our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm_P5WlRZ0i3tR3jEavD_5A /Bluesky - @ttmfpodcast.bsky.social