Pick A Movie

Classic Albums

Season: 1

Episode: 1

Paul Simon: Graceland

Air Date:14/04/1997

This premiere episode spotlights Paul's 1986 Grammy-winning 'comeback' album. Introduced by Ringo Starr, each song is examined from the studio perspective. Paul considers the title track to be "The best I ever did". He describes how he came up with the musical and lyrical ideas, and we hear comments from the engineers and from prominent critics, and some of the South African musicians who contributed.

Guest Stars

Name: Paul Simon

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Linda Ronstadt

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Philip Glass

Character: Self

Department: Sound

Name: Whoopi Goldberg

Character: Self (archive footage)

Department: Acting

Name: Roy Halee

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Don Johnson

Character: Self (archive footage)

Department: Acting

Name: Bakithi Kumalo

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Ray Phiri

Character: Self

Department: Sound

Name: Joseph Shabalala

Character: Self

Department: Acting

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Episode: 2

Grateful Dead: American Beauty

Air Date:15/04/1997

This 1970 release was an important step in the rise of the Grateful Dead to legend status. Mickey Hart, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, along with some interviews with Jerry Garcia, discuss what went into the writing and recording.

Guest Stars

Name: Mickey Hart

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Phil Lesh

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Bob Weir

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Jerry Garcia

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Robert Hunter

Character: Self

Department: Acting

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Episode: 3

Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life

Air Date:16/04/1997

Stevie's 1976 double album is looked at here. Stevie had already released the smash album, Innervisions, but as Berry Gordy explains, he took the experimentation to a new level. Quincy Jones and Herbie Hancock are in the studio with Stevie, along with some other top musicians who contributed, as we examine the creation and recording process, of what many consider Stevie Wonder's finest hour.

Guest Stars

Name: Stevie Wonder

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Ben Bridges

Character: Self

Department: Writing

Name: Imhotep Gary Byrd

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Coolio

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Berry Gordy

Character: Self

Department: Production

Name: Herbie Hancock

Character: Self

Department: Sound

Name: Quincy Jones

Character: Self

Department: Sound

Name: Trevor Lawrence

Character: Self

Department: Sound

Name: Aisha Morris

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Dean Parks

Character: Self

Department: Sound

Name: Michael Sembello

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Nathan Watts

Character: Self

Department: Acting

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Episode: 4

The Band: The Band

Air Date:17/04/1997

Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and Garth Hudson discuss the making of their classic 1969 release. Each member explains how they achieved their distinct sound, with all of them often switching instruments. We hear from Eric Clapton and George Harrison on the influence the record had. Also included is a tribute to suicide victim Richard Manuel.

Guest Stars

Name: Levon Helm

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Rick Danko

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Robbie Robertson

Character: Self

Department: Sound

Name: Eric Clapton

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: George Harrison

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Garth Hudson

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Greil Marcus

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Don Was

Character: Self

Department: Production

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Episode: 5

The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Electric Ladyland

Air Date:18/04/1997

Jimi is recalled here with archival footage, and current interviews with Noel Redding, Mitch Mitchell, and engineer Eddie Kramer, explain the creative processes that went into the 1968 album. Jimi's manager, Chas Chandler, contributes some details, in what was to be his final interview.

Guest Stars

Name: Jimi Hendrix

Character: Self (archive footage)

Department: Acting

Name: Mitch Mitchell

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Noel Redding

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Steve Winwood

Character: Self

Department: Acting

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Episode: 6

Fleetwood Mac: Rumours

Air Date:22/07/1997

The band's Grammy-winning 1977 album is given the Classic Albums treatment. We hear from all the band members, and technicians who worked on the project. Each track is examined and the master tapes are analysed. Included is some archival performance footage, along with some home movies.