Nick De Grunwald
Director
Classic Albums (1997)
Season 1
A documentary series about pop and rock albums that are considered the best or most distinctive of a well-known band or musician or that exemplify a stage in the history of music.
Released April 14, 1997
Episode 49 min
10+
Genres: Documentary, Music
Keywords: tmdb.rock-n-roll, imdb.music-album, imdb.music-documentary, imdb.rock-music, imdb.pop-music, imdb.pop-culture, imdb.culture + 4 more, imdb.musician, imdb.band, imdb.rock-band, imdb.key
Production Companies: Isis Productions
Network: BBC Four
Country: United Kingdom
Languages:
English
5.0
S1E1 - Paul Simon: Graceland
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.
April 14, 1997, midnight
7.0
S1E2 - Grateful Dead: American Beauty
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.
April 15, 1997, midnight
S1E3 - Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life
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.
April 16, 1997, midnight
S1E4 - The Band: The Band
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.
April 17, 1997, midnight
S1E5 - The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Electric Ladyland
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.
April 18, 1997, midnight
7.5
S1E6 - Fleetwood Mac: Rumours
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.
July 22, 1997, midnight
Network: BBC Four
Episode Runtime: 49 min.
Season Runtime: 2499 min.
Released: April 14, 1997
Last Air Date: Oct. 8, 2021, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: TV-PG / 10+
Rate this show
Add {Movie} to static lists