Classic Albums
Season 3
TV-PG
A documentary series on several of the key albums in music history. Each episode covers a different album and shows the making of the album, its success and influence. Included are interviews with band members and supporting staff (eg producers, engineers, session players) and with music critics and historians.
Where to Watch Season 3
6 Episodes
- Iron Maiden: Number of the Beast
E1Iron Maiden: Number of the BeastIron Maiden has been both criticized and praised for their unforgiving presentation of hard rock. This album took them to worldwide stardom, and awoke accusations of backward masking, subliminal messages, and Satanism. Producer Martin Birch dissects the master tapes with the five band members, who discuss the writing and recording of each song, while looking for the 'hidden' elements. - Elton John: Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road
E2Elton John: Goodbye, Yellow Brick RoadElton John, along with some of his past and present band members discuss the creation of his opus, 'Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road'. Producer Gus Dudgeon and engineer David Henschel pull up some of the original multi-tracks, and demonstrate how the music was played and sang. Bernie Taupin is also on hand to describe his lyric writing, and some rare footage of rehearsals, and photos shot in the studio, are presented. - Metallica: Metallica (Black Album)
E3Metallica: Metallica (Black Album)Metallica's 12 million selling breakthrough album is examined in depth. Taped at One on One Studios, where it was recorded, Producer Bob Rock, along with all four band members, discuss the making of each song, and how they polished their sound to command a wider audience. - Lou Reed: Transformer
E4Lou Reed: TransformerCo-produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, this 1972 landmark album took Lou Reed from cult idol to glam superstar status. Here Reed examines each track, discussing with engineer Ken Scott the creation process. Bassist Herbie Flowers shows us how the riff for 'Walk On The Wild Side', was recorded, and we see some archives of Lou's performances. - Judas Priest: British Steel
E5Judas Priest: British SteelThe metal classic 'British Steel' is examined here. The band, minus drummer Dave Holland, explain the songwriting process and lyrical ideas, interspersed with live footage of performances from that period. Producer Tom Allom demonstrates how the sound effects were achieved, and the two guitarists show how their 'trademark' twin guitar sound is generated. - Elvis Presley: Elvis Presley
E6Elvis Presley: Elvis PresleyThe debut album of the King is examined here. It was the first million-selling rock album, and the first million-selling popular music album for RCA. We hear from some of the producers and musicians who contributed, and each track is discussed in depth. Five of the songs were taken from Elvis' Sun Sessions, and Sam Phillips is on hand to discuss those sessions. Elvis' version of Carl Perkins' classic, 'Blue Suede Shoes' is dissected, and his first smash single, 'Heartbreak Hotel', is included, though not originally on the album.