Everybody’s got a podcast.

Or so it seems.

Few things in my music-driven life feel more difficult than getting my YouTube Podcast channel a little attention in a world FULL of podcasts. If I don’t say so myself (and I do), I’ve assembled some really good interviews with some really good musicians. But it’s hard to break through.

Some of the artists I’ve interviewed: Steve Vai, Simon Phillips, Pat Mastelotto, Deborah Holland, David Torn, Trey Gunn, and so many others. Seriously … please give it a go! (And subscribe while you’re at it!)

But I’m also a podcast fan. My focus is mainly on movies, television shows (and the actors from both), and — of course — music. They also deserve attention, though a few already get quite a bit!

Still, these people put out quality stuff whether they’re reacting to unknown music, breaking the music down academically, or interviewing other musicians. For me, it’s always interesting and it’s always worth a chunk of my time.

People tend to get frustrated with song reactions because the ‘casters frequently stop songs mid-flow in order to discuss what’s being played. What these people don’t understand is these stoppages are a necessity! Not just for the sake of analysis, but (more importantly) to avoid a YouTube copyright strike. YouTube is positively ruthless about songs being played in their entirety, since a lot of these ‘casters are monetizing their work. Record labels don’t tend to like that, though some labels are tougher than others. I get it, and I hope other viewers catch on as well.

Reaction watchers are also occasionally frustrated by the ‘caster’s lack of knowledge about the viewer’s favorite music. “How can these people not know about Pink Floyd? How are they so ignorant about what Prince can do?” Believe me, I sympathize. But it’s really a matter of age and context. The vast majority of reaction channels I watch are often half my age, minimum. The music they’re studying is often a minimum of thirty years old! How can they not know? How could I not know about Glen Miller or Charlie Parker when I was the same age in the eighties and nineties? It’s the same thing in a different era.

As much as I’d like to believe I’m on top of the scene by way of TOOL, Rage Against the Machine, or The Roots, that music has been around for decades! It’s a horrifying thought!

Let’s face it: I’m old!

Still, I love what these podcasters bring to the study and enjoyment of music. Here are a few of my favorites, in no particular order, and what they do to make their channels entertaining.

RICK BEATO (song analysis/academia, interviews). Probably the best known of music podcasters, with nearly six million subscribers and a channel with more than 2,300 videos. I was pulled in by his series “What Makes This Song Great,” which he started several years ago. He breaks down classic songs track by track via instrumentation, arrangements, and chord changes. He also discusses trends in music and interviews other famous musicians. Rick can come off as a bit of an old crank now and then, but he’s well worth watching. (Especially since I’m an old crank, too!)

THE CHARISMATIC VOICE (song reaction and analysis). Elizabeth Zharoff is a professional opera singer and voice coach who has found herself breaking down music that couldn’t be farther from her specialty. It’s fun watching her giggle with glee when she hears something not only unknown to her, but fantastic to those already familiar. Her breakdown of Pink Floyd’s “The Great Gig in the Sky” is worth the price of admission. Of all the ‘casters here, Zharoff stops and replays songs the most. It can be maddening at times, but she’s so thoughtful, thorough, and passionate, you can’t help but enjoy learning from her.

POLO REACTS (reaction and analysis). When it comes to song reaction, Polo Mars likes to be a fish out of water. He examines bands and songs that had little to nothing to do with the music he grew up hearing. A lot of his reactions come from classic rock, metal, and a bit of country. Polo also reacts to movies and TV shows, but I focus on his music work, which is quite visceral. He’s in the moment like few others, which keeps things entertaining.

STACEYRPG (reaction). Stacey (last name unknown) is a former athlete who has become a big-time movie lover, gamer, and music fan. She claims to know nothing about the music she plays, its production, or how the instrumentation she’s hearing works. A pure novice. What she brings to the table is open ears and raw emotion. Watch her melt down and start to cry as she hears David Gilmour’s legendary guitar solo on Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb.” Her heart is firmly nestled on her sleeve as she takes it all in. Watching her often makes me feel like I’m hearing songs for the first time, even if I’ve played them hundreds of times. That she doesn’t take songs apart is part of her charm. She just wants to take it all in. I respect that.

MARTY MUSIC (Song lessons, analysis). Marty Schwartz is an immensely talented guitarist who can play pretty much anything. He’s also a terrific teacher, showing the patience to teach you a song at a very slow pace, one riff at a time. You can’t help but catch on. Few things make me happier than wanting to learn a song and finding out Marty already has it covered. He’s my go-to guy for guitar lessons.

MICHAEL PALMISANO (Reaction, analysis, lessons). Michael knows his stuff. Along with Beato, he is the most academic musician I watch, even if more than a little of what he discusses goes right over my head. I don’t think he needs to dumb it down. It’s my responsibility to catch up and keep up! Michael points out little tidbits of guitar parts with the occasional sense of awe and glee. He loves watching guitarists play, then breaking things down and duplicating it on his own guitar. And he’s usually spot-on. He stops videos frequently, but that’s only because he wants to teach you about what’s happening. It’s cool to watch and learn.

THIS IS ANGELICA (Reaction, analysis). Angelica (last name unknown) is a music fan who’s also slowly and steadily turning into a dedicated student. She seems to learn more about instruments and their roles with every video. She caught my attention because of her continuously growing love for progressive rock. Best of all, she doesn’t stop at just one song when she falls in love with a band. Her reactions to Pink Floyd and Procupine Tree alone make her channel worthwhile. Next to Stacey, Angelica is probably the most overtly emotional reactor I watch. Her face lights up like the sun when she sees something she enjoys. A couple of times, she couldn’t help but stand up mid-performance. I’d love to go to a concert with Angelica. She doesn’t strike me as a mere podcaster. I have no doubt we could be friends.

THE WOLF HUNTERZ (Reaction). They’re a metal band eager to expand their collective musical palate. They love to dive into the oldies and appreciate the musicians of the past. The level of respect they offer the musicians of the past is beyond commendable. Their videos are short and sweet. They react as things go along, say a word or two after the song, and see their way out. Just hit it and quit it! I think I’d enjoy having a beer and watching videos with these guys.

BLACK PEGASUS (Reaction). Robert Houston II is a Colorado-based hip-hop artists with a matching rebellious attitude. Still, he enjoys leaving his comfort zone to take in music he probably wouldn’t on a regular basis. Houston is brutally honest with his opinions, which can rub you the wrong way if he doesn’t like something you enjoy. But his unwillingness to bow down and suck up makes him highly respectable. The two of us would probably argue now and then, but our disagreements would be constructive and fun. That’s what makes him highly watchable.

These are my favorites, but I watch more than a few others. Everyone brings something special to the table. If you know of a podcast I should check out, feel free to tell me about it in the comments.

Meanwhile, give a couple of my faves a go. Something tells me you’ll enjoy yourself.

#cirdecsongs

If you would like to have your music reviewed, contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com