Classic Albums (British documentary series)

We have had past threads about the Classic Albums documentary series from the late '90s and aughts, which forum members really like. On top of great stories from the artists, producers and session players, I especially like how the artist or producer will play the multi-track masters of the album, isolating certain instruments or playing some parts left off the final mix.

I only realized this week that they have continued making new episodes! Wikipedia shows the following new episodes since 2013. In the US, you can view the older episodes on Amazon Prime. The newer episodes were aired on Sky TV in the UK. Does anyone know how to access these newer shows in the US?

I have enjoyed every episode that I've seen. Some more than others, but all of them have been very enjoyable, even if it covered an album that is not one of my favorites.

Classic Albums - Wikipedia

2013
The Who – Tommy (1969)

2017
Don McLean – American Pie (1971)
Carly Simon – No Secrets (1972)

2018
Amy Winehouse – Back to Black (2006)

2019
The Crickets – The "Chirping" Crickets (1957)

2020
Tears for Fears – Songs from the Big Chair (1985)

2021
Suede – Coming Up (1996)
Soul II Soul - Club Classics Vol. One (1989)
The Who – The Who Sell Out (1967)
Gil Scott-Heron - Pieces of a Man (1971)
The Doors - Morrison Hotel (1970)

 

I'm hoping for more newer episodes.Such a great documentary series!

 

I've seen three so far I think - Zappa/Overnite Sensation, Fleetwood Mac/Rumors and Beach Boys/Pet Sounds. In each case, the best bit is when they get behind the mixing desk and deconstruct the tracks. I think Pet Sounds was probably the best overall in that regard. From what Brian showed, they could create a completely different sounding album from all those tracks. Plus it was just refreshing to hear the Beach Boys talking about music instead of sniping at each other for once.

 

They do such a good job I'll even watch it for albums or artists I don't think I care a thing about. I've got many on DVD, they seemed to be quite affordable at one time as in under $10... some of the best in my opinion are The Doors - ST, Grateful Dead - Anthem to Beauty, Tom Petty - Damn The Torpedoes, and the Marley & The Wailers - Catch A Fire ones. Somehow I missed that there was a Pet Sounds one, I'll have to see about getting that probably, maybe The Chirping Crickets too.

 

I have a few of these on dvd. Really well made shows. Black Sabbath ‘Paranoid’ is a stand-out for me.

 

I’d always felt Coming Up was the poor cousin of the first three Suede albums but I’ve warmed to it a lot more having watched the Classic Albums episode. They were really up against it, what with one thing and another, it’s got a great ‘story’ to it that episode.

 

I was hoping for a Police episode this time.
Both/either Regatta and Synchronicity deserve an episode.

 

Seen a number of these, especially the first ones.

There's a good bit in the episode about ' The Band' where Levon Helm is listening to ' Rockin' Chair' and reminiscing about Richard Manuel's singing on it.

Another good one too is the episode about 'Transformer' where Reed talks about how great Mick Ronson was.

 

This one appears to be listed on Amazon Prime under a different title:

Watch The Who - Sensation The Story Of Tommy | Prime Video

Final screen shows 2013, Eagle Rock Productions, so definitely still part of this series, just not branded that way, for unknown reasons.

The American Pie episode is on Prime as well; this time through IMDBtv which will include ads, unfortunately.

Watch Don McLean: American Pie (Classic Albums) | Prime Video

Watch Carly Simon - No Secrets (Classic Album) | Prime Video - only available to rent or buy

Watch Amy Winehouse - Back To Black | Prime Video - only available to rent or buy

The rest don't appear to be on Prime, at least.

 

The Tubi streaming channel has most of the older episodes available for free (with one or two commercial interruptions).

 

'Morrison Hotel' Yes please!

 

Any news on new episodes?

 

This was on Belgian TV, a month ago.

 

Any cop?

 

with Dutch subs ...

 

The Meat Loaf one's like a comedy. Everyone says more outrageous things than the person before them. Everyone's interviewed separately or there would have been blows.

 

I have a few on DVD.

The Band
Pink Floyd-Dark Side
Elton John-GBYBR
The Who-Who's Next

Maybe a few others.

 

Favorites of mine:
Plastic Ono Band
Nevermind the Bullocks
Anthem to Beauty
Transformer
Wish You Were Here
The Doors