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Walt's Vinyl Albums
Walt's Vinyl Albums is about vinyl albums from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. I have rebranded and changed the name from Vinyl Bound. In it, I explore the creation of some of the most iconic albums ever created. Just like before, I dive deep into the passion behind the music. Welcome.
Walt's Vinyl Albums
How Cyndi Lauper's Breakthrough Album Redefined Music
Step back into the vibrant world of the 1980s as we explore Cyndi Lauper's groundbreaking album, "She's So Unusual." This episode reveals not only the captivating stories that shaped her career but also how her struggles with identity and acceptance informed her music. From the unforgettable hit "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" to the heartfelt "Time After Time," Lauper’s work characterized an era while challenging societal norms with powerful messages of empowerment and self-expression. We also examine her unique style and artistry, which set her apart in a sometimes-predictable music landscape.
We also dive into the historical context of music production, comparing the analog techniques of the 70s to today's digital methods, shedding light on why many feel the sound quality has diminished over time.
Join us to celebrate a true music legend whose vibrant energy and creativity continue to inspire artists around the world. What has been your favorite Cyndi Lauper moment? Don’t forget to subscribe and share your thoughts with us!
Find me on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and anywhere you get your podcast downloads. You can also watch the show on the 2 links below.
Walt's Vinyl Albums on YouTube
Walt's Vinyl Albums podcast is on 14 other podcast stations including, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Deezer, and many more. You can contact us via email at: walter@waltsvinylalbums.com
Welcome back to Waltz Vinyl Albums, where we dive deep into the stories behind music legends and their timeless albums. Today I'm shining the spotlight on Cyndi Lauper and her groundbreaking 1983 album she's so Unusual. Now, before I dive into the she's so Unusual album, I want to review the differences of the 1970s recordings and today's recordings. Many consider music recordings from the 1970s to be superior to today's because of the advancements in analog recording technology at the time, including high-quality studio setups with large budgets, better mixing consoles like Neve and API, more tracks on tape machines allowing for better separation, and a focus on capturing the natural sound of musicians playing live, often with less digital manipulation. Compared to modern recording practices, you know this resulted in a richer, more dynamic sound with greater sonic detail. Recording studios in the 1970s utilized top-of-the-line analog equipment such as high-quality microphones, tape machines with more tracks and sophisticated mixing consoles, which led to a fuller sound with greater dynamic range. I can tell you with certainty that the Shure SM58 microphone, which was introduced in September of 1966, was designed for professional vocal use in studios, live performances and sound reinforcement. It has more clarity than the Shure SM7B microphone, which was introduced in 2001. It replaced the SM7A, which was released in 1999. As they try to make things better for digital recording, they exclude the clarity that drives the emotions in the human brain. You know, something is missing. Kind of like AI. Artists often had time to record and mix albums in the 70s, allowing for greater experimentation and refinement in the studio. Many 70s recordings prioritized capturing the energy of live performances, with musicians playing together in the same room, contributing to a more natural sound. Compared to modern recording, where digital editing is prevalent, 70s recordings rely less on digital manipulation, resulting in a perceived authenticity. Criticisms of modern recording practices are over-reliance on digital processing. Modern recording often heavily utilizes digital effects and manipulation, which can sometimes sound artificial or overly processed. Faster production schedules the pressure to produce music quickly can sometimes lead to less attention to detail in the recording process. Focus on commercial appeal Some argue that today's music industry prioritizes producing commercial, viable music over artistic expression, impacting the overall sound quality. This fact alone destabilizes a band's relationship with one another and a lot of times they split up. Now let's get to Cyndi Lauper's she's so Unusual album.
Speaker 1:Cyndi Lauper was born in Brooklyn in 1953. She was raised Catholic, yet her parents divorced when she was young. Lauper loved to listen to music and began playing guitar and writing her own songs at the age of 12. As Lauper grew into her musical identity, she started experimenting with fashion. She loved dyeing her hair in bright colors and wearing unusual clothing. She stood out from the crowd, something that her peers did not really appreciate. Lauper was mercifully bullied for her unconventional style. Her struggles did not end there. Lauper was far from an excellent student and was eventually expelled from her high school. She then ran away from home at 17 to escape her abusive stepfather. Lauper was far from an excellent student and was eventually expelled from her high school. She then ran away from home at 17 to escape her abusive stepfather. She journeyed to Canada where she spent two contemplative weeks in the woods with her dog Sparkle. Lauper eventually made her way down to Vermont and began taking art classes at Johnson State College before she entered the music scene. Does this sound familiar?
Speaker 1:In the early 1970s, lauper performed at a vocalist with various other cover bands. One called Doc West covered disco songs as well as Janis Joplin. That's right, this is the gal that loved to sing Janis Joplin and lived a life almost like hers. A later band, flyer, was active in the New York metropolitan area, singing hits by bands, including Bad Company, jefferson Airplane and Led Zeppelin. Although Lauper was performing on stage, she was not happy singing covers. In 1977, I am unsure if most of you know this, but Cyndi Lauper almost didn't become a singer because in that year Lauper damaged her vocal cords and was forced to stop singing. She was told that she'd never be able to sing again, but she regained her ability under the guidance of her vocal coach, katie Agresta.
Speaker 1:In 1978, lauper formed a band called Blue Angel with saxophonist John Turi. Steve Masarsky, manager of the Allman Brothers band, he heard one of their tapes and became Blue Angel's manager. After a commercially disappointing album release, blue Angel broke up and fired Masarsky. He sued the band for $80,000 and catapulted Lauper into bankruptcy. To make matters worse, her vocal cords were again damaged. However, she regained her voice in a relatively short period of time. To make ends meet, she worked several odd jobs and sang at night. In 1981, lauper was signed by manager David Wolfe. After he saw her perform at a New York City bar, wolfe secured her a deal with Portrait Records, the company that would soon release she's so Unusual.
Speaker 1:She's so Unusual first made waves with the album's iconic single Girls Just Wanna have Fun. Everybody loved that song. The song became wildly popular and eventually reached the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Girls Just Wanna have Fun became a global hit and remains one of Lauper's most recognizable songs today. Lauper released six singles from the album, including Time After Time, which rose to the top of the charts in the US and several other countries. The song's layered depth and heartfelt lyrics continue to resonate with listeners. The album includes five cover songs, including the Brain's new wave track Money Changes Everything. Number 27 on the Billboard and princess, when you were mine, she's so unusual quickly earned itself a spot in the new wave canon.
Speaker 1:The album is ultimately defined by lopper's unique and expansive vocals and punk sound. Her voice transcends time and is simultaneously distinctly 80s. Lopper embodies bold and pioneering spirit of the era's music scene. The cover of she's so Unusual captures Lopper's identity as a true artist. On it, lopper is wearing a second-hand prom dress from a vintage store where she worked. Annie Leboevich photographed Lopper in motion, twisting her and fishnets, in front of a wax museum on Coney Island.
Speaker 1:Lauper confidently carried her artistic style with her as she rose to the ranks of musical stardom. She's so Unusual was greeted with critical and popular acclaim. It debuted on the Billboard 200 and remained on the list for 77 weeks. Lauper was nominated for six Grammys, including the Album of the Year and one in the categories of Best New Artist and Best Recording Package. She's so Unusual was certified platinum and continues to be relevant. She's so Unusual is ranked 184 on the Rolling Stones list 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, after debuting at 494 on the list in 2003.
Speaker 1:Following the album's success, lopper went on to work on several other musical projects. She also became heavily invested in advocating for different groups that were passionate about their cause. As for her musical legacy, lopper carved out a space for lyrical depictions of womanhood that were previously unexplored or accepted. Her vibrant punk aesthetic continues to influence artists and fans around the world. Lauper is at once emblematic of an era and powerfully timeless. She's so Unusual introduced her to the world outside of New York clubs and bars and marked her as one of the 20th century's most recognizable voices. One of the 20th century's most recognizable voices.
Speaker 1:I want to thank you for joining me today as I explored the story behind Cyndi Lauper's album she's so Unusual. Next time on Walt's Vinyl Albums. I talk about the iconic Bryan Adams and his timeless album Reckless. While Adams was relatively happy with his albums up to this point. He was asked where's the rock? This led to the creation of Summer of 69, adams' nostalgic rock hit one of the album's defining pieces. Don't forget to like and subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more deep dives into the legends of music. As always, remember to spend those albums loudly and proudly. I will see you again soon.