Classic Albums
(1997)Streaming Episode Guide
Season 10 | Season 9 | Season 8 | Season 7 | Season 6 | Season 5 | Season 4 | Season 3 | Season 2 | Season 1 | Specials | Top 5 Episodes
Season 10
Freak Out!
Episode 14 - 10-08-2021
The Mothers of Invention's 1966 cult classic debut "Freak Out!" is analyzed, with insights from Frank Zappa's band members, family and fans.
Haven't Seen
The Doors: Morrison Hotel
Episode 13 - 10-01-2021
A look at the American rockers' fifth studio album. It saw them return to their blues-rock style and earned them their highest charting album in the UK.
Haven't Seen
Gil Scott-Heron: Pieces Of A Man
Episode 12 - 9-24-2021
Haven't Seen
Suede: Coming Up
Episode 11 - 5-07-2021
Haven't Seen
Soul II Soul: Club Classics Vol. 1
Episode 10 - 4-30-2021
Haven't Seen
The Who Sell Out
Episode 9 - 4-23-2021
Buy
Haven't Seen
Tears for Fears: Songs from the Big Chair
Episode 8 - 2-14-2020
Documentary that explores Songs from the Big Chair, Tears for Fears second, seminal album, which saw the band's music transform from synth-pop into arena-ready anthems.
Haven't Seen
The Crickets: The Chirping Crickets
Episode 7 - 7-12-2019
The story of the first album by The Crickets, crowned by four of their best-loved songs: That’ll Be the Day, Not Fade Away, Maybe Baby and Oh, Boy!
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Haven't Seen
Amy Winehouse: Back to Black
Episode 6 - 9-14-2018
1h 0m
The true story of how Amy Winehouse’s best known and most celebrated body of work came into being. Featuring previously unseen footage of Amy, new interviews with producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi, and the musicians who worked with Amy on the album, offering fresh insights into Amy’s remarkable gifts as a singer, songwriter, musician and performer.
7.6/10Haven't Seen
Don McLean: American Pie
Episode 5 - 12-08-2017
58m
Series focusing on the albums that have influenced the course of music. This edition looks at Don McLean's album American Pie, crowned by its titular overture and the song Vincent.
7.6/10Haven't Seen
Carly Simon: No Secrets
Episode 4 - 5-05-2017
59m
Carly Simon reveals the challenges behind No Secrets - the classic album that made her a global star and included the enigmatic song You're So Vain.
7.8/10Haven't Seen
The Who: Tommy
Episode 3 - 11-09-2013
1968 was a time of soul-searching for the Who - with three badly performing singles behind them, they needed a big new idea to put them back at the top and, crucially, to hold them together as a band. Inspired by Indian spiritual master Meher Baba, Pete Townshend created the character of Tommy, the 'deaf, dumb and blind boy'. Broke and fragmenting when they started recording, the album went on to sell over 20 million copies. In this film, the Who speak for the first time about the making of the iconic album and how its success changed their lives.
7.8/10Haven't Seen
Peter Gabriel: So
Episode 2 - 3-23-2012
58m
So stands as one of the greatest records of the 1980s, helping define its time to become a true classic album. The film features interviews with Gabriel himself, co-producer Daniel Lanois, bass players Tony Levin and Larry Klein, performer Laurie Anderson, drummer Manu Katché and Rolling Stone editor David Fricke amongst others.
7.6/10Haven't Seen
Primal Scream: Screamadelica
Episode 1 - 5-06-2011
59m
Primal Scream's seminal album Screamadelica was released in 1991, and synthesized the band's rock 'n' roll roots with the dance culture of that time; for many, the album's sound and imagery came to be regarded as quintessential symbols of the acid house era, perfectly catching the spirit and mood of the early 90s.
Using rare archive footage and special performances, this film tells the story of Screamadelica and its hit singles and dance anthems Loaded, Movin' On Up, Come Together and Don't Fight It, Feel It. From the formation of the band in Glasgow to winning the first-ever Mercury prize, the band members explain the record's inception with insights from main producer Andrew Weatherall, Creation Records founder Alan McGee and many others involved with or inspired by this joyful record.
Screamadelica both defines a generation and transcends its time, and is a true Classic Album.
6.7/10Haven't Seen
Season 9
The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds
Episode 5 - 11-19-2010
59m
A look at the creation of the Beach Boys' classic album "Pet Sounds", including conversations with Brian Wilson and group members, lyricist Tony Asher, and members of the studio supergroup The Wrecking Crew.
7.4/10Haven't Seen
The Rolling Stones: Beggar's Banquet
Episode 4 - 11-17-2010
Haven't Seen
Rush: 2112 & Moving Pictures
Episode 3 - 6-26-2010
58m
2112 was the album that saw Rush break through to major chart success, going to No.1 in their native Canada and Top 75 in the USA where it would eventually be certified triple platinum. Moving Pictures opened them to a mass audience for the first time and remains the biggest selling album of their career. It also went to No.1 in Canada and went quadruple platinum there while hitting No.3 in both the UK and USA. Rush members Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart talk us through the making of the albums, together with original producer Terry Brown via interviews, demonstrations, archive videos and use of the original multi-track tapes.
8.2/10Haven't Seen
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Damn the Torpedoes
Episode 2 - 6-09-2010
56m
The latest addition to Eagle s critically acclaimed and highly successful Classic Albums series is Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers 1979 breakthrough album Damn The Torpedoes . The band s third album defined their musical style and took them into the mainstream hitting No.2 on the US charts and spawning the top 10 single Don t Do Me Like That . The DVD features newly filmed contributions from the band members Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Ron Blair and Stan Lynch along with co-producer Jimmy Iovine and engineer Shelly Yakus as they analyse the tracks from the original multi-track tapes and through new and archive performances. Damn The Torpedoes has stood the test of time as one of the great American rock albums of its era and is a worthy addition to the Classic Albums series.
7.4/10There are no streaming sources for this episode in your country. Sources available in: Great Britain, Australia
Haven't Seen
Black Sabbath: Paranoid
Episode 1 - 5-01-2010
55m
With Paranoid celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the Classic Albums/Black Sabbath episode is particularly timely. Music buffs will relish at the 97-minute DVD that touches upon everything from Black Sabbath’s influences, the songwriting process behind tracks like “War Pigs and “Iron Man,” the band’s introduction into America, and even hands-on explanations of the riff work from Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler. In stark contrast to the band’s self-titled debut album (recorded over two days and mixed in one), Paranoid was allowed an opportunity to be crafted in more accommodating studio environment. Those sessions bore a variety of intriguing stories, specifically one that details how “Paranoid” was written off-the-cuff after executives requested a “short song.”
7.9/10Haven't Seen
Season 8
Duran Duran: Rio
Episode 3 - 11-22-2008
52m
Tells the story behind the writing, recording and subsequent success of Rio through interviews, musical demonstrations, and archive footage. Original band members Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor are all interviewed along with director Russell Mulchay, former manager Paul Berrow, journalist Beverley Glick, designer Antony Price and Bob Geldolf amongst others.
7/10Haven't Seen
John Jennon: Plastic Ono Band
Episode 2 - 6-24-2008
50m
Examines in detail the creation of John Lennon's first solo album and the effect it had on music, and the people who created it.
7.6/10Haven't Seen
The Doors: The Doors
Episode 1 - 4-14-2008
1h 0m
The Making of the Doors' Debut Album traces the history of the revolutionary 1967 album in a 90-minute package that features live footage and in-depth interviews with the three surviving band members members -- keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Kreiger and drummer John Densmore -- as they demonstrate the unique musical stylings that contributed to the making of this pivotal album. Others interviewed include engineer Bruce Botnick, and Doors-influenced musicians Henry Rollins and Perry Farrell.
8.3/10Haven't Seen
Season 7
Jay Z: Reasonable Doubt
Episode 2 - 10-03-2007
53m
Behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Jay-Z's 1996 debut album Reasonable Doubt.
6.6/10Haven't Seen
Frank Zappa: Apostrophe (')/Over-Nite Sensation
Episode 1 - 5-01-2007
1h 37m
Tells the story of the recording of Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention's "Over-Nite Sensation" and Zappa's solo album "Apostrophe (')".
7.8/10Haven't Seen
Season 6
Cream: Disraeli Gears
Episode 4 - 11-03-2006
Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, and Eric Clapton are interviewed in the studio for a track by track analysis of their 1967 classic. Each of them play acoustically, including Bruce on the piano, and some archival footage is presented. Lyricist Peter Brown discusses the creative process for 'Sunshine Of Your Love', among other things.
Haven't Seen
The Who: Who's Next
Episode 3 - 10-19-2006
1h 0m
Interviews with Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, along with the late John Entwhistle, who reminisce about the failed attempt to present a rock musical stage show called Lifehouse, tell us how the project evolved into the 1971 classic, Who's Next. Some archival footage is presented, and we are shown by Pete how he developed the synthesized keyboard riffs that gave sonic charges to the album.
7.7/10Haven't Seen
Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
Episode 2 - 10-05-2006
49m
Listen as all four band members tell the story behind one of the greatest albums ever made. Pink Floyd's masterpiece, 1973's The Dark Side of the Moon broke records when it sold more than 30 million copies and spent 740 weeks on the U.S. charts.
8.4/10Haven't Seen
Queen: A Night at the Opera
Episode 1 - 5-17-2006
1h 40m
The musicianship that went into one of rock's premier achievements is examined. Surviving members Brian May and Roger Taylor talk about Freddie Mercury's contributions, and producer Roy Thomas Baker shows us some isolated channels from the master tapes. Also commentary from Joe Perry and Ian Hunter is included.
8/10Haven't Seen
Season 5
Motorhead: Ace Of Spades
Episode 3 - 3-01-2005
50m
This album, while not a huge seller in the US, was definitely a landmark in the annals of crushingly loud hard rock. Bassist/singer Lemmy and drummer Phil Taylor are in the studio reminiscing about the making of the music, and life while touring. Guitarist Fast Eddie Clark is interviewed separately, but all three discuss candidly what went into the making of the songs. Included are clips from live shows, and even one of Lemmy while with his earlier band, Hawkwind.
7.5/10Haven't Seen
Nirvana: Nevermind
Episode 2 - 2-18-2005
1h 14m
In 1991 Nirvana’s Nevermind, with the songs of Kurt Cobain, changed the music business without compromise, record company hype or media overkill. The album replaced Michael Jackson at the top of the American charts and so began a rapid rise to international superstardom for the band. This is the story of how Nirvana came to record Nevermind and the effect the record had on the music world and on the band themselves. It offers an insight into the songwriting genius of Kurt Cobain and reveals why Nevermind remains a milestone in rock history.
7.9/10Haven't Seen
Simply Red: Stars
Episode 1 - 1-07-2005
48m
Simply Red, the loosely based group of musicians led by Mick Hucknall, take us into the studio to examine the making of this album. While not as commercially successful in the US, it was the biggest selling album in the UK in 1991, and shipped 8.5 million copies worldwide. The musicians who were with the group at that time runite and take us through the tracks. Included is an interview with songwriting legend Lamont Dozier.
6.8/10Haven't Seen
Season 4
Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
Episode 4 - 5-04-2003
Engineers Chris Thomas and Alan Parsons peel layers off the master tapes from this 1973 masterpiece. The songs are dissected methodically, and Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Rick Wright are on hand, (though separately), to demonstrate how simplistic some of the writing was.
Haven't Seen
Deep Purple: Machine Head
Episode 3 - 2-01-2003
1h 40m
The 1972 early metal classic is examined here. After a brief recount of Deep Purple's history prior, all five members of the group from that time recount the making of the album, and Jon Lord, Richie Blackmore, and Roger Glover isolate some of their parts, and play along live. Engineer Martin Birch also lends a hand, describing how the instrumental sounds were produced.
7.6/10Haven't Seen
The Sex Pistols: Never Mind The Bollocks
Episode 2 - 1-13-2003
1h 25m
The Sex Pistols only released one album before breaking up, but it set off the punk movement, and turned the British music industry on its head. Featuring interviews with John Lydon (Johnny Rotten), Steve Jones and Paul Cook, plus original bassist Glen Matlock, along with producer Chris Thomas, Classic Albums looks at the way it was written and recorded. Also shown is some rare television footage from that time, and some concert performances by the groundbreaking band.
7.8/10Haven't Seen
Def Leppard: Hysteria
Episode 1 - 1-06-2003
50m
Def Leppard labored for more than a year to record this, their follow-up to 'Pyromania'. Producer Mutt Lange and the group describe track by track what went into the writing, rehearsing, and recording. Layers are peeled away at the mixing board as we see and hear how their vocal sound, guitar effects, and drums are engineered. Also, they play acoustic versions of two of their biggest hits from the record. As a bonus, an early rendition of 'Love Bites', which thankfully was given a complete overhaul, is presented.
7.6/10Haven't Seen
Season 3
Elvis Presley: Elvis Presley
Episode 6 - 12-29-2001
1h 50m
The 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.
7.5/10Haven't Seen
Judas Priest: British Steel
Episode 5 - 12-10-2001
1h 0m
The 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.
7.4/10Haven't Seen
Lou Reed: Transformer
Episode 4 - 11-26-2001
49m
Co-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.
7.4/10Haven't Seen
Metallica: Metallica (Black Album)
Episode 3 - 11-13-2001
1h 33m
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.
7.6/10Haven't Seen
Elton John: Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road
Episode 2 - 11-06-2001
1h 30m
Elton 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.
7.5/10Haven't Seen
Iron Maiden: Number of the Beast
Episode 1 - 11-01-2001
1h 20m
Iron 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.
8.1/10Haven't Seen
Season 2
Steely Dan: Aja
Episode 5 - 2-03-2000
1h 0m
Donald Fagen and Walter Becker delve into the master tapes to discuss the year-long effort that went into this, their biggest album. Well known as perfectionists in the studio, this labor of love is dissected layer by layer. Producer Gary Katz and engineer Roger Nichols help explain the craft and detail that the Dan, along with Michael McDonald and some other session players, spent on the Grammy-winning jazz-rock classic.
7.7/10Haven't Seen
Bob Marley & The Wailers: Catch A Fire
Episode 4 - 12-01-1999
1h 0m
Producer Chris Blackwell is the main focus of this episode, as he recounts bringing in some top American session men to the studio, in an attempt to break Bob Marley to the US audiences. Wailer Peter Tosh, and instrumentalists Wayne Perkins and Rabbit Bundrick are interviewed, and we see some rare clips of Bob himself.
7/10Haven't Seen
Meat Loaf: Bat Out Of Hell
Episode 3 - 11-09-1999
58m
In 1977, Marvin Lee Aday, aka Meat Loaf, shocked the music world by releasing this 30 million-selling blockbuster. Previously little-known as an actor and singer , he hooked up with writer Jim Steinman, producer Todd Rundgren, and vocalists Ellen Foley and Carla Devito, to create one of the top five sellers of all time. Kasim Sultan and Max Weinberg, who also played on the album are heard from, and Todd isolates some of the masters to show how the sounds were created.
7.7/10Haven't Seen
Phil Collins: Face Value
Episode 2 - 11-02-1999
1h 0m
Phil's first solo album, which launched his career outside of Genesis, is examined here. Engineer Hugh Padgham peels the layers of sound back, and Phil explains how the lyrics to many of the songs wrote themselves, as he was going through a bitter divorce. Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, and Darrell Stuermer are on hand, and many of the studio musicians who contributed are seen as they describe working with Phil.
7.1/10Haven't Seen
U2: Joshua Tree
Episode 1 - 10-27-1999
1h 0m
'Joshua Tree' elevated U2 to superstar status internationally, and confirmed their position as one of rock's most influential and powerful forces. Here we examine the making of the album, with the four group members, along with producers Brian Eno, Steve Lillywhite, and Daniel Lanois. Elvis Costello is also on hand to lend friendly comments.
7.4/10Haven't Seen
Season 1
Fleetwood Mac: Rumours
Episode 6 - 7-22-1997
1h 14m
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.
7.6/10There are no streaming sources for this episode in your country. Sources available in: Great Britain, Ireland
Haven't Seen
The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Electric Ladyland
Episode 5 - 4-18-1997
1h 0m
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.
7.8/10There are no streaming sources for this episode in your country. Sources available in: Great Britain, Ireland
Haven't Seen
The Band: The Band
Episode 4 - 4-17-1997
1h 15m
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.
7.9/10There are no streaming sources for this episode in your country. Sources available in: Great Britain, Ireland
Haven't Seen
Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life
Episode 3 - 4-16-1997
1h 15m
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.
7.6/10There are no streaming sources for this episode in your country. Sources available in: Great Britain, Ireland
Haven't Seen
Grateful Dead: American Beauty
Episode 2 - 4-15-1997
1h 15m
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.
7.5/10There are no streaming sources for this episode in your country. Sources available in: Great Britain, Ireland
Haven't Seen
Paul Simon: Graceland
Episode 1 - 4-14-1997
1h 0m
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.
7.4/10There are no streaming sources for this episode in your country. Sources available in: Great Britain, Ireland
Haven't Seen
Top 5 Highest Rated Episodes 8.4/10 8.3/10 8.2/10 8.1/10 8/10
Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
Episode 2 - 10-05-2006
49m
Listen as all four band members tell the story behind one of the greatest albums ever made. Pink Floyd's masterpiece, 1973's The Dark Side of the Moon broke records when it sold more than 30 million copies and spent 740 weeks on the U.S. charts.
8.4/10Haven't Seen
The Doors: The Doors
Episode 1 - 4-14-2008
1h 0m
The Making of the Doors' Debut Album traces the history of the revolutionary 1967 album in a 90-minute package that features live footage and in-depth interviews with the three surviving band members members -- keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Kreiger and drummer John Densmore -- as they demonstrate the unique musical stylings that contributed to the making of this pivotal album. Others interviewed include engineer Bruce Botnick, and Doors-influenced musicians Henry Rollins and Perry Farrell.
8.3/10Haven't Seen
Rush: 2112 & Moving Pictures
Episode 3 - 6-26-2010
58m
2112 was the album that saw Rush break through to major chart success, going to No.1 in their native Canada and Top 75 in the USA where it would eventually be certified triple platinum. Moving Pictures opened them to a mass audience for the first time and remains the biggest selling album of their career. It also went to No.1 in Canada and went quadruple platinum there while hitting No.3 in both the UK and USA. Rush members Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart talk us through the making of the albums, together with original producer Terry Brown via interviews, demonstrations, archive videos and use of the original multi-track tapes.
8.2/10Haven't Seen
Iron Maiden: Number of the Beast
Episode 1 - 11-01-2001
1h 20m
Iron 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.
8.1/10Haven't Seen
Queen: A Night at the Opera
Episode 1 - 5-17-2006
1h 40m
The musicianship that went into one of rock's premier achievements is examined. Surviving members Brian May and Roger Taylor talk about Freddie Mercury's contributions, and producer Roy Thomas Baker shows us some isolated channels from the master tapes. Also commentary from Joe Perry and Ian Hunter is included.
8/10Haven't Seen
