Episode 9 - At Home With Sheila and Reg

Episode 9 - At Home With Sheila and Reg

Author: Neil Barrett December 31, 2017 Duration: 50:39
A tribute to Elton's first musical mentor - his mother Sheila. This episode is a trip through the music of the 1950s that was dear to Sheila, to her mum Ivy, and to Reg. On the way, we take in the story of how Reg came to play the piano, and get an idea of the pieces of music that were in his early repertoire. We go all the way up to 1962, when Little Reg sees Little Richard live, and the 'Elton John' touchpaper is lit.

Neil Barrett hosts I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Elton John Podcast, a series built on a simple but powerful idea: you can love an artist's work deeply without needing to know every single fact. This isn't a dry historical archive or a gossip-filled biography. Instead, each episode focuses on the music itself-the songs, the albums, the collaborations, and the sheer craft behind them. You'll hear a thoughtful, often personal exploration of what makes these tracks resonate, from the chart-topping anthems to the deeper album cuts that might have slipped by. The tone is warm and conversational, like discussing records with a knowledgeable friend who’s more interested in sharing appreciation than proving expertise. It’s that balance of affection and detail that defines this podcast, offering a space for both lifelong fans and curious newcomers to hear Elton John's catalog with fresh ears. Barrett’s approach reminds us that music is for enjoyment first, and his episodes are a perfect companion for that journey, whether you're revisiting classic albums or discovering hidden gems for the first time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 42

I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Elton John Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 22 - Caleb Quaye Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:43
I was lucky enough to be able to spend more than an hour in the company of the brilliant Caleb Quaye. Without Caleb, there would be no Elton John as we know him. He got Elton and Bernie the gig with Dick James, and it wa…
Eppsisode 21 - Stuart Epps Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:36
Stuart Epps is Elton John royalty! He was a huge part of the team that worked together to bring Elton out from the sidelines of Tin Pan Alley, into megastardom. He saw that process first hand, working in a variety of dif…
Episode 20 - Elton's Buried Treasure vol. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:51
In this episode the cake is unbaked, and every ingredient of the Elton John recipe is celebrated. Complex drum and percussion sounds are unpicked, backing vocals are highlighted, lead vocals are isolated, and previously…
Episode 19 - Early Cover Versions of Elton's Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:32
It's well known that Elton and Bernie spent their formative years trying to write hits for other artists, while trying to find their own voice. This episode tells the story of Elton and Bernie's early years through the p…
Episode 18 - Elton's Anonymous Cover Versions - ft. Dana Gillespie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:47
In his formative years as a session musician, in fact even after the recording of his third album, Elton earned some extra cash recording cover versions of the hits of the day, anonymously, for budget record labels. Thes…
Episode 17 - The New Routes of Davey Johnstone - 1971-73 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:11
The second of a two-part biography of Davey Johnstone's early musical history. Davey's range, and his scope for development, were apparent to all at his first Elton John session, for Holiday Inn. Elton wasn't going to le…
Episode 16 - The Folk Roots of Davey Johnstone - 1951-71 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:48
The first of a two-part biography of Davey Johnstone's early musical history. Just three years after getting his first guitar, a 14-year-old Davey could be found in folk clubs around Scotland, a class apart from the grou…
Episode 15 - Ego at 40 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:01
24 months passed between the recording sessions for Crazy Water, and those for Elton's next (major) single, the angry, jagged Ego. From the sound of the record, Elton hadn't been able to find much solace in the interim.…
Episode 14 - The Songs They Gave Away [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:14
Elton wrote a lot of incredible music over the years, in fact, more than he needed at some points of his career. This is the story of the songs that Elton gave away, either by design, or by default. Two of Elton's demos…
Episode 13 - I've Been Loving You (For Precisely 50 Years) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:59
50 years ago today, on the 1st of March 1968, a 20-year-old Elton released his first solo single, 'I've Been Loving You', on Philips. Today's episode is an all-encompassing celebration of that moment, telling the story t…