- Intro: “Steeltown walk-on tape” – used as the intro music on the Steeltown tour 2014, with Stuart’s liner notes from the Steeltown remaster from 1996 read over them.
- Stuart’s mindset for this album, revealed in the album liner notes – some very bleak, dark moments
- Some words about the Steeltown “re-presents” deluxe edition
- The band timeline in 1984 – activities prior to, during and after the recording of the album
- A look at some interesting comments from Stuart about their popularity, and about the Steeltown album
- The one good review: Tom reads out the four-star review of Steeltown printed in Rolling Stone Magazine
- The link between this album and The Crossing.
Flame of the West – song deep dive by Svein and Tom.
- Best intro ever? The bass lines, and Tony being the star of the album
- The single discussion
- The lyrical themes – Reagan in particular and world leaders in general
- The naming of the song – potential meanings of Flame of the West
- Reagan’s trip to Ireland – the discussion topics ahead of the trip and the outcomes/aftermath
- Vintage quotes from Stuart about Flame of the West
- How the lyrics are timeless and can be applied to any number of things
- That “stranger” in the song can take many forms, be anyone, and be present on many stages
- Tom singles out a number of intricate guitar parts and runs out of superlatives
East of Eden – song deep dive by Tom and Svein.
- The decision to make this track a single
- The naming of the song – original meaning of the phrase & other uses
- The production/sound of this song – a.k.a. “where are the guitars?”
- Examples of incredible playing on the song, and very interesting arrangements – including the switch from minor key in the verses to major key in the chorus
- A “waiting song” – things are bad all around, no apparent way to go, trapped in a situation, looking for hope or inspiration or an opportunity to get out.
- Again, the single discussion – was it the right choice, what would be a better song, why did it not do better, etc.
- And what are those guitars playing in the background? (We may reveal that in the coming Yuletide episode (#43).)
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