About this season
A documentary series about pop and rock albums that are considered the best or most distinctive of a well-known band or musician or that exemplify a stage in the history of music.
Episodes (14)
1. Primal Scream: Screamadelica
4.0Aired 6 May 2011 • 50 min
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.
2. Peter Gabriel: So
4.0Aired 23 March 2012 • 50 min
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.
3. The Who: Tommy
Aired 9 November 2013 • 50 min
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.
4. Carly Simon: No Secrets
Aired 5 May 2017 • 50 min
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.
5. Don McLean: American Pie
5.0Aired 8 December 2017 • 50 min
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.
6. Amy Winehouse: Back to Black
3.0Aired 14 September 2018 • 50 min
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. The Crickets: The Chirping Crickets
Aired 12 July 2019 • 50 min
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!
8. Tears for Fears: Songs from the Big Chair
Aired 14 February 2020 • 50 min
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.
9. The Who Sell Out
8.0Aired 23 April 2021
10. Soul II Soul: Club Classics Vol. 1
Aired 30 April 2021
11. Suede: Coming Up
Aired 7 May 2021
12. Gil Scott-Heron: Pieces Of A Man
Aired 24 September 2021
13. The Doors: Morrison Hotel
Aired 1 October 2021 • 50 min
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.
14. Freak Out!
Aired 8 October 2021 • 50 min
The Mothers of Invention's 1966 cult classic debut "Freak Out!" is analyzed, with insights from Frank Zappa's band members, family and fans.