You'll Hear It: Full Album Deep Dives with Jazz Musicians
You'll Hear It: Full Album Deep Dives with Jazz Musicians
Peter Martin & Adam Maness
The best hang in music. Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin break down the greatest albums of all time, track-by-track. Like Thriller, Kid A, Songs In the Key of Life, Aja, and Voodoo. They use their deep knowledge of music theory to uncover the hidden qualities that make music work - harmony, groove, composition and production - while demonstrating at the keys and playing isolated stems. Then, watch them perform their favorite track with our in-house band: One shot, one take. You'll never hear music the same way again. A video podcast from Open Studio, the #1 online jazz education platform.
In Rainbows – Radiohead
Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack Radiohead's 2007 masterpiece 'In Rainbows', track-by-track. Hear about the harmonies, odd time signatures, Thom Yorke's singing technique and the production choices that give this album its sound. And learn why many of the musical choices made for 'In Rainbows' are strange for an album that hit #1 on the US and UK charts, and sold three million copies.If you're hearing 'In Rainbows' for the first time, you're not alone. So is Peter! And if you're a Radiohead fan (like Adam), watch for Peter's reaction to, and verdict on, your favorite tracks.-------------------------------Learn to play "Weird Fishes", even if you've never played a note. Led by You'll Hear It co-host Adam Maness, this special lesson is simple enough to follow, even for absolute beginners.You've spent an hour listening to Adam and Peter take the album apart. Now, you can sit down and play it. Join the Players Club: https://yhi.link/weird-fishes-------------------------------Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes today:https://yhi.link/linerNotes-2-------------------------------📞 Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/-------------------------------Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:https://openstudiojazz.com/------------------------------Kid A: https://youtu.be/uRs2yuQbH1Q------------------------------About You'll Hear It:Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack popular albums track-by-track in this weekly listening party. They talk about what their trained ears hear in the music, offering audiences a new window into the records they love.------------------------------0:00 In Rainbows - Radiohead1:25 The poll that picked this album8:44 The pay-what-you-want release20:05 Adam HAD to teach this track26:58 Now we're really into great stuff31:20 Why this album sounds so good44:15 The closer, and a question about Thom Yorke's voice47:50 Peter's verdict50:05 The ten-year run
Aug 10
58 min
Best New Jazz In July 2026: Domi & JD Beck, Terri Lyne Carrington, Charles Lloyd and more
New albums all hand-picked from jazz pianist Adam Maness for your listening pleasure. 00:00 - Intro01:51- Epiphanie - Domi & JD Beckhttps://store.bluenote.com/products/domi-jd-beck-who-asked?srsltid=AfmBOoqy83sYVjg7gWOWEPzDP1lzL0qSN3BWoiNb80SR6foAtB1hFJUi 05:45 - Solidarity Song - Terri Lyne Carringtonhttps://terrilynecarrington.bandcamp.com/album/trip-the-night-fantastic08:01 - Eye Level - Fathershttps://store.bluenote.com/products/fathers-fathers?variant=45730941010111&utm_source=Original&utm_campaign=KennyBeats20260610&utm_medium=direct&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bluenote.com%2F&utm_board=bluenote&utm_country=US&utm_linkurl=bluenote.lnk.to%2Ffathers&lf=09636c21c8ac71dedf000e172e87d2a610:37 - Tagore - Charles Lloydhttps://store.bluenote.com/products/charles-lloyd-sangam-friends?srsltid=AfmBOorf1UxNmnTthTwtn0_zwgRhQmgDPrf_q9bYi0JObJCE-vYEtzKg 12:58 - Tethered - Nduduzo Makahthinihttps://store.bluenote.com/products/nduduzo-makhathini-the-myth-we-choose?variant=45410756886719&utm_source=Original&utm_campaign=NduduzoMakhathini20260330&utm_medium=direct&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bluenote.com%2F&utm_board=bluenote&utm_country=US&utm_linkurl=nduduzomakhathini.lnk.to%2Fthemythwechoose&lf=eb502d0210407eb575699b99ef700288 15:28 - Stella By Starlight - Joey Alexanderhttps://joeyalexander.bandcamp.com/album/celestial-keeper 17:51 - Bem Querer - Curio Curiohttps://curiocurio.bandcamp.com/album/curi-curi19:43 - Out of the quiet - Richard Spavenhttps://richardspaven.bandcamp.com/album/light-of-day
Aug 7
22 min
Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life is all killer, no filler. Every track is a masterpiece. It's almost TOO easy for two jazz pianists in the business of reviewing history's greatest albums. So we're upping the stakes ... with a draft. Adam and Peter each present their top tracks from Songs in the Key of Life, compare and contrast, and see who comes out on top with the best lineup.Along the way, they reveal why Stevie Wonder is the master of harmony, how he (and only he) can get away with flourishes that would sound "corny" anywhere else, and the production details you'll never unhear.----------------Learn to play "Isn't She Lovely", even if you've never played a note. Led by You'll Hear It co-host Adam Maness, this special lesson is simple enough to follow, even for absolute beginners. You've spent an hour listening to Adam and Peter take the album apart. Now, you can sit down and play it in the Players Club: https://yhi.link/stevie-sitkol ----------------Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes today: https://yhi.link/linerNotes-1 ----------------Open Studio plays Stevie Wonder's "If It's Magic": https://youtu.be/hY21yVJhOck----------------00:00 Songs in the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder01:24 New rules: we're drafting the album02:57 The place setter that counts for nobody05:50 Round 110:00 Round 212:25 Round 316:48 Round 420:50 Round 524:10 Round 627:13 Round 730:45 Round 833:25 Round 936:17 Round 1041:35 The final lineups
Aug 3
43 min
You'll Hear It Is Back! Season 15
You'll Hear It is a weekly listening party for people who love music ... a little too much. Every Monday, Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin sit down with one great album and break it down track-by-track. They listen, demonstrate what they are hearing, and put words to the moments you have always felt and haven't been able to explain. You’ll never hear your favorite albums the same way again.You'll Hear It returns with Season 15: August 2026. 
Jul 28
1 min
Purple Rain – Prince and the Revolution
Adam and Peter break down Prince and the Revolution's Purple Rain, the 1984 soundtrack that turned him into a global superstar. They go track by track, from "Let's Go Crazy" to the title song. With keyboards in hand, they break down the sophisticated music theory underneath this pop hit to reveal the hidden qualities that make this album great. You'll never hear Purple Rain the same way again.Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a bonus track: A jazzy live performance of Purple Rain by Open Studio and St. Louis soul singer Brian Owens. For more tracks from Open Studio's band, check out @openstudiomusic on YouTube.00:00 Purple Rain - Prince01:27 Prince, the Revolution & the Biggest Album of 198404:25 🎧 "Let's Go Crazy"07:54 Making the Movie and the Album at Once12:58 🎧 "Take Me With U"19:59 Wendy Joins the Revolution23:38 🎧 "The Beautiful Ones"30:24 🎧 "Computer Blue"35:16 🎧 "Darling Nikki"41:50 🎧 "When Doves Cry"45:41 🎧 "I Would Die 4 U"48:58 🎧 "Baby I'm a Star"52:21 🎧 "Purple Rain"58:41 Best Moments On Purple Rain1:01:33 Quibble Bits1:04:56 Snobometer1:06:23 Open Studio Performs "Purple Rain" 
Jul 6
1 hr 13 min
Our TOP Picks For Your Favorite Listens of July 2026
Our Top Picks of new jazz and jazz-adjacent releases from June 2026!
Jul 3
18 min
Heavy Weather – Weather Report
Weather Report's Heavy Weather became one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. But there's so much more to it than "Birdland", Heavy Weather's radio hit. In fact, Peter makes the case that it might just be the weakest moment of the entire record.Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin break it down track-by-track: From Jaco Pastorius's fiery fretless bass, to Joe Zawinul's beautiful piano, to the less-than-perfect production. You'll never hear Heavy Weather the same way again.0:00 Heavy Weather - Weather Report2:55 The Origins of Weather Report6:29 Jaco Pastorius Joins the Band10:40 "Birdland"14:46 Birdland is the most popular. Is it the best?20:38 "A Remark You Made"25:17 "Teen Town"30:49 "Harlequin"36:22 "Rumba Mama"38:38 "Palladium"41:33 Production issues on Heavy Weather45:11 "The Juggler"50:59 "Havona"58:13 The Best Moments on Heavy Weather1:01:47 Is This Weather Report's Best Album?1:02:43 Up Next1:03:23 Open Studio plays "Teen Town" (with upright bass!)
Jun 29
1 hr 5 min
Court and Spark – Joni Mitchell
With her 1974 masterpiece Court and Spark, Joni Mitchell transforms from folk singer into something harder to define.Her piano playing matures. Her songwriting blossoms into one of the richest harmonic and melodic color palettes we've ever heard up to this point. Not to mention her incredible lyricism and melodies. And she brings a new production sensibility from her backing band: a group of jazz musicians called The LA Express.In this episode of You'll Hear It, Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin break down Joni Mitchell's greatest artistic achievement (and her greatest commercial success) track-by-track. You'll never hear Court and Spark the same way again-------------------------------Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:https://openstudiojazz.com/------------------------------Blue: https://youtu.be/ly6ENKGV-S8------------------------------About You'll Hear It:In this popular music series, Adam and Peter break down the greatest albums of all time. Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Joni Mitchell, D'Angelo: Jazz is the foundation of the most GENIUS music in recent history. These seasoned jazz pianists bring their deep musical knowledge to every joyful episode to help you hear the hidden qualities that make music AMAZING. You'll never hear music the same way again.-------------------------------Sign up for the You'll Read It newsletter for little known stories about the artists you love:https://youllhearit.com/newsletter-------------------------------00:00 Court and Spark - Joni Mitchell00:32 New From Open Studio03:37 Joni's Sound Before Court and Spark10:04 Joni Starts Hanging Out With Jazz Musicians11:07 🎧 "Court and Spark" - Alluding To An Epic15:25 Three Songwriters in One, At the Highest Level15:57 🎧 "Help Me" - Joni DELIVERS19:09 🎧 "Free Man In Paris" 22:02 🎧 "Midnite Flite" - Tom Scott and The LA Express23:25 🎧 "People's Parties"25:55 🎧 "The Same Situation"28:05 Joni's Lyrical Prowess31:38 🎧 "Car On A Hill"34:31 🎧 "Down To You" - A Perfect Song39:54 Joni's Vocal Instrument42:17 🎧 "Just Like This Train" - A MASTERCLASS In Lydian Mode45:32 🎧 "Raised on Robbery" - What Genre Is This?!48:09 🎧 "Trouble Child"49:52 🎧 "Twisted" - The Only Cover On the Album53:55 Desert Island Tracks55:42 Best Moments On Court and Spark57:13 How Snobby Is This Album?
Jun 15
59 min
The BEST Moments from MJ's Greatest Run, Ranked
Jazz musicians Adam Maness and Peter Martin review their three favorite songs from Michael Jackson's most iconic albums: Bad, Thriller and Off the Wall. And their choices aren't what you might expect. Plus - Adam, Peter and the Open Studio band play their jazzy interpretation of Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal. -------------------------------Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://openstudiojazz.com/------------------------------Off the Wall: https://youtu.be/jR9zxGueeq4Thriller: https://youtu.be/KZx6W3SI8JABad: https://youtu.be/XgcI9LkZqeo------------------------------About You'll Hear It:In this popular music series, Adam and Peter break down the greatest albums of all time. Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Joni Mitchell, D'Angelo: Jazz is the foundation of the most GENIUS music in recent history. These seasoned jazz pianists bring their deep musical knowledge to every joyful episode to help you hear the hidden qualities that make music AMAZING. You'll never hear music the same way again.-------------------------------Sign up for the You'll Read It newsletter for little known stories about the artists you love: https://youllhearit.com/newsletter -------------------------------00:00 The Top 3 Songs on Bad, Thriller and Off the Wall00:55 #3 05:02 #212:23 #1 16:40 "Smooth Criminal" - Open Studio
Jun 8
22 min
Oh, Jeff Parker? He Gets It.
Adam Maness brings you the freshest releases of May 2026!0:00 Intro0:50 Jeff Parkerhttps://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/happy-today3:45 Greg Hutchinsonhttps://www.allmusic.com/album/kind-of-now-mw0004778588 6:15 Chris Potterhttps://chrispotterjazz.bandcamp.com/album/alive-with-ghosts-today9:09 New Jazz Undergroundhttps://www.allmusic.com/album/hoodies-mw000479189111:04 Virginia MacDonaldhttps://virginiamacdonald.bandcamp.com/album/in-search-of13:00 Harry Skolerhttps://harryskoler1.bandcamp.com/album/echoes15:05 Laurie Anderson & Sexmobhttps://laurieanderson.bandcamp.com/album/let-x-x-live17:06 Alabaster DePlumehttps://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/dear-children-of-our-children-i-knew-epilogue19:31 Ben Wolfehttps://benjonah.bandcamp.com/album/any-time-after-now 21:30 Joe Lovanohttps://joelovano.com/recordings/paramount-quartet/
Jun 1
23 min
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