Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Legendary drummer & producer Steve Jordan (The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Batiste, SNL & more), discusses the history and deep personal reverence for the music of Chess Records and the 75th vinyl reissue series.
Topics Include:
Steve Jordan discusses touring with John Batiste at Davos Economic Summit He's producing Robert Cray's new album at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals JayVee Records finishing Willie Mitchell documentary, The Verbs album, and Tony Joe White posthumous record Chess Records called arguably the cornerstone of modern music New vinyl reissue campaign marks first proper Chess reissues in decades Steve's compilation "Let's Play Chess" features personally meaningful recordings The Dells were his first Chess records—Chicago's hardcore R&B answer to Motown Tommy Tucker's "High Heel Sneakers" on Checker was childhood obsession British Invasion reintroduced American blues that establishment had suppressed racially Etta James "At Last" originals fetch four to five hundred dollars Universal fire destroyed masters; some duplicates recovered from Europe thankfully Early stereo versions often poorly done with hard-panned instruments and fake echo Chess building preserved physically but control room was completely stripped of gear Steve brought API console and ribbon mics for 2010 session there Correctly guessed drum placement; Hubert Sumlin confirmed the next day Otis Spann's piano still vibrates sympathetically when musicians play the room Jack Wiener designed Chess gear and later mastered recordings in basement Mastering represents twenty-five percent of the mix, often overlooked historically Jamie Krentz alerted Universal to Chess catalog's 75th anniversary reissue potential Rarities campaign revealed extraordinary alternate takes including deep Lowell Fulsom version Willie Mitchell spent years perfecting Royal Recording's signature snare drum sound Keith Richards session led to lifelong friendship with Willie Mitchell Willie gave Steve one of Al Jackson's tom-toms from Al Green recordings Recording, overdubbing, and mixing in same room captures authentic studio sound John Lennon was his white whale—missed meeting him by five minutes Finally played with Paul McCartney on Rolling Stones' Hackney Diamonds album Blues Brothers debuted on SNL's third season finale with Saturday Night Live band Matt Guitar Murphy was a Chess session player—Steve's first Chess connection unknowingly John Belushi educated Steve nightly on deep Chess catalog from his Chicago roots Devo's SNL performance was a life-changing moment Steve witnessed firsthand High resolution version of this podcast is available at: Patreon.com/VinylGuide
Apple: tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide
Legendary drummer & producer Steve Jordan (The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Batiste, SNL & more), discusses the history and deep personal reverence for the music of Chess Records and the 75th vinyl reissue series.
Topics Include:
Steve Jordan discusses touring with John Batiste at Davos Economic Summit He's producing Robert Cray's new album at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals JayVee Records finishing Willie Mitchell documentary, The Verbs album, and Tony Joe White posthumous record Chess Records called arguably the cornerstone of modern music New vinyl reissue campaign marks first proper Chess reissues in decades Steve's compilation "Let's Play Chess" features personally meaningful recordings The Dells were his first Chess records—Chicago's hardcore R&B answer to Motown Tommy Tucker's "High Heel Sneakers" on Checker was childhood obsession British Invasion reintroduced American blues that establishment had suppressed racially Etta James "At Last" originals fetch four to five hundred dollars Universal fire destroyed masters; some duplicates recovered from Europe thankfully Early stereo versions often poorly done with hard-panned instruments and fake echo Chess building preserved physically but control room was completely stripped of gear Steve brought API console and ribbon mics for 2010 session there Correctly guessed drum placement; Hubert Sumlin confirmed the next day Otis Spann's piano still vibrates sympathetically when musicians play the room Jack Wiener designed Chess gear and later mastered recordings in basement Mastering represents twenty-five percent of the mix, often overlooked historically Jamie Krentz alerted Universal to Chess catalog's 75th anniversary reissue potential Rarities campaign revealed extraordinary alternate takes including deep Lowell Fulsom version Willie Mitchell spent years perfecting Royal Recording's signature snare drum sound Keith Richards session led to lifelong friendship with Willie Mitchell Willie gave Steve one of Al Jackson's tom-toms from Al Green recordings Recording, overdubbing, and mixing in same room captures authentic studio sound John Lennon was his white whale—missed meeting him by five minutes Finally played with Paul McCartney on Rolling Stones' Hackney Diamonds album Blues Brothers debuted on SNL's third season finale with Saturday Night Live band Matt Guitar Murphy was a Chess session player—Steve's first Chess connection unknowingly John Belushi educated Steve nightly on deep Chess catalog from his Chicago roots Devo's SNL performance was a life-changing moment Steve witnessed firsthand High resolution version of this podcast is available at: Patreon.com/VinylGuide
Apple: tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide
