Legendary songwriter, singer, producer and arranger Van Dyke Parks is famed for a unique genre-bending catalogue and collaborations with everyone from Brian Wilson to Silverchair to Skrillex. On this episode, he tells the story of one of his favorite albums - which he also happens to have co-produced: Randy Newman's self-titled 1968 debut.

Van Dyke tells tales of the insulting liner notes that forced them to reprint the album cover, how Newman collaborated with his film composer uncle Alfred on the record, how the album went against the grain of the counterculture in pop music and Randy's crippling lack of confidence in his own singing. 

Plus, Van Dyke reveals his own proudest contribution to the album as a producer, why he doesn't listen to pop music and the crucial advice he gave Jann Wenner when he started Rolling Stone Magazine.

My Favorite Album is a podcast unpacking the great works of pop music. Each episode features a different songwriter or musician discussing their favorite album of all time - their history with it, the making of the album, individual songs and the album’s influence on their own music.

Jeremy Dylan is a filmmaker, journalist and photographer from Sydney, Australia who has worked in the music industry since 2007. He directed the the feature music documentary Jim Lauderdale: The King of Broken Hearts (out now!) and the feature film Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins, in addition to many commercials and music videos.

If you’ve got any feedback or suggestions, drop us a line at [email protected].