Come Out Swingin’ . . .

Well, there was a very warm welcome to one and all . . . and for those who were not looking our way at the time . . . be assured, they missed us giving you a cheery wave and a smile, which seemed all that was needed to entice the faithful to throw caution to the four winds and join us, to go Cruising with The Commissioner. So, with a cry of ‘hi ho, here we go’ we set off on our vaguely supervised cruising adventure with Bobby Mitchell & The Toppers and their 45 ‘Goin’ Round In Circles’ and getting us up to full cruising speed next was a new release from Mighty Mike Schermer straight off his album ‘Just Gettin’ Good’.

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature focused on guitarist and singer Teal Collins. Her early introduction to music was through her disc jockey dad and she went on to record sessions for Grammy award winning producers, which achieved Gold and Platinum albums. Then, in 2002 Teal met up with Josh Zee in the San Francisco Bay Area and they decided to form a band called Mother Truckers. The Band recorded several albums and in 2005, they moved their music to Austin, Texas, where they got a residency at the legendary Continental Club. They went on to appear at the South By South West festival and, won the Austin Music Award as “Best Roots Rock Band Of The Year”. So, to show off their talents, we chose a track of theirs called “Streets of Atlanta” which, did indeed, featured the guitar and vocals of Teal Collins

Come Out Swingin’
Goin’ Round In Circles – Bobby Mitchell & The Toppers
Kimmy Gimmee – Mighty Mike Schermer (Just Gettin’ Good)
Air Travel – Chris Farlowe
Don’t Change Your Pretty Ways – Hank Ballard & The Midnighters
Come Out Swingin’ – Candye Kane
Three Cool Cats – Jump4Joy
Make It Be Me – The Flares
Portrait Of My Love – Baba Brooks

Girls & Guitars
Streets of Atlanta – Mother Truckers (ft Teal Collins)

Something Cool
Zip Boom – The Supremes
Cookin’ In Style – Percy Mayfield
How Come – Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums
Cajun Boy – The Royal Rhythmaires
Get Done – The Cats
Something Cool – The Academics
Memphis Tennessee – Rosco Gordon
Oo Wee Sugar – James Sugar Boy Crawford
Yama Yama Pretty Mama – Richard Berry

Our Cruising took many places for this week’s music gumbo, including Memphis, where Rosco Gordon started his early career, recording for the Memphis based Sun Records. We found his tribute to that city and before we got any complaints from certain members of the Cruising Crew, we were heading for the Crescent City to catch up with James Sugar Boy Crawford. Then, as we skilfully turned the Cruise Mobile for home, those familiar faces and places came into view as Ricard Berry brought us a big favourite from him . . . ‘Yama Yama Pretty Mama’.

All too soon, it was time to say goodbye, at least for this week, as we completed our road trip and parked up the Cruise Mobile ready to give it a quick polish, ready for next time. So, just look out for us . . . . same time same place next week, when we’ll be here, if you’ll be there, and we’ll be by with a seat saved especially for you. Until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 26 April 2024

Waiting For You . . . .

Listen here to this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling:

There was a big bluesy welcome to one and all, with the promise that this week’s bluesy adventures would have plenty of treats and something special in store . . . but more of that later! To get us firing on all cylinders, I started off with birthday boy Albert King and a big favourite of mine . . . one of those rare up-tempo numbers from Albert with a timeless message . . . ‘Nice To Be Nice’.

Now, although I found space for some very fine ‘newies’ on the playlist, this week had one of our occasional ‘sitting in‘ sessions, where I give up the presenters chair for part of the show and invite a special guest to sit in and choose some bluesy numbers that are on their playlist or have been influential in their musical journey, along the way. This time around, my special guest was the ever genial Mike Thomas of The Cadillac Kings and with practiced ease Mike and I did a seat swap, so I could sit in the corner and enjoy Mike’s choices . . .

Nice To Be Nice
Nice To Be Nice – Albert King (The Blues Don’t Change – 1977)
I’ve Been Waiting For You – Steve Maggiora (I’ve Been Waiting For You – 2024)
Temporary Insanity – Deb Ryder (Live & Having Fun – 2024)

Sitting In – Mike Thomas
Hard Headed Woman – Elvis Presley (King Creole – 1958)
Caress Me Baby – Jimmy Reed (Rocking With Reed – 1959)
Soulful Dress – Sugar Pie DeSanto (In The Basement – 2017)
Shoppin’ For Clothes – The Coasters (There’s A Riot Goin’ On – 2007)
Let’s Stick Together – Wilbert Harrison (original version Sue Records put out if possible) (The Scene Club – Club Soul Vol 1 – 2013)
Icepick’s Confession – James Harman (Do Not Disturb -Sparks Flying – 2022)

It Ain’t Smart
It Ain’t Smart – The Cadillac Kings (Crash & Burn – 2023)
Ooee – Anthony Geraci (Tears In My Eyes – 2024)
I’d Rather Be Blind, Crippled and Crazy – Mississippi MacDonald (With The Soul Fixers – 2017)
High Time We Went – Rosedale Junction (Goin’ Off The Rails – 2024)

As a small thank you to Mike, I invited him to choose a Cadillac Kings number to play at the end of his selection, but he said he’d rather I made the choice. So, I dipped into their catalogue and pulled out ‘It Ain’t Smart’, which featured Mike’s celebrated acerbic wit in the lyrics.

Now, you may have recognised one song as something from Joe Cocker and Chris Stainton, but it pops up again on the third album by Boston based Blues and Americana band Rosedale Junction. Their album’s titled ‘Goin’ off the Rails’, which brings us nine tracks and is due for release next month. As a taster of what to expect I played ‘High Time We Went’ . . . which may have been so, because our blues time together was nearly gone. So, before we heard from Rosedale Junction, there was a big thanks for your good company this week and the hope that we’ll meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 24 April 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 24 April 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 27 April 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 28 April 2024

Don’t Stop Now . . .

Listen here to this week’s dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic:

Well, there was the customary big cheery to welcome to one and all . . . and if there seemed to be too much of the week to go before the weekend, then I must have arrived just in time, because I was on hand with this week’s big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic, ready to to raise the spirits and excite the senses. First into the Sonic Tonic was an infectious groove, from John P Kee, whose new release . . . ‘It’s Your Time’ . . . was intended to get you up and dancing. Then if your energy levels were fully charged, there was the latest gem from The Fogcutters . . .

This week’s Tell It Like It Is brought a song with a story and a taste of Motown. This came from a group that was dubbed “Motown’s best kept secret”. They were The Originals . . . who were formed in 1966 and found plenty of work in the latter half of the 60s as background singers for artists like Jimmy Ruffin, Stevie Wonder, Edwin Starr, Marvin Gaye and others. As artists in their own right, The Originals were recording and performing up to the early 80s. They had a million seller hit with the Marvin Gaye composition “Baby I’m For Real”, but to show off their talents, there was a Smokey Robinson produced gem, written by the band members and featured on their 1970 album ”Portrait of The Originals”. It was a song that deserved to be released as a single, but, for whatever reasons, it wasn’t . . . this was “Don’t Stop Now”.

It’s Your Time
It’s Your Time – John P Kee
Get It – The Fogcutters with Griffin William Sherry
We’re Gonna Live Forever – Emma Noble
Good Boy Jack – Alibi Music
I Can Never Get Enough – Dylan Chambers
Where You At – Jon Cleary

Tell It Like It Is
Don’t Stop Now – The Originals

Just Enough
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling – Creme D’Cocoa
Just Enough – Angel Forrest (with Kal David & Lauri Bono)
Ms Grace – The Tymes
Peace Of Mind – Jenn Cleary
I’m Only Happy When It Rains – Rebecca Haviland & Whiskey Heart

Mellow Moment
Eyes Of Blue – Paul Carrack

Here Comes The Sun
Hurt So Good – Susan Cadogan
Here Comes The Sun – Joss Stone
Let Her Go – Thornbird
Patrick – Kirsty MacColl
Shropshire Dad – Isobel Kimberley

Gotcha Covered
Hungry Heart – Smokie
Radio Nowhere – Noush Skaugen
Born To Run – Suzie Quatro

Can’t Get Enough
What I’m Made Of – Laura Evans
Got This Feeling – Thomas Atlas
Can’t Get Enough – Roland Johnson
Stupid Crazy – Casey James & Bonnie Bishop
Open Your Eyes – Selena Evangeline
Law Against It – Chris Jagger
A Thing Called Love – Simon Crashly & The Roadmasters
That’s Enough Of That Stuff – Marcia Ball

There were plenty of female singers on the Sonic Tonic playlist this week, including local singer/songwriter Isobel Kimberley. She recently played a most lovely song live on stage about her memories of her dad who hailed from Shropshire. It’s a song full of emotion and it has become a bit of an earworm here . . . so I thought I’d slip Isobel into the Sonic Tonic with ‘Shropshire Dad’.

When it was time for our Gotcha Covered feature there were three songs made famous by Bruce Springsteen and heard again through the covers of others. First up was a song that always seems to get some unsolicited vocal accompaniment here and maybe in other places too . . . this was Smokie with their take on ‘Hungry Heart’. Then Scandinavia’s Noush Skaugen was along with another favourite from the Bruce Springsteen songbook . . . ‘Radio Nowhere’ . . . and there was a classic from the ‘Boss’ . . . in the hands of Suzie Quatro with . . . ‘Born To Run’.

For those whose energy quotient hadn’t hit the red zone yet, there was a timely warning that we were heading down South . . . where they know how to party. It was Simon Crashly & The Roadmasters who were out front to stress test your rhythm receptors with . . . ‘A Thing Called Love’. Then, Marcia Ball was along to bring some more rocking R&B with the aptly titled . . . ‘That’s Enough Of That Stuff’ . . . but not before there was a big thanks for your good company this week and the hope that we’ll meet again soon for another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 24 April 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 29 April 2024

That’s All I Need . . . .

Listen here to this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner:

Well, there was a cheery welcome to one and all . . . and the sunny weather had teased out the Cruise Mobile, with its windows down and its radio cranked right up, so it was all ready for good company of the Cruising Crew. It rolled by at the appointed time with some really tasty treats for this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner. This week’s musical adventure was inspired by the setlists of the much celebrated Mike Sanchez, who has brought us some truly great R&B on stage and on record. So, when the Cruise Mobile arrived it had Tommy Ridgeley playing on the radio and with only just enough of a pause for everyone jump aboard, we were off down the road to who knows where with Ike Turner along with his Kings of Rhythm and their 1959 Sue records release ‘That’s All I Need’.

We didn’t forgotten our Girls & Guitars feature, although it was a bit of challenge this week, because there are few if any guitar playing female singers whose songs have been covered by Mike Sanchez. Undaunted, we thought, if he did, something, somewhere, sometime, it would be no surprise if he played a number by the much celebrated Sister Rosetta Tharpe,. like . . . . ‘Shout Sister Shout’.

I Like It
Jam Up – Tommy Ridgley
That’s All I Need – Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm
I Like It – Little Willie Littlefield
Hurtin’ Inside – Brook Benton
Sapphire – Big Danny Oliver
Blue Boy – Jim Reeves

Girls & Guitars
Shout Sister Shout – Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Shake Your Hips
The Wobble – Jimmy McCracklin
Deep In The Heart Of Texas – Geraint Watkins
Hungry Man – Louis Jordan
Highway 60 – Johnny Guitar Watson
Shake Your Hips – Slim Harpo
Safronia B – Calvin Boze & His All Stars

Doo Wop Stop
If I Can’t Have You – Etta James & Harvey Fuqua

I’m Ready
Coal Miner – Nappy Brown
King Kong – Big T Tyler
Shirley – John Fred & His Playboys
I’m Ready – Fats Domino
Heebie Jeebies – Little Richard

Now, this week, when it was time for our Doo Wop Stop, we had a bit of a challenge to celebrate those vocal groups of the 50s and 60s, because Mike Sanchez was not known for performing many ballads. But, with some expert rummaging in the Cruising Library we found a little gem that Mike recorded with Imelda May, so we found the original by Etta James & Harvey Fuqua . . . . ‘If I Can’t Have You’.

At any gig with Mike Sanchez you could be sure that if he wanted to get people dancing, he could always deliver a spirited version of that hit for John Fred & His Playboys . . . . ‘Shirley’. It was the number to play to get plenty of fancy footwork and smiles too, as was Mike’s usual tip of the hat to the Fat Man with Mr Domino’s . . . ‘I’m Ready’. Then, way too soon, our Cruising time was fast running out, but we couldn’t leave without hearing from Mrs Penniman’s lad with one of those songs that Mike Sanchez often closed his live sets. Before that there was a big thanks for your good company on this week’s Cruising adventure and the hope that we’ll meet again the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 19 April 2024

Lay It On The Line . . . .

Listen here to this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling:

Well, there was a big bluesy welcome to one and all and the promise that there plenty of new blues heading our way, along with plenty of great gigs and festivals, so plenty of big smiles. To add to those smiles, I opened up there with a number from Bill Perry with ‘Heaven In A Pontiac’. The choice was inspired by the new cover of that song by Canned Heat, which I played on last week’s show and Bill’s version will surely bring back fond memories for me (and other others too) of Bill on stage back in 1999 at the much missed, Bishopstock Festival.

Those who were at The Bromley Blues Club this past weekend, could have picked up a copy of the new album from The Big Wolf Band . . . ‘Rebel’s Journey’ . . . because it was the band’s album launch for and that album happens to be my ‘album of the week’. The music and the band got a riotous reception on the night and with so many great numbers, it hard to choose only a few for this show . . . but I did!

Be With Me
Goin’ To Heaven In A Pontiac – Bill Perry (Fire It Up – 2001)
Dial Your Number – Nicholas Alexander (Lil Hoochie – 2024)
Standing In The Rain – The Big Wolf Band (Rebel’s Journey – 2024)
Can’t Fix The World – Toronzo Cannon (Shut Up & Play! – 2024)
Be With Me – Jon Cleary (Be With Me – 2023)
When You Leave (Don’t Take Nothin’) – Artie “Blues Boy” White (Can We Get Together – 1999)

Pinetop’s Pick
Rock Me – Alexis Korner (Accidently Born In New Orleans – 1972)

Oh Well
Lay It On The Line – The Big Wolf Band (Rebel’s Journey – 2024)
Stuck In The Middle With You – Jean-Jacques Milteau (Key To The Highway – 2024)
I Got You Deep In My Head – Can Bayoglu
Too Many Times – The Big Wolf Band (Rebel’s Journey – 2024)
Devil In Me – Joanne Shaw Taylor (Heavy Soul – 2024)
Oh Well – Slash (with Chris Stapleton) (Orgy of the Damned – 2024)

One of the many joys of bringing you The Blues Come Calling is that every once in a while I come across someone giving a surprising blues interpretation to a well known pop song and giving it a whole new lease of life. That’s just what Jean-Jacques Milteau has done with this his bluesy take on . . . ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’. It comes from his latest album ‘Key To The Highway’ and good stuff it is too.

This week, I ended this week’s show with a couple of rocky bluesers from Joanne Shaw Taylor and Slash. Joanne was first with another taster from her upcoming new album ‘Heavy Soul’ and when that album arrives, I’m starting to wonder if there’ll be any tracks left that we haven’t heard already. This week’s choice was the rocky . . . . ‘Devil In Me’. Then, I gave a warning that things were about to get even more rocky with another preview of the upcoming blues album from Slash . . . . ‘Orgy of the Damned’. The album is full of collaborations with the likes Beth Hart, Iggy Pop, Paul Rodgers, Gary Clark Jr, Billy F. Gibbons and on the Peter Green classic . . . ‘Oh Well’ . . . Slash was joined by Chris Stapleton to clear any residual ear wax. Then, it was all over, except for a big thanks for your good company this week and the hope that we’ll meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 17 April 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 17 April 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 20 April 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 21 April 2024

Let Your Love Shine . . .

Listen here to this week’s dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic:

There was the customary big cheery welcome to one and all . . . and I arrived with a rather special recipe for this weeks dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic with plenty of ingredients take to make your ears smile and your toes wiggle. We got off to a good start with our opener from the Tower of Power and when it was time for our Tell It Like It Is feature, I brought a story about a song that created a new record for the music industry, this week in 1987, when Aretha Franklin became the artist with the lengthiest interval (19 years and 10 months) between No.1 hits. It was when her duet with George Michael . . . “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” that got to No.1 again.

There was some Crescent City swinging out with the much celebrated Jon Cleary, who was back in town this past week. He was made very welcome, especially by those who caught him on stage, so I found something of his to put in the playlist and it was a choice that came from an album he released some thirty years ago, delightfully titled ‘Alligator Lips & Dirty Rice’. Then, while those Crescent City vibes were all around, I added a little treat here from Clarence Frogman Henry. I warned that you may gasp in amazement when I told you that Clarence was here doing a little Chas & Dave favourite. It proved to be a bit of a rarity, but it must have pleased Chas & Dave to have Clarence recording this particular tune . . . which just might have been written with him in mind . . . ‘I Ain’t Pleasing You’.

Go Ahead
This Time It’s Real – Tower Of Power
News You Can Use – Eli Paperboy Reed
Running Back To You – Laura Evans
Sugar Boy – Carolyn Crawford
Go Ahead Baby – Jon Cleary
Ain’t No Pleasing You – Clarence Frogman Henry
Let Your Love Shine – Forest Sun

Tell It Like It Is
I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) – Aretha Franklin & George Michael

Here I Go
I Like It Like That – Don Bryant
Here I Go Again – The Sextones
Smart Money – Mark Knopfler
Blown Away – Jeff Lynne

Mellow Moment
Perfect Day – Al Green

See You Again
See You Again – The Commoners
If You Want Me Stay – Ina Forsman
Down On The Street – Shakatak
Never Gonna Let You Go – Nigel Hall
Harder Than It Has To Be – Renee Austin

Gotcha Covered
Addicted To Love – Sheridan Smith
She Makes My Day – Paul Canning
Some Guys Have All The Luck – The Persuaders

Dig That Groove
Let Your Love Shine – Forest Sun
Look It Here – Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
One Man Band – Frankie Moreno
When The Night Time Comes – Ray Bonneville
Tupelo Honey – Chet Lott
Cadillac Shake – The Cadillac Kings
Dig That Groove – The Basement Apes
Boys Are Back In Town – The Bus Boys

This week’s Gotcha Covered feature, brought three songs made popular by Robert Palmer and our trio of tracks kicked off with something from actress and singer Sheridan Smith, who has played and sung on TV and stage as Cilla Black and Barbara Streisand, but she was on the playlist in her own right with Robert Palmer’s ‘Addicted To Love’. Following on was Paul Canning with a really laid back version of another of those Robert Palmer numbers ‘She Makes My Day’ and getting things extra soulful were New York City group, The Persuaders, with another song that did well for Robert Palmer but this is was the original and a rather special take on ‘Some Guys Have All The Luck’.

Well, out on the town this past week, I bumped into the much esteemed Tim Penn from the Cadillac Kings, who happen to be on my giglist here soon, and while Tim and I were enjoying some music together, I made a mental note to pull out a great piece of ‘real’ R&B by The Cadillac Kings and featuring Tim on accordion for ‘Cadillac Shake’. There was more boogying with The Basement Apes and then the revels had to end. There was just enough time to say a big thanks for your good company this week and the hope that we’ll meet again soon for another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 17 April 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 22 April 2024

Nothin’ But Fine . . .

Listen here to this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner:

Well, if you arrived in the mood for a musical adventure, and were looking for some good company . . . . you were in luck, because at the appointed hour, we rolled by in the Cruise Mobile, with a seat saved especially for you. There was a hearty invitation to jump aboard so we could all go Cruising with The Commissioner. We kicked off down the road with Bill Johnson & The Four Steps Of Rhythm and their 1959 Talos 45 ‘You Better Dig It’ and we acknowledged that somewhere in the Cruising Library there was a great cover of that song by Mike Sanchez & His Band . . . who just happens to turn up next with a little gem we know well by John Fred & His Playboys . . . ‘Shirley’.

Sadly, the past week had been marked by the passing of Clarence Frogman Henry . . . . and it brought back a fond memory of meeting him, back in the 60s, when he was on a UK tour and appearing at a local venue. He was a lovely man, and slightly bemused that his music was so well known, so far from home. I met him again at a more recent New Orleans Jazz Fest when he appeared on stage in a wheelchair, but with the same verve and enthusiasm from those years before. As a tribute to Clarence, there were a couple of tracks that we suspected might get overlooked by others. These recorded in London back in 2014, with celebrated London duo Chas & Dave. They were recorded at the Abbey Road studios and on the day Tom Jones was recording in the adjacent studio, He heard the New Orleans sounds coming down the corridor and went to investigate and those present say he was overwhelmed that he was next door trying to capture a Crescent City vibe for his recordings, when one of the kings of New Orleans R&B was in the the studio just round the corner.

Dance the Thing
You Better Dig It – Bill Johnson
Shirley – Mike Sanchez & His Band
Dance the Thing! – Floyd Dixon
I Miss Ya Girl – Clarence Frogman Henry with Chas & Dave
That Old PIano – Clarence Frogman Henry with Chas & Dave
Loving Cajun Style – Clarence Frogman Henry
So Swell When You’re Well – Fats Domino

Girls & Guitars
Anything – Donna Hopkins

Coming Back To You
I’m A Sad Girl – Deena Johnson
I’m Blue (The Gong Gong Song) – The Ikettes
Love Makes The World Go Round – Barbara Lewis
Coming Back To You – The Royal Jokers

Doo Wop Stop
Who’s Foolin’ Who – The Chromatics

Where You At
Dixieland Rock – Max Merritt & The Meteors
You Ain’t Nothin’ But Fine – Rockin’ Sydney
Where You At – Lloyd Price
When Are You Coming Home – Chubby Newsome
Ella Mae – 44 Shakedown
Love Is My Business – Cliff Gleaves

With impeccable timing, we were all ready for our Doo Wop Stop without any chivvying from Mr Merlot. Our spotlight this week fell on one of those 50s and 60s vocal groups and this time our choice came courtesy of Bob Williams & The Chromatics with their 1955 Blend Records release ‘Who’s Foolin’ Who’.

Sadly, all good things have to come to an end . . . . which includes this week’s Cruising adventure. So, the mask our subtle shift of direction, 44 Shakedown were on hand with an old Louis Jordan . . . Ella Mae. Then, we were heading for home in the good company of Cliff Gleaves with something that was sure to get The Cruisettes risking our insurance premiums with their dangerous dancing. When we got back where we started, we may have surprised a few that we were still good order. So, there was a big thanks for the good company along the way, and the hope that if you enjoyed our time together, you’ll be back again the next time we call by in the Cruise Mobile with a seat saved especially for you. Until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 12 April 2024

In The Mood For The Blues . . .

Listen here to this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling:

As usual there was a big bluesy welcome to one and all and for those looking for some of the best blues around, you were most certainly in the right place, because I kicked off with the opening track from the new album release by Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival. It features a powerhouse concert recorded live in Bismarck, North Dakota last year. The album’s called ‘Live From The Northern Plains’ and this week’s choice was the opening track ‘Gypsy Soul’. Then, there was the first choice from my album of the week, courtesy of Canned Heat. With a title like ‘Finyl Vinyl’, there’s a hint here that we may not be hearing more from the band, but they were starting off with a song the bluesers will know well by Bill Perry . . . this was ‘Heaven In A Pontiac’.

A Hot Ole Time
Gypsy Soul – Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival (Live From The Northern Plains – 2024)
Goin’ To Heaven In A Pontiac – Canned Heat (Finyl Vinyl (2024)
If You Love Me Like You Say – Bart Bryant (BackstageII – 2024)
Booker’s Bounce – Dale Storr (Jammin’ With The Wind – 2016)
Darker Side Of You – The Big Wolf Band (Rebel’s Journey – 2024)
I’m In The Mood For The Blues – Ernie Johnson (In The Mood – 1995)
A Hot Ole Time – Canned Heat (Finyl Vinyl – 2024)

Pinetop’s Pick
Big Railroad Blues – Noah Lewis with Cannon’s Jub Stompers (Presenting Cannon’s Jug Stompers – 1928)

One Last Boogie
Palace Of The King – Rocky Athas (Livin’ My Best Life – 2024)
You Got Me Where You Want Me – John Brim (The Classic Years -2021)
It’s Hard But It’s Fair – Joe Bonamassa (Blues Deluxe 2 – 2023)
Po Black Mattie – Cedric Burnside (Hill Country Love – 2024)
One Last Boogie – Canned Heat (Finyl Vinyl – 2024)
Blues Singer – Nick Gravenites & Jimmy Vivino (Rogue Blues – 2024)

Joe Bonamassa was on the playlist this week, as a reminder of catching him on stage at The Royal Albert Hall for a great night this past week . . . although he didn’t do this old Bobby Parker favourite . . . ‘It’s Hard But It’s Fair’. Then, from that strutting urban blues, we headed off for a dose of Mississippi Hill Country blues. It came from Cedric Burnside, whose family connections are well known and his third solo album, called ‘Hill Country Love’ has a closing track . . .’Po Black Mattie’.

Well, all too soon, our blues time together was almost done, so I hoped you’d allow me a little indulgence, because I’ve been following Nick Gravenites’ career since I first saw him on stage with Paul Butterfield’s Blues Band back in the 60s and he has a new album out. The album’s titled ‘Rogue Blues’ and I chose to play out with his number, simply called ‘Blues Singer’. But before I let him loose, there was a big thanks for your good company this week and your kind comments and the hope that we’ll meet again, the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . .have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 10 April, 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 10 April 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on13 April 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 14 April 2024

Get Ready To Move . . .

Listen here to this week’s dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic:

Well, it all kicked off with a big cheery welcome to one and all . . . and if it seemed like there were too many workdays ahead and the lottery didn’t pick your numbers, then I may have arrived just in time . . . because I was there with a big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. It was specially prepared to raise the spirits and excite the senses, along with a worldly warning . . . not everything is what it seems . . . because there was an invitation to ‘Shake Your Booty Like Maracas’ from a band called Louisiana Avenue, who weren’t from Louisiana but Scandinavian . . . but they did know how to groove which was good enough for us!

Now this week’s Tell It Like It Is was inspired by some chatter with my radio pal Jack Mooney and it brought a song with a story from Stevie Wonder. Back in 1976 Stevie released his album ‘Songs In the Key of Life’, which included a song titled ‘Pastime Paradise’. It was written by Stevie, who played all the instruments, except the percussion and was accompanied on backing vocals by the Hare Krishna, West Angeles Church Choir. The song has been sampled many times since, including Mary J. Blige’s “Time” and more successfully by Coolio with his hit “Gangsta’s Paradise” . . . but it was Stevie’s original that got into the Sonic Tonic . . . ‘Pastime Paradise’.

Shake Your Booty
Shake Your Booty Like Maracas – Louisiana Avenue
Somebody Have Mercy – Gary Pinto & Jimmy Barnes
I’ll Know When The Right One Comes Along – Sonja Grier
Get My Hat – Major Lance
Can We Get Together – Artie ‘Blues Boy’ White

Tell It Like It Is
Pastime Paradise – Stevie Wonder

It’s A Party
Lost Without Your Love – Labi Siffre
Get Ready To Move – Slice & The Pocket Connection
It’s A Party – Ernie Johnson
Live Close By (Visit Often ) – The Mavericks with Nicole Atkins
Young Love On The Hill – Danielle Nicole

Mellow Moment
Don’t Give Your Love – Peabo Bryson

All The Way From America
All The Way From America – Joanne Shaw Taylor
Time We Said Goodbye – Kat Eaton
Hold On – Danny Brookes
Best Love Turned Blue – Charlene Howard
I Miss Ya Girl – Clarence Frogman Henry with Chas & Dave
This Old Piano – Clarence Frogman Henry with Chas & Dave

Gotcha Covered
Girls Talk – Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs
What’s So Funny About Peace Love & Understanding – Candi Staton
Oliver’s Army – American Hi Fi
Veronica – Elvis Costello

Whatcha Gonna Do
Behind The Mask – Eric Clapton
You Stopped The Rain – King King
Tokyo Night – Vulfmon, Jacob Jefferies & Evangeline
Across The Borderline – Miller Anderson
Spider Jiving – Andy Fairweather Low
I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock & Roll) – Nick Lowe
The Question, Whatcha Gonna Do – Mike Sanchez & His Band

There was been some sad news this week for the lovers of ‘real’ R&B, with the passing of Clarence Frogman Henry. Now, while many will pay tribute to him with popular hits of his, there were a couple of rarities pulled out of the music library that may have sounded like more great New Orleans R&B, but they were actually tracks Clarence recorded here in the Abbey Road Studios in 2014. He was recording with celebrated London duo Chas & Dave and on that same day Tom Jones was recording in the adjacent studio, He heard the New Orleans sounds coming down the corridor and went to investigate and those present say he was excited to find Clarence there and said, he was next door trying to capture a Crescent City vibe for his recordings, and here was one of the kings of New Orleans R&B in the the studio just round the corner. Then, when it was time for our Gotcha Covered feature, we were visiting the songs of Elvis Costello heard again through the covers of others. Those ‘other’s’ included Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs, Candi Staton and American Hi Fi, plus something from Elvis himself . . . ‘Veronica’.

We were keen to get the pulses racing to your rhythm receptors, so the Sonic Tonic flavours got a big boost of ‘real’ R&B, starting with Nick Lowe and a song that you might have known well by Status Quo, Dave Edmunds and others, but this time it was Nick Lowe’s testament to discretion ‘I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock & Roll)’. Then, having got the lithe and limber to strut their stuff, we were lining up the last addition to the Sonic Tonic, with Mike Sanchez & His Band bringing us some rocking R&B. But, before that, there was a big thanks for your good company this week and the hope that we’ll meet again soon for another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. Until then . . . . remember . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 10 April 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 15 April 2024

Dance To The Bop . . . .

Listen here to this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner:

Well, as we arrived at the appointed time, there you were and looking very fine indeed and just in time to jump aboard the trusty Cruise Mobile as it rolled by to pick up the eager members of the Cruising Crew. There are big smiles and cheery waves as everyone climbed aboard and we remembered to save a seat especially for you, just so we could all go Cruising with The Commissioner.  The Cruise Mobile arrived with its radio cranked up and playing Al Dual’s ‘My Love Runs Too Much’. Then, ready or not, we advised everyone to take a deep breath and sit back, because we were heading for the horizon in the company of Crystal Thomas and something from her latest album ‘Extreme’.

Well, we may have been a bit late this week’s Girls and Guitars feature, but Mr Merlot didn’t noticed, so there we took an uneventful trip to Croatia to throw our spotlight on local lady of the blues, Vanja Sky. She says her big musical influences were Rory Gallagher, Eli Paperboy Reed, Albert King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, so she is, clearly, well worth a listen . . . and we did! We had a dip into her 2023 album ‘Reborn’ where she reprises an old soul favourite ‘I Take What I Want’.

Secret Of My Success
My Love Runs Too Much – Al Dual
I Don’t Need You No More – Crystal Thomas & The Bloodest Saxophone
Finders Keepers – Marti Brom
Royal Street Swingdown – Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
Grandpa Can Boogie Too – Lil Greenwood
The Secret Of My Success – The Cadillac Kings

Girls & Guitars
I Take What I Want – Vanja Sky

Too Much
Dance To The Bop – Levi Dexter
Put Your Cat Clothes On – Gene Summers
Too Much – Jimmy Hughes

Doo Wop Stop
Come On & Love Me – Johnny Stewart
The Boy For Me – The Tassels

Don’t Mess Up A Good Thing
Don’t Mess Up A Good Thing – Eli Paperboy Reed & The Pepper Pots
Girls All Over The World – The Big Town Playboys
I’ve Got A Girl – Roland Cook
Baked Potatoes – Lily Moe & The Barnstormers
When Mr Woogie Beats The Boogie – Gone Hepsville

For those with a keen ear for the best of 50s vocal groups, we went digging in the dark corners of the Cruising Library to find a couple of examples for this week’s Doo Wop Stop. So, to surprise and delight the aficionados, we pulled out a 1961 Shelley 45 titled ‘Come On & Love Me’ by Johnny Stewart, who had a more famous brother, Billy Stewart. Then there was some upbeat doo wop from New Jersey group, The Tassels They were led by singer Rochelle Gaudet Alessi and we chose The Tassels’ 45 for Madison records, ‘The Boy For Me’.

Well, never let it be said that we don’t give you plenty of opportunities to rock your socks off when you’re Cruising with The Commission and if you needed proof, we offered up Lily Moe & The Barnstormers and their instrumental called ‘Baked Potatoes’ . . . and, don’t worry . . . we planned to be collecting up the socks but not before we got to hear from the most rocking Gone Hepsville, who joined us all the way from the Czech Republic with the story of ‘When Mr Woogie Beats The Boogie’ . . . and we found out, he beats it good! While he did, we arrived home safe and sound from our cruise and just in time to give the Cruise Mobile a quick polish, ready for the next time for our next adventure. So, Mr Merlot, The Cruisettes and yours truly were all lined up smartly to give everyone a cheery wave and a smile and the hope that we’ll meet again the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 5 April 2024