Too Much Heaven . . .

Listen here to this week’s edition of Through To Midnight:

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The weather may have been a bit unpredictable, the news may have been a bit unsettling, but all of that faded away as the time arrived for this week’s Through To Midnight. As always, it brought another musical adventure through the ‘good stuff’ that you don’t get to hear on ‘ordinary radio’. There was a slew of new releases from the likes of The Brand New Heavies, Nine Below Zero, Arsen Shomakhov, Status Quo, Robbie Robertson, Eva Carboni, Jesse Malin, Big James and The Achievers. There were gems from Dr John, Georgie Fame, James Brown and others too.

Our Under The Covers feature brought three covers of songs made famous by Dusty Springfield. Delivering those songs, but in their own way, we heard from Carla Thomas, Phil Collins and Southside Johnny & The Asbury Dukes.

Listen To The Music
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
Little Dancer – The Brand New Heavies
Just Say Nothing – Incognito
It’s Time To Love – James Brown
Listen To The Music – Candi Staton
Don’t Lay Your Funky Trip On Me – Senor Soul
I Drink But I Don’t Get Drunk – Nine Below Zero
Sunset Beach – Arsen Shomakhov

Under The Covers
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me – Carla Thomas
Some Of Your Lovin’ – Phil Collins
I Only Want To Be You – Southside Johnny & The Asbury Dukes

All For You
Too Much Heaven Last Night – Big James
Meet Me At The End Of The World Again – Jesse Malin
Your Mind Is On Vacation – Asleep At The Wheel
All For You – Earl Van Dyke & The Soul Brothers

Life & Love
I Wanna Run Away – Status Quo
You Make Me Want To Dance – Robert Finlay
Weight Of The World – Marc Broussard
Ever Loving Mess – The Achievers
Life & Love – Buddy Miles

Girls & Guitars
Queen of Hearts – Juice Newton

Looked Away
Italia Square – Eva Carboni
That’s My Home – Dr John
Once Were Brothers – Robbie Robertson
I Looked Away – Kevin Roth
Castles Made Of Sand /Little Wing – Tuck & Patti

Doo Wop Delight
Forever – The Vidaltones

Wide Eyed & Legless
Wide Eyed & Legless – Georgie Fame
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

Our Girls & Guitars feature focused in on Juice Newton, who was born on February 18, 1952, in Lakehurst, New Jersey, and during her high school years, learned to play guitar. After graduating from high school, she played folk music in local coffeehouses, then formed a folk-rock band called Juice Newton & Silver Spur and released three albums, after which Juice went solo and had an international hit with her version of ‘Queen of Hearts’.

We heard some familiar songs, like ‘I Looked Away’, ‘Castles Made Of Sand’, ‘Little Wing’ and Wide Eyed & Legless, but not as we know them. Meanwhile, this week’s Doo Wop Delight, focused in on New York vocal group The Vidaltones, who were a great harmony group and very popular in and around New York back in the day. They only had two releases for the Josie label and I played one of those . . . their 1961 single ‘Forever’.

Sadly, all too soon, our time together started ebbing away and tomorrow was on the doorstep ready to take us ‘who knows where’, but before that there was time to thank you for your good company this week and hope that we will meet again, same time, same place next week to go Through To Midnight. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm
on 11 September 2019

Blues on the rise . . .

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

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Well, this week, The Blues Come Calling got off to a flying start with a taste of the new album from Joe Bonamassa ‘Live at The Sydney Opera House’, featuring recordings from his 2016 performance at the opera house, including the album’s opening track ‘This Train’. There were plenty of other new releases too, not all that could be fitted into the show this week. But, there was time to hear the new releases from Blues Meets Girl, 24 Pesos, Marco Cinelli & Danny Del Toro, Cary Morin, Delta Fuse, Nine Below Zero, Arsen Shomakhov, Tennessee Redemption, The Chris Bergson Band, Lucky Peterson, North Mississippi Allstars and The Achievers.

This week brought a reminder that I never got to Otis Rush. But back in the 80s, Otis made a rare appearance with The Hollywood Fats Bands at San Diego’s Belly Up Tavern. Fortunately, someone managed to record the gig and Topcat Records have just released it under the descriptive title ‘Treasures From The Lost Shoebox’.

This week’s album of the week came from harp master, Giles Robson, and it’s his upcoming new album release ‘Don’t Give Up On The Blues’. It’s his first album for Chicago’s Alligator records and he’s the first UK artist to sign with the label where he joins forces here with legendary blues pianist Bruce Katz.

Don’t Give Up On The Blues
This Train – Joe Bonamassa (Live at Sydney Opera House – 2019)
Home To My Baby – Blues Meets Girl (Blues Meets Girl – 2019)
Don’t Believe A Word – Thin Lizzy (ft Phil Lynott & Gary Moore) (Black Rose – 1979)
Don’t Give Up On The Blues – Giles Robson (Don’t Give Up On The Blues – 2019)
32.20 Blues – Bob Dylan (Tell Tale Signs: Bootleg Series Vol 8 – 2008)
Worry Worry – Otis Rush & Hollywood Fats Band (Treasures From The Lost Shoebox – 2019)

Pinetop’s Pick
Atomic Bomb Blues – Homer Harris (Chicago Blues: The Beginning – 1971)

Luck On Your Side
Luck On Your Side – 24 Pesos (Flesh & Bones – 2019)
Why Baby Why – Marco Cinelli & Danny Del Toro (Delta Overflowin’ – 2019)
Jug In The Water – Cary Morin (When I Rise – 2019)
Boogie At The Showplace – Giles Robson (Don’t Give Up On The Blues – 2019)
Shuggie’s Shuffle – Shuggie Otis & Al Kooper (Kooper Session – 1969)

Spoonful
50 Years – Lucky Peterson (Just Warming Up – 2019)
Mean Old World – North Mississippi Allstars (ft Jason Isbell & Duane Betts) (Up & Rolling – 2019)
Spoonful – Delta Fuse (Spoonful – 2019)
Austerity Blues – Nine Below Zero (Avalanche – 2019)
Spirit – The Achievers (The Lost Arc – 2019)
Baby How Long – Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters (Beyond The Blue Door – 2019)

Austin Calling
Crossroads – Guy Forsyth (Unrepentant Schziophrenic Americana – 2007)

Watch Yourself
Show A Little Mercy – Giles Robson (Don’t Give Up On The Blues – 2019)
Amos’s Boogie – Amos Milburn (Rockin’ The Boogie – 1952)
Women And Whiskey – Arsen Shomakhov (Rain City Blues – 2019)
Watch Yourself – Tennessee Redemption (Tennessee Redemption – 2019)
Bitter Midnight – The Chris Bergson Band (ft Ellis Hooks) (Live in Normandy – 2019)
Blues For T.J. – B.B. King & Larry Carlton (Friends – 1983)

Our regular feature, Austin Calling, this week, brought a focus on guitarist, singer, & harmonica player, Guy Forsyth. He started out as a stuntman, but it was blues music that inspired him and he found himself working his way up from the lowest blues clubs to Austin’s famous music venue, Antone’s. His Sunday residency there lasted ten years and got him signed to Antone’s Blues Label. It was his real down home acoustic version of ‘Crossroads’ that got into the playlist.

Sadly, time ran out before all the choices lined up for the playlist, so they’ll be saved for next week and I played out with a superb piece of blues, suggested by David Isaacs, from Larry Carlton and B.B. King, called ‘Blues for T.J’. But, before I headed out into the night, there was a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and the hope that we meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5 fm on 10 September 2019
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 12 September 2019

With You All The Way . . .

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

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Well, this week was given a real boost with some welcome contacts with some long time friends and Cruising Crew members. There were plenty of laughs and stories . . . . and (surprise, surprise) some music too! Of course, it was with music in mind that the Cruise Mobile rolled by at the appointed time, ready for this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner.

To get everyone in the mood, we arrived, accompanied by The Romancers with a little ‘Slauson Sax’. Then, with gazelle like speed we headed off down the road with Dorothy Berry & Jimmy Norman and their 1962 Little Star 45, appropriately titled ‘I’m With You All The Way’.

When Frank Slay and Bob Crewe saw the success of duos like Mickey & Sylvia, and Brook Benton & Dinah Washington they signed up Billy Ford & Lillie Bryant to Swan records and they did pretty well too. By coincidence, our good pal Jamie Dell’Apa pointed us to a little number called ‘Bend A Little’ by Shorty Billups that sounds a lot like Brook Benton’s hit ‘Kiddio’.

We know Bobby Hebb for his hits, but long before those his first solo 45 included a self penned song called ‘You Gotta Go’ . . . and we found a copy for this week’s show. We also found a colourful car song, ‘Yellow Mellow Hardtop’, credited on the label to Ray Johnson & the Bystanders. Then, we had a little ‘jive talking’ courtesy of St Louis vocal group The Four Vagabonds and Ron Sunshine & Full Swing.

Hit That Jive Jack
Slauson Sax – The Romancers
I’m With You All The Way – Dorothy Berry & Jimmy Norman
Creepin’ Crawlin’ & Cryin’ – Billie & Lillie
Bend A Little – Shorty Billups
You Gotta Go – Bobby Hebb
Yellow, Mellow Hardtop – Ray Johnson & The Bystanders
Hit That Jive Jack – The Four Vagabonds
She Won’t Believe Your Jive – Ron Sunshine & Full Swing
Sugar Coated Love – Barbara Lynn

Girls & Guitars
Breaking Up Somebody’s Home – Kara Grainger

I Done Done It
Hula Girl – R Crumb & His Cheap Suit Serenaders
Walk Of Life – Charles Mann
Air Travel – Ray & Bob
Strong Love – The Malibus
That’s When Your Heartaches Begin – Billy Bunn & His Buddies
White Port & Lemon Juice – The Bel-Aires
I Done Done It – Amos Milburn
Come On – The Big Town Playboys
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Our Girls & Guitars feature got us heading to the other side of the world for Australian singer/songwriter and guitarist Kara Grainger. At the age of 16 she joined with her brother to form the band “Papa Lips”, playing funk, soul and blues. Then she went solo and has since recorded 4 albums and we chose a track from her 2013 album ‘Shiver & Sigh’, a rather fine version of ‘Breaking Up Somebody’s Home’.

Louisiana’s own Charles Mann brought us a cajun styled version of Dire Straits ‘Walk Of Life’ and a nice demonstration of American artists re-interpreting UK music and re-introducing it to its native land . . . . which may echo a recent theme about the influence of UK artists on the American music scene. We found a couple of the originals by LA duo Ray & Bob Swayne and Texas group called The Malibus that had more successful UK covers.

Our Doo wop stop included a great ballad, ‘That’s When Your Heartaches‘ by R&B singer Billy Bunn and His Buddies which was a great influence on a young Elvis Presley (who recorded it twice) and 50s vocal group, the Bel-Aires, with a nice version of ‘White Port & Lemon Juice’.

Then, as Amos Milburn sang ‘I Done Done It’, we turned the Cruise Mobile for home and finally got all the way there with something to please our pal Amigo, The Big Town Playboys with ’Come On’. We parked the Cruise Mobile and gave a quick wave to everyone, in the hope that we’ll all meet again the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then, remember . . . have fun!
 
Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 10 September 2019

We’re All Crazy Now . . .

Listen here to this week’s edition of Through To Midnight:

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Well, there’s a barely discernible shift from summer to Autumnal weather evident around here and plenty on the ‘to do’ list, but there was still time to pull together the choices for our musical trip Through To Midnight. Among the usual armful of the ‘good stuff’ that I brought along this week, there was a big pile of new releases from Billy Price, Gary Nicholson, The Zac Brown Band, Jesse Malin, Geraint Watkins, Beth Hart, Steve Miller, Robert Randolph and Elles Bailey.

Our Under The Covers feature took an unusual turn this week to focus on 70s band Slade, who had a string of hits to their name, three of which got revisited through some inventive covers by The Big Six, The Figgs and Sam’s Bunch. Rod Stewart was on the playlist too, with a Motown favourite that was on his ‘Atlantic Crossing’ album which was the UK No.1 album this week in 1975.

Do Your Thing
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
Do Your Thing – 6ix Toys
10/10 Greg Coulson
Giving It Up For Your Love – Kal David & Lauri Bono
What & How & If & Why – Bill Wyman
Blue Jeans – Marc Broussard

Under The Covers
Mama We’re All Crazy Now – The Big Six
Coz I Luv You – The Figgs
Far Far Away – Sam’s Bunch

Soulshine
Standing In The Rain – Al Green
This Old Heart Of Mine – Rod Stewart
Don’t Be Afraid – Rare Bird
Working On Your Chain Gang – Billy Price
Soulshine – Gary Nicholson
Hector – The Village Callers

Need This
Billy’s Bag – Billy Preston
Need This – The Zac Brown Band
Chemical Heart – Jesse Malin
Automatically Sunshine – The Living Music Box
Ain’t Nothing You Can Do – Latimore

Girls & Guitars
Sweeter Than Mine – Crystal Armentrout

Take The Money & Run
Bad Woman Blues – Beth Hart
Take The Money & Run – Steve Miller
I Need You – Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Angel From Montgomery – Elles Bailey
If You Want Me To Stay – The Baker Brothers

Doo Wop Delight
It Hurts To Tell You – James Brown & The Famous Flames

Another Day Over
Another Day Over – Geraint Watkins
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

Our Girls & Guitars feature focused this week on  Crystal Armentrout, who is a native of Staunton, Virginia. She started her musical career by playing saxophone and drums, but, by the age of 17 she was playing rock music on guitar in an all-female band. Over the next several years, she developed a reputation as an outstanding lead guitar player and singer-songwriter and has just released her first solo album. It’s called ‘As It Should Be’ and it includes a particular favourite of mine . . . . ‘Sweeter Than Mine’. Meanwhile, for this week’s Doo Wop Delight I brought one of those well-known names that rarely pops up among the long lists of those 50s and 60 doo wop vocal group. These were James Brown and The Famous Flames, who started out as a 50s doo wop group and as an example, I pulled out something they recorded back in 1959 . . . ‘It Hurts To Tell You’.

As our time was running out, keyboard ace Geraint Watkins turned up with a rather aptly titled number, ‘Another Day Over’, from his newly released album. While that was playing I was collecting up the music, tidying up the studio and getting ready to head out into the night, but not before saying a big thanks for your very good company and hoping that we’ll meet again same time, same place next week . .  when once again we can go Through To Midnight. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm
on 4 September 2019

The Secret Of My Success . . .

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

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Well, it was Luther ‘Bad Man’ Keith kicking off The Blues Come Calling this week with his new single ‘Working Man Blues’ . . . and he’s certainly a working man . . . a bluesman by night, but a journalist and University Professor during the day and, if come across an album titled ‘The Preacher, The Politician Or The Pimp’, its the latest from bluesman Toronzo Cannon, and it was good to have him back on the playlist.

There were plenty of other new releases too, from Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters, Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method, The Blues Boy Kings, Dom Martin, The Steve Miller Band, Marco Cinelli & Danny Del Toro, Jimmy Carpenter, Mick Clarke, The Paul DesLauriers Band, Big Dave McLean, Redfish, Dudley Taft and not forgetting our album of the week ‘Contemporary’ from Rick Estrin & The Nightcats.

Say Wow
Working Blues Man – Luther ‘Bad Man’ Keith (Working Blues Man – 2019)
Insurance – Toronzo Cannon (The Preacher, The Politician Or The Pimp – 2019)
House Of Grease – Rick Estrin & The Nightcats (Contemporary – 2019)
Say Wow – Steve Miller Band (The Vault – 2019)
Too Mad To Make Up – Altered 5 Blues Band (Ten Thousand Watts – 2019)
Fishin’ Blues – Henry Thomas (Texas Worried Blues – 2005)
Squat That Rabbit – Taj Mahal (Like Never Before – 1991)

Pinetop’s Pick
Groceries On the Shelf – Lucille Bogan (Outspoken – 2015)

It’s All On You
I’m Your Witchdoctor – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Immediate Pleasure – 2002)
The Sweetest Man – Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters (Beyond The Blue Door – 2019)
Dry Bone Rag – Dom Martin (Spain to Italy – 2019)
The Secret Of My Success – The Cadillac Kings (The Secret Of My Success – 2006)
Lockdown – Mick Clarke (Cut Loose Vol. 2 – 2019)
It’s All On You – The Paul DesLauriers Band (Bounce – 2019)

Songs Of The Blues
It’s OK With Me Baby – Blues Boy Kings (Back On The Blues – 2019)
Look Ma I’m Cryin’ – Chicken Shack (The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions – 2006)
Songs Of The Blues – Big Dave McLean (Pocketful Of Nothing – 2019)
Nothing But Love – Rick Estrin & The Nightcats (Contemporary – 2019)
(Just Like) Peggy Lee – Redfish (Souls – 2019)
I Can’t Live Without You – Dudley Taft (Simple Life – 2019)
Dirty Little Secret – Al Lerman (Northern Bayou – 2019)

Austin Calling
A Matter Of Time – Bobby Mack (Texas Guitars – 2014)

A Kind Of Blues
I Don’t Understand – Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method (As Live As It Gets – 2019)
Crosscut Saw – Eric Clapton (A Kind Of Blues – 2019)
Neither Do I – Marco Cinelli & Danny Del Toro (Delta Overflowin’ – 2019)
Soul Doctor  – Jimmy Carpenter (Soul Doctor – 2019)
Bo Dees Bounce – Rick Estrin & The Nightcats (Contemporary – 2019)

This week’s Austin Calling put a spotlight on Texas guitarist and singer Bobby Mack. He’s based in Austin, and leads his own blues band Night Train. He’s toured the world and recorded with the likes of the Neville Brothers, Lonnie Mack and Doyle Bramhall . . . and he turned up with a track from his ‘Texas Guitars’ album called ‘A Matter Of Time’.

Too soon, our blues-time together was slipping away, so with one more dip into our album of the week from Rick Estrin & The Nightcats with another glimpse behind the blue door for a great little workout called ‘Bo Dees Bounce’. But, before that there were big thanks for your good company on the show 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 3 September 2019
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 5 September 2019

With You All The Way . . .

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Well, this week was given a real boost with some welcome contacts with some long time friends and Cruising Crew members. There were plenty of laughs and stories . . . . and (surprise, surprise) some music too! Of course, it was with music in mind that the Cruise Mobile rolled by at the appointed time, ready for this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner.

To get everyone in the mood, we arrived, accompanied by The Romancers with a little ‘Slauson Sax’. Then, with gazelle like speed we headed off down the road with Dorothy Berry & Jimmy Norman and their 1962 Little Star 45, appropriately titled ‘I’m With You All The Way’.

When Frank Slay and Bob Crewe saw the success of duos like Mickey & Sylvia, and Brook Benton & Dinah Washington they signed up Billy Ford & Lillie Bryant to Swan records and they did pretty well too. By coincidence, our good pal Jamie Dell’Apa pointed us to a little number called ‘Bend A Little’ by Shorty Billups that sounds a lot like Brook Benton’s hit ‘Kiddio’.

We know Bobby Hebb for his hits, but long before those his first solo 45 included a self penned song called ‘You Gotta Go’ . . . and we found a copy for this week’s show. We also found a colourful car song, ‘Yellow Mellow Hardtop’, credited on the label to Ray Johnson & the Bystanders. Then, we had a little ‘jive talking’ courtesy of St Louis vocal group The Four Vagabonds and Ron Sunshine & Full Swing.

Hit That Jive Jack
Slauson Sax – The Romancers
I’m With You All The Way – Dorothy Berry & Jimmy Norman
Creepin’ Crawlin’ & Cryin’ – Billie & Lillie
Bend A Little – Shorty Billups
You Gotta Go – Bobby Hebb
Yellow, Mellow Hardtop – Ray Johnson & The Bystanders
Hit That Jive Jack – The Four Vagabonds
She Won’t Believe Your Jive – Ron Sunshine & Full Swing
Sugar Coated Love – Barbara Lynn

Girls & Guitars
Breaking Up Somebody’s Home – Kara Grainger

I Done Done It
Hula Girl – R Crumb & His Cheap Suit Serenaders
Walk Of Life – Charles Mann
Air Travel – Ray & Bob
Strong Love – The Malibus
That’s When Your Heartaches Begin – Billy Bunn & His Buddies
White Port & Lemon Juice – The Bel-Aires
I Done Done It – Amos Milburn
Come On – The Big Town Playboys
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Our Girls & Guitars feature got us heading to the other side of the world for Australian singer/songwriter and guitarist Kara Grainger. At the age of 16 she joined with her brother to form the band “Papa Lips”, playing funk, soul and blues. Then she went solo and has since recorded 4 albums and we chose a track from her 2013 album ‘Shiver & Sigh’, a rather fine version of ‘Breaking Up Somebody’s Home’.

Louisiana’s own Charles Mann brought us a cajun styled version of Dire Straits ‘Walk Of Life’ and a nice demonstration of American artists re-interpreting UK music and re-introducing it to its native land . . . . which may echo a recent theme about the influence of UK artists on the American music scene. We found a couple of the originals by LA duo Ray & Bob Swayne and Texas group called The Malibus that had more successful UK covers.

Our Doo Wop Delights included a great ballad, ‘That’s When Your Heartaches‘ by R&B singer Billy Bunn and His Buddies which was a great influence on a young Elvis Presley (who recorded it twice) and 50s vocal group, the Bel-Aires, with a nice version of ‘White Port & Lemon Juice’.

Then, as Amos Milburn sang ‘I Done Done It’, we turned the Cruise Mobile for home and finally got all the way there with something to please our pal Amigo, The Big Town Playboys with ’Come On’. We parked the Cruise Mobile and gave a quick wave to everyone, in the hope that we’ll all meet again the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then, remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 3 September 2019

 

Need This . . .

Listen here to this week’s edition of Through To Midnight:

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Now, take it from me, there’s plenty of the ‘good stuff’ around, but you’ve just got to listen in the right place . . . and Through To Midnight should be one of those, especially if you want to hear the new releases and others that you won’t hear on ‘ordinary radio’ . . . to underline the point, the show kicked off with The Nils Landgren Funk Unit to get us all grooving. There were plenty of new releases too, from the likes of the Zac Brown Band, Big James, Billy Price, Toronzo Cannon and Camille Rae. Indeed, Camille Rae was the featured artist in this week’s Girls & Guitars slot and with a taster of her new album release too.
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Our Under The Covers feature brought us three songs of Al Green, through some great covers by the much missed Eva Cassidy, Marc Broussard and (a little surprise) Daryl Hall & John Oates. There were a few memories too of local music venues back in the 60s and the bands that played on the circuit back then. As a small celebration, I pulled out an old favourite that was remembered well from Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band with ‘Michael (The Lover)’.

Can’t Get Enough
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
Money Money Money – The Nils Landgren Funk Unit
Girls – Greg Coulson
Need This – The Zac Brown Band
Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love – Big James
Hard Times – Boz Scaggs

Under The Covers 
Take Me To the River – Eva Cassidy
Love & Happiness – Mark Broussard
I’m Still In Love With You – Daryl Hall & John Oates

All Good Things
All Good Things – Jon Cleary
Michael – Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band
Technicolour Dream – The Alan Bown
Holding Back The Years – The Isley Brothers
Same Old Heartaches – Billy Price
You Can’t Fool Me – Lucky Peterson

East Of The Sun
East Of The Sun – The Living Music Box
Flame On – The Iguanas
Down Along The Cove – The Lone Sharks
Ordinary Woman – Toronzo Cannon
Bluebird – Anthony Gomes

Girls & Guitars
If I Were That Girl – Camille Rae

Starting All Over Again
Starting All Over Again – Kal David & Lauri Bono
Don’t Let Me Be Lonely – Joe Cocker

Doo Wop Delight
Is There A Love For Me – The Dubs

Moonrise
I’m Too Far Gone (to Turn Around) – Lovestreet
Go Your Own Way – Straight No Chaser
Moonrise – Charles Brown
Almost Blue – Ingrid Lucia
If I Have To Go – Mary Black
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

Now, this week our Doo Wop Delight came from 1958, courtesy of a five piece doo wop group from New York’s Harlem. They were variously called the Five Wings, The Scale-Tones and The Marvels, but it was as The Dubs that they recorded the little gem for the Gone record label that was my choice here . . . . this was The Dubs with ‘Is There A Love For Me’.

There was a big thanks to Diz Watson for pointing me to the wonderful Charles Brown with his excellent version of ‘Moonrise’ and, as we drifted deeper into our mellow moments together there was a perfect choice for the time of night . . . Ingrid Lucia with something I hope you’re not . . . ‘Almost Blue’. Then, tomorrow was on the doorstep and anxious to get started, but I didn’t open the door until I could play a lovely song, written by Tom Waits, whose own version is well worth a listen, but my choice came from Mary Black with ‘If I Have To Go’. After that, it was time to say thanks for your very good company during the show and hope that we’ll meet again, same time, same place next week . . when once again we can go Through To Midnight. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm 
on 28 August 2019

Enjoy It & Get On . . .

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

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For those who have been struggling to cope with the heat of day, there were some cool blues for sure in this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling. Joe Louis Walker & The Blues Rebels were here to get things off to a flying, bluesy start with ‘Everybody Loves My Baby’ and there’s plenty more of the ‘good stuff’ lined up here, with a fistful of new releases, some ‘seasoned favourites and perhaps a surprise or two . . . . which just what you expect.

There were a few happy returns from The Nick Moss Band, Larkin Poe, Ray Fuller & The Bluesrockers, Misty Blues, Johnny Rae Lee, Al Lerman and Annika Chambers, our album of the week, the 50th anniversary box set from ZZ Top, and a fistful of new releases from Camille Rae, The Wentus Blues Band, Polly O’Keary, Janiva Magness, Mark Crissinger, Gary Nicholson and Sean Webster.

This Time
Everybody Loves My Baby – Joe Louis Walker & The Blues Rebels (Voodoo Land – 2016)
Lucky Guy – The Nick Moss Band (Lucky Guy – 2019)
Iron Ewe – Killing Floor (Zero Tolerance – 2004)
This Time – Camille Rae (This Time – 2019)
La Grange – ZZ Top (Goin’ 50 – 2019)
Spoonful – Larkin Poe (Tip o’ The Hat – 2017)
Yancey Stomp – Jimmy Yancey (Jimmy Yancey Vol.1 1939-1940 – 1991)

Pinetop’s Pick
JR – Mississippi Allstars (World Boogie Is Coming – 2013)

You Got To Know
Whiskey Made Me Do It – Anthony Gomez (Peace Love & Loud Guitars – 2018)
Hoodoo Train – Ray Fuller & The Bluesrockers (Pay The Price – 2019)
Enjoy It & Get On – ZZ Top (Goin’ 50 – 2019)
You Got To Know – Sean Webster (Three Nights Live – 2019)
Jelly Roll Baker – Geoff Muldaur (Sleepy Man Blues – 2011)
Delta Stomp – Al Lerman (Northern Bayou – 2019)

Slice of Life
Wish You Well – Lucky Peterson (Travellin’ Man – 2014)
Travelling Man – Johnny Rae Lee (Reflections – 2019)
Trickle Down – Gary Nicholson (The Great Divide – 2019)
Lodi – Janiva Magness (ft Sam Morrow) (Change In The Weather – 2019)
Slice of Life – Mark Crissinger (Believe In Love – 2019)
Let Them Blues – Misty Blues (Pickled & Aged – 2019)
Down In The Basement – Annika Chambers (Kiss My Sass – 2019)
Hard Act To Follow – Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method (As Live As It Gets – 2019)

Austin Calling
Tush – ZZ Top (Goin’ 50 – 2019)

Sweet Thing
First We Take Manhattan – The Wentus Blues Band with Duke Robbilard (First We Take Manhattan – 2019)
Squat That Rabbit – Greg Coulson (Squat That Rabbit – 1991)
Fanning The Flames – Jon Cleary (Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen – 2002)
Mr Downchild – The Rumblestrutters (The Jug Band Song Book – 2019)
Sweet Thing – Freddie King (Stumble – The Cotillion Years – 2019)

There were a few reflections on gigs of the past week, with some choices from Anthony Gomes, Greg Coulson, Geoff Muldaur and Jon Cleary to share some memorable moments. There was a memory or two in Pinetop’s Pick this week, with The Mississippi Allstars and there was a bit of a cheat with the Austin Calling feature which (like the album of the week) came from ZZ Top.

The Rumblestruttersturned up with their latest album ‘Jug Band Song Book’ and brought some excellent old time jug band music with their version of Mr Downchild’. Then our blues time together was nearly run out, but I wanted to play out with something from the recent Freddie King compilation . . . ‘Sweet Thing’, a great instrumental, with Freddy on guitar, James Booker on piano and King Curtis on sax. So, there was a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and the hope that we will meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 27 August 2019
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 29 August 2019

Keep It To Yourself . . .

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

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Well, the summer sunshine has certainly cheered the days around the Grand Duchy just lately. The trusty Cruise Mobile has it’s summer tyres fitted and we’re not minded to change them for a long while yet. So, as the day’s sunshine disappeared, we rolled by in the Cruise Mobile at the appointed time with our customary seat saved especially for you, ready for another musical adventure to ‘who knows where’ with ‘you know who’.

To the ‘seasoned’ Cruising Crew member that means only one thing, it’s time to jump aboard the Cruise Mobile to go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . .and we kicked off down the road with Paul Williams & His Orchestra, featuring Noble ‘Thin Man’ Watts and their aptly named number ‘Thin Man’. Then, we were getting us up to full cruising speed with The Downbeats (a.k.a. The Elgins) with ‘Request Of A Fool’.

There were some ‘shout outs’ this week for some friendly faces who had pointed us to a few ‘tasty treats’, including our good pal The Shake, because some time back he played a 45 by The Raelettes, which sent us scurrying into the Cruising Library to see if it was there . . . . and it wasn’t . . . . so after a minor commercial venture, our cheery postman delivered their 1970 Tangerine 45 ‘Keep It To Yourself’ . . . and to prove it, we played it on this week’s show. Jamie Dell’Apa also got an honorable mention, as a fan of Washington DC band, The Slickee Boys, whose first vocalist, Martha Hull, turned up here in her own right with a hard to find 45 (until Ripsaw records re-released it) ‘Feelin’ Right Tonight’. Another choice was inspired by Thom Hickey’s Immortal Jukebox, which is where you can find the story behind Johnny Rivers’ hit, ‘Poor Side Of Town’. Some time ago, the lovely Susan Bowman suggested a funky little dance number by Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes. So, we took the opportunity to play it especially for her and our good pal Buddy.

Keep It To Yourself
The Thin Man – Paul Williams & His Orchestra
Request Of A Fool – The Downbeats
Three Alley Cats – Roy Hall
Just Because – Lloyd Price
Oooh Wow – Roy Montrell
Jerry Jerry – The Million Dollar Tones
The Girl That Radiates That Charm – Arthur Alexander
Keep It To Yourself – The Raelettes
Handy Andy – The Five Keys
Feelin’ Right Tonight – Martha Hull

Girls & Guitars
The Thrill Is Gone – Rita Chiarelli

Hot Rhythm
Hot Rhythm, Blue Love – Carl Sonny Leyland
Talk To Me – Jean Du Shon
So Why – The Bop-Chords
Poor Side Of Town – Johnny Rivers
Ya Herd Me – Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes
I Could Love You – The 5 Royales
I’ll Mess You Up – The Cliques
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This week was time to deliver on a few promises, firstly, the song ‘Ooh Wow’, which we’ve played recently by two other artists and we promised to play the original by Roy Montrell . . . which is just what we did. Then, we pointed the Cruise Mobile for  Alabama, the home of the great Arthur Alexander, because we promise to play the original of Arthur’s classic ‘The Girl That Radiates That Charm’ . . . and a promise is a promise!

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature brought something from Canadian singer and guitarist, Rita Chiarelli. She began performing in Ronnie Hawkins band back in the early 80s and went on to develop a successful solo career, which has produced a string of very fine albums, such her 2011 album ‘No One To Blame’, which is where we found her very fine version of ‘The Thrill Is Gone’.

This week’s choices for our doo wop stop, brought together a very fine version of ‘Talk To Me’, a song we know well by Little Willie John and Sunny & The Sunliners, and our choice came from R&B singer and actress Jean Du Shon. We followed that with a little 1957 uptempo Holiday 45 from Harlem’s Bop-Chords, whose brief career produced some great sides, which finished with a flourish, with their last recording (and our choice) ‘So Why’.

Then, while Mr Merlot & The Cruisettes were dancing the night away to The 5 Royales, we stealthily turned the Cruise Mobile for home and The Cliques got us home safe sound with their 1956 Modern recording of ‘I’ll Mess You Up’. We parked up the Cruise Mobile, gave a quick polish and gave everyone a cheery farewell wave. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 27 August 2019

Groovin’ That’s What We’re Doin’ . . .

Listen here to this week’s edition of Through To Midnight:

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Well, I arrived this week along with Maggie Bell planning for what happens after midnight, but before that I was determined to ensure we all got to midnight with some great sounds . . . . for which I came suitably prepared. I had an armful of the ‘good stuff’ that you won’t hear on ‘ordinary radio’ . . . . and by way of evidence I followed up with a little gem from Patrice Rushen to get us on our way!

There were new releases from Gary Nicholson, Billy Price, Annika Chambers, The Charlie Wooton Project, Eva Carboni, Robbie Robertson and Van Morrison. This week’s Under The Covers feature focused on the songs of Jerry Lynn Williams, through the covers by Delbert McClinton, Bonnie Raitt and Bernard Allison. Meanwhile, our Girls & Guitars feature brought us another Jerry Lynn Williams song, delivered with great style by Kelly Richey.

More Days Like This
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
After Midnight – Maggie Bell
Call On Me – Patrice Rushen
It’s A Damn Shame – Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson
More Days Like This – Gary Nicholson
Walk Back In – Billy Price
French Quarter Moon – LaRoux

Under The Covers
Giving It Up For Your Love – Delbert McClinton
Nick Of Time – Bonnie Raitt
Standing On The Edge Of Love – Bernard Allison

Best Ain’t Good Enough
I Hear You Paint Houses – Robbie Robertson & Van Morrison
Best Ain’t Good Enough – Jon Cleary
World Of Hurt – Annika Chambers
Reflections – The Charlie Wooton Project
Groovin’ That’s What We’re Doin’ – The SOS Band
Everything Will Be Alright – Laurence Jones
Hard Time – Jeremie Albino
Zebra – John Butler Trio
It’ll Never Be Over For Me – Timi Yuro

Girls & Guitars
Lifetime Guarantee – Kelly Richey

Come Together
Hungover Again – Dan Burnett
The Joker – Earl Sixteen & The Mighty Dub Generators
Gimme Shelter – Paul Brady & The Forest Rangers
You Don’t Know – Eva Carboni
Come Together – Monique Kessous

Doo Wop Delight
Once In A While – The Chimes

Learning To Fly
Learning To Fly – Tonic Sol-fa
Feels Like Rain – John Hiatt
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

This week’s Doo Wop Delight was set to bring a smile to the faces of the lovers of those vocal groups of the 50s and 60s, with Brooklyn group, The Chimes and their first single, ‘Once in a While’. I also found another fine vocal cover, this time of Tom Petty’s number ‘Learning To Fly’ by Minneapolis group Tonic Sol-fa.

Then, just as , tomorrow appeared on the doorstep anxious to take you who knows where,  there was a fine send off from John Hiatt with his 80s classic ‘Feels Like Rain’. Then it was time to say a big thanks for your very good company, ever hopefully there were sufficient delights and surprises to entice you back again same time, same place, next week . . to go Through To Midnight. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm
on 21 August 2019