Bumpity Bump . . . .

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

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Well, at the appointed time, the trusty Cruise Mobile rolled by with a seat saved especially for you and an invitation to jump aboard for some excellent music on the radio . . . which is just what to expect when we go Cruising with The Commissioner. With great enthusiasm, we kicked off down the road with saxman Sil Austin and his ‘Train Whistle’. Then, with little thought of time or distance, the Cruise Mobile took us to Louisiana where Lloyd Price had a pertinent question . . . ‘Where You At’. We lingered a little longer in New Orleans for the rockin’ ‘Bumpity Bump’ from Mitch Woods and caught Mr Domino, with his 1957 gem ‘I Still Love You’.
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Dossie (Thunderbird) Terry turned up next with his self-penned 1958 single ‘Skinny Ginny’, followed by one of his songs that got recorded in 1957 by Teddy (Mr Bear) McRae. Then, there was a deal of enthusiastic swinging out by Mr Merlot and The Commissioner to Milwaukee band The Uptown Savages and their ‘Pony Tail Swing’.

This week, our Cruising Connections, brought a trio of tracks with a common link that might have been pretty easy to spot, starting with The River Rascals, then Phillip Sayce and finally Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown. Full marks and a lollipop were in order if you spotted that all the songs came from the catalogue of much loved band, Little Feat. After that excitement, there was an opportunity to relax with our Girls & Guitars feature, which this week focused on singer and guitarist Becky Barksdale. She hails from Port Arthur, Texas and she began playing guitar at twelve years old. She learned quickly and was out gigging at the age of sixteen. She went on to be the first act signed to the House Of Blues label, releasing several albums, including her 2013 album ‘The 2120 Sessions’ which is where we found her version of Bo Diddley’s ‘You Can’t Judge A Book By Looking At The Cover’.

Where You At
Train Whistle – Sil Austin
Where You At – Lloyd Price
Bumpity Bump – Mitch Woods
I Still Love You – Fats Domino
Skinny Ginny – Dossie (Thunderbird) Terry
Hi Fi Baby – Teddy ‘Mr Bear’ McRae & His Orchestra
Pony Tail Swing – The Uptown Savages

Cruising Connections
Rad Gumbo – The River Rascals
Sailin’ Shoes – Philip Sayce
Dixie Chicken – Clarence Gatemouth Brown

Girls & Guitars
You Can’t Judge A Book By Looking At The Cover – Becky Barksdale

Doo Wop Delights
Zippety Zip – The Empires
Bring Me Love – The Clovers

Love Potion
Love Potion No.9 – Giuliano Palma & The Blue Beaters
Jealous Fool – Bobby Comstock & The Counts
Bring It To Jerome – Manfred Mann
Back In The USSR – Chubby Checker

This week’s Doo Wop Delights kicked off with a group called The Empires, but apparently not the Harlem vocal group of that name, whose catalogue does not include our choice, ‘Zippety Zip’, a 1957 Amp3 45. So, if you know any more about this group . . . do tell! Then we heard from The Clovers . . . who are claimed to have had more hits in their six years at Atlantic than any other R&B act in the label’s history. . . and we heard them there in mellow mood with their 1956 number, ‘Bring Me Love’. Then, temptation got the better of us, because with the mention of The Clovers came the memory of their big hit ‘Love Potion No. 9’, which seemed a good excuse to pull out the version by Italian band Giuliano Palma & The Blue Beaters.

Next, the Cruise Mobile took us to New York which, back in the 50s, was home to Bobby Comstock and where he started his recorded career. In 1959, with his band The Counts, he recorded ‘Jealous Fool’ for the Triumph label and in 1964, he supported The Rolling Stones on their American tour. It was also the year that another UK band was doing well and helping to remind America of it’s own great music heritage. This was Manfred Mann . . . and The Manfreds, were on our giglist recently and a very good show they did too, reminding us of a few of their early R&B numbers. Looking back at their 1964 debut album, we found them giving their own respectful tip of the hat to Bo Diddley with ‘Bring It To Jerome’.

The cross Atlantic trade in music covers wasn’t all a one way street either, because America did its fair share of covers of UK music, as demonstrated by Chubby Checker with a well known taste of Brit Beat. Indeed, while Mr Checker was in full flow, we had to turn the trusty Cruise Mobile for home and with good fortune smiling on us, we found our way back to where we started . . . and just in time too. So, we parked up the Cruise Mobile and gave it a quick polish, so it’s all ready for the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 17 November 2018

There’s A Devil On The Loose . . .

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

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Well, a big bluesy welcome to another hour of some of the best blues around . . . . because this is where The Blues Come Calling and they came calling this week with former touring guitarist in Hubert Sumlin’s band, New Jersey’s own Billy Hector, with a great instrumental track, ‘Bareback’, from his latest ‘Someday Baby’. Then, for those who like gritty and growling blues, we dipped into Regina Bonelli’s new album, ‘Love Letter’ is full of just that, including one called ‘Playing In the Dirt’.

Texan Ally Venable was on our playlist this week, because she’s been announced as a member of the 2019 Blues Caravan and she brought a Junior Wells favourite, ‘Messin’ With The Kid’. Then, for those who like sweaty and soulful acoustic grooves, Jason Ricci and JJ Appleton, came by with a gem from their album, ‘Beautiful Slop’. There was some fine guitar work from Josh Smith from his new album, ‘Burn To Grow’, followed by more fine guitar work too from Walter Trout, who on next summer’s ‘Rockin’ The Blues tour.

Larkin Poe were back with another track from their new album, ‘Venom & Faith’ . . . the wonderful, ‘Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues’, and for those who like their blues with a more soulful tone, there was something from the most excellent new album by Mavis Staples, ‘Have A Little Faith’.

Take A Little Time
Bareback – Billy Hector (Someday Baby – 2018)
Playing In The Dirt – Regina Bonelli (Love Letter – 2018)
Messin’ With The Kid – Ally Venable (No Glass Shoes – 2016)
For The Very Last Time – Jason Ricci and JJ Appleton (Beautiful Slop – 2018)
You Never Knew – Josh Smith (Burn To Grow – 2018)
Take A Little Time – Walter Trout (The Blues Came Calling – 2014)
Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues – Larkin Poe (Venom & Faith – 2018)
There’s A Devil On the Loose – Mavis Staples (Have A Little Faith – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights) – George Smith & Bacon Fat (The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions – 2006)

Sugar Coated Love
No Deals – Rachelle Coba (Blink – 2018)
Little Lani – John Akapo (Paradise Blues – 2018)
Sugar Coated Love – Chris Youlden & The Slammers (Closing Time – 2018)
Empty Hand – Whitney Shay (A Woman Rules The World – 2018)
Love Is A Lie – Beth Hart (Live At The Royal Albert Hall – 2018)
Takes Money – Dennis Herrera (You Stole My Heart – 2018)
Hot Chicken Sandwich – Kent (Hot Chicken Sandwich – 2018)
Jumping With Jarvis – Papa Lightfoot (Juke Joint Blues Vol.2 – 2010)
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Florida’s Rachelle Coba was back with ‘No Deals’ from her latest album ‘Blink’, followed by ‘Big John’ Akapo, who’s a big blues name in Hawaii, which may suggest why his debut album is titled ‘Paradise Blues’. He brought us ‘Little Lani’.

Now, ‘seasoned’ blues fans will remember Chris Youlden, fronting Savoy Brown during one of their most successful periods. Fortunately, someone somewhere remembered a “lost” Chris Youlden recording session from 1987 which has just been released under the title ‘Closing Time’, including Chris’s take on ‘Sugar Coated Love’.

Beth Hart’s new double album ‘Live at The Royal Albert Hall’ brought a reminder of her excellent set at this year’s BluesFest. Then, California bluesman Dennis Herrera made a welcome return with another fine track from his excellent new album ‘You Stole My Heart’. There are many food-related blues songs, but Canadian, Kent Vodden’s salute to a ‘hot chicken sandwich’, which just happens to be the title of his latest album, must be a first.

Then, sadly, our blues time together was running out fast, so we played out with Papa Lightfoot’s ‘Jumping With Jarvis’, but not before giving a big thanks for your good company and hoping that we’ll meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 13 November 2018

I Was Gone . . .

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

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Well, for this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner, the Cruise Mobile kicked off down the road with the great Dave Bartholomew and his Orchestra with his 1950 tribute to ‘Good Jax Beer’, followed by a trip across the Atlantic to catch something from Spanish band The Excitements with a Billy Preston song they recorded for the wonderfully named Penniman record label. Then, we lingered a little longer in Spain for that choice from the high powered Myriam Swanson with a superb R&B number that got plenty of spirited participation here from The Cruisettes.

Mr. Nick & the Dirty Tricks turned up to deliver some fine jump blues with their swinging take on a Roy Montrell favourite. To keep the rhythms rocking, Chris Ruest arrived with his Gulf Coast-styled, ‘Henhouse To The Doghouse’. Then there was something from the excellent new album by Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne . . . ‘An Old Brick Wall’. But, to excite the collectors, there was a much sought after 1959 rockabilly release ‘Switch Blade Sam’ by Jeff Daniels, which has been changing hands for over $100 a time.

As usual, our Cruising Connections came with a trio of tracks that shared a common link and the first clue came with a 1957 Leiber and Stoller number from The Coasters, followed by Maurice Williams with the shortest single ever to reach the top of the American record charts. Our final clue came from Doris Troy with a 45 released in 1963 which proved to be her only hit in the American charts. But, it shared a connection with the others in our trio of tracks, because they were all hits in the UK for Manchester band, The Hollies . . . and they appeared on our playlist with a Buddy Holly song.

Ooh Wow
Good Jax Boogie – Dave Bartholomew
Keep It To Yourself – The Excitements
Leave My Kitten Alone – Myriam Swanson & The Barcelona Big Blues Band
Ooh Wow – Mr. Nick & the Dirty Tricks
Henhouse To The Doghouse – Chris Ruest
An Old Brick Wall – Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne
Switch Blade Sam – Jeff Daniels

Cruising Connections
Searchin’ – The Coasters
Stay – Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
Just One Look – Doris Troy
Midnight Shift – The Hollies

Girls & Guitars

I Wanna Make Love To You – The Trojans (ft. Art Lassiter w. Ike Turners Orchestra)

Doo Wop Delights
Alone In This World – The Five Trojans
Speedin’ – Vernon Green & The Medallions

That’s Alright
I Was Gone – Eddie Clearwater
That’s Alright – Gary US Bonds
Say Mama – Chas Hodges
Come On Baby – Otis Read
Hey Hey – Jerry Bradford & The Spades

This week’s Girls & Guitars turned its spotlight on Ontario born singer and guitarist Rita Chiarelli who began performing in Ronnie Hawkins’ band in the early 1980s. She subsequently spent several years in Italy. When she returned to Canada, she built her own solo career and has since released 10 albums, including her 2004 album ‘No One To Blame’, which includes her take on Fats Domino’s ‘I’m In Love Again’.

Our good pal Pete Hall was doing great work recently, researching the background to Art Lassiter, who had a brief spell with Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm, during which he recorded a song he’d written with Joe Josea. The song was released in 1956 with Art leading a short -lived group, called The Trojans. By coincidence, our Doo Wop Delights kicked off this week with another group called The Trojans. This time it’s Californian doo wop group The Five Trojans who recorded ‘Alone In This World’ for the Hollywood label Tender records in 1958. They were followed by LA vocal group, Vernon Green & The Medallions and their first release, titled ‘Speedin’ featuring some wild vocal sound effects.

The Cruise Mobile did a little speeding up then, because time was getting short and there was still plenty more of the good stuff to fit in, like the 1961 recording by Eddie Clearwater, ‘I Was Gone’. Then, we heard from Gary US Bonds with his recently re-released song,  ‘That’s Alright‘. Up next, there was a song from the much missed Chas Hodges that he must have played innumerable times when he was backing Gene Vincent back in the day. Then, reluctantly, we turned the Cruise Mobile for home with a little 1961 rarity from Otis Read and if anyone knows anymore about this . . . do tell,! Taking us all the way home was Jerry Bradford & The Spades with their strangely familiar song ‘Hey Hey’, which got us back where we started and just in time to park up the trusty Cruise Mobile and give it a quick polish so it’s already for the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 10 November 2018

Blues In The First Degree . . .

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

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Well, when The Blues Come Calling, you can be sure of a whole hour of the best blues around . . . and to prove it, this week, we kicked off with our own Katy Bradley with her take on the classic, ‘Everyday I Have The Blues’ and for those who like their blues with a good dose of great harp playing, we had New Yorkers Lil’ Cliff & The Cliffhangers with their jumping brand of blues and swing on ‘The Lovin’ Kind’.

The ‘seasoned’ blues fans will recognise the distinctive tones of one-time singer for Savoy Brown, Chris Youlden on a taster from a long “lost” Chris Youlden recording session from back in 1987. Amazingly, the tapes have survived in excellent condition and have now been released under the title ‘Closing Time’, including our choice, ‘Come On, Let’s Swing’. Now, singer-songwriter Robert Connely Farr grew up in home town of Charley Patton & The Mississippi Sheiks, and those influences show through on his album ‘Dirty South Blues’, which includes 8 self-penned numbers, a couple of covers, including our choice ‘Just Jive’.

There were plenty of New Yorkers among this week’s choices, including Ron Spencer, who has just released his third album for Real Gone Records, titled ‘Into The Blue’. It features some soulful blues as well as some strutting shuffles and we picked out ‘So Wrong For Each Other’. Up next came ‘Fort Worth’s Ambassador of the Blues, Robert Ealey (a name that seemed to stick during his career) with ‘Goin’ To New York’. Then, we dipped back to 1929 for a self-penned number from Lovin’ Sam Theard, ‘Hot Dog Man’ which also featured Tampa Red on guitar . . . and it turns out Sam was pretty successful as a song writer too, because he also co-wrote ‘Let The Good Times Roll’ with Louis Jordan.

Just Jive
Everyday I Have The Blues – The Katie Bradley Band (Anchor Baby Sessions – 2014)
The Lovin’ Kind – Lil’ Cliff & The Cliffhangers (The Lovin’ Kind – 2011)
Come On, Let’s Swing – Chris Youlden & The Slammers (Closing Time – 2018)
Just Jive – Robert Connely Farr & The Rebeltone Boys (Dirty South Blues – 2018)
So Wrong For Each Other – The Ron Spencer Band (Into The Blue – 2018)
Goin’ To New York – Robert Ealey (Turn Out The Lights – 1996)
Hot Dog Man – Lovin’ Sam Theard (Ain’t No Ice Man – 2015)

Pinetop’s Pick
Stormy Monday – Eva Cassidy (Live at Blues Alley – 1997)

Soak Me In The Spirit
You Got To Lose – David Lumsden & Friends (Hues Of Blues – 2018)
Undercover Agent For The Blues – Tony Joe White
Soak Me In The Spirit – Sandy Carroll (Blues & Angels – 2018)
Blues In The First Degree – Anthony Gomes (Peace Love & Loud Guitars – 2018)
Jimmy & Johnny – Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne (Inspired By the Blues – 2018)
Walking With Mr Lee – Mark Hummel (Harpbreaker – 2018)

The new album by David Lumsden and friends includes their take on the 1958 Ike Turner song ‘You Got To Lose’ which is one of the reasons David’s album, “Hues Of Blues”, has attracted a good deal of attention here. Someone who attracted a good deal of attention on a London gig a while back was Tony Joe White. It proved to be the last time that I would see him and we gave a respectful nod to his memory with a favourite tracks of his here, ‘Undercover Agent For The Blues’.

Sandy Carroll’s new album, ‘Blues & Angels’ is a real delight, with some excellent bluesy ballads, as well as some uptempo numbers, and it’s where you will find one of those bluesy ballads, ‘Soak Me In The Spirit’. Then, proving that there’s plenty of good stuff around at the moment, we heard another track from Canadian bluesman, Anthony Gomes’ new album ‘Peace Love & Loud Guitars’ titled, ‘Blues In The First Degree’.

Over the years, Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne has played with the great and the good and he’s back with his album ‘Inspired By the Blues’, where he sounds on top form, especially with his tale of ‘Jimmy & Johnny’, after which our time together was fast running out. So, we played out with a brief taster from harp-master Mark Hummel with a great Lee Allen number that pops up on Mark’s latest album ‘Harpbreaker’. Then it was all over, except to say a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and hope that we meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 6 November 2018

Boogie Woogie On A Saturday Night . . . .

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

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Well, with just perfect timing, the trusty Cruise Mobile rolled up with its windows wound down and its radio cranked up (and ever mindful of your comforts) with a seat saved especially for you . . . . just so we can all go Cruising with The Commissioner. Those with a keen ear for music will know that we arrived with Red Prysock on the radio, doing a little ‘Rockin’ & Rollin’ and getting us heading for the wild blue yonder were The Swingin’ Fireballs. Our next choice came courtesy of Jamie DellApa and was a little gem by Otis Riley that’s worth big money if you can find an original on the Kappa label . . . . that was ‘Little Miss Bibbitty Bobbitty Boom’.
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Up next was a favourite of our good pal The Shake, Damita Jo with her 1963 Mercury single ‘Mr Blues’, which was followed by her one tome husband, Steve Gibson and the Red Caps with his aptly titled ‘Boogie Woogie On A Saturday Night’. Anyone who succumbed to those rhythms were kept company by Mr Merlot, who was tempting further action with Larry Darnell with his 1957 DeLuxe 45 ‘Just Tell Me When’.

This week’s Cruising Connections offered a trio of tracks with a common link that started something from 50s legend, Louis Jordan and something he recorded for Decca records back in 1950. Then the Rolling Stones appeared with, possibly, the classic version of the 1946 song ‘Route 66’. If that didn’t reveal the connection, we added Little Richard with ‘The Girl Can’t Help It’, which should have confirmed that all three of those songs were written by pianist, songwriter, singer and actor, Bobby Troupe. . . . and a big cheer from here if you spotted that link.

Next, the trusty Cruise Mobile is took us to Barcelona to find Myriam Swanson, who is a well known face around the music clubs there, delivering a high powered set of great 50s R&B numbers and we found her with The Coolettes and their take on that Dee Dee Sharp number, ‘I Sold My Heart To The Junkman’.

Rockin’ & Rollin’
Rockin’ & Rollin’ – Red Prysock
Ain’t No Big Deal – The Swingin’ Fireballs
Little Miss Bibbitty Bobbitty Boom – Otis Riley
Mr Blues – Damita Jo
Boogie Woogie On A Saturday Night – Steve Gibson & The Red Caps
Just Tell Me When – Larry Darnell

Cruising Connections
Hungry Man – Louis Jordan
Route 66 – The Rolling Stones
The Girl Can’t Help It – Little Richard
I Sold My Heart To The Junkman – Myriam Swanson & The Coolettes

Girls & Guitars
Love Has A Right To Be Wrong – Diane Durrett & Soul Suga

Doo Wop Delights
Dear One – The Scarlets
Look At the Moon – The Visuals

Rock Around
Man Smart, Woman Smarter – C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band
That Old Piano – Clarence Frogman Henry with Chas & Dave
Drinkin’ Wine Spo Dee O Dee – Jerry Lee Lewis
Rock Around With Ollie Vee – Albert Lee

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature, focused on Diane Durrett, who hails from Atlanta, GA and has been performing with her guitar since the early 90s. She’s just released her eighth album, recorded live with her band ‘Soul Suga’ and inventively titled ‘Diane Durrett & Soul Suga LIVE’, which is where you’ll find her soulful take on ‘Love Has A Right To Be Wrong’. Meanwhile, our Doo Wop Delights kicked off this week with vocal groups The Scarlets and a nice little street corner ballad . . .’Dear One’, followed by The Visuals and their lively little doo wop number ‘Look At The Moon’.

There was a glance back at our recent calypso features with a song credited to Norman Span, otherwise known as popular calypsonian, King Radio who first recorded ‘Man Smart, Woman Smarter’ in 1936, and it travelled well, judging from the version by C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band. Then, there was another touch of Louisiana, courtesy of Clarence Frogman Henry with a little number he recorded with UK favourites Chas & Dave. There was another link to Chas Hodges, back when he played and recorded with Jerry Lee Lewis and we found one of those recordings, which Mr Lewis cut in London on sessions that included Chas Hodges on bass and the great Albert Lee on guitar. It so happened that Albert Lee was on our giglist recently, so we pulled out Albert’s take on Buddy Holly’s ‘Rock Around With Ollie Vee’.

All too soon, our Cruising time ran out, but not before the trusty Cruise Mobile got us back where we started. So, we gave it a grateful quick polish, ready for the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 3 November 2018

Whiskey Made Me Do It . . .

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

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There’s always an hour of the best blues around, when The Blues Come Calling . . . and they came calling this week with a track by Albert King from the album ‘Memphis Blues Festival 1975’ and followed by the promised return of Midnite Johnny with his version of ‘Key To the Highway’ from his latest album ‘Long Road Home’. Then came Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne who says he was influenced by Nat King Cole, Little Willie John, Fats Domino, Ray Charles and more. His new album, ‘Inspired By The Blues’, is full of plenty of fine tracks, like ‘Make Up Your Mind’.

When it comes to high octane performances, Billy Gibbons is a past master, which makes for a great new album from him, including our choice for this week, ‘Hollywood 151’. If you like the risque songs of Blu Lu Barker, then Maria Muldaur’s latest release will be a real joy and we’ve featured several tracks over recent weeks . . . this week it was ‘Bowlegged Daddy’.

With an album titled ‘Peace Love & Loud Guitars’, you can be sure that the latest from Anthony Gomes will capture some well-earned attention, which will be rewarded with some excellent tracks, including ‘The Whiskey Made Me Do It’.

Backed Up
Why Are You So Mean To Me – Albert King (Memphis Blues Festival 1975)
Little Momma – The Bob Lanza Blues Band (Kids, Dogs & Krazy Women – 2018)
Key To The Highway – Midnite Johnny (Long Road Home – 2018)
Make Up Your Mind – Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne (Inspired By The Blues – 2018)
Hollywood 151 – Billy Gibbons (Big Bad Blues – 2018)
Bowlegged Daddy – Maria Muldaur (Don’t You Feel My Leg -2018)
The Whiskey Made Me Do It – Anthony Gomes (Peace Love & Loud Guitars – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
Gimme Dat Harp Boy – Captain Beefheart

Mama Don’t Like It
Cherry Ball Blues – Sonny Landreth (Bound By The Blues – 2015)
Two Bad Dreams – Jim Allchin (Prime Blues – 2018)
Cherry Red Wine – Sean Chambers (Welcome To My Blues – 2018)
Mama Don’t Like It – Sandy Carroll (Blues & Angels – 2018)
Backed Up – Dennis Herrera (You Stole My Heart – 2018)
The Thrill Is Gone – David Lumsden & Friends (Hues Of Blues – 2018)

If you were at this year’s New Orleans Jazz Fest, you’re sure to have seen Sonny Landreth demonstrating his outstanding slide guitar work, like on ‘Cherry Ball Blues’. Now, you’ve got to admire Jim Allchin who gave up his role as a senior Microsoft executive in early 2007 to become a professional musician. One of the results is his latest album ‘Prime Blues’, where he is joined by The Memphis Horns and a six-piece Nashville band to bump and grind with Bobby Rush on ‘Two Bad Dreams’.

There’s no doubting that the legendary Hubert Sumlin knew a thing or two about the blues, including making Florida’s Sean Chambers, his band leader. Since, then Sean’s been carving out his solo career and has just released his 7th album “Welcome To My Blues”, from which we featured ‘Cherry Red Wine’. Then, we welcomed back Sandy Carroll, whose “Blues & Angels” album is a real delight, with some excellent bluesy ballads and some uptempo numbers, one of which is the sassy ‘Mama Don’t Like It’. If your taste in blues runs to some nice Chicago-styled blues, then take a listen to California bluesman Dennis Herrera, who delivers some very fine self penned, numbers in just that style on his latest album ‘You Stole My Heart’ and he made a welcome return to the show with another taster . . . ‘Backed Up’.

With our blues time running out, we played out this week with a song that most people will associate with B.B. King, ‘The Thrill Is Gone’. It’s a well covered blues standard now and gets on the playlist of the new album titled ‘Hues Of Blues’ by David Lumsden and his friends. But, before that there was a big thanks for your company on this week’s show and, until the next time The Blues Come Calling . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 30 October 2018

Rockin’ & Jumpin’ . . .

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

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Well, this week the Cruise Mobile arrived with with a rocking little number from Ray Collins’ Hot Club, after which we were off down the road again now with vocal group the Vibes who later became The Jayhawks. The wonderful Clarence Samuels followed with his 1959 release ‘We’re Goin’ To The Hop’ and some more rhythm and blues from The Titans with a song that they sang in the highly forgettable film ‘Bop Girl Goes Calypso’.
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We went all the way back to 1951 for Honey Brown’s Derby Records release ‘Rockin & Jumpin’ and then we heard from someone with an impeccable music pedigree, Arbee Stidham, who hailed from Arkansas and moved to Chicago in the late 40s, where he got a chart topper with his first RCA Victor release, then in 1956 he recorded our choice ‘Meet Me Halfway’.

This week’s Cruising Connections featured some very fine covers of songs by one well known songwriter. . . . but who was it? Your starter of three came from German band The Swinging Fireballs, followed by a familiar song, but with a twist of style from Jesse Malin. Finally, we pulled out the Dixie Hummingbirds which got plenty of hands in the air and shouting of ‘Paul Simon’. Then, Mr Simon was back with his long time singing partner Art Garfunkel in their earlier incarnation as singing duo Tom & Jerry with their successful 45 release from 1957 ‘Hey Schoolgirl’.

Goin’ To The Hop
Mine All Mine – Ray Collins’ Hot Club
Let The Old Folks Talk – The Vibes
We’re Goin’ To The Hop – Clarence Samuels
Rhythm & Blues – The Titans
Rockin’ & Jumpin’ – Honey Brown
Meet Me Halfway – Arbee Stidham

Cruising Connections
Take Me To The Mardi Gras – The Swinging Fireballs
Me & Julio Down By The School Yard – Jesse Malin
Love Me Like A Rock – The Dixie Hummingbirds
Hey Schoolgirl – Tom & Jerry
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Girls & Guitars
I Don’t Hurt Anymore – Lisa Mann

Doo Wop Delights
Crazy Bout My Honey Dip – The Cap-Tans
Sweetheart Of Mine – The Valentines

Can’t Stop Moving
When The Chips Are Down – Rocky Sharp & The Replays
I Miss Ya Girl – Chas & Dave with Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry
I Told You Not To Tell Them – Marie Knight
House Near The Railroad Track – Tommy Brown
Can’t Stop Moving – Johnny Chef

This week our Girls & Guitars feature focused on Lisa Mann, who was born in West Virginia, and later moved to California, where at age eleven she bought her first guitar and learnt to play listening to bands like Deep Purple, Cream and Led Zeppelin. She began her professional music career at the age of 19 and, to date, has produced five albums. We chose something from her latest album, ‘Hard Times, Bad Decisions’ . . . . her take on ‘I Don’t Hurt Anymore’.

We started our Doo Wop Delights, where we left off last week. Back then we played a number called ‘Honey Gee’ by The Saigons, and said it was song that many claim was lifted from a number by Washington DC group The Cap-Tans. So, we played their 1950 Dot Records 45 called ‘Crazy Bout My Honey Dip’. They were followed by New York vocal group, The Valentines, with their 1956 Rama 45, ‘Sweetheart of Mine’ which for some reason remained unreleased at the time and we are left to wonder why. To prove that the Brits are no slouches when it comes to doo wop, we pulled out a little number by Rocky Sharp & The Replays that was a great favourite on their live gigs.

Back in April 2014, the UK Rockney record label issued an album of rare recordings by Chas & Dave which included some notable guests, including Clarence Frogman Henry and they graced our playlist with Clarence singing a Chas & Dave original, ‘I Miss Ya Girl’. They were followed by Marie Knight with a great favourite here and then Tommy Brown, performing a new version of a song he cut for Regent records back in 1951. Meanwhile, some may have spotted some familiar faces and places coming into view, as we joined Johnny Chef to take us all the way home with his 1962 Fire 45, ‘Can’t Stop Moving’. But, then sadly we had to stop moving, as we arrived back where we started and just in time to park up the trusty Cruise Mobile and give it a quick polish, so it’s all ready for the next time we all go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 27 October 2018

Found The Blues . . .

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

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If you’re looking for an hour of the best blues around, then you’re definitely the right place, because this is where The Blues Come Calling. They came calling this week with something from the excellent new album by Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne ‘Inspired By The Blues’ and there was more ‘good stuff’ from the ever welcome Reverend Peyton and his Big Damn Band with ‘It Is Or It Ain’t’. Someone who’s equally well received here is Philadelphia’s Frank Bey, this time with ‘Yesterday’s Dreams’.

If you like a little scratchy blues, then there was a treat from Bessie Smith and her 1926 recording about legendary delta bluesman ‘Jazzbo Brown From Memphis Town’ with some superb clarinet playing by Buster Bailey. I made no apologies for the fact that Jim Allchin clocked up three weeks running on our playlist with another choice from his new album ‘Prime Cuts’. This was the great number ‘Found The Blues’.
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Then, we heard from Florida’s Sean Chambers, who started out as guitarist with the legendary Hubert Sumlin’s band and has released his 7th album “Welcome To My Blues”, which includes 8 original compositions by Sean, and ‘Keep Movin’ On’ was one of those. It’s always a joy to have a new album from Delta Moon and their latest ‘Babylon Is Falling’ has been getting plenty of plays here, especially ‘One Mountain At A Time’

It Is Or It Ain’t
Start Rockin’ – Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne (Inspired By The Blues – 2018)
It Is Or It Ain’t – The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band (Poor Until Pay Day – 2018)
Yesterday’s Dreams – Frank Bey (Back In Business – 2018)
Jazzbo Brown From Memphis Town – Bessie Smith
Found The Blues – Jim Allchin (Prime Blues – 2018)
Keep Movin On – Sean Chambers (Welcome To My Blues – 2018)
One Mountain At A Time – Delta Moon (Babylon Is Falling – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
Possession Over Judgement Day – Robert Johnson

Blues All For Myself
What’s The Matter With The Mill – David Lumsden & Friends (Hues Of Blues – 2018)
Let Me Take Care Of You – Josh Smith (Burn To Grow – 2018)
Tired Of Foolin’ Around – Midnite Johnny (Long Road Home – 2018)
Blues All For Myself – Sandy Carroll (Blues & Angels – 2018)
Run With The Losers – Dennis Herrera (You Stole My Heart – 2018)
Kids Dogs & Krazy Women – The Bob Lanza Blues Band (Kids Dogs & Krazy Women – 2018)
Keep It To Yourself – Billy Price (East End Avenue – 2006)

Many will know David Lumsden as the former lead guitarist for lady of the blues, Hurricane Ruth, and he’s stepped out on his own now with a new album titled “Hues Of Blues.” for which, he’s gathered together several friends for 12 new tracks that include respectful nods to Earl Hooker, Bobby Bland, B.B. King and Ray Charles. Memphis Minnie was another name that got a jaunty honky-tonk take on her classic, ‘What’s The Matter With The Mill’.

Josh Smith’s new album ‘Burn To Grow’ is another that has been well played since it arrived here and particularly the track, ‘Let Me Take Care Of You’, which has echoes of Albert King about it. Following on came Midnite Johnny, who has been a familiar face on the south Florida blues scene, but he’s since relocated to the UK. His latest release, aptly-titled ‘Long Road Home’, includes a fine version of ‘Key To The Highway’, which I promise to play on another occasion, but this time around it was ‘Tired Of Foolin’ Around’ that got played.

Sandy Carroll is known for her previous Americana and country music albums, but for her latest release, she’s returned to the blues and in good company too. Her “Blues & Angels” album also features guest appearances from Johnny Rawls, Rocky Athas and Bernard Allison, as well as many members of the famed Muscle Shoals studio crew. It’s Sandy’s vocals and keyboards that set the scene for her songs, including on her track ‘Blues All For Myself’. Following on, came California bluesman Dennis Herrera, delivers some nice Chicago styled blues numbers on his latest album ‘You Stole My Heart’ and ‘Run With The Losers’ got chosen this week . . . with others lined up for future shows.

Now, when you see an album titled ‘Kids Dogs & Krazy Women’, it’s bound to spark your interest . . . and that is indeed the title of the latest release by The Bob Lanza Blues Band, who got featured with the album’s title track. Then, sadly, we came to our last choice for this week, Billy Price with something you can find on his ‘East End Avenue’ album, which rather appropriately opens with the line ‘it’s nearly time for me to go’. That was the cue to say a big thanks for your company on this weeks show and hope we meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin radio
on 23 October, 2018

I Like It . . .

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

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Well, for this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner we arrived in the good company of Tommy Ridgley with his 1954 classic, ‘Jam Up’ and without wasting a moment we were up to full cruising speed with Jimmy McCracklin and ’The Wobble’. Then, Geraint Watkins & The Dominators helped to set the scene for this week’s playlist, with another choice inspired by celebrated UK R&B artists, Mike Sanchez. Over the years, Mike has featured on many of our Cruising playlists and this week we retraced the originals of those numbers that feature so often on Mike’s setlists.

Back in the day, Mike toured with Little Willie Littlefield, who was up next with ‘I Like It’, followed by a regular on Mike’s setlists from Brook Benton and his 1959 recording of ‘Hurtin’ Inside’. Of course, there’s always a touch of the blues somewhere along the way, this time it was a 1953 number credited then to Young John Watson and titled ‘Highway 60’. But, Mike’s also adept at crossing musical boundaries, as demonstrated by his cover of Jim Reeves’ ‘Blue Boy’.

This week’s Cruising Connections presented a trio of tracks that all share a common connection and our first clue came from vocal group, The Willows, and their 1956 Melba records release, ‘Church Bells May Ring’. Nappy Brown was up next with a song that he got to No. 2 on the Billboard R&B charts back in 1955, ‘Don’t Be Angry’. Our third clue was The Marigolds with their 1955 Excello 45, ‘Rollin’ Stone’, which may have been all you need to identify ‘The Cadets’ who covered all three of those songs for the Modern label back in 1955 and 1956. To celebrate, we pulled out The Cadets’ original version of ‘Gangster of Love’, which they recorded as ‘Love Bandit’.

Jam Up
Jam Up – Tommy Ridgley
The Wobble – Jimmy McCracklin
Deep In The Heart Of Texas – Geraint Watkins & The Dominators
I Like It – Little Willie Littlefield
Hurtin’ Inside – Brook Benton
Highway 60 – Johnny Guitar Watson
Blue Boy – Jim Reeves

Cruising Connections
Church Bells May Ring – The Willows
Don’t Be Angry – Nappy Brown
Rollin’ Stone – The Marigolds
Love Bandit – The Cadets

Girls & Guitars
Voodoo Voodoo – Imelda May with Mike Sanchez & His Band

Doo Wop Delights
She Keeps Me Wondering – The Spiders
Honey Gee – The Saigons

That’s All I Need
That’s All I Need – Ike Turner & His Kings of Rhythm
I’m Mad – Willie Mabon
Red Hot Mama – S. Johnson
Shirley – John Fred & His Playboys
Almost Grown – Chuck Berry

Our Girls & Guitars feature this week picks up our link to Mike Sanchez, because it focused on Irish singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Imelda May. She hails from Dublin and although she’s known now, primarily as a singer, she also plays guitar, bass guitar and sings anything from jazz to rockabilly and rhythm and blues. In 1998 she started touring and recording with Mike Sanchez, including our choice . . . . her version of ‘Voodoo Voodoo’.

We kicked off our Doo Wop Delights with New Orleans vocal group The Spiders and their 1955 recording ‘She Keeps Me Wondering’ for Imperial records. Our second choice was a 1955 Dootone 45 called ‘Honey Gee’, from The Saigons, a song that many say was lifted from a number by The Cap-Tans called ‘Crazy Bout My Honey Dip’ .

Ike Turner and His Kings of Rhythm kicked off the next selection of numbers that have appeared on the setlists of Mike Sanchez, as well as Willie Mabon’s ‘I’m Mad’, there was a great Checker release credited to S. Johnson. Despite much research, no one seems to know who S. Johnson was, except that he wrote his song ‘Red Hot Mama’ with Paul Gayten and recorded it in New Orleans. ‘Shirley’ by John Fred & his Playboys is rarely left off of a Mike Sanchez setlist and we were heading for home in the company of Chuck Berry with ‘Almost Grown’ that’s well known to anyone who’s been at a Mike Sanchez gig lately.

The merry Mr Berry got us home safe and sound and just in time to park up the trusty Cruise Mobile and give it a quick polish so it’s all ready for our next musical adventure. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 20 October 201

Confessin’ The Blues . . .

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

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Well, we’re back again with an hour of the best blues around, which is what you always get when The Blues Come Calling. They came calling this week with something from the most excellent Dave Hole with a big favourite here ‘He Knows The Rules’ and there was plenty more good stuff this week, including the new album ‘Prime Blues’ from Jim Allchin with ‘Devil Don’t Sleep’.

‘One More Heartache’ is one of those songs that can cross genres with ease and it pops up in a rootsy version on the latest album ‘Babylon Is Falling’ from Atlanta band, Delta Moon. Then we had heard again from Pennsylvania band, The Little Red Rooster Blues Band with Anthony Geraci guesting on ‘Just A Distant Memory’. For those who like a little scratchy blues, we found a number that went on to be a big hit for Little Richard in 1957, but this was a much earlier version by Lil Johnson from 1935.
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If you like your blues on the soulful side, there’s no doubting that Kirk Fletcher has a great soulful voice, as you can hear on ‘The Answer’ from his latest album ‘Hold On’ and there was another pick this week from Joe Bonamassa’s ‘Redemption’ album with ‘Pick Up The Pieces’. Then, we heard from Mandy Barnett, who would not normally feature in the mainstream of blues artists, but her latest album ‘Strange Conversation’ has some soulful bluesy ballads tracks on it, including her version of ‘The Fool’.

Devil Don’t Sleep
He Knows The Rules – Dave Hole (Outside Looking In – 2010)
Devil Don’t Sleep – Jim Allchin (Prime Blues – 2018)
One More Heartache – Delta Moon (Babylon Is Falling – 2018)
Just A Distant Memory – The Little Red Rooster Blues Band (Lock Up The Liquor – 2018)
Keep On Knockin’ – Lil Johnson (Play It For Me – 2000)
The Answer – Kirk Fletcher (Hold On – 2018)
Pick Up The Pieces – Joe Bonamassa (Redemption) 2018
The Fool – Mandy Barnett (Strange Conversation – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
Confessin’ The Blues – Rolling Stones (Five By Five – 1964)

The Lucky Ones
Missin’ Yo Kissin’ – Billy Gibbons (The Big Bad Blues – 2018)
That Will Never Do – Otis Rush (Ain’t Enough Coming In – 1994)
Stealin’ From The Devil – Anthony Gomez (Peace Love & Loud Guitars – 2018)
Right Now Is The Hour – Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio (Jam In The Van – 2018)
Miss Boss – Mick Kolassa (149 Delta – 2018)
The Lucky Ones – Sue Foley (w Jimmie Vaughan) (The Ice Queen – 2018)

With an album titled ‘The Big Bad Blues’ and the name Billy Gibbons on it, you’re pretty sure you’ll get some great rocking blues and there’s no doubt about it when you hear ‘Missin’ Yo’ Kissin’. The next choice came from someone who I very much regret never getting to see on stage, this is the now late Otis Rush and I played a favourite track of mine . . . ‘That Will Never Do’.

Canadian bluesman Anthony Gomez was back with ‘Stealin’ From The Devil’, another track from his new album, ‘Peace, Love & Loud Guitars’ and then there was a reprise of ‘Right Now Is The Hour’, by Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio from their last album, this time in a live session recorded in California for the iconic ‘Jam In The Van’ series.

Mick Kolassa and his Taylor Made Blues Band made their overdue debut on our playlists this week with a track from his excellent new release, ‘149 Delta’, including the sly ‘Miss Boss’. Then, to close our playlist, there was a couple of names, each well worth a listen, but together they make for essential listening. These were Sue Foley and Jimmie Vaughan, who was guesting on her new album ‘The Ice Queen’ and we played out with them both on ‘The Lucky Ones’. So, with thanks for your good company for this week’s show, I very much hope we’ll meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 16 October 2018