The Sweetest Feeling . . .

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

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Well, I arrived in high spirits for this week’s Through To Midnight. It seemed to have been a very good time for new releases and there were some stunning examples from the likes of Booker T Jones, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Simply Red, Johnny Rawls, Jesse Malin, The Mavericks, Lyle Lovett, Jackson Browne, Never The Bride, Dr John, Taj Mahal and many more. We went  ‘Under The Covers‘ with the songs of The Temptations, revisited by Little Richard, Chucky Bantan and the wonderful Ella Fitzgerald. Later in the show, we heard from Canadian, Samantha Martin, who was our ‘Girls & Guitars‘ focus and boasting another of our new releases.

Now, this month brings the birthday of Mac Rebennack or Dr John as we know him. Down in New Orleans they’re celebrating by declaring it MacMonth . . . . and this year it coincides with the release of an album from Dr. John, called ‘Big Band Voodoo’. This features recently unearthed sessions recorded by Dr John in Germany in 1995 with a Big Band and includes my choice, a superb version of  ‘I’m Confessin’.  Among the other new releases is a new tribute album to Mose Allison. It has some big names contributing tracks to the album and I pulled out two . . .  from Jackson Browne and Taj Mahal.

Note By Note
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
Mas Que Nada – Oye Santana
Havana Moon – Booker T Jones
Sci-Fi Woman – Jeff Lynne’s ELO
Sweet Child – Simply Red
Motion of The Ocean – Johnny Rawls

Under The Covers
The Way You Do The Things You Do – Little Richard
Beauty’s Only Skin Deep – Chucky Bantan
Get Ready – Ella Fitzgerald

Favourite Things
Shining Down – Jesse Malin
Our Favourite Things – Los Pacaminos
Hungry Heart – The Mavericks
Final Frontier – Lyle Lovett & Kecia Lewis
If You Live – Jackson Browne
Slinky Snake – Papa Grows Funk

When We Was Fab
When We Was Fab – George Harrison
Worth It, Work It – Never The Bride
Chuck E’s In Love – Nikki Nicholls
I’m Confessin’ – Dr John
Your Mind’s On Vacation – Taj Mahal

Girls & Guitars
All Night Long – Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar

Wonder
Wonder – Maggy & The Buddies
March Through The Darkness – Dave Specter
Talk To Me – Audrey Turner

Doo Wop Delight
Please, Please, Please – James Brown & The Famous Flames

Rise
If You Want Me To Stay – Joanna Connor
Sultans Of Swing – Blue System
I Get The Sweetest Feeling – Ashala Kirn
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

ur Doo Wop Delight this week, was inspired by discovering that the first ever single by James Brown & The Famous Flames hit the charts this week back in 1956. The song was ‘Please, Please, Please’ it became their signature song and, according to Etta James, the idea for the song came from old tattered napkin that James used to carry around on which Little Richard had written the words, ‘please, please, please’. James was determined to make a song out of it and it did very well for him and The Famous Flames.

We took a trip down to Deptford to discover the inspiration for Mark Knopfler to pen a classic song for Dire Straits. It became a huge hit for them and celebrated an otherwise long forgotten local jazz band, the Sultans of Swing. Then, Ashala Kirn brought us a very mellow mood with a breathless version of Jackie Wilson’s ‘I Get The Sweetest Feeling’, which, sadly, signalled the end of the show for this week. But, before I went about gathering up the music, tidying up the studio and getting ready to head out into the night, there was a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and the hope that we’ll 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 6 November 2019

A Toast To The Blues . . .

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

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Well, there were plenty of fireworks on the playlist for this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling with some crackers from Taj Mahal, Booker T. Jones, Never The Bride, Johnny Rawls, Paul Gillings, Bob Margolin and more, There was a Texas rocket in our Austin Calling feature, a guest spot brought a tale in Pinetop’s Pick that told a story of turning up for a blues gig and finding a punk band on stage instead, plus an outstanding album of the week from celebrated Chicago bluesman Breezy Rodio.

We kicked off the show this week with some hot slide guitar from Joanna Connor and one of the 12 tracks on her new album ‘Rise’. This is her first release for 3 years. It’s not all blues, but it is all excellent stuff, so keep an eye on the gig guides for some upcoming tour dates and listen out for more from her on future shows. Then, from a taster of something new, we were jumping in the blues time machine to go back to 1967 for a single release from Jeff Beck. It  featured Rod Stewart on vocals and on the label they called it Rock My Plimsoul . . . but we know different, don’t we!

Blues Today
Blues Today – Joanna Connor (Rise – 2019)
Rock My Plimsoul – Jeff Beck (w Rod Stewart) (Truth – 2005)
If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It – Breezy Rodio (If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It – 2019)
Born Under A Bad Sign – Booker T Jones (Note By Note – 2019)
Tweed Amp & A Crystal Element – Paul Gillings (You Don’t Even Know – 2019)
Evil Walks In This World – Bob Margolin (This Guitar And Tonight – 2019)
That Ain’t Right – Durham County Poets (Hand Me Down Blues – 2019)

Pinetop’s Pick
Come On In – The Blues Band (Official Blues Band Bootleg Album – 2011)

Pick Up Blues
Give A Toast To The Blues – Johnny Rawls (I Miss Otis Clay – 2019)
Pick Up Blues – Breezy Rodio (If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It – 2019)
Ain’t No Man A Good Man – Wily Bo Walker (Ain’t No Man A Good Man – 2019)
I’m Over You – King Size Slim (Three, Six, Nine – 2019)
Need Your Love So Bad – Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland (Members Only – 2019)
Minor Shout – Dave Specter (Blues From The Inside Out – 2019)

Party In The Backyard
Fortune Telling Man – Billy Sheets (Good Man In A World Gone Wrong – 2019)
Don’t Trudge Mud In the House Of Love – Never The Bride (For Better, For Worse – 2019)
Another Day – Breezy Rodio (If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It – 2019)
Had I Known – Swamp ‘n’ Roll Ambassadors (Rock This Joint – 2019)
Ball & Chain – Audrey Turner (I’m Here – 2019)
Party In The Backyard – Trick Bag (25 Years of House Rocking R&B – 2019)
Workin’ Blues Man – Luther ‘Badman’ Keith (Workin’ Blues Man  – 2019)

Austin Calling
Meet Me On The Corner – The Fabulous Thunderbirds (Strong Like That – 2016)

Bluesman’s Shoes
How Much More Long – Pinetop Perkins (Blues Piano Deluxe – 2013)
Dear Blues – Breezy Rodio (If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It – 2019)
Bluesman’s Shoes – The Blind Lemon Gators (Gatorville – 2019)
Your Mind’s On Vacation – Taj Mahal (If You’re Going To The City – 2019)
JC’s Blues – Dr John (Big Band Voodoo – 2019)
The Leading Brand – Johnny Burgin (Johnny Burgin Live – 2019)

Now, among the new releases, there was a tribute album to Mose Allison, which happens to include a song I like a lot. The blues fundamentalists may argue that it is not really a blues, but it has been recorded by blues artists like Dana Gillespie, Mike Vernon, Buddy Guy and now, Taj Mahal . . . ‘Your Mind’s On Vacation’. I managed to squeeze in a nice blues from a newly discovered album by Dr John. As that was playing, I realised that the sands of time were fast running out on our bluestime together. So, we played out with a choice from Johnny Burgin’s latest live album. This was a number titled ‘The Leading Brand’, which featured Johnny Burgin, Chris Matheos & Steve Dougherty. But, before that, there was a big thanks for your good company for 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 5 November 2019
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 7 November 2019

Wigglin’ & Gigglin’ . . .

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

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Well, as November arrives, the temperatures have started to dip around the Grand Duchy, but we should probably be grateful that October has had some sunny days in between the rain. The media and shops hereabouts are already full of festive advertising and, given world events, we could do with some cheery goodwill. So, we arrived in the Cruise Mobile intent on playing our part in that worthy cause, as we prepared to go Cruising with The Commissioner.

Of course, we knew there would be no telling where our musical adventure would take us, but we kicked off with a big favourite . . . Mook Loxley and his taste of The Crescent City called ‘Gumbo Ya Ya’ . . . but you might know it by another title! While we were in the Big Easy, we tipped our hat in the direction of Jamie Dell’Apa for reminding us of a little gem from Marvin & Johnny ‘Yak Yak’.

Then, with all the requisite visas and permits, the trusty Cruise Mobile took us from New Orleans to the Netherlands for something from a favourite album by Dee’s Honeytones, full of great rhythm and blues, including our choice, the title track ‘Wow Wow’. They were in good company too, with 50s US vocal group The Searchers, one time member of The Ravens, Jimmy Ricks whose deep, deep voice  also featured on our next choice, a celebrated duet with Lavern Baker.

Last week we did a little feature on UK Tex Mex bands and it seemed to go down rather well. So, we returned with another selection, which caused The Cruisettes and Mr Merlot to gather for some dangerous dancing.

Wow Wow
Gumbo Ya Ya – Mook Loxley
Yak Yak – Marvin & Johnny
Wow Wow – Dee’s Honeytones
Wow Wow Baby – The Searchers
Wigglin’ & Gigglin’ – Jimmy Ricks
You’re The Boss – Jimmy Ricks & LaVern Baker
I Don’t Want To Be In Love – The Balham Alligators
Down Down – Status Quo
Enough Is Enough – The Refreshments

Girls & Guitars
Gone For Good – Samantha Fish

Don’t Lie To Me
Redezvous Des Cheminots – Wily Bo Walker
Honolulu Baby – Chas Hodges & J.I. Allison
That Don’t Appease Me – Thornetta Davis
Let It Please Be You – The Desires
Chasin’ The Blues – The Aristo-Kats
People Will Say We’re In Love – The Spaniels
Don’t Lie To Me – Fats Domino
Roll Baby Roll – Floyd Dixon
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This week’s Girls & Guitars feature focused on Samantha Fish, who’s been under our spotlight here before. She hails from Kansas City and happens to have a new album, ‘Belle Of The West’ due for release soon. So, it seemed like a good idea to hear from her again, with something from her new album, ‘Gone For Good’.

There was a touch of cross channel culture from Wily Bo Walker with a little number titled ‘Redezvous Des Cheminots’ (which translates as ‘meeting place of railway workers’). Then, we pointed the trusty Cruise Mobile in the direction of the Hawaiian Islands, stopping, as is polite, to pay our respects to our Ambassador To The Islands, with something from Chas Hodges and Jerry Allison.

Now, last week I got into trouble with Mr Merlot for not having time for our usual Doo Wop Delights, so we offered an extra helping this week to make amends. First up were New York vocal group The Desires with their 1959 debut release, ‘Let It Please Be You’. Following on were Hollywood group The Arist-O-Kats, with their 1957 Vita 45, ‘Chasin The Blues’ and completing our selection were The Spaniels with their 1959 Vee Jay 45 and their doo wop take on a Rogers and Hammerstein number.

Inspired by Matt The Cat’s whole show devoted to Fats Domino, we dug out Fats’ 1951 recording of ‘Don’t Lie To Me’ and tried to picture his smiling face and enthusiastic performance, as it played. Then, it was time to turn the Cruise Mobile for home and taking us all the way home was Floyd Dixon with ‘Roll Baby Roll’ . . . and we did! But, we arrived back safe and sound from our cruise and quickly said our farewells, ever hopeful that you will be enticed back again the next time we swing by in the Cruise Mobile with a seat saved especially for you. So, until the next time we go Cruising with the Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 5 November 2019

Mind How You Go . . .

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

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I arrived in the studio this week, having checked that the broom cupboard was locked and the black cat was shut indoors. They was a warning posted on the studio door, just in case of any adventurous ‘trick or treaters’. Fortunately, it all worked well and there were no unforeseen interruptions.

We kicked off this week’s show with plenty of high energy courtesy of Papa Grows Funk and in case that didn’t generate enough finger snapping and feet tapping then I was on hand with another dose of Dr Roberts Sonic Tonic . . . . a visit from The Swingin’ Fireballs with their defibrillator turned up full for a great Percy Mayfield number.

Now, this week in 1986, Bon Jovi were at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Slippery When Wet’. It produced two US No.1 singles and went on to sell over 8 million copies world wide. Inspired by this, Bon Jovi was the focus of this week’s Under The Covers feature. The first song was a big to hit for the band, but it never sounded like it does when Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox do it. Then came a couple of covers from Softband and Australian indie rock band  Superhighway.

Time Of Our Life
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
Mardi Gator – Papa Grows Funk
Hit The Road Jack – The Swingin’ Fireballs
Dreams Come Alive – Keith Frank & The Soileau Zydeco Band
Showdown – Ronnie Dunn
Thinking Of You – Simply Red
Time Of Our Life – ELO
Mind How You Go – Never The Bride

Under The Covers
You Give Love A Bad Name – Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
Livin’ On A Prayer – Softband
Who Says You Can’t Go Home – Super Highway

Shaking Again
All Those Years Ago – George Harrison
Way Down In The Hole – Tim Penn & The Second Line
California Shaking Again – Johnny Rawls
Calling All Ghosts – Baked A La Ska
Start Me Up – Toots & The Maytals
Gimme Shelter – Merry Clayton
Never Tell Your Mother She’s Out Of Tune – Joss Stone
Lo-Fi Love – Eddie 9V

Girls & Guitars
It’s Not My Cross to Bear – Ruthie Foster

One Fine Day
One Fine Day – Chris Rea
Nagasaki – Rickie Lee Jones
Over – Mayer Hawthorne
Don’t You Wish It Was True – Janiva Magness (with Taj Mahal)
You’ve Got Me – Earl Thomas & Paddy Milner
Paying The Cost To Be The Boss – T.J. Johnson

Doo Wop Delight
Your Tender Lips – The Clovers

Back To Black
Back To Black – Eve St Jones
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

Our ‘Girls and Guitars’ feature this week focused on Texas blues guitarist and singer, Ruthie Foster, who has a recording career that started back in 1997. She has a new single out, taken from the upcoming Big Band of Brothers release which celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band’s debut album . Ruthie was here with her new single, ‘It’s Not My Cross to Bear’.

Now, just when you might have thought I’d forgotten this week’s Doo Wop Delight, we heard  from vocal group The Clovers. They are probably best known for numbers like Love Potion No.9, Nip Sip, Devil Or Angel and others, but for this week’s choice, I went digging a little deeper and came up with a 1956 single of theirs. They were here to keep us in  a  mellow mood with ‘Your Tender Lips’.

As time was running out, Eve St Jones, returned to our playlist with a seductive version of that Amy Winehouse favourite ‘Back To Black’, which just about wound things up for this wee. But, before I gathered up the music, tidied up the studio and headed out into the night, there was a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and the hope that we’ll 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 30 October 2019

Back In A Cadillac . . .

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

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Well, no tricks, just treats in this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling. There were plenty of new releases from well known names like Joe Bonamassa, Chris Barnes, Eddie 9Volt,  Steve Strongman, Jeff Chaz, Ghalia, Paul Gillings and Angel Forrest, as well as our album of the week from Muddy Waters & Johnny Winter and some superb blues talents to help the 5th week of our celebrations of Black History Month, including Jimi !

Our regular guest, Arfa Pinetop, was along with Pinetop’s Pick and bringing plenty of greens (Peter & Mick) for the vegetarians. Our Austin Calling feature caught up with Anthony Gomes who was playing a gig, this past week, at the city’s famed venue, Antone’s. If you had the opportunity to see Anthony Gomes on stage there, then he was doubtless delivering the sort of high powered performance that he did on his recent UK dates. He was here with a favourite from his album, ‘Peace, Love & Loud Guitars’ . . . .  ‘The Whiskey Made Me Do It’.

Kicking off the show this week was The B. Christopher Band letting loose with a big favourite from their latest album ‘Two Rivers Back ‘ . . .  “It’s Alright” featuring some high powered guitar from B. Christopher and some rocking piano from Bruce Katz. Then, keeping the energy levels high . . .  along came Edgar Winter who managed to find some inventive rhymes for his home state of Texas including solar plexus and a plug for Lexus cars.

It’s Alright
It’s Alright – The B. Christopher Band (Two Rivers Back – 2019)
Texas – Edgar Winter (Winter Blues – 1999)
Back In A Cadillac – Chris “Bad News” Barnes (Live – 2019)
No Place For The Lonely – Joe Bonamassa (Live At The Sydney Opera House – 2019)
Paying The Cost To Be The Boss – B.B. King (with the Robert Cray Band, Jimmie Vaughan & Hubert Sumlin) (Live at Crossroads Guitar Festival, 2007 – 2016)
Bottle and the Blues – Eddie 9V (Left My Heart In Memphis – 2019)
Rocket 88 – Johnny Winter with James Cotton (Live In New York 1977 – 2019)

Pinetop’s Pick
The Way you Dance – Peter Green & Mick Green (Six String Boogie – 1965

Say What
Paid My Dues – Steve Strongman (Tired of Talkin’ – 2019)
Bleeding Heart – Jimi Hendrix (Blues – 1994)
Damn Fool Way – Giles Robson (Don’t Give Up On the Blues – 2019)
The Blues Had A Baby & They Named It Rock & Roll – Johnny Winter with Muddy Waters (Live In New York 1977 – 2019)
Say What – Reese Wynans & Friends (Sweet Release 2019)

I’m Ready
Statesboro Blues – Pat Travers (Blues Tracks – 1992)
Blues Lover – Bob Margolin (This Guitar And Tonight – 2019)
All Around The World – Si Cranstoun (Blues Caravan 2017 – 2017)
I’m So Glad I Have You – Mike Goudreau (Acoustic Sessions – 2019)
I’m Ready – Johnny Winter with James Cotton (Live In New York 1977 – 2019)
Dallas Rag – Mark Knopfler with Chris Barber’s Jazz Band (Memories Of My Trip – 2011)
Life Is Like Coffee – Jeff Chaz (No Paint – 2019)
Guitar Rag – Sylvester Weaver (Alligator Blues – 2019)

Austin Calling
The Whiskey Made Me Do It – Anthony Gomes (Peace, Love & Loud Guitars – 2018)

Get It On
You Don’t Even Know – Paul Gillings (You Don’t Even Know – 2019)
Get It On – Angel Forrest (Hell Bent With Grace – 2019)
Hoochie Coochie Man – Johnny Winter & Muddy Waters (Live In New York 1977 – 2019)
Meet You Down the Road – Ghalia (Mississippi Blend – 2019)
Kansas City – Johnny Winter, Muddy Waters & James Cotton (Live In New York 1977 – 2019)

This was our 5th week of celebrating Black History Month and it seemed very appropriate that our album of the week features one of the giants of the blues, Muddy Waters. He grew up on a Mississippi plantation and used his love of blues music to carve out a career as a performer and recording artist. As an artist and band leader he became the most influential bluesmen of his era. He inspired many others and went on to gain international acclaim and tour the world with his music. His songs are still regularly performed and recorded by others.. . . and despite his passing, he remains widely respected and fondly remembered for his great style and dignity. To celebrate, we heard him again this week, along with Johnny Winter, James Cotton and other friends, Live In New York 1977.

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5 fm on 29 October, 2019
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 31 October 2019

Lay It On . . .

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

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The past week has not been without its moments of drama and unpredictability, but with reassuring regularity the Cruise Mobile came rolling by with impeccable timing. The windows were down, the radio cranked up and, as was quickly evident, there was a cracking playlist to take us Cruising with The Commissioner.

Early in the playlist came Dr John reprising Junko Partner on his album ‘Celebrating Mac & His Music’ and we could not resist digging out another variant of the song, this time from Chuck Berry with that familiar melody on his ‘Man & The Donkey’. Our rummaging in the Cruising Library surprised everyone by coming up with another track by The Texas Topcats that we didn’t know was there . . . so we dedicated ‘Jump My Baby’ to our good pal Wendel Williams and the rest of the band.

We get around a bit on our cruising adventures and this week we headed back to the Hawaiian islands, in the company of Johnny Madara, who co-wrote hits like ‘1-2-3’ for Len Barry, and ‘You Don’t Own Me’ for Lesley Gore, but on the way we gave a nod to our good pal, Susan Bowman who knows the islands well. But, we set off on our adventure with a little 45 from The Pastels titled ‘Let’s Go To The Rock & Roll Ball’ . . .
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Let’s Go
Let’s Go To The Rock & Roll Ball – The Pastels
Oh Baby – Jimmy Preston & The Prestonians
Come Back Baby – King Perry
Bashful & Blue – Floyd Turnham & His Orchestra
Junko Partner – Dr John & George Porter Jr & Zigaboo Modeliste
Man & The Donkey – Chuck Berry
Jump My Baby – The Texas Topcats

Girls & Guitars
Google Me Baby – Debbie Davies

Lay It On
The Yea Yea Song – The Royaltones
Looka-Looka-Looka – Johnny Mabara
Billy The Kid – The Raves
Just Goofed – The Teen Queens
Lay It On – Eddie Cooley & The Dimples
Priscilla – The Four Jones Boys
Are You Satisfied – Toni Arden
Doodle Doo – The Gaylarks
Can’t Stop Movin’ – Johnny Chef
Tell Me Who – Mike Sanchez & His Band
Do Lord – Big Maybelle

We demonstrated our musical magpies tendencies on this cruise with a little gem by The Gaylarks, ‘borrowed’ from our good pal Jamie Dell’Apa . . . and we ‘borrowed’ again from Neil Pellegrin, who pointed us to The Raves.

Our Girls & Guitars feature took us to Los Angeles, where blues guitarist and singer, Debbie Davies was born and we celebrated her career with a laid back little offering of hers for those who wrestle with social media and its consequences . . . ‘Google Me Baby’.

But, while we were having fun, the end of the show crept up on us and we found ourselves heading for home with Big Maybelle and her powerhouse version of ‘Do Lord’. Then, we were parking up the Cruise Mobile for another week and hoping we can look forward to some more of your good company next week, when you can rely on us to be calling by in the trusty Cruise Mobile . . . same time, same place . . . with a seat saved especially for you. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 29 October 2019

Don’t Stop . . .

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

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Well, the week was not without some memorable moments, plenty of friendly faces and some great gigs. But, nothing deflected from searching out and collecting together the playlist for this week’s show. There were great new releases, plus some familiar favourites to take you Through To Midnight.

This week’s Under The Covers feature, brought three songs by Paul Simon, heard again through the covers of others . . . in particular, The Swinging Fireballs, The Tennors and Marsha Hunt. But getting things started was Chris Daniels & The Kings kicking off this week’s vaguely supervised musical adventure with ‘I Like Your Shoes’. Its a phrase that might have come to mind for any who saw the lovely Dee out on the town this week sporting some fancy footwear. . . . . . and fancy or not you had the opportunity to test your shoes with some of your best dance moves to the wonderful Beverley Skeete.

Blowing Free
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
I Like Your Shoes – Chris Daniels & The Kings
Start Me Up – Beverley Skeete
Loving Might Do Us Good – Stevie Nimmo
I’m Drunk – The B. Christopher Band
Blowing Free – Wishbone Ash

Under The Covers
Take Me To The Mardi Gras – Swinging Fireballs
The Only Living Boy in New York – The Tennors
Keep The Customer Satisfied – Marsha Hunt

I’m Glad I Did What I Did
If I Ever Break Free – Chris Rea
I’m Glad I Did What I Did – Marcia Ball
Warming Up The Band – Heads Hands & Feet
When I Go Away – Elles Bailey
Dream Tobacco – Max Wall

Come On In
This Old World’s Too Funky For Me – BBFC
Let’s Stay Together – Steve Strongman
Come On In – Jools Holland & Ruby Turner
1975 – Five Grand Stereo
The Way You Do The Things You Do – Little Richard

Girls & Guitars
I Need A Little Sunshine – Lisa Mills

Ooops! I Did It Again
Ooops! I Did It Again – Eve St Jones & Brazil 21
Brought The House Down – Jacqui Brown
Days Gone By – Van Morrison
It Do Me Good – Willy DeVille
Don’t Stop – Cassandra Beck & Jazzystiks
I Get The Sweetest Feeling – Hiller & Higgs
Perfect Day – Lou Reed
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

Our Girls & Guitars feature focused its spotlight on singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Lisa Mills, who was born in Mississippi, and grew up in and around Hattiesburg. . . . which is where she began her singing career in the church that her grandparents built. She’s gone on to carve out a music career for herself as a blues artist and has released 4 albums to date and I chose her song ‘I Need A Little Sunshine’, which she just might feature on her UK tour next month.

In our mellow moments, Cassandra Beck & Jazzystiks came along with a song that never sounded like they did it when Fleetwood Mac did it originally . . . but I like their version too. Now, last week our Under The Covers feature focused on the songs of Jackie Wilson and this week there was another that was one of the covers I lined up for back then. It turned up this week, from Hiller & Higgs getting us well into that mellow mood with ‘I Get The Sweetest Feeling’.

All too soon, Lou Reed came along signalling the end of a perfect day, and with tomorrow on the doorstep it was time to collect together the music and head for the studio door. But, before that, there was a big thanks for your good company on this weeks show and the hope that we’ll meet again same time same place next week to go Through To Midnight. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5 fm on 23 October 2019

Tell Me Like It Is . . .

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

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Well, it’s been a busy week, with plenty of gigs on the list and plenty of big smiles for the friendly faces along the way. So, there was a little frenetic activity to decide what would be in this week’s playlist, but it all worked out fine, with this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling, featuring plenty of new releases from the likes of  JD & The Electro-Tones, Steve Strongman, The Magpie Salute, Brad Vickers & His Vestapolitans, Black Stone Cherry, Jeff Chaz, The Ben Racine Band, The B. Christopher Band and Biscuit Miller & The Mix.

There were a few gig reviews, our album of the week from UK blues stalwarts, Savoy Brown and more of the celebrations of Black History Month . . . this time, with some big names who are not well known for singing the blues. Our regular guest Arfa Pinetop turned up with a story about a memorable London gig by the great Jimmy Witherspoon.

A Sure Thing
Rooster Blues – Jon Amor & The Boom Band (The Moon Goes Boom – 2015)
Southbound Girl – The Ben Racine Band (Montreal Live – 2019)
No Such Thing As A Sure Thing – Jim Kilpatrick & Heavy Weather (Fat Pigeon Session Live – 2016)
Don’t Deceive Me (Please Don’t Go) – Little Richard (Cast A Long Shadow – 1971)
609 – Biscuit Miller & The Mix (Chicken Grease – 2019)
Nothing Like The Blues – Kim Simmons & Savoy Brown (Still Live After 50 Years (Vol. 2) – 2019)

Pinetop’s Pick
Baby Baby Baby – Jimmy Witherspoon (Baby Baby Baby – 1990)

Blues Buffet
Tried To Keep You Satisfied – The B. Christopher Band (Two Rivers Back – 2019)
Rock Me Baby – Otis Redding (Otis Blue – 1965)
Blues Buffet – Jeff Chaz (No Paint – 2019)
Monday Morning Blues – Kim Simmons & Savoy Brown (Still Live After 50 Years (Vol. 2) – 2019)
Shufflin’ The Blues – T-Bone Walker (T-Bone Blues – 2005)
Highway 60 – Mike Sanchez & His Band (You Better Dig It – 2008)

Tell Me Like It Is
All Your Love (I Miss Lovin’) – Black Stone Cherry (Death Letter Blues – 2019)
Doesn’t Really Matter – The Magpie Salute (High Water II – 2019)
Mississippi Swamp – Brad Vickers & His Vestapolitans (Twice As Nice – 2019)
Can’t Be Satisfied – Rory Gallagher & Chris Barber (Memories Of My Trip – 2011)
The Things I Used To Do – James Brown (Messing With The Blues – 1990)
Diddy Wah Diddy – Tom Petty
Black Night – Kim Simmons & Savoy Brown (Still Live After 50 Years (Vol. 2) – 2019)
Tell Me Like It Is – Steve Strongman (Tired Of Talkin’ – 2019)

Austin Calling
Runnin’ With The Wolf – Omar Dykes (Runnin’ With The Wolf  – 2013)

Rockin’ Boogie
Rockin’ Chair – George Benson (Walking To New Orleans – 2019)
Ah’w Baby – JD & The Electro-Tones (At Abbey Road – 2019)
Savoy Brown Boogie / Whole Lot Of Shaking Going On – Kim Simmons & Savoy Brown (Still Live After 50 Years (Vol. 2) – 2019)

This week, our Austin Calling feature focused on Austin bluesman and local resident, Omar Dykes, who began playing the guitar at age 12 and started his first band at 13. In his 20s, he gathered together a group of musicians who started calling themselves ‘the Howlers’ and he cut his debut album in 1980. He went on to have a successful career as a solo artist, and toured America and European. My choice from him was his tribute to Howlin’ Wolf, the title track of his 2013 album . . . ‘Runnin’ With The Wolf’.

All too soon, our blues time together was fast running out, but before it did I was intent on bringing you the last of my choices from our album of the week from Savoy Brown. As our finale, we had Kim Simmons leading the band in a boogie, which he has been doing for 50 years. But, before I let them loose, there was a 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 22 October 2019
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 24 October 2019

So Far Out . . .

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

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Well, it crept up on us from behind, but the social diary this week seems to be jammed with events that leave little time for rummaging in the Cruising library for those lost and forgotten gems that we enjoy together. But, we did get there in the end and didn’t come away empty handed, as you’ll hear on this week’s Cruising with the Commissioner.

We started off with something from the much missed pioneer of great rhythm and blues and rock and roll, Fats Domino. He’s no longer with us but his music lives on and with great affection we played ‘All By Myself. Then, we headed on down the road with The Five Keys with their 1958 Capitol 45, ‘You’re For Me’, followed by Georgia Gibbs with her great 1957 cover of the Killer’s ‘Great Balls Of Fire’. Then, there was a big thanks to Larry Grogan and his Funky 16 Corners Show for pointing us to The Valtairs with one of their two 45’s for Selsom Records, called ‘The Kokomo’.

We had an adventure with some tippity top rockabilly, which started with Dutch singer Jack Jersey and his 1977 single ‘She Was Dynamite’, which reminded us of a Bob Dylan song given a rockabilly flavour by The Loan Sharks and guaranteed to go down well with our good pals Johnny99 and The Spinmeister. We got plenty of enthusiastic nods and smiles this end for The Di Maggio Brothers with their great rockabilly treatment of ‘Every Breath You Take’, which led neatly to an inventive version of a Pink Floyd number by our favourite Bristol band, Redhouse.

Down Along The Cove
Neckbones & Hot Sauce – L. Anderson & The Tornadoes
You’re For Me – The Five Keys
Great Balls Of Fire – Georgia Gibbs The Kokomo – The Valtairs
She Was Dynamite – Jack Jersey
Down Along The Cove – The Loan Sharks
Every Breath You Take – The Di Maggio Brothers
Another Brick In The Wall – Redhouse
She’s So Far Out She’s In – The Power Plant ft. Freddie May (Diamond)1967

Girls & Guitars
I Wish I Was In Memphis – Sally-Anne Whitten

Our Favourite Things
Cupid – Sam & Dave
Bird Dog – The Newbeats
Tell Him No – Dean and Marc
It’s My Own Business – The Balham Alligators
Our Favourite Things – Los Pacaminos
There’s a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis – The Tex Pistols
Same Old Story – Dave Ferrato
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This week’s Girls & Guitars feature focused on Australian, Sally-Anne
Whitten. She hails from New South Wales and has developed a blend of swampy blues, R&B and southern rock, which were well demonstrated with our choice, ‘I Wish I was In Memphis’ from her 2012 album ‘Sell My Soul’.

The Newbeats had many hits, but amongst their catalogue we found their take on a well known Everly Brothers song and it prompted a story about the Newbeats, who were Larry Henley and brothers Dean and Mark Mathis. The Mathis brothers had previously been members of Dale Hawkin’s band and back in 1959, they spent 8 weeks in the charts with their version of ‘Tell Him No’, which was an even bigger hit for Travis and Bob.

Now, our up-coming giglist includes one of our favourite UK Tex-Mex bands and it inspired a little selection of some excellent Tex-Mex numbers by UK bands . . . and good stuff it was too, kicking off with the much revered Balham Alligators with ‘It’s My Own Business’, followed by ‘Our Favourite Things’ from Los Pacaminos and all wrapped up by a UK band called the Tex Pistols with their take on the great Kirsty McColl number, ‘There’s a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis’. More than enough to please our good pals Pete & Diane and the much esteemed Arfa Pinetop. Then all too soon, we had to turn the Cruise Mobile for home in the very good company of New Orleans’ own Dave Ferrato.

When we arrived home from our musical adventure, Mr Merlot was far from happy about missing out on our Doo Wop Stop this week, but fortunately, he had lots of fun and frolics during our UK Tex Mex selection. So, after we parked up the trusty Cruise Mobile, he was there with The Cruisettes smiling and waving a fond farewell. Of course, we are ever hopeful that you enjoy our adventure together enough to come back again next week for another chance to go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 22 October 2019

Pick You Up Along The Way . . .

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

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There were plenty of gigs to inspire the choices for this week’s playlist, plus the usual armful of new releases. To get us in the right mood, the wonderful Jon Cleary kicked off the show with a big favourite here ‘Pump It Up’. It was a reminder that Jon will be back in the country next month for the London Jazz Festival so it was a good excuse to play something from him.

Blackheath had a double boost this week with The Brand New Heavies, who appeared at the On Blackheath festival earlier in the year. There was also another something from local Blackheath lad, Christopher Holland, with a favourite choice from his new album.

I arrived clutching new releases from Elles Bailey, The McNamarr Project, HeavyDrunk, The Ben Racine Band, Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps and Lucky Peterson, whose latest single has him duetting with his wife Tamara on the aptly titled, ‘Don’t Want Nobody But You’. Meanwhile, this week’s Under The Covers feature heard from The Isley Brothers, Otis Redding and Ernie Garrett, who are among the many big names who were great admirers of Jackie Wilson’s talents. They each turned up with covers of his songs that I think Jackie would have mighty pleased him.

Pump It Up
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
Pump It Up – Jon Cleary
Little Dancer – Brand New Heavies
From Time To Time – Paddy Milner
Holla & Moan – The McNamarr Project
Once I Get In It – Con Funk Shun

Under The Covers 
Whispers (Gettin’ Louder) – The Isley Brothers
Higher & Higher – Otis Redding
The Who Who Song – Ernie Garrett

If You’re Ready
Lovin’ Might Do Us Good – Stevie Nimmo
Red Telephone – Jon Amor
Marrakesh Express – Goldrush
New Glove – Christopher Holland
If You’re Ready – Ruby Turner
Hot Bath – Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra
Can’t Come Back – Boukou Groove

Don’t Want Nobody But You
Don’t Want Nobody But You – Lucky Peterson & Tamara Tramell
Pick You Up Along The Way – HeavyDrunk
Over My Shoulder – Giuliano Palma & the Bluebeaters. .
Can’t Wait To See You Again – The Ben Racine Band
Sick Note – Greg Coulson
Devil Comes Knocking – Elles Bailey

Girls & Guitars
Driving Down To Alvarado – Anne McCue

I Want It All
I Want It All – Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps
Why Not Try Me Tonight – Nine Below Zero

Doo Wop Delight
Heart & Soul – The Incredibles

Still Got The Blues
I’m Not In Love – Hiller & Higgs
Still Got The Blues – Eric Clapton
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature focused on Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist, Anne McCue who is now based in Nashville, Tennessee. She had two number one records in Australia back in 1998 with all-female rock band Girl Monstar and went on to join Australian female trio Eden A.K.A., who recorded an album for Columbia Records and performing across Canada and the USA. Since then, she’s played with a long list of notable names and has released 4 solo albums. My choice was ‘Driving Down To Alvarado’, from her 2014 album ‘Yo Yos, Marbles & A Piece Of String’. Then, our Doo Wop Delight brought us 60s group The Incredibles who recorded some impressive stuff in their time and this week’s choice was their 1966 release ‘Heart & Soul’

Before tomorrow arrived on the doorstep, I was intent on playing Eric Clapton’s tribute to the much missed Gary Moore. As Eric’s version of ‘Still Got The Blues’ faded away, I was already collecting up the music, tidying up the studio and getting ready to head out into the night. But, before I did, there was a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and the hope that we’ll meet again next week to go Through To Midnight. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

 

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 16 October 2019