Where blue begins . . . .

Well, a warm welcome to this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling . . . and if you like the blues, then you’re definitely in the right place, because we’ve got an hour of the best of the blues. This is the 8th edition of the show and it’s got some new albums, some familiar songs and artists, and a sad farewell. Of course, you’re reading this, so you know how to contact us and it’s been good to get some positive feedback and support. As 5pm on Saturday arrived and the Miskin Radio jingle faded, we kicked off with a favourite track from Coco Montoya and ‘Back In a Cadillac’

Back In A Cadillac – Coco Montoya
Eyesight To The Blind – Steve Bailey & The Blue Flames
Nobody’s Business – Mr Sipp
Get Your Ya Yas Out – Blind Boy Fuller
Where Blue Begins – Sanne Salamonsen
Black Magic Woman – Larry McCray
Take Me Back (Live) – Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion
Would Ya Look At That Car – Big Daddy Wilson
Feed My Soul – The Holmes Brothers
Can’t Even Do Wrong Right – Elvin Bishop
I Don’t Want To Do Wrong – Janiva Magness
Cannonball Shuffle – Robben Ford
Drivin’ Wheeel – Clarence Edwards
Roll ‘Em Pete – Diz Watson

This week we include a rather fine track, indeed, from Janiva Magness and if you happened to catch Thursday night’s Cruising with The Commissioner on Miskin Radio, then you’ll have heard her before for sure. But we thought we’d take the opportunity to slip in another track by her, in case you missed our previous play.

We said our sad farewells this week to Wendell Holmes, singer and guitarist with the much admired Holmes Brothers and Wendell will be remembered well for sure.

But all too soon, our time ran out and left us with nothing to do but clear up the CDs and records, put the smiling picture of the station boss back on the wall and head for the door. But, not without wishing you a great week and hoping that we might enjoy your good company next week, same time same place, when The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . . have fun.

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
27 June 2015

Summertime symphony . . . . .

Listen here to this week’s show:

Well, in case you didn’t notice mid-summer’s day, it slipped by with little fanfare this year. So, you could be forgiven for believing the brief bursts of sunshine and the warm rain were the best June has to offer. Around the Grand Duchy, we won’t believe summer has arrived until we get some warnings of imminent hosepipe bans. Nevertheless, we rolled out the Cruise Mobile and set off in good spirits to call by for the Cruising Crew . . . . and they turned out in goodly numbers . . . . which was all we needed to go Cruising with the Commissioner!

We had some birthdays to celebrate, a couple of departures to mark and an unexpected moment to push back the furniture, roll back the carpet and cover up the budgie, because we decided to feature some Northern Soul treats inspired by the dusty discoveries of our good pal The Auburn Phantom.

The preparations for this week’s show have included much amusement here about the consequence of my throat infection, which has given me the rasping voice of an aspiring Barry White impersonator. But, despite that, we were ready for a good time and, even the variable summer weather didn’t deter, Mr Merlot from coming dressed most appropriately in a colourful Hawaiian shirt, knee length shorts and rope sandals. The Cruisettes arrived looking resplendent in their polka dot tops and hot pants. The pink champagne was on ice and Mrs TC had provided a few tasty nibbles in the hospitality lounge. So, without delay, we headed off down the road on this week’s Cruise with Little Rachel and a track from her 2009 album ‘Turns Red Hot’, called ‘Go Bully Some Other Gal’ . . . . and there was more . . . .

Cruising for the city limits . . . . .
Go Bully Some Other Gal – Little Rachel
Shake! Shake! – Jump4Joy
Race With The Devil – Gene Vincent
Your Lover Man – The Fleetones
All Shook Up – Otis Blackwell
Little Darling – The Flirtations
Keep On Loving Me – Ernest Mosley
Girls Are Out To Get You – The Fascinations
Hear Me Calling – James Hunter & Doris Troy
Her Loving Way – Gaylan Ladd
Susie Q – Dale Hawkins
Leavin’ Kind – Samantha Fish
In The Midnight Hour – Herbie Fabulus

Killer Diller Korner . . . . with Johnny Alpha
Ha Le Se Le Li Khanna – The New Life

Cruising to the summer sun . . . .
Handbags & Gladrags – Mike D’Abo
Sunshine Day – Jethro Tull
Summer In the City – The Lovin’ Spoonful
Long Hot Summer – The Tom Robinson Band
Sunshine Day – Osibisa
Goin’ Home – Greg Rolie
Let’s Have Some Fun – Mighty Sam McClain
Last Man Standing – The Holmes Brothers
Dancing In The Street – LaBert Ellis
Summertime Blues – Dion
Summertime – The Shake Spears
Summertime Symphony – Jamie Coe

Our Girls & Guitars feature this week focused on guitarist and singer Samantha Fish. She’s a native of Kansas City, Missouri she’s gigging around the UK currently. If you’ve not seen her on stage, then you can get a feel for her music from the track we chose, ‘Leavin’ Kind’, off her 2011 album ‘Runaway’. Johnny Alpha brought us another juicy gem from his impressive collection, which he suggested would be well received by the ‘swirling’ devotees of Euro pop. Indeed, we were all having a great time until Mr Merlot reminded us that we should be heading for home . . . . which we did in the company of Jamie Coe and a song that sounded just a little like Chuck Berry’s ‘Sweet Little Sixteen’, but this was Jamie Coe and his 1959 Addison 45 ‘Summertime Symphony’.

Well, I’m rather surprised that my voice held out to the end of the show, but it did just and if you like our playlist this week, perhaps there’s a chance we can entice you back again next week, when we’ll roll by in the Cruise Mobile, same time same place with a seat saved especially for you. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

Getting mighty crowded . . . .

 

Well, a hearty welcome to this week’s visit ‘Down at Kokomo’s’ and if you’re a regular here, you know there’s always plenty of good company and fine sounds to take us through to the midnight hour. Although our host, The Commissioner, had the added attraction of a bad throat infection, everyone else seems to be on good form . . . . Miss Rosie was behind the bar, Antoine was at the door and Jazzy G was in his favourite seat at the end of the bar. For those who couldn’t make it down to Kokomo’s, those nice people at Miskin Radio broadcast the show, to be enjoyed wherever you are . . . .

This week, we kicked off with Booker T & The MGs with ‘Outrage’ . . . .

Outrage – Booker T & The MGs 
Irresistible You – Bobby Darin
Getting Mighty Crowded – Betty Everett
Mockingbird – Inez & Charlie Foxx
Fool Me Again – Janiva Magness
You Got Me Baby – Johnny Carr
I Can’t Stand It – The Spencer Davis Group
Tell Me How Do You Feel – Billy Fury
Last Night – Laurel Aitken & The Soulmen
Hallelujah I Love Him So – Timi Yuro

Well, the great Timi Yuro just about wound things up for this week. Miss Rosie got busy clearing the bar and tables and Jazzy G was reaching for his coat and Antoine was at the door seeing everyone out with a cheery ‘goodnight’. So, thanks for your good company and we hope that we’ll see you again soon ‘Down At Kokomo’s’ . . . . until then . . . . Have fun!

Take a little time . . . .

Listen here to this week’s show:

 

Well, a warm welcome to this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling . . . and if you like the blues, then you’re definitely in the right place, because we’re here to deliver an hour of the best of the blues with yours truly, The Commissioner.

This week we ranged across frontiers and time zones for our choices and we kicked off with Billy Boy Arnold and ‘It’s Great To Be Rich’. . . . . and before we got into a debate on that topic, we attempted to divert attentions with one of John Lee Hooker’s best known songs. Take a listen . . . .

It’s Great To Be Rich – Billy Boy Arnold with Tony McPhee & The Groundhogs
Boom Boom – John Lee Hooker
Spoonful – Mickey Baker
Take A Little Time – Walter Trout
Bourbon Street – Malaya Blue
The Tattooed Lady & the Alligator Man – Marcia Ball
The Blues Ain’t Nothing But – Georgie White
Done Got Over It – Clarence Edwards
Fannie Mae – Mighty Sam McClain
Bull Doze Blues – Henry Thomas
Go With The Flow – Alex McKown
True Lovin’ Man – Billy Walton Band
The Blues, The Whole Blues & Nothing But The Blues – Jimmy Witherspoon
Your Mind Is On Vacation – Dana Gillespie

Thanks to those who gave us feedback on the recent shows and we managed to fit in a few ‘suggestions’ from your recent feedback. We also paid our respects to the Mighty Sam McClain and marked his passing with something from his catalogue. But, all too soon, it was time to collect up the records and CDs and we headed home with a wonderful Mose Allison song from Dana Gillespie.

If you like what you heard on this week’s show, then here’s hoping you’ll be back to join us the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . . Have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
20 June 2015

Believe it or not . . . .

Listen here to this week’s show:

Well, as mid summer’s day approaches, we may be pinning our hopes on a late summer to cheer our days and encourage
more of those alfresco dining opportunities with friendly faces. We’ve had a few good humoured gatherings of late and
even more would be most welcome. Our cheery postman stops by for a chat whenever the packages of musical treats are
too big for normal delivery and he’s beginning to show more enthusiasm for CDs than LPs, because they’re easier to
carry and deliver. But, he nods knowingly when he hears that some vinyl gems have yet to find their way onto other
media formats.

We ended up demonstrating a little ‘just in time management’ with our playlist planning for this week’s Cruising with 
The Commissioner. But, it worked out OK in the end and we were able to include some recent arrivals, including
something from popular 80s UK club band Juice On The Loose and their one-time member the much revered Geraint
Watkins. We also demonstrated an uncharacteristic Euro flavour with a couple of tracks this week, including the
original Italian hit that became Amen Corner’s ‘If Paradise Is Half As Nice’. The original came from La Ragazza 77,
titled ‘Il Paradiso Della Vita’. We also had a demonstration of The Hollies’ fine command of French . . . . so I’m
told . . . . with a French version  their UK hit ‘We’re Through’. But, it all kicked off with a fine piece of 1956
doo wop from The Supremes, not the Motown group, but the original 50s Supremes . . . and we rolled on from there.

Cruising for the horizon . . . . 
Zip Boom – The Supremes
You Better Dig It – Mike Sanchez & His Band
Tell Me – Dolly Cooper
Palm Of Your Hand – Dolly Lyon
Hide & Seek – Dave Anthony
Sign On The Dotted Line – Gene Latter
Don’t Mess With My Toot Toot – The Cajun Roosters
Man Smart, Woman Smarter – Geraint Watkins & The Dominators
Stop That Train – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Three From Me . . . . . with DJ Leyton Rocks
Life Is A Carnival – The Band
Good Times – The Easy Beats
I Could Be So Good To You – Don & The Goodtimes
 
Cruising in good company . . . . .
My White Bicycle – Nazareth
Blackberry Way – The Move
Il Paradiso Della Vita – La Ragazza 77
We’re Through – The Hollies
Believe It Or Not – Donnie Elbert
Statesboro Blues – Ana Popovic
 
Killer Diller Korner  . . . . with Johnny Alpha
Midnight Crying Time – Scotty McKay

Cruising there and back . . . . .
Walk On – Alvin Red Tyler & The Gyros
Anything – Bobby Wilson
I’ll Do Anything (He Wants Me To) – Doris Troy
Suzie Q – Suzie Quatro
Going Home – Juice On the Loose
Air Travel – Chris Farlowe
Before I Go – Shirley & Lee
 
Well, our Girls and Guitars feature this week focused on Ana Popovic, who we’ve heard from before on Cruising with
the Commissioner. We’ve also seen her live on stage and it’s all good stuff. But, for our choice this week, we
went back to her 2012 ‘Hometown’ album and her take on the blues classic ‘Stateboro Blues’ and it sounded good.

Mr Merlot, who was looking very suave for this week’s show, proved he hadn’t forgotten his production duties and so at
the appropriate moment, he was nodding towards the clock now and raising an eyebrow in that Roger Moore fashion. So,
reluctantly, we turned the Cruise Mobile for home and headed home in the good company of Shirley and Lee and the
aptly titled ‘Before I Go’. We couldn’t leave without a big thanks to DJ Leyton Rocks for his Three From Me selection
and Johnny Alpha for his Killer Diller Korner choice . . . all excellent music.

So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . . . remember . . . . have fun!

 

Hide nor hair . . . .

Listen here to this week’s show:

Well, the Outside Broadcast crew were down at Kokomo’s to set up the equipment for tonight‘s show. Every was in place and, some of the regulars arrived early to get their favourite seats. They know there’s always good company here and plenty of fine sounds from our genial host, The Commissioner, presenting a mix of jazz, soul, rock and blues.

Miss Rosie was in position behind the bar, Antoine was at the door and Jazzy G was in his favourite seat at the end of the bar. So, whoever strolled in during the show, they were made very welcome. So, if you didn’t make it ‘Down at Kokomo’s, you can always listen in on Miskin Radio . . . . and here’s our playlist for this week:

Black Talk – Charles Earland
Hide Nor Hair – Ray Charles
You’ll Lose A Good Thing’ – Barbara Lynn
Music City – The Pleasures
Your Mind Is On Vacation – Mose Allison
A Little Piece Of Leather – Donnie Elbert
Crawling Up A Hill – Steve Muskrat
High School Dropout – Roy C
Let’s Go Baby – Robert Parker
In The Midnight Hour – Little Mac

All too soon, it was time to start winding things up. We headed for the midnight hour with Little Mac & The Boss Sounds, while Miss Rosie got busy clearing the bar and tables. Jazzy G was soon reaching for his coat and Antoine was giving everyone a cheery send off at the door.

So, all that’s left is to say thanks for your good company and hope that we’ll see you again soon Down At Kokomo’s. Until then . . . . Have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
18 June 2015

Hummingbirds in my soul . . . .

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

 

Well, a warm welcome to this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling and if you like the blues, then you’re definitely in the right place, because this is an hour of some of the best of the blues . . . . and a big thanks to those who have been in touch since the last programme, not only for the kind words but also your suggestions of tracks to feature in the future.

We kicked off this week’s playlist with Edgar Winter and a tribute to his home state of Texas. Following up, we had ‘Storm Warning’, a track that we’ve been playing a lot lately . . . . it comes from an album titled ‘Stone Cold Beautiful’ which features Wily Bo Walker and E.D. Brayshaw . . . . enjoy!

Texas – Edgar Winter
Storm Warning – Wily Bo Walker & E.D. Brayshaw
Tush – ZZ Top
Hi Heel Sneakers – Buddy Guy & Junior Wells
One Foot In The Bayou – David Egan
Hummingbirds In My Soul – Michael Messer
Three Cool Cats – Ernie Lancaster
Mississippi Kisses – Dani Wilde
I’m Just Your Fool – Terry Robb Acoustic Trio
They Don’t Make ‘Em Like You No More – The Royal Southern Brotherhood
Eyesight To The Blind – the Larks
Fade To Black – Dire Straits
I Can’t Be Satisfied – Jo-Ann Kelly
I Want to Be Loved – The Hoax
Yeovil – Juice On The Loose
Taxi Blues – Little Richard

So, that’s our playlist for this week and, hopefully, you enjoyed it and maybe there were a few choices in there that  brought a little surprise and delight. If there were,  we’d be pleased to hear from you, along with a track or two you’d like to hear on a future show. So, do get in touch on the website, via Facebook, or Twitter.

If you have nothing better to do, join us again same time same place next week when The Blues Come Calling . . . . until then  . . . . Have fun!

I love the life I live . . . .

Listen here to this week’s show:

 
As the regulars know, there’s always good company and plenty of fine sounds from the small stage, which is where you can find our genial host presenting a mix of jazz, soul, rock and blues, along with the occasional guest. Miss Rosie’s behind the bar and the ever smiling Antoine is at the door and there are a few familiar faces in tonight, including Jazzy G is in his favourite seat at the end of the bar.

It doesn’t matter what the weather’s like outside, or what time you arrive, you’ll be made very welcome. So, come on in and enjoy our playlist for this week:

The Cat – Jimmy Smith
I Love The Life I Live – Georgie Fame
Mercy Mercy – Don Covay
I Got The Blues – Della Reese
She’s Alright – Chris Farlowe
I’ve Been Hurt By Love – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band
Look At Granny Run Run – Howard Tate
Turn On Your Love Light – Oscar Toney Jr
Knockout – The Filthy Six 
Broadcast on Miskin Radio
11 June 2015
 

Shazam . . . .

Listen here to this week’s show:

Well, cheery greetings from here in the heart of Cruising land and we’re still catching up on a brilliant week, with some great encounters with members of the Cruising Crew, lot’s of positive feedback and welcoming many new members. We seem to be building quite a following out there, but possibly not the same as Benny Hill’s following! Last week’s birthday tribute to long-time Cruising Crew member, Lil Sis, seemed to be much appreciated by those who knew her, judging by the feedback. So, thanks for that.

The social diary has kept us on our toes this week and we’ve had some very good company for sure. Particular thanks goes to Jamie Dell’Apa for pointing us too some more excellent ‘real’ R&B (from those dusty, dark corners of the WWOZ radio archives) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saturday-Night-New-Orleans-Radio/625773220767239?fref=ts and Paul Stiles for some fine sounds that haven’t passed by without due follow up! www.ukbluestoday.co.uk

By good fortune or skilful planning, we’ve arrived at the appointed hour, on the intended day and with a suitably enthusiastic invitation to jump aboard the trusty Cruise Mobile.We had the windows down, the radio on and the volume cranked up . . . . and we kicked off our cruise with Bill Black’s Combo and a version of his former bosses hit ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ . . . . and more . . . .

Cruising for the horizon . . . .
Don’t Be Cruel – Bill Black’s Combo
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – The King
You’ve Got What I Like – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
Shazam – Duane Eddy
Proud Mary – Brenda Lee
New Boogie Woogie Baby – The Cash Box Kings
Shoes – Bobby Blue Bland
My Man – Imelda May & the Mike Sanchez Band
Begging For Your Love – Dani Wilde
What & How & If & When & Why – Bill Wyman
Ghost Riders in the Sky – The Ramrods
Jamaica Ska – Byron Lee and the Dragonaires

Killer Diller Korner . . . . with Johnny Alpha
Ah-Ha – Paul Anka

Cruising there and back . . . . .
Who Put The Benzedrine in Mrs Murphy’s Ovaltine – Harry Gibson
Fresh Garbage – Cannata
One Way Ticket – The Hollies
Here We Go ‘Round The Lemon Tree – Jason Crest
The Only Kind Of Girl – The New Jump Band
Mockingbird – Dusty Springfield
Walk On By – Brenda & The Tabulations
New Orleans – Big Boy Myles
Twist Twist Senora – Gary US Bonds
My Love – Ronnie Jones
Gettin’ On Back – The Globe Show
I Can’t Stand It – James Royal
Groovin’ – Ben E King
Shirley – John Fred & The Playboys

Respects to Johnny Alpha for bringing us a rare treat by Paul Anka and our ‘Girls & Guitars’ feature gave us an opportunity to feature something from the new album by Dani Wilde. She’s been on our giglist a few times and we’ve played tracks by her here previously . . . . And it was all good stuff. But her current album, ‘Songs About You’, probably has a more mellow feel to it than previous releases and we like them both. This time we chose her track ‘Begging For Your Love’.

Despite some people’s fears, we arrived back safe and sound from our cruise and in time to park up the trusty Cruise Mobile, give it a quick polish, ready for next week. Which is when we fully intend to call by again, same time, same place with a seat saved especially for you. We’ll be looking out for your friendly face too, because were sure to have plenty of tasty treats to make it all worthwhile. But until then, remember . . . . have fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steppin’ out . . . .

Listen here to this week’s show:

Well, here we are with another edition of ‘The Blues Come Calling’ and not only in a new extended format, but in a new time slot too. So, we brought cheery greetings, after our trip in the Miskin Radio removals wagon, as we relocated from our familiar Thursday night slot to join the friendly faces on the Saturday team . . . . . and we were very pleased to be there too. As ever, if you like the blues, then you’re definitely in the right place when ‘The Blues Come Calling’.

We kicked off our play list with ‘I Don’t Want To Sing The Blues No More’ from Chris Farlowe, which came from his 2005 album Hungry For The Blues . . . and we followed on with The Blue Rider Trio and their serenade to the virtues of ‘Sweet Home Kokomo’.

I Don’t Want To Sing The Blues No More – Chris Farlowe
Sweet Home Kokomo – The Blue Rider Trio
Tore Up – Duke Robillard
Old Love – Otis Rush
West Coast Blues – Blind Blake
Steppin’ Out – Memphis Slim
Stop Watching Your Enemies – Koko Taylor
Looking For Trouble – The Mick Clarke Band
Good Morning Blues – Brian Cushion
The Devil & Me – Moreland & Arbuckle
You Can’t Get the Stuff No More – Tampa Red
Buried Alive In the Blues – Amos Garrett
I Ain’t Got You – Billy Boy Arnold
Lipstick, Powder & Paint – Big Joe Turner

All too soon, our time was running out and we set about clearing up the debris that accumulates during a show like this . . . . but not before we heard from Big Joe Turner and his much covered hit ‘Lipstick Powder & Paint’. So, with barely time to say a fond farewell, we were heading for home. But, if you enjoyed our playlist then here’s hoping you’ll be here same time same place next when ‘The Blues Come Calling’ again. Until then . . . . have fun!

 

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
6 June 2015