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Well, Autumn has arrived and we can anticipate some chill evenings, but there’s always a very warm welcome Down at Kokomo’s, plenty of good company and fine sounds to take us through to the midnight hour. We had a soulful soundtrack to take us through to midnight.
We loved bringing back that Steve Miller song ‘Abracadabra’ by Robin McKelle and Frankie Valli with his take on Bobby Hebb’s ‘Sunny’. But, it all kicked off with Wynder K Frogg (otherwise known as famed UK organist, Mick Weaver) and an invitation to see what’s behind the Green Door . . . .
Green Door – Wynder K Frogg
Abracadabra – Robin McKelle
You’ll Lose A Good Thing – Betty Everett
Never Make Your Move Too Soon – Ernestine Anderson
Sunny – Frankie Valli
Just For You – Jerry Butler
Ain’t Giving Up Nothing – Al King
Here I Come Again – Mighty Sam McClain
The midnight crept up on us and, all too soon, it was time to wind things up Down at Kokomo’s . . . . Miss Rosie was busy clearing the bar and tables and Jazzy G was reaching for his coat and Antoine was at the door seeing everyone out. So, thanks for your good company and we hope that we’ll see you again soon Down At Kokomo’s . . . . but until then, remember . . . . have fun!
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Well, it’s been a good week here and I hope yours has been nothing less. Plenty of gigs an events to lift the spirit and a stack of great tracks to fill (to over-flowing) our whole hour of The Blues Come Calling. We kicked off with Storm Warning, who were on our giglist this week and giving us ‘The Blues Are Back’ and plenty more, along with the very welcome return of The Nimmo Brothers. The only problem with this week’s playlist was what to leave out, but it just meant more gems for next week and, hopefully, a similar excess of delights. A big thanks to our Arfa Pinetop for another Pinetop’s Pick and great respects to our good pal Neil Nixon, who pointed us to the excellent new album by Sonny Landreth. Check it out . . .
If you like good boogie . . .
The Blues Are Back – Storm Warning (Breaking Out – 2008)
Into The Flame – Susan Angeletti (Bitter Sweet – 2009)
Caledonia – The Prisonaires (Only Believe – 2013)
Hoodoo Man – Joe Taimo (Hoodoo Man – 2013)
If You Like Good Boogie – Pete Gage (Left Over Blues – 2015)
Slow As Molaases, Sweet As Honey – Deb Callanhan (Sweet Soul – 2015)
Statesboro Blues – Roy Bookbinder (Travellin’ Man – 1970)
Pinetop’s Pick
The Night Time Is The Right Time – Sonny Boy Williamson & The Animals
Watch Out
Don’t Need Nobody – Trevor Sewell (Calling Your Name – 2011)
Watch Out – The Nimmo Brothers (Moving On – 2002)
Feels Like Home – Joanne Shaw Taylor (Single – 2015)
Bound By The Blues – Sonny Landreth (Bound By The Blues – 2015)
That Lie – Groove Kings (Blood Red – 2009)
Long Way From Home – The Vaughan Brothers (Family Style – 1990)
We found ourselves a Long Way From Home with The Vaughan Brothers when time ran out this week’s show. So, as we tidied up the records and CDs, put the smiling picture of the station boss back on the wall and headed for the door, but not without a big thanks to you for your good company this week and the hope that you might be enticed back, same time same place next week . . . . when The Blues Come Calling again. Until then . . . have fun!
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Well, the Grand Duchy saw the return of very welcome sunshine this week and it cheered us considerably, as we went about our preparations for this week’s vaguely supervised musical adventure that we continue to call Cruising with The Commissioner. But, before we got down to that task, we were out in the Cruise Mobile to catch a gig by The Nimmo Brothers and a great show they put on too. If we’re to believe the reports around, there’s some doubt about whether we’ll be seeing the brothers playing together after this tour, so we savoured the occasion with a ‘Watch Out’ from their 2002 album ‘Moving On’.
This week came with a reminder of something by The Righteous Brothers, because it was Bill Medley’s birthday this week. Although the Righteous Brothers had big hits with ‘blue eyed soul’ number, they started out singing R&B songs and we included their first hit on our playlist, a release on the Moonglow label in 1963 called ‘Little Latin Lupe Lu’.
We were also grateful to Jamie Dell’Apa, way down there in New Orleans, for suggesting a great piece of ‘real’ R&B by Willie Headen. We played his 1957 DooTo 45 ‘Fun On Saturday Night’ and while we were rummaging in the Cruising Library we came across a little 45 by The Ideals and a rather fine version of The Everly’s hit Cathy’s Clown, which we first heard being played by our good pal Max Quirk. But, we kicked off down the road with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Big Time Operator and it all rolled on nicely from there . . . .
Look What I Got . . . .
Big Time Operator – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Twentieth Century Boy – The Big Six
Fun On A Saturday Night – Willie Headen
Too Much – Bernard Hardison
Twist & Shout – The Majors
Cathy’s Clown – The Ideals
Mellow Way You Treat Your Man – Ollie & The Nightingales
Little Latin Lupe Lu – The Righteous Brothers
Feels Like Home – Joanne Shaw Taylor
Piped Piper – Billy Williams
I Got A Feeling – Barbara Randolph
It’s A Groovy Idea – Barbara Aklin
Look What I Got – Gerri Thomas
Popeye – The Granville Williams Orchestra
Further On Up The Road . . . .
Further On Up The Road – Joe Cocker
The Race – Christopher
Gentlemen Of The Park – Episode Six
Julie Brown Loves Captain Cook – Les & Paul Barrett
Roll ‘Em Pete – The Dharma Blues Band
So Tired (Going’ Home) – Trevor Sewell
Watch Out – The Nimmo Brothers
The Brighter Song – Laura Nyro
Down In Mexico – Ella Mae Morse
St Loo – The Night Riders
Ice – The Penguins
Ella Mae – 44 Shakedown
Trickle Trickle – The Videos
The Chicken & The Hawk – Daddy’s Rebels
Our Girls & Guitars feature this week featured Birmingham singer/guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor. Those with excellent powers of recall, will remember that we’ve sampled her talents before, but we revisited her recordings because she’s just released a re-working of one of her early songs, ‘Feels Like Home’, this time with a fairly jazzy accompaniment from the BBC Big Band.
Despite all the traveling on our cruise, we were still in good spirits as we passed the familiar faces and places on our way home. But, we went home in great style with Daddy’s Rebels and ‘The Chicken & the Hawk’ . . . . then it was all over. Just time to polish up the Cruise Mobile and to thank everyone for their very good company on our cruise. Of course, we’re ever hopeful that if you enjoyed our playlist, then we’ll meet again, same time same place next week, when we call by in the Cruise Mobile with a seat saved especially for you, just so we can go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . . have fun!
Well, it was good to see so many friendly faces Down at Kokomo’s and the regulars know there’s always plenty of good company with Miss Rosie behind the bar for those who like a drink between dances. . . . and, helping on our way to the midnight hour, we kicked off our play list with a great 60s club favourite from The Phil Upchurch Combo with You Can’t Sit Down . . . .
You Can’t Sit Down – The Phil Upchurch Combo
One Track Love – 44 Shakedown
Little By Little – Dusty Springfield
Just To Hold My Hand – Dee Dee Sharp
Sunshine Superman – Mel Torme
Mellow Yellow – Georgie Fame
I Got The Blues – Della Reese
Seven States Away – Deb Callahan
Organ Grinder Swing – Jimmy Smith
Well, all too soon, it was time to wind up things up Down at Kokomo’s . . . . Miss Rosie was starting to clear the bar and tables and Jazzy G started looking at his watch. These are always sure signs that tomorrow was nearly here . . . So we went swinging out with the great Jimmy Smith and hoping that we’ll see everyone again soon Down At Kokomo’s. Until then . . . . have fun!
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Well, this week’s edition of the Blues Come Calling has a real mix of something old, something new and certainly something blue! So, if you like the blues then there was plenty to choose from. We kicked off this week’s playlist with something by The Insomniacs and an album that resulted from a visit to Clarksdale. The album was titled Left Coast Blues and it came from The Insomniacs. But, that was just the start of it . . . .
Same old blues . . .
Be Quiet – The Insomniacs (Left Coast Blues)
Homework – Steady Rollin’ Review (featuring Louise Clare Marshall) (The Steady Rollin’ Review – 2015)
Number Nine Train – Tarheel Slim (Fury 45 – 1958)
Eyesight To The Blind – Steve Bailey & The Blue Flames (Hop On Board – 1998)
Bluesky Night – Dusty Roads (Dusty Roads – 2015)
Who Do You Love – Andrea Marr Band (Live Blues Party at The House Of Blues)
Love Me Just Right – Lois Greco (Taking Hold Of Your Heart – 2010)
Too Late – Buddy Guy (featuring Kim Wilson)(Born To Play Guitar – 2015)
Same Old Blues – Larry McCray (Born To Play The Blues – 1998)
Pinetop’s Pick
When I’ve Been Drinking – Big Bill Broonzy
Roll ’em Pete . . .
Fred’s Dollar Store – Super Chikan (Chikadelic – 2009)
Vida’s Place – Roy Rogers (Rhythm & Groove)
Hug & Squeeze You – John Lee Hooker (Hooker’s Blues – 2012)
Ain’t Nothin’ You Can Do – Steady Rollin’ Review (featuring Bruce Mississippi Johnson) (The Steady Rollin’ Review – 2015)
Roll ‘Em Pete – The Dharma Blues Band (The Immediate Blues Anthology Vol 1- 1966)
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Well, we are back from our trip in the Cruise Mobile down to the Loire Valley, Bordeaux and Medoc . . . . and an eventful cruise it was too. We had a good time and sampled the cheeses, wines and much more on offer along the way. For those who may be wondering . . . . we took no French pop music on our journey and we returned with none, but we did catch up with some good sounds as we travelled and a few will be creeping into our playlist. So, here we are back in time to roll out the Cruise Mobile with a seat saved especially for you, just so we can all go Cruising with The Commissioner.
The Vikster recommended something for our travels this week and, as a result, we revisited the band, No Sinner. They were on our giglist when they were in London a while back and it was their version of ‘Work Song’ that featured on our travelling playlist . . . . so we played it again on this week’s cruise.
Given all activity that seemed to consume us this week, we were rather surprised that, at the appointed time, we turned up with the Cruise Mobile, polished and purring gently and with a seat saved especially for you . . . . and we started our cruise with a great piece of R&B from Rudy Green called ‘Wild Life’ . . . . and so much more . . . . as you can see:
Cruising way out there . . . . .
Wild Life – Rudy Green
You’d Better Believe It – Paul Gayten
My Pigeon’s Gone – Charles Calhoun
Sh-Boom – The Chords
I Worship You Baby– The Glories
Anything – Bobby Wilson
My Girl – Al Green
Georgia Blue – Joe Simon
I’ll Do Anything (He Wants Me To) – Doris Troy
Baby Make Your Own Sweet Music – The Fantastics
I Count The Tears – Rosanne Cash
Shout For Joy – Albert Ammons
Work Song – No Sinner
Semi Detached Suburban Mr Jones – Herbies’ People
Cruising just for the fun of it . . . . .
Dear Prudence – Leslie West & Mountain
I’m Not Your Stepping Stone – Paul Revere & The Raiders
King Lonely The Blue – The Emeralds
Sorry She’s Mine – Jimmy Winston & His Reflections
I Got All You Need – Joe Bonamassa
Sunday Kind Of Love – Beth Hall
I’ve Gotta Get You Back – Mary Love
You Don’t Know What You Mean To Me – Sam & Dave
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – Junior Walker & the Allstars
That’s All – Al Garris
Somebody’s Always Trying To Take My Baby Away – Ted Taylor
Before I Go – Shirley & Lee
Oh Little Girl – Dee Clark
We had a very nice piece of scratchy blues this week from Albert Ammons with his ‘ Shout For Joy’ and this weeks Girls & Guitars feature focused on someone who was born in was born in Memphis Tennessee in 1955, just as her father was recording his first tracks at Sun records. This was singer-songwriter and guitar player, Rosanne Cash who had chart success in the 1980s. But we selected a track from her 1995 album ‘Retrospective’ and a song that was a hit for The Drifters, ‘I Count The Tears’.
But, the sands of time ran out long before we ran out of road and music. So, we plan to come back next week, same time, same place, for another Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . . . remember . . . . have fun!
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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!
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Well, this week started with a technology malfunction that resulted in the loss of a bout a year’s music files, never to be recovered. This generated a deal of muttering on the part of your truly! But we tried to restore our normal cheery spirit in time to welcome one and all to this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner.
There were plenty of joys in this week’s giglist, including a rocking session by Chas & Dave . . . who were appearing at a venue close to The Grand Duchy this week and doing an hour of rock and skiffle numbers that went down a storm. We dug out Delbert McClinton’s song ‘Why Me’, because it was one of the numbers performed this week by Elio Pace and his band at their gig. Elio’s band, on this occasion, included the great Albert Lee. Another of this week’s highlights was catching James Burton live on stage and reprising his guitar work on several famous numbers, including Dale Hawkins’ ‘Suzie Q’, which he played on when he was only 14 years old . . . . and it still sounding good.
A top treat in this week’s schedule was seeing Jerry Lee Lewis at The London Palladium for his 80th birthday tour . . . . and possibly the last time we’ll see him touring the UK. His voice showed some wear from the passing years on the slow ballads. But, he was greeted by a theatre full of folks who’d travelled from far and wide to be there on the night. More than one in the crowd called out for him to play Lewis Boogie, but it clearly wasn’t on the setlist . . . . so for them, in case they happen to be listening to Cruising with The Commissioner, we played it.
But, before any of those treats, we kicked off our cruise with The Dave Clark 5 and ‘Doctor Rhythm’ . . . .
Cruising across frontiers . . . .
Doctor Rhythm – Dave Clark Five
Lock Up Your Secretaries – Frankie Miller
It Don’t Take But A Few Minutes – The Refreshments
All By Myself – Fats Domino
Why Me – Delbert McClinton
Addicted To the Phone – Elio Pace
Saturday Night Fish Fry – The Swing Cats
Polaris – The Volcanos
Give & Take – Fran McGillivray
Snap Your Fingers – Joe Henderson
Wherever I Lay My Hat – Cornell Campbell
Three From me . . . . with The Auburn Phantom
She’s The One – The Ramones
I’m The One – Atomic Rooster
She’s Got The Wine – Lovely Eggs
Cruising into the night . . . .
Pictures In My Mind – The Churchills
Sweet Jane – Enrico Ruggeri
Got Plenty Of Love – The Peeps
Shop Around – Bern Elliott & The Fenmen
Suzie Q – Dale Hawkins
Lewis Boogie – Jerry Lee Lewis
Steam Heat – The Esquires
Fun On A Saturday Night – Willie Headen
Hey Pretty Girl – Arthur Lee Maye
You Got Just What I Need – Jimmy Ricks
That’s All I Need – Lavern Baker
My Man – Dolly Cooper
Tune Up – Junior Walker & The All Stars
Our Girls and Guitars feature this week focused on Fran McGillivray, who hails from London and went to College just down the road from the Grand Duchy. She started playing at folk and blues clubs in the late 70s and went on to form her own band, producing an album in 2013 called Some Luck and we chose one of the tracks from the album, called ‘Give & Take’.
But, all too soon, we were getting that signal from Mr Merlot which meant we were running out of time on our cruise . . . So we organised the overdue return of Junior Walker with his rocking instrumental ‘Tune Up’ to take us home. Then it was all over. We parked up the Cruise Mobile and gave it a quick polish ready for next week. So, with a cheery wave we said our fond farewells in the hope that we’ll all be back again, same time, same place next week to go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . have fun!
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Well, welcome indeed to another 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 here, which we kicked off this week with a great piece of UK blues from Cyril Davies, who remains one of the iconic figures of the early UK blues scene and gave up playing banjo and guitar for the harmonica after hearing Little Walter play. . . . . for which we should be very grateful! Coming right back to today, we followed on with Katie Bradley and something that she recorded for her Anchor Baby Sessions . . . Little By Little
Little by little . . . .
Country Line Special – Cyril Davies’ R&B All Stars (Pye International 45 – 1962)
Little By Little – Katie Bradley (Anchor Baby Sessions – 2015)
Certain Distance – Bob Malone (Blues DeLuxe – 2015)
North Fork River Blues – Dusty Roads (Dusty Roads – 2015)
I Love The Woman – The Fins (Bluesprint)
Pinetop’s Pick . . . .
Talk To Your Daughter – Doctor K’s Blues Band
Think it over . . . .
If You’re Coming – Stefan George (Stef’s Blue Bait Shop – 1996)
Think It Over – Steady Rollin’ Review (Featuring Louise Clare Marshall)
Duty Calls – Brothers Groove (Play The Game – 2014)
Basement Of My Heart – Rebecca Downes (Back To The Start – 2014)
Al King – It’s Rough Out There (Its Rough Out Here -1998)
Full Moon On Main Street – The Kinsey Report* (Edge Of The City – 1998)
Drink With The Devil – Kaz Hawkins & Her Band O’Men (Get Ready – 2014)
Well, we were very pleased to pull out Kaz Hawkins & Her Band O’Men and Drink With The Devil, which you can find on her 2014 album ‘Get Ready’. But that just about wrapped things up for this week’s edition of the Blues Come Calling. So, there was nothing left to do, but tidy up the records and CDs, put the smiling picture of the station boss back on the wall and head for the door, but not without a big thanks for your good company this week and the hope that you might be enticed back again next week, when we’ll be here, same time same place . . . . when the Blues Come Calling again. Until then . . . .have fun!
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
Just Cruising 