I gotta go now . . . . .

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Well, after pouring over what Santa left us, we found ourselves well fed and ‘watered’ after the Xmas festivities and just waiting to see what the new year might bring. There will be many who will be happy to put events of 2015 behind them, but we have some fond memories of good company and fine music.

So, we arrived in good spirits for 2015’s last Cruising with The Commissioner and the Cruise Mobile was rolling along nicely as we remembered Steve Wright of The Easybeats and their hit ‘Friday On My Mind’ (which it was, as we anticipate the start of 2016) . . . and then, with barely a pause, along came The Spiders and their 1954 Imperial release ’21’. . . .

Cruising for the countryside . . . .
Friday On My Mind – The Easybeats
21 – The Spiders
Witchcraft – Hi Fi & The Roadburners
I Like It Like That – The Five Royales
Alcohol – Paul ‘Hucklebuck’ Williams & His Orchestra
You Got Me Dizzy – Billy Fury
Sweet & Lovely – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
What Would I Do – The Superiors
I Really Love You – The Tomangoes
I’m Not Strong Enough – The Four Perfections
I Gotta Go Now (Up On the Floor) – Rex Garvin & The Mighty Cavers
Have You Ever Seen The Rain – Joan Jett
Run Joe – Stranger Cole & The Baba Brooks Band

Cruising with the crew . . . . .
Giving Yourself Away – Vinegar Joe
Ain’t Superstitious – Jeff Beck Group
Warming Up The Band – Heads, Hands & Feet
Mr Moonlight – Dr Feelgood & The Interns
Yeah Man – Sam Cooke
Apron Strings – Billy ‘The Kid’ Emerson
Right String Baby, But The Wrong Yo-Yo – Carl Perkins
Who Do You Love – Jo Ann & Troy
Better Watch Out – Gwen Owens
Seven Day Lover – James Fountain
Nature Boy – The Shields
Oh Baby (We’ve Got A Good Thing Goin’) – Barbara Lynn
Tremble – Malcolm Dodds & The Tune Drops
Don’t Throw Your Love Away – Len Barry
Wild Country Wine – Roy Young

Well, our Girls & Guitars spot this week featured Joan Jett, who was a founding member of girl group The Runaways. She went on to pursue a solo career and we chose a track from her 1990 album ‘The Hit List’ and her cover of the Credence Clearwater Revival hit ‘Have Your Ever Seen The Rain’.

Roy Young brought us to a rocking close on this week’s Cruising and the last show of 2015. So, as Mr Merlot and The Cruisettes skipped off to the after show party, we quickly tidied up, so we could join them. But, we very much hope that you enjoyed our Cruising through 2015 and that you’ll be back for more in 2016. We’ll back then to call by for you 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 . . . have fun!

Get your yas yas out

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Well, it was difficult to ignore the seasonal sights and sounds, as we prepared this week’s playlist for The Blues Come Calling, but we did manage to resist temptation and kept the festive tunes out of selection. So, we dug deep for our opener from The R&B Express, just to prove that the blues were back and we had a whole hour of them is store. So if you like the blues then this is definitely the place to be, with some very current releases, a few old favourites, some lesser known gems and Pinetop’s Pick. Take a listen . . . .

Blues Got Me
Jumpin’ At JJ’s – The R&B Express (Hot Barbeque – 1991)
I Believe I’m In Love With You – Bonnie Raitt & Kim Wilson (Road Tested – 1995)
Blues Got Me – Cheryl Arena (Blues Harp Women – 2015)
Reconsider – Federal Charm (Short Edit) (Federal Charm – 2013)
Fishing Blues – Henry Thomas (Texas Worried Blues – 2005)
Person to Person – Erja Lyytinen (Live In London – 2015)
Hard Times – Cotton Belly’s (Rainy Road – 2015)

Pinetop’s Pick
Future Blues – Giles Hedley (Live – 2015)

I’m Ready
Nothing’s Too Good For My Baby – Big Daddy Kinsey (Ramblin’ Man – 1994)
Don’t Know Why – Grainne Duffy (Grainne Duffy Live – 2015)
Tough On You, Tough On Me – Norman Beaker Blues Trio (Live in Belgrade – 2015)
Get Your Yas Yas Out – Blind Boy Fuller (Get Your Yas Yas Out – 2004)
I’m Ready – Low Budget Blues Band (Low Budget Blues Band – 1990)
Too Bad, So Sad – Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames (Slip Into A Dream – 2015)

Well, we packed all we could into this week’s playlist and we had barely enough time to say our goodbyes. So, as this is the last edition of The Blues Come Calling for 2015, we’re taking this opportunity to wish you all the best for the festive season and a great 2016. A big thanks for your good company through 2015 and we’ll be back in 2016 . . . same time same place when once again The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 19 December 2015

Cruising with Santa . . . .

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Well, a very cheery welcome to one and all for this seasonal edition of Cruising with The Commissioner This week we turned up bedecked in our festive finery, including The Cruise Mobile, which we rolled out with a seat saved especially for you. Mr Merlot was full of ‘Ho Ho Ho’ and The Cruisettes were on board with enough pink fizz for all, as we kicked off our festive frolic with The Cadets, followed by The Refreshments and a few favourites chosen by the Cruisettes . . . . as you can see here . . . .

Cruising with Santa . . . .
Let’s Rock & Roll – The Cadets
I’m The Real Santa – The Refreshments
Santa Was A Skinhead – The Midtown Boys
It’s Christmas Time – Status Quo
Dig That Crazy Santa Claus – Brian Setzner
Hey! Santa Claus – The Moonglows
Santa Is Rockin’ – The Boppers
Run Rudolph Run – Sheryl Crow
Santa Claus Is Ska-ing To Town – The Granville Williams Orchestra
Merry Christmas Baby – Otis Redding
She’ll Be My Everything For Christmas – Los Lonely Boys
Please Come Home For Christmas – Johnny Winter
Christmas Celebration – B B King
I Hear Jingle Bells – Freddy King
Christmas Comes But Once A Year – Albert King

Three From Me . . . . from The Vikster
Run Rudolph Run – Chuck Berry
Back Door Santa – Clarence Carter
Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea

Santa’s Gonna Rock . . . .
Jolly Old St Nicholas – Chicago
Santa Loves To Boogie – Asleep At The Wheel
All I Want For Christmas – Huey Piano Smith & The Clowns
I Want A Present For Christmas – Doc Bagby Orchestra (featuring JB Summers)
Father Christmas – The Kinks
Santa’s Gonna Rock – The Refreshments
A Very Merry Rockin’ Good Christmas – The Rockabilly Boogie Band

Our Girls & Guitars feature focused on a seasonal choice from Sheryl Crow. This was a classic song by Chuck Berry, Run Rudolph Run . . . . and it went down rather well with the Cruising Crew this week.

Well, eventually time ran out on our Christmas Cruise and it took a good deal of cleaning up to get things back to some sense of normality. But be assured we will be back and we’ll be calling by in the cruise mobile with a seat saved especially for you. Remember, if you’re travelling home for Christmas or visiting others . . . . take it steady and here’s hoping Santa brings you something nice. Then, with a festive wave, we headed off for the hols. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Wireless FM
on 15 December 2015

What the hell is goin’ on?

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Well, we ignored all the predictable, festive music about this week and kicked off this week’s edition of The Blues Come 
Calling with the great Albert Collins. It signalled that the blues were back and we had a whole hour of them is store. So 
if you like the blues then you were definitely in the right place at the right time.

As yours truly, The Commissioner, I came armed with some great blues, new and old, but all great stuff and we followed 
that with Tommy Brown and his 2004 recording of Women & Cadillacs . . . Enjoy!

Money Don’t Matter
Too Tired – Albert Collins (Deluxe Edition – 1997)
Women & Cadillacs – Tommy Brown (Remember Me – 2004)
What The Hell Is Goin’ On? – Paul Thorn (What The Hell Is Goin’ On? – 2012)
It Wasn’t Real – Gina Sicilia (It Wasn’t Real – 2013)
Money Don’t Matter – Martin Harley & Daniel Kimbro (Live At Southern Ground – 2015)
Can’t Do Nothin’ Right – Dave Meniketti (On The Blue Side – 1998)
Fattening Frogs For Snakes – Carrie Edwards (Piano Blues Vol 5 (1929 – 1936) – 2005)

Pinetop’s Pick
Statesboro Blues – Taj Mahal (Taj Mahal – 1968)

Steppin’ Out 
Tough On Me, Tough On You – The Brooklyn Rhythm & Blues Project (The Brooklyn Rhythm & Blues Project – 2014)
Oreo Cookie Blues – Lonnie Mack (Strike Like Lightning -1985)
Same Ol’ Blues – Mary Bridget Davies Group (Wanna Feel Something – 2012)
That’s What Lovers Will Do – Blue Stew (Headed South – 2005)
Steppin’ Out – Memphis Slim (At the Gate of the Horn – 1959)
Texas Tango – The Vargas Blues Band (Texas Tango (Remastered) – 2010)

All too soon, The Vargas Blues Band brought us to the end of this edition of The Blues Come Calling. Then, we prepared 
to be heading for home, but not before we tidied up the records and CDs, put the smiling picture of the station boss back 
on the wall and waved a cheery farewell to everyone . . . at least until next week. We are hoping you’ll be back again, 
same time, same place, when once again The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin radio
on 12 December 2015

Here comes the weekend . . . .

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Well, we arrived at Cruise Control with very little time to prepare for this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner and that was because we had just got back from our transatlantic trip. So, we were fighting off our customary jet lag as we pulled out the choices for this week’s playlist, but we got there . . . . just in time!

One of our choices this week was inspired by Jamie Dell’Apa down there in New Orleans, because he pointed us to a track called ‘Stratosphere Boogie’ by guitarist Jimmy Bryant and steel guitarist Speedy West. Those who have been long-time members of the cruising crew will know we have an affection for guitar maestro Les Paul and got to meet him some years back when he was playing a gig at New York’s Iridium Club. But, Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West take things a little further, as you judge for yourself.

By a combination of frantic endeavour and good fortune, when the appointed hour rolled around, we rolled out the Cruise Mobile and we set off to ‘who knows where’, with ‘you know who’ in the company of Mel Robbins and ‘Save It’. The rest followed on . . . . like this . . . .

Cruising with the crew . . . . .
Save It – Mel Robbins
Carry On – Jerry Byrne
No Help Wanted – The Crows
Treat Me Nice – Conway Twitty
Can’t Stand It Anymore – Rocky Sharpe & The Replays
Teardrops Will Fall – Wilson Pickett
What Would I Do – The Superiors
Hurtin’ Inside – LaVern Baker
I Don’t Know – The Beat From Palookaville
It’s All Blues – Debbie Davies
Sneakin’ Around – The Paladins
Stratosphere Boogie – Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant
Sweet Jane – Enrico Ruggeri
Strong Love – The Malibus

Cruising across the desert . . . .
Tracks Of My Tears – Adam Lambert
This Is How A Heart Breaks – Rob Thomas
Since I Fell For You – Reba McEntire & Natalie Cole
My Maria – Brooks & Dunn
Here Comes The Weekend – Dave Edmunds
Mama Said – Dusty Springfield
What I Need Is Love – Barbara Lynn
I Don’t Care – The Chants
Keep A Hold Of What You Got Now – The Shots
My Friend Jack – Monty Babson
Waiting For A Saturday Night – Doctor Feelgood
I Can’t Sit Down – Marie & Rex
The Coffee Grind – Hank Ballard
Stupid Cupid – Connie Francis
The Chicken & The Bop – Lloyd Price

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature focused on Los Angeles born blues guitarist and singer, Debbie Davies. During her career, she’s been the featured guitarist in several female based bands including Maggie Mayall and the Cadillacs and Fingers Taylor and the Ladyfinger Revue, as well as being a member of Albert Collins’ band, the Icebreakers. We selected a track called ‘It’s All Blues’ from her latest album, which was released this year and called ‘Love Spin’.

The keen eared members of the Cruising Crew will have spotted Connie Francis in our playlist with her 1959 hit ‘Stupid Cupid’ . . . . and Neil Sedaka song that we played that because it was Connie Francis’ birthday this week and Mr Merlot needed no encouragement to raise a glass to toast her.

But, all too soon, we ran out of time on our cruise, so we headed for home with a fine piece of New Orleans rocking R&B from Lloyd Price and his ‘Chicken & the Bop’. Then it was all over, except for promising to call by again next week . . . 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 Wireless FM Radio
on 8 December 2015

Everybody knows about my good thing . . .

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We issued our usual caution before we got started this week, so no one should be in any doubt that ‘wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you’d better be ready when The Blues Come Calling’ . . . . and they did, kicking off in fine style with Mike Zito for a whole hour of the blues. So, if you like the blues then you were definitely in the right place at the right time.

This week, we jumped across plenty of frontiers and time zones in our playlist this week. For those who have seen Mike Zito as a member of The Royal Southern Brotherhood, then there was another familiar face following up, in the form of Cyril Neville with a track from his 2013 album Magic Honey, called ‘Another Man’. But, check the rest for yourself . . .

Midnight Ride
Dirty Blonde – Mike Zito (Pearl River – 2009)
Another Man – Cyril Neville (Magic Honey – 2013)
You Made Me Cry – The Beat Daddys (Hoodoo That We Doo – 2015)
Cherry Red – Little Richard (Little Richard Is Back – 1964)
Midnight Ride – Tinsley Ellis (Tough Love – 2015)
Motherless Child – Barbecue Bob (Columbia 78 – 1927)
Everybody Knows About My Good Thing – Little Johnny Taylor
(Everybody Knows About My Good Thing – 2006)

Pinetop’s Pick
You’re Gonna Need Somebody By Your Side – Bret Marvin & The Thunderbolts
(Boogie Street -1993)

Take It All
Marie – Otis Spann (Chicago The Blues Today – 1966)
It’s A Mean Old World – Otis Rush & His Band (Chicago The Blues Today – 1966)
Give Me A Minute – Connie Lush (Renaissance – 2015)
It’s Over – Norman Beaker Blues Trio (Live In Belgrade – 2015)
Take It All – Danielle Nicole (Wolf Den – 2015)
Scootchin’ – Bobby Rush (Chicken Heads – A 50 Year History of Bobby Rush – 2015)
Hide & Seek – Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin (Lost Time – 2015)

While Bobby Rush was playing, I glanced at the studio clock and realised there was only enough time for one more track. So, our last choice for this week came from the latest album ‘Lost Time’ by Dave & Phil Avlin . . . this was ‘Hide & Seek’. Then, sadly, we found ourselves at the end of this edition of The Blues Comes Calling and preparing to head for home. But not before we tidied up the records and CDs, put the smiling picture of the station boss back on the wall and waved everyone a cheery farewell . . . at least until next week. Because, we hope you’ll be back again . . . same time same place, when once again The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 5 December 2015

Turn on your lovelight . . .

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Well, it was pretty busy Down at Kokomo’s this week and there were plenty of familiar faces, making for very good company and out to enjoy some very fine sounds courtesy of yours truly, The Commissioner

Helping us on our way to the midnight hour, we kicked off our play list with and instrumental that will have been easily recognised as ‘Turn On Your Lovelight’, delivered with great enthusiasm by Wynder K Frog. Then, just in case anyone was waiting for something to give them the excuse to get up on the floor, we had just the thing, in the form of a great R&B driven number from Janiva Magness, ‘Tell Me How Do You Feel’ . . . . and we were certainly feeling good after that!

Turn On Your Lovelight – Wynder K Frog
Tell Me How Do You Feel – Janiva Magness
I’m Crazy ‘Bout My Baby – Jane Mortifee
Moondance – Georgie Fame
Walk On By – Rhoda Scott & Patrick Saussois
BK’s Broiler – Bruce Katz

Well, while Bruce Katz was giving out with his BK’s Broiler, Miss Rosie was gliding past the tables here and chatting to folks as she cleared away the glasses and, as we know now, that’s a sure sign that it was nearly tomorrow. So, as Jazzy G left his seat at the end of the bar and joined the smiling faces saying their farewells, we were very much hoping everyone enjoyed their visit to Kokomo’s and that we’ll have the pleasure of their company, same time same place next week. Until then . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 3 December 2015

Never an everyday thing . . .

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Well, it’s getting to look a lot like Christmas around these parts and there seems every chance that some of the banality could well encourage a growth in the aficionados of humbug. It also seems increasingly difficult to venture out anywhere without becoming prey to the same, tired old festive songs. Not that I wish to deny Noddy Holder or Roy Wood their annual royalties bonus, but I would prefer a more ‘select’ and, perhaps, unexpected playlist for the remaining weeks of December.

To this end, we have avoided any such ‘predictable’ festive items in this week’s Cruising playlist, unless you count Pookie Hudson’s ‘Angels Watching Over Me’ . But, we did allow ourselves a small celebration for Little Richard’s birthday this week and we also found a few ‘alternative’ versions of well known songs, just to lend interest and savour the different styles.

So, at the appointed time, we rolled out the Cruise Mobile and we ready and waiting with a seat saved especially for you . . . just so we could all go Cruising with The Commissioner. We set off on our musical adventure with a rocking New Orleans classic from birthday boy Little Richard and followed up fast with Betty Harris and her great version of ‘Mojo Hannah’ . . . .

Cruising for the horizon . . . . .
Ready Teddy – Little Richard
Betty Harris – Mojo Hannah
Shimmy Shimmy – Bobby Freeman
Strong Love – The Spencer Davis Group
Watch Your Step – Eddie Angel & The Hi-Rizers
I’ve Been Hurt By Love – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band
Self Discipline – Zoot Money & The Big Roll Band
Angels Watching Over Me – Pookie Hudson & The Spaniels
She Just Wants To Dance – Gaye Adegbalola
Try My Love Again – Shary-An
Fragile Child – The Golliwogs
Never An Everyday Thing – The Radiators From Space
Drive My Car – Professor R.J. Ross
Gimme Little Sign – Memphis Black

Cruising where we please . . . .
Move On Up – Hammond Express
Prisoner of Love – James Brown
I’m A Man – Chicago
Stormy Times – Pacific Gas & Electric
Texas – The Electric Flag
Shirley – Mike Sanchez & His Band
Dum Dum – Brenda Lee
Witchcraft – The Floorettes
I Got A Man – Annie Williams
Grandma’s House – Chris Kenner
My Sweet Verlene – Ronnie Brent
Rocket To the Moon – Travelling Brothers

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature focused on singer and guitarist, Gaye Todd, who, after graduating from Boston University, began a teaching career, while she was also moonlighting as a musician. She became a full-time performer and founding member of Saffire – The Uppity Blues Women and became known as Gaye Adegbalola. We chose a fine piece of blues from her, called ‘She Just Wants To Dance’ . . . . and we did!

We gave a respectful nod in the direction of Jamie Dell’Apa this week for pointing us to Ronnie Brent and his 1958 United Artists 45 ‘My Sweet Verlene’ and this was followed by some rather exaggerated nodding at the clock by Mr Merlot, because our time was running out. So, went out in real rocking style, in the company of The Travelling Brothers and their ‘Rocket To The Moon’. Then it was all over and, no sooner had the Cruise Mobile rolled to a stop, than we were waving our sad farewells to all the friendly faces . . . At least until same time, same place next week, when once again we can go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until we meet again . . . . have fun!