Feel like jumping . . .

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

.
Well, a very warm welcome to another vaguely supervised musical adventure. With due deference to tradition, we continue to call it Cruising with The Commissioner and out of sheer habit we continue to call by in time for the faithful to jump aboard the Cruise Mobile and join us as we go who knows where with you know who! To demonstrate our good intent, we started our cruising in fine style with guitar wizard, Joe Maphis and his signature number ‘Flying Fingers’ and he just happened to turn up on our next choice too from ‘the Queen of Rockabilly’, Wanda Jackson, with ‘Hard Headed Woman’.

If you were very attentive during last week’s cruising adventure, you’ll know we took a trip around the Hawaiian islands, for which Mr Merlot and I were suitably attired in our rather splendid Hawaiian shorts, shirts and shades, and a good time was had by all! So, we needed little encouragement to go back, this time in the company some other elegantly dressed folks . . . namely R.Crumb & The Cheap Suit Serenaders .. . . and all we were missing was our Hula Girl . . . but we know where to find her

Cruising where the wind blows . . .
Flying Fingers – Joe Maphis & Larry Collins
Hard Headed Woman – Wanda Jackson
Where Did You Stay Last Night – Fats Domino
Blow Wind Blow – Junior Gordon with the Huey Piano Smith Orchestra
You Can Have Her – Lenny Welch
Hula Girl – R.Crumb & The Cheap Suit Serenaders
Mona – Bo Diddley
Hippy Hippy Shake – Chan Romero

Girls & Guitars
White Rabbit – Claudene Christian

Cruising is our business . . .
Feel Like Jumping – Marcia Griffiths
That’s All I Need – Mike Sanchez
Blues Is My Business – The Sidemen
If You Got To Love Somebody – Tommy Tate
It’s Growing – Margie Joseph
Too Hot To Hold – The Inciters
A Love That Will Last – Terri Sharp
Okie Dokie Stomp – The Fins
I’m On Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis
Goodbye – Chuck Carbo & The Spiders

Well, our giglist is looking good and it includes a visit to London’s 100 Club to catch Mike Sanchez & His Band and we’re looking forward to the good company of some of the Cruising Crew too. Sadly, we weren’t able to get to Darwin’s on Austin’s 6th Street when The Sidemen were recording their live album, but we manage to play their take on ‘The Blues Is My Business’.

Our Girls & Guitars feature had some psych rock this week, with a song that we know well by Jefferson Airplane. The song was White Rabbit and this version came from singer and guitarist, Claudene Christian . . . . about whom we have found out very little, except she sounds great!

Well, eventually the Cruise Mobile rolled gently to a stop and we realised we’d arrived back at Cruise Control with (nearly) all that we started with! Although time ran out on this week’s adventure, there was still plenty of music left for next week’s playlist, so be of good cheer. So, with special thanks tfor your good company this week we wrapped things up in the hope that you’ll be there when we call by for you, same time, same place, next week with a seat saved especially for you. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Cruising Radio
on 27 July 2016

Play it like you mean it

Listen here to this week’s Rocking Tonight:

Well, it’s strange how the many influences all come together when it’s time to plan the playlist for Rocking Tonight. It maybe something playing in the local supermarket, another radio show, a newspaper mention or some incidental music for a TV ad or show. But, they all generate some delving in the archives for some ‘lost’ gems or a surprising find that leads to something else. In the end, the best of them find their way into the playlist and this week was no exception. At the appointed time there was a big rocking welcome to one and all, along with the fervent hope that everyone had their dancing shoes, ready to go Rocking Tonight.

Amongst this week’s ‘finds’ was something from a 1957 movie called ‘Rock Pretty Baby’. The film has very little to redeem it, except (maybe) its soundtrack, which happens to feature Jimmy Daley & The Ding-A-Lings and we found their Decca release, ‘Juke Box Rock’. You might not expect songs by Pink Floyd and Adam & The Ants on Rocking Tonight, but Bristol rockers, Redhouse [Redhouse/] delivered a cracking version of ‘Another Brick In The Wall’ and The Di Maggio Connection brought us ‘Goody Two Shoes’. Both were suitably rocking, but the show got kicked into high gear at the start by The Honeycones and their 1958 45 ‘Rockin’ In The Knees’ . . . .

You got what I like . . .
Rockin’ In The Knees – The Honeycones
Jerry Jerry – Artie Wilson
Play It Cool – Paul Hamilton
Crazy Times – Gene Vincent
Never Mind – Cliff Richard
You Got What I Like – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
Juke Box Rock – Jimmy Daley & The Ding-A-Lings
Another Brick In The Wall – Redhouse
Goody Two Shoes – The Di Maggio Connection
Be My Girl – Jim Dale
.
Remember then . . .
Be My Girl – The Nitecaps
Long Tall Girl – The Carnations
Dog Gone It – The Jacks w. Donna Hightower

A little too much . . .
Double Talk Baby – Conway Twitty
No Mama, No Papa – Patti Jerome
Rock Love – Eddie Fontaine
Flip Out – Billy Brown
A Little Too Much – Clarence Frogman Henry
Pretty Jane – Mark Robinson
Bright Red Convertible – Chuck Miller
Two Hearts, Two Kisses (Make One Love) – The Crew Cuts
Kansas City – Little Richard

Our doo wop selection had three tasty treats, including The Nitecaps, The Carnations, and Donna Hightower & The Jacks. We settled in and enjoyed (however they were inspired), but our precious hour soon ticked by and before we knew it, it was time to go our separate ways. So, with a cheery wave and a promise to be back, same time, same place, next week with another pile of tasty tunes, we closed this week’s show. All that was left was to say, until the next time we go Rocking Tonight . . . . remember . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Cruising Radio
on 26 July 2016

All shades of blues . . .

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

.
Well, as summer arrived here with a flourish, it wasn’t just the plant-life that started to wilt in the heat. Despite life being taken at a slower pace, the blues continue resolutely, as ever. The new blues releases have been appearing with re-assuring regularity and revealing that there are some really excellent artists and writers out there. Of course, the blues come in many shades, as our choices this week demonstrate, with acoustic and electric blues, together with rocking shuffles and mellow ballads.

To emphasise the point, our playlist included a subtle and sensitive offering, culled from The Tedeschi Trucks Band’s, along with a sultry and sensuous number from Canadian songstress, Layla Zoe. Then, we feasted our ears on the title track of Gary Hoey’s new album ‘Dust & Bones’ (due out next week), but we will have to wait until September for the debut release, ‘A Force Of Nature’, by Sari Schorr & The Engine Room. But, thanks to Sari, we had a preview of ‘Ain’t Got No Money’.
.
We had some happy returns this week on The Blues Come Calling and it all kicked off with The Rides re-appearing with another gem on their latest album ‘Pierced Arrow’ and then, the promised return of the Golden State Lone Star Blues Review with their take on that Lee Allen classic ‘Walkin with Mr Lee’ . . . .

Blues Go Walking . . .
I Need Your Lovin’ – The Rides (Pierced Arrow – 2016)
Walking With Mr Lee – Golden State Lone Star Blues Review (Golden State Lone Star Blues Review – 2016)
The Mississippi Blues Child – Mr Sipp (Mississippi Blues Child – 2015)
Oreo Cookie Blues – Lonnie Mack (Lightning Strikes – 1985)
Ain’t Got No Money – Sari Schorr & The Engine Room (A Force Of Nature – 2016)
Ain’t That Just Like A Woman – Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five (King of The Jukebox – 2008)

Pinetop’s Pick
Harpoon Man – The Paul Delay Band

Watch Your Step . . .
Wild One – Layla Zoe (Breaking Free – 2016)
Rock Me Baby -Sloe Gin Gypsies (Hallowed Ground – 2016)
Dust & Bones – Gary Hoey (Dust & Bones – 2016)
Enough Of That Stuff – The Marble Tones (Lucky 13 – 2010)
Hear Me – The Tedeschi Trucks Band (Let Me Get By – 2016)
Watch Your Step – Bobby Parker (V-Tone 45 – 1961)

We dipped back into the 40s for Louis Jordan’s much covered gem, ‘Ain’t That Just Like A Woman’, with its influential opening guitar riff and we played out with another shade of blues from Bobby Parker with his ‘riff rich’ V-Tone 45, ‘What Your Step’. Then, it was all over. Nothing left to do except collect up the records and CDs and head for the door, but not before thanking everyone for their very good company during the show and hoping we’ll all be back, same time same place next week. So, until the next time The Blues Come Calling . . . remember . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Cruising Radio
on 24 July 2016

 

Rock around the islands . . . .

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

.
Well, greetings to one and all and I hope the new week finds you thriving. Here in the Grand Duchy, we’ve been enjoying some fine sunny days and life has been taken at a slightly slower pace, as a result. But, we had plenty of time to catch up with some of the Cruising Crew on the South terrace . . . . and a good time was had by all!

This week’s cruise took us to across the Atlantic (several times in both directions). One trip across took us to Liverpool for something from Ian & The Zodiacs with ‘The Crying Game’, a number we know well by Dave Berry and with a very fine version by Brenda Lee too. Our playlist also had a wacky 45 from Pittsburgh radio DJ Zeke Jackson. The story goes, that in 1968 his radio show was playing commercials for Red Rose Tea and he got so many requests to play the theme music from the commercial, that he got a thousand 45s pressed, which sold out almost immediately. . . . and we found out why!

But we kicked off this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner in Hawaii with a little ‘Rocking Around The Islands’ and was that Susan Bowman dancing with The Hula Girls . . . . ?

Cruising in the sunshine . . . . .
Rocking Around The Island – The Hula Girls
Sea Cruise – Frankie Ford
Hey There Baby – Eddie Bo
The Crying Game – Ian & The Zodiacs
You Can Have Her – Roy Hamilton
Red Rose Tea – The Zeke Jackson Show
I Ain’t Guilty – The Crawford Brothers
Creepin’, Crawlin’ & Cryin’ – Billy & Lillie

Girls & Guitars
Bourbon Street – Bex Marshall

Cruising around the Big Easy . . .
We Make A Good Gumbo – Tab Benoit & The Voices Of The Wetlands
Sh Boom – The Big Six

Three From Me . . . with DJ Leyton Rocks
A Tisket, A Tasket – Joe Jones
Blow Wind Blow – Dr John
Besame Mucho – Richard Berry

Cruising for home . . . .
Our Love – Sylvia Robbins
Much Too Much – The Hollywood Flames
Flip Flop & Fly – Jerry Lee Lewis
.
Our Girls & Guitars feature this week focused on Bex Marshall, a daughter of Devonshire who was encouraged to sing from her early days and at 11 years old was given a 1963 Gibson Hummingbird by an uncle. Do demonstrate her skills, we chose ‘Bourbon Street’ from her 2012 album ‘House Of Mercy’.

We gave DJ Leyton Rocks a warm welcome back for a quite excellent Three From Me and it was great to have him back on the show. But, the rattling tin cans crept up on us and found us parking up the Cruise Mobile for another week . Ever hopeful that our cruising playlist was sufficient to entice folks back again next week, with a seat saved especially for you and even more rock, soul and real rhythm and blues.

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

Broadcast by Cruising Radio
20 July 2016

Get rhythm . . .

Listen here to this week’s Rocking Tonight:

.
Well, heat of the day didn’t deter us . . . we were ready, willing and waiting when the time arrived for this week’s Rocking Tonight. There had been plenty of time rummaging in the archives for juicy gems to put in the playlist and (as it happens, there were more than we could fit into the time we had. But, rest assured they’re in the ‘pending tray’ for our next session, so you’ll hear them soon.

This week, we lined up some notable names, as well as a few less familiar, but all most excellent choices for your listening pleasure. There were a couple of surprises . . . Guy Mitchell getting into the up tempo ‘Sweet Stuff’ and Paul Anka with a rocking little number that appeared as a ‘b’ side of one of his 45 releases.

The ‘girl with the laughing voice’ was in there too, with one of my favourites of hers, ‘Stairway Of Love’ and UK rocker, Don Lang & His Frantic Five, showing off why they justified their name! But, we kicked it off with The Motor City Rockers and their take on Esquerita’s classic, ‘Rocking The Joint’, and then were definitely Rocking Tonight.

Sweet Stuff . . .
Rocking The Joint – The Motor City Rockers
We Just Can’t Win – The Refreshments
Sweet Stuff – Guy Mitchell
Seven Day Weekend – Gary US Bonds
Dancin’ Party – Chubby Checker
Lovey Dovey Baby – Dave Burgess
Stairway Of Love – Alma Cogan
Cool Baby Cool – Don Lang & His Frantic Five
Hey Marie – Eddie Fontaine
Won’t Be Long – Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs
45 Men In A Telephone Booth – Rockin Carbonara
Don’t Let Go – Jerry Lee Lewis

I Knew From The Start . . .
It’s Late – Dorsey Burnette
Believe What You Say – Ricky Nelson
It’s Gonna Take Some Time – Connie Francis
Uh Huh – Paul Anka
I Knew From The Start – The Moonglows
D In Love – Curtis Lee
Get Rhythm – Little Richard
Aw Who – Bat Carrol
Sweet Suzie – Johnny Burnette
Bim Bam – Sam Butera

After nearly an hour of Rocking Tonight, the sands were clearly running out, so we dug out something for those who enjoy the swinging sounds of folks like Louis Jordan and Louis Prima, and we chose Sam Butera’s ‘Bim Bam’ for our closer. Then, before we went our separate ways, we assure everyone that we’ll be back, same time, same place next week, with another pile of tasty tunes to tantalise your musical taste buds and get us Rocking Tonight . . . but until then . . . remember . . . .have fun!

Broadcast by Cruising Radio
on 19 July 2016

Say hello . . .

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

.
There was a great selection of new releases to choose from this time around and plenty of joys amongst them too! We revisited super group, The Rides, for their swinging version of a song that was very much signature number for the original Paul Butterfield Blues Band, ‘Born In Chicago’. We heard from  Sugarman Sam & The Voodoo Men with ‘Some Kind Of Voodoo’ from their current album ‘Record Store Education’ and there was a big thanks to Red Butler for a preview track from their forthcoming album. Jane Lee Hooker and Keb Mo brought new versions of well known songs and it all kicked off with The Blues Rebels and a track from their new album ‘Voodoo Land’.

I Can’t Lose . . .
Everybody Loves My Baby – The Blues Rebels ft Joe Louis Walker (Voodoo Land – 2016)
Say Hello – Red Butler (Nothing To Lose – 2016)
Born In Chicago – The Rides (Pierced Arrow – 2016)
Some Kind Of Voodoo – Sugarman Sam & The Voodoo Men
Rollin’ & Rockin’ – Lil Son Jackson (Blues that inspired The Rolling Stones – 2012)
I Can’t Lose – B.B. King (Kent 45 – 1964)
Jump & Jive – Guy Verlinde (Rooted In The Blues – 2016)
The Hunter – Jane Lee Hooker (No B! – 2016)
.
Pinetop’s Pick
All Night Boogie – Howlin’ Wolf (Moanin’ In The Moonlight – 1958)

Too high . . .
Spoonful – John Verity (My Religion – 2016)
A Little Too High – Iron Bridge Band (Against The Grain – 2016)
Dangerous Mood – Keb Mo (That Hot Pink Blues Album – 2016)
Georgia Slop – Golden State Lone Star Blues Review (Golden State Lone Star Blues Review – 2016)

When there’s so much good stuff to play, it’s easy to lose track of time . . . and we did. A glance at the clock confirmed we were running out of time, but we decided we were not going quietly . . . because we headed for the end of the show with Californian band, the Golden State Lone Star Blues Review, featuring harpman Mark Hummel along with Anson Funderburgh and Little Charlie Baty. This was their full tilt version of Jimmy McCracklin’s ‘Georgia Slop’. Then it was all over, except for collecting up the records and CDs and hoping our playlist had been sufficient to encourage folks to come back, same time, same place, next week. So, until the next time The Blues Come Calling . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Cruising Radio
on 17 July 2016

My oh my . . . .

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

.
Well, the week has been marked by some welcome contacts with a number of long-time members of the Cruising Crew and this inspired some entries in the social diary. The occasional sunshine around the Grand Duchy has encouraged some alfresco dining on the South terrace and we have tested the theory that ‘it’s the fizz that gives you whizz’. Of course, we haven’t forgotten our Cruising duties and there’s been a good deal of rummaging in the Cruising Library to pull together the playlist for this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner.

Our endeavours have rescued a few ‘neglected’ gems, discovered some obscurities and brought back a few memories, So, we were more than ready to kick off this week’s cruise with a rare venture into Maple Leaf rock, with French Canadian band Chapeaumelon and their version of ‘My Generation’. Then we were really ‘motoring’ with a favourite, recorded at Cosimo Matassa’s studios down in New Orleans, by Bobby Charles and his original recording of ‘See You Later Alligator’ . . . . and there’s more . . . .　

I Like It Like That . . . .
My Generation – Chapeaumelon
See You Later Alligator – Bobby Charles
The Things That I Used To Do – Guitar Slim
New Orleans – Bern Elliott & The Fenmen
I Like It Like That – Don Bryant
Right String Baby, But The Wrong YoYo – The Moquettes
Handy Man – The Sparks Of Rhythm

Girls & Guitars
Grandma’s Advice – Fiona Boyes

Too Hot To Hold . . .
The Tide Is High – The Paragons
Big Girl – King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys
Sausages, Beans, Onions & Gravy – Pete Thomas & The Deep Sea Jivers
Too Hot To Hold – Betty Everett
Forget About Me – Carolyn Crawford
My Oh My – Billy Floyd
Hey Bartender – Floyd Dixon
Hey Girl – Lucky Carmichael
In The Bottom Of My Heart – Thurston Harris

Well, for our Girls & Guitars feature this week up, our spotlight fell on Australian Blues guitarist and singer, Fiona Boyes, who was born and raised in Melbourne, where she developed her musical skills and gained some well-earned recognition as a recording and touring artist. She has been described as one of the best women guitar players since Memphis Minnie, which you can judge for yourself with the track, ‘Grandma’s Advice’ from her 2011 album ‘Blues for Hard Times’.

There were some big smiles when we played Sausages, Beans, Onions & Gravy by Pete Thomas & The Deep Sea Jivers and the Floyds had their moment this week when we followed Billy Floyd with Floyd Dixon . . . just proving that if you wanted sophistication, one of us was in the wrong place.

Surprisingly, Mr Merlot rose above it all (for a change) and may have put in his best performance as ‘timekeeper’. So, we were well prepared to turn the Cruise Mobile for home and get everyone back safe and sound. There was a brief moment of sadness, as we said our farewells, but then some cheery smiles as we anticipated the next time we could go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Cruising Radio　
on 13 July 2016

Come on home . . .

Listen here to this week’s Rocking Tonight:

.
Well, we arrived just in time to bring you a big rocking welcome to another Rocking Tonight, designed to take your mind off the current ‘interesting times’ and deliver those rhythms that get into your heart and soul!
.
This week, there was a big thanks going out to our good pal Jamie Dell’Apa, who inspired a good deal of rummaging here to find out a little more about The Rouzan Sisters and a copy of their 1963 Frisco release ‘Dance Every Dance’ . . .  definitely worth a listen. We followed on with something from the UK’s Lana Sisters, who included a young Dusty Springfield and then another Brit, Al Saxon, with his 1959 cover of  ‘Linda Lu’.

But, we kicked things into gear with Red Prysock and a rocking little instrumental called ‘Fruit Boots’ and, if that didn’t convince you of our rocking intentions, then we pulled out a cautionary tale about social isolation by Jerry Lee Lewis . . . ‘Herman The Hermit’

Dance Every Dance . . .
Fruit Boots – Red Prysock
Herman The Hermit – Jerry Lee Lewis
Saturday Night – Willie & The Poor Boys
You’re Late Miss Kate – Jimmy Dee
Saturday Night Fish Fry – Chuck Miller
Ninety Nine Ways – Tab Hunter
Come On Home, All Is Forgiven – Janice Harper
Brand New Cadillac – Redhouse
If – Jeri Lynn
Dance Every Dance – The Rouzan Sisters
Ring-A-My Phone – The Lana Sisters
Linda Lu – Al Saxon
Monkey’s Uncle – Ray Sharpe
I Go Ape – Neil Sedaka

Remember then . . .
Golly Gee – Doug Sahm
Just One Look – Cherry Casino & The Gamblers

Rock Right . . .
Ring & Ring – The Jets
Rock Right – Georgia Gibbs
Boogie Hamar – The Cadillac Kings
All Night Diner – Santo & Johnny
It Don’t Take But A Few Minutes – The Refreshments

This time around, our doo  wop spot featured Doug Sahm’s great cover the hit ‘Golly Gee’ by Sonny & The Sunglows, along with ‘Just One Look’ from German band Cherry Casino & The Gamblers.

There was a timely reminder to those who happen to have an original copy of Santo & Johnny’s classic ‘Sleepwalk’, to flip it over to find a rocking instrumental called ‘All Night Diner’. This reminded me of listening to the musicians playing traditional Hawaiian music around Waikiki beach and making me wonder if they burst into something like this when the tourists aren’t there. Perhaps, our Lava Lady of the islands, Susan Bowman, can tell us if they do!　Then, we signed off with a little known Chuck Berry song from Swedish band The Refreshments and, as we prepared to go our separate ways, I thanked everyone for joining me here. Of course, we’ll be back, same time, same place, next week  with another pile of tasty tunes to get us Rocking Tonight. Until then . . .  remember . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Cruising Radio
on 12 July 2016
.

Come on in . . .

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

.
Well, the interesting times seem to be continuing here, but with an admirable consistency, the blues definitely remain, however often they’re invited to leave. So, it was business as usual when it came time to welcome everyone to this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling. For those who like the blues, we were hoping that they’d love a whole hour of them, kicking off with Big Daddy Kinsey’s lads, The Kinsey Report, and some hard rocking blues called ‘Image Maker’. Then, for those who like their blues with a swing to it, we offered up a little gem from T Bone Walker, ‘Three Corn Patches’ and it rolled on from there . . . .

We had some familiar names in our playlist, including Wily Bo Walker, who has a quite remarkable voice that has hints of Howlin’ Wolf and it was a Wolf number that we chose by Bristol band, Redhouse, and it came hot off the presses, because they launched their new album, ‘Play It Like You Mean It’, at Blues On The Meadow 2016, where they gave the crowd a great time, along with The Cadillac Kings and others.
.
What You Gonna Do . . .
Image Maker – The Kinsey Report (Powerhouse – 1990)
Three Corn Patches – T Bone Walker (Very Rare – 2004)
My Religion – John Verity (My Religion – 2016)
What You Gonna Do – Wily Bo Walker & E D Brayshaw
Howlin’ For My Baby – Redhouse (Play It Like You Mean It – 2016)
I Got You – Guy Verlinde (Rooted In The Blues – 2016)

Pinetop’s Pick . . .
Come On In – The Blues Band (The Official Bootleg Album – 1980)
.
For Richer, For Poorer . . .
Train – Ana Popovik & Joe Bonamassa (Trilogy – 2016)
The Healer – John Lee Hooker & Carlos Santana (The Healer – 1989)
Drowning at The Bottom – Albert Castiglia (Big Dog – 2016)
Get Ready to Meet Your Man – James Clark
The Thrill Is Gone – Sloe Gin Gypsies (Hallowed Ground – 2016)
For Richer, For Poorer – The Cadillac Kings (The Secret Of My Success – 2016)

We featured some very fine new releases this week, including Guy Verlinde, John Verity, Ana Popovik, Albert Castiglia and the Sloe Gin Gypsies, but seeing Carlos Santana on his current European tour inspired some rummaging amongst the albums here to find his classic collaboration with John Lee Hooker, ‘The Healer’.
.
All too soon, we ran out of time and had The Cadillac Kings to close the show with ‘For Richer, For Poorer’. Then we gave everyone a cheery wave, in the hope that they enjoyed it all sufficiently to be enticed back again, same time, same place next week. So, until the next time The Blues Come Calling . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Cruising Radio
On 10 July 2016

Do you believe in magic . . .

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

.
Well, with so much change happening around us, we were thinking of putting the bedcovers over our heads and staying in bed until everything is sorted out. But, we knew we’d have to make an exception for our weekly Cruising with The Commissioner, so with great forethought, when the appointed hour arrived we emerged in time to have the cruise mobile purring gently, a seat saved especially for you and a quite excellent playlist . . . which is all we need to go Cruising with The Commissioner.

The week had a moment of sadness with news of the passing of Mack Rice and we paid tribute to him with one of his own recordings and then one of his self-penned songs.

But, to demonstrate our ‘seasoned’ control, we warmed up with saxman Plas Johnson and a little instrumental called ‘Downstairs’ and followed on with the welcome return of Bristol band, Redhouse, to our playlist with something from their new album ‘Play It Like You Mean it’ . . . then we never looked back . . . .

Lookin’ back . . . 
Downstairs – Plas Johnson
Lookin’ Back – Redhouse
Zydeco Cadillac – The Cadillac Kings
Do You Believe In Magic – The Lovin’ Spoonful
Younger Girl – The Hondells
Rock Me Baby – Sir Mac Rice
Cheaper To Keep Her – The Blues Brothers
Since We’ve Been Over – The Sean Webster Band

Girls & Guitars
Come On In My Kitchen – Donna Lynn Kay

All shook up . . .
I’ll Take You There – The Deltones
I Want To Be Loved – Muddy Waters
Neck Bones & Hot Sauce – L. Anderson & The Tornadoes
Respectable – The Cheynes
I’m All Shook Up – C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band
She Was Dynamite – Jack Jersey
Up Up & Away – The Daybreakers
Red Hot Mama – S. Johnson

Our Girls & Guitars spotlight fell this week on Donna Lynn Kay, a Canadian singer and slide guitarist currently residing in Austin, Texas. She’s been a regular on the Texas blues scene and by way of evidence, we offered her track ‘Come On In My Kitchen’ from her 2006 album, ‘Electric Blue’.

With a sigh of relief from some, we arrived back safe and sound from our cruise and just in time to park up the Cruise Mobile so that Mr Merlot and The Cruisettes could head off for the after show party. We soon heard corks popping and the chink of champagne glasses . . . . but they have had a lot of practice lately!

So, if you enjoyed our cruising playlist this week, we’ll be looking forward to some more of your good company next week, when we call by for you in the Cruise Mobile, same time, same place, with the customary seat saved especially for you. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Cruising Radio
on 6 July 2016