Listen here to this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner:
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Well, this week, the Gran Duchy has been witness to some very changeable weather and even more changeable world events. It inspired brief moments of bizarre fantasy, where Mr Merlot & The Cruisettes actually looked like potential world leaders . . . . now there’s a thought! Fortunately, it faded from our semi-consciousness, as that familiar sound came heading down the road, which must have given a big hint that it was time again to jump aboard the Cruise Mobile, grab the seat saved especially for you and set off on another adventure, Cruising with The Commissioner.
This week there was a lot of rummaging in the Cruising Library and Mr Merlot was particularly pleased, because after many sleepless hours in the Cruising Library, he came back with a big smile and a copy of Johnny Otis’s ‘Big Time Scoop’. There was also Merrill E Moore’s version of ‘Rock Island Line’, which positively rocks down the track and a lost gem by Jerry Raines, his cover of Dixieland Rock, which stayed in the vaults of Drew-Blan Records until it was discovered years later by an enthusiast looking for more of Jerry’s stuff . . . . and we’re glad he did!
Along the way, we pulled out a classic Lightning Slim song, given a great rocking treatment version delivered there by Lee McBee & The Passions . . . and wouldn’t you like to be one of the Passions . . . . we can think of at least one person who would . . . and it isn’t Mr Merlot! Jimmy McCracklin appeared as the producer of Betty Bibbs’ ‘Enough For Everybody’ . . . . which just might be a theme for our Cruising adventures. But before all that, we kicked off this week’s musical journey to ‘who knows where’ with a rocking instrumental ‘The Toast’ from the New Champs . . .
I Got It 
The Toast – The New Champs
I Got It – Diz & the Doormen
Ain’t That Lovin’ You – Eddie Riff
Rock Island Line – Merrill E Moore
Rooster Blues – Lee McBee & The Passions
Enough For Everybody – Betty Bibbs
Tremble – Malcolm Dodds
Girls & Guitars
Two Horns and Two Wings – Michelle Malone
Nothing But Fine 
Mississippi Number One – Eden Brent
Dixieland Rock – Jerry Raines
They Said It Couldn’t Be Done – Alvin Robinson
Big Time Scoop – Johnny Otis
Mr Moonlight – Dr Feelgood & The Interns
I Ain’t Guilty – The Crawford Brothers
You Ain’t Nothing But Fine – Rockin’ Sidney
Poppa Stoppa – Pee Wee Crayton
Dig Everybody, Dig That Boogie – Roy Hall
Good Golly Miss Molly – The Valiants
This week’s Girls & Guitars feature focused on 
American singer/songwriter and guitarist Michelle Malone. She’s been in the music business for over 20 years and released a string of albums, to date, and our choice was ‘Two Horns and Two Wings’ from her 2003 album ‘Stompin’ Ground’.
Now, fans of the fab four will know well the song ‘Mister Moonlight’ and we thought it was about time to dig out the original by Dr Feelgood & The Interns . . . . which became something of a cult favorite among many British R&B bands, including those lads from Liverpool.
We said a Big thanks to Matt The Cat for reminding us of the Crawford Brothers with their 1957 Aladdin 45 ‘I Ain’t Guilty’. We also gave a nod in the direction of our good pal Arfa Pinetop for suggesting Rockin’ Sidney’s original version of ‘You Ain’t Nothing But Fine’. Another ‘notable’ in our playlist was a1951 Modern records release by Pee Wee Crayton, dedicated to New Orleans radio presenter Clarence Haman, known as ‘Poppa Stoppa’, which just happened to be the title of the song. Then, before we knew it, the Cruise Mobile was heading for home with some frantic accompaniment from The Valiants. So, once the Cruise Mobile was parked up, we gave everyone a cheery wave, ever hopeful that we’ll meet again the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . . have fun!
Broadcast by Cruising Radio
on 19 July 2017
Just Cruising 