Put On Your Dancin’ Shoes . . . .

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

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Well, this week, plenty of folks must have heard us coming down the road. The Cruise Mobile had its windows down and its radio turned right up, as it rolled by to pick up the faithful off for another adventure, Cruising with The Commissioner. We saved a seat especially for you and we arrived to the sound of Mickey Baker and his ‘Honky Tonk Caboose’. Then, in no time at all, we were heading off for the horizon with the wonderful Ricky Cool & The Hoola Boola Boys.

In search of a brief interlude of peace and serenity this week, we sent Mr Merlot into the Cruising Library on a rummaging expedition and he came back with a handful of most excellent items, including that one with a real Louisiana flavour by an Oregon band, Gumbo. We kept that flavour too, as we crossed the Atlantic to the UK for The Balham Alligators, led by keyboard ace, Geraint Watkins and big favourites here from their album ‘Bayou-Degradable’.

Now long time Cruising Crew members will know, that we’re not above a little light fingered lifting of great tunes from other shows, so, with a respectful tip of the hat to Neil Pellegrin down there in New Orleans we followed his lead with one by Ivory Joe Hunter. Then, we had a trio of tracks in our Cruising Connections starting with a 45 titled ‘It Moves Me’ by Eddie Holland, who started out as a singer, but did even better later as one of the most successful 60s songwriters. His track had a link to our next choice from 50s vocal group, The Satintones, with their début single ‘Going To The Hop’ and the Northern Soul floor filler from Gino Parks ‘Same Thing’. The link between all three choices was that they were early record releases for Berry Gordy’s Tamla label and helped to establish Motown.

Fine Fine Fine
Honky Tonk Caboose – Mickey Baker
Come On – Ricky Cool & The Hoola Boola Boys
Dancin’ Shoes – Gumbo
Fine Fine Fine – The Balham Alligators
I Want Somebody – Ivory Joe Hunter

Cruising Connections
It Moves Me – Eddie Holland
Going To The Hop – The Satintones
Same Thing – Gino Parks

Girls & Guitars
Voodoo Woman – Crystal Shawanda

Talk That Talk
Clothes Line – Knock Out Greg & Blue Weather
Cadillac Baby – Mike Sanchez & Blue Weather
Little Red Rooster – Carol Jarvis
Dimples – Felton Jarvis

Doo Wop Delights
Lost In Dreams – The Wisdoms
Don’t Do It – the Penguins

Dig It
Dixieland Rock – Max Merrit & The Meteors
Topsy Turvy – Ben Joe Zeppa
You Better Dig It – Bill Johnson

Our Girls & Guitars feature focused on Crystal Shawanda, who grew up in Ontario, Canada and got taught to play guitar by her parents. She was raised on country music, but her oldest brother later introduced her to the blues. She moved to Nashville when she was 16 and after singing and playing around town, she got signed by RCA records. She released a few country music albums, but she recently rediscovered her love of the blues with her latest album ‘Voodoo Woman’ and we played the title track.

This week, our Doo Wop Delights started with a pretty rare little 45 on the Gaity label from Minnesota vocal group, The Wisdoms. They recorded ‘Lost In Dreams’ in 1959 and original copies now change hands amongst collectors for big money.  We followed them with Los Angeles group, The Penguins. who are best remembered for their big hit ‘Earth Angel’, but they recorded plenty more including our choice, their 1955 Mercury single ‘Don’t Do It’.

There’s plenty of great R&B coming out of Sweden and we pulled out two by Blue Weather who appeared behind Knock-Out Greg on ‘Clothes Line’ and then behind the excellent Mike Sanchez with his take on Roy Brown’s classic ‘Cadillac Baby’. Then, with more than a hint of enthusiasm we slipped in through the back door for another rummage in the music collection of our good pal Jamie Dell’Apa, which produced a couple namesakes . . . Carol Jarvis with her 1959 version of ‘Little Red Rooster’ and Felton Jarvis with his 1960 cover of Mr Hooker’s ‘Dimples’.

The Cruise Mobile took us to New Zealand to join Max Merrit & The Meteors with a song that did pretty good for Mrs Presley’s lad, ‘Dixieland Rock’. Then, under cover of some more rocking R&B, we had to turn the Cruise Mobile for home. As the familiar faces and places came into view, we heard from Ben Joe Zeppa and Bill Johnson, who got us home safe and sound. Indeed, we were just in time to park up the trusty Cruise Mobile, give it a quick polish, ready for our next adventure. So, with a cheery wave, we said our farewells, ever hopeful that we’ll have the pleasure of your company the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 7 July 2018

A Real Good Time . . . .

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

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Well, it’s always a good sign when we see the Cruising Crew waving from way down the road, as we arrive with the Cruise Mobile purring nice and all ready for another  Cruising with The Commissioner. We had Red Prysock with his celebrated number, ‘Foot Stompin’ on the radio and we headed off to ‘who knows where’ with the Big Town Playboys and something they recorded live at Camden’s much loved ‘Dublin Castle’. With a little encouragement from Neil Pellegrin, we revisited last week’s Cruising Connections featured artist, the wonderful Jimmy Beasley, this time with his classic, ‘Little Coquette’. Jimmy lingered a little longer too, because he was playing piano on our King Perry choice ‘Wait Now’ . . . . not a phrase you hear much while we’re cruising!

We brought you 2 minutes and 20 seconds of a little number you don’t hear too often school buddies, Don and Dewey, who made their first single for the Shade label, before being signed to Art Rupe’s Specialty Records . . . . the single was ‘Miss Sue’ and we found it thanks to our good pal Jamie Dell’Apa.

Regular members of the Cruising Crew will know that the merest suggestion of having a ‘real good time’ is a sure-fire way to capture the attentions of Mr Merlot and The Cruisettes. With characteristic enthusiasm, they quickly assembled as soon as they heard the opening riff of Eddie Clearwater’s aptly titled ‘A Real Good Time’. Then, we were skipping across time zones to hear from Baton Rouge’s own Clarence W Samuels, who opened his music career in the 40s with Roy Brown and his band and went on to have a solo career, which included  his rocking 1963 R&B number, ‘Slippity’.

At the risk of being accused of being pretty ‘slippity’, we returned with another trio of tracks with a common link for our Cruising Connections. Starting us off was Charlie Whilte with a 1957 Winley 45 of his and followed by Buddy Bailey, with a familiar song, but in an unfamiliar style. Then the final link came from Billy Mitchell, just before we revealed that all three singers were members of vocal group, The Clovers . . . which was a good excuse to play The Clovers’ 1957 Atlantic 45, ‘There’s No Tomorrow’.

Foot Stompin
Foot Stompin’ – Red Prysock
Come On – The Big Town Playboys
Little Coquette – Jimmy Beasley
Wait Now – King Perry
Miss Sue – Don & Dewey
Real Good Time – Eddie Clearwater
Slippity – Clarence W Samuels and the Blazers

Cruising Connections
Little Mama – Charlie White
It’s All In The Game – Buddy Bailey
They’re Rockin’ Down The Street – Billy Mitchell
There’s No Tomorrow – The Clovers

Girls & Guitars
Money Talks – Laurie Morvan
I Love You Honey – Maria Vincent & the Millionaires

Doo Wop Delights
My Heart Belongs To Only You – The Standards
I Love Her So – The Velvetones
Promises Promises Promises – The Firebirds

Cool Cat
Cool Cat – Charles ‘Mad Dog’ Sheffield
Nit Wit – L.C. McKinley
My Pretty Baby – Ernie Williams

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature, focused on Californian, Laurie Morvan, who gave up a successful career as an electrical engineer and licensed pilot, after first hearing Stevie Ray Vaughan. It inspired in her an enduring passion for the blues, which comes through loud and clear on her new album titled ‘Gravity’. It’s where we found our choice ‘Money Talks’ . . . . of course, around here it goes without saying! We stayed with the girls for a swingin’ six-piece UK band led by Maria Vincent. Along with The Millionaires, Maria delivers some great jumping Rhythm & Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll, as demonstrated by ‘I Love You Honey’ . . . . a song that did rather well for Patsy Cline back in 1956, but Patsy’s version never sounded like this!

Our weekly Doo Wop Delights arrived with a couple of real treats from New York vocal groups The Standards, who recorded two releases for the Magna Label in 1963, including a great doo wop ballad called ‘My Heart Belongs To You’. Then came a bit of mystery . . . . a 1957 Aladdin 45 by The Velvetones, who may or may not have been the New Jersey doo wop group who started out in the 40s and recorded for the Coronet and the Sonora Records . . . but if you know more, do tell. For good measure, we added a bonus from The Firebirds with their take on the old Penguins’ number ‘Promises, Promises, Promises’ . . . . and not a politician in sight!

The trusty Cruise Mobile then took us down to Lake Charles in Louisiana for something from Charles Sheffield, who is probably best known for his best known for his classic Excello release ‘It’s Your Voodoo Working’. He recorded a few others too including our choice, a little gems titled, ‘Cool Cat’. Then, sadly, we had to turn the trusty Cruise Mobile for home, which we did under cover of something from L.C. McKinley, who was one of those that made that trip from Mississippi to Chicago to become part of the local blues scene. Indeed he did, playing sessions for other artists and recording his own sides, like his 1959 cut for the Bea & Baby label, ‘Nit Wit’.

As our Cruising time hadn’t quite run out, we managed to squeeze in a little more breathless R&B, this time from Ernie Williams with his 1957 Web 45 ‘My Pretty Baby’. Then, the sound of the rattling tin cans meant it was all over for another week. But, with typical precision (or pure luck), the Cruise Mobile got us home safe and sound. So, we parked it up, gave it a quick polish, so it was all ready for our next adventure . . . same time, same place, next week . . . when, we’ll call by again in the Cruise Mobile with a seat saved especially for you, just so we can all go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin radio
on 30 June 2018

The Blues Came . . . .

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

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Well, if you’re looking for an hour of the best blues around, then you’ve come to the right place, because that’s just what you get when The Blues Come Calling. This week they came calling in the company of Jackie McAuley, who was one of those getting a great welcome at this year’s most excellent Blues of The Farm festival and featuring a few songs from his time as a member of Them. That festival fever lingered long here and our playlist has its share of memories, courtesy of Dr Feelgood, Spank The Monkey and Nine Below Zero.

There are plenty of great choices amongst the new releases and we came back this week with some gems. Buddy Guy was back with another track from his latest album and Canada’s Crystal Shawanda proved that she has found a new home with her switch from country music to the blues. Melody Angel appeared with a lovely blues ballad from her excellent ‘Woman of The Blues’ album and we enjoyed some fine blues harp from Chicago’s Russ Green, along with Eric Bibb guesting on a track from Russ’s ‘City Soul’ album. We also welcomed back one of the enduring names of rock and blues, Barry Goldberg. He has just released his ‘In The Groove’ album, which includes a rare example of his solo piano on that blues classic ‘Alberta’ and Tas Cru’s new album ‘Memphis Song’ has a fitting anthem for those of us who amongst the crowd at Blues on The Farm . . . ‘Have A Drink (To The Blues)’ . . . and we did!

Going South
Baby Please Don’t Go – Jackie McAuley (Them Good Old Songs – 2015)
Ooh Daddy – Buddy Guy (The Blues Is Alive & Well – 2018)
I Drink Whiskey – Stacy Mitchhart (Live My Life – 2014)
Howling Wolf Blues – JT Funny Papa Smith (JT Funny Papa Smith (1930-31) – 1991)
Going South – Spank The Monkey (Game Of Chance – 2014)
The Blues Came – Melody Angel (A Woman’s Blues – 2018)
Homework – Dr Feelgood (Live at Cheltenham Town Hall (1990) – 2017)
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Pinetop’s Pick
Statesboro Blues – Taj Mahal (Taj Mahal – 1968)

Pack, Fair & Square
Pack, Fair & Square – Nine Below Zero (Live in Gifhorn – 2016)
Alberta – Barry Goldberg (In The Groove – 2018)
Wang Dang Doodle – Crystal Shawanda (Voodoo Woman – 2018)
I Pray For You – Reloaded (My Longest Mile – 2018)
Goin’ Down South – Russ Green & Eric Bibb (City Soul – 2018)
Have A Drink – Tas Cru (Memphis Song – 2018)
Back Track – Little Walter (The Complete Chess Masters (1950-67) – 2009)
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Our regular guest, Arfa Pinetop, was back with a 60’s memory from Taj Mahal and his first solo album, which included his take on that Blind Willie McTell classic ‘Statesboro Blues’. Then, for those who like a little scratchy blues, we dug deep into the blues archives for JT ‘Funny Papa’ Smith and his 1930s recording of ‘Howling Wolf Blues’.

All too soon, it was time to start collecting up the records and CDs. But, before time ran our completely, Little Walter came to take us home with his Chess instrumental ‘Back Track’ as we said our farewells for another week. So, with thanks for your good company on this week’s show, remember . . . until the next time The Blues Come Calling . . . have fun!

Broadcast on Miskin Radio
on 26 June 2018

Feelin’ All Right . . .

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

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Well, the sun has been gracing the Grand Duchy rather a lot just lately, which has made our Cruising adventures an even more enjoyable prospect. So, we arrived in the Cruise Mobile in good cheer, with a seat saved especially for you and all ready to whisk you off for another Cruising with The Commissioner. So, with practised ease, we set off down the road to ‘who knows where’ with some rockin’ R&B from Ace Cannon, Ronnie Dawson and Maria Vincent blasting out of the radio.

This week, we ‘fessed up’ to a little digging in someone else’s music collection, which is always a welcome journey of discovery and made a joy when it’s someone like our good pal Jamie Dell’Apa. There were plenty of dusty gems to choose from and although it was tempting to do more, but we pulled out just a handful and promised to return another day.

Now, some amongst the Cruising Crew have been suggesting that our recent Cruising Connections have been a little ‘testing’, so this week we lightened up with three US rocking numbers by Billy The Kid, Curtis Lee and Ruth Brown. Their songs all got into the UK’s charts when they were covered by a local lad, who was this week’s link.

Hot Stuff
Just Rockin’ & Rollin’ – Ronnie Dawson
Them There Eyes – Maria Vincent & The Millionaires
Gonna Learn To Rock – Doyle Madden
Steam Heat – Patti Page
Feelin’ All Right – Larry Dale
Let The Good Time Roll, Creole – Memphis Slim

Cruising Connections
Apron Strings – Billy The Kid
D In Love – Curtis Lee
Lucky Lips – Ruth Brown
No Turning Back – Cliff Richard & The Drifters

Girls & Guitars
John The Revelator – Larkin Poe

Jukebox Rock & Roll
Drugstore Rock & Roll – Janis Martin
Fall Guy – Titus Turner

Doo Wop Delights
A Kiss & A Vow – The Nitecaps
Cheer Up – The Five Fleets

Enough Is Enough
They All Asked About You – Rockin’ Dopsie Jr
Another Bachelor – The Adventurers
Enough Enough – The Refreshments

This week, our Girls & Guitars feature came with a ‘two for one’ bonus, because it turned its spotlight on sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell, who hail from Atlanta and front American roots rock band, Larkin Poe. They have established a reputation for strong southern harmonies, heavy electric guitar riffs, and slide guitar, all of which has seen them often touted as “the little sisters of the Allman Brothers”. As an example, we featured their version of ‘John The Revelator’.

Hopefully, our Doo Wop Delights brought some joy to those who share a love the sounds of those 50s vocal groups. This week we featured a soulful ballad by The Nitecaps and then an upbeat number by The Adventurers, appropriately titled ‘Cheer Up’. Further along the way, we gave a respectful nod in the direction of Cruising Crew member, Thom Hickey, who pointed us to The Meters ‘They All Asked About You’, which got big smiles from Mr Merlot and yours truly. So, when we came across another version by Rockin’ Dopsie, there was no question that we had to slip it into this week’s playlist . . . and we did!

But, all too soon, our Cruising time was running out and we had to turn the trusty Cruise Mobile for home. We got back home safe and sound in the company of Swedish rockers, The Refreshments, with a number that brought a knowing nod or two from Mr Merlot, ‘Enough Is Enough’. Then it was all over and we parked up the Cruise Mobile, all ready for the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . . remember . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 23 June 2018

Blue No More . . . .

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

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Well, a big bluesy welcome to another hour of the best blues around, which is what you always get when The Blues Come Calling. This week they arrived in the company of Roomful of Blues and ‘Up Jumped The Devil’, followed by ‘Lil’ Honey Bee’, the opening track of the new album by The Bridget Kelly Band, ‘Blues Warrior’. Another of the current new releases came from Kara Grainger, who showed the real style and breadth of her music on her recent UK tour, which is confirmed by her new album ‘Living With Your Ghost’.

The new blues releases keep coming and they are very welcome indeed, including Russ Green’s debut album, “City Soul,” which has Russ demonstrating some hot blues harp and plenty of swirling harp playing on our choice, ‘The Edge’. Other ‘newies’ that are being enjoyed here come from Deb Ryder ‘s excellent new album ‘Enjoy The Ride’, where we found a touch of gospel and John Clifton, who proves to be at home on vocals, harp, and guitar, with his latest album ‘Nightlife’, which is well worth checking out.

Although there was plenty of current choices, we took the opportunity to head back to the 40s for something from Kansas City songstress and pianist Julia Lee and one of “the songs my mother taught me not to sing”. Magic Slim & James Cotton made a welcome appearance, courtesy of Pinetop’s Pick, with a song that traces its origins back to Memphis Minnie, ‘When The Levee Breaks’.

Up Jumped The Devil
Up Jumped The Devil – Roomful of Blues (The Alligator Records Years – 2013)
Lil’ Honey Bee – Bridgit Kelly Band (Blues Warrior – 2018)
Nowhere To Be Found – Kara Grainger (Living With Your Ghost – 2018)
All This Beef & Big Ripe Tomatoes – Julia Lee
The Edge – Russ Green (CitySoul – 2018)
What You Want From Me – Deb Ryder (Enjoy The Ride – 2018)
Last Clean Shirt – John Clifton (Nightlife – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
When The Levee Breaks – Magic Slim & James Cotton (All Blues’d Up – 2011)

Little Things
I Got A Stick – Anthony ‘Junior Boy’ Jones (Bootleggin’ The Blues – 2009)
Blue No More – Buddy Guy with James Bay (The Blues Is Alive & Well – 2018)
Country Come To Town – Brother Dege (Farmers Almanac – 2018)
Motel Blues – Wily Bo Walker – Almost Transparent Blues (2018)
Little Things – Tom Hambridge (The NOLA Sessions – 2018)
T-Bone Shuffle – Albert Collins (Deluxe Edition – 1997)

There was some great swinging blues from Texas bluesman, Andrew ‘Jr Boy’ Jones who’s played with some big names over the years, but he was out on his own with his 2009 track, ‘I Got A Stick’. It seems you can’t miss the pre-publicity for the new Buddy Guy album, ‘The Blues Is Alive & Well’, with its notable guests, including our choice featuring James Bay on ‘Blue No More’.
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If you come across ‘Farmers Almanac’, the new album by Louisiana’s own, Brother Dege, then I recommend you take a good listen, because it’s got a selection of songs that conjure up many a tale of the American Deep South, including our selection, ‘Country Come To Town’. Glasgow’s Wily Bo Walker is no stranger to our playlists and it’s good to see him returning in style with a new album, ‘Almost Transparent Blues’ boasting eleven songs with some excellent guitar work along the way from Ed Brayshaw, which you can hear on our choice, ‘Motel Blues’.

We headed down to New Orleans this week in the good company of Tom Hambridge, who says his latest release, ‘The NOLA Sessions’ was inspired by the beauty and creative depth of the Crescent City, which is shown off well with with some great musicianship and the authentic second line groove on ‘Little Things’, which brought us to almost the end of this week’s show. So, we ended with Albert Collins and his take on T-Bone Walker’s classic, T Bone Shuffle, plus a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and the hope that we will meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . . remember . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 19 June 2018

Once More . . . .

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

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Well, the Cruise Mobile was greeted with big beaming smiles as it rolled by with its windows down and its radio turned up. The faithful were there, all ready to take another musical adventure to ‘who knows where’ with ‘you know who’. So, we’d saved a seat especially for each of them, as they jumped aboard, once more, to go Cruising with The Commissioner. Of course, the keen eared among them will have heard Jack Kelso and His Orchestra with his 1956 Vita 45 with the appropriately titled, ‘Once More’, but hardly pausing for breath, we were getting up to full Cruising speed with Clyde McPhatter and some timely advice, ‘Don’t Let Go’!

Our rummaging in the dark corners of the Cruising Library produced a little 1949 gem from Jimmy Preston & His Prestonians, who were part of the thriving R&B scene back then and probably, without knowing it, sowing the seeds of what would become known as ‘rock and roll’ and with numbers like ‘Rock This Joint’. Then, there was a distinct flavour of Fats Domino’s style from Frankie Day, with his 1957 Caddy 45 ‘I Don’t Care’. Not caring (much), seemed to be the style of UK jazzman George Melly, who often had ‘I’m a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas’ in his setlists, so we thought generate a few smiles around and some vaguely co-ordinated rhythmic footwork with American Phil Harris’s version . . . . and we did!

We were invited to take the Cruise Mobile on a visit New Orleans, where we joined Tom Hambridge for something from his very current album “The NOLA Sessions” which is Tom’s tribute to the city and it’s musicians. Then, we lingered a little longer in the Crescent City for a story from Thom Hickey, whose Immortal Jukebox blog revealed that he was someone else given to a bit of inspired dancing and confessed that whenever he hears The Meters doing ‘They All Asked For You’ he starts smiling until his face aches and laughing out loud as he dances in the street with complete strangers. Not to be outdone, Mr Merlot and The Cruisettes lined up to provide plenty of virtual encouragement for a repeat performance!

Don’t Let Go
Once More – Jack Kelso
Don’t Let Go – Clyde McPhatter
Rock This Joint – Jimmy Preston & His Prestonians
I Don’t Care – Frankie Day
I’m a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas – Phil Harris
They All Asked For You – The Meters
I Love Everything – Tom Hambridge

Cruising Connections
Back To Kansas City – King Perry
Butterball – Johnny Otis
Don’t Feel Sorry For Me – The Ikettes
She’s Good To Me – Jimmy Beasley

Girls & Guitars
Ice On Fire – Susan Santos

New Coat Of Paint
New Coat Of Paint – Bob Seger

Doo Wop Delights
From Me To You – The Five Keys
Ain’t You Gonna – Jesse Powell & The Caddys

Battie Over Hattie
Ko Ko Mo – Gene & Eunice
I’m Battie Over Hattie – Esquerita

For those who were up for a little friendly challenge, we presented our trio of tracks in this week’s Cruising Connections, with an invitation to spot the connection between three tracks, starting off with King Perry and his 1954 release for the Hollywood label, ‘Back To Kansas City’. Then, Johnny Otis’s ‘Butterball’ was followed by The Ikettes with ‘Don’t Feel Sorry For Me’. The link between them all was singer and songwriter Jimmy Beasley, who was featured on piano on the first two numbers and as songwriter on the first and last tracks. So, as either compensation or an addition prize, we played Jimmy Beasley’s 1957 Modern Records release ‘She’s Good To Me’ which did rather well for him.

Our Girls & Guitars feature this week featured Spanish blues guitarist and singer, Susan Santos. She’s preparing for a UK tour later in the year and hopefully she’ll be bringing a new album to add to the four albums she’s released to date. We gave a little flavour of her style with a track from her 2014 album ‘Electric Love’ titled ‘Ice On Fire’.

Bob Seger turned up next with Tom Waites’ song ‘New Coat Of Paint’ and did a mighty fine version in my humble opinion. Then, amongst those eagerly awaiting our Doo Wop Delights, we may have raised a quizzical eyebrow by saying the first of these was called ‘From Me To You’, featuring, not four lads from Liverpool, but five lads from Virginia . . . . The Five Keys with their 1957 Capitol 45. It segued seamlessly into ‘Ain’t You Gonna’, a 1958 Josie 45 by Jesse Powell & The Caddys, that was really sax man Jesse ‘Tex’ Powell with members of vocal group The Cadillacs.

As time began running out for our Cruising adventure, we thanked Matt The Cat for pointing us to‘Ko Ko Mo’ by Gene & Eunice, which they recorded for both the Combo and Aladdin labels and saw it hit the charts in 1955. As the familiar faces and places came into view, we had wild man of rock, Esquerita, with his 1958 Capitol 45, ‘Battie Over Hattie’. Then, it was all over. As the Cruise Mobile got us home safe and sound, we parked it up and gave it a quick polish, so it was all ready for our next adventure . . . same time, same place, next week. When, we’ll call by in the Cruise Mobile with a seat saved especially for you, just so we can all go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 16 June 2018

One Night Only . . . .

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

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Well a big bluesy welcome to one and all . . . and it comes with an invitation to sit awhile and enjoy a selection of some the best blues around . . . . which is what you always get when The Blues Come Calling. This week they came calling with the welcome return to the UK of Larry Garner. He’s been touring with the Norman Beaker Band and if you didn’t catch them on stage, you got a taste of what you missed with ‘Option On You Baby’ from Larry’s latest album, ‘Live at The Tivoli’. Another blues talent who was on a UK tour earlier in the year was Kara Grainger who gave a tantalising glimpse of her up coming album and after a little waiting, it arrived, titled ‘Living With Your Ghost’ and including ‘Working My Way Back Home’.

We dipped back for three great blues names of the 50s and 60s, Hubert Sumlin, Willie Dixon and Sunnyland Slim, who all appeared on a live version of ‘We Gonna Jump’. We dipped back even further to November of 1951, which is when Melvin “Lil’ Son” Jackson was in Dallas to recorded ‘Upstairs Boogie’ for Imperial records.

There’s been plenty of pre-release publicity for Buddy Guy’s new album ‘The Blues Is Alive & Well’, with it appearances by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Jeff Beck and James Bay. Our choice was Buddy’s take on the blues classic, ‘Nine Below Zero’. There were echoes of some other classic blues too from Texas band, Kathy & the Kilowatts, who are getting plenty of good reviews for their new album, so as a taster, we featured the title track of the album, ‘Premonition Of Love’.

Upstairs Boogie
Option On You Baby – Larry Garner (Live at The Tivoli – 2018)
We Gonna Jump – Willie Dixon, Hubert Sumlin & Sunnyland Slim (One Night Only – 2012)
Working My Way Back Home – Kara Grainger (Living With Your Ghost – 2018)
Upstairs Boogie – Lil Son Jackson (The Complete Imperial Recordings – 1995)
Nine Below Zero – Buddy Guy (The Blues Is Alive & Well – 2018)
Premonition Of Love – Kathy & the Kilowatts (Premonition Of Love – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
I Can’t Hold Out – Fleetwood Mac (Blues Jam in Chicago – 1969)

Supernatural Blues
Boogie with Stu – Joe Bonamassa (British Blues Explosion – 2018)
Supernatural Blues – The Lucky Losers (Blind Spot – 2018)
Walking On Water – Rita Coolidge & Keb Mo (Safe In the Arms Of Time – 2018)
Can’t Help Falling Apart – Walter Trout (Full Circle – 2006)
Love Is Strong – Errol Linton (Packing My Bags – 2018)
Bobby’s Rock – Dave Hole (Goin’ Back Down – 2018)

We went back there to the new ‘British Blues Explosion’ album by Joe Bonamassa for his take on the Led Zepplin number ‘Boogie With Stu’ and followed on with San Francisco blues outfit, The Lucky Losers, whose third album release, ‘Blind Spot’,  boasts 11 cuts that have a mix of blues, R & B and jazz. They are joined by Laura Chavez, guesting on guitar, on our choice . . . the very Santana-esque ‘Supernatural Blues’.

Rita Coolidge’s new release, ‘Safe In the Arms Of Time’, nearly got passed by, because its tracks are pretty mainstream, but the little bluesy duet with Keb Mo, ‘Walking On Water’,  is definitely worth a listen.

Walter Trout was on our giglist when we were in New Orleans recently and he returned to our playlist with ‘Can’t Help Falling Apart’ from his ‘Full Circle’ album, (which will bring back some great memories for John Reeny). Too soon, it was time to say our goodbyes, with a big thanks for your good company for this week’s show and the hope that we will meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Then, we played out with Dave Hole’s fine cover of ‘Bobby’s Rock’ and until the next time . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 12 June 2018

Boogie & Bop . . . .

Listen here to Cruising with The Commissioner:

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Well, the sunshine has been a frequent and welcome visitor to the Grand Duchy of late and brought with it some big beaming smiles from members of the Cruising Crew, who were eager to jump aboard the Cruise Mobile when it rolled by, with its windows down and the radio cranked right up. They needed little encouragement, but got plenty more than they expected, when we kicked off down the road for this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner, with Chris Corcoran with his band and ‘Don’t Lose Your Cool’, followed smartly by New Orleans own, Tommy Ridgley with ‘Woncha Gone’.

It seems very likely that when Mrs Ferguson named her son, Robert Purcell Ferguson, she didn’t expect him to become a blues shouter and piano player, renamed H-Bomb Ferguson. His wild stage shows gained him some celebrity status back in the mid 50s and from there the Cruising time machine brought us right up to date for a fine piece of R&B titled ‘Boogie & Bop’ from 6 guys from the Czech Repulic, called Gone Hepsville , who inspired some dangerous dancing from ‘certain’ figures, familiar to long-time Cruising Crew members. With another demonstration of how European bands are delivering ‘real’ R&B to match the originators, came Mike Sanchez & His Band with a big favourite around here . . . . ‘Pretty Legs’.

Our trio of tracks for this week’s Cruising Connections included the wonderful Albert Lee, Motown songstress Brenda Holloway and the devils of double denim, Status Quo. During which, anyone shouting out the name Sonny Curtis. For anyone who spotted that they were all singing songs written by Sonny Curtis, Mr Merlot offered to come around and tidy up their wine cellar, but not before we heard from Sonny Curtis, himself, as a member of The Crickets and the writer of one of a song that did well for them, ‘Baby My Heart’.

Don’t Lose Your Cool
Don’t Lose Your Cool – The Chris Corcoran Band
Woncha Gone – Tommy Ridgley
Work For My Baby – H-Bomb Ferguson
Boogie & Bop – Gone Hepsville
Pretty Legs – Mike Sanchez & His Band

Cruising Connections
Rock Around With Ollie Vee – Albert Lee & Hogan’s Heroes
Walk Right Back – Brenda Holloway
I Fought The Law – Status Quo
Baby My Heart – The Crickets

Girls & Guitars
Mr Right – Ivy Ford

Brand New Man
Love Is My Business – Bobby Woods
Like A Brand New Man – Darrel Higham
You Mean Everything To Me – Ivory Joe Hunter

Doo Wop Delights
I’m Sorry Now – Frankie Ervin & The Shields
Zoop – The Charts
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Shake It
Miss Shake It – Ba Ba Thomas
Miss Thing – The Silhouettes
Gettin’ Plenty Lovin’ – Esquerita

Now, when we started our Girls & Guitars feature all those years ago, we were not sure how long it would last. In the event, it has lasted very well indeed and this week our spotlight fell on Chicago lady of the blues, Ivy Ford. She a multi-instrumentalist who started performing live on stage at the age of 13 and went on to play with a number of local bands. She now fronts her own band and has recently released her debut album, appropriately titled ‘Time To Shine’ which includes our choice, ‘Mr Right’.

We headed back to the 50s for a great 1959 Vin 45 from Bobby Woods, ‘Love Is My Business’. It’s a song that’s been much covered by European artists, including Darrel Higham, who just happened to pop up on our playlist with ‘Like A Brand New Man’, followed by the great Ivory Joe Hunter and his 1956 Atlantic 45, ‘You Mean Everything To Me’, which led us nicely into this week’s Doo Wop Delights, starting with a 1958 Dot recording by Frankie Ervin & The Shields, which was the flipside of their million seller ‘Nature Boy’. They were followed by Harlem vocal group, The Charts, with their one big hit from 1958 ‘Zoop’.

As Mr Merlot began getting a bit twitchy and pointedly looking at the clock, we turned the Cruise Mobile for home, with a respectful tip of the hat and a wave to our good pal Jamie Dell’Apa down in New Orleans, because he pointed us to a little 1964 gem by Ba Ba Thomas and his King 45, ‘Miss Shake It’. Then, we heard from the Silhouettes and to take us all the way home, we featured one of the wildest rock and rollers, Esquerita, about whom there are plenty of colourful stories,some may be true. We chose a number from a great new compilation of his works ‘Gettin’ Plenty Lovin’.

Then, it was all over. As the Cruise Mobile got us home safe and sound, we parked it up and gave it a quick polish, so it was all ready for our next adventure . . . same time, same place, next week. When, we’ll call by in the Cruise Mobile with a seat saved especially for you, just so we can all go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 9 June 2018

These Blues Are Here To Stay . . . .

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

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Well, a big bluesy welcome to another hour of the best of the blues, which is what you get every week, when The Blues Come Calling. This week they came calling with a few ‘seasoned’ favourites and plenty of new releases, including something from the much heralded new album by Joe Bonamassa, ‘The British Blues Explosion’, which includes Joe’s take on Eric Clapton’s 1974 treatment of Blind Willie Johnson’s, ‘Motherless Children’. Among the other new releases is Dana Fuchs’ latest album, ‘Love Lives On’, which is very much on the soulful side, but includes a great bluesy number ‘Same Sunlight’.

A new release by Mike Zito is guaranteed to be greeted with a smiley face here and his latest offering ‘First Class Life’ is no exception, especially when it includes Mike’s great take on Bobby Bland’s ‘I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog (The Way You Treat Me)’. Big Daddy Wilson was back too with a new album release, ‘Songs From The Road’, which is a reminder of just how good he is on stage. It was recorded at a gig in the village of Rubigen in central Switzerland and includes our choice, ‘Cross Creek Road’.

Now, I’m guessing that, like other fans of The Tower of Power, somewhere out there in Austin, Texas, our good friend, Wendel Williams, is just a little excited about the release of their new album, to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The album,‘Soul Side of Town’, is full of all new material, including most excellent bluesy title track. Another album with a very bluesy title track comes from Tim Woods. It has a touch of West Side Chicago blues and some echoes of Magic Sam. A good example is the title track, ‘Human Race’.

Full marks to Geffen records for putting out their compilation of Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown’s Peacock recordings. This spans the years 1949 to 1959 and includes ‘Okie Dokie Stomp’ and plenty of others, including our choice . . . a little gem called ‘Midnight Hour’.

Same Sunlight
Motherless Children – Joe Bonamassa (British Blues Explosion – 2018)
Same Sunlight – Dana Fuchs (Love Lives On – 2018)
I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog (The Way You Treat Me) – Mike Zito (First Class Life – 2018)
Midnight Hour – Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown (The Peacock Recordings – 2018)
Cross Creek Road – Big Daddy Wilson (Songs From The Road – 2018)
On The Soul Side Of Town – Tower Of Power
Human Race – Tim Woods (Human Race – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
That’s My Baby – Willie Dixon & Memphis Slim (Willie’s Blues – 2018)

Packing My Bags
These Blues Are Here To Stay – Dave Hole (Goin’ Back Down – 2018)
Packing My Bags – Errol Linton (Packing My Bags – 2018)
Ain’t No Spark – Grand Marquis (Brighter Days – 2018)
Hard Day Blues – Muddy Waters (Muddy Waters 1941-1946 – 2001)
Damned – Steve Hill (The One Man Blues Rock Band – 2018)
Kid’s Jump – Kid Ramos (Old School – 2018)

We caught up with Dave Hole’s latest album release, ‘Goin’ Back Down’, which has plenty of great choices, including our choice ‘These Blues Are Here To Stay’, with some excellent slide guitar and vocals from Dave, along with some great honky tonk piano from his long-time pal keyboard player Bob Patient.

Errol Linton has been billed as the harmonica wizard of Brixton and he’s back with a new album on Brassdog records titled ‘Packing My Bags’, which will greatly please his fans, including our regular guest Arfa Pinetop. It’s a great blend of Chicago style blues and Jamaican roots. Well worth a listen! Another new release comes from Kansas City six-piece outfit, ‘Grand Marquis’, with their eighth album, ‘Brighter Days’. Their music takes you on a musical journey from Kansas City to Memphis, and ends up in the Big Easy. If you like your blues with a jazzy tinge, then there’s plenty more to enjoy on this album.

Amidst all the new blues that’s coming our way, we try not to forget the early blues pioneers that made it possible. So, this week we tipped of our blues hat in the direction of Muddy Waters with something he recorded in Chicago, on the 27 September 1946, ‘Hard Day Blues’. Then, from Chicago we headed for Quebec . . . which is where Canadian Steve Hill recorded his latest live album, the very appropriately titled ‘The One Man Blues Rock Band’, which is where you’ll find our choice, ‘Damned’.

As time, inevitably, caught up with us, we played out with something from Kid Ramos, who, after some 17 years, has a new album out titled ‘Old School’. It has a fine mix of of Kid’s originals and few covers, all of which show off his guitar and vocals to great effect, including our closer, a swinging tribute to B. B. King, ‘Kid’s Jump’. But before that, there were thanks to everyone who took a listen to this week’s show and the reminder, until the next time The Blues Come Calling . . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 5 June 2018

Born To Boogie . . . .

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

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Well, in case you haven’t noticed, summer’s here and the time is right for a little cruising. So, we turned up in the trusty Cruise Mobile to whisk you away in style for another unpredictable, musical adventure . . . that we continue to call, Cruising with The Commissioner. With some squeals from the wheels, the Cruise Mobile kicked off down the road with Bellevue Cadillac and a swinging little number called ‘Pull The Plug’, followed fast by that ‘Boom Boom’ man, Freddy Cannon with ‘Boppin’ The Blues’. Then, we pulled out a great UK club favourite by Gino Parks . . . his first release on Tamla in 1962 ‘Same Thing’.

Now, long-time members of the Cruising Crew will know that there have been many choices in our playlists inspired by Thom Hickey’s blog The Immortal Jukebox. So, with Thom’s words in our ears, we got that motor running, got those wheels spinning and headed out on the highway, ready to drive all night under the moon until the sun comes up . . . worrying about absolutely nothing . . . which suitably heralded Bob Seger with ‘Get Out Of Denver’. Our route took us to Louisiana for Don Rich’s excellent cover of ‘After All The Good Is Gone’ and then across the Atlantic to Liverpool to hear from one of the city’s much respected songstresses, Beryl Marsden. She didn’t hit the national charts like some of her contemporaries, but she did make some very fine recordings.

This week, our Cruising Connections feature started with Marty Wilde’s cover of the Everly Brothers song ‘It’s Been Nice’ and we were looking for a link with the next of our trio of tracks from John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival and Hank Williams Jr. If you were shouting ‘Jody Reynolds’ at your radio, then you certainly made that connection, because they all had some success with their covers of Jodi Reynolds’ 1958 hit “Endless Sleep”. . . . and we couldn’t really pass up the opportunity to hear the original from Jodi Reynolds himself

The Marcels will always be known for their hit version of ‘Blue Moon’, but we played one of their sadly overlooked gems from 1962, called ‘Twistin’ Fever’. Then, the Cruising time machine brought us up to date for Scotty Baker’s car envy song about a 1952 pale blue rag top coupe de ville.

A Shot Of Rhythm & Blues
Pull The Plug – Bellevue Cadillac
Boppin’ The Blues – Freddy Cannon
Same Thing – Gino Parks
Get Out Of Denver – Bob Seger
After All The Good Is Gone – Don Rich
A Shot Of Rhythm & Blues – Beryl Marsden

Cruising Connections
It’s Been Nice – Marty Wilde
Lodi – John Fogerty & Creedence Clearwater Revival
Born To Boogie – Hank Williams Jr

Twistin’ Fever
Endless Sleep – Jodi Reynolds
Twistin’ Fever – The Marcels
Hank’s Cadillac – Scotty Baker

Girls & Guitars
Drink Muddy Water – Katie Kern (Blues For The Highway – 2017)
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Doo Wop Delights
Six Nights A Week – Johnny Maestro & The Crests
My Heart’s Desire – The Velvet Candles

Heading Home
I Did What I Did When I Did It – Marcia Ball
Heading Home – The Jive Aces

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature focused on Austrian singer and guitarist, Katie Kerns, who grew up in Vienna in a musical family, where her dad taught her to play piano when she was young. In her early twenties she caught the blues bug and has been a fixture on the local blues scene around Vienna for the past 20 years. To show off her talents, we chose a track from her latest album, ‘Blues for the Highway’ and classic . . . ‘Drink Muddy Water’.

For our weekly dose of Doo Wop Delights we started with ‘Six Nights A Week’, a 1959 release by The Crests, which spent 13 weeks in the American Top 100 and got The Crests onto Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. Then, a surprise, especially for those who think of doo wop as locked in the 50s. This came from Spanish group The Velvet Candles, who are keepers of the doo wop flame in Europe, with a little number called ‘My Heart’s Desire’, which comes from their 2018 album release, appropriately titled ‘Today’.

With a few anxious glances at the clock from Mr Merlot, we reluctantly turned the Cruise Mobile for home with someone who was on our giglist recently, the wonderful Marcia Ball with this track from her latest album. Then, getting us all the way home, we had the good company of The Jive Aces with the very appropriately titled ‘Heading Home’.

With plenty of musical miles on the clock, the Cruise Mobile got us back home again safe and sound and just in time to park it up and polish it up so it’s all ready for our next adventure. So, if that sounds good to you, better be ready, same time, same place, next week, when we’ll call by again with a seat saved especially for you . . . just so we can go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 2 June 2018