Don’t Start No Stuff . . .

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

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Well, another big bluesy welcome to The Blues Come Calling . . . and they came calling this week with Joe Bonamassa delivering some high powered boogie-ing on ‘King Bee Shakedown’ from his much anticipated new album ‘Redemption’. Then there was a big smile for the welcome return of our favourite professor of law and blues harp-master, San Francisco’s Big Harp George, with ‘Down To The Rite Aid’. But, there was a surprise in store, because Boz Scaggs was on our playlist. Boz says he’s always had an affinity with the blues and his latest album ‘Out Of The Blues’ gives that full rein, including on our choice . . . ‘I’ve Just Got To Know’.

For the fans of scratchy blues, we travelled back in time to 1934 for a little something from that celebrated blues duo, Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell. This was a number they cut for Vocalion Records in New York City on the 16th August . . . . ‘Don’t Start No Stuff’.

Now, if you got to the New Orleans Jazz Fest this year there’s every chance you would have seen Carolyn Wonderland on stage with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, but before that she was one of the guests on Benny Turner’s much acclaimed release ‘My Brother’s Blues’ doing that J.B. Lenoir classic ‘Mojo Boogie’. If you know the name Karen Lawrence from the 90s, when she was fronting several New Wave bands, you may not have expected to find her appearing now as a blues singer. But, Karen Lawrence is just that now and she’s released a double-CD of live material called ‘Best of . . . Live!’, which includes some plenty of powerful vocals from her live performances. To give you a taste, we featured . . . ‘It’s Been So Long’.

Mojo Boogie
King Bee Shakedown – Joe Bonamassa (Redemption – 2018)
Down To The Rite Aid – Big Harp George (Uptown Cool – 2018)
I’ve Just Got To Know – Boz Scaggs (Out Of The Blues – 2018)
Don’t Start No Stuff – Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell (When The Sun Goes Down – 2011)
Mojo Boogie – Benny Turner with Carolyn Wonderland (My Brother’s Blues – 2018)
It’s Been So Long – Karen Lawrence & Blue By Nature (Best of . . . Live! – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
Who Do You Love – Downliners Sect (Savage Return – 1991)

Have It Your Way
Checking Up On My Baby – Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors (Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors – 2018)
Tide Blues – Sugar Brown (It’s A Blues World Calling – 2018)
Why Did You Have To Go – Anthony Geraci (Why Did You Have To Go – 2018)
When Love Comes To Town – Lilly Martin (Roadhouse Mission 2013)
Wiggle Room – Michele D’Amour & The Love Dealers (Wiggle Room – 2018)
You Can Have It Your Way – Thorbjorn Risager (Between A Rock & Some Hard Blues – 2013)
Collins Mambo – Johnny & The Headhunters (That’s All I Need – 2018)
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There is plenty of great blues coming out of Canada these days and to prove it, we featured something by Toronto based bluesman Sugar Brown. He spent his younger days playing harp with various bands around Chicago and there are plenty of those influences on his new album, ‘It’s A Blues World Calling’. Meanwhile, Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors made a happy return this week with another great number from their self titled album and good stuff it is indeed.

New Haven, keyboard man, Anthony Geraci, began playing piano began at age four and got turned onto the blues in his teens. Since then, he’s played with many of the great names of modern blues and there are a whole host of today’s blues names on his latest album, ‘Why Did You Have To Go’. Lilly Martin has one of those quite striking voices, as we demonstrated by choosing to play her memorable version of ‘When Love Comes To Town’ from her 2013 Roadhouse Mission’ album. Then, we heard from Seattle-based singer songwriter and band leader, Michele D’Amour & The Love Dealers with a little sultry number that’s the title track from her newly released fourth album, ‘Wiggle Room’.

If you have been keeping an eye on the gig guides, you will know that Thorbjorn Risager is back in the UK soon, so to get us in the mood, we pulled out a favourite of his here, ‘You Can Have It Your Way’, which almost brought us to the end of the show, but we found time to play out this week with a little instrumental called ‘Collins Mambo’ from the new album by Johnny & The Headhunters ‘That’s All I Need’. Then it was all over, except to say a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and here’s hoping we’ll meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 28 August 2018

Oh Gee, Oh Gosh . . .

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

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Well, the Cruise Mobile arrived just in time and purred gently, as the faithful wasted no time in jumping aboard, to go . . . Cruising with The Commissioner. This week, it arrived with R&B band leader Paul Gayten on the radio playing ‘Back To Back’ and it didn’t linger long, before it was heading on down the road with one time lead singer of The Creations, Claude Robinson and his 1960 Studio 45 ‘Cotton Pickin’ Mama’. Following fast came a little gem from O’Henry, the name used by songwriter Henry Shead Snr, who was a successful band leader for many years, as well as a Hollywood actor.

From Los Angeles, the Cruise Mobile then took us in the direction of Salinas, a town just South of San Francisco, which back in the 50s was fiefdom of the most colourful of characters, “Lord Luther” McDaniels. He was a member of vocal group The Deuces, but we heard from him with his 1959 solo release ‘A Thinkin’ Man’s Girl’. Then, we revealed an obscure link between that and the next choices from Wisconsin’s own, Al Barkle. They were both backed by The Dave Rosas Band . . . about whom we know nothing . . . so, if you know anything . . . do tell!

The late Louisiana legend, G.G. Shinn, made his mark on our playlist with a great Louis Jordan number, ‘Ain’t That Just Like A Woman’, just before we got to our Cruising Connections feature. This week, there was a big clue . . . it was a song that was first recorded in 1951 by singing duo Noble & King. We played numbers by The Orioles, Emile Ford & The Checkmates and Frankie Avalon, who each recorded versions of that song too. The song was the much recorded, ‘Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me’, but none of them bettered the exquisite 1965 version by Mel Carter . . . and to prove it . . . we played it! Then, we enjoyed the wonderful voice of soul and blues singer Ted Taylor, who we’ve often heard here as a member of both as the Cadets and the Jacks, but we chose his 1961 solo recording for the Laurie label ‘A Heart That’s True’.

Back To Back
Back To Back – Paul Gayten
Cotton Pickin’ Mama – Claude Robinson
Wanna Jean – O’Henry
A Thinking Man’s Girl – Lord Luther with The Dave Rosas Band
Come Summer – Al Barkle with The Dave Rosas Band
Ain’t That Just Like A Woman – G.G. Shinn

Cruising Connections
Don’t Mess With My Love – The Orioles
What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For – Emile Ford
At The Hop – Frankie Avalon

A Heart That’s True
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me – Mel Carter
A Heart That’s True – Ted Taylor

Girls & Guitars
Shake Your Hips – Joan Osborne

Doo Wop Delights
Please Say You Want Me – The School Boys
Oh Gee, Oh Gosh – The Kodaks
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Hot Sauce Boogie
Red Hots & Chilli Mac – The Moroccos
Where Did You Stay – Boo
Happy Man – Diz & The Doormen
It Ain’t Gonna Be Like That – Al Jackson
Hot Sauce Boogie – Coco Robicheaux

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature, threw the spotlight on Kentucky born singer, songwriter and guitarist, Joan Osborne, who started recording in the late 80s. From her catalogue, we picked her cover of that old Slim Harpo number, ‘Shake Your Hips’ from her 2012 album ‘Bring It On Home’ . . . and she did! Then, we kicked off our Doo Wop Delights with Harlem group The Schoolboys, who got together at school in early 1955 and cut their debut single for Okeh records later that year. It was our choice from them . . . ‘Please Say You Want Me’. New Jersey vocal group The Kodaks followed on with, ‘Oh Gee, Oh Gosh’, the second of four singles they cut for the Fury label . None of these made the national charts, but they are all now prized by collectors.

Chicago vocal group The Moroccos turned up with a number about a local delicacy . . . ‘Red Hots & Chilli Mac’. We dug deep for a Vin 45, credited on the label to ‘Boo’, which proved to be an alias for pianist Val Boulet, founder member of The Riff Raffs, and doing his own cover of a song we know well by Fats Domino. Then, we featured someone who’s been on our giglist recently . . . . UK pianist and band leader Diz Watson. He was back with a little self-penned number of his own . . . ‘Happy Man’, sounding every bit like a 50s Louisiana favourite.

We turned the Cruise Mobile for home, under cover of a lovely little release by Al Jackson, who appears to have been a relatively obscure blues/R&B singer, who recorded a few sides in the 50s for Roost Records. We played one of those . . . ‘It Ain’t Gonna Be Like That’. Then, taking us all the way home, it was Coco Robicheaux, one of the many characters from around New Orleans, with one of his great numbers . . . ‘Hot Sauce Boogie’. . . . which got us home safe and sound, back where we started. So, with a cheery wave, we said our farewells, in the hope that we will all meet again same time, same place next week to go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin radio
on 25 August 2018

Enjoy The Ride . . .

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

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Well, a big bluesy welcome to another 60 minutes of the best blues around . . . which is what you always get when The Blues Come Calling. They came calling this week with the great Billy Boy Arnold and ‘Don’t Stay Out All Night’, a track from a new compilation by Hit Town records called ‘Blues Lowdown’, and following that were The Proven Ones, making a welcome return with a swinging tale of what goes on at the ‘City Dump’.

We played Ben Poole’s ‘Take It No More’ from his new album, ‘Anytime You Need Me’ and he’s one of those who has a forthcoming UK tour later, which was a reminder that September is shaping up well for new releases and some much awaited tours. Among those tours will be one by Delta Moon, who will be back, touring the UK in September and it prompted a play of ‘Lap Dog’, as a taster of what you might expect if you get to see them on stage. Another tour and album to look out for, comes from Mike Vernon & The Mighty Combo, with their second album release, ‘Beyond The Blues Horizon’ and some tour dates too.

Now, the opening track on an album is usually the key attention grabber and Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors have certainly got that on their new ‘Blues Warriors’ album. So, you know you’re in for a treat when it kicks off with our playlist choice, ‘Diamonds At Your Feet’. But, as a little indulgence, there was a past favourite tucked into the playlist for good measure . . . a 1944 song, revived by Adam Franklin on his ‘Til I Hear You Talkin’ album and titled ‘Save That Roach For Me’ and it has nothing to do with creepy crawlies . . . so I’m told!

Diamonds At Your Feet
Don’t Stay Out All Night – Billy Boy Arnold (Blues Lowdown – 2018)
City Dump – The Proven Ones (Wild Again – 2018)
Take It No More – Ben Poole (Anytime You Need Me – 2018)
Save That Roach For Me – Adam Franklin (Til I Hear You Talkin’ – 2012)
Lap Dog – Delta Moon (Clear Blue Flame – 2007)
Diamonds At Your Feet – Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors (Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors – 2018)
Old Man Dreams – Mike Vernon & The Mighty Combo (Beyond The Blues Horizon – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
29 Ways – Koko Taylor (What It Takes – The Chess Years – 2009)

Have A Good Time
I Came To Have A Good Time – Keeshea Pratt Band (Believe – 2018)
Down In Virginia – Boz Scaggs (Out Of The Blues – 2018)
How Long – Eugene Hideaway Bridges (Live in Tallahassee – 2018)
Enjoy The Ride – Dennis Jones Band (WE3 Live – 2018)
Standing In The Weather – Big Harp George (Uptown Cool – 2018)
Walkin’ Thru The Park – Muddy Waters (Fathers & Sons – 1969)
Just Pickin’ – John Fogerty (Blue Moon Swamp – 2017)

Our previous choices from the Keeshea Pratt Band’s album ‘Believe, seem to have gone down well, so this week’s choice was another fine example, ‘I Came To Have A Good Time’ . . . and haven’t we all! Those with long memories, may recall some other good times with Boz Scaggs when he was one of those on the UK R&B scene back in the early 60s. Much has happened in his career since then, but for his latest album release, he’s gone back to the blues, as he demonstrated with ‘Down In Virginia’.

Eugene Hideaway Bridges’ new release, ‘Live in Tallahassee’ is just what it says on the label and brings plenty of Eugene’s self penned songs, including our choice, ‘How Long’. There was another visit to the ‘WE3 Live’ album by the Dennis Jones Band, which came with just a hint of Albert King on ‘Enjoy The Ride’. San Francisco’s blues harpmaster, Big Harp George, also showed up again this week with another from his latest album, ‘Uptown Cool’ . . . the excellent, ‘Standing In The Weather’.

Before our time ran out this week, we gave a very respectful nod in the direction of a timeless master of the blues . . . Muddy Waters, with his 1969 version of ‘Walkin’ Thru The Park’. Then, we were playing out with someone who doesn’t make many appearances on our playlists, John Fogerty, who turned up with a great Freddy King instrumental, ‘Just Pickin’. But before that, I gave a big thanks for your company on this week’s show and will be looking forward to even more, the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then, remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 21 August 2018

Night Flight . . .

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

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Well, there were plenty of smiles as the Cruise Mobile came into view this week, so we wasted little time . . . just enough for the faithful to jump aboard, buckle up and sit well back for another musical adventure to who knows where with you know who . . . . or as it’s known in concentric circles . . . Cruising with The Commissioner. We arrived to the sound of The King’s Henchmen with their 1958 recording ‘Night Flight’, but we didn’t lingering long, before heading on down the road with Bob & Earl and something they wrote and recorded in 1957 long before ‘Harlem Shuffle’.

Roomful Of Blues turned up to get everyone’s feet tapping with their take on Smiley Lewis’s song ‘Lillie Mae’. Then, from New Orleans, the Cruise Mobile was taking us to the US border for some favourite Tex-Mex music. On this occasion, we sent Mr Merlot into the Cruising Library to pull out some stuff by a few of the great UK Tex-Mex bands, starting with the Ballham Alligators and followed closely by Bobby Valentino & The Electric Bluebirds and the ever popular Los Pacaminos. Fortunately, we cleared all the breakables away, so all who wanted, could join the Cruisettes, Mr Merlot and yours truly, for a riotous Tex-Mex knees up!
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Then it was time to get all those little grey cells fired up for this week’s Cruising Connections and a little friendly challenge to spot the link between this week’s trio of tracks, kicking off with this Little Willie John, followed by Janis Martin with her 1957 RCA release ‘All Right Baby’ and then Eddie Fontaine’s ‘Nothin’ Shakin’’. If you had had your hand in the air at the end of that selection and ready to say it was the prolific session guitarist George Barnes, you can give yourself a big pat on the back. But, before we moved on, it seemed appropriate to hear something from George Barnes in his own right with one of his own recording . . . ‘Trainsville’.

Our Favourite Things 
Night Flight – The King’s Henchmen
You Made A Boo Boo – Bob & Earl
Lillie Mae – Roomful Of Blues
Gotta Have Money – The Balham Alligators
Back On The Train – Bobby Valentino & The Electric Bluebirds
Our Favourite Things – Los Pacaminos

Cruising Connections
Don’t Be Ashamed To Call My Name – Little Willie John
All Right Baby – Janis Martin
Nothin’ Shakin’ (But The Leaves On The Tree) – Eddie Fontaine
Trainsville – George Barnes

Girls & Guitars
She Wants To Know – Carolyn Wonderland
Oh, He’s Fine – Little Rachel

Doo Wop Delights
Oh Gloria – The Frank Grier Quartet
How Long Must I Wait For You – The Larks

Did I Forget
Teardrops Will Fall – Wilson Picket and Tammi Lynn
Did I Forget – Wily Bo Walker (with the Danny Flam Band)
Tore Up – Tommy La Beef
Flat Foot Sam Meets Jim Dandy – T.V. Slim

Well, those who saw John Mayall’s set at this year’s New Orleans Jazz Fest, will have witnessed the subject of this week’s Girls & Guitars feature . . . . Carolyn Wonderland. She grew up in Houston Texas and having learnt to play guitar in her teens, decided to pursue her musical career when she left school. By 1999 she was heading for more than 300 days a year out on the road performing. Along the way, she played with plenty of notable names and she’s released 11 albums to date, including her latest, ‘Moon Goes Missing’ where we found this week’s choice . . . ‘She Wants To Know’. From Austin, the trusty Cruise Mobile took us to Kansas City to hear from Little Rachel, whose 5ft frame makes a big big sound on ‘Oh He’s Fine’ . . . and as quick as the Cruisettes arrived to shimmy and shake to that one . . . so they were gone again!

Our Doo Wop Delights this week started in 1950, when two Philadelphian school pals, Sonny Gordon and Frank Grier decided to find a couple of others to form a doo wop group called The Angels, who had some local success with a few releases on the Grand record label. After which, Frank put together the “Frank Grier Quartet”, which recorded a little gem for Swan records in 1958, called ‘Oh Gloria’. Then, we had an old favourite from Brooklyn based vocal group, The Larks, who in October 1950 took a trip to New York and in one spectacular day cut seventeen masters, for four different record companies and under four different group names . . . . one of those recordings, was their 1951 Apollo release ‘How Long Must I Wait’.

Now, back in 1958, Dicky Doo & The Don’ts recorded a little number called ‘Teardrops Will Fall’ which has been much covered since, including an outstanding version which was on our playlist by Wilson Picket duetting with Tammi Lynn. Then we were thinking about heading for home in company with Scotland’s Wily Bo Walker and The Danny Flam Band with plenty of echoes of New Orleans on ‘Did I Forget’. Tommy La Beef came along too with his classic ‘Tore Up’, leaving us just enough time to find out what happened when Flat Foot Sam met Jim Dandy . . . courtesy of T,V. Slim. Then, the Cruise Mobile glided to a stop on this week’s musical adventure, we parked it up and gave it a quick polish, ready for the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 18 August 2018

Just Calm Yourself . . .

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

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When life is so unpredictable, it’s good to know that there’s always a big bluesy welcome and plenty of the best blues around, when The Blues Come Calling. This week they came calling with the great Johnny Winter, doing Gatemouth Brown’s ‘Okie Dokie Stomp’ and followed by Arkansas blues guitarist and singer, Sonny Lowdown with track is titled ‘You Never Can Tell’, but definitely not the Chuck Berry song!

It turns out, The Proven Ones are an outstanding bunch of musicians, who include Brian Templeton on vocals and “Kid” Ramos on guitar. Their album ‘Wild Again’ is a testament to their talents, delivering some great blues, like ‘Why Baby Why’. With no apology from here, Tulsa bluesman Scott Ellison turned up again with a very fine blues ballad, ‘I’m In Trouble’ from his latest album ‘Ice Storm’. Many blues fans will know Mark Wenner, as the founding member of The Nighthawks, and he’s still going strong after 40+ years and now fronting Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors. Mark is a big fan of Slim Harpo, so it’s not surprising to find one of Slim’s numbers on their new self-titled album, where the band get a fine, swampy groove going on “I’m A King Bee”.

Now, I hope you’ve got plenty of quality listening time in September, because it looks like there’s plenty of new releases coming then, including one from Ben Poole. Doubtless, the setlists for his UK tour later in the year will be full of songs from the album, including this choice . . . . ‘Found Out The Hard Way’. Another new album scheduled for a September release comes from Mike Vernon & The Mighty Combo, which displays a few autobiographical influences from Mike, especially with an album titled ‘Beyond The Blues Horizon’, which includes that fine Mose Allison number . . . ‘Your Mind Is On Vacation’.

You Never Can Tell
Okie Dokie Stomp – Johnny Winter (Step Back – 2014)
You Never Can Tell – Sunny Lowdown (Down Loaded – 2018)
Why Baby Why – The Proven Ones (Wild Again – 2018)
I’m In Trouble – Scott Ellison (Ice Storm -2018)
King Bee – Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors (Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors – 2018)
Found Out The Hard Way – Ben Poole (Anytime You Need Me – 2018)
Your Mind Is On Vacation – Mike Vernon & The Mighty Combo (Beyond The Blues Horizon – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
To Love A Child – Jools Holland & Ruby Turner (Jools & Ruby – 2015)

Step By Step
Step By Step –  Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges (Live in Tallahassee – 2018)
Forget About You – The Mitch Laddie Band (Another World – 2018)
Big Black Cat – Dennis Jones Band (WE3 Live – 2018)
Cheat Or Lose – Kat Riggins (In The Boys Club – 2018)
Howlin’ For My Darling – Paul Filipowicz (Unfiltered – 2018)
Just Calm Yourself – Big Harp George (Uptown Cool – 2018)

It’s been a while since the UK had a visit from Eugene Hideaway Bridges, so it’s good to hear from him with his new album release ‘Live in Tallahassee’ and who knows, he might be back here again soon. Meanwhile, we have plenty of home grown talent on the UK blues scene, including County Durham lad, Mitch Laddie. His new album ‘Another World’ is out now and one of the tracks that’s had plenty of plays here is ‘Forget About You’.

L.A. based blues trio, the Dennis Jones Band made a welcome returned to the playlist this week with ‘Big Black Cat’ has been one of the 14 tracks on their WE3 Live album . . . . and sounding good too. Another of the albums getting plenty of plays here has been ‘In The Boys Club’ by Floridian blues shouter Kat Riggins. This time around the choice was ‘Cheat Or Lose’.

If like that 50 Chicago blues sound, then you’re sure to enjoy the latest offering from one of the city’s current bluesmen, Paul Filipowicz. ‘Unfiltered’ is his 10th and it’s where you’ll find his take on ‘Howlin’ For My Darling’. Now, the blues does not many professors of law or criminal defence attorneys amongst its performers, so San Francisco blues singer and harp player Big Harp George is pretty unique. He admits to a growing addiction to chromatic harp played with horns and there’s plenty of that on his latest album ‘Uptown Cool’. Sadly, George’s track, ‘Just Calm Yourself’’ had to be our last. So, with that, there were big thanks for your company on this week’s show and the fond hope that we will meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 14 August 2018

All Tore Up . . .

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

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Well, we set off on this week’s Cruising adventure, appropriately prepared, with the windows down, the radio turned up and an enticing invitation to jump aboard the Cruise Mobile, where there was a seat saved especially for you, so we can all go Cruising with the Commissioner . . . . and we kicked off down the road with The King’s Henchmen and their 1958 recording, ‘All Tore Up’, which featured Kenny Burrell on guitar, alongside King Curtis, Sam ‘The Man’ Taylor and Count Hastings on saxes, and with breathless enthusiasm we followed on with a 1954 recording by Havert Bennett, about how he doesn’t like Jack!

Now, I can tell you with great certainty that in 1958 Georgia Lane with Bobbie Richard and his band released their Dynamic 45 titled ‘Get It’ . . . . but I know very little else about Ms Lane . . . so if you know more . . . do tell. Meanwhile, to demonstrate the educational element of our Cruising adventures, the Cruise Mobile took us all the way to Toronto to meet singer and pianist, Tyler Yarema, whose dissertation topic was ‘Why Did God Make Boogie Woogie’!

This week’s Cruising Connections was subverted by friendly spirits in the form of Cruising Crew member, Graham Mead. Our recent calypso feature reminded him of his youthful days working with some lovely folks from Trinidad, who taught Graham the moves to a particular calypso song. He said they laughed when the moves caused him to blush and he asked if we could find THAT SONG and play it if we did another calypso feature. So we did, along with a couple of others, which had The Cruisettes, Mr Merlot and probably Graham each doing their own brand of dancing.

Get It
All Tore Up – The King’s Henchmen
Jack Your Dead – Havert Bennett
Get It – Georgia Lane with Bobbie Richard And His Band
Why Did God Make Boogie Woogie – Tyler Yarema
Honest Papa Love Their Mamas Better – Fats Domino

Cruising Connections
Back to Back, Belly to Belly – The Charmer with the Johnny McCleverty Calypso Boys
Must Get Me A Man – Calypso Rose
Shame & Scandal In The Family – Dawney

Girls & Guitars
Do What You Want – Sass Jordan

Be Good To Me
Please Be Good To Me – Ty Robin & The Debs
Mr Fine – Johnnie Mae Matthews & The Daps

Doo Wop Delights
That’s When Your Heartaches Begin – Billy Bunn & His Buddies
Rockin’ Shoes – The Ames Brothers

Look-A-There
Idle Rock-A-Boogie – Anthony Newley
My Life – Joe Jama
Look-A-There – Mojo Watson
Breaking Up the House – Jump 4 Joy
Holy Mackral – Little Richard

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature took us to Canada for something from British born singer/guitarist, Sass Jordan, who grew up in Canada and began to sing and play guitar in a group in her teens. By the age of 16, she was performing in bands around Montreal, before starting her solo career. She has recorded 7 albums and her 2017 album, ‘Racine Revisited’, included our choice ‘Do What You Want’. We followed on with a some more ‘girls’. . . the first was Ty Robin & The Debs, who Neil Pellegrin for pointing us to and then Detroit’s Johnnie Mae Matthews, who was not only a recording artist, but also one of the very first African-American women to own and operate her own label . . . Northern Records.

Our Doo Wop Delights this week started with a song that got recorded by a young Elvis Presley back in July 1953. The song was written in 1937 and first recorded by the wonderfully titled, Shep Fields Rippling Rhythm. There were many subsequent versions, but it’s pretty clear that the version that influenced Elvis was the 1952 release by Billy Bunn and His Buddies, so we gave it a spin. Then came The Ames Brothers, who became the first artists to record for the newly founded Coral Records, with their 1957 RCA release, ‘Rockin’ Shoes’, which didn’t dent the top 40 in America, but the song did become a UK top 20 chart hit when it got covered by UK vocal group The King Brothers.

Our rummaging in the Cruising Library this week, turned up a forgotten rock and roll number by Anthony Newley, from one of his early, low budget films, ‘Idle On Parade’. We also came across a most excellent piece of Chicano soul by Joe Jama, which will have gone down well with our good pals, The Shake and Jamie Dell’Apa, who both like a little Chicano soul.

Conscious that time was ticking we headed for Kansas City to hear from Mojo Watson with his 1961 45, ‘Look A There’ and then The Cruisettes appeared as we headed for Sweden to find local band Jump 4 Joy doing a powered up version of ‘Breaking Up The House’. But, all too soon, we had to turn the Cruise Mobile for home in the company of Little Richard and, by good fortune, we arrived back just where we started. So, we parked up the Cruise Mobile for another week and gave it a quick polish so it’s all ready for next musical adventure . . . same place, same time next week when we’ll be back again to take you Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 11 August 2018

Beyond The Blue Horizon . . .

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

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Well, a big bluesy welcome to another 60 minutes of the best blues around, which is what you always get when The Blues Come Calling. They came calling this week with blues shouter Kat Riggins whose new album ‘In The Boys Club’, has a theme of succeeding in a man’s world, which is evident in her duet with Albert Castiglia, on ‘The Kitty Won’t Scratch!’ The girls were well represented too by Bridget Kelly, with ‘Sugar Sweet Baby’ from her new album ‘ and Brigitte Purdey’s ‘Hoodoo’ from her exceptionally good album ‘Still I Rise’.

The fans of scratchy blues will have been cheered by the recent release of ‘Blind Arthur Breakdown’, the latest compilation of the work of Blind Blake. He recorded about 80 tracks for Paramount Records between 1926 and1932 and ‘Southern Rag’ was one of those, featuring some impressive guitar work. Since the 60s, there can be few UK blues fans that don’t know the name Mike Vernon and it’s good to see him back with another of his own albums of blues and R&B numbers. It’s scheduled for release in September and it’s called ‘Beyond The Blue Horizon’ and it includes that our choice, ‘Be On That Train’

Shemekia Copeland’s new album ‘America’s Child’, is still a frequent choice here and, although it’s not all blues, it is all very good indeed. To prove the point, we heard her bluesy track ‘Would You Take My Blood’.

Hoodoo
Kitty Won’t Scratch – Kat Riggins (In The Boys Club – 2018)
Sugar Sweet Baby – The Bridget Kelly Band (Blues Warrior – 2018)
Hoodoo – Brigitte Purdy (Still I Rise – 2018)
Southern Rag – Blind Blake (Blind Arthur Breakdown – 2018)
Be On That Train – Mike Vernon & The Mighty Combo (Beyond The Blue Horizon – 2018)
Would You Take My Blood – Shemekia Copeland (America’s Child – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
No Love For Sale – Lonnie Johnson
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Coming Down With The Blues
I’m Good – Dennis Jones Band (WE3 Live – 2018)
Bless Your Heart – Vanessa Collier (Honey Up – 2018)
Little Girl – The Achievers (Live at The SVA – 2018)
Don’t Cry For Me – Ben Poole (Anytime You Need Me – 2018)
Coming Down With The Blues – Chris Bevington (Cut & Run – 2018)
Vicksburg Blues – Travis Bowlin (Secundus – 2018)
Slam Hammer – Duke Robillard (Duke Robillard’s World Full Of Blues – 2007)
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Some will remember Dennis Jones as a former member of the Zac Harmon Band, but he’s better known now for his LA. based blues trio, the Dennis Jones Band. He’s just released his 6th album ‘WE3 Live’, with14 live performances of songs from his previous albums, including our choice ‘I’m Good’. Now, ‘good’ is definitely an understatement, when describing the latest album ‘Honey Up’ by Vanessa Collier. Her choices of material and styles range from jazz to soul to blues and all well worth a listen, when you get the opportunity.

Now September looks like its going to have plenty of much awaited new releases, including one from Ben Poole which will get some good promotion with his UK tour later in the year. The album’s titled ‘Anytime You Need Me’ and one of the stand out tracks is definitely ‘Don’t Cry For Me’. Also, look out for gigs by The Achievers and if you’ve not seen them live, they come highly recommended from here, especially for numbers like ‘Little Girl’ on their ‘Live at the SVA’ album.

Chris Bevington was back on our playlist with his latest ‘Cut & Run’ album, which is typically very well produced, with plenty of great performances, like ‘Coming Down With The Blues’. Ohio’s own, Travis Bowlin, made his first appearance on our playlist with his 4th album ‘Secundus’, which includes his take on ‘Vicksburg Blues’. Then it was time to play out this week with Duke Robillard’s version of ‘Slam Hammer’, a great R’n’B instrumental by that Peter Green said was the influence for his recording ‘Fleetwood Mac’. But, not before saying a big thanks for your company on this week’s show and looking forward to even more, the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 7 August 2018

One More Time . . .

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

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Well, we arrived in the Cruise Mobile this week with big smiles, a cheery wave and ready to take you on another musical adventure. We had the windows down, the radio turned up and a seat saved especially for you, so we were properly prepared to take you Cruising with The Commissioner. If you glanced sideways, you may have spotted that not all is well beyond Cruising Land. So, as a ‘real’ distraction from current events, we set off down the road in fine style, with Ray Collins’ Hot Club, followed fast by Joe Richardson Jr with a 1960 song he recorded as ‘Tender Slim’. Then, among the ‘fruits’ of our rummaging in the Cruising Library this week, we found June Bateman’s first ever solo 45 titled ‘Yes I Will’ and a 1954 recording by Philadelphia group The Nite Riders, led by Doc Starkes. They had a tale of ‘Doctor Velvet’, who had some goofer dust up his sleeve!
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This week’s Cruising Connections was not so much a challenge, as a celebration, of London’s Wardor Street club, The Flamingo, and the music and artists that you could find there back in the 60s. Back then, the club was a favourite haunt for the American GIs stationed at US air bases around London, the trendily dressed white teens and twenties who helped forge the burgeoning Mod culture, as well as folks from London’s Caribbean community. There were also plenty of musicians calling by at the club to sit in with whoever was on stage. We featured some of the regular acts on stage like, the ever popular Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, Ronnie Jones & the Nightimers, Herbie Goins & The Nightimers, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames and Zoot Money & his Big Roll Band. They were always welcome faces on the Flamingo’s stage . . . but there were many more, so we may come back to The Flamingo . . . .

With our time-machine with to 60s London fading fast, we we’re heading off in the direction of our Girls & Guitars feature, which this week featured Australian, Michelle Hines, who started singing and playing guitar around Melbourne while she was at University there. In 2008 she produced her debut album ‘I Almost Forgot’ and a mere nine years later, she recorded her follow up album, ‘A Night on Frenchmen Street’ which includes our choice ‘Hide Behind Your Humour’.
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Que Sera Sera
Mine All Mine – Ray Collins’ Hot Club
Don’t Cut Out On Me – Tender Slim
Yes I Will – June Bateman
Doctor Velvet – The Nite Riders

Cruising Connections
Que Sera Sera – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band
My Love – Ronnie Jones & The Nightimers
36 – 22 – 36 – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers
Baby Baby Baby – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
Parchman Farm – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
Hide Nor Hair – Zoot Money & His Big Roll Band

Girls & Guitars
Hide Behind Your Humour – Michelle Hines

Doo Wop Delights
Until You Came Along – The Visitors
Elevator Operator – The Rays

Goin’ Down The Road
One More Time – Bobby Lonaro
Look At That Chick – Johnny Wright
Goin’ Down The Road – Smiley Lewis
Red Lips & Green Eyes – Kip Tyler & The Flips
Good Show, But No Go – Chuck Dallis
Deep In The Heart Of Texas – Darrel Higham

Ready or not, we kicked off this week’s Doo Wop Delights with a 1968 Dakah release by a vocal group The Visitors, who, in later years became The Mists, but before they did, they recorded one of their best remembered releases, the very polished ‘Until You Came Along’. That was followed by New York group The Rays with one of their releases that doesn’t get quite as many plays as others . . . ‘Elevator Operator’ which they recorded for the XYZ label in 1958 and it did sufficiently well locally to get national distribution by Cameo Records.

Now our good pals, Jamie Dell’Apa and Neil Pellegrin, are both fans of New Orleans band leader, Bobby Lonero. . . . and we were grateful to Neil for prompting us to dig out his 45, ‘One More Time’, which he recorded for Frankie Ford’s Spinett label in 1958. Then, while we were in a rambunctious mood, we joined Tennessee bluesman Johnny Wright with a 45 he cut in 1959 for Stevens Records, out of Granite City, Illinois, and while we’re stopping by there, we played a Smiley Lewis’s ‘Goin’ Down The Road for our new Cruising Ambassador to Illinois and recommended listening out for the wonderful James Booker on piano.

While we were listening to Kip Tyler & The Flips, we were graced with a visit from The Cruisettes, although there was very little grace in their dance moves. But, it was a distraction from the Cruise Mobile turning in the general direction of home, under cover of Chuck Dallis’s ‘Good Show, But No Go’ and we got all the way home in the good company of UK rocker Darrel Higham with his take on that Geraint Watkins song ‘Deep In The Heart Of Texas’. Then it was all over, we arrived back just where we started and in time to park up the Cruise Mobile and give it a quick polish so it’s all ready for when we call again by next week ready to take you Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 4 August 2018