Why Are People Like That . . .

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

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Well, The Blues Come Calling with plenty more of the best blues around and, to prove the point, we kicked off with The Rolling Stones and their take on Little Walter’s 1955 number ‘I Gotta Go’ in 1955 . . . and some 6 years later Elmore James wrote and recorded his classic ‘Shake Your Moneymaker’, which pops up again on the excellent new album from Benny Turner & Cash McCall . . . ‘Going Back Home’.

Well, you might have guessed that I’m much impressed by the new album by the Climax Blues Band, so it was no surprise to hear their return this week with their track, ‘Hard Luck’. Now, Van Morrison has not featured much or at all on our playlists before, but that all changed this week with ‘Teardrops’ from his latest album ‘The Prophet Speaks’, which has an album cover that makes me smile each time I see it.
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Another first this week was New York singer and songwriter Willa Vincitore, who until 2013, was a member of Chris O’Leary’s band, since when she’s forged her own solo career and released her latest album ‘Choices’. This has plenty of original songs that have a mix of pop-rock, blues and a little gospel, including the track that caught my ear . . .’Everything Hurts’. Then, since Chris O’Leary got a mention, it seemed very appropriate to play another choice from his new album, ‘7 Minutes Late’ the fine little number, ‘Bones’. As if that wasn’t enough of the good stuff, up next came a Bobby Bland number from Canadian multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, Michael Jerome Browne from his forthcoming album ‘That’s Where It’s At’! . . . which is a collection of songs that show the connection between blues and soul music and it’s where you’ll find his take on ‘That’s The Way Love Is’.

Hard Luck
I Gotta Go – The Rolling Stones (Blue & Lonesome – 2018)
Shake Your Money Maker – Benny Turner & Cash McCall (Going Back Home – 2019)
Hard Luck – Climax Blues Band (Hands Of Time – 2019)
Teardrops – Van Morrison (The Prophet Speaks – 2019)
Everything Hurts – Willa Vincitore (Choices – 2018)
Bones – Chris O’Leary (7 Minutes Late – 2019)
That’s The Way Love Is – Michael Jerome Browne (That’s Where It’s At – 2019)

Pinetop’s Pick
Dust My Broom – The Rising Sons (The Rising Sons – 1992)

Bag Full Of Trouble
Bag Full Of Trouble – Tomislav Goluban (Chicago Rambler – 2019)
When The Time Is Right – Glen Clark (You Tell Me – 2019)
Get Out My Life Woman – Watermelon Slim (Church Of The Blues – 2019)
Why Are People Like That – Muddy Waters (Louisiana Jazz Rhythm & Blues – 2015)
Stuck For A Buck – Sugaray Rayford (Dangerous – 2013)
Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl – Gaye Adegbalola (The Griot – 2019)
Crossfire – Reese Wynans & Friends (Sweet Release – 1967)

We enjoyed some more nice harp playing from Croatian singer, Tomislav Goluban on ‘Bag Full Of Trouble’ from the Chicago recording sessions for his latest album ‘Chicago Rambler’. He was followed fast by Texas-born piano man Glen Clark with his first album since 1994, titled ‘You Tell Me’ and a song Glen wrote with Steve Cropper for the 1998 Buddy Guy album ‘Heavy Love’. . . the very fine ‘When The Time Is Right’. Meanwhile, Watermelon Slim’s new album, ‘Church of The Blues’ is ready for release and has 7 Watermelon Slim penned songs, along with 7 classic tributes to blues masters of the past, including Muddy Waters. As a reminder, Muddy got a respectful tip the hat next with a song that might resonate in many places right now . . . ‘Why Are People Like That?’

If you caught Sugaray Rayford on his recent UK tour, you will know his song, ‘Stuck For A Buck’, because it was one of the songs that he gave the full ‘larger than life’ treatment on stage, while having fun with his tighter than tight band. Then, in a quite different mood we heard from Gaye Adegbalola with a classic song from her new album ‘The Griot’. All of the songs here have a social comment and my choice was one we know well . . . . ‘Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl’. But, then, sadly, the tick tock of the clock brought us to our last choice for this week’s show, which came from ace keyboard man Reese Wynans. He has played with the great and the good of blues along the way and has finally recorded his own album. It is due out soon and includes his take on Stevie Ray Vaughan’s ‘Crossfire’. But before that there were 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 29 January 2019

Smile & Get Down . . .

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

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Well, there were big smiles when the Cruise Mobile rolled by to take us on yet another musical adventure. So, with not a moment’s hesitation, we jumped aboard to go Cruising with The Commissioner and we arrived to the sound of UK band leader Arthur Greenslade & The G Men with a rocking little number called ‘Eclipse’. Then, while the spirits were with us we headed on down the road with The Uptown Rhythm Kings.
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Colin James & The Little Big Band turned up with the New Orleans musician’s greeting ‘Where Y’at’ and British band Dom & The Ikos followed in the same ‘big easy’ spirit with ‘Smile & Get Down’. Then, the much esteemed Eugene Church, came by with his 1961 King 45,  ‘The Right Girl, The Right Time’, just before the Cruising Time Machine whisked  us off to 2014 to sample a little something from Goodtime Charlie . . . . who’s obviously met the wrong girl at the wrong time, because he’s ‘Broke’.

Our rummaging in the Cruising Library this week re-discovered a 1962 Duchess 45 by Big Bo & The Arrows called ‘It Keeps Raining’ which may well have been one the numbers that fellow Texan, Sam The Sham heard and which influenced our next choice by Sam. Then, our Cruising Connections brought an opportunity to spot the common link between this week’s trio of tracks, featuring vocalist Jimmy Thomason, St Louis based singer, Bobby Foster and finally, Johnny Wright . . . and Mr Merlot was on hand with a lollipop and rosette for anyone with the right answer.

Where Y’At
Eclipse – Arthur Greenslade & The G Men
Sad As A Man Can Be – The Uptown Rhythm Kings
Where Y’At – Colin James & The Little Big Band
Smile & Get Down (Radio Edit) – Dom & The Ikos
The Right Girl, The Right Time – Eugene Church
Broke – Goodtime Charlie
It Keeps Raining – Big Bo & The Arrows
Ju Ju Hand – Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs

Cruising Connections
Hey Hey – Jimmy Thomason
Star Above – Bobby Foster
Look At That Chick – Johnny Wright

Girls & Guitars
Rebel Rebel – Joan Jett

Doo Wop Delights
The Barons – Boom Boom
Your Tender Lips – The Syncopates

It Just Ain’t Right
It Just Ain’t Right – London & The Bridges
I’ll Let You Hold My Hand – The Bootles (Crescendo) 1964
Lies – The Knickerbockers
Stairway To Heaven – The Beatnix
Tell Me Pretty Baby – Benny & The Flybynights

This week, our Girls & Guitars feature, threw its spotlight on Joan Jett. She became a founding member of girl group The Runaways and went on to pursue a solo career, producing a string of albums. the latest of which, ‘Bad Reputation’ includes our choice, her cover of David Bowie’s 1974 hit ‘Rebel Rebel’.

With Mr Merlot pointing at the clock,  we rolled into our Doo Wop Delights, with the sound of those vocal groups of the 50s, starting with The Barons and their Imperial 45, ‘Boom Boom’, then came all white, girl group The Syncopates with their 1963 debut release, ‘Your Tender Lips’ which may have been their only ever release.

Now, by 1963 the music scene was changing quickly. The sounds crossing the Atlantic from the UK were starting to influence American artists, who would soon create a form of indigenous Brit beat sound of their own. We pulled out some examples starting with  American band ‘London & The Bridges’ with their debut 45 for Date records, then American all girl group, The Bootles, with their 1964 ‘I’ll Let You Hold My Hand’, but if imitation is the greatest form of flattery, then American group, The Knickerbockers did some outstanding flattery with their single ‘Lies’. Then, with a nod to Jimmy Page’s ‘Stairway To Heaven’, we heard a great version from Australian band The Beatnix.

Another Australian band, Benny & The Flybyniters, showed up next, just as we were heading for home and they got us all the way there with some hot R&B, their take on the classic ‘Tell Me Pretty Baby’. Then, we parked up the Cruise Mobile, gave it a quick polish and invited everyone to join us again next week, when we promised to call by with a seat saved especially for you. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 26 January 2019

I’ve Got The Blues For You . . .

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

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Well, a big bluesy welcome from here, where as ever, when The Blues Come Calling they always bring some of the best blues around. To prove it, we kicked off with Walter Trout’s excellent version of BB King’s ‘Please Love Me’, from his album, ‘Survivor Blues’, and we also welcomed back Gaye Adegbalola with her latest album ‘The Griot’. which is full of topical lyrics in songs, including my choice . . . ‘(You’re) Flint Water’.

Now, there’s no mistaking the song ‘Spoonful’, which which was delivered with obvious style and enthusiasm by Benny Turner & Cash McCall on their new album ‘Going Back Home’ and take it from me, the album is well worth checking out. So if you liked that track . . . be assured, the rest are just as good. After last week, when I played you Walter Trout’s cover of Sunnyland Slim’s number ‘Be Careful How You Vote’, I indulged in a little rummaging to find Sunnyland Slim’s original . . . which I did.
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Croatian singer, songwriter and harp master, Tomislav Goluban travelled to Chicago to record his latest album ‘Chicago Rambler’, which kicks off with a fiery instrumental called, ‘Pigeon Swing’. It was originally intended to be a bonus track, but it has proven more than worthy of its place as the album opener. As another demonstration of international appeal of the blues, this year’s Blues Caravan will include Serbian singer and pianist Katarina Pejak, who just happens to have a new album coming soon and as a taster, we heard from her with a song we know well by Janis Joplin . . . ‘Turtle Blues’. With another jumping across geographical boundaries, we heard from Dutch & Belgium band, The Travellin’ Blue Kings whose energetic brand of blues draws on influences from Texas, the West Coast, Memphis and Chicago with a little of the UK’s British Blues Boom too. Their latest single ‘I Don’t Wanna Stop’ was on our playlist to make the point.

I Don’t Wanna Stop
Please Love Me – Walter Trout (Survivor Blues – 2019)
(You’re) Flint Water – Gaye Adegbalola (The Griot – 2019)
Spoonful – Benny Turner & Cash McCall (Going Back Home – 2019)
Be Careful How You Vote – Sunnyland Slim (Be Careful How You Vote – 1989)
Pigeon Swing – Tomislav Goluban (Chicago Rambler – 2019)
Turtle Blues – Katarina Pejak (Roads That Cross – 2019)
I Don’t Wanna Stop – The Travellin’ Blue Kings (Wired Up – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
I’m A Lover Not A Fighter – The Kinks (Kinks – 1965)

Overdose Of The Blues
Palace Of The King – Seth Rosenbloom (Keep On Turning – 2019)
Last Two Dollars – The Dee Miller Band (Leopard Skin Dress – 2018)
I’ve Got The Blues For You – Eddy Wilson’s Blues Band (Blues & The City (Memphis Collection) – 2018)
Mercy Fell Like Rain – Rosie Flores (Simple Case Of the Blues – 2019)
Getting There – Climax Blues Band (Hands Of Time – 2019)
Overdose Of The Blues – – 2018)
Countin’ On Them Chickens – Vin Mott (Rogue Hunter – 2019)

Now, last week we featured a B.B. King song from the new album by Seth Rosenbloom and at the time I predicted that we’d be coming back to that one. So, to keep that promise, we heard from Seth again with Freddie King’s song, ‘Palace Of The King’. Another mighty impressive album is the latest from Minnesota’s Dee Miller Band. They provide a rich mix of styles on their album, ‘Leopard Skin Dress’, including the most excellent bluesy ballad, ‘Last Two Dollars’. Eddy Wilson’s Blues Band have plenty of album’s behind them and their latest, ‘Blues & The City’, includes a song that could be the theme for this show . . . ‘I’ve Got The Blues For You’.

Now, the waiting is nearly over for the new album by Rosie Flores, ‘Simple Case Of The Blues’, and, there was another taster of what to expect from it, with her superb blues ballad, ‘Mercy Fell Like Rain ‘. The Climax Blues Band have been on our giglist in recent times and mighty impressive they were too, so I had high expectations of their new album ‘Hands Of Time’, and most excellent it is too. As an example, I played their number ‘Getting There’ which has a real flavour of Mose Allison.

Bobby Black Hat (Walters) has been dubbed ‘Virginia’s Ambassador Of The Blues’ and and on his latest album ‘Put Your Red Shoes On’, he demonstrates a whole range of blues styles, with some nice Chicago sounds on ‘Overdose Of The Blues’. Then, sadly, we came to our last choice for this week, which was New Jersey bluesman Vin Mott with one of his self-penned songs, ‘Countin’ On Them Chickens’ from his newly released, album ‘Rogue Hunter’, and featuring some very fine harp from Vin. But before that, there were big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and the hope that we’ll meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 22 January 2019

The Boogie Man Cometh . . .

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

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Well, we arrived in the trusty Cruise Mobile, fresh from its annual check up and with it restored to its showroom condition, indeed, particular attention was given to the seat that we save especially for you. So, we encouraged you to waste no time and to put an enthusiastic spring in your step, jump aboard to go Cruising with The Commissioner.
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We arrived with Chuck Willis on the radio and his 1951 Okeh release ‘I Rule My House’ and with the (rhetorical) question, “are you ready to boogie”, we were off to meet Goodtime Charlie and ‘The Boogie Man’, followed by a classic New Orleans number all the way from Hollywood and courtesy of The Royal Crown Revue.

There was a little rockabilly from Johnny Jano and his ‘high voltage’ girl and a slinky piece of popcorn from Dakota Staton (with acknowledgements to our good pal Johnny Alpha). The mention of a group called The Commodores might suggest Motown had come to our playlist, but in Texas back in 1959 there was only one group called The Commodores and there was only one song called ‘Who Dat’.

The much esteemed Neil Pellegrin (inadvertently) suggested the focus of this week’s Cruising Connections. It featured a trio of tracks with a common link, including a 1954 single from Carmen Taylor & The Boleros, followed by the highly distinctive tones of Big Joe Turner & The Blues Kings with a 1955 single of his and then a 1958 Dore Records 45 release by The Baritones. Mr Merlot was on hand with a lollipop and a rosette for anyone who recognised that The Boleros, The Blues Kings and The Baritones were all the same vocal group, who also recorded with Charlie White as the Playboys, with Lavern Baker as The Gliders, with Ruth Brown as The Rhythmakers and Ivory Joe Hunter as The Ivorytones . . . but we know them better as The Cues and we played one of their own Capitol recordings, ‘Much Obliged’.
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Who Dat?
I Rule My House – Chuck Willis
Boogie Man – Goodtime Charlie

High Voltage – Johnny Jano
A Little You – Dakota Staton
Who Dat? – The Commodores

Cruising Connections
Ooh I – Carmen Taylor & The Boleros
The Chicken & The Hawk – Big Joe Turner & The Blues Kings
After School Rock – The Baritones
Much Obliged – The Cues

Girls & Guitars
The Stuff You Gotta Watch – Shannon McNally
Mr Blueberry Hill – Kenny ‘Blue Boss’ Wayne

Doo Wop Delights
So Tired – Gene Pitney & The Embers
No Way To Stop – The Fairy Tales

That’s Where It’s At
That’s Where It’s At – Colin James
Johnny B Goode – Big Daddy-O
Request Of A Fool – The Downbeats
When She Walks – Bob & Earl
Barefoot Suzie – Barrence Whitfield & The Savages
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This week’s Girls & Guitars feature, threw its spotlight on guitarist and singer, Shannon McNally, who hails from Hempstead, New York, and began singing and playing guitar in clubs while she was studying anthropology at Franklin and Marshall College. After graduating she honed her skills as a busker on the streets of Paris and eventually got a contract with Capitol Records in 1997. Since then, she’s recorded 8 albums and we chose something from her latest album ‘Irish Black’ . . . ‘The Stuff You Gotta Watch’.

Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne came along with his own homage to Fats Domino, just before we reached this week’s Doo Wop Delights. We kicked off with the story of a vocal group of students from Rockville high school, Connecticut, who had an avid doo wop singer among their members called Gene Pitney. He went on to sing with a group called The Embers and they recorded a 45 in 1958 called ‘So Tired’. Then, we heard from a group called The Fairy Tales, who remain a mystery here, so if you know anything about them or their song ‘No Way To Stop’ . . . do tell! Meanwhile, Mr Merlot’s recent rummaging trips in the Cruising Library uncovered a couple of versions of Sam Cooke’s song ‘That’s Where It’s At’ (and there have been many covers), but none better than the one by Colin James, which we dedicated to our good pal Amigo . . . who’s a big Sam Cooke fan.

Big Daddy-O’s version of Johnny B Goode is surely not the way Chuck Berry envisaged it sounding, but the song stands up well with a little jazzing and we followed that with a fine piece of up-tempo R&B, ‘Request Of A Fool’, from a group called The Downbeats, which was their first and last Motown appearance. Then, in a completely different style from their hits like Harlem Shuffle, it was Bob & Earl with their 1958 Class 45 ‘When She Walks’ and walking wasn’t in the minds of The Cruisettes who turned up for that one and the next from Barrence Whitfield & The Savages, the old Waymon Brown number, ‘Barefoot Susie’. By then, we had turned the Cruise Mobile for home and arrived back where we started in time to park up the Cruise Mobile and give it a quick polish. So, if you enjoyed our Cruising playlist this week, be ready at the same time, same place next week to go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 19 January 2019

I Got The Blues On My Mind . . .

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

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Well, a big bluesy welcome from here and one thing you can be sure of . . . when The Blues Come Calling, they always bring some of the best blues around. This week was no exception, with plenty of new year releases and some previews of new albums to come. We started with some rocking blues from Eric Schenkman’s new album ‘Who Shot John?’ and the welcome return of Benny Turner with his new album together with Cash McCall, titled ‘Going Back Home’.
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Minnesota’s own, Dee Miller Band made a stylish contribution to our playlist with the title track of their latest album ‘Leopard Skin Dress’. We headed next to Northern New Jersey to hear from Trevor B. Power, with his debut album, ‘Everyday Angel’, which includes a slinky Chicago shuffle ‘You Ain’t Acting Right’. Then, for fans of very fine acoustic blues, we had a 1956 instrumental gem ‘Guitar Shuffle’, showing off the great guitar skills of Big Bill Broonzy Many blues fans will know Paul Oscher the first white musician in Muddy Waters’ band, whose latest album ‘Cool Cat’, features Paul on vocals, harp, piano and guitar, including our choice, ‘Hide Out Baby’.

New Jersey bluesman Vin Mott was back, delivering some nice harp and vocals on his newly released, album ‘Rogue Hunter’, which has our choice, the nice little Chicago style shuffle ‘I Got The Blues On My Mind’.

I’m Alright
I’m Alright – Eric Schenkman (Who Shot John? – 2018)
It’s A Man Down There – Benny Turner & Cash McCall (Going Back Home – 2019)
Leopard Skin Dress – The Dee Miller Band (Leopard Skin Dress – 2018)
You Ain’t Actin’ Right – Trevor B Power Band (Everyday Angel – 2019)
Guitar Shuffle – Big Bill Broonzy (The Southern Blues Vol 4 – 2005)
Hide Out Baby – Paul Oscher (Cool Cat – 2018)
I Got The Blues On My Mind – Vin Mott (Rogue Hunter – 2019)

Pinetop’s Pick
Take A Little Walk With Me – Big John Wrencher (Blues Masters, Volume 4: Harmonica Classics – 1992)

Second Time Around
Second Time Around – Chris O’Leary (7 Minutes Late – 2019)
Distant Lonesome Train – John Mayall with Carolyn Wonderland (Nobody Told Me – 2019)
Slow Down – Susan Santos (No U Turn – 2019)
Gamblers Blues – Phil Alvin (Un Sung Stories – 1986)
Be Careful What You Vote For – Walter Trout (Survivor Blues – 2019)
Heartbreaker – Seth Rosenbloom (Keep On Turning – 2019)

‘7 Minutes Late’ happens to be the title of the latest solo album by Chris O’Leary, whose 6 year stint as the front man for Levon Helm’s band, clearly served him well, judging by the numbers included here, like ‘Second Time Around’. Closer to home, UK bluesman John Mayall was here again with another something from his new album ‘Nobody Told Me’, this time featuring some fine guitar work from Carolyn Wonderland on ‘Distant Lonesome Train’. One of the many joys of the past year was catching Susan Santos on her UK tour and she’s got a long-awaited new album out now, called ‘No U Turn’, which includes a little favourite, ‘Slow Down’.

Back in 1986 Phil Alvin released his debut album ‘Un Sung Stories’ and those fine people at Ace records have taken the welcome decision to re-release it, which was a good excuse to pick out a particular favourite . . . ‘Gamblers Blues’. Those who have been waiting for the new album from Walter Trout, ‘Survivor Blues’, need only wait until the end of the month and, as another taster of what to expect, we featured his version of Sunnyland Slim’s, ‘Be Careful How You Vote’.

Then all too soon, we came to our last choice for this week, which was another of the great upcoming new albums . . . this time from Seth Rosenbloom. The album, called ‘Keep On Turning’, has plenty of excellent tracks on this album, including Seth’s take on a number we know well by B.B. King, ‘Heartbreaker’. But for now, let me say a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and, until the next time The Blues Come Calling . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 15 January 2019

You Can’t Hide . . .

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

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Well, we arrived with big smiles and cheery waves as the Cruise Mobiles rolled by to collect you for yet another musical adventure. So, we invited you to cast caution to the four winds, jump aboard and join us as we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Our arrival was heralded by the sound of a 1959 instrumental called ‘Feedbag’ from Mac Rebennack, long before his doctorate award. Then, demonstrating its disregard for national boundaries, the trusty Cruise Mobile took us from New Orleans to the Netherlands for some swinging boogie from local band, The Detonics. There was definitely a flavour of gangsters, prohibition and illegal casinos about ‘Caviar & Chitlins’ from The Atomic Fireballs and followed, in great style, by Mr Excitement himself, Jackie Wilson and a 1963 Brunswick single that gets very few plays these days . . . so we rectified that!

We much enjoyed a1962 Imperial release from Philadelphia group The Majors, who had a hit with their single ‘Wonderful Dream’ and their follow up album included our choice, their version of ‘Twist & Shout’. Then, there was another re-discovery from a dark and dusty corner of the Cruising Library. This time it was UK band , Kit Packham’s One Jump Ahead with a song dedicated to long-time Cruising Crew member, The Vikster . . . and she will know why!

This week’s Cruising Connections was suggested (indirectly) by the much esteemed Thom Hickey. The challenge was to spot the link between our trio of tracks, starting with a classic from Ruth Brown, The Groovebarbers with a song known well for the versions by The Clovers and Ray Charles and, lastly, Colin James and The Little Big Band with a song that was a hit for Little Willie John. Mr Merlot was ready with a lollipop and a rosette for anyone who spotted the three songs were written by Louisiana songwriter, Rudy Toombs, who also wrote our next choice from Lulu Reed & Freddy King.

Can You Picture That
Feedbag – Mac Rebennack
Butter Side Up – The Detonics

Baby Get It – Jackie Wilson
Can You Picture That – The Muppets
Twist & Shout – The Majors
She’s So Green – Kit Packham’s One Jump Ahead

Cruising Connections
Teardrops from My Eyes – Ruth Brown
One Mint Julep – Groovebarbers
I’m Shakin’ – Colin James
You Can’t Hide – Lulu Reed & Freddy King

Girls & Guitars
Slow Down – Susan Santos

Doo Wop Delights
Hand Me Down Love – The Valentines
You Broke My Heart – The Ermines

How About That
That’s Where It’s At – The Hesitations
You Don’t Know What You Mean To Me – Sam & Dave
Jumpin’ Jack Flash – Leon Russell & The New Grass Revival
How About That – Eddie Mack
I Can’t Sit Down – Marie & Rex
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This week’s Girls & Guitars feature threw its spotlight
on Spanish blues guitarist and singer, Susan Santos. She taught herself to play guitar and sing in here early years and, after playing with several local bands, she moved to Madrid in 2009, which is where she formed her own band playing a mix of blues, rock & American roots music. She’s recorded 5 albums, to date, and whilst her latest “No U Turn” seemed very appropriate for our Cruising adventure, we were not sure about her track, ‘Slow Down’.

Our Doo Wop Delights started this week with Harlem vocal group, The Valentines, who were one of the most highly regarded American doo-wop groups from the mid-1950s. They started out as The Mistletoes, then The Dreamers and by 1954 they had become The Valentines, recording their very fine 1955 45 ‘Hand Me Down Love’. They were followed by Cornel Gunter & The Ermines, who started off recording for Loma Records and one of the songs they recorded there was their 1956 single ‘You Broke My Heart’.

For those who like a little soulful ballad, we featured The Hesitations with a cover of the great Sam Cooke number, ‘That’s Where It’s At’. Then, Sam & Dave turned up with their old soul classic, ‘You Don’t Know What You Mean To Me’, which attracted the attentions of The Cruisettes. Next, in the best traditions of Cruising with The Commissioner, we set off jumping genres for Leon Russell’s special 1981 version of ‘Jumping Jack Flash’ with The New Grass Revival, which brought us to that time when we start to notice the familar faces and places coming into view as we turn the Cruise Mobile for home. Taking us there, were Eddie Mack with his 1950 Apolla single, ‘How About That’, followed by Marie & Rex who ‘Can’t Sit Down’. So, with a cheery wave, we parked up the Cruise Mobile, gave it a quick polish and promised to call by again, same time, same place, next to (once again) take you Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 12 January 2019

Just Wailing . . .

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

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Well, with no difficulty at all, The Blues Come Calling is keeping its new year’s resolution, to bring some of the best blues around each and every week. So, with a big bluesy welcome and demonstrating the international enthusiasm for the blues, we kicked off with a little rocking harp driven number, appropriately titled ‘Just Wailing’, from Swedish band The Domestic Bumblebees. Then, we were heading down to New Orleans for the timeless tale of ‘a lady of the night’ from one time Muddy Water’s harp man Paul Oscher. Paul demonstrates his capabilities as a multi-instrumentalist on his latest album ‘Cool Cat’, with vocals, harp, piano and guitar too.

If you enjoy old time country blues, then you will be pleased to see the new 60 track compilation of Sleepy John Estes works, titled ‘At His Best’, including his 1940 recording, ‘Tell Me How About It’. Then, we had some ‘Rockin’ Strawberry Jam’, courtesy of Canadian Lee Palmer and his sixth album, ‘Horns & Harps’ and we followed on with a real surprise . . . . French songstress, Sylvie Vartan and her latest album ‘Avec Toi’, which includes several blues numbers including her version ‘House Of The Rising Sun’.

Eric Gales says it took over a nine months to write the original songs for his album titled ‘The Bookends’. It’s due for release in February and he gave us a preview of the it with his number . . . ‘Whatcha Gon’ Do’. Someone else who’s been busy writing is Mark Tolstrup from Saratoga, New York. His latest album, titled ‘Northstar’, eight originals and five covers, featuring Mark on guitar and vocals, like on the infectious uptempo romp, ‘Hey Hey Baby’ with some very nice horns along for the ride.

How About It
Just Wailing – The Domestic Bumblebees (The Domestic Bumblebees – 2006)
Money Making Woman – Paul Oscher (Cool Cat – 2018)
Tell Me How About It – Sleepy John Estes (At His Best – 2018)
Rockin’ Strawberry Jam – Lee Palmer (Horns & Harps – 2018)
Le Penitencier – Sylvie Vartan (Avec Toi – 2018)
Whatcha Gon’ Do – Eric Gales (The Bookends – 2019)
Hey Hey Baby – Mark Tolstrup (Northstar – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
Every Day I Have The Blues – Rocket 88 (The Danny Adler Legacy Series Vol 12 – Rocket 88 – 1981)

Nights Never Get Lonely
What Have I Done Wrong – John Mayall with Joe Bonamassa (Nobody Told Me – 2019)
Nights Never Get Lonely – Freddie King (Lone Star Beer promo – 1974)
Love Don’t Love Nobody – Rosie Flores (A Simple Case Of the Blues – 2019)
Evil – Ian Parker (Spoonful Of Gold – 2018)
Naggin’ On My Mind – GA-20 with Charlie Musselwhite & Luther Dickinson (Naggin’ On My Mind – 2018
The Thrill Is Gone – Michael Lee & The BB King Blues Band (The Thrill Is Gone – 2018)
A.C. Strut – Debbie Davies (Round Every Corner – 2005)
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Pinetop’s Pick cites Alexis Korrner as ‘the father of British blues’, but there’s another UK bluesman who has helped plenty of others along the way, that’s John Mayall, and he’s still doing it, as demonstrated with something from his new album ‘Nobody Told Me’ and featuring some guitar work of Joe Bonamassa. Along the way, John Mayall has recorded a few Freddie King numbers and we uncovered a couple of long forgotten tracks by Freddie King that he recorded in Austin back in 1974 as promos for the local Lone Star Beer, including ‘Nights Never Get Lonely’.

Well, we’ve been waiting very patiently for the new album by Rosie Flores and we won’t have to wait much longer . . . . so keep an eye out for the title ‘Simple Case Of The Blues’, which includes Rosie’s take on Roy Brown’s ‘Love Don’t Love Nobody’. Now, blues fan in or around Boston, Massachusetts, will know local blues band GA-20, who play a fine mix of 50’s & 60’s heavy blues music with the occasional blues celebrity sitting in, like Charlie Musselwhite & Luther Dickinson who are guesting on their latest single, ‘Naggin’ On My Mind’.

Now, for blues fans the TV show ‘The Voice’ may not be a natural source of the music they love. But back in September Texan, Michael Lee auditioned for the American show with his version of BB King’s hit, ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ and he’s been back into the recording studio to re-capture that moment along with BB King’s band. Then, sadly, the thrill was almost gone for this week’s show, but there was just time for our finale from the wonderful Debbie Davies, who had a celebrated period working with Albert Collins as a member of his band, the Icebreakers, which must have been a memorable experience, because in her later solo career Debbie recorded a little number called ‘A.C. Strut’ and very much in the style of Mr Collins. So, before we went our separate ways, there was a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and the hope that we’ll meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 8 January 2019

Let It Rip . . .

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

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Well, the Cruise Mobile arrived in the new year, still making plenty of noise with its windows wound down and its radio cranked up. Of course, our new year’s resolution was to save a seat especially for you, just so we can all go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . . and we started well . . . . as we came rolling down the road to the sound of Joey Giam & The Noblemen and their 1958 Klik 45 ‘Pumpkin’. For the long-time members of the Cruising Crew, there was no big surprise as we joined Swedish band Jump For Joy to head on down to New Orleans, where on Bourbon Street on a Saturday night, Harlem group The Willows brought a very appropriate song, ‘Don’t Push, Don’t Pull, Don’t Shove’.

Dr John was taking a bath and doing a little splishing and a splashing, while Jimmy Evans turned up with his self-penned song ‘The Joint’s Really Jumping’, followed by Texas singer Don Hopkins, with his ‘61 Dart 45 ‘Tiddley Diddley’. Charlie Wood is a great favourite here, especially when he brings some rocking R&B, like ‘Let It Rip’ . . . and we did!

This week’s Cruising Connections brought a trio of tracks with a common link that kicked off with a band called The Tads and the tale of The Pink Panther . . . long before Henry Mancini knew him. Then there was 50s heart-throb, Sanford Clark, with his 1958 Dot 45 ‘Modern Romance’ and our third choice, ‘Planetary Run’ from Joe Montgomery. All of which would have earned you a lollipop and rosette from Mr Merlot, if you had spotted that all three featured the legendary Al Casey on guitar.

Ride It
Pumpkin – Joey Giam &The Noblemen
Ride It – Jump For Joy
Don’t Push, Don’t Pull, Don’t Shove – The Willows
Splish Splash – Dr John
The Joint’s Really Jumping – Jimmy Evans
Tiddley-Diddley Don Hopkins
Let It Rip – Charlie Wood

Cruising Connections
The Pink Panther – The Tads
Modern Romance – Sanford Clark
Planetary Run – Joe Montgomery

Girls & Guitars
4am Fried Chicken – Ghalia & Mama’s Boys
Your Sister Can’t Twist (But She Can Rock & Roll) – Imelda May

Doo Wop Delights
My Lonely Heart – Bubber Johnson
Little Girl Of Mine – The Hurricanes

Ooh
Hungry Man – Rick Vito
The Walk – Ricky Cool & The In Crowd
Ooh Little Girl – The Big Town Playboys

This week, the trusty Cruise Mobile took us to Belgium for our Girls & Guitars feature, which focused on singer/songwriter and guitarist, Ghalia Vauthier. Having built her music career and reputation in Belgium, in 2013 she decided to move to America and settled in Clarksdale. She joined Johnny Mastro & his Mama’s Boys playing in and around New Orleans. She got signed by Ruf Records and recorded her album ‘Let The Demons Out, which included our choice, which was Ghalia & Mama’s Boys with ‘4am Fried Chicken’. We stuck with the girls then for something from the wonderful Imelda May . . . an Elton John song ‘Your Sister Can’t Twist’.

With barely a pause for breath we’re heading off for our Doo Wop Delights which
took take us back to 1956, for a King 45 by Bubber Johnson, backed by Brooklyn vocal group, The Hurricanes on ‘My Lonely Heart’. Then The Hurricanes turned up in their own right with their 1956 King 45 ‘Little Girl Of Mine’.

With immaculate predictability, The Cruisettes turned up as we rounded off the first show of the new year with some excellent covers of R&B favourites, starting with the great Louis Jordan track, ‘Hungry Man’, delivered by Rick Vito. There was celebrated UK band Ricky Cool and the In Crowd providing an excellent version of Jimmy McCracklin’s classic, ‘The Walk’ and, taking us all the way home were another UK band The Big Town Playboys, with Mike Sanchez out front on ‘Ooh Little Girl’. Then, sadly, it was all over and we found ourselves parking up the trusty Cruise Mobile for another week, ever hopeful that we will all meet again the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 5 January 2019