Holding On With Both Hands . . .

Listen here to this week’s edition of Through To Midnight:

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Well, we kicked off this week’s Through To Midnight with the great Gary Toms Empire and a club classic from way back when . . . and if you were looking carefully you’ll have seen . . . I came with an armful of the good stuff to bring joy to your ears as we headed for the midnight hour and tomorrow. It was an easy bet that you won’t have heard Gary Toms and The Average White Band today on ‘ordinary radio’ . . . but they were both in our playlist for this show . . . and so much more . . . .

There were new releases from Bruce Springsteen, Bobby Messano, Delbert McClinton, Rob Thomas, Toots & The Maytals, Tullie Brae, Kate Lush and Paula Harris. This week’s Under The Covers feature brought three songs by Sly & The Family Stone, heard through the covers of others. They had many hits through the 60s and 70s . . . and we heard versions from The Staple Singers, The Baker Brothers and Steve Winwood.

Put It Where You Want It
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
Drive My Car – The Gary Toms Empire
Put It Where You Want It – The Average White Band
Cannibals – Mark Knopfler
Sleepy Joe’s Cafe – Bruce Springsteen
Big Time Operator – Zoot Money & His Big Roll Band
Holding On (With Both Hands) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band
Gone To Mexico – Delbert McClinton & The Self Made Men

Under The Covers 
Everyday People – The Staple Singers
If You Want Me To Stay – The Baker Brothers (with Hamish Stuart)
Family Affair – Steve Winwood

This Maybe
Them Vibes – Who Do You Love
Love Me Do – Rudy Rotta
It’s Just The Money’s That Missing – Bobby Messano (ft Bob Malone)
Man Of The World – Toots & the Maytals
This Maybe – The Filthy Six
Getaway – The Brand New Heavies
This Is How A Heart Breaks – Joe McBride
We Were Beautiful – Rob Thomas
Why Not Try Me Tonight – Frankie Miller & Sara Beth
Jockey Full Of Bourbon – Whitney Ross Barrett
Goodbye To The Rain – The Kate Lush Band
Shine – Tullie Brae

Girls & Guitars
My Love – Diana Rein

Don’t Believe A Word
Don’t Believe A Word – Victor Davies
You Send Me – Hiram Bullock
Across The Borderline – Ry Cooder
Round Midnight – Paula Harris

Doo Wop Delight
Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight – The Spaniels

Our Girls & Guitars focused on Diana Rein, who grew up in Romania and arrived in Chicago with her parents when she was 3 years old with only $50 and a dream for a better life. Diana showed an early talent for music and acting and her acting skills eventually got her a role in the classic American 90’s comedy “Home Alone”. But, music was always there and Diana has since indulged her love of music with a string of albums to her credit. Her new album ‘Queen Of My Castle’ includes my choice . . . ‘My Love’.

If you thought I might have forgotten our Doo Wop Delight, then relax! I saved it to end of the show, for a particular reason. . . . it was prompted by the recent birthday of American singer James “Pookie” Hudson, who found fame as the lead singer of the fifties doo-wop group The Spaniels. They had a big hit in 1954 with a song that Chicago radio DJ . . . Dick Biondi . . . closed his every show. The song was ‘Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight’ and this week, I followed his fine example. So, until the next time we go Through To Midnight together . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5 fm on 26 June 2019

Ridin’ On A Train . . .

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

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Well, there was a good deal of enthusiasm apparent for this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling, because I was fresh back from a few great gigs, with plenty of albums and memories, an armful of new releases, a few past favourites and some tracks suggested by listeners. So, with a flourish, I kicked off this week’s show with something from Billy Branch, who’s heading for the UK early next year to promote his upcoming album of Little Walter songs. My choice was an earlier Billy Branch track with a respectful nod in the direction of John Lee Hooker . . . ‘Boom Boom’.

Now, Mike Zito’s Gulf Coast Records have been busy lately delivering some great new releases including one from OddsLane, whose latest album, ‘Lost And Found’, has them in bluesy mood, with some nice slide guitar on their Canned Heat style boogie, ‘Spare Change’. There was another new release from California-based bluesers The 44’s with their first release for 7 years, titled ‘Twist The Knife’. I choice a shot of hot West Coast blues at its best, called ‘Sugar You’.

Our ‘album of the week’, was the new release by Fort Worth based bluesman Michael Lee, who rave reviews on last year’s American TV show ‘The Voice’, for his take on the BB King favourite ‘The Thrill Is Gone’. . . . and his self-titled album proves he has much more to offer. Meanwhile, for the lovers of scratchy blues, I pulled out a John Lomax recording made at Cummins State Prison Farm, in Arkansas in 1934. It featured Kelly Pace and other inmates performing their version of ‘Rock Island Line’, long before Leadbelly and Lonnie Donegan, got to it.

Boom Boom
Boom Boom – Billy Branch & The Sons Of The Blues (Blues Shock – 2014)
Spare Change – Oddslane (Lost & Found – 2019)
Sugar You – The 44s (Twist The Knife – 2019)
The Thrill Is Gone – Michael Lee (Michael Lee – 2019)
Straightjacket – Jeremiah Johnson (Straightjacket – 2019)
Rock Island Line – Kelly Pace (Field Recordings Vol. 2. – 1997)
Come On In My Kitchen – Larkin Poe (Peach – 2017)

Pinetop’s Pick
Ain’t Nobody’s Business – Otis Span (The Biggest Thing Since Collossus – 1997)

More To Life
More To Life – Tom Euler (Blues Got My back – 2019)
Two Steps To Hell – Fruteland Jackson (Good As Your Last Dollar – 2019)
Red Light – Mercy Dee Walton (Combination Boogie – 2019)
Heart Of Stone – Michael Lee (Michael Lee – 2019)
Come On Over – Michele D’Amour & The Love Dealers (Heart Of Memphis – 2019)
Motherless Child – Geoff Muldaur (Beautiful Isle Of Somewhere – 2003)
Straight For The Door – Quiet The Dog (Blues On Tuesday – 2019)
Blinded By Love – Johnny Adams (Johnny Adams Sings Doc Pomus – 1991)
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Austin Calling
Good Lover – Lou Ann Barton (Read My Lips – 1989)

One Foot In
One Foot In – Diana Rein (Queen Of My Castle – 2019)
The Bourgeois Blues – Odetta (Looking For A Home – 2001)
Can’t Kick You – Michael Lee (Michael Lee – 2019)
Hideaway – The Jeff Healey Band (Original Album Classics – 1988)

The excellent Larkin Poe popped up on the playlist this week, because they were playing another UK festival date in Kent at the weekend and it was a great treat to catch them on stage. Among the other artists on my giglist is Geoff Muldaur, who’s heading to the UK in August. So, I thought it timely to pull out something from Geoff, which turned out to be his version of Barbecue Bob Hicks’ 1927 song ‘Motherless Child’. I was also doing a follow up on the latest release from Tullie Brae, ‘Revelation’, with a powerful track that shows of Tullie’s great vocals, ‘Seven Bridges’. I had to admit that there was one band that I knew very little about, except that their latest album is called ‘Blues On Tuesday’, they’re called ‘Quiet The Dog’ and I particularly like their track called ‘Straight For The Door’. There also a nudge from a listener to return for some more from Fruteland Jackson’s album ‘Good As Your Last Dollar’. So, I chose his ‘Two Steps To Hell’.

Tom Euler brought a taster from his debut album ‘Blues Got My Back’, with a little social commentary in his song, ‘More To Life’. Dawn Tyler Watson was back with her new album ‘Mad Love’ which has plenty to recommended it, not least, Dawn’s great pacey track ‘Love To Burn’. There was also a favourite track of mine from Keb Mo’s latest album ‘Okalahoma’ and a warm welcome back to Michele D’Amour & The Love Dealers with a nocturnal invitation from their latest release, that might be hard to resist . . .’Come On Over’.

This week’s edition of Austin Calling focused on Lou Ann Barton, who has been based in Austin since the 1970s, where she’s been carving out a solo career for herself and producing albums like her 1989 release ‘Read My Lips’, which has my choice, ‘Good Lover’. Chicago is the home of Diana Rein, who has been singing on stage since the age of eight and has put that experience to good use, judging by her new 15 track album ‘Queen Of My Castle’. One of the standout tracks for me, is ‘One Foot In’ and then, proving that ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t get’, Pete Hall pointed me to the guitar work of Tiny Grimes and, surprise, surprise, Tiny turned up on the playlist with his 1952 United records release, ‘Rockin’ The Blues Away’. There was a memory too of 1969, with a track from the debut album by the much admired UK band Steamhammer.

As our blues-time was running out, I squeezed in Odetta’s version of Leadbelly’s song about his trip to Washington DC . . . ‘The Bourgeois Blues’, then, all too soon, I was signing off with Jeff Healey’s inspired version of Freddie King’s signature tune, ‘Hideaway’. But before that, 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, this is yours truly, Dennis Roberts, saying . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5 fm on 25 June 2019
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 27 June 2019

Silk satin & lace . . .

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

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Well, as we prepared for this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner, there seemed to be more than usual commitments in the social diary and visits by friendly faces to provide easy distractions from our rummaging time in the Cruising Library. But, we did find to pay a visit and emerged with an armful of treats for our playlist. There were a few suggestions from others too, like Matt The Cat with a gem by 50s vocal group The Royals, The Shake with something from New Orleans own Bruce Cloud, Jamie Dell’Apa with Bobby Darin’s ‘Mighty Mighty Man’, then Cruising Crew members Pete & Diane for spotting a doo wop track playing on a restaurant sound system by Pennsylvania group, The Dreamlovers.

This week’s choices were influenced in part by an early entry in the diary for a future gig by Mike Sanchez & his excellent band. They always deliver a rocking good time and our choices this week recalled memories of an evening full of great R&B numbers which had the crowd stomping and cheering and the the dancers looking even more dangerous than The Cruisettes. But, to set the mood right, we kicked off the show with Ernie Freeman and his 1958 Imperial 45 ‘Jamboree’ . . .

All Night Long
Jamboree – Ernie Freeman
Mighty Mighty Man – Bobby Darin
Highway 60 – Mike Sanchez & His Band
All Night Long – The Royals
Staring Down The Barrel Of The Blues – Tommy Dardar
Lucky Is My Name – Bruce Cloud
Yama Yama (Pretty Mama) – Mike Sanchez
Safronia B – Calvin Boze
Fever – Trini Lopez
All Shook Up – Eddie Cooley & The Dimples

Girls & Guitars
Winds of Change – Debbie Bond

Wow Wow Wee
Silk Satin & Lace – Ray Scott
Cricket Champions – Lord Kitchener
When We Get Married – The Dreamlovers
Wow Wow Wee – The Angels
I Know – Lulu Reed
Everybody’s Got A Buick – Mike Sanchez & His Band
Forty Cups of Coffee – Bill Haley & His Comets
Rock Around The Clock – Li’l Millett

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature focused on American blues singer and guitarist, Debbie Bond. She’s out on tour now promoting her new single called ‘Winds of Change’ . . . which just happened the our choice this time round.

Long time members of the Cruising Crew will know that I have a soft spot for some big band calypso, especially by Lord Kitchener, who was one of those to leave the Caribbean to settle in the UK and he brought with him his enthusiasm for cricket, which was demonstrated well on our choice, ‘Cricket Champions’.

Long before we were ready, Mr Merlot was raising his eyebrows and nodding towards the clock, so we reluctantly, turned the Cruise Mobile for home with Bill Haley and ‘Forty Cups Of Coffee’ and then a familiar title, ‘Rock Around The Clock’, but probably not the version we played by New Orleans own Li’l Millett.

Then we were home safe and sound, the Cruise Mobile’s parked up and polished, all ready for next week when we hope you’ll join us again to go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 25 June 2019

Why Don’t You Try Me Tonight . . .

Listen here to this week’s edition to Through To Midnight:

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Well, I came with the customary armful of the ‘good stuff’ for this week’s musical adventure Through To Midnight. There were a few excellent new releases, some previous favourites and a few surprises. We kicked off with a swinging opener from the BB & Q Band which set us up nicely  and with more to test your rhythm receptors.

This week’s Under The Covers feature, brought three songs made famous by Chuck Berry and heard again through the covers of others . . . we know the originals well, but these covers were not quite what we might have expected . . . . thanks for something different from Big Daddy ‘O’, Carlos Santana and George Benson.

If you were one of those at the O2 recently for Mark Knopfler’s concert and were disappointed that ‘Sultans Of Swing’ wasn’t on Mark’s setlist, there was an opportunity in this week’s playlist for everyone to get their air guitars ready for that ‘toon’ and remember . . . keep an eye on Guitar George . . .  he knows all the chords!

There was plenty of opportunity too for some real funky footwork courtesy of Fred Wesley & The JBs and New York band, The Fins. I had my dancing shoes ready and I closed the studio blinds, so everyone was safe!!

On The Beat
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
On The Beat – BB & Q Band
Steppin’ Stone – Paul Carrack
Drive My Car – Black Heat
Saturday In the Park – Chicago
You’re The Only One For Me – Dawn Tyler Watson

Under The Covers
Johnny B Goode – Big Daddy ‘O’
Havana Moon – Santana
Nadine – George Benson

Come Get To This
Sweet Talking Woman – Five Iron Frenzy
Rocket Man – Vintage Trouble
Sultans Of Swing – The George White Group
News You Can Use – Eli Paperboy Reed
Come Get To This – Marvin Gaye
If You Don’t Get It The First Time – Fred Wesley & The JBs
Low Rider – The Fins

Blang Dang Thang
Blang Dang Thang – The Refreshments
Change In The Weather – Janiva Magness
Open Hand, Open Heart – Professor Louie & The Crowmatix
Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby – Paula Harris
About To Be Your Baby – Robin McKelle

Girls & Guitars
Houston – Rickie Lee Jones

Love Train
Hot Legs – Jacqui Naylor
Why Don’t You Try Me Tonight – Nine Below Zero
Pressed Rat & Warthog – Cream
Real Fat Cat – Donna Hourigan & The Lucky Lips Band (Talk The Talk)
Love Train – Bunny Sigler

Doo Wop Delight
A Fool Or A Wise Man – Johnny Fairchild

Later on Decatur
Later On Decatur – Dave Ferrato

There was a big thanks to Yvonne Erikkson for suggesting the new release from Swedish band The Refreshments and she’s not the only person suggesting ‘toons’ for the playlist, so listen to this space in future weeks.

This week our Girls & Guitars spotlight fell on Rickie Lee Jones, who has a new album out right now. The album’s called ‘Kicks’ . . . and to the sounds of uncontrolled virtual cheering . . . I played a favourite track . . .‘Houston’. Later, our Doo Wop Delight spot featured a rare 1960 Ace records release by Johnny Fairchild. He only recorded a few sides and this choice was a song written by Mac Rebennack, the late Dr John . . .  ‘A Fool Or A Wise Man’. Well worth a listen!

As the sands of time were running out fast,  I thought we should play out with a great number by the very talented Dave Ferrato. The song needed a little context, so everyone was invited to imagine they were in New Orleans, with the clubs and bars closing for the night, the eerie mist swirling in off the Mississippi, as the late revelers stumble home . . . . this was ‘Later On Decatur’. Then, time was up . . . so until the next time we go ‘Through To Midnight‘ together . . . . remember . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5 fm on 19 June 2019

Talk The Talk . . .

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

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Well, welcome to this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling, which arrived with yours truly juggling a pile of new releases and some swag from recent gigs. Not surprisingly, the playlist had its fair share of tracks from the faces seen on stage recently, plus some great ‘seasoned’ blues from our album of the week, courtesy of Koko Mojo records and their new compilation, ‘Combination Boogie’. Our regular guest Arfa Pinetop turned up with something from Sleepy John Estes & Yank Rachell, while our ‘Austin Calling’ feature echoed a recent appearance by Kenny Neal at Austin’s, Antone’s Club.

There were shout outs to The Cinelli Brothers, Nine Below Zero, Dr Feelgood, Big Joe Louis, Elles Bailey, The Bad Pennies and Lightnin’ Willie & The Poor Boys, who all appeared on stage at recent gigs and earned an honorable mention for their respective sets. There were more, who may pop up in future weeks, but  the show kicked off this week with a happy memory of the Cinelli Brothers recent London gig . . . .

I Wish You Would
She Done Gone Away – The Cinelli Brothers (Baby Please Set Your Alarm – 2018)
Fix Your Face – The Texas Horns (Get Here Quick – 2019)
I Wish You Would – Nine Below Zero (I Wish You Would – 2019)
Lonesome La La – Silas Hogan (Combination Boogie – 2019)
Ice Cream Man – Big Joe Louis & His Blues Kings (Big Joe Louis & His Blues Kings – 2013)
Where Would I Begin – Griff Hamlin & The Single Barrel Blues Band (I’ll Drink To That – 2019)
Prison Blues – Rory Gallagher (Blues – 2019)

Pinetop’s Pick
Expressman Blues – Sleepy John Estes & Yank Rachell (Working Man’s Blues – 2007)

It Might Get Sweaty
Bad Luck & Trouble – Ray Fuller & The Blues Rockers (Pay The Price – 2019)
It Might Get Sweaty – Terry Robb (Confessin’ My Dues – 2019)
What’s The Matter With You – Elles Bailey (Road I Call Home – 2019)
Bowlegged Woman – Bobby Rush (Bowlegged Woman – 2019)
Show Me The Money – Charlie Karp (Back To You – 2019)
Cut That Out – Junior Wells (Combination Boogie – 2019)
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished – Mindi Abair (No Good Deed Goes Unpunished – 2019)
Ain’t Goin’ Down This Time – Don Baker (No Regrets – 1995)

Lookin’ Back
Lookin’ Back – Dr Feelgood (Be Seeing You-1977)
Empty Arms – Stevie Ray Vaughan (Couldn’t Stand The Weather – 1984)
Midnight Train – The Bad Pennies (Songs From The Medway Delta – 2018)
Right Back Home – Brotherhood Of The Blues (Right Back Home – 2019)
Willie G – The Ross Osteen Band (Williwaw – 2019)
She’s Gone – Alonzo Scales (Combination Boogie – 2019)
This & That – Dawn Tyler Watson (Mad Love – 2019)
I’m A Blues Man – Grady Champion (Steppin’ In – 2019)

Austin Calling
Blues Mobile – Kenny Neal (Bloodline – 2016)

Close To You
Wondering – Little Junior Parker (Combination Boogie – 2019)
(Talk The Talk – 2019)
Lemonade – Bobby Messano (ft Bob Malone) (Lemonade – 2019)
Whiskey For Blood – J.P. Reali (A Highway Cruise – 2019)
Close To You – Lightnin’ Willie & The Poor Boys (Blue Lightning – 2016)

There were some very welcome returners to our playlist and some favourites suggested by folks during the past week. There were plenty of new releases to savour too, including Donna Hourigan & The Lucky Lips Band with ‘Talk The Talk’, Dawn Tyler Watson with ‘Mad Love’, Brotherhood Of The Blues with ‘Right Back Home’, Mindi Abair was there with ‘No Good Deed Goes Unpunished’ and Bobby Messano turned up with his new album ‘Lemonade’.

But, this is now an encouragement to stop reading these words and just listen to the show and, as you do, be assured there’s a big thanks from here for your good company and the hope that we’ll meet again, the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5 fm on 18 June 2019
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 20 June 2019

Bewildered . . .

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

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Well, cheery greetings to one and all, especially all those seeking some temporary escape from the weirdness of everyday events . . . and there’s been plenty around lately! So, with much talk of elections, it was a temptation that we couldn’t resist to include Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘Vote For Mr Rhythm’ and, anticipating the choices, the very appropriate early number from James Brown, ‘Bewildered’.

There have been many celebrations of the 50^th anniversary of The Beatles Sergeant Pepper album and it was an excuse to include a couple of unlikely tributes to the fab four, including Lonnie Donegan, whose skiffle inspired The Quarrymen, returning the compliment with a cover of a Beatles number.

But, we were not distracted (much) by current events. So, we came armed with some tasty treats from the Cruising Library and ensured that the trusty Cruise Mobile was in the right place, at the right time to enable the faithful to jump aboard and throw caution to the four winds as we set off on another Cruising with The Commissioner. Indeed, we roared off on our musical adventure in the company of Big Al T Ork and his fine interpretation of Edwin Starr’s 25 Miles, followed by a much sought after 1957 Herald 45 from Pork Chops with the re-assuring message . . . ‘Everything’s Cool’. . . . (and let’s hope they’re right) . . . .
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Everything’s Cool
Twenty Five Miles – Big Al T Ork
Everything’s Cool – Pork Chops
Drive It Home – The Clovers
Vote For Mr Rhythm – Ella Fitzgerald
Everyday I Have To Cry Some – Bon Scott & The Valentines
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Girls & Guitars
I Just Wanna Make Love To You – Francesca De Fazi
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Bewildered
It Ain’t Right – Little Walter
Bewildered – James Brown
Peanuts – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Be Bop-A-Lula – Gene Vincent
Snake Eyes – Alvin ‘Red’ Tyler & The Gyros
I Must Be In Love – The Rutles
You Won’t See Me – Lonnie Donegan with Chas & Dave
You Can’t Hide – Freddy King & Lulu Reed
Knock Knock – Carol Fran
Gotta Lotta That – Gene Summers
It Don’t Take But A Few Minutes – The Refreshments
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Our Girls & Guitars feature put the spotlight on Italian, Francesca De Fazi, who is a guitarist and singer with a style that has been compared by some to Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin. She’s produced a couple of albums that include some fine blues and on this occasion, we chose a track from her 2013 album called ‘Roman Woman Blues’ and her rather good take on ‘I Just Wanna Make Love To You’.

Sadly, all too soon our Cruising time was almost up and we had to turn for home, which we did in the company of The Refreshments and a rocking version of Chuck Berry’s ‘It Don’t Take But A Few Minutes’. We arrived back home, parked up the Cruise Mobile and after a quick polish, we were ready to come back again next week . . . . same time, same place, 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 11 June 2019

Smile & Get Down . . .

Listen here to this week’s Through To Midnight:

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Setting us up nicely for this week’s musical adventure Through To Midnight were The Average White Band and there was plenty of the ‘good stuff’ to take us all the way to tomorrow. There were a few musical memories of the past week and beyond, including Dom Pipkin, who turned up with The Ikos and the number that put us in the right mood . . . ‘Smile and Get Down’.
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This week’s ‘Under The Covers’ feature, threw its spotlight on Jeff Lynn and the Electric Light Orchestra with some inventive covers of their songs by Gamer’s Delight, Eve St Jones and the ever affable, Joe Brown. For our Girls and Guitars’ feature, we revisited a song written in the 60s by a young UK bluesman, John Mayall. It was an autobiographical story of relinquishing a mundane job to become a full-time musician and the struggles that follow. The song was ‘Crawling Up A Hill’ and, decades later, it got into the charts when it was covered by Katie Melua . . . and that was the choice this week.

There were new releases to enjoy and plenty more too, some of which got prompted by suggestions from listeners to the show . . . take a listen . . .

Somebody Stole My Thunder
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
I’ll Get Over You – The Average White Band
Sweet Freeek – The Brand New Heavies
Smile & Get Down – Dom & The Ikos
Woe Is Me – Kelly’s Lot
A Fool Like Me – Delbert McClinton & The Self Made Men
Somebody Stole My Thunder – Georgie Fame

Under The Covers
Evil Woman – Gamer’s Delight
Last Train To London – Eve St Jones
Mr Blue Sky – Joe Brown

Whatcha Gonna Do ‘Bout It
Whatcha Gonna Do ‘Bout It – Zoot Money
Nature’s Call – Shaun Escoffery
Mindi Abair – Get Right
First We Take Manhattan – Joe Cocker
Birdland – Weather Report

Sunshine Day
Sunshine Day – Osibisa
I Want You To Stay – The New Mastersounds
He’ll Have To Go – Frankie Miller
I Lost My Heart on a 747 – Tom Paxton
Who Will The Next Fool Be – Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland
Dancing Queen – Eric Bibb

Girls & Guitars
Crawling Up A Hill – Katie Melua

Remember Me
Walkin’ On Sunshine – Jazzystics
Seduced – Leon Redbone
Stubborn Kinda Fellow – Liz Menezes
I Wanna Be Around – James Brown
Remember Me – Roland Stone

Doo Wop Delight
Open Your Heart – The Boppers

Adios
Lucky – Southern Avenue
Adios Old Friend – Sam Palladio
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

This week’s ‘Doo Wop Delight’ was very much in the tradition of those American 50s and 60s vocal groups, but it was a 2009 recording by Swedish band, The Boppers . . . and a superb example of the genre. We said a sad, musical farewell to Leon Redbone and Dr John in the playlist this week and, inevitably, tomorrow came beckoning enticingly. So with Sam Palladio’s appropriately titled, ‘Adios Old Friend’, it was time to close this week’s show, but not before saying a big thanks for your good company tonight and hoping you’ll be here again, same time, same place, next week. As ever, there will be plenty more of the ‘good stuff’ that you won’t hear on ‘ordinary radio’. So, until the next time we go Through To Midnight together. . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5 fm on 12 June 2019

Boogie ‘Til You Drop . . .

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

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Well, there were plenty of mixed emotions for this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling. Certainly, there were some big smiles for new releases from Heather Newman, Dave Arcari, Deborah Bonham, Tullie Brae, The Ross Osten Band and The Texas Horns. There was a smile too for the new compilations of material from Guitar Slim, John Brim and Dr Ross, as well as our ‘album of the week’, ‘Confessin’ My Dues’ by guitar maestro Terry Robb. But, the week brought sad news too with the passing of Charlie Karp and Dr John. They each got an honorable mention in our playlist and with a couple of extra tracks from Dr John too.

I’m Ready
I’m Ready – Rory Gallagher (Blues – 2019)
Don’t Lie – Griff Hamlin & The Single Barrel Blues Band (I’ll Drink To That – 2019)
Confessin’ My Dues – Terry Robb (Confessin’ My Dues – 2019)
Mac’s Boogie – Dr John (Dr John Plays Mac Rebennack – 2002)
You Got Me Where You Want Me – John Brim (Detroit To Chicago – 2019)
Cryin’ In The Mornin’ – Guitar Slim (The Complete Releases 1951-58 – 2019)
Go Now – Deborah Bonham (The Old Hyde – 2001)
Brexit Blues – Dave Arcari (Brexit Blues – 2019)

Pinetop’s Pick
Going To St Louis – Yank Rachell (Chicago Style – 1979)

Just Coastin’
You Lie Too Much – Johnny Winter & Dr John (Live in Sweden 1987 – 1987)
Guitar Town – The Texas Horns (Get Here Quick – 2019)
Everybody Knows About My Good Thing – Grady Champion (Steppin’ In – 2019)
Keep Your Judgement – Terry Robb (Confessin’ My Dues – 2019)
Just Coastin’ – Dave Meniketti (One The Blue Side – 1998)
Devil In Deville – Tullie Brae (Revelation – 2019)

A No.1
Sixteen Tons – The Nighthawks (The Wire – All The Pieces Matter – 2008)
Love Her With A Feeling – Hollywood Fats Band (Blues By The Pound Vol.1 – 2019)
She Sure Looks A Lot Like Me- Heather Newman (Rise From The Flames – 2019)
Big Three Boogie – Dom Pipkin (Smokin’ Boogie – 2017)
Butch Holler Stomp – Terry Robb (Confessin’ My Dues – 2019)
Goin’ To New Orleans – Little Sam Davis (Downhome Delta Blues 1949-1952 – 1981)
A No.1 – The Ross Osten Band (Williwaw – 2019)

Austin Calling
Boogie ‘Til You Drop – Paul Orta (Cool Step – 2004)

I Don’t Want To Know
When Love Comes To Town – Herbie Hancock, Joss Stone & Jonny Lang (Possibilities – 2005)
Cat Squirrel – Doctor Ross (Combination Boogie – 2019)
I Want To Hold Your Hand – Charlie Karp (Back To You – 2019)
How A Free Man Feels – Terry Robb (Confessin’ By Dues – 2019)
I Don’t Want To Know – Dr John (Anutha Zone – 1998)
Work Song – The Paul Butterfield Blues Band (East West – 1966)

Now, somewhere out there in blues-land, Arthur Joplin took up the invitation to get in touch and suggest something for our playlist. In particular, Arthur gave some enthusiastic encouragement for something our Austin Calling feature from the wonderful harp player Paul Orta. Although he was originally from Janis Joplin’s birthplace of Port Arthur, he ended up in Austin and we celebrated with track from Paul’s 2004 ‘Cool Step’ album . . . his invitation to ‘Boogie ‘Til You Drop’ . . . and how can you resist?

All too soon, we came to our last choice for this week, which had us heading back to 1966 for a great band work out by the original Paul Butterfield Blues Band bringing us their take ‘Work Song’. But, before that, 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 Maritime Radio 96.5 fm on 13 June 2019
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 15 June 2019

We Need Love . . . .

Well, no one can say we don’t live in interesting times. So, here in the Grand Duchy, we while we try to make sense of it all, we remembered our commitment to roll out the Cruise Mobile at the appointed time, ready to go Cruising with The Commissioner.

Our rummaging in the Cruising Library this week has turned up some tasty treats, including a song that we’ve played before by Dr John, Santana and (I think) the original by UK song writer and singer John Martyn. The song was ‘Don’t Want To Know (About Evil)’ by Texas singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster, who may well be known to our good pal Wendel Williams . . . another Texan himself.

However, despite the many distractions of the week, the occasional sunshine and the odd opportunity for refreshments’ on the South terrace raised our spirits. We were also cheered by hearing again Bristol band, Redhouse. They kicked things into high gear on our playlist with their great rockabilly but not before we set off with Elmore James and his ‘Hawaiian Boogie’ . . .something perhaps everyone does when they get to Hawaii. There was a little rye humour too. With an impish grin we chose a song from Lulu that may or may not be popular around Brussels . . . .

Go now . . . .
Hawaiian Boogie – Elmore James
Go Now – Lulu
Long Black Shiny Car – Redhouse
We Need Love – Ray Scott & His Combo
Buzz Buzz Buzz – Doug Sahm
Thirteen Women – Billy Haley & His Comets

Girls & Guitars
Jump Sister Jump – Tina Bednoff & The Cocktailers

Gonna fix you good . . .
Don’t Want To Know – Ruthie Foster
Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes – Duncan Berry
Supersonics In Flight – Billy Mure
I Won $4000 – The Rainiers
Gonna Fix You Good – Little Anthony & The Imperials
Why Weren’t You There – Thelma Lindsey
Tear For Tear – Gene Chandler
Grazing In The Grass – Friends Of Distinction
Baby What Am I Gonna Do – Smokey Armen & The Schooners
You’d Better Move – Bobby Brookes
Ring A Ling – Johnny Otis
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A few old favourites found their way into our playlist this week, including a very summery sound f the Friends of Distinction with a tune we know very well here ‘Grazing In the Grass’. We didn’t forget our Girls & Guitars feature, which this week focused on Tina Bednoff, who’s a guitarist and singer from Helsinki and has been leading her band The Cocktailers delivering some 40’s & 50’s rhythm and blues. She happens to have a new album out now on El Toro Records and we chose the opening number on it ‘Jump Sister Jump’.

A 1958 RCA recording from Bobby Brookes, called ‘You’d Better Move’ was a timely reminder that the sands of time were running out on our cruise and we finished with a frantic Johnny Otis number, ‘Ring A Ling’ and then, sadly, it was all over. We parked up the Cruise Mobile, gave a cheery farewell and got ready for the after show party. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 11 June 2019

Inside Out . . .

Listen here to this week’s edition of Through To Midnight:

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If you felt that this was a week that needed a welcome distraction, then you may not have been alone. But, fortunately, that distraction came with bells and whistles as we headed off for our weekly musical adventure Through To Midnight. We got off to a flying start with a great opener to the show from the wonderful Billy Preston and whether you arrived here by accident or design, there was plenty more of the good stuff lined up to take us through to the midnight hour . . . and like The Tower of Power, we were ‘Happy ‘Bout That‘.
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Among the joys, the focus of this week’s Under The Covers feature was Jimi Hendrix and there was a trio of tracks of his, delivered in the covers of others, including a new slant on ‘Crosstown Traffic’ by jazz/rock band The Big Payback, a laid back version of ‘Up From The Skies’ by Rickie Lee Jones and a favourite take on ‘The Wind Cries Mary’ from Graham Bonnet.

Californian, Heather Myles, was the focus of our Girls & Guitars slot this week, bringing a favourite track from her 2002 album ‘Sweet Talk & Good Lies’, which got plenty of airplay at the time. It’s a song about cars . . . and it was dedicated to those among the Midnight Movers who share a love of those big old 50s and 60s American cars . . . . ‘Big Cars’. There was plenty more of ‘the good stuff’ too . . . take a listen . . .

Happy ‘Bout That
J&B – Jeff Golub & Brian Auger
Supernatural Thang – Billy Preston
Happy ‘Bout That – Tower Of Power
Inside Out – Maysa

Under The Covers 
Crosstown Traffic – The Big Payback
Up From The Skies – Ricky Lee Jones
The Wind Cries Mary – Graham Bonnet

Gimme Little Sign
Gimme Shelter – Danielia Cotton & Amy Helm
I Shot The Sheriff – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Goo Goo Barabajagal – Donovan
I Know – Big Daddy Wilson
Everybody’s Cryin’ Mercy – BBFC
Jeannine – Ellis Mano Band
Dyna-Mite – Jon Cleary
Gimme Little Sign – Memphis Black

Don’t Do It
Ride Like The Wind – Soultans
Don’t Do It – Janiva Magness
Seven States Away – Deb Callaghan
Lola – Jacqui Naylor
Livin’ On A Prayer – Scott Bradley’s Postmodern Jukebox

Girls & Guitars
Big Cars – Heather Myles

Every Time
Devil In A Blue Dress – Bill Kirchen
I’m Still In Love With You – T-Bone Walker
Everything Means Nothing – Karen Lovely
Cheatin’ In The Next Room – Grady Champion
Every Time – The Kelly Bell Band

Doo Wop Delights
Since I Fell For You – The Love Notes

Bewildered
Bewildered – The Notting Hillbillies
Looking For The Heart Of Saturday Night – Tom Waits
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

The playlist was never short of new releases and plenty of others that you definitely won’t hear on ‘ordinary radio’. There was the customary dip back into time for something from those vocal groups of the 50s and 60s with this week’s Doo Wop Delight. The spotlight fell on Boston vocal group The Love Notes, who recorded a handful of songs for various labels through 1953 and 54, including one that got released in ’54 on the Riviera label . . . this is their very smooth take on ‘Since I Fell For You’.

Well, all too soon, the sands of time ran out on our musical adventure and as Tom Waits’ ‘Looking For The Heart Of Saturday Night’ faded away, tomorrow came beckoning enticingly. So, reluctantly, it was time to collect up the music, tidy up the studio and head out into the night, but not before saying a big thanks for your good company and hoping that, if you’re around, same time, same place next week, we’ll meet again to go Through To Midnight. Until then . . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5 fm on 5 June 2019