Ringing In A Brand New Year . . .

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

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Well, here we are . . . with the trusty Cruise Mobile rolling by to collect you for the very last cruising adventure of this year . . and you find us in very good spirits too . . . because we have plenty of fond memories of good company during this past year and some very fine music. So, for one more time this year, jump aboard the Cruise Mobile and let’s go Cruising with The Commissioner.

We arrived to the sound of The Big Dani Perez R&B Band with ‘Swing & Rocket’ and we’re heading on down the road with The Ray Collins Hot Club who are ‘Shakin’ That Boogie’ . . . and ever mindful that some may be on a new fitness regime, we extended an invitation to jog alongside.

This week, we pulled out a great piece of swing from Casey MacGill & The Spirits of Rhythm, who have been on the scene in California since the early 70s and we chose ‘Jump Up’. We headed for the UK with the great Rocky Sharpe & the Replays soon we were testing the collective sense of adventure by cruising in the direction of the islands, just a few degrees South of the Tropic of Cancer, which is where we found a couple of crazy Cruising Crew members for whom we played a little number from Jan & Dean.

We deliberately steered away from seasonal numbers on this show, but our good pal Matt The Cat turned up a 50s new year number from Billy Ward & The Dominoes . . . and we made it a worthy exception.

Jump Up
Swing & Rocket – The Big Dani Perez R&B Band
Shakin’ That Boogie – The Ray Collins Hot Club
Barefootin’ – Pee Wee Crayton
Tell It Like It Is – Eddie Bo
Jump Up – Casey MacGill & The Spirits of Rhythm
When The Chips Are Down – Rocky Sharpe & The Replays
Ringing In A Brand New Year – Billy Ward & The Dominoes

Girls & Guitars
I Gotta Go – Trampled Under Foot

Good Times
Good Times – Sam Cooke
Honolulu Lulu – Jan & Dean
You Drive Me Crazy – Ray Scott
Topsy Turvy – Benn Joe Zeppa
That Was Your Mother – Terrence Simien & The Zydeco Experience
Treat Me Nice – Conway Twitty
Long Black Hair – Randy Rich & The Poor Boys
Box Of Candy – Vince Everett
You’re Gonna Pay – Ruby Ann
Barefoot Rock – Harmonica Sam & The Domestic Bumble Bees
Rock Bottom – The Beat From Palookaville
Do You Love Me – Little Willie John

Our Girls & Guitars feature this week focused on guitarist and singer, Danielle Schnebelen who provides lead vocals and guitar for Kansas City group, Trampled Under Foot. To show off her talents, we picked out a track from the band’s album ‘The Philadelphia Sessions’, called ‘I Gotta Go’. Then, we were off for a rather fine melding of a Paul Simon song with a little Louisiana sound, courtesy of the delightfully named Terrence Simien & The Zydeco Experience. Next, the Cruise Mobile took us next to Arkansas, for a number from Conway Twitty, followed by Sweden’s Beat From Palookaville with a rocking little number titled ‘Rock Bottom’.

Having kept a careful watch on the time, it was, sadly, time for our last choice on our last playlist for this year. So, we decided to go out with a rousing finale, courtesy of Little Willie John with his 1960 King 45 ‘Do You Love Me’. Then, the sound of the rattling tin cans came to confirm that this was the last time we’ll go Cruising together this year. So, with Mr Merlot and The Cruisettes alongside there was a cheery farewell and the hope that we’ll all meet again next year for even more musical adventures . . . and until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

All too soon, we came to the last choice on our last playlist for 2019 . . . . and we went out with a rousing finale from Little Willie John and his 1960 King 45 ‘Do You Love Me’. Then, the rattling tin cans came along for the last time in 2019, along with Mr Merlot & The Cruisettes to wave everyone a cheery farewell, ever hopeful that we’ll all be back again next year with renewed enthusiasm to jump aboard the Cruise Mobile and go Cruising with The Commission. So, until then . . . remember . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 31 December 2019

Dancing In The Moonlight . . .

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

Part 1

Part 2

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Well, there was a big cheery welcome from yours truly for all those who called by on Christmas day for my last show of this year. Spirits were high here and I arrived with every intention of filling the year ahead with even more vaguely supervised and unpredictable musical adventures. So, with a familiar invitation to kick back and relax, I set out to take you Through To Midnight with a big dose of Dr Roberts Sonic Tonic and an armful of the ‘good stuff’ that you won’t hear on ‘ordinary radio’. Getting us up and running in the right direction were The Overtones and followed fast by Bill Wyman, who rightly says . . . . you ‘can’t get enough of that stuff’!

Bob Seger popped up with, ‘Rosalie’ a song that gained plenty of additional plays, courtesy of Irish band Thin Lizzy. They had some success of their own version of the song, which led us almost seamlessly to this week’s Under The Covers feature with the songs of Thin Lizzy, They started out in 1969 under the leadership of Phil Lynott, who wrote most of their best known songs, many of which became hit, including three that got heard again on the show, through covers of others, starting with London band, Space Elevator, with their mellow take on ‘Don’t Believe A Word’. Then, we heard from Laura Tate with her version of ‘Don’t Believe A Word’, which brings out the real quality of Phil Lynott’s songwriting in a way that perhaps gets a bit lost in the more up-tempo treatments. The last of our trio of tracks brought a cool jazzy flavour with Paul Pashley’s take on ‘Dancing In The Moonlight’.

Get It Right
September – The Overtones
Stuff (Can’t Get Enough) – Bill Wyman
Voulez Vous – The Nils Langdren Funk Unit
Get It Right – Aretha Franklin
One Thing Every Day – Frank Bey
Rosalie – Bob Seger

Under the Covers 
Don’t Believe A Word – Space Elevator
The Boys Are Back In Town – Laura Tate
Dancing In The Moonlight – Paul Pashley

Let’s Do It Again
Lose My Number – Billy Price
Let Someone Else Take It Home – Mississippi MacDonald
Let’s Do It Again – The Staple Singers

Nightshift
One More Heartache – The Paul Butterfield Band
Nightshift – Mario Biondi
One Day She’s Here – Marcus King
Cry Cry Cry – Logan Parker
The Song Man – Phill Raymond

Girls & Guitars
She Can’t Buy – Clare Free

Lovin’ Arms
Lovin’ Arms – Jo Harman
I’m In Love With You – Bobby Patterson
Who Do You Think I’m Fooling – The Groove Hogs

Doo Wop Delight
When You’re Young & In Love – The Flying Pickets

Every Little Thing
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic – Paul Canning
Blackbird – Hannah’s Yard
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

Our last Girls & Guitars feature of the year, focused on Ipswich gal Clare Free. She’s been out and about gigging with her guitar and band, and along the way she’s found time to get into the recording studios to cut her latest album. It’s due out in March, it’s called ‘Where Are You Now’ and I brought you a taster from the album . . . ‘She Can’t Buy’.

Then, before tomorrow arrived on the doorstep, I caught up with this week’s Doo Wop Delight, which on this occasion was not a 50s American vocal group, but a British group who came together in 1982 and had some early success with their reimagining popular songs in the doo wop style . . . The Flying Pickets.

Then, sadly, our time together on this special day ran out . . . but not before a big thanks to you for your very good company and best wishes for the rest of this festive break. Hopefully we’ll meet again in the new year to continue our musical adventures together, and go Through To Midnight. Until then, this is yours truly Dennis Roberts saying . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 25 December 2019

Bluesin’ for Christmas . . . .

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

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Well, a big bluesy welcome to one and all . . . . and, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing I hope you’re ready for a little bluesing for Christmas . . . .

Now, those who know me well may be just a bit surprised to hear that for this Yuletide edition of The Blues Come Calling, I arrived all bedecked here in my festive finery with a Santa hat and a generous helping of ‘Ho Ho Ho’. . . . . and if you doubted that then the show opener should have dispelled all doubts! Not every choice quite fitted into the strict category of the blues, but since it was the festive season, I was not being too precise. So, kicking things off . . . all the way from Sweden came The Refreshments to tell us who’s the real Santa . . . and helping to keep you on your toes ’til the presents arrive . .

Come Home For Christmas
I’m The Real Santa – The Refreshments
Christmas Date Blues – Joe Bonamassa (Rockin’ Christmas Blues – 2016)
Santa Claus – Little Charlie & The Nightcats (A Blues Christmas 2015)
Santa Loves To Boogie – Professor Louie & The Crowmatix
Run Rudolph Run – Chuck Berry (Christmas Music 100 Hits – 2015)
Christmas Comes But Once A Year – Albert King (Christmas in Soulsville – 2008)
Bluesy Christmas – Val Starr & The Blues Rocket (Bluesy Christmas – 2019)
Let’s Have a Real Tree – David Gogo (Christmas with The Blues – 2012)
Please Come Home For Christmas – Johnny Winter (Hey, Where’s Your Brother – 1992)
Really Been Good This Year – Saffire – Real Uppity Blues Women (Alligator Records Genuine House Rockin’ Christmas – 2003)
Christmas Tears – Eric Clapton (Happy Xmas – 2018)
I Hear Jingle Bells – Freddy King (Federal – 1961)
All I Got For Christmas Was The Blues – Gradual Taylor (All I Got For Christmas Was The Blues – 2013)
Lonesome Christmas – B.B. King (A Christmas Celebration Of Hope – 2001)
Boogie Woogie Santa Claus – Colin James (Little Big Band Christmas – 2007)
Frosty – Albert Collins (Trucking With Albert Collins – 1969)

Santa’s Back In Town
Merry Christmas Baby – Mindi Abair (All I Got For Christmas Was The Blues – 2018)
Let It Ring – Meg Williams (Blind Raccoon Holiday Collection – 2019)
Blues On Christmas – Grady Champion (Blind Raccoon Holiday Collection – 2019)
Christmas In Blue – Michele D’Amour & The Love Dealers (Christmas In Blue – 2019)
Underneath The Tree – Hamilton Loomis (This Season – 2019)
Fattening Up The Turkey – David Hole (Alligator Records Genuine House Rockin’ Christmas – 2003)
Santa Claus Is Back In Town – Jonny Lang
Christmas Train – Carey Bell
Santa Is Rockin’  – The Boppers
I’m Your Santa – Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials
It’s Bad To Have The Blues (At Christmas Time) – Charlie Daniels  (Southern Rock Christmas – 2015)
Ho Ho Christmas – Tomislav Goluban
Christmas – Clarence Gatemouth Brown (Alligator Records Christmas Collection – 1992)
Santa Wants Some Lovin’ – Tinsley Ellis (Alligator Records Christmas Collection – 1992)
Dig That Crazy Santa Claus – Brian Setzer (Dig That Crazy Santa Claus – 2005)
Driving Home For Christmas – Blame Jones

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 24 December 2019

Ring-A-Ling . . .

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

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Well, with the windows wound down and radio cranked up, we were making plenty of noise as Cruise Mobile arrived to collect you to go Cruising with The Commissioner. With more ‘Go, Go, Go’ than ‘Ho, Ho, Ho’. we arrived to the sound of Daddy’s Rebels with a little Red Prysock number, ‘Plaid Laces’ and advised you to hold on tight as we headed off down the road with Dimples Jackson and an Octave 45 called ‘Ring-A-Ling’. Then, the great Thornetta Davis came following fast with The Knickerbocker Allstars and some ‘Wild Wild Young Men’.

We anticipated some unrestrained excitement amongst the fans of cajun rock, as European band, The Cajun Roosters, gave the best of South Louisiana a real run for their money with a Chuck Berry classic that the merry Mr Berry never imagined sounding this way. There was another taste of Louisiana too, delivered in style from Milwaukee by local band The Uptown Savages, who (most appropriately) were ‘Movin’ On’.

Then we were off to Italy for Torino band, The Uppertones with their number ‘No One’, which captured that 50s and 60s vibe that encouraged Mr Merlot and yours truly to demonstrate how to swing and sway The Commissioner’s way, getting awarded only a 5 for style, but a 10 for enthusiasm by Mrs TC. Amidst all the excitement, we didn’t forget this week’s Cruising Connections, with its invitation to spot the link between its trio of tracks, starting with the great Slim Harpo and one of his classics. It was followed by Lazy Lester and Chuck Berry whose songs were both covered on the first album by one famous four piece group along with originals of their own. Meanwhile, our Girls & Guitars feature this week gave a big welcome back to Australian Blues guitarist and singer, Fiona Boyes. She’s got a new album out, called ‘Voodoo In The Shadows’ and it was a good excuse to pick something from it . . . and we did!

Movin’ On
Plaid Laces/The Fox – Daddy’s Rebels
Ring-A-Ling – Dimples Jackson
Wild Wild Young Men – Thornetta Davis & The Knickerbocker Allstars
Brown Eyed Handsome Man – Cajun Roosters
Movin’ On – The Uptown Savages
No One – The Uppertones

Cruising Connections
Got Love If You Want It – Slim Harpo
I’m A Lover Not A Fighter – Lazy Lester
Beautiful Delilah – Chuck Berry
All Day & All Of The Night – The Kinks

Girls & Guitars
Don’t Leave Your Feet At Home – Fiona Boyes

Doo Wop Delights
Confidential – Bubber Johnson
Pa-Pa-Ya Baby – The Jumping Jacks

Put Some Rhythm In My Blues
Put Some Rhythm In My Blues – Blue Blot
Have You Seen My Baby – Choker Campbell
I Love You Oh Darling – Big Jay McNeely
Hong Kong Jelly Wong – The Royaltones
Rocket Room – The Domestic Bumblebees
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This week Mr Merlot went rummaging in the Cruising Library for more of those 50s vocal groups to feature in our Doo Wop Delights. He returned with an empty wine bottle and glass, but also a couple of gems, the first of which came from Bubber Johnson his 45, titled ‘Confidential’. We also heard from The Jumping Jacks with one of two 45s they recorded in 1954 for the small New York label Bruce records . . . ‘Pa-Pa-Ya Baby’.

Taking us across frontiers, the trusty Cruise mobile whisked us off to Belgium next to hear from local band, Blue Blot who were intent on putting some rhythm in their blues. Then, we were treated to a rare1954 Atlantic 45 from Choker Campbell, who started playing the saxophone at the age of 5 and went on to lead one of the road bands that supported touring Motown artists. There was another band leader next on our playlist, Big Jay McNeely with a little number he released in 1960 on the Swingin’ label . . .’I Love You Oh Darling’.

It came the time to start heading reluctantly for home and we did it with The Royaltones who recorded a little gem called ‘Hong Kong Jelly Wong’ in the summer of 1956 for Old Town Records and it came with a shout out to our good pal Jamie Dell’Apa, who has a thing about Chinese rock songs. Then, taking us all the way home was Swedish band, The Domestic Bumblebees, who were going to the ‘Rocket Room’, after which we parked up the Cruise Mobile and gave it a quick polish so it was suitably smart for the festive celebrations and ready for the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . enjoy the festivities and . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 24 December 2019

If You’re Ready . . . .

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

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Well, it’s getting to look pretty festive around here and, whether you have a penchant for humbugs, you can’t help noticing a few more smiles around. So, I arrived for this week’s show in good spirits and with another big bunch of the ‘good stuff’ to take us Through To Midnight.  We started off on the good foot with Soul Brother No 1, James Brown and it inspired me to demonstrate some of my most enthusiastic dance moves . . . but in deference entreaties from the station boss, I closed the window blinds first.
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One of the cheery events this past week was one of those festive gatherings of friendly faces, including switched on, fellow radio presenter Tom Sippy, who surprised me with his revelation of his love of 50s big bands and crooners of the day.  So, it may be just a mild surprise to Tom that he inspired this week’s Under The Covers feature with this week’s focus on the songs of Bobby Darin. We heard covers from the much celebrated son of New Orleans, Dr John, Johnny Nash, plus a 1956 recording made at the famous Sun Records studio in Memphis, by Fred Prentis.

Going Round In Circles
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
Livin’ In America – James Brown
Time – Julian Taylor Band
Will It Go Round In Circles – Billy Preston
I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down – Graham Parker & Stone Foundation
When You Back – Jon Cleary
Beyond The Sea – Bobby Darin

Under The Covers 
Splish Splash – Dr John
Dream Lover – Johnny Nash
Lazy River – Fred Prentiss

If You’re Ready
Shoulda Woulda Coulda – Dee Ellington
Second Time Around – Ghost Hounds
Riders On the Storm – Nektar
T’s Tune – Tim Penn & The Second Line
If You’re Ready – Steve Archer

Got Me Started
Never No More – Frank Bey
Something Got Me Started – Rik Waller’s Mighty Soul Band
Stool Pigeon – Kid Creole & The Coconuts
Love Letter – Tasha Taylor

Girls & Guitars
I Don’t Wanna Go – Logan Parker

Wonderful Tonight
Wonderful Tonight – Ronnie Dunn
I Wish It Would Rain – Bobby Womack
Got To Have You – The Rae Gordon Band
Cry Like a Rainy Day – Etta James
White Rabbit – MoJo Preachers

Doo Wop Delight
Daddy’s Home – Shep & The Limelights
Driving Home
Heart On the Line – Suzi Quatro
Driving Home For Christmas – Blame Jones
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

This week, our Girls & Guitars feature, focused on London songstress and guitarist Logan Parker. She grew up in a house with the music all around her and with such diverse influences as the music of T Bone Walker and all the way through the music spectrum to Leonard Cohen. After starting a career in banking, she decided to choose music as her focus and has since pursued her passion for creating and recording her own music. My choice came from her recently released, self titled EP of her own songs with a favourite here . . .  ‘I Don’t Wanna Go’.

As we drifted into our mellow moments, we came to this week’s Doo Wop Delight from a group who were formed in 1960 in Queens, New York, back in 1960. These were Shep and the Limelites, who recorded their chart topper ‘Daddy’ Home’ in February 1961. Meanwhile, I resisted the popular temptation to spray the playlist with festive songs, except for one song that I saved until last. I sent it with my best wishes at time of year for all those heading home to friends and family. So, until the next time we meet to go Through To Midnight . . . this is yours truly Dennis Roberts saying . . . have fun . . . !

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 18 December 2019

Blues Review of 2019 . . .

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

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Well, it’s that time of year when we can take a look back at the joys here during the past year. So, I’ve been looking back through the playlists for some of those favourite bluesy choices from across the past year. There have been a few notable birthdays along the way, some memorable gigs to look back on, but definitely not enough time for all the great music that found its way onto the playlists here.

There was a special memory for our regular guest, Arfa Pinetop, in the selected edition of ‘Pinetop’s Pick’. Also, in this review, we took a look back at our Austin Calling features, which helped us celebrate Black History Month here during the past year. It threw its spotlight on celebrated Texan bluesman Freddie King, who was a familiar name on the gig guides around Austin and much celebrated for his appearances at Austin’s famous venue, the World Armadillo Headquarters. Freddie toured the UK many times and it included a gig at The Black Prince, Bexley. On that occasion,  Freddie agreed to have the show recorded. So. for Black History Month, I dug out that recording for its first ever radio broadcast. This bit of local blues history brought Freddie King with UK blues band, Killing Floor delivering a live version of ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and ‘Tore Down’.

Lost In The Blues
It’s Alright – The B Christopher Band (Two Rivers Back – 2019)
Roads & Rails – Dave Sutherland
Need Your Love So Bad – Jimmy Carpenter (Soul Doctor – 2019)
Outside Of This Town – Christone “Kingfish” Ingram (Kingfish – 2019)
White Boy Lost In The Blues – Lyle Lovett (Release Me – 2012)
Looking Out My Window – Annika Andersson (Reborn – 2019)
What’s The Matter With You – Elles Bailey (Road I Call Home – 2019)
Come On In My Kitchen – Larkin Poe (Playing For Change – 2018)

Pinetop’s Pick
You Can’t Get The Stuff No More – Hoggie & the Sharpetones (Drive On – 2001)

Can’t Take Those Blues Away
So Tired Of Living – Malone Sibun (Come Together – 2019)
Coming In Hot – Coco Montoya (Coming In Hot – 2019)
You Don’t Wanna – Cara Being Blue (Grit – 2019)
Born Under A Bad Sign – Booker T Jones (Note By Note – 2019)
Coastin’ – Dave Meneketti (On The Blue Side – 1998)
I Can’t Take Those Blues Away – Bob Margolin (This Guitar & Tonight – 2019)

Don’t Give Up On The Blues
Please Love Me – Walter Trout (Blues Survivor – 2019)
It Hurts Me Too – Eric Clapton (A Kind Of Blues – 2019)
Old Love – Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method (As Live As It Gets – 2019)
Don’t Give Up On The Blues – Giles Robson (Don’t Give Up On The Blues – 2019)
Broken Hearted Man – 24 Pesos (Flesh & Bones – 2019)

Austin Calling
Whole Lotta Love/Tore Down – Freddie King (Live at The Black Prince – 1968)

Leading Brand
Daddy’s Dough – Jontavious Willis (Spectacular Class – 2019)
Home To My Baby – Blues Meets Girl (Blues Meets Girl – 2019)
You Upset Me Baby – BB Factory (Let The Good Times Roll – 2019)
Big Old Smoke – Jawbone (Jawbone – 2019)
The Leading Brand – Johnny Burgin (Johnny Burgin Live – 2019)

It was great fun looking back through the shows playlists for this past year and picking out tracks for this review. There are plenty more choices that could have been included, but sadly our blues-time together ran out too soon. I playing out with a choice from Johnny Burgin’s latest live album and a number titled ‘The Leading Brand’. But, before we said our farewells, there was a big thanks for your good company this week and through the year. As ever, there was the hope that we will meet again, the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on ?? December 2019

Just a little crazy . . .

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

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Well, as ever, the Cruise Mobile rolled by at the appointed time with its windows wound down and its the radio cranked up. There was the customary seat saved especially for you, just so we can all go Cruising with The Commissioner and we arrived to the sound of ‘Once More’ by Jackie Kelso. Then, with some squeals from the wheels, we were off down the road with a burst of New Orleans Rhythm and Blues from Sicilian band, Virginia Brown and The Shameless.

We enjoyed some rocking R&B from Milwaukee band, The Uptown Savages, with ‘Crazy’ . . . an apt description for The Cruisettes and their approach to dancing. Then, the Cruise Mobile was taking us on a detour to Norfolk, Virginia for some more rocking rhythm and blues from The Griffin Brothers and, with not a second thought, we were off to Texas to catch singer and pianist, Teddy Reynolds, with his 1962 recording, ‘Rocking With You Baby’. With a tip of the hat in the direction of Jamie Dell’Apa and Dave Ferrato, we heard from Little Bill & The Bluenotes and the flipside of 1959 chart hit ‘I Love an Angel’, titled ‘Bye Bye Baby’.

We pulled out a 1956 Vik 45, ‘I’m A Big Boy Now’, from singing duo Tic & Toc, followed by the much covered Ted Jarrett song, ‘You Can Make It If You Try’, this time by the great Jimmy Witherspoon. Then, we were into this week’s Cruising Connections with a trio of tracks that were no great brain teaser, but all three share a particular piece of 50s jive talk. We started with The Del-Vikings, then The Cadets and finally a1960 Atlas 45 by Mae Mercer. Mr Merlot was on hand with enough rosettes and lollipops for everyone who spotted that the common link there was the expression ‘googa mooga’. We had the Cruising researchers burning the mid-day oil looking for even more songs featuring that expression and we couldn’t leave without playing Lee Dorsey’s 1965 classic ‘Great Googa Mooga’.

Once More
Once More – Jackie Kelso
Black Diamond – Virginia Brown & The Shameless
Crazy – The Uptown Savages
The House By The Railroad Track – The Griffin Brothers
Rocking With You Baby – Teddy Reynolds
Bye Bye Baby – Little Bill & The Bluenotes
I’m A Big Boy Now – Tic & Toc
You Can Make It If You Try – Jimmy Witherspoon

Cruising Connections
Flat Tire – The Del-Vikings
Stranded In The Jungle – The Cadets
Great Googa Mooga – Mae Mercer
Great Googa Mooga – Lee Dorsey

Girls & Guitars
I’m A Sucker For Love – Debbie Davies

Doo Wop Delights
Hold Me – Bobby Long
Haunting Memories – The Harlliquins

I Can’t Cook
My Wife Can’t Cook – The Phantom Blues Band
So What If I Can’t Cook – Little Alice
Lil Evette – Lonnie Russ
Come Back Uncle John – Big John Greer
Long Tall Sally – Little Richard

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature threw its spotlight on guitarist and singer Debbie Davies. She grew up in the 60s in a musical family and by the age of 12 she had taken an interest in the guitar and was particularly attracted to the bluesier sounds she was hearing. After hearing the electric guitar of Eric Clapton with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, she decided to pursue a music career and 1984, she had landed the lead guitar spot with Maggie Mayall and the Cadillacs, and was then recruited by Albert Collins to join his band. She’s since struck out on a solo career and we played her take on a John Mayall song, ‘I’m A Sucker For Love’.

This week, our Doo Wop Delights kicked off with a 1959 Glow-Hill 45 from Bobby Long, featuring a Rudy Toombs ballad called ‘Hold Me’, followed by a 1958 45 on George Goldner’s Juanita label from New York group The Halliquins, with a song titled ‘Haunting Memories’, previously recorded by a group called The Serenaders.

Now, last week we played a version of a much covered Lonnie Russ song, ‘My Wife Can’t Cook’, by Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings. This time around we found another of those covers by The Phantom Blues Band and said that Lonnie Russ’s original success inspired an answer song and, by a stroke of amazing good fortune, we found it by Little Alice. We also found something from Lonnie Russ himself . . . his 1964 4J record release, ‘Lil Evette’.

As a distraction from us turning the Cruise Mobile for home, we pulled out another answer song. This time it was a 1959 release by Big John Greer, that continued the story of Uncle John and Sally that was started by Little Richard’s ‘Long Tall Sally’, which happened to get us all the way home. So, we parked up the trusty Cruise Mobile, gave it a quick polish and thanked everyone for their good company on this week’s cruise, hoping, that we’ll all meet again the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 17 December 2019

Tell Me When It’s Over . . .

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

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Well,  we arrived at my favourite time and in my favourite company too, all ready to go Through To Midnight. So, with an invitation to come a little closer and get comfortable I was ready to share some more of the ‘good stuff’ that I’d brought along to soothe you, smooth you and make you relax. To demonstrate my good intent, we kicked off with one of my favourite bass players (and no mean vocalist too), Nathan East, who was celebrating his birthday this past week and a good excuse to play his version of that Stevie Wonder classic, ‘Sir Duke’.

Despite the season and the many other distractions, there were plenty of new releases to attraction my attention and the best of them got into this week’s playlist. Along with them, our Under The Covers feature was inspired by finding that this past week, back in 1943, was when the world said it’s first ‘hello’ to Jim Morrison, who went on to become the iconic singer and songwriter with The Doors. So, I went rummaging in the music library for some of their songs, heard again through the covers of other. The first of these came from Stevie Wonder, followed by a quite seductive version of ‘Riders On the Storm’ by Urban Love, then Joan Jett & The Black Hearts with their take on ‘Love Me Two Times’.

Now Or Never
Sir Duke – Nathan East
Second Chance – Diane Shaw
This World’s Too Funky For Me – The Crusaders with Joe Cocker
Now Or Never – Beverley Knight
Rad Gumbo – Little Feet
Bea – Angel Forrest

Under The Covers
Light My Fire – Stevie Wonder
Riders On the Storm – Urban Love
Love Me Two Times – Joan Jett & The Black Hearts

Green Light
Green Light – The Betty Fox Band
Jockey Full Of Bourbon – Diz Watson
You Won’t See Me – Chas & Dave with Lonnie Donegan
Should’a Would’a Could’a – Dee Ellington
Slinky Snake – Papa Grows Funk

Tell Me When It’s Over
Street Fighting Man – The Rolling Stones
Out From Under – Erin Coburn
Get Right With The World – The Rae Gordon Band
I Can Change Your Mind – The James Hunter Six
Tell Me When It’s Over – Sheryl Crow & Chris Stapleton

Girls & Guitars
Soulville – Shelley King (Kick Up Your Heels)

Getting Away With It
Your Molecular Structure – Fiona Apple & The Tippo All Stars
Getting Away With It – Dawn Sandells (Mama’s Kitchen – 2019)
Devil Can Blues – Ramon Taranco
I Walked Alone – Jack Mack & The Heart Attack

Doo Wop Delight
My Song – Hank Ballard & The Midnighters

Yours
Yours – Sister Suzie
Everywhere – Eve St Jones

This week, our Girls & Guitars feature, turned it spotlight on singer Shelley King, who is well known in and around Texas. She was the first woman to be appointed Official State Musician of Texas. As well as being a multi-award winning singer-songwriter, guitarist and bandleader, Shelley has  a reputation for her soulful vocals and powerful performances. Her latest album is ‘Kick Up Your Heels’ which is her 9th independent release and it includes her take on a song that’s well known among the Northern Soulies . . . . ‘Soulville’.

Our Doo Wop Delight this week, brought a band who are better known for their up-tempo R&B hits. These were Hank Ballard & The Midnighters with a rare doo wop ballad of theirs that they recorded for Wildcat records titled ‘My Song’.

There was a familiar name to take us up to the midnight hour . . . it was Eve St Jones with her take on that Fleetwood Mac song ‘Everywhere’. Then, with tomorrow on the doorstep, ready and keen to take us all, who knows where, it was time to say our farewells and head out into the night . . . . but before there was a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and the hope that we’ll meet again, same time, same place, next week to go Through To Midnight. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 11 December 2019

 

Damn I Spilled The Blues . . .

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

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Despite the many distractions of these strange times, this week’s The Blues Come Calling brought an armful of non-festive new releases, some welcome previews of upcoming 2020 releases and some particular treats from Gary Moore, Aerosmith, Paul Rodgers, Rolling Stones and more. There was a superb ‘album of the week’ from London’s Eddie Martin with his new album ‘Thirst’, which he says took two and a half years to produce and has proved to be a real labour of love! Meanwhile, Pinetop’s Pick brought us the original of a song recorded since by Bob Dylan, The Animals and others, but originally recorded by Mary Mack and The State Street Boys. There was a story of an opportune encounter with celebrated band, Little Feat, in Austin Calling feature, with some memorable moments back under the spotlight, courtesy of David Isaacs in Texas.

Like ‘Em Like That
Down The Line – Gary Moore (Bad For You Baby – 2008)
Stop Messin’ Around – Aerosmith (Honkin’ On Bobo – 2004)
Like ‘Em Like That – Brody Buster (Damn I Spilled The Blues – 2019)
Existential Blues – The Alley Tones (Old Stories – 2019)
Run River – Eddie Martin (Thirst -2019)
Last Train – Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado (Come On In – 2020)

Pinetop’s Pick
Don’t You Tear My Clothes – The State Street Boys (State Street Swingers 1936-37 – 1994)

Things We Used To Do
The Things We Used To Do – Sayer & Joyce (Makes You Stronger – 2019)
Ninety Nine – Sonny Boy Williamson II (I’m Sonny Boy Williamson – 2019)
Ain’t No Moonlight – Buck & Evans (Write a Better Day – 2018)
One Man Band – Eddie Martin (Thirst -2019)
Big Brown Frame  – Mike Dangeroux & Inetta Visor (It’s About Time – 2019)
Unmilitary Two Step – Rory Gallagher (Bluesprint – 1973)
Sugar Coated Love – Lazy Lester (One More Once – 2010)

Feel So Good
It Never Comes Easy – Fred Chapellier (It Never Comes Easy – 2016)
Sweet Sugar You – Håkon Høye’ Håkon Høye (aka The Hawk) (Nights At The Surf Motel – 2019)
Outsourced – Wide Mouth Mason (I Wanna Go With You – 2019)
Walk In My Shadow – Free (Tons Of Sobs – 1968)
Silver Spoon – Eddie Martin (Thirst -2019)
I Feel So Good – GA-20 (Lonely Soul – 2019)

Austin Calling
Mellow Down Easy – Little Feat (Rooster Rag – 2012)

I’m Not Tired Yet
I Smell Trouble – Audrey Turner (I’m Here – 2019)
Ain’t No Doubt – Angel Forrest (Hell Bent With Grace – 2019)
I’m Not Tired Yet – Bill Howl N Madd Perry (Thankful For The Blues – 2019)
Fix It – Eddie Martin (Thirst -2019)
Born Under A Bad Sign – Matty T Wall (w Kirk Fletcher) (Transpacific Blues Vol 1 – 2019)

Now, this time of the year, the music releases tend to have a distinct festive flavour, but the was plenty of others to fill this week’s playlist. But, all too soon, the clock on the wall signalled that our blues time together was fast running out. So, as I started gathering up the music, tidying up the studio and preparing to head out into the night, I had one more treat in store . . .  this was a song we know well by the great Albert King, as one of his recordings for the Stax label. This time around, we enjoyed a new version from Matty T Wall, with a guest appearance from Kirk Fletcher, on Matty’s latest album ‘TransPacific Blues Vol 1’. 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 96.5fm on 10 December 2019
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 12 December 2019

Mama Boogie Woogied . . .

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

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Well, right on time the Cruise Mobile came rolling down the road with its windows down , its radio turned right up and a seat saved especially for you . . . just so we can all go Cruising with The Commissioner. We arrived in great style with UK band The Big Six and their ‘Master Blaster’, which was the opener to a Cruising adventure focused entirely on UK artists. Then, with a taste of what was to follow, we kicked off down the road with veteran of the 50s UK music scene, Wee Willie Harris and his fine version of the 1950 song, ‘Rag Mop’. With barely a pause for breath, Ricky Cool & The Hoola Boola Boys arrived with an Amos Milburn number that they recorded live at London’s famous 100 Club.

If you ever caught Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers on stage back in the 60s, then you’re sure to have seen Roy Young behind the keyboards. He had his own career too, with numbers like ‘Like My Mama Boogie Woogied ‘ and, having mentioned Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, it seems impolite not to include them on our playlist, so they turned up with their take on ‘Ain’t That Loving You Baby’. Back in the 60s, The Spencer Davis Group generated plenty of excitement on stage too, with a very young Stevie Winwood out front on songs like the Soul Sisters’ ‘I Can’t Stand It’. We kept our focus on UK artists with Shakin’ Stevens and his rocking version of Big Danny Oliver’s song, ‘Sapphire’.

This week’s Cruising Connections was also full of UK artists with songs that all had a common link. To test your little grey cells, we started our trio of tracks, with one from Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, then something from Si Cranstoun and finally, a less well known song from The Beatles. Then, Mr Merlot was on hand with rosettes and lollipops for all those who spotted that all three of our choices were songs written by Titus Turner. Without disrupting Mr Merlot’s awards ceremony, we turned our attentions to this week’s Girls & Guitars feature, which focused on legendary UK blues guitarist and singer Jo Ann Kelly. She grew up in South London and became one of the country’s leading acoustic blues performers. Indeed, such was her reputation at home and abroad that Canned Heat and Johnny Winter both tried to recruit her. Although blues was her forte, she occasionally indulged in a little soul and rock & roll and we found her doing an enthusiastic version of Brenda Lee’s ‘Sweet Nuthins’.

Master Blaster
Master Blaster– The Big Six
Rag Mop – Wee Willie Harris
Roomin’ House Boogie – Ricky Cool & The Hoola Boola Boys
Like My Mama Boogie Woogied – Roy Young
Ain’t That Loving You Baby – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
I Can’t Stand It – The Spencer Davis Group
Sapphire – Shakin’ Stevens

Cruising Connections
All Around the World – Si Cranstoun
Leave My Kitten Alone – The Beatles

Girls & Guitars
Sweet Nuthin’s – Jo Ann Kelly

Doo Wop Delights
What Do you Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For – Emile Ford & The Checkmates
Wonderful World – The Flying Pickets

Fine & Healthy
My Wife Can’t Cook – Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings
Fine & Healthy Thing – Dick Lovejoy’s Original Southside United
I Don’t Want To Be In Love – Geraint Watkins & The Dominators
Tulane – The Steve Gibbons Band
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Now, our focus on UK artists proved to be fascinating in searching for suitable numbers for this week’s Doo Wop Delights. Revisiting some of the UK vocal groups of the 50s showed that they tended to be focused on mainstream pop, and, with very few exceptions, doo wop was not a genre that thrived in the UK back then. One exception was Emile Ford, who was fronting his own band at the age of 20, as Emile Ford and the Checkmates and getting TV appearances on shows like Oh, Boy!, and Six-Five Special. They got themselves a No. 1 hit with their very first record and a great piece of doo wop it was too! We also found some great doo wop from UK group the Flying Pickets . . . so called because several of their members had actually been flying pickets in the famous UK coal miners’ strikes . . . we pulled out their great version of Sam Cooke’s ‘Wonderful World’.

The aficionados will know that back in 1962, Californian Lonnie Russ recorded a humorous, self-penned song for the Los Angeles 4J label called ‘My Wife Can’t Cook’ and amongst its many covers we found a UK version by Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings. That choice got followed by a taste of South London band, Dick Lovejoy’s Original Southside United, whose members included some of the great and the good of UK R&B musicians. From their many recordings, we chose their very fine version of Billy The Kid Emerson’s number ‘Fine & Healthy Thing’. For a while one of the band members was Geraint Watkins, who has done more than his fair share to promote real R&B in the UK, and we featured him with his own band The Dominators doing ‘I Don’t Want To Be In Love’.

As our Cruising time was running out, those with a keen sense of direction surely noticed when we turned the Cruise Mobile for home. As the familiar faces and places started coming into view, we joined the UK’s Steve Gibbons Band to take us all the way home with a first class cover of Chuck Berry’s song ‘Tulane’, which got them 8 weeks in the UK charts. Then, sadly, our Cruising adventure was all over. We parked up the Cruise Mobile, gave it a quick polish and positioned for a fast getaway the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. So, until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 10 December 2019