Freedom Starts . . . .

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 show with George Stephen Kelly and, if that one didn’t get all the way through to your rhythm receptors, then I was convinced that I had arrived just in time to save you with a timely dose of Dr Roberts Sonic Tonic. It’s special formula is recommended to fight the chronic phonic fatigue of ‘ordinary radio’ and for good measure, I brought along an armful of the ‘good stuff’ for you aural pleasure. The course of treatment continued with a number that did rather well for Wilson Pickett . . . it came from The Trammps who were getting down and funky with Ninety Nine & A Half (Won’t Do)  . . . for which I recommended you turn up the volume, close the window blinds and be ready with your best dance moves.

This week, our Under The Covers feature brought a trio of tracks by blues/soul singer Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, who would have been celebrating his birthday this past week, which I thought was a good reason to celebrate here with some covers of his songs. I started off with Lucky Peterson and his high powered version of Bobby Bland’s ‘Don’t Cry No More’. Then, we heard from a cover of another song made famous by Bobby Bland which has inspired plenty of very worthy covers (and a few that were not), but with just a hint of pop about it, we heard Cher’s version of ‘I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me)’. Finally, to round off our three covers, there was one from the great ZZ Hill, ‘Ain’t Nothing You Can Do’.

Step Up
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You – George Stephen Kelly
Ninety Nine & A Half (Won’t Do) – The Trammps
Step Up – Tower of Power
How Long – Bobby Womack
Satisfy My Soul – Paul Carrack
Rise Above – Tomar & The FCs

Under The Covers
Don’t Cry No More – Lucky Peterson
I Wouldn’t Treat a Dog (The Way You Treated Me) – Cher
Ain’t Nothing You Can Do – Z.Z. Hill

Sit Tight
High Blood Pressure – Huey Piano Smith
Louisiana Strut – J & B Kings
Nobody Love Me Like My Baby – Jimmy Gilford
Don’t Believe A Word – Robert Haglund
Now That The Magic Has Gone – Lulu & Joe Cocker
Sit Tight – Chris Corcoran

Fancy Free
Freedom Starts – Stone Foundation
Tell Mama – Miss Hoodoo and the Delta Boys
Waldrop Street – Carl & The Road Dawgs
Fancy Free – Mary Wells
Every Little Thing Hurts – Alicia Keys

Girls & Guitars
Who Do You Think You Are – Sass Jordan

It’s Gonna Be Alright
Every Night – Paul McCartney
It’s Gonna Be Alright – Maysa
A Sunday Kinda Love – Etta James
Tonight – Candace Woodson
Hotel California – Eve St Jones
Hello My Old Friend – Zoe Schwarz
I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Erato
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

For our Girls & Guitars feature, I chose to revisit British born, now Canadian, rock singer songwriter and guitarist, Sass Jordan. When you hear her, you may not be surprised to know that she’s played the role of Janis Joplin in the New York show called ‘Love, Janis’. Now, I found three albums by her and I listened to all three albums before choosing,  ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ from her 1992 album ‘Racine’.

Far too soon, singing duo Erato brought us to the end of this week’s show, but before leaving, I had just enough time to say a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and leave you, ever hopefully that we’ll here again, same time, same place next week to go Through To Midnight. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 29 January 2020

Made Up My Mind . . . .

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

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Well, January has brought plenty of new blues releases and they keep coming . . . so I’m not complaining! There were plenty for this week’s playlist, plus some previews from the likes of Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher, The Allman Brothers and more. Along the way, I found a superb album for this week’s ‘album of the week’ from veteran bluesman Lazy Lester.
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For our guest spot, Arfa Pinetop brought back a few memories of the celebrated Bishopstock Festivals, down in Devon. He proudly presented one of the festival tee-shirts with its roll of honour of the artists appearing there. Among them was ace guitarist, Michael Messer and he was the focus of this week’s Pinetop’s Pick. Our Back In 5 feature, dutifully went back to find what blues was on my playlist this week five years ago. It brought some great slide guitar from Elmore James with one of the tracks he cut in 1960, ‘I Can’t Hold Out’.

Good Gravy
Red Hot Gal – The Mick Fleetwood Band (Live At The Belly Up – 2016)
Eyesight To The Blind – Aerosmith (Honking On BoBo – 2004)
I Made Up My Mind – Lazy Lester (Yes, Indeed – 2020)
Please Don’t Go – The Blues Cousins (Let’s Dance – 2020)
Leavin’ Trunk – Sass Jordan (Rebel Moon Blues – 2020)

Back In Five
I Can’t Hold Out – Elmore James (Chicago Blues: The Absolutely Essential Collection – 2012)

Trouble No More
Trouble No More – The Allman Brothers Band (Trouble No More  – 2020)
Good Gravy – Rottn Dan and Lightnin Willy (Rottn Dan and Lightnin Willy – 2020)
Rattlesnake Around My Neck – The Headhunters Blues Band (Back From The Delta – 2019)

Pinetop’s Pick
Brownsville Blues – Michael Messer (Moonbeat – 2015)

Still Got The Blues
Tell Me – Lazy Lester (Yes, Indeed – 2020)
I Need You So Bad – Shoji Naito (Westmont To Chicago: A Tribute To Eddie Clearwater – 2020)
Tavo’s Stomp – Nasta Super (Jammin’ with Lurrie Bell – 2020)
Left For Dead – Troy Redfern (This Raging Heart – 2020)
Still Got The Blues – Gary Moore (Live from London – 2020)
Angels All Around – Michele D’Amour & The Love Dealers (Ante Up – 2020)
One More Fight – Redfish (Souls – 2019)
You Don’t Have To Go – Lazy Lester (Yes, Indeed – 2020)
Let Me Your Man – Ozgur Hazar (Sad & Blue – 2020)
Got Love If You Want It – Wild Billy Childish & The Chatham Singers (Kings of The Medway Delta – 2020)

Austin Calling
You’re Not Alone – Tomar & The FCs (Heart Attack – 2016)

Back A La Maison
Don’t Cry For Me – Ben Poole (Trio  Live ’19 – 2020)
Calling Card – Rory Gallagher (Check Shirt Wizard – 2020)
Back A La Maison – Lazy Lester (Yes, Indeed – 2020)

If you happen to be in Austin, Texas this week, it seems you really ought to be getting yourself down to the city’s famous venue, Antone’s. Certainly, that’s what Texas music-man, Wendel Williams is planning to do, because one of his favourite bands, Tomar & the FCs will be there with a launch party for their latest album. Wendel says, the band do some great funky soul numbers, but I discovered they can turn their hands to some bluesy numbers too. So, for this week’s Austin Calling feature, I was encouraged to go rummaging in the blues library and came back with a rather bluesy ballad by Tomar & The FCs called ‘You’re Not Alone’ and I’m pretty sure Wendel intends to ensure they’re not!

All too soon, the clock on the wall was saying our blues time together was fast running out. So, I started collecting up the music, tidying up the studio and getting ready to head for the door. But, before I did,  I had one more choice from this week’s album of the week. This was a little instrumental, called Back A La Maison, from by Lazy Lester’s new album, ‘Yes, Indeed’. Then, it was time to say a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and here’s hoping we meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 28 January 2020
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 30 January 2020
Broadcast by Blues@Rock Radio on 2 February 2020

Where Y’At . . . .

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  – 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
Boom Boom – The Barons
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
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 28 January 2020

Turned On For Good . . . .

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

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Well, when the appointed time arrived, we were all bright eyed, enthused and raring to go! For those who didn’t recognise themselves in that description, then I may have arrived just in time, because if you were suffering the chronic phonic fatigue of ‘ordinary radio’ . . . I was on hand with a timely dose of Dr Roberts Sonic Tonic just for you. If proof were needed, we kicked off the show with a little ‘Steppin’ Out’ with Kool & The Gang and following fast with the excellent Marc Broussard . . . so everyone had my permission to turn it up loud and dance about a bit . . . and they weren’t alone.
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Now, among my many cherished memories is seeing the great Allen Toussaint here on a UK tour some years back. It happened to be his birthday this past week, so I thought his songs would be just right for this week’s Under The Covers feature. So, I enjoyed a little time listening to quite a few covers of his songs and eventually chose three, starting with one of Scotland’s superb rock singers, Frankie Miller, who was the first artist to release this Allen Toussaint song, ‘Shoo Rah Shoo Rah’ back in January 1974. Then, we heard from Little Feat with another Allen Toussaint number, ‘Play Something Sweet’, which brought us to the third of our covers, this time, from another great voice from North of the Border . . . this is Rod Stewart, who recorded another celebrated Allen Toussaint song back in 1975 along with Booker T & The MGs, ‘Holy Cow’.

Steppin’ Out
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
Steppin’ Out – Kool & The Gang
Rock Steady – Marc Broussard
Green Light – Betty Fox Band
Sweet Delicious & Marvelous – The California Raisins
Turned On For Good – The California Playboys
Crazy Girl –  The California Honeydrops

Under The Covers
Shoo Rah Shoorah – Frankie Miller
Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues) – Little Feat
Holy Cow – Rod Stewart w Booker T & The MGS

Hot Buttered Rum
Meet Me In The Corner – James Thomas Band
Ain’t No Pleasing You – Johnnie Allan
Brother Or Other – The James Hunter Six
Too Late To Turn Back Now – Alton Ellis
Hello Stranger – Yvonne Elliman
Hot Buttered Rum – The M-Tet

Sailin’ Shoes
Sailin’ Shoes – Phillip Sayce
Love Don’t Love Nobody – Rosie Flores
Hurricane – Michele D’Amour & The Love Dealers
Ridin’ Shotgun – Jess & the Bandits

Girls & Guitars
You Keep Me (Hangin’ On) – Ruthie Foster
Oh Honey – Rita Ray

On The Giglist
Heroes & Villans – Geraint Watkins

Alive
Alive – Sister Lucille
I’d Have You Any Time – George Harrison
Brightest Star – Lilly Hiatt
Neighbour – Kings & Associates
Mr Blue Sky – Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
Livin’ On A Prayer – Francine Quinn
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

This week, our Girls & Guitars feature, focused on Ruthie Foster, who hails from the small rural town of Gause inTexas, where she started out singing in her community church and drawing influence from the likes of Mavis Staples and Aretha Franklin. She cut her first album in 2002, and to date, she’s released 7 albums . . . so plenty to choose from . . . and a difficult choice. But, in the end it was a track from her album,’The Truth According To Ruthie Foster’ that got chosen . . . ‘You Keep Me (Hangin’ On)’.

Now, for this week’s On The Giglist feature, I recalled a recent fun gig featuring Geraint Watkins. He has a special place in my affections for his time leading The Balham Alligators. He’s perhaps, just a little more mellow these days, as he was on the night I caught him on stage, where he treated us to his take on the Beach Boys @Heroes & Villans’.

As time ticked away, we were soon enjoying some ‘mellow moments’ with a little treat from Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox and the welcome return of Francine Quinn. Then, we found tomorrow waiting impatiently on the doorstep, so I collected my armful of the ‘good stuff’, tidied up the studio and got ready to head out into the night . . . but not before thanks you for your good company on this week’s show and hoping to meet again the next time we go Through To Midnight. Until then . . . remember . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 22 January 2020

What Makes it Blue . . .

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

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Well, it may be dry January for some, but not for all those lovely new blues releases that I enjoy bringing you each week. So, with that in mind, it will come as no great surprise that there are plenty of new albums on the show this week. Among these was a superb album from Tinsley Ellis, ‘Ice Cream Man’, which became our album of the week. These were some excellent additions to the blues library here, including current and upcoming releases from The Blues Cousins (Let’s Dance), Robert Cray (That’s What I Heard), Rottn Dan and Lightnin Willy (Rottn Dan and Lightnin Willy), Rory Gallagher (Check Shirt Wizard), Chris Shutters with Jimmy Burns (Good Gone Bad), The Ramblin’ Preachers (Mind Your Own Business), Ozgur Hazar (Sad & Blue), Mississippi MacDonald (This Is How It Is), How Askew (Brass Neck), Tom Julian-Jones (Simple Truths), Tomislav Goluban (Memphis Light), Jo Harman (Signature Soul), James Oliver (Twang) and The James Thomas Band (The Loves Of My Life)

Now, I have to confess that I has intended to start the new year with a new feature for the show, but events conspired against me. A good friend of this show pointed out that I have been playing blues on the radio for over a decade now and went on to suggest that each week, I should go back in time to see what I had on my playlist this week five years ago. So, I decided to start it this week under the title, Back In Five. I dutifully, looked back at this week in January 2015 and found The Hoax on that week’s playlist with their take on BB King’s ‘You Upset Me’, so that’s what you got.

Anything You Want
Don’t Give Up On the Blues – Giles Robson (Don’t Give Up On the Blues – 2019)
Foolin Yourself – Tinsley Ellis (Ice Cream In Hell – 2020)
Be Mine – Blues Cousins (Let’s Dance – 2020)
Anything You Want – Robert Cray (That’s What I Heard – 2020)
Delia – Rottn Dan and Lightnin Willy (Rottn Dan and Lightnin Willy – 2020)

Back In Five
You Upset Me Baby – The Hoax (Recession Blues -2014)

You’re So Fine
Do You Read Me – Rory Gallagher (Check Shirt Wizard – 2020)
You’re So Fine – Billy Branch & The Sons Of Blues (Roots & Branch – 2019)

Pinetop’s Pick
21st Century Boogie – Paddy Milner (21st Century Boogie – 2000)

Keep You Satisfied
Keep You Satisfied – Chris Shutters with Jimmy Burns (Good Gone Bad – 2020)
Mind Your Own Business – Ramblin’ Preachers (Mind Your Own Business – 2020)
Can’t Stop Missing That – Ozgur Hazar (Sad & Blue – 2020)
Texas Hop – Pee Wee Crayton (If I Ever Get Lucky – 2000)
Ain’t No Man a Good Man – Wily Bo Walker & Danny Flam
Unlock My Heart -Tinsley Ellis (Ice Cream In Hell – 2020)
Blind Leading The Blind – Mississippi MacDonald (This Is How It Is – 2020)
What Makes it Blue – How Askew (Brass Neck – 2020)
Cold As Ice – Tom Julian-Jones (Simple Truths – 2020)

On The Giglist
Stuff You Got To Watch – Muddy Water (Chess Box – 1989)

Memphis Light
Woman Needs A Man – Tomislav Goluban (Memphis Light – 2020)
No Stroll In The Park – Tinsley Ellis (Ice Cream In Hell – 2020)

Austin Calling
Talk To Your Daughter – Robben Ford (Talk To Your Daughter – 1988)

Keep You Guessing
Keep You Guessing – Jo Harman (Signature Soul – 2020)
Clean House – James Oliver (Twang – 2020)
Hole In My Heart – Tinsley Ellis (Ice Cream In Hell – 2020)
Lana’s Got To Lose – James Thomas Band (The Loves Of My Life – 2020)

Our regular guest spot, Pinetop’s Pick focused on UK keyboard ace Paddy Milner, who was also among this week’s gig reviews. There was a warm welcome back for Texas musicman, David Isaacs, who was back for another  Austin Calling feature, this time with a story about seeing guitarist Robben Ford on stage and in good company too.

I was watching the time and very keen for you to hear from The James Thomas Band, who are a band with outstanding international credentials and some impressive stuff on their upcoming, album release titled “The Loves of My Life’. Now, the pre-release publicity focuses on several tracks on the album, but surprisingly (in my humble opinion) not on my choice . . . . the excellent ‘Lana’s Got To Lose’. It became my closer for the show, but not before thanking you for your good company on the show and hoping we’ll meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 21 January 2020
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 23 January 2020
Broadcast by Blues@Rock Radio on 26 January 2020

The Boogieman 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 21 January 2020

Steppin’ Out . . . .

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

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Well, with you here and me here, those were the essential ingredients to take us Through To Midnight . . . and to help us on our way there was The Gap Band with something to excite your rhythm receptors.  As if you needed to be assured, I turned up with plenty more of the good stuff that you won’t be hearing on ‘ordinary radio’.  I was guessing that none of those high end TV cooking shows will tell you that greasy gravy is a good thing, but when it comes music I was intent on telling you different. By way of evidence, I presented the band Greasy Gravy with an excellent number called ‘Good Thing’.

Among the new release in this week’s playlist were Whitney Shay, Thorbjorn Risager, Robert Cray, Georgia Randall, Ronnie Dunn, Devon Gilfillian, Frank Bey, The Rae Gordon Band, Val Starr & The Blues Rocket and the Steve Watts Organisation. Meanwhile, this week’s Under The Covers feature, brought us three songs of The Who, heard again through the covers of others, including songstress Yvonne Elliman with ‘I Can’t Explain’, Francine Quinn with her softer take on ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ and Californian duo Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs with ‘The Kids Are Alright’.

Good Thing
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
Steppin’ Out – The Gap Band
Good Thing – Greasy Gravy
Stand Up – Whitney Shay
Drive My Car – Black Heat
Could Anybody Else – Jimmy Radcliffe
Long After Tonight Is All Over – Natasha Gelston
Nobody But The Moon – Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado

Under The Covers
I Can’t Explain – Yvonne Elliman
Won’t Get Fooled Again – Francine Quinn
The Kids Are Alright – Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs

Anything You Want
Anything You Want – Robert Cray
Do Right – Georgia Randall
Brown Eyed Girl – Ronnie Dunn
Think About You – Sister Lucille
Get Out & Get It – Devon Gilfillian

It’s A Pleasure
Mission To The Moon – Steve Watts Organisation (ft Alice Armstrong)
Sometimes Too Much Ain’t Enough – The Excitements
It’s A Pleasure – Frank Bey
How Much Can A Small Heart Take – Rita Ray
Brand New Me – Ronnie Earl

Girls & Guitars
Fair Mistake – Jessica Gardlund

24 Hours
24 Hours – Val Starr & The Rockets
Stop Me When I’m Lying – Toronzo Cannon
I’m Confessin’ – Dr John

On The Giglist
Checkin’ Out – Cousin Joe

Doo Wop Delight
Kiss-A-Me – The Flamingos

How You Gonna
How You Gonna – The Rae Gordon Band
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word – Hannah’s Yard
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

There may have been a smile from Yvonne Erikkson over in Sweden as I confirmed that we’re getting a bit European with our Girls & Guitars feature this week and our focus  on Swedish singer and guitarist Jessica Gardlund. She hails from Stockholm and, although her catalogue of recordings is not vast, she released an album in 2010, which included my choice this week . . . ‘Fair Mistake’.  Then, there was music from my giglist, inspired by the much admired Diz Watson, who gave us a great night of rocking R&B and boogie, which happened to include a song that did rather well for Brook Benton back in the day, but  Diz pointed us to a different version of the same song by Louisiana artist Cousin Joe. So, I went digging in the archives for a copy and I struck lucky finding Cousin Joe with the song he called ‘Checking Out’. Follow up, came this week’s Doo Wop Delight, which came from Chicago vocal group The Flamingos, who had plenty of hits back in the day, but my choice was their 1959 45 ‘Kiss-A-Me’.

We got into a mellow mood with The Rae Gordon Band and Hannah’s Yard and then it was time to gather up the music, tidy up the studio and head out into the night, but (as ever) not without saying a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and ever hopeful that we’ll here again same time same place next week to go Through To Midnight. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 15 January 2020

Blues in technicolor . . .

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

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Well, here we are with only the 2nd show of 2020 and, already, it’s jammed with great new blues releases, which is real encouragement for the new year and there’s more promised for the weeks and months ahead. There were a few juicy previews in our playlist are plenty of blues festivals around to inspire a few choices for this week’s show . . . which they did!

There was a dip back in the dusty archives for some choices from Cyril Davies, Slim Harpo and KC Douglas, plus one or two choices inspired by recent local gigs. Our album of the week came from Danish bluesman, Thorbjørn Risager, with his new release ‘Come On In’, where, along with his band The Black Tornado, he brings us plenty of fresh gems to enjoy.

This week, Pinetop’s Pick celebrates a stalwart of the British blues scene Doc K’s Blues Band and recalls memories of good humour and superb music on stage. Meanwhile, from his base in Texas, David Isaacs brought us another contribution to our Austin Calling feature, with a story of the music and influences of Texas music legend, Ray Sharpe.

Anticipation
Never No More – Frank Bey (All My Dues Are Paid – 2019)
Over The Hill – Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado (Come On In – 2020)
Get Out Of Your Life – Pierce Dipner & The Shades Of Blue (Get Out Of Your Life – 2020)
Midnight Train – Voodoo Ramble (Midnight Train – 2020)
Bittersweet – Marcus Bonfanti (Shake The Walls – 2013)
Anticipation Blues – Georgia Randall (Help Wanted – 2020)
Nothing Left to Lose – Kat Pearson (My Roots – 2020)
Blues In Technicolor – Anthony Gomes (‘…Before The Beginning – 2020)

Pinetop’s Pick
I Want To Be Loved – Doc K’s Blues Band

Road Trippin’
Love So Fine – Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado (Come On In – 2020)
Life Goes On – Zoe Schwarz & Blue Commotion (Chameleon – 2020)
Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet – The Jimmys (Gotta Have It – 2019)
Country Line Special – Cyril Davies All Stars (Original Hits – 1963)
Road Trippin’ – Eleven Guys Quartet (Small Blues & Grooves – 2020)
My Babe – Billy Branch (Roots & Branches – 2019)

Last Train
Agent Of The State – Dawson Smith & The Dissenters (Agent Of The State – 2020)
By My Side – Robert J Hunter (The Robert J Hunter Band – 2018)
Woke Up This Morning – KC Douglas (Mercury Blues – 1998)
Last Train – Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado (Come On In – 2020)
Ice Cream In Hell – Tinsley Ellis (Ice Cream In Hell  – 2020)
TV Mama – James Oliver (Twang – 2020)
Got Love If You Want It – Slim Harpo (In My Heart – 2019)

Austin Calling
Alva – Ray Sharpe (Texas Boogie Blues – 1980)

I’ll Be Gone
Born Under A Bad Sign – Gregor Hilden & Richard Arndt (Moments ‘Electric’ – 2019)
I’ll Be Gone – Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado (Come On In – 2020)
Who’s Coming Down The Road – The Head Hunters Blues Band (Back From The Delta – 2019)
That’s The Way It Was Meant To Be – Bernard Allison (Blues Caravan – 2018)

Now, every once in a while I ask for a little indulgence on the show and you’ve always been most kind. Indeed, the feedback suggests that I’m still in your good books! So, this week, I was hoping you were in an indulgent mood again for an extended track that I think is well worth a listen. It was a song that Bernard Allison has been doing on stage recently and it pops up again on his new album ‘Songs From The Road’. The song is ‘That’s The Way It Was Meant To Be’ and I played out this week with a 10 minute live version that deserved to be heard in full. But, before that, there was a big thanks for joining me here for 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 14 January 2020
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 16 January 2020

That’s Where It’s At . . .

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 Mobile 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 our choice, titled “No U Turn”, seemed very appropriate for our Cruising adventure, even if we didn’t fully comply with 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 14 January 2020

Go Your Own Way . . . .

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

Part 1

Part 2

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Well, it was clear January had properly arrived when the easter eggs appeared in the shops and there were more tasty treats in store with the armful of the ‘good stuff’ that I lined up for this week’s playlist. The new year seems to have brought some early gems among the new releases and there were some excellent examples here, plus a few surprises too.

This week’s Under The Covers feature, brought three songs by the later Fleetwood Mac, heard again through the covers of others. There were plenty of contenders too, but in the end, it was tracks from Letters To Cleo, Best Coast and The Cranberries that reprised those hits.  But, before those, came an invitation to a little boogying to ‘Steppin’ Out’ with The Gap Band.

Among the new year release was a rather fine new album from Virginia’s own, Georgia Randall, who could easily have been in our Girls & Guitars spot later in the show, but she was up front on the playlist with the title track of her new album . . . . ‘Help Wanted’.

Steppin’ Out
Steppin’ Out – The Gap Band
Help Wanted – Georgia Randall
We Gave Up Too Soon – Speedometer (ft Vanessa Jamie)
What Is Life – George Harrison
My Life – Joe Jama

Under The Covers
Dreams – Letters To Cleo
Rhiannon – Best Coast
Go Your Own Way – The Cranberries

This Is The Day
Don’t Throw Your Love Away – Len Barry
I Don’t Worry About A Thing – Peter Case
What You Won’t Do For Love – Bobby Caldwell
Sweet Memories – The Betty Fox Band
This Is The Day – Mama’s Gun
Sailin’ Shoes – Little Feat

It’s A Pleasure
Celebration – The Overtones
Sometimes Too Much Ain’t Enough – The Excitements
It’s A Pleasure – Frank Bey
How Much Can A Small Heart Take – Rita Ray
Brand New Me – Ronnie Earl

Girls & Guitars
Fair Mistake – Jessica Gardlund (Jessica Gardlund – 2010)

24 Hours
24 Hours – Val Starr & The Rockets
Stop Me When I’m Lying – Toronzo Cannon
I’m Confessin’ – Dr John

On The Giglist
Checkin’ Out – Cousin Joe

Doo Wop Delight
Kiss-A-Me – The Flamingos

Sincerely
How You Gonna – The Rae Gordon Band
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word – Hannah’s Yard
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

This week there was  a bit European with our Girls & Guitars feature this week. This was because our focus this week was on Swedish singer and guitarist Jessica Gardlund. She hails from Stockholm and, although her catalogue of recordings is not vast, she released an album in 2010, which included my choice . . . . . ‘Fair Mistake’.

Among the gems I tucked it into my armful of the good stuff to round of this week’s show was Hannah’s Yard. Hannah returned to our playlist this week, just as we moved into our mellow mood. It was her most excellent take on Elton John’s song ‘Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word‘ that brought us to that moment where it was time for me to gather up the music, tidy up the studio and head out into the night, but not without saying a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and ever hopefully that we’ll here again same time same place next week to go Through To Midnight. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

 

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 8 January 2020