Try It, You’ll Like It . . .

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

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Well, if you arrived to go through to go Through To Midnight without your dancing shoes, then you were improperly dressed for the occasion. But, don’t fret, there’s always a warm welcome for friendly faces and the insiders know it’s the only place you’ll get a dose of Dr Roberts Sonic tonic. So, what other reason do you need share the ‘good stuff’ that you won’t find on ‘ordinary radio’!

Those keeping an eye on the gig guides, will know we’re due a visit from Carlos Santana soon . . .  which is all the encouragement I needed to feature the songs of Santana in this week’s Under The Cover feature. So, I pulled out three covers by others which just might be a timely test for your hips and feet, starting with a band called Sedatephobia and included Sitti and Amanda Yang.

To get you in the mood, I kicked of with The West Street Mob and ‘Got To Give It Up’ . . . take a listen . . .

Try It, You’ll Like It
J&B – Brian Auger & Jeff Golub
Got To Give It Up – West Street Mob
Cool Jerk – The Coasters
Try It, You’ll Like It – Marvin Gaye
Shine On – The Phantom Blues Band
Hard Knocks – Marc Broussard
A Little Bit Of Love – Joe Cocker

Under The Covers 
Let The Children Play – Sedatephobia
Smooth – Sitti
The Game Of Love – Amanda Yang

The In Crowd
The In Crowd – Marshall Crenshaw
In The Meantime – Georgie Fame & The Blueflames
I Can Change You Mind – The James Hunter Six
Girls Just Wan t To Have Fun – The Reggisters
Mercedes Benz – Robin McKelle
A Fool Like Me – Delbert McClinton
O Caminho Do Bem – Tim Maia

Have Some Fun
Keep The Faith, Have Some Fun – The Reverend Shawn Amos & The Brotherhood
Old Brown Shoe – Dan I
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – The Beatles
Back Home – Papa Grows Funk
One Of Those People – The California Honeydrops

Girls & Guitars
Eugene – Anni Piper

Who’s That Lady
A Little Less Lonely – Robert Cray
The Whole Enchilada – Keb Mo
Who’s That Lady – Funky Grooves

On The Giglist
Time Away – Mark Kingswood

On The Dock Of The Bay
I’m Your Puppet – Dionne Warwick
Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay – The Staple Singers
God Bless The Child – James Taylor
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

This week, our Girls & Guitars spotlight fell on Australian singer and guitarist Anni Piper. She began playing electric guitar at 12 years old and says she was drawn to the blues in her early school days, when she heard The Paul Butterfield Blues Band playing their signature song ‘Born in Chicago’. Her later performances and her debut album in 2004 home helped her secure her career and got her an American record deal. She’s been doing well since and by way of evidence, I pulled out a favourite track from her recent album ‘More Guitars Than Friends’ . . . ‘Eugene’.

One of the surprises that came my way this past week was a show that got the Lovely Dee quite excited. It was the London gig by Mark Kingswood and he certainly got a great reception from the crowd. Remarkably, it one of those rare occasions when those singing along, were actually in tune. So, perhaps, not surprisingly, Mark was the focus of this week’s On The Giglist with a little swinger from Mark’s album ‘Strong’ . . . ‘Time Away’.

Dionne Warwick, The Staple Singers and James Taylor brought us gently to that point in our time together, where we had to say our sad farewells for this week. Tomorrow was already on the doorstep and eager to take us who knows where, so I went collecting up the music, tidying up the studio and getting ready to head out into the night. But, not before saying a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and ever hopefully 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 26 February 2020

Nothing But The Blues . . .

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

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Well, the blues festival season is coming, so lots of new releases to review this week from The Reverend Shawn Amos,  The Soul Fixers, Mary Jo Curry, The Phantom Blues Band, Johnny Rawls and more, including our album of the week from bluesman Robert Cray. There were also sneak previews of upcoming releases by Donald Kinsey, Layla Zoe, Shawn Amos, Sass Jordan and local band The Soul Fixers.

Now, there was some sad news this past week about the passing of Henry Gray, so in this week’s Back In Five, I looked back to find Shannon Curfman on the playlist for my show this week, five years ago. It was a choice from Shannon’s 1999 debut album ‘Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions’ which she recorded when she was just 14 years old. Meanwhile, Pinetop’s Pick brought us  a memory of Peter Green on live on stage at the much missed Bishopstock Festival. Keeping that live feel, the choice came from Peter’s album ‘Soho Live at Ronnie Scott’s’.

Hot
I’ll Be Back Someday – The Nimmo Brothers (Coming Your Way – 2001)
27 Dollars – The Reverend Shawn Amos & The Brotherhood (Blue Sky – 2020)
Never Met A Man Like You – Layla Zoe (Radio Edit) (Retrospective Tour 2019)
Still Got The Blues – Sass Jordan (Rebel Moon Blues – 2020)
Hot – Robert Cray (That’s What I Heard – 2020)

Back In Five
Love Me Like That – Shannon Curfman (Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions – 1999)

Watch Your Step
Watch Your Step – Santana (Havana Moon – 1983)
I Won’t Forget About You – The Soul Fixers (Live in London – 2020)

Pinetop’s Pick
Look On Yonder Wall – Peter Green’s Splinter Group ( Soho Live at Ronnie Scott’s – 2001)

Anything You Want
Buyer Beware – Popa Chubby (It’s A Mighty Hard Road – 2020)
Who’s Been Knocking – Donald Kinsey (Bloody Tears – 2020)
Tore Down – The King Brothers (Get Up & Shake It – 2016)
Anything You Want – Robert Cray (That’s What I Heard – 2020)
Mannish Boy – Paul Butterfield (The Legendary Paul Butterfield Rides Again – 2020)
Turn It Loose – Mary Jo Curry (Front Porch – 2020)
Blues How They Linger – The Phantom Blues Band (Still Cookin’ – 2020)
Boogie Woogie Ball – Henry Gray (The Blues Won’t Let Me Take My Rest – 2015)

On The Giglist
Red Stripe Boogie – Red Stripe Band (You Got What You Asked For – 2006)

One Night
Stormy Monday – Johnny Rawls (Live in Europe – 2020)
Spend One Night With Me – T Bone Walker (Back on the Scene: Texas, 1966 – 2020)

Austin Calling
Nothing But The Blues- Johnnie Taylor (Crazy ‘Bout You – 1989)

Don’t Go
In Trouble – Susan Santos (In Trouble – 2017)
The Days, The Nights – Paddy Milner (21st Century Boogie – 2000)
Don’t Deceive Me (Please Don’t Go ) – James Brown (Messin’ With The Blues –
1990)

Well, if you’re a devotee of boogie, then you then this week’s On The Giglist brought a memory of  the London gig this past week by The Red Stripe Band. They were letting loose with plenty of rocking boogie and some ‘real’ R&B, which included their number ‘Red Stripe Boogie’. Then, this week’s Austin Calling came from Texas music man, David Isaacs,  who was back with a story of playing a local gig some years ago with a short lived band called The Moonlighters. After the first set David got a compliment from local celebrity soul singer and record producer, Bobby Patterson. They got into conversation during which Bobby introduced the fellow standing next to him at the bar . . .  the great Johnnie Taylor! So, to go with that memory Johnnie Taylor was on the playlist with  the suitably titled, ‘Nothing But The Blues’.

Far too soon, the sands of time ran out for this weeks blues time together, but before I collected up the music and tidied up the studio there was a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show . . . . and until the next time The Blues Come Calling . . . remember . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 25 February 2020
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 27 February 2020
Broadcast by Blues @ Rock Radio on 1 March 2020

Play This Song . . . .

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

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For those who arrived with a furrowed brow, we suggested casting your cares to the four winds and jumping aboard the Cruise Mobile to go Cruising with The Commissioner and to get us in the mood, we arrived with long lost favourite from Billy Bizarre and his take on ‘The House Of the Rising Sun’. Then with some squeals from the wheels, we were heading on down the road with Swedish band Gumbo on the radio and a little taste of New Orleans. Mr Merlot raised a quizzical eyebrow when he heard the title of Varetta Dillard’s number ‘Leave A Happy Fool Alone’, so we thought it best to be careful where we were looking while she’s was singing that one!

If you ever came across a 1957 Cameo 45 called ‘Do The Dickey Doo’ by The Mike Pedicin Quintet then you won’t be alone in discovering their fine take on ‘Shake A Hand’ on the flip side. In hot pursuit came Connecticut vocal group The Nutmegs with their 1957 Herald single ‘Betty Lou’, which barely troubled the charts back then, which was another stroke of bad luck for the group, because although their earlier release in 1955 ‘Story Untold’ started doing well for them in the charts, they lost out to all white group, The Crew Cuts, with their cover version of the song. There was another group that had a long run of success in the charts . . . The Coasters . . . with the distinctive voices of Bobby Nunn and Carl Gardner can be heard on one of their lesser known numbers ‘(When She Wants Good Lovin’) My Baby Comes To Me’.

We gave a warning that this week’s Cruising Connections, would be a big test for your little grey cells, but we know you like a challenge. So, kicked off with a Memphis Curtis penned song recorded by a 10 year old George Benson back in June of 1954 and followed that with a song we know well by the McCoys, but this time from Motown’s Supremes. Our final clue came from The Crickets, with a famous Sonny Curtis song that was first recorded by the Crickets in 1959. Then we revealed that the thing they share in common is that they all recorded versions of an even more famous song, which we played by the Reverend Al Green.

Shake A Hand
The House Of the Rising Sun – Billy Bizarre
Play This Song Mr DJ – Gumbo
Leave A Happy Fool Alone – Varetta Dillard
Shake A Hand – The Mike Pedicin Quintet
Betty Lou – The Nutmegs
(When She Wants Good Lovin’) My Baby Comes To Me – The Coasters

Cruising Connections
It Should’ve Been Me – George Benson
Hang On Sloopy – The Supremes
I Fought The Law – The Crickets
I Want To Hold Your Hand – Al Green

Girls & Guitars
Heavy Heart – Joanne Shaw Taylor

Doo Wop Delights
Morse Code Of Love – The Capris
She Said (Oom Dooby Doom) – The Diamonds

Let’s Be Friends
Caribbean Moon – Kevin Ayers
She Got Low Down – Huey Piano Smith & The Clowns
Let’s Be Friends – Ray Scott
Shirley Jean – Gene Burks
Leave My Woman Alone – The Beatles

For our Girls & Guitars feature this, we travelled to the town of Wednesbury, which may not have been indelibly marked on the map of great UK musical talents, until it became the home of guitarist and singer Joanne Shaw Taylor. She’s a quite remarkable talent both on record and on stage, with 6 albums to her credit, to date, and another due soon. But, to show off her talents, we went back to a track from her 2009 album ‘White Sugar’ . . . ‘Heavy Heart’.

Now, this week’s Doo Wop Delights caught up with 50s vocal group The Capris. They were Italian Americans from Queens in New York, who cut their first record for Planet Records in 1958. It didn’t do much chart-wise, but went on to become a national hit, when it was re-issued in 1961. They carried on recording and performing through the 60s and eventually got into the Billboard Hot 100 with our choice, ‘The Morse Code of Love’. The, with a wry smile, we heard from Canadian vocal group The Diamonds, with a 1959 Mercury 45 of theirs that was the first successful song written by singer/songwriter Barry Mann . . . . and if you take a look on youtube, you’ll find a couple of videos of The Diamonds singing that on TV . . . and it certainly made Jamie Dell’Apa smile!

Then, we conjured up lazy days in the sun and warm evening breezes on a Caribbean shore with Kevin Ayers and it goes out to Cruising crew member, Dean, ever hopeful that it will make him smile too.

With a nod of thanks to the much esteemed Neil Pellegrin we dug out one of those lesser well known tracks from Huey Piano Smith & The Clowns and, there was an equally vigorous nod to our good pal Brother Jono for turning us onto the excellent Ray Scott, who turned up with an invitation that’s since been much devalued by social media . . . ‘Let’s Be Friends’. New Yorker Gene Burks was following fast with his 1967 little dancer ‘Shirley Jean’. Then, much to the disappointment of The Cruisettes, we had to turn the Cruise Mobile for home, and taking us all the way back to Cruise Control was something from ‘the fabs’ to help restore diplomatic relations with our Ambassador to The Islands! So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 25 February 2020

Let’s Celebrate . . . .

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

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Well, as part of our fitness regime, your name was on the VIP list to join me for some uninhibited rhythmic footwork, with the option of manic arm waving and head nodding. Now, if you were moved to cry out in disbelief “all this and music too”, then you’re just my kind of person and very welcome to go Through To Midnight. Of course, there was plenty more in store to keep your spirits up and, for good measure, I turned up with an armful of the ‘good stuff’ that you won’t hear on ‘ordinary radio’.

This week, our Under the Covers feature, focused on the songs of Southern soulman Tony Joe White, whose songs have often been more successful for other artists than himself, but I never heard him complain about that. Among the ‘covers of others’, we heard his songs by Dusty Springfield, John Mayall and Tina Turner.

We kicked off the proceedings with something to excite your rhythm receptors by Osibisa, followed by a memory of last week’s Under The Covers songs of UK rock band Free. This time around it was J.A. Sornes with ‘A Little Bit Of Love’ . . .  but not as we know it . . . !

I’m On My Way
Pata Pata – Osibisa
A Little Bit Of Love – J.A. Sornes
Let’s Celebrate Our Love – Tower Of Power
I’m On My Way To A Better Place – Chairmen Of The Board
Ain’t Love Wonderful – The Fantastic Four
Move Something – Grady Champion
Some Peace Of Mind – Van Morrison & Bobby Womack

Under The Covers
Willie & Laura Mae Jones – Dusty Springfield
Undercover Agent for the Blues – John Mayall
Steamy Windows – Tina Turner

Let’s Go Get Stoned
Walk Through Fire – Keb Mo
Stayin’ Alive – Electro Deluxe
Crazy Love – Albert Cummings
Beast Of Burden – Johnny Rawls
Iko Iko – Dr John
Happy Man – Diz & the Doormen
Ain’t No Lady – Sister Suzie
Shake Shake Baby – Tim Penn & The Second Line
Man Smart & Women Smarter – Geraint Watkins & The Dominators

On The Giglist
Tired Of Wasting My Time – Connor Selby

The Way You Are
Let’s Go Get Stoned – Ray Charles
Just The Way You Are – José James
Last To Know – Shane Harbin Faber

Girls & Guitars
I’m In Love – Lisa Mills

No Matter What
No Matter What – Marc Cohn (ft Aimee Mann)
You’re No Good – Linda Ronstadt

Doo Wop Dellight
Sincerely – The Moonglows

All Over Again
Starting All Over Again – Bobby Blue Bland
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

This week there was someone On The Giglist who made a real impression. This was singer, songwriter guitarist and band leader Connor Selby who was making plenty of new fans on the night I saw him, and getting some enthusiastic encouragement from the rest of the crowd. So, I thought I’d put him on the playlist with one of his more mellow songs . . . ‘Tired Of Wasting My Time’.

Just as some might have thought I’d forgotten this week’s Girls & Guitars feature, I turned the spotlight on Mississippi native and now Alabama resident Lisa Mills. She’s a busy singer and guitarist these days and happens to have a new single out on release now . . . . it’s her interpretation of a song that did rather well for Wilson Pickett . . . . ‘I’m In Love’.

The over due return of our Doo Wop Delight  came with a very good reason. Word reached me this week that regular listener, Julie Armstrong, had been particularly taken with my play out theme . . . .Johnny Jenkins instrumental version of the old doo wop hit ‘Sincerely’. So, it brought an opportunity to ingratiate myself by playing the original by The Moonglows . . . and if that didn’t soothe you and smooth you and make you relax, then I was counting on my last choice to finish the job! Then, it was all over, except to collect up the music, tidy up the studio and get ready to head out into the night. But, not before saying a big thanks for your good company on the show and hoping 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 19 February 2020

Blues Is Alright . . . .

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

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Well, it was a bumper week for new blues releases this week on The Blues Come Calling, with newies from Popa Chubby, Albert Cummings, Mick Clarke, Gary Moore, Jimmy Burns and more, plus some tasty previews of upcoming albums from Anthony Gomes, Sass Jordan and Sari Schorr. Sari Schorr’s new release ‘Live In Europe’ was also our ‘album of the week’ and proved to be a most worthy choice too.

Our Back In Five feature took us back to see what was on my playlist five years ago. This time around, it proved to be a dip into the scratchy blues bag, which pulled out something by blues harp player, Little Sam Davis. Back then, I chose one of the four sides he cut for Henry Stone’s Rockin’ label in 1952, with Earl Hooker on guitar . . . ‘Goin’ To New Orleans’. Then, our regular guest Arfa Pinetop was back with another choice inspired by finding an old tee-shirt from one of those famous Bishopstock festivals, way back when. This time, he featured headliner Van Morrison, who turned up with Them as Pinetop’s Pick.

There’s a local gig review, featuring the excellent Connor Selby Band. They were playing to a packed house and showing off some their impressive musicianship on some blues numbers and more. But, kicking off the show in fine style was Peter Green up front on a rocking piece of blues from Fleetwood Mac. It was a reminder of the all star tribute to Peter Green and his music this week . . . . and I’ll say no more, just in case you missed out on getting tickets.

Blues Is Alright
Lazy Poker Blues – Fleetwood Mac (Mr Wonderful – 1968)
Don’t You Call My Name – Sari Schorr (Live In Europe – 2020)
Blues Is Alright – Gary Moore (Live From London – 2020)
Bulldoze Blues – Liam Ward & Malcolm Thorne (You are My Medicine – 2020)
Big Mama – Buddy Miles (Blues Berries – 2002)

Back In Five
Goin’ To New Orleans – Little Sam Davis (Underground Blues Essentials – 2009)

Believe
My Babe – Albert Cummings (Believe – 2020)
Empty Promises – Michael Burks (Iron Man – 2009)

Pinetop’s Pick
Baby Please Don’t Go – Them (Complete Them – 2015)

Don’t Ask Me
Everyday I Have The Blues – Jimmy Burns (The Chicago Sessions – 2020)
Mean Old World – Johnny Fuller (Johnny Fuller’s California Blues – Mercy, Mercy!! 1954-1962 – 2020)
Don’t Ask Me – Sonny Landreth (Blacktop Run – 2020)
Black Betty – Sari Schorr (Live in Europe – 2020)
Can’t Stop Missing You – Özgür Hazar (Sad And Blue – 2020)

It’s A Hard Road
It Ain’t Nothing – Popa Chubby (It’s A Hard Road – 2020)
I’m Just Your Fool – The Phantom Blues Band (Still Cookin’ – 2020)
I Ain’t Lyin’ – Bai Kamara Jr & The Voodoo Sniffers (Salome – 2020)
Let Me Sing My Blues – Avey Grouws Band (The Devil May Care – 2020)
New Revolution – Sari Schorr (Live in Europe – 2020)
Am I Wrong – Sass Jordan (Rebel Moon Blues – 2020)

On The Giglist
You Hurt Me – Connor Selby (Made up My Mind – 2019)

Sing My Blues
New Revolution – Sari Schorr (Live in Europe – 2020)
Let Me Sing My Blues – Avey Grouws Band (The Devil May Care – 2020)
Am I Wrong – Sass Jordan (Rebel Moon Blues – 2020)

Austin Calling
Let Me Love You – Blues In the Night (Live at Bruno’s Soul Club – 2019)

Cut Loose
Viola Lee – King Biscuit Boys (Organic & Natural – 2020)
When The Right Woman Does You Wrong – Anthony Gomes (Live – 2020)
Walkin’ By Myself – Mick Clarke (Cut Loose – The Collection – 2020)
Ain’t Got No Money – Sari Schorr (Live in Europe – 2020)

There’s plenty of ‘good stuff’ on the playlist, including our Austin Calling feature with something from my good pal Wendel Williams. He was in Austin and delivering a great live performance with his band ‘Blues In the Night’.

Inevitably, the sands of time started running out while we were still having fun, so I played out with the last choice from our album of the week by Sari Schorr and while it was playing I collected up the music, tidied up the studio and got ready to head on out. 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 18 February 2020
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 20 February 2020
Broadcast by Blues @ Rock Radio on 23 February 2020

Doctor Rhythm . . . .

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

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Well, if you’ve been crying out for something different on your radio, then, you were definitely in the right place, the Cruise Mobile came rolling by this week. By good fortune we saved a seat especially for you, just so we could all go Cruising with The Commissioner. We arrived with a whole show dedicated to some of the great UK R&B artists, like our opener, The Big Town Playboys with their take on ‘The Wobble’. Then, we were heading off down the road with South London band, Dick Lovejoy’s Original Southside United, who all live on the Southside of Clapham Common and at various times included names like Geraint Watkins and Diz Watson . . . . and a great band they were too! The sounds of New Orleans rhythm and blues came back to the originators, all the way from the UK, courtesy of piano player Dom Pipkin who, as Dom & The Ikos, captures that spirit so perfectly.

Our good pal Arfa Pinetop will have been cheered by our choice from the much admired UK R&B band, Juice on The Loose, turning up with a big favourite from theirs called ‘Goin’ Home’. Another well known name from the early UK R&B scene was Long John Baldry, who came demonstrating his excellent R&B credentials with his take on a Bobby Bland number. Then we turned our attentions to a band that had Long John Baldry as a member. This was early ‘super group’, The Steam Packet, which also included Jule Driscoll, Rod Stewart and Brian Auger’s Trinity, and who were much in demand around the UK club scene.

In keeping with our theme for this week, our Cruising Connections all came from UK artists, starting with Cliff Richard & The Shadows with their 1961 take on ‘Mumblin’ Mosie’. Then came Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie & Friends withtheir take on a song we know well by Etta James. Finally, there was UK group The Tremeloes, with a rocking version of ‘Willie & The Hand Jive’. If you spotted the link between those three choices, then Mr Merlot was ready and eager to award a lollipop and rosette.
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Turn On Your Lovelight
The Wobble – Big Town Playboys
Heart To Heart – Dick Lovejoy’s Original Southside United
Smile & Get Down – Dom & The Ikos
Going Home – Juice On The Loose
Turn On Your Lovelight – Long John Baldry
Baby Baby – The Steampacket

Cruising Connections
Mumblin’ Mosie – Cliff Richard & The Shadows
Roll With Me Henry – Christine McVie & Friends
Willie & the Hand Jive – The Tremeloes

Girls & Guitars
Freight Train – Chas McDevitt & Nancy Whiskey

Doo Wop Delights
Sh-Boom – The Overtones
Sorry (I Ran All The Way) – Showaddywaddy

Just A little Bit
Hurry On Back To Love – Johnny Kidd
Just A Little Bit – The Undertakers
Doctor Rhythm – The Dave Clark Five
Slow Down – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
Further On Up The Road – Joe Cocker

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature, focused on Scottish singer and guitarist Nancy Whiskey. She learned to play the guitar as a child and while at art school in Glasgow, she started performing on the local folk club circuit. She moved to London, where she joined Chas McDevitt’s Skiffle Group and sang the lead on our choice, the group’s million selling skiffle version of Elizabeth Cotten’s song ‘Freight Train’, which went on to top the UK charts in 1957 .

Compiling this week’s Doo Wop Delights was a bit of a challenge, because the UK music scene seemed to skip doo wop. But, Mr Merlot did find a little gem by UK vocal group The Overtones . . . their version of ‘Sh-Boom’, followed by UK band Showaddywaddy, who’ve had a long career re-creating the sounds of the 50s and 60s, as they did with their version of The Impalas original ‘Sorry (I Ran All The Way)’.

We met up next with one of the famous sons of Willesden . . . Johnny Kidd, who along with the Pirates is probably known for three or four chart singles, but our choice wasn’t one of them . . . ‘Hurry On Back To Love’. Then, we heard from a Liverpudlian band who were around long before Merseybeat became a national and international phenomenon . . . The Undertakers, with their distinctive sax driven sound and vocals by Jackie Lomax, who went on to record as a solo artist for Apple records.

There was a particular vote of thanks to our good pal Johnny Alpha, for pointing us to one of his favoured numbers from The Dave Clark Five. It wasn’t one of the band’s international hits, but it does stand up well as a fine piece of rhythm and blues . . . ‘Doctor Rhythm’. Another tip of the hat, came in the direction of our good pal Jamie Dell’Apa, who reminded us of one by Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, who were one of the great R&B bands on the UK club circuit in the 60s and went on to have a few pop hits. That was equally true of Sheffield’s most famous gas-fitter, the much missed Joe Cocker and Joe brought us all the home with his take on ‘Further On Up The Road’ recorded live at The Fillmore East during his 1970 Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour. We barely had time to park up the Cruise Mobile before we were waving our goodbyes. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 18 February, 2020

Smile & Get On Down . . .

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

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Well, I arrived just in time for this week’s musical adventure and clutching an armful of the ‘good stuff’ to take us all the way Through To Midnight. As ever, I gave the customary invitation to kick back, relax and enjoy another dose of Dr Roberts Sonic Tonic. In these days of uncertainty, it comes highly recommended to protect you against the chronic phonic fatigue of ‘ordinary radio’.
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This week’s Under The Covers feature brought three songs made famous by 70s rock band Free and heard again through the covers of others. Free were only together for 4 years but they had some memorable hits and we heard some excellent covers from Ali Campbell, Quincy Conserve and Carl Dixon.

This week’s On The Giglist choice was inspired by an upcoming gig by Rosie Flores, who is in town this week. Rosie grew up in San Antonio, Texas, where her brother taught her to play guitar. She formed her first band, Penelope’s Children, while still in high school in the 70s, and started playing the local nightclub circuit. She became the Rosie in alternative country band Rosie and the Screamers and has developed a style that blends rockabilly, honky tonk, jazz, Western swing and Tex-Mex. I went back to her 2012 album release, ‘Working Girl’s Guitar’ for her inventive nod in the direction of the fabs with ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’.

Gumbo Ya Ya
Gumbo Ya Ya – Mook Loxley
It’s Party Time – Bobby Womack
Mercy Mercy Me / I Want You – Robert Palmer
Try It, You’ll Like It – Marvin Gaye
Crazy Girl – The California Honeydrops
Pouring Water on a Drowning Man – Johnny Rawls

Under The Covers
All Right Now – Ali Campbell
My Brother Jake – Quincy Conserve
Little Bit Of Love – Carl Dixon

You Do It
I Hope I See The Day – Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion
You Do It – John Papa Gros
Smile & Get On Down – Dom Pipkin & The Ikos

On The Giglist
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Rosie Flores

Turn The Radio On
Final Bow – Dr Ring Ding
Funky Gumbo – Leif De Leeuw Band
Turn The Radio On – Sari Schorr
She’s Gone – Eileen Rose
The Only One – Ashton Lane
Getting In My Way – Whitney Shay

Girls & Guitars
Beware Of The Darkness – Sheryl Crow

Don’t Give Up
Heaven Help Us All – Wet Wet Wet
Don’t Give Up On Me – Solomon Burke
Still Got The Blues – Laura Tate
Use Somebody – Lusaint
All The Young Dudes – Lisa Loeb
Songbird – Eva Cassidy
September – Blame Jones
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

I got a gentle reminder this week that, Sheryl Crow was celebrating her birthday. So, it seemed very appropriate that this week’s Girls & Guitars feature focused on her and (in our small way) celebrated her very impressive music career. She started out as a music teacher, went on to be a backing singer for many big named artists, and then made to switch to become a successful solo artist. She’s got a string of albums to her name now and I chose something from her latest, ‘Threads’ which includes a collaboration with Eric Clapton, Sting and Brandi Carlile on George Harrison’s song ‘Beware Of The Darkness’.

We got into a mellow mood with some outstanding performances from Laura Tate, Lusaint, Lisa Loeb, Eva Cassidy and Blame Jones. Then, all too soon, tomorrow was on the doorstep to remind me that our time together was fast running out. So, I was gathering up the music, tidying up the studio and getting ready to head out into the night. But, not before 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 12 February 2020

The Blues Got A Hold On You . . .

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

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Well, I came armed to the teeth with some superb new blues releases this week from names like Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, Johnny Rawls, Gary Moore,  Jimmy Burns, The King Biscuit Boys and more. There were some gig reviews with memories of some great local gigs during the past week and an album of the week from Liverpool’s hottest blues band, The Headhunters.

Our  ‘Back In Five’ feature took a look back at the blues on my radio playlist for this week, five years ago. This time around it included a collaboration between Memphis’s own Charlie Wood and Barcelona’s Mr Hurricane. It was one of the joys on an album with the most suitable title ‘Barcelona to Memphis’ and my choice back then was a number called ‘Tired Sad & Lonely’ . . . and if you were . . .  I promised you woouldn’t be after hearing this! Meanwhile, for our guest spot, Pinetop’s Pick brought us a cherished memory of the much missed Bishopstock festivals, down in the deep South of the UK, and a particular gig by bluesman, Taj Mahal.

But, I kicked off the show with a long-time favourite from Indiana blues brothers, Donald, Ralph, and Kenneth Kinsey, known collectively as The Kinsey Report. They got together in 1980s with a little encouragement from their father Big Daddy Kinsey and they turned up there with ‘Too Early To Tell’.

I’m Ready
Too Early To Tell – The Kinsey Report (Crossing Bridges – 1993)
Tattoo’d Lady – Rory Gallagher (Live – 1977)
Can’t Stop Missing You – Ozgur Hazar (Sad & Blue – 2020)
That Singing Roofer – John Blues Boyd (Through My Eyes – 2020)
Forty Days & Forty Nights – The Headhunters Blues Band (The Great Migration – 2020)
It Hurts Me Too – Tampa Red (Hokum Blues – 2019)
I’m Ready – Jimmy Burns (The Chicago Sessions – 2020)

Back In Five
Tired Sad & Lonely – Charlie Wood & The Mr Hurricane Band (Barcelona – Memphis – 2014)

Grits & Rattles
They Call Me Jo’ Buddy – Jo’ Buddy & Down Home King III (Grits & Rattles – 2006)

Pinetop’s Pick
Leavin’ Trunk – Taj Mahal (Taj Mahal – 1968)

Nice Time
Nice Time – King Biscuit Boys (Organic & Natural – 2020)
Tell The Truth – Whitney Shay (Stand Up! – 2020)
Rock Me Baby – The Headhunters Blues Band (The Great Migration – 2020)
Texas Cannonball – The Blue Berries (Buddy Miles & Rocky Athos)
The Blues Is Alright – Gary Moore (Live From London – 2020)
Stormy Monday – Johnny Rawls (Live In Europe – 2020)
Boom Boom – The Headhunters Blues Band (The Great Migration – 2020)

On The Giglist
You Go Your Way – Dave Ferra (Don’t Ever Say Goodbye – 2018)

Money Talks
Muddy Water Blues – Paul Rogers (Now & Then Live – 1997)
When The Blues Got A Hold On You – The Black and Blues Band (A Lonely Road – 2020)
Money Talks – Tas Cru (Drive On – 2020)

Austin Calling
Born Under A Bad Sign – Booker T (Note by Note – 2019)

Lookin’
Red Rooster – Albert Cummins (Believe – 2020)
Come And Get This Love – Avey Grouws Band (The Devil May Care – 2020)
Lookin’ – Mary Jo Curry Band (Front Porch – 2020)
Champagne & Reefer – The Headhunters Blues Band (The Great Migration – 2020)

Booker T popped up in our Austin Calling feature because he was on the programme this week at Austin’s famous venue, Antone’s and it brought a reminder that Booker had played behind Albert King on his hit ‘Born Under A Bad Sign’. For his latest album ‘Note By Note’, Booker revisited that number and gave it his own interpretation and that was my choice for our playlist.

All too soon, our blues time together was running out, but before it did, I managed to say a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and hope that we meet again, the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 11 February 2020
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 13 February 2020
Broadcast by Blues@Rock Radio UK on 16 February 2020

Don’t Fight It Feel It . . .

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

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We arrived right on time and with a theatrical flourish, we threw open the door of the trusty Cruise Mobile, with an invitation to jump aboard, so we can all go Cruising with The Commissioner. We came with the radio playing Billy Mure’s ‘Supersonic Rock’, after which we set about picking up speed as we headed down the road with Wynonie Harris. Following on, came Clyde McPhatter, Arnold Broussard and a mystery vocalist Vern Bennett, who only record seems to be‘Hide & Seek’ with Ben Morris & The Imperials. Then, the trusty Cruise Mobile took us across the Atlantic to meet Swedish band Gumbo, with some spicy New Orleans music.
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Our Cruising Connections this week, brought another trio of tracks with a chance to spot the common link. We started with a classic from the great soul duo James & Bobby Purify, followed by another great soul duo, Sam & Dave, and finally a much cherished duo, this time, The Sim Twins. There were all linked to song written by Sam Cooke , so it seemed appropriate to play Sam’s version of that song, as you’ll hear.

For this week’s Girls & Guitars feature, we focused on Serbian guitarist and singer, Ana Popovic. She was born in Belgrade, where she started playing the guitar when she was fifteen. In 1995, she formed her own band and started building a reputation across Europe. Then in 1999, she went to Memphis to record the first of 9 solo albums including our choice . . . her 2016 ‘Triogy’ album which is where we found Ana’s take on that great Tom Waites song ‘New Coat Of Paint’.

Supersonic Rock
Supersonic Rock – Billy Mure
Destination Love – Wynonie Harris
Deep Sea Ball – Clyde McPhatter
Has Anyone Here Seen Spider – Arnold Broussard
Hide & Seek – Vern Bennett with Ben Morris & The Imperials
Cajun Queen – Gumbo

Cruising Connections
I Take What I Want – James & Bobby Purify
You Don’t Know What You Mean To Me – Sam & Dave
Don’t Fight It Feel It – The Sims Twins
Soothe Me – Sam Cooke

Girls & Guitars
New Coat Of Paint – Ana Popovic

Doo Wop Delights
Tell Me Why – Norman Fox and the Rob-Roys
Who Took My Girl – The Greats

Born To Run
Born To Run – Big Daddy
Somebody Help Me – Jackie Edwards
The Liquidator – Harry J’s Allstars
Throw Me Something Mister – Buckwheat Zydeco
Do The Rock And Roll – Fox Hall

This week’s Doo Wop Delights included an old favourite from Norman Fox & The Rob Roy, who were a New York doo wop group formed in 1956. They got signed to the Backbeat label in 1957 and released three singles on the label. We featured one of their popular sides for Back Beat Records, their 1957 release ‘Tell Me Why’. Then, we found something by a group called The Greats called ‘Who Took My Girl’, which is about all we know about them . . . . so if you know more, do tell. Before we switched genres, we found an example of how doo wop is still thriving many decades later, courtesy of bands like California’s Big Daddy as they steal Mr Springsteen’s clothes.

Now, many will know the song ‘Somebody Help Me’ as an international hit for The Spencer Davis Group, but if you were ever curious about what the original sounded like, then we set out to satisfy your curiosity with songwriter, Jackie Edwards’ original recording. Another popular number from the 60s came to mind after a prompt at a recent gig by Ricky Cool & The In Crowd. They did a first class version of ‘The Liquidator’ and we dug out the original from Harry J’s Allstars.

Now, down in New Orleans the preparations for Mardi Gras have started and Buckwheat Zydeco turned up on our playlist with a recent something to make sure everyone is ready. Then, from the current, we headed back to 1958 to join Fox Hall for his invite to ‘do the rock and roll’, by which time the trusty Cruise Mobile had brought us home safe and sound from our cruise and just in time to park up and give it a quick polish, so it’s all ready for the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 11 February 2020

Let’s Work Together . . . .

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

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Well, with plenty of enthusiasm, we kicked off the show this week with something from the early days of The Style Council, featuring Paul Weller . . . which I was reliably informed would bring a smile to a particular face out there in listening land and generate a little enthusiasm through the halls of Armstrong Towers. Of course, it was tricky to confirm this across the airwaves, but I had high expectations.

This week’s ‘Under The Covers‘ feature brought three songs by 70s glam rock band, The Sweet, who had a string of chart hits back in the 70s and I had some fun choosing three covers, starting with a little rockabilly flavoured tribute from German band Sandy & The Wild Wombats. Then we heard from a band called The Yellowcoats, followed by Illinois based solo artist Istvan, who, through the wonders of modern technology, recorded as Istvan & His Imaginary Band.

After a little touch of zydeco from the latest album by Michele D’Amour & The Love Dealers, we headed from Louisiana to Texas now for a upcoming treat on this week’s On The Giglist. It was inspired by the prospect of heading off with some friendly faces for a night of great Tex Mex music, courtesy of celebrated UK band, Los Pacaminos, and in anticipation, I brought a little taster of the treats in store with the band’s take on an old Tex Mex favourite of theirs ‘My My My’.

Too Funky In Here
Heavens Above – The Style Council
Somebody’s Been Sleeping In My Bed – 100 Proof Aged In Soul
It’s Too Funky In Here – James Brown
Yield Not To Temptation – Marcia Ball, Irma Thomas & Tracy Nelson
Free Consciousness – Sayed Sabrina

Under The Covers
Ballroom Blitz – Sandy & The Wild Wombats
Wig Wam Bam – The Yellowcoats
Little Willie – Istvan & His Imaginary Band

Fine Time
Tempted – Paul Carrack
Someone You Never Got To Know – Whitney Shay
Save Me – Tas Cru (Drive On)
Live Learn – The California Honeydrops
Fine Time – Tomar & The FCs
Grand Central – Jeff Golub
Tune Up – Junior Walker & the Allstars
Let’s Work Together – Ryan Perry, Whitney Shay & Jerimiah
Hurricane – Michele D’Amour & The Love Dealers

On The Giglist
My My My – Los Pacaminos

Just Like Yesterday
It Get’s Me Blue – Frankie Miller & Paul Carrack
Just Like Yesterday – Joe Simon

Girls & Guitars
Do Right – Georgia Randall

Yes, We Can
I Saw The Light – Quincy Conserve
Jumping Jack Flash – Ananda Shankar
Feel So Good – The Betty Fox Band
Yes, We Can – Marc Broussard
All Along The Watchtower – Kim McKenzie
Rhiannon – Chantel McGregor
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Blame Jones
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

This week’s Girl & Guitars feature put its spotlight on Virginia’s own, Georgia Randall, who’s no stranger to our playlists and it so happens that she’s got a new album out . . . so a good excuse to hear from her again. Georgia started out singing in her local church at the age of five and in her teens, while in high school, she began singing professionally with local bands. She’s since  traveled all over America fronting her own band and her latest album, ‘Help Wanted’, shows off a blend of blues, soul, and rock. It’s her third album and includes her self-penned song . . . . ‘Do Right’.

As the sands of time got close to running out for this week’s show, we got into a really mellow mood with a couple lovely late night treatments of huge hits of the past. Chantel McGregor brought us a reminder that this week back in 1977 Fleetwood released their classic album ‘Rumours’, which included the song, ‘Rhiannon’, which Chantel delivered in a truly delightful, stripped down style. Then, Blame Jones helped bring things to a close with her treatment of ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’. There was just time to wave a fond farewell and thank you for your good company on this week’s show, ever hopeful 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 5 February 2020