Midnight Mover . . .

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

Well, the official end of ‘summer time’ might have been another damper on the days . . . . but not the nights, because I was back in the studio with an armful of the ‘good stuff’ to ensure Through To Midnight remains the highlight of the twilight. The mix for this week’s dose of Dr Roberts Sonic Tonic had some treasures from my ‘deep digging’ in those dusty boxes, a few new releases and a dedication or two for the faithful out there in listening land.

Now, among those who got in touch this week was the lovely Yvonne Eriksson, who is one of those with finely tunes ears for the good stuff. This week she was getting enthused about the upcoming new album from George Benson. The album’s called ‘Weekend in London’ and features his concert last year at London’s Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and I brought along a little taster.

Now, a few years back, knowing I had a thing for London culture, a good work pal of mine bought me a book of cockney rhyming slang, which is still within easy reach even now. So, I was reaching for it this week, because among the new releases, I found ‘The Romford Rap’ from the wonderful Chas & Dave. It became my On The Giglist feature and came with a dedication to regular listener, Paul, or as he likes to know down at workingman’s club, Lord Roundwood.

In The Midnight Hour
Let The Music Take Me – Patrice Rushen
I Like Your Shoes – Chris Daniels & The Kings
In The Midnight Hour – Herbie Fabulus
Midnight Mover – Wilson Pickett
Wild & Lonely – Melissa Etheridge
Singing A New Song – Bonita & The Blues Shacks
Living In The Past – Jethro Tull
Mercy Mercy – Phoebe Snow
Blame It On Me – Boukou Groove
Turn Your Love Around – George Benson
Brown Eyed Girl – Reel Big Fish

On The Giglist
Romford Rap – Chas & Dave

It’s Growing
Turn Me Loose – Lloyd Jones
It’s Growing – The Upsetters
Louisiana – Marcia Ball & Doyle Bramhall
Goin’ To New Orleans – Luke Winslow-King
Tupelo Honey – Van Morrison

Getaway
Getaway – The Brand New Heavies
This Is How A Heart Breaks – Joe McBride
We Were Beautiful – Rob Thomas
Why Not Try Me Tonight – Frankie Miller & Sara Beth
Jockey Full Of Bourbon – Whitney Ross Barrett
Goodbye To The Rain – The Kate Lush Band
Shine – Tullie Brae

Girls & Guitars
My Love – Diana Rein

Do Nothing
Everyday People – The Kentucky Headhunters
You Send Me – Hiram Bullock
Under My Thumb – Shemekia Copeland
Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me – Dr John
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature had its spotlight turned on Diana Rein, who turned up on the playlist with her song ‘My Love’. There was a small indulgence too for me and Texas music man, David Isaacs, with a choice from the most excellent Hiram Bullock. He’s renowned for his guitarwork and he gave us some oh so smooth vocals too, with his take on that Sam Cooke favourite, ‘You Send Me’.

Before we went our separate ways, I was keen to include something from the latest album by Shemekia Copeland ‘Uncivil War’. Among the tracks on the album was a song that surely had a certain familiarity about it, ‘Under My Thumb’. Then, with tomorrow almost on the doorstep, I was wondering when we would all be back here together again, so my last choice seemed most appropriate . . . the great Dr John with ‘Do Nothing ‘Til You Hear From Me’. But, there was just enough time to say a big thanks for your very good company during this week’s show and hope that there were sufficient delights and surprises to make it a thoroughly enjoyable journey Through To Midnight. So, until the next time, whenever that may be, remember . . . keep safe . . . keep well . . . and have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 28 October 2020
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 2 November 2020

Tail Shaker . . .

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

Well the clocks may have changed, but I was making sure I was on time (as ever) with the best of the blues for this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling. I arrived clutching plenty of new releases from Mojo Morganfield, The Dusty Wright Band, Grainne Duffy, Peter Veteska, Fried Okra, The Tanya Piché Blues Band and more, plus my ‘album of the week’ from Joe Bonamassa. There were a few select moments and stories to mark Black History Month and an unreleased track from local bluesman Paul Cox.

Our Back In Five feature took us on our weekly trip back in time to see what was on the playlist for this show, this week, five years ago. Back then there was a track from an 1982 album titled Farewell Song. It was a collection of nine previously unreleased recordings by Janis Joplin. Among the tracks on the album was one produced by Todd Rundgren and performed by Janis with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. It became a minor hit when it was released and it was my choice for the playlist 5 years back . . . ‘One Night Stand’.

During the week my good pal Arfa Pinetop was getting pretty enthused about a Document Records release ‘Searching For Secret Heroes’. It features the travels and recordings of Sam and Ann Charters through Texas and Mississippi, including rare film footage of some much revered blues artists like Sleepy John Estes, Furry Lewis, Gus Cannon and Pink Anderson. The film and stories brought some heartbreaking moments, which should definitely be understood during Black History Month. As it happened Arfa’s choice for his Pinetop’s Pick came from Pink Anderson.

World Upside Down
World Upside Down – Rusty Wright Band (Live From The End Of The World – 2020)
Hell & Half Of Georgia – Anthony Gomes (Containment Blues – 2020)
High Class Girl – Joe Bonamassa (Royal Tea – 2020)
C C Rider – Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee (Two For The Road – 2020)
Voodoo Blues – Grainne Duffy (Voodoo Blues – 2020)

Back In Five
One Night Stand – Janis Joplin with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band (Farewell Song – 1982)

Take Me Back
Walk Until I Ride – Shemekia Copeland (Uncivil War – 2020)
Goin’ Away Baby – Kim Wilson (Take Me Back – 2020)

Pinetop’s Pick
I’ve Got Mine – Pink Anderson (Medicine Show Man – 1999)

Good To Be King
It’s Good To Be King – Mojo Morganfield (It’s Good To Be King – 2020)
Royal Tea – Joe Bonamassa (Royal Tea – 2020)
Howling Wolf Blues – JT ‘Funny Paper’ Smith (Complete Recorded Works 1930-31)
Two Bones & A Pick – T Bone Walker (T Bone Blues – 2005)
Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye – Joe Bonamassa (Royal Tea – 2020)

Little By Little
Am I Wrong Pretty Baby – Peter Veteska & Blues Train (Grass Ain’t Greener On The Other Side – 2020)
Dangerous Mood – Paul Cox (Dangerous Mood – 2020)
Messin’ With the Kid – Junior Wells & Tyler Bryant (Blues Brothers – 2020)
Little By Little – Shaun Murphy (Flame Still Burns – 2020)
Shove It – The Fried Okra Band (Doin’ It Right – 2020)

On The Giglist
Got Love If You Want It – Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings (Songs of Isolation Vol 2 – 2020)

Austin Calling
Cross Cut Saw – Leslie West & Mountain (The Man & The Mountain – 2013)

Tail Shaker
Right Wrong Fight Song – Be Sharp Band (Ashes – 2020)
Lonely Boy – Joe Bonamassa (Royal Tea – 2020)
I’ll Find Someone Who Will – Laura Tate (Live In El Paso – 2020)
Tail Shaker – Tanya Piché Blues Band (Good Company – 2020)
Dimples – The Spencer Davis Group (Live At Blues Garage – 2006)

For this week’s On The Giglist feature, I was prompted by the new release of the fund raising compilation ‘Songs of Isolation Vol 2’ . Among the many celebrated artists on the album was Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, who have been regulars on my giglist for a long time. So, bringing back some happy memories, I chose their track on this compilation . . . the Slim Harpo favourite . . . ‘Got Love If You Want It’.

Now, this week our Austin Calling feature had Texas music man David Isaacs reminding us that it was Leslie West’s birthday this past week. Many will know Leslie as the front man of 70s band Mountain after which he went on to form powerhouse trio West Bruce & Laing. Now, Leslie was no stranger to Texas, so, with encouragement from David, Leslie West delivered his take on ‘Crosscut Saw’. Now, some might not have encountered The Howlin’ Wolf Woman Of The Essex Delta before, but the cued up and clued in will know that is Tanya Piché and she’s back here with her Blues Band and doing some mighty impressive ‘tail shaking’.

Now the last choice on this week’s playlist came with respectful tip of the hat in the direction of Spencer Davis who we sadly lost this past week and if your memory goes back to their early days then you’re sure to have seen them doing their first single . . . their version that John Lee Hooker classic ‘Dimples’. 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 . . . keep safe . . . keep well . . . and have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 27 October 2020
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 29 October 2020
Broadcast by Blues at Rock Radio UK on 31 October 2020
Broadcast by Blues at Rock Radio UK on 1 November 2020

Meet Me Halfway . . .

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

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Well, this week the Cruise Mobile arrived with with a rocking little number from Ray Collins’ Hot Club, after which we were off down the road again now with vocal group the Vibes who later became The Jayhawks. The wonderful Clarence Samuels followed with his 1959 release ‘We’re Goin’ To The Hop’ and some more rhythm and blues from The Titans with a song that they sang in the highly forgettable film ‘Bop Girl Goes Calypso’.
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We went all the way back to 1951 for Honey Brown’s Derby Records release ‘Rockin & Jumpin’ and then we heard from someone with an impeccable music pedigree, Arbee Stidham, who hailed from Arkansas and moved to Chicago in the late 40s, where he got a chart topper with his first RCA Victor release, then in 1956 he recorded our choice ‘Meet Me Halfway’.

This week’s Cruising Connections featured some very fine covers of songs by one well known songwriter. . . . but who was it? Your starter of three came from German band The Swinging Fireballs, followed by a familiar song, but with a twist of style from Jesse Malin. Finally, we pulled out the Dixie Hummingbirds which got plenty of hands in the air and shouting of ‘Paul Simon’. Then, Mr Simon was back with his long time singing partner Art Garfunkel in their earlier incarnation as singing duo Tom & Jerry with their successful 45 release from 1957 ‘Hey Schoolgirl’.

Goin’ To The Hop
Mine All Mine – Ray Collins’ Hot Club
Let The Old Folks Talk – The Vibes
We’re Goin’ To The Hop – Clarence Samuels
Rhythm & Blues – The Titans
Rockin’ & Jumpin’ – Honey Brown
Meet Me Halfway – Arbee Stidham

Cruising Connections
Take Me To The Mardi Gras – The Swinging Fireballs
Me & Julio Down By The School Yard – Jesse Malin
Love Me Like A Rock – The Dixie Hummingbirds
Hey Schoolgirl – Tom & Jerry
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Girls & Guitars

I Don’t Hurt Anymore – Lisa Mann

Doo Wop Delights
Crazy Bout My Honey Dip – The Cap-Tans
Sweetheart Of Mine – The Valentines

Can’t Stop Moving
When The Chips Are Down – Rocky Sharp & The Replays
I Miss Ya Girl – Chas & Dave with Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry
I Told You Not To Tell Them – Marie Knight
House Near The Railroad Track – Tommy Brown
Can’t Stop Moving – Johnny Chef

This week our Girls & Guitars feature focused on Lisa Mann, who was born in West Virginia, and later moved to California, where at age eleven she bought her first guitar and learnt to play listening to bands like Deep Purple, Cream and Led Zeppelin. She began her professional music career at the age of 19 and, to date, has produced five albums. We chose something from her latest album, ‘Hard Times, Bad Decisions’ . . . . her take on ‘I Don’t Hurt Anymore’.

We started our Doo Wop Delights, where we left off last week. Back then we played a number called ‘Honey Gee’ by The Saigons, and said it was song that many claim was lifted from a number by Washington DC group The Cap-Tans. So, we played their 1950 Dot Records 45 called ‘Crazy Bout My Honey Dip’. They were followed by New York vocal group, The Valentines, with their 1956 Rama 45, ‘Sweetheart of Mine’ which for some reason remained unreleased at the time and we are left to wonder why. To prove that the Brits are no slouches when it comes to doo wop, we pulled out a little number by Rocky Sharp & The Replays that was a great favourite on their live gigs.

Back in April 2014, the UK Rockney record label issued an album of rare recordings by Chas & Dave which included some notable guests, including Clarence Frogman Henry and they graced our playlist with Clarence singing a Chas & Dave original, ‘I Miss Ya Girl’. They were followed by Marie Knight with a great favourite here and then Tommy Brown, performing a new version of a song he cut for Regent records back in 1951. Meanwhile, some may have spotted some familiar faces and places coming into view, as we joined Johnny Chef to take us all the way home with his 1962 Fire 45, ‘Can’t Stop Moving’. But, then sadly we had to stop moving, as we arrived back where we started and just in time to park up the trusty Cruise Mobile and give it a quick polish, so it’s all ready for the next time we all go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 27 October 2020

Help Somebody . . .

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

Well, whether you arrived here by design or accident, you soon found out there was a cheery smile to greet you and an impressive collection of the ‘good stuff’ to help take us on our musical adventure Through To Midnight. To get your spirits up and your rhythm receptors tipping into the red zone, we kicked off with The Swingin’ Fireballs with some open ended tickets to take us to the Mardi Gras.

With a gentle nudge from David Isaacs in Texas, this week’s Under The Covers feature focused on the wonderful Laura Nyro, whose birthday it was this past week. My first encounter with Laura was her 1968 album ‘Eli and the Thirteenth Confession’ which included a longtime favourite of mine ‘Stone Soul Picnic’. It’s one of her much covered songs, including my choice from Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon. Then, there was Barbara Streisand with her cover of Laura’s ‘Stoney End’ and closing our trio of tracks with The 5th Dimension and their take on Laura’s ‘Blowing Away’.

Now, this week, I’ve been trying to quell the excitement here, because it looks like we’ve got a live on stage giglist coming up featuring the excellent Elles Bailey and her band. I’ll believe it when I see it, but, in anticipation, this week’s On The Giglist feature was indeed Elles Bailey with ‘Help Somebody’.

Days Like This
Let Me Take You To The Mardi Gras – The Swingin’ Fireballs
Ain’t No Doubt About That – Pat Smillie
Days Like This – Linda Valori
Loving Might Do Us Good – Stevie Nimmo
She Gets Me – Nik Kershaw
Don’t Shoot Me Down – Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne

Under The Covers
Stone Soul Picnic – Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon
Stoney End – Barbara Streisand
Blowing Away – 5th Dimension

Jump – Giuliano Palma & The Bluebeaters

On The Giglist
Help Somebody – Elles Bailey

Buckle Up
Buckle Up – The Kokomo Kings
Jukebox Full of Blues – The Kentucky Headhunters
Vista Speed Cruiser – Lil Bee Dee & The Doo Rites
Lipstick Traces – The Amazing Rhythm Aces
Open The Door To Your Heart/Love Train – Betty Wright

Do You Feel It
Nite Liters – Con Funk Shun
Defenceless – Emma Wilson
A Higher Place – Tom Petty
Do You Feel It – Tomar & The FCs
Nothin’ On You – Dennis Jones
Inner City Blues – Devon Gilfillian

Girls & Guitars
Take Me To The River – Eva Cassidy

She Said What
I Can’t Stand It – The Spencer Davis Group
She Said What – The Patrik Jansson Band
No Matter What I Do – Grainne Duffy
I Wish I Could Remember Loving You – Lloyd Jones
It’s Gonna Take A Miracle – Denise Williams
Up On The Roof – Laura Nyro
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature focused on the late Eva Cassidy, who hailed from Washington DC and released her first album in 1992. Sadly, she died at the age of 33 and at that time, she was still virtually unknown outside her native Washington, D.C. But, then British radio and TV featured her music and she had three UK number-one records, plus a compilation album of her music ‘Songbird’ which topped the UK Albums Charts. My choice was a track from her album ‘Live at Blues Alley’ . . . ‘Take Me To The River’.

There was a sad farewell to Spencer Davis this week, with a memory of his early days doing a spirited cover of the Soul Sisters’ ‘I Can’t Stand It’. Then, all too soon, we were heading for our Mellow Mood with a doo wop classic of The Royalettes, given a superb cover by soul songstress Denise Williams and we signed off with Laura Nyro’s best-selling single, which was someone else’s song . . . Carole King’s and Gerry Goffin’s ‘Up on the Roof’. Then it was time to collect up the music, tidy the studio and head off into the night. But, not before saying a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and hoping that we’ll meet again soon to go Through To Midnight. Until then, remember . . . keep safe . . . keep well . . . and have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 21 October 2020
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 23 October 2020

Big Change Is Gonna Come . . .

There were plenty of signs of Halloween appearing as I put the show together this week and plenty of new blues releases too. There were new releases from Anthony Gomes, Grainne Duffy, Shemekia Copeland, Deb Ryder, The Reverend Shawn Amos, and more. My album of the week was the superb new release by Dennis Jones . . . ‘Soft Hard & Loud’ and my ‘Back In Five ‘ feature brought a treat from the playlist 5 years ago, courtesy of Paul Cox with the still timely message . . . ‘Big Change Gonna Come’.

To mark Black History Month, there’s a focus on the enduring influence of ‘Texas Cannonball’, Freddie King. Back in the 60s, he was one of the big influencers of the crossover of electric blues from black audiences to white audiences. He became much revered among UK blues artists of the 60s and proved to be a big influence on people here like Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Kim Simmons, Stan Webb and others. Freddie was a keen ambassador for the many folks who struggled to make their mark on the history of black music and, when he had the opportunity, he introduced their music to a much wider audience.

This week’s Pinetop’s Pick had a story of a visit to Chicago and a gig by local bluesman Willie Kent and his band The Gents. But, I kicked off the show with Dennis Jones in fine rocking mood with ‘Front Door Man’ . . .

Get Ready
Front Door Man – Dennis Jones (Soft Hard & Loud – 2020)
Money Makes You Ugly – Shemekia Copeland (Uncivil War – 2020)
Rowdy Blues – Fiona Boyes (Blues In My Heart – 2020)
Tore Down – Freddie King (Getting Ready – 1971)
Get Ready (For A Revolution) – Deb Ryder (Get Ready – 2020)

Back In Five
Big Change Is Gonna Come – Paul Cox (Man Out Of Time – 2015)
Six Wheel Chaser – Meade Lux Lewis (Giants of Boogie Woogie – 2015)

Pinetop’s Pick
Don’t Mess With My Baby – Willie Kent & His Gents (Everybody Needs Somebody – 2015)

That’s Alright
I’m Not – Dennis Jones (Soft Hard & Loud – 2020)
Hear Me Talkin’ To Ya – Saints & Sinners (Goin Over Home – 2020)
Hoochie Coochie Man – Cody Simpson & North Mississippi Allstars (Hoochie Coochie Man – 2020)
That’s Alright – Freddie King with Leon Russell (King Of The Blues – 1995)
Satisfy Suzie – Lonnie Mack (Strike Like Lightning – 1985)
Paul Butterfield was into the blues – Mike Bloomfield (Soundbite)
Gravy Train – Jim Kirkpatrick
Tell Somebody – Anthony Gomes (Containment Blues – 2020)
Diggin’ My Potatoes – The Reverend Shawn Amos

On The Giglist
Tick Tock – Grainne Duffy (Voodoo Blues – 2020)

Still Got The Blues
Across The Desert – Dustin Arbuckle & The Damnations (My Getaway – 2020)
Burn The Plantation Down – Dennis Jones (Soft Hard & Loud – 2020)
Still Got The Blues – Laura tate (Live From El Paso – 2020)
Messin With The Man – Muddy Waters (ft Matt Guitar Murphy) (In Session – Memphis To Chicago 1952-1961- 2020)
Nights Never Get Lonely – Freddie King (Nights Never Get Lonely – 1995)

Austin Calling
I Ain’t Drunk – Jimmy Liggins (Golden Selection – 2020)

I Love The Blues
Love Will Find A Way – The Patrik Jasson Band (IV – 2020)
You Give Me Loving – Peter Veteska & Blues Train (Grass Ain’t Greener On The Other Side – 2020)
I Love The Blues – Dennis Jones (Soft Hard & Loud – 2020)
The Stumble – Freddie King (Let’s Dance Away & Hideaway – 2005)

Now, every once in a while these days I get a bit misty eyed thinking about some of great live shows that I’ve been to along the way. For very good reason, this week’s On The Giglist, brought a memory of a superb London gig with Grainne Duffy on stage. That memory was brought to mind by this week’s release of the new album from Grainne Duffy, called ‘Voodoo Blues’. As a taster, I brought my choice from it . . . ‘Tick Tock’.

Our regular guest, Texas music man David Isaacs, was in touch to remind us that this past week included the birthday of Jimmy Liggins. So, for this week’s Austin Calling, David’s choice was one of Jimmy’s famous numbers which turns up on a new compilation of Jimmy Liggins material titled ‘Golden Selection’. This was his 1954 original . . . . ‘I Ain’t Drunk’.

As our blues-time together was fast running out I played out with one of the much celebrated three Kings of the blues and a much covered instrumental. But, first there was a big thanks from me for your good company this week and the hope that we’ll meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then, remember . . . keep safe . . . keep well . . . and have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 20 October 2020
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 22 October 2020
Broadcast by Blues at Rock Radio UK on 24 October 2020
Broadcast by Blues at Rock Radio UK on 25 October 2020

Jam Up . . .

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

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Well, for this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner we arrived in the good company of Tommy Ridgley with his 1954 classic, ‘Jam Up’ and without wasting a moment we were up to full cruising speed with Jimmy McCracklin and ’The Wobble’. Then, Geraint Watkins & The Dominators helped to set the scene for this week’s playlist, with another choice inspired by celebrated UK R&B artists, Mike Sanchez. Over the years, Mike has featured on many of our Cruising playlists and this week we retraced the originals of those numbers that feature so often on Mike’s setlists.

Back in the day, Mike toured with Little Willie Littlefield, who was up next with ‘I Like It’, followed by a regular on Mike’s setlists from Brook Benton and his 1959 recording of ‘Hurtin’ Inside’. Of course, there’s always a touch of the blues somewhere along the way, this time it was a 1953 number credited then to Young John Watson and titled ‘Highway 60’. But, Mike’s also adept at crossing musical boundaries, as demonstrated by his cover of Jim Reeves’ ‘Blue Boy’.

This week’s Cruising Connections presented a trio of tracks that all share a common connection and our first clue came from vocal group, The Willows, and their 1956 Melba records release, ‘Church Bells May Ring’. Nappy Brown was up next with a song that he got to No. 2 on the Billboard R&B charts back in 1955, ‘Don’t Be Angry’. Our third clue was The Marigolds with their 1955 Excello 45, ‘Rollin’ Stone’, which may have been all you need to identify ‘The Cadets’ who covered all three of those songs for the Modern label back in 1955 and 1956. To celebrate, we pulled out The Cadets’ original version of ‘Gangster of Love’, which they recorded as ‘Love Bandit’.

Jam Up
Jam Up – Tommy Ridgley
The Wobble – Jimmy McCracklin
Deep In The Heart Of Texas – Geraint Watkins & The Dominators
I Like It – Little Willie Littlefield
Hurtin’ Inside – Brook Benton
Highway 60 – Johnny Guitar Watson
Blue Boy – Jim Reeves

Cruising Connections
Church Bells May Ring – The Willows
Don’t Be Angry – Nappy Brown
Rollin’ Stone – The Marigolds
Love Bandit – The Cadets

Girls & Guitars
Voodoo Voodoo – Imelda May with Mike Sanchez & His Band

Doo Wop Delights
She Keeps Me Wondering – The Spiders
Honey Gee – The Saigons

That’s All I Need
That’s All I Need – Ike Turner & His Kings of Rhythm
I’m Mad – Willie Mabon
Red Hot Mama – S. Johnson
Shirley – John Fred & His Playboys
Almost Grown – Chuck Berry

Our Girls & Guitars feature this week picks up our link to Mike Sanchez, because it focused on Irish singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Imelda May. She hails from Dublin and although she’s known now, primarily as a singer, she also plays guitar, bass guitar and sings anything from jazz to rockabilly and rhythm and blues. In 1998 she started touring and recording with Mike Sanchez, including our choice . . . . her version of ‘Voodoo Voodoo’.

We kicked off our Doo Wop Delights with New Orleans vocal group The Spiders and their 1955 recording ‘She Keeps Me Wondering’ for Imperial records. Our second choice was a 1955 Dootone 45 called ‘Honey Gee’, from The Saigons, a song that many say was lifted from a number by The Cap-Tans called ‘Crazy Bout My Honey Dip’ .

Ike Turner and His Kings of Rhythm kicked off the next selection of numbers that have appeared on the setlists of Mike Sanchez, as well as Willie Mabon’s ‘I’m Mad’, there was a great Checker release credited to S. Johnson. Despite much research, no one seems to know who S. Johnson was, except that he wrote his song ‘Red Hot Mama’ with Paul Gayten and recorded it in New Orleans. ‘Shirley’ by John Fred & his Playboys is rarely left off of a Mike Sanchez setlist and we were heading for home in the company of Chuck Berry with ‘Almost Grown’ that’s well known to anyone who’s been at a Mike Sanchez gig lately.

The merry Mr Berry got us home safe and sound and just in time to park up the trusty Cruise Mobile and give it a quick polish so it’s all ready for our next musical adventure. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio
on 20 October 2020

Try Me Tonight . . .

Well, there was a bright smiley welcome for all who turned up for our regular two hours of unbridled musical self-indulgence. The invitation said ‘dress as you like, as long as you bring your dancing shoes’. So, at the appointed hour, there was a familiar intro and a few random words from yours truly, as I take you on a musical adventure Through To Midnight. As ever, I came with an armful of the ‘good stuff’ that you won’t hear on ‘ordinary radio’. So, to jump start your rhythm receptors . . . we kicked off with James Brown and there was soon plenty more doses of Dr Roberts sonic tonic . . .

This week, we went Under The Covers, with three songs of Kevin Moore, or as we know him better, Keb Mo. We heard these again through the covers of others . . . and with my first choice being a song that Keb first recorded as Kevin Moore in 1980 and it got covered by Chuck Jackson back then and titled, ‘The Way You Hold Me. Then, there were two great names with another of Keb’s songs . . . BB King and Joe Cocker with their cover of ‘Dangerous Mood’ and the last of my trio of tracks popped up on the latest album from Sweet Pea Atkinson . . . ‘ Just Lookin’.

Everytime We Meet
Living In America – James Brown
36-24-36 – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers
Superstition – Soul Kitchen Band
Knockin’ On Closed Doors – Pat Smillie
Everytime We Meet – Lloyd Jones
24, 7, 365 – Teresa James

Under the Covers
The Way You Hold Me – Chuck Jackson
Dangerous Mood – BB King & Joe Cocker
Just Lookin’ – Sweet Pea Atkinson

On The Giglist
Boogie Woogie Bar-B-Que – Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88s

Good As I Feel Today
Boogie Woogie Boogie Man Under My Bed – Lil’ Bee Dee & The Doo Rites
It’s Not The First Boat I Missed – The Mystic Knights
Good As I Feel Today – Delbert McClinton
That’s How We Make Love – Jack De Keyzer
Another One Bites The Dust – Eve St Jones
I Can See Clearly Now – Cliff Wilson & Abbie Gardner

Along The Way
You’ve Been Gone Too Long – Frank Popp Ensemble
Pick You Up Along The Way – HeavyDrunk
Over My Shoulder – Giuliano Palma & the Bluebeaters. .
Can’t Wait To See You Again – The Ben Racine Band
I Just Loved You Because I Wanted To – Bobby Patterson
Sick Note – Greg Coulson
You’re Gonna Make Me Cry – JT Lauritsen & The Buckshot Hunters

Girls & Guitars
Driving Down To Alvarado – Anne McCue

Mellow Mood
Can’t Go Back – Paris Delane
Why Not Try Me Tonight – Nine Below Zero
Alexis – The James Gang
Still Got The Blues – Eric Clapton
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

This week there seemed to have been more folks than usual commenting on the gigs that pop up on the calendar with a big red cross through them. That included Joy Watts who might have inspired the lovely Dee to remember a fond memories of seeing Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88s at New Orleans Jazz Fest. So, for this week’s On The Giglist, Mitch turned up in characteristic style with some great boogie woogie!

There was an international flavour to this week’s Girls & Guitars feature, which focused on Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist, Anne McCue. She had two number one records in Australia back in 1998 with all-female rock band Girl Monstar. She went on to play with a long list of notable names and since moving to Nashville, Tennessee, she’s struck out on her own, releasing 4 solo albums. My choice came from her 2014 album ‘Yo yos, Marbles and a Piece of String’ . . . . this was ‘Driving Down To Alvarado’.

As the clock ‘tick tocked’ away our time, we eventually reached our Mellow Mood with a song written by Billy Young back in 1968 . . . it was first by vocal duo Maurice & Mac and it’s been much covered since, including my choice from Nine Below Zero on their album ‘Avalanche’ . . . this was ‘Why Not Try Me Tonight’. Then, capturing the mood of lazy summer days in the South, The James Gang brought us ‘Alexis’, a very fine track from their 1974 album ‘Bang’. To round it off, Eric Clapton turned up with his tribute to the much missed Gary Moore and his classic ‘Still Got The Blues’.

Then it was time to collect up the music, tidy up the studio and get ready to head out into the night . . . 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 same time, same place, next week to go Through To Midnight. Until then, remember . . . keep safe . . . keep well . . . and have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 14 October 2020

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 18 October 2020

Up Above My Head . . .

Well, there was plenty to make us smile this, if you were a blues fan, because there were new releases from Rick Estrin, Duke Robillard, Fiona Boyes, Kevin Burt, Jim Kirkpatrick and more, plus my album of the week from Jeremiah Johnson. To mark Black History Month, there was a focus on the stunning influence of B.B. King. My Austin Calling feature brought a ‘newie’ from Jackie Venson and Pinetop’s Pick brought a story of James Cotton playing on Beale Street in Memphis.

It all kicked off with Rick Estrin & The Nitecats getting just a bit controversial with their latest offering and came with a dedication to Duncan Martin who gave me much encouragement to play that one. Perhaps in Black History Month especially, there was a timely reminder that blues artists have long used the blues as a form of political comment and there are plenty of examples, including a number you may have heard from Walter Trout, but I played the original of ‘Be Careful How You Vote’ by Sunnyland Slim.

This week’s Back In Five feature, went back to find out what was on the playlist for this show, this week, five years ago . . . and back then Rebecca Downes had a new album out called ‘Back To The Start’ and I played this track from it back then . . . ‘Round & Round’.

Do You Mean It
Dump That Trump – Rick Estrin & The Nitecats (Dump That Trump – 2020)
Be Careful How You Vote – Sunnyland Slim (Be Careful How You Vote – 1989)
Do You Mean It – Duke Robillard (Blues Bash – 2020)
Honey You Can Take My Man – Fiona Boyes, Karen Dalla Rosa & Paul Dowse (Blues In My Heart – 2020)
Cherry Red Wine – Jeremiah Johnson (Unemployed Highly Annoyed – 2020)

Back In Five
Round & Round – Rebecca Downes (Back To The Start – 2015)

Blues Mobile
Everyday I Have The Blues – B.B. King (Live at The Regal – 1964)
Stone Crazy – Kevin Burt (Stone Crazy – 2020)
Blues Mobile – Kenny Neal (Bloodline – 2016)

Pinetop’s Pick
Digging My Potatoes – James Cotton and The Muddy Waters Band

Good Times Roll
Unemployed Highly Annoyed – Jeremiah Johnson (Unemployed Highly Annoyed – 2020)
Up Above My Head – Saints & Sinners (Going Over Home – 2020)
Walk In Chinese Footsteps – Wily Bo Walker & Ed Brayshaw (Moon Over Indigo – 2015)
Let The Good Times Roll – B B King & Bobby Bland (Together Again – Live -1976)
As The Years Go Passing By – Ryan Neville (Fire On Tracks – 2018)

Don’t Waste My Time
Guest In The House Of The Blues – Kai Strauss and his Electric Blues All Stars (In My Prime – 2020)
You Turned My World To Blue – Jack De Keyzer (Tribute – 2020)
Don’t Waste My Time (Live) – Tom Killner (The Church House Sessions – 2020)
Clotilda’s On Fire – Shemekia Copeland (Clotilda’s On Fire – 2020)
Cocaine Habit Blues – Memphis Jug Band (Memphis Jug Band – 1990)
Muddy Black Water – Jeremiah Johnson (Unemployed Highly Annoyed – 2020)

Austin Calling
Rollin’ & Tumblin’ – Jackie Venson (Live In Texas – 2020)

Turn Me Loose
Turn Me Loose – Lloyd Jones (Tennessee Run – 2020)
Fly Away – Larkin Poe (Fly Away – 2020)
Same Thing All Over Again – The Patrik Jansson Band (IV – 2020)
Caledonia – B.B. King (Live at Ole Miss -1979)
Can’t Find My Way Home – Starlight Campbell Band (Language Of Curiosity – 2020)
Different Plan For Me – Jeremiah Johnson (Unemployed Highly Annoyed – 2020)

We did a good deal of travelling this week, both places and times. We got to Texas now for this week’s Austin Calling feature, which turned up a nice surprise from local blues songstress and guitar slinger Jackie Venson. She’s a well known face on the scene locally and has got to tour around the globe. But we caught her back home for a track from her new album ‘Live in Texas’. It got recorded live at Gruene Hall, in New Braunfels, Texas and there’s a great video of the gig on line, to give you the full flavour of the event. As a taster, we heard from Jackie with her version of ‘Rollin’ & Tumblin’.

I was watching our blues time together running out fast, as we heard from The Starlight Campbell Bandit and the opening track of their forthcoming album ‘The Language of Curiosity’. Fortunately, there was just time to squeeze in my last choice from this week’s album or the week, courtesy of Jeremiah Johnson with ‘Different Plan For Me’. But, before that there was a big thanks for your good company for the show this week and the hope that we’ll meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then, remember . . . keep safe . . . keep well . . . and have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 13 October 2020
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 15 October 2020
Broadcast by Blues at Rock Radio UK on 17 October 2020
Broadcast by Blues at Rock Radio UK on 18 October 2020

Rockin’ Fever . . .

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

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Well, this week, the Cruise Mobile arrived preened, primed and purring gently and with Shorty Rogers and his Giants on the radio. We had a seat saved especially for you, so we waited just long enough for you to jump aboard, buckle up and get ready to go Cruising with The Commissioner. Then we were off down the road with Robert Gordon & Link Wray with ‘Red Hot’, followed fast by Eddie Bo with his 1959 Ric Records 45 recording, ‘Hey There Baby’.
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This week’s Cruising Connections had a trio of tracks that all share a common link and the first link was ‘She Shot A Hole In My Soul’, a song that was a US hit for Clifford Curry in 1967 and was later covered by John Fred & His Playboy Band, The Box Tops and our mystery someone else. Our second link featured Chicago group The C.O.D.s with their 1965 Kellmac Records release ‘Michael (The Lover)’ which was covered by The Jackson Five, The Mad Lads and our mystery someone else. The last of our clues was a big hit for Doris Day in 1956 and in 1963 it got given a whole different treatment by vocal group The High Keys, which, in turn, inspired our certain someone to do a version too. Now, if you were one of the 60s UK soul clubbers, then you’re sure to know the name linking all three of those choices was Geno Washington, who along with his Ram Jam Band had a string of successful single releases with all of those songs and a 1966 hit with ‘Water’. Another of the great bands from those 60s UK soul club days was Zoot Money & His Big Roll Band and it’s good to know that Zoot & Geno are still going strong.

Red Hot
Dynamite – Shorty Rogers & His Giants
Red Hot – Robert Gordon & Link Wray
Hey There Baby – Eddie Bo
Hot Shot Lady – The Nick Steed Five
Rockin’ Fever – Joe Carl And The Dukes Of Rhythm

Cruising Connections
She Shot A Hole In My Soul – Clifford Curry
Michael – The CODs
Que Sera Sera – The High Keys
Water – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band
Self Discipline – Zoot Money & His Big Roll Band

Girls & Guitars
Boy, What’ll You Do Then – Denise & Company

It’s Alright
Come Up & See Me Sometime – Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps
It’s Alright – Art Lassiter

Doo Wop Delights
My Baby Loves Me – The Five Discs
All That Wine Is Gone – Three Dots & A Dash

Do You Wanna Dance
Do You Wanna Dance – L.C. Cook (Destination) 1965
Blow Wind Blow – Junior Gordon with Huey Piano Smith’s Orchestra
Mr Boogie’s Back In Town – Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88’s
Dis A Itty Bit – Robin Hood Brians & Lew Douglas Orchestra & Chorus

This week, our Girls & Guitars feature shone its spotlight on guitarist and singer, Denise Kaufman. She hailed from Berkley, California and was a founder member of San Francisco hippie band, the Ace of Cups. In 1966 she recorded a little stormer for Oakland, California’s Wee record label. It wasn’t a big seller at the time, so if you come across an original copy, be aware they are selling for in excess of £6,000. . . . and to demonstrate what you get for your money, we played Denise & Company with ‘Boy, What’ll You Do Then’. Well, we stayed with the girls then and in the good company of Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps and ‘Come Up & See Me Sometime’.

Next up was Art Lassiter, who was a member of Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm. The story goes, that Ike wrote the song ‘A Fool In Love’ for Art, but when Art didn’t turn up to the song’s recording session at the expensive Technosonic Studios in St Louis, Tina Turner stepped up to record it and Art was soon out of the band. But, he went on forge a solo career which included his single for the Symbol label ‘It’s Alright’ and sounding a lot like Sam Cooke.

We had a good opener to this week’s Doo Wop Delights with Brooklyn vocal group The Five Discs who started out in 1954 as The Flames and changed their name to The Five Discs when they started recording in 1958. We played their only release on the Calo label, their 1961 single, ‘My Baby Loves Me’. Our second choice came courtesy of LA vocal group Three Dots & A Dash with their 1951 Imperial 45 ‘All That Wine Is Gone’, featuring Jesse Belvin on lead and Big Jay McNeely’s band behind them.

Since Sam Cooke got a mention earlier in the show, we couldn’t resist playing a number by Sam Cooke’s brother, L.C. Cook and if someone somewhere knows what those letters L.C. stood for . . . I wish they’d tell me. But, we were not waiting on replies before playing his 1965 Destination 45 ‘Do You Wanna Dance’ . . . and the words were barely said before The Cruisettes appeared. To keep them occupied a little longer, we played the original of a much recorded song. This was ‘Blow Wind Blow’, which was first recorded in New Orleans in January of 1957 by Junior ‘Izzycoo’ Gordon with Huey Piano Smith’s band played behind him.

Then, all too soon, time was running out. So, we slipped in a reminder of this year’s New Orleans Jazz Fest with Brooklyn’s own, Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88s doing ‘Mr Boogie’s Back In Town’. While that one was playing, we had to turn the Cruise Mobile for home and as the familiar faces and places come into view, we had Robin Hood Brians taking us all the way home with ‘Dis A Itty Bit’. Then it was all over, but for a cheery wave and thanks for your good company on this week’s show and the hope 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 13 October 2020

Here comes the sun . . .

Well, whatever today brought you . . . I arrived to say you can relax now in very good company . . . and as folks made themselves comfy, I was on hand to reassure everyone that I had plenty of the ‘good stuff’ to take us all the way Through To Midnight. There was a bonus too for any devout fans of Paul Carrack, because I came clutching Paul’s new album ready to kick off the show with Paul doing that Ray Charles classic. . . . ‘Sticks & Stones’. There was a double bonus too . . because those that know me well, will be very grateful that I left my accordion in the loft, so there was no chance of me being tempted to try playing along with Con Funk Shun on their version of ‘Move On Up’.

In my rummaging in the music library, I came across several ‘finds’ that, in turn, found their way on to this week’s playlist. One of those was a song written by a couple of local lads (Messrs Jagger & Richards), but this was a version that came by way of the ever cheery John Reen. The song was ‘Miss You’ and the band was Milk ‘n’ Blues . . . who also do some other nice covers. Now, John Reen was also instrumental in this week’s choice for our Under The Covers feature. This week, the focus was on the songs of Pink Floyd and I happen to know that John is a big fan of Pink Floyd, so I was testing his resolve by playing three covers by others, including Pink Floyd’s first ever release . . . this time from Etienne Daho . . . . a touch of a ska from Super Tough and some rockabilly from Bristol band, Redhouse.

This week’s On The Giglist feature came as a result of a sad remark by the lovely Dee that we were due to see ELO in concert this week, but the gig got cancelled. So, as some small compensation, I thought I’d try to encourage the bright eyes, big smile and enthused dancing that would have started at the gig with the first notes of ‘Turn To Stone’.

Move On Up
Sticks & Stones – Paul Carrack
Move On Up – Con Funk Shun
Ain’t No Doubt About That – The Pat Smillie Band
I’m In Love With You – Bobby Patterson
Miss You – Milk’n Blues

Under The Covers
Arnold Layne – Etienne Daho
See Emily Play – Super Tough
Another Brick In The Wall – Redhouse

The Fortunate Few
Two Young Lovers – Dire Straits
One Of The Fortunate Few – Delbert McClinton

On The Giglist
Turn To Stone – ELO

Two Can Do It
Tupelo Honey – Chet Lott
Uncle John’s Band – The Grateful Dead
Higher Ground – The Blind Boys of Alabama
Hungry Man – Rick Vito
Black Suit and Pink Champagne – Kingen
The Light In Us – Stone Foundation (ft Laville)
Stone Soul Picnic – Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon
Leave Virginnia Alone – Tom Petty
This Broken Heart Of Mine – Anthony Gomes
Two Can Do It Too – The Amazing Rhythm Aces

Girls & Guitars
Here Comes The Sun – Sheryl Crow

Don’t Give Up
Everyday I Have To Cry – Arthur Alexander
I Can Take You To Heaven Tonight – Paul Cox
Call Me By My Name – Ruby Turner
The Story Of Love – Bon Jovi
Life & Love – Buddy Miles & The Mighty Rhythm Tribe
Don’t Give Up On Me – Solomon Burke
Sincerely – Johnny Jenkins

As the music diarists were keen to note, it was 51 years ago this week that The Beatles released their Abbey Road album. It was a welcome nudge to turn our Girls & Guitars spotlight on Sheryl Crow who cut her own version of a song from that album for her 2008 ‘Detours’ album. It was her take on George Harrison’s much covered number ‘Here Comes The Sun’.

Bon Jovi led us into our mellow mood this week with a touching little ballad from their new album, The Story of Love’ and it was followed in similar spirit by Buddy Miles & The Mighty Rhythm Tribe, who you might have expect to hear doing something pretty high powered, but they showed their great versatility with a very fine soulful ballad called ‘Life & Love’. Then, as the sands of time were running out, Solomon Burke turned up with a little ‘smoocher’ to end of night.

Then, it was time to say our farewells, ever hopeful that we’ll meet again, same time, same place next week, to go Through To Midnight. Until then, remember . . . keep safe . . . keep well . . . and have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 7 October 2020
Broadcast by Miskin Radion on 12 October 2020