Just Do It . . . .

Listen here to this week’s dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic:

Well, with extra zest, I was back with a big cheery welcome to one and all for the last dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic for 2022. Indeed, this might have been another year that we’d be happy to slip away without ceremony, but I was not letting it go without a last chance to raise the spirits and excite the senses. So, I came clutching plenty of the good stuff to get you in the groove and the first of the ingredients for this week’s Sonic Tonic came from Al Hudson & The Soul Partners and a much loved ATCO single of theirs . . . ‘When I’m Loving You’. It was designed to put you in the mood for some funky footwork and some high tensile testing of your rhythm receptors . . . and maybe it did!

Now, this week’s Tell It Like It Is brought a song with a story inspired by the birthday this week of the ‘godfather of rhythm and blues’. . . Johnny Otis. He had a prolific career in music as a multi instrumentalist, band leader, radio DJ, TV presenter and record producer . . . and in April 1958, he recorded a song called, “Willie and the Hand Jive”, which a big hit for him. It was a song inspired by learning that at rock’n’roll concerts in England, teenagers were not allow dancing in the aisles, so they stayed in their seats and jived with their hands. So, Johnny wrote his song ‘Willie & The Hand Jive’ and it got to be covered many times, but I played the original by Johnny Otis.

Just Do It
When I’m Loving You – Al Hudson & The Soul Partners
Just Do It – Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne & Dawn Tyler Watson
Make Me Yours – Leon Haywood
Papa Dukie & The Mud People – The Subdudes
Nothing Ever Hurt Like You – James Morrison

Tell It Like It Is
Willie & The Hand Jive – Johnny Otis

My Yesterday
Do You No Good – Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes
My Yesterday – Mingo Fishtrap
When The Night Comes – Ray Bonneville

Mellow Moment
It’s The Way You Make Me Feel – Anthony Gomes

Make All The Noise
Fool Me Again – Janiva Magness
Groovin’ – Wilson Pickett
Jump Up – Kingen
We Are The Boys (Who Make All The Noise) – The Rockers

Our revels soon brought us to that point in the proceedings where I aim to soothe you, smooth you and help you relax. For the last time in 2022, our Mellow Moment brought us a very soulful ballad from Anthony Gomes and, as you might expect, it was where I suggested that, if there was someone special nearby, you might take the opportunity to smooch.

As our Sonic Tonic time was fast running, there was a respectful tip of the hat in the direction of many of the friendly faces who have pointed me to superb choices for the Sonic Tonic over the past year . . . . and they know who they are! Then, to take us out of 2022 in fine style there was a choice prompted by the fact that the much missed Chas Hodges would have been celebrating his birthday this week. So, Chas was back, along with Roy Wood and Phil Lynott in the short-lived supergroup called The Rockers. Such a rocking selection was sure to get you up on your feet and doing some Dad dancing, if you can’t do any better! But, before I let them loose . . . there was a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and the hope that we’ll meet again soon for another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 30 December 2022

There goes 2022 (Part 2) . . .

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

Well, there was a big bluesy welcome to one and all for this last show of 2022, which was part 2 of my review of the playlists of the past year, here on The Blues Come Calling. Only the best of the blues gets into the playlists, so the task of selecting some highlights proved way more difficult than I expected. But, I got there . . . after a good deal of anguishing and the first choice from the second half of the year came from Mick Kolassa, with the title track of his album ‘I’m Just Getting Started’, which got plenty of plays, because it was one of my albums of the week. . . and so was my next choice, which came from Kirk Fletcher. It was a reminder of how mighty impressive he was the first time I saw him live. From his ‘Heartache By The Pound’ album, I chose his revisit to Tarheel Slim’s 1958 belter ‘Wildcat Tamer’.

Now, during the past year, it’s been a great joy to see Mississippi MacDonald getting more recognition for his talents and his latest album ‘Heavy State Lovin’ Blues’ has proved to be a great showcase too. So, no surprise that turned up as an album of the week and it turns up here as my ‘album of the year’. So, congratulations to Mississippi MacDonald and to celebrate I pulled out his track ‘Ain’t Gonna Lie No More’.

Be With Me
I’m Just Getting Started – Mick Kolassa (I’m Just Getting Started – 2022)
Wildcat Tamer – Kirk Fletcher (Heartache By The Pound – 2022)
Freight Train – Rory Block (Ain’t Nobody Worried – 2022)
(I Ain’t Gonna) Lie No More – Mississippi MacDonald (Heavy State Lovin’ Blues)
Take Your Time – Ben Levin (Take Your Time – 2022)
Be With Me (Lonely Man’s Prayer) – Jon Cleary (Be With Me – 2022)
Messin’ Around – Malaya Blue (Blues Credentials – 2022)

Pinetop’s Pick
This Train – Sister Rosetta Tharpe (Gospel Train – 1958)

The Blues Don’t Lie
Skin In The Game – Derek Procell & Zac Harman (Hello Mojo! – 2022)
Bolt Cutters & The Family Name – Larkin Poe (Blood Harmony – 2022)
I Love The Life I Live – Angela Strehli (Ace Of Blues – 2022)
The Blues Don’t Lie – Buddy Guy (The Blues Don’t Lie – 2022)
Boogie Till I Die – Henri Herbert (Boogie Till I Die – 2022)
You Mean So Much To Me – John Primer (Hard Times – 2022)
Everyday I Have The Blues – Eric Clapton (Nothing But The Blues – 2022)

Another someone who was causing a real stir this year with her latest album, as Malaya Blue. Her latest album ‘Blues Credentials’ has attracted much worthy attention and plenty of praise from the blues devotees. She was here in this year’s review, with a favourite track of mine from her Blues Credentials album . . . ‘Messin’ Around’ . . . and good stuff it is too!

Well, on the basis that only the best of the blues gets onto the playlists for The Blues Come Calling, everything I played during 2022 was worthy of another play. So, the choices for this review of the year were just a hint of how alive and well the blues have been in 2022 . . . and here’s hoping it maybe better still in 2023. Taking us in the direction of the new year was Eric Clapton, whose album ‘Nothing But The Blues’ was another album of the week here and this is his take on ‘Everyday I Have The Blues’. but, before that, there was a big thanks for your good company during this past year and long may it continue into 2023. So, until the next time the next time The Blues Come Calling . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 29 December 2022
Broadcast by Blues Radio on 31 December 2022
Broadcast by Blues Radio on 1 January 2023

Here Comes A Brand New Year . . .

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

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

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

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

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

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

Girls & Guitars
I Gotta Go – Trampled Under Foot

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

Our Girls & Guitars feature this week focused on guitarist and singer, Danielle Schnebelen who provides lead vocals and guitar for Kansas City group, Trampled Under Foot. To show off her talents, we picked out a track from the band’s album ‘The Philadelphia Sessions’, called ‘I Gotta Go’.

There was a rather fine melding of a Paul Simon song with a little Louisiana sound, courtesy of the delightfully named Terrence Simien & The Zydeco Experience. Next, the Cruise Mobile took us to Arkansas, for a number from Conway Twitty, then, we were bouncing across borders on our way to Sweden to catch The Beat From Palookaville with a rocking little number titled ‘Rock Bottom’.

All too soon, we came to the last choice on our last playlist for 2022 . . . . and we went out with a rousing finale from Little Willie John and his 1960 King 45 ‘Do You Love Me’. Then, the rattling tin cans came along for the last time in 2022, along with Mr Merlot & The Cruisettes to wave everyone a cheery farewell, ever hopeful that we’ll all be back again next year with renewed enthusiasm to jump aboard the Cruise Mobile and go Cruising with The Commission. So, until then . . . remember . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 27 December 2022

Let’s Do It Again . . . .

Listen here to this week’s edition of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic:

Well, a big cheery welcome from yours truly on this festive occasion and I arrived in high spirits and fully intent on filling the year ahead with even more of the ‘good stuff’ you won’t hear on ‘ordinary radio’. So, there was an invitation to kick back and relax with a big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. I was being even more generous than usual this week . . . and it all kicked off with The Overtones and their re-working of ‘September’, followed fast by Bill Wyman, who knows a thing or two when he says . . . . ‘you can’t get enough of that stuff.’

Now, those out there in listening land who know me well, will appreciate my public spirited concern for the welfare of others . . . and by way of evidence of this . . . I can tell you that the studio blinds were fully closed and there was a suitable sign pinned on the door warning of ‘funky moves within’. There was a cheery ‘well done to you’, for all those who were preparing for a few festive calories during the familiar sounds of ABBA coming from The Nils Langdren Funk Unit. The funky moments were far from over too as we kept that groove going with the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, with her entreaty to ‘Get It Right’.

Voulez-Vous
September – The Overtones
Stuff (Can’t Get Enough) – Bill Wyman
Voulez Vous – The Nils Langdren Funk Unit
Get It Right – Aretha Franklin
One Thing Every Day – Frank Bey
Rosalie – Bob Seger
Don’t Believe A Word – Space Elevator
The Boys Are Back In Town – Laura Tate
Let Someone Else Take It Home – Mississippi MacDonald

Mellow Moment
Let’s Do It Again – The Staple Singers

I’m In Love
One More Heartache – The Paul Butterfield Band
Nightshift – Mario Biondi
I’m In Love With You – Bobby Patterson
Tune Up – Jnr Walker & The Allstars

Now, regular listeners will know that I do encourage folks to get in touch here and this would have been the ideal time to thank everyone who had provided playlist suggestions during the year. . . . I couldn’t remember who had asked for what! So, if that was you, in there somewhere, please accept my profuse ‘thank you’s’.

In case you’ve missed the advance publicity, the wonderful Mavis Staples is heading back to the UK next year and scheduled for some concerts. So, it was an easy reminder for me to play you something from Mavis in our Mellow Moment. Mavis was here along with the rest of the family with . . . . ‘Let’s Do It Again’.

Then, our time together on this special day had just about run out. . . . . so it was time for me to collect up the music, tidy up the studio and head off to enjoy the rest of the evening. Before I played out with ‘Tune Up’ by Jnr Walker & The Allstars, there was a big thanks for your very good company on the show and wishing you well for the rest of this festive break. Hopefully, we’ll meet again to welcome in the new year with another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. Until then . . . . remember . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 24 December 2022

There goes 2022 (Part 1)

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

Well, a big bluesy welcome, as usual, but this time around there was a special reason, because we were almost at the close of this year. So, with a little indulgence on your part and some enthused checking of the past playlists, I was taking a look back at the past year and some of its bluesy highlights. Now, I knew from the start that I would need more than one show for even this brief glimpse into the joys of this year’s choices. So, we kicked off with the first track of 2022 on The Blues Come Calling which was a rocking piece of blues from EG Kight’s album, titled, ‘It’s Hot in Here’ . . . . ‘Pass The Plate’.

Throughout the year, my regular guest, Arfa Pinetop, has been bringing us some great gems from the archives, along with a tale or two to go with them. As I looked back over 2022, I thought his story about John Hammond and his comments about the final resting place of Robert Johnson was definitely one of those treats and coupled with John’s version of that Bobby Bland classic, ‘Further On Up The Road’.

Pass The Plate
Pass The Plate – EG Kight (It’s Hot In Here – 2022)
I Miss You – Peter Veteska & Blues Train (So Far So Good – 2022)
Don’t Let It Be You – The Blues Band (So Long – 2022)
You’re So Fine – Sam Lay (I Get Evil – 2005)
Fattening Frogs For Snakes – Steve Bailey & Mississippi MacDonald (Crazy ‘Bout You – 2022)
Walkin Blues – Blue Touch (The Music of Robert Johnson – 2022)

Pinetop’s Pick
Further On Up The Road – John Hammond (Timeless – 2014)

Wings Of The King
I Can’t Understand It – Duke Robillard (They Called It Rhythm & Blues – 2022)
Drinkin’ Liquor & Chasin’ Women – Larry McCray (ft Joanna Connor) (Blues Without You – 2022)
When You Got A Good Friend – Edgar Winter & Doyle Bramhall II (Brother Johnny – 2022)
Make You Mine – Cinelli Brothers (No Country For Bluesmen – 2022)
Mount Up On The Wings Of The King – Kenny Neal (ft Christone Kingfish Ingram)(Straight From The Heart – 2022)
Georgia Women – Hank Williams Jr (Fireman Ring The Bell – 2022)
If That Ain’t A Reason – Joanne Shaw Taylor (Blues From The Heart – 2022)

Looking back on this past year, there was a real buzz about the Edgar Winter tribute album to his brother Johnny. It featured plenty of notable blues names on the guest list, including Doyle Bramhall II who was with Edgar for my choice . . . that Robert Johnson favourite, ‘When You Got A Good Friend’.

Well, the past year has been good for the ladies of the blues, including Joanne Shaw Taylor, who has been riding high with her ‘Blues From The Heart’, and she closed the year with a great UK tour. So, I chose to close this first half of my review of 2022 with her take on Little Milton’s song . . . ‘If That Ain’t A Reason’. Before that there was a big thanks from here for your good company and the hope that you’ll be back for the second part of my annual review, the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 22 December 2022
Broadcast by Blues Radio on 24 December 2022
Broadcast by Blues Radio on 25 December 2022

Santa’s Gonna Rock . . .

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

Well, a very cheery welcome to one and all for this seasonal edition of Cruising with The Commissioner. This week we turned up bedecked in our festive finery, including The Cruise Mobile, which we rolled out with a seat saved especially for you. Mr Merlot was full of ‘Ho Ho Ho’ and The Cruisettes were on board with enough pink fizz for all. So, big smiles and plenty of good cheer, we kicked off our festive frolic with The Cadets, followed by The Refreshments and a few favourites chosen by the Cruisettes . . . .

Cruising with Santa
Santa’s Gonna Rock – The Refreshments
Let’s Rock & Roll – The Cadets
I’m The Real Santa – The Refreshments
Santa Was A Skinhead – The Midtown Boys
It’s Christmas Time – Status Quo
Dig That Crazy Santa Claus – Brian Setzner
Hey! Santa Claus – The Moonglows
Santa Is Rockin’ – The Boppers

Girls & Guitars
Run Rudolph Run – Sheryl Crow

Santa Loves To Boogie
Santa Claus Is Ska-ing To Town – The Granville Williams Orchestra
Merry Christmas Baby – Otis Redding
She’ll Be My Everything For Christmas – Los Lonely Boys
Please Come Home For Christmas – Johnny Winter

Santa’s Gonna Rock
Jolly Old St Nicholas – Chicago
Santa Loves To Boogie – Asleep At The Wheel
All I Want For Christmas – Huey Piano Smith & The Clowns
I Want A Present For Christmas – Doc Bagby Orchestra (featuring JB Summers)
Santa’s Gonna Rock – The Refreshments
A Very Merry Rockin’ Good Christmas – The Rockabilly Boogie Band

Our Girls & Guitars feature focused on a seasonal choice from Sheryl Crow. This was a classic song by Chuck Berry, Run Rudolph Run . . . . and it went down rather well with the Cruising Crew this week.

Well, eventually time ran out on our Christmas Cruise and it took a good deal of cleaning up to get things back to some sense of normality. But be assured we will be back and we’ll be calling by in the cruise mobile with a seat saved especially for you. Remember, if you’re travelling home for Christmas or visiting others . . . . take it steady and here’s hoping Santa brings you something nice. Then, with a festive wave, we headed off for the hols. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 20 December 2022

So Happy . . . .

Listen here to this week’s edition of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic:

Well, despite the weather, there was a cheery welcome to one and all. It had proved to be a busy week, so there hadn’t been much time to go rummaging in the music library this week, but when I did, I came across a fine piece of soul to open the show. It came from Prince Phillip Mitchell and I thought I’d share it with you, in the hope that it’s message . . . ‘I’m So Happy’ . . . would become sufficiently infectious that you’d be more than ready for the sage-like advice from Chris Rea . . . ‘Let’s Dance’. Then, one choice for our Sonic Tonic just might have got Joy Watts doing some fancy footwork, because she’s been complaining lately that she doesn’t hear the music of Bread on the radio anymore . . . so they turned up among the ‘good stuff’ for this week’s Sonic Tonic, with a note to thank me later.

Now, this week’s Tell It Like It Is brought a song with a story about Bruce Springsteen. Way back when Bruce was putting together the songs for his first album, ‘Greetings from Asbury Park N.J.’, Columbia Records boss, Clive Davis, felt the album lacked a potential single. So, Bruce went off and wrote a song in response and it did become a Bruce’s first No.1 single . . . but not by him. The song got covered by UK band, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band and they got to No 1 with Bruce’s . . . ‘Blinded By The Light’.

Let’s Dance
I’m So Happy – Prince Phillip Mitchell
Let’s Dance – Chris Rea
Don’t Tell Me No – Bread
Beast Of Burden – Johnny Rawls
Are You Lovin’ Me Too – Del Shannon
I Got To Know – Don Bryant

Tell It Like It Is
Blinded By The Light – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band

California Wine
California Wine – Quinn Devlin & The Bridge Street Kings
Make Me Yours – Ann Peebles
Live Learn – The California Honeydrops
Your Mind Is On Vacation – Mose Allison

Mellow Moment
Small Town Talk – Paul Butterfield’s Better Days

How Sweet It Is
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
Wings Of A Dove – Madness
I Gotta New Love – Freddie Fingers Lee

Now, if you were ready to be soothed, smoothed and relaxed, then this week’s Mellow Moment arrived just in time . . . . and it featured someone who had a birthday this week. This was Paul Butterfield, who slipped into our Sonic Tonic with his take on a much covered Bobby Charles song . . . ‘Small Town Talk’. So, if there was someone special nearby, I suggested this could be the time to give them your best smile and be ready to smooch.

Then, for those who needed an excuse to practice their seasonal choral prowess, I suggested a little enthused participation with Madness and their ‘Wings Of A Dove’. As that faded away, a glance at the clock on the wall told me I should start to collect up all the music, tidy up the studio and get ready to head on out . . . but not before we heard the last choice for this week’s Sonic Tonic, from someone dubbed Newcastle’s ‘one eyed boogie boy’, this was Freddie Fingers Lee. So, it was time for a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and the hope that we’ll meet again soon for another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 16 December 2022

I’ll Get Through This Time . . .

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

Well, there was a big bluesy welcome to one and all, as always, and knowing it was very much the festive season, I arrived bringing you the best of the blues this week in a Santa free zone. We were soon into business as usual with celebrated UK band The Cadillac Kings getting us started with another something from last week’s album of the week , . . . their latest release ‘Crash & Burn’. . . . this time it was ‘Betty Lou Broke Out Of Jail’. Then, a test for those with keen powers of recall . . . . will they know that back in 1997 Kenny Wayne Shepherd was just 18 and was releasing his second album. It became the biggest album of his career, so far, and to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Kenny’s re-recorded all the tracks for his current release ‘Trouble is . . . 25’ and if you catch him on his upcoming UK tour I was guessing his new version of ‘Long Gone’ would be on the set list.

The keenest of gigsters will know that Eric Bibb’s got tour dates lined up soon and it brought a gentle reminder to me to dip back into his catalogue for something from him. There was plenty of good stuff to choose from, but in the end, I chose his exquisite version of a blues song with a long and fascinating history. The Reverend Gary Davis is often credited as the author of ‘Cocaine Blues’, but its origins seem to go back even further.

Watch Out
Betty Lou Broke Out Of Jail – The Cadillac Kings (Crash & Burn – 2022)
Long Gone – Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Trouble Is . . . 25 – 2022)
Love Is Hard – Ernie Santella (The Whole Shabang – 2022)
Let Me Love You Baby – Duke Robillard & The Pleasure Kings (Duke’s Mood – 2022)
Watch Out – The Nimmo Brothers (Moving On – 2003)
Cocaine Blues – Eric Bibb (Blues Ballads & Worksongs – 2011)
Born In London – The Bluematics (Born In London – 2022)

Pinetop’s Pick
Somewhere Down The Line – Little Johnny Taylor (Somewhere Down The Line – 2014)

Too Hot To Handle
Lucky #7 – Nidaros Blueskompani (Live in Nidaros Studio – 2022)
Too Hot To Handle – Duke Robillard & The Pleasure Kings (Duke’s Mood – 2022)
Stand Strong Together – Kai Strauss (Night Shift – 2022)
I’ll Get Through This Time – Touch Of Groove (Touch Of Groove – 2022)
Two Trains Runnin’ – The Paul Butterfield Blues Band (East West – 1966)
Long Gone Baby – Duke Robillard & The Pleasure Kings (Duke’s Mood – 2022)

This week, there was a band that really made my ears smile . . . this was ‘Touch Of Groove’ with their new self-titled album. The band hail from France and their album is full of original compositions delivered with a distinctly Memphis style, soulful groove. A gentle warning here . . . it’s not all blues, but they can certainly get pretty bluesy when they want to, as you heard on . . . ‘I’ll Get Through This Time’.

Well, he got two mentions this week, not least because this week happened to include the birthday of Paul Butterfield. Now, I remember seeing Paul with his original blues band line up when he toured the UK back in 1966 and even at this distance, I’m still pretty sure, that ‘Two Trains Runnin’ was on their set list that night . . . so I found my copy to share with you this week.

All too soon, our blues time together was running out fast, so I lined up the last of my choices from my album of the week, courtesy of Duke Robillard. This time it was ‘Long Gone Baby’, 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 Miskin Radio on 15 December 2022
Broadcast by Blues Radio on 17 December 2022
Broadcast by Blues Radio on 18 December 2022

Get On The Right Track . . .

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

It didn’t matter if you had tinsel all over the table, pine needles all over the floor or wrapping paper running out way too soon. The trusty Cruise Mobile arrived just in time to help you leave all the chaos behind and whisk you off on another vaguely supervised musical adventure, across musical boundaries, in and out of time zones, and jumping genres . . . . but that’s what you expect when you go Cruising with The Commissioner!

We arrived in great style with UK band The Big Six and their ‘Master Blaster’, which was the opener to a Cruising adventure focused entirely on UK artists. Then, with a taste of what was to follow, we kicked off down the road with veteran of the 50s UK music scene, Wee Willie Harris and his fine version of the 1950 song, ‘Rag Mop’.

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature, focused on legendary UK blues guitarist and singer Jo Ann Kelly. She grew up in South London and became one of the country’s leading acoustic blues performers. Indeed, such was her reputation at home and abroad that Canned Heat and Johnny Winter both tried to recruit her. Although blues was her forte, she occasionally indulged in a little soul and rock & roll and we found her doing an enthusiastic version of Brenda Lee’s ‘Sweet Nuthins’.

Master Blaster
Master Blaster– The Big Six
Rag Mop – Wee Willie Harris
Roomin’ House Boogie – Ricky Cool & The Hoola Boola Boys
Like My Mama Boogie Woogied – Roy Young
Ain’t That Loving You Baby – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
I Can’t Stand It – The Spencer Davis Group
Sapphire – Shakin’ Stevens
Get On The Right Track – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
All Around the World – Si Cranstoun
Leave My Kitten Alone – The Beatles

Girls & Guitars
Sweet Nuthin’s – Jo Ann Kelly

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

Fine & Healthy
My Wife Can’t Cook – Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings
Fine & Healthy Thing – Dick Lovejoy’s Original Southside United
I Don’t Want To Be In Love – Geraint Watkins & The Dominators
Tulane – The Steve Gibbons Band

Now, our focus on UK artists proved to be fascinating in searching for suitable delights for this week’s Doo Wop Stop, because in the 50s doo wop was not a genre that thrived in the UK back then. One exception was Emile Ford, who was fronting his own band at the age of 20, as Emile Ford and the Checkmates got himself a No. 1 hit with his very first record. We also found some great doo wop from UK group the Flying Pickets . . . so called because several of their members had actually been flying pickets in the famous UK coal miners’ strikes.

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

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 13 December 2022

When I See Ya . . .

Listen here to this week’s edition of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic:

Well, there might be even more gazing into the distance in a few weeks, but for now we were just waiting to see the weekend heading this way. To get you up to full funky fitness for the weekend, I arrived with a big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic, ready to lift the spirits and excite the senses. Then, with not a moment’s hesitation, I was launching into the good stuff with Bobby Doyle and a song he sang on the soundtrack of that classic road film ‘Vanishing Point’ . . . ‘The Girl Done Got It Together’. It was followed closely into the Sonic Tonic by Cool Million with a track that features someone who was here last week Paul MacInnes . . . and he was back to get you grooving.

Well, this week’s Tell It Like It was inspired by the birthday this week of Toots Hibbert, who was the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and frontman of reggae and ska band Toots & The Maytals. It was his 1968 song ‘Do the Reggay’ which is widely held to be responsible for giving the name reggae to that distinct musical genre. With the Maytals, he had a string of hits with self-penned songs, but he also cited Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, and James Brown among his key influences and along the way showed he was not averse to covering other people’s songs too. One of those was this 2001 version of a song you may know well by The Rolling Stones . . . ‘Start Me Up’.

Soul Deep
The Girl Done Got It Together – Bobby Doyle
Back Together – Cool Million (ft Paul MacInnes)
Uptown Baby – Jonathan Phillip Gorse, Matthew Moore
Soul Deep – Output Input (ft Hamish Stuart)
Shoulda Woulda Coulda – Dee Ellington

Tell It Like It Is
Start Me Up – Toots & The Maytals

You Don’t Call
Hoodoo Time Machine – Hoodoo Loungers
Bad Loser – Kai Strauss
How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore – Scary Pockets (ft Hunter)

Mellow Moment
Got To Have You – Rae Gordon Band

Well Alright
Game Of Love – Amanda Yang
Feel Like I Do – Eric Lindell
When I See Ya – TT Grace
Well Alright – Little Richard

Now, I keep my eye on the new releases and there are a few names that always attract a little more interest> So, there were no apologies from me for the welcome return of Scary Pockets, who seem to have an impressive output and I chose one of their latest, ‘How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore’. It brought us rather nicely to our Mellow Moment, where I try to soothe you, smooth you and help you relax. I suggested that, if there was someone special nearby, this might be the opportune moment to cast your best smile their way and suggest it’s time to smooch. Aiding and abetting me this week, was the Rae Gordon Band . . . and the rest (as I said) was up to you.

We were soon picking up the pace with TT Grace and something designed to get you strutting your stuff. If you were, it may have been little comfort to know you weren’t alone, but a glance at the clock on the wall told me I should be starting to collect up all the music here, tidy up the studio and get ready to head on out. So, we came to the last choice for this week’s Sonic Tonic, which came with a most respectful nod in the direction of Mrs Penniman’s young lad Richard, because it was his birthday this week and I thought we should add him to the Sonic Tonic. The choice was a song that Sam Cooke wrote especially for him called ‘Well Alright’, but before I let him loose, it was time for a big thanks for your good company on this week’s show and the hope that we’ll meet again soon for another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 9 December 2022