Never Alone . . . .

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

It all started with a big cheery welcome to one and all . . . and the offer of a big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic to put a little more pep in your step with plenty of the good stuff. There was enough for all, so no need for any jostling in the queue. We arrived with Jamiroquai and some boogie rhythms to get the pulses racing and make your ears smile. Then, to keep the spirits up, we were heading off in the good company of John Haydock capturing some vibes that just might sound familiar . . . and all the better for that!

This week’s Tell It Like It Is feature, brought a song with a story, which focused on Renaldo “Obie” Benson, who was the bass vocalist for The Four Tops!! As well as being a successful singer, he was also a songwriter and among his claims to fame was that he co-wrote the song ‘What’s Goin’ On’. He wrote it after witnessing the brutality against anti-war protesters in Berkley’s ‘People’s Park’. Obie, with his friend and songwriter Al Cleveland, wrote the song and Obie wanted to the Four Tops to record it, but the others in the group turned it down. When Marvin Gaye heard the song, he added a new melody and some of his own lyrics and recorded it in the Hitsville studios. Motown boss Berry Gordy told him it was ‘the worst thing he’d ever heard in his life’ and refused to release it, but without his knowledge 100,000 copies had been pressed and sent to radio stations across the country . . . . the enthusiastic response, persuaded Berry Gordy to change his mind and the song became a big hit. Since then, there have been over 260 other versions of the song, but I chose that original by Marvin Gaye

Day In The Sun
Canned Heat – Jamiroquai
These Streets – John Haydock
Day In The Sun – John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
That’s My Story – Crispin Cioe & Cracked Ice

Tell It Like It Is
What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye

Stormy
Honey & Butter – The California Honeydrops
She’s In LA – Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18
Stormy – Santana

Mellow Moment
Never Alone – Justin Lynn

Message To You
Close The Door – Jtreece & The Terri Green Project
Message To You – Rico Rodriguez
Allons Rock & Roll – Gavin Povey
Kidney Stew – Zuzu Bollin

For this week’s Mellow Moment I came ready to soothe you, smooth you and help you relax . . . and this week’s choice was soulful ballad that happened to be the latest release from Justin Lynn. So, (with all the relevant T&Cs applying) I suggested that, if there was someone special nearby . . . this is most decidedly your moment to smooch. If that wasn’t enough, I made room in the Sonic Tonic for the worthy addition of a steamy, deep soul ballad from Jtreece, with The Terri Green Project that perhaps demanded a deal of discretion!

There was something special to charm the Lovely Dee . . . with someone who’s been on the giglist many times over the years . . . this was Rico Rodriguez, who’d be texting if he could . . . because this was a ‘Message To You, Rudy’. Then, we were heading on down the road with Gavin Povey wondering if the angels play rock and roll in heaven . . . if they do there’s certainly a plentiful supply of seasoned rockers up there to call on . . . but whatever was going on up there . . . down here, sadly, we came to the last choice for this week’s Sonic Tonic. This was a number that popped up on Diz Watson’s setlist when he was delivering a boogie woogie masterclass in London this past week. This came from Zuzu Bollin . . . but before I let him loose, there was a big thanks for your good company this week and the promise that if you turn up, same time, same place next week, you’ll be in line for another big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 30 June 2023

Sophisticated Rattle . . .

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

It all kicked off with a big bluesy welcome and straight into my ‘album of the week’ from Skyla Burrell. As soon as I heard her new album, I knew it had to be on the playlist. The album’s titled ‘Broken 45s’ and my first choice was ‘Voodoo’, which is one of the mighty powerful tracks and there were more to come. Meanwhile, in my breezing through the new releases, I came across a little number from the Nick Moss Band, featuring Dennis Gruenling, on . . . ‘The Bait In The Snare’.

Joe Bonamassa may have been surprised that it’s been 20 years since he released his original ‘Blues Deluxe’ album, but he’s following up soon with the release his new album ‘Blues Deluxe Vol. 2’. The album features two of Joe’s originals along with eight covers, including the Bobby “Blue” Bland classic, ‘Twenty-Four Hour Blues’

Funky Rhetoric
Voodoo – Skyla Burrell (Broken 45s – 2023)
The Bait In The Snare – Nick Moss Band feat Dennis Gruenling (The Bait In The Snare – 2023)
Funky Rhetoric – Lee Oskar (Funky Rhetoric – 2023)
Twenty-Four Hour Blues – Joe Bonamassa (Blues Deluxe Vol.2 – 2023)
Sweet Honey Child – Billy The Kid & The Regulators (Nice Ain’t Got Me Nothin – 2023)
August – Skyla Burrell (Broken 45s – 2023)
Lafeyette – Mojo Monkeys (Mojofo – 2023)

Pinetop’s Pick
Ramblin’ Woman – Johnny ‘Big Moose’ Walker (Ramblin’ Woman – 2015)

Feel So Good
Feel So Good – Willy Mazzer & The Headhunters Band (Cotton Jute & Silk – 2023)
Lover Take All – Shaun Murphy (I’m Coming Home – 2023)
Rise – Danny Bryant (Rise – 2023)
Hard Time – Skyla Burrell (Broken 45s – 2023)
The Thrill Is Gone – Arlen Roth & Jerry Jemmott (Super Soul Session – 2023)
29 Ways – Willie Dixon (The Chess Box – 1989)
Sophisticated Rattle – Joey Buddy (One Man Stromptet – 2023)

The seasoned bluesers will tell you, Willy Mazzer, is a much admired blues harpman, who hails from Italy. For his latest album, he’s teamed up with the Headhunters Blues Band, for a joint enterprise, where they reinterpret some rare blues masterpieces from the likes of John Lee Hooker, Little Walter, Hound Dog Taylor, and many others. The album’s titled ‘Cotton Jute & Silk’ and, as an example of what you’ll find here, I played their collective revisit to Junior Parker’s classic Sun Records track, ‘Feel So Good’.

Now, Arlen Roth & Jerry Jemmott’s album ‘Super Soul Session’ is just that . . . it’s a selection of superbly re-interpreted soul classics, but among the tracks is a very fine version of Roy Hawkins 1951 hit, ‘The Thrill Is Gone’, which was made very welcome on this week’s playlist. But, while that was playing, I was conscious of the relentless tick tock of the studio clock, which was reminding me that it was time to start gathering up the music, tidying up the studio and getting ready to head on out of here, but not before we heard from Joey Buddy with a gem from his album, ‘One Man Stromptet’ . . . this was ‘Sophisticated Rattle’. Before that, there was a big thanks for your good company this week 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 28 June 2023
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 29 June 2023
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 1 July 2023
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 2 July 2023

Could It Be You . . .

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

Well, with expert timing, the Cruising Crew arrived just in time to jump aboard the trusty Cruise Mobile which was purring away gently and all ready to take us for another adventure down those overgrown and long forgotten backroads of the music we love. So, we encouraged no time wasting, but to jump aboard and buckle up in the seat we’ve saved especially for you. It was all designed to ensure maximum joy from Cruising with The Commissioner . . . . . and setting us off in great style was U.P. Wilson with ‘U.P. Express’.

This week, our Girls & Guitars feature, turned its spotlight on guitarist and singer Elizabeth McQueen. She grew up around Austin in Texas, where she learned to play guitar and was soon starting her music career. Then she moved to Washington, D.C., where, in 2005, she released her album ‘Happy Doing What We’re Doing’ in 2005, which is where we found her take on an old R&B favourite ‘You Ain’t Nothing But Fine’.

That’s Right
U.P. Express – U.P. Wilson
Dapper Dan – Johnny Taylor & The Tabs
She’s Flirt – The Jewels
Could It Be You – The Four Tops
Down On The Bayou – Louisiana Avenue
That’s Right – Frankie Ford
Loberta – Huey Piano Smith (ft Bobby Marchan)

Girls & Guitars
You Ain’t Nothing But Fine – Elizabeth McQueen & The Firebrands

Little Groover
That’s My Story – Crispin Cioe & Cracked Ice
Don’t Stop (I’ll tell you when) – Los Pacaminos
Hippie Girl (My Little Groover) – Tex Mex Experience

Doo Wop Stop
Can I Come Over Tonight – The Velours

Summertime Rock
Summertime Rock – Linus Zander
Rocket 88 – Rufus Thomas
Carlton Street Boogie – Bill King

With no little business-like prompting from Mr Merlot, we came to our Doo Wop Stop, where we take a moment to look back at those vocal groups of the 50s and 60s. This week we heard from a Brooklyn vocal group who were first known as The Troubadours and then made their first recordings for the Onyx label, as The Velours. They regularly performed at the Apollo Theatre, and shared stages with such stars as Roy Brown, Fats Domino, Larry Williams and Bo Diddley. In the late 1950s they had two minor pop hits in America “Can I Come Over Tonight” and “Remember”, but, changed their name again, when they relocated to the UK in the late 1960s. There, they had several top ten hits as The Fantastics, but this week’s choice from them was one of this US hits . . . ‘Can I Come Over Tonight’.

Well, it may have been a surprise to many . . . but Bill King’s ‘Carlton Street Boogie managed to get us all the way home, safe and sound. The trusty Cruise Mobile was soon parked up and getting the quick once over to check it was all ready for our next adventure. Then, to give you a suitable send off, Mr Merlot, The Cruisettes and yours truly were lined up with a smile and a wave, before heading off to the after show party. But, first there was a big thanks for your good company for this week’s adventure and the hope that we’ll meet again, same time, same place, next week to once again go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 27 June 2023

It’s On Tonight . . .

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

Well, there was a big cheery welcome to one and all, especially for those who were looking to get tuned up for the weekend. If that was you, then you were definitely in the right place at the right time , because I was here with a big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. You can’t buy it in the shops, you can’t get it on prescription, it’s only available here in person. As the first example of the good stuff that goes into the Sonic Tonic, first up to set us off grooving was Maysa and keeping those goodtime vibes going, were Louisiana Avenue with a little tropical ‘Heat’, which just might have got your hips to twitch and your feet to start to move.

This week’s Tell It Like It Is brought a song with a story which was written by New Radicals frontman Gregg Alexander, but before he could record himself, album producer Clive Davis felt a female voice would maximize the song’s appeal, so he arranged for Carlos Santana to record the song with Tina Turner as vocalist.

When Tina Turner declined to appear in a video for the track, Clive Davis recruited Macy Gray to record a replacement vocal, but he was still not satisfied, so he asked Michelle Branch to record the song adding vocals and rhythm guitar. At the time she said it was the first time she had sung somebody else’s song. . . . and she didn’t even get to meet Carlos at the recording session. Her version got on Santana’s 2002 album, ‘Shaman’ and, when it got released as a single, it became an international top ten hit. If you had never heard Tina Turner’s version before . . . you couldn’t say that after this week’s show.

Put It On Me
Put It On Me – Maysa
Heat – Louisiana Avenue
Everybody Meets Mr Blue – Wee Willie Walker & The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra
I Can’t Dance – Nate Williams & Steve Winwood
Giving It Up For Your Love – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers

Tell It Like It Is
Game Of Love – Tina Turner

Start It Up
Start It Up – Crispin Cioe & Cracked Ice
Knock It Out The Box – Jessi Terrell
It’s On Tonight – ConFunkShun
Holding You, Loving You – Shuya Okino & Pete Simpson

Mellow Moment
Someday, Someway – Joe Louis Walker & Carla Cooke

Dancing Shoes
Raven Haired Girl – Lasses Rogers Band
Dancing Shoes – Gumbo
Lucky Thirteen – Linus Zander

When it was time for this week’s Mellow Moment, I was all ready to soothe you, smooth you and help you relax . . . and this week’s choice was a soulful ballad titled ‘Someday, Someway’, that brought together veteran bluesman Joe Louis Walker with Sam Cooke’s youngest daughter Carla Cooke. So, with a reminder of all the T&Cs applying, I suggested that, if there was someone special nearby . . . this is was most decidedly your moment to smooch.

All too soon, the relentless tick tock of the clock brought us nearly to the end of our time together this week and time for the last choice for this week’s Sonic Tonic. It came from Sweden’s own Linus Zander, who you may have heard here before . . . so you knew what to expect! But, before I let him loose, there was a big thanks for your good company this week and the hope that we’ll meet again, same time, same place, next week for another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 23 June 2023

Right Next To The Blues . . .

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

Well, with a big bluesy welcome to one and all, I welcomed all the blues lovers and, expecting them, as I was, I’d been busy finding some of the best blues around. So, I suggested relaxing awhile as I played through some of what I’d found. I started in Australia with John Haydock, who hails from Sydney and has just released his latest album, ‘Straight Line On A Curved Road’, which has some fine bluesy numbers, and I promised more of those later in the show because it was my album of the week and I kicked off with John’s number . . . ‘These Streets’.

Demonstrating the international influence of the blues, I played something from Portuguese bluesman Duca Belintani. It featured some very fine North Mississippi style cigar box guitar work on his latest single ‘Just An Old Man’ and I recommended, if that sounded good to you, to look out for his album ‘Electric Delta’. Then, from Portugal, we headed all the way to Lake Providence, in Louisiana, to catch up with Calvin Duncan Jr. He was along with something from his new album ‘Come Along’ and the descriptive ‘What The Blues Does For Me’.

Break That Spell
These Streets – John Haydock (Straight Line On A Curved Road – 2023)
I’d Rather Be Lucky Then Good – Texas Scratch (Texas Scratch – 2023)
Just An Old Man – Duca Belintani & Octavio Rocha (Electric Delta – 2023)
What The Blues Does For Me – Calvin Duncan Jr (Come Along – 2023)
If You’re Gonna Leave Me – Connor Selby (Connor Selby (Deluxe Edition) – 2023)
Break That Spell – King Bee & The Stingers (Break The Spell – 2023)

Pinetop’s Pick
Just A Little Bit – Rosco Gordon (Doggin’ – 2020)

New Shade Of Blue
I Love You Too – Los Pacaminos (Seven – 2023)
Right Next To The Blues – John Haydock (Straight Line On A Curved Road – 2023)
She Moved On – McKinley James (She Moved On – 2023)
Roadtrip – Rock The Bob (Get Hot – 2023)
The Little Things – John Haydock (Straight Line On A Curved Road – 2023)
New Shade Of Blue – Crispin Cioe (Soul Moir – 2023)

Now, among the many joys of the week had been finding the blues in unexpected places and there was an example on the playlist from UK Tex-Mex band Los Pacaminos. Their latest album is their 7th album release, aptly titled ‘Seven’ and among the typically Tex-Mex flavoured numbers was a bluesy treat, with Jamie Moses up front on . . . ‘I Love You Too’.

I suggested there was a good chance that you’d have come across Crispin Cioe somewhere before, because, his sax playing has been part of The Uptown Horns and featured with Nile Rogers and Chic, but back in 2007, his band, Cracked Ice, released its debut album called “Soul Noir”, featuring Crispin’s original songs and it’s just been re-released. So, it was a good excuse to bring you one of his originals . . . ‘New Shade Of Blue’ . . . but before that there was a big thanks for your good company this week 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 21 June 2023
Broadcast by Miskin Radio in 22 June 2023
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 24June 2023
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 25 June 2023

Could It Be You . . .

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

Well, with expert timing, the Cruising Crew arrived just in time to jump aboard the trusty Cruise Mobile which was purring away gently and all ready to take us for another adventure down those overgrown and long forgotten backroads of the music we love. So, we encouraged no time wasting, but to jump aboard and buckle up in the seat we’ve saved especially for you. It was all designed to ensure maximum joy from Cruising with The Commissioner . . . . . and setting us off in great style was U.P. Wilson with ‘U.P. Express’.

This week, our Girls & Guitars feature, turned its spotlight on guitarist and singer Elizabeth McQueen. She grew up around Austin in Texas, where she learned to play guitar and was soon starting her music career. Then she moved to Washington, D.C., where, in 2005, she released her album ‘Happy Doing What We’re Doing’ in 2005, which is where we found her take on an old R&B favourite ‘You Ain’t Nothing But Fine’.

That’s Right
U.P. Express – U.P. Wilson
Dapper Dan – Johnny Taylor & The Tabs
She’s Flirt – The Jewels
Could It Be You – The Four Tops
Down On The Bayou – Louisiana Avenue
That’s Right – Frankie Ford
Loberta – Huey Piano Smith (ft Bobby Marchan)

Girls & Guitars
You Ain’t Nothing But Fine – Elizabeth McQueen & The Firebrands

Little Groover
That’s My Story – Crispin Cioe & Cracked Ice
Don’t Stop (I’ll tell you when) – Los Pacaminos
Hippie Girl (My Little Groover) – Tex Mex Experience

Doo Wop Stop
Can I Come Over Tonight – The Velours

Summertime Rock
Summertime Rock – Linus Zander
Rocket 88 – Rufus Thomas
Carlton Street Boogie – Bill King

With no little business-like prompting from Mr Merlot, we came to our Doo Wop Stop, where we take a moment to look back at those vocal groups of the 50s and 60s. This week we heard from a Brooklyn vocal group who were first known as The Troubadours and then made their first recordings for the Onyx label, as The Velours. They regularly performed at the Apollo Theatre, and shared stages with such stars as Roy Brown, Fats Domino, Larry Williams and Bo Diddley. In the late 1950s they had two minor pop hits in America “Can I Come Over Tonight” and “Remember”, but, changed their name again, when they relocated to the UK in the late 1960s. There, they had several top ten hits as The Fantastics, but this week’s choice from them was one of this US hits . . . ‘Can I Come Over Tonight’.

Well, it may have been a surprise to many . . . but Bill King’s ‘Carlton Street Boogie managed to get us all the way home, safe and sound. The trusty Cruise Mobile was soon parked up and getting the quick once over to check it was all ready for our next adventure. Then, to give you a suitable send off, Mr Merlot, The Cruisettes and yours truly were lined up with a smile and a wave, before heading off to the after show party. But, first there was a big thanks for your good company for this week’s adventure and the hope that we’ll meet again, same time, same place, next week to once again go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 20 June 2023

Smile Time . . .

Here’s this week’s dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic:

Well, there were big smiles and much encouragement for those who wanted to be at the front of the queue for this week’s dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. It proved to be just what was needed to start the weekend in style, with plenty of the ‘good stuff’ for those who were bored by the ‘same old, same old’ on ‘ordinary radio’. There was plenty in the Sonic Tonic to raise the spirits and excite the senses . . . and to prove the point, it all kicked off with JD’s Time Machine and ‘The Kiss Of Freedom’. Then, those good summertime vibes were kept going with Louisiana Avenue, who were taking us ‘Uptown’.

Well, this week’s Tell It Like It Is, had a song with a story that took us back to 1965 when Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil were song writers in New York’s famous Brill Building. They had recently written the number one hit “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ for the Righteous Brothers and were hoping to repeat that success with another song for the duo. The song was ‘We Gotta Get Out of This Place’ and to promote the song, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil recorded their own demo version. UK record producer Mickie Most had a call out to the Brill Building songwriters for material for The Animals next recording session and, having heard the demo, The Animals recorded the song in June 1965. Their version became an international hit and The Righteous Brothers didn’t record the song back then, but they did record their version much later, in 2016 and it got slipped into the Sonic Tonic to make your ears smile.

Where Ya At
Kiss Of Freedom – JD’s Time Machine
Uptown – Louisiana Avenue
Where Ya At In Life – The Groove Crewe
Drift Away – Arlen Roth & Jerry Jemmott
Smile Time – Andre Bisson

Tell It Like It Is
We Gotta Get Out of This Place – The Righteous Brothers

Can’t See You
Living For The Ones – Bonnie Raitt
If I Can’t See You – Anne Peebles
Then I Loved You – Ron LaSalle
So Long – Jackie Mendez

Mellow Moment
Edith and the Kingpin – Herbie Hancock & Tina Turner

Ain’t Lyin’
I Ain’t Lyin’ – The Hogtown Allstars
Can’t Blame Nobody But Myself – Marcia Ball
Diddle-I – The Toreadors Trio

This week’s Mellow Moment arrived with the customary aim to soothe you, smooth you and help you relax. This time around, the choice came from an album called ‘River’ by Herbie Hancock, where he teamed up with a host of well known artists on a collection of covers of Joni Mitchell songs. It includes a rather special track, which features Tina Turner in an unusually cool and jazzy mood, but before we heard it, there was a familiar invitation . . . if there was someone special nearby . . . this was your moment to smooch.

There was a little more mixing of the flavours in the Sonic Tonic, with a change of style and pace, as we went swinging out with The Hogtown Allstars and then Marcia Ball with a couple of choices guaranteed to get your feet tapping and your head nodding. If it didn’t, the Sonic Tonic Recovery Team was on hand to cope with emergencies. But, all good things have to come to an end, and I was hoping I wasn’t the only one having a good time. Too soon, the clock on the studio wall said it was about time to be collecting up the music tidying up the studio and getting ready to head on out of here, but before I did . . . I had saved a little treat to send us off in high spirits and maybe even still singing along with the Toreador Trio. Before I let them loose, there was a big thanks for your good company this week and, until we meet again for another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 23 June 2023

Good Times Somehow . . . .

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

In an uncertain world, there’s always a re-assurance when The Blues Come Calling, because that always means plenty of the best blues around and this week was no exception. To prove it, I kicked off with a track from an album made some 13 years ago and just getting released now. This was Texas Scratch who feature two Texas guitar slingers’ Jim Suhler and Buddy Whittington along with the help of some notable friends. Their self-titled album was my album of the week . . . and my first choice was ‘Trip Hammer’. Following on was a re-visit to D.K. Harrell’s new album . . . ‘The Right Man’ . . . and at 24 year old, he’s been getting plenty of folks singing his praises for his blues guitar and vocals . . . especially for numbers like the appropriately titled . . . ‘When I Was Young’.

The festival season is well and truly with us and there’s plenty of great gigs around too, which is good news for Mississippi MacDonald with the release of his latest single featuring celebrated bluesman Benny Turner on a song they recorded together in Memphis recently. The song was written by Denise LaSalle, and first made famous by ZZ Hill. . . ‘this is what Mississippi MacDonald does with it’Someone Else Is Steppin’ In’.

Got Me Nowhere
Trip Hammer ­- Texas Scratch (Texas Scratch – 2023)
When I Was Young – D.K. Harrell (The Right Man – 2023)
What A Fool Will Do – Lisa Ohlback (Unravelling – 2023)
Sweet Honey Child (Acoustic Version) – Billy The Kid & The Regulators (Nice Ain’t Got Me Nowhere – 2023)
Someone Else Is Steppin’ In – Mississippi MacDonald & Benny Turner (Someone Else Is Steppin’ In – 2023)
Bad Girl – Larry Taylor & The Taylor Family (ft Demetria Taylor) (Generations Of Blues – 2023)

Pinetop’s Pick
Sweet Home Chicago – Gary Erwin & Pancho Ocampo

Unpredictable
If You Be My Baby – Alastair Greene (If You Be My Baby – 2023)
Ain’t Got The Scratch – Texas Scratch (Texas Scratch – 2023)
Good Times Somehow – Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip (Colours of Jealousy – 2023)
Unpredictable You – Steve Schmitt (Getting Old Is Killing Me – 2023)
Texas Trio – Texas Scratch (Texas Scratch – 2023)
Strut – Kenny Wayne Shepherd (How I Go – 2011)

Well, with an eye catching title like ‘Getting Old Is Killing Me’ . . . Steve Schmitt’s latest album is bound to generate some interest . . . which it has. Steve’s been out there as a touring musician since the early 70s covering most of America. He says he grew up in Ohio, listening to Muddy Waters, Paul Butterfield, Taj Mahal, Eric Clapton and those influences are here in this album with its collection of Steve’s original songs . . . like my choice . . . ‘Unpredictable You’.

The clock on the wall was ticking away our blues time together and before it was gone altogether, I was playing out with someone who was celebrating his birthday this week . . . this was Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who was sending us off in high spirits with his 2011 album ‘How I Go’ and powered-up ‘Strut’. But before that there was a big thanks for your good company this week and the hope that we’ll meet again the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 14 June 2023
Broadcast by Miskin Radio in 15 June 2023
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 17 June 2023
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 18 June 2023

Great Gosh Almighty . . .

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

Well, there was the customary big bluesy welcome to one and all to this week’s show and whatever anyone else promises you, if you’re here when The Blues Come Calling, rest assured there’s always plenty of the best blues around. This week was no exception, because I was kicking off with someone who was in London this week . . . Christone Kingfish Ingram . . . and I pulled out one of his numbers to mark the occasion . . . that was ‘It Ain’t Right’. Then, there was the first of two Canadian big blues bands . . . the Fog Blues & Brass Band were back, as promised, with another treat from their new album ‘Twelve Bar Prescription’ . . . great stuff it is too . . . this time my choice was . . . ‘Too Deep’.

The second Canadian band were delivering my album of the week. These were Western Canada’s 8 piece band . . . The Bluesland Horn Band. They arrived with their 6th album . . . helpfully titled ‘SIX’ which shows off their repertoire, which includes originals and covers, all delivered with Memphis-style R&B, some impressive blues, a little touch of gospel and some New Orleans grooves. My first selection from it was an up-tempo shuffle . . . ‘Not Ready’.

Across The Line
It Ain’t Right – Christone Kingfish Ingram (Kingfish – 2019)
Too Deep – FOG Blues & Brass Band (Twelve Bar Prescription – 2023)
Great Gosh Almighty – Lisa Ohlback (Unravelling – 2023)
Not Ready – The Bluesland Horn Band (SIX – 2023)
Hole In Your Soul – Fabrizio Poggi (Basement Blues – 2023)
Brothers and Sisters – Travelling Blues Kings (Brothers and Sisters – 2023)
Across The Line – Robert Cray (Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark – 1988)

Pinetop’s Pick
I Love Alberta – Drink Small (I Love You Alberta – 1959)

In The Attic
The Right Man – D.K. Harrell (The Right Man – 2023)
Stack A Lee – Dr John (The Montreaux Years – 2023)
Holy Water – The Bluesland Horn (SIX – 2023)
Gettin’ Over You Is Workin’ Over Me – Mike Guldin (The Franklin Sessions – 2023)
The Thrill Is Gone – Arlen Roth And Jerry Jemmott (Super Soul Session – 2023)
Shuffle In The Attic – The Bluesland Horn Band (SIX – 2023)

There were no prizes for spotting ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ on the playlist, but this time it came from the new album by Arlen Roth and Jerry Jemmott. The album’s called ‘Super Soul Session’ and on it, these two long-time friends join forces on a baker’s dozen of tracks that draw on their many influences . . . from rock, to soul, to blues and a little jazz. So, this is not a blues album as such, but the pair do have some other great talents in the studio with them, including Bruce Katz on keys, The Uptown Horns and special guest Joe Louis Walker, who stepped forward on ‘The Thrill Is Gone’.

All too soon, our blues time together was nearly gone, but I was playing out this week with another something from my album of the week. This brought back The Bluesland Horn Band with a great instrumental number from their latest album . . . simply titled ‘SIX’. I had to admit, the first time I heard this one I thought it could have been one of those classic Freddie King instrumentals. The band call this one ‘Shuffle In The Attic’ and if their attic is anything like mine, I’m mighty surprised there’s room to shuffle at all. But, before that, there was a big thanks from me 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 7 June 2023
Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 8 June 2023
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 10 June 2023
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 11 June 2023

What Am I Gonna Do . . .

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

Well, I arrived, just as you arrived and the Cruising Crew were already in Cruise Mobile with a seat saved especially for you. So, we were all ready to go Cruising with The Commissioner, with no sat/nav, no route planner and no idea where we were going, but we did have some great music to take us ‘who knows where’ and back again. Starting us off down the road was Jackie Kelso with ‘Rat-A-Tat’ . . . . and when The Vikster wants to meet Sam, we know where we’re going . . .

This week, our Girls & Guitars feature took us to Kansas City, Missouri, which is where we were likely to find Cassie Taylor, if she wasn’t off on tour with her band. She’s a singer-songwriter and guitarist, who was born in Boulder, Colorado and started her career in the early 2000s touring with father’s band. Since then, she’s developed a style influenced by Delta Blues, indie rock and a touch of psychedelia. She’s released two albums, to date, and we took a track from her 2013 album, ‘Out Of My Mind’ called ‘New Orleans’.

Top Notch
Rat-A-Tat – Jackie Kelso
Fat Sam From Birmingham – Louis Jordan
Top Notch Grade A – Al Reed
Kiss Me Baby – The Four Tops
Too Much Fun – Cowboy Jazz
Just Around The Corner – JD McPherson
When I Go Away – Mavis Staples & Levon Helm

Girls & Guitars
New Orleans – Cassie Taylor

One Foot In The Bayou
One Foot In The Bayou – David Egan
Use Somebody – Dick Brave & The Backbeats
The Girl of My Best Friend – Charlie Blackwell

Doo Wop Stop
This Heart Of MIne – Curly Williams & Group

Before I Go
Petrified – Ronnie Self
Hot Dog – Dale Hawkins
Baby What Am I Gonna Do – Smokey Armen & The Schooners
Before I Go – Shirley & Lee
Do Lord – Jackie Wilson & Linda Hopkins

We went jumping in the cruising time machine for this week’s Doo Wop Stop. It took us back to 1956 now, to find a Modern Records 45 by Curly Williams. Now, if you think you’ve heard this voice before then you probably have . . . many times . . . especially if you’ve been a long-time member of the Cruising Crew . . . because Curly Williams was an alias for the great Jesse Belvin, who was recording for various labels under different names back then, including this outstanding piece of doo wop . . . ‘This Heart Of Mine’.

Now, if you noticed the Cruise Mobile take a subtle change of direction while listening to R&B duo Shirley & Lee, then you’d have appreciated the apt choice of their number ‘Before I Go’. Then, with great relief to our insurers, we were home safe and sound from our musical adventure and already giving the Cruise Mobile a quick polish so it’s all ready for our next mystery tour. Mr Merlot and The Cruisettes joined me to give everyone a cheery wave an a smile, before they headed off for the after show party. So, before I joined them, there was a big thanks for your good company on this week’s cruise and the hope that we’ll all meet again, same time, same place, next week to go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Miskin Radio on 6 June 2023