Somebody’s Gotta Do It . . .

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

Well, with welcome predictability, at the appointed time there was a big cheery welcome to one and all, along with the suggestion that, whatever had been happening in your world, if you’re feeling in need of a strong pick-me-up . . . thenI was here with this week’s big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic to restore the twinkle to your eyes, the smile to your ears and the wiggle to your toes. I brought plenty of the ‘good stuff’ to make your day a little brighten and your mood a little lighter . . . . and getting in early were Osibisa with their invitation to all the groovers with their invitation to some partying . . . and we did!

Now, I was counting on some out there in listening land remembering a West End stage show called ‘Tom Foolery’. It was full of the music of American singer/songwriter, pianist and humourist Tom Lehrer. Now, aside from his on stage and TV performances, Tom was also a Harvard Professor of mathematics. But, it was his satirical songs that featured in that West End show and it included one song that hadn’t been previously released on one of his albums. It’s subject was what, during the pandemic, was called contact tracing, but here’s Tom’s version was called . . . ‘I Got It From Agnes’.

Let’s Party
Pata Pata – Osibisa
Let’s Party – The Kennedy Administration
I Got Love – Exile
So Good To Me – Keb Mo’
Ruby Louise – Seth James

Tell It Like It Is
I Got It From Agnes – Tom Lehrer

Where It’s At
That’s Where It’s At – The California Honeydrops
Ain’t No Stopping Us Now – The Soulkitchen Band
Fast As Lightning – Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers
We Got To Change – James Brown
Brand New Heart – The Memphis Royal Brothers
For Old Times Sake – Claire Anne Taylor

Mellow Moment
Life I Chose – Alice Armstrong

Gotta Do It
The Sun’s Gonna Shine Again – John Paul Keith
Walkin’ In The Sunshine – Dr Victor & The Rasta Rebels
It Gets Me Blue – Frankie Miller & Paul Carrack
Somebody’s Gotta Do It – Bobby Purify

Gotcha Covered
Tumbling Dice – Linda Ronstadt
Gimme Shelter – Merry Clayton
Start Me Up – Toots & The Maytals

Walk This Way
Smack Dab In The Middle Of A Miracle – Leanne Atherton
Sweet Jane – Enrico Ruggeri
That’s My Story – Crispin Cioe & Cracked Ice
Hand Me Down 45s – Mick Hayes
Walk This Way – Tiny Little Big Band
Brother Or Other – James Hunter
Never Gonna Let You Go – Nigel Hall
Beautiful Thing – Dylan Chambers
Do You Believe In Magic – The Lovin’ Spoonful
Rock & Roll Heart – Lucinda Williams
Do Anything You Wanna – Eddie & The Hot Rods

This week’s Gotcha Covered feature threw its spotlight on the the songs of The Rolling Stones. They have a huge catalogue of songs which have inspired a very long list of covers, some of them outstanding in their own right. So, my trio of tracks had to be selected with some care and the first out of the hat was this from Linda Ronstadt with ‘Tumbling Dice’, then Merry Clayton with another of those biggie’s from the Stones . . . ‘Gimme Shelter’. Although I was tempted to dip into the Stones’ much covered, softer ballads, I yielded to temptation, as you’re about to hear now with a cover that’s has been in the Sonic Tonic at least once before, and headed for an old favourite from Toots & The Maytals, especially for those with dancing shoes to hand.

Well, I was hoping there were plenty of smiling ears and wiggling toes during Lucinda Williams latest . . . ‘Rock & Roll Heart’ . . . and hopefully, even more during my last choice for this week’s Sonic Tonic from Eddie & The Hot Rods, who know only too well how to rock out in style. But, before I let them loose, there was a big thanks for your good company here and until we meet again for another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic . . . remember . . . .have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 28 February 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 4 March 2024

Calling Card . . . .

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

It all started with the customary big bluesy welcome to one and all . . . and whatever else was happening out there, there the promise of plenty of the best blues around, with all the usual features, the new releases, my album of the week, my bluesy gig guide and my guest spot. So, I kicked off with the first choice from my album of the week, from Rick Vito, who was back with a brand new album called ‘Cadillac Man’ and first up was the title track.

Back awhile, Asylum Records had a much sought after house band that worked with the label’s artists in the studio. They became known as The Section and, eventually, the band members went off to pursue other roles. But many have come together again as the band ‘The Immediate Family’ and they’ve just released an album titled ‘Skin In The Game’ . . . and I featured ‘Love Suicide’ as an early favourite from the album.

Gimme Some Of It
Cadillac Man – Rick Vito (Cadillac Man – 2024)
Love The Life You Live – Lucky Wüthrich (My Kind Of Music – 2024)
I Put A Spell On You – Sara Elise Forsell (I Put A Spell On You – 2024)
Gimme Some Of It – Tom Rush (Gardens Old, Flowers New – 2024)
Love Suicide – The Immediate Family (Skin In The Game – 2024)
You Can’t Stop A Guitar (From Playing The Blues) – Rick Vito (Cadillac Man – 2024)
Heavy Soul – Joanne Shaw Taylor (Heavy Soul -2024)

Pinetop’s Pick
Work Song – Paul Jones & Dave Kelly (Live In London – 1992)

This Is Hip
This Is Hip – Phillip Sayce (The Wolves Are Coming – 2024)
Calling Card – Rory Gallagher (The Best Of Rory Gallagher – 2020)
Blind Leading The Blind (acoustic) – Mississippi MacDonald (Call Me Mississippi – 2024)
Love Crazy Baby – Rick Vito (Cadillac Man – 2024)
Brand New Bone – The Altered Five Blues Band (Testifyin’ – 2024)
Slick Limousine – John Haydock (Slick Limousine – 2024)

The keepers of the blues diaries will have been keen to tell you that this week includes the birthday of Rory Gallagher and it was all the excuse I needed to play something from Rory and it seemed most appropriate to choose the number that inspired the title of this show all those years ago . . . ‘Calling Card’.

Well, those who know me well, must have expected that I’d return again to last week’s album of the week and I did indeed, with Mississippi MacDonald, bringing another song from his new album ‘Call Me Mississippi’ delivered this time with that great back porch vibe. Then, there was the welcome return of the Altered Five Blues Band with a taster of their upcoming new album ‘Testifyin’. I felt bound to say that when I listen to their latest . . . ‘Brand New Bone’ . . . I can’t wait to hear the whole album. All too soon we had almost run out of time for this week’s show, but before I headed for the studio door, I had a little something to play out with from John Haydock . . . this is ‘Slick Limousine’ . . . So, until the next time The Blues Come Calling . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 28 February 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 28 February 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 2 March 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 3 March 2024

Wait A Minute . . . .

Well, the trusty Cruise Mobile arrived right on time, with its motor purring gently, its windows wound down, its radio cranked up and all ready for you to jump aboard, to go Cruising with The Commissioner. As an added enticement, we arrived with Pearl Galloway on the radio and quickly set off down the road with Charles ‘Mad Dog’ Sheffield. The Steve Gibson & The Original Red Caps returned with their 1951 recording ‘Would I Mind’.

Now, this week’s Cruising Connections, brought another trio of tracks that all have a common link, starting with Ruth Brown’s 1958 hit ‘This Little Girl’s Gone Rocking’, then the distinctive sound of The Coasters with their 1961 Atco 45 ‘Wait A Minute’ and our final clue came from Dr John, with his take on ‘Splish Splash’. Mr Merlot was on hand with a lollipop and rosette for anyone who spotted the link was Bobby Darin, who penned each of those songs and many more, including his 1961 single ‘Oo-Ee Train’.

Give It Up
Get With It – Pearl Galloway
Give It Up – Charles Sheffield
Everybody Do The Chicken – The Five Jets
Try The Worrin’ Way – The Fabulettes
Would I Mind – Steve Gibson & The Original Red Caps
Wild Women (Don’t Get the Blues) – Lyle Lovett & Francine Reed
The Girl That Radiates That Charm – Chris Ruest

Cruising Connections
This Little Girl’s Gone Rocking – Ruth Brown
Wait A Minute – The Coasters
Splish Slash – Dr John
Oo-Ee Train – Bobby Darin

Girls & Guitars
Who’Da Thunk – Kathryn Grimm

Doo Wop Delights
Last Saturday Night – C-Notes
Oh Baby – The Jesters

Count On Me
Rockin’ – The Limboos
You Can Count On Me – Gene LaMarr
The Shape I’m In – Reese Wynans
Everybody Needs Somebody To Love – The Blues Brothers

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature focused on singer and guitarist Kathryn Grimm, who hails from Portland, Oregon, where, after finishing school, she enrolled with California State University and graduated with not one, but two music degrees. She’s since been busy as a songwriter and leading two local bands. To show off her talents, we chose a track from her 2004 album ‘Grimm Again’ . . . . ‘Who’Da Thunk’.

By coincidence, this week’s Doo Wop Delights both came from New York vocal groups and both were recorded in 1958. Firstly, The C-Notes, who only released one 45, called ‘Last Saturday Night’. Sadly, although they were very talented, their single didn’t get much national exposure, because the group couldn’t afford the Payola to get their songs played on the air. Next up were The Jesters, who did achieve some success after singing under the elevated train station near the Apollo Theatre, where Paul Winley discovered them and signed them to his Winley Records, where they recorded several 45s including our choice, ‘Oh Baby’.

We found Gene LaMarr & The Blue Flames with a little gem that came courtesy of a reminder from Jamie Dell’Apa. There was a shift of style with something from celebrated keyboard man Reese Wynans with ‘The Shape I’m In’. It caught the ear of Mrs TC, so we were anticipating her joining the Cruisettes for some dangerous dancing, which ensured that the Cruise Mobile’s change of direction was barely noticed, as we headed back to Cruise Control. After arriving back safe and sound, we gathering to give a cheery wave, as we headed off to the after show party, but we didn’t forget to give the Cruise Mobile a quick polish so it’s all ready for the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 23 February 2024

Wanna Boogie . . . .

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

As I wished everyone a big bluesy welcome, I was wrestling with the joyous task of trying to jam an overflowing armful of the best blues around into our blues time together. So, I was quick off the mark with a new release from Australian three piece band, Mississippi Shakedown with . . . ‘Can We Get Married Real Soon’ from their album ‘QLD’. Then, there was a bluesy tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd by the band’s former drummer, Artimus Pyle, who turned up with a track from his own band’s latest album ‘Anthems’ . . . ‘I Know A Little’.

When I revealed my album of the week, it was the new album from local bluesman Mississippi MacDonald. Now, many will have caught him doing his acoustic sets along the way and this latest album, ‘Call Me Mississippi’, is a collection of acoustic numbers recorded with his regular band member, Phil Deering, and featuring a revisit to several of his self-penned songs from his recent, highly successful albums.

Now, sometime soon, bluesman Michael Roach, will be heading this way and, I for one, am keen to get to see him. To share my enthusiasm, I pulled out his album ‘Tryin’ Times’, where I found Michael Roach, along with Sadie Roach on a little number . . . ‘You Can’t Come Round Here’ . . . but he can call by anytime here.

Losing The Blues
Can We Get Married Real Soon – Mississippi Shakedown (QLD – 2024)
I Know A Little – Artimus Pyle Band (Ft Michael Ray) (Anthems: Honouring The Music of Lynyrd Skynyrd – 2024)
Losing The Blues – Bubba Henry (It is What It Is – 2024)
Could Have Been Alright – Mississippi MacDonald (Call Me Mississippi – 2024)
Heavy Soul – Joanne Shaw Taylor (Heavy Soul – 2024)
Don’t Wanna Boogie – Mick Clarke (Don’t Wanna Boogie – 2024)

Pinetop’s Pick
Iodine In My Coffee – Johnny Winter (Guitar Slinger – 1984)

Come Round Here
Call Me Mississippi – Mississippi MacDonald (Call Me Mississippi – 2024)
Maybe Someday Baby – Seth James (Lessons – 2024)
You Can’t Come Round Here – Michael Roach and Sadie Roach (Tryin’ Times – 2019)
Visceral – Emanuel Casablanca (Strung Out On Thrills – 2024)
I Can’t Stop Loving You – The Mystix (On Stage – 2024)
Blues For Nick – Mississippi MacDonald (Call Me Mississippi – 2024)
Babylon Clouds – One Dime Band (Side Hustle – 2024)

The last choice from my album of the week, courtesy of Mississippi MacDonald, was a little acoustic instrumental, which was dedicated to Mississippi MacDonald’s music friend Nick Keir, who passed in 2013 and left him his acoustic guitar. Nick also persuaded him to buy a Gibson hummingbird . . . and it was that Gibson hummingbird that got used to compose the little instrumental, ‘Blues For Nick’.

All too soon, I had to choose the last track for this week’s show and it came from Boston’s, One Dime Band. They specialise in original Rhythm and Blues and their latest album ‘Side Hustle’ includes a self penned number ‘Babylon Clouds’ . . . but before I let them loose, there was a big thanks for your good company this week and the hope that we’ll meet again soon, the next time The Blues Come Calling. Until then . . . . remember . . . have fun.

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 21 February 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 21 February 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 24 February 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 25 February 2024

Do It Again . . . .

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

Well, whatever was happening in your world if you were feeling in need of a strong pick-me-up . . . then there was a big cheery welcome to one and an invitation to let me restore the twinkle to your eyes, the smile to your ears and the wiggle to your toes, with this week’s big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. This week I mixed in plenty of the ‘good stuff’ to make your day a little lighter and your mood a little brighter . . . . and getting in early were The Serial Funkers with their invitation to all the groovers out there in listening land to ‘Let’s Groove’ . . . following which there was even more grooving on offer from Patrice Rushen.

Well this week’s Tell It Like It Is brought a song with a story that included soulman Sam Cooke, guitarist and electronics wizard Les Paul and another celebrated guitarist, Jeff Beck. Back in January 1964 Sam Cooke was in the RCA recording studios to cut the final tracks for what would be his eleventh and final studio album. The album was titled ‘Ain’t That Good News’ and was recorded in the studio on multi-tracking device, like the Ampex 8 Track recorder that Les Paul helped develop. So, in 2005 when Les was putting together his star studded album ‘Les Paul & Friends’, the multi-tracked recording enabled them to put a new rhythm section behind Sam Cooke’s original vocal. The musicians of that latter session included Les Paul with Jeff Beck providing a rockabilly styled backing for Sam’s self -penned number . . . ‘Ain’t That Good News’.

Let’s Groove
Let’s Groove – The Serial Funkers
Look Up – Patrice Rushen
Do It Again – Sheryl Crow
Who’s Foolin’ Who – Seth James
Memphis Queen – Nick Black & The Wildroots

Tell It Like It Is
Ain’t That Good News – Sam Cooke (ft Les Paul, Jeff Beck and others)

Round We Go
Round We Go – Madness
If I Ever Break Free – Chris Rea
American Accent – Nick Keir (ft Mississippi MacDonald)
Pilot Of The Airwaves – Charlie Dore
Rebel Rebel – Rob Tognoni
No Matter What – Mark Cohn (ft Aimee Mann)

Mellow Moment
The Beauty Of Who You Are – Marc Broussard

Out The Box
A Man Who Believes His Own Lies – Josh Hoyer & Soul Collosal
Love Song – Sara Bareilles
Third Rate Romance – Amazing Rhythm Aces
Knock It Out The Box – Jesi Terrell

Gotcha Covered
Don’t Bring Me Down – Giuliano Palma & The Bluebeats
Mr Blue Sky – Joe Brown
Xanadu – Sharleen Spiteri

Tune Up
Midnight At The Oasis – Renee Olstead
Tune Up – Jr Walker & The All Stars
Run For Cover – Sugaray Rayford
Coming For You – Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers
Sunshine Baby – Jonathan Phillips Gorse & Matthew Moore
Did You Say Such A Thing – John Mellencamp & Bruce Springsteen
Feel Like I Do – Eric Lindell
Let’s Talk It Over – Willie & The Poor Boys

Now, I suspected that I was about to stir a little relationship trouble with this week’s Gotcha Covered selection. It was inspired by the enthused dancing and singing at a concert celebrating the music of ELO. I have no doubt that the ELO fundamentalists count among their number, the lovely Dee, who I suspected might be moved to remonstrate about these ELO songs being heard again through the covers of others. So, I moved stealthily to lock the studio door and press the headphones tight as I played a selection of covers from Giuliano Palma & The Bluebeats, Joe Brown and Sharleen Spiteri.

To prove I had been busy teasing out some more tasty treats to add to the Sonic Tonic recipe, I included a real groover from John Mellencamp & Bruce Springsteen, plus a lively addition from Eric Lindell to tantalise your musical taste buds. It certainly generated a bit of rhythmic movement here, but when I did cast a glance at the clock on the wall, sadly, it was telling me it was about time to be leaving. So, while Willie & The Poor Boys, played what they call ‘Let’s Talk It Over’, I was busy collecting up the music and tidying up the studio, because I’d had complaints from the next presenter about the carpet being rucked up and a Russ Conway album left behind. Then, all too soon, it was over, but I did manage to give a big thanks for your good company and the hope that we’ll meet again soon for another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 21 February 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 26 February 2024

Rocking All Night Long . . . .

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

Well, what more could you want . . . the trusty Cruise Mobile called by with a seat saved especially for you, with its radio cranked up and plenty of friendly faces all ready to go Cruising with The Commissioner. So, demonstrating our good intent, we arrived to the sound of Steve Gibson & The Original Red Caps and needed little encouragement to join The Ravens to go ‘Rocking All Night Long’. With the speed of light, we followed up with a little 1951 number from a band leader who got to be called ‘Tasso The Great’, but the record label just credited him as Tasso Zachary & His Orchestra. Then, the trusty Cruise Mobile was speeding us across the years from 1951 to 1958, to meet J.P. Richardson, The Big Bopper.

It’s a testament to the songwriters and performers of 50s R&B that their music lives on, not only through the original recordings, but through the covers by other artists like Washington DC band Big Joe & The Dynaflows with the Dave Bartholomew song ‘Go On Fool’. Then, from Washington, we headed to Austin Texas, to hear from singer, songwriter and keyboard man, Nakia Reynoso, with a New Orleans flavoured number . . . ‘Hoodoo Party’.

This week we had a trio of tracks that all shared a common link and started off with Johnny Darrow and his 1960 45 ‘Hand In Hand’, followed by a 1962 track by vocal group, The Drapers, which went on to become a big Northern Soul favourite. Finally, we brought an early number by The Drifters, all three of which shared something in common, because Johnny Darrow was the solo name used by the great Johnny Moore, who was one of the longest serving members of The Drifters and a member of The Drapers too.

Nuff Of That Stuff
Nuff Of That Stuff – Steve Gibson & The Original Red Caps
Rock Me All Night Long – The Ravens
Louisville KY – Tasso Zachary & His Orchestra
Walking Through My Dreams – The Big Bopper
Go On Fool – Big Joe & The Dynaflows
Hoodoo Party – Nakia

Cruising Connections
Hand In Hand – Johnny Darrow
I Know Your Love Has Gone Away – The Drapers
Fools Fall In Love – The Drifters

Girls & Guitars
Come On Over To Me – Meg Williams

Doo Wop Stop
Coming Back To You – The Royal Jokers
Gee What A Girl – The Hummers

Let It Rock
Mr Moonlight – Dr Feelgood & The Interns
Roscoe James McClain – The Tymes
Compensation Cheque – The Vals
Girls Girls Girls – The Coasters
Splish Splash – Freddy Cannon
Around The Corner (From My House) – Jewel Akens
Let It Rock – Mike Sanchez & The Limboos

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature took us down to Nashville to meet singer/songwriter and guitarist Meg Williams. Although she’s a native of Hornell, New York, she moved to Nashville a few years back and has been building a name for herself both in Music City and beyond. We brought a taste of her talents with a single titled ‘Come On Over To Me’.

Then, we were back with more sounds of those 50s vocal groups in our Doo Wop Stop. We kicked off with a Detroit vocal group who were known as The Serenaders, The Muskateers and The Royals but are probably best known as The Royal Jokers, which is what they were called when they recorded their 1959 single ‘Coming Back To You’. They were followed by New York group The Hummers with a number they recorded for Old Town records in 1955, but it didn’t released until 1995. It was probably their only recording . . . ‘Gee What A Girl‘.

After Dr. Feelgood and the Interns’ UK cult R&B favorite, ‘Mr Moonlight’, we had a couple of Coasters sound-alike songs from The Tymes and Chicago group, The Vals. There are only five copies still known to exist of The Vals 45 ‘Compensation Cheque’, so the collectors get very interested! Then, we heard from The Coasters themselves with a Leiber and Stoller song, ‘Girls Girls Girls’. Bobby Darin also had one or two songs in The Coasters catalogue and we found one of his songs covered by the ‘Boom Boom Man’ himself Freddy Cannon. While the Cruisettes were out in force and whooping along, almost in the right places, with Mr Cannon and Jewel Akens, we stealthily turned the Cruise Mobile for home and taking us all the way home was that larger than life character Mike Sanchez. Then, it was all over, with nothing left to do except say, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 16 February 2024

Get Goin’ . . . .

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

As I started this week’s show, I had a big smile and an armful of the best blues around. There were plenty of new releases, my album of the week and maybe a surprise or two, but kicking things off was Australian band Brilleaux. Like many others, I remember seeing them doing an amazing, powered up set a while back, at the much missed Blues On The Farm festival, down in Chichester and I’m pretty sure they did that Dr Feelgood favourite ‘No Mo Do Yakamo’. Meantime, my album of the week came from the Jon Amor Trio. Since his time with celebrated UK blues band The Hoax, and the short-lived, all star, Boom Boom Band, Jon’s been building a reputation for himself with his own band and this is his latest album, called ‘The Turnaround’.

This week, the playlist included a song that almost certainly started life as a field holler back in the the Southern States of America. This was ‘Bring A Little Water Sylvie’, which got included by Alan Lomax among his Smithsonian Folkways recordings. His recording featured Leadbelly and the song’s been covered many times since. In 1956 Lonnie Donegan released a version as a single and in 1960 Leon Bibb released his version. So, when his son Eric Bibb recorded his version Live at The Scala Theatre, Stockholm last year, it must have made an emotional connection.

Hello
No Mo Do Yakamo – Brilleaux
Eyes Wide Open – Rob Tognoni (Rebel – 2024)
The Turnaround – Jon Amor Trio (The Turnaround – 2024)
Hello – Austin Jimmy Murphy (Blues Salad Part Two – 2024)
Get Goin’ Get Gone – Katie Henry (Get Goin’ – 2024)
Bring A Little Water Sylvie – Eric Bibb (Live at The Scala Theatre, Stockholm – 2024)
Jumping George – Konstantin Kolesnichenko (Good Things – 2024)

Pinetop’s Pick
Shake ‘Em On Down – Mississippi MacDonald & Steve Bailey (Shake ‘Em On Down – 2018)

Up The Road
Bogie Boogie – Mr Smood & Vikharp (You’d Better Leave Now – 2024)
Streets I’ve Never Seen – Jon Amor Trio (The Turnaround – 2024)
Me & Memphis – Bubba Henry (It is What It Is – 2024)
Further On Up The Road – Bobby Blue Bland (Pat Hare In Session1952-1960 – 2024)
Rideau Street – Jon Amor Trio (The Turnaround – 2024)
Oh Babe, It Ain’t No Lie – Sue Foley (One Woman Guitar – 2024)

Now, it may have been just a coincidence, but I recently played here a number called ‘The Ballad of Pat Hare’ by Mississippi MacDonald and The Reverend Shawn Amos. Then, along come Jasmine Records with a rather fine collection of sessions featuring Texas guitarist Pat Hare. It includes Pat Hare’s own recording . . . ‘I’m Gonna Murder My Baby’. . . (which he eventually did in real life), but before that he played on sessions with some of the great and good of the blues. He was featured on some celebrated numbers too, including the classic from Bobby Blue Bland . . . ‘Further On Up The Road’ . . . which I played so we all could listen to Pat Hare’s distinctive guitarwork.

Well, I was still smiling as our blues time together was slowly ebbing away, because I’d lined up another choice from my album of the week, courtesy of The Jon Amor Trio. It was a particular favourite of mine from their new album ‘The Turnaround’ and, who knows, there may be more in future weeks. But, there was time to squeeze in something from Sue Foley’s upcoming album. It’s descriptively titled ‘One Guitar Woman’ and it’s Sue with a collection of solo acoustic numbers, featuring songs from some of the women whose music and lives still inspire today, including Elizabeth Cotton’s song ‘Oh Babe, It Ain’t No Lie’. Before that, I was giving a cheery wave and a smile and hoping 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 February 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 14 February 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 17 February 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 18 February 2024

I Saw The Light . . .

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

Hopefully, there was no surprise that, despite a busy week, there was a big cheery welcome to one and all, who turned up in time for this week’s big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. This was the ideal solution for all those feeling in need of a strong pick-me-up, after some put- you-downs. So, to restore the twinkle to their eyes, the smile to their ears and the wiggle to their toes, there were generous doses of the Sonic Tonic. Putting some pep in everyone’s step were The Soul Kitchen Band with their high energy take on that Donna Summer number . . . ‘She Works Hard’. . . and while the energy was still running high along came the latest release from the music power pack that is Sugaray Rayford.

This week’s Tell It Like It Is brought a song with a story inspired by the birthday this week of Long John Baldry. In the 60s, he became one of the early British vocalists to sing R&B, soul and blues in the clubs around the UK. His early bands included future stars like Rod Stewart and Elton John and, along the way, he also shared the stage with the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. But, his biggest success was as a pop singer in 1967 when “Let the Heartaches Begin” reached No. 1 in the UK, and his duet with Kathi McDonald on “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” reached No. 2 in Australia. Besides being a successful singer, he was also an actor and the featured voice of Dr. Ivo Robotnik in the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, and Nilus The Sandman and Komplex in Bucky O’Hare and the Toad Wars. But, it is his love of bluesy numbers that we celebrated with a long time favourite . . . ‘Midnight In New Orleans’.

Nobody But Me
She Works Hard – Soul Kitchen Band
Run For Cover – Sugaray Rayford
I’m In Love With You – Bobby Patterson
Nobody But Me – Beverley Knight
Hero In Your Story – Ryan Innes & The Soultown Revivalists

Tell It Like It Is
Midnight In New Orleans – Long John Baldry

Stuck On You
Who Do You Think You Are – Sass Jordan
Steppin’ Stone – Paul Carrack
Stuck On You – The Moon City Masters
I Saw The Light – Quincy Conserve
Heaven Help Us All – Wet Wet Wet

Mellow Moment
Still Crazy After All These Years – Ray Charles

Living in The Past
Tennessee Whiskey/I’d Rather Go Blind – Milk ‘n Blues
Change With The Times – Whitney Shay
Living in The Past – Jethro Tull
You Can’t Always Get What You Want – Jack’s Waterfall

Gotcha Covered
You Should Be Dancing – The Dee Gees
Stayin’ Alive – Electro Deluxe
Spicks & Specks – Status Quo

Gather Round
Don’t Stop Believing – Teddy Swims
Nagasaki – Chas & Dave
Why Don’t You Try Me Tonight – Frankie Miller & Sara Beth
Rocket Radio – Bob Spring
Lie To Me – Joe Cocker
Living In Paradise – Jesse Colin Young
Nothing Without You – Elles Bailey
Dancin’ Queen – Eric Bibb
Gather Round – Lee Rocker
See You Later Alligator – Dr Feelgood

When it was time for this week’s Gotcha Covered selection, there were three songs of The Bee Gees, being heard again through the covers of others. Starting off was something from The Foo Fighters, in their guise as The Dee Gees . . . a play on both the name the Bee Gees and Dave Grohl’s initials . . . with their take on ‘You Should Be Dancing’ . . . and more than that, there was funky French band Electro Deluxe giving us a real groovy treatment of that Bee Gees favourite, ‘Stayin’ Alive’. The last of our trio of tracks came from a band, who, in their early days they were known as Traffic Jam, but we know them better as Status Quo and back in the day they covered the Bee Gees song ‘Spicks & Specks’.

Well, I may have got a bit carried away with the great piece of rockabilly from Lee Rocker, so there was a bit of a shock, when I glanced at the clock on the wall and it was telling me it was about time to be leaving. So, quick as you like, I was collecting up the music and tiding up the studio, because I’d had complaints from the next presenter about crumbs on the carpet and marks on the display screen. While I busied myself with those chores, I brought you something from the latest album by Dr Feelgood, but before I let them loose, there was a big thanks for your good company and the hope that we’ll meet again soon for another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 14 February 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 19 February 2024

Woo hoo . . . it’s Mardi Gras . . .

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

You may call it ‘Pancake Day’, but the party people know it’s Mardi Gras and the trusty Cruise Mobile came down the road and was purring gently, ready to whisk you off on a vaguely supervised musical adventure around the Crescent City, where they know how to celebrate the day! The Cruising Crew was ready to jump aboard, buckle up and enjoy our distinctly New Orleans flavoured playlist and to prove it, we were soon off down the road with an old Louis Prima favourite, ‘Bim Bam’, from Sam Butera & The Witnesses. For those in the know, there was a very timely and respectful tip of the hat in the direction of Huey ‘Piano’ Smith, who was bringing some boisterous, high spirited Crescent City R&B, designed to get you up on your feet along with Mr Merlot and your truly!

If you happen to be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, be assured there’s always much excitement when the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club go parading by, because they are renowned for one of the most coveted of Mardi Gras parade “throws”. These are the highly decorated Zulu coconuts . . . . and Jon Cleary was with us with a song about them, Live at The Maple Leaf Bar. Then, it was time for this week’s Girls & Guitars feature and we didn’t have to look too far for a female guitarist with a link to New Orleans . . . because Barbara Lynn was quickly in the frame. When she started recording in the early 60s, she was unusual for the time, because she was a singer who both wrote most of her own songs and played guitar. She wrote and recorded her first single, “You’ll Lose A Good Thing’ at Cosimo Matassa’s J&M studio in New Orleans with session musicians that included Dr. John. She also inspired The Rolling Stones to record another of her songs and we chose her version of it . . . ‘Oh Baby (We Got A Good Thing Going)’.

Bim Bam
Bim Bam – Sam Butera & The Witnesses
Little Liza Jane – Huey Piano Smith & The Clowns
Billy The Kid – The Raves
Zulu Coconuts – Jon Cleary
So Swell When You’re Well – James Martin
Jokomo (Hey Now, Hey Now) – Larry Williams

Girls & Guitars
Oh Baby (We Got A Good Thing Going) – Barbara Lynn

Good Gumbo
Mardi Gras Mambo – The Hawketts
You’re Driving Me Crazy – Professor Longhair
We Make A Good Gumbo – Tab Benoit & The Voices Of The Wetlands
Honest Papas Love Their Mamas Better – Fats Domino
Little Coquette – Jimmy Beasley

Doo Wop Stop
For A Thrill – The Spiders

Dancing Shoes
Take Me To The Mardi Gras – The Swingin’ Fireballs
Dancing Shoes – Gumbo
See You Later Alligator – Bobby Charles
Stack-A Lee – Dr John

For our Doo Wop Stop, we went digging deep for those vocal harmony groups of the 50s and 60s and this week you could have predicted we’d keep that Mardi Gras spirit with a New Orleans group. There are plenty to choose from . . . but in the end we settled of local group The Spiders, who are best known for their uptempo numbers, but here they joined us with a single that got released in 1955 on Imperial records . . . this was the delectable ‘For A Thrill’. Then, The Swingin’ Fireballs turned up with a song you’ll know well by Paul Simon, but he probably never thought it would one day sound like this version . . . but if it gets you to those celebrations, who cares, as long as your suitably dressed for Mardi Gras and have your dancing shoes . . . of course, the Cruisettes came suitably prepared!

It was all going so well, until Mr Merlot came pointing at his watch, which was a sure sign that our Cruising time was fast running out . . . so, the keenly attentive may have noticed the Cruise Mobile subtly changing direction, as we started heading for home. Helping us along the way was the welcome arrival of Dr John and a song that’s been adopted by musicians around New Orleans and was sure to be in someone’s setlist during the Mardi Gras celebrations . . . ‘Stack-A-Lee’. Then, there was just time to say a big thanks for your good company on this week’s adventure . . . and until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 9 February 2024

Something Better . . . .

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

Well, there was a big bluesy welcome to one and all when I arrived this week and you found me with a big smile as saw me voted into my second year among Britain’s top blues presenters. But, far more importantly, I came with another armful of the best blues around. Indeed, one of the joys was spotting the new album from Jon Amor among the new releases. We’ve waited a while for this one and it was good to have him back with his album, titled ‘The Turnaround’ . . . so I kicked off the show with Jon and ‘Rideau Street’. Then, I was keen to introduce my album of the week, from New Jersey-born singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Katie Henry. This was her Ruf Records release ‘Get Goin’, which opens with my first choice from her . . . ‘Love Like Kerosene’.

Those who were at the Scala Theatre, Stockholm on 30th September last year, will have heard my choice from Eric Bibb’s new album before, because it was the opening track of Eric’s new album, recorded live at the concert that night . . . ‘Goin’ Down The Road’. Now, long-time listeners to the show will know that Bex Marshall is no stranger to our playlists. So, you might expect her new album ‘Fortuna’, to get a good listen here . . . and it has! So, I was pleased to share with you a taster of the album before it gets released next month. This was . . . ‘I Can’t Look You In The Eye’.

Need For Speed
Rideau Street – Jon Amor Trio (The Turnaround – 2024)
Love Like Kerosene – Katie Henry (Get Goin’ – 2024)
Goin’ Down The Road – Eric Bibb (Live at The Scala Theatre Stockholm – 2024)
I Can’t Look You In The Eye – Bex Marshall (Fortuna – 2024)
Need For Speed – Chris O’Leary (The Hard Line – 2024)
Something’s Better Than Nothing – Eliza Neals (Something’s Better Than Nothing – 2024)
Talk Back – Trickbag with Steve Weston (With Friends – 2013)

Pinetop’s Pick
Whoopin’ – Paul Lamb & The Kingsnakes (Harmonica Man – The Paul Lamb Anthology – 2003)

Clear Vision
Clear Vision – Katie Henry (Get Goin’ – 2024)
It Ain’t Smart – The Cadillac Kings (Crash & Burn – 2023)
I Still Love You – Emma Wilson (Memphis Calling – 2023)
Howlin’ Wolf – Mississippi MacDonald (Heavy State Lovin’ Blues – 2023)
Voodoo Woman – Katie Henry (Get Goin’ – 2024)
Poor Man’s Throne – The FOG Blues & Brass Band (Poor Man’s Throne – 2024)

There was a little indulgence on the show this week, because it’s been a real fillip to see the recent awards for the top five blues albums of 2023, which are full of my past album’s of the week in this show. So, it proved a good excuse to revisit some of those . . . starting with The Cadillac Kings and something from their album ‘Crash & Burn’, then Emma Wilson with a bluesy track from her ‘Memphis Calling’ album and Mississippi MacDonald’s ‘Heavy State Lovin’ Blues’, which was not only an album of the week on the show, but also the album of the year for 2023.

To close the show, we were heading to Ontario, Canada to catch up with 7 piece band, the FOG Blues & Brass Band, who you may have heard me get pretty enthusiastic about in the past. Well, they’ve got a new release out and, for me, it has all the bluesy bite and power that caught my ear in the past. The track’s titled, ‘Poor Man’s Throne’, but sadly it had to be my last choice for this week, because our blues time together has almost run out. So, there was a big thanks for your good company for this week’s 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 February 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 7 February 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 10 February 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 11 February 2024