Listen here to this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling:
There was a big bluesy welcome to one and all, with the promise that this week’s bluesy adventures would have plenty of treats and something special in store . . . but more of that later! To get us firing on all cylinders, I started off with birthday boy Albert King and a big favourite of mine . . . one of those rare up-tempo numbers from Albert with a timeless message . . . ‘Nice To Be Nice’.
Now, although I found space for some very fine ‘newies’ on the playlist, this week had one of our occasional ‘sitting in‘ sessions, where I give up the presenters chair for part of the show and invite a special guest to sit in and choose some bluesy numbers that are on their playlist or have been influential in their musical journey, along the way. This time around, my special guest was the ever genial Mike Thomas of The Cadillac Kings and with practiced ease Mike and I did a seat swap, so I could sit in the corner and enjoy Mike’s choices . . .
Nice To Be Nice
Nice To Be Nice – Albert King (The Blues Don’t Change – 1977)
I’ve Been Waiting For You – Steve Maggiora (I’ve Been Waiting For You – 2024)
Temporary Insanity – Deb Ryder (Live & Having Fun – 2024)
Sitting In – Mike Thomas
Hard Headed Woman – Elvis Presley (King Creole – 1958)
Caress Me Baby – Jimmy Reed (Rocking With Reed – 1959)
Soulful Dress – Sugar Pie DeSanto (In The Basement – 2017)
Shoppin’ For Clothes – The Coasters (There’s A Riot Goin’ On – 2007)
Let’s Stick Together – Wilbert Harrison (original version Sue Records put out if possible) (The Scene Club – Club Soul Vol 1 – 2013)
Icepick’s Confession – James Harman (Do Not Disturb -Sparks Flying – 2022)
It Ain’t Smart
It Ain’t Smart – The Cadillac Kings (Crash & Burn – 2023)
Ooee – Anthony Geraci (Tears In My Eyes – 2024)
I’d Rather Be Blind, Crippled and Crazy – Mississippi MacDonald (With The Soul Fixers – 2017)
High Time We Went – Rosedale Junction (Goin’ Off The Rails – 2024)
As a small thank you to Mike, I invited him to choose a Cadillac Kings number to play at the end of his selection, but he said he’d rather I made the choice. So, I dipped into their catalogue and pulled out ‘It Ain’t Smart’, which featured Mike’s celebrated acerbic wit in the lyrics.
Now, you may have recognised one song as something from Joe Cocker and Chris Stainton, but it pops up again on the third album by Boston based Blues and Americana band Rosedale Junction. Their album’s titled ‘Goin’ off the Rails’, which brings us nine tracks and is due for release next month. As a taster of what to expect I played ‘High Time We Went’ . . . which may have been so, because our blues time together was nearly gone. So, before we heard from Rosedale Junction, 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 24 April 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 24 April 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 27 April 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 28 April 2024
Just Cruising 