Listen here to this week’s dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic:
It always starts with a big cheery welcome to one and all . . . and then we get down to the real business. So, for those who found the weather and the events of the week had become just too unpredictable . . . there was an invitation to stick around for a big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic, which is just what’s needed to raise the spirits and excite the senses. You don’t have to buy it, you don’t have to collect it and you don’t have to sign up to anything . . . you just have to rest up while I fill your ears with plenty of the good stuff . . . like our opener from Ana Popovic.
Now, this week’s Tell It Like It Is brought a song with a story that might have surprised a few. Back in 1966 Polydor records released a single by a group called The Carrolls. It was an Ashford and Simpson song titled ‘Surrender Your Love’ and The Carrolls sounded every bit like an American girl group, but they were in fact a British group with the lead vocals by Irene Carroll who went on to become comedy actress Faith Brown. Even the seasoned soulies still hold this as one of the most soulful numbers coming out of British studios at that time. . . . and I slipped a copy into the Sonic Tonic.
Dancing In The Street
Queen Of The Pack – Ana Popovic
Somebody Stole My Thunder – Georgie Fame
Dancing In The Street – Katie Kadan & Chris Weaver
Everything Is Tuesday – Chairmen of the Board
Hour Of Need – Madness
Tell It Like It Is
Surrender Your Love -The Carrolls
Never Too Late
Los Olivos – Nils Landgren Funk Unit
Take Me To The River – Memphis Horns, Teenie Hodges & Etta James
Got My Eye On You – Gonzalez
What It Comes Down To – The Isley Brothers
Sweet Little Nothings – Roland Johnson
It’s Never Too Late – Dewey Kenmore
Mellow Moment
Warm Lights – Bobby Treacle’s Cartel
High Steppa
High Steppa – Marc Ferrari & Michael McGregor (Stax of Soul Wax)
Gravity – Robin McKelle
Wamkelekile – Hot Water
Gotcha Covered
Givin’ It Up for Your Love’ – Delbert McClinton
Forever Man – Eric Clapton
Real Man – Bonnie Raitt
Waste A Little Time
Lifetime Guarantee – Jerry Lynn Williams
Waste A Little Time With Me – Ted Russell Kamp
Diamonds In The Soles Of Her Shoes – Arts Fishing Club
Tracy – Nick Waterhouse
I Can’t Help Myself – Donnie Elbert
Mr Tambourine Man – Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon
Come To Mama – Sierra Green
Dreams Come Alive – Keith Frank & The Soileau Zydeco
Don’t Bother Trying To Steal Her Love – Duke Robillard
You Never Can Tell – Aaron Neville
Now, for our Gotcha Covered feature focused on the music of Texas singer, composer and guitarist, Jerry Lynn Williams. I suspected many would not have heard of him, because he never quite broke through as a performer, despite his impressive skills as a guitarist and singer. But, I was sure you’d have heard his songs, including his breakthrough as a songwriter when Delbert McClinton covered Jerry’s song . . . ‘Givin’ It Up for Your Love’. After that, Jerry enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter and it turned out Eric Clapton was very fond of Jerry’s songs and recorded 6 of them along the way, including his ‘Forever Man’. Jerry’s was also responsible for penning tunes for a long list of the great and the good likes of Bobby Womack, Johnny Winter, B.B. King, Jimmy and Stevie Ray Vaughan and others. One of those others, was Bonnie Raitt, who enjoyed success with her cover of Jerry’s song . . . ‘Real Man’. Having heard these covers, it seemed only right to hear something from Jerry Lynn Williams himself and I chose one of his own songs, which he recorded with all the instruments being played by him and just two other people in the studio . . . that was ‘Lifetime Guarantee’.
Now, there was one number from the much respected Duke Robillard which had a melody that reminded me of something else and I spent a good deal of time trying to place it . . . until that eureka moment when I realised what it was . . . it was indeed Chuck Berry’s ‘You Never Can Tell’ and to close the show, I found a version by Aaron Neville. But, before that there was a big thanks for your good company this week 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 22 May 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 27 May 2024
Just Cruising 