Not Here, Not There . . .

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

Well, everyone arrived looking mighty and with precision timing, because the trusty Cruise Mobile had just rolled by to collect the Cruising Crew for another adventure down those forgotten and overgrown backroads of the music we love. Now, the regulars knew not to ask how we would be getting there or how we’d get back, they just jumped aboard to enjoy the ride. Getting us in the mood, was the much missed Jr Walker with his Allstars and a number called ‘Mutiny’, which you don’t hear much these days . . . except here and then there was a treat for Yvonne Eriksson, Paul Armstrong, Doug and The Jitterbug, who all admit to liking Swedish band The Refreshments . . . so for them, Mr Merlot and everyone else , the The Refreshments came rocking along next.

With some subtle prompting from Mr Merlot , it proved to be just the right moment for our Girls & Guitars feature, which this week focused on blues singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Amanda Fish. She hails from Kansas and is the older sister of Samantha Fish. Now, Amanda leads her own band and has just released her third studio album, called ‘Kingdom’ with songs she’s been writing over the past six years. It has plenty of social commentary on significant events along the way and to show off her talents, we played the track . . . ‘Mockingbird’.

Jump
Mutiny – Jr Walker & The Allstars
Slippery Slope – The Refreshments
Jump (When My Baby Says) – Chris Daniels & The Kings With Freddi Gowdy
When Hell Freezes Over – Aisha Khan & Friends
I’m A Fool For You – James Carr and Betty Harris
What You Get – Sean Webster
We Got A Thing Going On – James Ray

Girls & Guitars
Mockingbird – Amanda Fish

Too Tight
Too Tight – The Rigmarollers
What Kind Of Fool Do You Think I Am – Bill Deal & The Rondels
I Got Loaded – Justin Cornett

Doo Wop Stop
There Goes The Boy – The Lydells

Not Here
Sparrow Is Dead – Mighty Sparrow
So Many Cute Little Girls – Jackie Wilson
Not Here, Not There – Little Abner & Denny Boyce Orchestra
Lillie Mae – Roomful Of Blues

When it was time for our Doo Wop Stop, we were on our mission to find those vocal groups of the 50s and 60s, who produced those great sounds. Time around we featured New Jersey doo wop group the Lydells and their 1964 Cameo Parkway release ‘There Goes The Boy’.

Our rummaging in the Cruising Library this week uncovered a rather obscure 1957 record by someone credited on the Prestige record label as Little Abner with The Denny Boyce Orchestra. Given that it sounded as tough as any Stateside R&B tune of the mid 50s, it’s amazing it’s not better known. So, there was smart salute to Little Abner Kenon for his hidden gem . . . ‘Not Here, Not There’. By now, the curiously attentive may just have glanced at the clock and realised we should be heading for home . . . . so to hopefully get us all the way home, along came Roomful Of Blues with a serenade to ‘Lillie Mae’. It got us all the way back where we started . . . and all we had to do was give it a quick polish so it was all ready for our next adventure. Then, Mr Merlot, The Cruisettes and yours truly were all lined up to give everyone a fond farewell wave, before heading off to the after show party. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 21 June 2024

Just For You . . . .

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

Well, after the customary big bluesy welcome, we set off in fine style with someone who was on my giglist this past week. This was Imelda May, who brought us a very bluesy version of ‘Matchbox’ . . . just like she used to do . . . and I happen to think she should be doing more like that. Then there was another someone who left us some magic memories from his recent UK tour . . . this was Sean Webster, whose new album, ‘Summer Is Gone’ includes Sean bluesing it up with Americana singer-songwriter Hilde Vos on ‘Lost & Alone’.

There was a big thanks to Kelly’s Lot for an early copy of their new album ‘The Blues Remind Me’, which has had plenty of plays here, since it arrived and earned its place as my ‘album of the week’. The album sounds like there was lots of fun in the studio while the band were recording it and my first choice from it was ‘Boogie Bus’ . . . which just might be a whole new style of public transport!

Boogie Bus
Matchbox – Imelda May with Mike Sanchez & His Band (Almost Grown – 2012)
Lost & Alone – Sean Webster (ft Hilde Vos) (Summer Has Gone – 2024)
Boogie Bus – Kelly’s Lot (The Blues Remind Me – 2024)
Born Under A Bad Sign – Sammy Kershaw (Cross Roads Blues – 2024)
I’m So Tired – Lazy Lester (Lover Not A Fighter – 2017)
Don’t Want To Go To Work – Mike Goudreau Band (Just Wanna Have Fun – 2024)
It Ain’t Always – Kelly’s Lot (The Blues Remind Me – 2024)

Pinetop’s Pick
When I’ve Been Drinking – Big Bill Broonzy (Big Bill’s Blues – 2010)

Just For You
Just For You – L.A. Big Daddy’s (Why I Sing The Blues – 2024)
Pitch A Boogie Woogie – Rip Lee Pryor (Pitch A Boogie Woogie – 2024)
Struck Down By The Blues – The Fabulous Thunderbirds (ft Steve Strongman) (Struck Down – 2024)
Little Rhythm & Blues – Sauce Boss (Sauce – 2024)
I Gotta Sing the Blues – Kelly’s Lot (feat. Mo Beeks) (The Blues Remind Me – 2024)
Don’t Count for Nothing – Dirt Road Band (Righteous – 2024)

One of the new releases that caught my ear this week, was an album called ‘Why I Sing The Blues’ which comes from a band called The LA Big Daddy’s. These are an impressive array of seasoned session musicians who have come together to play for themselves. Their album includes several bluesy styles, but for me, their track . . . ‘Just For You’ . . . has become an early favourite. Then, Richard Pryor (or “Rip Lee” as he likes to be known) was along to continue the 1950’s style Chicago Blues of his father, Snooky Pryor. Rip Lee is a multi-instrumentalist, whose latest album revisits a timeless blues treasure, originally released more than twenty-five years ago . . . ‘Pitch A Boogie Woogie’.

Now, anyone who has caught The Dirt Road Band live on stage can attest to the success of guitar legend Steve Walwyn, in creating a band that swings as hard as it rocks. With Steve’s 32 years in Dr Feelgood, the band’s album ‘Righteous’ has a great pedigree and it shows. It became my last choice for this week’s playlist, with their track . . . ‘Don’t Count For Nothing’. But, before I let them loose, there was a big thanks from me for stopping by here 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 19 June 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 19 June 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 22 June 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 23 June 2024

Make Me Happy . . . .

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

Well, it all started off with a big cheery welcome to one and all . . . and for those who were finding life just a bit tedious and testing, I was along with a big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic, with its special prescription of the ‘good stuff’ designed to raise the spirits and excite the senses. To set the mood, Chaka Khan, was along with a memory of her sell out concert that brought plenty of smiles to the faithful. Then, there was another concert that generated much excitement around here by Nile Rodgers and Chic. So, we heard from them too.

This week’s Tell It Like It Is was inspired by the birthday this past week of Philadelphian blue-eyed ‘soulie’, Len Barry. He was the lead singer with Philadelphia group, The Dovells, who had hits like “Hully Gully Baby”, “You Can’t Sit Down”, and their million seller “Bristol Stomp”. When Len went solo, he too had hits with “Like a Baby”, “I Struck It Rich” and his multi-million seller, “1-2-3”. During 1966, Len went recorded a solo album that never got released at the time, but in 2010, it finally appeared and included his soulful version of a song that you might know well by others . . . ‘Don’t Throw Your Love Away’.

Run For Cover
I’m Every Woman – Chaka Khan
I’ll Be There – Nile Rodgers & Chic
Slippery People – Say She She,
You Make Me Happy – Gerald McClendon
Run For Cover – Sugaray Rayford

Tell It Like It Is
Don’t Throw Your Love Away – Len Barry

The Feelin’ Is Right
In Private – Dusty Springfield
The Feelin’ Is Right – Anders Lewen & James King
When I Get Mine – 880 South
Give You The World – Marc Broussard

Mellow Moment
Over and Over – Candace Woodson

Good Lovin’
Won’t Lay Down – Sean Webster
Good Lovin’ – Al Mason
You Could Have Been A Lady – Smoove & Turrell
Mockingbird – Amanda Fish

Gotcha Covered
I Won’t Back Down – The Goo Goo Dolls
Learning To Fly – Lizanne Knott, Jesse Terry
Free Falling – Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs

Ride To The Rhythm
American Girl – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Another Scorcher – The Tennors
Fill My Cup – The Dip
Lady Writer – Dire Straits
Leave No Love Behind – Quinn Sullivan
Ride To The Rhythm – Tush
Room To Roam – The Roamers
The Girl Can’t Help It – Billy Bremner
Jumpin’ At The Jubilee – Jools Holland & Ruby Turner
Goin’ To A Party – Tommy Z

Our Gotcha Covered feature, brought the songs of Tom Petty, heard again through the covers of others. Now, Tom had a string of hits in his own right and later with superstar band, The Travelling Wilburys . . . and getting us started were The Goo Goo Dolls with their take on ‘I Won’t Back Down’. But, whether or not your a Tom Petty fan, I guessed you may have heard Tom Petty’s ‘Learning To Fly’ many times, but I brought you a quite different, for which we had to thank Lizanne Knott and Jesse Terry. Then, I suggested that no playlist of Tom Petty hits would be complete without his song, ‘Free Falling’, and it got revisited this time by Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs. After that selection of Tom Petty covers, it would have been impolite to miss something from the man himself, so I saved one where I thought the original is still the greatest . . . ‘American Girl’.

All too soon, we came to the last choice for this weeks Sonic Tonic, which came with a big thanks to Johanny Jackson, over there in San Francisco for his kind words about the show, but more importantly, for pointing me to Tommy Z, a guitarist from Johanny’s hometown of Buffalo, New York. He comes highly recommended by none other than Buddy Guy (who he opened for on Buddy’s farewell tour). But before Tommy got let loose, there was a big thanks from me for stopping by here and the hope that I’ll have the pleasure of your good company again soon, for another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 19 June 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 24 June 2024

All Shook Up

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

Well, as we prepared for this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner, we were aiming for some suitable distractions from the current events. So, we loaded the trusty Cruise Mobile with a playlist to bring more than a little cheer to the friendly faces. There were a few suggestions from others too, like Matt The Cat, The Shake, Jamie Dell’Apa and Pete and Diane, which all helped, as we headed off down those forgotten and overgrown backroads of the music we love.

This week’s choices were influenced in part by remembering a a few past gigs by Mike Sanchez & his excellent band, who always delivered a rocking good time. Before they became Hank Ballard & The Midnighters, they were known as The Royals and they gave us a little gem called ‘All NIght Long’. Then there was Trini Lopez with an early recording he made in London . . . his take on Otis Blackwell and Eddie Cooley’s ‘Fever’ . . . which was followed fast by Eddie Cooley himself with another Otis Blackwell song. But, to set the mood right, we kicked off the show with Ernie Freeman and his 1958 Imperial 45 ‘Jamboree’ . . .

All Night Long
Jamboree – Ernie Freeman
Mighty Mighty Man – Bobby Darin
Highway 60 – Mike Sanchez & His Band
All Night Long – The Royals
Staring Down The Barrel Of The Blues – Tommy Dardar
Lucky Is My Name – Bruce Cloud
Yama Yama (Pretty Mama) – Mike Sanchez
Safronia B – Calvin Boze
Fever – Trini Lopez
All Shook Up – Eddie Cooley & The Dimples

Girls & Guitars
Winds of Change – Debbie Bond

Wow Wow Wee
Silk Satin & Lace – Ray Scott
Cricket Champions – Lord Kitchener

Doo Wop Stop
When We Get Married – The Dreamlovers
Wow Wow Wee – The Angels

I Know
I Know – Lulu Reed
Everybody’s Got A Buick – Mike Sanchez & His Band
Forty Cups of Coffee – Bill Haley & His Comets
Rock Around The Clock – Li’l Millett

This week’s Girls & Guitars feature focused on American blues singer and guitarist, Debbie Bond. She’s out on tour now promoting her new single called ‘Winds of Change’ . . . which just happened the our choice this time round. Then, it was Pete and Diane suggesting something for our Doo Wop Stop.

Long time members of the Cruising Crew will know that I have a soft spot for some big band calypso, especially by Lord Kitchener, who was one of those to leave the Caribbean to settle in the UK and he brought with him his enthusiasm for cricket, which was demonstrated well on our choice, ‘Cricket Champions’. But, long before we were ready, Mr Merlot was raising his eyebrows and nodding towards the clock, so we reluctantly, turned the Cruise Mobile for home with Bill Haley and ‘Forty Cups Of Coffee’ and then a familiar title, ‘Rock Around The Clock’, but probably not the version we played by New Orleans own Li’l Millett.

Then we were home safe and sound, the Cruise Mobile’s parked up and polished, all ready for next week when we hope you’ll join us again to go Cruising with The Commissioner. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 14 June 2024

Back Where You Belong . . .

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

Well, there was the customary big cheery welcome to one and all . . . and for those looking for something different, something not chosen by an algorithm, then there was the reassurance that you were definitely in the right place, because I was along with a big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. It was full to the brim with the good stuff and all ready to make your ears smile and your toes wiggle. It all started off with Emma Noble and we were not pausing long because the party people were out there and they were ready to step out with Ole Borud for some rock steady. Then, there were some big smiles, as I was breezing through all the new releases and found the new album from Kelly’s Lot, with a song for these times . . . ‘Just Tell The Truth’. For those who think of Joanne Shaw Taylor as a blueser, through and through, her latest album ‘Heavy Soul’ might be a surprise because it has some great soulful numbers like her take on Joe Simon’s . . . ‘Drowning In A Sea Of Love’.

Our Tell It Like It Is feature was focused on New Jersey vocal group, The Spellbinders. They got signed to Columbia Records in 1965 and befriended Van McCoy, who went on to write and produce for them. During ’65 and ’66, they toured America and Canada, as well as appearing in the UK. They got to play at the legendary Northern Soul venue, the Manchester Twisted Wheel and on UK TV’s Top of the Pops. Sadly, they had no major hits and after releasing one of the great soul album they faded into obscurity. . . . but they left behind a classic Northern Soul track that still gets played on the soul scene . . . ‘Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again)’.

Rock Steady
We Gonna Live Forever – Emma Noble
Rock Steady – Ole Borud
Just Tell Me The Truth – Kelly’s Lot
Drowning In A Sea Of Love – Joanne Shaw Taylor

Tell It Like It Is
Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again) – The Spellbinders

That Lovin’ Feeling
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling – Creme De Cocoa
Give It All To You – Linda Lee Hopkins
La De Da De Da (Lost Without Your Love) – Labi Siffre
Back Where You Belong – Gerald McClendon
Devil’s Child – The What If
Got To See Her Tonight – Phil Dearing

Mellow Moment
Dark End Of The Street – James Carr

Make It Through
You’re All I Need To Get By – Blame Jones
Here Comes The Sun – Joss Stone
Make It Through – Sean Webster
Lie To Me – Toby Lee
That’s Just Love – Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps

Gotcha Covered
Don’t You Just Know It – Geraint Watkins & The Dominators
Roberta – Casey Van Beek & The Tulsa Groove
Rockin’ Pneumonia & Boogie Woogie Flu – Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames

Yeh Yeh
Real Lovin’ – Back Pocket
Long Night of Summer – Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera
Put Some Rhythm In My Blues – Blue Blot
Yeh Yeh – Matt Bianco
Self Discipline – Zoot Money
Got You On My Mind – Cliff Bennett
Pretty Legs – Mike Sanchez
Midnight Tiger – Red Shahan
Call Me Up Tonight – The Pepita Slappers
I Love To Boogie – Mickey Jupp
Why Did God Make Boogie Woogie – Tyler Yarema

Our our Gotcha Covered feature brought us some of the songs of New Orleans legend, Huey Piano Smith, heard again through the covers of others. The first choice comes from celebrated UK band Geraint Watkins & The Dominators . . . with a much covered Huey Smith classic ‘Don’t You Just Know It’. Then, came Casey Van Beek & The Tulsa Groove, with their take on a song originally recorded by Huey Piano Smith, but it became a hit for Frankie Ford and there’s a whole story about that, but we were not going to dwell on that, because closing this trio of tracks are Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames with what the funkiest of doctors might have recognised as a common ailment and one of Huey Smith’s biggest hits . . . ‘Rockin’ Pneumonia & Boogie Woogie Flu’

As the sands of time were running for this week’s Sonic Tonic, 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, but not before Tyler Yarema played us out with a question that must be worthy of a doctorate thesis . . . ‘Why Did God Make Boogie Woogie’?

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 12 June 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 17 June 2024

Don’t Break The Law . . .

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

Predictable it may have been, but there was a big bluesy welcome to one and all to open this week’s edition of The Blues Come Calling. Right up front, there was a big thanks for the kind feedback on last week’s show, which seemed to go down particularly well . . . and I was hoping this week would match that. Getting us off to a good start was birthday boy Kenny Wayne Shepherd with a new release of his . . . ‘I Got A Woman’ . . . a taster from his upcoming new album ‘Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. 2’.

We’ve been treated to a fair number of teasers from Joanne Shaw Taylor’s new album ‘Heavy Soul’ and the whole album is on release now. So, with little hesitation, it was my album of the week, starting with ‘Black Magic’ . . . one of the tracks that hadn’t been released before . . . and there was more lined up later.

There was little treat from local bluesman, Phil Dearing, with his band Blue Train and a moody piece about the Southside of London’s river . . . and if you’ve been there at night, you’ll know just how well this song captures what’s going on at that time of night.

Black Magic
I Got A Woman – Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. 2 – 2024)
Blues For The End Of The World – Sir Jo Cocchi & Balta Bordoy (Heads Up – 2024)
Black Magic – Joanne Shaw Taylor (Heavy Soul – 2024)
Don’t Break The Law – Trevor Sewell (ft Lorraine Crosby) (Don’t Break The Law – 2024)
Rats & Roaches – Beverly Jo Scott & Fred Chapellier (Tribute to Calvin Russell – 2024)
House Ain’t A Home – Gerald McClendon (Down At The Juke Joint – 2024)

Pinetop’s Pick
Smokestack Lightning – Howlin’ Wolf (Moanin’ At The Moonlight – 1957)

Southside
Heavy Soul – Joanne Shaw Taylor (Heavy Soul – 2024)
Southside – Phil Dearing & Blue Train (Drive Coffin Fast – 2013)
Johnny Bourbon Blues – Bill Filipiak (Johnny Bourbon Blues – 2024)
Be Careful With The Fool – Sammy Kershaw (Cross Roads Blues – 2024)
Sweet Lil Lies – Joanne Shaw Taylor (Heavy Soul – 2024)
I Need You Baby – Cat Bayoglu, Sadik Saglam, Nusret Gurs ( I Need You Baby – 2024)

Now, back in 1956 BB King and Joe Josea, wrote a song called, ‘Be Careful With The Fool’ which got much covered later, including a superb version by Johnny Winter. So, full marks to Sammy Kershaw for treading in the footsteps of giants with his version of that song. You can find it on his latest album ‘Cross Roads Blues’ and this is an album I’ll surely be visiting again.

All too soon, our blues time together was almost gone, so my last choice for this week playlist, came from Turkish three piece band Can Bayoglu with their single release ‘I Need You Baby’. But, before that there was a big thanks for stopping by here 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 12 June 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 12 June 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 15 June 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 16 June 2024

Gotta Lotta That . . .

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

Well, cheery greetings to one and all, especially all those seeking some temporary escape from the weirdness of everyday events. So, to distract attention from the ‘ordinary’ and ‘boring’, the trusty Cruise Mobile was in the right place, at the right time to enable the faithful to jump aboard and throw caution to the four winds as we set off on another Cruising with The Commissioner. Indeed, we roared off on our musical adventure in the company of Big Al T Ork and his fine interpretation of Edwin Starr’s 25 Miles, followed by a much sought after 1957 Herald 45 from Pork Chops with the re-assuring message . . . ‘Everything’s Cool’. . . . (and let’s hope they’re right) . . . .

Now, this past week in 1967 saw the release of The Beatles Sergeant Pepper album and it was an excuse to include a couple of unlikely tributes to the fab four, including Lonnie Donegan, whose skiffle inspired The Quarrymen, returning the compliment with a cover of a Beatles number. The Rutles turned up with more echoes of the fab four and we also came armed with plenty of other tasty treats from the Cruising Library.
.
Everything’s Cool
Twenty Five Miles – Big Al T Ork
Everything’s Cool – Pork Chops
Drive It Home – The Clovers
Vote For Mr Rhythm – Ella Fitzgerald
Everyday I Have To Cry Some – Bon Scott & The Valentines
.
Girls & Guitars
I Just Wanna Make Love To You – Francesca De Fazi
.
Bewildered
It Ain’t Right – Little Walter
Bewildered – James Brown
Peanuts – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Be Bop-A-Lula – Gene Vincent
Snake Eyes – Alvin ‘Red’ Tyler & The Gyros
I Must Be In Love – The Rutles
You Won’t See Me – Lonnie Donegan with Chas & Dave
You Can’t Hide – Freddy King & Lulu Reed
Knock Knock – Carol Fran
Gotta Lotta That – Gene Summers
It Don’t Take But A Few Minutes – The Refreshments

Now, back in 1957, Little Joe & The Thrillers has chart success with a doo wop song called ‘Peanuts’ and it may have been the inspiration for Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to finesse that sound and make it their own. But, in 1963 Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons recorded their own cover of that song and it pops up on this week’s playlist.

Our Girls & Guitars feature put the spotlight on Italian, Francesca De Fazi, who is a guitarist and singer with a style that has been compared by some to Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin. She’s produced a couple of albums that include some fine blues and on this occasion, we chose a track from her 2013 album called ‘Roman Woman Blues’ and her rather good take on ‘I Just Wanna Make Love To You’.

Sadly, all too soon our Cruising time was almost up and we had to turn for home, which we did in the company of The Refreshments and a rocking version of Chuck Berry’s ‘It Don’t Take But A Few Minutes’. We arrived back home, parked up the Cruise Mobile and after a quick polish, we were ready to come back again next week . . . . same time, same place, with a seat saved especially for you. So, until the next time we go Cruising with The Commissioner remember . . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 7 June 2024

Make Me Feel Alright . . .

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

As ever, there was a big bluesy welcome to one and all . . . . and it came with a big smile, because the new blues releases keep a-coming and this week, I kicked off with a rip-roaring number from Lisa Anderson, called ‘Rock Bottom’. It comes from a double album, titled ‘Spirits & Soul’, which has one album called ‘Soul’ featuring Lisa Anderson and the other album called ‘Spirits’ by her husband Kid Anderson. There’s plenty of good stuff here, so no surprise that it’s my album of the week.

We also heard from someone who was on my giglist this past week at a stunning live show way down the road in Faversham. This was Robert Finley who was headlining what turned out to be a mighty impressive show indeed! He gave us a powerhouse performance from beginning to end . . . and it included . . .’Make Me Feel Alright’.

Feel Alright
Rock Bottom – Lisa Little Baby Andersen (Spirits & Soul – 2024)
Make Me Feel Alright – Robert Finley (Sharecropper’s Son – 2021)
A Long Way From Texas – Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps (Come On Home – 2024)
Worried About My Baby – Howlin’ Wolf (The London Sessions – 1971)
Song I Never Heard Before – Billy Price (Person Of Interest – 2024)
Hey, Mr Reaper! – Kid Andersen feat. Charlie Musselwhite (Spirits & Soul – 2024)

Pinetop’s Pick
The Things That I Used To Do – Guitar Slim (Sufferin’ Mind – 1991)

Miss You
I Ain’t Right – Kid Andersen (Spirits & Soul – 2024)
Evil – Bobby Christina’s Caravan (True Blues Brothers: The Legacy of Matt “Guitar” Murphy – 2024)
Love Her With A Feeling – Chris Kramer & Paddy Boy Zimmerman (Love Her With A Feeling – 2024)
I Miss You – Lisa Little Baby Andersen (Spirit & Soul – 2024)
Hoochie Coochie Man – Slash & Billy Gibbons (Orgy Of The Damned – 2024)
McLeansville Blues – Jubu Smith (Jubu – 2024)

There was another look at the upcoming collection, titled ‘True Blues Brothers: The Legacy of Matt “Guitar” Murphy’. It’s been put together by Bobby Christina with some Matt Guitar Murphy’s last recordings and tributes from a grand array of blues notables. The tribute numbers include reprises of some blues classics associated with Matt and somewhere along the way, Matt played with Willie Dixon. So, no surprise that Willie’s number “Evil (Going On)” is in this collection with some big blues names appearing as Bobby Christina’s Caravan.

When we were getting almost to the end of the show, I was bringing you something from guitarist Jubu Smith, who’s teamed up with fellow guitarist Charlie Hunter on his latest album ‘Jubu’, where they swing out on my choice . . . a little number called ‘McLeansville Blues’. But before that, there was a big thanks for stopping by 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 5 June 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 5 June 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 8 June 2024
Broadcast by Blues Radio UK on 9 June 2024

Ain’t Nothing Better . . .

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

As ever, there was a big cheery welcome to one and all to this week’s Sonic Tonic and if the weather and the events of the week had become just too unpredictable, there was an invitation to stick around for your big dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic . . . which is just what you need to raise the spirits and excite the senses. I promised to fill your ears with plenty of the good stuff . . . like my opener from Johnny Burgos . . . ‘This Vibe’.

This week’s Tell It Like It Is , focused on soul songstress Eula Cooper, who cut her first single at the age of 14 and went on to become the most prolific artist on Jesse Jones’ fabled Atlanta Note and Tragar record labels. As well as her solo releases, Eula was part of a short-lived group with two of her school friends called Cherry Blend. They recorded one single together . . . but it didn’t do much, so the girls went their separate ways. Then, Eula’s first single on the Note label became a well known Northern Soul favourite, which got re-released by the label later . . . and doubtless became one of her regular setlist numbers, when she started touring again in the 80’s. The song was “Standing By Love” and she must have delighted her many UK fans when she came to the UK to perform it live for well-remembered Northern Soul Weekenders.

This Vibe
This Vibe – Johnny Burgos
Human Decency – Sugaray Rayford
If This Is Love – Elles Bailey
Down For The Third Time – Citrus Sun
The Gift – Billy Price

Tell It Like It Is
Standing By Love – Eula Cooper

Nothing Better
Flowers – The Imagine If
Ain’t Nothing Better Than Loving My Baby – The Memphis All Stars
Take Me To The River – Etta James, Teenie Hodges & The Memphis Horns
This Is Where I Live – William Bell
Walk Away – Terrance Howard & Hi Rhythm Section
(Girl I’m Coming Home To) Something Good – David Hudson

Mellow Moment
After A While – Wee Willie Walker

Feelin’ Good
Soul Serenade – Willie Mitchell
Hey Now – Judd Harris
Feelin’ Good Today – Chris Bergson Band
Don’t Stop Believin’ – Teddy Swims

Gotcha Covered
You Must Believe Me – Eric Clapton
It’s Alright – Steve Winwood
Move On Up – Con Funk Shun
Power To The People – Curtis Mayfield
Walk On – Glen Clark

Fire It Up
Something’s Better Than Nothing – Eliza Neals
Whispers Getting Louder – Jackie Wilson
Fire It Up – The Eskimo Brothers
Boogie Back To Texas – Asleep At The Wheel
Anytime – Liam Grundy
For Richer, For Poorer – The Cadillac Kings
Do You Know What I Mean – Darrell Higham

Our Gotcha Covered feature was inspired by the birthday this week of singer, songwriter and guitarist Curtis Mayfield, who wrote and performed some classic songs through several decades and in several styles. His music reached across the world and certainly got well received in the UK, as Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood showed with their covers of a couple of his songs. I couldn’t leave out one of Curtis’ best known numbers, which got a revisit by California band Con Funk Shun . . . and it’s not the first time I’ve played their version of ‘Move On Up’ on the radio, which must tell you something.

This week, the party people were out in force for what just might be the last time we’ll get to see Texas band Asleep At The Wheel here in the UK. So, there was plenty of good will and a pretty wild reception for the band, for which the devotees, doubtless, brought along a long list of songs they wanted to hear on the night, including this one . . . . ‘Boogie Back To Texas’. One of those friendly faces at this gig was Tim Penn of The Cadillac Kings, who were also slipping into the Sonic Tonic with a reflection on life’s ups and downs . . . ‘For Richer, For Poorer’. Then, to put the final flavour into the Sonic Tonic was Darrel Higham with some great rockabilly, which gave me just enough time to put the picture of the station manager back on the wall, tidy up the studio and get ready to head on down the road. Before that, there was a big thanks for stopping by this week and the hope that I’ll have the pleasure of your good company again soon, for another dose of Doctor Roberts Sonic Tonic. Until then . . . remember . . . have fun!

Broadcast by Maritime Radio 96.5fm on 5 June 2024
Broadcast by Reflections Radio on 10 June 2024