Listen here to this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner:
Well, at the appointed time, the trusty Cruise Mobile rolled by, ready to take you away from the chaos and confusion, and ‘who knows where’ for this week’s Cruising with The Commissioner. There was plenty of great music lined up for our cruising playlist, but there was a sincere apology to the fans of Victor Silvester, because it didn’t include any of the maestros music. In response, we recommended no sobbing or wailing, just jump aboard the Cruise Mobile for yet another vaguely supervised musical adventure . . . . which set off with Sil Johnson up front on ‘Train Whistle’ and we were soon heading on down the road with Linus Zander getting ‘High On Love’.
With skilful precision and almost perfect timing, we arrived with this week’s Girls & Guitars feature. This week, it threw its spotlight on singer/songwriter, guitarist and multi instrumentalist Laurie Morvan. She grew up in Illinois and later moved to Long Beach, California, where she leads her own 5-piece high energy, rockin’ band. Her self-penned songs often reflect personal stories and are laced with her characteristic humour, as with our choice . . . ‘No Working During Drinking Hours’.
Big Wheel
Train Whistle – Sil Johnson
High On Love – Linus Zander
Don’t Be Ashamed To Call My Name – Little Willie John
Down On My Knees – Walter Vaughan
Barbeque – Jump 4 Joy
The Big Wheel – Clifton Chenier
Can’t Find My Sadie – The Checkers
Girls & Guitars
No Working During Drinking Hours – Laurie Morvan
Hey Sugar
Teddy Boy – Hank Sundown & The Roaring Cascades
Let This Lovin’ Begin – Mike Sanchez with Knockout Gregg & Blue Weather
Tulsa Time – Joakim Arnell
Hey Sugar – Roy Tann
Doo Wop Stop
My Heart – The Fi-Tones
Huffin’ & Puffin’
Looking At The Menu – Jon Cleary and Charlie Gabriel
Goin’ Back To St Louis – Mack Vickery
I Was Gone – Eddy Clearwater
Baby It’s Love – Johnny Angel
Huffin’ & Puffin’ – Cal Green
Well, this week’s Doo Wop Stop featured a Brooklyn-based vocal group who started out calling themselves the Cavaliers Quartet and later became five-piece, changing their name to The Fi-Tones. They first recorded for Harlem’s, Atlas Records in 1954, and became popular around the New York area with plenty of radio plays and appearances at Harlem’s Apollo Theater. Despite some chart action in 1956, by the end of 1958, changing tastes and falling sales caused them to break up. But they left some fine recordings including our choice . . . ‘My Heart’.
Well, the sands of time were fast running out on us, so there was a big sigh all round as we found ourselves back where we started, safe and sound. The trusty Cruise Mobile was parked up and getting a quick polish so it was all ready for our next Cruising adventure. There were cheery smiles and waves in your direction from The Cruisettes and Mr Merlot, who were showing much enthusiasm for the after show party . . . and I was intent on joining them too, but not before I extended our customary invitation to come back next week, when we’ll call by, 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 28 June 2024
Just Cruising 