August 2022

Playlist: 8-28-2022

Here’s the playlist for 8-28-2022, in which the featured artist was the Rubinoos, the live segemnt was the Infamous Stringdusters, and once again, I failed to play the Appetite for Destruction demos:

  1. King’s X, “Black Flag” [King’s X (1992)]
  2. 2 Live Jews, “Oui! It’s So Humid” [As Kosher As They Wanna Be (1990/2009)]
  3. The Flamin’ Groovies, “Sometimes” [Shake Some Action (1976)]
  4. The Rolling Stones, “Dance (Part 1)” [Emotional Rescue (1980)]
  5. The Forty Nineteens, “Tell Me” [New Roaring Twenties (2022)]
  6. Bill Lloyd, “Mama Told Me Not to Come” [We All Shine On: Celebrating the Music of 1970 (2022)]

New Music Express

  1. Muse, “Compliance” [Will of the People (2022)]
  2. Julia Jacklin, “Ignore Tenderness” [Pre Pleasure (2022)]
  3. Julia Jacklin, “Moviegoer” [Pre Pleasure (2022)]
  4. Tedeschi Trucks Band, “Soul Sweet Song” [I Am the Moon: IV. Farewell (2022)]
  5. William Orbit, “Bank of Wildflowers (Feat. Georgia) [The Painter (2022)]
  6. Goo Goo Dolls, “Loving Life” [Chaos in Bloom (2022)]
  7. Lannie Flowers, “Lost in a Daydream (Remix)” [Digital single (2022)]

Hour 2

  1. The Sex Pistols, “(I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone” [Flogging a Dead Horse (1980)]
  2. The Fixx, “One Thing Leads to Another” [Reach the Beach (1981)]
  3. David Bowie, “Modern Love” [Let’s Dance (1983)]

Featured artist: The Rubinoos

  1. The Rubinoos, “Gorilla” [Beserkley Chartbusters Volume I (1975)]
  2. The Rubinoos, “I Think We’re Alone Now” [The Rubinoos (1977)]
  3. The Rubinoos, “Leave My Heart Alone” [The Rubinoos (1977)]
  4. The Rubinoos, “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” [Back to the Drawing Board (1979)]
  5. The Rubinoos, “Rock and Roll Is Dead” [The Rubinoos (1977)]
  6. The Rubinoos, “If I Had You Back” [Party of Two EP (1983)]
  7. The Rubinoos, “Revenge of the Nerds” [Revenge of the Nerds Soundtrack (1984)]
  8. The Rubinoos, “Amnesia” [Paleophonic (1998)]
  9. The Rubinoos, “Pump It Up” [Crimes Against Music (2002)]
  10. The Rubinoos, “Shake Some Action” [Crimes Against Music (2002)]

Hour 3

  1. Kim Fowley, “Bubblegum” [Outrageous (1968)}
  2. Bobby Sutliff, “Indiana Wants Me” [We All Shine On: Celebrating the Music of 1970 (2022)]

Live segment: Infamous Stringdusters

  1. Infamous Stringdusters, “Fire” [Harmony Park, Clarks Grove, MN 5-27-2022]
  2. Infamous Stringdusters, “It’s Be Alright” [Harmony Park, Clarks Grove, MN 5-27-2022]
  3. Infamous Stringdusters, “Not Fade Away” [Harmony Park, Clarks Grove, MN 5-27-2022]
  4. Infamous Stringdusters, “Fork in the Road” [Fork in the Road (2007)]
  5. R.E.M., “Pop Song 89” [Green (1988)]
  6. Iron City Houserockers, “I Can’t Take It” [Love’s So Tough (1979)]
August 31, 2022 by Playlists 0

Playlist: 8-21-2022

Here’s the playlist for 8-21-2022, in which I celebrated the birthday of Robert Plant and Ron Paul, the featured artist was Earthquake and the live segment was the Henhouse Prowlers:

Hour 1

  1. Robert Plant, “Big Love” [Manic Nirvana (1990)]
  2. Led Zeppelin, “Trampled Under Foot” [Physical Graffiti (1975)]
  3. John Easdale, “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” [Sing Hollies in Reverse (1995)]
  4. The Records, “Starry Eyes” [Shades in Bed (1979)]

Happy Birthday, Ron Paul

  1. The Troggs, “Bass for My Birthday” [Wild Thing (1966)]
  2. The Beatles, “Birthday” [The Beatles (1968)]
  3. TAS 1000, “Birthday” [A Message for Marta (2001)]

New Music Express

  1. Panic! at the Disco, “Viva Las Vengeance” [Viva Las Vengeance (2022)]
  2. The Mountain Goats, “Training Montage” [Bleed Out (2022)]
  3. Cass McCombs, “Karaoke” [Heartmind (2022)]
  4. Panic! at the Disco, “Viva ” [Viva Las Vengeance (2022)]

Hour 2

  1. Hot Chip, “Freakout-Release” [Freakout/Release (2022)]
  2. Silversun Pickups, “Scared Together” [Physical Thrills (2022)]
  3. Silversun Pickups, “System Error” [Physical Thrills (2022)]

Featured artist: Earthquake

  1. Earthquake, “Friday on My Mind” [Beserkley Charbuster Volume I (1975)]
  2. Earthquake, “Tall Order for a Short Guy” [Beserkley Charbuster Volume I (1975)]
  3. Earthquake, “Hit the Floor” [8.5 (1976)]
  4. Earthquake, “Lovin’ Cup” [Leveled (1977)]
  5. Earthquake, “Kicks” [Leveled (1977)]
  6. Earthquake, “Tin Soldier” [Sittin’ in the Middle of Madness (2003)]
  7. Earthquake, “Street Fever” [Bezerk Times (1978)]
  8. Earthquake, “Knock on Wood” [Spitballs (1978)]

Hour 3

  1. The Forty Nineteens, “It’s for Fun (That’s All We’re Living For)” [New Roaring Twenties (2021)]
  2. Kirsty MacColl, “There’s a Guy Who Works Down the Chip Shop” [All I Ever Wanted: The Anthology (2014)]
  3. The Plimsouls, “Everyday Things” [The Plimsouls (1981)]
  4. The dBs, “Bad Reputation” [Stands for Decibels (1981)]
  5. Nick Frater, “The Pleasure Is Mine” [Aerodrome Motel (2022)]

Live Segment

  1. Henhouse Prowlers, “Chop My Money” [Kenny’s Westside Pub, 5-13-2022]
  2. Henhouse Prowlers, “Henry” [Kenny’s Westside Pub, 5-13-2022]
  3. Henhouse Prowlers, “Pressure Drop” [Kenny’s Westside Pub, 5-13-2022]
  4. Kathy McCarty, “Wild West Virginia” [Dead Dog’s Eyeball: Songs of Daniel Johnston]
  5. The Muffs, “The Best” [No Holiday (2019)]

And here’s the show:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

August 29, 2022 by Playlists 0

Playlist: 8-16-2022

Here’s the playlist for 8-14-2022, a show in which I encountered technical difficulties, paid tribute to Olivia Netwton-John, and for the live segment played Bela Fleck and the Flecktones:

Hour 1

  1. Cat Power, “In This Hole” [What Would the Community Think (1996)]
  2. John Fogerty, “Rockin’ All Over the World” [John Fogerty (1975)]
  3. The RUdy Schwartz Project, “Pick a Booger” [Full Frontal Klugman (2013)]
  4. Sister Rosetta Tharpe “Didn’t It Rain Children” [Complete Sister Rosetta Tharpe Vol. 3 1947-1951 (2003)]
  5. Bill Frenzier, “Lesbians on TV” [Dr. Demento’s Basement Tapes 7]
  6. Ducks Deluxe, “Something’s Goin’ On” [All Too Much (1975)]

New Music Express

  1. Panda Bear and Sonic Boom, “Reset” [Everyday (2022)]
  2. The Who, “Boris the Spider”, [A Quick One (1966)]
  3. Number Six, “Bohemian Grove”
  4. Goo Goo Dolls, “Yeah, I Like You” [Chaos in Bloom (2022)]

Hour 2

  1. Boris, “She Is Burning” [Heavy Rocks (2022)]
  2. Kiwi Jr., “Unspeakable Things” [Chopper (2022)]
  3. Erasure, “Bop Beat” [Day-Glo (Based on a True Story) (2022)]

Tribute to Olvia Newton-John

  1. Debbie Gibson, “Hopelessly Devoted to You” [We Could Be Together (2017)
  2. Ken Laszlo, “Summer Nights” [Summer Nights single]
  3. Less Than Jake, “You’re the One I Want” [Greased EP (1996)]
  4. Adam Mitcheell, “Dancin’ Round and Round” [Redhead in Trouble (1979)]
  5. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, “Have You Never Been Mellow” [Go Down Under (2011)]
  6. Andy Gibb, “I Can’t Help It” [After Dark (1988)]
  7. Kylie Minogue, “Physical (Live)” [Live in Sydney (2001)]
  8. Sharleen Spiteri, “Xanadu” [The Movie Songbook (2010)]
  9. Juliana Hatfield, “Magic” [Sings Olivia Netwton John (2018)]
  10. Cliff Richard, “Every Face Tells a Story” [Every Face Tells a Story (1977)]

Hour 2

  1. Juliana Hatfield, “Can’t Stand Losing You” [Sings The Police (2019)]
  2. Graham Parker, “Mercury Poisoning” [The Stiff Records Box Set (1979/1992)]

Live segment: Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

  1. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, “Blue Mountain Hop” [Blue Ox Music Festival 6-25-2022]
  2. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, “Strider” [Blue Ox Music Festival 6-25-2022]
  3. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, “Big Country” [Blue Ox Music Festival 6-25-2022]
  4. The Rutles, “Living in Hope” [Meet the Rutles – Archaeology (1978)]
  5. Material Issue, “International Pop Overthrow” [International Pop Overthrow (1991)]
  6. Woody Woodmansey’s U-Boat, “Oo La La” [Woody Woodmansey’s U-Boat (1977)]

And here’s the show:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

August 16, 2022 by Playlists 0

Review: Chess Blues

Chess Blues
A box set chocked full of Chess and its subsidiaries.

Before there was Chess Records, there were Leonard and Phillip Chess, two Jewish immigrants from Poland who came to Chicago in 1928. They were involved in the liquor business, and by the 1940’s, they owned several bars on the south side of Chicago. Of these, the largest bar was the Macomba, which had live entertainment. Many of the peformers were blues performers that had migrated to Chicago from the Mississippi delta in the 1930’s and 1940’s. They realized that these artists were not being properly recorded, so they started to record them.

In 1947, the Chess brothers entered into a partnership with Charles and Evelyn Aron, and formed Aristocrat Records. The Arons has formed Aristocrat Recods to record blues, jazz, and R&B. The most important artist on Aristocrat was McKinley Morganfield (a.k.a. Muddy Waters), who had several successful singles on the label in 1947 and 1948. The Chess brothers were able to build Muddy Waters into Chicago’s leading blues singer.

The Arons were divorced, and by 1948, Leonard Chess bought everyone out, so that only he and Evelyn Aron ran the label. By early 1950, Leonard and his brother Phil had become the sole owners, and in June, they changed the company’s name to Chess Records. The Aristocrat brand was discontinued in 1951.

In the meantime, Sam Phillips, a young record producer in Memphis, Tennesee, wa recording a 6’6″, 300 pound farm worker named Chester Burnette (a.k.a. Howlin’ Wolf). At the time, Phillips didn’t have a record label (he later established Sun Records), so he leased the Howlin’ Wolf masters to the Chess brothers. “How Many More Years” b/w “Moanin’ at Midnight” was a hit in 1951. Howlin’ Wolf soon moved to Chicago and signed with Chess Records. He would record a handful of singles which did not chart, eventually finding success which “Who Will Be Next” (#14 on Billboard’s R&B chart), and “Smokestack Lightning” (#8 R&B).

The brothers’ relationship with Phillips would bear more fruit. Phillips gave to Chess “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats, which topped Billboard’s R&B chart. Soon the band signed Bo Diddley, Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry, Buddy Guy, and others who were the basis of subsequent rock and roll.

In 1994, Chess released “Chess Blues”, a 4-CD compilation of the best blues recordings released by the Chess brothers. It represents an even distribution of material from over twenty years of Chess, including recordings from the Aristocrat Records era (1947-50), and from all of Chess’s subsidiaries, including Checker and Argo Records. It chronicles the entire era, from the begining of the partnership with the Arons to the untimely death of Leonard Chess at age 52 in October 1969.

I have to admit that I’m not that conversant with Chicago blues, and therefore may not be qualified to assess this compilation of music as representative of the entire genre. But we get a good sampling of music, including several tracks by Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. There’s also some excellent harmonica playing by Little Walter.

On the fourth CD, we get to hear some familar blues and R&B. On this CD, we hear some classics, many of them covered by rock artists: “The Red Rooster” and “Killing Floor” by Howlin’ Wolf, “Wang Dang Doodle” by Koko Taylor (we do not get the Howlin’ Wolf original), and “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James. In retrospect, it’s hard to see what the fuss was about artists such as Led Zeppelin; they, for the most part, were just copiers of the old original blues artists.

If you wish to delve into Chicago blues and aren’t interested in tracking down the original albums, “Chess Blues” is a good start, and samples evenly from the era when Chess Records held sway. I would recommend it, along with some of the box sets representing some of the original blues artists (e.g. Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters). It represents a good education for the uninitiated.

August 11, 2022 by Music Reviews 0

Playlist: 8-7-2022

Here’s the playlist for 8-7-2022, in which I expressed puzzlement in the Alex Jones verdict, played T-Bone Burnett in the New Music Express, paid tribute to Manny Charlton and Nichelle Nichols, and for the live segment played Airshow:

Hour 1

  1. Dexy’s Midnight Runners, “Breaking Down the Walls of Heartache” [Searching for the Young Soul Rebels, 30th anniversary edition (1980/2010)]
  2. Ian Hunter, “That Girl Is Rock ‘n’ Roll” [All of the Good Ones Are Taken (1983)]
  3. Faith No More, “Falling to Pieces” [The Real Thing (1989)]
  4. Blake Babies, “Girl in a Box” [Sunburn (1990)]
  5. Starry Eyed and Laughing, “Going Down” [Miles Out to Sea: The Roots of British Power Pop 1969-74 (1974/2022)]

New Music Express

  1. T-Bone Burnett, “Realities.Com” [The Invisible Light:Spells (2022)]
  2. C Duncan, “Heaven” [Alluvium (2022)]
  3. Primus, “Conspiranoia” [Conspiranoid EP (2022)]
  4. Nick Frater, “Dancing with a Gertrude” [Aerodrome Motel (2022)]

Hour 2

  1. Midnite Cruiser, “Striker” [Shellshock Rock: Alternative Blasts from Northern Ireland 1977-1984 (1977/2020)]
  2. The Purdins, “Psychedelic Day” [It Craweled from the Basment: The Green Monkey Records Anthology (1988/2009)]
  3. J.B. Lenoir, “Mama Talk to Your Daughter” [Chess Blues (1955/1993)]

Sub Pop Set #2

  1. Nirvana, “Love Buzz” [7-inch single (1988)/Bleach (1989)]
  2. Screaming Trees, “Love or Confusion” [Sub Pop 200 (1988)]
  3. The Flaming Lips, “Strychnine/Peace Love and Understanding” [7-inch single (1989)/Seeing the Unseeable: The Complete Studio Recordings of The Flaming Lips 1986-1990 (2018)]
  4. Love Battery, “Between the Eyes” [7-inch single (1989)/Between the Eyes (1989)]

Tribute to Nichelle Nichols

  1. Nichelle Nichols, “Know What I Mean” [Down to Earth (1967)]
  2. Nichelle Nichols, “Feelin’ Good” [Down to Earth (1967)]

Tribute to Manny Charlton

  1. Manny Charlton, “Say the Word” [Say the Word (2004)]
  2. Manny Charlton, “Expect No Mercy” [Solo (2016)]
  3. The Dirtbombs, “I’m Saving Myself for Nichelle Nichols (No. 3)” [If You Don’t Already Have a Look (2005)]

Hour 3

  1. Pat Boone, “Paradise City” [In a Metal Mood – No More Mr. Nice Guy (1997)]
  2. Jane Aire and the Belvederes, “Yankee Wheels” [The Stiff Records Box Set (1977/1992)]

Live segment: Airshow

  1. Airshow, “Coming Home” [Live at Chestnut Rooftop – Nashville, TN, 5-7-2022]
  2. Airshow, “Another Time” [Live at Chestnut Rooftop – Nashville, TN, 5-7-2022]
  3. Airshow, “Western Song” [Live at Chestnut Rooftop – Nashville, TN, 5-7-2022]
  4. Big Star, “Baby Strange (Live)” [Live at Lafayette’s Music Room – Memphis, TN (2018)]
  5. Alex Chilton, “I Walk the Line” [Electricity By Candlelight NYC 2-13-97 (2013)]

And here’s the show:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

August 8, 2022 by Playlists 0

Playlist: 7-31-2022

Here’s the playlist for the 7-31-2022 show, in which I read an article about Rand Paul being on Ukraine’s enemies list, played the latest installment of the tribute to Manny Charlton, and played Aqueous on the live segment:

Hour 1

  1. Yo La Tengo, “Tom Courtney” [Electr-O-Pura (1995)]
  2. Webb Wilder, “Original Mixed-Up Kid” [Town and Country (1995)]
  3. Dwight Twilley Band, “Shakin’ in the Brown Grass” [The Great Lost Twilley Album (1993)]
  4. Joe “King” Carrasco and the Crowns, “Bueno” [78 RPM single (1980)]
  5. Fats Domino, “I’m Walkin'” [78 RPM single (1957)]

New Music Express

  1. Maggie Rogers, “Want Want” [Surrender (2022)]
  2. Tedeschi Trucks Band, “Somehow” [I Am the Moon III. The Fall (2022)]
  3. Josh Rouse, “Hollow Moon” [Going Places (2022)]
  4. Amanda Shires, “Empty Cups” [Take it Like a Man (2022)]
  5. Tallies, “No Dreams of Fayres” [Patina (2022)]
  6. Elvin Bishop, “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” [Struttin’ My Stuff (1976)]

Hour 2

  1. Bo Diddley, “The Story of Bo Diddley” [ABC of the Blues (1959/2011)]
  2. Howlin’ Wolf, “Howlin’ Wolf Boogie” [The Chess Box (1951/1991)]
  3. Chuck Berry, “Maybelline” [The Chess Years (1955/1991)]
  4. Muddy Waters, “Rollin’ Stone” [Chess Blues (1950/1993)]
  5. Alex Chilton and Hi Rhythm Section, “Maybelline (Live)” [Boogie Shoes: Live on Beale Street (2021)]

Sub Pop Set #1

  1. Sonic Youth, “Kill Yr Idols” [Sub Pop 100 (1986)]
  2. Green River, “Hangin’ Tree” [Sub Pop 200 (1988)]
  3. Soundgarden, “Sub Pop Rock City” [Screaming Life EP (1988)]
  4. Mudhoney, “Touch Me I’m Sick” [7-inch single (1988)]
  5. TAD, “Daisy” [7-inch single (1988)]

Tribute to Manny Charlton (part four)

  1. Manny Charlton, “Rockin’ in the Free World” [Drool (1999)]
  2. Manny Charlton, “Signed Sealed Delivered” [Drool (1999)]
  3. Manny Charlton, “She Rox” [Bravado (2000)]
  4. Manny Charlton, “Maggot I” [Stonkin’ (2001)]

Hour 3

  1. Ian Dury, “Dance of the Screamers” [Do It Yourself (1979)]
  2. Earthquake, “Knock on Wood” [Sittin’ in the Middle of Madness (1979/2003)]

Live segment: Aqueous

  1. Aqueous, “Intro/Tuning” [Westcott Theater, Syracuse, NY, 4-9-2022]
  2. Aqueous, “Right to Remain Nameless” [Westcott Theater, Syracuse, NY, 4-9-2022]
  3. Aqueous, “Foxey Lady/Bomb Track/Immigrant Song Medley” [Westcott Theater, Syracuse, NY, 4-9-2022]
  4. Aqueous, “Warren in the Window” [Westcott Theater, Syracuse, NY, 4-9-2022]
  5. Weird Al Yankovic, “Happy Birthday (Placebo EP Version) [Permanent Record: Al in the Box (1981/1994)]
  6. Nick Lowe, “I’ve Been Taking the Truth Drug” [45 RPM Single (1978)]

And here’s the show:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

August 1, 2022 by Playlists 0