WLSO.FM

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IN PRAISE OF LAZINESS PT.1

During my self-imposed exile from the radio station, I became lazy.
As much as I love doing the shows, I enjoyed being lazy- it was fun!
No picking out songs, no mad scrambling for songs…no going into Manhattan in the morning.
And I am still lazy.
That’s enough information- this two-parter is called In Praise Of Laziness.
Think I might have “Lazy” songs?
You’ll just have to listen.
There’s a lot to be said for laziness.
I’m just too lazy to do it here, lol!

Mike

Tags: Engineer Ken Stanley, Manhattan, Radio Station

ROCKOLLECTIONS: TOM PETTY’S HIGHWAY COMPANION PT.2 END

It took a while after I began playing Rock & Roll at the radio station for record companies to begin sending us CD’s.
But they did- not too many- after all, I was the only one playing our music (still am), and only for one hour once a week- but enough to keep Engineer Ken Stanley and I fairly up to date with new releases.
We’d split them and take them home to listen.
Occasionally we would play one of these NEW albums all the way through on a show, not an old classic one, just for something different.
Well, Tom Petty’s 3rd solo album Highway Companion in 2006, caught Engineer Ken’s ear.
So he suggested we do that one.
As I recall, I hadn’t even ever heard any of it, but I went along with it.
Hey it was an easy show, any dope can play an album straight through…not much thought goes into that, lol!
As things turned out, we took the chance and the CD was a successful one.
Produced excellently by Jeff Lynne from ELO & The Traveling Wilburys, etc., it topped out at # 4 on the Billboard charts.
It was different from Petty’s previous releases, with songs about the road (as suggested by the title) and aging- they were darker but still rocked.
What we have here is a show from 2006, when this album was new, and we will be playing the songs in their arranged order.
Here is the closing half of what turned out to be a fun time for me, with a rather light-hearted, humorous presentation.
And because I never used to pre-read the copy, out of nowhere I came upon a word I was in no way expecting and not prepared to pronounce- if I had taken a moment to slow down it would have been easy, but no, not me.
So listen for the battle between me and that word…the word won, lol!

Mike

Tags: 2006, Billboard, ELO, Engineer Ken Stanley, Jeff Lynne, Rock & Roll, The Traveling Wilburys

ROCKOLLECTIONS: TOM PETTY’S HIGHWAY COMPANION PT.1

It took a while after I began playing Rock & Roll at the radio station for record companies to begin sending us CD’s.
But they did- not too many- after all, I was the only one playing our music (still am), and only for one hour once a week- but enough to keep Engineer Ken Stanley and I fairly up to date with new releases.
We’d split them and take them home to listen.
Occasionally we would play one of these NEW albums all the way through on a show, not an old classic one, just for something different.
Well, Tom Petty’s 3rd solo album Highway Companion in 2006, caught Engineer Ken’s ear.
So he suggested we do that one.
As I recall, I hadn’t even ever heard any of it, but I went along with it.
Hey it was an easy show, any dope can play an album straight through…not much thought goes into that, lol!
As things turned out, we took the chance and the CD was a successful one.
Produced excellently by Jeff Lynne from ELO & The Traveling Wilburys, etc., it topped out at # 4 on the Billboard charts.
It was different from Petty’s previous releases, with songs about the road (as suggested by the title) and aging- they were darker but still rocked.
What we have here is a show from 2006, when this album was new, and we will be playing the songs in their arranged order.
Here is the opening half of what turned out to be a fun time for me, with a rather light-hearted, humorous presentation.

Mike

Tags: 2006, Billboard, ELO, Engineer Ken Stanley, Jeff Lynne, Rock & Roll, The Traveling Wilburys

ROCKOLLECTIONS: BACK DOING IT AGAIN? MY RETURN? PT.2 END

I have to bring this piece of crap back because among other things the sound card doesn’t work in the back, only in the front.
And I really hate this Windows 7- compared to XP it sucks big time!
Frankly, I hate computers period!
The thrill is long gone.
An honest appraisal would confirm that my active, social and intellectual life has gone down since I first got one about 6 or 7 years ago.
Have I returned to doing this show?
Answering now, it will be a good while before that happens- like I said, if it ain’t fun, I ain’t doing it!
It all depends on the comfort level, and right now I am not at all comfortable.
So it appears a parade of re-runs will be forthcoming…if that!
Here’s how the 2nd half of that early Summer of 2009 show went those years ago:

We return for this 2nd half with more “return” songs, lol.
Including one from an ex-Beatle that for some reason was never released, but will blow your mind!
After that, I knew that in my self-exile I had missed an entire season, Spring, by just a couple of days.
For all the Hallmark card feelings about Spring, it is often forgotten there was a time that for the Native American Indians in many parts of the country, to have SURVIVED the Winter was a cause for celebration.
Just plain being glad you had made it to Spring and weren’t dead!
So a song about that, written by a Cree Indian jazz musician named Jim Pepper, but the version I’ll play was taken over and done much better by a folk-rock duo.
This song and I have been friends for a very long time- since the early 70’s- so I hope you like it!
And bear in mind when this was broadcast, June 23rd was just 3 days into Summer.
I’ll end by going out pretty much the way we came in.
You may have noticed that I am the lone holdout when it comes to printing playlists of these shows.
I don’t believe in them!
There are maybe half a dozen people in radio that I like to listen to- who of course share my “anything goes” attitude about what to play.
And I most certainly do NOT want to know IN ADVANCE what they are going to play.
The chance to bring back a forgotten song long dormant in your memory, or one you have never heard but catches your ear- these are the things that are the most delightful to me, and why I guard my free-form status so closely.
Why in the hell would I want to tell you what I am going to play before I do so- and why would you bother listening if I did?
The element of surprise or anticipation is key- this show is not background music while you do something else, and I am not wallpaper hanging there so long you don’t notice it anymore!
Let’s finish this ride together.

Mike

Tags: “Return” Songs, Beatle, Cree Indian Jazz Musician Jim Pepper, Engineer Ken Stanley, Native American Indians

ROCKOLLECTIONS: BACK DOING IT AGAIN, MY RETURN? PT.1

Just got a new computer, and I don’t know this damn new Windows 7, just feeling my way around.
Maybe it’s better than Vista, but certainly NOT XP!
I was without anything for a long time.
And it’s incredible how much you always LOSE in the process.
Programs and equipment that used to work, are changed- using them must be figured out or are just plain ineffective.
So for the time being, here’s a show I did in early Summer of 2009 after a prolonged absence.
When I am comfortable and things are running smoothly & easily (if ever), I will do a NEW show.
Ticks me off because I had a rocking couple of shows planned.
Have I returned?
Who knows…the question mark is there because if it ain’t fun, I ain’t doing it!
Here’s how the 1st half went those years ago:

I have mentioned it here before, so some of you may know that I had a problem at the radio station where I have been for almost 11 years.
Serious enough to make me stay home and not return for four months- stubborn bastard that I can be, lol!
I don’t want to get into the details, but it had to do with my doing Talk and not Music for cost reasons.
There is enough mindless chatter on the radio without mine.
Well I guess I won, because I came back, I am not doing talk, and I continue to have no restrictions whatsover about the music I play- very rare indeed on today’s computerized playlist radio.
Chalk one up for the iconoclasts.
It was broadcast June 23, 2009, and I believe in the next chapter you will hear me refer to Summer having begun just days ago, which it had.
Now it was suggested to me that I not say anything about my lengthy absence- typical of radio, people come and go without comment.
But that’s not my style, I consider my listeners my friends, and I would not insult their intelligence by ignoring the fact I was missing for so long.
So I dedicated the hour to the fact that I had been gone, now I was back, and tested the freedom to play what I want by choosing songs about returning to places.
I also wanted the people who cared enough to be concerned, to know that my not having been there for so long had absolutely nothing to do with any health problems on my part, and felt it proper to ask both aloud and musically about THEIR state of health.
So that’s the background for this, the first of two parts.
And I had enough time away to think of the most PERFECT song to open with- about being Back Where You Started and Doing It All Again!
And I went from there…!
Mike

Tags: Back Where You Started, Doing It All Again, Engineer Ken Stanley, Summer of 2009

ROCKOLLECTIONS: ETTA JAMES PT.2 & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Continuing with Etta James, I had some songs to identify for you.
Providing her with some Rock credentials, I should point out the she IS in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
And did you know she sang background vocals on Chuck Berry’s Back In The U.S.A.?
Or that she was the opening act on one of the Rolling Stones American tours?
I’ll play some tunes this time from her 1960 debut LP on Chess Records- her song choices were very interesting, including a Muddy Waters cover.
I will close this show out with a song I always relate with the New Year.
There was a group of British studio musicians in the late 60’s, who decided to form a band called Magna Carta.
Included in this not very well known group, were such people as Tony Visconti and brilliant keyboardist Rick Wakeman (who went on to form the group Yes!).
They did a song in 1969 called Seasons- which actually was one whole side of an album, clocking in at 22:57.
I have distilled it down to its relevant parts, please listen to the words, and it is a great song dealing with the Turning Of The Year.
You have made 2011 a thoroughly enjoyable year for me.
Hope I was able to bring something to you too, and I have some exciting plans about shows for the coming year, at least to me, lol!
Happy New Year Everyone!

Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: ETTA JAMES PT.1

 

Didn’t have time to do a new show for this week, and considering the circumstances it seemed proper to bring this one back. This show was original broadcast in late December 2008, the show just before New Years, and to bring it truly up to date things do not look good for Etta:

R&B legend Etta James has been hospitalized in Riverside, California after suffering breathing problems.
The terminally ill singer, who is battling leukemia, spent Christmas in hospital and her longtime manager Lupe De Leon admits the 73-year-old is “in pretty bad shape.”
Members of her family were hoping doctors could revive her from her sedation on Sunday, so they could briefly celebrate Christmas with her in her hospital room.

Keeping reasonably up to date, I see that Beyonce is portraying Etta James in the current movie Cadillac Records.
So the featured artist is Etta James- and I sort of asked how she felt about waiting so long for that designation.
Discovered by Johnny Otis, her first hit was The Wallflower (Dance With Me Henry), the answer record to Work With Me Annie by Hank Ballard & The Midnighters.
I should point out that Dancing and Working are euphemisms for things of a more adult nature (GASP!).
In fact, a listen shows she NEVER says DANCE With Me Henry!
Her song was a big hit, but sales were undercut by the cleaned up version done by Georgia Gibbs.
That was not uncommon back in the days of what was called “race music”, where white artists put out, sometimes rushed out, watered-down versions of the original R&B songs.
The result was often those inferior versions becoming the bigger seller, although the young people were tuned in to the more lively, rocking originals.
A trio of songs will demonstrate all about it, and I don’t feel like writing anyway, lol!
Her success with the song though, presented the opportunity for the teenaged Etta James to go on a tour with madman Little Richard- the poor kid, Richard was even wilder than he is today!
We’ll close this one out with an early Women’s Lib song, a good old Rock & Roll song about Rock & Roll, and a standard, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, (and I don’t, but I am working on it, lol!).
This is good, solid, and overlooked for far too long, music.
I’ll have another chapter to follow.

Mike

Tags: "Race Music", Beyonce, Cadillac Records, Dance With Me Henry, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Georgia Gibbs, Hank Ballard and The Midnighters, Johnny Otis, Little Richard, Rock & Roll, The Wallflower, Women's Lib, Work With Me Annie

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE PT.2 END

After the Intermission, we continue with 1946’s It’s A Wonderful Life and the project of inserting an updated Rock & Roll soundtrack into it.
And it is true, I did have a box of tissues nearby.
After all these years, this Movie still gets to me!
I’ll pick it up precisely where we left off, with the Wingless Angel Clarence learning about George Bailey, Bedford Falls, and more.
And I’ll take it from there to the stirring, beautiful ending by Frank Capra, who was so good at writing and directing Movies he inspired a word, “Capra-esque”.
By the way, what was Clarence’s last name, and what did he write in the Tom Sawyer book he gave to George?
I can’t believe I finally did it…what has just been an idea for so long.
And again, thanks for the help from others, particularly to Pete Fornatale of WFUV.
As always, I hope you enjoyed my effort to bring you something a bit different from regular Radio.
Merry Christmas To All, And To All A Good Night!

Mike

Tags: "Capra-esque", 1946's It's A Wonderful Life, And To All A Good Night, Bedford Falls, Frank Capra, George Bailey, Merry Christmas To All, Movies, Pete Fornatale, radio, Tom Sawyer, Updated Rock & Roll Soundtrack, WFUV, Wingless Angel Clarence

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE PT.1

I have been thinking of trying to do this for a very long time.
Provide a Rock & Roll Soundtrack to the much loved and immensely popular movie- particularly at this time of year- “It’s A Wonderful Life”.
Soundtracks albums are very important and profitable to Movies nowadays.
That was not the case in 1946 when this Movie came out.
Music was only important as a plot device…to move the flick along with an orchestra for dramatic or lighthearted effect.
And besides, who would buy an album of music from a flop?
That was the case with It’s A Wonderful Life- it lost at least a half million dollars, huge bucks back then.
Well, it all changes right now, right here!
Over the years, I have talked to just a handful of people about attempting this.
I thank them for their help and suggestions, with the biggest thanks going to Pete Fornatale of WFUV…I nicked a few ideas from him, lol!
I have never said this about a show before, but this may be something you will never forget!
The house lights are dimming, the curtain is rising.
So I invite you to join me for the opening half of some good old Black & White Radio!

Mike

Tags: 1946, Black & White Radio, Pete Fornatale, Rock & Roll Soundtrack, Soundtracks albums, WFUV

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE 2011 CHRISTMAS PARTY PT.2

We continue with Christmas 2011.
You know how at many parties there is someone who starts trouble?
Well, at our Party that Troublemaker will be ME!
With tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek, I’ll take a musical look at what I called “the freeloaders who write to Santa Claus and feel entitled to what they asked for”, lol!
Even Santa will chime in about that.
I’ll also have some Carols that are given very, very different musical treatments than what we are used to.
Next week, if all goes well, and if I can do it, something special.
I may fall flat on my face, lol!

Mike

Tags: Christmas 2011, Christmas Carols, Santa Claus, Troublemaker

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE 2011 CHRISTMAS PARTY PT.1

Welcome to my annual two-week Christmas Party.
It is usually an exercise in experimentation, and this year is no exception.
All I knew when I sat down to do this show was that I had an opening song- then it took on a life of its own.
And that life of its own was to first musically state the obvious, lol!
I invite you to join me for an eclectic collection of Christmas songs that flow together, at least in my fill-in-the-blank mind.
With Radio’s tight playlists today, I humbly state it’s hard to imagine you will hear some of these anywhere else- certainly not in the same show.
New, old, loud, soft, electric, acoustic, blues, reggae…it’s all in here.
So snuggle up next to your speakers and please do enjoy the first stocking leg of our Holiday Party!

Mike

Tags: Acoustic, blues, electric, Holiday Party, loud, New, old, Radio's tight playlists, reggae, soft

ROCKOLLECTIONS: REMEMBERING GEORGE HARRISON & JOHN LENNON 2011 PT.2 END

Closing it out as usual this year with John Lennon, who died on Dec.8th, 1980.
That’s 31 years ago- meaning there is a whole generation of people who don’t remember it firsthand.
Those of us who do will never forget it.
Monday Night Football anyone?
I’ll be more Beatle-ish in this episode, mainly because John & Paul dominated the output for the group back then, and there are more never heard things to choose from.
So some very intriguing music here.
Ending with a song that is right in that “never forget it” mold.

Mike

Tags: Beatle, Dec. 8th 1980, John and Paul, Monday Night Football

ROCKOLLECTIONS: REMEMBERING GEORGE HARRISON & JOHN LENNON 2011 PT.1

It is that bittersweet time of year again.
Between the deaths of George Harrison and John Lennon- one by disease, the other murdered.
I hadn’t realized it was 10 years ago for George, he died on November 29th, 2001, and we here in New York were still reeling from the attacks of Sept.11th.
As is usual for these shows, I will try to play interesting things you may never have heard.
In this episode dedicated to George, I have a bare version, without the chorus, of a #1 Billboard song for him, followed by an answer song to it that came 35 YEARS later…and by another former Beatle!
Then a musical look at the friendship between George and Bob Dylan.
So if you were/are a fan of George Harrison, The Beatles or Bob Dylan, you should find something enjoyable and fascinating here.
Next up, John Lennon.
 
Mike
 

Tags: #1 Billboard song, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, John Lennon, New York, The attacks of Sept.11th, The Beatles

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THANKSGIVING 2011 PT.2 END

I really miss doing these Thanksgiving shows with Engineer Ken Stanley.
They and the Christmas shows were the most fun for us each year.
Now I am my own Engineer, and Ken has retired.
I have two songs about Going Home in this chapter.
One is a personal favorite I can’t seem to ever leave out that I remember being so hard to find in record stores I would ask other people to look for me, and they would always ask Linda’s Farm?
No I would tell them, Lindisfarne, and spell it out!
The other I played last year by Elton John.
It’s Elton’s song, he wrote it with Bernie Taupin- but in one of those strange happenstances that occur now and then in our Music, I’ll play a version of the song that came out just shortly BEFORE Elton’s.
Just two songs about Going Home because I am only going to include 3 songs.
That’s right, after 14 years I am finally going to play it…it was inevitable someday I would!
Unquestionably the most famous Rock & Roll song concerning Thanksgiving, the famous or infamous Alice’s Restaurant makes it’s first ever appearance on this Radio Show!
I haven’t even heard it in a number of years, and I must admit it was fun to listen to after a long time away.
If you have never heard it, it is certainly unique- it was unique in 1967 and still is now.
So much so, I am doing what I rarely do, revealing what I am going to play before you listen- enabling you to stick around for it or tune out after the first two songs, lol!
ANY time of ANY day, there are dozens and dozens of thing to be Thankful for- just look around you…or look inside you!
One for me is Giving Thanks to all of you who take the time to listen to this weekly attempt to present Music in a sometimes quirky way, but always tries to appeal to your intellect.
Therefore, here is my Official Certificate Of Thanks to All.
And I wish you the Happiest Of Thanksgivings complete with loving family and friends!

Mike

Tags: Bernie Taupin, Christmas, elton john, Engineer Ken Stanley, Going Home, Lindisfarne, Official Certificate Of Thanks to All, The Most Famous Rock and Roll Song Concerning Thanksg

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THANKSGIVING 2011 PT.1

Well, I was expecting you, just open the door and come on in Friend!
That will make more sense after you’ve heard the opening to the annual Thanksgiving show.
I will set the table, the Thanksgiving table, with a few songs of Peacefulness.
Not always the case at Holiday get-togethers, lol!
And again I remind you that Thanksgiving is the most heavily traveled time in the U.S.
43 million travelers estimated this year, and they are all going HOME!
Over the years that has been the Theme within a Theme for this show- as we have gone Home by Planes, Trains, Automobiles…even Boats.
How about Rollin’ Home?
That’s a new one.
And like last year, a song for those, who for one reason or another, can’t go Home.
It’s a privilege I have always enjoyed, doing these Thanksgiving shows with and for you- bringing you some of the best Music I can think of for the occasion.
That Turkey Day is growing ever nearer!

Mike

Tags: Automobiles, Boats, Engineer Ken Stanley, Friend, Holiday Get-togethers, Home, Peacefulness, Planes, Rollin' Home, Theme Within A Theme, Trains, Turkey Day

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE AUTUMN SHOW 2011 PT.2 END

Over they years I have found that Autumn Songs are very introspective.
They go far beyond being about the passing of Summer, and well into the passing of our own Time.
Some songs are written from and about places that have summer tourists who leave when Fall comes, making for an entirely different and mostly welcome environment and point of view.
I’ll be playing songs in this closing chapter that are wistful and provoke contemplation when you hear them.
And I do ask you to listen to the words…the lyrics.
Like the Autumn Season, they are beautiful!
Happy Autumn!

Mike

Tags: Autumn Season, Autumn Songs, Passing Of Time, Summer, The Fall

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE AUTUMN SHOW 2011 PT.1

Autumn is rapidly becoming tied for my favorite Season.
It brings with it the promise of my beloved Winter.
I know over 90% will disagree with me, but Summer is just something I have to annually sweat and get through so I can enjoy the cold weather.
Obviously, waiting for the bus is preferable in Fall- don’t tell the squirrels, but I freeze my nuts off waiting for public transportation in Winter, lol!
The only thing that could improve The Fall would be snow, and we’ve had some of that already.
Not much to speak of though, so forget I spoke of it.
As I go happily through this beautiful Season, over the years I’ve noticed that Autumn Songs have a distinctive sound.
Quite a few emotions in them, mostly melancholy, sadness at the passing of Summer.
But for me Autumn is invigorating!
I’ll speak of my fondness for sitting in a park here in Brooklyn, oh about a mile from where I live- it is an isolated spot, never crowded, where I can read, write and particularly listen to Music- surrounded by private houses that can’t be seen, so I feel I could be anywhere BUT the big city.
It’s a truly restful spot.
And my friends are under strict orders that should I ever begin to feed the birds or squirrels, they are to shoot me… immediately blow my freakin’ head off for doing such an Old Guy thing, lol!
Like the weather, some nice Music here.
Please do enjoy it.

Mike

Tags: Autumn Songs, Brooklyn, My Favorite Season, Old Guy, Summer, The Fall, Winter

ROCKOLLECTIONS: ALL SAINTS PT.4 FINAL

Well, this is it, I wrap it up with the Saints, this year’s replacement for a Halloween show.
At the end you will hear me say that it is amazing what you can find in our music, Rock & Roll Music, on ANY subject.
That is so true, and I had a ball going through my Music Library pulling out these songs for such an unconventional topic.
I’ll begin with an A-list group you wouldn’t expect to hear on a Saints show- never, ever with these bad boys…er…elderly gentlemen, lol!
Then, a nice long set of music containing one (maybe two) classics, a gem, and one you may not know.
Finally, our concluding tune will be the first song I thought of when this series was just a germ of an idea.
I’ve told you before that many times it is the beginning or ending song, occasionally both, that starts the brain flowing on a particular topic.
I knew from the start that this would be the best song I could end with!
Let’s see if you agree.
And I thank you for coming along for the ride with me and those kindly men and women we had fun with.

Mike

Tags: A-list group, halloween, Music Library, Rock and Roll Music

ROCKOLLECTIONS: ALL SAINTS PT.3

Exactly one week ago it was All Saints Day.
I pulled out a bunch of songs in acknowledgement, and I am not the kind of guy to just put them back unplayed- there were too many good ones in there.
However you feel about Saints is not important, although I would be shocked if you disliked them- there’s no good reason for that.
Believe or disbelieve, it’s all just Music!
And you have to admit, it was a challenging subject for a Rock & Roll show.
Give me a Subject and I’ll give you a Series, lol!
I’ll cheat a little by using a Saint’s name, but in Spanish for a couple of songs.
That’s St. Francis’ picture above, the kindly man famously known for his love of Animals and who has many Animal and Bird Hospitals named after him, more so now than ever.
In fact, on his Feast Day you are allowed to bring your pets into Church to be blessed.
The whole point is to have fun, and I promise you will be pleasantly surprised by the number of Big-Name Musical Artists I have chosen for this episode and the next.
The first order of business…let’s get those Saints To Come Marching In!
Enjoy!

Mike

Tags: All Saints Day, Animal and Bird Hospitals, Animals, Big-Name Musical Artists, Church, Feast Day, music, Rock and Roll Show, Spanish, St. Francis, When The Saints Go Marching In

ROCKOLLECTIONS: ALL SAINTS PT.2

More honoring the Saints with our Music!
St. Peter is a big-name Saint, and that photo above is the famous and beautiful Basilica named after him in Rome.
He appears in very, very, very many songs, but sometimes you have to listen for it.
That’s the case with the first two songs in this chapter.
Followed by one that has his name in the title.
I’ll finally get around to that All Saints Day/Halloween connection.
Then, I’ve talked before about how when I do these Themes, I go back mentally and try to think of the first song I can remember hearing about the selected subject.
In this case I already knew that, so what came to mind was the first Saint song I bought!
It was quite by accident- the song was included on an Oldies album I bought many years ago, and certainly not the reason I purchased that album.
But over the years it grew on me, and it was done by the very influential Doo Wop group, the Harptones.
A group that should be in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
But they aren’t.
Proving again, at least to me, what a sham that place is!
By the way, I still have that album.
As all Music Collectors know, we NEVER throw anything away, lol!
Oh, and I did what I always do, I pulled out too many songs for just one hour- frankly I don’t think a Theme is worth just one hour, too much would be left out.
So this will be continued next week with some real good music that you undoubtedly thought I SHOULD have played this week, lol!
But first things first, some surprises, some fun in here.
Enjoy!

Mike

Tags: All Saints Day/Halloween Connection, Big-name Saint, Doo Wop, music, Music Collectors, Oldies Album, Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, Rome, St. Peter, St. Peter's Basilica, The Harptones, Themes

ROCKOLLECTIONS: ALL SAINTS PT.1

After all the years I have been doing this show, Rockollections finally falls on November 1st, All Saints Day!
I took one of my rare looks ahead at the calendar and saw it coming.
So no Halloween show this year, but instead a sort of Anti-Halloween show.
And you should know that without All Saints Day, there is no Halloween!
I will cover that, but mostly I’ll take a Rock & Roll look at the Saints.
Including the peculiar matter of St. Christopher, that patron of safe travel, being taken off the Saintly Roster.
We’ll have some fun with this, so I invite you to join me for these heavenly episodes, lol!

Mike

Tags: All Saints Day, Anti-Halloween, halloween, November 1st, Rock and Roll, Saintly Roster, St. Christopher

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE KINGSTON TRIO PT.4 FINAL

Our final chapter on the Kingston Trio.
In 1961, Dave Guard left the group, and among those considered as a replacement for him was Roger McGuinn of the Byrds,
They agreed on John Stewart, a terrific songwriter who wrote Daydream Believer, a smash for the Monkees.
I have some more fun songs to hear, including a hit in 1963 when the word “Damn” was still frowned upon.
A mere gnat to the way I curse, lol!
The group members disbanded in 1967 to pursue individual carreers.
(Yeah, that always works!!)
Bob Shane in particular seemed to make some blunders in that regard- I’ll tell you about it.
I’ll play a song that after all these years can still bring a smile, about that Man Who Never Returned.
And a darkly humorous rumination on nuclear war that may not seem so comical today, but was always a concert favorite. Even back then it mentions “strife in Iran”. Ah, those happy-go-lucky Iranians!
Taking it all out is the strange story of a song we all know written by Dino Valente of Quicksilver Messenger Service.
I have heard versions of it by the Jefferson Airplane and Spanky & Our Gang, to name a few, before the Youngbloods had their hit with it in 1967.
But did you know the Kingston Trio sang it in 1964?
As always, I hope you enjoyed the high academic presentation and lowbrow-humor I call Rockollections, lol!

Mike

Tags: Bob Shane, Byrds, Dave Guard, Daydream Believer, Dino Valente, Engineer Ken Stanley, Jefferson Airplane, John Stewart, Monkees, Nick Reynolds, Quicksiver Messenger Service, Roger McGuinn, Spanky and Our Gang, Youngbloods

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE KINGSTON TRIO PT.3

Well, THIS never happened before or since- an artist DYING while I am featuring him!
Sorry to see you go, NIck.
This episode has more hits by the Kingston Trio.
But most interesting was a song that we all associate with Frank Sinatra.
And finding out in was written for THEM, and recorded by them 4 years before in 1961!

Kingston Trio co-founder Reynolds dies
SAN DIEGO, California (AP) — Nick Reynolds, a founding member of the Kingston Trio who jump-started the revival folk scene of the late 1950s and paved the way for artists such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, has died. He was 75.
Reynolds had been hospitalized with acute respiratory disease and other illnesses, and died Wednesday in San Diego after his family took him off life support, said son Joshua Reynolds.
“Dad was so happy he turned people onto music in a way that people could really approach it, in a simple and honest way,” Josh Reynolds told The Associated Press. “He was a very gracious and loving performer. He was a devoted family man.”
The Kingston Trio’s version of the 19th-century folk song “Tom Dooley” landed the group a No. 1 spot on the charts in 1958, and launched the band’s career.
Born on July 27, 1933, in San Diego, Nicholas Reynolds demonstrated an early love of music and did sing-alongs with his two sisters and their Navy captain-father, who taught him to play guitar.
He graduated from Coronado High School in 1951 and attended the University of Arizona and San Diego State University before attending Menlo College, a business school near Palo Alto. He graduated from Menlo in 1956.
It was during the mid-1950s that Nicholas Reynolds met Bob Shane, who introduced him to Stanford student Dave Guard. Guard and Shane knew each other from playing music in Guard’s native Hawaii. The three formed the Kingston Trio.
In 1958, “Tom Dooley” earned Reynolds, Guard and Shane a trophy for best country and western performance at the first Grammys. The group, defined by tight harmonies and a clean-cut style, went on to win a Grammy the next year for best folk performance for its album “The Kingston Trio At Large.”
Later member John Stewart joined the group in 1961, replacing Guard. Stewart died in January, also in San Diego.
After leaving the Kingston Trio in 1967, Reynolds moved to Oregon, where he stayed until the 1980s and took a break from music to raise his family, his son said.
Reynolds moved back to California in the mid-1980s and rejoined Stewart for one album. In 1991, Reynolds rejoined Shane in a reconstituted version of the Trio. He remained with the group until retiring in 2003, his son said.
Reynolds is survived by his wife Leslie, sons Joshua and John Pike Reynolds, daughters Annie Reynolds Moore and Jennifer Reynolds, and his two sisters.

Mike

Tags: “Tom Dooley”, Bob Shane, Dave Guard, Engineer Ken Stanley, frank sinatra, John Stewart, Nick Reynolds

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE KINGSTON TRIO PT.2

Continuing with our exploration of the music by the Kingston Trio, I will open with a song that is still to this day their most requested- and yet it never cracked the Top 40 as a single.
Coupled with a story of my friend Dan’s visit to Scotland.
Oh yeah, you can tell he is a friend of mine, lol!
Then the saga of two songs, same music.
There was a Bob Dylan song I knew very well from before I was able to LEGALLY drink!
When I was legal and in an Irish bar, I heard someone singing an IRA song about what we called the “troubles”, that had the same tune as that Dylan one, and I was annoyed that it had been ripped off.
As I later found out, I had it backwards, and Dylan was the thief, or let’s say, borrower.
This is serious music, as both are powerful and thought-provoking, both have traitors in them.
I’ll play a hit single by the Trio that has a lala title but is actually quite good.
Then a song they did, that I first heard in its Top 40 hit form by someone else- and by him a contender for Worst Song Ever Made, lol!
The Kingstons perform it in a much more palatable way.
To end this chapter, I wanted to go out with my very favorite Kingston Trio song.
Now I had told Engineer Ken what it was before the show, but by the end he had forgotten.
The ensuing confusion is kind of funny.
Actually, I had a LOT of fun with all these Kingston Trio shows- and it made me fun.
You’ll hear that, it shows!
To be continued…

Mike

Tags: Bob Dylan, Engineer Ken Stanley, IRA, Judas, Scotland, the "troubles", Worst Song Ever Made

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE KINGSTON TRIO PT.1

This 4-part series may seem surprising- acoustic, a folk act, and from the 50’s & early 60’s!
But the Kingston Trio made their mark, I am a folkie and I get to pick, lol!
I will be taking an extensive look at the Trio, and delving deeply.
If I didn’t think you would enjoy it, I wouldn’t bother putting it up here.
And there is some interesting history connected to them.
Did you know that at the very first Grammys, they won one for Best Country & Western Song- there was no Folk category!
Wonder what Johnny Cash was doing that year?
While immensely popular with the public, they were villified by the folk purists because they dared to sing new songs, not just 200 year old ones!
At one point, they had 4 of the Top 10 albums on the charts.
So join me, as I play a certain song that was on our Summer Cruise, but this time with the old, calypso wording.
An African song, with a translation at the beginning, that became a huge hit by another group after they rocked it up..
And a Woody Guthrie song that sounds so different to hear by somebody other than the Weavers.
We’re just getting started!

Mike

Tags: Acoustic, Best Country & Western Song, Calypso, folk, folk act, Grammys, Johnny Cash, the 50’s & early 60’s, Top 10 albums, Weavers, Woody Guthrie

ROCKOLLECTIONS: A SHOW ABOUT NOTHING & SOME COLUMBUS PT.4 END

Moving on with our show about Nothing…I’ve got Nothing left.
I’ve got LOADS of Nothing left!
But it’s time to wrap this up.
I’ll go out with a final bunch of Nothing songs- including going on a Road Trip for some of them, one from my favorite lovable madman, a Steely Dan soundalike by the most unlikely person, and even a critique of this short series.
Then as promised, we’ll hear the REAL story of Christopher Columbus, lol!
These episodes were a lot of fun for me, proving what you can do with Rock & Roll when you have no corporate or commercial restrictions.
Hope you enjoyed listening to them!

Mike

Tags: Christopher Columbus, Road Trip, Rock & Roll, Steely Dan soundalike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: A SHOW ABOUT NOTHING PT.3

Funny thing, I didn’t realize yesterday would be Columbus Day until after 5 in the afternoon last Friday, as I was talking to a girl and she mentioned it.
I probably would have gone to work, something that could have happened on the Seinfeld show, lol!
All things considered, Seinfeld was probably the funniest Television show ever.
And I was thinking, it would not have worked in any city other than New York!
Think about that…there’s just no way- the apartments, stores, restaurants, streets, movies, etc.
The CHARACTERS are New York!
A few sound bites from the show and more of the music of Nothing, as I carry on with this odd topic.
And I will get to Christopher Columbus in the next and final chapter.
I think you’ll like this one.
 
Mike

Tags: CHARACTERS, Christopher Columbus, Columbus Day, New York, seinfeld, Television

ROCKOLLECTIONS: A SHOW ABOUT NOTHING PT.2

I meant to tell you that one of the main reasons I am doing these shows about Nothing now is because of the seriousness of the previous series.
Seemed like a good time to do it, since I have been thinking about it for years.
It was a great plot device of Seinfeld to have them pitch a show to NBC- making it a show within a show.
And as usual when doing my own show, I play a song and it makes me think of another, and I am running around pulling out songs…whew!
So you are probably not surprised that what was going to be one, will now be two shows.
Therefore for next week, I can promise you more of…NOTHING!
Hope you like this episode, it’s a cross-section of music from four decades.

Mike

Tags: NBC, seinfeld

ROCKOLLECTIONS: A SHOW ABOUT NOTHING PT.1

Alright, admittedly this show is inspired by the wonderful Seinfeld television program.
There will be some sound bites from it.
And that picture above perfectly illustrates nothing- if you can make something out of it, you are better than me.
One interesting thing, while picking out songs for this show I discovered there are a lot of them written about people who have Nothing To Say.
I’ll play some.
Other than that, I have NOTHING more to write!
Enjoy!

Mike

Tags: Nothing To Say, seinfeld, Television Program

ROCKOLLECTIONS: 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11- LOVE AND PEACE, OR AT LEAST HOPE PT.2 FINALE

Well this is it, the Finale.
It’s been a long trip, gathering Reflections and Remembrance.
After all, apart from some deeply personal instances, 9/11 is THE single most affecting event in my life!
For some reason tonight, I have this vivid memory of the Mets’ Mike Piazza hitting a two-run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning to beat the Braves in the first Baseball game played in New York after those damnable attacks on Sept. 11th 2001.
And how much that tiny incident in the scale of things meant to me and the city…we were desperate for something good!
What I don’t remember ever happening is what took place opening this 2nd half of the show- going in I didn’t have a clue as to how I would end this whole series.
Now, months ago I knew what the opening song would be, but the last one?
Nothing!
It is Free-Form Radio, but with something as important to me as an ending, that sometimes is the first thing I think of- either the ending song or the opening song or both-  if not, I usually have a few ideas, and I make the choice at the last moment.
Some possibilities were a gentle My Country ‘Tis Of Thee done by David Crosby, or The House I Live In by Frank Sinatra from a short movie produced in 1945- but they just weren’t cutting it.
And this had been an introspective journey for me, trying to find something good inside using Music as my guide.
So I went ahead and started this last chapter with songs of Love and Peace, and while that’s a nice way to think, they don’t do much to heal the still open wound in me, or the anger.
Suddenly I thought of Hope…there should always be that.
And I had my ending!
After 4 shows, 4 hours, seeking some kind of solace, am I any different?
I’ll answer that in here.
And I’d be interested in how you feel after 10 years, with or without listening to what I played.
God Bless America!
Now that will always remain proudly the same for me!

Mike

Tags: david crosby, Finale, First Baseball Game Played in New York, frank sinatra, Free-form Radio, God Bless America, Mets' Mike Piazza, My Country 'Tis Of Thee, Reflections and Remembrance, Sept 11th 2001, The Atlanta Braves, The House I Live In

ROCKOLLECTIONS: 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11- RESIGNATION, ACCEPTANCE AND WISDOM PT.1

Well, I said in the opening chapter that just seeing the word September made me think of 9/11, and I have managed to go the entire month with different looks at, feelings about, and reactions to, that day.
This is the first half of the final show in the series.
We are all 10 years older now, prompting my opening with the original version from 1938 of a song you have to have heard sometime in your life- and although nominally about September is in fact about the much larger issue of growing older!
Then it’s time to throw out all the bewilderment and face the facts of those heinous attacks 10 years ago with Resignation and Acceptance- leading us inevitably to Wisdom.
All reflected in the musical selections…my personal little Western Union for sending messages!
If you have avoided listening to the previous episodes, you may want to jump in for these last two parts.
Among other things, we’ll hear the BEST version of a song written by Jackson Browne, who although for all his astonishing insight in writing it at the tender age of 16, does not perform the best interpretation.
The one you’ll hear IS!
Another song is by a group I wouldn’t even condescend to play at the peak of their popularity, looking down at them from from my high horse.
A group I confess I had dismissed then for good reason, and I will now be playing for the keen insight of their lyrics- which only serves to support the feelings about how I, and all of us, Change in the song following it.
The list of tunes goes on, and you know how I hate to tip my hand about a playlist, lol!
The element of surprise and bringing back forgotten or never heard music, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the source of my enjoyment doing these shows.
Without that, I wouldn’t bother.
But I will tell you we can all profit in the days, weeks and years ahead, from the collected Wisdom of the selections presented here.
Not because I picked them out…that would be more ego than I have or want.
Rather because of lessons conveyed in the lyrics, those daily overlooked things we take for granted,
Please do listen and value that kick in the butt we periodically need from time to time!
One more half to go to close it out.
 
Mike

Tags: 1938 Song, 9/11, Change, jackson browne, September, Western Union

ROCKOLLECTIONS: 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11- OPTIMISM IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY PT.2

I should point out that I have made a conscious effort to not repeat any of the songs I played for the 5th Anniversary of 9/11, and while a few I felt I had to play again, that has been the case more than 90% of the time with the music here.
And those 5th Anniversary of 9/11 shows are available here at WLSO.FM, just do a simple search at the site.
It is always the most difficult to remain Optimistic during times of great Adversity.
And that is what we were faced with in the days after the attacks on Sept. 11th 2001, in fact right up to today.
So that is the next topic to be taken on in the 10th Anniversary of 9/11- Reflections and Remembrance.
Uplifting songs that were, and are still, so needed in what is a dangerous world that shows no signs of improvement.
We all know that Optimism can be contagious, but it also seems the way you look at your morning and how you start your day plays a big factor.
So join me for a feel-good musical journey through life’s rough twists and turns- as The Phoenix rises!
Oh, and I have another song, this time from 1974, that has taken on a new, strangely eerie meaning since Sept. 11th 2001.
Wait till you hear THESE lyrics!
We wrap it all up next week.
 
Mike
 

Tags: 5th Anniversary of 9/11, Reflections and Remembrance, The Phoenix