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ROCKOLLECTIONS: IN SPRING, IT’S MATTERS OF THE HEART PT.2 END

Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals, Devils 3 - Rangers 2.
I couldn’t be more pleased!
I don’t know if you noticed, but back when I did this show I had far more vinyl records than CD’s.
And listening to it now I can tell we played at least as many of those wonderful warm records- if not more- than those cold, fidelity-challenged compact discs, lol!
It’s all Heart songs again, with more wonderful quotes about them.
I will say this, one Eagle led to another, and I played the other McGarrigle song by Linda among other things.
And I ended with a very surprising song, but one that lyrically said what I wanted.
Fun to hear my working with my old friend Engineer Ken Stanley.
All YOU have to do is enjoy this, and it’s a wrap, lol
Happy Heart!
 
Mike

Tags: CD's, Devils, Eagle, Engineer Ken Stanley, Happy Heart!, McGarrigle, Rangers, Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals, Vinyl Records

IN SPRING, IT’S MATTERS OF THE HEART PT.1

Keeping it honest, this is an old show that for some reason I never put out for listening.
I remember that they wanted me to talk more back in those days, which didn’t bother me as long as I could pick any songs I wanted to play without interference.
As it still is!
What I am titling this show is just a variation of the quote, “In the Spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love”.
Didn’t seem fair to leave out the fancy of young women, lol!
It is from the poem Locksley Hall by Alfred Lord Tennyson, and I will read, not the whole thing thankfully, but that portion I am referencing.
Never one to waste what I consider a good idea, these are songs I didn’t play on the previous Valentine’s Day- the first time I played all “Heart” songs!
These are not the scrubs, not the ones that weren’t good enough.
I just couldn’t fit them all in for Valentines.
I have some nice quotes in here about the Loving Heart, and of course Music I hope you will enjoy.

Mike

Tags: Alfred Lord Tennyson, Engineer Ken Stanley, Heart Songs, In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thou, Locksley Hall, Loving Heart, music, Valentine's Day

ROCKOLLECTIONS: JUST LET IT RAIN PT.8 CONCLUSION

Well this is it, at long last the Finale- until I get the itch to do Rain again someday.
By the way, it was pouring outside the morning I did this chapter.
I was losing myself in the Music and feeling comfortable again.
I knew weeks ago what song I would end this series with, so it was just a matter of setting a mood for me and for you until I got there.
You can decide how well I did regarding both mood and ending.
I openly admitted that I knew I undoubtedly left somebody’s favorite Rain song out.
But hey, I sure played an awful lot of them…there had to be some good ones in there, lol!
A big thank you to everyone who joined me for all or some of this wet, soggy, long and fun trip!
And a Happy Mother’s Day to all who qualify!
 
Mike

Tags: Finale, Happy Mothers Day, music

ROCKOLLECTIONS: JUST LET IT RAIN PT.7

So much for my preventing Rain with this series,
It has been raining or threatening to, virtually every day since I opened my mouth about it.
This is the next-to-last episode, and not because I am running out of Rain songs.
In fact, I have so many left over, I decided this would be a Kitchen Sink presentation.
I would just throw the Kitchen Sink at you with Rain songs as they came into my head.
Actually that’s not much different than usual, lol!
I think most of these will be known to you, but maybe not.
One was banned by Radio Stations, one by a group that had begun in the early 60’s and was trying to keep up with the times and dip into what was starting to be called Progressive Rock, another is one of my favorite Oldies from the 50’s, one I really like was sent to me from Mother Hen Productions, and so on.
This first half of the show required less thought, as I had to work through a sadness- if Rain falls, so do Tears, and I don’t mean that in some philosophical sense.
I was feeling the shock, the disbelief, the mourning over the loss of Pete Fornatale, the most creative DJ I have ever heard.
He couldn’t REALLY have died, could he?
As I went along, I couldn’t help wondering how he would have handled this Rain series…what he would have played?
And I was slowly getting out of the funk, and getting back to the pride I have both in the similarities and the differences Pete and I always had.
In the near future I will find a way to honor him on Rockollections.
 
Mike

Tags: Banned by Radio Stations, Kitchen Sink Rain Songs, Mother Hen Productions, Oldies, Pete Fornatale, The 50's

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE KENTUCKY DERBY PT.2 END

As we conclude our musical Kentucky Derby, I know a horse I would bet on but he is for a very good reason not on the field, not a contender.
Then I’ll play a couple of songs that are not only about Horses, but RACEhorses!
After that, just for kicks let’s become children again, and go to a place beyond the Derby, where nobody bets on the ponies- into a world of dreams and magic for a ride on and with the Pony Man.
Then what’s that expression, “You can lead a horse to water, but…”?
Followed by a song that seems to bring out strong emotions in people, both for and against.
Finally, and all out of breath, I will leave you with a perfectly named song that was # 2 on the charts in 1968.
Let me know if I came in Win, Place or Show.
I ran my ass off, lol!
Good luck picking the winner at the Kentucky Derby.
May he or she go on to the Triple Crown!

Mike

Tags: Horses, Place, Pony Man, Racehorses, Show, Triple Crown, Win

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE KENTUCKY DERBY PT.1

Well it only took many years, but I finally realized in time to do something about it!
A show that has been bouncing around in my head for all those years, dedicated to the Kentucky Derby.
Because the only 2 vices I have avoided in my life are gambling and drugs, I never bet the ponies or the Derby, so it always sort of sneaked up on me.
But this year…voila…I am aware, lol!
So there will be much horsing around, and even imbibing in that famous traditional beverage.
There are some wonderful listeners I am blessed to have, who think along with me in these free-form-radio ventures.
And I am sure they figure there is a Rolling Stones song I HAVE to play.
They are correct of course, but I am going to throw them and everybody else a surprising curveball with that one, lol!
Something you may never have known about regarding that classic song.
Plus I have the chance to play within a Theme a song I have always loved, exquisite in its open to interpretation symbolism, that goes far beyond merely catching a horse.
Ah, there’s a lot here if you like Horses.
And we are only at the halfway marker- with a photo finish still to come.
You are invited to saddle up and join me.

Mike

Tags: Horses, Rolling Stones

ROCKOLLECTIONS: APRIL SHOWERS- LET IT RAIN PT.6

When I was recording this second half of the show, it actually was RAINING!
A real downpour- the kind you want to walk in…well, maybe not, lol!
And April Showers has since been living up to its name.
I had decided to go Folk in this chapter beforehand, and that Sweet Rain made it so much more enjoyable.
Included in this episode is one of my Go-To-Guys…TWICE!
The urgent thought, during the old Cold War, of Rain as Song Metaphor for Nuclear War and Radioactive Fallout- hang on to something if you have never heard these- the poetic words will come fast and furious!
A Randy Newman song dripping with sadness and sarcasm, I’ll be playing my favorite version interpreted by someone who may surprise you.
Followed quickly by one that will pick you right up and make you feel glad you have those good times, bad times, true friends.
All the ingredients that are usually contained in these shows are here, but with a Folk & Folk/Rock bent.
I will give Rain a rest next week, then continue the following one with what I think will be the Series Finale- although man, I have so many Rain Songs left!
Next week, it’s Off To The Races.
But first, give this one a listen- a close, get-back-to-when-the-lyrics-mattered listen!
You won’t be disappointed.
 
Mike

Tags: Cold War, Folk & Folk/Rock, get-back-to-when-the-lyrics-mattered, Go-To-Guys, Off To The Races, Rain as Song Metaphor for Nuclear War and Radioactive F, Randy Newman, Sweet Rain

ROCKOLLECTIONS: APRIL SHOWERS- LET IT RAIN PT.5

Somebody help me!
For the past two weeks I have been caught in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, watching 2, 3, 4, sometimes 5 games in a day- tough, nasty, mesmerizing old-time Hockey the way I like it, lol!
Where’s that been the last bunch of years?
So I am behind on everything, those damn intrusions of life!
I have a correction to make.
Last time out, I must have thought I was going to tell a story- I incorrectly identified the Rascals album as Once Upon A Time…it is in fact Once Upon A Dream.
This time in, I asked a few friends Why People Walk In The Rain?
I’ll have their answers, but I didn’t say in the show that most of them said they didn’t like it at all, lol!
You have to go somewhere, it’s raining, so you walk in it- end of story.
Another portion of this chapter will deal with People Who Want It To Rain.
For reasons that will become quickly clear to you.
A nice cross-section of Music in here.
And a rushed out blog, lol!
Enjoy!

Mike

Tags: Once Upon A Dream, People Who Want It To Rain, Rascals album, Stanley Cup Playoffs, Why People Walk In The Rain

ROCKOLLECTIONS: APRIL SHOWERS- LET IT RAIN PT.4

Before anything else, let’s all remember Dick Clark.
He did a lot for Rock & Roll and always seemed like a decent guy to me.
This show will note his passing as soon as I get the opportunity.
Continuing with our April Showers series, I’ll get a little serious regarding Farmers.
Too little Rain or too much Rain and you are in a world of hurt, it’s a tricky balance.
Don’t make enough money, you might lose your farm!
After that, a lighter touch as we lay back and groove while it rains and we dream.
Plus there is no finer time for romance (or even more if you handle it right, and find a willing partner) than a Rainy Day…well maybe a Snowy Day…but we get more Rainy ones, lol!
And I’ll have one of my very favorite Rain songs from the brilliant wordsmith John Sebastian with the Lovin’ Spoonful.
Sweet, happy, and saying so much in its brief simplicity- right up Sebastian’s alley.
Lastly, I want to let you know that Sunday, April 22nd is April Showers Day!
As the sign above says, enjoy the Day- I’m doing my part, lol!
The Showers and Rain will continue next week.

Mike

Tags: April Showers Day, Dick Clark, Farmers, John Sebastian, lovin spoonful, Rainy Day, Rock & Roll, Snowy Day, Sunday April 22nd

ROCKOLLECTIONS: APRIL SHOWERS- LET IT RAIN PT.3

There has been far more Rain in these shows than we have actually had in April.
I’m not sure if it has really rained at all here where I live!
How difficult is it to be a Weatherperson in a continuously warm-weather location?
It must be mind numbing to say the same things every day, however that’s what they get paid for, and handsomely so.
I guess they must possess an entertaining quality about them- although if it’s a Weatherwoman, a short skirt and cleavage would make me tune in, lol!
Among other things, I’ll take a look at Rainmakers in this episode- those who say they can do it and those who believe in them.
Included in this chapter, a song I once considered myself too hip to play, an old FM Turntable Hit for those of us who remember it, and a cautionary tale straight out of The Twilight Zone.
Let it Rain!

Mike

Tags: FM Turntable Hit, Rainmakers, The Twilight Zone, Weatherperson

ROCKOLLECTIONS: APRIL SHOWERS- LET IT RAIN PT.2

I was thinking during the break about that somewhat lame Rain sound effect I used in the first half.
That got me to thinking about songs that have the Sound Of Rain in them.
And what was the first one I remember hearing?
I should have done this during the Academy Awards, lol!
So in this episode I will present, and it’s just my opinion, the Award For Best Song That Contains Rain Sound Effects!
A sort of Golden Pell!
What would be your favorite, or do you agree with me?
Have a listen and find out.
 
Mike

Tags: Academy Awards, Best Song That Contains Rain Sound Effects, Sound Of Rain, The Golden Pell

ROCKOLLECTIONS: APRIL SHOWERS- LET IT RAIN PT.1

This is another of those Theme Series I have long thought about doing.
I am finally getting around to it.
I like the Rain- of course I like Snow better- but Rain can be very enjoyable, romantic, calming and a whole lot of other things…including ruining a special day, lol!
Without a doubt, I will hit on some songs you have forgotten about and have not heard in years in this Series.
And for the sake of accuracy, I will even start with that period just before it Rains.
Let’s have some musical fun and get wet together!
 
Mike

Tags: Snow, Theme Series

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE KING OF ROCKABILLY CARL PERKINS PT.2 END

First of all, I just have to say for all of Rockabilly Music, thank God for Sam Phillips and Sun Records!
Mr. Perkins was an artist I had always wanted to spotlight, and being left alone at the station I was able to.
We’ll close out our featured artist in this final episode, beginning with a song I would have bought based on the title alone.
I’ll have the 3rd of the songs the Beatles covered by Carl.
This should be pointed out, it is extremely noteworthy that the Beatles released more songs written by Carl Perkins than any artist other than THEMSELVES!
Plus it is fascinating to note that Carl late in his career discovered that he was a legend in England…a country he had never even performed in!
But eventually he did play there.
So we will end this show with an All-Star Jam Medley featuring Gentleman Carl Perkins from a TV Special, accompanied by some indisputable Rock & Roll heavyweights!
It was real fun for me to do this one, particularly back working with my old buddy Engineer Ken Stanley.
Again, enjoy and ROCK!
 
Mike

Tags: All-Star Jam Medley, Beatles, Engineer Ken Stanley, Sam Phillips, Sun Records, TV Special

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE KING OF ROCKABILLY CARL PERKINS PT.1

Among all my favorite kinds of music, Rockabilly has always been right up there.
There is a raucous letting go that appealed to me as a kid, and still does it for me.
Among the names that should always come up regarding this kind of Music is Carl Perkins.
And rightly so!
While there may be more familiar names, there are very few better.
Here’s what Charlie Daniels said about him:
“Carl Perkins’ songs personified the rockabilly era, and Carl Perkins’ sound personifies the rockabilly sound more so than anybody involved in it, because he never changed.”
Perkins’ songs were recorded by artists (and friends) as influential as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Johnny Cash, which further cemented his place in the history of popular music.
Called “the King of Rockabilly”, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll, the Rockabilly, and the Nashville Songwriters Halls of Fame; and was a Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipient.
So my man Carl clearly has the pedigree.
Let’s Rock!

Mike

Tags: Charlie Daniels, Elvis Presley, Grammy Hall of Fame Award, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Let's Rock, music, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, The Beatles, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame

ROCKOLLECTIONS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU PT.4 FINAL

Well as they say, the Party’s Over, lol!
This is it for Birthdays anyway- until I get the itch to do it again someday with different Music.
I promised all Good Feelings for this episode.
Let’s see if I can deliver.
Happy Birthday Everyone…whenever it is!

Mike

Tags: Good Feelings, Happy Birthday Everyone, music, The Party's Over

ROCKOLLECTIONS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU PT.3

Continuing with our celebration of ALL Birthdays Around The Calendar, I even have a song for those who don’t want to be included.
Musical selections include a Happy Birthday that doesn’t seem Happy, one that does, a song that captures almost all parts of my growing up by what I saw on TV, and as beautiful an interpretation of a Beatle song as you will ever hear- and remarkably it came out the same year the Beatles version did.
Oh, and in here, I will be playing what I have for many many years felt is the BEST song I have ever heard!
A rather small, minor claim, lol!
This chapter is more contemplative than the others, so please put your Thinking Caps on.
Have you noticed how I avoid saying what age I am…shrewd, lol?
I’ll end the Birthdays salute next episode with all Good Feelings.
Of course there is nothing wrong with this one.
Enjoy!
 
Mike

Tags: ALL Birthdays, Around The Calendar, Beatles, Good Feelings, Thinking Caps, TV

ROCKOLLECTIONS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU PT.2

We are celebrating Birthdays, all around the Calendar.
So from me to you, whenever it is, Happy Birthday!
You can put that in the bank and cash it when your Birthday comes around.
This time around a musical look at nostalgia for the past as we move on in years.
That feeling that the best days are behind us, when they may just possibly lie ahead.
Plus, I have always felt that your birthday is your own Personal Holiday…YOU are a Holiday!
Take off from work, march in your own parade, etc.
But then, I think you should be able to have your Date Of Birth legally changed too!
After all, it’s YOURS, it belongs to you- why can’t you do what you want with it?
You can have your name legally changed.
Hell, I’d shave 10 years off my birth right away…I don’t mind waiting for Social Security, lol!
Ah, what do I know?
At any rate, maybe I should say “Happy Personal Holiday On The Anniversary Of Your Entrance Into The World”!
There…put that in the bank too.
Not done with this, I will continue next week.

Mike

Tags: Calendar, Date Of Birth, Happy Personal Holiday On The Anniversary Of Your Entra, Personal Holiday, Social Security

ROCKOLLECTIONS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU PT.1

It is hard to believe that in all these years I have never tackled the subject of Birthdays as a Theme.
Prompted by the fact that my youngest brother’s birthday is March 20th, and mine is the next day, I’ll take care of that beginning here and now.
Birthdays are fascinating- some people eagerly look forward to them while others dread them.
But the one indisputable fact is that we all have them!
Everyday is someone’s birthday.
So a Celebration of All Birthdays Within the Calendar Year, leaving no one out.
And I hope this is a surprise, lol!

Mike

Tags: A Celebration of All Birthdays Within the Calendar Year, March 20th, Theme

ROCKOLLECTIONS: BOB DYLAN’S MODERN TIMES PT.2 END

I’ll close out this from-5-years-ago album and show with more selected cuts.
I haven’t listened to this show since I did it, and I can’t believe I played so few songs, although they were kind of long.
Not to bum anybody out as to that aforementioned mourning period, but my main memory is that I had listened to the CD before the show, and there was a song that applied to my ex-girlfriend Angel’s death- at least in my mind.
This was after all, only about 3 weeks after she died.
So hovering over me was this wondering how I would handle playing it- I could have skipped it but not me, I was going to play it no matter what.
You’ll hear it…and me, in this Part Two.
I thought it was what I said after the song, but surprisingly I am equally affected by what I said with the intro also.
It funny, these shows are Time Capsules, and I do forget what I did and listen just like a stranger to them years later.
And speaking of Time, it hasn’t healed much with regard to that whole sad situation.
Maybe I won’t let it!
Hey, I am always what I am on that show, and I think that means something.
People can actually get to know me, for good or bad.
No machine me, but a real person!
Music Radio could use more of that!
Ending with Death this week, so next week it’s all about Birth!
 
Mike

Tags: Birth, Death, Music Radio, Time Capsules

ROCKOLLECTIONS: BOB DYLAN’S MODERN TIMES PT.1

Here is a show I did 5 years ago to the DAY!
So obviously it is NOT the latest album by Bob Dylan, but it was back then.
There is a lot of strangeness involved in this show.
For one thing, although I tried to hide it- and did a good job in this first half- I was in mourning, and this was the first show I had come back to do.
More about that in Part Two.
Listening to it now, it is evident I was distracted.
But that takes nothing away from the music.
Since the CD was over an hour and longer than the show, I played selected cuts from this critically acclaimed album- and it is/was terrific!
A few guys like Dylan seem to be rocking harder than ever as they get older- Leonard Cohen comes to mind, Tom Waits is another.
And at 65, Bob Dylan was the OLDEST  living person to EVER have an album enter the charts at # 1.
We’ll have some rockers that set the tone, beginning with the opening track, and even a jazzy, crooning Dylan (HUH?).
More to follow.

Mike

Tags: Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE SOUNDS OF NEW ORLEANS PT.2 END

I’ll open this last half of our Road Trip to New Orleans with a short musical History Lesson about events almost exactly two hundred years ago!
I’ll have a guy who was a child prodigy, writing his first song at age 8.
The funniest song here is by another guy who could sing like a girl…and a frog, lol!
Earning himself a nickname in the process.
I’ll finally get around to playing one by a female solo singer- I hadn’t noticed how top-heavy New Orleans was in that department, loaded with guys.
But for me, the centerpiece of this half  hour is the very first song I ever heard by Dr. John back in 1968.
Back when he was known as the Night Tripper.
If you have heard it, maybe you’ll remember how mindblowing it was on that first listen…and many listens afterward.
If you have never heard it, well they are not at all necessary, but mind-altering substances can only enhance it, lol!
We’ll walk out of the city, and undoubtedly take another of these Road Trips in the future.
Enjoy!

Mike

Tags: 1968, child prodigy, dr. john, guy who could sing like a girl and a frog, Musical History Lesson, Road Trip, The Night Tripper

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE SOUNDS OF NEW ORLEANS PT.1

We were in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, so I thought we might stick around for their definitive sound.
Rock & Roll, from its earliest days, most assuredly owes a debt to the artists who came out of that relatively small city.
And it was very difficult making the selections for this show- so much music I had to choose from, so many folks I had to leave out.
But I did the best I could with my spontaneous picks, and now I’ll get to see if you like them.
Fish Frys, Good Times, Original Versions of Songs You Know By Others, the Legendary Producer & Writer Allen Toussaint, a Boxer named Kid Chocolate who became a Singer- and that’s just the first half, with more of it to come in the second.
You know something?…I Like It Like That!

Mike

Tags: Boxer named Kid Chocolate who became a Singer, Fish Frys, Good Times, I Like It Like That, Legendary Producer & Writer Allen Toussaint, Mardi Gras, Original Versions of Songs You Know By Others, Rock & Roll

ROCKOLLECTIONS: MARDI GRAS PT.2

I’ll close out the Mardi Gras here, but will be staying in New Orleans for another show next week I am pretty sure, but maybe in the future.
Depends on a few variables.
The opening song in this last half of Mardi Gras may surprise you- a B-side of a single by a guy you surely know.
Then an authentic New Orleans Indian group doing a song for Mardi Gras (we talked about them in the 1st half), with the leader of the group, Bo Dellis, declaring himself a Big Chief.
Of course that made me think of an instrumental…and…well you know how my mind works, lol!
More notable and pioneering New Orleans musicians in this one.
Including what I consider the Musical First Family of the Big Easy.
Get your costume, mask and your dancing shoes, all Rockers here!
 
Mike

Tags: B-side of a single, Big Chief, Bo Dellis, Musical First Family of the Big Easy, New Orleans, New Orleans Indian group, Rockers

ROCKOLLECTIONS: MARDI GRAS PT.1

Well these Tuesdays in February have certainly been eventful.
This week it is Fat Tuesday, last day of the Mardi Gras, and the last time to party like crazy before Lent begins the next day.
I’ll have songs relating to Mardi Gras, naturally- beginning with the New Orleans legend Professor Longhair, and his classic that pops up every year for the Carnival.
Plus the story of the disputed Jockamo, the song innocently recorded, renamed…and writing credit claimed for by a Girl Group in 1965, AHA!
In addition, through both these two halves (and beyond), I’ll be celebrating the pioneering contributions of New Orleans musicians to Rock & Roll from its earliest days onward.
So join me for a virtual drunken bacchanal, (the only kind I do nowadays, lol.)
Happy Fat!

Mike

Tags: 1965, Carnival, Fat Tuesday, Girl Group, Jockamo, Lent, New Orleans, Professor Longhair, Rock & Roll, Tuesdays in February, Virtual Drunken Bacchanal

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IT’S VALENTINE’S DAY! PT.2 END

I trust most of you had a nice St. Valentine’s Day!
And I’ll do my best to continue the feelings here in the last half.
But while most Valentines are Red, sometimes they are more appropriately Blue.
In addition, there are people who do forget Valentine’s Day.
I’ll try to help bail them out with a beautiful song.
In between, a little History and Music for the Day and for Love!
I think you might like this!

Mike

Tags: Blue, Day For Love, history, music, Red, St. Valentine's Day

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IT’S VALENTINE’S DAY! PT.1

It’s not often when one of these things falls on the day of the show…so I will take full advantage of it.
You will most certainly know it is Valentine’s Day by the time I am finished, lol!
For me, the centerpiece of this show is a set of music I thought to play decades ago.
It will be heard in this first half, and after all these years it still works for me…hope it does for you.
And just for some of the usual variety this little old Rockollections provides, I’ll have a song released just days ago, followed by one written in 1937 that I will clear up- it is not quite the sweet sentiment that lives up to its Valentine’s Day reputation.
I realize that by the time I post Part Two, Valentine’s Day will be over.
So all my best, and I wish you all an overabundance of Love today!
And offer a short poem by John Wilbye:

“Somewhere there waiteth in this world of ours
For one lone soul another lonely soul
Each choosing each through all the weary hours
And meeting strangely at one sudden goal.
Then blend they, like green leaves with golden flowers,
Into one beautiful and perfect whole;
And life’s long night is ended, and the way
Lies open onward to eternal day.”

Give your squeeze a squeeze!

Mike

Tags: 1937, John Wilbye, Love

ROCKOLLECTIONS: VOL.3- THE FINAL COVERED BY THE BEATLES PT.2 END

I’ll close out the Beatles For Sale album with a couple of Carl Perkins songs.
As I state in the show, it is food for thought that when they were together, the Beatles released 3 Carl Perkins songs but never an Elvis one…very interesting!
We’ll hear an almost forgotten one by them originally done by Larry Williams.
Then I’ll move into the Help LP for the last cover songs the Beatles would include on an album released during that period.
(A couple would later appear on the Anthology collections.)
Another thought- A Hard Day’s Night was all original songs, the later Help had covers…again interesting, but the Beatles were always infinitely interesting!
Kick back, enjoy and pick a favorite- the cover or the original.
There are no right answers, and most assuredly no prizes, lol!

Mike

Tags: A Hard Day's Night, Anthology, Beatles For Sale, Carl Perkins, Elvis, Help LP, Larry Williams

ROCKOLLECTIONS: VOL.3- THE FINAL COVERED BY THE BEATLES PT.1

February 7th 1964, 48 years ago TODAY, the Beatles arrived in America at New York’s JFK Airport!
2 days later they did their first live performance here on the Ed Sullivan Show.
And that quite simply changed music forever!
What better way to remember than with some of their Beatlemania-era early songs?
And this will be the final Covered By The Beatles show simply because I have run out of material they covered- tunes they didn’t write but were originally done by mostly American artists.
Although I now can think of TWO others I will play in some other show at some future date.
If you want a cheat sheet, you can look up the British album I will begin with, Beatles For Sale.
It came out in December 1964 in the U.K., and oddly was preceded by A Hard Day’s Night, which consisted of all Lennon/McCartney songs- so NO covers!
These songs you will be hearing were chosen by the band because they were stage favorites…ones they enjoyed playing in concert.
Let’s see if you enjoy them as recorded, with the original versions behind them!
 
Mike
 

Tags: A Hard Day's Night, Beatlemania, Beatles arrived in America at New York's JFK Airport, Beatles For Sale, British album Beatles For Sale, December 1964, Ed Sullivan Show, February 7th 1964, Lennon/McCartney songs

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