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Longtown Sound 497 Weekend Edition Featuring- Charlie Rich, Wes Tucker and the Skillets, Dare Dukes, Show Me The Skyline, Erik Scott, Greg Johnson, Richard Persike, Loo Wood, Jason Harrod

 

Uncleshag here enjoying the wettest weekend in some time in the Pee Dee of South Carolina. From 85 degrees to a weekend of expectant snow, this is our new world order and with it is the new world of music.
So sit back, get real comfortable, slip on the headphones or blast the Kenwoods - whatever you do listen and then pass it on to a friend in need of a rise! Have a super weekend, y’all.
-unc.

Today’s Featured Artists-
Charlie Rich - Lonely Weekend
Wes Tucker and the Skillets - Recovery
Dare Dukes - Kick  Holler
Show Me The Skyline - Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Erik Scott - Foggy Bridges   Other Planets
Greg Johnson - Yesterday and Today
Richard Persike /Loo Wood  - It’s a Shame to Me
Jason Harrod - When I Fly Away

Tags: Charlie Rich, Dare Dukes, Erik Scott, Greg Johnson, Jason Harrod, longtown, Loo Wood, Richard Persike, Show Me The Skyline, South Carolina, Uncleshag, Wateree, Wes Tucker and the Skillets

ROCKOLLECTIONS: TRIBUTE/MEMORIAL 2008 PT.2

I don’t feel like writing, so I’ll just steal a bit from the last post (and maybe do it all through the series, just updating the names of those we are remembering, and the months covered).
To begin, we go back to January, then it is a return to February and a bit of March.
And I want to point out that one of the really nice things about doing these shows annually, is getting mail from people saying they really enjoy it when I play those old TV show themes.
You’ll hear one in this episode.
Now on to my my plagiarism…hey, can you plagiarize from YOURSELF?
Nah!

This series is not morbid nor maudlin, it is rather a celebration of the lives of those we lost in the previous year- in this case 2008.
Sort of an Irish Wake!
At least SOME of these people should have touched you in some way, shape or form, and made your life a bit happier and more pleasant.
I will be dealing with the notable or should be noted.
For the musical folks who passed on, they are deserving of at least one more play, at least.
And we will deal with other cultural figures as well, with some hopefully appropriate music for them.
You are welcome, encouraged even, to anticipate or second-guess my own musical choices!
In this second episode, those selected are:
John Stewart
Barry Morse
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Buddy Miles
Mike Smith.

They can’t give any more than they have already given us.

Mike

Tags: Barry Morse, Buddy Miles, John Stewart, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Mike Smith

ROCKOLLECTIONS: TRIBUTE/MEMORIAL 2008 PT.1

 

Here is a tradition I have been doing for the last 9 years, and it may seem I have a preoccupation with death, coming so closely as it does after the series on Buddy Holly and company.
But this is the time of the year I usually do it, in fact it’s a little late because of the Feb. 3 series.
Not morbid nor maudlin, it is rather a celebration of the lives of those we lost in the previous year- in this case 2008.
Sort of an Irish Wake!
At least SOME of these people should have touched you in some way, shape or form, and made your life a bit happier and more pleasant.
I will be dealing with the notable or should be noted.
For the musical folks who passed on, they are deserving of at least one more play, at least.
And we will deal with other cultural figures as well, with some hopefully appropriate music for them.
You are welcome to anticipate or second-guess my own musical choices!
In this opening episode, covering January & just dipping into February 2008, those selected are:
Johnny Grant (”Honorary” Mayor of Hollywood)
Bill Belew
Vampira
Bobby Fischer
Roy Scheider.

They can’t give any more than they have.

Mike

Tags: 1959, Bill Belew, Bobby Fischer, Buddy Holly, Feb.3, Johnny Grant, Roy Scheider, Vampira

Longtown Sound 496 Pancake Wednesday Featuring- Wes Tucker and the Skillets, Erik Scott, Trey Green, Jason Harrod, Josh Ritter, Sally Hope, Amer Diab

 

Pancake Wednesday arrives as a late supper for some and a dinner platter for others. The rest of you should fill in where you can. Check out the all new indie music in today’s Longtown Sound with just a hint of creative residue from a national rocker gone live. It’s all good and waiting for you to pass it on to a friend right now.
-unc.

Today’s Featured Artists-
Wes Tucker and the Skillets - The Scorpion and the Dove
Erik Scott - Bartalk
Trey Green - Go Away
Jason Harrod - For Your Time - Bright As You
Josh Ritter - Good Man (Live)
Sally Hope - Blue Skies
Amer Diab - Slowdancing - There/After

Tags: Amer Diab, Erik Scott, Jason Harrod, Josh Ritter, longtown, Sally Hope, Trey Green, Wes Tucker and the Skillets

ROCKOLLECTIONS: FEBRUARY 3, 1959- THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED PT.6 CONCLUSION!

 

Alright, gonna bring this all home with a Grand Finale.
I’ll open with one of those marvels of technology, like Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole singing together, long after Nat’s death.
This is from a 1996 tribute album, and it is Buddy Holly singing with the Hollies- who liked him so much they took their NAME from him!
Buddy Holly & The Crickets were a self-contained group- they wrote, recorded and battled with producers over what the final results of their songs should sound like.
They also used very different instruments and rhythms, far ahead of their time.
Buddy Holly simply was a visionary!
They have found what are known as “The Apartment Tapes”, recorded at Buddy’s residence in Greenwhich Village in New York.
He had purchased an Ampex reel-to-reel tape recorder, and made many demos, as well as experimenting with different speeds on the recorder- just as any of us who had one did, lol.
There is an amazing amount of magical material on these tapes, and I highly recommend them to anyone who is interested in hearing a great artist in development.
Plus I will have the FINAL tape recording Buddy Holly ever made.
And what do you think it was for?
Finally, we will begin the end with a song about something we have to learn the hard way, another one that seems to me has some strange sort of Latin rhythms to it, another one that had already been done by Elvis, then an additional favorite of mine that has some rather sexy lyrics for the time.
And closing it all out, a posthumous hit for Holly- a beautiful song with some bittersweet lyrics.
To all who took the entire ride with me throughout this series, you have my immense appreciation and gratitude!
Now it is off to another series…

Mike

Tags: Buddy Holly, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, The Apartment Tapes, The Crickets, The Hollies

ROCKOLLECTIONS: FEBRUARY 3, 1959- THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED PT.5

Been working on future shows, but we come back to this- and this time exclusively Buddy Holly & The Crickets’ songs.
I will delve ever deeper into his music, as we explore more of Buddy Holly’s songs, by him and by others, and if you haven’t guessed by now he is far and away my favorite 50’s artist.
First some thoughts from me on what would have happened with him, Richie Valens & The Big Bopper had they lived.
I will open with a once in a lifetime moment captured in song.
Rock & Roll was very young back then and so were Buddy and the group.
And they were just a bunch of young guys having as much fun as can be had- you can HEAR it in the song!
Please listen for it.
I’ll do a nice long set containing an early British Invasion band that has a six-degrees-of-seperation connection to Buddy & The Crickets, then the Tractors, a contemporary group, proving that people always have and always will do Buddy’s songs, after that even a folkie doing one in 1966 from a vinyl album I pulled out.
I will have some very interesting trivia for you regarding Buddy’s death.
Then we will turn to Mr. Holly’s softer side, with a couple of beauties.
Followed by a 180 degree turn to a couple of crazed rocking renditions of other people’s songs by Buddy.
The first in which he outdoes Little Richard, in my opinion, with one of Richard’s own songs, followed by his spin on a Joe Turner/Bill Haley hit.
One more chapter to go.

Mike

Tags: Big Bopper, Bill Haley, Buddy Holly & The Crickets, Joe Turner, Little Richard, Richie Valens, The Tractors

Longtown Sound 495 Friday Weekend Edition Featuring- Sly Joe and the Smooth Operators, Greg Johnson, Maren Morris Band, The Malibus, Tony Deziel, Chrissy Coughlin, Michelle Featherstone, Chuck McCabe

Friday - Best Day Ever! Plus a Weekend to follow. What a great Gregorian idea - someone should chant about that! The indie artists are all fresh with sparkling new tunage for our treat today with a special appearance from Michelle Featherstone. Have a great weekend and pass it on!
-unc.

Today’s Featured Artists-
Sly Joe and the Smooth Operators - Best Day Ever
Greg Johnson - Horses
Maren Morris Band - Goodbye
The Malibus - Fun When The Weekend Comes
Tony Deziel - Something
Chrissy Coughlin - Back to You
Michelle Featherstone - Go On My Child
Chuck McCabe - My Prayer For You

Tags: Chrissy Coughlin, Chuck McCabe, Greg Johnson, Maren Morris Band, Michelle Featherstone, Sly Joe and the Smooth Operators, The Malibus, Tony Deziel

Longtown Sound 494 Ladies of Longtown- Kelly Richey, Maren Morris, Amy Speace, Angelica Redlund, Natalie Brown, Sylvia Bennett, Chrissy Coughlin

 

Pancake Wednesday comes around again with the sweet flowing indie music featuring the Ladies of Longtown.
Enjoy the tunage and the flapjackerie that comes with every bite.
Pass on the day’s music to a friend!
-unc.

Today’s Featured Artists-
Kelly Richey Band - One Day We’ll Feel The Sun
Maren Morris Band - All That it Takes
Amy Speace - Weight of the World
Angelica Redlund - Off You Go
Natalie Brown - You’re Mysterious
Sylvia Bennett - How Long Has This Been Going On
Chrissy Coughlin - Big Log

Tags: Amy Speace, Angelica Redlund, Chrissy Coughlin, Kelly Richey, Longtown Sound, Maren Morris, Natalie Brown, Sylvia Bennett

Longtown Sound 493- Peanut Butter Monday! Greg Johnson, Maren Morris, Tony Deziel, Lost Dogs, Eli Paperboy Reed and the True Loves, Black Top, Johnny Proctor

Monday! Peanut Butter Monday. PB - The Blessing and the Curse. 12 !@ Steps to Recovery. Peanut Butter Substitute Plans - Who needs the grief? Buy your own nuts and grind, baby, grind! Aerobics with a nutritional twist. Add the fiber found in the binding tunage of the Monday LTS and, please, pass it on!
-unc.

Today’s Featured Artists-
Greg Johnson - Now the Sun is Out
Maren Morris Band - Dangerous
Tony Deziel - Shades of Blue
Lost Dogs - The Gates Of Eden
Eli Paperboy Reed and the True Loves - Take My Love With You
Black Top - Sand and Stone
Johnny Proctor - Lullaby

View my page on Longtown Insider

Tags: Black Top, Eli Paperboy Reed and the True Loves, Greg Johnson, Johnny Proctor, Lost Dogs, Maren Morris, Monday, Peanut Butter, Tony Deziel

ROCKOLLECTIONS: FEBRUARY 3, 1959- THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED PT.4

This time we will give more attention to the Richie Valens and The Big Bopper.
But first, I mentioned the supergroup Blind Faith earlier, and how they recorded a Buddy Holly song on their one and only studio album.
And I could have played it by them, but decided to switch gears and play that same song instead by a hugely popular and well-known group- and I wonder if you were aware that they did the song, and/or that it was written by Buddy. And we’ll do it in contrast with his version too.
Then from my private collection, another wonderful piece of interview tape you have most likely NEVER heard- a definite “Oh wow” moment!
Did you know that Richie’s real last name was Valenzuela, and that admirably only English was spoken in his household?
So he had to learn the words to La Bamba phonetically!
I say admirably because that should only be the case today- call me traditional but I think if you choose to live in a country, you at least ought to make an effort to learn the language of the host country.
I move to Italy, I learn Italian!
After that I got my fave Richie Valens song, followed by a couple from the Bopper.
One a humorous look at marriage that I will offset with a sweeter look at it by Mr. Holly.
With a vast amount of great songs remaining unplayed, I decided to go ahead and do another show.
Such being the case, like it or not, more to come- mainly from my man, Buddy Holly.
No apologies.
And know this- good music is good music whenever it was made.
I’ll live or die with my free-form style and decisions!

Mike

Tags: Big Bopper, Blind Faith, Buddy Holly, La Bamba, Richie Valens, Richie Valenzuela

Longtown Sound 492 Weekend Valentine’s Day- Greg Johnson, Amy Speace, The Malibus, Doc Roberts, Mike Whitney, Maren Morris Band, Black Top, Kim McLean

 

Alrighty then! The Friday Weekend Special has pulled into the station for the Valentine’s Day Ride and it’s a great diversion from the commercialism that has infected all holidays. Hear the loving and leaving, crying and dieing and all the good things in between- only in this special edition.
Oh, and if you are a fan of the FOX TV show, Fringe. Uncleshag included a treat for you. No cowbell, just cow. Oh, Walter! Have a great weekend and we’ll meet again with the Monday show. Pass it on!
-unc.

Today’s featured Artists-
Greg Johnson - Tennessee Train
Amy Speace - The Real Thing
The Malibus - Hot Rod USA
Doc Roberts - Beyond the Sea
Mike Whitney - Ship
Maren Morris Band - Love That Was Never There
Black Top - Down, Down
Kim McLean - All About Us

Tags: Amy Speace, Black Top, Doc Roberts, Greg Johnson, Kim McLean, Maren Morris Band, Mike Whitney, The Malibus

ROCKOLLECTIONS: FEBRUARY 3, 1959- THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED PT.3

Some planes crash, some planes don’t.
In light of our subject, I’ll open this chapter up with a song for a hero pilot, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger.
Oh yes, do we need heroes!
It’s about expecting more from yourself, and being better than the rest.
And if you have ever wondered, with no false modesty, that is how I regard myself and this show!
I’ll give a tip of the hat to the end of last week’s show, the one with my favorite Buddy Holly song, by playing a rare version of it by a Wing, a Beatle and a Wife.
Did you know that the very first song we heard here in the U.S. in 1964 by the Rolling Stones was a Buddy Holly song?
You’ll hear it and the original.
And a few more originals- just simply great Rock & Roll songs!
Here’s another did you know?
Eric Clapton has been in two supergroups that made only one studio album- Blind Faith and Derek & The Dominoes.
BOTH albums included Buddy Holly songs!
I’ll have what will probably be a surprise.
Then I’ll play what might be my 2nd fave Holly song- it’s really tough to say since there are so many.
Buddy was doing what few at the time were.
Writing and performing his own songs, AND insisting on how they should be produced!
Back then, the producers had the power- you did the song they said, and how they said to do it.
Holly took the power back, and said this is the way I hear it in my head, and this is how it should be done!
And like the Beatles and all the GREAT ones, no two Buddy Holly songs sound alike.
We are halfway home with this incisive look at a historic day!

Mike

Tags: Beatles, Big Bopper, Blind Faith, Buddy Holly, Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, Derek & The Dominoes, Eric Clapton, Richie Valens, Rolling Sones

Longtown Sound 491 Pancake Wednesday - Maren Morris, David Berkeley, Amy Speace, The Malibus, Black Top, Barney’s Boogie Train, Cleemann

Pancake Wednesday brings the finest indie music from working recording artists plus the sweetest maple syrup to drench the golden brown flapjacks and the fluffiness found in the Longtown Pancake Wednesday! Add fruits to your breakfast for additional nutrients. You need ‘em and so do your friends! Pass it on, please!
-unc.

Today’s Featured Artists-
Maren Morris Band - Down On My Knees
David Berkeley - Measure of a Man
Amy Speace - Shed This Skin
The Malibus - Just Can’t Reach the Beach
Black Top - She Wears Me Out
Barney’s Boogie Train - Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo
Cleemann - Ambitious

View my page on Longtown Insider

Tags: Amy Speace, Barney's Boogie Train, Black Top, CLEEMANN, David Berkeley, Longtown Sound, Maren Morris, pancakes, The Malibus

Longtown Sound 490 Monday, Monday - Tim Bays, Venice is Sinking, The Taters, The Malibus, Greg Johnson, The Rescues, Amy Speace, Black Top

Monday, Monday comes around again, like clock work or something. Anyway, whenever the weekend ends, there you have it. Monday, big as life. Today, embrace the Monday. Embrace the artists and their music. Make it a part of your day and as always, pass it on! Let your friends know what you think!
-unc.

Today’s Featured Artists-
Tim Bays - It’s Magic
Venice is Sinking - Azar One
The Taters - Easy Way Out
The Malibus - It Don’t Mean Much Now
Greg Johnson - When The Rain Comes
The Rescues - Crazy Ever After
Amy Speace - Home
Black Top - Bad Boy

View my page on Longtown Insider

Longtown Sound 489 Friday Night Weekend Edition Featuring- Edgar Gabriel’s StringFusion, Venice is Sinking, Three Years Hollow, Soundjoint, Black Top, David Berkeley, Mike Whitney, Doc Roberts

The Weekend commences here on this Friday Winter evening with all new Indie music from Ariel Publicity and the PMN - PLUS music from the email which is always appreciated. Now, go on and listen and pass it on!
-unc.

Today’s Featured Artists-
Edgar Gabriel’s StringFusion - Would You Be My Valentine
Venice is Sinking - Ryan’s Song
Three Years Hollow - Suffer
Soundjoint - Naked
Black Top - In Front of the Judge
David Berkeley - Chicago
Mike Whitney - Papa
Doc Roberts - All Tied Up

Visit Longtown Insider

Tags: Black Top, David Berkeley, Doc Roberts, Edgar Gabriel's StringFusion, Mike Whitney, Soundjoint, Three Years Hollow, Venice is Sinking

ROCKOLLECTIONS: FEBRUARY 3, 1959- THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED PT.2

 

We will open up this chapter with a couple of really good tribute songs to Buddy Holly.
First, one from a 1960’s pre-Buckingham/Nicks LP by Fleetwood Mac, that was written by Buddy’s mother!
And the other from a band that did their song in 1994.
Then I’ll give you my own theory as to why that 1959 plane crash was and is still so historically important after 50 years.
After that, something you have most likely never heard, that is so eerie and creepy I will say no more about it.
Followed by a couple of beautiful folkie interpretations of a song Buddy wrote.
One by Eva Cassidy, who had her own tragic and sad story.
I have some more very specific info about that fateful takeoff and crash, some of which was even news to me.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets were VERY influential on the Beatles, and I will make the case to prove it.
We’ll have some contrasts between them, including one Buddy song the Beatles never got around to realeasing.
In fact, and this speaks volumes, the Beatles even chose the name Beatles because of its similarity to Crickets!
We’ll end this, in my opinion thoroughly enjoyable episode, with my very favorite Buddy Holly song, in which he takes a four-letter word and turns it into 4 syllables.
Much more to come, with many more surprises.

Mike

Tags: Beatles, Buddy Holly, Eva Cassidy, Fleetwood Mac, Lindsay Buckingham, Stevie Nick, The Crickets

Longtown Sound 488 Pancake Wednesday John Lennon, Paul Thorn, Adrienne Pierce, Brett Dennen, Circe Link, Evan Harriman, Jack Falk Project

Wednesday is Pancake Wednesday, a well known Longtown fact. Uncleshag’s vision of the finest independent artists world-wide included with every breakfast served. So, it only figures that the ideal meal should accompany the very best music and fruits. Enjoy the blueberry, strawberry, the melons and whipped creme along with your plain, buckwheat or potato pancakes. Bacon and sausage optional! If tempted and without resistance, go for the heaping dish of vanilla ice cream on the side. A tasty treat! Have a great Wednesday and a Happy Birthday goes out to Lea over at In Tune - Check her out at MySpace and do whatever you think is right! Later! -unc.

Today’s Featured Artists-
John Lennon - You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away
Paul Thorn - Long Way from Tupelo
Adrienne Pierce - Downside of Love
Brett Dennen - Darlin’ Do Not Fear
Circe Link - Blue Bird Tattoo
Evan Harriman - Fire In The Hole
Jack Falk Project - Cruising The Rainforest

Tags: Adrienne Pierce, Brett Dennen, Circe Link, Evan Harriman, Jack Falk Project, John Lennon, Paul Thorn

ROCKOLLECTIONS: FEBRUARY 3, 1959- THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED PT.1

February 3, 1959, 50 years ago…that’s right, 50 YEARS AGO TODAY!
The plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper.
While I have no firsthand memories of the tragic event, my well-known love for the music of Buddy Holly and my sense of history kept me aware that the 50 year anniversary was coming.
Now that it is here, there is a sadness, a melancholy in me that goes beyond the incident and brings thoughts of my own mortality.
As I do from time to time, I will make a promise here- you will hear things throughout this series that YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD BEFORE!
Probably beginning right away in our lengthy opening set, firing the first salvo and making a statement about the staying power of good old Rock & Roll.
And don’t be alarmed, I will only be playing a small portion of a long song you will hear in that set.
I’ll talk about the crash, and the inevitable “tribute” songs that came as a result.
Some were good, some were horrible- we’ll sample some of the bad ones in this chapter.
Some of the good ones next time.
While I don’t doubt the sincerity of these songs, I still think a true pioneer rocker like Eddie Cochran, and a friend of Buddy’s, should have had better taste.
And here too, these may be songs you have never heard.
I’ll close this one out with some inside info about just how those passengers were chosen for their fateful seats.
Much more wondrous and fascinating things to come in this look back at what Don McLean called, “The day the music died”!

Mike

Tags: 50 Year Anniversary, Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, Don McLean, Eddie Cochran, Richie Valens

Longtown Sound 487 Monday, Monday! Black Top, Doug Macleod, David Berkeley, Little Sunday, Greg Johnson, Austin Shore, Belladonna

Here we are again as Monday rolls around with cooler temps and hot new indie music and a couple of older favorites. If you are down about the Super Bowl game; maybe your team lost or perhaps won but didn’t cover the spread, well fear not. Uncleshag lives near the home of the USC Fighting Gamecocks. Their motto? “Wait ’til next year!”

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN HALFTIME SHOW, SUPERBOWL, TAMPA IN THE COMMENTS - CHECK IT OUT!

Super Surf the web to the Super Tunage and have a Super beginning to a Super Week!
-unc.

Today’s Featured Artists-
Black Top - Feel Free
Doug Macleod - Dubbs Talkin’ Barnyard Blues
David Berkeley - Willis Avenue Bridge
Little Sunday - Something About You
Greg Johnson - Save Yourself
Austin Shore - I’m Forgiving You
Belladonna - Imagine World Peace