WLSO.FM

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IN PRAISE OF LAZINESS PT.2 END

Man, I am good at this laziness!
Gonna open the 2nd half with a song that was a big hit in England in the 60’s- not over here.
But if you were listening here in those early FM radio days, you should have no trouble remembering it.
If you had to pick, what is the best time of day to be lazy?
I’ll give you my musical answer.
Later in, I played a song from an album called Twin Sons Of Different Mothers.
I had noticed both Engineer Ken and I were wearing Beatle shirts…different ones, but still…and both black!
So are we Twin Sons Of Different Mothers?
I doubt it, lol!
But THAT was odd- it’s not like I call him and tell him my fashion statement of the day.
This is too much writing for a lazy guy!
Let’s just say I played some damn good music regarding our subject.
And I reverted to an old tradition from when I was a kid and always brought the music to parties, something I have done before on the show, I ended with one of my 2 favorite groups- seemed like a good time to do that again.
Let’s drink to those of who are into sloth, raise a glass to the lazy from birth.
And enjoy the music!

Mike

Tags: Beatle Shirts, big hit in England in the 60’s, early FM radio days, Engineer Ken Stanley, Twin Sons Of Different Mothers

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: 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 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: OLD ODDS & ENDS FROM 2007 PT.2 END

THIS IS AN ENCORE- I AM ON VACATION

Putting this out there early on a borrowed laptop, as I digest lunch and relax, then plan the next travel move.
And hey, since this is 4 tears old I have been doing the radio thing for over 13 years now, even twice won awards.
Who would have guessed?

I have a few songs for a Labor Day to open this chapter up.
The Manfred Mann show I did a while back was a very popular one, and on it I mentioned the first version of Bob Dylan’s If You Gotta Go I ever heard was in French by the Fairport Convention. They called it Si Du Dois Partir.
Don’t ask me to pronounce it, but I will play it.
From French to Spanish, with a song I haven’t played in decades by the Young Rascals.
It was, I believe, the flip side of Groovin’- and the Rascals, like all the truly good ones, were known for some amazing flip sides.
I can easily think of two or three more that are better than most A-sides!
Then some humble self-indulgence.
I started at my station on August 25, 1998- and miraculously have lasted now over 9 years!
I may seem like a sweetheart of a guy on the air, but…it was touch and go many a time, lol!
So two songs for that- one a great big thanks to any and all who listen or have anything to do with the show.
The other for my inspiration, Scott Muni.
I play music the way I do because of Scott, and of course several other muses.
But Scottso was the first that did it for me, and gave me the bug to present songs in a hopefully smart fashion- for a smart audience.
Beginning in December 1967, and lasting for I don’t know how many years, Scott ended his show every day with this song.
And in those early FM years, he used to be on SEVEN DAYS a week!
He would after that always play it on his anniversary show, and I would always tear up from all the great memories that radio, and true radio personalities (which are becoming extinct), can uniquely provide.
I still miss the guy, and I will do my weak, lame imitation of him to close this one out.
As I have been on the internet for only a short time, just think, you missed all the incredibly dumb and stupid things I have said and done in the years prior.
Be as thankful for that as I am so hugely thankful to you for listening now, lol!

Mike

Tags: A-sides, August 25 1998, Bob Dylan’s If You Gotta Go, December 1967, Engineer Ken Stanley, Fairport Convention, flip side of Groovin’, French, Labor Day, Manfred Mann, Scott Muni, Si Du Dois Partir, Spanish, Young Rascals

ROCKOLLECTIONS: OLD ODDS & ENDS FROM 2007 PT.1

THIS IS AN ENCORE- I AM ON VACATION
 
And so far, I have been through an earthquake and a hurricane.
What the hell awaits me this week…DEATH, LOL?
Everything you read and hear for this is 4 years old- hope it hasn’t staled!
 
As you probably know, August 16th was the 30th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley.
That’s 3 decades, and it got me to thinking that Elvis recorded in 3 decades- the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s.
So I thought we might play a song by him from each of those decades.
Then, 3 songs ABOUT Elvis and his legacy.
Beginning with the late, great Steve Goodman; next a supposedly true story done by a group called Wall Of Voodoo; and lastly one from my “almost” friend, George Wurzbach.
I felt like playing a # 1 song in 1957, by a guy named Charlie Gracie that hardly anyone remembers.
But I do…!
We will have more to catch up with next episode.
 
Mike

Tags: # 1 song in 1957, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, Charlie Gracie, Elvis Presley, Engineer Ken Stanley, George Wurzbach, Steve Goodman, Wall Of Voodoo

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE STRAITS OF DIRE PT.2 END

THIS IS AN ENCORE- I AM ON VACATION!

Continuing on with Dire Straits, their next album was Love Over Gold.
The title was taken from some graffitti they saw!
It was their first # 1 album in the UK.
After a song from that album, I wanna play a good old piece of Rock & Roll, that I knew as a B-side to a single I had by Dire Straits. Turns out, over in England it was on an EP.
As we talked about previously, they still love those EP’s in England.
Brothers In Arms was their next album, a huge hit.
And the title track was the World’s 1st CD single!
In fact, the album was one of the first CD’s around to choose from.
I’ll bring this show home with an appropriate song…but clumsily and I apologize.
I had fun doing this one and I think you can hear it in me!

Mike

Tags: Brothers In Arms, Dire Straits, Engineer Ken Stanley, Love Over Gold, Rock & Roll, World’s 1st CD Single

ROCKOLLECTIONS: SALUTE TO FATHERS PT.6 FINAL

Before we commence Part 6, I want to correct one of my many mismouthings (WHAT?) from the last chapter.
Although I said TV Dads I meant Movie Dads for Gregory Peck.
And now, this is the Grand Finale.
I counted the number of songs left over that we did not get to play. 17 songs went unplayed!
Even after 6 of these episodes!
I wanted to do segments on Good Fathers, Bad Fathers and Fathers I Wasn’t Sure About.
Well, they took the biggest hit in the left out department.
We did get to 2 Bads and 1 Good though, and they open up this chapter.
After that, pulling no punches, for it would not be honest to ignore it after having come this far- DEATH.
It is the natural order of things that parents die before their children.
As sad as that may be, it is even sadder when it is the other way around.
And even your parents would admit to that!
I think it was a Greek philosopher who first said that you are never a man until your father dies.
But just in case, here is an OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER.
WARNING: IF YOU ARE FEELING EMOTIONALLY FRAGILE OR VULNERABLE, YOU MAY WANT TO SKIP THIS EPISODE.
This part contains the Unresolved Issues- the unfulfilled or unfinished business between Father and Child, and Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda’s that can be very emotional.
If you feel you cannot handle it, see above.
But most of us are realistic and emotionally settled enough to accept this.
Some lyrics from a big hit song you will hear:
“I wasn’t there that morning
When my father passed away
I didn’t get to tell him
All the things I had to say.”
That is the first of the final 3 songs.
And the last song, well I have learned over the years that there is NOTHING- nada, zilch, zip, etc.- that can follow it.
So it must be the last song to end the series!
It is my deepest wish that those of you who came along for the entire journey had an interesting, sometimes bumpy ride but always fun.
It is strange, but even the sad parts of this series can somehow fill a need.
It is as if we want to do this to ourselves- it hurts but fills a hole. That’s the way I feel anyway.
To all, thank you for listening.
We will be taking more of these thematic trips together.

Mike

Tags: Bad Fathers, Coulda Shoulda Woulda’s, Engineer Ken Stanley, Father and Child, Fathers I Wasn’t Sure About, Good Fathers, Grand Finale, Gregory Peck, Movie Dads, Unresolved Issues With Fathers

ROCKOLLECTIONS: SALUTE TO FATHERS PT.5

We continue with our Fathers theme, and these last 2 episodes will be the most difficult.
No better example of how music can reach into your heart, and extract all sorts of memories, and cause your eyes to water.
I present Part 5 with the subject of CONFLICTS.
They seem to be mostly between Fathers and Sons, but I may just feel that way because I was a son, and the eldest son at that.
Make no mistake, the intention here is to push buttons- regret, anger, sadness, and anything you may feel depending on your own personal relationship with your Father.
We will begin with a scene from a famous movie that captures the Generation Gap perfectly.
Then go on to play some songs that you may relate to more than you’d like to admit.
In this chapter, we will also have a spoken introduction to a live song and NOT play the song, a Biblical tale of Father/Son, and the best ever song in my opinion about these seemingly unavoidable differences
One last chapter to go…and it’ll be a doozy!

Mike

Tags: Biblical Tale Of Father & Son, Conflicts Between Fathers and Sons, Engineer Ken Stanley, Generation Gap

ROCKOLLECTIONS: SALUTE TO FATHERS PT.4 (CORRECTED, WORKING & RE-POSTED)

SORRY ABOUT THAT- AN UNKNOWABLE, UNEXPLAINABLE HAPPENSTANCE WITH COMPUTERS!

Moving to Part 4 of our Salute To Fathers, we have songs from Fathers to Daughters.
Followed by a couple of more Sons to Fathers.
Then some Miscellaneous Songs that I didn’t have a slot for, but are interesting, and I wanted to play nonetheless.
One in particular is a song you should all know, but may never have noticed the role of the father is played and sung by a WOMAN!
This episode features our poets, plus a guitar hero, a lovable madman, a famous folk group and even an old Doo Wop song.
Do enjoy- and there will be 2 more episodes.
To those who qualify, living or dead, Happy Father’s Day!

Mike

Tags: A Famous Folk Group, A Guitar Hero, A Lovable Madman, An Old Doo Wop Song, Engineer Ken Stanley, Happy Father’s Day, Miscellaneous Father Songs, Songs From Fathers To Daughters, Songs From Sons To Fathers

ROCKOLLECTIONS: SALUTE TO FATHERS PT.2

In this chapter I will mainly deal with songs from Fathers to Sons, before just a little taste of Daughters about Fathers that will be continued next time.
Plus I will be reading some beautiful quotes about Fathers throughout this series that I am reasonably sure you will enjoy and will touch your heart
For all the fun and thought that goes into them, I always enjoy doing these Theme shows the most.

Mike

Tags: Daughters about Fathers, Engineer Ken Stanley, Fathers to Sons, Quotes About Fathers, Theme Shows

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE WICKED PICKETT PT.2 & MEMORIAL DAY

Continuing with our featured artist, Wilson Pickett, I was surprised to find out quite a few things about his life while researching him, like his relationship with his mother.
And especially the trouble he seemed to get into in his later years.
Aren’t you supposed to do that when in your younger age?
We’ll open this one with an old single I did not play in the first half.
It seems Engineer Ken Stanley, who is a musician, remembered and liked the one I chose not to play, particularly the lead guitar in it, as that is his instrument of choice.
How could I deny my old pal anything, lol?
I’l have a song by the Wicked Pickett that, although not a hit single for him, I particulalrly like.
And it could be Rock Lives/Rockollections first ever Musical Recipe!
Prompting a smartass comment by me, lol!
Pickett had the good sense and taste use a young Duane Allman as a session guitarist on a hit cover of the Beatles’ Hey Jude.
He cut some hits in Philadelphia with Gamble & Huff productions in the early ’70s.
He even did a hit version of the Archies’ Sugar, Sugar, which is almost tolerable and I could have played, but I doubt I will EVER play by ANY artist!
Let’s just call it good taste and a respect for the audience, lol!
I hate that damn song!
All in all, a good show that will definitely bring back memories of remembered and half-forgotten songs- and a time when music formats weren’t so rigidly structured, when good music was simply good music, and the beancounters weren’t so desperately trying to appeal to the fragmented audience they created.
At the end of the show, we acknowledge Memorial Day, very distinct from Veteran’s Day and far more solemn, with a song about the impossible-not-to-be-touched-by Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
Have a Happy Memorial Day, and remember those brave soldiers who gave their lives…not just the store sales and the barbecues!

Mike

Tags: D.C., Duane Allman, Engineer Ken Stanley, First Ever Musical Recipe, Gamble & Huff, Hey Jude, Lead Guitar, Memorial Day Very Distinct From Veteran's Day, Philadelphia, Rock Lives/Rockollections, Session Guitarist, The Beatles, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, Wilson Pickett

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE BEATLES ABBEY ROAD PT.4 END

The long length of The Beatles’ Abbey Road album left little time to really get deep into it on a slightly less than hour show.
So it was decided we would do TWO shows, as the importance of the Beatles and the album, when originally released and still today, was of such a magnitude it would be worth it.
This is the final entry.
The use of the brilliant book BEATLESONGS by William J. Dowlding provided us with firsthand quotes, little-known facts and details about the production of each song.
Including: where each song idea came from, who contributed how much to each song, changes to titles, lyrics and music, the instrumentation used- and John, Paul, George and Ringo’s own thoughts on the songs development.
I was with Engineer Ken Stanley back then, and with the addition of some other unrelated but what you will find interesting music, we were able to flesh out the shows with less me and more tunes, lol!
So please join me for an intense and intellectual listen to one of the all-time Classic Albums.

Mike

Tags: All-time Classic Albums, BEATLESONGS, Engineer Ken Stanley, George, John, Paul, Ringo, William J. Dowlding

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE BEATLES ABBEY ROAD PT.3

I am back and so is my computer (more on that later), and we will finally listen to Side Two.
The long length of The Beatles’ Abbey Road album left little time to really get deep into it on a slightly less than hour show.
So it was decided we would do TWO shows, as the importance of the Beatles and the album, when originally released and still today, was of such a magnitude it would be worth it.
The use of the brilliant book BEATLESONGS by William J. Dowlding provided us with firsthand quotes, little-known facts and details about the production of each song.
Including: where each song idea came from, who contributed how much to each song, changes to titles, lyrics and music, the instrumentation used- and John, Paul, George and Ringo’s own thoughts on the songs development.
I was with Engineer Ken Stanley back then, and with the addition of some other unrelated but what you will find interesting music, we were able to flesh out the shows with less me and more tunes, lol!
So please join me for an intense and intellectual listen to one of the all-time Classic Albums.

Mike

Tags: All-time Classic Albums, BEATLESONGS, Engineer Ken Stanley, George, John, Paul, Ringo, William J. Dowlding

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE BEATLES ABBEY ROAD PT.1

The original idea was very simple- like with their others, I would play the album and talk about it.
But things are never so simple.
The long length of The Beatles’ Abbey Road album left little time to really get deep into it on a slightly less than hour show.
So it was decided we would do TWO shows, as the importance of the Beatles and the album, when originally released and still today, was of such a magnitude it would be worth it.
The use of the brilliant book BEATLESONGS by William J. Dowlding provided us with firsthand quotes, little-known facts and details about the production of each song.
Including: where each song idea came from, who contributed how much to each song, changes to titles, lyrics and music, the instrumentation used- and John, Paul, George and Ringo’s own thoughts on the songs development.
I was with Engineer Ken Stanley back then, and with the addition of some other unrelated but what you will find interesting music, we were able to flesh out the shows with less me and more tunes, lol!
So please join me for an intense and intellectual listen to one of the all-time Classic Albums.

Mike

Tags: All-time Classic Albums, BEATLESONGS, Engineer Ken Stanley, George, John, Paul, Ringo, William J. Dowlding

ROCKOLLECTIONS: TRIBUTE/MEMORIAL FOR 2010 PT.3

Continuing with a tradition I have been doing for years, but skipped last year.
Now I felt like bringing it back.
It’s a celebration of the lives of those we lost in the previous year- in this case 2010.
Mostly, it’s an Irish Wake!
Many of these people have undoubtedly touched you in some way, shape or form, and made your life a bit happier and more pleasant.
For the musical folks who passed on, they are deserving of one more play, at least.
And we will deal with some other cultural figures as well, from TV, movies, etc.
You are welcome to anticipate or second-guess my own musical choices!
And I always realize after awhile that for those who didn’t know about the demise of some of these people, I am the resented Bearer Of Bad News!
Well, somebody’s gotta do it, lol!

In this third episode, those selected are:
Crispian St. Peters
Jimmy Dean
Al Goodman
Mitch Miller
Bobby Hebb
Kenny Edwards
Blake Edwards

For these folks we pay tribute to and memorialize, they can’t give any more than they have.

Mike

Tags: Al Goodman, Bearer Of Bad News, Blake Edwards, Bobby Hebb, Crispian St. Peters, Engineer Ken Stanley, Irish Wake, Jimmy Dean, Kenny Edwards, Mitch Miller, Movies, TV

ROCKOLLECTIONS: MELLENCAMPCOUGARJOHN PT.4 END

Alright, putting a cap on the Mellencamp Chronicles.
We are at the point where John gets divorced (something I have never officially done!).
And discover that he never drank or took drugs, but from what I hear and see about divorces he must have been tempted!
He released a somber LP as a result, Big Daddy.
His next album went back to the basics, Dance Naked- an album that was only 29 minutes long.
While on tour, he had a heart attack and didn’t know it.
He performed from Aug.8 to Sept.2 before seeing a doctor, sensibly quitting the tour after that.
He had been smoking 4 packs of cigarettes a day, so he drastically cut down and changed his diet.
Got another song by him I had forgotten about, a real good one that namedrops John Lennon.
Then his version of a Van Morrison song, dueting with someone whose name I wouldn’t dare try to write.
It was ballsy enough of me to pronounce it, if I did so correctly- and it is just as hard to spell.
I will close this whole thing out with a song helping me be polite, as my parents tried to teach me.
Succeeding somewhat…lol!

Mike

Tags: Big Daddy, Dance Naked, Engineer Ken Stanley, John Lennon, john mellencamp, Van Morrison

ROCKOLLECTIONS: MELLENCAMPCOUGARJOHN PT.3

I started this one out using a record executive’s buzzword, just for fun.
We are up to John’s 1985 LP Scarecrow, a classic American rock album.
That year was also the start of Farm Aid, and I remember the hours & hours long telecast.
Farm Aid continues to this day, and while I do not doubt John’s concerned sincerity, it also marked the beginning of his opening his mouth other than to sing.
Singers sing, actors act- just don’t freakin’ preach to me!
You know who I am talking about…the list is endless.
If I need a celebrity to make a decision for me, I am a bigger asshole than they are!
Overall, I am not the least bit impressed with the intellectual capacity of celebrities, politicians or even doctors. I’d wipe ‘em out on any given night of Jeopardy!
Rant aside, I like Mellencamp’s music a lot, and he forced his band to learn vintage rock, r&b and soul songs.
Good move.
One of the great joys in life is hearing a song you forgot existed.
Even after looking at the list on an album or CD, you don’t recognize the title- and it is not until you actually hear the song that you realize how much you loved the old bugger!
That happened a few times with these shows, and I’ll point them out to you in case you had forgotten their existence too.
Gonna end this one by setting off a Cherry Bomb.
I’m back to my aforementioned rebel, cantankerous, mischievous streak, lol!
One more Mellen to go.

Mike

Tags: Cherry Bomb, Classic American Rock Album, Engineer Ken Stanley, Farm Aid, Jeopardy, john mellencamp, Scarecrow

ROCKOLLECTIONS: MELLENCAMPCOUGARJOHN PT.2

Continuing on, John Mellencamp’s breakthrough album was American Fool.
He won a Grammy and had his only # 1 song on Billboard.
I mentioned in this episode that in my life I have always been known to be somewhat rebellious.
Engineer Ken started laughing hysterically.
Even after the show, and I had forgotten about it, he was still laughing and breaking my chops about it!
Since he knows me so well, he found great humor in my rather casual statement.
In fact, I am a Class A Rebel and always have been, lol!
So, a song for that, which is how the subject came up, and I have loved it since the first time I heard it.
And IT ALWAYS MAKES ME DANCE- even sitting down!
“Been doing it since I was a young kid…”
We’ll close this chapter with an interesting contrast.
One by John and one by a group that did their song 7 years earlier.
And an awful lot of people think they sound a little too much alike!
More John Whatshisname coming.

Mike

Tags: American Fool, Billboard, Class A Rebel, Engineer Ken Stanley, Grammy, john mellencamp, John Whatshisname

ROCKOLLECTIONS: MELLENCAMPCOUGARJOHN PT.1

First off, I was disappointed that as I got to the radio station it wasn’t snowing.
I had a brought a song with me to play, and the forecast was for wonderful snow!
However, I was able to open the show with a rare demonstration of my excellent interviewing ability- something I just don’t often get to do, lol!
The featured artist is John and the Cougars and Mellencamps and Smiths and Jones…
His first album was a total failure, and his manager had changed John’s name on the record to Johnny Cougar, without John’s knowledge or permission.
His 2nd album was not even released in America!
But it yielded a # 1 hit in Australia that eventually found its way here.
Johnny boy continued to improve in his singing and songwriting.
And before I am done, I will verify that with some simply GREAT Rock & Roll!
This is the first of four parts- listening to them will make you a fan if you are not already.
Or make you think I am incredibly annoying- but I get that all the time, lol!
And man, did I have trouble reading and speaking- these shows were live, and my mouth apparently was taken over by aliens!

Mike

Tags: Engineer Ken Stanley, john mellencamp, Johnny Cougar, Jones, Radio Station, Smith

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE 2010 CHRISTMAS PARTY PT.3

One of the things I have noticed over the years with these Christmas shows is that I am a great stater of the obvious.
I like to begin shows by telling you it’s Christmastime (and THERE…I’ve made a decision, but you’ll have to listen to understand what that means).
So I will do it again with the BEST NEW Christmas song I have heard in the last year!
And other non-informative alerts too…I am a piece of work, lol!
Even though we kept pace with the Beatles and their Christmas Messages from 1963 to 1969, it ain’t over with them.
I have a 1964 outtake, and the first thing that jumps out at you is how nervous they are.
Of course, they were very young, and when some engineer plucks you in front of a microphone and tells you to say some things about the past year and Christmas, it can be daunting.
And THAT is what Engineer Ken would occasionally surprise me with, tell me not enough time for a song so just wing it for 2 minutes, lol!
But it’s good training for you, and I can be gabby when needed.
From icons to icon next.
A very short, swooning song from the early days of Rock & Roll by Litlle Lambsie Penn (that is correct, lol), to Elvis Presley, about how she wants to spend Christmas with him, and using the titles of many of his songs to make her case.
She is Songdropping!
It is easy to see where I might go after that.
Simply put, an enjoyable chapter with some DIFFERENT Songs Of The Season that you ought to enjoy (hear that, commercial radio?).

Mike

Tags: 1963 to 1969, Beatles Christmas Messages, Beatles Christmas Outtake, Christmastime, Elvis Presley, Engineer Ken Stanley, Rock & Roll by Little Lambsie Penn, Songdropping, Songs Of The Season

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE 2010 CHRISTMAS PARTY PT.2

Continuing on with our 2010 Christmas Party, a tradition on the show that I don’t even remember how it started.
Engineer Ken and I played a version of Run Rudolph Run, and the next year we did a different version, and on and on.
This time I am playing a rare old 45 RPM single by the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards from 1978.
I suspect if you have a copy it is worth something, don’t know how much but surely more than you originally paid for it.
And it should be pointed out that 1978 single was the only solo music we got from Keith until the 1990’s!
After that, a little segue I hatched years ago and occasionally play again at Christmas- the movies into music is how that goes.
Then I’ll go a little classy on you, with an amazing and beautiful guitar solo from an album it took me years to find, finally catching up to it in a Mom & Pop record store out where I live that is long gone.
You will hear me say that I thought maybe I had figured something out that has puzzled me for years- the same song that has two vastly different titles.
Turns out my theory doesn’t hold water!
But one of those two songs, the instrumental one I will offer, is done in such a dignified manner, you will never guess who the band is that is playing it.
Not what we are used to hearing from them…not at all, lol!
Alright, that’s enough writing about it- it’s another episode for our Christmas Party, with things in it from my mind’s attempt to bring you an uncommon collection of Christmas songs that haven’t been overkilled by commercial radio.
My advice…look at the picture above and listen to the music, simple as that, lol!
 
Mike
 

Tags: 1978, 1990's, 45 RPM SINGLE, Commercial Radio, Engineer Ken Stanley, Keith Richards, Rolling Stones, Run Rudolph Run

ROCKOLLECTIONS: ‘ERMAN’S ‘ERMITS PT.2 END

Like all the British bands, Herman’s Hermits were no exception when it came to doing good old American Rock & Roll.
But these bands would put their own unique stamp on them, making them sound fresh and new.
So, I will open this episode up with the Hermits interpretation of a Rays song done here in the 50’s.
The next one I call the CPR song.
After that they had a big hit over here with a tune that was written and originally done by my man Ray Davies, with the Kinks.
I’ll be telling you how they happened to get the name Herman (in this case, something misheard).
Another Yank song by them, this one originally done by the great Sam Cooke.
Peter Noone left the group in 1971, and since has appeared on numerous sitcoms and dramas- and we’ll even throw in a mid 70’s hit he had solo.
Then I will go out with a flurry of songs to make your memory bank dizzy and will shave decades off your chronological age.
And ala Ed Sullivan, I will make you wait till the end to hear my favorite Herman’s Hermits song- and the first one we ever heard here in this country back in 1964.
All in all, a nice way to spend some of that time between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Mike

Tags: 1964, American Rock & Roll, British Bands, Christmas, CPR, Denise Decker, Ed Sullivan, Engineer Ken Stanley, Herman’s Hermits, Peter Noone, Ray Davies, Sam Cooke, thanksgiving, The 50’s, the kinks, The Rays

ROCKOLLECTIONS: ‘ERMAN’S ‘ERMITS PT.1

The featured artists for this week are Herman’s Hermits, one of the early British Invasion bands that swept this country.
They were considered part of the Merseybeat Sound despite being from Manchester and not Liverpool.
These 2 parts are dedicated to a great friend of mine, Denise.
And you will hear me debating with myself just how important a group they were.
Didn’t want to tick Denise off, lol!
Ironically, the more serious songs they did were relegated to B-sides.
But there is no denying the FUN factor of their music.
The first 2 songs I will play were huge here, yet oddly not even released as singles in Britain.
While I may be a little peculiar (yeah, that’s NEW, lol!) with my selections in this Part One, by the time we get through the next episode, I guarantee I will have awakened many memory cells!
In fact, there is one here from 1965 that even I had forgotten- and listen for the Buddy Holly hiccup in it.
Although many critics dismissed them, they had players like Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones sitting in on their sessions.
So what if they weren’t the Beatles, Stones or Dylan.
Like I say, they were, and are, a FUN listen.
Enjoy!

Mike

Tags: B-Sides, Beatles, Britain, British Invasion Bands, Buddy Holly Hiccup, Denise Decker, Dylan, Engineer Ken Stanley, Herman’s Hermits, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Led Zeppelin, Liverpool, Manchester, Merseybeat Sound, Stones

ROCKOLLECTIONS: HOME FOR THANKSGIVING 2010 PT.4 FINAL

This final chapter is out here a bit early because I am traveling for Thanksgiving myself.
My favorite shows to do are the Thanksgiving and Christmas ones.
I get to make a statement, send a message- as I have said before, music is my form of a Western Union telegram.
This episode definitely feels like Thanksgiving Day to me!
I’ll start this finale off with a beautiful song by Lucy Kaplansky, with some noticeable help from Richard Shindell.
Then, saving the best for last, and calling in some heavy hitters on this topic, at least to me, two of the finest songs ever about Going Home.
And they just happen to share the same title.
After that, is there a Beatle song about Going Home? Sure is!
Finally, another one of those two different endings I do when I have two songs so exquisitely perfect for the task, I can’t make up my mind.
The first one concerns Home being so fine, so desirable, you would run there.
The second…well of all the modes of transportation we have taken over the years, this is without a doubt the nicest way to go Home I can think of.
And even that wasn’t enough, as I slipped in something else to hopefully surprise and delight you on my way out the door, regarding what we have learned these past two weeks through music.
While the Holiday and the Tradition may have started in this country, everybody has something to be thankful for, not the least of which is being alive and around to BE thankful!
I am most certainly grateful for those of you who listen and stick with me, with all my quirky choices of songs and theme shows.
I THANK YOU!
And Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Mike

Tags: Beatles, Christmas, Engineer Ken Stanley, Happy Thanksgiving, Lucy Kaplansky, Richard Shindell, Thanksgiving Day, Western Union