WLSO.FM

ROCKOLLECTIONS: FOR THE 4TH OF JULY- JAY & THE AMERICANS PT.2 END

I will open this chapter with Only In America, having already told you the story behind it.
Last year, I did a 4-part Podcast theme series called A Celebration Of America- and it is here at WLSO.FM.
At the end of Part 4, I played that same song but by the Drifters, only because I wanted to play a different interpretation. Not knowing at the time that THEY had done the first and original version!
So if you want to hear that piece of history, as I say, it is here. You just have to go back and look for it.
After that great song for this holiday, Jay Black at his operatic best with a song by Rodgers & Hammerstein from South Pacific that was a hit too.
Did you know that Jay & The Americans were responsible for Neil Diamond’s first success as a songwriter?
They did a song he wrote called Sunday And Me, and I’ve got and will play it, you get to hear it.
The band’s last Hit reached # 19 in 1970, and was an old Ronettes tune.
After that, I have a strange one, a curiosity they released in late 1966- an odd, very 60’s sound not at all like what we were used to hearing from them.
Even the title is kinda weird, He’s Raining In My Sunshine. Far out, man!
Turns out Jay Black had a big gambling problem with some big debts, and he sold the group name to pay them off.
Of note is that over the years the group included Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, who left to form Steely Dan.
Then, I have a couple of treats.
One member of the Americans, Kenny Vance, started a group with the Planetones that in 1975 came out of nowhere with their doowop retro style, for an unlikely hit in the midst of what was by then a no longer experimental but a formulaic music scene.
Their throwback sound broke the formula, and I just remember it seeming so out of place. But I liked it then and I like it now.
As a born and bred New Yorker, I knew about singing in the subways and the bathrooms and Looking For That Echo!
I will end this Independence Day show with a song I have played quite a few times before on the radio.
I will never understand why this beautiful, wonderful song, done years ago by Eric Andersen, never became a perennial hit.
And in addition I have newly tacked on an inspiring John Phillip Sousa March to take us out at the end- perfect to listen to while watching the Fireworks!
Happy 4th Of July everyone, everywhere!
And Happy Birthday America!

Mike

Tags: A Celebration Of America, A New Yorker, Donald Fagen, Eric Andersen, Fireworks, Happy Birthday America, He’s Raining In My Sunshine, Independence Day, Jay Black, John Phillip Sousa, Kenny Vance & The Planetones, Looking For An Echo, Neil Diamond, Only In America, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Ronettes, South Pacific, Steely Dan, Sunday And Me, The Drifters, Walter Becker

RockRoll360 #064 - Dorm Radio (Part 1)

 

Hi Friends,
     Let me start by saying I am working again on a regular job,
after being unemployed for about 7 months.  I also have been working many
hours on my job. It’s been a challenge to place 2 shows a week for you to enjoy.
I will try not to let you down.  I been pulling 55 to 60 hours a week.

This week though, I am going take a break from narrating the show
and leave it in the hands of two ( capable ) students from a nearby college to
take you on the freeform ride with great music. 

Music and sound bites includes ::::::

Dorm Radio - Sound Bite From  Cheech & Chong
(IF YOU’RE WONDERING IF I WANT TO YOU TO) I WANT YOU TO - WEEZER 
VIVA LA VIDA - COLDPLAY
PARIS IS ON - PAUL BRILL
THE WALL STREET SHUFFLE - 10cc
Dorm Radio - Go to commercial - Sound Bite From Cheech & Chong 
The Straight People - Parody movie tease - FIRESIGN THEATRE
GOOD TIME - ALAN JACKSON
Dorm Radio - OK music play music - Sound Bite From Cheech & Chong 
GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOL GIRL - JONNY LANG
40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS - MUDDY WATERS
Now its time with silly songs with Larry - Sound Bite from Veggie Tales
D’YA THINK I’M DISCO - STEVE DAHL
360 Of R & R conts. with this oldie but goodie - Computer Sound Bite
BROTHER LOVE’S TRAVELING SALVATION SHOW - NEIL DIAMOND

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Tags: , 10cc, alan jackson, cheech and chong, Classic Rock, coldplay, dorm radio, eclectic, firesign theatre, free mp3, freeform, get out of my room, jonny lang, mp3, Muddy Waters, music, Neil Diamond, paul brill, Rock, RockRoll360, steve dahl, veggie tales, weezer, WLSO

ROCKOLLECTIONS: GETTING HOME FOR THANKSGIVING: BOATS PT.2

I should point out that if anyone is interested in the past 3 years Planes, Trains & Automobiles series for Getting Home For Thanksgiving, they can be found and heard in the archives at WLSO.FM and Clickcaster.com.
Back to the Boats, and if you are getting seasick that’s because you are in the Boat and on top of the water.
Let’s hop over the side and musically explore what is going on Under The Sea!
After that I have a back to back contrast of an overlooked song written by Neil Diamond- the contrasting versions will be by Neil and…believe it or not…Lulu!
I remember the song here in the U.S. as her flip side of To Sir, With Love.
I’ll close this one out with a wonderful song regarding a look back by an old Sea Captain.
Two more episodes to go next week, which you can listen to either BEFORE or AFTER Thanksgiving.
I planned it that way, lol!
We have so much to be thankful for- with me it’s easy, for example if I am feeling down, I just take a look at those things on my body I am supposed to have two of- if I have two of each, I am very blessed and grateful, for there are many folks who can’t say that.
Just look around you!
The Journey Home By Boat continues next week…

Mike

Tags: Clickcaster.com, Lulu, Neil Diamond, Planes Trains & Automobiles, Sea Captain, To Sir With Love, Under The Sea

ROCKOLLECTIONS: HEY HEY…THE MONKEES - PT.1

Here is a group I never thought I would play.
I honestly thought I was too hip to do so, lol!
They were a MANUFACTURED group, the Pre-Fab Four!
A cheap knockoff of the Beatles!
Everyone should know about the ad put in Variety by NBC.
But time has a way of making you mellow, and their music is catchy.
Mainly because they had some great songwriters handing them songs, like Tommy Boyce & Boby Hart, Carole King, and Neil Diamond.
They were considered TV actors first, musicians a distant second!
Mike Nesmith seemed the most serious about music, he wrote Different Drum for Linda Ronstadt & the Stone Poneys among some other very good songs- and in an interview I once heard with him, he sounded so sad about his and the band’s musical shortcomings, he forever had me on his side.
In fact, the Monkees were not ALLOWED to play anything on on most of their 1st records, just sing!
But Nesmith was able to put some of his songs on those albums.
They were immensely popular at the time, and I guess I have to say I like many of their songs- I even have a favorite.
So just for those reasons alone, I bring you the Monkees, lol!
Enjoy, and there is a second half to come.

Mike

Tags: Beatles, Bobby Hart, Carole King, Different Drum, Linda Ronstadt, Mike Nesmith, NBC, Neil Diamond, Pre-Fab Four, Stone Poneys, Tommy Boyce, Variety

RockRoll360 #014 - Sittin In Limbo - Pt. 2

It’s Monday - It’s June - and it’s Part 2 of  Sittin’ In Limbo.

Great different versions of “Thank You” a Led Zepplin tune
done by Tori Amos and “Stormy Monday” a T-Bone Walker tune
done by an artist who was taken from us way too early, Eva Cassidy
are found here.
Also a great favorite of mind “Willow” is on the list.

Relax and enjoy now ” Sittin’ in Limbo ” (Part 2)

PLAY ME -  NEIL DIAMOND
4 + 20 -  CROSBY STILL NASH & YOUNG
THE NEEDLE AND THE DAMAGE DONE  (Live) - NEIL YOUNG
DOG AND BUTTERFLY (Acoustic - Live) -  HEART
STORMY MONDAY    ( Live) -  EVA CASSIDY
WILLOW -  JOAN ARMATRADING
SITTIN IN LIMBO -  JIMMY CLIFF
OLD OLD WOODSTOCK -  VAN MORRISON
THANK YOU -  TORI AMOS
SINGALONG JUNK -  PAUL McCARTNEY

Don’t look for any sound bites on this episode.  Sorry!

They will return in regular 360 Format - Friday in Episode #015

This compilation was made during the year of 2004.

Mevio {Mevio-6f30aedda9cae277090bdc50271dbebe}

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Tags: 360, Acoustic, Crosby Stills and Nash, Eva Cassidy, heart, Joan Armatrading, mixed, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, soft rock, Tori Amos, Van Morrison, wlso.fm