ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE WICKED PICKETT PT.1

This week’s featured artist is Wilson Pickett
Pickett did a good deal to establish the sound of Southern soul with his early hits, which were often written and recorded with the cream of the session musicians in Memphis and Muscle Shoals.
Before establishing himself as a solo artist, Pickett sang with the Falcons, who had a Top Ten R&B hit in 1962 with I Found a Love.
If You Need Me (covered by the Rolling Stones) and It’s Too Late were R&B hits for the singer before he hooked up with Atlantic Records, who sent him to record at Stax in Memphis in 1965.
One early result was In the Midnight Hour.
It was an R&B chart-topper and a substantial pop hit (number 21), though its influence was stronger than that respectable position might indicate: thousands of bands, black and white, covered In the Midnight Hour on-stage and record in the 1960s.
We go pretty in depth here, playing some very early things that may have gotten by you without ever hearing them.
Of course, we will be playing all those great hits of his too.
 
Mike

Tags: 1962, Atlantic Records, I Found a Love, If You Need Me, In the Midnight Hour, It's Too Late, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, Rolling Stones, Southern Soul, Stax, The Falcons, Top Ten R&B

ROCKOLLECTIONS: SALUTE TO MOTHERS PT.3

Mothers Day was just a few days ago, so I’ll continue with our Salute To Mothers.
After all, they work all year round, so why only honor them for a meager one day?
We’ll open this chapter with the Rolling Stones.
How many remember that, like the Beatles, the Stones very first song about drugs was ANTI-DRUG?
And a Mother taking them!
That’s a fact- and besides that, I’d like you to listen to the different quality of the tune.
I not long ago got hold of some Rolling Stones recordings out of Germany, and they are in TRUE stereo!
For years I knew about them, and even had a rather poor quality tape of Satisfaction from Germany, which has NEVER been released to the rest of the world in real stereo.
(Don’t know how they have these things, Japan is good for acquiring this sort of stuff too).
So unless you are one of the few to have heard this, you are in for a treat…like you’ve never heard it before!
Then it is on to the fact that Mothers are part of a very very small club- no matter what we do, they will always love us.
A serial killer? Proven in court without a doubt?
No matter, Mom won’t believe it, lol!
After that, a look at Good Mothers, with Bad Mothers to follow next episode.
Some rockin’ music for Good Mothers- and of course we all know about those Good ones…they are the ones WE have, lol!

Mike

Tags: ANTI-DRUG, Bad Mothers, Beatles, Germany, Good Mothers, Japan, Rolling Stones, Satisfaction, True Stereo

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

RockRoll360 #104 - Goodbye to WBCN (Part. 29)

 

Charles Laquidara & Matt Siegel during the 1979 WBCN Strike

No doubt you knew I had to make Episode #104 a WBCN show - Right !

Well here is a special one …
Let’s go back to December of 1978 and listen to the good old daytime
programming of WBCN. This broadcast was recorded on analog tape
cassette during the live broadcast and I’m happy to share these
63 minutes of these segments with you.

For you young listeners sorry for the FM & analog hissing you hear in the background.
For you older folks ( What hiss ! )

Classic Lunch Song - Lunchtime Rambler  - (Rolling Stones Parody)        
WBCN DJ. Matt Siegel
“Soul Man”  by The Blues Brothers
Classic Lunch Song - New England Lunchtime  - (Unknown Parody)     
Classic Lunch Song - Lunchtime At The Oasis - (Marie Muldaur Parody)  
“Everybody’s Talking”     by   Nilsson   
“A Place In The Sun “    by Pablo Cruise
Comedy - Mr. Rogers Parody
“Keep On Smilin”     by Wet Willie
“Magic Man”    by    Heart
Classic Lunch Song - Heard It In A Lunch song  - (Marshall Tucker Parody)
WBCN DJ Oedipus
“Overnight Sensation”   by The Raspberries
“Stay Awhile”   by    Rachel Sweet
“Baby Hold On To Me”   by Eddie Money
WBCN DJ. Charles Laquidara 
“Kiss You All Over” (Edited Clean)   by   Exile
“Sweet Inspiration”    by  The Sweet Inspirations
“New York Groove”   by Ace Frehley
WBCN DJ. Matt Siegel
Classic Lunch Song - Lunchitus  - (J. Geils Parody)
“Blonds Have More Fun”       by Rod Stewart 
“Night Moves”     by Bob Seger
“Shut You Down”   by   The Beach Boys    

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Tags: aaa radio, ace freley, bob seger, charles laquidara, Classic Rock, eclectic, eddie money, exile, free mp3, freeform, heart, j. geils, marie Muldaur, marshall tucker band, matt segal, mp3, mr.rogers, music, nilsson, oedipus, pablo cruise, progressive album rock, rachel sweet, Rock, RockRoll360, Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones, the beach boys, the raspberries, the sweet inspirations, wbcn, wet willie, WLSO

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE KENTUCKY DERBY PT.1

Well it only took almost 12 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: Free-form Radio, Horses, Photo Finish, Rolling Stones

RockRoll360 #054 - Fresh Air - (Part 2)

KFML - Dog

RockRoll360 #054 - FRESH AIR - (Part 2)

Talk about the essence of great progressive classic underground radio.
This is da place. Light up that smoking lamp at 4:20 and enjoy.
Enjoy the way radio was, very laid back with great tunes.
I have some great moments with radio stations like
WBCN, KFML, & KTYD. Also enjoy a great bit about
someone who gets his parents stoned.

Music includes ::::

2000 LIGHT YEARS FROM HOME (Stereo) - THE ROLLING STONES
13 QUESTIONS - SEATRAIN
ASHES TO ASHES - DAVID BOWIE
JOHNNY’S GARDEN - STEPHEN STILLS
THEY CAUGHT THE DEVIL AND PUT HIM IN JAIL - TONY JOE WHITE
HELP, I’M A ROCK (Short Edit) - FRANK ZAPPA
YOU TURN ME ON I’M A RADIO - JONI MITCHELL
JAVA BLUES - RICK DANCO
YOUR HEAD IS REELING - ULTIMATE SPINACH
TWO TRAINS (Rare) - THE ROLLING STONES
WOMAN - SPOOKY TOOTH

Sound bites include :::::::::

NBC– CHIME I.D (Very Old) - Radio Network I.D.
Malcolm doing a KTYD I.D. over Bowie
KFML 98.5 FM in Denver Radio - Radio I.D.
Two cops smoking Pot - KFML Radio Skit
Malcolm saying Thanks and then
Pacific Stereo Commercial from KTYD in Santa Barbara, Calif.
WBCN I.D. - What Radio Station Is This
Rare material coming up next on mattress milestone.
Smoking Pot With Your Parents - Comedy From The Bob & Tom Show

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Tags: Classic Rock, David Bowie, eclectic, frank zappa, free mp3, joni mitchell, kfml, ktyd, mp3, music, progressive, rick danco, Rolling Stones, seatrain, spooky tooth, stephen stills, tony joe white, ultimate spinach, underground, wbcn, WLSO

RockRoll360 # 021 - Statue - Pt. 1

 

Above photo is a statue of

Jimi Hendrix in Seattle, Washington

 

Yep ! We are still waiting for summer here in

New England, and I know when it comes, it’s gonna come

with a vengeance.  In fact most of the country

is going through that right now. During this week.

we are seeing hot temps in the 90’s through 100 degrees.

 

So here I am to get your mind off of the hot weather and

enjoy some good music.  Great stuff here including some

indie music and a very deep track by Spirit.

 

So let’s enjoy the sounds below….

Oh! Please pass it on..

 

Songs include :::::

COLD WIND - ARCADE FIRE
GAMBLE EVERYTHING FOR LOVE - BEN LEE
TRAFFIC JAM  ( Live ) - JAMES TAYLOR
DID YOU EVER HAVE TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND - THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL
STATUE - LOW MILLIONS
I GOT THE BLUES - THE ROLLING STONES
GHETTO BLUES - MARSHALL’MARZ MASON
MECHANICAL WORLD - SPIRIT
WELCOME TO THE MACHINE - PINK FLOYD
HERE COMES TOMORROW - THE MONKEES
THE WIND CRIES MARY - JIMI HENDRIX

Sound Bites Include :::::
Jetsons door bell - Sound Bite From “The Jetsons”
What knockers ! - Sound Bite From “Young Frankenstein”
Escape To The Cape ( From WROR )
                    - Song Parody from the  “Loren & Wally Show”
Time now for a lost 45 - Computer Generated Sound Bite
WBOS ( Part Of The Greater Boston Radio Group ) - Radio I.D.
I give you the moon Mary - Sound Bite From “Jimmy Stewart“

Tags: aaa radio, arcade fire, ben lee, Classic Rock, eclectic, free mp3, freeform, hendrix, james taylor, lovin spoonful, low millions, mixed, Monkees, mp3, music, pink floyd, Rock, RockRoll360, Rolling Stones, Spirit, WLSO

ROCKOLLECTIONS: A TOWN WITHOUT PITNEY PT.2- CONCLUSION

Well here is Part Two and conclusion of Gene Pitney.

But first, I promised a good friend of mine I would put in a plug for an Art Gallery Exhibition.

The artist is named Evie Tirado and she is VERY good.

So if you can get to Brooklyn, her showing is at Shoptalk & Art Gallery, 35 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY- it is across the street from BAM (the Brooklyn Academy of Music), and runs from April 23 through April 30.

I highly recommend it!

We will start this concluding episode with a song that at the beginning always reminds me of Down In The Boondocks. See what you think.

We’ll talk about Pitney’s Rolling Stones connection, his influence on DAVID BOWIE (particularly on Changes) and play songs you may have forgot existed.

One that hits home for me on this unsettled night is I’m Gonna Be Strong.
Also one called Just One Smile, that I think I remember being done by someone else, but can’t put my finger on it.

If you know, please write me here.

It’s a real pretty sound that oddly co-existed with all the psychedelia of 1967. Probably why I love that year so much- anything was acceptable.

He died of natural causes at the age of 66.

A little young for those natural causes if you ask me.

We will go out with an unreleased Rolling Stones track from 1964, where he purportedly plays the piano, and Phil Spector is in on the session too. Some real nice jamming!

And another Stones connection is he had a fling with Marianne Faithfull.

Way to go my man Gene!!!

Mike

Tags: Changes, David Bowie, Down In The Boondocks, I'm Gonna Be Strong, Just One Smile, Marianne Faithfull, Phil Spector, Rolling Stones

ROCKOLLECTIONS: A TOWN WITHOUT PITNEY PT.1

Well, I think I’ll keep you guessing on this one, although there is a huge clue in the title of the episode.
This time we will feature an artist who:
Was a master of teenage romantic angst;
Along with Roy Orbison brought orchestral pop into Rock & Roll;
Was one of the era’s best songwriters, with Hello Mary Lou, He’s A Rebel, Rubber Ball, etc.;
Was an early proponent of “countrypolitan” music;
Was among the first to introduce Eastern elements into pop, well before the Beatles;
Was one of the first to record Jagger/Richards & Randy Newman compositions;
Was an early protege of Phil Spector;
Produced and played all the instruments and voices on his debut hit single;
Played the maracas on the Rolling Stones version of Not Fade Away;
Sang the title song for two classic movies;
Was the first teen idol to perform at the Oscars;
Had a song he SANG prevented from reaching # 1 on charts by a song he WROTE;
Was deservedly inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2002.
Figured it out?
PLAY the answer!
Oh, and I finally confused the radio with the podcast. Listen at the break, as I say “Rockollections” instead of “Rock Lives” (hate that name!)

Mike

Tags: Beatles, He's A Rebel, Hello Mary Lou, Jagger/Richards, Not Fade Away, Phil Spector, Randy Newman, Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Rolling Stones, Roy Orbison, Rubber Ball, The Oscars

ROCKOLLECTIONS: GETTING HOME FOR THANKSGIVING: PLANES PT.1

 

This is from last year, and thankfully I am not at home, but at the studio!
If you come up with an acceptable premise one year, and you can use it again, why not?
We will continue to travel home by those different modes of transportation mentioned in the great Steve Martin/John Candy movie, Trains, Planes & Automobile- one of the few movies about Thanksgiving.
And as always, Thanksgiving is the most heavily traveled time of year here in the United States.
Last year was Trains, so logically this year we take Planes.
I will open with a couple of songs I might not ordinarily play- but then, I bring no rules here.
Rockollections is what it is!
The songs this year will be intermingled with the fascinating story of the Wright Brothers, an inspiring one to all would-be inventors out there.
They were not exactly welcomed by scientists, engineers, etc., who could not understand how two ordinary guys could do what they could not do!
Please join me as we take off with an eclectic mix of fellow passengers, including Nick Gilder, the Climax Blues Band and the Flamin’ Groovies.
Oh, the Rolling Stones are with us- but they’ll be in First Class naturally, lol.
Let’s start Getting Home For Thanksgiving!

Mike

Tags: Climax Blues Band, Flamin' Groovies, John Candy, Nick Gilder, Rolling Stones, Steve Martin, Wright Brothers

ROCKOLLECTIONS - GETTING HOME FOR THANKSGIVING: TRAINS PT.2

 
We continue on our journey home for Thanksgiving by Train- inspired by the movie Trains, Planes & Automobile. And I now realize I have the title wrong, lol!
And this time we will take a look a DIFFERENT KINDS of Trains, so get ready for the familiar, the forgotten and the maybe never heard. Including the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, etc.
It should be pointed out that every genre of music has Train songs- Rock, Country, Blues, Pop, R&B, Soul and as many else as we can get to.
I am going to end this episode with some Folk Train Songs.
Beginning with one from a live concert from Simon & Garfunkel that dates back to January 22, 1967, and with unbelievably good quality considering. A NYC subway song.
A folkie staple from Peter, Paul & Mary follows, and we’ll go out with a fun song called To Morro which I am sure you will like.
We are about 2/3 of the way there, so don’t forget to join me for those final miles home in the concluding chapter.
Coming soon to a computer near you!
Mike

Tags: John Candy, Paul & Mary, Peter, Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones, Simon & Garfunkel, Steve Martin

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE RONETTES PT.1

We are going back to the early 60’s, to a time when the Girl Groups were very popular.
And the toughest, sexiest girl group was the Ronettes.
I will open with their biggest hit, and go from there.
We’ll have some fun at Billy Joel’s expense very early (you’ll hear why!).
They were DJ Murray the K’s Dancing Girls, backup singers for other artists, and by the time we play our 3rd song here, they had Darlene Love and Cher as THEIR backup singers- with Leon Russell on piano!
In early 1964, they toured with the Rolling Stones and met the Beatles.
Oh, and WHO was the biggest vocal influence on lead singer Ronnie Spector?
Listen, think about it and if you don’t get it, you may be very surprised.
I’ll tell you the answer in Part Two.
This is gonna be fun!

Tags: Beatles, Billy Joel, Cher, Darlene Love, Leon Russell, Murray the k, Phil Spector, Rolling Stones, Ronettes, ronnie Spector