Country Christmas Redux

We revisit the country genre for some down home Christmas cooking…of sleigh bells, holly, ham, and mistletoe. Songs from mid-century to just a year ago or so featuring some of your favorite country and Americana artists in our final show before Christmas Day 2023. Tune in for some classics and also-rans from Gene Autry, Eddy Arnold, Red Foley, The Louvin Brothers and John Prine as we share some roasted, toasted chestnuts from the yule log. We’ve also got some George Jones, Ernest Tubb and Willie Nelson right up alongside Kacey Musgraves and Raul Malo. We’re saluting the season and telling stories from childhood’s past, all for you wrapped up with pretty paper and holiday ribbons of gold on this year’s Christmas show on community radio for Sonoma County, KOWS-LP, 92.5 FM, Occidental. Streaming your way across planet Earth on kowsfm.com. Now…let’s say it once again…’war is over’.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2John Prine Everything Is Cool A John Prine Christmas Amazon
3Eddy Arnold Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
4Prairie Ramblers Cowboy Santa Claus Blues Blues Christmas Vol 4 – Disc 2 Amazon
5Tennessee Ernie Ford A Rootin' Tootin' Santa Claus Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
6Red Foley Here Comes Santa Claus Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
7Bernie Nee Country Music Holiday Country & Western Nuggets Amazon
8Sonny James Christmas in My Hometown Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
9Frankie Laine and Jo Stafford Christmas Roses Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
10Marty Robbins Footprints in the Snow Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
11Ernest Tubb I'll Be Walking the Floor This Christmas Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
12Faron Young I'm Gonna Tell Santa Claus On You Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
13Hank Thompson It's Christmas Every Day in Alaska Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
14Homer and Jethro Randolph the Flat Nosed Reindeer Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
15Eddy Arnold I'm Your Private Santa Claus Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
16The Louvin Brothers Santa's Big Parade Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
17Raul Malo Blue Christmas Marshmallow World and Other Holiday Favorites Amazon
18Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters Pretty Paper Christmas On A Greyhound Bus Amazon
19George Jones Lonely Christmas Call Complete Collection 1960-1962 [Disc 4] individual albums Amazon
20Bill Anderson Waffle House Christmas Anderson Amazon
21Asleep at the Wheel Swingin' Silent Nite Merry Texas Christmas, Y'All Amazon
22Loretta Lynn Country Christmas White Christmas Blue Amazon
23The Nashville Bluegrass Band Holiday Pickin' American Beauty Amazon
24Ralph Stanley I'm Going Home, It's Christmas Time Christmas Time with Ralph Stanley Amazon
25Hank Snow Blue Christmas Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
26Hank Snow The Reindeer Boogie Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
27Ernest Tubb Merry Texas Christmas, You All! Ernest Tubb – The Texas Troubadour – Writers Galore [Disc 4] Amazon
28Raul Malo Winter Wonderland Marshmallow World and Other Holiday Favorites Amazon
29Raul Malo Feliz Navidad Marshmallow World and Other Holiday Favorites Amazon
30The Davis Sisters The Christmas Boogie Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
31Kacey Musgraves A Willie Nice Christmas A Very Kacey Christmas Amazon
32Willie Nelson We Wish You a Merry Christmas Christmas with Willie Nelson Amazon
33John Prine I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus A John Prine Christmas Amazon
34Gene Autry and the Pinafores Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Christmas On the Country Side Amazon
35Billy Joe Shaver Merry Christmas To You Freedom's Child Amazon
36Willie Nelson Pretty Paper Christmas with Willie Nelson Amazon
37The Alarm Happy Christmas (War Is Over) Standards Amazon

Fats Waller Revisited

Fats Waller was a master of stride piano, a style that emerged in the early 20th century and became a cornerstone of jazz. His virtuosity in this style influenced countless pianists who came after him. But he is remembered most for his songwriting and the lively and humorous quality to his performances, incorporating all of these elements into his music. His ability to infuse joy and playfulness into his compositions and improvisations set him apart and made his music accessible to a wide audience. His contributions to the Great American songbook include jazz standards like “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” and “Black and Blue” which have been covered by countless artists over the years. This morning on Deeper Roots, we drop in to revel in the music, humor, warmth and charisma that was Thomas “Fats” Waller.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers Squeeze Me One Hour Mama Amazon
3James P. Johnson Carolina Shout Jazz In The Charts Vol. 2 – Hot Lips Amazon
4James P. Johnson What's The Use Of Being Alone A Piano Anthology Amazon
5Duke Ellington That Rhythm Man The Okeh Ellington [Disc 2] Amazon
6Willie The Lion Smith & His Cubs More Than That Harlem Jazz (The 30's) Amazon
7Willie "The Lion" Smith Morning Air A Piano Anthology Amazon
8Fats Waller The Joint Is Jumpin' The Joint Is Jumpin' Amazon
9Fats Waller Ain't Misbehavin' The Art Deco Music Collection: Cotton Club Stomp Amazon
10Fats Waller I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby The Joint Is Jumpin' Amazon
11Jimmy Bertrand's Washboard Wizards I'm Goin' Huntin' The Ultimate Collection [Disc 1] Amazon
12Fats Waller With Morris' Hot Babies Fats Waller Stomp The Compete Recorded Works Vol. 1, [Disc 2] Amazon
13Fats Waller & His Rhythm Mamacita 100 Ans De Jazz Amazon
14Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Thomas "Fats" Waller & Jeni Le Gon Living In A Great Big Way Hollywood Swing & Jazz: Hot Numbers [Disc 1] Amazon
15Fats Waller I Wish I Were Twins The Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2: A Handful Of Keys, [Disc 4] Amazon
16Ethel Waters What Did I Do to Be So Black and Blue? Ethel Waters 1929 -1939 (feat. Duke Ellington & Benny Goodman) Amazon
17Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra (What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue [Album Version] Louis Armstrong: Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man 1923-1934 Amazon
18Fats Waller Let's Pretend There's A Moon The Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2: A Handful Of Keys, [Disc 4] Amazon
19Fats Waller I'm Going To Sit Down & Write Myself A Letter Music By Fats Waller Amazon
20Fats Waller (Take Me Back To) The Wide Open Places compliments of grimriper2u@yahoo.com Amazon
21Fats Waller Your Feet's Too Big Fats Waller Greatest Hits Amazon
22Fats Waller & His Rhythm It's A Sin To Tell A Lie Fats Waller – The Complete Recorded Works Volume 3 – Rhythm and Romance 1934-1936 Amazon
23Fats Waller & His Rhythm You're The Picture Complete Recorded Works Vol.3 Amazon
24Fats Waller All That Meat & No Potatoes Music By Fats Waller Amazon
25Fats Waller Sweet Savannah Sue The Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2: A Handful Of Keys, [Disc 1] Amazon
26Fats Waller Sweet Sue Foot Tappin' And Dance At The Screamin' Festival Vol.4 Amazon
27Fats Waller Six Or Seven Times The Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2: A Handful Of Keys, [Disc 1] Amazon
28Billie Holiday Blue Turning Gray Over You Billie's Blues Amazon
29Maxine Sullivan & Her Jazz All-Stars My Fate Is In Your Hands Memories of You: A Tribute To Andy Razaf Amazon

More Eccentric Soul

We revisit the Numero Groups incredible catalog of rare and obscure soul recordings from the 1960s and 1970s called “Eccentric Soul”. This series is a meticulous curation and exercise in unearthing hidden gems in the soul music landscape from old record collections, master tapes, and archives to discover unreleased or overlooked tracks by artists who may not have gained widespread recognition during their time. What sets the “Eccentric Soul” series apart is its emphasis on bringing attention to regional and independent soul labels that operated on a smaller scale, often producing music reflecting the unique local music cultures of their time. Our show digs into a number of releases that showcase a diverse array of sounds, styles, and voices, offering listeners a glimpse into this rich tapestry of American soul music, honoring the best of the day with all the rough edges you’d expect (and desire) with a sincerity of artistry and bald-face emotion. Bring on the soul here on Sonoma County Community Radio.


No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Johnson, Hawkins, Tatum & Durr You're All I Need to Make It Eccentric Soul – The Capsoul Label Amazon
3Bill Moss Sock It to 'Em Soul Brother Eccentric Soul – The Capsoul Label Amazon
4Elijah & The Ebonites Hot Grits!!! Eccentric Soul – The Capsoul Label Amazon
5Chandlers Your Love Keeps Drawing Me Eccentric Soul: Capitol City Soul Amazon
6Soul Partners Lose The One You Love Eccentric Soul: Capitol City Soul Amazon
7Dean Francis & The Soul Rockers Tippin Eccentric Soul: Capitol City Soul Amazon
8The Soulsations Funky Nightclub Eccentric Soul: Mighty Mike Lenaburg Amazon
9Lon Rogers & The Soul Blenders Too Good To Be True Eccentric Soul: Mighty Mike Lenaburg Amazon
10Walter And The Admerations Life Of Tears Eccentric Soul: Sitting In The Park Amazon
11Chocolate Sunday Second Story Man Eccentric Soul: Sitting In The Park Amazon
12Fred Williams The Dance Got Old Eccentric Soul: Smart's Palace Amazon
13L.T. & The Soulful Dynamics Everyone Needs Someone Eccentric Soul: Smart's Palace Amazon
14The Majestic Arrows The Magic Of Your Love Eccentric Soul: The Bandit Label, Vol. 3 Amazon
15Altyrone Deno Brown If You Love Me Eccentric Soul: The Bandit Label, Vol. 3 Amazon
16The Arrows We Have Love Eccentric Soul: The Bandit Label, Vol. 3 Amazon
17Ms. Tyree "Sugar" Jones If You Feel It Eccentric Soul: The Big Mack Label Amazon
18Bob And Fred I'll Be On My Way Eccentric Soul: The Big Mack Label Amazon
19Skip Drake Wrapped Around Your Finger Eccentric Soul: The Cash Label Amazon
20Soul Revival Good Feelin' Eccentric Soul: The Cash Label Amazon
21The Notations This Time I'm For Real Eccentric Soul: The Cash Label Amazon
22The Fabulous Rhythm Makers Mini, Mini Afro Twist Eccentric Soul: The Forte Label Amazon
23Marva W. Taylor I've Lived The Life Eccentric Soul: The Forte Label Amazon
24Jerry Townes You Are My Sunshine Eccentric Soul: The Nickel & Penny Labels Amazon
25Royal Esquires Ain't Gonna Run Eccentric Soul: The Prix Label Amazon
26Marion Black Come On And Gettit Eccentric Soul: The Prix Label Amazon
27Eula Cooper Shake Daddy Shake Eccentric Soul: The Tragar & Note Labels Amazon
28Eula Cooper Try Eccentric Soul: The Tragar & Note Labels Amazon
29Josephine Taylor I've Made Up My Mind Eccentric Soul: Twinight's Lunar Rotation [Disc 2] Amazon
30Renaldo Domino Two Years Four Days Eccentric Soul: Twinight's Lunar Rotation [Disc 2] Amazon
31Dynamic Tints & Pieces Of Peace Be My Lady Eccentric Soul: Twinight's Lunar Rotation [Disc 1] Amazon
32Chocolate Snow Let Me Be Your Christmas Toy Eccentric Soul: Smart's Palace Amazon
33Stormy The Devastator Eccentric Soul: Twinight's Lunar Rotation [Disc 1] Amazon

The Year in Music 1959

Popular culture in 1959 was marked by a dynamic mix of artistic and societal shifts. The music scene was dominated by the rise of rock and roll shaping the sound of the era. It found itself rising above the simple adult contemporary and country sounds of the day. Iconic films such as “Some Like It Hot” and “Ben-Hur” showcased a diverse range of storytelling and cinematic styles and cultural narratives found a place in television, with shows like “The Twilight Zone” captivating audiences with thought-provoking and imaginative storytelling. The boomers were reaching their teen years, the space race was launched and a torch was about to be passed in Washington. Our show today spins the top tracks from each of the pop, country, R&B and rock charts reflecting a year of cultural transition, encapsulating the tension between traditional values and the evolving influences of a changing world. Everyone from Johnny Horton and Marty Robbins to Lloyd Price, The Fleetwoods, and Bobby Darin…all in one two hour show on KOWS Community Radio.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Marty Robbins El Paso Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs Amazon
3Johnny Horton The Battle Of New Orleans Columbia Country Classics, Vol. 3: Americana Amazon
4Johnny Horton When It's Springtime In Alaska Classic Country: Great Story Songs [Disc 1] Amazon
5Bobby Darin Mack The Knife As Long As I'm Singing: The Bobby Darin Collection [Disc 2] Amazon
6Bobby Darin Dream Lover As Long As I'm Singing: The Bobby Darin Collection [Disc 1] Amazon
7Paul Anka Lonely Boy His All Time Greatest Hits – 30th Anniversary Collection Amazon
8Frankie Avalon Venus Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1959 Amazon
9The Spacemen The Clouds Teen Beat 1 Amazon
10Lloyd Price Stagger Lee Greatest Hits: The Original ABC-Paramount Recordings Amazon
11Lloyd Price Personality Hit The Road Jack: The ABC-Paramount Story Amazon
12Elvis Presley (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I Elvis 30 #1 Hits Amazon
13Bo Diddley Say Man 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection – The Best Of Bo Diddley Amazon
14Ray Charles What'd I Say, Pts. 1 & 2 Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection Disc 1 Amazon
15James Brown Try Me 20 All Time Greatest Hits! Amazon
16Wilbert Harrison Kansas City Red, White & Rock Disc 1 Amazon
17The Drifters There Goes My Baby Definitive Collection: The Drifters [Disc 1] Amazon
18Brook Benton Its Just A Matter Of Time The Forgotten 45s 1957-1959 (CD2) Amazon
19Lenny Martin & the Orchestra/The Skyliners Since I Don't Have You Doo Wop Box Disc 3 Amazon
20Chuck Berry Back in the U.S.A. The Chess Box Disc 2 Amazon
21Chuck Berry Almost Grown The Chess Box Disc 2 Amazon
22Neil Sedaka Oh! Carol The Brill Building Sound Disc 1 Amazon
23Dion & The Belmonts A Teenager In Love Greatest Hits Amazon
24The Browns The Three Bells Classic Country Amazon
25The Platters Smoke Gets In Your Eyes All-Time Greatest Hits Amazon
26The Fleetwoods Come Softly To Me Come Softly To Me: The Very Best Of The Fleetwoods Amazon
27Johnny Mathis Misty Your Hit Parade -1959 Amazon
28Della Reese Don't You Know Solid Gold Soul 1959 Amazon
29The Drifters Dance With Me The Definitive Drifters [Disc 1] Amazon
30Phil Phillips Sea Of Love Heatin' Up Amazon
31Jackie Wilson That's Why ( I Love You So ) Lonely Teardrops Amazon
32Johnny Cash I Got Stripes Songs Of Our Soil Amazon
33Stonewall Jackson Waterloo Columbia Country Classics, Vol. 3: Americana Amazon
34Brenda Lee Sweet Nothin4s Miss Dynamite Amazon
35Ronnie Hawkins Mary Lou The Best of Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks Amazon
36Jim Reeves Billy Bayou Country Roads – Ralph Emery Presents – For The Good Times Amazon