Category Archives: Early Rock

Feel So Good

This week it’s a rock-a-beatin’ boogie extravaganza. Vintage tracks from the rocking archives of the fifties and sixties, all meant to make you feel good. Hand-picked sizzlers and twenty flight scorchers set alongside some of the more familiar sounds of the Everlys, The Dixie Cups and Shirley & Lee. First, second and third helpings of some of the very best of the day including tributes to Kansas City, Caldonia, Peggu Sue, Jim Dandy and a host of others, all brought to you from the sock hop to the rent party. Tune in for some LaVern Baker, Elvis, Nappy Brown, Wynona Carr and Big Joe Turner. They’ve all got a place in this week’s show here on Sonoma County Community Radio in yet another Deeper Roots barn burner. Hope you can join us and spend two hours leading off with Boston’s favorite son, Freddy Cannon. All of this coming your way from the outskirts of the Cherry Street Historic District of downtown Santa Rosa. Will there be reason to celebrate? We’re countin’ on it.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Freddy Cannon Buzz Buzz A-Diddle It The Forgotten 45's 1960-1962 Amazon
3Bo Diddley Bring It To Jerome Bo Diddley Amazon
4Bo Diddley Bo Diddley Bo Diddley Amazon
5Jerry Lee Lewis Down The Line A Half Century Of Hits [Disc 1] Amazon
6Jerry Lee Lewis Night Train To Memphis Sentimental Journey, Folge 3 – Last Train To San Fernando Amazon
7Chuck Berry Almost Grown Johnny B. Goode-His Complete 50's Chess Recordings Amazon
8Big Joe Turner Oke: She: Moke: She: Pop Big Joe Rocks Amazon
9Jimmy Edwards Love Bug Crawl Foot Tappin' & Dance At Screamin' Festival Vol. 5 Amazon
10Shirley & Lee Feel So Good Shirley & Lee Rock Amazon
11The Blue Angels I Wonder Sun Records Curated By Record Store Day, Vol. 6 Amazon
12Dixie Cups Chapel Of Love Sun Records Curated By Record Store Day, Vol. 6 Amazon
13Wynona Carr Ding Dong Daddy Roots Of Rock & Roll – Rough And Rowdy [Disc 2] Amazon
14Margie Day Dumplin' Dumplin' Rock 'n' Roll Mamas Vol 3 Amazon
15Ike & Tina Turner Mamma Tell Him Don't Play Me Cheap Amazon
16Ike & Tina Turner Wake Up Don't Play Me Cheap Amazon
17Richard Berry & The Pharoahs Louie, Louie Coffee And Cigarettes Amazon
18Nappy Brown Don't Be Angry The Rough And Rowdy Roots Of Rock 'n' Roll, Vol. 5 Amazon
19Little Willie Littlefield K. C. Loving Roots Of Rock & Roll – Rough And Rowdy [Disc 10] Amazon
20Smiley Lewis Shame, Shame, Shame Roots Of Rock & Roll – Rough And Rowdy [Disc 7] Amazon
21Chuck Willis Caldonia Roots of Rock 'n' Roll – Rough and Rowdy, Vol. 3 Amazon
22Elvis Presley Make Me Know It Elvis Is Back! Amazon
23Elvis Presley Like a Baby Elvis Is Back! Amazon
24Ricky Nelson My Babe James Burton – The Early Years 1957-1969 Amazon
25Buddy Holly & The Fireballs Peggy Sue Got Married Second Helpings: Sequels To The Songs That Left 'Em Hungry For More! Amazon
26The Everly Brothers Bye Bye Love Heartaches & Harmonies [Disc 1] Amazon
27The Everly Brothers Take a Message to Mary A Portrait of Dylan Amazon
28LaVern Baker Jim Dandy Roots Of Rock & Roll – Rough And Rowdy [Disc 7] Amazon
29LaVern Baker Whipper Snapper Roots Of Rock & Roll – Rough And Rowdy [Disc 2] Amazon
30Bobby "Mr Blues" Merrell I Ain't Mad At You Roots Of Rock & Roll – Rough And Rowdy [Disc 2] Amazon
31Ann Cole I Got My Mojo Working Roots Of Rock & Roll – Rough And Rowdy [Disc 4] Amazon
32Wynonie Harris Bloodshot Eyes Roots Of Rock & Roll – Rough And Rowdy [Disc 7] Amazon
33Smiley Lewis She's Got Me Hook, Line And Sinker The Rough And Rowdy Roots Of Rock 'n' Roll, Vol. 8 Amazon
34The Treniers Rock-a-Beatin Boogie Roots Of Rock & Roll – Rough And Rowdy [Disc 10] Amazon
35Hank Ballard & The Midnighters Sexy Ways Roots Of Rock & Roll – Rough And Rowdy [Disc 2] Amazon
36Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra Rag Mop Roots of Rock 'n' Roll – Rough and Rowdy, Vol. 3 Amazon
37Eddie Cochran Hallelujah, I Love Her So The UK Singles Collection 1957-1961 Amazon
38The Isley Brothers Twist And Shout The Essential Isley Brothers [Disc 1] Amazon
39Freddie Bell & The Bellboys Hound Dog Greatest R&B Hits of 1954, Vol. 8 Amazon

Also Rans 1956

The charts for the year 1956 were overtaken by Elvis. No question. There were a few others that illuminated the jukebox namely Fats Domino, Webb Pierce, Little Richard, and The Platters. Rock ‘n roll’s impact swept the floor with most burying some fairly incredible performances in it’s wake. Call it an avalanche. Call it a mudslide. Call it what you like. As I began to assemble a show looking at the top of the charts for the year, I found that starting at the bottom and working my way up was a revelation. Whether it was country, rhythm & blues, rock ‘n roll or pop…there were some delicious also-rans that I could not ignore so chose to ignore the Top 30 and focused today’s show on the so-called losers below the waterline of the Top 40. And what a joy it was! We’ll hear from some of them including Big Joe Turner, The Dells, LaVern Baker, Clyde McPhatter, Carl Smith and Kitty Wells in today’s show. I hope you’ll find some time, morning, noon or night, to listen in.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2The Ernie Freeman Combo Jivin' Around, Part 1 Blowing The Fuse: 1956 Amazon
3Bo Diddley Pretty Thing Blowing The Fuse: 1956 Amazon
4Chuck Berry Too Much Monkey Business Johnny B. Goode-His Complete 50's Chess Recordings Amazon
5Big Joe Turner The Chicken and the Hawk Big Joe Rocks Amazon
6LaVern Baker I Can't Love You Enough Rock & Roll Amazon
7Clyde McPhatter Seven Days Rock & Roll Amazon
8Chuck Willis Juanita I Remember Chuck Willis / The King Of The Stroll Amazon
9Chuck Willis It's Too Late Blowing The Fuse: 1956 Amazon
10The Clovers Devil or Angel Doo Wop Box Disc 2 Amazon
11The Dells Oh What A Nite The Vee-Jay Story [Disc 1] Amazon
12The Moonglows See Saw Dancin' And Romancin' In The 50s And 60s [Disc 1] Amazon
13Little Willie John Home At Last Fever: The Best Of Little Willie John Amazon
14Ray Charles Lonely Avenue Ray Charles – 93 Essential Tracks Amazon
15Otis Williams & His Charms Ivory Tower Rhythm & Blues 1952-1959 – Music Sampler, Vol. 2 Amazon
16The Five Keys Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind Doo Wop Vocal Group Greats Amazon
17The G-Clefs Ka-Ding Dong Gems from the Columbia Vaults, Pt. 1 Amazon
18Clarence "Frogman" Henry Ain't Got No Home Chess New Orleans [Disc 2] Amazon
19Sil Austin Slow Walk Great Instrumental Hits Of The 50s-80s (10 Songs) Amazon
20Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra With Eddie Heywood Canadian Sunset Magic Moments: Best Of 50's Pop (Disc 2) Amazon
21June Carter Cash Juke Box Blues Keep on the Sunny Side: Her Life in Music Disc 1 Amazon
22Eddy Arnold You Don't Know Me Warped 5543 – Eddy Arnold – 1955 Amazon
23Webb Pierce Teenage Boogie All Hits! [Disc 2] Amazon
24Johnny Horton 093-Honky Tonk Man Columbia Records' 125th Anniv. Amazon
25The Louvin Brothers Cash On The Barrelhead Capitol Country Music Classics Amazon
26Kitty Wells The Lonely Side of Town The Complete Country Hits Amazon
27Sonny James The Cat Came Back Singles Amazon
28Marty Robbins I Can't Quit (I've Gone Too Far) The Essential Marty Robbins: 1951-1982 Amazon
29Porter Wagoner Tryin' to Forget the Blues The Essential Porter Wagoner Amazon
30Tennessee Ernie Ford That's All Masters 1949-1976 [Disc 3] Amazon
31Hank Thompson I'm Not Mad, Just Hurt Most Of All Amazon
32Sanford Clark The Fool Chills & Fever: The Dot Records Story 1955-1962 Amazon
33Choir / Faron Young / Hubert Long Turn Her Down The Complete Capitol Hits of Faron Young (1 of 2) Amazon
34Carl Smith Wicked Lies Kisses Don't Lie Amazon
35Wanda Jackson I Gotta Know Rockin' With Wanda [US Bonus Tracks] Amazon
36Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers/Jimmy Wright The ABC's of Love The Doo Wop Box, Vol. 2 Disc 2 Amazon
37The Chordettes Born To Be With You Four By Four – Girl Groups Amazon

Little Bit O’ Bad

A little bit of good, a little bit of bad, and a whole lot of Americana classics. This morning’s Deeper Roots show runs the gamut from boogie Woogie to country ballads, classic rock, soul, blues, gospel and everything but the kitchen sink. Dave Stroud will be featuring songs that celebrate the band of gold, bad boys, bad girls, schooldays nostalgia, and the silly notion that black cats are no more than a warning when, in fact, they are a sign from on high of the very best being yet to come. Tune in for the likes of Stephen Stills, Johnny Cash, Cleo Brown, NRBQ and…yes, Billie Eilish as we celebrate America’s roots from then until now where no ocean is wider nor mountain is high. Celebrate a free form extravaganza with us as we push our way through August, well past the dog days and into the breezy, cool nights of summer’s waning. All for you and the neighborhood on KOWS Community Radio.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2NRBQ A Little Bit Of Bad Message For The Mess Age Amazon
3Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs Stay Street Corner Symphonies (Disc 2) Amazon
4Ronnie Hawkins Matchbox Duane Allman: An Anthology, Vol. 2 [Disc 1] Amazon
5The Hunt Sisters Elvis Is Rocking Again Dirty Boogie:The Fortune Records Story Amazon
6Elvis Presley Dirty Dirty Feeling Elvis Is Back! Amazon
7Cleo Brown Boogie Woogie Picking the Blues – Compiled By John Mayall – Boogie Woogie Pioneers Amazon
8Big Joe Turner Boogie Woogie Country Girl Big, Bad & Blue: Anthology [Disc 3] Amazon
9Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis Boogie Woogie Country Gal Wild! Wild! Wild! Amazon
10The Drifters Let The Boogie Woogie Roll The Definitive Drifters [Disc 1] Amazon
11Robert Plant Let The Boogie Woogie Roll More Friends Amazon
12Ella Mae Morse & Her Boogie Woogie Seven Down The Road Apiece Capitol Records' From The Vaults, Volume 5 – Roots Of Rock 'N' Roll – 1944-53 Amazon
13Billie Eilish Bad Guy When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Amazon
14Robert Gordon Bad Boy Bad Boy Amazon
15The Jive Bombers Bad Boy Cry-Baby Amazon
16Slim Rhodes Band Bad Girl Sun Ballads 1953-62 Amazon
17The Miracles Bad Girl The 35th Anniversary Collection Amazon
18Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kin… Mama Don't Like My Man I Learned the Hard Way (Bonus Version) Amazon
19Johnny Cash I Will Rock And Roll With You The Legend: Old Favorites And New [Disc 2] Amazon
20Willie Nelson Bring Me Sunshine ("Naked" Version) Naked Willie Amazon
21Roy Orbison Dream Baby The Monument Singles: A-Sides (1960 – 1964) [Disc 1] Amazon
22Roy Orbison She Wears My Ring Crying Amazon
23Greg Brown Band of Gold Down in There Amazon
24Don Cherry Band Of Gold Rockin' & Rollin' Wedding Songs, Vol. 1 Amazon
25Elvis Presley Wear My Ring Around Your Neck 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong: Elvis' Gold Records – Volume 2 Amazon
26Rev. Emmett Dickinson A Black Cat Has Crossed Your Path Apple Bobbing Mix Vol. 2 Amazon
27Johnny Winter Black Cat Bone The Progressive Blues Experiment Amazon
28Memphis Minnie Black Cat Blues – Take 1 Queen Of Country Blues [Disc 5] (1936-1937) Amazon
29Johnny Cash Mean Eyed Cat The Man In Black 1954-1958 [Disc 1] Amazon
30Johnny Cash Ring Of Fire Country Music: A Film By Ken Burns – The Soundtrack [Disc 1] Amazon
31Roy Orbison Rock House Three Classic Albums+Singles and Sessions 1956-1962 [Disc 1] Amazon
32Pixies Havalina Bossanova Amazon
33BR5-49 I'm Going Down Dog Days Amazon
34Stephen Stills Acadienne Man Alive! Amazon
35Louis Jordan Boogie Woogie Blue Plate Number Ones Amazon
36Marty Wilde Bad Boy The Epic Story 1960 Amazon

Swamp Pop Fest

Swamp pop. What is it and where does Tex Mex begin and country blues end? Well, just listen for that Louisiana backbeat, a taste of torch song and rocking rhythm. We’ll take on the music of Tex Mex next week but this week we’ll be sampling some of the greats of that splinter genre referred to as ‘swamp pop’; music that was grafted from a number of different root source sounds. Swamp pop remains an important cultural expression of the Acadiana region, celebrated for its heartfelt and nostalgic qualities. While it never achieved the widespread commercial success of other genres, swamp pop has maintained a dedicated following and continues to be performed by contemporary musicians. We’ll share the sounds of some of the genre’s most popular:  Warren Storm, Tommy McLain, Rod Bernard, Clint West and so many others. Drop on by.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Cookie & the Cupcakes Mathilda Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
3Joe Barry I'm A Fool To Care Don't Do It: The Smash Record Story 1961-1962 [Disc 2] Amazon
4Joe Barry Teardrops in My Heart I'm a Fool to Care: The Complete Recordings 1958-1977, Vol. 1 Amazon
5Joe Barry Little Jewel of the Vieux Carre I'm a Fool to Care: The Complete Recordings 1958-1977, Vol. 1 Amazon
6Rockin' Sidney Shirley Jean Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
7John Fred Shirley The History of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues [Disc 3] Amazon
8Rod Bernard This Should Go On Forever Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
9Rod Bernard Diggy Liggy Lo Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
10Rod Bernard Colinda Swamp Gold, Vol. 2 Amazon
11Warren Storm Prisoner's Song Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
12Warren Storm Hey Ma Ma Boppin' By The Bayou – Made In The Shade Amazon
13Lil' Band Of Gold/Warren Storm Please Mr. Sandman Americana Roots Songbook: Louisiana Amazon
14Little Bob & The Lollipops Nobody But You Oxford American 11th Edition Southern Music 2009 Amazon
15Lil' Bob & the Lollipops I Got Loaded Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
16Johnnie Allan Lonely Days & Lonely Nights Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
17Jivin' Gene Breaking Up Is Hard To Do Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
18Dale & Grace I'm Leaving It All Up to You Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
19Clint West Our Love Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
20Clint West Big Blue Diamonds Swamp Gold, Vol. 2 Amazon
21Cookie & His Cupcakes Breaking Up Is Hard To Do Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou – Vocal Groups Amazon
22Cookie And The Cupcakes Until Then Louisiana & The Old New Orleans Sound Amazon
23Cookie & The Cupcakes Got You on My Mind Swamp Gold, Vol. 2 Amazon
24Shelton Dunaway & The Cupcakes Mary Lou Doing The Popeye The History of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues [Disc 5] Amazon
25Tommy McLain Sweet Dreams Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
26Tommy McLain Before I Grow Too Old The Essential Collection Amazon
27Tommy McLain Before I Grow Too Old I Ran Down Every Dream Amazon
28Tommy McLain Somebody (Radio Edit) I Ran Down Every Dream Amazon
29The Uniques All These Things Swamp Gold, Vol. 2 Amazon
30Randy & the Rockets Lets Do the Cajun Twist Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
31Joe Barry Just Because Don't Do It: The Smash Record Story 1961-1962 [Disc 2] Amazon
32Cookie & The Cupcakes I Cried Bob Dylan Presents: Radio Radio, Theme Time Radio Hour, Vol. 1 Amazon
33Tommy McLain I Ran Down Every Dream (feat. Elvis Costello) I Ran Down Every Dream Amazon
34Rockin' Sidney My Toot-Toot Alligator Stomp: Cajun Zydeco Classics Amazon

Rhythm Roller Coaster

Swing and jazz music of the late 1930s had just enough time to raise a small ruckus before the second World War broke out. After a celebratory wave swept the nation, there was a need for more of the same but with an upbeat but harder drive to it. It didn’t take long for pre-rock R&B to become popular across demographics as it would gain significant traction among urban youth, particularly in the central hubs of New York, Chicago, Detroit, LA, and New Orleans. This week’s show features a roller coaster of great sounds including tracks from Varetta Dillard, The Lollypoppers, The Flairs, and Little Johnny Jones & The Chicago Hound Dogs. You don’t want to miss this wild ride.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Big Joe Turner Love Roller Coaster Big Joe Turner: The Definitive Blues Collection [[Disc 2]] Amazon
3Big Maybelle Whole Lot-Ta Shakin' Goin' On OKeh Rhythm & Blues Amazon
4Ann Cole Got My Mojo Working The Girls Gone Rockin' Rhythm & Blues Queens [Disc 1] Amazon
5Mabel Scott Elevator Boogie Swing Baby Swing!: House Rocking Swing and Jump Jive Boogie Amazon
6Etta James Spoonful The Girls Gone Rockin' Rhythm & Blues Queens [Disc 1] Amazon
7Shirley Gunter & The Queens Oop Shoop The Flair Story – Dust My Rhythm & Blues Amazon
8LaVern Baker You'd Better Find Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll/Volume 2 [Disc 5] Amazon
9Little Esther & the Dominoes The Deacon Moves In Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55, vol. 1 Amazon
10Ruth Brown This Little Girls Gone Rockin' The Girls Gone Rockin' Rhythm & Blues Queens [Disc 1] Amazon
11The Drifters With Clyde McPhatter Such A Night Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters Amazon
12Hank Ballard & The Midnighters Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go American Music Library: The Hits Of 1960 Amazon
13Tabby Thomas I'd Love To Tell Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou – Mad Dogs, Sweet Daddies & Pretty Babies Amazon
14Louis Jordan Roc Doc From the Ghetto Amazon
15Fats Domino Don't Come Knockin' Rhythm & Western Volume 3 – Lovesick Blues Amazon
16The Flairs She Wants To Rock The Flair Story – Dust My Rhythm & Blues Amazon
17Titus Turner Hungry Man Exotic Blues & Rhythm Volume 7 & 8 Boom-A-Lay & Chug-A-Lug Amazon
18Little Johnny Jones & The Chicago Hound Dogs Dirty By The Dozen (Sweet Little Woman) The Flair Story – Dust My Rhythm & Blues Amazon
19The Lollypoppers A Bottle of Pop Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55, vol. 2 Amazon
20Julia Lee Tell Me Daddy The Girls Gone Rockin' Rhythm & Blues Queens [Disc 1] Amazon
21Varetta Dillard Them Their Eyes Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll Vol 2 [Disc 13] Amazon
22Varetta Dillard Mercy, Mr. Percy The Lovin' Bird Amazon
23Varetta Dillard Promise Mr Thomas From the Ghetto Amazon
24Viola Wells (Miss Rhapsody) Sweet Man Were Sisters Under the Skin – Female Blues & Boogie 1944 to 1949 Amazon
25Chuck Willis & His Orchestra Lawdy Miss Mary OKeh Rhythm & Blues Amazon
26Champion Jack Dupree Shim Sham Shimmy Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll Vol 2 [Disc 15] Amazon
27Little Willie John Leave My Kitten Alone Various Artists: Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll/Volume 2/[Disc 10] Amazon
28Gladys Hill Please Don't Touch My Bowl Get Hot Sleazy Rhythm & Blues Vol. 3 Amazon
29Young Jessie Shuffle In The Gravel From the Ghetto Amazon
30Roy Milton Rhythm Cocktail ABC Of The Blues Vol 30 Amazon
31The Ravens Midnight Blues OKeh Rhythm & Blues Amazon
32The Blenders Don't Play Around with Love Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55, vol. 1 Amazon
33The Ebonaires Lawd, Lawd, Lawd Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55, vol. 1 Amazon
34Cab Calloway Gambler's Guitar Rhythm & Western Volume 3 – Lovesick Blues Amazon
35Gloria Gunter Move On Out Cat Scratchin' Amazon
36The Coasters Yakety Yak 50 Coastin' Classics [Disc 1] Amazon
37The Coasters Run Red Run 50 Coastin' Classics [Disc 2] Amazon
38Big Joe Turner Flip Flop And Fly Big, Bad & Blue: Anthology [Disc 2] Amazon
39Big Joe Turner Well, All Right Big Joe Rocks Amazon
40Big Joe Turner Midnight Special Train Atlantic Rock & Roll Amazon

Space Race Rock

What a time it was. The surprise of Sputnik in the early fifties led to a space race, a technological competition that had a profound impact on popular music (not to mention popular culture), providing musicians (and would-be musicians) a rich source of inspiration and contributed to some of the most iconic, as well as comic and out of this world, songs of the era. Themes of space travel, the moon and Mars, and even flying saucers were rampant on the airwaves. And one can only ascribe the fear of aliens to the number attempted novelty bits that reflected that trepidation.  Laughter is, after all, a natural way for fear to be released in humankind. This week we’ll be sharing some of the classics, as well as the unknowns, including Jesse Belvin & His Space Riders, The Drivers, Merv Griffin, The Big Bopper, Dave & The Detomics and quite a few more that even if we were to share their names, you’d probably scratch your head anyway.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2The Mello-Tones Flying Saucer Vocal Groups Amazon
3Jerry Engler Sputnik (Satellite Girl) That'll Flat Git It, Vol. 6 (Us Decca, Vol. 2) Amazon
4Harmonica George Sputnik Music This Is The Blues Harmonica Amazon
5Roosevelt Sykes Sputnik Baby Voodoo Lou Amazon
6Astronaut Neil Armstrong The Moon Landing Great Speeches of The 20th Century – Volume 3 – the Dreams, Inspirations & Accomplishments Amazon
7Gil Scott-Heron Whitey On The Moon The Revolution Will Not Be Televised Amazon
8Hightower, Dean (George Barnes) Moon Rocket Destination Forbidden Planet (37 Outer Space Shock Treatments) Amazon
9Chris Kenner Rocket To The Moon The History of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues [Disc 5] Amazon
10The Drivers My Astronaut The King Records Story – Part 1 Amazon
11Johnny Greco Rocket Ride Destination Forbidden Planet (37 Outer Space Shock Treatments) Amazon
12Vernon Green & The Medallions Rocket Ship Sputnik! The Launch of the Space Race – 65 Years First Sputnik in Space Amazon
13Jesse Belvin & His Space Riders My Satellite Sputnik! The Launch of the Space Race – 65 Years First Sputnik in Space Amazon
14The Larks Rockin' In The Rocket Room Destination Forbidden Planet (37 Outer Space Shock Treatments) Amazon
15Educational Duck and Cover Educational Amazon
16The Tornados Telstar Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol. 2 Amazon
17Jimmie Haskell & His Orchestra Rockin' In The Orbit (Space Satellite) Destination Forbidden Planet (37 Outer Space Shock Treatments) Amazon
18Don Lang & His Frantic Five Red Planet Rock Destination Forbidden Planet (37 Outer Space Shock Treatments) Amazon
19Speedy West Space Man In Orbit Sputnik! The Launch of the Space Race – 65 Years First Sputnik in Space Amazon
20Joe Montgomery Planetary Run Sputnik! The Launch of the Space Race – 65 Years First Sputnik in Space Amazon
21Galen Denny Gonna Build A Rocket Sputnik! The Launch of the Space Race – 65 Years First Sputnik in Space Amazon
22Merv Griffin The Screamin' Meemies From Planet 'X' Destination Forbidden Planet (37 Outer Space Shock Treatments) Amazon
23The Royal Guardsmen Smallest Astronaut The Best of the Royal Guardsmen Amazon
24Sheb Wooley The Purple People Eater Dr. Demento 20th Anniversary Collection: The Greatest Novelty Records Of All Time [Disc 1] Amazon
25The Big Bopper The Purple People Eater Meets The Witch Doctor The Greatest Novelty Songs, Disc 2 Amazon
26John Mauceri: Hollywood Bowl Orchestra Herrmann: Outer Space [From "The Day the Earth Stood Still"] Journey To The Stars: A Sci-fi Fantasy Adventure [John Mauceri  The Sound of Hollywood Vol. 10] Amazon
27Buddy Morrow & His Orchestra Men Into Space Sputnik! The Launch of the Space Race – 65 Years First Sputnik in Space Amazon
28Billy Riley, The Little Green Men Flyin' Saucers Rock & Roll Destination Forbidden Planet (37 Outer Space Shock Treatments) Amazon
29The Marketts Out of Limits Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1964 Amazon
30Nervous Norvus Kibble Kibble (The Flying Saucer Song) Stone Age Woo Amazon
31Freddy Sunder Flying Saucers Destination Forbidden Planet (37 Outer Space Shock Treatments) Amazon
32Dave & The Detomics Detomic Orbit Destination Forbidden Planet (37 Outer Space Shock Treatments) Amazon
33The Equadors Sputnik Dance Sputnik! The Launch of the Space Race – 65 Years First Sputnik in Space Amazon
34Leonard Nimoy A Visit To A Sad Planet Spaced Out – The Best of Leonard Nimoy & William Shatner Amazon
35Lightnin' Hopkins Happy Blues For John Glenn The Complete Prestige-Bluesville Recordings [Disc 3] Amazon
36David Rose & His Orchestra Forbidden Planet Destination Forbidden Planet (37 Outer Space Shock Treatments) Amazon
37David Bowie Space Oddity Singles: 1969-1993 Disc 1 Amazon

Signs & Signifiers

It’s a brand new year! Turn off the TV and tune into community radio for your best time. This year’s news will be one of politics, war, and overall bad behavior from the middling underbelly and radio will at least bring you a brief respite from what ails us. This week’s Deeper Roots will be another free form romp of genre-bending fun with a mix of soul, blues, country, rock and gospel. Tune in for some Norah Jones, Chris Isaak, Tom Petty, and Donna The Buffalo as we take our first steps into 2024. We’ll have a set that features signs and signifiers alongside the encouragement of Sister Mahalia as we keep our hand on the plow, the story telling of Luther’s picking from Johnny Cash, and we’ll also be ‘watching the signals’ with Bullmoose Jackson and Brenton Wood. Join Dave Stroud on another Friday morning featuring a century of America’s music on Sonoma County Community Radio, KOWS-LP 92.5 Occidental. Streaming all across the world on kowsfm.com/listen.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra Shorty's Got to Go Greatest R&B Hits of 1946, Vol. 4 Amazon
3Living Sisters Good Ole Wagon Love To Live Amazon
4Ella Mae Morse Rockin' And Rollin' Best Of The Rockabilly Rockin' Years Amazon
5Elvis Presley I Gotta Know Elvis #1 Singles Amazon
6Chris Isaak It's Now or Never Beyond the Sun (Deluxe Version) Amazon
7Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers California Songs and Music From "She's the One" Amazon
8Donna The Buffalo Locket And Key Silverlined Amazon
9Johnny Cash Luther Played The Boogie Get Rhythm [Sun] Amazon
10Tennessee Ernie Ford I Ain't A-Gonna Let It Happen No More Vintage Collections Amazon
11Robert Gordon Drivin' Wheel [*] Robert Gordon with Link Wray/Fresh Fish Specials Amazon
12She & Him Gonna Get Along Without You Now Volume Two Amazon
13The Fleetwoods Mr. Blue Red, White & Rock Disc 1 Amazon
14Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton Creepin' In (feat. Dolly Parton) …Featuring Norah Jones Amazon
15Judy Collins Someday Soon Colors Of The Day: The Best Of Judy Collins Amazon
16JD McPherson Signs & Signifiers Signs & Signifiers Amazon
17Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration [Disc 1] Amazon
18Brenton Wood Gimme Little Sign Brenton Wood's 18 Best Amazon
19Bull Moose Jackson Watch My Signals The Rough and Rowdy Roots of Rock 'n' Roll, Vol. 1 Amazon
20Ralph Stanley God Gave Noah The Rainbow Sign [Album Version] A Distant Land To Roam: Songs Of The Carter Family Amazon
21Bob Dylan Everything Is Broken The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs [Disc 1] Amazon
22Tom Sullivan Homeward Bound – The Old Slipper Shoe [instrumental] Classic Maritime Music Amazon
23Mahalia Jackson Keep Your Hand on the Plow The World's Greatest Gospel Singer Amazon
24Robert Plant Central Two-O-Nine Band Of Joy Amazon
25The Temptations Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) Classic Soul Ballads: Sweet Thing [Disc 1] Amazon
26Dionne Warwick Don't Make Me Over Dionne Warwick Collection: Her All-Time Greatest Hits Amazon
27Gene McDaniels with The Johnny Mann Singers Point Of No Return On The Soul Side Amazon
28The Lovin' Spoonful You Didn't Have to Be So Nice Daydream [Original LP] Amazon
29Rick Nelson Travelin' Man The Best of Rick Nelson, Vol. 2 Amazon
30The Cookies Chains The Brill Building Sound [Disc 3] Amazon
31The Isley Brothers Shout, Pts. 1-2 Red, White & Rock Disc 1 Amazon
32V V Brown Crazy Amazing Travelling Like The Light Amazon

Hair’s On Fire

It’s summer and what better time to roll out the scorchers; vocals with an emphasis on big beats, screamin’ guitars and performances that sweat quite profusely in the noonday sun. This week on Deeper Roots we’ll be digging through the archives of early rock, rhythm & blues and rockabilly for some tumultuous and head-splitting numbers from the past. Songs that woke up the neighbors if only played at a moderate level and woe be the terrified fifties’ parents when they heard the hi-fi blaring these songs from the youngster’s room. We’ve put together a collection of wildcat tamers, killer dillers, and not a bit of filler in the show today that will leave you breathless. Among those sparking the fuel that could set the hair on fire are Tarheel Slim, Jimmy Breedlove, Chan Romero, Big Mama Thornton, and the one and only Richard Penniman. Tune in for another Friday morning collection of the very best from the past century with your host, Dave Stroud, on KOWS Community Radio.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Chan Romero The Hippy Hippy Shake Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 2 Amazon
3Jimmy Lloyd I Got A Rocket In My Pocket Rocket In My Pocket Amazon
4Dale Hawkins Wildcat Tamer Wildcat Tamer Amazon
5Art Wood Hey Jibbo 60 Songs From The Crazy Cramps Collection Amazon
6Jimmy Breedlove Killer Diller Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll Vol 2 [Disc 9] Amazon
7Tarheel Slim Number 9 Train The Fire/Fury R&B Story [Fuel, 2011] Amazon
8Tarheel Slim & Little Ann Can't Stay Away From You (W. Little Ann) The Robin & Fire Years Amazon
9Little Richard Lucille Sound Of The City, The – New Orleans [UK] Disc 1 Amazon
10Little Richard Good Golly Miss Molly Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 4 Amazon
11Little Richard Rip It Up Doctors Professors Kings & Queens: Box New Orleans Amazon
12Big Mama Thornton They Call Me Big Mama Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings Amazon
13Big Mama Thornton Hound Dog Blues Masters Vol. 3: Texas Blues Amazon
14Elvis Presley My Baby Left Me Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 1 Amazon
15Elvis Presley Mystery Train Rocket In My Pocket Amazon
16Gene Vincent Hold Me, Hug Me, Rock Me The Screaming End: The Best Of Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps Amazon
17Billy Lee Riley Red Hot Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 2 Amazon
18Billy Lee Riley Flying Saucer Rock 'n' Roll Sun Rockabilly Meltdown [Disc 2] Amazon
19Johnny Burnette Rock Billy Boogie Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 1 Amazon
20Johnny Burnette The Train Kept A Rollin' Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 4 Amazon
21Freddy Cannon Tallahassee Lassie Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 2 Amazon
22Screamin' Jay Hawkins Frenzy Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 3 Amazon
23Screamin' Jay Hawkins I Put A Spell On You Heatin' Up Amazon
24Ann Cole Got My Mojo Workin' (But It Just Won't Work On You) Blues Masters Vol. 6 – Blues Originals Amazon
25Koko Taylor Wang Dang Doodle Blues Classics '27_'69 [Disc 3] Amazon
26Wynonie Harris Lovin' Machine Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 2 Amazon
27Jackie Brenston Rocket 88 Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 3 Amazon
28Clarence "Frogman" Henry Ain't Got No Home Doctors Professors Kings & Queens: Box New Orleans Amazon
29Buster Brown Raise A Ruckus Tonight Rhythm & Western Volume 7 – Jambalaya Amazon
30The Midnighters Sexy Ways 60 Songs From The Crazy Cramps Collection Amazon
31Dorothy Ellis Drill Daddy, Drill Get Hot Sleazy Rhythm & Blues Vol. 3 Amazon
32LaVern Baker Voodoo Voodoo Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 2 Amazon
33Keely Smith/Louis Prima/Sam Butera & the Witnesses Jump, Jive, An' Wail Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 1 Amazon
34Ronnie Dee Action Packed Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 2 Amazon
35Jerry Lee Lewis Great Balls Of Fire Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour – Best Of The Second Series Amazon
36Gene Vincent Race With the Devil Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 2 Amazon
37Wanda Jackson Fujiyama Mama Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 4 Amazon
38Larry Williams Bony Maronie Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 2 Amazon
39Little Richard Tutti Frutti Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 3 Amazon

Cynthia Weil Tribute

In a June Substack tribute to Cynthia Weil’s legacy, Dan Epstein of “Jagged Time Lapse” observed that the “modern pop songbook would be significantly slimmer and less life-affirming without their work”.  The ‘their’ referring, of course, to her husband and songwriting partner Barry Mann. From their early Brill Building output which included “Uptown” (The Crystals), “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” (The Righteous Brothers), and “Walking In The Rain” (The Ronettes), to the chart-topping 80s classics of “Don’t Know Much” (Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville) and “Here You Come Again” (Dolly Parton), Cynthia Weil’s contributions to popular music were indeed affirming. This week’s Deeper Roots pays due respect to Cynthia, who was married to Barry Mann for almost 62 years, and was lyricist to his music. Their contributions to the sound of rock and roll and pop music in the 1960s rivaled luminaries like Burt Bacharach, Carole King and Neil Diamond.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Jay & the Americans Only in America Red, White & Rock Disc 2 Amazon
3The Drifters On Broadway Red, White & Rock Disc 2 Amazon
4Arthur Alexander Where Have You Been The Greatest Hits Amazon
5Tony Orlando Bless You Halfway To Paradise: The Epic Records Story Amazon
6The Cinderellas Please Don't Wake Me The Brill Building Sound [Disc 3] Amazon
7The Crystals Uptown Back to Mono (1958-1969) Disc 1 Amazon
8The Crystals He's Sure the Boy I Love Back to Mono (1958-1969) Disc 1 Amazon
9The Ronettes Walking in the Rain The Best of the Ronettes Amazon
10The Ronettes You Baby The Best of the Ronettes Amazon
11The Lovin' Spoonful You Baby Greatest Hits [Buddha] Amazon
12Shelley Fabares Johnny Loves Me The Brill Building Sound [Disc 3] Amazon
13The Righteous Brothers You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' The Very Best of the Righteous Brothers: Unchained Melody Amazon
14The Righteous Brothers (You're My) Soul and Inspiration The Very Best of the Righteous Brothers: Unchained Melody Amazon
15The Animals We Gotta Get Out of This Place The Singles Plus Disc 1 Amazon
16The Vogues Magic Town Greatest Hits Amazon
17Scott Walker Angelica Scott Amazon
18Max Frost & The Troopers Shape of Things to Come Shape of Things to Come – Single Amazon
19Mark Lindsay/Paul Revere Kicks Red, White & Rock Disc 3 Amazon
20Paul Revere & The Raiders Hungry Time-Life Classic Rock: 1964 – The Beat Goes On Amazon
21Mama Cass Elliot Make Your Own Kind Of Music Creeque Alley: The History Of The Mamas & The Papas [Disc 2] Amazon
22Mama Cass Elliot It's Getting Better Creeque Alley: The History Of The Mamas & The Papas [Disc 2] Amazon
23Dusty Springfield Just a Little Lovin' Dusty in Memphis [Deluxe Edition] Amazon
24The Drifters Saturday Night At The Movies The Definitive Drifters [Disc 2] Amazon
25Elvis Presley I Just Can't Help Believin' Artist of the Century Disc 3 Amazon
26Dolly Parton Here You Come Again Dolly [Disc 3] Amazon
27The Pointer Sisters He's So Shy From The Pointer Sisters With Love Amazon
28The Girls Chico's Girl The Brill Building Sound [Disc 3] Amazon
29The Ronettes Born to Be Together The Best of the Ronettes Amazon
30The Ronettes Woman in Love (With You) Back to Mono (1958-1969) Disc 2 Amazon
31The Monkees Love Is Only Sleeping Listen to the Band Disc 2 Amazon
32The Drifters Only In America The Definitive Drifters [Disc 2] Amazon
33Gene Pitney Angelica Sings Great Ballads Amazon

Imperial Rhythm & Rockabilly

The Imperial label will be the subject of this week’s Deeper Roots show. Founded in 1947 by Lew Chudd, it’s early years featured some of the very best rhythm and blues and early rock you could find. Their lineup included some of the big names of early rock, not least of which was Roy Brown, Fats Domino, Frankie Ford and Ricky Nelson. They would dabble in country and jazz but also looked to strike while the iron was hot when Elvis hit with a blend of country and rhythm and blues in the mid-50s. They did so by looking for new names with ducktails and driving combos in the rockabilly era. This episode focuses primarily on the 1950s with a future episode taking us further into the label’s sale to Liberty Records in 1963 but not before Lew Chudd purchased Aladdin and Minit Records, bringing over even more of the R&B talent that they would be known for. It’s another Deeper Roots Friday morning on KOWS.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Fats Domino The Fat Man Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: Piano Blues – A Film By Clint Eastwood Amazon
3Smiley Lewis Tee-Nah-Nah I Hear You Knocking 1947-1962 Disc 1 Amazon
4Guitar Slim and His Band Bad Luck Is On Me [Woman Troubles] Louisiana Swamp Blues Amazon
5Big Jay McNeely All That Wine Is Gone Jumpin' Like Mad: Cool Cats & Hip Chicks Non-Stop Dancin' [Disc 1] Amazon
6T-Bone Walker Cold Cold Feeling Best Of Black & White & Imperial Years Amazon
7Fat Man Matthews & the Four Kittens Later Baby Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55, vol. 3 Amazon
8Fats Domino Goin' Home Rock And Rollin Amazon
9Lil' Son Jackson Get High Everybody Vol. 2 1950-1952 Amazon
10Smiley Lewis Big Mamou I Hear You Knocking 1947-1962 Disc 2 Amazon
11Hawks I-Yi Money Honey – Rise of the Black Vocal Group 51-53 Amazon
12Pee Wee Crayton Win-O Pee Wee's Blues – The Complete Aladdin And Imperial Recordings Amazon
13Joe Houston Orchestra All Night Long Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 4 Amazon
14The Pelicans Ain't Gonna Do It Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55, vol. 2 Amazon
15The Spiders I Didn't Want To Do It Sound Of The City, The – New Orleans [UK] Disc 1 Amazon
16Dave Bartholomew Another Mule 1952-1955 Amazon
17James "Sugar Boy" Crawford She Gotta Wobble (When She Walks) (Imperial 5424) R&B Humdingers Volume 12 Amazon
18Bobby Mitchell with Dave Bartholomew's Orch.' Try Rock And Roll Blowing The Fuse: 1956 Amazon
19Lew Williams Cat Talk Classic Rockabilly-Cool Cats & Hot Chicks Amazon
20Lew Williams Gone Ape Man Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
21Merle Kilgore Ernie Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
22The Strikes Baby I'm Sorry Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
23Bob Luman Red Hot Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
24Ricky Nelson Stood Up Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
25Ricky Nelson Boppin' The Blues Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
26Ricky Nelson Waitin' In School Legacy [Disc 1] Amazon
27Dennis Herrold Hip Hip Baby Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
28Weldon Rogers So Long, Good Luck & Goodbye Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
29Dorsey & Johnny Burnette My Honey Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
30Dorsey & Johnny Burnette Warm Love Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
31Slick Slavin Speed Crazy Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
32Bill Allen Please Give Me Something Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
33Jackie Walker Only Teenagers Allowed Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
34Billy Eldridge Let's Go Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story Amazon
35Faye Adams Keeper Of My Heart Crescent City Soul Amazon
36Roy Brown Let the Four Winds Blow The Complete Imperial Recordings Amazon
37Ricky Nelson My Bucket's Got A Hole In It Legacy [Disc 1] Amazon