Category Archives: Early Rock

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

Trippin’ On The Instrumentals

We’re going silent today. Vocals-wise, anyway. Tune in Friday morning for the best rock instrumentals from the late fifties through the sixties as we journey through a slick set of the very best from Santo and Johnny to Mason Williams with our core focus being on the wild chart sounds of Duane Eddy, Sandy Nelson, The Tornados, Link Wray and more teen beat, pop and rock favorites from a particularly fertile time for rock n’ roll. Whether they were riffing on classic sounds of the past or blasting off into the outer stratosphere with sounds of space and surf, the instrumentals peppered the charts with themes for the time, owing more to roots than we appreciate. Join the fun on KOWS’ Friday mornings at 9 Pacific on Deeper Roots.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Bill Justis Raunchy Teen Beat Volume 4 Amazon
3Chuck Berry Deep Feeling (Instrumental) Johnny B. Goode-His Complete 50's Chess Recordings Amazon
4Perez Prado Orchestra Patricia Teen Beat 2 Amazon
5The Champs Tequila Teen Beat 1 Amazon
6The Champs El Rancho Rock Teen Beat 2 Amazon
7Link Wray & The Wraymen Rumble Rumble! The Best Of Link Wray Amazon
8Santo & Johnny Sleep Walk Rock Instrumental Classics vol. 1 – The '50S Amazon
9The Viscounts Harlem Nocturne Rock Instrumental Classics vol. 1 – The '50S Amazon
10Duane Eddy Rebel-'Rouser Rock Instrumental Classics vol. 1 – The '50S Amazon
11Bill Black's Combo Smokie Pt 1 Teen Beat Volume 4 Amazon
12Preston Epps Bongo Rock Teen Beat 1 Amazon
13Sandy Nelson Teen Beat Teen Beat 1 Amazon
14Chet Atkins Boo Boo Stick Beat Teen Beat 2 Amazon
15The Tornados Telstar Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol. 2 Amazon
16The String-A-Longs Wheels Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol. 2 Amazon
17Jorgen Ingmann Apache Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol. 2 Amazon
18B. Bumble & the Stingers Bumble Boogie Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol. 2 Amazon
19Dave "Baby" Cortez Rinky Dink Teen Beat Volume 4 Amazon
20King Curtis & The Noble Knights Soul Twist Teen Beat 2 Amazon
21The Rockin' Rebels Wild Weekend Teen Beat 1 Amazon
22Routers Let's Go (Pony) Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol. 2 Amazon
23Sandy Nelson …And Then There Were Drums Their Greatest Misses Amazon
24Booker T. & The MG's Green Onions Rock Instrumental Classics Vol. 4: Soul Amazon
25Mongo Santamarma Orchestra Watermelon Man Rock Instrumental Classics Vol. 4: Soul Amazon
26The Centurians Bullwinkle Pt 2 Teen Beat Volume 4 Amazon
27Lonnie Mack Memphis Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol. 2 Amazon
28King Curtis Soul Serenade Instant Soul: The Legendary King Curtis Amazon
29The T-Bones No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's In) Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol. 2 Amazon
30Ramsey Lewis Trio The "In" Crowd Rock Instrumental Classics Vol. 4: Soul Amazon
31Herb Alpert The Work Song Definitive Hits Amazon
32Young-Holt Trio Wack Wack Rock Instrumental Classics Vol. 4: Soul Amazon
33Booker T. & The MG's Hip Hug-Her Rock Instrumental Classics Vol. 4: Soul Amazon
34Cannonball Adderley Mercy, Mercy, Mercy Rock Instrumental Classics Vol. 4: Soul Amazon
35Young-Holt Unlimited Soulful Strut Rock Instrumental Classics Vol. 4: Soul Amazon
36Hugh Masekela Grazing In The Grass Rock Instrumental Classics Vol. 4: Soul Amazon
37Booker T. & The MG's Time Is Tight Rock Instrumental Classics Vol. 4: Soul Amazon
38Mason Williams Classical Gas Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol. 2 Amazon

Elvis’ Influencers

Elvis Presley’s performances, in particular those from his first decade, were based in some very deep roots. Those roots tapped into almost anything that could be heard in the south on that cultural touchstone of radio. Blues, big band, jazz, hillbilly, pop, gospel and country all played an enormous role in molding the iconic performer he was to become. In our Deeper Roots show this week we’ll be exploring the ‘influencers’ of the day; songs that played on the radio, songs that Elvis personally revealed as his favorites, songs that he enjoyed with his family as a young boy. We’ve got Mahalia and Sister Rosetta tracks, Little Junior Parker and Jimmy Reed, Red Foley and Roy Acuff, and a host of others to share this week so we’re hoping that we can remember how radio’s lifeline to culture that spoke to Elvis in a very, very big way.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Wynonie Harris Good Rockin' Tonight Pure R&B: Vol. 5- Pioneers [Disc 1] Amazon
3Jimmy Reed & His Trio You Don't Have To Go Plug It In! Turn It Up! – Teil 1: Die Anfdnge 1939 – 1954 Amazon
4Little Junior Parker Mystery Train Bob Dylan Presents: Cover to Cover – The Originals Amazon
5Little Junior Parker Feelin' Good Feelin4 Good. The 1952-1962 Recordings Amazon
6Big Joe Turner Honey Hush Big, Bad & Blue: Anthology [Disc 2] Amazon
7Sammy Price Trio/Sister Rosetta Tharpe Strange Things Happening Everyday The Gospel of Blues Amazon
8Mahalia Jackson Didn't It Rain 16 Most Requested Songs Amazon
9The Statesmen Quartet Somebody Bigger Close Harmony: A History of Southern Gospel Music Amazon
10Hovie Lister & The Statesmen Quartet His Hand Is Mine Country Gospel Classics [Disc 2] Amazon
11The Golden Gate Quartet Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho (1946) Vol. 5 (1945-1949) (Complete Recorded Works In Chronologial Order, Vol. 5, 1939-1949) Amazon
12Jimmie Rodgers Frankie And Johnnie Recordings 1927 – 1933 [Disc 2] Amazon
13The Carter Family 042-Can the Circle Be Unbroken Columbia Records' 125th Anniv. Amazon
14Roy Acuff & His Crazy Tennesseans Great Speckled Bird [78rpm Version] Columbia Country Classics Volume 1: The Golden Age Amazon
15Red Foley Old Shep Tennessee Saturday Night Amazon
16Ivory Joe Hunter I Almost Lost My Mind Since I Met You Baby Amazon
17Jumpin' Gene Simmons I Done Told You So SUN Rockabilly Meltdown [[Disc 3]] Amazon
18Elvis Presley Milk Cow Blues The Sun Sessions Amazon
19Johnny Lee Wills And His Boys Milk Cow Blues Decca Country Classics 1934-1973 [Disc 1] Amazon
20Hank Williams Your Cheatin' Heart 24 Greatest Amazon
21Mississippi Slim Try Doin' Right The Sun Country Box CD6 I Was There When It Happened Amazon
22Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys Blue Moon of Kentucky The Best of Bill Monroe Amazon
23Elvis Presley Blue Moon of Kentucky The Tupelo Mississippi Flash CD 2 Amazon
24Dean Martin with Paul Weston & His Dixieland Eight I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine Capitol Records' From The Vaults, Volume 5 – Roots Of Rock 'N' Roll – 1944-53 Amazon
25Billy Bunn & His Buddies That's When Your Heartaches Begin Bob Dylan Presents: Radio Radio, Theme Time Radio Hour, Vol. 1 Amazon
26Ella Fitzgerald My Happiness The Chronological Classics 1947-1948 Amazon
27B.B. King Everyday I Have The Blues BB King And Pee Wee Crayton Amazon
28Louis Jordan Caldonia Pure R&B: Vol. 5- Pioneers [Disc 1] Amazon
29Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats Rocket 88 Pure R&B: Vol. 5- Pioneers [Disc 1] Amazon
30Chuck Berry Maybellene Pure R&B: Vol. 1- Got My Mojo Workin [Disc 2] Amazon
31Billy Ward & The Dominoes Sixty Minute Man Eat to The Beat: The Dirtiest of Them Dirty Blues Amazon
32Big Joe Turner Shake, Rattle and Roll Big Joe Rocks Amazon
33Lloyd Price Lawdy Miss Clawdy Pure R&B: Vol. 5- Pioneers [Disc 1] Amazon
34Big Mama Thornton Hound Dog Pure R&B: Vol. 5- Pioneers [Disc 1] Amazon
35Little Richard Long Tall Sally Blowing The Fuse: 1956 Amazon

Session Masters: Guitar

When trying to put together a Deeper Roots episode that covered the great session masters from the past one hundred years it became exceedingly clear that the show would need to be broken up into multiple parts. Percussion, keyboards, brass, bass and all the rest will follow but this week we’re going to focus on the string masters; those guitar stars who account for the bulk of Top 30 hits that graced our lives over the second half of the 20th century. They include Hank Garland, Grady Martin, James Burton, Joe Messina, Glen Campbell, Jimmy Johnson and, of course, Tommy Tedesco. There are many others who deserve the recognition but our show is only a two hour show and, even at that, picking only three or four examples per performer doesn’t do it justice. We’re going to give credit where it’s due…those who stood in the shadows.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Brenda Lee Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree Queen of Rock 'N' Roll Amazon
3Jimmy Lloyd I Got A Rocket In My Pocket 100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks Amazon
4Elvis Presley A Big Hunk O' Love Elvis 30 #1 Hits Amazon
5Little Jimmy Dickens (I Got) A Hole In My Pocket Four Classic Albums Plus Singles 1954-1962 Amazon
6Simon Crum Stand Up, Sit Down, Shut Your Mouth Country & Western Nuggets Amazon
7Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock Making Merry Amazon
8Dale Hawkins Susie-Q The Rock 'N' Roll Era: 1957 Amazon
9Ricky Nelson Stood Up Legacy [Disc 1] Amazon
10Jim & Joe Fireball Mail James Burton – The Early Years 1957-1969 Amazon
11Gram Parsons Return Of The Grievous Angel G.P. / Grievous Angel Amazon
12Buffalo Springfield A Child's Claim To Fame Buffalo Springfield Again Amazon
13Elvis Presley Please Don't Drag That String Around Grady Martin Amazon
14Johnny Horton The Battle Of New Orleans Classic Country Amazon
15Brenda Lee Little Jonah (Rock On Your Steel Guitar) Grady Martin Amazon
16Merle Haggard Mama Tried The Lonesome Fugitive: The Merle Haggard Anthology 1963-1977 [Disc 1] Amazon
17Willie Nelson On The Road Again Superstars of Country Easy Loving [Disc 2] Amazon
18The Champs Tequila Rock Instrumental Classics vol. 1 – The '50S Amazon
19Rick Nelson Hello Mary Lou Greatest Love Songs Amazon
20The Beach Boys I Get Around All Summer Long Amazon
21Wayne Newton Danke Schoen Wild, Cool & Swingin' Amazon
22Elvis Presley What'd I Say Elvis' Gold Records (Volume 4) Amazon
23J. Livingston & R. Evans Bonanza Television's Greatest Hits Volume I Amazon
24Jerry Goldsmith Twilight Zone Overture – Twilight Zone: The Movie 75 Years-Warner Brothers (Scores-1) Amazon
25Sam Cooke Bring It On Home to Me Best of Answer Songs vol 4 Amazon
26Jack Nitzsche The Lonely Surfer Cowabunga! The Surf Box Disc 2 Amazon
27The 5th Dimension Wedding Bell Blues Greatest Hits on Earth Amazon
28Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces Searching For My Love Chess Uptown Soul Amazon
29Aretha Franklin Do Right Woman, Do Right Man 30 Greatest Hits [Disc 1] Amazon
30Leon Russell Tight Rope Retrospective Amazon
31The Four Tops I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) Motown: The Classic Years Disc 1 Amazon
32The Temptations Ain't Too Proud to Beg Motown: The Classic Years Disc 1 Amazon
33Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Your Precious Love Motown: The Classic Years Disc 2 Amazon
34The Supremes When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through Gold Disc 1 Amazon

Sweet Dreams

Our show this week features sweet dreams, swamp pop, Americana, doo wop, and all that makes the past century of America’s music a delight to dream on. We’ll touch on the new album from a legend who is most deservedly having his moment right now with a new album and where a one hit wonder once existed. Tommy McLain’s new album is a revelation and reminds us that music, when carried and shared with a passion like his, will always bring a bright light even in the darkest of times. This week’s show is a free form romp featuring Tommy, Mark Knopfler, Robert Plant, Bill Kirchen, Corb Lund, Bob Wills, Paul Thorn, and a couple dozen others. Some fiery rock and roll blended with country, doo wop, pop and lots of circumstance. Please join in…we’d be delighted to spend a Friday morning with you on Sonoma County Community Radio.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Solomon Burke/Zucchero Diavolo in Me (A Devil in Me) Zucchero & Co. Amazon
3Tommy McLain I Ran Down Every Dream (feat. Elvis Costello) I Ran Down Every Dream Amazon
4Tommy McLain Sweet Dreams Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
5Tommy McLain Before I Grow Too Old The Essential Collection Amazon
6Tommy McLain Before I Grow Too Old I Ran Down Every Dream Amazon
7Chet Atkins/Mark Knopfler I'll See You in My Dreams Neck and Neck Amazon
8Mark Knopfler Devil Baby The Ragpicker's Dream Amazon
9Chris Isaak Speak of the Devil Speak of the Devil Amazon
10Earl-Jean I'm Into Something Good The Brill Building Sound [Disc 3] Amazon
11Marvin & Johnny Cherry Pie Art Laboe's Memories Of El Monte/The Roots Of L.A.'s Rock And Roll Amazon
12Don Gardner & DeeDee Ford I Need Your Loving Soul Gold Oldies Amazon
13Ernie Maresca Shout Shout (Knock Yourself Out) The Best Jukeboxhits [Disc 1] Amazon
14Jesse Powell & The Caddies Ain't You Gonna Roulette Rock & Roll, Vol. 2 Amazon
15The Chiffons One Fine Day One Fine Day And Other Favorites Amazon
16Corb Lund Devil's Best Dress Americana Music Awards Sampler Amazon
17Gillian Welch The Devil Had a Hold of Me Hell Among the Yearlings Amazon
18Bill Kirchen Devil With The Blue Dress (Album Version) Hammer of the Honky Tonk Gods Amazon
19Paul Thorn Don't Let The Devil Ride Don't Let The Devil Ride Amazon
20Bob Wills The Devil Ain't Lazy Stompin' Singers & Western Swingers ([Disc 3] It Ain't Far To The Bar) Amazon
21Scott H. Biram Gotta Get To Heaven Sold Out To The Devil: Select Gospel Cuts By The Reverend Scott H. Biram Amazon
22Robert Plant Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down Band Of Joy Amazon
23Levon Helm Stuff You Gotta Watch Electric Dirt Amazon
24Ella 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
25Hank Ballard & The Midnighters Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go Hank Ballard & the Midnighters – Greatest Hits Amazon
26Michael Nesmith Silver Moon Listen To The Band [UK] Amazon
27Louis Jordan Stone Cold Dead in the Market – Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Jordan, Tympany Five Number Ones Amazon
28Rosemary Clooney Come On A My House Tenderly Amazon
29Tommy McLain Somebody (Radio Edit) I Ran Down Every Dream Amazon
30Pete Seeger Little Boxes The Essential Pete Seeger Amazon

Loretta & Jerry

This past October, we lost a couple of very important ties to two whose stars shone bright in both the Golden Age of Country and the Golden Age of Rock ‘n Roll. We’ll take on a dual tribute to the passing of Loretta Lynn and Jerry Lee Lewis. The torch has surely passed but their fire burned white hot as their stars rose, both sharing controversy and almost overnight fame. They also continued to perform into their later years, teaming up with songwriters and performers who were relevant to new generations, but true to their core calling. Our first hour take time to visit Loretta Lynn’s humble but no-nonsense storytelling and the second hour will take us into the whirlwind of unapologetic badassness that was Jerry Lee Lewis.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Loretta Lynn You Ain't Woman Enough Honky Tonk Girl: The Loretta Lynn Collection [Disc 1] Amazon
3Loretta Lynn Coal Miner's Daughter (Recitation) Still Woman Enough Amazon
4Loretta Lynn Coal Miner's Daughter Country Music: A Film By Ken Burns – The Soundtrack [Disc 1] Amazon
5Loretta Lynn,Margo Price One's On the Way (feat. Margo Price) One's On the Way (feat. Margo Price) Amazon
6Loretta Lynn & Jack White Portland Oregon Van Lear Rose Amazon
7Loretta Lynn The Pill Loretta Lynn Legendery Country Singer Amazon
8Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty After the Fire Is Gone Decca Country Classics 1934-1973 Amazon
9Ernest Tubb & Loretta Lynn Answer The Phone (w/ Loretta Lynn) A Tribute To A Legend Amazon
10Ernest Tubb/Loretta Lynn Thanks a Lot Legendary: It's Been So Long, Darling Amazon
11Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty You're The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly Honky Tonk Girl: The Loretta Lynn Collection [Disc 3] Amazon
12Loretta Lynn She's Got You Loretta Lynn Legendery Country Singer Amazon
13Loretta Lynn Success I Got A Woman : Gems From The Decca Vaults [Disc 1] Amazon
14Loretta Lynn This Old House Van Lear Rose Amazon
15Loretta Lynn First City Loretta Lynn Legendery Country Singer Amazon
16Loretta Lynn Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind) Honky Tonk Girl: The Loretta Lynn Collection [Disc 1] Amazon
17Loretta Lynn In the Sweet Bye and Bye All Time Gospel Favorites [Disc 1] Amazon
18Jerry Lee Lewis/Jimmy Page Rock and Roll Last Man Standing Amazon
19Jerry Lee Lewis Crazy Arms All Killer, No Filler: The Anthology (Disc 1) Amazon
20Jerry Lee Lewis End Of The Road Bob Dylan – Radio Radio – Theme Time Radio Hour Volume Four [Disc 4] Amazon
21Jerry Lee Lewis Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On A Half Century Of Hits [Disc 1] Amazon
22Jerry Lee Lewis Great Balls of Fire Red, White & Rock Disc 1 Amazon
23Jerry Lee Lewis High School Confidential Sun Recordings Greatest Hits Amazon
24Jerry Lee Lewis Breathless All Killer, No Filler: The Anthology (Disc 1) Amazon
25Johnny Cash & Jerry Lee Lewis & Carl Perkins I Saw The Light (With Jerry Lee Lewis & Carl Perkins) The Survivors Amazon
26Johnny Cash & Jerry Lee Lewis & Carl Perkins Whole Lot Of Shakin' Going On (With Jerry Lee Lewis) The Survivors Amazon
27The Million Dollar Quartet You're the Only Star in My Blue Heaven The Million Dollar Quartet: 50th Anniversary Special Edition Amazon
28Jerry Lee Lewis What's Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser Out Of Me) The Definitive Collection Amazon
29Jerry Lee Lewis Somewhere Over the Rainbow The Oxford American Southern Sampler 1999 Amazon
30Jerry Lee Lewis Milkshake Mademoiselle Good Old Summertime Amazon
31Jerry Lee Lewis Bad Moon Rising Mean Old Man Amazon
32Jerry Lee Lewis Wild One 18 Original Sun Greatest Hits Amazon
33Bruce Springsteen/Jerry Lee Lewis Pink Cadillac Last Man Standing Amazon
34Jerry Lee Lewis Big Blue Diamond Southern Roots Amazon

Fascinating Rhythm

Crazy rhythm! Big bands, scat vocals, syncopation, snapping fingers, drum and trumpet solos, all packed into two hours on a Sonoma County autumn morning on Deeper Roots. We’re celebrating that fascinating rhythm with some classic jazz, smooth vocals, and the voot of Slim Galliard as well as we take a trip through the big band sounds of Tommy Dorsey’s Clambake Seven, Cab Calloway, and Artie Shaw. That’s not all, though. We’ll also hear the celebrations of rhythm with the brothers and sister teams of the Boswells, the Colemans, the Delta Rhythm Boys, and Three Sharps and a Flat. Sweet and sentimental with a celebratory blast. Join Dave Stroud on a journey that celebrates rhythm with the best rhythm-makers on KOWS Community Radio.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Benny Goodman And His Orchestra & Helen Ward Get Rhythm in Your Feet (And Music In Your Soul) Wicked Swing Amazon
3Jimmie Lunceford (Willie Smith And Band, Vocals) Rhythm Is Our Business Jimmie Lunceford Amazon
4Ivie Anderson All God's Chillun Got Rhythm An Introduction To Ivie Anderson Amazon
5The Delta Rhythm Boys Get on Board Little Children Radio, Gimme Some Jive Amazon
6Coleman Brothers Get Away, Mr. Satan, Get Away Hot Harmony Groups 1941-1949: Vol 3: When the Old Gang Amazon
7Three Sharps And A Flat That's The Rhythm Hot Harmony Groups 1932-1951: Vol 1: That's the Rhythm Amazon
8Slim & Slam The Flat Foot Floogie Slim Gaillard & Slam Stewart Columbia (Disc 3) Amazon
9The Boswell Sisters That's How Rhythm Was Born That's How Rhythm Was Born Amazon
10Slim & Slam Rhythm Mad Slim Gaillard & Slam Stewart Columbia (Disc 2) Amazon
11Slim & Slam Buck Dance Rhythm Slim Gaillard & Slam Stewart Columbia (Disc 1) Amazon
12The Cats & The Fiddle Mr. Rhythm Man The Very Best Of Amazon
13Ace Harris And His Sunset Royals Rhythm 'Bout Town Sounds Of Harlem Vol. 1 (Hep) Amazon
14Freddie Jenkins' Harlem Seven Nothin' But Rhythm Sounds Of Harlem Vol. 1 (Hep) Amazon
15Django Reinhardt Crazy Rhythm The Classic Early Recordings In Chronological Order [Disc 1] Amazon
16Fats Waller & His Rhythm Spreadin' Rhythm Around Fats Waller – The Complete Recorded Works Volume 3 – Rhythm and Romance 1934-1936 Amazon
17Billie Holiday Spreadin' Rhythm Around Quintessential: Volume 1, 1933 – 1935 Amazon
18Billie Holiday Feat. Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra He Ain't Got Rhythm Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday On Columbia 1933-1944 [Disc 02] Amazon
19Louis Armstrong I Got Rhythm Now You Has Jazz: Louis Armstrong AT M-G-M Amazon
20Cab Calloway Mama, I Wanna Make Rhythm Chronological 1937-38 Amazon
21Cab Calloway Black Rhythm Kicking The Gong Around Amazon
22Duke Ellington & His Orchestra Rockin' In Rhythm Ken Burns Jazz: Duke Ellington Amazon
23Artie Shaw All God's Chillun Got Rhythm The Artie Shaw Story – Disc 1 – Free Wheeling Amazon
24Tommy And Jimmy Dorsey Rhythm Saved The World The Gems Of Jazz Amazon
25The Mills Brothers Rhythm Saved The World The 1930's Recordings – Chronological Volume 4 Amazon
26Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra I'm Nuts About Screwy Music Swingsation: Jimmie Lunceford Amazon
27Sol Hoopii Fascinating Rhythm Master of the Hawaiian Guitar, Vol. 2 Amazon
28Fred Astaire Fascinating Rhythm The Astaire Story, Vol.1 & 2 Amazon
29Gene Kelly I Got Rhythm The Big Picture: Great Music from Films You Love Amazon
30Tony Bennett Crazy Rhythm This Is Jazz Sampler Amazon
31Charlie Barnet Flying Home Wicked Swing Amazon
32Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra He Ain't Got Rhythm Swingsation: Jimmie Lunceford Amazon
33Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra Jivin' With Jarvis Wicked Swing Amazon
34Nellie Lutcher If You Wanna Get T'Goin' (And Come Out Singing) Nellie Lutcher & Her Rhythm [Disc 3] Amazon