Category Archives: Early Rock

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

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