Category Archives: American Popular

Fats Waller Revisited

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

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

The Year in Music 1959

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

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

The Real Thing

A two hour collection of some of the very best from the past century is what the doctor ordered. Seems like it often is. Today’s Deeper Roots journey features an eclectic blend of genres, topics, and performances, all tuned to the discerning ear. We’ll be bringing you some subtle jazz vibes from Mose Allison, story songs about Caldonia, sweet soul duets from Marvin Gaye and Chuck Jackson, gospel from the Pilgrim Travelers, and plenty of boot heel country from BR5-49 and Little Jimmy Dickens. That’s not all…by far. We’ll hear a new light hearted cover from Luther Dickinson, a song about the Old Kelly Place from “The Real McCoy”, Don Covay, and Bobby “Blue” Bland. What better way to kick off your holiday season, right? There’s turkey in the fridge and the wreath will be going up on the door. Tune in why don’t you?

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Porter Wagoner 'Til the Right One Comes Along The Best I've Ever Been Amazon
3Nino Temple & April Stevens Deep Purple Your Hit Parade – The Early '60S Amazon
4Buck Owens Love's Gonna Live Here The Buck Owens Collection (1959-1990) [Disc 1] Amazon
5Lou Rawls (What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue Anthology [Disc 1] Amazon
6The 5 Royales The Real Thing The Complete Singles 1952-1962 Amazon
7Marvin Gaye Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing Anthology [Disc 1] Amazon
8Chuck Jackson And Maxine Brown The Real Thing Hold On, We're Coming '67 Amazon
9Mavis Staples At The End Of The Day Have A Little Faith Amazon
10Pilgrim Travelers After While (Take 8) Jesus Rocked The Jukebox: Small Group Black Gospel (1951-1965) Amazon
11Don Covay Mercy, Mercy Rites Of Rhythm & Blues – Volume 2 Amazon
12Bobby Bland Two Steps From the Blues Two Steps From the Blues Amazon
13k.d. lang/Roy Orbison Crying King of Hearts Amazon
14Lissie Games People Play Covered Up With Flowers Amazon
15Little Jimmy Dickens When The Ship Hit The Sand The Essential "Little" Jimmy Dickens Amazon
16Walter Brennan The Old Kelly Place Point Of No Return: The Liberty Records Story 1962 Amazon
17Ricky Nelson & Walter Brennan Get Along Home, Cindy Wand'rin' Star And Other Movie And TV Songs: Western Movie & TV Soundtracks (3) Amazon
18BR5-49 Fool of the Century This Is BR549 Amazon
19Chuck Mead I'm Not the Man for the Job Close to Home Amazon
20Doc Watson/Merle Watson Smoke, Smoke, Smoke Black Mountain Rag Amazon
21Dave Van Ronk Your Feet's Too Big Sweet & Lowdown Amazon
22Mose Allison I'm Not Talking Cocktail Mix, Vol. 2: Martini Madness Amazon
23Elvis Presley Paralyzed Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 2 Amazon
24The Five Stars Where Did Caldonia Go Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55, vol. 2 Amazon
25Louis Jordan Caldonia Mercury R+B '46-'62 [Disc 2] Amazon
26The Band The Shape I'm in Stage Fright Amazon
27Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Something Big Hard Promises (Remastered) Amazon
28Roy Orbison Ride Away Classic "MGM" Roy Orbison 1965 – 68 Amazon
29Randy Newman Dixie Flyer Land of Dreams Amazon
30John Prine Some Humans Ain't Human Fair & Square Amazon

Making Believe

Fresh from a couple of weeks away, we’re going for the easy listening, classic pieces from the Great American Songbook. Join Dave Stroud on a dream-laden journey on the waters of the past century of America’s music as he pairs up some of the classic ballads and torch songs from the past. Mostly crooners but there’s plenty of jazz and pop standards to celebrate. We’ll hear pairings from The Mills Brothers and Les Paul & Mary Ford, Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan, Rosemary Clooney and Leon Redbone, Etta James, Billie Holiday, and Peggy Lee. That’s the short list. We’ll hear versions of “Fever”, “Dream”, “Smile”, “April in Paris” and “Autumn Leaves” in a show that reminds us that so many of these pop standards hold up well when put to the test of time. Drop by on a Friday morning where there’s whispering grasses among the autumn leaves here on Sonoma County Community Radio. 

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Peggy Lee Bali Ha'i American Beauty Amazon
3Ella Fitzgerald & The Ink Spots I'm Making Believe R&B Jukebox Hits 1944 Amazon
4April Stevens I'm Making Believe Teach Me Tiger Amazon
5Betty Carter/Ray Charles Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection Disc 2 Amazon
6Natalie Cole Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye De-Lovely Amazon
7Tony Bennett Smile The Essential Tony Bennett [Columbia/Legacy] Disc 2 Amazon
8Nat King Cole Smile 30 Greatest Hits Disc 1 Amazon
9Nat King Cole Autumn Leaves Sings For Two In Love (And More) Amazon
10Roger Williams Autumn Leaves Magic Moments: Best Of 50's Pop (Disc 3) Amazon
11Clem Snide Don't Want to Set the World on Fire Sweetheart Amazon
12The Ink Spots I Don't Want The Set The World On Fire Your Hit Parade – 1941 Amazon
13The Ink Spots Whispering Grass (Don't Tell The Trees) Greatest Hits Amazon
14Ringo Starr Whispering Grass Sentimental Journey Amazon
15The Mills Brothers April In Paris The Very Best Of The Mills Brothers [Disc 2] Amazon
16Frank Sinatra April in Paris Come Fly with Me [Capitol] Amazon
17Louis Armstrong & All His Stars When You're Smiling When you're smiling Amazon
18Frank Sinatra When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You) Sinatra's Swingin' Session!!! And More Amazon
19Frank Sinatra I'm Gonna Sit Right Down & Write Myself A Letter Songs For Young Lovers & Swing Easy! Amazon
20Sarah Vaughan I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself A Letter) Great American Songbook Amazon
21Rosemary Clooney When You Wish Upon A Star Tenderly Amazon
22Leon Redbone When You Wish Upon A Star From Branch To Branch Amazon
23Elvis Presley Fever The Essential 60's Masters I [Disc 1] Amazon
24Peggy Lee Fever Kuties And Krooners Amazon
25Dean Martin Dream Late at Night with Dean Martin Amazon
26The Pied Pipers Dream Dreams From The Sunny Side Of The Street [Disc 1] Amazon
27The Righteous Brothers Ebb Tide Lifetime Of Romance: Falling In Love [Disc 1] Amazon
28Lenny Welch Ebb Tide Glory of Love: Sweet & Soulful Love Songs-'60s Amazon
29Etta James Stormy Weather At Last! Amazon
30Sarah Vaughan Stormy Weather Lady Sings the Blues [Disc 2] Amazon
31Les Paul & Mary Ford My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua, Hawaii Lovers' Luau Amazon
32The Mills Brothers My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua Hawaii The 1930's Recordings – Chronological Volume 5 Amazon
33Billie Holiday I'll Be Seeing You Stealing Beauty Amazon

Mix Master’s Delight

An eclectic free form blend of sounds featuring a variety highlighted by Memphis Minnie, T-Bone Burnett, The Rascals, The Miracles and Carole King…plus over a dozen others in our last show of summer 2023. As the walls of justice close in on traitors and seditionists, we lean on the hope that the constitutional provision  that prevents their ilk from ever holding office is the key to saving democracy. Politics aside, the music this week features songs about baking biscuits, diamonds, shopping around, head spinning and what it’s like living here in the U.S.A. Friday morning’s Deeper Roots is a blend of classic and deep tracks designed to set the table for the weekend, right here on Community Radio for West Sonoma County and the world. Tune in, turn on but don’t, just don’t, drop out.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Elvis Presley Such a Night Artist of the Century Disc 2 Amazon
3Carole King Like Little Children The Legendary Demos [+Digital Booklet] Amazon
4Wilson Pickett In the Midnight Hour Red, White & Rock Disc 2 Amazon
5Clyde McPhatter A Lover's Question Malt Shop Memories: Save The Last Dance For Me (Disc 2) Amazon
6Mark Knopfler Donegan's Gone Shangri-La Amazon
7Mazzy Star I'm Gonna Bake My Biscuit Fade Into You [Single] Amazon
8Memphis Minnie I'm Gonna Bake My Biscuits Queen Of Country Blues Amazon
9Snooks Eaglin My Head Is Spinning Complete Imperial Recordings Amazon
10Etta James/Harvey Fuqua My Heart Cries [Duet with Harvery Fuqua] At Last! Amazon
11The Miracles Shop Around Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971 Disc 1 Amazon
12The Rascals I've Been Lonely Too Long All I Really Need: The Complete Atlantic Recordings, 1965-1971 Amazon
13The Monkees A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You Billboard Top Pop Hits: 1967 Amazon
14Steve Miller Band Living in the U.S.A. Young Hearts: Complete Greatest Hits Amazon
15T-Bone Burnett Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend Twenty Twenty: The Esssential T-Bone Burnett Disc 1 Amazon
16Daniel Lanois Sometimes Hear Music, Vol. 10: Reveal Amazon
17Randy Newman Birmingham Good Old Boys [Expanded] Disc 1 Amazon
18Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away Original Recordings Amazon
19David Lindley & El Rayo-X Never Knew Her Very Greasy Amazon
20Nick Lowe I'll Be There The Impossible Bird Amazon
21BR5-49 Cherokee Boogie BR5-49 Amazon
22Dave Edmunds Bail You Out D.E. 7th Amazon
23Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys Ossun Two-Step American Roots Music [Disc 4] Amazon
24The Texas Tornados Little Bit Is Better Than Nada 4 Aces Amazon
25Little Willie John My Love Is Lone Star Amazon
26The Champs Tequila Red, White & Rock Disc 1 Amazon
27Norah Jones Creepin' In Feels Like Home Amazon
28Warren Zevon Play It All Night Long I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology) [Disc 1] Amazon
29Marshall Crenshaw Silver Wings Tulare Dust: Tribute to Merle Haggard Amazon
30The Mamas & the Papas Dedicated to the One I Love Greatest Hits Amazon
31Stray Cats I Won't Stand in Your Way Doo Wop Box, Vol. 3: 101 More Vocal Group Gems from the Golden Age of Rock-N-Roll Disc 4 Amazon
32The Sandals Theme from "Endless Summer" The Perfect Day: The Music from 40 Years of Surfing Magazine Amazon
33Betty Everett The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss) Malt Shop Memories: Save The Last Dance For Me (Disc 2) Amazon
34Tom Petty Big Weekend Highway Companion 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

Flying Home

A fine blend of vintage sounds on the show today, all driving down a free form track. The blend mixes gospel from Mavis Staples, some classic mid-century rock from Little Feat and Rick Nelson, all dressed up alongside to lounge and cool jazz sounds of Frank Sinatra, Lionel Hampton, Pearl Bailey, and a some classic and contemporary tunes featuring the late, great Tony Bennett. We’ve got Zydeco, classic and contemporary country, some alternative sounds from E and the Eels to share as well. We enjoy sharing a mix of the very best in a free form show every month or so and today will not disappoint. There will also be some recent tracks from Sarah Jarosz, Charley Crockett and The Brother Brothers to measure up against the throwback sounds. We’d be glad to have you once again; just dial-up your internet browser to kowsfm.com/listen or, if you’re on the run, take us with you on your mobile device by installing the KOWS app from the Google Play store or Apple App Store.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Lionel Hampton Flying Home Flying Home (His 48 Finest) Amazon
3Ella Fitzgerald & The Ink Spots I'm Making Believe R&B Jukebox Hits 1944 Amazon
4The Ink Spots Whispering Grass BMG Vol. 01 Disc 01 1937-1958 Amazon
5Dinah Washington Manhattan Bob Dylan: Radio Radio – Theme Time Radio Hour, Vol. 5 [Disc 4] Amazon
6Herb Jeffries and Shades Of Rhythm At Least You Could Save Me A Dream Hot Harmony Groups 1941-1949: Vol 3: When the Old Gang Amazon
7Buddy & Ella Johnson (Gotta Go) Upside Your Head Bob Dylan Presents: Radio Radio, Theme Time Radio Hour, Vol. 3 Amazon
8Wynonie Harris I Feel That Old Age Coming On (12-19-48) Complete Jazz Series 1947 – 1949 Amazon
9Pearl Bailey I Can't Rock And Roll To Save My Soul The Rough And Rowdy Roots Of Rock 'n' Roll, Vol. 8 Amazon
10The Amazing Rhythm Aces Third Rate Romance Stacked Deck Amazon
11Merle Haggard/Willie Nelson Swinging Doors Django and Jimmie Amazon
12Whitney Rose Honky Tonk in Mexico Rosie Amazon
13Little Feat Willin' Hotcakes & Outtakes: 30 Years of Little Feat (1 of 4) Amazon
14Sarah Jarosz Simple Twist of Fate Build Me Up From Bones Amazon
15Bob Dylan John Wesley Harding John Wesley Harding Amazon
16The Brother Brothers That's How I Got To Memphis Cover to Cover Amazon
17The Everly Brothers A Brand New Heartache Bob Dylan: Radio Radio – Theme Time Radio Hour, Vol. 5 [Disc 4] Amazon
18Levon Helm Stuff You Gotta Watch Electric Dirt Amazon
19Charley Crockett Just Like Honey The Man from Waco Amazon
20John Prine Summers End The Tree of Forgiveness Amazon
21Eels Summer In The City (Live At Kexp Seattle/2011) Wonderful, Glorious (Deluxe Version) Amazon
22Jim Kweskin & Geoff Muldaur 99 Year Blues Penny's Farm Amazon
23Rick Nelson Garden Party Garden Party Amazon
24Tony Bennett I Wanna Be Around The Essential Tony Bennett [Columbia/Legacy] Disc 1 Amazon
25Tony Bennett & B.B. King Let The Good Times Roll Playing With My Friends Amazon
26Frank Sinatra & Tony Bennett New York, New York Duets Amazon
27Julie London Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) Mad Men: Music From the Series, Vol. 1 Amazon
28Gene Phillips & The Rhythm Aces My Mama Told Me Swinging The Blues Amazon
29The Gaylords Ma Ma Ma Marie Rare Songs Played on Radio, Vol. 1 Amazon
30Rosemary Clooney Botch-A-Me (Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccina) Tenderly Amazon
31The David Thom Band Windy City That Old Familiar Amazon

Celebrating Tom Waits

This week we’ll spend our two hours in a shroud of barroom musk, out-of-tune brass, and painted ladies all spent before the tunes of an American treasure. We speak of Tom Waits. The New York Times, in a review of Barney Hoskyns’ 2009 biography of Tom Waits, Lowside of The Road describes our subject today thusly: “He is as potent and unpredictable a musical force as most of us have witnessed in our lifetimes, and that’s not faint praise. The graveyard croak of his gravelly, bellowing baritone is righteous, paint-scraping, unmistakable; it scatters small animals and slaps your synapses to startled attention. With what’s left of your adrenalized wits, you can attend to his mordant lyrics, which he packs into songs he divides (as his wife, Kathleen Brennan, put it) into two primordial categories: “the grand weeper” and “the grim reaper”. He’s our neighbor here in Sonoma County and we could not be more proud of the boy…really.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2John Hammond, Jr. Clap Hands Wicked Grin Amazon
3Courtney Marie Andrews Downtown Train Come On Up To The House – Women Sing Waits Amazon
4Tom Waits Tom Traubert's Blues Small Change Amazon
5Willie Nelson;Sheryl Crow;Lukas Nelson Come On Up To The House Heroes Amazon
6The Blind Boys Of Alabama Way Down In The Hole Spirit Of The Century Amazon
7The Holmes Brothers Train Song Promised Land Amazon
8King Ernest House Where Nobody Lives Not The Same Old Blues Crap, Vol. 2 Amazon
9The Blue Hawaiians Jockey Full of Bourbon Savage Night Amazon
10Tom Waits Dead & Lovely Real Gone Amazon
11Tom Waits Ice Cream Man Closing Time Amazon
12Holly Cole (Looking For) The Heart Of Saturday Night Temptation Amazon
13Norah Jones The Long Way Home Feels Like Home Amazon
14Tom Waits I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You Closing Time Amazon
15Hayes Carll I Don't Wanna Grow Up Trouble In Mind Amazon
16Eagles Ol' '55 The Very Best of the Eagles [2003] Disc 1 Amazon
17Willie Nelson Picture In A Frame It Always Will Be Amazon
18Tom Waits On The Nickel Heartattack And Vine Amazon
19Marc Ribot Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful) (feat. Tom Waits) Songs of Resistance 1942 – 2018 Amazon
20Tom Waits The Soul Of A Man God Don't Never Change: The Songs Of Blind Willie Johnson Amazon
21Solomon Burke Diamond in Your Mind Don't Give Up on Me Amazon
22Tom Waits Whistlin4 Past The Graveyard Used Songs 1973-1980 Amazon
23Tom Waits Georgia Lee Mule Variations Amazon

Summer Sun

Summer’s here and you know what that means…we’ll be running through a bit of theme, this time with the focus on all that we celebrate in summer. With the Fourth of July coming up we’ll turn our attention to barbecues, baseball, ice cream treats, the warmth of the sun, swimming holes, and everything summer. Tune in for some terrific tracks from Dean Martin, Johnny Rivers, The Four Preps, Walter Wanderly and a whole lot more. It took us six months for the days to get longer and now it’s another six months of diminished daylight but that’s what make three other seasons something to relish…I guess. So whether you’re shipping kids off to summer camp, planning for this year’s visit to the Fair, or planning a trip to a ballpark or beach, know that it’ll be warmer than colder and we’re here to play the background music here on Sonoma County Community Radio, KOWS-LP, 92.5 FM Occidental, streaming to all over this big blue marble on kowsfm.com/listen.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2The Beach Boys All Summer Long All Summer Long Amazon
3The Donkeys Theme From The Endless Summer Theme From The Endless Summer [single] Amazon
4Jack Nitzsche The Lonely Surfer Cowabunga! The Surf Box Disc 2 Amazon
5The Beach Boys Keep An Eye On Summer Summer Love Songs Amazon
6Nat King Cole That Sunday, That Summer 30 Greatest Hits Disc 1 Amazon
7The Four Preps 26 Miles (Santa Catalina) Banana Split for My Baby Amazon
8The Grand Southern The Boys of Summer Don't Say Anything Amazon
9Terry Cashman Talkin' Baseball (Willie, Mickey & "The Duke") 61* [Box Set] Disc 1 Amazon
10John Fogerty Centerfield Sing America Amazon
11Sister Wynona Carr The Ball Game Baseball Anthems Amazon
12Betty Bonney & Les Brown and His Orchestra Joltin' Joe Dimaggio Baseball Anthems Amazon
13Ronnie Isle and the Blisters Bad Sunburn Banana Split for My Baby Amazon
14Dean Martin w. Dick Stabile Orchestra In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening Good Old Summertime Amazon
15The Four Mints Night Air Good Old Summertime Amazon
16Jo Ann Campbell Beach Comber Banana Split for My Baby Amazon
17Frank Triolo and the Shipmates Orchestra Ice Cream Baby Banana Split for My Baby Amazon
18The Pearls Ice Cream Baby Another Banana Split, please Amazon
19Leslie Uggams and Hugo Peretti Orchestra Ice Cream Man Banana Split for My Baby Amazon
20Fred Waring; Pennsylvanians I Scream, You Scream (We All Scream for Ice Cream) The Silly Songs (1922 to 1934) Amazon
21Walter Wanderley Summer Samba Instrumental Favorites- Latin Rhythms Amazon
22Johnny Rivers Summer Rain Anthology: 1964-1977 [Disc 2] Amazon
23Santo & Johnny Summertime Sleepwalk – The First Two Albums Amazon
24Les Paul & Mary Ford In The Good Old Summertime The Best Of The Capitol Masters: 90th Birthday Edition Amazon
25Loudon Wainwright III The Swimming Song Attempted Mustache Amazon
26Bobby Bare They Covered Up the Old Swimming Hole Memories – RCA Singles 1962 – 1969 Amazon
27Tennessee Ernie Ford and Cliffie Stone's Music Sunday Barbecue Banana Split for My Baby Amazon
28Robert Earl Keen Barbeque Gringo Honeymoon Amazon
29Buzz Cason Barbeque Hats Off To Hank Amazon
30Wendy Waldman Long Hot Summer Nights Love Is The Only Goal: The Best Of Wendy Waldman Amazon
31Plains Summer Sun I Walked With You A Ways Amazon
32Robin Ward Wonderful Summer Vintage Collectors Series Music, Volume 11 & 12 Amazon
33Don Henley The Boys Of Summer Actual Miles: Henley's Greatest Hits 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