Category Archives: Featured Music

Tex Mex Fest

We took a journey to the south in last week’s show and this week, we head further west where we’ll share a vibrant and dynamic genre that reflects the rich cultural fusion of its geographic origins, combining traditional Mexican folk music with contemporary American influences of country, rhythm and blues, and rock. With the accordion and bajo sexto, drums, bass and guitar punching a hefty rhythm whose lyrics are often filled with catchy hooks and danceable beats, it is prominently featured in festivals, celebrations and public events across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. We’ll share some of the influentials from across the border like Lydia Mendoza as well as the mainstays and popular artists of the past half century including Freddy Fender, Doug Sahm, The Texas Tornados, Flaco Jimenez, The Mavericks and a dozen others in this week’s Deeper Roots fest.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Conjunto Sotavento de Nacho Fierro La Bamba Tex Mex Folk 1920s to 1950s Amazon
3Lydia Mendoza Jurame Lone Star Amazon
4Lydia Mendoza Mal Hombre American Roots Music [Disc 4] Amazon
5Las Hermanas Mendoza Mis pensamientos The Rough Guide to Tex-Mex Amazon
6Little Joe & La Familia Las Nubes American Roots Music [Disc 4] Amazon
7Conjunto Bernal Mi Unico Camino Lone Star Amazon
8Ritchie Valens La Bamba Southern California With Fond Memories Amazon
9Freddy Fender Before The Next Teardrop Falls Before The Next Teardrop Falls Amazon
10Los Super Seven Cupido (ft. Freddy Fender & Rick Trevino) Heard It On The X Amazon
11Freddy Fender Wasted Days And Wasted Nights Country Crossroads Amazon
12The Texas Tornados Who Were You Thinkin' Of Texas Tornados Amazon
13Doug Sahm Nuevo Laredo Best of Sir Douglas 68-75 Amazon
14Sir Douglas Quintet Dynamite Woman Mono Singles '68-'72 Amazon
15Sir Douglas Quintet She's About A Mover Sir Douglas Amazon
16Tejas Brothers (w/ Augie Meyers and Larry Joe Taylor) Rosa Live a Little More Amazon
17Los Lobos Will the Wolf Survive? El Cancionero: Mas y Mas (1 of 4) Amazon
18The Mavericks Volver, Volver Collection [2003] Amazon
19The Mavericks Ven Hacia Mi (Come Unto Me) [Conjunto Version] In Time (10th Anniversary Deluxe) Amazon
20Eddie "Lalo" Torres Y Su Conjunto Arriba San Antonio The Rough Guide to Tex-Mex Amazon
21Santiago Jimenez Jr. Alma de Tejas The Rough Guide to Tex-Mex Amazon
22Flaco Jimenez El Pesudo Flaco Jimenez Amazon
23Flaco Jiminez The Girls From Texas featuring Ry Cooder (Album Version) Partners Amazon
24Flaco Jimenez Por Una Mujer Bonita Flaco Jimenez Amazon
25Linda Ronstadt Mi Ranchito (My Little Ranch) Mas Canciones Amazon
26Ry Cooder w/Sam Samudio No Quiero The Border/Alamo Bay Amazon
27Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs Wooly Bully Memphis Celebrates 50 Years Of Rock 'n' Roll Amazon
28David Lindley & El Rayo-X Texas Tango Very Greasy Amazon
29Charley Pride Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone Country USA 1970 Amazon
30Marty Robbins El Paso All-Time Greatest Hits Amazon

Swamp Pop Fest

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

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

J.J. Cale Tribute

When J.J. Cale’s first album came on the scene in 1972, it exuded something different…some kind of “timeless cool” with it’s imposing John Bunyan raccoon album cover and understated country sound setting it apart from everything else out there. Not psychedelia, not rock exactly, and certainly not the LA sound that was hip at the time. It was, as it has since been coined, the “Tulsa sound”. Many have covered John Weldon Cale’s music and many have become rock standards while others languish only to be rediscovered year after year by new listeners who hear that “timeless cool” and those breezy treasures he left us. We’ll feature a number of covers today, as well as his own originals in a show that will take you down a river whose currents are slow but determined.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2J.J. Cale Call The Doctor Naturally Amazon
3Eric Clapton Call Me the Breeze The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale Amazon
4Case Garrett Call Me The Breeze Aurora Amazon
5Marc Cohn After Midnight Listening Booth: 1970 Amazon
6Waylon Jennings Clyde Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line: The RCA Years Disc 2 Amazon
7The Band Crazy Mama High On The Hog Amazon
8Maria Muldaur Cajun Moon Louisiana Love Call Amazon
9J.J. Cale Hey Baby The Very Best of J.J. Cale Amazon
10Widespread Panic Travelin' Light Choice Cuts: The Capricorn Years 1991-1999 Amazon
11Eric Clapton Travelin' Light Reptile Amazon
12Eric Clapton/J.J. Cale Don't Cry Sister The Road to Escondido Amazon
13John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers Sensitive Kind A Sense of Place Amazon
14Chris Smither Magnolia Happier Blue Amazon
15Shannon McNally Magnolia Magnolia – Single Amazon
16Tony Joe White Louvelda (feat. J.J. Cale) Collected [CD3] Amazon
17J.J. Cale Rock and Roll Records Okie Amazon
18Eric Clapton After Midnight The Cream of Clapton Amazon
19J.J. Cale Anyway the Wind Blows Okie Amazon
20Kansas Bringing It Back Kansas Amazon
21Eric Clapton/J.J. Cale Danger The Road to Escondido Amazon
22Shannon McNally Low Rider Black Irish Amazon
23J.J. Cale Roll On Roll On Amazon
24Eric Clapton/J.J. Cale Heads in Georgia The Road to Escondido Amazon
25The Tractors The Tractors-Rhythm Bone Trade Union Amazon
26Eric Clapton Magnolia (feat. John Mayer) The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale Amazon

White Powder Muse

Cocaine is one of a few substances that have served as a muse, both in word and effect, in various forms of art throughout history, particularly in the 20th century. Its influence can be found repeatedly in the music industry, peaking in use during the 1980s when it was used by performer and listener as the disco and party-going atmosphere exploded, Contributing to this bacchanal were films depicting its use (and abuse) with plot themes embracing the white powder in storytelling. Cocaine’s impact is predominant in the genres of rock, jazz, and hip-hop and many performers have openly discussed their cocaine use, and its influence can be heard in lyrics, musical styles, and even album artwork. This week’s show looks at this muse with sounds from Margo Price, The Reverend Horton Heat, Lucille Bogan, Fred Neil and a host of others from 1929 to the present.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Roy Hogsed Cocaine Blues Swinging Hollywood Hillbilly Cowboys Amazon
3Hank Williams III Cocaine Blues Risin' Outlaw Amazon
4Dick Justice Cocaine Old Time Music From West VI : Old-Time Music From West Virgi Amazon
5Carl Martin That New Kind Of Stuff Carl Martin, Tennessee Chocolate Drops, Louie Bluie & Ted Bogan, Willie "61" Blackwell — Complete Recorded Works Amazon
6Lucille Bogan Baking Powder Blues Cocaine Blues Amazon
7Johnny Cash Cocaine Blues Silver Amazon
8Billy Hughes Cocaine Blues Country & Western Hit Parade 1947 Amazon
9Son Volt Cocaine and Ashes American Central Dust Amazon
10The Reverend Horton Heat Bales of Cocaine Holy Roller Amazon
11Hank Thompson & His Brazos Valley Boys Cocaine Blues Dance Ranch Amazon
12Miss Marcy & Her Texas Sugardaddy's Whiskey And Cocaine Deep Ellum Amazon
13Grateful Dead Casey Jones Workingman's Dead Amazon
14The Byrds Take A Whiff On Me Untitled / Unissued [Disc 1] Amazon
15Fred Neil Sweet Cocaine The Many Sides Of Fred Neil [Disc 1] Amazon
16Woody Guthrie Take A Whiff On Me Muleskinner Blues (The Asch Recordings, Vol. 2) Amazon
17Woody Guthrie Bad Lee Brown (Cocaine Blues) (traditional, arr. Woody Guthrie and Cisco Houston) Woody at 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection [Disc 2] Amazon
18Jackson Browne Cocaine Running On Empty Amazon
19Dave Van Ronk Cocaine Two Sides of Dave Van Ronk Amazon
20Eric Clapton Cocaine Slowhand Amazon
21Margo Price Cocaine Cowboys All American Made Amazon
22Doc & Merle Watson Let the Cocaine Be Live & Pickin' Amazon
23The Manhattan Transfer That Cat Is High Anthology – Down In Birdland (Disc 2) Amazon
24Chick Webb & His Orchestra Wacky Dust Cocaine Blues Amazon
25Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra Kickin' The Gong Around Cocaine Blues Amazon
26Cab Calloway & His Cotton Club Orchestra Kickin' The Gong Around Chronological Cab Calloway (1932-1934) Amazon
27Mills Blue Rhythm Band Kokey Joe Cocaine Blues Amazon
28The Spirits of Rhythm Junk Man Cocaine Blues Amazon
29Curtis Mayfield Pusherman The Very Best Of Curtis Mayfield Amazon
30The Ink Spots That Cat Is High Cocaine Blues Amazon
31Memphis Jug Band Cocaine Habit Blues Cocaine Blues Amazon

Bad Road To The River

It’s been a while since we went free form so today’s show takes our regular breather from genre-focused explorations, theme, retrospectives and artist-inspired shows. There will be all of that found in the mix this morning. Interspersed between some fresh sounds from the likes of Dylan LeBlanc, Charley Crockett, and a newly revealed Johnny Cash nugget, we’ll be sharing everything from Dave Brubeck to Los Indios Tabajaras, Marvin Rainwater, and Johnny Thunder in our show today. From a pair of Memphis Minnie covers, some country classics from Patsy Cline, swinging rhythm from Louis Jordan, and straight-ahead rock from The Doobie Brothers and The Georgia Satellites…it’s a Friday morning full of Duane Eddy tributes and we’ve even got Slim Whitman…just for you on Sonoma County Community Radio, broadcasting on the FM airwaves out of Occidental, California, and streaming to the whole wide world on kowsfm.com/listen. KOWS-LP 92.5 FM is “Free Speech. No Bull” Community Radio.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Duane Eddy Forty Miles Of Bad Road Dance With The Guitar Man Amazon
3Dylan LeBlanc Sensitive Kind Pastimes Amazon
4Down Like Silver To the River Light That Match – Single Amazon
5Johnny Thunder Loop De Loop The Very Best Of Johnny Thunder Amazon
6The Georgia Satellites Almost Saturday Night / Rockin' All Over the World Rubaiyat Elektra's 40th Anniversary [Disc 2] (1990) Amazon
7The Doobie Brothers Long Train Runnin' The Very Best Of The Doobie Brothers [Disc 1] Amazon
8Patsy Cline Got A Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul Volume 3 Amazon
9Linda Martell I Almost Called Your Name (Remastered 2022) Color Me Country (Sun Records 70th / Remastered 2022) Amazon
10Slim Whitman Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain The Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection  2013 Amazon
11Willie Nelson Made In Texas The Border Amazon
12Duane Eddy Dance With The Guitar Man Dance With The Guitar Man Amazon
13Johnny Cash Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie Come Along And Ride This Train [Disc 2] Amazon
14T Bone Burnett He Came Down The Other Side Amazon
15Charley Crockett Hard Luck & Circumstances $10 Cowboy Amazon
16Jorma Kaukonen Red River Blues Blue Country Heart Amazon
17Jefferson Airplane Embryonic Journey Surrealistic Pillow [Bonus Tracks] Amazon
18The Dave Brubeck Quartet Unsquare Dance Silver Linings Playbook: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Amazon
19Los Indios Tabajaras Always In My Heart Maria Elena/Always In My Heart Amazon
20Ria Valk Santo Domingo (Fernando, Alfredo En Jose) The Wanda Jackson Connection (30 Roots And Covers Of Wanda Jackson) Amazon
21Eileen Barton Fujiyama Mama The Wanda Jackson Connection (30 Roots And Covers Of Wanda Jackson) Amazon
22Marvin Rainwater Baby, Don't Go Whole Lotta Woman Amazon
23Clifton Chenier Me And My Chauffeur King Of The Bayous Amazon
24Louis Jordan Caldonia Living The Blues – Jump Blues & Boogie Amazon
25Jim McCracklin Think Living The Blues – 1965 – 1969 Blues Classics Amazon
26Howlin' Wolf 300 Pounds Of Joy Legends of Guitar – Electric Blues (Vol. 1) Amazon
27Sonny Boy Williamson II One Way Out The Real Folk Blues Amazon
28Jimmy Reed Hush, Hush The Very Best of Jimmy Reed Amazon
29John Lee Hooker It Serves You Right To Suffer The Definitive Collection Amazon
30Johnny Cash Well Alright Songwriter Amazon
31Lydia & Her Melody Strings Just A Queen For A Day The Wanda Jackson Connection (30 Roots And Covers Of Wanda Jackson) Amazon
32Duane Eddy Rebel Rouser Twang Thang: The Duane Eddy Anthology [Disc 1] Amazon
33Duane Eddy Ramrod Twang Thang: The Duane Eddy Anthology [Disc 1] Amazon

That’s The Spirit

There’s hardly a branch or root extension of American music that is not somehow connected the gospel. The themes of love, betrayal, birth, death, and the soul’s redemption have all long been played out repeatedly in the pulpit each and every Sunday. Thoughts and prayers are easily spent when the hard work isn’t as palpable to deal with. This week’s show blends the gospel of the Baptist, Pentacostal and Church of Christ as they were the big leader of the rafter shakers on the way to “Beulah Land” with a little bit of swing and country favorites. Tune in for music that runs the gospel gamut from the Soul Satisfiers of Philadelphia and the Gospel Songbirds to Sister Oda Mae Terrell and the country pairings of the Chuck Wagon Gang, Mac Wiseman, Kitty Wells, and of course, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Deeper Roots revisits some gospel classics in another Friday morning blend of the past 100 years of America’s music. Here on KOWS Community Radio. Free Speech. No Bull.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Rev.Willingham And The Swanee Quintet That's The Spirit I Heard The Angels Singing : Electrifying Black Gospel From the Nashboro Label 1951-1983 Amazon
3Maria Muldaur with Tuba Skinny Swing You Sinners Let's Get Happy Together Amazon
4Tony Bennett Sing You Sinners [#] The Essential Tony Bennett [Columbia/Legacy] Disc 1 Amazon
5The Brothers Comatose Modern Day Sinners Respect The Van Amazon
6Billy Ward & The Dominoes Little Black Train Vol. 4-21 Hits Amazon
7The Robins That's What The Good Book Says Hot R&B and Cool Blues 1946-52 Amazon
8Freddie & The Hitch Hikers Sinners Songs From The Crazy Cramps Collection Disc 01 Amazon
9Gospel Songbirds The Bible Is Right The Best Of Nashboro Gospel Amazon
10Sister O. M. Terrell The Bible's Right Country Gospel 1946-1953 Amazon
11Sister O.M. Terrell I'm Going To That City Preachin' The Gospel – Holy Blues Amazon
12Sister Rosetta Tharpe Look In The Good Book Brother Sister On Tour Amazon
13Soul Satisfiers Of Philadelphia Run On Home And Live With God Powerhouse Gospel Vol 1 Amazon
14The Swan Silvertones Sinner Man Jesus Rocked The Jukebox: Small Group Black Gospel (1951-1965) Amazon
15The Soul Stirrers Sinner Run To Jesus (Take 1) Jesus Rocked The Jukebox: Small Group Black Gospel (1951-1965) Amazon
16The Weavers Sinner Man Wasn't That A Time – Disc 2 – This Land Is Your Land Amazon
17Woody Guthrie Little Black Train Muleskinner Blues (The Asch Recordings, Vol. 2) Amazon
18Johnny Cash I Hung My Head American IV: Man Comes Around Amazon
19Johnny Cash Unclouded Day Voice of the Spirit, Gospel of the South Amazon
20Chuck Wagon Gang Sinner, You'll Miss Heaven 1941-1948 (Warped 4128) Amazon
21Kitty Wells Dust on the Bible Dust on the Bible (1959) Amazon
22Willie Nelson Family Bible One Hell Of A Ride Amazon
23Mac Wiseman I'm Using My Bible For A Roadmap Most Requested Amazon
24Cowboy Copas Four Books In The Bible Heartwarming Gospel – 18 Best of King Gospel Amazon
25Elvis Presley Run On Artist of the Century Disc 2 Amazon
26The Kendalls Heaven's Just A Sin Away Country Gold-1 Amazon
27The Whitstein Brothers Sinner You'd Better Get Ready Old Time Duets Amazon
28Johnny Cash God's Gonna Cut You Down American V: A Hundred Highways Amazon
29Reverend Robert Ballinger And The Gospel Chimes John Saw How Sweet it Was Amazon
30Nina Simone Gin House Blues The Amazing Amazon
31Fern Jones I Am A Pilgrim And A Stranger The Glory Road Amazon
32Sister Rosetta Tharpe Lay Down Your Soul Vol. 3-1946-47 Complete Record Amazon
33Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys Rank Stranger Classic Bluegrass Amazon
34Eddy Arnold Sinner's Prayer Warped 5133 – Eddy Arnold – 1951 Amazon
35Buddy Miller There's A Higher Power Universal United House Of Prayer Amazon
36Johnny Cash The Old Rugged Cross Johnny Cash Sings Precious Memories Amazon

Celebrating Smokey

The songs of Smokey Robinson have stood the test of time, remaining popular and relevant across generations. His compositions have been covered by artists from various genres, further cementing a legend as one of the greatest songwriters of his era. This week, we take a walk through a handful of the many classics he gave us, spanning three decades, focusing primarily on the Motown song machine classics from The Marvelettes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Mary Wells, and, of course, his own group The Miracles. There is no question that his songwriting style and lyrical finesse have influenced generations of musicians and, coupled with his ability to blend heartfelt lyrics with catchy melodies, standards were set for songwriters in the R&B and soul genres; not to mention the groundswell of the sixties sound of Berry Gordy’s Motown Records. A morning of pure soul and pop that will include some sweet contemporary covers (if we can squeeze them in). 

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Bonnie Bramlett You've Really Got A Hold On Me Lady's Choice Amazon
3Barrett Strong Misery Northern Soul – The Early Years – 100 Classic And Rare Tracks (CD2) Amazon
4The Miracles Bad Girl The 35th Anniversary Collection Amazon
5The Contours Whole Lotta Woman The Very Best of The Contours Amazon
6Smokey Robinson & the Miracles Shop Around Motown: The Classic Years Disc 1 Amazon
7Mary Wells/The Love-Tones You Beat Me to the Punch Motown: The Classic Years Disc 1 Amazon
8Gene Chandler You Threw A Lucky Punch Northern Soul – The Early Years – 100 Classic And Rare Tracks (CD2) Amazon
9Mary Wells The One Who Really Loves You Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971 Disc 1 Amazon
10Mary Wells Two Lovers The Soul of Detroit – Disc 1 Amazon
11The Miracles Going to a Go-Go Motown: The Classic Years Disc 1 Amazon
12Brenda Holloway When I'm Gone Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971 Disc 2 Amazon
13Carolyn Crawford My Smile Is Just a Frown (Turned Upside Down) Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971 Disc 1 Amazon
14The Miracles Baby Don't You Go [Single Version] The 35th Anniversary Collection [Disc 2] Amazon
15The Temptations The Way You Do The Things You Do The Best Of The Temptations, Vol. 1: The 60s Amazon
16Marvelettes Way Over There Northern Soul – The Early Years – 100 Classic And Rare Tracks (CD3) Amazon
17Marvin Gaye Ain't That Peculiar Marvin Gaye Icon Amazon
18The Contours First I Look at the Purse The Very Best of The Contours Amazon
19The Temptations Get Ready The Best Of The Temptations, Vol. 1: The 60s Amazon
20Marvin Gaye One More Heartache Anthology [Disc 1] Amazon
21Marvin Gaye I'll Be Doggone 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Marvin Gaye, Vol. 1 Amazon
22Marvin Gaye Take This Heart Of Mine Anthology [Disc 1] Amazon
23The Contours Determination The Very Best of The Contours Amazon
24Chris Clark From Head To Toe Soul Sounds – Remaster Amazon
25The Marvelettes Don't Mess With Bill 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Marvelettes Amazon
26The Marvelettes The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Marvelettes Amazon
27Johnny Rivers The Tracks of My Tears Greatest Hits [Capitol] Amazon
28Smokey Robinson & the Miracles More Love Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971 Disc 3 Amazon
29Tammi Terrell He's The One I Love Come On And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection Amazon
30Diana Ross & The Supremes The Composer The Best Of Diana Ross & The Supremes [Disc 2] Amazon
31The Four Tops Still Water (Love) The Ultimate Collection Amazon
32Smokey Robinson & the Miracles Tears of a Clown Motown: The Classic Years Disc 2 Amazon
33The Supremes Floy Joy Gold Disc 2 Amazon
34Rare Earth Get Ready Soundsavers – Old School No. 6 Amazon
35Rita Coolidge The Way You Do The Things You Do Delta Lady: The Rita Coolidge Anthology [Disc 2] Amazon
36Sylvester Ooo Baby Baby The Original Hits [1989 Fantasy] Amazon

420 Fun

It’s a topical theme…it’s a medicinal thing…it’s a blend of sounds celebrating vipers and jives from the past century.  We will join in the celebration (in spirit anyway) of the date and time that three Marin County teenagers are said to have inaugurated over a half century ago. There is no shortage of material to pull from the well of Americana…whether that be from the 1920s or from the 2010s. We’ll brighten up the playlist with music that will help us kick back. We’ll pour over a selected list of great sounds from the last 100 years that either directly or indirectly find us thinking about (or maybe imbibing in) the herb so many care about. There will be music from John Prine, Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, Ray Charles and some early century jazz nuggets you will find hard to resist. Friday morning sounds from the Cherry Street Historic District of Santa Rosa, California, streaming to West County and the world on KOWS-LP, Occidental 92.5 FM and kowsfm.com/listen. 

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Johnny Price Marijuana, The Devil Flower Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) Amazon
3Cordovas Stone Cold Stoned The Rose of Aces Amazon
4Yonder Mountain String Band Two Hits and the Joint Turned Brown Mountain Tracks, Vol. 2 Amazon
5Sam Bush Granny Wontcha Smoke Some Marijuana Radio John: Songs of John Hartford Amazon
6Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen Seeds And Stems (Again) Lost In The Ozone Amazon
7Jesse Dayton Dope Smokin' Song The Alternate Root 420 Sampler Amazon
8Merle Haggard/Willie Nelson It's All Going to Pot Django and Jimmie Amazon
9Willie Nelson/Snoop Dogg/Kris Kristofferson/Jamey Johnson Roll Me Up (Album version) Heroes Amazon
10k.d. lang Smoke Rings Drag Amazon
11Kacey Musgraves High Time Pageant Material Amazon
12Moonalice It's 420 Somewhere Dave's Way Vol 1 Amazon
13Chris Stapleton Might As Well Get Stoned Traveller Amazon
14Asleep At The Wheel Jack I'm Mellow New Routes Amazon
15Ashley Monroe Weed Instead Of Roses Like A Rose Amazon
16Brothers Osborne Weed Whiskey And Willie Port Saint Joe Amazon
17John Prine Illegal Smile Great Days: The John Prine Anthology Disc 1 Amazon
18Kacey Musgraves Burn One With John Prine Demos Amazon
19Tom Petty You Don't Know How It Feels Wildflowers Amazon
20Ben Harper Burn One Down Fight for Your Mind Amazon
21Julia Lee Marijuana Kansas City Star [Disc 4] Amazon
22The Ink Spots That Cat Is High Cocaine Blues Amazon
23Trixie Smith Jack I'm Mellow Trixie Smith Vol. 2 1925-1929 Amazon
24Buck Washington Save the Roach for Me [FCC Warning n word] When Hemp Was Hip Amazon
25Dave Van Ronk You's A Viper Dave Van Ronk And The Ragtime Jug Stompers Amazon
26Wayne Hancock Viper A-Town Blues Amazon
27Harlan Pepper Reefer The Alternate Root 420 Sampler Amazon
28Ray Charles Let's Go Get Stoned Ultimate Hits Collection [2 of 2] Amazon
29The Devil Makes Three Champagne And Reefer Redemption & Ruin Amazon
30Chris Ardoin and Double Clutchin' Stay In or Stay Out – Pass the Dutchie Putomayo Presents Zydeco Amazon

Cuppa Joe

The history of coffee consumption in 20th century America takes hold in the small cafes, truck stops and coffeehouses which became venues and social spaces for the community. Like music, they helped with the congregation of like minds and served as hubs for intellectual exchange, artistic expression and social activism. And it was all because of the caffeine. Instant and decaf coffees were just an aberration; much like disco. This week’s Deeper Roots drives the theme of coffee home with tracks that span the century including Emmett Miller, the King Cole Trio, The Bobs, Ella Mae Morse and Merle Travis (among others) to tell us a cuppa tale or two. It’s one more Friday show ahead of next week’s 420 observation…one more libation to celebrate.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2Warren Barker Caper At The Coffee House (From '77 Sunset Strip') Jazz Noir Amazon
3The Manhattan Transfer Java Jive Anthology – Down in Birdland [Disc 1] Amazon
4King Cole Trio You're The Cream In My Coffee The Cocktail Combos [Disc 1] Amazon
5Ella Mae Morse Coffee Date Singles 3 Amazon
6Patricia Kaas Black Coffee Jazz a Saint Germain Amazon
7Jack Barlow Hot Cup Of Coffee I Live The Country Songs I Sing Amazon
8Merle Travis I Can't Afford The Coffee The Guitar Picker CD4 (1954-56) Amazon
9Tex Ritter 01 – Coffee Pot (2000) High Noon (CD 4) Amazon
10Claude Gray I4ll Have an Other Cup of Coffee Country & Western Nuggets Amazon
11Lefty Frizzell Make That One for the Road a Cup of Coffee 1962-1965 (Warped 6382) Amazon
12Curtis Gordon Caffeine And Nicotine Bob Dylan: Radio Radio [Disc 1] Amazon
13Jon Rauhouse Corn & Coffee Steel Guitar Rodeo Amazon
14Frank Sinatra The Coffee Song Radio Radio Vol.5 [Disc 1] Bob Dylan Amazon
15Enric Madriguera And His Hotel Biltmore Orchestra Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee American Dance Bands – Playing the Music of Irving Berlin Amazon
16Pancho Cantaneo y los Cubaztecas Moliendo Cafe Cuba. Por La Musica Amazon
17Terry Snyder / Earl Palmer Binga Banga Bongo-Percolator Ultra-Lounge, Vol. 8: Cocktail Capers Amazon
18Ella Mae Morse w/Big Dave and His Orchestra Forty Cups of Coffee Barrell House Boogie and the Blues Amazon
19The Modernaires Coffee Five, Doughnuts Five The Very Best of the Modernaires With Paula Kelly Amazon
20The Ink Spots Java Jive The Great Entertainers Amazon
21Atilla Coffee, Coffee Mo 33004 Amazon
22Greg Brown Good Morning Coffee If I Had Known Amazon
23Kim Lenz Percolate Slowly Speeding Amazon
24Julie London Black Coffee 36 All-Time Greatest Hits Disc 1 Amazon
25Ruth Etting You're The Cream In My Coffee Love Me or Leave Me CD1 Amazon
26Brook Benton Another Cup Of Coffee Best Of Brook Benton Amazon
27The Boswell Sisters Coffee In The Morning And Kisses In The Night [Album Version] That's How Rhythm Was Born Amazon
28Emmett Miller You're The Cream In My Coffee Minstrel Man From Georgia Amazon
29The Larks Coffee, Cigarettes And Tears Bob Dylan: Radio Radio [Disc 1] Amazon
30Bellevue Cadillac Cuppa Joe Hipsters, Zoots & Wingtips, Vol. 3 Amazon
31Lefty Frizzell Cigarettes and Coffee Blues Life's Like Poetry (Disc 5) Amazon
32Otis Redding Cigarettes And Coffee Oxford American Southern Music Issue Vol. 25 Amazon
33Neil Young + Promise of the Real A Rock Star Bucks A Coffee Shop The Monsanto Years 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