Category Archives: Featured Music

Down the Mississippi

With its ever-changing course, its flowing waters and historical significance, the Mississippi River serves as a powerful metaphor for the American story. The river is a lifeblood nourishing the land while also serving as a path to freedom itself, symbolizing the pursuit of freedom and progress from the North to the Gulf of Mexico. Additional to all of this are its routes of trade and commerce that highlight both the American spirit and prosperity. This week’s Deeper Roots show celebrates the river that got its name after the northern Minnesota people, the Ojibway, and their name for ‘big river’ as well as songs of the namesake state and delta as well. Performances include mid-century recordings from country favorites the Delmore Brothers and Jimmie Skinner, blues from Charlie Musselwhite and the Rufus Thomas, as well as classic recordings of Bob Dylan, Charley Pride, Pops Staples and the Boswell Sisters. Tune into West County radio each Friday morning at 9 Pacific.

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Kay Starr Mississippi Capitol Collectors Series Amazon
2Allen Toussaint Bright Mississippi The Bright Mississippi Amazon
3J.J. Cale Mississippi River Grasshopper Amazon
4Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys Mississippi Mud Whoopee Hey Hey! Amazon
5Pops Staples Down In Mississippi Peace To The Neighborhood Amazon
6Charley Pride Roll On Mississippi Anthology Amazon
7Danielia Cotton Roll On Mississippi Roll On Mississippi – Single Amazon
8Bruce Cockburn Sunrise on the Mississippi Dart to the Heart Amazon
9Bob Dylan Mississippi Love and Theft Amazon
10Hank Penny Mississippi Muddle King Of Hillbilly Bebop [Disc 1] Amazon
11Jimmie Skinner I Miss the Mississippi and You 1960-1962 (Warped 6188) Amazon
12Delmore Brothers Mississippi Shore 1946-1947 (Warped 4679) Amazon
13The Browns Mister and Mississippi Classics 1963-1964 (Warped 6384) Amazon
14Boswell Sisters Roll On Mississippi Boswell Sisters Amazon
15Sammy Price & the Blues Singers Mississippi Moan Sammy Price and the Blues Singers Vol. 1 1938 – 1941 Amazon
16Roy Book Binder Mississippi John The Hillbilly Blues Cats Amazon
17Charlie Musselwhite Blues Up The River Mississippi Son Amazon
18Rufus Thomas Funky Mississippi The Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles, Vol.2: 1968-1971 [Disc 1] Amazon
19Mountain Mississippi Queen Super Hits Of The '70s: Have A Nice Day, Vol. 1 Amazon
20The New Christy Minstrels Mighty Mississippi Ramblin' Amazon
21Tennessee Ernie Ford Mr. And Mississippi The History Of Country & Western Music (Disc 19) Amazon
22Cheryl Wheeler Lighting Up The Mighty Mississippi Sylvia Hotel Amazon
23George Jones & Melba Montgomery I'd Jump The Mississippi Vintage Collections Amazon
24Bobbie Gentry Mississippi Delta Ode To Billy Joe Amazon
25SNCC Freedom Singers; Jones, Marshall In The Mississippi River Voices Of The Civil Rights Movement, [Disc 2] (Ensembles) Amazon
26Mavis Staples Down In Mississippi (Cd) We'll Never Turn Back Amazon
27Merle Haggard Miss the Mississippi and You The Peer Sessions Amazon
28Jesse Winchester Mississippi, You're On My Mind The Best Of Jesse Winchester Amazon
29Marty Stuart Mississippi Railroad Blues [Instrumental][Instrumental] Ghost Train: The Studio B Sessions Amazon
30Doc & Merle Watson Mississippi Heavy Water Blues Sittin' Here Pickin' the Blues Amazon

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.Artist Title Album Buy
1Conjunto Sotavento de Nacho Fierro La Bamba Tex Mex Folk 1920s to 1950s Amazon
2Lydia Mendoza Jurame Lone Star Amazon
3Lydia Mendoza Mal Hombre American Roots Music [Disc 4] Amazon
4Las Hermanas Mendoza Mis pensamientos The Rough Guide to Tex-Mex Amazon
5Little Joe & La Familia Las Nubes American Roots Music [Disc 4] Amazon
6Conjunto Bernal Mi Unico Camino Lone Star Amazon
7Ritchie Valens La Bamba Southern California With Fond Memories Amazon
8Freddy Fender Before The Next Teardrop Falls Before The Next Teardrop Falls Amazon
9Los Super Seven Cupido (ft. Freddy Fender & Rick Trevino) Heard It On The X Amazon
10Freddy Fender Wasted Days And Wasted Nights Country Crossroads Amazon
11The Texas Tornados Who Were You Thinkin' Of Texas Tornados Amazon
12Doug Sahm Nuevo Laredo Best of Sir Douglas 68-75 Amazon
13Sir Douglas Quintet Dynamite Woman Mono Singles '68-'72 Amazon
14Sir Douglas Quintet She's About A Mover Sir Douglas Amazon
15Tejas Brothers (w/ Augie Meyers and Larry Joe Taylor) Rosa Live a Little More Amazon
16Los Lobos Will the Wolf Survive? El Cancionero: Mas y Mas (1 of 4) Amazon
17The Mavericks Volver, Volver Collection [2003] Amazon
18The Mavericks Ven Hacia Mi (Come Unto Me) [Conjunto Version] In Time (10th Anniversary Deluxe) Amazon
19Eddie "Lalo" Torres Y Su Conjunto Arriba San Antonio The Rough Guide to Tex-Mex Amazon
20Santiago Jimenez Jr. Alma de Tejas The Rough Guide to Tex-Mex Amazon
21Flaco Jimenez El Pesudo Flaco Jimenez Amazon
22Flaco Jiminez The Girls From Texas featuring Ry Cooder (Album Version) Partners Amazon
23Flaco Jimenez Por Una Mujer Bonita Flaco Jimenez Amazon
24Linda Ronstadt Mi Ranchito (My Little Ranch) Mas Canciones Amazon
25Ry Cooder w/Sam Samudio No Quiero The Border/Alamo Bay Amazon
26Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs Wooly Bully Memphis Celebrates 50 Years Of Rock 'n' Roll Amazon
27David Lindley & El Rayo-X Texas Tango Very Greasy Amazon
28Charley Pride Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone Country USA 1970 Amazon
29Marty 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.Artist Title Album Buy
1Cookie & the Cupcakes Mathilda Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
2Joe Barry I'm A Fool To Care Don't Do It: The Smash Record Story 1961-1962 [Disc 2] Amazon
3Joe Barry Teardrops in My Heart I'm a Fool to Care: The Complete Recordings 1958-1977, Vol. 1 Amazon
4Joe Barry Little Jewel of the Vieux Carre I'm a Fool to Care: The Complete Recordings 1958-1977, Vol. 1 Amazon
5Rockin' Sidney Shirley Jean Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
6John Fred Shirley The History of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues [Disc 3] Amazon
7Rod Bernard This Should Go On Forever Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
8Rod Bernard Diggy Liggy Lo Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
9Rod Bernard Colinda Swamp Gold, Vol. 2 Amazon
10Warren Storm Prisoner's Song Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
11Warren Storm Hey Ma Ma Boppin' By The Bayou – Made In The Shade Amazon
12Lil' Band Of Gold/Warren Storm Please Mr. Sandman Americana Roots Songbook: Louisiana Amazon
13Little Bob & The Lollipops Nobody But You Oxford American 11th Edition Southern Music 2009 Amazon
14Lil' Bob & the Lollipops I Got Loaded Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
15Johnnie Allan Lonely Days & Lonely Nights Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
16Jivin' Gene Breaking Up Is Hard To Do Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
17Dale & Grace I'm Leaving It All Up to You Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
18Clint West Our Love Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
19Clint West Big Blue Diamonds Swamp Gold, Vol. 2 Amazon
20Cookie & His Cupcakes Breaking Up Is Hard To Do Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou – Vocal Groups Amazon
21Cookie And The Cupcakes Until Then Louisiana & The Old New Orleans Sound Amazon
22Cookie & The Cupcakes Got You on My Mind Swamp Gold, Vol. 2 Amazon
23Shelton Dunaway & The Cupcakes Mary Lou Doing The Popeye The History of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues [Disc 5] Amazon
24Tommy McLain Sweet Dreams Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
25Tommy McLain Before I Grow Too Old The Essential Collection Amazon
26Tommy McLain Before I Grow Too Old I Ran Down Every Dream Amazon
27Tommy McLain Somebody (Radio Edit) I Ran Down Every Dream Amazon
28The Uniques All These Things Swamp Gold, Vol. 2 Amazon
29Randy & the Rockets Lets Do the Cajun Twist Swamp Gold, Volume 1 Amazon
30Joe Barry Just Because Don't Do It: The Smash Record Story 1961-1962 [Disc 2] Amazon
31Cookie & The Cupcakes I Cried Bob Dylan Presents: Radio Radio, Theme Time Radio Hour, Vol. 1 Amazon
32Tommy McLain I Ran Down Every Dream (feat. Elvis Costello) I Ran Down Every Dream Amazon
33Rockin' 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.Artist Title Album Buy
1J.J. Cale Call The Doctor Naturally Amazon
2Eric Clapton Call Me the Breeze The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale Amazon
3Case Garrett Call Me The Breeze Aurora Amazon
4Marc Cohn After Midnight Listening Booth: 1970 Amazon
5Waylon Jennings Clyde Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line: The RCA Years Disc 2 Amazon
6The Band Crazy Mama High On The Hog Amazon
7Maria Muldaur Cajun Moon Louisiana Love Call Amazon
8J.J. Cale Hey Baby The Very Best of J.J. Cale Amazon
9Widespread Panic Travelin' Light Choice Cuts: The Capricorn Years 1991-1999 Amazon
10Eric Clapton Travelin' Light Reptile Amazon
11Eric Clapton/J.J. Cale Don't Cry Sister The Road to Escondido Amazon
12John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers Sensitive Kind A Sense of Place Amazon
13Chris Smither Magnolia Happier Blue Amazon
14Shannon McNally Magnolia Magnolia – Single Amazon
15Tony Joe White Louvelda (feat. J.J. Cale) Collected [CD3] Amazon
16J.J. Cale Rock and Roll Records Okie Amazon
17Eric Clapton After Midnight The Cream of Clapton Amazon
18J.J. Cale Anyway the Wind Blows Okie Amazon
19Kansas Bringing It Back Kansas Amazon
20Eric Clapton/J.J. Cale Danger The Road to Escondido Amazon
21Shannon McNally Low Rider Black Irish Amazon
22J.J. Cale Roll On Roll On Amazon
23Eric Clapton/J.J. Cale Heads in Georgia The Road to Escondido Amazon
24The Tractors The Tractors-Rhythm Bone Trade Union Amazon
25Eric 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.Artist Title Album Buy
1Roy Hogsed Cocaine Blues Swinging Hollywood Hillbilly Cowboys Amazon
2Hank Williams III Cocaine Blues Risin' Outlaw Amazon
3Dick Justice Cocaine Old Time Music From West VI : Old-Time Music From West Virgi Amazon
4Carl Martin That New Kind Of Stuff Carl Martin, Tennessee Chocolate Drops, Louie Bluie & Ted Bogan, Willie "61" Blackwell — Complete Recorded Works Amazon
5Lucille Bogan Baking Powder Blues Cocaine Blues Amazon
6Johnny Cash Cocaine Blues Silver Amazon
7Billy Hughes Cocaine Blues Country & Western Hit Parade 1947 Amazon
8Son Volt Cocaine and Ashes American Central Dust Amazon
9The Reverend Horton Heat Bales of Cocaine Holy Roller Amazon
10Hank Thompson & His Brazos Valley Boys Cocaine Blues Dance Ranch Amazon
11Miss Marcy & Her Texas Sugardaddy's Whiskey And Cocaine Deep Ellum Amazon
12Grateful Dead Casey Jones Workingman's Dead Amazon
13The Byrds Take A Whiff On Me Untitled / Unissued [Disc 1] Amazon
14Fred Neil Sweet Cocaine The Many Sides Of Fred Neil [Disc 1] Amazon
15Woody Guthrie Take A Whiff On Me Muleskinner Blues (The Asch Recordings, Vol. 2) Amazon
16Woody Guthrie Bad Lee Brown (Cocaine Blues) (traditional, arr. Woody Guthrie and Cisco Houston) Woody at 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection [Disc 2] Amazon
17Jackson Browne Cocaine Running On Empty Amazon
18Dave Van Ronk Cocaine Two Sides of Dave Van Ronk Amazon
19Eric Clapton Cocaine Slowhand Amazon
20Margo Price Cocaine Cowboys All American Made Amazon
21Doc & Merle Watson Let the Cocaine Be Live & Pickin' Amazon
22The Manhattan Transfer That Cat Is High Anthology – Down In Birdland (Disc 2) Amazon
23Chick Webb & His Orchestra Wacky Dust Cocaine Blues Amazon
24Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra Kickin' The Gong Around Cocaine Blues Amazon
25Cab Calloway & His Cotton Club Orchestra Kickin' The Gong Around Chronological Cab Calloway (1932-1934) Amazon
26Mills Blue Rhythm Band Kokey Joe Cocaine Blues Amazon
27The Spirits of Rhythm Junk Man Cocaine Blues Amazon
28Curtis Mayfield Pusherman The Very Best Of Curtis Mayfield Amazon
29The Ink Spots That Cat Is High Cocaine Blues Amazon
30Memphis 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.Artist Title Album Buy
1Duane Eddy Forty Miles Of Bad Road Dance With The Guitar Man Amazon
2Dylan LeBlanc Sensitive Kind Pastimes Amazon
3Down Like Silver To the River Light That Match – Single Amazon
4Johnny Thunder Loop De Loop The Very Best Of Johnny Thunder Amazon
5The Georgia Satellites Almost Saturday Night / Rockin' All Over the World Rubaiyat Elektra's 40th Anniversary [Disc 2] (1990) Amazon
6The Doobie Brothers Long Train Runnin' The Very Best Of The Doobie Brothers [Disc 1] Amazon
7Patsy Cline Got A Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul Volume 3 Amazon
8Linda Martell I Almost Called Your Name (Remastered 2022) Color Me Country (Sun Records 70th / Remastered 2022) Amazon
9Slim Whitman Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain The Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection  2013 Amazon
10Willie Nelson Made In Texas The Border Amazon
11Duane Eddy Dance With The Guitar Man Dance With The Guitar Man Amazon
12Johnny Cash Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie Come Along And Ride This Train [Disc 2] Amazon
13T Bone Burnett He Came Down The Other Side Amazon
14Charley Crockett Hard Luck & Circumstances $10 Cowboy Amazon
15Jorma Kaukonen Red River Blues Blue Country Heart Amazon
16Jefferson Airplane Embryonic Journey Surrealistic Pillow [Bonus Tracks] Amazon
17The Dave Brubeck Quartet Unsquare Dance Silver Linings Playbook: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Amazon
18Los Indios Tabajaras Always In My Heart Maria Elena/Always In My Heart Amazon
19Ria Valk Santo Domingo (Fernando, Alfredo En Jose) The Wanda Jackson Connection (30 Roots And Covers Of Wanda Jackson) Amazon
20Eileen Barton Fujiyama Mama The Wanda Jackson Connection (30 Roots And Covers Of Wanda Jackson) Amazon
21Marvin Rainwater Baby, Don't Go Whole Lotta Woman Amazon
22Clifton Chenier Me And My Chauffeur King Of The Bayous Amazon
23Louis Jordan Caldonia Living The Blues – Jump Blues & Boogie Amazon
24Jim McCracklin Think Living The Blues – 1965 – 1969 Blues Classics Amazon
25Howlin' Wolf 300 Pounds Of Joy Legends of Guitar – Electric Blues (Vol. 1) Amazon
26Sonny Boy Williamson II One Way Out The Real Folk Blues Amazon
27Jimmy Reed Hush, Hush The Very Best of Jimmy Reed Amazon
28John Lee Hooker It Serves You Right To Suffer The Definitive Collection Amazon
29Johnny Cash Well Alright Songwriter Amazon
30Lydia & Her Melody Strings Just A Queen For A Day The Wanda Jackson Connection (30 Roots And Covers Of Wanda Jackson) Amazon
31Duane Eddy Rebel Rouser Twang Thang: The Duane Eddy Anthology [Disc 1] Amazon
32Duane 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.Artist Title Album Buy
1Rev.Willingham And The Swanee Quintet That's The Spirit I Heard The Angels Singing : Electrifying Black Gospel From the Nashboro Label 1951-1983 Amazon
2Maria Muldaur with Tuba Skinny Swing You Sinners Let's Get Happy Together Amazon
3Tony Bennett Sing You Sinners [#] The Essential Tony Bennett [Columbia/Legacy] Disc 1 Amazon
4The Brothers Comatose Modern Day Sinners Respect The Van Amazon
5Billy Ward & The Dominoes Little Black Train Vol. 4-21 Hits Amazon
6The Robins That's What The Good Book Says Hot R&B and Cool Blues 1946-52 Amazon
7Freddie & The Hitch Hikers Sinners Songs From The Crazy Cramps Collection Disc 01 Amazon
8Gospel Songbirds The Bible Is Right The Best Of Nashboro Gospel Amazon
9Sister O. M. Terrell The Bible's Right Country Gospel 1946-1953 Amazon
10Sister O.M. Terrell I'm Going To That City Preachin' The Gospel – Holy Blues Amazon
11Sister Rosetta Tharpe Look In The Good Book Brother Sister On Tour Amazon
12Soul Satisfiers Of Philadelphia Run On Home And Live With God Powerhouse Gospel Vol 1 Amazon
13The Swan Silvertones Sinner Man Jesus Rocked The Jukebox: Small Group Black Gospel (1951-1965) Amazon
14The Soul Stirrers Sinner Run To Jesus (Take 1) Jesus Rocked The Jukebox: Small Group Black Gospel (1951-1965) Amazon
15The Weavers Sinner Man Wasn't That A Time – Disc 2 – This Land Is Your Land Amazon
16Woody Guthrie Little Black Train Muleskinner Blues (The Asch Recordings, Vol. 2) Amazon
17Johnny Cash I Hung My Head American IV: Man Comes Around Amazon
18Johnny Cash Unclouded Day Voice of the Spirit, Gospel of the South Amazon
19Chuck Wagon Gang Sinner, You'll Miss Heaven 1941-1948 (Warped 4128) Amazon
20Kitty Wells Dust on the Bible Dust on the Bible (1959) Amazon
21Willie Nelson Family Bible One Hell Of A Ride Amazon
22Mac Wiseman I'm Using My Bible For A Roadmap Most Requested Amazon
23Cowboy Copas Four Books In The Bible Heartwarming Gospel – 18 Best of King Gospel Amazon
24Elvis Presley Run On Artist of the Century Disc 2 Amazon
25The Kendalls Heaven's Just A Sin Away Country Gold-1 Amazon
26The Whitstein Brothers Sinner You'd Better Get Ready Old Time Duets Amazon
27Johnny Cash God's Gonna Cut You Down American V: A Hundred Highways Amazon
28Reverend Robert Ballinger And The Gospel Chimes John Saw How Sweet it Was Amazon
29Nina Simone Gin House Blues The Amazing Amazon
30Fern Jones I Am A Pilgrim And A Stranger The Glory Road Amazon
31Sister Rosetta Tharpe Lay Down Your Soul Vol. 3-1946-47 Complete Record Amazon
32Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys Rank Stranger Classic Bluegrass Amazon
33Eddy Arnold Sinner's Prayer Warped 5133 – Eddy Arnold – 1951 Amazon
34Buddy Miller There's A Higher Power Universal United House Of Prayer Amazon
35Johnny 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.Artist Title Album Buy
1Bonnie Bramlett You've Really Got A Hold On Me Lady's Choice Amazon
2Barrett Strong Misery Northern Soul – The Early Years – 100 Classic And Rare Tracks (CD2) Amazon
3The Miracles Bad Girl The 35th Anniversary Collection Amazon
4The Contours Whole Lotta Woman The Very Best of The Contours Amazon
5Smokey Robinson & the Miracles Shop Around Motown: The Classic Years Disc 1 Amazon
6Mary Wells/The Love-Tones You Beat Me to the Punch Motown: The Classic Years Disc 1 Amazon
7Gene Chandler You Threw A Lucky Punch Northern Soul – The Early Years – 100 Classic And Rare Tracks (CD2) Amazon
8Mary Wells The One Who Really Loves You Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971 Disc 1 Amazon
9Mary Wells Two Lovers The Soul of Detroit – Disc 1 Amazon
10The Miracles Going to a Go-Go Motown: The Classic Years Disc 1 Amazon
11Brenda Holloway When I'm Gone Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971 Disc 2 Amazon
12Carolyn Crawford My Smile Is Just a Frown (Turned Upside Down) Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971 Disc 1 Amazon
13The Miracles Baby Don't You Go [Single Version] The 35th Anniversary Collection [Disc 2] Amazon
14The Temptations The Way You Do The Things You Do The Best Of The Temptations, Vol. 1: The 60s Amazon
15Marvelettes Way Over There Northern Soul – The Early Years – 100 Classic And Rare Tracks (CD3) Amazon
16Marvin Gaye Ain't That Peculiar Marvin Gaye Icon Amazon
17The Contours First I Look at the Purse The Very Best of The Contours Amazon
18The Temptations Get Ready The Best Of The Temptations, Vol. 1: The 60s Amazon
19Marvin Gaye One More Heartache Anthology [Disc 1] Amazon
20Marvin Gaye I'll Be Doggone 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Marvin Gaye, Vol. 1 Amazon
21Marvin Gaye Take This Heart Of Mine Anthology [Disc 1] Amazon
22The Contours Determination The Very Best of The Contours Amazon
23Chris Clark From Head To Toe Soul Sounds – Remaster Amazon
24The Marvelettes Don't Mess With Bill 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Marvelettes Amazon
25The Marvelettes The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Marvelettes Amazon
26Johnny Rivers The Tracks of My Tears Greatest Hits [Capitol] Amazon
27Smokey Robinson & the Miracles More Love Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971 Disc 3 Amazon
28Tammi Terrell He's The One I Love Come On And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection Amazon
29Diana Ross & The Supremes The Composer The Best Of Diana Ross & The Supremes [Disc 2] Amazon
30The Four Tops Still Water (Love) The Ultimate Collection Amazon
31Smokey Robinson & the Miracles Tears of a Clown Motown: The Classic Years Disc 2 Amazon
32The Supremes Floy Joy Gold Disc 2 Amazon
33Rare Earth Get Ready Soundsavers – Old School No. 6 Amazon
34Rita Coolidge The Way You Do The Things You Do Delta Lady: The Rita Coolidge Anthology [Disc 2] Amazon
35Sylvester 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.Artist Title Album Buy
1Johnny Price Marijuana, The Devil Flower Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) Amazon
2Cordovas Stone Cold Stoned The Rose of Aces Amazon
3Yonder Mountain String Band Two Hits and the Joint Turned Brown Mountain Tracks, Vol. 2 Amazon
4Sam Bush Granny Wontcha Smoke Some Marijuana Radio John: Songs of John Hartford Amazon
5Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen Seeds And Stems (Again) Lost In The Ozone Amazon
6Jesse Dayton Dope Smokin' Song The Alternate Root 420 Sampler Amazon
7Merle Haggard/Willie Nelson It's All Going to Pot Django and Jimmie Amazon
8Willie Nelson/Snoop Dogg/Kris Kristofferson/Jamey Johnson Roll Me Up (Album version) Heroes Amazon
9k.d. lang Smoke Rings Drag Amazon
10Kacey Musgraves High Time Pageant Material Amazon
11Moonalice It's 420 Somewhere Dave's Way Vol 1 Amazon
12Chris Stapleton Might As Well Get Stoned Traveller Amazon
13Asleep At The Wheel Jack I'm Mellow New Routes Amazon
14Ashley Monroe Weed Instead Of Roses Like A Rose Amazon
15Brothers Osborne Weed Whiskey And Willie Port Saint Joe Amazon
16John Prine Illegal Smile Great Days: The John Prine Anthology Disc 1 Amazon
17Kacey Musgraves Burn One With John Prine Demos Amazon
18Tom Petty You Don't Know How It Feels Wildflowers Amazon
19Ben Harper Burn One Down Fight for Your Mind Amazon
20Julia Lee Marijuana Kansas City Star [Disc 4] Amazon
21The Ink Spots That Cat Is High Cocaine Blues Amazon
22Trixie Smith Jack I'm Mellow Trixie Smith Vol. 2 1925-1929 Amazon
23Buck Washington Save the Roach for Me [FCC Warning n word] When Hemp Was Hip Amazon
24Dave Van Ronk You's A Viper Dave Van Ronk And The Ragtime Jug Stompers Amazon
25Wayne Hancock Viper A-Town Blues Amazon
26Harlan Pepper Reefer The Alternate Root 420 Sampler Amazon
27Ray Charles Let's Go Get Stoned Ultimate Hits Collection [2 of 2] Amazon
28The Devil Makes Three Champagne And Reefer Redemption & Ruin Amazon
29Chris 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.Artist Title Album Buy
1Warren Barker Caper At The Coffee House (From '77 Sunset Strip') Jazz Noir Amazon
2The Manhattan Transfer Java Jive Anthology – Down in Birdland [Disc 1] Amazon
3King Cole Trio You're The Cream In My Coffee The Cocktail Combos [Disc 1] Amazon
4Ella Mae Morse Coffee Date Singles 3 Amazon
5Patricia Kaas Black Coffee Jazz a Saint Germain Amazon
6Jack Barlow Hot Cup Of Coffee I Live The Country Songs I Sing Amazon
7Merle Travis I Can't Afford The Coffee The Guitar Picker CD4 (1954-56) Amazon
8Tex Ritter 01 – Coffee Pot (2000) High Noon (CD 4) Amazon
9Claude Gray I4ll Have an Other Cup of Coffee Country & Western Nuggets Amazon
10Lefty Frizzell Make That One for the Road a Cup of Coffee 1962-1965 (Warped 6382) Amazon
11Curtis Gordon Caffeine And Nicotine Bob Dylan: Radio Radio [Disc 1] Amazon
12Jon Rauhouse Corn & Coffee Steel Guitar Rodeo Amazon
13Frank Sinatra The Coffee Song Radio Radio Vol.5 [Disc 1] Bob Dylan Amazon
14Enric Madriguera And His Hotel Biltmore Orchestra Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee American Dance Bands – Playing the Music of Irving Berlin Amazon
15Pancho Cantaneo y los Cubaztecas Moliendo Cafe Cuba. Por La Musica Amazon
16Terry Snyder / Earl Palmer Binga Banga Bongo-Percolator Ultra-Lounge, Vol. 8: Cocktail Capers Amazon
17Ella Mae Morse w/Big Dave and His Orchestra Forty Cups of Coffee Barrell House Boogie and the Blues Amazon
18The Modernaires Coffee Five, Doughnuts Five The Very Best of the Modernaires With Paula Kelly Amazon
19The Ink Spots Java Jive The Great Entertainers Amazon
20Atilla Coffee, Coffee Mo 33004 Amazon
21Greg Brown Good Morning Coffee If I Had Known Amazon
22Kim Lenz Percolate Slowly Speeding Amazon
23Julie London Black Coffee 36 All-Time Greatest Hits Disc 1 Amazon
24Ruth Etting You're The Cream In My Coffee Love Me or Leave Me CD1 Amazon
25Brook Benton Another Cup Of Coffee Best Of Brook Benton Amazon
26The Boswell Sisters Coffee In The Morning And Kisses In The Night [Album Version] That's How Rhythm Was Born Amazon
27Emmett Miller You're The Cream In My Coffee Minstrel Man From Georgia Amazon
28The Larks Coffee, Cigarettes And Tears Bob Dylan: Radio Radio [Disc 1] Amazon
29Bellevue Cadillac Cuppa Joe Hipsters, Zoots & Wingtips, Vol. 3 Amazon
30Lefty Frizzell Cigarettes and Coffee Blues Life's Like Poetry (Disc 5) Amazon
31Otis Redding Cigarettes And Coffee Oxford American Southern Music Issue Vol. 25 Amazon
32Neil Young + Promise of the Real A Rock Star Bucks A Coffee Shop The Monsanto Years Amazon