Category Archives: Oldies

Also Rans 1956

The charts for the year 1956 were overtaken by Elvis. No question. There were a few others that illuminated the jukebox namely Fats Domino, Webb Pierce, Little Richard, and The Platters. Rock ‘n roll’s impact swept the floor with most burying some fairly incredible performances in it’s wake. Call it an avalanche. Call it a mudslide. Call it what you like. As I began to assemble a show looking at the top of the charts for the year, I found that starting at the bottom and working my way up was a revelation. Whether it was country, rhythm & blues, rock ‘n roll or pop…there were some delicious also-rans that I could not ignore so chose to ignore the Top 30 and focused today’s show on the so-called losers below the waterline of the Top 40. And what a joy it was! We’ll hear from some of them including Big Joe Turner, The Dells, LaVern Baker, Clyde McPhatter, Carl Smith and Kitty Wells in today’s show. I hope you’ll find some time, morning, noon or night, to listen in.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1The Ernie Freeman ComboJivin' Around, Part 1Blowing The Fuse: 1956Amazon
2Bo DiddleyPretty ThingBlowing The Fuse: 1956Amazon
3Chuck BerryToo Much Monkey BusinessJohnny B. Goode-His Complete 50's Chess RecordingsAmazon
4Big Joe TurnerThe Chicken and the HawkBig Joe RocksAmazon
5LaVern BakerI Can't Love You EnoughRock & RollAmazon
6Clyde McPhatterSeven DaysRock & RollAmazon
7Chuck WillisJuanitaI Remember Chuck Willis / The King Of The StrollAmazon
8Chuck WillisIt's Too LateBlowing The Fuse: 1956Amazon
9The CloversDevil or AngelDoo Wop Box Disc 2Amazon
10The DellsOh What A NiteThe Vee-Jay Story [Disc 1]Amazon
11The MoonglowsSee SawDancin' And Romancin' In The 50s And 60s [Disc 1]Amazon
12Little Willie JohnHome At LastFever: The Best Of Little Willie JohnAmazon
13Ray CharlesLonely AvenueRay Charles – 93 Essential TracksAmazon
14Otis Williams & His CharmsIvory TowerRhythm & Blues 1952-1959 – Music Sampler, Vol. 2Amazon
15The Five KeysOut Of Sight, Out Of MindDoo Wop Vocal Group GreatsAmazon
16The G-ClefsKa-Ding DongGems from the Columbia Vaults, Pt. 1Amazon
17Clarence "Frogman" HenryAin't Got No HomeChess New Orleans [Disc 2]Amazon
18Sil AustinSlow WalkGreat Instrumental Hits Of The 50s-80s (10 Songs)Amazon
19Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra With Eddie HeywoodCanadian SunsetMagic Moments: Best Of 50's Pop (Disc 2)Amazon
20June Carter CashJuke Box BluesKeep on the Sunny Side: Her Life in Music Disc 1Amazon
21Eddy ArnoldYou Don't Know MeWarped 5543 – Eddy Arnold – 1955Amazon
22Webb PierceTeenage BoogieAll Hits! [Disc 2]Amazon
23Johnny Horton093-Honky Tonk ManColumbia Records' 125th Anniv.Amazon
24The Louvin BrothersCash On The BarrelheadCapitol Country Music ClassicsAmazon
25Kitty WellsThe Lonely Side of TownThe Complete Country HitsAmazon
26Sonny JamesThe Cat Came BackSinglesAmazon
27Marty RobbinsI Can't Quit (I've Gone Too Far)The Essential Marty Robbins: 1951-1982Amazon
28Porter WagonerTryin' to Forget the BluesThe Essential Porter WagonerAmazon
29Tennessee Ernie FordThat's AllMasters 1949-1976 [Disc 3]Amazon
30Hank ThompsonI'm Not Mad, Just HurtMost Of AllAmazon
31Sanford ClarkThe FoolChills & Fever: The Dot Records Story 1955-1962Amazon
32Choir / Faron Young / Hubert LongTurn Her DownThe Complete Capitol Hits of Faron Young (1 of 2)Amazon
33Carl SmithWicked LiesKisses Don't LieAmazon
34Wanda JacksonI Gotta KnowRockin' With Wanda [US Bonus Tracks]Amazon
35Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers/Jimmy WrightThe ABC's of LoveThe Doo Wop Box, Vol. 2 Disc 2Amazon
36The ChordettesBorn To Be With YouFour By Four – Girl GroupsAmazon

Summer of Broken Hearts

The debate is over; what’s say we have ourselves another. There’s certainly no debating democracy at work. Today’s Deeper Roots show will find us circulating through the connective tissue of song: themes that connect with one another. A little bit of eclectic free form fused with all the delightful sounds of country, pop, rock and tradition. Our guiding light will be the truth and the American way. Yes, there’s always bubble gum, apple pie, and Sunday church but then we also have the bats**t crazies who will blame all the good, the bad and the ugly on those who don’t resemble themselves or their own views. So take a break with us on this summer of broken hearts and we’ll share country from Don Gibson to Rosanne Cash, rock and roll from The Stray Cats to Fats Domino, and a little bit of sass and blues from Etta James and Charles Brown. Summer’s almost over and election day is fast approaching. So make sure you vote. 

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Sarah VaughanBroken Hearted MelodyUltimate Sarah Vaughan (Selected by Dee Dee Bridgewater)Amazon
2Chris IsaakLonely With A Broken HeartSan Francisco DaysAmazon
3k.d. lang & the ReclinesTrail of Broken HeartsAbsolute Torch and TwangAmazon
4Rosanne CashThe Way We Make A Broken Heart [Album Version]King's Record ShopAmazon
5Al GreenHow Can You Mend A Broken HeartThe Virgin SuicidesAmazon
6Don WilliamsSome Broken Hearts Will Never MendThe Definitive CollectionAmazon
7Don GibsonI Can Mend Your Broken HeartThe Complete Recordings 1952-1962Amazon
8Charles Brown & Johnny Moore's Three BlazersMy Heart Is MendedSunny RoadAmazon
9Gram ParsonsHearts On FireG.P. / Grievous AngelAmazon
10Kelly DaltonI'm On FireHome – EPAmazon
11Nikki LaneLove's On FireAll or Nothin' (Deluxe)Amazon
12Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll BoysSettin' The Woods On FireBack At The Quonset HutAmazon
13Fats DominoI Don't Want to Set the World on FireThis Is Gold Disc 2Amazon
14Leon RedboneSettin' By The FireWhistling In The WindAmazon
15Etta JamesLet's Burn Down The CornfieldEnduring SoulAmazon
16Etta JamesJump Into My FireSeven Year ItchAmazon
17The Brothers FourGreenfieldsBest Of The Folk EraAmazon
18Peter WolfThe Green Fields Of Summer [with Neko Case]Midnight SouvenirsAmazon
19Nanci GriffithFields Of SummerLate Night Grande HotelAmazon
20Stray CatsLonely Summer NightsRunaway Boys: A Retrospective '81-'92Amazon
21The Four PrepsLazy Summer NightDancin' & Romancin' In The '50s And 60s [Disc 3]Amazon
22Olivia Newton-John & John TravoltaSummer NightsGreaseAmazon
23Steve ForbertSteve Forbert's Midsummer Night's ToastThe Best of Steve Forbert: What Kinda Guy?Amazon
24The Beach BoysYour Summer DreamSurfer GirlAmazon
25Link Wray & The WraymenSummer DreamDestination Beach: 30 Tunes For Dancing In The SandAmazon
26Rodney CrowellVoila, An American DreamCollectionAmazon
27Hayes CarllAmerican DreamWhat It IsAmazon
28Elvis PresleyAn American TrilogyFifty Years Of HitsAmazon
29Willie NelsonBy the Rivers of BabylonGospel FavoritesAmazon

Ride Away

It’s a mellow, laid back collection of sounds from the past century for you this morning. The “ember” months have arrived and we’re winding our way through the last sunsets of summer. So lay down your burdens and join us on another Deeper Roots Friday morning as we share some sweet sounds from near and far, all anchored in an American landscape of dreams and waning nights of warmth. And warmth is what we’ll focus on…from JJ Cale and Leon Russell to Leo Reisman’s Orchestra, Sam Cooke, Randy Newman and Levon Helm. All of this and more, as they say, as we approach the final two months of election promises. I’m hoping that everyone’s placed a high value on truth and goodness because the hate, the lies, the gutter talk all need to be evaporated at long last. Send the vermin back into their holes of hate and let’s get on with the business of making our lives better. Because it’s not politicians that can do that. It’s us.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1John PrineSpeed of the Sound of LonelinessGerman AfternoonsAmazon
2Roy OrbisonRide AwayClassic "MGM" Roy Orbison 1965 – 68Amazon
3Dire StraitsTicket To HeavenOn Every StreetAmazon
4Eddie LangBlue GuitarsJazz Guitar VirtuosoAmazon
5Bobby "Blue" BlandStormy Monday BluesLegends of Guitar – Electric Blues (Vol. 1)Amazon
6Ray Charles with Norah JonesHere We Go Again…Featuring Norah JonesAmazon
7Ray CharlesCrying TimeGenius – The Ultimate Ray Charles CollectionAmazon
8Levon Helm & The RCO All-StarsYou Got MeLevon Helm & The RCO All-StarsAmazon
9Leon RussellLady BlueRetrospectiveAmazon
10J.J. CaleMagnoliaThe Very Best of J.J. CaleAmazon
11Louis ArmstrongWhen It's Sleepy Time Down SouthThe Ultimate Collection [Disc 3]Amazon
12Hoagy CarmichaelLazy BonesHoagy Carmichael & Friends: Stardust MelodyAmazon
13Leo Reisman & His OrchestraLazy LullabySociety SwingAmazon
14Santo & JohnnyLazy DaySanto & Johnny: Collection [Disc 2]Amazon
15Charlie McCoyWalkin' After MidnightClassic CountryAmazon
16Randy NewmanBaltimoreThe Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 2Amazon
17Sam CookeBring It on Home to MeGreatest HitsAmazon
18Etta JamesI'd Rather Go BlindBlues Classics '27_'69 [Disc 3]Amazon
19The Arthur Lyman GroupYellow BirdMusic For a Bachelor's Den More Of The Best Of The Arthur Lyman Group: 6Amazon
20Willie NelsonBlue HawaiiHoneymoon in VegasAmazon
21Chet Atkins/Mark KnopflerTahitian SkiesNeck and NeckAmazon
22Jason WilberYour DestinyLazy AfternoonAmazon
23John Prine & Mac WisemanOld Cape CodStandard Songs for Average PeopleAmazon
24Bill FrisellPoem For EvaGood Dog, Happy ManAmazon
25Kevin RussellLay Down Your BurdenYou Don't Know MeAmazon
26Mississippi John HurtSince I've Laid My Burden DownImmortalAmazon
27Irma ThomasRiver Is WaitingSimply GrandAmazon
28Willie NelsonHouse Of GoldCountry MusicAmazon
29Calvin CookeSince I Laid My Burden DownThe Best Of Sacred SteelAmazon
30Emmylou HarrisMister SandmanProfile II: The Best Of Emmylou HarrisAmazon

Little Bit O’ Bad

A little bit of good, a little bit of bad, and a whole lot of Americana classics. This morning’s Deeper Roots show runs the gamut from boogie Woogie to country ballads, classic rock, soul, blues, gospel and everything but the kitchen sink. Dave Stroud will be featuring songs that celebrate the band of gold, bad boys, bad girls, schooldays nostalgia, and the silly notion that black cats are no more than a warning when, in fact, they are a sign from on high of the very best being yet to come. Tune in for the likes of Stephen Stills, Johnny Cash, Cleo Brown, NRBQ and…yes, Billie Eilish as we celebrate America’s roots from then until now where no ocean is wider nor mountain is high. Celebrate a free form extravaganza with us as we push our way through August, well past the dog days and into the breezy, cool nights of summer’s waning. All for you and the neighborhood on KOWS Community Radio.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1NRBQA Little Bit Of BadMessage For The Mess AgeAmazon
2Maurice Williams & The ZodiacsStayStreet Corner Symphonies (Disc 2)Amazon
3Ronnie HawkinsMatchboxDuane Allman: An Anthology, Vol. 2 [Disc 1]Amazon
4The Hunt SistersElvis Is Rocking AgainDirty Boogie:The Fortune Records StoryAmazon
5Elvis PresleyDirty Dirty FeelingElvis Is Back!Amazon
6Cleo BrownBoogie WoogiePicking the Blues – Compiled By John Mayall – Boogie Woogie PioneersAmazon
7Big Joe TurnerBoogie Woogie Country GirlBig, Bad & Blue: Anthology [Disc 3]Amazon
8Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail LewisBoogie Woogie Country GalWild! Wild! Wild!Amazon
9The DriftersLet The Boogie Woogie RollThe Definitive Drifters [Disc 1]Amazon
10Robert PlantLet The Boogie Woogie RollMore FriendsAmazon
11Ella Mae Morse & Her Boogie Woogie SevenDown The Road ApieceCapitol Records' From The Vaults, Volume 5 – Roots Of Rock 'N' Roll – 1944-53Amazon
12Billie EilishBad GuyWhen We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?Amazon
13Robert GordonBad BoyBad BoyAmazon
14The Jive BombersBad BoyCry-BabyAmazon
15Slim Rhodes BandBad GirlSun Ballads 1953-62Amazon
16The MiraclesBad GirlThe 35th Anniversary CollectionAmazon
17Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kin…Mama Don't Like My ManI Learned the Hard Way (Bonus Version)Amazon
18Johnny CashI Will Rock And Roll With YouThe Legend: Old Favorites And New [Disc 2]Amazon
19Willie NelsonBring Me Sunshine ("Naked" Version)Naked WillieAmazon
20Roy OrbisonDream BabyThe Monument Singles: A-Sides (1960 – 1964) [Disc 1]Amazon
21Roy OrbisonShe Wears My RingCryingAmazon
22Greg BrownBand of GoldDown in ThereAmazon
23Don CherryBand Of GoldRockin' & Rollin' Wedding Songs, Vol. 1Amazon
24Elvis PresleyWear My Ring Around Your Neck50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong: Elvis' Gold Records – Volume 2Amazon
25Rev. Emmett DickinsonA Black Cat Has Crossed Your PathApple Bobbing Mix Vol. 2Amazon
26Johnny WinterBlack Cat BoneThe Progressive Blues ExperimentAmazon
27Memphis MinnieBlack Cat Blues – Take 1Queen Of Country Blues [Disc 5] (1936-1937)Amazon
28Johnny CashMean Eyed CatThe Man In Black 1954-1958 [Disc 1]Amazon
29Johnny CashRing Of FireCountry Music: A Film By Ken Burns – The Soundtrack [Disc 1]Amazon
30Roy OrbisonRock HouseThree Classic Albums+Singles and Sessions 1956-1962 [Disc 1]Amazon
31PixiesHavalinaBossanovaAmazon
32BR5-49I'm Going DownDog DaysAmazon
33Stephen StillsAcadienneMan Alive!Amazon
34Louis JordanBoogie Woogie Blue PlateNumber OnesAmazon
35Marty WildeBad BoyThe Epic Story 1960Amazon

Bluegrass, Newgrass

We’re taking a trip up into hill country to celebrate a true Americana sound. From it’s simple roots rolling out of Appalachia, celebrating music and culture going back even further, bluegrass music evolved from many different corners with a combination of many styles, including old-time mountain music, square dance fiddling, blues, gospel, jazz, and popular music. You can count on high energy, fast tempos and a most distinctive sound. This week’s show has the syncopated rhythms moving along like a freight train, those nostalgic remembrances, and heel-kicking improvisations…not to mention those high lonesome vocals. We’ve got Blue Highway, Bill Monroe, Mac Wiseman, Earl Scruggs, The Rice Brothers and a couple dozen others in a Friday morning bluegrass extravaganza, sharing both classic and contemporary performers. If you’re close by, tune into KOWS 92.5 FM or, better yet, stream us almost anywhere on planet Earth at kowsfm.com/listen.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Morris BrothersSalty Dog BluesLegends Of Bluegrass [Disc 3]Amazon
2Bill MonroeI'm Travelin' On and On1947-1949 (Warped 4988)Amazon
3Bill MonroeCrossing the CumberlandsBluegrass 1959-1969 [Disc 4]Amazon
4Jimmy MartinFootprints in the SnowFirst Time TogetherAmazon
5The DillardsDooleyThere Is A Time: 1963-70Amazon
6Rhonda VincentLonesome Wind BluesBluegrass Number 1's: A Collection of Chart-Topping SongsAmazon
7The Gentlemen of BluegrassOld Old HouseCarolina MemoriesAmazon
8John HartfordSkippin' In The Mississippi DewGood'le Days: Essential RecordingsAmazon
9John HartfordTake Me Back To My Mississippi River HomeGood'le Days: Essential RecordingsAmazon
10Blue HighwayRiding the Danville PikeBluegrass Number 1's: A Collection of Chart-Topping SongsAmazon
11The David Thom BandHome Is Where The Heart IsThat Old FamiliarAmazon
12The David Thom BandThe Little White ChurchThat Old FamiliarAmazon
13Alison Krauss & Union StationSo Long So WrongBluegrass Number 1's: A Collection of Chart-Topping SongsAmazon
14Ricky SkaggsI Hope You've LearnedRicky SkaggsAmazon
15Ralph StanleyDad's Old Rocky FieldOld Songs & BalladsAmazon
16The Rice BrothersGrapes On the VineBluegrass Number 1's: A Collection of Chart-Topping SongsAmazon
17Hazel DickensI Can't Find Your Love Any MoreO Sister! The Women's Bluegrass CollectionAmazon
18Del McCouryA Far CryCelebrating 50 Years of del McCoury (Disc 4)Amazon
19Doyle Lawson & QuicksilverAs Long As the World StandsThe Hard Game of LoveAmazon
20Earl Scruggs/Foggy Mountain Boys/Lester FlattRandy Lynn RagThe Essential Earl Scruggs (1 of 2)Amazon
21The Johnson Mountain BoysDuncan & BradyHills Of Home: 25 Years Of Folk Music On Rounder RecordsAmazon
22The Johnson Mountain BoysOrange Blossom SpecialTime-Life's Treasury Of Bluegrass [Disc 2]Amazon
23Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass BoysDusty MillerBill Monroe: AnthologyAmazon
24Mac WisemanI Wonder How The Old Folks AreTime-Life's Treasury Of Bluegrass [Disc 2]Amazon
25Steep Canyon RangersAs I GoNobody Knows YouAmazon
26Laurie LewisTall PinesBluegrass Number 1's: A Collection of Chart-Topping SongsAmazon
27Jim LauderdaleOld Time AngelsOld Time AngelsAmazon
28Jim & JesseNine Pound HammerTime-Life's Treasury Of Bluegrass [Disc 1]Amazon
29The Seldom SceneMuddy WaterTime-Life's Treasury Of Bluegrass [Disc 1]Amazon
30Bobby Hicks & Del McCouryWe're Steppin' Out TonightBluegrass Number 1's: A Collection of Chart-Topping SongsAmazon
31Lynn Morris BandThe Bramble and the RoseBluegrass Number 1's: A Collection of Chart-Topping SongsAmazon
32Jimmy Martin & The Sunny Mountain BoysHit Parade of LoveJimmy Martin & The Sunny Mountain BoysAmazon
33Emmylou Harris & The Nash RamblersGet Up JohnAt The Ryman [Live]Amazon

Americana Roundup

Looking back over the past fifty-or-so years, we find a large gathering assembled under a large, all-inclusive tent, called Americana. There’s hardly a definition that’s been assigned and it’s hardly what we’d term ‘a genre’. It is, rather, a mood of the music and a narrative of the storytelling defines it. Like the dozens of genres that line it’s walls, we’ve come to know what we’re listening to: blues, gospel, folk and tradition, jazz, and everything in between. This week we’ll be stepping into that tent to congregate and celebrate that ‘sound we know’ called Americana. The digital bins will take us only so far back, celebrating the music of Bob Dylan, Buddy Miller, Gillian Welch, Joe Ely, Old Crow Medicine Show and a couple dozen others. Just what’s needed and built on playlists worthy of the very best of the Americana Hours broadcast each morning here on KOWS Community Radio.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Old Crow Medicine ShowWagon WheelO.C.M.S.Amazon
2Bob DylanHard TimesGood As I Been To YouAmazon
3Keb' Mo'I'm So Lonesome I Could CryTimeless: Hank Williams TributeAmazon
4Sheryl CrowNo Depression In HeavenThe Unbroken Circle: The Musical Heritage Of The Carter FamilyAmazon
5Rosanne CashMotherless ChildrenThe ListAmazon
6Ray Wylie HubbardTell The Devil I'm Gettin' There As Fast As I CanTell The Devil I'm Getting There As Fast As I CanAmazon
7Buddy Miller & Julie MillerForever Has Come To An EndBuddy & Julie MillerAmazon
8Lyle LovettIf I Had a BoatAnthology, Vol. 1: Cowboy ManAmazon
9Guy ClarkFort Worth BluesCold Dog SoupAmazon
10Lucinda WilliamsLake CharlesCar Wheels on a Gravel RoadAmazon
11The Texas TornadosThe Gardens4 AcesAmazon
12Buddy MillerThat's How I Got To MemphisYour Love And Other LiesAmazon
13The FlatlandersDallasMore a Legend Than a BandAmazon
14Joe ElyIf You Were A BluebirdJoe ElyAmazon
15Robert Plant & Alison KraussKilling The BluesRaising SandAmazon
16Alison Krauss & Union StationThe Lucky OneNew FavoriteAmazon
17Mark Knopfler & Emmylou HarrisAll The RoadrunningAll The RoadrunningAmazon
18Steve EarleCopperhead RoadCopperhead RoadAmazon
19Blaze FoleyClay PigeonsWanted More Dead Than AliveAmazon
20Justin Townes EarleHarlem River BluesHarlem River Blues [Explicit]Amazon
21Gillian WelchRed Clay HaloTime (The Revelator)Amazon
22Gillian WelchCaleb MeyerHell Among the YearlingsAmazon
23Van MorrisonTill I Gain Control AgainPay The DevilAmazon
24First Aid KitEmmylouThe Lion's Roar (Bonus Track Version)Amazon
25John HiattDrive SouthSlow TurningAmazon

Dirty Money

We’ve heard them all, the quotes about money being the root of all evil, you can’t take it with you, money can’t buy happiness…but there’s this one little thing that is seldom expanded on and that is the story of ‘dirty money’. There’s plenty of fodder in that area…from the banker CEO to the coal company CEO…there’s never an effort to help raise all boats, only the yachts. Capitalism is our theme. No, wait, is it bank robbing? No, most likely the working man trying to put bread on the table. Hold on, I know. It’s runaway inflation and the blame game. In any event, we’ll be all over the board in today’s show, bringing you music about money cravin’ folks from Blind Alfred Reed, working down on Maggie’s Farm and we’ll also have ourselves a hint of a fireside chat to make us feel better. We’ll also head down to coal country and Bonnie and Clyde, Woody Guthrie, and “Voila! An American Dream” from Rodney Crowell. Tune in. Should be fun.



No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1David RawlingsMoney Is the Meat in the CoconutPoor David's AlmanackAmazon
2The Andrews SistersMoney is The Root of All EvilGolden Age of the Andrews Sisters [Disc 2]Amazon
3Randy NewmanIt's Money That MattersLand of DreamsAmazon
4Rodney CrowellVoila, An American DreamCollectionAmazon
5Bob BrozmanFollow The MoneyPost-industrial BluesAmazon
6Eartha Kitt/Henri René & His OrchestraJust an Old Fashioned GirlPurr-Fect: Greatest HitsAmazon
7Dr. John(Everybody Wanna Get Rich) Rite AwayThe Atco/Atlantic Singles 19681974Amazon
8Ry CooderNo Banker Left BehindPull Up Some Dust And Sit DownAmazon
9Woody GuthrieThe Jolly Banker (Woody Guthrie)Woody at 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection [Disc 2]Amazon
10Jake Xerxes FussellAll in Down and OutJake Xerxes FussellAmazon
11Roy ZimmermanJoel OsteenRize UpAmazon
12Bob DylanMaggie's FarmThe Essential Bob Dylan [Disc 1]Amazon
13Blind Alfred ReedMoney Cravin FolksComplete Recorded Works 1927-29Amazon
14Barbecue BobWe Sure Got Hard Times NowBankers Blues – A Study in the Effects of Fiscal MischeifAmazon
15Bo CarterTimes Is Tight Like ThatBankers Blues – A Study in the Effects of Fiscal MischeifAmazon
16Betty O' BrianMoney HoneyPoint Of No Return: The Liberty Records Story 1962Amazon
17The O'JaysFor The Love Of MoneyFunk ExplosionAmazon
18Solomon BurkeHoney Where's The Money GoneNashvilleAmazon
19John Lee HookerI Need Some MoneyThat's My Story ( Sings the Blues)Amazon
20SNCC Freedom Singers; Reagon, CordellWhich Side Are You On?Voices Of The Civil Rights Movement, [Disc 2] (Ensembles)Amazon
21Bruce SpringsteenThe Ghost of Tom JoadChapter & VerseAmazon
22Wray Family(Dark As A Dungeon Way) Down In The MineBirth / Work / Death – Work, Money And Status In Country Music (1950-1974)Amazon
23Band Of RuhksCoal Mining Man featuring Dr. Ralph StanleyBand Of RuhksAmazon
24Buddy DurhamSixteen TonsBirth / Work / Death – Work, Money And Status In Country Music (1950-1974)Amazon
25Justin Townes EarleDown In The ValleyCoal Country MusicAmazon
26Stan Farlow1040 BluesBirth / Work / Death – Work, Money And Status In Country Music (1950-1974)Amazon
27Rex AllenMoney, Marbles And ChalkThe Versatile Rex Allen [Disc 2]Amazon
28Merle Haggard And The StrangersThe Legend Of Bonnie And Clyde (2006 Digital Remaster)Hag: The Best of Merle HaggardAmazon
29Merle HaggardWorking Man BluesMerle Haggard Country Legend-Disc 1Amazon
30Ferlin Husky22 – Money Greases the WheelsFerlin Husky SinglesAmazon
31J.J. CaleMoney TalksThe Very Best of J.J. CaleAmazon
32Kronos QuartetWhich Side Are You OnLong Time Passing: Kronos Quartet and Friends Celebrate Pete SeegerAmazon

Tell Me a Story

Storytelling in song is not new. It’s mankind’s way of conveying, in both accuracy and reflection, the narrative from one perspective. Embellishments and hooks have long been the best way to make the story easy to digest and, if need be, to get a point (likely sociopolitical) across. We’ll be doing just that in this Friday’s episode: stories based in war, natural disasters, national tragedies and personal conflict. We’ll take a hundred year tour of storytelling from Bessie Smith to the Drive-by Truckers, from Memphis Minnie and The Tex-I-An Boys to Calexico, The Staple Singers and Marty Robbins. There are floods, murders, environmental catastrophes, bombings, and some wartime solemnity to be shared today. Tune into KOWS Community Radio every Friday morning for some fresh musical linens, curated by the outdoors and streaming to all of planet Earth on KOWSFM.COM/listen

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Mac WisemanWreck Of The Old '97Sings Old Time Country FavoritesAmazon
2Jimmie DriftwoodThe Battle of New OrleansSix Classic Albums Plus Bonus SinglesAmazon
3Marty RobbinsBallad Of The AlamoMy Rifle, My Pony And MeAmazon
4Johnny HortonSink The BismarkClassic Country Great Story Songs [Disc 2]Amazon
5CalexicoVictor Jara's HandsCarried To DustAmazon
6Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungOhioSo FarAmazon
7Joni MitchellWoodstockHitsAmazon
8Grateful DeadNew, New Minglewood BluesWhat a Long Strange Trip It's Been Disc 1Amazon
9Grateful DeadNew Speedway BoogieWhat a Long Strange Trip It's Been Disc 1Amazon
10Arlo Guthrie with The DillardsLudlow MassacreThirty Two Cents Postage DueAmazon
11Tom PettyJefferson Jericho BluesMojo (Extra Mojo Version)Amazon
12Randy NewmanBurn OnSail AwayAmazon
13Charlie HadenIs This America? (Katrina 2005)Charlie Haden Family & Friends – Rambling BoyAmazon
14Johnny CashFive Feet High And RisingSongs Of Our SoilAmazon
15Kansas Joe And Memphis MinnieWhen the Levee BreaksPeople Take Warning [Disc 2] Man Vs. NatureAmazon
16Sin-Killer GriffinWasn't That A Mighty StormField Recordings, Vol. 5: Louisiana, Texas, Bahamas (1933-1940)Amazon
17The Tex-I-An BoysWasn't That A Mighty Storm?Classic American Ballads From Smithsonian FolkwaysAmazon
18Bessie SmithBackwater BluesColumbia Records' 125th Anniv.Amazon
19Rory BlockTitanic (When That Great Ship Went Down)Confessions of A Blues SingerAmazon
20Chill Pill DancersZoot Suit RiotSwing: Next GenerationAmazon
21Mimi & Richard FariqaBirmingham SundayTroubadours: Folk And The Roots Of American Music 4: 10 The West CoastAmazon
22Archie SheppBlues for Brother George JacksonVerve Unmixed, Vol. 2Amazon
23Drive-By TruckersWhat It MeansAmerican BandAmazon
24Will And JehneanTrail of TearsSong of AmericaAmazon
25Don McLeanAmerican PieSongs For The Open Road [Platinum Legends]Amazon

Freedom Train

Summer’s in full tilt and we’re not ready quite yet for the heat. But that won’t stop us cartwheeling down the musical halls as we take an eclectic ride on a free form Friday. Themes and tradition will rule today’s playlists, making way for some great roots rock favorites from Elvis, Chuck Berry and Roy Orbison. Country music is well represented with a lonesome George Strait train song, some hellbound Billy Strange, and a trip to Texas with Iris DeMent. KOWS Community Radio features Deeper Roots each and every Friday morning at 9 Pacific and this particular morning is no different save for a few snowflakes in the wind. We’ll also dig deeper for some tracks from The Ravens, The Golden Nuggets, The Beach Boys and a little bit of Dr. John. Join us on our free form journey!

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Bing CrosbyThe Freedom Train [Single Version]Their Complete Recordings Together [Disc 1]Amazon
2Iris DeMentGoin' Down To Sing In TexasWorkin' On A WorldAmazon
3Randy NewmanPolitical ScienceSail AwayAmazon
4Simon & GarfunkelAmericaOld Friends Disc 2Amazon
5Louis ArmstrongSummer SongThis Is Jazz SamplerAmazon
6The RavensSummertimeOld Man RiverAmazon
7Jim ByrnesAin't No Love In The Heart Of The CityLong Hot Summer NightsAmazon
8Roy OrbisonSummer SongCryingAmazon
9The ChimesSummer NightAnother Banana Split, pleaseAmazon
10The Beach BoysYour Summer DreamSurfer GirlAmazon
11Dr. JohnSuch A NightThe Atco/Atlantic Singles 19681974Amazon
12Elvis PresleySuch A NightThe Essential 60's Masters I [Disc 1]Amazon
13Chuck BerryDownbound TrainThe Chess Box Disc 1Amazon
14Billy StrangeHell TrainHillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974)Amazon
15The Golden NuggetsGospel TrainOxford American Music Issue #13-MississippiAmazon
16George StraitTrains Make Me LonesomeStrait Out of the Box [Disc 3]Amazon
17MudcrutchShady GroveMudcrutchAmazon
18Doc WatsonShady GroveSongs From HomeAmazon
19The Campbell Brothers Feat John MedeskiAmazing GraceCan You Feel It?Amazon
20Cat Power & Dirty Delta BluesAmazing GraceDark Was The Night: A Red Hot Compilation [Disc 2]Amazon
21Norma JeanLet's Go All the Way30th Anniversary Collection Disc 1Amazon
22Ray CharlesLet's Go Get StonedGenius – The Ultimate Ray Charles CollectionAmazon
23The Isley BrothersLet's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go [Remastered 1991]Complete United Artists SessionsAmazon
24Al Greene/Soul's MateBack up TrainSmooth Grooves: The '60s, Vol. 3: Late '60sAmazon
25Johnny BondLonesome TrainPut Me To BedAmazon
26Robert GordonLonesome Train (On a Lonesome Track)Robert Gordon with Link Wray/Fresh Fish SpecialsAmazon
27Elvis PresleyMystery TrainLonesome Whistle – An Anthology Of American Railroad SongAmazon
28Robert GordonDrivin' Wheel [*]Robert Gordon with Link Wray/Fresh Fish SpecialsAmazon
29Chuck BerryBrown Eyed Handsome ManThe Chess Box Disc 1Amazon

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.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Conjunto Sotavento de Nacho FierroLa BambaTex Mex Folk 1920s to 1950sAmazon
2Lydia MendozaJurameLone StarAmazon
3Lydia MendozaMal HombreAmerican Roots Music [Disc 4]Amazon
4Las Hermanas MendozaMis pensamientosThe Rough Guide to Tex-MexAmazon
5Little Joe & La FamiliaLas NubesAmerican Roots Music [Disc 4]Amazon
6Conjunto BernalMi Unico CaminoLone StarAmazon
7Ritchie ValensLa BambaSouthern California With Fond MemoriesAmazon
8Freddy FenderBefore The Next Teardrop FallsBefore The Next Teardrop FallsAmazon
9Los Super SevenCupido (ft. Freddy Fender & Rick Trevino)Heard It On The XAmazon
10Freddy FenderWasted Days And Wasted NightsCountry CrossroadsAmazon
11The Texas TornadosWho Were You Thinkin' OfTexas TornadosAmazon
12Doug SahmNuevo LaredoBest of Sir Douglas 68-75Amazon
13Sir Douglas QuintetDynamite WomanMono Singles '68-'72Amazon
14Sir Douglas QuintetShe's About A MoverSir DouglasAmazon
15Tejas Brothers (w/ Augie Meyers and Larry Joe Taylor)RosaLive a Little MoreAmazon
16Los LobosWill the Wolf Survive?El Cancionero: Mas y Mas (1 of 4)Amazon
17The MavericksVolver, VolverCollection [2003]Amazon
18The MavericksVen Hacia Mi (Come Unto Me) [Conjunto Version]In Time (10th Anniversary Deluxe)Amazon
19Eddie "Lalo" Torres Y Su ConjuntoArriba San AntonioThe Rough Guide to Tex-MexAmazon
20Santiago Jimenez Jr.Alma de TejasThe Rough Guide to Tex-MexAmazon
21Flaco JimenezEl PesudoFlaco JimenezAmazon
22Flaco JiminezThe Girls From Texas featuring Ry Cooder (Album Version)PartnersAmazon
23Flaco JimenezPor Una Mujer BonitaFlaco JimenezAmazon
24Linda RonstadtMi Ranchito (My Little Ranch)Mas CancionesAmazon
25Ry Cooder w/Sam SamudioNo QuieroThe Border/Alamo BayAmazon
26Sam The Sham & The PharaohsWooly BullyMemphis Celebrates 50 Years Of Rock 'n' RollAmazon
27David Lindley & El Rayo-XTexas TangoVery GreasyAmazon
28Charley PrideIs Anybody Goin' To San AntoneCountry USA 1970Amazon
29Marty RobbinsEl PasoAll-Time Greatest HitsAmazon