Rockabilly N Blues Radio Hour 01-04-21

 

We're rolling into 2021 with some killer new tunes from Austin John, Cousin Harley, Linda Gail Lewis, Mezcal Brothers, Eva Eastwood, James Inteld & The Honky Tonk Palomino's, Nick Lowe (w/ Los Straitjackets), Martini Shakers, Howlin' Ramblers plus 2 new tracks from Los Straitjackets in our instru-Mental Breakdown!  Beth Riley brings a classic Jerry McCain track in her Beth's Blues Break, we'll stroll to the Doo-Wop Corner AND drop a coin in the Jammin' James Jukebox (to hear a vocal track and first release from The Ventures)!  Still...there's more...with rockers from The Crickets, Jerry Lee Lewis and JD McPherson!

Hear episode here:

Stream on Mixcloud Google Play  Overcast and Libsyn!

Intro Voice Over- Rob "Cool Daddy" Dempsey

Intro Music Bed: Brian Setzer- "Rockabilly Blues"

Mezcal Brothers- "Shakin' Dog"

Martini Shakers- "Lately I'm Lonely"

Howlin' Ramblers- "I'm A Howlin' Rambler"

instru-Mental Breakdown:

Los Straitjackets- "I Feel Fine"

Los Straitjackets- "Time Is On My Side"

Austin John- "She's Dynamite"

Eva Eastwood- "If Love Don't Work On You"

The Crickets- "Tell Me How"

Beth's Blues Break:
(Music bed: Buddy Guy- "Slow Blues")

Jerry McCain- "She's Tough"

Follow Beth's Blues Break HERE

Jerry Lee Lewis- "Just Because"

James Intveld & The Honky Tonk Palomino's- "To Be As One"

Cousin Harley- "Let's Go"

Linda Gail Lewis- "Oh Pandemic"

Doo-Wop Corner:

Lee Curtis- "Under The Moon Of Love"

The Titans- "Love Is A Wonderful Thing"

Jammin' James Jukebox selection of the week:

The Ventures- "Cookies and Coke"

Nick Lowe (with Los Straitjackets)- "A Quiet Place"

The Fabulous Thunderbirds- "Hot Number"

JD McPherson- "Bloodhound Rock"

Outro Music Bed: Duane Eddy- "Curveball"

The Ventures: Stars On Guitars documentary

 

The Ventures are not only Rock & Roll Hall Of Famers but they have also directly influenced guitarists for the past 6 decades of all genres!  I was thrilled to view The Ventures: Stars On Guitars ahead of it's December 10th release from Vision Films.  While I've long been a fan, I learned so much about the group's origins (including Don Wilson's mom Josie Wilson's role in their early success by being a producer, running the fan club, etc., starting the band's own Blue Horizon label, etc.) and how crazy popular they are all over the world particularly in Japan!  It was great seeing people like John Fogerty, Deke Dickerson, Billy Bob Thornton, The Surfrajettes, Tim Polecat, Jeff "Skunk" Baker, Jimmy Page, Liz Brasher, Jeff Cook (Alabama) and so many more talk about The Ventures and gush over their influence on their music and playing style.  I loved hearing early names of the group (The Versatones and The Impacts), jobs Don Wilson and Bob Bogle had early on (bricklayers) and everyone's key role in the band's success.

There was a time in the 60's that The Ventures were outselling The Beatles 2 to 1.  They've released over 250 albums (who has come anywhere close to that?!) and recorded over 3,000 songs!  When most successful groups from that time period broke up years/decades ago, the band in it's latest incarnation is still going strong.  In fact, this documentary was supposed to debut at Viva Las Vegas this year but the festival had to cancel due to the Covid 19 outbreak.  This outbreak also marked the first summer the band did NOT tour Japan since the early 60's!

I was particularly excited to hear their first single with Don singing ("Cookies and Coke").  I'll post a link below too.  Over the years, they just kept finding new sounds on the guitar.  Whether it was Nokie Edwards' unique style or Don's sometimes punk-like playing, they really blazed a trail especially with a twin guitar attack like that.  They influenced surf, punk, heavy metal, psychedellic and more!  It was also cool to hear about Glen Campbell, Carol Kaye, Hal Blaine and others playing on some sessions.

As opposed to the title of their massive hit, "Walk Don't Run"...you should RUN and don't walk to watch this documentary for yourself.  If you are a fan, you'll become a bigger one.  If you aren't one yet, you will be!  It's available on DVD and VOD outlets on December 8th!

Big thanks to Staci Wilson (Don's daughter) who produced and directed this documentary for giving us access to it early.  

https://theventuresstarsonguitars.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TheVenturesMovie/

Stars On Guitar trailer

The Ventures- "Cookies and Coke"

The Ventures- "Walk Don't Run"

The Ventures- Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction

Chuck Berry was born this day in 1926

Chuck Berry was born this day in 1926 in St. Louis, MO.  His songwriting, guitar playing and showmanship is one of the biggest influences on rock.  Most artists coming out after Berry have acknowledged him as an influence.  Here are some of his biggest hits along with select covers from others...

"Johnny B. Goode"

Dion- "Johnny B. Goode"

Jimi Hendrix- "Johnny B. Goode"

"Maybelline"

Elvis Presley- "Maybelline" (live 1955)

"Rock & Roll Music" (w/ Tina Turner)

The Beatles- "Rock & Roll Music"

The Beach Boys (w/ Roger McGuinn)- "Rock & Roll Music"

"Sweet Little Sixteen"

Jerry Lee Lewis- "Sweet Little Sixteen"

"Dear Dad"

Dave Edmunds- "Dear Dad"

"Run Rudolph Run"

Keith Richards- "Run Rudolph Run"

"Memphis Tennessee"

The Ventures- "Memphis Tennessee"

"Carol"

JD McPherson- "Carol"

"Jingle Bell Rock" versions

"Jingle Bell Rock" has become a classic over the years.  It was first released in 1957 by Bobby Helms.  Enjoy these great versions and let us know which you like the best!

Bobby Helms

Dion

The Ventures

Chet Atkins

Bill Haley

"Rudolph"...the most famous of Reindeer (Chris Isaak, Ventures & More)

While Rudolph didn't play in any Reindeer games, he's certainly the most famous!!  Check out various covers of "Rudolph" and let me know which you prefer...also, pick up the Chris Isaak Christmas CD for only $6.34 right now at Amazon (see link below if interested).  On to the tunes....

Chris Isaak and Stevie Nicks

The Jackson 5

Ray Charles

The Crystals

Gene Autry

The Ventures