Tune into Hell's Kitchen Radio, with John Hell, every Monday night 8-10PM (Pacific), on Radio Valencia (https://radiovalencia.fm) in San Francisco. You can find my playlists and links to the podcasts right here.
I took off for a mid-week trip after this show. This is why you are seeing it so late in the week. That's just the way I roll.
No special on this night, just some fine tuneage. And just take a look! I was obviously looking to mix it up a bit. These sets are totally worth your time to check out. You know you want to. Right? RIGHT?!
Common People: William Shatner
An Open Letter to My Teenage Son: Victor Lundberg
1977: Thee Headcoats
Give It To Me: The Melvins
Interstellar Overdrive: Camper van Beethoven
I Have A Radio: David Lynch
Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath
The Embryo: Pink Floyd (BBC 07-16-1970 Paris Cinema, London, England)
Han-Tyomi and the Murder of the Universe: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
En Gang Om Aret: Dungen
Kathy's Song: Simon and Garfunkel (dedicated to my bride on her birthday)
Take a Letter, Maria: RB Greaves
Summer Babe (Winter Version): Pavement
1976: Redd Kross
Burning Spear: Thee Oh Sees
Sticks and Stones: Jo Jones
Can You Get To That: Funkadelic
Albuquerque: Josh Tillman
ACDC: Sweet
Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite: The Beatles
Let's Go Hunt for Grandpa: Goober and the Peas
I grew up wishing I had graduated from a San Francisco high school in 1964 so that by the Summer of Love in 1967 I would 21 years old and able to fully immerse myself in everything that era had to offer. It's the music of that time that influenced me the most during my adolescent years, when I was moving past what played on the home hi-fi and more into discovering my own likes. It was that swirling psychedelic music and it was that message of change and opportunity that grabbed me most.
My family moved to the Bay Area in late 1982 when I was 12 years and I knew right away what a special place San Francisco was. In our first excursion into the city my parents wanted to tour Fisherman's Wharf, I wanted to go to the Haight. Of course by 1982 the Haight was long past its hippy prime and deep in its lost years of heroin and speed and closed storefronts. That didn't stop me from searching this great city and colorful neighborhoods for any crumb that remained from the vibe that the Summer of Love hoped to propagate following 1967. Today the area is inundated by boutiques and way too many Tibetan importers and head shops; not to mention countless tourists, who, like me, are looking for a shred of evidence that there was once an energy of love that attempted to take our nation to a higher level, overcoming war and grief and capitalism. And let's not forget the number of homeless teens and 20-somethings who have been termed out of foster care, who call the doorways of Haight Street their home.
It was the swirling music, colorful fashion, and risk-taking youth that took precedence at that time. It was the music industry that bastardized it and made way for the punk movement of the 70s/80s. But before that all came to pass we have to appreciate what the bands of the time were doing. San Fransisco was one hell of a great scene. Great clubs, like the Avalon Ballroom, Carousel, Fillmore, Family Dog at the Great Highway had the best bands playing their stages night after night. And promoters like Chet Helms and Bill Graham were pairing local rock bands with legendary blues and jazz artists, opening the ears of the audience to sights and sounds they may never have taken the time to check out on their own.
We are all better for 1967 and San Francisco.
Two books I'd like to recommend that will shed much better light on that era include Joel Selvin's
"Summer of Love", and David Talbot's "Season of the Witch". The latter starts in 67 and works its way up through the first 49er Super Bowl win in early 1982. Both are definitely worth your time, especially if you hold a place in your heart for San Francisco.
As for the music I chose for this show, it's all from 1967, and most are west coast American bands. in retrospect I could have chosen more obscure acts from that year, or other, more current bands, covering these songs, below. Instead I played music that really moved me as I was growing up. And isn't that the job of the DJ, to move you the way they have been?
My friend Linda Kelly, managing editor of the local rag Haight Street Voice was hanging out in the studio with me too. She was interviewing me for the August issue. It's a free paper, so pick it up when you see it, or go online to check it out. I hope she doesn't make me sound too bitter. It's been a challenging year when it comes to my love for SF. But isn't that like all relationships? We'll see it through to the end.
Wednesday I had the chance to take in the Summer of Love exhibition at the deYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park. It was more than I could have hoped for. If you live in the Bay Area make sure you get to this show before it closes, August 20th.
Next Monday night is lots of new music and the return of Little Lauson Hell!!!
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
This ain't no bar fight (though I'm fairly confident that Cash would win). No, this is a love fest. Johnny Cash and Nick Cave have more in common, musically, than many other combos. Cave has claimed that it was the fire and brimstone preachers of the American south that have inspired him the most in his songwriting, while Cash lived it by being raised there!
I've been wanting to host this special for a while now, but it's not easy with only two hours to cover two men of such musical prominence. I'm sure the critics can tear my sets apart, which is fine. How would you improve on this show? Leave comments. In retrospect, I could have played Cave's version of "The Singer", and left out the Cash/Dylan duet. Other than that I could have used about six more hours to really do them justice. Thanks to everyone who offered their suggestions on my FB thread.
Next Monday night will feature lots of new music and some psych jams.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Mercy Seat: Johnny Cash
Flesh and Blood: Johnny Cash
Devil's Right Hand: Johnny Cash
Red Right Hand: Nick Cave
Moonland: Nick Cave
There She Goes My Beautiful World: Nick Cave
Delia's Gone: Johnny Cash
Cocaine Blues: Johnny Cash
Stagger Lee: Nick Cave
Where the Wild Roses Grow: Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue
Give My Love to Rose: Johnny Cash
Redemption Song: Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer
I've Been Everywhere: Johnny Cash and Lynn Anderson
The Ship Song: Nick Cave
Tupelo: Nick Cave
Jennifer's Veil: Birthday Party
The Folk Singer: Johnny Cash
Girl From North Country: Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan
25 Minutes to Go: Johnny Cash
Don't Take Your Guns To Town: Johnny Cash
Wanted Man: Johnny Cash
Jubilee Street: Nick Cave
Super Heathen Child: Grinderman
Hurt: Johnny Cash
Cindy: Johnny Cash and Nick Cave
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry: Johnny Cash and Nick Cave
I cannot lie, "There She Goes My Beautiful World" is so damn beautiful, I think it's my favorite Nick Cave song. This version in particular is brilliant. Enjoy.
It's a total shock to have any idea where or when any of my shows may or may not be listened to, if at all! I say this, because it hit me a long while back that since you can download these shows, it's always possible, albeit a slim shot, that you are listening to this show in the far distant future on some media player, deep on the outskirts of a space system, having never even stepped foot on Earth. You've only heard passing mention of this long-dead orb. And what you've heard are meager little bits of nonesuch info that has honestly left you responding "meh". And who can really blame you?
I can!
This planet has had its ups and downs, but it's the only planet we have at this time. So you can float there all smug in the Aldebaran system with your flying everything, and ability to beam everything and anything anywhere at any time, but for me and my friends and family in July of 2017 we'll keep on fighting the good fight, making love, rocking out, and flying like an eagle, thank you very much.
Little Lauson Hell joined me on the air this past Monday, for what was her 9th visit to the Radio Valencia studios. Below I link to her previous shows. It's a trip watching her grow up on the radio. I remember how shy she was the first time she was with me. I think she was maybe 7 years old. I always say about that first episode "she was shy until she was no longer shy". Lauson didn't bring much music to the show on this night, but we spoke about her recently completing 7th grade, her fun-filled summer, and her goals for 8th grade. She's got wit, I'll give her that.
Once again I streamed video via FB Live. Thanks for all who tuned in. I honestly don't see what's so fascinating about watching a DJ cue up records, but knock yourself out. My buddy, and musical realization of a childhood dream I had all gone to pot, Adam Mackintosh tuned in and gave me permission to play his recent cover of the pat mAcdonald classic "Future's So Bright". If you recall the Timbuk 3 tune, then you really do need to listen to this latest version, which is about to make it onto a huge 100 song compilation at tribute to Pat. Brilliant!
