Hell's Kitchen Radio #431: The Right String But The Wrong Yoyo

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How has time changed for you over the past year? Some days, when I'm busy teaching, grading, cleaning up the Hellhole, and caring for the Hell spawn, it seems to fly right by, leaving me wonder where the Hell all this free time is? Then there are days when I fell it drag right along, as if the seconds are actually ticking backwards. What are we going to remember about this time a decade from now? Is there anything you have been putting off that you really need to get to before we all head back out into the world we think we knew? How do you want to approach the post-pandemic world? Will you rush back in, jumping at the chance to go everywhere and see everyone? Or are you going to slowly ease in, keeping your mask on deep into 2021, and quietly judging anyone who has the gall to walk around without a mask?

What's it going to be?

I received my two Pfizer vaccinations a few weeks back, with no side effect besides a minor soreness at the injection site, and I'm keeping my mask on until we're given the go ahead to take it off. I don't want to be the guy who can't get sick, but carries the virus and gets others sick. Not on my watch!

Since San Francisco is moving closer to the yellow tier, this means that Radio Valencia is getting closer to opening our new studio at 3227 22nd Street. This is a storefront location, and I cannot wait to start broadcasting my show live from there. I hunger for the energy of our own studio once again, interviewing people, getting loud, and letting my hair down. Don't get me wrong, the concept of doing my show from my bedroom is oh so much fun, but being reminded that it's Bodhi's bedtime, and not to talk so loudly is really putting a crimp in my style. KnowWhatIMean?

That being said, I'm really excited about this recent show of mine. I was off last week, so I had a lot of music saved up to share with you all. I think I painted the scene nicely. You let me know what you think. Feel free to leave a comment, and thanks for all those who chatted me up this past Monday night. Keep it comin'.

Enjoy.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm

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Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows: Leslie Gore
Beverly Hills: Circle Jerks
House Rent Blues: John Lee Hooker
China Doll: Joe Craven and the Sometimers

Fig Tree: Bunny Wailer
Rowche Rumble: The Fall
Hurricane: The Coathangers

Personified: Optic Sink
UZI (Pinky Ring): Wu Tang Clan
A Shot in the Dark: Naked City
Soul Kitchen: The Black Angels

Oh It's Such A Shame: Jay Reatard
We Had Love: Mudhoney
Housewife From Hillsdale: The Guttersluts
I'm A Man: Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley

Fuck You: Melvins
Pretty Good: John Prine
Highway Cafe: Tom Waits
Don't Fence Me In: Roy Rogers

Funky Broadway: Delroy Wilson
Freak Out: My Brightest Diamond
Mark of Vaccination: Slim Cessna's Auto Club
Paradiso: Konono No. 1

Makin' Woopie: Ella Fitzgerald (Ellis Larkins - Piano)
Lord of Lightning: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Earthquake: 13th Floor Elevators

The Nile Song: Pink Floyd
Good Night, Sleep Tight: Lawrence Welk Singers

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza - Monday, March 29th, 2021 - 6-8PM Pacific - Lou Reed December 26, 1972 & DEVO November 10, 1978

 

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza

Monday's 6-8PM Pacific

http://radiovalencia.fm

I admit I have a penchant for Punk. My brother-from-another-mother, Oz, The Watermonk of Dah, once told me that I'm both the biggest Deadhead and the biggest Punk fan he knows. I'm flattered, since Oz knows a lot of people who know a lot about music. 

I really love the Grateful Dead, but you wouldn't know that from tuning into my shows. For some reason I just shy away from them. I may need to usurp an open Radio Valencia slot for the sole purpose of playing nothing but live Dead.

Tonight it's all punk. First up is my all-time favorite Lou Reed show on December 26, 1972 at WLIR studios in Hempstead, New York. This is from the "Transformer" tour. There are not enough adjectives to describe the greatness of this show. 

The second hour features DEVO playing the Old Waldorf in San Francisco, November 10, 1978. This was a broadcast on the legendary KSAN-FM. If you were living in the Bay Area in the 70s, then you know how awesome KSAN was. This is the station that started freeform. This is the station that made me want to be a radio DJ. And this DEVO performance is a prime example of a band at the top of their game on the best radio station in the land. This features music from the soon-to-be-released "Duty Now For The Future", their second full length release.

If you would like to make a request for future live shows on this program, please go to my database, and then leave a comment here.

Stick around 8-10PM Monday for my two hour music mix, Hell's Kitchen Radio. Check out the iPhone and Android app to take Radio Valencia with you everywhere!

Enjoy.

jh

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza - Monday, March 22nd, 2021 - 6-8PM Pacific - Patti Smith June 5, 2004

 

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza

Monday's 6-8PM Pacific

http://radiovalencia.fm

It's time to play the Godmother of Punk: Patti Smith. This 2004 show is a standout for many reasons. She's in top form throughout the 2+ hour show, mixing music and spoken word, as she does so well. This performance takes place at the legendary Toad's Place in New Haven. Connecticut. If you live in the area, then you know this is a place where a who's who of the best musicians in the business like to play for it's more intimate vibe. Many musicians will play a surprise show here as a warm up for a national tour. 

Enjoy this treat. It's a matrix recording, which means it's a mix from the soundboard and the best quality audience tape. This audience tape was recorded by Adam Schanke, known in the area for having high quality recordings of some of the most coveted shows.  

More info about Toad's Place can be found here.

I'm not hosting Hell's Kitchen Radio tonight at 8pm, so I have a classic episode set up for you to enjoy. See you all next week.

Enjoy.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio #430: It's A Ripoff

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I'm taking too much time thinking about how to describe this show. It shouldn't take this long. It should just flow, you know? The show flowed well. I had been listening to a lot of compilations during the week leading up to the show, so a lot of what you hear are from a few that stood out. 

I don't look at compilations for songs that have been previously released. Sometimes the joy of a good comp is that rare track, the alternative take (some of which is obvious why it was never released in the first place), guest musicians, and the such. 

I enjoy covers a lot, and if you tune in regularly you're aware of this. There are times when I dig deep for the original; much of the time it's an old blues take. 

There are no fewer than ten covers tonight, and a few alternate and rare takes thrown in too. Check out the Richard Hell set, featuring his early days with Tom Verlaine (Neon Boys and Television). He also recorded a record with Steve Shelley and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth: Dim Stars. 

Check out the birthday tribute to Phil Lesh, who turned 81 on Monday, featuring a cavalcade of "stars" covering a rarely played Grateful Dead tune, "Unbroken Chain". I posted the video from this session at the bottom of this post. It's well worth the listen and the viewing. 

There's also a birthday tribute to Sly Stone who turned 78 on Monday.

I could go on and on about the sets I played, but I think you're here for the music. In a rare twist, there aren't any new releases in this show. Next week I'll throw down some new music for you dig.

Enjoy.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm

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Fuck You, Let's Rodeo: FEAR
I Don't Know: Willie Mabon
Little Red Rooster: Big Mama Thornton

Beyond and Back: X
Silver Wings: The Knitters
Gold and Silver: Quicksilver Messenger Service

Brand New Day: The Staple Singers
Mack the Knife: Nick Cave
Dedication: Casey Kasem
Blank Generation (Live 1974): Television
Love Comes In Spurts: Neon Boys

Rip Off: Dim Stars
Stairway to Royalty Payments: Evolution Control Committee
The Crystal Ship: Dead Meadow

Pablo Picasso: Catholic Discipline (Live January 19, 1980 KPFK)
Jamie's Cryin': John Jorgenson Band ft. David Lee Roth
I'm Shakin': The Blasters

Unbroken Chain: The Terrapin Family Band with special guests for Phil Lesh's 81st birthday
Que Sera Sera: Sly and the Family Stone

Love Is Something: Brides of Funkenstein
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (alt take): Gil Scott-Heron
Ballad of the Soldier's Wife: PJ Harvey
What Keeps Mankind Alive: WS Burroughs - Anthony Coleman, Selfhaters Orchestra
Why Don't We Do It In The Road: Lydia Lunch

Swampland: Monomen
Good Night, Sleep Tight: Lawrence Welk Singers

Enjoy the Phil Lesh birthday celebration from the Terrapin Family Band and friends!

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza - Monday, March 15th, 2021 - 6-8PM Pacific - Parliament/Funkadelic & James Brown

 

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza

Monday's 6-8PM Pacific

http://radiovalencia.fm

It's time to get funked up! I think we all need to get our booties movin', and I cannot think of a better way to spend two hours on a Monday night than this show right here.

Let's start off with a band that brings the party to your town: Parliament/Funkadelic! By 1978 they were legendary for their stage shows. They brought everything AND the kitchen sink to stage to turn you on. This show from Holland in 1978 will make you sweat. And what a lineup!!!

George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Phelps Collins, Bernie Worrell, Gary Shider, Gary "Mudbone" Cooper, and whoever else they could fit on the stage!

The only way to follow up this show is with another funk great. How about the master of ceremonies, the hardest working man in show business, the Godfather of Soul? 

I spent some time this weekend watching some live James Brown from 1981 and I cannot believe how much energy he had in him at the age of 48! Still doing the kicks and the splits! I think I broke my hip just watching that show. I have many favorite eras of the Godfather, mostly 68-74, and tonight I'm going to turn you on to an exceptional show Switzerland in 1973. This show is on fire and a must have for any James Brown fan. 

This classic lineup features the JB horns of Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, and St. Claire Pickney; John "Jabo" Spark on drums, Cheese Martin on guitar, and Fred Thomas on bass. Backing vocals are most likely Vicki Anderson and Lyn Collins.

I was honored not only to have seen James Brown perform live three times, but I also got to interview him when I hosted a Friday mid-day Jazz/Soul/Funk show at KFJC. Thanks James!

Stick around 8-10PM Pacific Monday night for Hell's Kitchen Radio. Lots of new sounds for you to consume. 

Enjoy.

jh 

Hell's Kitchen Radio #429: International Women's Day

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I always like the response to the question asked to late Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, when she was asked how many women on the high court would satisfy here? Her response: 9. I love that. There were 9 men between 1789 - 1981 when Sandra Day O'Conner was appointed. Isn't it time for a high court full of women? 

Women are rising to greater heights in government, academia and industry, and of course some of the most amazing singers and musicians throughout history have been women. Tonight it's all about some of my favorite women. Most are female-fronted bands, but there are many all-women groups here, solo artists, and a few duets peppered in for good measure.

Spread this show far and wide.

Have you tuned into my Monday night Live Bootleg Bonanza? Monday's 6-8PM Pacific I dig into my live bootleg library and play a full show or two from the hundreds of bands I have shows from. Take a look at my full blog and scroll down for the past shows I've played.

Enjoy.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm

Follow Radio Valencia on Twitter
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Rebel Girl: Bikini Kill
Criminal Element: Nikki and the Corvettes
Control: Amyl and the Sniffers
Paint It Black: Avengers

The Power of Pussy: Bongwater
I Like Girls: Samantha Sidley
Somebody to Love: The Great Society

The Leibnitz Language: Le Butcherettes
Kissability: Sonic Youth
Black Mountain: Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan
Wasted: The Runaways

If You Don't Give Me What I Want: Vicki Anderson
Theme de Yoyo: Art Ensemble of Chicago

Fine and Mellow: Billie Holliday and Lester Young
Man's Ruin: Bernadette Seacrest and Her Yes Men
Voodoo Love: Liv Mueller

Butterfly: KnightressM1
Blow Up: Aoife Nessa Frances
Suburban Home: Alice Bag
Big Boss Man: Mercury Rev (ft. Hope Sandoval)

Woodstock: Joni Mitchell
Voyage: Angel in Heavy Syrup
Some Velvet Morning: Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood

Tomorrow is Forever: Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner
I Can See For Miles: Petra Haden

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza - Monday, March 8th, 2021 - 6-8PM Pacific - Mad Dogs And Englishmen 04/26/70 & Delaney, Bonnie and Friends 07/22/71

 

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza

Monday's 6-8PM Pacific

http://radiovalencia.fm

These two shows are sure to get your toes a-tapping. the first 90 minutes feature one of the best live stage shows in the past 50+ years: Mad Dogs, Englishmen and Joe Cocker, live at the Fillmore West in San Francisco. You really need to watch the film of this tour to get the entire story, but I can tell you that nothing like this show has happened since, and for good reason. Enjoy every moment.

The last 30 minutes or so features a group that has a lot of cross over with the Mad Dogs tour. Delaney, Bonnie and Friends features the charismatic couple at their finest, along with stellar guitarist Duane Allman and horn man King Curtis. This is the band that inspired Clapton to create Derek and the Dominos. Yep, I just grabbed a bunch of you right there and for good reason. What an amazing show this is. 

I really wish I could be any of you who have never heard these shows. My hair stood on end the first time I heard these two bands. 

Stick around 8-10PM Pacific Monday night for Hell's Kitchen Radio. Lots of new sounds for you to consume. 

Enjoy.

jh 

Hell's Kitchen Radio #428: Sold To Hell

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Well damn if that wasn't fun. During the week I'm always listening to music; my own collection and a lot of non-commercial radio: Radio Valencia, KALC and KFJC mostly. Thankfully the Shazam app exists. I cannot tell you how often I use that app. Personally I believe it to be the greatest app ever made in the history of app-kind. Quite possibly it's the greatest invention since the printing press! OK maybe since radio. What do I know? 

My point: many of the artists I still get turned onto come from listening to quality radio stations, with hosts who really know their music. 

What a time to be quarantined! 

I'm hoping we're allowed into our new studio soon. I miss having people to interview from week to week. And we've got these great new digs on 22nd street, right next door to the Make Out Room. I really hope they're able to survive this pandemic. Word came today that the iconic Revolution Cafe has closed their doors, permanently. I would fly my flag at half mast if I had one. 

Carrying on, here's a bunch of music that will sweep away the ennui, unless you get off on that kind of sensation? I will never yuck your yum. 

Brand new Melvins and Mr. Bungle are in the show, along with a lot of artists I don't think I have ever played on here before. Also some new Iggy Pop where he channels the spirit of a dead Welsh poet. Iggy can gargle salt water and I would still love how it sounds. 

I want to start featuring more local independent artists who I know have suffered through COVID-19. I've got some Kate Vargas and her man, Eric McFadden in the second hour. They could always use your love. 

See you next Monday starting at 6pm Pacific for my live bootleg bonanza, where I play full live shows from my live bootleg library. This blog has posts from the previous shows so you can take a look at what you missed. Then stick around from 8-10PM Pacific for my two hour music mix Hell's Kitchen Radio.

Enjoy.

jh

Fuck Around: Melvins
Gaze the Haze: Watchout!

Fascists Eat Donuts: Pop O Pies
Dead Man Walking: Praxis
Break Your Mind: The Darts

Kicker Conspiracy: The Fall
Colossal Youth: Young Marble Giants
Pool On A Plate: Naked Lights
Son of Mustang Ford: Swervedriver

Loss For Words: Mr. Bungle
Tippi Toes: Primus
The Sun and its Horizon: Bill Orcutt
Chik Chikka: Mulatu Astake and the Heliocentrics

The Partisan: Electrelane
Sold America: Damaged Bug
Kolbasti: Altin Gun
Lonesome Cowboy Bill: Velvet Underground
Panik: Bratmobile
Westgate: Amyl and the Sniffers

Shocks Almighty: Lee Scratch Perry
There's A Party: N.A.S.A. (feat. George Clinton and Chali 2na)
What A Man: Linda Lyndell
Got My Mojo Working: Ann Cole

7 Inches: Kate Vargas
Babydoll: Eric McFadden
Done Got Old: Heartless Bastards
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night: Iggy Pop

Certain Men: Negativland
Talkin' New York: Bob Dylan
Good Night, Sleep Tight: Lawrence Welk Singers

And because you need to watch Iggy deliver this classic Dylan Thomas poem, here it is:

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza - Monday, March 1st, 2021 - 6-8PM Pacific - The Doors 09/20/68 Stockholm & X 10-01-83 Chicago

 

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza

Monday's 6-8PM Pacific

http://radiovalencia.fm

Tonight I'm featuring two bands who have more in common than you may have realized. Los Angeles psychedelic rock band The Doors lived a short, but very hot career, carried by three brilliant and talented musicians, and fronted by a madman, who probably had to be mad to evoke the imagery brought forth in his lyrics. The show you'll be hearing tonight has been widely traded in bootleg circle and for good reason. The 68 Stockholm shows are legendary for the quality of the performance as well as the availability of the bootlegs, which first made their way into the hands of the public in 1988 thanks to the infamous bootleg label Swingin' Pig. 

The boys are in top form.

A few short years following the disillusion of The Doors, the LA punk scene was in full force. One of the bands leading the charge was X, led by John Doe and his girlfriend, poet Exene Cervenka, along with guitarist Billy Zoom, and drummer DJ Bonebrake. During their long career they crossed over from punk, to americana, to folk rock. 

The LA connection is only part of what these two seminal bands have in common. X wouldn't have received the attention they did had it not been for Doors keyboardist/vocalist Ray Manzarek, who produced their first four albums, making X a force to be reckoned with. 

The show I have for you tonight from October 1983, comes just one month following the release of their fourth LP: "More Fun in the New World". You can feel the energy in the crowd as the band rips through their classics and classics-to-be, and closes with a Doors cover!

I know you're going to dig this. 

If you have any requests for shows, I strongly encourage you to check out my bootleg database, which can be found here. I have been busy updating the list, but I can safely say that I have at least 500 shows that still need to get up on there. 

Please leave a comment letting me know which shows you're interested in me playing on an upcoming Bootleg Bonanza.