Hell's Kitchen Radio #596: So Long, Ace

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Damn. 

I knew when I was in my early 20s that eventually they would all be gone. That's a thought we all probably have about our favorite artist: one day they'll be gone. For the most part we note it and move on. But what about when that band is our calling? The go-to band. The band that you have invested so much of your musical life to? 

They're still going to go.

Brent went in 1990. Jerry went in 1995. Phil in 2024. Donna in 2025. The way Bobby, the youngest, worked out, daily, I think we all expected him to be the last to go. When we heard of his passing it was a shock. I'm not on social media I don't know if there were stories of him having a cancer scare last summer, which the family said he was able to get past; lung issues eventually did him in. 

Bobby was known to spit out the lyrics, and I mean literally. If you stood in the crowd in front of him there were chances you would get a shower. He was such a crooner in the 90s, really playing to the crowd. 

I've written a lot about my time seeing the Grateful Dead over the years. The 40th anniversary of my first show just passed: December 30, 1985. Post-Dead I saw a few of the incarnations. I saw Phil a few times, went to the two days of Fare Thee Well in 2015 in Santa Clara, saw Dead and Co twice a decade or so ago. I'm happy the music continued to bring so much joy to so many people, and brought in a lot more fans. 

Bobby postulated about the music lasting 300 years. I'd have to imagine that's possible. There are so many people who have been inspired by the music created by Jerry and the boys, that it is conceivable it will grow and morph into the band that be "most triumphant and unite the world". And here you thought it would be Wyld Stallyns.

So here we are, closer than ever to being the orphans we knew we would one day be. Has anyone checked in on Billy, Mickey, TC, Ned and Bruce? If you know, you know.

As for this here tribute, I think Bobby would appreciate what he sees. I start out with an acoustic set, with a few special guests. I then move on to a proper first set, with those first set songs you've come to know and love, before moving onto the second set jams we all live for. 

There is minimal set breaks throughout the show. I marked each track with the date of the performance. There were two shows in 1978, when Jerry had laryngitis, that each song was a Bobby songs. These are all Bobby songs, with only four cover songs. I've also linked all the shows to Archive so you can listen to them all the way through. And you want to do that. All the links are soundboard or matrix (mix of soundboard and audience. I grew up thinking I only wanted to listen to pristine soundboards, but once I started to give audience recordings a listen that what I listen to almost exclusively. The sound of the crowd interacting with the music is a real treat.

What else is there to say? Thanks Ace, it's been a true pleasure. Oh, I always wanted to ask how the hell you grew to look so damn old all of a sudden? And why the beard? You went from being so young a fit, to someone's grandfather over night.

You still rocked like a young man. See you on the other side; wherever that is

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM Pacific
Radio Valencia in SF
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Green, Green Grass of Home - May 31, 1969
Dark Hollow - September 20, 1970 with Dave Grisman
Wake Up Little Susie - June 4, 1970 with David Nelson and John "Marmaduke" Dawson
Monkey and the Engineer - October 11, 1980
Cassidy - October 14, 1980

Jack Straw - January 22, 1978
Beat It On Down The Line - April 26, 1971 with Duane Allman
Yellow Dog Story - May 24, 1969
Mexicali Blues - August 27, 1972
New New Minglewood Blues - March 9, 1981

Greatest Story Ever Told - September 28, 1972 (with St. Stephen jam)
The Music Never Stopped - May 9, 1977

Estimated Prophet - December 26, 1979
Take a Step Back - May 8, 1977
Playin' In The Band - February 18, 1971 (the first one)
New Potato Caboose - February 14, 1968

Throwing Stones - October 09, 1989
Sugar Magnolia - November 11, 1973

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza - Tuesdays 8-10PM Pacific - Celebrating Jerry Garcia

 

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza

Tuesdays 8-10PM Pacific

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Jerry Garcia passed away 30 years ago on August 9, 1995. I was in bed when my alarm went off, turning on the clock/radio. I quickly hit the snooze button, but within the scant seconds between it turning on and my hand slapping the button, I heard my friend Nina "Ann Arbor" Price make a comment on her morning show on KFJC, that made me quickly turn the radio back on. Sure enough she had announced that Jerry had died. 

My heart sank in a way I did not anticipate. I knew that I would outlive my favorite band. I also knew the last Dead show I attended, in September 1994 was so disappointing that I couldn't see myself going to another, but I had not expected his passing.

I have written a lot of My Life with the Grateful Dead on this blog, so I won't regurgitate any of that here. 

Instead, I have for you two hours of live Grateful Dead, consisting of two songs. HA! I joke, I joke. There's ten songs on here to enjoy, spanning from late 1960s until 1980, all shining a light on the stellar guitar playing of one Jerome Jerry Garcia.

A lot of you know that I teach high school. Did you know I teach at Jerry's old school in San Francisco? What a treat! And the city just renamed the block of Harrington Street, blocks from where I teach, to Jerry Garcia Street. I get giddy just thinking of all the Heads who will make the pilgrimage here. I'm sure the neighbors won't be as excited, but here we are.

In the meantime, take a look at the playlist below, click on the link above and groove out to some good ol' Grateful Dead, in memory of the late, great Jerry Garcia.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

01 Dark Star > (Dick's Picks 36)

02 Morning Dew (Dick's Picks 36)

03 Scarlet Begonias > (Dick's Picks 18)

04 Fire on the Mountain (Dick's Picks 18)

05 Brown Eyed Women (Europe 72, 2001 remaster)

06 Cream Puff War - demo (Rare Cuts and Oddities)

07 Wharf Rat (Crimson, White and Indigo)

08 Friend of the Devil (Dead Set)

09 Bird Song (Reckoning)

10 Ripple (Reckoning)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #579: Days Between

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It's not as much fun hosting my show remotely from home. I like my home. It's cozy. You should come over. But hosting in the studio is so much more fun. The energy is different when I'm standing at the console, looking out onto 22nd street to the people passing by, or stopping to look through the window. At home I'm sitting on the floor in my living room with my computer in front of me talking to the cat. 

That all being said, I have did manage to put together a pretty good show without any vinyl, including a tribute to Jerry Garcia who passed away 30 years ago on August 9th! That sure went fast. The days from the 1st through the 9th are considered the "Days Between", where there are a lot of tributes to Jerry. The last 30 minutes of this show I pay homage. 

And on my Tuesday night show: John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza, I play two hours of some stellar live Grateful Dead that focuses on Jerry. Tune in starting at 8pm Pacific.

No, I did not attend the Dead and Company shows in Golden Gate Park this past weekend. I have an issue with charging people money to see live music in a public park. And Dead and Co are really my jam. They're an OK cover band, but if I want to hear a quality Grateful Dead show I can always stream any of their 2000+ shows that are on my hard drive, or available on Archive. Or I can go see Stu Allen and Mars Hotel. 

I did however download all three live video broadcasts of the shows. They've sped up the songs, which is nice, since the two times I saw them a few years back the songs were sooooo slow. Got to hand it to Bobby Weir, his voice isn't nearly what it used to be, but he still gives it all he has. 

My money is on Mickey Hart being the last one standing. 

With all that being said, there's a lot of newish music tonight, including Wet Leg, LA Witch, Frankie and the Witch Fingers, Public Enemy, Population II, and OSees. 

I'll be back in the studio next Monday night to celebrate Radio Valencia's 15th anniversary! Can you believe we made it that long? There have been times, especially during COVID, I thought we would be closing the doors forever. Tune in and celebrate with me. 

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

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Lucifer Sam/Interstellar Overdrive: Marble Orchard (1991 Savage Sleep)
Gbe Mi Lo: Ofege (1973 Try and Love)

Catch These Fists: Wet Leg
SOS: LA Witch

Fucksake: Frankie and the Witch Fingers (Trash Classic)
Sexegenarian: Public Enemy (Black Sky Over the Projects - Apartment 2025)
Back Door Man (live): The Doors (Waiting for the Sun 50th)
Le The Est Pret (The Tea is Ready): Population II (Maintenant Jamais)
Sharaf: Sahra Halgan (Hiddo Dhawr)

Ouroboros: GOAT (GOAT)
Gild the Lily: Billy Strings (Highway Prayers)

Abominiation: OSees
Fire on the Mountain: Widespread Panic
Kill Jerry Garcia: Colorfinger

Let It Ride: The Soundcarriers (Harmonium 2009)
Daylight: The Kinks (Preservation Act 1 1973)
Pork Roll Egg and Cheese: Ween (the Pod 1991)

Summertime: Coleman Hawkins and Sonny Rollins (Sonny Meets Hawk 1963)
Spidergawd/Eep Hour/The Wheel: Jerry Garcia (Garcia)

Days Between: Otiel Burbridge (Lovely View of Heaven 2023)

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza - Monday 6-8PM Pacific - Garcia/Saunders - November 02, 1974 - The Days Between

 

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Monday's 6-8PM Pacific

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As a huge Dead Freak it's surprising to me that I play so little Grateful Dead and Garcia-related acts on my show. One would think I would saturate the internet with all-things-Dead. Taking a look at the most tagged artists on my blog, the Grateful Dead com in at number three behind the Melvins and Ty Segall. And this is after almost 20 years of this radio blog. 

I think I have shied away because you can hear them at any time on any streaming service, and so many radio stations have a specialty Grateful Dead show. Radio Valencia was lucky to host Dead Legs for a number of months! That being said we are currently in what is known as the Days Between. These are the days between the birthday of Jerry Garcia, August 1st, and his passing, August 9th. For us Deadheads this is a sacred time. It's a time to share stories, pictures, our favorite live shows, and hold one another closer, in celebration of the one who took us on journeys we will always be grateful for. 

I got on the bus when I was 12, way back in 1982, and am still enjoying the ride.

When it comes to Jerry, there are many who haven't taken the time to explore his musical output outside of the comfort of the Grateful Dead. Jerry was known to never put his guitar down. He certainly would have played all night, had the clubs allowed him too. And there were many nights he would show up at an after-hours club, following a Dead performance to sit in with friends into the wee hours of the morning.

In the earlier days, 67-74, Jerry was lucky enough to be able to play the smaller more intimate clubs,

where he could really stretch out, without being hounded as some kind of guru, which he was not! The show I'm sharing tonight is one such place. Jerry, along with organist Merle Saunders, played almost 300 shows together between 1970 and 1975. These were some real precious shows, not to be missed. 

The show tonight, November 02, 1974, from the Keystone in Berkeley, is a real treasure. I have often stated that seeing Jerry without the Dead is like going to Church. And John Hell is NOT a religious man! If there is a Goddess then it's in the music created by Jerry and the musicians he surrounded himself with.

This is a *pitch-corrected version of GarciaLive Volume 18: Keystone Berkeley November 2nd, 1974. This is the complete & previously uncirculated two-set Jerry Garcia & Merl Saunders performance originally recorded to 1/4" analog reels by the great Betty Cantor Jackson. * Pitch Corrected (101.45%)

Jerry Garcia - electric guitar, vocals
Merl Saunders - keyboards, vocals
John Kahn - electric bass
Martin Fierro - saxophone, flute
Paul Humphrey - drums

Give this two hour show a listen and see if you disagree.

You can find my mostly-complete list of live shows right here. Have a request? Leave a comment.

Support these bands. Buy their officially released music and merch, and never ever sell live bootlegs. These are for trade only.

Stick around Monday's 8-10PM Pacific for my weekly music mix, Hell's Kitchen Radio. Lots of new music to share with you every week.

Enjoy and pay it forward.

jh

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Hell's Kitchen Radio #459: The Finer Things In Life

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When's the last time you had a friend over to play guitar in your home? Hmmm? You can't recall because it's been two years of this COVID shit and no one is coming by your house, apartment, condo, storage locker, etc. even though you have been vaxxed since last spring. You really need to get the booster, you know?

Monday night I hosted my buddy Douglas Nelson, who brought his guitar and two jugs of Moss Beach Kobmucha, of which he's the founder and owner. I have never in my life enjoyed kombucha before I tried his stuff. Mind you, this is not a commercial and we didn't even talk much about the product during my show, but I would be remiss if I didn't say something about it. Good man, good kombucha.

Now that the holidays are upon us, I find that I really enjoy getting guests on the air talking about this past

year and what they have coming up. I have no guests in my upcoming show, but Steve Depace of Flipper will be on Monday, December 27th, and I have a bunch of really great interviews lined up for 2022.

What are your plans for New Years Eve? Whatever they are, I want you to get your booster shot. This Omicron variant is no joke. We need to get this thing gone, and the only way to do that is to get vaxxed, boosted and wear your damn mask! Once you get that done, join Radio Valencia at Bottom of the Hill, December 30th and 31st. I'll be your MC, and we'll have a table of freshly printed RV t-shirts for you to grab. 

Enjoy.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
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Can't Let Go: Robert Plant and Alison Krause
Song of the Season: Neil Young and Crazy Horse

When I Paint My Masterpiece: The Band (Cahoots 2021 Remaster)
Statesboro Blues: Rising Suns
Man of Constant Sorrow: Bob Dylan

Woodstock: Joni Mitchell (Ladies of the Canyon demo)
Laughing: David Crosby and P.E.R.R.O.

Silent Night: Douglas Nelson
Go Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: Jerry Garcia and David Grisman (December 9, 1991)

Douglas Nelson live in the studio
Tower of Song (Leonard Cohen cover)

The Wedding/You've Been Around: David Bowie
Tiger Mountain Peasant Song: First Aid Kit

All Tomorrow's Parties: Lou Reed
By The Time I Get To Phoenix: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Douglas Nelson live in the studio
Reason to Believe (Bruce Springsteen cover)
Rise Up With Fists: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
Lilac Wine: Nina Simone
Crawlin' King Snake (LA Woman Sessions): The Doors

Your Time Is Gonna Come: Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
In That Great Getting Up In The Morning: The New Gospel Keys

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza - Monday 6-10PM Pacific - Grateful Dead - November 10, 1973 And More!

 

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Monday's 6-8PM Pacific

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If you tune in regularly then you know I don't play much Grateful Dead, even though I'm the biggest Dead Head many of you know. Really, I'm a walking encyclopedia. I also hang around some Heads who are much more knowledgable than I. We love to geek out about the band, even going so far as sending one another on scavenger hunts (thanks Room 204 and congrats to Madam Racecar Kayak...if you know, you know). Honestly, I can talk for days about this band.

I think I have strayed from playing them more often on my show because I listen to them so much at home, and there's just so much good music out there that I just have to share with you, week to week. This may change. Maybe I need to convert more of you to the Dead-side. 

In the meantime, I do have this lovely two hour window Monday's 6-8PM Pacific to turn you on to my live bootleg library. And when it comes to the Grateful Dead no other band even comes close! I have practically every show they performed, multiple sources for many, and most are soundboards or matrix's (that's a soundboard and audience recording that has been mixed together so you get the sharp sound from the board, mixed with the feel of the crowd. Jubal Seamons has created some of the best matrix sources out there under the name Hunter Seamons. 

If you want to read more about how I came to love, follow and collect this band, there are links below you can check out.

As for tonight's performance, I have a real treat for you. I'm going to share a 70 minute snippet from November 10, 1973 at Winterland Arena in San Francisco. What sets this show apart is this musical sandwich with band does in the second set: Playin' In The Band > Uncle John's Band > Morning Dew > Uncle John's Band Reprise > Playin' In The Band Reprise. They only performed this sandwich three times, all in 73 and 74, which happens to be my go-to era for them. Following this set I add in a few other treats I hope you will enjoy.

Please share this link with Dead Heads in your circle, as well as fans of quality musicianship. You'll be hard pressed to find any other radio station that takes the risks like Radio Valencia does. We're happy to be here for you.

Stay tuned for my weekly music mix, Hell's Kitchen Radio, Monday's 8-10PM Pacific.

And if you're in the San Francisco area on Sunday night, August 15th, come on by Make Out Room for our fundraiser. There are bands and DJs, and I'm MCing!!! 

Enjoy.

jh

A few blog posts regarding my love of the Grateful Dead:
Hell's Kitchen Radio #269: Eagle Wing Palace of the Queen Chinee
Happy 50th Birthday To The Good Ol' Grateful Dead
My Life With The Grateful Dead, Part Two: Trading Them Tasty Tapes
My Life With The Grateful Dead, Part 3: Road Stories Take 1
My Life With The Grateful Dead Part 3: Road Stories Take 2

Have you tried out our iPhone or Android app yet? Get them where you get your phone apps. I love the iPhone app and use it every day.

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM Pacific
Radio Valencia in SF

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Hell's Kitchen Radio #385: Living To My Fullerest

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***You will need to fast forward 15 minutes into this show to catch the beginning. I was late tonight. Sorry about that.

Oh Dougie, you were too big for this world. Where are you now? Are you flying through the ether, looking down on us mortals, laughing from the belly about how silly we all are for crying over your passing? Or are you gone in a blink of an eye, only to live on in our memories?

Father, husband, friend, Franklin Douglas Fuller (November 5, 1962 - December 17, 2019) left us after a short six-month fight with brain cancer. He was the brightest of lights, that drew everyone to him who met him, and even those who had only heard of him wanted to know more. Whether you knew him as Doug, Toad, or even Ouchy the Clown, Doug was always present when he was with you. He made you feel special. He wanted everyone to have a good time, and he went out of his way to make certain that you were made to feel comfortable and welcome, while also pushing every limit you had. Of course Doug wouldn't push any limit of yours that he hadn't already pushed in himself, and found joy in. He was all about joy. Pure, unadulterated joy. He also walked the fine line of giving and not giving a fuck at the same time; all with a smile on his face, and a ready joke at the ready.

I asked Doug to serve papers on my ex-wife a few years back. I can honestly say it was the only time I have ever seen him nervous. He asked me if she was going to pull a knife on him? I think he should have worn clown makeup to the door. At the very least, a clown nose! Our daughters are friends, and his wonderful wife Candace is a close friend of my wife and mine. The memorial on December 30th at Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland is what you think of when you imagine the way you want to be remembered. It was a who's-who of the Bay Area prankster scene. There wasn't a dry eye in the house as speaker after speaker came up to say what all of us already knew in our hearts: Doug Fuller lived life to the Fullerest and can never be replaced.

Oh yes, Doug also curated an annual holiday music set. You really must listen in. Go to his page here and download the link. I believe there are links to all of his previously made music lists for you to enjoy.

Doug, this show is for you, my dear friend.

Enjoy.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
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Iko Iko: Dr. John and The Meters (March 05, 1973 St Bernard Civic Center, Chalmette, LA)

***Paul's Boutique Set***
Back in the USSR: The Beatles
When I'm 64: The Beatles
Walk From Regio's: Issac Hayes
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band: The Beatles
My Philosophy: Boogie Down Production
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band (reprise): The Beatles
The End: The Beatles
Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved: James Brown
Don't Sniff Coke: Pato Banton

Sounds of Science: Beastie Boys
Cold Coffee and Cocaine: Prince
There She Goes, My Beautiful World: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

You're Dead: Norma Tanega

Damned to Obscurity: OBN IIIs
I'm Not An Animal: The Blind Shake
I Come From The Mountain: Thee Oh Sees

Feel: Ty Segall Band
Gloria: Patti Smith (January 06, 1976, Jazz Workshop, Boston, MA)

Marie Marie: The Blasters (April 26, 1980 Mabuhay Gradens, SF, CA)
Drink Up And Go Home: The Good Old Boys (February 21, 1975 Margarita's Cantina, Santa Cruz, CA)
On A Plain: Nirvana (December 07, 1991, Rennes, France)

A Quick One, While He's Away: The Who (Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus)
Buena Sera Seòrita: Van Morrison (August 8, 1971 The Lion's Share - San Anselmo, California)

What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Hell's Kitchen Radio #360: Tangled Up In You

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Sometimes absence does make the heart grow fonder. It's been a few weeks, I know, but don't let that be a reason you forget about dear old Hell. Taking time off allows me to amass more music to share with you. Most of the music on this show I haven't shared with you before, so count yourself lucky.

I hope you're tuning in with Shazam running. Or at the very least grab a pen and paper!

I paid tribute to word jazz stalwart Ken Nordine throughout the show. There's also new music from Frisco, and Tae. It's also the 50th anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band, and I have just cracked open the Holy Grail for live Allman's. I'll have more to share with you over time.

I'm not on this coming Monday night (family duty calls), but the after I should have Little Lauson Hell in the studio with me, and new music from Ty Segall (live) and OCS (live!!!), and whatever Lauson throws on. Her tastes have really evolved since last she was on a few months back.

Tune in Monday's 8-10PM (PDST)

See you on the "radio"

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
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Rocked By Rape: Evolution Control Committee
Take a Letter, Maria: R.B. Greaves
Coral: Ken Nordine
Never Can Say Goodbye: Herbie Mann (with Duane Allman)

Go To Satan: Rube Waddell
Wild Action: The Ventures
California Sun: The Dictators
Panchito Blues II: Peach Kelly Pop

Comptroller: Frisco
Azure: Ken Nordine
So Much For Love: Pearl Harbor and the Explosions
Related to What: The Last Poets
Suspiria: Goblin

Focus Pocus: Big Business
Shake Shake Shake: Bryan Ferry

Don't Keep Me Wonderin': Allman Brothers Band (January 24, 1970 Whiskey Go Go, LA, CA)
Little Red Hen: Taj Mahal

Everybody's Happy Nowadays: Buzzcocks (March, 2 1979 Paradiso, Amsterdam)
I Wanna Be Around: Tony Bennett
May This Be Love: Emmylou Harris and Daniel Lanois (November 8, 1995 State Theater, Portland, ME)
A Thousand Big Bangs: Ken Nordine (with Jerry Garcia and Tom Waits)
Creole Love Call: Roland Kirk

Maggie Sue: Tae
Bankrobber: Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros (August 19, 1999 Two Days A Week Festival, Wiesen, Austria)
A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die: The Flesh Eaters (July 17,1982 Clutch Cargo's, Detroit, MI)

Tangled Up In Blue: Jerry Garcia Band (Live at the Eel - June 10, 1989)
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

To give you a sneak peak at the new OCS Live at The Chapel LP, here's a live video from the end of the show. I WAS THERE!!!

Hell's Kitchen Radio #317: Take A Knee

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I promised I wasn't going to go on a rant tonight. I almost got through the entire show too. It was worth it. But it's all about the music, right? That's why you tune in. You want to hear what I'm going to play, and in what order I'll be playing it. I get it. That's why I listen to quality radio programs, and often with a pen and paper at hand. I want to get excited about a tune I haven't heard before so I can run on out and purchase it, and perhaps get turned on to an artist that has deftly escaped my attention until now.

Recently, a friend of mine was telling me that I should contact a commercial radio station and ask for the opportunity to be their music director for one day. Yes, the music heard on most commercial stations, most of the time, makes me want to puke. Much of what I'm perplexed about is the order of their songs. They can hand me the list of all artists/songs they want played for that day and allow me to place it in an order that actually makes sense. Don't hold your breath for me to do this anytime soon, but I do like the idea.

If you have been enjoying the second hour live sets I've been doing then I believe you're really going to enjoy what I have in store for you on this show. Check out the playlist below, and click the stream/download links above.

Enjoy.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
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Some Context/The Acrid Corpse: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Powerman: The Kinks
Time of your Live: Daevid Allen
Repo Man: Iggy Pop

Rodeo Chica: Boss Hog
That's Not My Name: Ting Tings
Let It Bleed: Goat

Plastic Plant: Thee Oh Sees
Death Sound Blues: Country Joe and the Fish
The Same Thing: Muddy Waters

Jeun Ko Ku: Fela Kuti

Keep on the Sunny Side: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Roadrunnre: Jerry Garcia Band (August 1, 1974 - Keystone, Berkeley, CA)

Head Home: Midlake
Visions of Johanna: Bob Dylan (May 26, 1966 Royal Albert Hall, London, England)

Sweet Jane: Lou Reed (October 27, 1974 Palace Theater, Dayton, OH)
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere: Neil Young (February 19, 1970 KQED TV, San Francisco, CA)

Messin' With the Kid: Rory Gallagher (July 10, 1972 Bob Harris Show, BBC)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #269: Eagle Wing Palace of the Queen Chinee

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My musical tastes are anything but conventional, and I think that should be the norm. I was raised by a father who loved Chicago blues, and was also around two older sisters who were into the popular rock of the 70s. My first favorite band was KISS, followed by the Beatles a few years later, and then Led Zeppelin. I've written at length about my introduction to the Grateful Dead, and my subsequent love affair with them. My 25+ years in non-commercial radio has introduced me to too many genres to count, and it's just as common to hear me play the Melvins on my show as it is James Brown.

For my most recent show I wanted to pay homage to the musician who made the deepest impact on my musical soul: Jerry Garcia. I don't love every one of his songs, and I cannot stand his voice after 1982. It was the deep spiritual, true American message that most resonates with me. It's because of Jerry's love of American musical history that encouraged me to dig deeper than what was commonly offered up on mainstream radio. I think it's safe to say Jerry Garcia is one of the main reasons I chose a life of left-of-the-dial radio.

Tonight's selection runs from early raw-Dead, to some screaming jams. Take a dive and enjoy the ride.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider: Grateful Dead (11-14-73 San Diego Sports Arena)

Samson and Delilah: GD (10-10-80 Warfield Theater, SF)
Candyman/Cumberland Blues: GD (05-02-70 Harpur College, Binghampton, NY)
It Hurts Me Too: GD (05-19-66 Avalon Ballroom SF)

Hard To Handle/Cosmic Charlie: GD (04-05-69 Avalon Ballroom, SF)
Bob's Dog Story/Bertha: GD (04-14-72 Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen, DK)

Help-Slip-Franklin's Tower: GD (06-09-77 Winterland, SF)
Loving Man: GD 1969 Pigpen/Bobby/Jerry demos

Beat it on Down the Line: GD (02-24-74 Winterland Arena, SF)
Friend of the Devil: GD (07-07-78 Red Rocks, Morrison, CO)

Promised Land: GD (12-26-79 Oakland Arena)

August 9th is the 21st anniversary of the passing of Jerry Garcia. I wrote the following on my Facebook page earlier today:

I was waking up listening to Ann Arbor on KFJC when I heard that Jerry had passed. Actually I hit the snooze button, but something in her tone that I briefly heard made me turn the radio right back on. Sad doesn't put it quite right. I was full of anguish for the next number of days. I knew it would eventually happen, I just didn't think it would happen so soon. I called my friends Nichole and Zion to see how they were faring. I think it hit us all like a ton of bricks. Zion's mother came to town a few days later and we all went to the Jerry memorial in GG Park. She told us some amazing stories of touring. She told us she had never been to a Grateful Dead concert before and wanted to go to the middle of the crowd, which I know made Zion nervous.About 30 or so minutes into it a tall, lumbering hippy came through the crowd and walked right up to us. He looked at Zion's mother and said in his sprite southern accent "Donna Jean?! Why, I haven't seen you in a coons age." He then looked at Zion, and said "why you're the spittin' image of your old man.", which he is. They spoke for a while and then he (his name is Sunshine) said so long, and walked off. At that moment people around us started to kindly say hello to Donna and show their love. If there was ever a bitter-sweet day, it was that one.
That moment reminded me that even without Jerry physically being present anymore, he doesn't need to be for all of us to still feel his presence and what he and his musical message means to all of us who took the time to listen and embrace it. To mourn his passing, even after 21 years, is to fail to see that as long as we sing his songs, then we still sing his praises.
I don't know what happens to us when we die, but I do know that as long as I live I'll continue to enjoy what Jerry brought to my life, with a smile on my face, the same as when Sunshine saw Donna and Zion as he tripped his way through the fields. Take pleasure in what you have now, and share the love as you go.

There are a few great Grateful Dead-related events happening in San Francisco this weekend. I hope you can make them all.

Thursday, August 11 - 7-8:30PM - Deadheads: Book reading/signing with author Linda Kelly
Excelsior Library 4400 Mission Street at Cotter
Come down and hear author Linda Kelly read from her book. You can buy a book-themed trucker hat too!

Saturday, August 13 - 8PM-2AM - Pre-Jerry Day Dance Party with John Hell
Doctor's Lounge 4826 Mission Street in the Excelsior District
In association with Jerry Day 2016, will host a Grateful Dead dance party in a pre-celebration of Sunday’s 14th annual Jerry Day.

Sunday, August 14 - 10:30AM - Jerry Garcia Plaque Unveiling
4550 Mission Street at Harrington Street
The first Jerry Garcia plaque is finally being forged, and we're going to have an unveiling celebration the morning of Jerry Day! Join us at the corner of Mission and Harrington Streets, and then we can all head up to Jerry Garcia Amphitheater to celebrate!

Sunday August 14 - 11AM-6PM - 14th Annual Jerry Day 
@ Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park

From the website: Jerry Day is a civic and cultural event that celebrates one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time and San Francisco native son – Jerry Garcia. This event captures the true spirit of Jerry Garcia as we celebrate his legacy, the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, and recognize his childhood roots from the Excelsior District of San Francisco. By uniting the diverse communities of San Francisco through Jerry’s music, we are creating something extraordinary for Jerry’s childhood neighborhood – the Excelsior District, McLaren Park, and the City and County of San Francisco.

I sure hope to see you all at some or all of these upcoming events. Have a grateful week.

Hell's Kitchen Radio #268: Hell's Squad

This is where a picture of my daughter and I is supposed to sit. I don't see it either, but I can tell you it's really quite something to behold. You'll just have to use your imagination.

Stream Your Musical Destiny, HERE!
Download Youthful Tastes, HERE!
Listen into all my shows here, or just scroll down

Lauson and I had so much fun last Monday night. I think you can tell by the playlist, but mostly through the banter. We spoke a lot about her love of sloths. Lauson's songs are designated by "LH".

The second hour has a couple of tunes celebrating the birthday of the late, great local boy, Jerry Garcia, who would have turned 74 on this date, August 1st.

In celebration of the 14th annual Jerry Garcia Day coming up this Sunday, August 14th at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park in SF, I will be spinning two hours of Jerry and Grateful Dead tonight on Radio Valencia. This coming Saturday night, August 13th, I'll be spinning six hours of live Dead, from 8PM-2AM at Doctor's Lounge, located at 4826 Mission Street in the Excelsior District of SF. Come on down and dance.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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I Love Living in the City: Danko Jones
Rent Control: Bongos, Bass and Bob
Intergalactic: Beastie Boys - LH

Youth Culture Killed My Dog: They Might Be Giants
Panda: Desiigner - LH
She Watch Channel Zero: Public Enemy
Black People What Y'all Goin' Do: The Last Poets
Little Red Hen: Taj Mahal

Heathens: Twenty One Pilots - LH
Little Child Running Wild: Curtis Mayfield
People Get Ready: Aretha Franklin

Gangster's Paradise: Coolio - LH
I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement: Ramones
Tamale Lady: Rube Waddell

Russian Seagull: The Reliables
Deep Elem: Jerry and Sara
No More: Hubert Laws

Gold Rings: Unlikely Heroes - LH
The Pusher: Nina Simone
Higher: Sly and the Family Stone

Don't Stop Me Now: Queen - LH
Midnight Moonlight: Jerry Garcia Band
Take Me To The River: Talking Heads

Fly Me To The Moon: Frank Sinatra - LH