Hell's Kitchen Radio #540: Throw the dart, it's gonna be great

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Since there isn't a holiday for Hell Day...yet, I figured I should pay tribute to all the great laborers out there who never get the appreciation they deserve. 

I've hosted a lot of Labor Day shows over the years, and I think it's my favorite holiday to celebrate. I've been a union member for most of my working career, being a teacher, and before that in the grocery industry. At the age of 21, I was a shop steward at a grocery store I worked at. I was a member of the Union Building Committee at the school I teach at for nine years, meeting weekly with the administration, keeping them true to the contract. 

I have never had a hard time speaking truth to power. If I have learned anything it's how to finesse how I articulate the message that's needed to be said; all of which in support of the workers. 

I will never cross a picket line. 

The music tonight is all in celebration of the workers, most of whom are paid far below their value. 

I shared a lot of worker history during the show as well. I'm guessing you aren't aware of a lot of the what I spoke about.

Don't like the way you're treated at work, then join a union. 

Below I share the song "Rich Men Earning North of a Million, by Billy Bragg, which was a song he wrote in response to the song "Rich Men North of Richmond, by Oliver Anthony. I encourage you to listen to both (Anthony's first), to understand why Bragg felt the need to write his version.

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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Heartbeat of America: Billy Strings
Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out: Nina Simone

Work Song: The Animals
You Gotta Go Down and Join the Union: Woody Guthrie
Nine Pound Hammer: Johnny Cash

The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol: Bob Dylan
Run Devil, Run/The Big Guns: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore: John Prine
Career Opportunities: The Clash
Let's Lynch the Landlord: Faith No More

Mansion on the Hill: Bruce Sprinsteen
Do You Want New Wave, or Do Want the Truth: Minutemen
Crazy Baldhead: Bob Marley

Hey Joe: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Graveyard Shift: Uncle Tupelo
This is Not a Song, It's an Outburst (or Establishment Blues): Rodriguez
War Pigs: Black Sabbath

Get Behind the Mule: Tom Waits
In The Pines: Fantastic Negrito

Inner City Blues: Gil Scott Heron
Wild and Free: Curtis Mayfield

Get Back in Line: The Kinks
Cumberland Blues: Grateful Dead

This Land is Your Land: Woody Guthrie
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Check out the Billy Bragg song below.

Hell's Kitchen Radio #501: I Think It's Gonna Rain

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New year, new, show, new chance to make this even better for you. Have you ever thought about time travel? What do you think about? Where would you go? Why? Who would you want to see? Is this a kill Hitler kind of thing, or more of a see your favorite band before they made it big?

Maybe you just want to see some relatives in their prime? Holiday dinner with the folks? I haven't had dinner with my folks since May of 1984, before they separated when I was 13, two weeks after my very embarrassing bar mitzvah. It's possible we all dined together once or twice following then, but I don't recall. I'm not sad about it. I grew up living with my dad through high school, and it was really quite fabulous. I had no leash. San Francisco in the 80s was a lot of fun when you're a teen with no leash. Thanks dad.

My dad, Harvey Rosenberg, passed away last week at the age of 81, from Parkinson's Disease. He was such a great guy. Monday, January 9th, I'm going to host a two hour tribute to the man who brought music into my life. I wouldn't be who I am today without my father. I'll tell you all about him on Monday night. Tune in, it'll be worth it.

There was lots of rain this week so there's a lot of rain song mixed in tonight, along with a bunch of my faves from 2022. I have a lot of anniversary and remaster releases I threw in as well. 

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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Cold, Rain and Snow: Grateful Dead (February 3, 1978)
Stormy Monday: Allman Brothers Band (January 30, 1971)

I Think It's Going To Rain Today: Nina Simone
Buckets of Rain: Bob Dylan

1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be): Jimi Hendrix
Illegal Smile: John Prine

Rainy Night House: Joni Mitchell
Emotional Weather Report: Tom Waits
Wild Child (Demo): Lou Reed

Maison Silk Road: Kikagaku Moyo
Do Not Expose to the Burning Sun: Helms Alee
Death Train: The Bobby Lees

Know Your Rights: The Clash
Cornbread, Peas, Black Molasses: Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder
Madman Across the Water (Demo with Mick Ronson): Elton John

The Supermen (Bowie and Ronson for BBC 1971): David Bowie
Driva'man: Max Roach with Abbey Lincoln
She Said, She Said (John's Demo): The Beatles
Rain (Mono Remaster): The Beatles

What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Hell's Kitchen Radio #457: 11th annual Annual Annual: 1978

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Every year leading up to my Annual Annual, I suffer and strain to decide on a year I want to focus on. This year was no different. Do I want to reach back pre-1970? How about something a little more recent, like the lost year of 2020? I asked for suggestions, and a bunch flew my way, but the one that really stuck came from my buddy, and teaching colleague, Eric, who suggested 1978. The emergence of English post-punk, metal was evolving, funk was redefining itself against a backdrop of too much disco. There is a lot to choose from when it comes to 1978.

I took at least a week to pour over my options. In the end I sat with approximately four hours of music to fit into about an hour forty minutes, mixed with talk and highlights from the year. I tried to mix it up, and keep you on your toes. I really appreciate all of the many comments that kept coming during the show, and I'm sorry I didn't take any requests. Shows like these are pretty well mapped out by the time I flip the switch.

Take a look at the playlist below, and click the link up above to stream or download this bad boy.

If you're interested in the previous 10 editions of my Annual Annual, take a look below.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

2011 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1971
2012 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1972
2013 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1973
2014 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1974
2015 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1975
2016 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 2006
2017 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1992
2018 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1983
2019 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1969
2020 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1980

Radio Valencia is a self-funded endeavor. If you are enjoying our shows, I'd like to ask you to donate a few dollars our way. This link will take you to our PayPal, which is hosted by SFIndyMedia, our non-profit benefactor. All donations go to Radio Valencia. Thank you in advance.

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

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11TH annual ANNUAL ANNUAL: 1978

The Finkelstein Shit Kid/Up In Smoke: Cheech and Chong

On Top Of The World: Cheap Trick
This Year's Girl: Elvis Costello and the Attractions

B-Movie Box Car Blues/Flip, Flop and Fly: Blues Brothers
Every 1's A Winner: Hot Chocolate
Baltimore: Nina Simone

Annalisa: PIL
You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla): The Dickies
What Do I Get? Buzzcocks
Teenage Kicks: The Undertones
Warrior in Woolworths: X-Ray Spex

Big Bad Bill is Sweet William Now: Ry Cooder
That's The Way The World Goes 'Round: John Prine
Snake Song: Townes Van Zandt
Christmas Card From A Hooker in Minneapolis: Tom Waits

Radebe: Johnny Dyani
Lanquidity: Sun Ra
Hong Kong Garden: Siouxsie and the Banshees

One Nation Under A Groove: Funkadelic
The Robots: Kraftwerk
Ca Plane Pour Moi: Plastic Bertrand

The Green Manalishi: Judas Priest
(My Baby Does) Good Sculptures: The Rezillos
Time Will Tell: Bob Marley and the Wailers

Radio Valencia is co-presenting Flipper, December 30th and 31st at Bottom of the Hill. 

This is going to be two incredible shows. Yours truly is MCing December 30th, featuring comedian Neil Hamburger, and Mike Watt and the Missingmen. New Years Eve has Neil Hamburger and SF punk luminaries VKTMS!!! Go to the Bottom of the Hill website for tickets and more information. Radio Valencia will be in house with lots of freshly printed     t-shirts just for you!

Hell's Kitchen Radio #434: Hello/Goodbye Special

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Hosting a special is always a treat. I like the work once I'm inspired. A few weeks ago this "Hello/Goodbye" idea popped into my head. It's not very original, but it's what you do with it that counts. How would you fill a two hour show of only songs that have the theme in the title, or are obviously about the theme? 

I need to thank my buddy Michael for a few suggestions as well as many of the KALX staffers for throwing a few hundred titles my way. Wow! It's an embarrassment of riches. I only have two hours to fill, so I wanted hour one to be the "Hello" theme, and hour two to close it out with the "Goodbye" theme. I opened and closed with Cheap Trick: "Hello There" and Auf Wiedersehen". To segue from one to the other, I used the over-obvious Beatles tune "Hello/Goodbye". 

During my research I discovered there are countless songs about goodbye. It makes for a more emotional tale, than a song featuring a greeting. That being said, I think I represented both salutations well. You be the judge.

Next week it'll be mostly new music, and we're getting closer to being in our new studio on 22nd Street in San Francisco. Let the excitement commence!

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Hello There: Cheap Trick
Dad, I'm In Jail: Was (Not Was)
Hello: Ice Cube ft. Dr. Dre and MC Ren
Hello: Prince

Hello Mudda, Hello Fadda: Allan Sherman
Hello Dolly: Louis Armstrong
Hello Mary Lou: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Hello Operator: White Stripes

Hello, I Love You: Eurythmics
Hi Everybody: Sonic Youth
Hello Sunday. Hello Road: Gil Scott-Heron
Hello In There: John Prine

Hello Walls: Willie Nelson
Frizzle Fry: Primus
Hello Hooray: Alice Cooper
Hello Goodbye: The Beatles

Goodbye Bread: Ty Segall
Goodbye: Dusty Springfield
Long. Slow Goodbye: Queens of the Stone Age

Bye, Bye Baby: Janis Joplin
Goodbye Big Asshole: Acid Mothers Temple
Goodbye Blue Sky: Pink Floyd
Last Goodbye: Jeff Buckley
Goodbye: Emmylou Harris

Every Time We Say Goodbye: Ella Fitzgerald
See Ya Later, Alligator: Bill Haley
The E.N.D.: The Pharcyde
Goodnight Ladies: Lou Reed

We'll Meet Again: Vera Lynn
Auf Wiedersehen: Cheap Trick

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

Hell's Kitchen Radio #410: You Really Get Me

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Sometimes taking a week off is great for recharging my creative juices. Radio is an artform. You think you could do this? Well, actually you probably could. It's not brain surgery. If you tune in regularly, then you know that I like mixing up genres, and tonight is a perfect example. Garage, grunge, proto-punk, LA punk, Americana, Experimental, and too many more for my brain to consider right now.

I add some tasty live treats in there for the special sauce, and you get two hours of the finest audio stew your earbuds can handle. 

I sprinkle in my share of covers and some local Bay Area faves too! My goodness there's something here for everybody, including your retched GOP uncle. You should really kick him in the head when you get a chance. 

Speaking of the election, you are registered aren't you? Get registered, get your ballot, fill it out, and get it in ASAP!!! And sign that damn thing!!!

VOTE!!!!

jh

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

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What Happened to the Waltz: Link Wray
I'm Spun: Mudhoney
Vicious: Lou Reed

Human Touch: Feist
We The Ones: Big Boi and Sleepy Brown
To Be Young, Gifted and Black: Yola

Southern Girls: Old 97s
Callaloo: Jenny Lewis
TV Party: Black Flag
Fascist: Minutemen
Fuck Authority: Wasted Youth

La Juventud: La Plebe
Fiesta: The Pogues
The Frisko Freeze: The Mummies
Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore: John Prine

Talkin' Karate Blues: Townes Van Zandt
When I Paint My Masterpiece: Jerry Garcia and John Kahn (January 27, 1986)
Impressions: John Coltrane Quartet (November 19, 1962 Stockholm, Sweden)

Cross the Breeze: Sonic Youth (March 30, 1989 Theaterfabrik Unterfˆhring, Munich)
The Companions: Sleepytime Gorilla Museum

Spongiform Encephalopathy: Rube Waddell
Ghetto Woman: B.B. King (1972-01-10 United Recorders (Sunset Sound Recorders), Hollywood, CA)
Hound Dog: Big Mama Thornton (1970 Berkeley, CA)

Ball and Chain: Big Brother and the Holding Company (May 4, 1968 Shrine Expo Center, L.A., CA)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #338: Facial Recognition Radio

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Another winner of a broadcast for this week. I think I'm finally getting the hang of this. Lots of tasty library choices on this night. For you not used to the library lingo, "library" means older releases. Some older tunes, some afro-funk, stoner-rock, alt-country, live Iggy and live Dead! What else could you ask for? A few long jams? Sure, I've got that in the show as well. Some jazz and blues? Why not?! Some prog-rock and English punk? Ok, if you say so.

Happy Forfa to all of you. Please celebrate responsibly as you blow up a little bit of our nation, and perhaps a small part of your body.

See you Monday night at 8.

Also, Flint still has no clean drinking water, and Puerto Rico is mostly out of power.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Status People: Groundhogs
I Knew My Name: Psychic Ills

Reaper Invert: WAND
Giving Up The Ghost: Zig Zags
Temporarily Like Bob Dylan: Bongos, Bass and Bob

Dirty Robber: The Mummies
Mona Lisa: Sam Cooke
God Bless the Child: Kenny Burrell

They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore: Kinky Friedman
Summer Wages: David Bromberg

Linda Goes To Mars: John Prine
Hikky Burr: Quincy Jones

Tei Egwu:Afro Funk
Mr. Time: Koes Barat
Watcher the Skies: Genesis

Our Darling: Altamont
Untitled: Dead Meadow

Ex-Lion Tamer: Wire
The Passenger: Iggy Pop (August 18, 1996 Bizarre Festival, Cologne, Germany)

Loser: Grateful Dead (May, 08, 1981 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY)

A Season in Hell #79: Radio Valencia: I'm a Little Bit Outta My Mind

So, last week it was psychedelia and Afro-Funk. This week it's bebop and Bakersfield country. So much good music, that I can't just stick with one genre. How do those specialty shows do it?

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Or, just scroll down.

Enjoy.

jh

It's Hard to be Humble: Mac Davis
Charlie Parker: Jack Kerouac
K.C. Blues: Charlie Parker

Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac: Dizzy Gillespie
Blue: Ken Nordine
Naked Lunch Excerpts: William S. Burroughs
Drive: Neil Cassady
Black: Ken Nordine

Back in the Crowd: Tom Waits
Wooden Ships: Jefferson Airplane
Making Love: A Children's Garden of Grass

Whipping Post: Allman Brother's Band (Live from the Fillmore East)

In the Ghetto: Elvis Presley (08-01-69)
Five Feet High and Rising: Johnny Cash
Semi-Crazy: Junior Brown
Something I Said: Ray Condo and His Ricochets

What Am I Worth: Dave Alvin with Syd Straw
Blue Moon Waltz: Jimmy Dale Gilmore
Great Rain: John Prine

Something to Think About: Willie Nelson