Hell's Kitchen Radio #559: Not My President Special

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Well, you know, it's always a protest, even in the best of times. Use it, or lose, amiright?

Having a radio show on a Monday means I get to host a lot of national holidays. This isn't my first go-round on President's Day, but it sure feels like an extra special one, if you ask me. And it being Black History Month I felt that I could do a pretty good mash-up to boot.

Folks, it's official, we have a fascist for president. You can't say we don't. Even when people were claiming Shrub (George W. You, know: little Bush) was one, I was always quick to point out that he didn't fit the definition well enough, but if we aren't careful he'll set the stage for some else to come in who truly is one. Well, what do ya know? 

You disagree? That's fine. Tell me all about it in the comment section. I've been teaching history, civics and law for over 20 years now. When you have seen and taught what I have, the boxes get checked.

So luckily I have this here radio show that I can use, until they pry away from my cold, dead hands, to play you the music and share the commentary that you just aren't getting on other radio stations. Even the non-comms like KEXP, KFJC, WFMU, aren't talking openly about the politics of the day. And though Radio Valencia does not endorse a specific political point of view, we allow our DJs to share how they're feeling about the issues of the day. Just offer the disclaimer in there somewhere.

As for the music, it's a fabulous grab bag of funky, punky, junky and political delights.

And thank you all once again for contributing to our first ever "on air" fundraiser. We raised just short of $3000, all of which will go right into operations including a new and improved website coming soonish.

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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If There's A Hell Below: Curtis Mayfield
I'm A Conservative: Iggy Pop

Democracy: Leonard Cohen
This Is Not Normal: Negativland

My Favorite Mutiny: The Coup
The Pusher: Nina Simone
Prison Song: System of a Down
Nazi Punks Fuck Off: Dead Kennedys
Eric B Is President: Eric B and Rakim

Funky President: James Brown
When The Revolution Comes: The Last Poets
It Is What It Is (remix): Drumpf
I'm So Bored With the USA: The Clash

The American In Me: The Avengers
Freedom of Choice: Devo
Fascists Eat Donuts: Pop O Pies
Blowfly for President (feat. Afroman): Blowfly

My Uzi Weighs A Ton: Public Enemy
Rocket Reducer No. 62 (fa la la la la): MC5
Liilalaw: Sahra Halgar

For The Last Time: Freckle
As Tears Go By: Marianne Faithful

Talk To God: GOAT
Good Night, Sleep Tight: Lawrence Welk

Hell's Kitchen Radio #281: Two For The Road

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Will this madness of 2016 never end.

Guitarist and singer/songwriter Eric McFadden and his Queen delphine joined me in the studio Monday night to pay tribute to two greats of the music world who recently passed on to the great beyond.

While I was never a big fan of the way Leonard Cohen phrased his own tunes, I was a huge fan of the many covers of his classics. I believe I first was turned onto the brilliant songwriting of Mr. Cohen through the Joe Cocker Mad Dogs and Englishmen version of "Bird on a Wire". I was hooked from that moment on the storytelling and eagerly sought out other covers. Easily my favorite cover of his was "Hallelujah" by the late, great Jeff Buckley. "I'm Your Fan" is a great tribute record to Cohen, which was released in 1991, featuring REM, Nick Cave, The Pixies, and John Cale. Check it out!

Leonard Cohen died November 7th of cancer at the age of 82. I appreciate that he was buried in a simple Jewish ceremony next to his parents in Montreal.

The piano player on the Mad Dogs record was none other than my other featured player for the night: Leon Russell. Russell's stride piano playing and exaggerated vocal style helped him stand out from others during his high profile era of the 1970s. Starting with the Mad Dogs record I spent many hours enjoying his early 70s solo efforts. Though he wasn't as often covered as much as Cohen, Russell made a profound impact on many songwriters that followed him. His birthplace, Tulsa, Oklahoma, named a street after him in 2010. He died this past Sunday after a few years of failing health. He was 74.

Listening to music is supposed to be a joy. Even when the artist we love and respect has passed to the great beyond we have their songs to carry us through to our own old age. I've told my friends and family if I ever get to a point where they have to prop me up in a corner just place some headphones on me and place my iPod on shuffle. Losing Cohen and Russell is indeed sad, but it also will lead to a renaissance of their music. Perhaps your favorite band will cover their songs. Maybe, like after Jerry Garcia died, there will be a huge outpouring of new versions of some of their deeper album cuts that you never knew they wrote. From loss comes inspiration. Through grief comes resilience and vision.

At this writing Mose Allison has passed away at the age of 89. I can't host enough shows to pay tribute to all the musical greats who we have lost this somber year.

Take heart my friends, and hold each other closer. We're going to need all the good love and strength we can muster.

Eric and delphine are performing the next two Fridays and Saturdays for Dark Kabaret at the Great Star Theater in China Town. Tickets and information here.

jh

Girl From North Country: Leon Russell (02-05-1971 - Baarn, NL)
The Partisan: Leonard Cohen
Bird on a Wire: Joe Cocker

This Masquerade: Leon Russell
Hummingbird: B.B. King
Dream a Little Dream of Me: Cass Elliott

Chelsea Hotel No 2: Lana Del Rey
A Song for You: Donny Hathaway
Everybody Knows: Leonard Cohen
Who By Fire: Coil

Avalanche: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Alcatraz: Nazareth
Back to the Island: Toots and the Maytals
First We Take Manhattan: REM

Roll Away the Stone: Leon Russell (11-20-70 Fillmore East, NYC)
I Can't Forget: Pixies
The Partisan: Eric McFadden

Delta Lady: Joe Cocker
Hallelujah: Jeff Buckley

As I said above the Joe Cocker Mad Dog and Englishmen tour and record made a profound impact on me as a youth. Luckily for us YouTube has much of the film to share. Below features a rather fun version of Space Captain. Sing along with all the "oohs" and "ahs".

Hell's Kitchen Radio #271: The Music Plays the Band

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Some nights the music plays the band. That would be this night. What a ton of fun this show was to host. Lots of new music and hidden gems.

For those of you looking for something fun to do this week, I have two shows I recommend.

Thursday night at the Fillmore is my favorite Japanese drone, ambient, metal band Boris! They are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their breakout record PINK! Earth is opening. Come to this show! Bring ear plugs and a chest protector. Trust me.

Friday night at the Uptown in Oakland is a fundraiser for Sean and Monique Lyons, whom many of us know from the local music scene. They moved to Louisiana a year ago only to have a house fire, with no insurance coverage, the day after their one year wedding anniversary. We love the Lyons' and want to help them with all we can, so on this night we gather on their behalf. Tickets and donations at the door night of show. Featuring performances by MoFu!, Maximum Bob, Kehoe International, CACA and MCM and the Monster. Master of ceremonies Sean Boyles.

Caca is some of the best local SF musicians covering FRANK ZAPPA!!! You do not want to miss this show as well. 

So many wonderful opportunities to see live local music. Get out and get yours.

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
When the Levee Breaks: Led Zeppelin
September Gurls: Big Star

Gelatinous Cube: Thee Oh Sees
Come Undone: Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan
Deeper Well: Emmylou Harris

***SET OF THE WEEK***
Girl Loves Me: David Bowie
Oh Bondage! Up Yours!: X-Ray Specs
Born on the Bayou: Betty Davis
Trickle Down System: Giant Sand

Rich Old White Men: OBNIIs
Battle of Algiers: John Zorn
Famous Blue Raincoat: Leonard Cohen

Black Coffee: Altamont
The Movie: Ken Nordine
Delta of Venus: Anywhere

Fall on Me: REM
Poems: Jack Kerouac
Incinerate: Sonic Youth
Journey in Satchidananda: Alice Coltrane

The Pill: Loretta Lynn
The Rocker: Thin Lizzy