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.
And a good Memorial Day to you all. In celebration of all who gave all, let's play two great American acts that we all can agree are worth fighting for. First up, Stevie Wonder in all his glory, live at the Rainbow Theater, January 31, 1974. This is one his all time best shows, and from the Innervisions tour, possibly my favorite album of his. This soundboard recording is taken from the liberated "Funkified Rainbow" bootleg, and really should have been considered for official release.
The second show tonight features an all-American band of rockers who really just don't wanna do much of anything at all. I'm talking about The Ramones!!! This Utica, New York show from November 14, 1977 shows them still in the early days of the balls-to-the-wall punk glory. I've taken this from the "Transmission Impossible" radio broadcast bootleg set. If this was vinyl I would have worn it out ages ago.
Let's get all-American as we celebrate the women and men in red, white and blue, who gave there all so we can rock and roll.
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There once was a time when my daughter looked at me like I was a hero. Now she's 13. Oh well, at least she allowed me to drag her kicking and screaming out of her lair (read: bedroom) to join me in the studio on this fine night. It only took me bribing her with a burrito to make this happen. There was a time when she couldn't wait to co-host a radio show with me. I guess we all grow up eventually, right? RIGHT?
To my credit, she did acknowledge all on her own, that it's pretty cool that she's had this opportunity to be on the radio with me over the years None of her other friends have ever done this before. So there!
Lauson's musical tastes have grown beyond my tastes, as I'm sure mine did when I was her age. If I recall 13 correctly, I was starting to purchase music on my own on a monthly basis; much of which my father hadn't ever listened to. So it comes as no surprise that she's delving deeper into her own interests. And it's those interests that I encouraged her to share on the show tonight.
Interestingly enough, not only is she into hiphop, but she loves Sinatra and Stevie Wonder, and is discovering more classic soul and funk based on the samples used in contemporary hiphop. We talk about this on the air. It reminds me of how I got deeper into blues, using 60s bands like the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton as a springboard to discover the originals, which I ended up enjoying more than the covers.
The banter is witty, the music is groovy. The talk about attending concerts, in the second hour, is classic! Much of the music is vocalist-centered as you can see by the playlist below. New music by Ty Segall and White Fence.
If you care to check out the previous shows featuring Little Lauson Hell check out the links below:
We should really consider placing cameras in the Radio Valencia studios. You wouldn't believe how amazing our new place is. I just want to show it off to everyone I know. We spent our first two years in a 35 square foot rat hole. Now we're feeling like we're flying high in 600 square feet of AWESOMENESS!!!
Tonight I just had to share my love of all things radio with my good friend, and KFJC alum, Andy Cadaver. Andy is a filmmaker, writer, world-traveler, and the most original balloon twister I have ever met. That's right, balloon twister. Andy traveled around the world for over two years, twisting thousands of balloons for thousands of people. His stories, and the pictures, taken by his good friend Charlie Eckert, are priceless.
While Andy was guesting on the Martha Stewart show, she asked him if he would do an event at her home, which he gladly accepted. While he was at her home, twisting hundreds of balloons, he got a tick bite, which led to Lymes Disease. Fun! In bed recovering for many weeks, Andy created the balloon bass. This quirky idea led to his collaboration with musicians Nels Cline, Ralph Carney and Kenny Wollesen. Obviously Andy is doing something right.
Andy shares some stories and plays some music, live and recorded, on the show this evening. Oh yes, and Andy's real name is Addi Somekh. He's wonderful and talented, and the world is a better place for having him here. Thanks Addi...or Andy.
Please download this show, and take it with you for the rest of your days.
Perhaps streaming this show would please you more.
Enjoy all of my shows by clicking here, or simply by scrolling down.
Enjoy.
Do It: Rollins Band
That Woman's Got Me Drinking: Shane MacGowen & the Popes
There She Goes, My Beautiful World: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Interview with Andy Cadaver
Trickle Down System: Giant Sand
Nailing Honey To The Bee: Brian Jonestown Massacre
Una Pistola Per Gringo: Ennio Morricone
Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad: The Clash
Because: Alice Cooper & The Bee Gees
Blue Jay Way: The Beatles
Interview with Andy Cadaver
National Anthem:Unpopable
Master Blaster (dub): Stevie Wonder
Lament: Lenny Soundtrack
Hikky Burr: Quincy Jones
St Ides Commercial: Ice Cube and the Ghetto Boys
Interview with Andy Cadaver
Little ol' Country Boy: Parliament
Every Day I Love You Less and Less: Kaiser Chiefs
Doin' That Rag: Grateful Dead
Interview with Andy Cadaver
Sgt. Pepper Instrumental: The Beatles
Deep Soul Diving: Don Laurie
One More Cup of Coffee: The White Stripes
In tribute to Don Cornelius, I'm playing nothing but funk and soul tonight. I've got a lot of each.
Click here to stream. Click here to download. Click here to see all of my shows, or just keep scrolling down. You know you want to go down. I don't blame you.
Enjoy.
It's Hard to Be Humble: Mac Davis I Feel Good: James Brown Down on my luck: Wardell Howard
The Hands of Time: The Perfect Circle I Call My Pussycat: Parliament
Memphis Soul Stew: Funkgus Darkest Light: Lafayette Afro Rock Band The First Thing I Do In The Morning: Joyce Williams The Rockin' Judge: Judge Suds & The Soul Detergents
Pass the Peas: JBs Can't Fight The Feeling: Norwich Street Extension Kick the Habit: Prophet Soul I Who Have Nothing: Ray Frazier & The Shades Of Man Going Down For The Last Time: Ronnie Keaton
Here I Am Baby: Al Green live on Soul Train 1974 Stone Junkie: Curtis Mayfield 07-06-72 Proud Mary: Ike and Tine Turner (Soul Train)
Handclapping Song: The Meters Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further: Lee Dorsey Big Chief: Professor Longhair Free, Single & Disengaged: Huey 'Piano' Smith & His Clowns
Get Out Of My Life Woman: Allen Toussant Dap Walk: Ernie & The Top Notes The Twitch: Danny White Mama Roux: Dr. John
Use Me: Bill Withers Superstition: Stevie Wonder (03-04-73)
