Monday, March 29, 2021

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

Monday, March 22, 2021

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

Monday, March 15, 2021

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

Follow Radio Valencia on Twitter
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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