Airing it out
Thought I’d take this opportunity to promote something I do and where I do it. On Thursday nights, from 7 to 9, I host a radio show (Roundtrip with Neal at the Wheel) on commercial-free WNRB-LP, 93.3 FM. It’s a kick, groove, self-indulgence that allows me to delve into my preoccupation with music.
As a young feller, back in the ’60s, I lived in Milwaukee and, bored with Top 40 Hit radio stations, searched for alternatives. This usually led me to Radio Doctors, a downtown record store where I’d pick up albums by the Seeds, Moby Grape, Animals, Grateful Dead and such. I’d learn about new artists and albums through friends or the local alternative rag The Kaleidoscope. But perhaps my biggest influence was an “underground” radio station from UWM (can’t remember the call letters) that would play anything and everything of an alternative nature. There was a DJ (Bob Reitman) … his show was called “It’s alright Ma, it’s only music.” Here, I had my first taste of Dr. John (the night tripper), the Incredible String Band (who I later saw perform at Woodstock, but that’s another blog), Bob Dylan, the Mothers of Invention, and local acts like the Baroques, the Velvet Whip and the Shag. This show and this station opened up a crazy compendium of delights that “hit radio” could never offer … and I’ve never recovered from the onslaught. In fact, in later years (circum-college), I hosted similar alternative shows at radio stations in Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Had one show called “the lighter side of night” and another “whiz me the frisbee.” Great fun and many chances to meet and shmooz with the rock stars of the day (but that’s yet another blog).
Fast forward to today. Admittedly, the influence of traditional airwave radio is waning. People have other options: the Web, satellite radio, iTunes, MP3-sharing, WalMart. But, today I have an opportunity to re-visit this other-world of mine. In my imagination, there’s a voracious alternative seeker out there whose ears are glued to their speaker (or better yet, headphones) and they’re discovering things, like Robert Johnson’s eerie voice from the distant ’30s, Captain Beefheart’s nasty growl, Peter Green’s hypnotic, plaintive Les Paul guitar, or Chuck Berry singing about teenage lust.
I live for the “perfect segue” … that transition from one tune to the next, where energy is transferred, interrupted or metamorphed; where a beat is cloned; where a theme is continued. And, when there’s a nice segue, I’ll wonder, “Did anyone catch that?” Well, I did mention the self-indulgence element, didn’t I!
Some Thursday night, I hope you’ll tune in. Tonight, I’ll be featuring Keith Richards who’s celebrating his 64th birthday this week. I’ll also acknowledge the 27th anniversary of John Lennon’s forced retirement from life, and this week’s Led Zeppelin reunion concert in London.
And, consider this: if you’re interested, you can look into doing your own weekly show. Leave me a comment here, or send an e-mail to wnrb-lp@hotmail.com to get the ball rolling.
Dino Corvino said:
Tom,
Can we move this to the front page?
December 13th, 2007 at 2:10 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
Okay Tom, this is probably missing some stuff, because I was admittedly going way too fast for my own good, thank you redbull.
But remember I am back on this friday as well. I did not get the response I was looking for, I want more calls, and more love. I know you were aware of it.
Regardless…here is what I got so far…
The Black Keys….thickfreakness….I think this is an amazing opening. The visceral, primal sound is just enough punk rock, and enough blues to keep me thinking they are the greatests band out there.
Joe Bonamassa…Ball Peen Hammer…I thought I would start off with a bang.
For my mom
EC Scott…Sweet Man of Mine…She is quite possibly the purest of divas, and so human, and she flirts with me.
Magic Slim and the Teardrops…I’m A bluesman…I have mad love for Slim. I think the Teardrops are the only band that could take on those guitar tones and come out alive.
Back to It…
The John Spencer Blues Explosion…Blues X Man…Sort of a litmus test if your willing to be a true blues progressive. This is about as out there as you can get.
The White Stripes…Death Letter…Bukkas song, never done as well. And they did it on the Grammy’s. Jack White is a brave guy.
Scott Holt…Have a Drink On Me…This was recorded as a gift to me. I think the change in the ACDC song is so good, and it does not fits Scotts voice at all, but they reworked it to make it amazing.
Scott Holt…I’ll Make Love to You Anytime…Blind power. Really powerful.
Joe Bonamassa…Miss You, Hate You…This might be my favorite Bonamassa track ever.
The Black Keys…Do the Rump…Taking the Junior Kimbrough Song like this and powerful upping of it. The only blues on steroids, but a pure sound none the less.
Alvin Youngblood Hart…Mama Don’t Know…A request by the midwests greatest guitar tech Casey. I think Alvin is also a progressive voice making the celebrated Corey Harris look like a cover band.
Scott Holt…Too Many Ways…From the Buddy Guy tribute record. I find it nearly impossible that someone is going to have a perspective on Buddy like Scott, after being his intimate friend like this for so long, but taking this song and voicing it in his own powerful way.
Joe Bonamassa….Jelly Roll….This was a request from the mighty Patty. To be frank, I would not have played it, but I love Patty to death.
The Black Keys…Your Touch…Just a sort of riffilicious festival of good times.
The Black Keys…Goodbye Babylon…Dan has a good voice.
Joe Bonamassa…Your funeral, my trial…this has an amazing chorus and bridge section
The Black Keys…Stack Shot Billy….from the david Letterman show.
RL Burnside…Snake Drive…Mr Wizard is the patron saint of the blues I want to see more of.
Robben Ford…Talk to your daughter…a little too jazzy version, but JDawg wanted it, and JDawg gets what JDawg wants
Joe Bonamassa….Black Knight…I was starting to fall apart here, the caffeine and the music, and all the talking, and I was whipped out of control.
The Black Keys…hard row…bang a drum man.
Scott Holt…I Dig Your Wig…VIOLENT. I have heard no better blues song this year.
Scott Holt…Nobody loves me but my guitar…all I think of everytime I hear this song is that Coco Montoya can kiss my ****.
The WHite Stripes…Hello Operator…whos the man? Thats right, I am the man.
Joe Bonamassa….Torn Down…I like this song a lot.
Joe Bonamassa…Ball Peen Hammer….wow.
Joe Bonamassa….Dirt in My pocket…my favorite SLoe Gin song
Lucero…The Bikeriders…the best songwriter in America
The Black Keys…Grown So Ugly…Just got out of prison, and wants his girl back.
????….Bridge to Better Days…I am dancing. Totally dancing.
Scott Holt…Live Wire…usually a show opener…but always a show stopper
Scott Holt….Cut You Loose…the beginning of the new O’Brien sound, your totally jealous
Scott Holt…I Dont Know…Mister Geno Haffner in full effect
Scott Holt…Polk Salad Annie….JASON AND THE SCORCHERS VERSION man.
Joe Bonamassa…Django
and I end with
John Spencer Blues Explosion…Bellbottoms…
And with that I get in my rental car and sprint through the fog to my bed.
December 26th, 2007 at 12:18 pm #
Tom Neal said:
Not a single British act? You some kind of ethno-purist? Good thing I provide the needed balance. I couldn’t tune you in because I was at our company holiday party. Hope to catch you this week .. and that you’ll catch my gig. It’s Christmas week and there’ll be some Beatles content, acknowledging the 48th anniversary of young Richard Starkey receiving his first drum set as a Christmas present, four years later: the ‘63 release of “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” the Rubber Soul album occupying #1 in the U.S. in Christmas ‘65, and the release of their movie Magical Mystery Tour this week in ‘67. Beyond that there will be sounds from the garage, the flower garden, the roadhouse, the mind, the Delta, the Fillmore, the beach and elsewhere. 7-9 pm Thursday on WNRB-LP, 93.3 FM.
December 26th, 2007 at 12:46 pm #