Phillip Johnston of the Microscopic Septet.

In September of 2006, Cuneiform Records released two double CD sets of The Microscopic Septet, entitled “Seven Men in Neckties” (The History of the Micros Vol. 1), and “Surrealistic Swing” (The History of the Micros Vol. 2). To commemorate this hysterical event, we are reuniting the Microscopic Septet for a one-time-only tour in November and December of 2006, consisting of a few dates in the Northeastern US and more in Europe. On Wednesday, November 29th, the group will begin the tour in Northampton at the Iron Horse. Phillip Johnston, at the time he started the Microscopic Septet, was an NYU dropout who’d worked in a succession of jazz, rhythm & blues and polka groups in New York and San Francisco. A largely self-taught soprano saxophonist and composer, Johnston’s work in both areas reveals the powerful and positive influence of Steve Lacy. “I was interested in more arranged, compositionally-oriented music …. from within the swing big band jazz tradition,” Johnston recalls, “as opposed to (the conventional jazz) head-solos-head format.” Organizing a group of fellow musicians, he started with a sax section and planned to add brass later. However, he liked the sound of four saxes and three rhythm so much he decided to stick with that. When he originally named the group, “Claude Funston and the Psychic Detectives” it proved too “unwieldy,” he changed it to the “Microscopic Septet,” who played their first “regular gig” at New York’s Ear Inn in 1981.

Listen here for my conversation with Mr. Johnston.

phillipj.jpg

11-25 Melvin Sparks Hangin’ out.

Not only was Melvin hanging out and chatting about a couple of projects, he is also going to be at the Main Pub in Manchester on Dec 2. This is a mix of our chats on Thursday and Saturday with a couple of hints of some groove. If you have never seen Melvin live, you’ve got to go and check this out. See you there.

LISTEN TO OUR CHATS HERE.

The Show looked like this. I think I got caught up in the Thanksgiving sentiment as I went back to some roots that have obviously branched out over the years. It went like this:

Listen to me, Pat Boyack
Too old is Getting Younger everyday, Watermelon Slim
She’s Gone, Hound Dog Taylor
Instrument of Pleasure, Jeff Chaz
Samson and Delilah, Blind Gary Davis
Something you got, BB King/Koko Taylor
Little by Little, BB King/Lowell Fulson
2:19, John Hammond
‘Til the Money Runs out, John Hammond
Big Black Mariah, John Hammond
Cold Cold Ground, Tom Waits
Mama Roux, Dr. John
Goin’ back to N.O., Dr. John/Neville Brothers
Home Movies, the Jamie McLean band
Get out of my Life, Jerry Garcia Band
Georgia on my Mind, Willie Pooch
Little Bag (in search of), Chris Spies
Groove on Up, Melvin Sparks
***Melvin Sparks Conversation***
She’s a Bad Mama Jama, Melvin Sparks
House Party, Javon Jackson
Freak, Sugarbitch
Chingiz, Banco De Gaia
Boys-n-Berry, the Cubby Creatures
DIY, Ext Clov
You’re my Girl, Neil Young
Baby I love you, Aretha Franklin
Stray Cat Blues, the Rolling Stones
Highway Song, Hot Tuna
Midnight Blues, the Allman Brothers
Baghdad Blues, the Microscopic Septet
Dirty Drawers, Vassar Clements
Green Onions, Vassar Clements
Little Miss Strange, Jimi Hendrix
Make me Know it, Elvis
Dirty Dirty Feeling, Elvis
Such a Night, Elvis
Evangeline, Jerry Garcia Band

MelvinSparks01.jpg

11/23/06 This Turkey Survived…..so far.

Lots of guest today. We had my nephew stop in to wish the listeners a happy thanksgiving and to be cute as hell. Briana Holcombe blessed us with her presence and even sang a little tune that mentions yours truly, we will make sure to keep our eyes on what she is up to, and believe me that won’t be a difficult task. And a true friend of greenarrowradio, Mr. Melvin Sparks called in to chat and let us know he will be at the Main Pub in Manchester CT on Dec. 2. A must see.

Here’s what the 4 hours of the show looked like.

The Great Ceilidh Swindle, Peatbog Faeries
Mouth Music
Loyin’ Loyin’, Babatunde Olatunji
Dance of the Hunter’s Fire, Mickey Hart
Satan Dub, Lee “scratch” Perry
Oualahila Ar Tesninam, Tinariwen
Ya Man, Balkan Beat Box
In a Gadda Da Vida, Yat-Kha
Weasel Potpie, That 1 Guy
Personal Jesus, Depeche Mode
I Want Candy, Bow Wow Wow (Kevin Shield remix)
Dumb World, Rav Shmuel
Last Chance, Rav Shmuel
***Conversation w/Nadine Zahr***
Beautiful Soldier, Nadine Zahr
The Minute I, Nadine Zahr
A little Better, Nadine Zahr
Childe, Dana Varon
Home Movies, the Jamie McLean band
Holy Water, the Jamie McLean band
Bottle of Red Wine, Eric Clapton & friends
Sunshine of your Love, Ginger Baker
I Only have Love, Phantom Blues Band w/Taj
Think, the Phantom Blues Band
I Drink, Southern Crush
***Briana Holcombe Phone Conversation***
Fight and Make Up, Briana Holcombe
Right Here, Right Now, Briana Holcombe
Shakespeare, Susan Cagle
I will, Al & the Transamericans
Waiting for the Punchline, Al & Transamericans
Carnival Time, Leftover Salmon
***Phone Conversation w/Mr. Melvin Sparks***
Funky good time, Melvin Sparks
Louisiana Sky, John Popper Project feat. DJ LOGIC
Girl of Opportunity, Angeline
Rainy Day Blues, Willie Nelson
Head ’em off at the Pass, Wolf Krakowski
Shady Grove, Grisman/Garcia
Blues for Luci, Pedro Arevalo
Barstool Boogie, Dan Hicks & Jimmy Buffett
Why you Wanna Bring me Down, Honeytribe
Nothing to be Sad About, Honeytribe
Angelina, the Tony Tyler Trance
the Mother, Xavier Rudd
Food in the Belly, Xavier Rudd
Beautiful, G-Love/ Tristian Prettyman
Let the good times roll, Taj Mahal/Ry Cooder
100% Pure Love, Tey
Burning Down the House, the Cardigans w/Tom Jones
Boom Shak-a-la-ka, Apache Indian

briana.jpg
listen to my conversation with the lovely and talented Ms. Briana Holcombe

Rocker Rhonda G. of SOUTHERN CRUSH!

If you like to RAWK…not just rock, then let me point you in the direction of SOUTHERN CRUSH. A Pure force from Atlanta Georgia. This three piece Southern Blues RAWK band is taking the music scene by storm. I was fortunate enough to get a moment of the lead lady, the Raspy, Raptured Rocker Rhonda G. on greenarrowradio. Take a listen here to our conversation. If you are looking for me, I’ll be shaking the apple tree.

southerncrush.jpg

Oh hell, here is todays fill in set list while we’re at it:

Ride, G-Love
Beautiful, G-Love featuring Tristian Prettyman
Sweet Life, Karen Gibson Roc
Revolution Eventually, Sugarbitch
Beef Jerky, Cibo Matto
Georgia Slop, Los Lobos
When , King Johnson
Workin’ Sux, King Johnson
let the Mermaids Flirt w/me, scrapOmatic
Food in the Belly, Xavier Rudd
Let the Good Times Roll, Taj Mahal/Ry Cooder
Corrin, Corrina, Taj Mahal/Ry Cooder
(turn on your) Lovelight, Them feat. Van Morrison
I Like’s That, Skeebo Knight
Expressway to your Heart, Merl Saunders & friends
Take me with you, Orchestra Morphine
Rhythm & Booze, Treat her Right
In a Gadda Da Vida, Yat-Kha
Broken Down Piece of Junk, Brian Setzer
You’ve got the best in Town, Band of Gypsys
Mama, he Treats your Daughter mean, Susan Tedeschi
No Riders, Shannon Curfman
Battle of Faomo, Southern Crush
Apple Pie, Southern Crush
**Conversation with Rhonda G. of Southern Crush**
I Drink, Southern Crush
Riddles, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Baby Blue, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
DIY, Exit Clov
K.C. Jones, North Mississippi All Stars

David Grisman Quintet at the CALVIN

On the 16th of November, The DGQ brought the dawg but someone left the leash at home. The show started off with a first set that showed off each gentleman of music’s broad range of expertise. We heard latin flare from Enrique Coria on guitar, as he awaits that movement from his band leader for a moment of change. The outstanding Jim Kerwin on bass, (who does a pretty mean James Brown impersonation) shared an irish tune for his grandma with us that left the smell of the rolling hills of the Celtic homeland rising from the theatre floors. In words I am not so sure how to describe Matt Eakle, who played flute and random objects. Where I feel that Kerwin is the heartbeat to the group, Eakle must be the oxygen rich blood. He has more groove in his step and sound than can ever be measured or captured. He is as great as he is undefinable. George March on percussion balanced out the spirit and soul of this body of music. Oh, yes that Dawg. Well, the new Italian mandolin was the guide into a show that seemed like it had never been before. Mr. Grisman’s well timed subtle changes kept not only his band, but the audience on the edge of their seats. The strings tried to tame this bluegrass jazz, boarder jumping, mind expanding soundscape, but alas as I said, the leash was left elsewhere. We explored a lengthy journey taken on by the DGQ, and by nights end we learned about some of the new work the group has been working on, and even had a few verses of a familiar and old friend “Shady Grove

I want to thank C.M. and David for what they do as well as the Calvin for making sure it is here.

Learn more and support this and other styles of acoustic music here.

acousticdisc_002.jpg

11/18/06 Bo 101…How to Win.

Do the Dirt, Phantom Blues Band
Think, Phantom Blues Band
That’s Alright, James Cotton
Boot Knockin’ Blues, Cotton
Feelin’ my way Around, Fabulous T-Birds
Rock Candy, Fabulous T-Birds
Rock me RIght, Susan Tedeschi
Battle of Faomo, Southern Crush
Apple Pie, Southern Crush
Summertime Blues, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Plastic People, Frank Zappa
Hats Off, Primus
Barracuda, Rasputina
Purple Girlfriend, the Goldstars
Levee’s Gonna Break, Bob Dylan
Rainy Day Blues, Willie Nelson
All She Wrote, Ray Davies
Are You, Bob Seger
Everybody’s up to Somethin’, Brian Setzer
Jesus is just Alright, Robert Randolph & Eric Clapton
Buena, Morphine (live)
Godzilla, Diego Garcia
There’s Something Wrong with this Picture, Galactic
Track #9, Dr. Lonnie Smith
***Dr. Lonnie SMith Conversation***
Jungle Wisdom, Dr. Lonnie Smith
Holla!, G-Love
Beautiful, G-Love
Revolution Eventually, Sugarbitch
Lapdance, John Popper Project feat. DJ LOGIC
No one Left to Run with, Allman Brothers
I Want Candy, Bow Wow Wow (Kevin Shield Remix)
Dumb World, RavShmuel
Shake ’em Down, N. Mississippi All Stars
Feel like a King, Geoff Achison & the Souldiggers
Reach for the Sky, Geoff Achison & the Souldiggers
Creeper Returns, Mark Hummel
You got the Best in Town, Billy Cox/Buddy Miles
let the mermaids flirt w/me, scrapOmatic
The Mother, Xavier Rudd
The 0, Big Ass Truck

coachbo.JPG

Nadine Zahr hanging in Studio B

Nadine Zahr is a singer songwriter currently based out of California. As you will hear, she has been touring mighty heavily and I was lucky enough to catch her with a few free moments. There are two parts to our hanging out in the studio and the first part is some friendly personality banter between the two of us, and the second will be Nadine singing/playing her songs. I will be airing these on Thanksgiving day along with giving away one or two of her albums. To learn more about Nadine, head to Nadine Zahr or her myspace hideaway.

listen to part one here.

nadine.jpg

Someone I’d like to be…Mr. Ed Bradley

I hope to get podcasts from as many 60 minute staff members, family and friends to do my part in giving back the way I think Mr. Bradley would. Let’s be sad for a moment and then celebrate this special life. It is his style and “conversation” versus “interview” approach I believe I have tried to model myself after. I invite you to head HERE to better learn just what kind of person he really was.

edbradley.jpg

11/11/06 VETERANS DAY…THANK YOU

This Little Girl of Mine, Ray Charles
Rockhouse part 1 & 2, Ray Charles
Doin’ the Dirt, Phantom Blues Band
I only have one Love, Phantom Blues band w/Taj
From the Bottom up, Dayna Kurtz
Happy Hour, Whiskey & Co.
No Such Thing, Legendary Shack Shakers
Riot Radio, the Dead 60’s
It’s all About you, the Goldstars
These are the Ghosts, the Band of Bees
Last Chance, the Cubby Creatures
Credits, the Aquarium
Boogie Man, Diego Garcia
Meatwad goes to Greece, Doc Ellis
Bold as Love, Pretenders
the Waiting Noon, Bourbon Princess
Broken Down Piece of Junk, Brian Setzer
Jesus is just Alright, Robert Randolph & Eric Clapton
*Senior Vice Commander R. Elliot VFW Post 10004*
Skin it Back, Little Feat
Voice of a Pork Chop, Jas. Mathus & the Knockdown South
Tappin’ that Thing, Jas. Mathus & the Knockdown South
Proud Mary, ELVIS
It Calls Me, Hazmat Modine
**Conversation w/Wade Schumann of Hazmat Modine**
Bahamut, Hazmat Modine
You Know What You Know, the Microscopic Septet
This Time…, D J Shadow
Fire in her Kiss, John Popper Project w/ DJ Logic
Ministry of Truth, Bobby Previte’s Coalition of the Willing
Colon Pie, Skerik
Dance on Vaseline, David Byrne
How Deep is your Love, the Bee Gees
Cha Cha, Balkan Beat Box
Wine and Women, Pedro Arevalo
Diggin Uncle Sam’s Backyard, Paul Geremia
Me & Bobby McGee, Janis Joplin
Fight and make Up, Brianna Holcombe
Sweet Georgia Brown, Grapelli/Grisman
Check Yourself, Oteil & the Peacemakers
The End, the Doors

vet3.jpg

A few words w/Dr. Lonnie Smith

Dr. Lonnie Smith is an authentic Master of the Hammond B3 organ. For over five decades he has furthered the sound of Jazz Organ, created a worldwide fan-base, and revealed his musical talents on over seventy albums. Today, his name is truly synonymous with the instrument. Lonnie Smith has consistently been a leading force in jazz since 1969 when critics for Downbeat magazine hailed him as ‘Top Organist of 1969.’ More recently he has been selected as ‘Organ Keyboardist of the Year’ by The Jazz Journalist Association in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

There is so much more to the man, I caught up with him after a period out on the road and I kept it brief so he could just relax.

Listen here to Dr. Lonnie Smith tellin’ me it’s all my fault.

Lonnie.jpg

Who is Xavier Rudd?? Find out here.

Through the conscious and heartfelt songs composing Solace, the U.S. debut of Australian surf/roots artist Xavier Rudd, there’s stories of the mistreatment of the indigenous people of his homeland and songs about humanity, spirituality and the environment, compassionate songs encouraging understanding and looking to celebrate life. And running through those songs are all sorts of instruments: guitars, shakers, didgeridoos, Weissenborn slide guitars, Tongue drums, stomp boxes, djembes, harmonica, ankle bells, and slide banjo—and they’re all played by Rudd. Even more impressive, though, he recreates these songs live—playing the guitar, didgeridoo and various percussion parts simultaneously—using a unique stage set-up that finds him literally surrounded by his various instruments and singing from behind a stand holding three didgeridoos (of different keys). It’s a sight to behold for sure, one that’s drawn him a “one-man band” label from impressed critics, a tag that makes him grin: “I never really planned all the stuff I have around me. I never sat down one day and said, ‘I’m going to have all these things around me and I’m gonna try to use it all at once.’ It just sort of grew. I would just add things here or there. Sometimes I look at my setup now and I laugh.”

Listen to our brief conversation here.

xavierr.jpg

Wade Schuman of Hazmat Modine

HAZMAT MODINE draws from the rich soil of American music of the 20’s and 30’s through to the 50’s and early 60’s, blending elements of early Blues, Hokum Jugband, Swing, Klezmer, New Orleans R & B, and Jamaican Rocksteady. The band is fronted by two harmonicas which use call and response, harmony, melody, and syncopated interweaving rhythms. The band includes tuba, guitar, and percussion, claviola and Hawaiian steel guitar. The band’s sound reflects musical influences ranging from Avant-garde Jazz to Rockabilly and Western Swing to Middle-Eastern, African, and Hawaiian musical styles. Wade Schuman plays Diatonic Harmonica, Guitar, Banjitar and is lead vocals. If you are not aware of Hazmat Modine or the Album BAHAMUT, I encourage you to take a few minutes to listen to Wade and I talking about the mighty manifestation known as HAZMAT MODINE.

Listen here to our conversation.

hazmat.jpg

11/04/06 The race of the Wooleybear

Tired & Tempted, the Wood Brothers
Chocolate on my Tounge, the Wood Brothers
Spirit, the Wood Brothers
Light is Faster than Sound, Big Brother & the Holding Company
Coo-Coo, Big Brother & the Holding Company
I Drink, Southern Crush
Black Halo, V.K. Lynne
Do the Daddy-O, Los Straitjackets
Weasel Pot Pie, That 1 Guy
Barra Barra, Rachid Taha
It Calls Me, Hazmat Modine
3 Chairs, Monique Ortiz
I’ll Take a Cab, Bourbon Princess
Break on Thru, S.T.P
Underwaterfall, the Doors
Imagine This, Mediacracy
All Good Children, John Popper Project feat. D.J. Logic
Thankful & Thoughtful, Robert Randolph Family Band
Another 2nd Chance, King Johnson
Tarzan, Cadillac Jones
Can’t get Satisfied, the Greyhounds
Dana’s Lick, Ripplegroove
***David Grisman Conversation***
Intro/Grateful Dawg, Garcia/Grisman
The Thrill is Gone, Grisman/Garcia
Citizens of Dawgnation/Desert Dawg, David Grisman Quintet
Barkley’s Bug, David Grisman Quintet
Are you Sure Hank.., Leftover Salmon/Waylon Jennings
No Woman No Cry, Honeytribe
Why You Wanna Bring me Down, Honeytribe
Louisana Anna, scrapOmatic
End of the Line, Warren Haynes
Reggae Revival, Katchafire
Collie Herb Man, Katchafire
Jingo, Manu Dibango/King Sunny Ade
She’s about a Mover, Michael Powers
Psychotic Reaction, Michael Powers
Big Railroad Blues, Jorma

woolly_bear.jpg

What are you doing November 18th?

Why don’t you head on down to the Main Pub in Manchester CT and catch the Jamie McLean Band, that’s right the Jamie McLean formerly of Dirty Dozen Brass Band. While the Dirty Dozen groove is infectious & timeless, the sideman guitar slinger slot holds it’s limitations. Having always been a songwriter, singer and front man, Jamie began to focus on his roots and in the early part of 2004 he formed his own group the Jamie McLean Band. Over the past year and a half Jamie’s songwriting, filled with catchy hooks, beautiful lyrics and scorching guitar work has mingled with the soulful gumbo of the deep south and while The Jamie McLean Band is based in New York City, the influences of southern rock, blues, R&B and funk is unmistakable. Jamie McLean Band will be touring in support of This Time Around throughout the year. We are fortunate to get them on November 18th. Look for their entertaining and energized sets throughout the Northeast and across the country this year both on their own and supporting national artists.

CLICK HERE FOR JAMIE AND G TALKING ABOUT THE BAND.

mclean.jpg

ScrapOmatic: Alligator Love Cry

Here is an album for those of you with a taste for something soulful, playful and has a whistling captivation that’ll have you tapping your feet and smiling with each note. The sound is alive with critters never seen before and although this music is certainly ROOTS music, it is the origin of this species of sound that requires many ears to listen, and perhaps someone will identify this rare treat. Mike Mattison on vocals charges the emotion of each song llowing us to climb right into the lyrics. Paul Olsen‘s guitar is like liquid magma, solid and flowing magically, weaving its own path with destinations at time unknown.
If you could take the guts out Tom Waits, the soul of James Browns‘ soul, and the spirit of one Mississippi John Hurt and put them all into an old cooking pot, that special ingredient that MA sprinkles on to give it that SOMETHING DIFFERENT must be SCRAPOMATIC.

Head over to the groups website here.
or their lables site here.

scrapomatic.jpg