The Hood Alive

The first part of this week’s proGram took a walk thru the neighborhood:

Beneath the Skye the Water Is Wide- Mike Mullins
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Welfare Chet- Joshua Ray Walker
Briggs Hop Light Hornpipe Medley- Nora Brown Ft. Blind Boy Paxton
Shake Me- Bishop Albert Harrison & The Gospel Tones
Somewhere To Lay My Head- Johnny Ray Daniels
She Knows What To Do- Stacy Mitchhart

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Love Potion Number 9- Erika Grapes
Lava Lamp Pisco- Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
Lips- Thunderpaw
Get Humble- Handsome Jack
Dirty Camaro- Zachary Williams

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greenarrowradio promo- Diane Durrett
Everyday I Have the Blues- Tony Holiday Ft. Lurrie Bell
She’s Tuff- Tony Holiday Ft. Victor Wainwright
Tryin’ Tah Find- Guitar Jack Wargo

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Go Away Satan- JD Simo
Devil Is Always Watching- JD Simo

Morning Gleam

Did a little extra hour fill-in for Rob Roberts’ The Morning Show and hopefully we took care of good feelings and homecominG pump ups:

Sister Mary- Taj Weekes
Rights- Christos DC
Years I Dubbed- Dubinator Ft. Doug Wimbish
Chega Mais- Céu
Forward Progression II- Theon Cross

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Everybody Everybody- DJ Nu-Mark Ft. Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band
Take Me Back (Rockmaster and the Boys Remix)- Sunday Slim
Cruise Control (Nightmare On Wax Dub)- Mr. Doris & D-Funk

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Journey To The Crystal Tomb- Hiatus Kaiyote
Canopic Jar- Hiatus Kaiyote
Welcome- Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise
Cycle- Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise
Melody Of The Land- Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise

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Açai- Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 w/BBC National Orchestra Of Wales
Access Point- Nate Mercereau
…I’ve Always Been Here- Nate Mercereau

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Around the World- Fortunate Youth Ft. Mellow Mood
Burning With You- Fortunate Youth
Groovin’- Fortuntate Youth Ft. Iya Terra

Street Survivors with Artimus Pyle

44 years ago this past October 2oth, the music world endured one of the greatest tragedies in its history when a Convair CV-240 passenger plane carrying several members of Southern Rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, including founding member and vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, crashed into the woods near Gillsburg, Mississippi, killing six including Van Zant. The event has been memorialized in both song as well as in the hearts and minds of music fans the world over. Most recently, this singularly devastating accident was dramatized on film in a full-length feature Street Survivors: The True Story Of The Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash. Told from the perspective of Skynyrd drummer, Artimus Pyle, who not only survived the crash but helped rescue other members from the wreckage, the movie is a powerful testament to enduring legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd and all that the band had to overcome in its incredible career. The accompanying soundtrack to the film converts the inspiring true story into musical form, taking selections of the film’s orchestral score and blending it with original music inspired by Skynyrd with guest appearances by Pyle as well as blues rock legend Pat Travers. Artimus was the drummer in the band’s classic lineup at the height of the band’s fame in the 1970, performing in the band from 1974 to 1977 and again from 1987 to 1991. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member in 2006. Artimus is considered a hero in the sense that after the crash, although injured himself, he pulled the remaining survivors out of the wreck and somehow was able to walk to a nearby farmhouse and secure help for his injured bandmates. He currently tours with the Artimus Pyle Band, a rockin’ crew that plays both original music and note-for-note versions of Skynyrd classics in the true spirit of the classic 70s lineup.

I had the complete honor and pleasure to get together with Artimus Pyle for a chat about this tragic event that changed the landscape of rock and roll…heck, let’s not limit it….the landscape of music. We talk about the day of the events, the deep honor of the man (Ronnie Van Zant) and his ability to write hit records with songs that will withstand whatever we humans can throw at it. While talking about the music, we discuss what his band, Artimus Pyle Band does to honor the Skynyrd family while moving the music forward We got into the making of the Street Survivors movie and soundtrack and how Artimus doesn’t get a single penny from either. Cleopatra Records & Films released Street Survivors: The True Story of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash that depicts Pyle’s memories of the before and aftermath of the crash back in October of 2020. Artimus wrote the outline of the story that was made into the film. Cleopatra Records also released a soundtrack to the film that features performances by two of his sons: Marshall & Chris. I am here to help with the “reboot” of this project as the COVID world has certainly caused many to miss the original release. After spending time with Artimus and hearing about this tale many of us think we know about, getting deeper insights shared by him into him, as a person to be in awe over and well, frankly, there so much in this chat my words cannot touch it. But, listen for the part about Dolly Parton when you get in there – there’s so much cool here for you.

You can purchase the Street Survivors: The True Story Of The Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash film here.

Stream or download the film soundtrack here:

Eclectic Electric With Joe Louis Walker

Friend of the proGram Joe Louis Walker is one of the greatest bluesmen of his generation. He is a four-time Blues Music Award winner and 2013 Blues Hall of Fame inductee who has appeared on multiple Grammy-winning albums. He is known worldwide as one of the genre’s top musical trailblazers—a mesmerizing guitarist and soul-testifying vocalist. The New York Times raves, “Walker is a singer with a Cadillac of a voice. He delivers no-nonsense, gutsy blues. His guitar solos are fast, wiry and incisive, moaning with bluesy despair.” Rolling Stone simply calls him “ferocious.” And Billboard writes: “His playing blows all over the map…gutbucket blues, joyous gospel, Rolling Stones-style rock crunch, and aching R&B. Walker’s guitar playing is fine and fierce.” Joe won the 2016 Blues Foundation Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year award at the Blues Foundation Awards ceremony in Memphis. The Blues Music Awards are universally recognized as the highest accolade afforded blues music performers. The annual Blues Music Awards ceremony is the premier event for blues professionals, musicians, and fans from all over the world.

I had the opportunity and pleasure to catch back up with Joe as he is set to release a brand new album on November 12th on Cleopatra Recordss titled “Eclectic Electric”. We spend some time talking about the songs and the guests and how people close to him kinda like to hear the way he spins the classics. We dissect a couple of the tunes so you know how they went down, like you were there yourself and we spend some time talking about our mutual pal, Bette Smith‘s work not only on the album, but perhaps a little more down the line as well. When you listen to Joe Louis Walker tell you about it….there is no wonder why he has been successful at doing what he does..it’s him.

Rosey Perspective

The final portion of this week’s proGram got under the rise to take a peek:

Good Times (Roll On)- Fortunate Youth
The Situation- Fortunate Youth
Riddim Rydah- Fortunate Youth Ft. Skillinjah & Dread Kennedy
I Shall Be Released- Keith Hudson

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Bang Bang- Taj Weekes Ft. Big Mountain Quino
**pre-recorded conversation with Taj Weekes**
March Of The Silent- Taj Weekes
Crisis- Taj Weekes

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Goa- Swamp Tooth
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Shine- Robert Glasper ft. D Smoke & Tiffany Gouché
Dharma Bums- Kurt Elling Ft. Charlie Hunter
SuperBlue- Kurt Elling Ft. Charlie Hunter

In A Mellow Way

The mid-portion of the proGram brought on some of those needed moods:

Interludio No. 1- Orquesta Akokán
Fiebre De Mambo- Orquesta Akokán

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Alla a Soudane- Moktar Gania & Gnawa Soul
IKOQWE Quarantena (Instr.) -IKOQWE Ft. Batida

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Villa- Hearta Fiya
Sunshine- Marcus Gad Ft. Tamal
Get Up, Stand Up- Cpt. Yossarian vs. Kapelle
Let the Sunshine Through (Instrumental)- The Black Seeds
Fly Me To The Moon Dub- Dennis Bovell

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Kamp Kaniff Elixir (Dub)- Roots of Creation
Arabia- Roots Of Creation
Thrive- The Late Ones
You Left Your Heart In Bali- The Relax Co.
Don’t Let Go (Love)- SunDub

Morning Shaped

The first part of this week proGram, started of the trip n great shapes:

Dhikr: Day- Opium Moon
Feast Of Sevens- Opium Moon

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Est Afri Auro Pa- Labelle
Blewu- Yo Yo Ma Ft. Angelique Kidjo
Gniri Balma- Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita
2020 Visions- Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita

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Back to Forward (An Ode to Bontuku)- Weedie Braimah Ft. The Hands of Time & Trombone Shorty
Sackodougou- Weedie Braimah Ft. The Hands of Time, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah & Cory Henry
Khalik Hena Pt. 1- Warda (live)
Guitar El Sharq- Omar Khorshid
Lamma Bada Yatasana- Omar Khorshid

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Chovulannyg Kizhi Tolu- KHOOMEI BEAT
Salgal Damchaan Khoomeiym- KHOOMEI BEAT

Taj Weekes: Pause and Ghana

Bred in the Caribbean island of St. Lucia but shaped by intercontinental life experience, my friend Taj Weekes is also an unwavering, energetic humanitarian, who founded his children’s charity, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO). His efforts has garnered him the title UNICEF Champion for Children for St. Lucia where he implements and executes various programs designed to enrich the lives of Caribbean children. Aside from brains, a heart, and a great smile, Taj has six acclaimed albums of musically adventurous reggae that imbues his songs with a pragmatic, non-judgmental optimism that is not merely unusual in reggae, but almost unique. So what makes Taj Weekes special can be summarized in three words: MUSICIAN. POET. HUMANITARIAN. What makes him astonishing is the easy and unforced harmony among all these facets of his existence.

I have been doing a lot of checking in with family to the program recently, so it makes sense that Taj and I caught up to dive deep into his brand new album, “Pause”. We get into the many newness’s that went into this, his 7th release, an album I feel captures so much of the him that first lead me his way. We talk about how working on this album with Ziggy Coltrane, took him to new levels…in this chat, we experience some of those actions and the path to the flowering results is fascinating. We also, as followers to this program are well aware, get into the real important stuff with what he has been up to with his TOCO (They Often Cry Outreach) endeavors. This time around, Taj traveled to Accra, Ghana for his first humanitarian mission to Africa and performed and reached out to the Ghanaian youth with local and international charitable organizations. We circle back after talking about walking that African walk that many artists talk about, and feel how this is shaping not only the storytelling songwriter – and the plans for more intimate live shows – but the individual that is already one who reflects and understands the miGhty good feelings of the give back. #respect.

To Be Made

The final part of this week’s proGram had all the goods to make it special:

When We Have Love- Garrett Shider Ft. Lige Curry
Fire Eater- The White Blinds
Lovin’ You- The Honeyshotz
More and More (and More)- The Grease Traps

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Thelma & Louise (We’re Not Looking Back)- Izo FitzRoy
Calamity- Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (live at the Apollo)
I’m Not Going To Cry- Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (live at the Apollo)
Sáré Kon Kon Pt. 2- Antibalas (live at the Apollo)

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Rosso Portofino- Burnt Belief
Passage- Benjamin Lew & Steven Brown

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All Good- Samm Henshaw
Chicken Wings- Samm Henshaw
Carousel- Atmosphere Ft. Nikki Jean

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Groove Is In the Heart- DJ Nu-Mark Ft. Lonely Boy
Cigarette Please- Rollover DJ’s
Just A Little Bit In My Pocket- Rollover DJ’s

Lining Up Right

The mid-section to the proGram got into the rocks and rolled about:

Kira’s New Sweater- You and the Whose Armies
Half In, Half Out- The Kundalini Genie
Paperback Life (Alternate Version)- Mudhoney

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I Rather Be Wrong- Fabrizio Grossi & Soul Garage Experience
Lucky Strike- Nick Frater

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I Heard It Through The Grapevine- Vanilla Fudge
Starstream- The Appice Perdomo Project
**pre-recorded conversation with Mr. Carmine Appice**
Funky Jackson- The Appice Perdomo Project
Do You Think I’m Sexy- The Appice Perdomo Project
Stop In The Name Of Love- Vanilla Fudge

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More Cowbell- Mike Gruwell
Swamp Grunge- Mike Gruwell

Perfectly Aligned

The first part of this week’s proGram had it’s path carvin’ out:

Somebody’s Shot of Whiskey- Erin Enderlin
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She’s Tuff- Tony Holiday Ft. Victor Wainright
So Called Lover- Samantha Fish
Give Me Back My Wig- GA-20 (live)
I’m Mad- Memphissippi Sounds

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Sometimes- Jessie Lee & The Alchemists
Lolly’s Place- Sugar Queen and the Straight Blues Band
Change My Name- Sugar Queen and the Straight Blues Band
Willow Tree- The Blue Chevys

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Reaching Out- Tim Woods
Squid Tattoo- Sean Rowe
Sweet Mama Do Right- Jim Quick & Coastline
Rotoscope- Howlin’ Rain

The Appice Perdomo Project: Energy Overload

One of the key figures in rock and roll history, Carmine Appice has joined forces with multi-instrumentalist and rising studio star Fernando Perdomo to form The Appice Perdomo Project (aka APP), whose debut album ENERGY OVERLOAD was released September 24, 2021 on Cleopatra Records. The album is an all-instrumental, rock-oriented tour de force with fusion influences also readily apparent. Carmine’s always-amazing drumming and Perdomo’s blazing guitar licks and riffs make Energy Overload a tour de force of sound, texture and non-stop heaviness. Carmine has pounded the skins for such iconic rockers like Ozzy Osbourne, Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart (Carmine & Rod co-wrote the hits Do Ya Think I’m Sexy and Young Turks) and he is a founding member of legendary 60s rock bands Vanilla Fudge (You Keep Me Hanging On was the band’s classic hit in 1967…it was featured prominently in Quentin Tarantino’s film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) and he’s a founding member of Cactus. Both the Fudge and Cactus still tour. His playing has also been a huge influence on drummers including Joey Kramer (Aerosmith), Neal Peart (Rush), Phil Collins (Genesis), Brian Taylor (Queen), John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) and countless others. He was inducted into the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2014. He remains on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 100 Greatest Drummers of All-Time list.

I had the honor to catch up with Carmine and do a little diGGin’ into this blazing new release “Energy Overload”. We dissect a few of the new tracks and learn about the entire process (at times I think we did some algebra?). We talk about the new way of working happened in his new studio with Fernando on this project- and how long it was (and how many songs in) before they actually met in person. Fascinating stuff! We also get into new Vanilla Fudge, with the oriGinal line-up and how Carmine was able to help Tim Bogert (RIP) be a part of it. This was one of thse conversations where I cannot tell you more about it than is actually in it. You have to get an earful of the whole thing to get youself in the know. Carmine is “A Piece” of rock and roll greatness. diGG

Mercy: Wadada Leo Smith

Groundbreaking composer/trumpeter & friend of the proGram, Mr. Wadada Leo Smith celebrate his 80th birthday with a year of special events including “A Dialogue: Creativity and Mercy with a Reflection on the Role of the Artist in Today’s World,” Harvard University’s Louis C. Elson Lecture delivered virtually at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 14. The event features the world premiere of Mr. Smith’s new work “Mercy,” composed in honor of essential hospital workers and performed by Smith, Vijay Iyer, and Andrew Cyrille. Smith and Iyer will also participate in a virtual conversation followed by a Q&A session. Wadada’s year-long celebration of his 80th birthday includes the release of six major projects comprising twenty-two CDs on TUM Records, two world premieres, inclusion in a film and concerts, and numerous residencies culminating in an 80th birthday celebration concert to be broadcast on his birthday, December 18, 2021.

2021-22 TUM Recordings

May 21, 2021 – Sacred Ceremonies, a 3-CD box set featuring Wadada with Milford Graves and Bill Laswell in duets and a trio.

May 21, 2021 – Trumpet, a 3-CD box set featuring 14 new compositions for solo trumpet.

November 19, 2021 – Wadada Leo Smith’s Great Lakes Quartet: The Chicago Symphonies
Box set with 4 CDs. Smith on trumpet, Henry Threadgill and Jonathon Haffner on saxophones, John Lindberg on double bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums.

November 19, 2021 – Wadada Leo Smith, Vijay Iyer, and Jack DeJohnette: A Love Sonnet for Billie Holiday
This brings the three artists together for the first time in this meeting of creative giants.

February 18, 2022 – Wadada Leo Smith: String Quartets No. 1 – 12
Box set with 7 CDs featuring RedKoral Quartet plus featured soloists including Smith, Anthony Davis, Alison Bjorkedal, Thomas Buckner, and more.

February 18, 2022 – Wadada Leo Smith: Emerald Duets
Box set with 4 CDs, one each with Pheeroan akLaff, Han Bennink, Andrew Cyrille and Jack DeJohnette. This set adds to Smith’s long history of duo recordings with some of the greatest drummers in the history of creative music.

This event in it’s entirety, help me, as a human doing, fill in some of the cracks in my foundational concreate that have been slowly eroding away in the past couple of years.

Rocky Smooth

The final part of this week’s proGram had the feel of it:

Ready Or Not- Ursula 1000
Take Me Back (Scottie Soul’s Remix)- Sunday Slim
San Mateo- Garrett Shider
Cruise Control (daZZZla & Doris Remix)- Mr. Doris & D-Funk
Las Panteras- Los Bitchos
Play On- Rollover DJ’s

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Community- Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise
Mind Journey- Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise
Real Love- Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise
Rescue Mission Pt. 2- Leaf Erikson
Smoke Don’t Clear- Injury Reserve

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Love & Dopamine- The Glory Reverb
Midnight- RoSaWay

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You Beat Me To The Punch- LOUALLDAY + Mary Wells
What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted- LOUALLDAY + Jimmy Ruffin
Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)- LOUALLDAY + The Temptations

Together Colors Work Well

The mid-section of the proGram is further proof, toGether should be a simple & beautiful thanG:

Nine Souls- Ilana Katz Katz
Downtown With The Devil- Ilana Katz Katz
Good News- Diane Durrett & Soul Suga
greenarrowradio promo- Blind Lemon Pledge
Broken Hearted Blues- Carolyn Wonderland

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Waiting To Be Free- Zac Harmon
Cake Walk- Tony Holiday Ft. Mark Hummel & Dennis Gruenling
Wish It into the Cornfield- Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps Ft. Anson Funderburgh
Imaginary War- Samantha Fish

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Moment 1- Superfjord
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Sassy- Kurt Elling Ft. Charlie Hunter
The World (Is Going Up in Flames)- Charles Bradley & The Extraordinaires (Live at the Apollo)
Can’t Get It Right- The Honeyshotz
You’ve Been Cheating- Omar Coleman & Eddie Roberts

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Changes- Apollo Suns
So Long Ethan- Apollo Suns
Eazin’ Down- Eddie Roberts

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I Don’t Want to See You Cry (LP Version)- Ghetto Priest

Shroom Zoom

The first part of this week’s proGram got us growing quick in a rockin’ way:

Sweet Child O Mine- 2 Cellos
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Magic- Grand Splendid
I’ll Be There- The Dazed Son
Hemlock Girl- The High 70’s
Hertz- Amyl and The Sniffers

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Too Late (A Big Wave)- Pinhdar
Slave To My Rhythm- Fabrizio Grossi & Soul Garage Experience

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Rev It Up- The Ziggens
The Giant Turtle Is the Memory of the Beaches- Captain Rico & the Ghost Band

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Long Haul Trucker- Pat McManus Band
I Ain’t Got You- The Ronnie Wood Band Ft. Mick Taylor (live @ The Royal Albert Hall)
I Am A Fool For You- Mink Shoals

Amyl & The Sniffer Livestream “Comfort To Me”

Amyl & the Sniffers, the Melbourne, Australia rock band fronted by Amy Taylor, released their sophomore album “Comfort To Me” a few weeks ago via ATO Records/Rough Trade. I was thankful to be a part of a VIP event where the band premiered a filmed performance of the record played in full, in one take, on a slab of concrete in a suburban wasteland somewhere in Melbourne, Australia.

“Comfort To Me”, which was co-produced by the band and Dan Luscombe, is the follow-up to Amyl & the Sniffers’ critically acclaimed 2019 self-titled debut album, which won Australia’s esteemed ARIA Award for Best Rock Album and saw the band tour their anarchic and ridiculously fun live show internationally for the past two years. With its lyrics largely written during the Australian Bushfire season, when The Sniffers were already wearing masks to protect themselves from smoke in the air, Comfort To Me came together in a 3-bedroom apartment where the four band members quarantined together during COVID-19 lockdown. The result is a less spontaneous and more darkly considered record that masterfully captures the essence of the band like never before. “This album is just us — raw self expression, defiant energy, unapologetic vulnerability,” says Taylor. “It was written by four self-taught musicians who are all just trying to get by and have a good time.”

This album, this band. THIS THIS THIS!!!

Pigeon Grooves

Final portion of this week’s proGram got those city birds out of their comfort zone and ohhh they got it going:

New Thing- The Allergies
You Don’t Love Me- Jamie and the Numbers
Yeah, You!- The Rare Sounds & Eddie Roberts & Robert Walter Ft. Chris Stillwell & Zak Najor
Shimmy Sham- The White Blinds

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A Brighter Day- The New Mastersounds, Lamar Williams Jr. & Adryon De León Ft. Josh Hoyer
Organ Speech- Mister T.
Groove Analyser- Mister T.
Formerly Diffin’s Corners- Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns

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How Do I Let a Good Man Down- Robin McKelle
The World Is Cold- Cookin’ on 3 Burners Ft. Mantra & Jane Tyrrell
Ms. Fat Booty- Cookin’ On 3 Burners
Bi-Polar- Garrett Shider

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Silver Gloves- Apollo Suns
Pops- Let Your Hair Down
Luigiboard- Let Your Hair Down
Bird of Paradise- The Grease Traps
The Things You Do- The Honeyshotz

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Hallelujah- Todd Clouser A Love Electric

This Right There

The middle portion of this week’s proGram worked hard to take you here:

greenarrowradio promo- Rusty Ends
When the Cat’s Gone the Mice Play- Sue Foley
Mama Put the Gun Down- The Porkroll Project
Once the World Stops Ending- Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps Ft. Dean Parks
Make America Groove- Diane Durrett & Soul Suga

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Chicken Feet- Whitey Somers
Wot You Got- Whitey Somers
Get Outta Here (Dog Named Bo)-Tony Holiday Ft. Bobby Rush
Love Raining Down- Avey Grouws Band
Desiree- Seth Lee Jones
Mary Ann- Seth Lee Jones

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Ain’t No Givin’ Up- Fabrizio Grossi & Soul Garage Experience
Ain’t That Loving You Baby- The Ronnie Wood Band Ft. Mick Taylor (live)
Bell Bottom Blues- Tedeschi Trucks Band Ft. Trey Anastasio (live at LOCKN)

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Be The Change- FUTURENOT

Path Leave

The first part of this week’s proGram definitely weaves it’s way thru the comings and goings:

The Owl Theory- Swamp Tooth
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Valle Local- José González
Never Enough- Good Morning
Almost Jumped The Sun (reprise)- Will Rainier
Mrs. Rosenbaum- The Brothers Steve

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Breed- The Dollyrots
Don’t Fence Me In- Amyl and The Sniffers
Guided By Angels- Amyl and The Sniffers

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The Beachland Ballroom- IDLES
Tame The Wave- Captain Rico & the Ghost Band
Butterfly- Mega Bog

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Open Windows (Here I Am)- Dan + Claudia Zanes Ft. Grace Ferrell/Phillip Ferrell/Amadou Kouyate
**pre-recorded conversation with Claudia & Dan Zanes**
New Beginnings- Dan + Claudia Zanes Ft. Eze Jackson
Star Time- Dan + Claudia Zanes Ft. Ashley Sierra