The Crystals

When Phil Spector discovered The Crystals, they were all still in high school.  They became one of the defining girl group acts of the early 60's with a string of chart hits. The vocal line up went through several changes and for a brief period Spector recorded Darlene Love and The Blossoms as The Crystals. The lead vocal on Then He Kissed Me is Dolores "La La" Brooks and on He's A Rebel, it's Darlene Love. The Wall of Sound effect was genius.

I love the organ in The Tonettes' song I Gotta Know and I can't stop playing The Dells' Run For Cover. The Twist was written and originally performed by Hank Ballard.  The set ends with a sweet cover of Our Day Will Come by Amy Winehouse. Enjoy the music.

Then He Kissed Me  -  The Crystals
I Gotta Know  -  The Tonettes
Can't Let You Go  -  Sugar Pie DeSanto
Run For Cover  -  The Dells
He's A Rebel  -  The Crystals
The Twist  -  Hank Ballard & The Midnighters
Miss Pitiful  -  Etta James
Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone  -  Martha & The Vandellas
Our Day Will Come  -  Amy Winehouse

Holly Maxwell

Philly Barracuda  1966

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Donna Summer

Word spread rapidly that Donna Summer, the Queen of Disco, died this morning. It seems like yesterday that I was listening to Boston's late radio station WBCN, who was playing this new and exciting 17 minute song,  Love To Love You Baby. This was just the beginning of things to come. Two years later, I Feel Love hit the airwaves. This song was so innovative and fresh, all heads turned. Hit after hit, she was a five-time Grammy Award winner and the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach number one on the US billboard chart. Thanks for the music R.I.P.

Megamix

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Donald "Duck" Dunn R.I.P.

The legendary bass player well known for his 60's work with Stax Records house band Booker T. & the M.G.'s passed away today.

Groovin'
My Sweet Potato
Hip Hug-Her

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feeling the need to twist

Monster Surf Stomp  1963  -  Don Hinson

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stormy

Into each life some rain must fall, but some day the sun will shine.

You Don't Know Me (live)  -  Ray Charles
Baby What You Want Me To Do  -  Sugar Pie DeSanto
Stormy  -  Diana Ross & The Supremes
Love Is A Losing Game  -  Amy Winehouse
What Now My Love  -  Sonny & Cher
You're Gonna Make Me Cry  -  O.V. Wright
Somebody Somewhere Needs You  -  Ike & Tina Turner
Ask The Lonely  -  The Four Tops
Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay  -  Otis Redding

the long and winding road

The Long And Winding Road  by Ray Charles

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Soul Shake...

by Peggy Scott & Jo Jo Benson starts this weeks boogie fest. I am still infatuated with Sugar Pie DeSanto's tunes, I can't hear enough of them, raw rhythm and blues. I love this version of I'm a Midnight Mover by Bobby Womack. And finally I end with the original version of Everlasting Love by Robert Knight. So, Shake it!

Soul Shake  -  Peggy Scott & Jo Jo Benson
Cool Dad  -  Ross Carnegie
Soulful Dress  -  Sugar Pie DeSanto
Mama,  He Treats Your Daughter Mean  -  Ruth Brown
What'd I Say(live)  -  Etta James
I'm A Midnight Mover  -  Bobby Womack
Bad Eye  -  Wynder K. Frog
Stand Up And Be A Man  -  Sundia
Jump To It  -  Aretha Franklin
Everlasting Love  -  Robert Knight

the incomparable James Brown

Shhhhhh
If You Don't Give A Doggone About It

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I need me some DISCO

Honeybee  -  Gloria Gaynor
Cherchez La Femme  -  Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band
Swearin' To God  -  Frankie Vallie
Don't Leave Me This Way  -  Thelma Houston
I Got My Mind Made Up  -  Instant Funk
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now  -  McFadden & Whitehead
Dancin'  -  Grey & Hanks
Blame It On The Boogie  -  The Jackson 5
Contact  -  Edwin Starr
Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet  -  Gonzalez
Dance, Dance, Dance  -  Chic
Last Dance  -  Donna Summer

Marvin Gaye

Ain't That Peculiar   1965

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Shorty Long...

was a singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer for Motown's Soul Records division. His first release, Devil  with the Blue Dress  (1964), was the first recording issued on Motown's Soul label and is my first song to kick off this weeks music set. Shorty's biggest hit was Here Comes The Judge in 1968. Big in talent and inspiration, it was unfortunate that Shorty drowned in a boating accident in 1969. So, let's get down with Shorty Long.

Devil With The Blue Dress On  -  Shorty Long
Hi-Heel Sneakers  -  Tommy Tucker
In The Basement  -  Sugar Pie Desanto
Some Other Guy  -  Richie Barrett
Walking The Dog  -  Rufus Thomas
Here Comes The Judge  -  Shorty Long
20-75  -  Willie Mitchell
Heaven Must have Sent You  -  The Elgins
My Love Is Getting Stronger  -  Cliff Nobles
Family Affair  -  Sly & The Family Stone

Otis Redding

Respect    1965

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Big Bazounga Boogaloo Party

Boogaloo is a marriage of many styles of music, including American R& B, soul and Cuban mambo. Need some Boogaloo lessons from James Brown? What are you waitin'  for, Boogaloo!

The Boogaloo Party  -  The Flamingos
Chitown Boogaloo  -  Lewise Bethune
Boogaloo  -  Tom & Jerrio
Groove N' Move  -  Jr Walker & The All Stars
Alvin's Boogaloo  -  Alvin Cash
Dancin' Little Thing  -  James Brown & The Famous Flames
You Better check Yourself  -  Soul Brothers Six
Boogaloo Tramp  -  A.C. Reed
Twenty Five Miles  -  Truman Thomas

Sugar Pie DeSanto

Go Go Power   1966

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be thankful for what you got

Sixty Minute Man  -  Billy Ward and His Dominoes
Hound Dog  -  Big Mama Thornton
Get Out of My Life Woman  - Lee Dorsey
Crabcakes  -  Gunga Din
I Want To Know  -  Sugar Pie DeSanto
Good Time Tonight  -  The Soul Sisters
Good Grease  -  Mark III Trio
Bad Bad Woman  -  Marie Franklin
Back In Love Again  -  L.T.D.
Be Thankful For What You Got  -  William DeVaughn

The Bar-Kays

Bar-Kays Boogaloo    1967

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Larry Williams...

was an R & B and rock and roll singer, songwriter, producer and pianist from New Orleans. He is best know for writing and recording many late 50's rock and roll classics, including Bony Moronie, Slow Down, Dizzie Miss Lizzy, Bad Boy and She Said Yeah, which were recorded by many British Invasion groups. It's fair to say John Lennon was influenced by Larry Williams. He had a sordid life, mixed with tremendous success, drug abuse and underworld violence. Williams was found dead of a gun shot wound at age 44.

Bad Boy  -  Larry Williams
The Pleasure Is All Mine  -  Billy Emerson
Not Much Baby  -  Rosemary
Afro Twist  -  Jerry-O
It's Your Thing  -  Senior Soul
Dizzy Miss Lizzy  -  Larry Williams
Funky Walk  -  Watson and The Sherlocks
Forget About That Mess  -  The Marvells
Nathan Jones  -  The Supremes
More Bounce To The Ounce  -  Zapp

Wilson Pickett

She's Lookin' Good   1968

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Jimmy Ellis 1937-2012

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jimmy Ellis, the legendary lead singer of the Trammps. I have seen the Trammps many times and spent many a night tearing up the dance floor to them. You will always be a part of my happiest memories. R.I.P.

Stop And Think
Hold Back The Night
Disco Inferno

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Question Mark & the Mysterians

96 Tears  1966

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All Aboard!!

the Night Train by James Brown starts this weeks funk fest and dance party. So be prepared to get down, get funky, & get loose.

Night Train  -  James Brown
Groovy Baby  -  Kim Tamanga
Humpin'  -  The Bar-Kays
Ride Your Pony  -  Betty Harris
Time Is On My Side  -  Wilson Pickett
Get It  -  Jay Dee Bryant
Lady Marmalade  -  Irma Thomas
Supernatural Thing  -  Ben E. King
Dazz  -  Brick

Sly and the Family Stone

If You Want Me To Stay  1973

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Esther Phillips

The late Esther Phillips had a distinctive voice and was a great singer associated with many styles of music. In the 50's, an R&B child star at the age of thirteen. In the 60's, a blues stylist who could sing country western songs, and in the 70's, a jazz vocalist who would land a major disco hit. Esther was plagued most of her life with drug addiction and died at the age of 48. I start this weeks collection with Such A Night and also use Mojo Hannah. Esther Phillips never received recognition for her lifelong contribution in contemporary music.

Such A Night  -  Esther Phillips
I Like It  -  The Emotions
I'd Rather Have You  -  The Kelly Brothers
Tequila  -  Wynder K. Frog
It's Better To Have  -  Don Covay
Mojo Hannah  -  Esther Phillips
Who Is She  -  The Lucky Laws
Feel The Need In Me  -  The Detroit Emeralds
Rock Steady  -  Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin

Baby I Love You  1967

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the rare side of Motown

This collection of Motown tunes are less popular and some are on the rare side. The first song, Come to Me by Marv Johnson is the first Motown release. So, let's do some of that Detroit sound.

Come To Me  -  Marv Johnson
Your Kind Ain't No Good  - The Miretttes
Hole In The Wall  -  JJ Barnes
The Philly Dog  -  Earl Van Dyke
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'  -  Gladys Knight & The Pips
Hit And Run  -  Martha Reeves
Number One In Your Heart  -  The Monitors
Do The Choo Choo  -  Jack Ashford
Who's Lovin' You  -  Michael Jackson & The Jackson Five

Solomon Burke

Today Is Your Birthday

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Ruth Brown...

(1928 - 2006) "Miss Rhythm" could do it all. She was an R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, composer and actress. She is best known for mating a pop music style with R & B in the 1950's. Between 1949-55, she stayed on the R&B charts for 149 weeks with sixteen Top 10 records. Her Broadway appearance in Black and Blue earned her a Tony Award and a Grammy Award for Blues on Broadway, featuring hits from the show. I start this weeks set with Somebody Touched Me and also use  As Long As I'm Moving, a #4 R & B chart hit. Ruth Brown was touring till 2005.

Somebody Touched Me  -  Ruth Brown
You Got It  -  Etta James
Iko Iko  -  Larry Williams
Lead Me On  -  Gwen McCrae
As Long As I'm Moving  -  Ruth Brown
Ninety-Nine And A Half  -  Wilson Pickett
Do The Bus Stop  -  The Fatback Band
Spanish Harlem  -  Aretha Franklin

Arthur Alexander

Anna  1962

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Beatles got Soul

Many great artists have covered the songs of the Fab Four. Here are some of my favorite soul artist renditions. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!

Eleanor Rigby  -  The Four Tops
Ticket To Ride  -  Wee Willie Walker
Good Day Sunshine  -  Roy Redmond
Blackbird  -  Billy Preston
We Can Work It Out  -  Stevie Wonder
Yesterday  -  Marvin Gaye
Come Together  -  Ike & Tina Turner
Lady Madonna  -  Junior Parker
I Saw Her Standing There  -  Little Richard
You Can't Do That  -  The Supremes
Norwegian Wood  -  Jackie Mittoo

Chris Montez

The More I See You  1966

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60's Dance Party

A 60's dance party complete with dancing lessons. Beginners welcome.  Tell your friends and Boogaloo, Baby!

Let's Dance  -  Chris Montez
Money  -  The Beatles
Oh Baby, I Do Believe I'm Losing You -  Billy Hawks
Hot Cakes  -  Dave Baby Cortez
Comin' Home Baby  -  Dee Dee Sharp
Monkey Tonight  -  Eddie Kirk
Last Night  -  The Mar-Keys
You Turn Me On  -  Ian Whitcomb
Suspicion  -  Terry Stafford

The Isley Brothers

Who's That Lady?   1964

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Hey, Mr. D.J.

by Booby Moore and The Rhythm Aces tops the tunes for this weeks set. Feel free to move around the floor and Boogaloo Baby!

Hey, Mr. D.J.  -  Bobby Moore and The Rhythm Aces
Live It Up  -  Dusty Springfield
Bye Bye Baby  -  Mary Wells
Let a Man Come In & Do The Popcorn  -  James Brown
I Got The Power  -  Joanne Courcey
I Thank You  -  Sam & Dave
Green Door  -  Wynder K. Frog
California Soul  -  Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
I Could Dance All Night  -  Archie Bell & The Drells

Judy Clay

Bed of Roses   1968

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LaVerne Baker...

was an amazing artist.  She had several hit records on the pop charts in the 50's and 60's. One of her most successful records was Jim Dandy ( #1 R&B, 1956), which I use to start this weeks set. She also spent 22 years as the entertainment director at the Marine Corps Staff NCO club. She continued to make recordings until the mid 90's and became the second female solo artist inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  She covered the song See See Rider (1963), which was originally recorded in 1924 by Ma Rainey and was recorded by many artists that range from Elvis to The Grateful Dead.

Jim Dandy  -  LaVerne Baker
Just A Little Bit  -  Roscoe Gordon
Thanks Mr. Postman  -  Bobby King
See Saw  -  Don Covay
See See Rider  -  LaVerne Baker
Thread The Needle  -  Clarence Carter
I Testify  -  Otis Clay
What A Man  -  Linda Lyndell
I Got My Mind Made Up  -  Instant Funk
Tell Mama  -  Etta James

Sir Douglas Quintet

The Rains Came       1966

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shake rattle & roll...

with Big Joe Turner. This set is a definite toe tapper and guaranteed to bust a groove...

Morning After  -  The Mar-Keys
Shake Rattle & Roll  -  Big Joe Turner
Where's My Money  -  Willie Jones
A Lot Of Love  -  Homer Banks
You Make Me Feel So Good  -  The Chips
Ready, Willing & Able  -  Jimmy Holiday & Clyde King
'Cause I Love You  -  Carla & Rufus
Green Onions  -  Booker T. & The M.G.'s
The Duck  -  The Olympics
Whiplash  -  The Shells
Baby Workout  -  Jackie Wilson

Joe Jeffrey Group

My Pledge of Love   1969

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feed me some mo' ...

Stax artists tunes, so I can BOOGIE!!

Philly Dog  -  The Mar-Keys

I Take What I Want   -  Sam & Dave

Booker Loo  -  Booker T. & the M.G.'s

I Can't Turn You Loose  -  Otis Redding

B-A-B-Y  -  Carla Thomas

Hot Dog  -  The Four Shells

Grab This Thing  -  The Mar-Keys

You Don't Know Like I Know -  Sam & Dave

Be My Lady  -  Booker T. & the M.G.'s

Nilly Willy  -  Rufus Thomas

Le Hully Gully

The Hully Gully was started by Frank Rocco at the Cadillac Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida and enjoyed all over the world. Hully Gully!
Line Renaud  (France)
From Canzoni in Bikini (Italy)
From The Chaufferine by Alekos Sakellarios (Greece)
Rock Boris on Drop In (Sweden)
The Olympics from Hollywood A Go Go

get the party started...

with the Stax recording artisits. This label was a major factor in the creation of Southern soul and Memphis soul music styles. The Stax Records house band was Booker T. & the MG's. So, let's get the party started!

The Honey Dripper  -  The Van-Dells
Sack-O-Woe  -  The Mar-Keys
Can Your Monkey Do the Dog  -  Rufus Thomas
Can't be Still  -  Booker T & the M.G.'s
Frog Stomp -  Floyd Newman
Just As I Thought -  William Bell
The Hawg  -  Eddie Kirk
Mr. Pitiful  -  Otis Redding
The Sidewalk Surf  -  The Mad Lads
Soul Dressing  -  Booker T & the M.G's
Them Bones  -  Eddie Kirk
Jump Back  -  Rufus Thomas

Etta James - get well soon

Born Jamesetta Hawkins in L.A., Etta has been one of the most dynamic singers of our time and is a true legend. She was hospitalized over Christmas and my wish is for a speedy recovery.


Here are: Love and Happiness, Take Me to the River and My Funny Valentine.


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Buddy Miles LIVE 1970

Best known as the drummer for Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys, Buddy Miles also had a lengthy solo career with varying amounts of rock, blues, and soul. In the 80's, Miles became the lead singer for the California Raisins. The album Buddy Miles LIVE 1970 was performed in Seattle Washington and is by far my favorite. I originally had this on 8 track and it was my #1 cruising companion. Here are: We Got to Live Together, Down by the River and Them Change.

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have a merry mambo christmas

with Cabaret Diosa


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boogie into christmas...

with Canned Heat playing Santa Clause is Coming to Town

Dobie Gray

singer, songwriter died tuesday. Best known for his hit Drift Away in 1973, my favorite is his 1965 hit The 'In' Crowd which reached #13 on the Billboard charts. Dobie Gray performing The 'IN' Crowd on Shindig.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree...

sung by Darlene Love and Ronnie Spector for the 1992 charity album A Very Special Christmas 2

Pink Martini rocks...

this Peruvian tune, Donde Estas, Yolanda?