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| 12/29/09 "Mr. Pottymouth's House" Carl and Gary indulge themselves with a case of aural atavism by reflecting on their nine-year-old attempt at producing a children's show named MR. POTTYMOUTH's HOUSE. The Cast of Characters include Mr. Postman, Juan Altovoce, Prudence Sweet (the girl next door), Gaseous Gerald and Bob (who we think was supposed to be a puppet). The program also featured segments on history and science, the poetry of Mr. Onion, and contained several original songs composed by Carl and co-creator Al 'Butch' Conrad III, who joins them in the Home of the Future to talk about the show. The project was never completed and has remained unheard until now. Featured songs include: "Mr. Pottymouth's Theme," "Pally," "Jole Frijole" (with rare falsetto vocals by Gary) "Lobotobop," "Bag Lady," "Moony Eyes," "Bob's Big Dance Number," and "Somebody Give Me the Words to This Song." to listen (50:57) or click here |
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| 10/28/09 "Blues for the Moondog" We review the significant role played by disk jockey Alan Freed in popularizing and naming rock 'n' roll. We also talk about syncopation, backbeat and boogie woogie, so important in the development of the music. Featured artists include Dinah Shore, Ella Mae Morse, Freddie Slack, Roy Milton, Fats Domino, Louis 'Moondog' Hardin, Todd Rhodes, Wild Bill Moore, Faye Adams, and the one and only Doc Sausage. Suggested reading: BIG BEAT HEAT: ALAN FREED AND THE EARLY YEARS OF ROCK 'N' ROLL by John A. Jackson (Schirmer Books, 1991). Suggested listening: Moondog - THE VIKING OF SIXTH AVENUE (Honest Jons Records, 2005). to listen (59:46) or click here |
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| 8/9/09 "Night and Day" (The Hit Parade) We take a brief survey of the popular music—the product of New York City’s Tin Pan Alley (circa 1930-1950)—that was largely supplanted by rock ‘n’ roll. Featured are songs by Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Tex Williams, Frankie Laine, Patti Page, Johnnie Ray, Rosemary Clooney, Les Paul & Mary Ford, and The Sons of the Pioneers singing about the atomic bomb. Suggested reading: THE RISE AND FALL OF POPULAR MUSIC by Donald Clarke (Viking, 1995). Suggested listening: COLUMBIA COUNTRY CLASSICS, Volumes 1 through 5 (Sony 1990). to listen (59:45) or click here |
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| 7/14/09 "He's the guy that made me want to write stories." A conversation with Herb Kauderer - poet, academic and fellow ThinkTwiceRadio host. Herb talks about the significant songs in his life and the role that music plays for all of us. Among his audio selections are songs by Johnny Cash, Billy Joel, Harry Chapin (who inspired the quote above), Joan Jett, Howlin' Wolf, Suzanne Vega, and Liz Phair. to listen (59:53) or click here |
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| 6/12/09 "Work With Me, Annie" (Answer Songs) We examine the practice of "answer" songs by concentrating on "Work With Me, Annie," a song, while banned from radio for its racy subject matter, nevertheless spawned numerous imitations and "answers" in the mid-1950s. Featured artists include Hank Ballard & The Midnighters, The Cadillacs, Etta James, Richard Berry, Buddy Holly, and Little Richard. Here is a touching tribute about Hank Ballard and the Midnighters on the Houndblog.blogspot. Suggested listening: SEXY WAYS: THE BEST OF HANK BALLARD & THE MIDNIGHTERS (Rhino Records, 1993) to listen (57:36) or click here |
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| 5/12/09 "Crying in the Chapel" (Post-War Rhythm 'n' Blues Part 3) Our survey of black rhythm 'n' blues now takes us into the early 1950s, where we discuss the rise of black vocal music and how a strong gospel background among the performers helped influence the development of rock 'n' roll and soul music. Featured artists include The Dominoes, The Clovers,The Drifters, The Five Royales, James Brown, The Spaniels, The Harptones and Ray Charles. Suggested reading: AMERICAN SINGING GROUPS by Jay Warner (Hal Leonard, 2006). Suggested listening: THE DOO WOP BOX and THE DOO WOP BOX, Volume 2 (Rhino Records). to listen (59:58) or click here |
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| 4/10/09 "Have Mercy Baby" (Post-War Rhythm 'n' Blues Part 2) We continue our survey of black rhythm 'n' blues that led to rock 'n' roll. This episode explores the development of black vocal music and its gospel influence in the late 1940s-early 1950s. Featured artists include Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Dixie Hummingbirds, the Soul Stirrers, the Mills Brothers, the Ink Spots, the Ravens, the Orioles, and the Larks. Suggested reading: PEOPLE GET READY! A New History of Black Gospel Music by Robert Darden (Continuum, 2005). to listen (59:05) or click here |
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| Hoy Hoy - Good Rockin' Tonight (Post-War Rhythm & Blues Part 1) The formative years of rhythm & blues, from big band blues to jump blues to club blues. Boogie woogie piano, honking and squeaking saxophones, and wild performance typify the music of the period. Featured artists include Wynonie Harris, Big Joe Turner, Freddie Slack & Ella Mae Morse, Louis Jordan, Wild Bill Moore, Charles Brown, Cecil Gant, and Amos Milburn. An excellent resource for older rhythm & blues, hillbilly, crooners, and jazz is the Proper Music site. to listen (57:36) or click here |
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| "Louie Louie": Let's give it to 'em, right now! The most famous three-chord song that has come to define the simplicity of rock and roll, featuring variations by the Flamin' Groovies, Joan Jett, Richard Berry, Paul Revere & the Raiders, the Wailers, the Fat Boys, Iggy Pop, and, of course, the Kingsmen. Here is a link to the lyrics of "Louie, Louie" (caution, the 'dirty' words are here) to listen or click here |
