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RockabillyDukeBox mini PodCast II

Well, what's all this about? I hear you saying. To tell you the truth, I have loved the golden age of AM radio ever since I first heard those fantastic Cruisin' LP's way back in the 1970's (and you thought I was so young). At first I wanted to DJ in that style, but after hearing my voice on tape and over the microphone, I realised that was never going to happen. And so RockabillyDukeBox was born. Cool DJ's from the fifties mixed with modern (and some great original performers) rockabilly bands. I like the idea, I just hope you do too. I saved the files to MP3(size wise it's a whopping 50MB and 54 minutes long) but the sound quality could be better. I would love to hear your comments, which you can post via the guestbook.

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Kav Kavanaugh and Suzy Q for letting the 'DukeBox' open 'Baby Annie's Fund Raising All Dayer' with his unusual DJ set back in August 2007. Duke salutes your bravery.

Download RockabillyDukeBox mini PodCast II (27.2MB)

Rockabilly DukeBox music selection on Easy ED's variety show

Rockabilly DukeBox Part 2 (coming soon, check back)

Rockabilly DukeBox Part 1 (new complete version)

Click the link above (or right click and save target as) and listen to the first show. While your doing that read on and find out about about the music on the show.

 

The first time I heard Wayne (the train) Hancock sing was in Austin Texas way back in 1994. He was a skinny kid in western wear and a cowboy hat, and he came on stage as a guest singer at a Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Boys gig at La Zona Rona. As soon as I heard the guy I knew he was going to be something special. When I was back in the UK a year or so later, I picked up his fantastic debut C.D 'Thunderstorms & Neon Signs. Locomotive Joe comes from that C.D.

Bill Fadden puts everything he has into his gigs, and that sound and energy transfers over into the the recording studio. 'I hope you Cry' comes from his time with The Silvertone Flyers.

After Bill we have the Croatian rockabilly sensations ''The Mad Men' belting out the self penned 'Saturday Night Rich', they went down a storm at the Rave. Twice!

'Subterranean Homesick Blues' is a live track that I recorded on video at a fantastic night at The Hillbilly Hop (at the Buffalo Bar) in north London, it features Bill Fadden (can't get enough of this guy) on vocals, Phil Morgan on harp, Gautier on guitar, Mark Kelmo on Drums and Andy Sykes on double bass.

I remember buying a great little 10 inch LP by Sleepy La Beef and friends way back when my hair was a thick as pea soup. 'All the Time' comes from that album. Sleepy's in great voice and just listen to that excellent bass playing.

'Jumpin Little Mama' is a great version of a Gene Vincent classic by legendary 'Blue Cats'. This comes their album on Charley records featuring Dave Phillips on lead vocals.

'Bang Bang' from the late great Janis Martin needs no introduction. My personal favourite from the female Elvis. Just listen to the drumming on this platter.

'Mr. Big Feet' by the Charlie Bop Trio. Another classic tune, sax, brushes, guitar and a good bit of bass playing keeping it all together.

I'd been digging the music of Ray Campi from 1976, thanks mainly to Ronny Weisers excellent 'Rollin' Rock' label. In 1977 he (Ronny) released the Campi LP 'Born to Rock', that's when I first came across the name Colin Winski. He was sadly taken from us recently. But give a listen to 'Hillbilly Cat' and remember this was from the 70's, a time when we were treated to some great and some not so great rockin music, this is a piece of excellent hot rockabilly.

On the subject of Rollin' Rock records, Ronny released an excellent EP by Alvis Wayne on his label in the 70's after hearing Wayne's 'Lay Your head on My Shoulder' it was quickly added to my record collection.

'Rain' by the Wild Cats fine rockabilly music from Australia. I was at an early Restless gig (1981) and I got talking to the forever young Roy Williams. He was the one that put me on the Preston label Australia premier rockin' label and the Wild Cats track stood out a mile

When I was first getting on the rock 'n' roll trail I loved 'Marvin Rainwater's 'Whole Lotta Woman' it was not until I heard 'Roovin' Gambler' which was released on the CBS rockabilly classic's set of LP's that I realized just how good this guy is!


John Lewis's alter ego 'Johnny Bach' will always be a favourite of mine, add to that the brilliant guitar playing of Darrel Higham and you have a recipe for success. 'Travellin' Light' is the Cliff Richard tune. But it's been given the rockabilly treatment, and boy the song has fully recovered from it's sorry original version.

The Kansas City Cryers, I love this band. I can't wait to hear their original material, because I believe this bunch of crazy rockin cats have much more in their locker to spring on us. 'Ford and Shaker' hits the right notes for me.

For me the Standout band at the last Rockabilly Rave (11) were The Star Mountain Dreamers. A great sounding band with an energetic front man, like a crazed version of Big Sandy. The best of the best songs they do live is the excellent 'Trail Burning' unfortunately the sound from my video recording of them was not up to scratch. Thankfully I bought the CD.

The Cranktones; A very good Internet buddy and laid back radio D.J Easy Ed sent me a cool little MP3 by The Cranktones called 'Rock On' great for the strollers out there.

Have a listen to 'Everybodies Body' by George Hamilton IV. And you will hear an amazing piece of rockabilly music from an out and out country music performer. How ABC records convinced him to write and record this platter will forever be a mystery to me. In the lyrics you hear him say 'I'm getting tired of rockin' considering this was his only (and on hearing the song, it's a damn shame) rockin' tune. It has it all drums, guitar, slapping bass and hic-cuppy vocal.

'Rockabilly Real Low' is an excellent tune from the equally excellent Ray Condo. Search the Internet for this much missed latter day rockabilly sensation.

'Where's My Chicken' - The Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. Found these guys on MySpace go check em' out.

'Rock Girl Rock' - Jack Hammer - I loved this record for years. I picked it up on vinyl at a record fair (one of Pete Bruce's) many moons ago, it's never far from my turntable.

'How Come It' - Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite trio from the early 90's. It's a YouTube recording that I converted to MP3 and sent to Easy Ed for inclusion on his radio show.

'Groovers Bop' - 'The WragTime Wranglers' A very cool instrumental from this excellent band. Best known for backing Miss Mary Ann and an amazingly long list of original rockin' stars, Jack Earls and Janis Martin, as I said the list is endless.

The show ends with Alan Freed's farewell (as it turned out) address to his fans...
DukeBox...