Sunday 15 January 2012

The Surfaris - Wipeout
Album: Wipe Out, Surfer Joe & Other Great Hits
1973 Compilations (out of print) Reissued 2005: Magic

Fleetwood Mac - Tusk

Album: The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac

2002: Rhino / Warner

Bruce Springsteen - Tunnel of love

Album: The Essential Bruce Springsteen

2003: Columbia

Michael Buble - Haven't met you yet

Album: Crazy Love

2009: Reprise / Warner

Fleet Foxes - Montezuma

Album: Helplessness Blues

2011: Bella Union

REVISITED & TRULY GREAT

Art Neville - Big Chief

Album: Keys to the Crescent City

1991: Rounder

Louisiana Red & Little Victor's Juke Joint - Your lovin' man

Album: Memphis Mojo

2011: Ruf

Ben Harper & The Blind Boys of Alabama - There will be a light

Album: There Will be a Light

2004: Virgin

The Beatles - Penny Lane

Album: Magical Mystery Tour

2009: EMI

Richard Hawley - Born under a bad sign

Album: Coles Corner

2005: Mute

ALBUM OF THE MONTH

Asa - Beautiful Imperfection

2011: Iyke the Don

Why can't we

May be

Be my man

Trombone Shorty - Suburbia

Album: Backatown

2010: Verve / Universal

Tony Bennett & KD Lang - Because of you

Album: Tony Bennett Duets: An American Classic

2006: Sony BMG

Paul Desmond - When Joanna loved me

Album: Feeling Blue

1996: Camden / BMG

Etta James - What's going on

Album: All the Way

2006: RCA Victor / Sony BMG

Nilsson - Me and my Arrow

Album: The Point

2002: BMG Heritage

Randy Newman - Feels like home

Album: Harps and Angels

2008: Nonesuch / Warner

Ella Fitzgerald with Louis Armstrong - You won't be satisfied

Album: Jazz Legends

2002: Union Square Music

Mose Allison - I don't get around much any more

Album: Jazz

2011: Putumayo

Amy Winehouse - The girl from Ipanema

Album: Lioness: Hidden Treasures

2011: Universal Island

Rebirth Brass Band - AP Touro

Album: Rebirth of New Orleans

2011: Basin Street Records

Charlie Rich - Mohair Sam

Album: It Ain't Gonna Be That Way (The Complete Smash Sessions)

2011: Ace

Sunday 8 January 2012 - Mitch's Musical Review of 2011

The Surfaris - Wipeout
Album: Wipe Out, Surfer Joe & Other Great Hits
1973 Compilations (out of print) Reissued 2005: Magic

Adele - Someone like you

Album: 21

2010: XL

John Barry - James Bond Theme

Album: John Barry - The Best of the EMI Years

1999: EMI

Etta James - I just want to make love to you

Album: The Very Best of Etta James: The Chess Singles

2005: Spectrum

Jessie J - Price tag

Album: Who You Are

2011: Lava

Quincy Jones - Soul bossa nova

Album: Big Band Bossa Nova

1998: Verve

Adele - Rolling in the deep

Album: 21

2011: XL

Buddy Guy - Skanky

Album: Living Proof

2010: Jive / Sony

Charlie Haden Quartet West ftg Melody Gardot - If I'm lucky

Album: Sophisticated Ladies

2010: Universal

Tinariwen, K'naan and Los Lobos - Tamatant tilay / Exodus

Album: Herbie Hancock - The Imagine Project

2010: Hancock / Sony

Michael Buble - Haven't met you yet

Album: Crazy Love

2009: Reprise / Warner

Bob Dylan - Don't think twice, it's alright

Album: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

1963: Sony / Columbia

ARTISTIC LOSS of 2011 - RIP Amy Winehouse

Rehab

Album: Back to Black

2006: Universal Island

+

With Tony Bennett - Body and soul

Album: Tony Bennett Duets 2

2011: Sony

+

Our day will come

Album: Lioness: Hidden Treasures

2011: Universal Island

Chris Barber's Six-Piece ftg Jools Holland - Winin' boy blues

Album: Memories of my Trip

2011: Proper

Beverley Knight - Mama used to say

Album: Soul UK

2011: Hurricane

Ben Waters ftg PJ Harvey - Lonely Avenue

Album: Boogie 4 Stu, A Tribute to Ian Stewart

2011: Eagle

John Legend & The Roots - I wish I knew how it would feel to be free

Album: Wake Up!

2010: Sony

Mavis Staples - Wonderful Saviour 

Album: You Are Not Alone

2010: Anti

Tedeschi Trucks Band - Midnight in Harlem

Album: Revelator

2011: Sony Masterworks

Christmas Day - Reflective Chat

It's Christmas Day. It's quiet, mild for the time of year, and raining. I'm just home from presenting my Christmas radio show on 103FM.

As a chicken roasts in the oven and I'm about to tuck into a snack of cheese, biscuits and strawberries, I reflect how lucky and thankful I am to have a roof over my head and plenty to eat.

For one reason or another many people around the world have been deprived of life's essentials this year, none more so than in Somalia and the neighbouring drought-hit countries of East Africa.

Of all my activities in the past 12 months I'm proudest of what my broadcaster colleagues and I achieved on 30 July during our day-long transmission to raise awareness of the famine in the Horn of Africa, a campaign linking 103FM with the Disasters Emergency Committee, which we called 103DEC.

It was no easy matter persuading either the radio station managers or the Disasters Emergency Committee that local radio had the reach and audience to raise funds, which we as a station weren't able to take on directly. But our enthusiasm and the obvious need couldn't in the end be denied and on the day itself everyone associated with 103 was firmly on board.

We'll never know how much money our day's broadcasting raised although our listener numbers, phone calls, emails and Internet take-up were all substantially increased from usual Saturday figures and we can only hope that those who committed to give money to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal actually did so.

It's quite something that a small radio station, albeit with a substantial geographical reach and listenership, is willing to donate an entire day's output for the greater good of an emergency taking place not just beyond our own East Midlands region but outwith the UK. 

It proves that local radio, so often accused of leaving larger issues to terrestrial broadcasters, is able to construct high quality, meaningful content that reflects the concerns of its audience even when those concerns are bigger, international, humanitarian issues. 

I believe that's something in which everyone involved can be justifiably proud. 

Wishing you good things this Christmas and always. 
Mitch x


For the full 103DEC story visit www.103dec.blogspot.com
Up to date images from East Africa by the BBC available here.

Sunday 25 December 2011 Mitch's Christmas Present

Louis Armstrong & The Commanders - Cool Yule 
Album: Essential Jazz Christmas
2007: Essential Jazz Classics

Leon Redbone & Dr John - Frosty the snowman
Album: Christmas Island
2009: Universal

Dean Martin - Baby it's cold outside
Album: Ultimate Christmas Cocktails
2007: EMI / Capitol

Coldplay - Paradise
Album: Mylo Xyloto
2011: Parlophone

Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas everyone
Album: The Shakin' Stevens Collection
2005: Sony

Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas
Album: Christmas Hits 0 50 Festive Favourites
2003: BMG

Elvin Bishop - The little drummer boy
Saffire, the Uppity Blues Woman - One parent Christmas
Album: The Alligator Records Christmas Collection
1992: Alligator

Les Paul - Jingle bells
Album: I'm Gonna Lasso Santa Claus
2007: Viper

Vanelis - Hymn
Album: Theme
2007: Polydor

The Blind Boys of Alabama ftg Me'shell NdegeOcello - Oh come all ye faithful
Album: Go Tell it on the Mountain
2003: Solid Productions

Asa - Why can't we
Album: Beautiful Imperfection
2011: Iyke the Don

Lionel Hampton - Boogie woogie Santa Claus
Album: Noel Jazz
2004: Body & Soul

Amy Winehouse - Will you still love me tomorrow
Album: Lioness: Hidden Treasures
2011: Universal Island

Mighty Blue Kings - All I ask for Christmas
Album: A Jazz & Blues Christmas
2008: Putumayo 

MITCH'S CHRISTMAS PRESENT
Album: Jazz
2011: Putumayo
Anita O'Day - It don't mean a thing (If it ain't got that swing)
The Nat King Cole Trio - Deed I do
Billie Holiday - Lover come back to me

Lyle Lovett - Christmas morning
Album: The Road to Ensenada
2009: Blue Wrasse

Renee Fleming, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile & others - Touch the hand of love
Album: Yo-Yo Ma & Friends - Songs of Joy & Peace
2008: Sony BMG

Tedeschi Trucks Band - Bound for glory
Album: Revelator
2011: Sony Masterworks

The Flaming Lips - White Christmas (demo for Tom Waits)
Album: It's a Cool, Cool Christmas
2000: Jeepster

Sunday 18 December 2011 Cool Yule 2/2

Louis Armstrong & The Commanders - Cool Yule 
Album: Essential Jazz Christmas
2007: Essential Jazz Classics 

Big Al Carson with Lars Edegran & his Santa Claus Revelers - Santa Claus is coming to town
Album: New Orleans Christmas
2006: Putumayo

Fats Waller - Swingin' them jingle bells
Album: Blues, Blues Christmas
2009: Document

Kay Starr - (Everyone's waiting for) The man with the bag
Album: 101 Christmas Songs
2007: Virgin / EMI 

Kirsty MacColl & The Pogues - Fairytale of New York
Album: Cool Christmas
1993: Warner

Aled Jones - Walking in the air
Album: 101 Christmas Songs

2007: Virgin / EMI

The Blind Boys of Alabama with Michael Franti - Little drummer boy

Album: Go Tell it on the Mountain
2003: Solid Productions

Pink Martini - La vergine degli Angeli
Album: Joy to the World
2010: Heinz / Wrasse

Carrie Underwood - Hark! The herald angels sing
Album: A Very Special Christmas 7
2009: Special Olympics

Sister Rosetta Tharpe - O little town of Bethlehem
Album: The Best of Christmas Jazz Vol 2
2007: Universal / UMG

Album: A Very Special Acoustic Christmas
2003: Lost Highway / Special Olympics
Marty Stuart - Even Santa Claus gets the blues
Ricky Skaggs - Away in a manger

Rhonda Vincent - Christmas time at home

Frank Sinatra - Santa Claus is coming to town

Album: Winter Wonderland

2003: Demon / Orb

Ingrid Lucia - 'Zat you, Santa Claus? 

Album: New Orleans Christmas

2006: Putumayo

Album: Winter Wonderland

2003: Demon / OrbBrook Benton - This time of year
Andy Williams - The most wonderful time of the year
The Nat King Cole Trio - The Christmas song

Julie London - I'd like you for Christmas
Album: Ultimate Christmas Cocktails
1996: Capitol

Chet Baker - Winter wonderland - Live
Album: Jazz Cafe Christmas
2009: Concord

Chris de Burgh - A spaceman came travelling
Album: The Ultimate Christmas Collection
1998: Polygram

Album: Jazz Christmas - Noel Jazz
2004: Body & Soul
Django Reinhardt - Christmas swing
Esther Phillips & Johnny Otis - Far away Christmas blues
Louis Prima - What will Santa Claus say?

Ella Fitzgerald - Good morning blues
Album: Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas 
2002: Verve / UMG

Album: Mark Lamarr's Rhythm & Blues Christmas
2010: Fantastic Voyage
Sugar Chile Robinson - Christmas boogie
Thelma Cooper - I want a man
Sonny Boy Williamson - Sonny Boy's Christmas blues

Diana Krall - Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Album: Christmas Songs
2005: Verve / UMG 

Louis Armstrong & The Commanders - Cool Yule 
Album: Essential Jazz Christmas
2007: Essential Jazz Classics 

Sunday 11 December 2011 Cool Yule Volume 1/2

Louis Armstrong & The Commanders - Cool Yule 

Album: Essential Jazz Christmas
2007: Essential Jazz Classics 

Oscar McLollie & his Honey Jumpers - Dig that crazy Santa Claus

Album: Rhythm & Blues Christmas

2006: Ace

BB King - Christmas celebration

Album: A Jazz & Blues Christmas

2008: Putumayo

The Pretenders - Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Album: A Very Special Christmas
1987: A&M / Special Olympics 

 
Banu Gibson & The New Orleans Hot Jazz - I'll be home for Christmas

John Boutte - White Christmas

New Birth Brass Band - Santa's second line

Album: New Orleans Christmas

2006: Putumayo

Bryan Adams - Run Rudolph run

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - The little drummer boy

John Cougar Mellencamp - I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus

Album: A Very Special Christmas (also as album above)

1987: A&M / Special Olympics

Rev JM Gates - Did you spend Christmas Day in jail?

Sons of Heaven - When was Jesus born?

Mabel Scott with Les Welch & His Orchestra - Boogie woogie Santa Claus

Roy Milton Solid Senders - New Year's resolution blues

Album: Blues, Blues Christmas Vol 1, 1925-1955

2009: Document Records

Johnny Preston - A new baby for Christmas

Album: Rock 'n' Roll Christmas

1999: Castle Music

Lil' Ed & The Blue Imperials - I'm your Santa

Lonnie Brooks - Christmas on the bayou

Tinsley Ellis - Santa Claus wants some lovin'

Album: The Alligator Records
1992: Alligator Records

Brenda Lee - I'm gonna lasso Santa Claus

Bessie Smith - At the Christmas Ball

Babs Gonzales - Be-bop Santa Claus

Album: I'm Gonna Lasso Santa Claus

2007: Viper

Topsy Chapman & Lars Edegran - The Christmas blues

Album: A Jazz & Blues Christmas

2008: Putumayo

Glen Campbell - Blue Christmas

Miss Piggy - Santa baby

Jethro Tull - Ring out solstice bells

Album: 101 Christmas Songs

2007: Virgin / EMI

Enya - Oiche chiun (Silent Night)

Emmylou Harris - Light of the stable

Album: Cool Christmas

1993: WEA

Alison Krauss - Only you can bring me cheer (Gentleman's lady)

Alan Jackson - Just put a ribbon in your hair

Album: A Very Special Acoustic Christmas

2003: Universal / Special Olympics

Louis Armstrong & The Commanders: Cool Yule 

Album: Essential Jazz Christmas

2007: Essential Jazz Classics

Sunday 4 December 2011

The Surfaris - Wipeout
Album: Wipe Out, Surfer Joe & Other Great Hits
1973 Compilations (out of print) Reissued 2005: Magic

ALBUM OF THE MONTH

Rebirth Brass Band - Rebirth of New Orleans

2011: Basin Street Records

Exactly like you

Do it again

Dexter Gordon - The Christmas Song

Album: Jazz Cafe Christmas

2009: Concord Music Group

The Quantic Soul Orchestra ftg Kabir - Who knows

Album: Rhythm & Blues

2009: Putumayo

Diana Krall - Little girl blue

Album: The Best of Diana Krall

2007: Verve / Universal

FEATURED ALBUM

The Soul Rebels Brass Band

Album: Unlock Your Mind

2011: Rounder Records / Universal

Sweet dreams are made of this

Unlock your mind

We gon' take your body

Doris Day with The Andre Previn Trio - My one and only love 

Album: Heart

2011: Sony

Rebirth Brass Band - Shrimp & gumbo

Album: Rebirth of New Orleans (Album of the Month, as above)

2011: Basin Street Records

REVISITED & TRULY GREAT

Swing Baby Swing (Various Artists)

1998: Music Collection International

Big Jay McNeely - Road house boogie

Mabel Scott - Elevator boogie

Jimmy McCracklin - I'm gonna have my fun

Rebirth Brass Band - I like it like that

Album: Rebirth of New Orleans (Album of the Month, as above)

2011: Basin Street Records

FEATURED ARTIST

Asa - Naive

2008: Dramatico

Fire on the mountain

No one knows

So beautiful

Rebirth Brass Band - AP Touro

Album: Rebirth of New Orleans (Album of the Month, as above)

2011: Basin Street Records

Tedeschi Trucks Band

Album: Revelator

2011: Sony Masterworks

Love has something else to say

Shelter

Costa Neto - Boas festas Mozambique

Album: World Christmas Party
2010: Putumayo