Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Radio and River Gods

Hey friends.

A new episode of “Easy Ed’s Variety Hour” hits the airwaves (and ‘netwaves) this Friday evening. Tune in for two big boppin’ hours of Rockabilly, Hillbilly, R&B, and Rock and Roll! (And don’t forget to email me your requests in advance!)

**Where: WMFO in Medford , MA (91.5 FM). Listen live through iTunes (Radio/Public/WMFO) or the station's Web site (www.wmfo.org)

**When: Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM Eastern.

Can't listen while the show is airing? Just go to

www.easy-ed.net

and download archived MP3s of past shows whenever you like. The song list from my last show appears at the bottom of this message if you want to check it out.

Also, this Wednesday (3/11) I will be the guest DJ at River Gods in Cambridge as part of their ongoing Primitive Sounds series. I want to thank Jason Beek, P.J. Eastman, and the folks at River Gods for the invitation. Please stop by! The music starts at 9:00 PM.
www.rivergodsonline.com/

--Other Calendar Notes

--March 21: Don’t miss the Rock ‘n’ Roll Blowout with Rocky Velvet, The Fathoms, and DJ Easy Ed at the Midway Café in Jamaica Plain.

www.myspace.com/rockyvelvet
www.myspace.com/fathomsofboston
www.midwaycafe.com

--April 4: Hillbilly and Rockabilly Night at the Midway, with Spinout Records recording artists the Stumbleweeds; the Roy Sludge Revue, a brand new band featuring members of the Spurs and Memphis Rockabilly; and WMFO’s DJ Easy Ed. www.midwaycafe.comwww.myspace.com/thestumbleweeds
http://home.comcast.net/~al1959www.easy-ed.net


As always, thanks for your interest!
--DJ Easy Ed

=======================
Here’s the playlist from the 2/27/2009 edition of Easy Ed’s Variety Hour. To download or listen to the show, just go to www.easy-ed.net. Thanks!

Johnny Jano “Havin' a Whole Lotta Fun” from Various: Hey Baby! The Rockin' South (Ace Records) — Excello Records 1956

Rusty and The Dragstrip Trio “Maryanne” from I Ain't Ready (Wild Records) — www.rustyandthedragstriptrio.com

Hender Saul “I Ain't Gonna Rock Tonite” from Various: Rockabilly Hoodlums, Vol. 1 (Collector Records) — Liberty Records (date unknown)

Charlie Feathers “Tongue-Tied Jill” from Various: The Complete Meteor Rockabilly and Hillbilly Recordings (Ace Records) — Meteor Records 1956

Buck Griffin “Stutterin' Papa” from Various: That'll Flat Git It! Vol. 7 (Bear Family Records) — MGM Records 1956

The Stillmen “Corn Whiskey Boogie” from All Hopped Up CD ALBUM (Star Tone Records) — www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e_AoQhvMew

Sonny Rogers and The Kingpins “This Is The Night” from Honky Tonkin' CD ALBUM (Enviken Records) — www.rockabilly.nl/reviews/honkytonkin.htm

The Carnations “Fireball Mail” from Various: Strictly Instrumental, Vol. 5 (Buffalo Bop) — Background/ambient

Red Garrison “Moonshine” from Various: Strictly Instrumental, Vol. 5 (Buffalo Bop) — Background/ambient

Johnny Carlevale & the Rollin Pins “Tunnel of Love” from That's Life (Ropin' Records) — www.myspace.com/johnnycarlevaletherollin39pins

The Shakin' Pyramids “Cry Cry Kitten” from The Collection CD COMP (Vault) — www.myspace.com/theshakinpyramids

Gene Maltais “The Raging Sea” from Various: The Raging Teens (Norton Records) — Lilac Records (1958?)/For Poison Ivy

Link Wray “Raw-Hide” from Slinky! The Epic Sessions, '58-'61 (Sundazed Music) — www.rockabillyhall.com/LinkWray.html

Rocky Velvet “Come On” from It Came From Cropseyville! CD ALBUM (RVM) — www.myspace.com/rockyvelvet/See them 2/28 at the Plough and Stars in Cambridge

The Candymen “Doin' The Twist” from The Twist LP ALBUM (Diplomat Records) — Background/ambient

Chet Atkins “Walk Don't Run” from Guitar Legend (Buddha Records) — Background/ambient

Charlie Faircloth “Coffee, Cigarettes, and Tears” from Various: Rockin' Hillbilly, Vol. 3 (Cactus Records) — Decca Records 1950

The Western Aces “Same Old Cell” from Introducing The Western Aces (El Toro Records) — www.myspace.com/thewesternaces

Ernie Chaffin “Laughin & Jokin'” from Various: Drink Up and Go Home--Sun Country, Vol. 2 (AVI) — Sun Records 1957

Patsy Cline “Today, Tomorrow, and Forever” from 50 Golden Greats (Empire Music) — Decca Records 1957

Marty Robbins “Knee Deep in The Blues” from Various: Columbia Country Classics, Vol. 2 (Columbia Records) — Columbia Records 1956

The Dixons “Broken Hearted, Lovesick, and Blue” from Still Your Fool (Cow Island Music) — www.myspace.com/thedixonshonkytonk

Pee Wee King “ Plantation Boogie” from Pee Wee King and His Golden West Playboys (Bear Family Records) — For Julie and Tony

The Western Cherokees “Cherokee Steel Guitar” from Various: Rockin' Hillbilly, Vol. 7 (Cactus Records) — Background/ambient

The Starlighters “One Way Express” from Various: Great Rockers from Cincinnati (Collector Records) — Background/ambient

The Du-Droppers “I Can't Do Sixty No More” from Boot 'Em Up (Acrobat Records) — Red Robin Records 1952

Dave Bartholomew “Kiss Me Baby” from Various: Chicken Shack Boogie, Vol. 7 (Play Back Records) — www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUrm53KR1gs

The Dappers “Good Lovin'” from Various: The Rhythm Teens (Norton Records) — Thanks to Jack Warner of Massabesic Records for sending me that CD.

Al Sears “Fo Yah (Take 2)” from Sear-iously (Bear Family Records) — RCA Records 1952 (originally unissued)

Frankie Lymon “Next Time You See Me” from Rock 'n' Roll (Collectors Choice Music) — 1958. Solo album without the Teenagers.

The Electras “Little Girl of Mine” from Various: Greasy Rock 'n' Roll, Vols. 3 and 4 (Blakey Records) — Ruby-Doo Records 1966

Rockin' Bradley “Lookout” from Various: Cheesecake Red Hot Rhythm (Cheesecake Records) — Fire Records 1959

Gizzelle “Bella Mae” from Devil or Angel (Wild Records) — www.myspace.com/lilgizzelle

Freddy King “San-Ho-Zay” from Blues Guitar Hero (Ace Records) — Background/ambient

The Fathoms “Hippo Hump” from Overboard CD ALBUM (Musick Records) — Background/ambient

Ritchie Valens “Come On, Let's Go” from Various: Rock This Town, Vol. 1 (Rhino Records) — Del-Fi Records 1958

The Vargas Brothers “Should We Tell Him” from Rockin' Blues (Wild Records) — www.myspace.com/thevargasbros

Dale Hawkins “Don't Treat Me This Way” from Rock 'n' Roll Tornado CD ALBUM (Ace Records) — Checker Records 1957

The Sureshots “Ready Teddy” from Rock 'n' Roll Ball (Empire Records) — www.myspace.com/themsureshots

The Infernos “Local Boy” from Various: Goofin' Around (Goofin' Records) — www.myspace.com/theinfernosuk

The Bourbonaires “That Tease” from A Shot of Bourbonaires CD ALBUM (Howlin' Records) — www.myspace.com/thebourbonaires

Sean and Deke “Switch Blade Stomp” from Various: Goofin' Around (Goofin' Records) — Background/ambient

Gary Usher “Power Shift” from Various: Muscle Bustle (Ace Records) — Background/ambient

The Waun-a-Bees “Can't Stop Me” from Various: Lake, Rattle, and Roll (Blue Lake Records) — www.rockabilly.net/honeybees/press.htm

The Collins Kids “Hoy Hoy” from The Rockinest CD ALBUM (Bear Family Records) — For Corb

Joyce Green “Black Cadillac” from Various: 32 Original Historic Rockabilly Classics, Vol. 1 (Spin Records) — Vaden Records 1960

Santos “Just a Little Love” from Various: The Young Breed (Wild Records) — www.myspace.com/santoschicas

Le Sabres “Rising Mercury Twist” from Various: Memphis Rockabillies, Hillbillies, and Honky Tonkers, Vol. 4 (Stomper Time Records) — Background/ambient

Bo Diddley “Rock 'n' Roll” from Various: Greasy Rock 'n' Roll, Vols. 1 and 2 (Blakey Records) — www.youtube.com/watch?v=979rwnVPG4A

The Eliminators “Wipe Out!” from Various: Surfbeat Behind the Iron Curtain (Archive International Productions) — http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Planetary-Pebbles-Vol-1-Surfbeat-Behind-the-Iron-Curtain/e/095081105720

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Hi folks.

Here’s a list of what I played on my 2/13/09 show. If you missed the program and want to hear it, just go to http://www.easy-ed.net/ to download the archive MP3.Thank you to everyone who came out to the Midway last Friday for the Rollin' Pins/Swinedells event. Both bands rocked the rafters! Sunday’s Cranktones/Coachmen show was pretty amazing too, especially the surprise final set by “Elvis Presky.”

Here’s another great show coming up on March 21. (I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m the luckiest DJ around!)






Easy Ed





The Dave and Deke Combo “Maybe Baby” from Moonshine Melodies on No Hit Records — Latch on, Brother!/www.myspace.com/daveanddekecombo



Jimmy Logsdon “You're Gone” from I Got A Rocket In My Pocket on Bear Family Records — Roulette Records 1958



Jimmy Evans “The Joint's Really Jumping” from Various: The Erwin Records Story on Stomper Time Records — Clearmont Records 1962



Jim Foster and The Kountry Kut-Ups “Rag Roof Roadster” from Various: Speed Crazy on Speed Records — River Records 1964



George Weston “I Need You Baby” from Various: Hang Loose on Buffalo Bop — Tally Records 1958



Joey Du'Ambra “Come Back Little Mama” from Various: That'll Flat Git It! Vol. 13 on Bear Family Records — ABC Records 1958



Johnny Carlevale & the Rollin Pins “Evening Time” from That's Life on Ropin' Records — www.myspace.com/johnnycarlevaletherollin39pins/ See them 2/13 at the Midway Café with The Swinedells and DJ Easy Ed



Bill Braddy and The Western Starlighters “Rockin' Too Much” from Various: That'll Flat Git It! Vol. 20 on Bear Family Records



Santo & Johnny “All Night Diner” from Santo & Johnny on Canadian-American Records, Ltd. — Background/ambient



Joe Maphis “Lorrie Ann” from Flying Fingers on Bear Family Records — Background/ambient



Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys “You're OK” from San Antonio Rose on Bear Family Records — Columbia Records 1939



The Flat Git It Gang “Hangin' Around” from Various: Midsummer Rock 'n' Roll Jamboree on Vintjarn Records — www.vintjarnrecords.se/



Hank Thompson “Three Times Seven” from Dance Ranch/Songs for Rounders on Koch Records — Capitol Records 1959/For Tony and Julie



Charlene Arthur “Leave My Man Alone” from Welcome to The Club on Bear Family Records — RCA Victor 1954



The Coachmen “King of The Open Road” from The Turner Sessions (Unreleased) on N/A — www.myspace.com/coachmenofboston



Eddie Bush “Hey Baby Doll” from Various: Sun Rock 'n' Roll, Vol. 1 on Charly Records — Sun Records 1960 (originally unissued)



Jerry Foster “Let's Never Mention Old Times Again” from Various: Fernwood Rock 'N' Roll on Stomper Time Records



Buck Owens “Close Up the Honky Tonks” from Act Naturally on Bear Family Records — Capitol Records 1964



Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West “Flippin' The Lid” from Flamin' Guitars on Bear Family Records — Background/ambient



Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West “Old Joe Clark” from Flamin' Guitars on Bear Family Records — Background/ambient



The Sting Rays “Fast Track” from Various: Strictly Instrumental, Vol. 1 on Buffalo Bop — Background/ambient



Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks “Thirty Days” from The Best of Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks on Rhino Records — (originally unreleased)



J.P. McDermott and Western Bop “Do I Love You?” from Last Fool Here on Shower-Tone Records — http://www.westernbop.com/



Al Sweatt “I Hate Myself” from Various: Greasy Rock 'n' Roll, Vols. 1 and 2 on Blakey Records — Keen Records 1958



The Cranktones “Rocket” from Vibrate with The Cranktones on Rhubarb Records — www.myspace.com/cranktones



45rpm “C’mon Little Baby” from 45rpm on Rhythm Bomb — For Duke/www.myspace.com/fortyfiverpmde



Carl Perkins “Rockin' Record Hop” from The Classic Carl Perkins on Bear Family Records — Decca Records 1963 (originally unissued)



Ace Cannon “.38 Special” from Various: Fernwood Rock 'n' Roll on Stomper Time Music — Background/ambient



Louis Jordan “Barnyard Boogie” from let the good times roll on Bear Family Records — Decca Records 1948



Willis Jackson “Wine-O-Wine” from Various: The R&B Years 1952 on Boulevard Vintage



The Checkers “You Never Had it So Good” from The Checkers on Ace Records — King Records 1953



Big Joe Turner “Hide and Seek” from Greatest Hits on Atlantic Records — Atlantic Records 1955



Annisteen Allen “Wanted” from Fujiyama Mama on Rev-Ola — King Records 1953



Little Rachel “Big Boy” from There's a New Miss Rhythm in Town on Rhythm Bomb Records — www.littlerachel.net/home.html



Slim Harpo “Shake Your Hips” from Various: Blues 'n' Rockin' on Cheesecake Records — Excello Records 1966



Bo Diddley “Hong Kong, Mississippi” from Bo Diddley Rides Again/In the Spotlight on BGO Records — 1963



Jesse Stone “Runaway” from Various: Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock 'n' Roll, Vol. 2 on Past Perfect — Background/ambient



Al Sears “Here's The Beat” from Sear-iously on Bear Family RecordsBackground/ambient — Background/ambient



Buddy Holly “Maybe Baby” from The Ultimate EP Collection on See For Miles — Coral Records 1959



Sanford Clark “Modern Romance” from Various: Rock and Roll Dance Party, Vol. 3 on RRDP — Dot Records 1958



The Starkweather Boys “Man without Shame” from Archer Street Blues on Charlier Records — www.myspace.com/thestarkweatherboys/For Wes and Sheri



Dave "Baby" Cortez “Deep in The Heart of Texas” from Happy Organs, Wild Guitars, & Piano Shuffles on Ace Records



Thunder Lee “Too Late for Tears” from Various: Most Wild & Frantic, Vol. 3 on Official — Groove Records 1963



The Downbeats “Come On Over (Baby)” from Various: That'll Flat Git It, Vol. 18 on Bear Family Records — Sarg Records 1959



Dave "Baby" Cortez “Riffin'” from Happy Organs, Wild Guitars, & Piano Shuffles on Ace Records — Background/ambient



The Candymen “Twistin' Out of Space” from The Twist on Diplomat Records — Background/ambient



Johnny Bach “Walkin' After Midnight” from Baching Mad!! on Foot Tapping Records — www.myspace.com/johnnybachthemoonshineboozers



Ronnie Self “Bop-A-Lena” from Various: Whistle Bait! on columbia/legacy — Columbia Records 1958



Ritchie Hart “The Great Duane” from Various: Rockin' and Boppin in The Desert on Bear Family Records — Felsted Records 1960



Link Wray “Missing Link/Pancho Villa” from White Lightning: The Lost Cadence Sessions '58 on Sundazed Music — Background/ambient



The Cramps “How Far Can Too Far Go?” from A Date with Elivis on Enigma Records — http://www.thecramps.com/



The Fathoms “Rat Bike” from Fathom This! on Musick Records — www.myspace.com/thefathoms

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Posters for Upcoming Shows




Both of these were created by the talented Kathy Wade.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! See you out on the town.

--Easy Ed




Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Routine Maintenance/River Gods Tomorrow Night (11/19)

“Easy Ed’s Variety Hour” is in the shop for routine maintenance. (The show was long overdue for a patter change and a rotation rotation.) Thus there will be no broadcast this week. I’ll be back on November 28, the day after Thanksgiving, with a lot of upbeat rockin’ and boppin’ numbers to help you work off the gravy and stuffin’.

In the unlikely event that you really need to hear a show this week, you can check out one of the archived broadcasts at http://www.easy-ed.net/.

In other news:

Tomorrow night, November 19, I will be DJing live at River Gods in Cambridge as part of their ongoing Primitive Sounds series. I want to thank Jason Beek, P.J. Eastman, and the good folks at River Gods for the invitation. Please stop by! The music starts at 9:00 PM.

125 River St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 576-1881

On November 26 (Thanksgiving eve) don’t miss the exciting battle-of-the-bands grudge rematch between the Cranktones and the Coachmen at the Midway. I will be spinning from a safe distance before the bout and between rounds.

http://www.midwaycafe.com/

December 6: You’re invited to a guitar party at the Midway with Eddie Angel’s Guitar Party, Boston’s own Fathoms Trio, and DJ Easy Ed. No need to RSVP. Just come on out for some rip-roarin’ fun!


December 22: There's gonna be a great big holiday show at TT the Bears in Cambridge, starring Marti Brom, Rocky Velvet, and Dana Stewart's brand new jump blues band. Yours truly will be spinning as well. This promises to be a fantastic evening of entertainment.


I want to thank everyone who came out to the Eric Laufer benefit at the Midway last Saturday night. The show was a great success and we were able to raise a good sum of money to pass along to Eric’s family. Thank you to all the bands, who worked really hard to put on a fantastic show; everyone who generously donated items for the raffle; the Midway Café, for hosting the event; and everyone who came to the show. Thank you all!!

www.myspace.com/christmasrockn39rollodyssey

--DJ Easy Ed

Monday, October 13, 2008

Rockabilly Rave USA +

Hi, everyone.

First the "plus" part. Once again I want to thank J.P. McDermott and Western Bop for stopping by WMFO on 9/26 to perform live on my show. If you missed it, the archive MP3 is available for download at http://www.easy-ed.net/.



I'll be DJing at the Beehive again this coming Wednesday as part of Cow Island Music's latest Honky Tonk night. Two great bands are on the bill: The Coachmen (a.k.a., the mini Spurs) and the Sacred Shakers. The music starts at 8:00. The first band goes on at 9:00. Hope to see you there!

http://www.myspace.com/cowislandmusic http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJlZWhpdmVib3N0b24uY29tLw==http://sacredshakers.com/http://sacredshakers.com/




Now, the Rave USA (in brief): Overall it was a great festival. The list of bands and DJs was impressive (and they did not disappoint).

Bands and performers:

Jack Earls
Carl Mann
Billy Lee Riley
Hayden Thompson
Sonny Burgess
Jack Rabbit Slim
Big Sandy And The Fly Rite Boys
Hi Q's
Luis And The Wildfires
Wildfire Willie And The Ramblers
Deke Dickerson And The Eccofonics
Buck Stevens
The Barnstompers
Charlie Thompson
Miss Mary Ann & The Ragtime Wranglers
Omar & The Stringpoppers
The Horton Brothers

DJs:

Jerry Chatabox
Cosmic Keith
Little Carl
Tom Ingram
Topper
Boppin Bud
James

We arrived on 10/1 in the middle of the day. Even with the direct flight, we were a bit beat from the long journey; we missed the Wild Records showcase down at the Ice House. On Friday, though, we were ready to go. The Orleans is a pretty good choice for this event. It has more room than the Gold Coast and people (attendance was about five hundred people I'd guess) were able to move around the hotel pretty easily. (Things could be a bit tight for Viva Las Vegas if they use the same set up though.)

The good parts:

  • Great bands! Great weekend all around.

  • DJ Cosmic Keith's sets were excellent. He mixed in less-well-known stuff with the classics. I also thought Tom Ingram's set stood out.

  • Emcee Del Villarreal was a surprise, last-minute addition.

  • Excellent sound, lighting, scheduling, ticket check in, etc. It's easy to take that stuff for granted, but the organizers did a very professional job all around.

  • Not getting whacked by a beer-soaked stuffed penguin during the Hi-Q's set.

The few negatives:


  • Audience support for the bands should have been stronger: half-hearted applause, people hanging around outside the ballroom talking while the bands were on--all very bad. A lot of folks didn't seem to realize how great the musical feast before them was. (The Foghorn Leghorn line "You gotta be a magician to hold a kid's attention for more than ten seconds these days" kept popping into my head.)

  • Smoke: Walking through the smoking area (or, as Deke Dickerson referred to it, the "Philip Morris research facility") outside the ballroom probably took six months off my life (but hopefully the music had a restorative effect).


Charlie Thompson is a class act! In addition to putting on a great set, he started off by dedicating his entire performance to the memory of Eric Laufer of the Two-Timin' Three (and Four). I picked up his new 45 (below). Charlie said a new album is in the works.






I'll have more to add to this later.

As always, thanks for your interest.

--Easy Ed!