Sound & Groove, Episode 53: "Games People Play" Part 2

After a mid-70s sabbatical was followed up by a less than stellar 1979-82 revival, the Allman Brothers Band reuniting at the close of the 80s could have been just another tepid cash-in that critics would've rightly had reservations about. But with a newfound commitment to a powerful sound and several new, thrilling players aboard to give the group an all-time high 7 members, the reunion was a smashing success- as evidenced on the piledriving 1990 album Seven Turns. One of the stirring, dark blues cuts off that long player figures into this 2nd episode of the Sound & Groove Podcast's "Games People Play" theme in December to ring out 2014 in style.

There are lots of games to partake in out there. You don't even have to be a sporty, recreational type. I'm talking about anything from chess to bowling to cards to jogging. Whatever is a past time of competition or skill testing. Ok tests and exams at school don't apply but you get the gist of it. So that's why Sound & Groove Podcast is compiling two themed episodes to end 2014. Episodes that bring all sorts of songs about or referring to these games. In this second of two here in late December, the usual dizzying array of great tracks and artists from the music library of yours truly, Evan Dowbiggin, will be unearthed.

So sit back and soak in another  musical journey through yet another themed podcast for your listening enjoyment. And if you're new to this podcast: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, breakdowns, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy. And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. All killer, no filler... other than when I talk and introduce the tunes and recap the ones before it. But aside from that? 100% juicy meat! 100% juicy tofu if you happen to be a vegetarian.

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Edowrimple

Hear it on itunes now! http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/evan-dowbiggins-

podcast/id52303295

Track Listing:

1. Backfield in Motion- Mel and Tim (1969)

2. Golfin' Blues- Loudon Wainwright III (1978)

3. Gambler's Roll- Allman Brothers Band (1990)

4. Racing in the Street- Bruce Springsteen (Live, 1980)

5. Tour De France- Kraftwerk (1983)

6. Kicker Conspiracy- The Fall (1983)

7. The Horse- Cliff Nobles & Company (1968)

8. Skateaway- Dire Straits (1980) 

Info of note:

Intro- "With a Little Help from My Friends" by Joe Cocker (1968)

Outro- "Bird on the Wire" by Joe Cocker (1969)

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Sound & Groove Podcast, Episode 52: "Games People Play" Part 1

Smoky voiced product of Middlesborough, England Chris Rea has always had a late night, laid back blues affinity at the heart of his music. Even when he performed more commercial, 80s electro-beat material one could hear the influence in his voice, the feel of the music and the snaky guitar underpinning. His music is featured in this first episode of the final 2014 theme for the Sound & Groove Podcast.

There are lots of games to partake in out there. You don't even have to be a sporty, recreational type. I'm talking about anything from chess to bowling to cards to jogging. Whatever is a past time of competition or skill testing. Ok tests and exams at school don't apply but you get the gist of it. So that's why Sound & Groove Podcast is compiling two themed episodes to end 2014. Episodes that bring all sorts of songs about or referring to these games. In this first of two here in late December, the usual dizzying array of great tracks and artists from the music library of yours truly, Evan Dowbiggin, will be unearthed.

So sit back and soak in another  musical journey through yet another themed podcast for your listening enjoyment. And if you're new to this podcast: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, breakdowns, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy. And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. All killer, no filler... other than when I talk and introduce the tunes and recap the ones before it. But aside from that? 100% juicy meat! 100% juicy tofu if you happen to be a vegetarian.

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Edowrimple

Hear it on itunes now! http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/evan-dowbiggins-

podcast/id52303295

Track Listing:

1. Ace of Hearts- Chris Rea (1983)

2. He Got Game- Public Enemy (1998)

3. Surf Rider- The Lively Ones (1963)

4. Black Jack Davey- Bob Dylan (1992)

5. Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)- Warren Zevon (2001)

6. Centerfield- John Fogerty (1985)

7. America's Favourite Pastime- Todd Snider (2009)

8. Take the Skinheads Bowling- Camper Van Beethoven (1985)

9. Roadrunner- Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers (1972) 

Info of note:

Intro- "Woman to Woman" by Joe Cocker (1971)

Outro- "Just Like a Woman" by Joe Cocker (1968)

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Sound & Groove Podcast - Episode 51: "Recent Stops in Rock & Roll Heaven" Part 2

Jack Bruce was 1/3 of the combustible but highly influential power trio Cream along with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker. Bringing a loud, powerful, technically proficient bass style to rock and roll, Bruce merged blues and jazz knowledge to become- alongside John Entwhistle- arguably rock's first bass superstar. After years of bassmen merely being there to hold down the bottom and the beat with simple scales, Bruce used the fretboard to explore musical ideas galore. While every hard rock musician owed something to Cream, nearly every rock bassist looked up to Bruce as a trailblazer of the instrument. Even after Cream Bruce explored his jazz interest whether or not it brought him the same level of fame he'd known in Cream. Years of hard living led to a liver transplant and operations that gave him enough health to reunite Cream but ultimately he lost his battle on October 25, 2014 at age 71.

The pop/rock world is a large universe therefore it's never any surprise when many luminaries from within it meet their end during any given year. Of course in the music biz many live hard lives of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and constant touring that take their toll and stress. Not to mention the many demons that haunt the highly creative and innovative musical minds of our times. Am I bumming you out yet? I shouldn't because in this second of thee podcasts in the series of "Recent Stops in Rock n' Roll Heaven" I'll profile and provide a musical sample of several who shuffled off their mortal coil since the start of 2013. 

Don't think of it as a mourning but rather a celebration of what they left behind. There will be singers, songwriters, backing musicians, producers and all sorts of highly regarded names in variou capacities of the recording industry. So sit back and soak in another  musical journey through yet another themed podcast here in 2014. And if you're new to this podcast: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, breakdowns, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy. And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. All killer, no filler... other than when I talk and introduce the tunes and recap the ones before it. But aside from that? 100% juicy meat! 100% juicy tofu if you happen to be a vegetarian.

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Edowrimple

Hear it on itunes now! http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/evan-dowbiggins-

podcast/id52303295

Track Listing:

1. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted- Jimmy Ruffin (1966)

2. White Room- Cream (1968) (Bass/Lead Vocal: Jack Bruce)

3. (I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone- Paul Revere & the Raiders (1966) (Organ: Paul Revere)

4. Slowburn- Peter Gabriel (1977) (Lead guitar: Dick Wagner)

5. Rapper's Delight- Sugarhill Gang (1979) (Voice: "Big Bank" Hank)

6. It Takes Two- Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock (1989) (DJ Ez Rock)

7. So Into You- Atlanta Rhythm Section (1976) (Bass: Paul Goddard)

8. Yankee Lady- Jesse Winchester (1970) 

Info of note:

Intro- "Runaway Child, Running Wild" by the Temptations (1969)

Outro- "Smiling Faces Sometimes" by the Temptations (1970)

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Sound & Groove Podcast, Episode 50: "Recent Entries Into Rock & Roll Heaven" Part 1

Johnny Winter, one of the greats who died in 2014, was certainly a surprising guitar hero when he emerged in the late 60s. Showing decent vocal chops and a lightning quick, gut-wrenching style of blues leads, Winter epitomized the blues revival of the late 60s not just with his proficiency with the music but also his troubled lifestyle as he ended up battling heroin addiction into the early 70s. Looking the exact opposite of what most thought a bluesman should look like he ended up sticking to the road and promoting the purity of the blues rigt up until his death from natural causes in Switzerland on July 16, 2014.

The pop/rock world is a large universe therefore it's never any surprise when many luminaries from within it meet their end during any given year. Of course in the music biz many live hard lives of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and constant touring that take their toll and stress. Not to mention the many demons that haunt the highly creative and innovative musical minds of our times. Am I bumming you out yet? I shouldn't because in this first of thee podcasts in the series of "Recent Stops in Rock n' Roll Heaven" I'll profile and provide a musical sample of several who shuffled off their mortal coil since the start of 2013. 

Don't think of it as a mourning but rather a celebration of what they left behind. There will be singers, songwriters, backing musicians, producers and all sorts of highly regarded names in variou capacities of the recording industry. So sit back and soak in another  musical journey through yet another themed podcast here in 2014. And if you're new to this podcast: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, breakdowns, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy. And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. All killer, no filler... other than when I talk and introduce the tunes and recap the ones before it. But aside from that? 100% juicy meat! 100% juicy tofu if you happen to be a vegetarian.

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Edowrimple

Hear it on itunes now! http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/evan-dowbiggins-

podcast/id52303295

Track Listing:

1. Cajun Moon- J.J. Cale (1973)

2. Sour Milk Sea- Jackie Lomax (1968) 

3. Thousands Are Sailing- The Pogues (1988) (Phillip Chevron: writer, guitar, singer)

4. When Will I Be Loved?-  The Everly Brothers (1958) (Phil Everly: co-lead vocals and guitar)

5. Beautiful World- Devo (1981) (Bob Casale: keyboards)

6. Raw Power- Iggy Pop & the Stooges (1973) (Scott Asheton: drums)

7. Don't Bring Me Down- The Animals (1966) (Gerry Goffin: Co-writer)

8. Sheena is a Punk Rocker- The Ramones (1977) (Drums: Tommy Erdelyi, aka Tommy Ramone)
9. I'm Not Sure- Johnny Winter (1969)

Info of note:

Intro- "Don't Let the Joneses Get You Down" by the Temptations (1969)

Outro- "Masterpiece" by the Temptations (1973)

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Sound & Groove, Episode 49: "Bobby Womack: A Tribute to a King, Part 3"

Bobby Womack returned to prominence in the years leading up to his death, earning the backing of such high profile fans as Mariah Carey, Kelly Rowland then Damion Albarn of Gorillaz who took it upon himself to help write and produce Bobby's swan song album, 2012's superb Bravest Man in the Universe. It would be his last as he passed away in 2014 after a myriad of health problems.

Bobby Womack was a true soul pioneer that kept the flame burning until the end, trying to keep a link back to his era of soul where its realness, its honesty and passion was the most essential thing of all. It wasn't so much about the execution but the feel that mattered in a music style that generated from gospel and church roots. He passed away at age 70 on June 30th yet survived to tell a story of trials and tribulations that most legends never got to live to tell. 

He did it all with a force of personality and worldly wisdom, performing with a variety of contemporaries as distant in time and style as Sam Cooke, Ron Wood, Jim Ford, Wilton Felder, Patti Labelle, Mos-Def and Gorillaz. This will be the 3rd of 3 episodes where I review his career by acknowledging his heroes as well as tracks he played on, wrote or put out under his own name during his nearly 6 decades in the business, starting as a gospel kid with his brothers (later to be called the Valentinos) and ending as a living legend. 

Hear another  musical journey through yet another themed podcast here in 2014. And if you're new to this podcast: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, breakdowns, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy. And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. All killer, no filler... other than when I talk and introduce the tunes and recap the ones before it. But aside from that? 100% juicy meat! 100% juicy tofu if you happen to be a vegetarian.

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Edowrimple

Hear it on itunes now! http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/evan-dowbiggins-

podcast/id52303295

Track Listing:

1. I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much- Bobby Womack (1986)

2. Harlem Shuffle- The Rolling Stones (1986) 

3. The Want of a Nail- Todd Rundgren (1989)

4. If You Think You're Lonely Now- K-Ci Hailey (1993)

5. Daylight- Kelly Rowland feat. Travis McCoy (2007)

6. Woman's Gotta Have it- Calvin Richardson (2009)

7. Stylo- Gorillaz feat. Mos Def (2010)

8. Please Forgive My Heart- Bobby Womack (2012)

Info of note:

Intro- "Friction" by Television (1977)

Outro- "Marquee Moon" by Television (1977)

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!