ROCKOLLECTIONS

It took a while after I began playing Rock & Roll at the radio station for record companies to begin sending us CD's.
But they did- not too many- after all, I was the only one playing our music (still am), and only for one hour once a week- but enough to keep Engineer Ken Stanley and I fairly up to date with new releases.
We'd split them and take them home to listen.
Occasionally we would play one of these NEW albums all the way through on a show, not an old classic one, just for something different.
Well, Tom Petty's 3rd solo album Highway Companion in 2006, caught Engineer Ken's ear.
So he suggested we do that one.
As I recall, I hadn't even ever heard any of it, but I went along with it.
Hey it was an easy show, any dope can play an album straight through...not much thought goes into that, lol!
As things turned out, we took the chance and the CD was a successful one.
Produced excellently by Jeff Lynne from ELO & The Traveling Wilburys, etc., it topped out at # 4 on the Billboard charts.
It was different from Petty's previous releases, with songs about the road (as suggested by the title) and aging- they were darker but still rocked.
What we have here is a show from 2006, when this album was new, and we will be playing the songs in their arranged order.
Here is the closing half of what turned out to be a fun time for me, with a rather light-hearted, humorous presentation.
And because I never used to pre-read the copy, out of nowhere I came upon a word I was in no way expecting and not prepared to pronounce- if I had taken a moment to slow down it would have been easy, but no, not me.
So listen for the battle between me and that word...the word won, lol!

This is the link to the concluding Part Two, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/2192

Mike

It took a while after I began playing Rock & Roll at the radio station for record companies to begin sending us CD's.
But they did- not too many- after all, I was the only one playing our music (still am), and only for one hour once a week- but enough to keep Engineer Ken Stanley and I fairly up to date with new releases.
We'd split them and take them home to listen.
Occasionally we would play one of these NEW albums all the way through on a show, not an old classic one, just for something different.
Well, Tom Petty's 3rd solo album Highway Companion in 2006, caught Engineer Ken's ear.
So he suggested we do that one.
As I recall, I hadn't even ever heard any of it, but I went along with it.
Hey it was an easy show, any dope can play an album straight through...not much thought goes into that, lol!
As things turned out, we took the chance and the CD was a successful one.
Produced excellently by Jeff Lynne from ELO & The Traveling Wilburys, etc., it topped out at # 4 on the Billboard charts.
It was different from Petty's previous releases, with songs about the road (as suggested by the title) and aging- they were darker but still rocked.
What we have here is a show from 2006, when this album was new, and we will be playing the songs in their arranged order.
Here is the opening half of what turned out to be a fun time for me, with a rather light-hearted, humorous presentation.

This is the link to Part One, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/2190


Mike

I have to bring this piece of crap back because among other things the sound card doesn't work in the back, only in the front.
And I goddam hate this Windows 7- compared to XP it sucks big time!
Frankly, I hate computers period!
The thrill is long gone.
An honest appraisal would confirm that my active, social and intellectual life has gone down since I first got one about 6 or 7 years ago.
Have I returned to doing this show?
Answering now, it will be a good while before that happens- like I said, if it ain't fun, I ain't doing it!
It all depends on the comfort level, and right now I am not at all comfortable.
So it appears a parade of re-runs will be forthcoming...if that!
Here's how the 2nd half of that early Summer of 2009 show went those years ago:

We return for this 2nd half with more “return” songs, lol.
Including one from an ex-Beatle that for some reason was never released, but will blow your mind!
After that, I knew that in my self-exile I had missed an entire season, Spring, by just a couple of days.
For all the Hallmark card feelings about Spring, it is often forgotten there was a time that for the Native American Indians in many parts of the country, to have SURVIVED the Winter was a cause for celebration.
Just plain being glad you had made it to Spring and weren’t dead!
So a song about that, written by a Cree Indian jazz musician named Jim Pepper, but the version I’ll play was taken over and done much better by a folk-rock duo.
This song and I have been friends for a very long time- since the early 70’s- so I hope you like it!
And bear in mind when this was broadcast, June 23rd was just 3 days into Summer.
I’ll end by going out pretty much the way we came in.
You may have noticed that I am the lone holdout when it comes to printing playlists of these shows.
I don’t believe in them!
There are maybe half a dozen people in radio that I like to listen to- who of course share my “anything goes” attitude about what to play.
And I most certainly do NOT want to know IN ADVANCE what they are going to play.
The chance to bring back a forgotten song long dormant in your memory, or one you have never heard but catches your ear- these are the things that are the most delightful to me, and why I guard my free-form status so closely.
Why in the hell would I want to tell you what I am going to play before I do so- and why would you bother listening if I did?
The element of surprise or anticipation is key- this show is not background music while you do something else, and I am not wallpaper hanging there so long you don’t notice it anymore!
Let’s finish this ride together.

Here's the link to the ending half, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/2183

Mike

Just got a new computer, and I don't know this damn new Windows 7, just feeling my way around.
Maybe it's better than Vista, but certainly NOT XP!
I was without anything for a long time.
And it's incredible how much you always LOSE in the process.
Programs and equipment that used to work, are changed- using them must be figured out or are just plain ineffective.
So for the time being, here's a show I did in early Summer of 2009 after a prolonged absence.
When I am comfortable and things are running smoothly & easily (if ever), I will do a NEW show.
Ticks me off because I had a rocking couple of shows planned.
Have I returned?
Who knows...the question mark is there because if it ain't fun, I ain't doing it!
Here's how the 1st half went those years ago:

I have mentioned it here before, so some of you may know that I had a problem at the radio station where I have been for almost 11 years.
Serious enough to make me stay home and not return for four months- stubborn bastard that I can be, lol!
I don’t want to get into the details, but it had to do with my doing Talk and not Music for cost reasons.
There is enough mindless chatter on the radio without mine.
Well I guess I won, because I came back, I am not doing talk, and I continue to have no restrictions whatsover about the music I play- very rare indeed on today’s computerized playlist radio.
Chalk one up for the iconoclasts.
It was broadcast June 23, 2009, and I believe in the next chapter you will hear me refer to Summer having begun just days ago, which it had.
Now it was suggested to me that I not say anything about my lengthy absence- typical of radio, people come and go without comment.
But that’s not my style, I consider my listeners my friends, and I would not insult their intelligence by ignoring the fact I was missing for so long.
So I dedicated the hour to the fact that I had been gone, now I was back, and tested the freedom to play what I want by choosing songs about returning to places.
I also wanted the people who cared enough to be concerned, to know that my not having been there for so long had absolutely nothing to do with any health problems on my part, and felt it proper to ask both aloud and musically about THEIR state of health.
So that’s the background for this, the first of two parts.
And I had enough time away to think of the most PERFECT song to open with- about being Back Where You Started and Doing It All Again!
And I went from there…!

Here's the link to what was a fun day, hoping I will have one again, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/2182

Mike

After the Intermission, we continue with 1946's It's A Wonderful Life and the project of inserting an updated Rock & Roll soundtrack into it.
And it is true, I did have a box of tissues nearby.
After all these years, this Movie still gets to me!
I'll pick it up precisely where we left off, with the Wingless Angel Clarence learning about George Bailey, Bedford Falls, and more.
And I'll take it from there to the stirring, beautiful ending by Frank Capra, who was so good at writing and directing Movies he inspired a word, "Capra-esque".
By the way, what was Clarence's last name, and what did he write in the Tom Sawyer book he gave to George?
I can't believe I finally did it...what has just been an idea for so long.
And again, thanks for the help from others, particularly to Pete Fornatale of WFUV.
As always, I hope you enjoyed my effort to bring you something a bit different from regular Radio.
Merry Christmas To All, And To All A Good Night!

Here's the link to the conclusion of a Movie so terrific, so unique, so WONDERFUL, that despite all the remakes none has ever even come close, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/2171


Mike

I have been thinking of trying to do this for a very long time.
Provide a Rock & Roll Soundtrack to the much loved and immensely popular movie- particularly at this time of year- "It's A Wonderful Life".
Soundtracks albums are very important and profitable to Movies nowadays.
That was not the case in 1946 when this Movie came out.
Music was only important as a plot device...to move the flick along with an orchestra for dramatic or lighthearted effect.
And besides, who would buy an album of music from a flop?
That was the case with It's A Wonderful Life- it lost at least a half million dollars, huge bucks back then.
Well, it all changes right now, right here!
Over the years, I have talked to just a handful of people about attempting this.
I thank them for their help and suggestions, with the biggest thanks going to Pete Fornatale of WFUV...I nicked a few ideas from him, lol!
I have never said this about a show before, but this may be something you will never forget!
The house lights are dimming, the curtain is rising.
So I invite you to join me for the opening half of some good old Black & White Radio!

Here's the link to a movie that I hope, like me, is a wonderful part of your own life, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/2168

Mike

We continue with Christmas 2011.
You know how at many parties there is someone who starts trouble?
Well, at our Party that Troublemaker will be ME!
With tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek, I'll take a musical look at what I called "the freeloaders who write to Santa Claus and feel entitled to what they asked for", lol!
Even Santa will chime in about that.
I'll also have some Carols that are given very, very different musical treatments than what we are used to.
Next week, if all goes well, and if I can do it, something special.
I may fall flat on my face, lol!

Here's the link to the other stocking, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/2165


Mike

Welcome to my annual two-week Christmas Party.
It is usually an exercise in experimentation, and this year is no exception.
All I knew when I sat down to do this show was that I had an opening song- then it took on a life of its own.
And that life of its own was to first musically state the obvious, lol!
I invite you to join me for an eclectic collection of Christmas songs that flow together, at least in my fill-in-the-blank mind.
With Radio's tight playlists today, I humbly state it's hard to imagine you will hear some of these anywhere else- certainly not in the same show.
New, old, loud, soft, electric, acoustic, blues, reggae...it's all in here.
So snuggle up next to your speakers and please do enjoy the first stocking leg of our Holiday Party!

Here's the link to the frenzied activity at the North Pole, via WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/2163


Mike

Closing it out as usual this year with John Lennon, who died on Dec. 8th, 1980.
That's 31 years ago- meaning there is a whole generation of people who don't remember it firsthand.
Those of us who do will never forget it.
Monday Night Football anyone?
I'll be more Beatle-ish in this episode, mainly because John & Paul dominated the output for the group back then, and there are more never heard things to choose from.
So some very intriguing music here.
Ending with a song that is right in that "never forget it" mold.

Here's the link to John and his infectious laugh, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/2158


Mike

It is that bittersweet time of year again.
Between the deaths of George Harrison and John Lennon- one by disease, the other murdered.
I hadn't realized it was 10 years ago for George, he died on November 29th, 2001, and we here in New York were still reeling from the attacks of Sept.11th.
As is usual for these shows, I will try to play interesting things you may never have heard.
In this episode dedicated to George, I have a bare version, without the chorus, of a #1 Billboard song for him, followed by an answer song to it that came 35 YEARS later...and by another former Beatle!
Then a musical look at the friendship between George and Bob Dylan.
So if you were/are a fan of George Harrison, The Beatles or Bob Dylan, you should find something enjoyable and fascinating here.
Next up, John Lennon.

Here's the link to happier times for the quiet Beatle, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/2156

Mike

I really miss doing these Thanksgiving shows with Engineer Ken Stanley.
They and the Christmas shows were the most fun for us each year.
Now I am my own Engineer, and Ken has retired.
I have two songs about Going Home in this chapter.
One is a personal favorite I can't seem to ever leave out that I remember being so hard to find in record stores I would ask other people to look for me, and they would always ask Linda's Farm?
No I would tell them, Lindisfarne, and spell it out!
The other I played last year by Elton John.
It's Elton's song, he wrote it with Bernie Taupin- but in one of those strange happenstances that occur now and then in our Music, I'll play a version of the song that came out just shortly BEFORE Elton's.
Just two songs about Going Home because I am only going to include 3 songs.
That's right, after 14 years I am finally going to play it...it was inevitable someday I would!
Unquestionably the most famous Rock & Roll song concerning Thanksgiving, the famous or infamous Alice's Restaurant makes it's first ever appearance on this Radio Show!
I haven't even heard it in a number of years, and I must admit it was fun to listen to after a long time away.
If you have never heard it, it is certainly unique- it was unique in 1967 and still is now.
So much so, I am doing what I rarely do, revealing what I am going to play before you listen- enabling you to stick around for it or tune out after the first two songs, lol!
ANY time of ANY day, there are dozens and dozens of thing to be Thankful for- just look around you...or look inside you!
One for me is Giving Thanks to all of you who take the time to listen to this weekly attempt to present Music in a sometimes quirky way, but always tries to appeal to your intellect.
Therefore, here is my Official Certificate Of Thanks to All.
And I wish you the Happiest Of Thanksgivings complete with loving family and friends!

Here's the link to the long and large main course, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/2149


Mike

Well, I was expecting you, just open the door and come on in Friend!
That will make more sense after you've heard the opening to the annual Thanksgiving show.
I will set the table, the Thanksgiving table, with a few songs of Peacefulness.
Not always the case at Holiday get-togethers, lol!
And again I remind you that Thanksgiving is the most heavily traveled time in the U.S.
43 million travelers estimated this year, and they are all going HOME!
Over the years that has been the Theme within a Theme for this show- as we have gone Home by Planes, Trains, Automobiles...even Boats.
How about Rollin' Home?
That's a new one.
And like last year, a song for those, who for one reason or another, can't go Home.
It's a privilege I have always enjoyed, doing these Thanksgiving shows with and for you- bringing you some of the best Music I can think of for the occasion.
That Turkey Day is growing ever nearer!

Here's the link to the first course, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/2147


Mike

Dear All,
Rockollections is very much alive and well.
I have moved to a new place, WLSO.FM.
The superior sound quality and reliability make it a very pleasant experience.
Plus they even put a graphic up for me for each show!
So you can join me there for all the new and interesting Artist Profiles, Theme Shows and other things, plus the Archives of the ones I have proudly done in the past.
A Smart Look At Rock & Roll!
Here is the link to the new place I can be heard:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/category/rockollections

I thank you for your continued support and interest.
Mike Pell
Rockollections