ROCKOLLECTIONS

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE CSN DEBUT PT.2 END

Mike Pell — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:22:53 GMT

Funny, this show was broadcast on a hot August day, and now today I have been battling a cold, flu or whatever the hell has gotten into me! I feel like crap, but listening to this debut album by Crosby, Stills & Nash helped. Side Two is all ready to go. And I went off on why I like the song Helplessly Hoping so much. Besides all the alliterations included in it, there is that chorus...oh that chorus! Brilliant to me, and my breakdown of it just shows what a true romantic I am, lol! Always loved the song, always will. There is the rest of the side of course, plus I had time to throw in a bonus track. So sit back, kick off your shoes and listen to some fabulous harmonies. I rank them right up there with the Mamas & Papas, Beach Boys and anyone else I can think of. It's strange, I put so much work into the Theme shows and sometimes just simply playing an album is so satisfying. Please do enjoy the sounds. It's a sick man's request, lol! Here's the link to the music only, don't worry you won't get too close to me, at WLSO.FM: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1550 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: THE CSN DEBUT PT.1

Mike Pell — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:52:32 GMT

I broadcast this show this past August- a hot, sticky August day in New York City, after having taken the bus and train to get to the radio station. The hard candy in my pocket was melting! It seemed like the kind of day to just play an album all the way through. Nothing difficult, just take a classic album from 1969, let it spin and talk a little about it. So that's what I did with the debut album by Crosby, Stills & Nash. The LP blew everyone away upon its release and they became superstars. The Players in our drama: David Crosby, from the great and still-thriving Byrds; Stephen Stills, from the great and dissolved Buffalo Springfield; Graham Nash, feeling stifled with the great and to continue being great Hollies. And to keep the feeling of playing an album, I have Side One in this chapter. I'll flip the album over for the forthcoming Part Two. Here's the all-important link so you can hear some fine music, at WLSO.FM: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1549 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: HALLOWEEN PT.2 END

Mike Pell — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:56:07 GMT

As promised, I will take a look at Wolves and Werewolves in the concluding chapter for this year. And I will be doing my lame quasi-Bela Lugosi and Maria Ouspenskaya impressions. We'll have songs expected, and some perhaps surprising, regarding our topic. For your further enjoyment, here are some interesting facts about Monster Movies: Boris Karloff, who starred as Frankenstein, had to wear 22- pound size 24 boots. He also donned two pairs of pants with steel struts shoved in them, and a double-thickness quilted suit. Karloff's facial makeup was one-sixteenth of an inch thick, and the bolts on the side of his neck left long-term scars. Bette Davis wanted the part of Mrs. Frankenstein, but was turned down because she was "too aggressive." Among the lighting tricks in the classic film Dracula: Twin pencil-spotlights were shined in Bela Lugosi's eyes to give Count Dracula his legendary hypnotic stare. The Castle Dracula and Carfax Abbey sets were so expensive to build that Universal Pictures kept and reused them. You can spot them in numerous Universal films of the '30s. In Boris Karloff's second big monster flick The Mummy, he had to be wrapped every day in linen and gauze, and was covered with mud. Lou Chaney, Jr.'s werewolf makeup in The Wolf Man took five hours to apply every day. The werewolf costume was actually made of yak hair. Enjoy the show. Happy Halloween Everyone! Here's the link to the Big Bad Wolf, at WLSO.FM: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1543 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: HALLOWEEN PT.1

Mike Pell — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:05:29 GMT

Well it's that enjoyably creepy time of the year, Halloween. And I usually try to acknowledge it on the show with themes within a Theme. But first, I'll start with a fellow you may remember from TV, radio and a hit record who was nicknamed the Cool Ghoul, John Zacherle. I met him some years ago for the 2nd time, and what a nice guy he is. And Zacherley is around 90 years old but you'd never know it- not by his looks or behavior. He for some reason kinda latched onto and hung with me at this party, and we laughed and laughed. One of the friendliest and funniest people I have ever met. After a couple of things from him, we'll take on some Haunted Houses. This will include a song that is not a Halloween tune or scary song per se, but I always had it in the back of my head that it could be played for Halloween. See what you think. Then a couple of the ladies to sing about how your own house can seem haunted because of not having been able to get along with your significant other...you can even be a Ghost in your own home! To close out this first half, a song based on the classic Agatha Christie story 10 Little Indians. It is by my favorite madman Harry Nilsson, and I plead with you to listen to the lyrics- the humor and the plays on words, a truly funny song. Interspersed throughout both halves is something by Tom Waits that became a Halloween tradition for Engineer Ken and I, and was a great source of laughs for us over the years. Part Two will be Wolves and Werewolves. You have been warned... Here's the link to the creaky doors and things that go bump in the night, at WLSO.FM: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1542 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: CALLING ALL ANGELS PT.4 END, FOR NOW!

Mike Pell — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:45:35 GMT

Well, I find it incredibly interesting that my 300th podcast is this one- dedicated to someone who meant very much to me. It could never have been planned that way! I will open this final chapter (until a sequel somewhere down the road) with some ID’s I owe from the last one. Engineer Ken was making me laugh and making this one more fun because he kept writing and saying ANGLES instead of Angels, lol! The beginning set will start with a great duet between two musical legends, then a song that is actually from an album Angel left in my house, (there are always things like albums left behind during a breakup- I got some of her albums, undoubtedly she got some of mine). The set closes with another terrific duet. Bonnie Raitt calls John Prine onstage to do a classic Prine song. Those 3 should flow nicely. I’ll read a lovely poem sent to me by a girl from Illinois, that she found on the wall of a church. It is simply called “Angels”. Then one last trip to the movies, and the beginning of the end. My three favorite Angel movies are The Bishop’s Wife with Cary Grant, of course Wings Of Desire which we already played something from, and this one…with my favorite movie Angel. Some scenes from it, and fitting music. As always, I hope you have enjoyed this topic and journey, using music as our means of transportation. And Ang, I hope I did you proud. I counted them, and I had brought 111 Angel songs to the program (maybe that means something to a numbers person!). So there were plenty left over, which would almost guarantee sequels and return visits to the Angels. In the meantime…Ring Them Bells folks! Just click on this link to hang with some better beings than I'll ever be, at WLSO.FM: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1535 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: CALLING ALL ANGELS PT.3

Mike Pell — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:28:43 GMT

As we continue with our Rock & Roll musical exploration of Angels, I have to explain the beginning. Frequently, people outside will wave, make faces or something, or Engineer Ken will say something into my headphones just as I am about to open the show in an attempt to make me laugh and screw it up. That was the case here. See what I have to put up with, lol? Being a man of limited ideas, since we opened Part One with a Calling All Angels, I thought we would do it again. This time by a group called Train. There are a few people I tell when I am thinking about doing a Theme Show. Sometimes they have good, even brilliant, suggestions. Sometimes horrid ones- AAHHHHHHHHH!!!! And I keep it small because when they do suggest something and I DON’T play it, they may be insulted and I have to explain why I didn’t. Not enough time mostly, didn’t fit in anywhere, or it just plain sucked. This time, so many of them mentioned a song I had not the slightest intention of playing, I had to re-think it. Kind of glad I did play it now, cause it did bring a warm memory of simpler times. We will discover that Angels are not just for crackpots- there are many stores devoted to them, and prestigious universities teach courses in them, including Harvard Divinity School and Boston College. Got a cover of an oldie to play you may not have ever heard, by John Lennon from a posthumous album released in 1984. Interestingly, Angels can be found anywhere. Knocking at your door, living right next door to you, even in a Broken Radio! We’ll take a look and listen to that phenomenon. One more episode to go, and 2 things to mention. If you are interested in that terrific Wim Wenders movie, Wings Of Desire, a friend of mine named Matt pointed out to me that U2's video for the song Stay (Faraway So Close) is an obvious homage to that flick. Watch the video and you will get a tiny taste of Wings Of Desire. And that next episode will be my 300th podcast. Seems real nice to me that it comes in the Finale of remembering a loved one! Here's the link to an interesting mix of old and fairly new, at WLSO.FM: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1532 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: CALLING ALL ANGELS PT.2

Mike Pell — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:28:49 GMT

Around 2000-2001, I visited Angel out in Pennsylvania. I brought with me a movie I thought she would like- City Of Angels. It had nothing to do with her name, it was just that after going together for a long time, I kind of knew what she might like (I wasn’t always correct, lol!). She flipped over the movie, bought it and watched it many times. However, I knew it was based on a German movie, directed by Wim Wenders, called Wings Of Desire, but I hadn’t seen it at that time. Well, to me, now that I have, there is no comparison. The Wenders film is in black & white, is much darker in mood, and has subtitles except when Peter Falk is speaking. It is far superior- although that’s just my opinion. So, I thought I would open this chapter up with my favorite scene from the movie- of course it is with Peter Falk and in English. What he says about living as a human is so simple and beautiful- just a wonderful moment captured on film. A COMPANERO! And this will not be our last trip to the movies for Angels. As for the rest of this episode, I think I will say nothing and just let you listen to the directions we will go in. However, I do want to thank a dear friend, Denise Decker, for making me listen closer to a beautiful song from the City Of Angels soundtrack I might have overlooked. And one other thing, I will bring us to this halfway point with a song that has taken on a new meaning for me. You will understand what I mean. Many more Angels to come in the next 2 installments. Here the link and ticket through the Gates- just click, it's easier than trying to be good, at WLSO.FM: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1525 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: CALLING ALL ANGELS PT.1

Mike Pell — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:34:38 GMT

DEDICATED TO THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF A PAST GIRLFRIEND October 19th would be my ex-girlfriend Angel’s birthday. Unfortunately she will not get to see it. However, I will celebrate it with a musical exploration of Rock & Roll Angel songs (with a few diversions into other areas, including the movies). This will not be a wake, unless you count it as an Irish one, and she was most definitely Irish with the name Murphy. And one helluva beautiful, fun, sexy, smart and tough lady. Don’t know what she saw in me for so long! We will be all over the place for this and the next 3 chapters- as I am no respecter of decades or genres. I’ll tell you a little about her, and quickly get myself in trouble by playing 2 songs from the SAME album that would have gotten my butt kicked by her, lol! You should know the songs, and if you care, they are from a grand old vinyl album. In putting this Theme Show Series together, going in I thought I would find many more songs about Angel’s wings than I did. After all, they have them. We don’t. But far and away, there are more songs about Angel eyes. A surprising number of them! I’ll play just a few of the many I thought of and found, (those time restraints again!). So many things went wrong during the recording of these shows, I was beginning to think it was a message from above, lol! But we persevered, and you will decide how well and entertaining the result was. I invite you to join me in the celebration of a life- and the Archangels, Cherubim and Seraphim. The first order of business will be Calling All Angels! Here's the link to take this heavenly trip, at WLSO.FM: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1521 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: BRENDA LEE PT.2 END

Mike Pell — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:28:21 GMT

I will continue with Brenda Lee- and she has the bona fides, she is in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. But it took her 11 years to get in, the longest time for any artist to make it. And further indication of the R&R Hall Of Fame's virtually meaningless existence. Last chapter, I forewarned men to have a recording device ready. Right off the bat, it will be time to use it. And all in good fun, lol! It's Brenda's signature song and hit # 1. Followed by the earliest song I could find by her, from 1956, a phone number missing a number! I'll flip back and forth in this episode with that rough voice of her's and some ballads- Number one's and Top Ten songs. In the early 60's over in England, her opening act was a then little-known Liverpool group, the Beatles. They went on to considerable fame also! For some reason, Brenda Lee was always much more popular in the UK, even having a couple of Top Ten hits there that weren't even released as singles here in the U.S. She could rock, sing ballads and combined sexiness with innocence. It's a shame Brenda Lee is not better remembered. But you may be surprised to know she has been mentioned in SONGS, by Chuck Berry, Burton Cummings...even Golden Earring's Radar Love! Last week we ran late, this time we had a little bit of time left over. Not enough for a song, but enough to hear me try to smoothly stretch it to the end, LOL! Hope you will hold Brenda Lee in higher regard now that you've gotten to hear what she could do. Here's the link to some good old good ones, at WLSO.FM: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1516 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: BRENDA LEE PT.1

Mike Pell — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:16:14 GMT

After my getting rejected again at the beginning of the show, lol, we'll be taking a look at Little Miss Dynamite, Brenda Lee. One of the very few women in early Rockabilly music, and toned down, I think, because it was a Boys Club. If you want to hear a great current singer in that style, I suggest Rosie Flores, and particularly her album Rockabilly Filly. At 4' 9'', Brenda had a big voice, and I have always liked it when she would use that rough edge. The GREATEST voice in Rock & Roll according to John Lennon! In the 1960's alone, she had 37 songs that charted on Billboard- surpassed only by a few, the likes of Elvis Presley and the Beatles. An international star, she sold over 100 million records! And New Musical Express, that old magazine over in England we heard so much about over here in the States, named her Best Female Vocalist 5 years in a row! Brenda started early, winning a contest at 6 to appear on the radio. Her break came after turning down $30 to perform somewhere, instead going to see Red Foley, who let her sing on his TV show that night. The audience refused to let her leave until she sang 3 mores songs. Gotta love those success stories! Some real good music here, with another half to follow. To reach this episode in brendaly fashion, here is the lInk to WLSO.FM: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1514 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: TEACHERS PT.2

Mike Pell — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:13:11 GMT

Opening back up with one more GOOD Teacher song, this time a title song from a movie. You are forewarned, both the movie and the song are so sweet, you may fall into a diabetic coma! And notice, as I will comment upon in this episode, that none of these fictional teachers are from books- just movies & TV. Maybe because kids can't read. Just a thought...cynical as it is, lol! I have a list of some famous people who previously were Teachers, before reaching that fame for other things. Then it is on to BAD Teachers- stifling creativity for one offense. More famous folks who were Teachers. And then we take a musical look at a recent phenomenon, something I couldn't let pass. I can understand being hot for your teacher, but when in heaven's name did it become a two-way street? When did actual hot, good-looking, sexy Teachers, and I am talking women here, decide it was alright to be hot for their young students? And why in the hell did I have to miss out on that, lol? Again I am a day late and a buck short! The original idea was to continue this series with two more parts, Back To Back To School- and that probably will appear at a later date, and under different circumstances- I am never one to let a good idea go to waste. But something of such dark consequences seems to be taking place at the station I operate out of, my plans have been quickly revised. I will have more to say about that, and will be as honest with you as I always am. Suffice it to say for now, that I and my colleagues are not happy campers. And campers we seemingly are about to become! Here's the link to this chapter, clicking on it will possibly, maybe, take you to WLSO.FM to hear it- not sure of anything right now, lol: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1498 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: TEACHERS PT.1

Mike Pell — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:34:18 GMT

You know, Teachers have to go Back To School too. I wonder how they feel about that? Not as miserable as I was, I'll bet, lol! We will begin this musical look at Teachers with some words- funny words- from New York City's own (the Bronx), and former NYC substitute teacher, Robert Klein. Opening a very long set. After that, well, there are Good Teachers and Bad Teachers- the ones we relate to are mostly fictional, we see them in movies or TV series. The real GOOD ones toil anonymously, dedicated to their students, going well beyond the school day and their duties, and never getting much credit for it. They should be celebrated. As the true BAD teachers should be revealed. How to do that, I leave to you. I do music, and we begin our take on Good Teachers with a another comedian- whose standup routine was the idea for a television series. To be continued... Grab an apple, click on this link and hop on the bus with me, to P.S. WLSO.FM: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1497 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: BACK TO SCHOOL PT.2

Mike Pell — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:45:45 GMT

This outing I will musically take on the double-edged sword of being a guy and having girls in the classroom. I went to Catholic grammar school, and shared classes with girls. I went to an all-boys Catholic high school, and I am so glad I did. I owe my education to that, as I never would have learned anything with the combination of my raging high school hormones and the presence of females, lol! Well, that and the discipline of being taught by the Christian Brothers, who took no crap- precisely what is missing in schools today. We keep throwing more money at the school system, Johnny still can't read, and the obvious answer is that lack of discipline. I can only imagine how many teeth I would have been spitting out if I told, say Brother Kevin to go f--- himself! Anyway, I would have been checking out the female form more than what the teacher was saying. Probably be concerned with my own appearance too- something that was of no concern to me among a group of other guys. And judging from what I see of today's uber-developed, looking-older-than-they-are high school girls it could only be worse. It wasn't until college that I was once again in classes with the ladies, and my 2 favorite things of the school day were flirting and lunch. So the other edge of that sword is that maybe some hottie would make you WANT to go school! Among the music I will play this chapter is the first song by a duo destined to become immensely famous and popular, but by a different name. Three different interpretations of an old racy Sonny Boy Williamson song- all done by British artists who loved that American Blues. A B-side from a former Beatle, and we will go out with another duo, one-hit-wonders, but not the hit. Oh, and finally ending with another fairly obscure song from a Legend. Nothing wrong with this episode, in my considered opinion. You should like it- but what do I know, lol? To hear these sexually-charged tales of teenage angst, click on the link below, to WLSO.FM: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1490 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS: BACK TO SCHOOL PT.1

Mike Pell — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:11:12 GMT

Here's the beginning of a series I have been thinking about doing for years. But it would always clash with the Remembrance Of 9/11, and my priorities being what they are, I could never get to do this. Since I replayed the 5th Anniversary Of Sept. 11th, the way is clear for me to finally take on the theme of Back To School. This was always the most depressing time of year for me. The fun was over, and I hated everything about it. It was only 5 or 6 hours a day, but hell, they were prime hours! No more playing baseball all day- and the World Series would be coming, back when they played the games in the DAYTIME! Plus hockey would be starting in a month- what a horrible time to be locked up in school! And I couldn't stand those kids who actually looked forward to school starting, those morons, lol! So after some memories of hanging around the old school, songs for people who felt like I did. And even a couple for those nitwit others! If you are anything like me, you will cringe at the memories but enjoy the music, as we go Back To School. Don't be a truant, show up for class by clicking on this link to WLSO.FM: http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1486 Mike

ROCKOLLECTIONS

Mike Pell — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:14:20 GMT

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