Out To Lunch Friday Playlist

Today out to lunch, we first welcome to Rhapsody a version of Whiskey River by the man who wrote it, Johnny Bush. Johnny was the drummer in Willie Nelson's Record Men in the early 60's before going on to record hits of his own, including this immortal ode to cardiovascular ruin. With its swing, jangle, and cannonball croon, this version stands happily on its own next to the one Willie's put his stamp on every other night for the last thirty five or so years.

While we're here, why not follow up with a song from Bobbie Nelson's 2007 solo debut. Sister Bobbie has played piano with Willie on stage and in the studio since at least 1973's Shotgun Willie, and just got around to recording on her lonesome.

We'll close with another recently added Texas album, and appropriately enough it's Doug Sahm singing about that other Willie drummer, Paul English.

Out To Lunch Friday Playlist - [Rhapsody Online version]

Whiskey River - Johnny Bush
Laura - Bobbie Nelson
Me And Paul - Doug Sahm

East Side Cruising Thursday Playlist

Another odd compilation series on the Rhapsody Just Added list last week came under the name "East Side Story". It's a series of singles compilations ranging from doo-wop to soul, with some of the songs coming to the Rhapsody catalog for the first time.

The series is from an outfit named East Side Records. Oddly, it appears the only things East Side Records specializes in are these oldies compilations and original southern California Latin hip hop. Reconciling the two was making me dizzy until I found this comprehensive Lowrider Oldies [will not autoplay] playlist linked on the Barbara Mason Rhapsody Online page. As author TDawg specifies, "This cruisin' chrome playlist features a multitude of classic soul and R&B recordings that are intended to inspire memories of long-past days of cruising down the strip."

Mystery solved, and there's another American musical experience I was born too late and distant to savor, though I did almost buy an El Camino once...

East Side Cruising Thursday Playlist - [Rhapsody Online version]

Yes, I'm Ready - Barbara Mason
Hey There Lonely Girl - Eddie Holman
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye - The Casinos

Update (2007-12-05): At some point over the last few weeks, it looks like this compilation series has been removed from Rhapsody, breaking the playlist above. Versions of the first two tracks are available on other compilations, but it looks like we've indeed told the Casinos goodbye for the time being...

Ribaldry On Tuesday Playlist

There were twenty five volumes of a series titled "Radio & Recording Rarities" on the Rhapsody Just Added list last week. I'm still working through Volume 1, which appears to be a collection of pointedly ribald vaudeville-era singles. The sound quality so far is alarmingly good considering the vintage of the recordings.

Volume One starts on a seasonally appropriate high note with Christmas Balls from Ben Light and His Surf Club Boys. Seventy years earlier, it makes Chocolate Salty Balls sound like a church hymn. Apparently Mr. Light had a successful career [Saxony Records] with his stride piano style in more staid settings, but kept the masses happy with the bawdy singles.

I'll report back as I encounter more solid tracks from this series. For today, we'll pair Christmas Balls with another ribald classic, recently restored to Rhapsody after a nearly year-long absence.

Ribaldry on Tuesday Playlist - [Rhapsody Online version]

Christmas Balls - Ben Light and His Surf Club Boys
ILBT's - Joe Walsh

Addendum:
Here are a handful of other historically illuminating songs from Volume 1 of Radio & Recording Rarities:

Ribald Addendum Playlist - [Rhapsody Online version]

Give It To Mary With Love - Cliff (Ukelele Ike) Edwards
She Was Shot In Her Box (At The Opera) - Bruce Raeburn
The Full-Her Brushman - Ben Light and His Surf Club Boys
When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go - Ben Light and His Surf Club Boys

Out To Lunch Friday Playlist

Today out to lunch, we officially welcome the first Ian Dury & The Blockheads track into Rhapsody. It looks like it may even have come in on the same compilation that delivered us the Safety Dance earlier this summer, and I missed it entirely. For shame.

We'll round things out with a few appropriate tracks patiently waiting their turn to be released from the live well.

Out To Lunch Friday Playlist - [Rhapsody Online version]

Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick - Ian Dury & The Blockheads
Smalltown Boy - Bronski Beat
Oh! You Pretty Things - Bowie at the Beeb
Have You Never Been Mellow - Olivia Newton-John