Caught on the In Between Playlist 11-17-09

National Geographic now has a record label called NatGeo. They have only 4 releases thus far, but if these releases are a sign of whats to come out of this label, then we're in for a good time. I focused on two of them today--the Brazilian party band Forro In The Dark and the dusty Spaniard Depedro. Forro In The Dark will get the party started and keep it going all night and Depedro is a great partner to your next-morning coffee as you laugh your way through the previous night's events with your amigos.

Another artist I'm excited about lately is Aloe Blacc. He's American but was born to Panamanian parents and their frequent trips to South America helped to sprinkle some Latin influence into his soul and onto this album. His music readily jumps from hip-hop, to soul, to R&B, and crosses between Spanish and English.

Finally, Fool's Gold is a newish band out of Los Angeles with sounds coming from all over the world, especially Israel. They are playing Club Metronome on Sunday night (11/22).

1. Los Coronas - Coronas Stomp - Surfin 'tenochtillan
2. Forro In The Dark - Caiphirinha - Light A Candle
3. Forro In The Dark - Perro Loco - Light A Candle
4. Forro In The Dark - Saudades de Manezinho Araujo - Light A Candle
5. Depedro - Te Sigo Sonando - Depedro
6. Depedro - La Memoria - Depedro
7. Depedro - Equivocado - Depedro
8. Aloe Blacc - Dance For Life - Shine Through
9. Aloe Blacc - Patria Mia - Shine Through
10. Aloe Blacc - Gente Ordinaria - Shine Through
11. Fool's Gold - Surprise Hotel - Fool's Gold

Caught on the In Between Playlist 11-10-09

"So here's what's striking me
that some punk could argue some moral abc's
when people are catching what bombers release" -- Fugazi -- The Argument

1. Dick Dale -- Fish Taco -- Unknown Territory
2. Mano Negra -- Senor Matanza -- Best Of
3. The Very Best -- Warm Heart of Africa -- Warm Heart of Africa
4. The Clash -- Let's Go Crazy -- Sandinista!
5. Fugazi -- Ex-Spectator -- The Argument
6. Fugazi -- Nightshop -- The Argument
7. Fugazi -- The Argument -- The Argument
8. Discovery -- Can You Discover? -- LP
9. Headress -- Amazing Baby -- Single
10. Cave Singers -- Seeds of NIght -- Invitation Songs
11. The Felice Brothers -- Cooperstown -- Yonder Is The Clock
12. The Felice Brothers -- Wonderful Life -- The Felice Brothers

Caught on the In Between Playlist 11-03-09

"Spend the night in my arms" -- Deer Tick

A week before Halloween, Melinda, Mike Carney (Emcee MC), and I went and saw the new Deer Tick documentary "To The City of Sin" at Palace 9 Theatre in Burlington. It was part of the Vermont International Film Festival and was a documentary put together by a student at Burlington College. A music documentary will either make me like a band a lot more or a lot less. Kind of like seeing them live. Either they pull me in more or push me away. This documentary definitely pulled me in more. I've listened to Deer Tick for the last 6 months or so and have really liked them, but sometimes I get over the singer's voice and have trouble understanding where they're coming from. This doc really helped me to like them more. Actually, a lot more. So I started off tonight's show with a set by them.

I've also really been into AA Bondy lately. He was in the band Verbena who were OK in my book, but his solo stuff is excellent. He's homies with the Felice Brothers, so that seals the deal for me as I love those guys. The 2 songs I played tonight are off of his 1st solo album. I have 2 songs off of his newest album, When The Devil's Loose, and I can't wait to get the rest of it.

1. Surfin' Elephant - Craig Cohill - The Ultimate Surfin' Hits
2. Sorry You're Sick - Ted Hawkins - Watch Your Step
3. The Whole Damn Thing - Those Darlins - Those Darlins
4. Furr - Blitzen Trapper - Furr
5. Spend The Night - Deer Tick - War Elephant
6. Song About A Man - Deer Tick - Born on Flag Day
7. The Ghost - Deer Tick - Born on Flag Day
8. Alaska - Dr. Dog - We All Belong
9. Ask Isaac Asimov - Spanish Prisoners - Los Angeles Guitar Dream
10. in the aeroplane over the sea -Matt Pond PA - What Has Been
11. There's A Reason - AA Bondy - American Hearts
12. Vice Rag - AA Bondy - American Hearts
13. Which Side Are You On? - Billy Bragg - Peel Sessions
14. Riding the Rods - Murry Hammond - I Don't Know Where I'm Going But I'm On My Way
15. Come Out With Me Tonight - Cordero - Somos Cordero

Caught on the In Between Playlist 10-20-09

At the gym the other day, I saw this picture from the new movie The Road. It's based on the book by Cormac McCarthy that I tried to read but I never was able to get into. As I write this, I'm getting motivated to read it so I'm going to pick it up again either tonight or tomorrow morning over coffee. The General Manager of the company I work for has tried a couple times to get me to read inspirational business books but they just never interest me. They seem so dry. They talk about business situations and life situations and how you should act in them, but I've always felt that I want to learn that stuff on my own. Experience it myself and decide on my own how I think I should act in those situations based on what happens in my life, rather than a book. Anyway, he just gave me the book Blink and I've heard good things about it and I've tried to read it, but I just can't. It's a lot like the Psych books I read in college. So I think I'll give up on it and pick up The Road. Those are the types of books I'm interested in. I've read a couple other Cormac McCarthy books--No Country For Old Men, All The Pretty Little Horses, I attempted The Crossing but didn't YET finish it, and I think that's it. I'm ready for The Road. And a lot of it has to do with wanting to read it before seeing the movie that comes out in a couple weeks (no way I'm going to finish by then b/c it takes me forever to finish books).

The picture I saw in the gym was a screen shot of the movie and it looked so bleak and cold and intense and it reminded me of some music that I liked. It mainly made me think of The Drones out of Australia. Then I started thinking about the Nick Cave scored movie The Proposition. And with the weather getting colder and the leaves falling off of the trees, it made me want to listen to that type of music. And in doing so, I started to put together a soundtrack for the movie and book that I've never read all based on a picture I saw in a magazine. I know the gist of the book/movie from reading a portion of it and reading about it, so based on that, I was inspired to put together what I thought would be a great soundtrack for the movie.

1. Sliding In - The Marauders - The Ultimate 60's Surf Rock
2. Nail It Down - The Drones - Havilah
3. Oh My - The Drones - Havilah
4. This Time - The Drones - Wait Long By The River and The Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By
5. Bury Your Burden - Oakley Hall - Gypsum Strings
6. The Wolves - Fast Piece of Furniture - Adventures in Contentment
7. Beast For Thee - Bonnie "Prince & Matt Sweeney - Superwolf
8. I Go with Him - Nina Nastasia - The Blackend Air
9. Hunter - Bjork - Homogenic
10. Hoppipolla - Sigur Ros - Takk...

Caught on the In Between Playlist 10-06-09

Quite an array of music on the show tonight but my hightlight(s) was/were the songs by The Exit and Stiff Little Fingers. I remember the first time I heard both bands. First was Stiff LIttle fingers. I was working in the warehouse at Sole Technology out in CA in probably the Spring of 2000 and was good buddies with a guy named Sam Jorgensen. Whenever we'd get super busy and have a ton of work to finish up for the day, Sam would put in the Stiff Little Fingers album "Inflamable Material" and it would never fail to put us in a zone. We'd happily pack up and ship skate shoes to whomever all across the country. It always got us going and I love that album still today. It's such a raw, real, and honest album.

The first time I heard The Exit, my buddy Johnny Dunn forwarded it to me while I was sitting at my new desk job at Burton Snowboards. It sounded like a modern day Police meets Stiff Little Fingers. I was really, really impressed. I just remembered it sounding so refreshing. I also remember Johnny leaving me a voicemail talking about the album and he said he just can't wait to get home to listen to it again. I remember feeling the same way. It's such a raw, real, and honest album.

1. Fort Lauderdale, USA - Bill Friell - The Ultimate '60s Surf Classics
2. Bang! - The Raveonettes - In & Out of Control
3. Boys Who Rape - The Raveonettes - In & Out of Control
4. Last Dance - The Raveonettes - In & Out of Control
5. Horchata - Vampire Weekend - Contra
6. Memphis - Chuck Berry - The Chess Box Set
7. Surprise Hotel - Fool's Gold - Fool's Gold
8. Two Guitars Clash - Stiff Little Fingers - All The Best
9. Stands To Reason - Stiff Little Fingers - All The Best
10. Touch and Go - Stiff Little Fingers - All The Best
11. Trapped - Exit - New Beat
12. Lonely Man's Wallet - Exit - New Beat
13. Question The Chorus - Exit - New Beat
14. Card Cheat - The Clash - Clash on Broadway 2

Mondo Mix

This is a link to a great radio mix of a bunch of different types of music from all over. Crank it up and travel through your computer!


mondomix.com - all colors of music!

Caught on the In Between Playlist 09-22-09

The standout of tonight's show for me are the Sam Corbin tunes. I stumbled across him when I was perusing the blog Songs:Illinois. He's a Michigan singer/songwriter and he sings some great heartfelt comforting music. Check him out here www.samcorbin.com

1. Fish Taco - Dick Dale - Unknown Territory
2. It Ain't Gonna Save Me - Jay Reatard - Watch Me Fall
3. Plenty For All - Hot Snakes - Audit In Progress
4. The Bleeding Heart Show - The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
5. Blood Oranges - Foreign Born - Person To Person
6. Finish Line - Fanfarlo - Reservoir
7. Olive Hearts - Bowerbirds - Hymns For A Dark Horse
8. Baby - Devendra Banhart - What Will We Be
9. Chinese Children - Devendra Banhart - Cripple Crow
10. Michigan's Waltz - Sam Corbin - Michigan's Waltz
11. Twenty Three - Sam Corbin - Goodnight Candlelight
12. Beach House - The Cave Singers - Welcome Joy

Caught on the In Between Playlist 09-13-09

I got into the honky tonk feeling at the end of the night. Wayne The Train Hancock is amazing and the bassist for the local heroes, Starline Rhythm Boys, used to play with him. I need to see the Starline Rhythm Boys play again soon. They have a bunch of shows over the next couple months, but one that sticks out is 10/24 for a Bike Recycle Vermont at Burlington City Hall! I'll be there!

1. Without Warning - The Ghastly Ones - Target Draculon
2. A Thousand Men - Joe Pug - In The Meantime EP
3. More Than Fair - Deano Waco - Deano Waco Meats The Purveyors
4. Tequila Sunday - The Maldives - Listen To The Thunder
5. When The Devil's Loose - AA Bondy - When The Devil's Loose
6. I Can See The Pines Are Dancing - AA Bondy - When The Devil's Loose
7. Molalatladi - BLK JKS - After Robots
8. On The Floor - Family Portrait - N/A
9. Mega Secrets - Family Portrait - N/A
10. Are The Good Times Really Over For Good - John Doe and the Sadies - Country Club
11. Texacos and Roadmaps - Starline Rhythm Boys - Better Luck Is A Barroom Away
12. Dog House Blues - Wayne Hancock - Viper of Melody
13. Bottle Of Wine - Deano Waco - Deano Waco Meats The Purveyors
14. No Gal Cooks Like Mine - Starline Rhythm Boys - Red's Place
15. Midnight Stars and You - Wayne Hancock - Viper of Melody

Caught on the In Between Playlist 08-18-09

Tonight I'm updating my blog as I do my show. It's a first, so we'll see how it goes. I'm up here with my buddy Mike (Emcee MC for all of those that listen on Thurs nights at 11pm) and we just had a couple brews down at 3 Needs and discussed the upcoming Queen City Social Club event. We're trying to set up a salsa night sometime around 9/10 and hoping to have it at LIFT--a new club in downtown Burlington where 2nd Floor used to be. Mike has been running point on it and setting it all up and is pulling in the peeps from Salsalina to help with the salsa lessons. If we can do it that week, it'll be the Thurs during Latino Fest so it'll be perfect. We'll start it off with some salsa lessons to get us all knowing the moves and then it'll be full on dance party with DJ JahRed who used to do the Thurs Salsa Nights at Half Lounge, so he knows what he's doing.

Starting off tonight's show was Dick Dale and the Del-Tones doing Surf Beat. Then for the first set I played some tunes by Mariachi El Bronx. The Bronx is a hard punk band out of So Cal which features 2 members of Los Lobos. With those 2 hombres in the band, it was only a matter of time before they released some Mexican tinged tunes. Usually when a punk band decides to come out with some traditional music of any style, it seems contrived and forced. However, these guys nail it. Pick up the album and you'll enjoy it.

Second set started off with a band I first heard about today called Depedro. I found them on Spinner.com and really love what I hear from them. I was playing it at work and my buddy who sits behind me was really digging it too. The band consists of singer/guitarist from Madrid, Jairo Zavala, and the dudes from Calexico. It's great Spanish pop music. I played the song Don't Leave Me Now off of their s/t album. Next song was by Gentleman Jesse who I first read about in Paste. I played his song All I Need Tonight (Is You) and it sounded very similar to Jay Reatard, so if you like his stuff, then you'll like this. I finished the set off with current blog superstars--Passion Pit with their song To Kingdom Come.

Last week I was out in CA on vaca at my girlfriend's parents' house in Auburn, CA. There's gold in them there hills. While there I picked up the new Michael Franti & Spearhead album and I'm going to say that it's just alright. There are some jems--especially the song Say Hey (I Love You) and the first song on the album, Rude Boys Back in Town. I started off the next set with the latter. The rest of the album seems to be pretty bland. After that I jumped into a tune by the incredible Very Best (Radioclit and their Malawian friend, Esau Mwamwaya). The song was Rain Dance and featured some vocals by M.I.A. They have a new album coming out on November 1st and it's sure to kill. Finishing up the set was Le Loup and their tune Beach Town.

Next up was Mattafix--a DJ duo out of the UK. The songs I played are off of their 2007 release called Rhythm & Hymns. It's great RnB, Hip Hop, Reggae, and Caribbean style music. Songs I played were In The Background and Things Have Changed. Check 'em out.

I was planning on playing another song by Mattafix, but I was impatiently interrupted by two wine drinking gals who requested a song be dedicated to them. Thinking on my toes, I quickly chose Say Hey (I Love You) and sent it out to them. As the beat came in, I could picture them dancing around the kitchen to the tune.

I finished off the set with a cover song by Amy Milan of Broken Social Scene and Stars fame. It's a cover of the Death Cab For Cutie song called I Will Follow You Into The Dark.

1. Surf Beat -- Dick Dale and the Del-Tones -- Surfrock Extravaganza
2. Quinceniera -- Mariachi El Bronx -- Mariachi El Bronx
3. Slave Labor -- Mariachi El Bronx -- Mariachi El Bronx
4. Holy -- Mariachi El Bronx -- Mariachi El Bronx
5. Don't Leave Me Now -- DePedro -- DePedro
6. All I Need Tonight (Is You) -- Gentleman Jesse
7. To Kingdom Come -- Passion Pit
8. Rude Boys Back In Town -- Michael Franti & Spearhead -- All Rebel Rockers
9. Rain Dance (ft. M.I.A.) -- The Very Best
10. Beach Town -- Le Loup -- Family
11. In The Background -- Mattafix -- Rhythm & Hymns
12. Things Have Changed -- Mattafix -- Rhythm & Hymns
13. Say Hey (I Love You) -- Michael Franti & Spearhead -- All Rebel Rockers
14. I Will Follow You Into The Dark -- Amy Millan -- Masters Of The Burial
15. Angel -- Mattafix -- Rhythm & Hymns

Sunny and summer. It's about time.

I can't believe it. Four sunny and hot days in a row! This summer has been nuts here--rain, rain, and more rain. For all of you who are experiencing their first summer in VT (you know who you are...), I promise this summer is not the norm. These past four days are the norm. Then throw in one day of rain to cool it off and change it up a bit. Then back to sun. That's the norm and hopefully August will be the summer month that we've been waiting for!

The 96th Tour de France is officially over and it held tons of stress, but no big surprises. Actually, I think it's pretty surprising and impressive that Lance finished 3rd. Contador won by a wide margin as most expected. He's incredible and has won the last 4 Grand Tours that he's entered -- Tour de France '07, Giro d'Italia 08, Vuelta a Espana '08, and now Tour de France '09. He's going to make a legendary name for himself.

For me, this has definitely been the summer of biking. Besides gluing myself to the TV every night to watch the Tour, I've been exploring the roads of VT on my new Trek 520 Touring Bike. Sometimes with my sidekick, Norma Jean, in her sidecar (Rover pet trailer) and sometimes alone to get in long distances. Two weekends ago I made my first attempt of my goal of riding a century ride, but got a flat upon reaching 82 miles. I was feeling great at the time too, so if it weren't for the glass I rode over, I would have had my goal already in my back pocket. No biggie though, it'll just give me another opportunity to go for it.

Show tonight. Looking forward to it. Tune in 8pm at www.theradiator.org or, if you live in the Burlington, VT area, 105.9 FM.

Caught on the In Between Playlist 07-14-09

The 96th Tour de France is riding in full force. As anticipated, with all of the past champions riding, it has been amazing thus far. It started off with a short time trial in Monaco, which was the first time we all got a glimpse at Lance back in the saddle in the Tour since 2005. He ended up in 10th place in the time trial, but after 11 stages is sitting in 3rd place just :08 off of leader Rinaldo Nocentini. 2007 champ Alberto Contador is sitting in 2nd place, :06 seconds back. Contador was the favorite to win coming into the race, but you can never count out Lance. Even if they are on the same team...

Team Astana is the heavy team favorite with loads of firepower -- Contador, Lance, Levi Leipheimer (3rd in 2007), Andreas Kloden (2nd in 2004 & 2006), Haimar Zubeldia (5th in 2003 & 2007), Yaroslav Popovych (won White Jersey in 2005 and finished 8th in 2007), and a couple other notable riders. This is arguably the greatest team ever to compete in the Grand Tour. And they are living up to their legend -- 4 of the top 6 riders are from Team Astana.

There are tons of other great riders, as always, in the Tour, but this year there are 3 past champions in Contador, Lance, and last year's winner, Carlos Sastre. Cadel Evans has finished 2nd the last couple years.

I'm a huge Tour nut and love to follow every stage and detail. This year has been great and is the first year that I've had the Versus network so I can watch from home. In the past, I've been "forced" to follow the race from my PC or from the TV at Ski Rack in downtown Burlington. The race is currently on the flat stages between the Pyranees and the Alps. We've already had an individual time trial and a team time trial (dominated, of course, by Astana). The Pyranees were relatively uneventful with the exception of a brief, incredibly powerful attack by Contador to show that he's the best rider in this year's field. They hit some mtns this weekend, have the 2nd rest day on Monday, and then Tuesday through Sunday is when the real action comes:

Tues 7/21 -- Two huge climbs in the Alps (HORS and Cat 1)
Wed 7/22 -- Most mountainous stage of the Tour -- 5 mtn passes (4 are Cat 1 and 1 is Cat 2)
Thurs 7/23 -- Individual Time Trial (with very tired legs). They can't hold back in the Time Trial, but there is a huge mtn stage the next two days so it will be interesting!
Fri 7/24 -- Mild mtn stage.
Sat 7/25 -- The ULTIMATE mtn finish on Mont Ventoux!

I will be glued to any and all media outlets over those 5 days.

The stage up Mont Ventoux will be the most memorable stage of this tour. It's one of the most grueling climbs ever experienced in the tour, but has never been in a stage that is within 24 hrs of the finish in Paris. That alone will make it so entertaining. In the 1967 Tour, Tom Simpson collapsed dead while making the ascent up Mont Ventoux and in 1970, the legendary Eddy Merckx rode himself to the brink of collapse but still ended up winning the Tour after being administered oxygen. This year, the climb up Mont Ventoux could define who wins the tour and if it does come down to this climb, my money is on Contador. But then again, you can never count out Lance. It would be insane if they were in 1st and 2nd and they decided to duel it out. Contador has age on his side, but Lance has mental strength and history on his side.

Whatever happens, this year's Tour has been the most exciting I've seen in years. Get out on your bike no matter what the weather.

1. Lonely Bull -- The Challengers -- Killer Surf!
2. Tengazako -- The Very Best -- The Very Best Mixtape
3. Warm Heart of Africa -- The Very Best -- The Very Best
4. Sugar In My Spoon -- Sean Bones -- Rings
5. Easy Street -- Sean Bones -- Easy Street 7"
6. Born Again -- Cory Chisel -- Death Won't Send A Letter
7. Los Angeles Guitar Dream -- Spanish Prisoners -- Los Angeles Guitar Dream EP
8. Tom Joad (Part 1) -- Woody Guthrie -- Dust Bowl Ballads

Caught on the In Between Playlist 06-30-09

1. Telstar -- The Challengers -- Killer Surf!
2. Wild One -- Those Darlins -- Those Darlins
3. Red Light Love -- Those Darlins -- Those Darlins
4. I Would Die 4 U -- Mariachi El Bronx -- Purplish Rain
5. Diablo Rojo -- Rodrigo y Gabriela -- Rodrigo y Gabriela
6. Rumba De Barcelona -- Manu Chao -- Radio Bemba Sound System
7. La Comprita -- Dimension Latina Vol II -- Salsa Brava
8. The Day John Henry Died -- Drive-By Truckers -- Dirty South
9. John Henry -- Bruce Springsteen -- We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
10. The Legend of John Henry's Hammer -- Johnny Cash -- The Essential Johnny Cash 1955-1983
11. Three Great Alabama Icons -- Drive-By Truckers -- Southern Rock Opera

Caught on the In Between Playlist 06-23-09

"Well the rodeo is more than rough. It's a fact of life and it's tough to cut and it's beaver hats. It's drinking Beer and pulling trailers. Tight lamae on barrel racers and of course the buckin'." -- Johnny Cash - Bull Rider

1. Bumble Bee Twist (The Wasp) -- The Ventures -- Surfrock Extravaganza
2. Angry Charlie -- Generationals -- Con Law
3. When They Fight -- Generationals -- Con Law
4. Wildlife -- Generationals -- Con Law
5. Ancestors -- Throw Me The Statue -- Creaturesque
6. Lolita -- Throw Me The Statue -- Moonbeams
7. About To Walk -- Throw Me The Statue -- About To Walk
8. Welfare Bread -- King Khan & The Shrines -- What Is?!
9. 69 Faces of Love -- King Khan & The Shrines -- What Is?!
10. No Regrets -- King Khan & The Shrines -- What Is?!
11. Bull Rider -- Johnny Cash -- The Essential Johnny Cash 1955-1983
12. Jolene -- The White Stripes -- B-Sides
13. Nail It Down -- The Drones -- Havilah
14. Marie -- Steve Earle -- Townes
15. Goin' Home -- Dan Auerbach -- Keep It Hid

Caught on the In Between Playlist 05-26-09

New Lowell Thompson album out! Pick it up. It's great.

1. A Taste of Honey -- The Challengers -- Best of the Challengers
2. I Am Goodbye -- Bonnie "Prince" Billy -- Beware
3. Horses -- Bonnie "Prince" Billy -- Sings Greatest Palace Music
4. Afraid Ain't Me -- Bonnie "Prince" Billy -- Bewares
5. Restless Year -- Caledonia -- We Are America
6. We Are America -- Caledonia -- We Are America
7. Friday Night Rock Song -- Caledonia -- We Are America
8. The Love You Had -- Lowell Thompson & Crown Pilot -- Lowell Thompson & Crown Pilot
9. Play That Part -- Lowell Thompson & Crown Pilot -- Lowell Thompson & Crown Pilot
10. Sleep -- Lowell Thompson & Crown Pilot -- Lowell Thompson & Crown Pilot
11. Go West -- Austin Lucas -- Somebody Loves You
12. To Live Is To Fly -- Steve Earle -- Townes
13. Younger Generation -- Lovin' Spoonful -- Greatest Hits

Caught on the In Between Playlist 05-19-09

Sunny backyard music. BBQ'n music. Gardening music. Workin' on your bike music. Beach party music. Layin' on a front porch couch music. Summertime breakfast music.

Can't wait for the long, sunny Memorial Day weekend.

1. Rollerland -- Untamed Youth -- Untamed Melodies
2. Calypsoul -- Clarence Curvan & His Mod Sounds -- Calypsoul 70: Caribbean Soul & Calypso Crossover '69-79
3. Nowhere Like Limon -- True Born Calypsonians -- Calypso Limon Legends
4. Too Late -- Half Pint -- Recollection
5. Seen Him -- Jim Brown -- Studio One DJ's
6. Power Version -- Dennis Alcapone -- Studio One DJ's
7. I'm Still In Love -- Alton Ellis -- Studio One Story
8. Stick By Me -- John Holt -- Tougher Than Tough
9. Don't Worry Baby -- The Beach Boys -- I Get Around Single B-Side
10. Pretty Girls Don't Cry -- Chris Isaak -- Baja Sessions
11. Continuando -- Jehro -- Jehro
12. Me Llaman Calle -- Manu Chao -- La Radionlina
13. Amor de Loca Juventud -- Buena Vista Social Club -- Buena Vista Social Club
14. 100 Years -- Tommy Guerrero -- A Little Bit Of Something

Caught on the In Between Playlist 05-12-09

Local music is alive and very well in Burlington.

There's such a great community of bands up here and such a great creative vibe when it comes to the music scene. There are tons of great venues from The Monkey House in Winooski, Radio Bean, The Bakery in the Old North End, Nectars, 1/2 Lounge on Church St, Higher Ground, etc etc etc. The spot I'm most impressed with is The Monkey House b/c Paddy Reagan (Cannon Fodder, Paper Castles, etc) has been pulling in tons of great bands with the help of Tick Tick and Bear Cub productions. It's just a great place to see shows and a great place to hang. They have great beers (ask for the special keg below) and great art and it's downtown Winooski which is the spot these days. There's always a good crew there too.

And when talking about local music, you of course can't forget The Radiator! This station is amazing and I'm so happy to be a part of it. It's helping to bring so many people together and we have Lee from the Radio Bean and Big Heavy Jim to thank for it. Burlington is such a unique city in it's own right, but to have a community radio station puts it into another league. It's such a great thing to have a chance to listen to or broadcast out any music you can think of and talk shows. So we have to keep it alive. The station runs only on grants, donations, and fund raising, so if you like what you hear (let us know!) and donate on the homepage (www.theradiator.org).

There are a couple other spots that you can find local VT music in town. The VT Music Library right outside the studio (215 College St above Pure Pop) is a place that Big Heavy World put together which works to catalog all recordings made by VT artists. It's open to the public to go listen to during the day, so check it out. And finally, you can go to www.vermontlivemusic.com to check out a ton of live shows that have been recorded and posted online for your downloading pleasure. Thanks to Jonah for taking care of this.

So tonight I did a focus on the local scene of Burlington to help spread the scene out into the world. The Radiator doesn't only broadcast out in this area, rather it can be heard all over the world via iTunes or our homepage. This is an amazing chance to show everyone out there what Burlington has to offer. Here's a breakdown on the bands I played.

Barbacoa -- Local surf rock (surf rock in Burlington?!) trio led by Bill Mullins. This is the first band I saw when I moved here 5 years ago. Bill Mullins is in a ton of different bands--Barbacoa, Lowell Thompson and Crown Pilot, Lonestar Chain, Persian Claws, Blow Torch, etc

Lowell Thompson -- This is my favorite singer in town. He plays great alt-country/rock and his list of inspirations pretty much mirrors mine -- Gram Parsons, Wilco, Fugazi, The Beach Boys, Gillian Welch, Whiskeytown, Bonnie Prince, Lucinda Williams, NOFX, Dick Dale, Frank Black, Buddy Holly, etc. When I read that list I knew I'd like his stuff. First time I saw him was a couple years ago at Metronome and I've been going to his shows ever since. He has a new CD coming out next Friday (5/22) and I can't wait to hear it. He's playing at Nectars that night, so go check it out.

The Lonestar Chain -- This is a new-ish band in town lead by Burette Douglas of The Cush and features Bill Mullins on lead guitar. It's great music that sounds like "walking through the parking lot of a rodeo in a small west Texas town."

Missy Bly -- I don't know much about her but have heard her name around a bunch. I think I saw her at one of the Radio Bean birthday parties which are insane days. Bands start at like 6am and play until midnight. About 40-ish bands play throughout the day. Incredible. Anyways, I grabbed a couple of her CD's from the VT Music Library and I like what I hear so I'll check her out and listen more. Good pop music.

Villanelles -- These guys remind me of Dr. Dog and play great rolling piano rock. Lots of energy.

In Memory of Pluto -- I did an interview and a feature on these guys last Nov and it's here. Go read it to hear all about these awesome dudes. Side note -- lead singer Seth Gallant just released a solo album that sounds really good from his myspace page. Go check him out live and scoop an album b/c all of the profits go to an orphanage in Kolkata that he worked at. Totally awesome. Support these dudes.

Starline Rhythm Boys -- These guys are legendary and not many Vermonters know about that. They have ranked high (possibly #1) on various CMJ lists with their excellent honky tonk music. I've seen them twice at Red Square and have been incredibly impressed both times. People of all ages love these honky tonk rockers and they are the real deal. This is not some revival group, these guys live the part and play honest, authentic honky tonk music fueled by Schlitz in a can that people both dance and drink to.

Kelly Ravin -- Local alt-country singer/songwriter/guitarist/drummer that crafts some great tunes. He plays with Cannon Fodder and with his trio and plays out a ton, so peep his myspace page to see where and go check him out. I've seen him play great shows with Paddy Reagan and Lowell Thompson and these are not to be missed.

The Farm -- After hearing a ton about these guys, I finally went and saw them at The Monkey and they didn't disappoint. Creative experimental folk rock with tons of different instruments. They have a great album out called The Cave and they are taking some time off (after their show 5/16!) to record a new one.

Bottom line -- GET OUT TO SHOWS IN BURLINGTON. As I said before, local music is alive and very well in Burlington. It's up to you to go out and check it out.

1. Taco Bell's Cannon -- Barbacoa -- Barbacoa
2. Broken Hearts (in a bag) -- Lowell Thompson -- Turn
3. The Gasoline Age -- The Lonestar Chain -- The Lonestar Chain
4. Make Me See Stars -- The Lonestar Chain -- The Lonestar Chain
5. She N' Me -- Missy Bly -- Clean Bee
6. River Phoenix -- Missy Bly -- Clean Bee
7. Wait It Out -- The Villanelles -- Egan Studio Sessions
8. Dancy -- In Memory of Pluto -- Cutting Open The Fiction
9. A Century In The Dust -- In Memory of Pluto -- Cutting Open The Fiction
10. Better Luck is a Barroom Away -- Starline Rhythm Boys -- Better Luck is a Barroom Away
11. Do A Little Wrong Tonight -- Starline Rhythm Boys -- Better Luck is a Barroom Away
12. Those Days -- Kelly Ravin -- Kelly Ravin
13. Revelation Sessions -- The Farm -- The Cave
14. Vaquero -- The Farm -- The Cave
15. You -- Lowell Thompson -- Live at Skinny Pancake With Paddy and Kelly

Caught on the In Between Playlist 05-02-09

"Me oh my oh, it's Cinco de Mayo
Me oh my oh, it's the 5th of May
Jose Cuervo & pico de gallo
Cinco de Mayo it's the 5th of May"

Yeah that's right. I started the show off with "My Heart Will Go On". What of it? However, it weren't no Celine Dion version. It was the lucha-libre-masked surf rock avengers, Los Straitjackets! That's how we roll on Cinco de Mayo.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico's independence, right? It's the day that all Mexicans dress like skeletons, right? It's the day that American youth use as an excuse to indulge in way too much Corona and Jose Cuervo, right?

No. No. Si.

Cinco de Mayo is actually a holiday that is really only celebrated in and around the town of Puebla, Mexico. It was the day in 1862 when a greatly out-numbered and out-armed group of Mexican soldiers defeated what was then the most powerful military force on the planet, the French Army. Times sure have changed. Before this battle, Mexico's economy was in ruins and France used Mexico's failure to pay it's debt as an excuse to try to invade the country. Their goal was to take over Mexico City and install Napoleon's relative, Maximilian of Austria, as ruler. However, those hard fighting Mexican soldiers had other plans in mind. And the rest is history, albeit, not very well known. To honor this victory, I played a show full of Mexican-ish tunes.

The first set included the Minutemen's song, Corona, being performed by Tuscon, Arizona's Calexico. Since Corona has become the symbol of Cinco de Mayo, I couldn't think of a better way to start off the show. After that I gave a couple history lessons via tunes by El Vez and John Adams, both titled "Cinco de Mayo". The tune by El Vez is an excellent rock tune that explains the whole situation and reasons for the battle of 5/5. All you history teachers should use it whenever you do a lesson on Cinco de Mayo. The John Adams song on the other hand is a folk tune more about the America's version of Cinco de Mayo.

There's no way I could have done a Mexico inspired show without doing a set by Calexico. The standout of this set was the live tune they did with Mariachi Luz de Luna.

The rest of the show was scattered with other various Mexican tunes or other tunes that could be affiliated with 5/5.

Adios.

1. My Heart Will Go On -- Los Straitjackets -- The Velvet Touch of Los Straitjackets
2. Corona -- Calexico -- Convict Pool
3. Cinco De Mayo -- El Vez -- Graciasland
4. Cinco De Mayo -- John Adams -- Hold On To The Dream
5. Minas De Cobre -- Calexico -- The Black Light
6. El Picador -- Calexico -- Hot Rail
7. Cancion del Mariachi -- Calexico feat. Mariachi Luz de Luna -- Roskilde Festival 7/1/2000
8. Tequila (Champs cover) -- Orchestra America Romantica -- Brazilian Beats 6
9. Viva Mexico -- Mariachi Veracruz -- Testigos de un Amor
10. Chiquita Banana -- The Mariachi Brass featuring Chet Baker
11. South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) -- Chris Isaak -- Baja Sessions
12. Rum -- True Born Calypsonians -- Calypso Limon Legends
13. San Antonio -- Chocquib Town -- Somos Pacifico
14. Mexico/El Son la Negra -- Mariachi Luz de Luna -- Live at Chuy's

Caught on the In Between Playlist 04-28-09

I caught La Strada at the Monkey House when they opened for The Cush on 4/18. The crowd, including me, loved them so much that they actually requested an encore. You don't normally see that with opening bands. Check them out. I'd say that they're a mix between Devotchka and The Fleet Foxes. They have a good video on Youtube for their tune, The Sun Song.

1. The Cruel Sea -- The Ventures -- Surfrock Extravaganza
2. The Sun Song -- La Strada -- EP
3. Starling -- La Strada -- EP
4. Everything About It Is A Love Song -- Paul Simon -- Surprise
5. Life Is Long -- David Byrne and Brian Eno -- Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
6. Come Dancing -- The Kinks -- Come Dancing With The Kinks
7. Devastator -- Catfish Haven -- Devastator
8. If You Ever Get Famous -- The Duke and the King
9. New Song -- The Rural Alberta Advantage -- HearYa Live Session 04-01-09
10. Luciana -- The Rural Alberta Advantage -- HearYa Live Session 04-01-09
11. Seeds of Night -- The Cave Singers -- Invitation Songs
12. Easy -- Deer Tick -- Born on Flag Day
13. Bummed Out City -- Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros -- Global A Go-Go

Caught on the In Between Playlist 04-14-09

Punk night on Caught on the In Between! As I was putting this show together, it was cool to see how a lot of these bands tie together or were around at the same time.

A lot of the bands I played were around So Cal during the late 70's/early 80's --
-Agent Orange started in Orange County in 1979
-Circle Jerks were in Hermosa Beach in 1979. This was a band that included Black Flag's original singer before Henry Rollins took over, Keith Morris. It also included future Bad Religion guitarist Greg Hetson
-Bad Religion -- started in So Cal in 1980 and are led by the great Greg Graffin
-Adolescents -- Fullerton, CA in 1980 and included some guys who were also in Agent Orange
-Descendents -- Started in Hermosa around 1978.
How great would it have been to live in that area during that time!!!
-Dag Nasty -- weren't from So Cal from around that time, but it was a band started by Brian Baker, formerly with Minor Threat, and he went on to later join Bad Religion

Another thread that wound it's way through the show that had to do with So Cal is the John Reis/Rick Froberg connection. They were together in early bands such as Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu. Reis went on to form the legendary Rocket From The Crypt while Froberg headed east for a bit. While on a break from Rocket, Reis recruited Froberg for a side project that eventually became the incredible Hot Snakes. Now that Hot Snakes has broken up, Reis has formed and is playing with The Night Marchers and Froberg is playing with The Obits. Both of these bands have continued the Rocket/Hot Snakes sound that these guys have perfected. Obits also features members of the DC band Edsel, so I gotta say that I'm a bit more into them than Night Marchers, but both are great.

1. Mr. Moto -- Agent Orange -- Living in Darkness
2. Ditch -- Marked Men -- Ghosts
3. Ever Fallen in Love -- The Buzzcocks -- Singles Going Steady
4. One Hundred Punks -- Generation X -- Perfect Hits 1975-1981
5. This Mystic Decade -- Hot Snakes -- Peel Sessions EP
6. Jump in the Fire -- The Night Marchers -- See You In Magic
7. Two-Headed Coin -- Obits -- I Blame You
8. Put it in Writing -- Obits -- One Cross Apiece
9. Widow of my Dreams -- Obits -- I Blame You
10. Bikeage -- Descendents -- Somery
11. Wild In The Streets -- The Circle Jerks -- Wild In The Streets
12. What Can You Do? -- Bad Religion -- Suffer
13. Soft Things -- Devo -- Duty Now for the Future
14. Godfather -- Dag Nasty -- Can I Say + Wig Out at Denko's
15. X-Ray Eyes -- Randy -- Welfare Problems
16. Keep On Knocking -- Death -- ...For All The World to See

Caught on the In Between Playlist 03-31-09

This show was a tribute to all of the great shows that are/were coming to the area. I made it to as many as I could that have already happened. The standout show was definitely the Felice Brothers. See them any chance you get. Phenomenal show.

Really looking forward to the David Byrne show at the Shelburne Museum on 6/1. Gogol Bordello will be great as always. I bought a ticket to Bonnie Prince Billy, but now I don't think I can make it which totally sucks. If anyone needs a ticket, let me know!

ALSO....this just in. I just found out that Steve Earle is playing a show on the waterfront on my birthday!!! Are you kidding me!? Can't wait for that one. Hope someone gets me a ticket for my bday....

1. Full Throttle, Empty Bottle -- The Ghastly Ones -- Target Draculon
2. Run Chicken Run -- The Felice Brothers -- Yonder Is The Clock -- Higher Ground Sat. 4/11
3. Wonderlust King -- Gogol Bordello -- Super Taranta! -- Higher Ground Sat & Sun 6/6 & 6/7
4. The River -- David Byrne and Brian Eno -- Everything That Happens Will Happen Today -- Shelburne Museum 6/1
5. True Believers -- Bouncing Souls -- How I Spent My Summer Vacation -- Higher Ground Sun. 5/3
6. I Don't Belong To Anyone -- Bonnie "Prince" Billy -- Beware -- Higher Ground Mon. 5/18
7. Snookered -- Dan Deacon -- Bromst -- Higher Ground Tue. 5/12

Caught on the In Between Playlist 03-17-09

1. Rioja -- Aquamen -- Surfrock Extravaganza
2. Sorry You're Sick -- Ted Hawkins -- Ted Hawkins
3. On The Beach -- The Paragons -- Version Galore 2
4. Tide Is High -- The Paragons -- Version Galore 2
5. The Same Song -- The Paragons -- Version Galore 2
6. Tom Drunk -- U-Roy and Hopetown Lewis -- 200% Dynamite
7. Drive Her Home -- U-Roy and Hopetown Lewis -- Version Galore
8. Take It Easy -- Hopetown Lewis -- The Story of Jamaican Music -- '58-'67
9. Sounds & Pressure -- Hopetown Lewis -- 200% Dynamite
10. Everything I Own -- Ken Boothe -- The Story of Jamaican Music -- '68-'74
11. Bad Card -- Bob Marley & The Wailers -- Uprising
12. Uptown Top Ranking -- Althea & Donna -- Uptown Top Ranking
13. No, No, No -- Dawn Penn -- Studio One Rockers
14. Many Are Called -- The I-Threes --
15. Dancing Mood -- Delroy Wilson -- The Story of Jamaican Music -- '58-'67
16. Mi Believe (Summer Holiday) -- Yellowman -- King Yellowman
17. Police & Thieves -- Junior Murvin -- Police & Thieves

Caught on the In Between Playlist 03-10-09

"I think I do."
"I know I do."

1. Wipe Out -- The Challengers --
2. Words of Love -- Jessica Lea Mayfield -- Sweetheart
3. Is THis Love? (with Dan Auerbach) -- Jessica Lea Mayfield -- With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt
4. Kiss Me Again -- Jessica Lea Mayfield -- With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt
5. Whispered Words (Pretty Lies) -- Dan Auerbach -- Keep It Hid
6. When The Night Comes -- Dan Auerbach -- Keep It Hid
7. Ya No Te Veria Mas -- Rocha -- The Hottest State Soundtrack
8. Somewhere Down The Road -- Feist -- The Hottest State Soundtrack
9. It Will Stay With Us -- Jesse Harris -- The Hottest State Soundtrack
10. Always Seem To Get Things Wrong -- Willie Nelson -- The Hottest State Soundtrack
11. Big Old House -- Bright Eyes -- The Hottest State Soundtrack
12. Lonely No More -- Magnet -- Simple Life
13. One Red Thread -- Blind Pilot -- 3 Rounds and a Sound
14. I'm An Animal -- Neko Case -- Middle Cyclone
15. This Tornado Loves You -- Neko Case -- Middle Cyclone
16. Lady Madonna -- The Beatles -- Love
17. Art Isn't Real (City of Sin) -- Deer Tick -- War Elephant

Caught on the In Between Playlist 03-03-09

1. Back Beat -- The Challengers -- Surfrock Extravaganza
2. Brother Sport -- Animal Collective -- Merriweather Post Pavilion
3. My Girls -- Animal Collective -- Merriweather Post Pavilion
4. Summertime Clothes -- Animal Collective -- Merriweather Post Pavilion
5. Paper Planes -- M.I.A. -- Kala
6. El Pico -- Ratatat -- Ratatat
7. Lament -- James Hardway -- A Positive Sweat
8. A Ghosts Business -- Dosh -- The Lost Take
9. O Mexico -- Dosh -- The Lost Take
10. MPLS Rock and Roll -- Dosh -- The Lost Take
11. Bird Watching at Inner Forest -- Cornelius -- Point
12. Drop -- Cornelius -- Point
13. Remember -- Air -- Moon Safari
14. Shampoo -- Elvis Perkins in Dreamland -- Elvis Perkins in Dreamland
15. Send My Fond Regards to Lonelyville -- Elvis Perkins in Dreamland -- Elvis Perkins in Dreamland

Caught on the In Between Playlist 02-17-09

1. The Godfather -- Satan's Pilgrims -- Surfrock Extravaganza
2. She Made Me Love -- Nathan Moore -- You Yeah Smokin' Hot
3. Now We Can See -- The Thermals -- Now We Can See
4. Let Them Ring The Bells -- The Little One's -- Sing Song EP
5. Snow Is Gone -- Josh Ritter -- Hello Starling
6. Don't Haunt This Place -- The Rural Alberta Advantage -- Hometowns
7. Waiting On A War -- Morning Benders -- Hear Ya Live 6/17/08
8. Mississippi Squirrel Revival -- Ray Stevens
9. Never Had Nobody Like You -- M. Ward -- Hold Time
10. Monolith -- T. Rex -- Electric Warrior
11. Sun -- Hacienda -- Loud Is The NIght
12. Stick By Me -- John Holt -- The Story of Jamaican Music '68 - '74
13. Don't Lose Your Cool -- Ted Hawkins -- Watch Your Step
14. Korean Dogwood -- Devendra Banhart -- Cripple Crow
15. What'd I Say -- Ray Charles -- Essential Collection
16. Dream A Little Dream -- Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong -- Ella & Satchmo

Caught on the In Between Playlist 02-10-09

"They mess around in every town
But now they've learned the rules
They used to be rough,
They used to be tough
But now they're keeping cool

They don't fight, they look just right
In their tonics and button downs
If you see them around,
Don't put them down
They're the coolest guys in town" -- The Specials - Rude Boys Outta Jail

"He's got deductions right on down the line/Dependent claims on all of mankind/Have no fear he's right here drinking beer just trying to get down" -- Jeff Tweedy - The Ruling Class

"Look Miles Davis, I've been swayed by the cool/There's just something about the summertime/There's just something about the moon" -- The Gaslight Anthem - Miles Davis & The Cool

1. Cruel Sea -- The Challengers -- Killer Surf! The Best of the Challengers
2. The Ruling Class -- Jeff Tweedy -- Sunken Treasure
3. California Stars -- Jeff Tweedy -- Sunken Treasure
4. The Door Was Always Open -- Joe Pug -- Daytrotter Sessions
5. High Lonesome -- The Gaslight Anthem -- '59 Sound
6. Meet Me By The River's Edge -- The Gaslight Anthem -- '59 Sound
7. Miles Davis & The Cool -- The Gaslight Anthem -- '59 Sound
8. Nite Club -- The Specials -- The Singles Collection
9. Rude Boys Outta Jail -- The Specials -- The Singles Collection
10. Gangsters -- The Specials -- The Singles Collection
11. Too Much Too Young -- The Specials -- The Singles Collection
12. Me Llaman Calle -- Manu Chao -- La Radiolina
13. Indian Summer -- Chicha LIbre -- Sonido Amazonico
14. 'Deed I Do -- Blossom Dearie -- Blossom Dearie
15. Tout Doucement -- Blossom Dearie -- Blossom Dearie
16. Howl -- Musikanto -- HearYa Live Session 01-08-09
17. Lost and Found -- Phoenix -- It's Never Been Like That

Caught on the In Between Playlist 02-03-09

"They say true talent will always emerge in time" -- The Clash - Hitsville UK

"It has been said not only here --
'Alianza dollars are spent
To raise the towering buildings
For the weary bones of the workers
To go back in the morning
To be strong in the morning'" -- Joe Strummer - Up In Heaven (Not Only Here)

I've always been intrigued by bands that don't concern themselves with musical boundaries. Bands that are free to try different music styles. I've been in bands before and played music with others before and there's a certain feeling you can have when playing that just feels so free. It's a moment when you feel like you can play anything and your friends and bandmates are right there with you and you're unstoppable and everything just clicks. It's more of a way of thinking. Or rather, more of a way of subconciousness. It's not concerning yourself with boundaries. And even further--not realizing that you're not concerning yourself and not aware that there should even be boundaries. It's a complete openness of thought. But often times it's only for a moment. Only for a song. And then it's gone. And it can't be forced back. It may or may not come back.

There are bands out there that seem to live in this moment all the time. The Clash were one of those bands. They started out in the late '70's in London as a punk band alongside the Sex Pistols and The Damned but weren't confined to that type of music as narrow-minded punks often can be. The Clash were musicians and they reached out and responded to many different types of music throughout their careers. Lead singer Joe Strummer's heart was rooted in rhythm and blues, guitarist/singer Mick Jones' in rock 'n' roll, bassist Paul Simmonon's in reggae, and drummer Topper Headon's in all things with an off-beat. And they pulled all of these influences and loves into their music and they were open and free and made some of the most inspirational and incredible music of all time.

In 1980 they released the album Sandinista! that displayed all of these genres in it's 36 songs spread across 3 records. Showing their consideration for their fans and their music, they elected to not take any royalties on the album in order to release it at a double-album price.

The name of the album is a reference to the Nicaraguan political party that had just come to power a year prior to the release of the album.

It's a great album start to finish, bursting with various musical genres. Check it out.

1. Mr. Moto -- The Lively Ones -- Surfrock Extravaganza
2. Police On My Back -- The Clash -- Sandinista
3. The Leader -- The Clash -- Sandinista
4. Up In Heaven (Not Only Here) -- The Clash -- Sandinista
5. Junco Partner -- The Clash -- Sandinista
6. One More Time -- The Clash -- Sandinista
7. The Magnificent Seven -- The Clash -- Sandinista
8. Lightning Strikes (Not Once But Twice -- The Clash -- Sandinista
9. Ivan Meets GI Joe -- The Clash -- Sandinista
10. Hitsville UK -- The Clash -- Sandinista
11. Charlie Don't Surf -- The Clash -- Sandinista
12. Somebody Got Murdered -- The Clash -- Sandinista
13. The Call Up -- The Clash -- Sandinista

Caught on the In Between Playlist 01-28-09

"I left my home in Norfolk, VA, California on my mind." -- Chuck Berry - The Promised Land

Me too, Chuck. In 1998 I pulled away from Norfolk, Virginia in my Isuzu Trooper with California on my mind. I spent six nights on the road (mainly Hwy 40) between VA and my aunt and uncle's house in Phoenix, AZ and it was one of the best and most important weeks of my life. I remember it being a hot summer so I would drive only in my shorts--no shirt, no shoes--and I was listening to a lot of Bad Religion at the time. Specifically Suffer and How Could Hell Be Any Worse. I had a case of Mountain Dew and a multiple bags of pretzels and my camera. And that's how I drove 'cross country solo for the first time in my life.

Reading Kerouac's Dharma Bums while drinking wine in my tent next to the French Broad River outside of Asheville, NC on the first night of my trip threw me into the road trip/adventure mentality that would fuel the rest of my voyage. When a slow moving train chugged by on the other side of the river, I could barely hold myself back from hopping aboard and hobo-ing it to wherever the train was heading. I just may have done it if the train wasn't heading East. I was Westbound and down.

On Beale St. in Memphis I felt the need to completely immerse myself in the culture so I ordered some gumbo while I watched a 3-man blues band wail in front of me. Not thinking that gumbo usually is filled with some kind of shellfish (my archnemesis) I spent the rest of the night sucking on ice cubes to make my throat swelling go down.

The next day at Graceland and Sun Studios I saw where many of the most listened-to and important tunes were imagined and laid down to wax. I also saw where many of the fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches were made and consumed.

A few days later, I saw the plateaus and buttes of New Mexico for the first time with my own eyes and I knew that I was headed in the right direction. Seeing the sun rise over the Grand Canyon on the last morning of my voyage was the perfect way to ease my way off of the road and to my new home.

Below are some great songs that I played this week on the show and if I'd known about them ten years ago, I may have listened to them on my road trip. Or maybe I would have stuck with Bad Religion.

Of the below tunes, I'm currently most excited about Musikanto. He's a Chicago rocker about whom I don't know much, but I do know that I love the two songs that I played. Search the blogs to find copies for yourself or, better yet, go to CD Baby and buy a copy to help him out.

1. Have Love Will Travel -- The Sonics -- Here Are The Sonics!!
2. Misty Morning -- Musikanto -- Ghost Pain
3. Ain't Your Rock -- Musikanto -- Ghost Pain
4. Old Man Jude -- Red Cortez
5. World At Rest -- Red Cortez
6. Seven Mile Island -- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit -- Seven Mile Island
7. Trouble Weighs A Ton -- Dan Auerbach -- Keep It Hid
8. One More Cup of Coffee -- Roger McGuinn & Calexico -- I'm Not There (Disc 1)
9. I Won't Be Found -- The Tallest Man on Earth -- Shallow Grave
10. The Promised Land -- Chuck Berry -- Reelin' And Rockin'
11. Maybellene -- Chuck Berry -- The Anthology
12. Dear Dad -- Chuck Berry -- Chess 1926
13. Red River Rock -- Johnny And The Hurricanes -- Yesterday's Gold
14. Come On Let's Go -- Ritchie Valens -- Richie Valens
15. Rave On -- Buddy Holly -- Baby Love Vol 2
16. Maybe Baby -- Buddy Holly -- American Graffiti Soundtrack
17. That's All Right -- Elvis -- Platinum: A Life In Music (disc 1)
18. I Met Him On A Sunday -- Shirelles
19. You Send Me -- Sam Cooke -- Greatest Hits

"It's a wonderful time to be here. It's nice to be alive." -- Devo - Beautiful World

"There are nights that I think that Sal Paradise was right. Boys and girls in America have such a sad time together." -- The Hold Steady - Stuck Between Stations

"How you get a rude and a-reckless? Don't you be so crude and a feckless. You been drinking brew for breakfast." -- The Clash - Rudie Can't Fail

"The weekend is coming soon. Well it's time to pick yourself up off the floor. Well let's grab a case of lager and some old beat up shoes." -- Dr. Dog - The Weekend

"Someday some morning sometime, sometime. I'd like to hold your hand in mine." -- Billy Bragg and Wilco - Someday, Some Morning, Sometime

1. Disintegration -- The Ready Men
2. Beautiful World -- Devo -- Duty Now For The Future
3. Cool, Cool River -- Paul Simon -- The Rhythm of the Saints
4. Let's Go Crazy -- The Clash -- Sandinista
5. Stuck Between Stations -- The Hold Steady -- Boys And Girls In America
6. Long Distance Call -- Phoenix -- It's Never Been Like That
7. East -- Marah -- 20,000 Streets Under The Sky
8. Salga La Luna -- Mano Negra -- Patchanka
9. Rudie Can't Fail -- The Clash -- London Calling
10. Kids -- MGMT -- Oracular Spectacular
11. Will You Return? -- The Avett Brothers -- Emotionalism
12. Wagon Wheel -- Old Crow Medicine Show -- O.C.M.S.
13. Weekend -- Dr. Dog -- We All Belong
14. What Am I Living For? -- Danny and the Velairs
15. Someday Some Morning Sometime -- Billy Bragg & Wilco -- Mermaid Avenue Vol 2
16. Summer Breeze -- Jackie Mittoo -- The Keyboard King at Studio One

Caught on the In Between Playlist 01-06-09

"You can have all the diamonds. You can have all the gold. But someday you're still gonna get old. You've gotta learn to get happy along the way." Diamonds and Gold by Langhorne Slim


I had a blast on the show last night. Thanks for listening.

Quick tidbits on the show:

Henry Clay People list their influences as Neil Young, Pavement, and Dire Straits. Definitely hear the Pavement influence. I also hear a bit of The Hold Steady, Ted Leo, and The Thermals. This is an excellent straight up rock and roll band--the kind that plays to a beer-soaked crowd in a small bar. Surprisingly they come from Los Angeles, but don't hold that against them.

Dan Auerbach is the singing/guitar-slaying half of The Black Keys. He's got a solo album coming out called Keep It Hid. The song I played is from that album. He also produced the much heralded band, Hacienda. If you're a fan of Dr. Dog then you'll be a fan of this San Antonio based band.

"Restless" by Langhorne Slim is an exceptional song. His s/t album that recently came out is much fuller and more complete than any release he's had to date. "Diamonds and Gold"s lyrics are the truth. If you didn't like his earlier stuff, this album is still worth listening to as it may change your mind.

I played two tunes by a couple local dudes. One was Kelly Ravin's "Those Days" and the other was Paddy Reagan's cover of John Prine's "My Mexican Home". If you live in the Burlington area, do not miss a chance to see these guys. They play a lot at the Skinny Pancake and also the Monkey House. Paddy is the booking guy at The Monkey House and he's really turned that place around and has put on some incredible shows there over the past year. The songs I played came from Jonah's website of live locally recorded tunes www.VermontLivemusic.com. He records a ton of shows around town and makes the mp3s available to download for free on this site, so go check it out. There is a great show of Paddy Reagan, Kelly Ravin, and Lowell Thompson all playing an acoustic set together that is worth your first download.

1. I Live For Cars And Girls -- Untamed Youth -- Untamed Melodies
2. Working Part Time -- The Henry Clay People -- For Cheap or For Free
3. Something In The Water -- The Henry Clay People -- For Cheap or For Free
4. This Ain't A Scene -- The Henry Clay People -- For Cheap or For Free
5. I Want Some More -- Dan Auerbach -- Keep It Hid
6. She's Got A Hold On Me -- Hacienda -- Loud Is The Night
7. Restless -- Langhorne Slim -- Langhorne Slim
8. Diamonds and Gold -- Langhorne Slim -- Langhorne Slim
9. Radio Song -- The Felice Brothers -- The Felice Brothers
10. Frankie's Gun -- The Felice Brothers -- The Felice Brothers
11. Wonderful Life -- The Felice Brothers -- The Felice Brothers
12. Early In The Morning -- Bobby Darin -- The Bobby Darin Story
13. Your Love (Outfield Cover) -- Bon Iver -- Live at Music Hall of Williamsburg
14. Blood Bank -- Bon Iver -- Blood Bank EP
15. Those Days -- Kelly Ravin Trio -- 5/2/08 Skinny Pancake
16. My Mexican Home -- Paddy Reagan -- 5/13/08 Monkey House
17. River Song -- Dennis Wilson -- Pacific Ocean Blue
18. Blue Ridge Mountains -- Fleet Foxes -- Fleet Foxes
19. Grace Cathedral Hill -- The Decemberists -- Castaways and Cutouts

Caught on the In Between Playlist 12-30-08

“If there’s something inside that you wanna say. Say it out loud it’ll be okay.” The Beta Band – Dry The Rain

Adios 2008. Hola 2009. Game on and get ready for a good year.

Surf rock started it off as it always does. “Pabst Blue Ribbon” (my pop’s go to brew) by the Untamed Youth (best surf rock band name ever) set off the last Caught on the In Between broadcast of 2008. I can truly say that this has been one of the best years of my life and there’s no reason that 2009 shouldn't be the same if not better.

Keeping the surf feeling alive on a cold night, we jumped into “Do You Wanna Dance?” by the So Cal boys, The Beach Boys, next. They are one of the great, unique American bands and about the best thing that you can listen to in the summer. It feels like a long way from summer on this cold, 8 degree January night.

Lowell Thompson is a local rocker that I’ve played many times on my show and is my favorite local artist. His list of influences on his myspace page reads like my iTunes. He has a full length s/t album out there that was my album of the summer of 2006 and has been in constant rotation since, but he’s finally coming out with a new one at some point this winter. For the next set of tunes, I played three that Lowell recorded with his band (Bill Mullins – lead guitar, Kirk Flanagan – Bass, and Steve Hadeka – drums) at Egan Media in Colchester, VT on 11/17/08. I got the recordings from local recording maestro Jonah’s website (www.vermontlivemusic.com), so go scoop them for yourself. The song names aren’t listed on the website, so I made up song names for each based on some of the lyrics. The one that I called “Black Butterfly” is actually a Bill Mullins song and is sung by him. Bill is now in yet another band, The Persian Claws, which I caught at Tick Tick’s White Wind last month and they are yet another great BM production.

After the set of Lowell, we jumped into the Akron, OH, artsy fartsy boys, Devo with a great, lesser known tune by them called Come Back Jonee off of their debut album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! Next up was Les Sans Culottes with Poupee De Cire and rounding out the set was the Amherst, Mass, folk/rock/gypsy band Rusty Belle with Hellion Song off of their S/T album. I caught them this summer at the excellent Langdon St Café down in Montpelier and they rocked a packed, sweaty, beer soaked house. And it was awesome. Check them out whenever they come up, especially if they play to the great crowds at Langdon St.

For the next set of tunes I focused on The Beta Band. Beta Band were a band that started in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1996 and lasted until about 2004. They released 4 excellent studio albums (including the 3 EP’s compilation), my favorite being 3 EP’s, but most people probably know them from a scene in the John Cusack film High Fidelity. In the scene, Cusack is talking to Todd Louiso at the record store in which they work and says “I will now sell five copies of The 3EP’s by the Beta band” and then turns on the song Dry The Rain. And slowly you start to see heads bobbing. Here’s the link to the scene on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppJAkN4m9bY

We heard Dry the Rain and also heard two songs off of their Hot Shots II album – Broke and Quiet.

Closing out the show, I slowed it down a bit like I usually do. First off came Birds by Emiliana Torrini from her Me and Arminin album. The breakdown and subsequent rise back up with drums in this song is awesome. And lastly, I played the very appropriate “I Must Be In A Good Place Now” covered by Vetiver on their Things of the Past album. This song was originally done by Bobby Charles.

1. Pabst Blue Ribbon -- Untamed Youth -- Untamed Melodies
2. Do You Wanna Dance? -- The Beach Boys -- Sounds of Summer
3. Last Girl -- Lowell Thompson Band -- From 11/17/08 Egan Media
4. Black Butterfly -- Lowell Thompson Band -- From 11/17/08 Egan Media
5. More Than It Hurts Me -- Lowell Thompson Band -- From 11/17/08 Egan Media
6. Come Back Jonee -- Devo -- Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
7. Poupee De Cire -- Les Sans Culottes -- Fixation Orale
8. Hellion Song -- Rusty Belle -- Rusty Belle
9. Broke -- The Beta Band -- Hot Shots II
10. Dry The Rain -- The Beta Band -- 3 EP's
11. Quiet -- The Beta Band -- Hot Shots II
12. Birds -- Emiliana Torrini -- Me And Armini
13. I Must Be In A Good Place Now -- Vetiver -- Things Of The Past