88.1 KDHX Saint Louis

RIP Ramsey Lewis who just passed away at age 87. The jazz (and beyond) world renowned pianist started out releasing albums with bassist Eldee Young and drummer Red Holt as the Ramsey Lewis Trio. By 1966, however, he started making albums with a much larger band. This instrumental version of the Shorty Long hit was arranged by Richard Evans and features the rhythm section of bassist Cleveland Eaton II and drummer Maurice White (of Earth, Wind & Fire fame) who replaced Young and Holt.

Found on this highly recommended compilation of his two albums plus bonus tracks. This track was recorded in 1968 and was written by Shorty Long and Sylvia Moy.

I've undertaken the mission of playing a different version of "Summertime" on every episode of M2M taking place during the summer. I only have one week to go. Fall begins 8:04 PM CDT next Thursday (9/22) for those of you keeping track. This is a version you don't get to hear often. This version of the standard written by George and Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward was originally released in 1959 on the Verve label. Starts off acapella before everything really gets going in full swing. Great version.

You can't go wrong with music backing by Oscar Peterson (piano), Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass), and John Poole (drums). Written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn.

Joey DeFrancesco passed away several weeks ago at age 51. You get to hear his mastery of the Hammond B3 on this song written by Van Morrison. He also plays piano and trumpet on this album.

Live instrumental recording of the Billy Page-penned song which was previously a hit for Dobie Gray but not as big a hit as this version was. Recorded at the Bohemian Caverns in Washington, D,C. in 1965. Ramsey Lewis on piano, Eldee Young on bass and cello. and Redd Holt on drums.

Cover version of a Johnny Ace song originally released as a single b-side on the Atlantic label in 1968.

Music bed. Wed 10/5-Sun 10/9 Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio – Jazz St. Louis. Highly recommended.

Here's another one in memory of Ramsey Lewis. Instrumental version of the traditional gospel song which, improbably, became a big hit. The single sold over a million copies. Arranged and conducted by Richard Evans and, once again, taking a big band approach.

Written by Katie Bell Nubin (Sister Rosetta Tharpe's mother) and Sister Rosetta Tharpe (born Rosetta Nubin). Recorded in 1947.

Written by David Axelrod and Ben Raleigh and made famous by Lou Rawls. The gospel singer recorded this single b-side for the Capitol label in 1969.

Music bed. Instrumental composition by Jimmy McGriff recorded in 1968.

This live version was recorded at San Francisco's Warfield Theatre on November 15, 1980 and features Mike Bloomfield on guitar. This Mike Bloomfield box set was produced and curated by Al Kooper. Dylan's lyrics on this are so different than the version which ended up on his 1981 "Shot of Love" album. The way Dylan tears into this performance is truly inspiring.

A lot of people had problems with this Todd Haynes film but it gave us one of the finest collections of various artists doing Bob Dylan songs that I've heard. And I'd gladly pay for an entire album of songs with Willie Nelson being backed by Calexico.

Written by Joey Burns and featuring the duet vocals of Joey Burns and the quite wonderful Spanish singer, Amparo Sánchez. Sat 10/8 Calexico – The Sheldon. Highly recommended.

This album by the Spanish singer/songwriter was engineered by Joey Burns and John Convertino of Calexico and they also play on the album. This song was written by Amparo Sánchez and Joey Burns. I love her voice.

Music bed. Instrumental composed by Joey Burns.

There's a whole lot packed into that 2:58. Lead singer and songwriter Elizabeth Nelson is joined by Patterson Hood on guest vocals for this song. Nods to John Prine and Warren Zevon (at least, in my mind) among others. "One last illegal smile, I’d bet my land and titles / Oh, I know you wanna kill your idols but yr idols are dead / This ain’t no church revival, this ain’t no public recital / No one wants a second viewing once you chart a course to ruin, no one ever calls from Vegas / just to wonder how you’re doing / I can’t see for miles -- but -- I’d bet my land and titles."

Recorded live at the 300-seat El Mocambo club in Toronto on March 4-5, 1977. Sure, you don't get the blistering sax solo by Bobby Keys on this but try to imagine being in a venue this small and hearing this! Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Ronnie Wood, and Charlie Watts were joined by Ian Stewart (piano), Billy Preston (keyboards), and Ollie Brown (percussion) for these shows.

I haven't played this one on the show in a long time. I have no reasonable explanation. There are opening lines and then there are opening lines. Poetry meets garage rock meets punk. Can't really top this. Guitar by Lenny Kaye and produced by John Cale.

Recorded circa 1977-1978. Penelope Houston on lead vocals, Greg Ingraham on guitar, James Wilsey (forever known for his guitar playing on Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game") on bass, and Danny Furious on drums.

Spanish version of the Johnny Rivers hit written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri.

Music bed. From James Calvin Wilsey's only album - eleven instrumental compositions written by him.

Melodic indie pop band out of Auckland, New Zealand fronted by lead vocalist and songwriter Elizabeth Strokes. This new album is highly recommended. So are their live shows.

This original song by the Australian band is sung by bassist Bella Quinlan instead of the primary lead vocalist, Sam Nicholson. Currently touring the U.S. See them if you're in the area. St. Louis is not so lucky.

"I will go with you wherever / Digging holes for buried treasure / End the day with just our dirty feet / Tomorrow is a new adventure / Hearts of sorrow, hearts of pleasure / I love you and I know you love me / No matter when / No matter how we live or die / I've found a friend / I'm gonna take you where I fly." Gets darker from there. Sad and beautiful.

From his forthcoming album being released on October 18th. Written by Robyn Hitchcock and featuring Johnny Marr on acoustic and electric guitar, piano, strings, bass, drums, and backing vocals.

From her forthcoming album being released on November 18th. Chris Scruggs plays the guitar and steel on this album.

Instrumental composition by James Calvin Wilsey. To my ears, it works as a companion piece to Santo & Johnny's "Sleepwalk."

New version of the title song to her latest album which is a duet between her and Sturgill Simpson.

Written by T-Bone Burnett and featuring Jerry Douglas on dobro, Byron Berline on fiddle, Jerry Scheff on bass, David Hidalgo on guitar, and Billy Swan on backing vocals.

Written by Billy Swan and recorded in 1975.

Instrumental composition by Bob Dylan for the 1973 Sam Peckinpah film.

Written by Delaney Bramlett and Mac Davis and recorded for the Reprise label in 1970. Produced by Billy Strange.

Really affecting song written by David Hidalgo and Louie Perez and featuring Bucky Baxter on pedal steel.

Found on this 2-CD collection of various artists covering Alejandro Escovedo songs. Some of the other artists on this include Ian Hunter, Calexico, Son Volt, Jennifer Warnes, Chris Stamey, and John Cale. What a wonderfully intimate duet. "If I could reveal what I feel for you / And mark my words with a gentle kiss / Like Saint George I'd slay the dragon / Just to find I'd lost."

"Casino lights, they only bring darkness to the night."

1973 song written by Ronnie Lane. Masterpiece.

This is a vocal forward remix of a song from their 2020 "Another World." Written by Chris Ligon and now taking on kind of a Free Design meets Herb Alpert kind of thing.

Music bed. 1964 instrumental composition by Duane Eddy.