New Sound, Outages & a Thank You

If you've tuned into NeverEndingWonder Radio lately you may have noticed an improvement in the audio quality. Esteemed Internet broadcaster and marvelous musician Wayne Greene (check out www.radiowayne.com for your immense listening pleasure) turned me on to Stereo Tool - an incredible software processer that has done wonders for audio level consistency on NeverEndingWonder Radio, as well as a clearer, cleaner sound. Why not check out our new sound now?

NeverEndingWonder Radio


We also had a series of outages recently. Something weird going on with the power in my apartment caused momentary power outages which knocked the station off the air momentarily. Not sure what was going on but thankfully it has stopped! If it happens again while you're listening, just hang on - if I'm around the station will resume broadcasting in just a few minutes.


And now it's time for a long overdue acknowledgement and thank you. As you know, NeverEndingWonder Radio specializes in music & comedy that's off the wall, rare, unusual, hard to find, off kilter, experimental and just plain weird. Our library is large- over 35,000 tracks right now, and thousands of albums in my collection waiting for digitization, not to mention new CDs from independent artists across the globe that are sent to me weekly.
A favorite artist of mine is Dickie Goodman, inventor of the "break-in" or "cut-in" record, where snippets of songs are cut into a running story, usually in the form of a newscast or interview, for comedic effect. His first experiment in this manner was "The Flying Saucer Part 1." It was a hit record and also caused a scream of protest from record labels who, of course, wanted a taste of the action.
Break-in records became quite popular in the 50s and 60s. Goodman himself continued releasing new Break-ins up into the 80s. A slew of lesser knowns and at times downright unknowns releases hundreds of break-in records- often in very small pressings. Record collector Bill Dann has spent years and thousands of dollars collecting break-in records, monster novelties and other obscure recordings of all types.
Bill Dann, out of the kindness of his heart and with great generosity has sent me several hundred monster novelties and obscure break-in recordings that I am very thankful for. The original 45 rpm discs were lovingly remastered and transferred to CD by engineer Mark Birdsong, who himself created several of the break-in records. These contributions by Bill Dann are greatly appreciated and are a wonderful addition to NeverEndingWonder Radio. I can't thank you enough, Bill.

BOOK REVIEW: Murderland I - H8

I'm going a little off topic this post to review an excellent new book. The book is good enough to warrant it, and it's my blog so I'll do what I want!

Murderland I - H8 by Garrett Cook

from Evil Nerd Empire Publishers

Murderland I - H8 is a novel about a time in the not so distant future where serial killers are celebrity athletes. Their exploits are discussed on television as spectator sport. Just as people today rehash the previous evening's game ad naseum, so do people discuss the latest grizzly murder. It's not too far off the mark today with cable channels and websites galore dedicated to detailing true life crime.

The protagonist of this novel is Jeremy - a rather mild mannered pharmacist whose live in girlfriend is obsessed with these celebrity killers - as is most of the rest of society. Jeremy, however, has a secret. He's actually the greatest serial killer ever, and nobody knows it. He's also one of the very few people aware there are Lovecraftian type alien Dark Ones all around us looking for potential hosts for their seed so they can spread their kind across the Earth.

Murderland I - H8 is told mostly through Jeremy's inner dialogue and he is one sick puppy. Author Cook took a great risk choosing to show us events only filtered through such a twisted perspective but he's got the skill to pull it off. Jeremy's inner world is what makes the book so compelling. Jeremy perceives the world around him as a personal Hell - a world gone mad. This simple fact is what pulls us in and makes us accept Jeremy as a sympathetic character even though he's a psychopathic killer. This is what makes the book work.

Cook also has a great ear for language. I found myself reading a great part of this book aloud to myself - it cries out for a voice. The prose flies, never falters. It's an exciting read, a delicate balance between plot development, character details and tidbits about the future society woven together with great care. Its depiction of "Reap society" seems similar to Clockwork Orange, but not overly so. As we learn more about this world, where murdered victim's families are ridiculed for mourning their slain family members we can relate to Jeremy's hatred of much of what he sees around him. This, to me is the great strength of the book - it managed to make me relate to a twisted serial killer who sees evil alien beings all around him and LIKE him.

All in all, the book works on many levels - it's an exciting plot driven read. It's a captivating character study. It has a unique voice. Like all good science fiction it makes a statement about the world today. It's not going to be for everyone- if you're easily offended or if you have no appreciation for the weird- it's not for you. If, however, you enjoy discovering new territory, discovering new voices, enjoy fiction that pushes the envelope, challenges you, then this is right up your alley.

I have a few quibbles. Evil Nerd Empire really needs a proofreader. There were enough mistakes in the text to catch my attention, and that always bugs me. Also, this book is the first volume in a trilogy, and it reads like it. It's mostly exposition. I would have liked just a little more plotwise. Lastly, there's a development right at the end that, to me, seemed unmotivated. These points, I must emphasize, are really minor. None of them detracted from my enjoyment of an excellent first novel. I am eagerly awaiting the next volume in the series.

Publisher's Website:
Evil Nerd Empire

Link to buy on Amazon:
Murderland I H8

NeverEndingWonder's Summertime Music Mix!

NeverEndingWonder Radio is now in Summer Celebration mode! That means along with our unique mix of electronic, experimental, rare, forgotten, independent & funny music we're adding songs of the Summertime, sun, vacations, hot dogs, ice cream, Hawaii, calypso, Soca, marimbas, steel drums, flowers, islands, oceans, swimming, fishing, surfing and much much MORE!

Of course, being NeverEndingWonder Radio, we can't do it in a normal fashion. One of the greatest songs ever written is the Gershwin's "Summertime." We have 36 versions in our Summer mix - from traditional renditions by Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, to the pop versions popular in the 50s and 60s by such artists as The Marcels and Sam Cooke, and even more modern treatments such as one of my favorite versions ever, a beautiful Swahili translation by Angelique Kidjo.

You'll hear all the usual Summertime hits like Summertime Blues, Summer in the City, Here Comes the Sun, Summer Breeze, Cruel Summer and of course The Jamies Summertime Summertime.

Surf music? Of course we have The Beach Boys, The Ventures, Jan & Dean and Dick Dale, but how bout this nifty collection of Frank Zappa songs done surf style?



Or how about an album of experimental noise by Philip Jeck, titled "Surf?"


For Calypso sounds we go right back to the beginnings with collections such as Calypso Awakenings and Best of Trinidad 1940-1952.



For our Hawaiian music offerings we run the gamut of ultra-traditional Polynesian influenced sounds, to the beginnings of a pop Hawaiian musical sound in the 20s and 30s, to the birth of the exotica sound in the 50s, and then full circle back to modern traditional artists such as Keola Beamer.




Add to that calliope music from a set of extremely rare albums I picked up at a thrift store several years ago, tons of old drive-in theatre intermission ads and so much more it's hard to express how wide the variety of our Summertime mix is! I've only touched on a few items here. To hear it all, you'll have to tune in!

Right here:
NeverEndingWonder Radio

Of course I'll be adding even more Summer gems as the weeks progress.

ALLEN GINSBERG, CLASSIC COMEDY, RARE ELECTRONIC, NEW INDIES AND MORE

And even more new additions to NeverEndingWonder Radio:


Jacky & Strings - New Era
Groovin', dramatic expertly executed doses of Latin music. Jacky is one hell of a guitarist, and his compositions show off his skills. They also have an exquisit sense of melody and rhythm. Extremely enjoyable listening.

Jacky & Strings


Timothy Cooper - Light on the Water
Solo piano compositions based around the theme of water. Sweeping, sensual, flowing, majestic- these are all words that describe these compositions.
Timothy Cooper


Richard & Robert Sherman - Tinpanorama
Another of my favorite albums from my rare vinyl collection. A dozen tunes penned by the songwriting team that gave us Mary Poppins and many other Disney musicals. These aren't from their musicals though- these are parodies of various styles of music from Tin Pan Alley to early rock music. Given that these guys really know how to write songs the results are delicious. Their "Boogie Woogie Bakery Man" delightfully sends up "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Likewise "I'm Blue for You (Boo Boo Boo Boo Boo)" sends up Bing Crosby styled crooning and "Rutabega Rag," voiced by veteran voice talent Paul Frees, is a spot on parody of Al Jolson. "Fountain of Teardrops (In the Valley of Sorrow)" neatly sends up the oh so serious Folk Scare of the early 60s and "You Bug Me Ann-Arlene" is a fun little early rock n roll song pre-Beatles invasion. Every song is perfectly arranged and performed by top voice talents with Camarata handling the musical direction. A real lost gem.



The Laugh of the Party
Another gem from my vinyl collection. This collection of comedy bits from the mid 50s is a perfect cross section of the state of comedy of that era. The Buddy Hackett routine "The Chinese Waiter" could NEVER get released today. Highlights include "The VERY Square Dance" by Steve Allen, "World News Roundup" by Bob & Ray, "The Life Story of Henny Youngman" by Henny Youngman, Old Old Vienna" by Eddie Lawrence and "Tea and Ceylon" by an apparently increasingly inebriated Hermione Gingold and Terry Thomas.


Dudley Saunders - The Emergency Lane
Dudley Saunders more closely resembles Jacques Brel or Edith Piaf than a modern singer/songwriter. That's not to say that his songs sound old fashioned- how could something titled "Love Song for Jeffrey Dahmer" be anything but thoroughly modern? No, it's the delicate precision with which each piece is drawn, the detailed look at a moment in time that remind me of Brel & Piaf. Additionally, the arrangements are equally delicate and precise. Saunders' quitar is lent substance by a seven piece band that includes unique instrumental touches from harmonium, strings, mandolin & dobro. Special mention must be given to producer/arranger Milo Decruz. He is completely in tune with Saunders and draws out the best qualities of each song. Saunders is extremely talented. I look forward to his future releases.
Dudley Saunders


Oskar Sala - My Fascinating Instrument
A wonderful artifact from the history of electronic music. Sala's instrument was the Mixtur-Trautonium. This album was recorded in the 1960s, I believe. Reportedly the Mixtur-Trautonium was so intricate that nobody but Sala could play it. Its voices are stupendously varied for an instrument of its time and the compositions beautiful and weird.


Allen Ginsberg - Ginsberg's Thing
Spoken word release from the beat poet master. Typically amazing Ginsberg, one of the great poetic voices of the 20th Century- and now the 21st.



Random Touch - A Box and a Word & Duologue
Random touch is a perfect name for this collective, as it's all about improvisation. Every time they play together it's completely new. They have released ten albums to date. Duologue, aptly named as it's a collaboration between Christopher Brown (drums and vocals) and Scott Hammill (guitars). It's experimental, dense, wide ranging, frightening at times, but always engrossing.
A Box and a Word adds James Day (keyboards) into the mix. These documents are a fascinating journey into a world of experimentation. If you've an open mind and an ability to appreciate music that's not focused around a three minute pop structure, then this is for you. Hearing these pieces unfold in real time as the musicians play with each other musically is joyous. The interplay, the counterpoint, are intriquing, and ultimately rewarding for the listener who appreciates a challenge.
Random Touch


John Keating - Space Exploration 2
Great synthesizer album loosely based around the theme of space. Classicly trippy sounds.


The Tiger Lillies & Kronos Quartet - The Gorey End
It's hard to describe the music of the Tiger Lillies to someone who hasn't heard them. Gypsy Cabaret mixed with alt rock, experimentalism and chanson. Think Kluas Nomi. Their music is breathtaking, and add the Kronos Quartet to their already quirky sound and you have something truly splendid. This album is based on a number of unpublished Edward Gorey stories. What else do you need to know? How much better could it get?

All this amazing music can be heard on NeverEndingWonder Radio

EVEN MORE NEW MUSIC: DIZZY GILLESPIE, PHYLLIS DILLER, THE TIMELORDS, UFO ENCOUNTERS, SCOTT AUGUST, INGA SWEARINGEN & KAISERCARTEL

More new items added recently to NeverEndingWonder Radio:


Dizzy Gillespie Live at the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival
One of the Jazz greats in a fantastic live performance. Includes classics like a Night in Tunisia and Dizzy telling a humorous story.


Phyllis Diller - Live from San Francisco
Phillis Diller is a true comedy pioneer. She was one of the first female comedians to gain acceptance in the 1960s. The comedy circuit was very much a man's world and women were not exactly welcomed. Bob Hope saw an early performance of Diller's and gave her advice and helped her with some contacts and the rest is history. Diller's act is classic stuff- from her stories of her good for nothing husband "Fang" to her routines about her lousy cooking and poor housekeeping skills. However, this album, Live from San Francisco, was taped sometime this century and this comedy master is definitely past her prime. Her timing is not what it used to be, some of the jokes have not aged well and at times you can hear her struggling for the next line or word. Still, an interesting document.


The Timelords - Doctorin' the Tardis
The Timelords, aka KLF (Kopyright Liberation Front), aka the JAMMS (Justified Ancients of Mu Mu) are Bill Drummond and Jimi Cauty. Their peppered career was full of controversy and bold statements on art & life. Their single most well known track is "Doctorin' the Tardis" which mashes up bits of Gary Glitter, Sweet & the Dr. Who Theme Song. If you don't know anything else about them, I suggest looking it up- very interesting reading. Anyway, this EP is five different versions of their big "hit."



UFO Encounters
Classic spoken word release from the 1970s, featuring UFO experts and contactees telling their stories. You'll hear excerpts from this album between music sets.


Scott August - New Fire
Another atmospheric release from Native American flautist, Scott August. This is not your typical Native American flute album, though. On many tracks other instruments are mixed in- both traditional and modern. This makes for a more expansive harmonic landscape. Some tunes are very melodic and upbeat, others quiet and contemplative. They all retain a sense of Native American tradition while at the same time embracing a modern world. It's beautiful music that calls to your soul.

Scott August


Inga Swearingen and the Bill Peterson Trio - Reverie
Inga Swearingen has a strong and clear jazz voice that she uses to great advantage on her latest release "Reverie" - accompanied by a traditional jazz trio- Bill Peterson on piano, Jeff Denson on bass and Ronen Itzik on drums. This release features a mix of standards and original tunes. Her rendition of "Stompin' at the Savoy" is strikingly modern in execution, yet backed by the trio, it's fresh and fun, never impudent. Likewise her version of "Down by the Riverside" is the single most bouncy version of that song I've ever heard, yet the deft touch by pianist Peterson helps anchor the song to its melody and pull off the neat trick. It's not all bounce and zip though. Stargazer evokes a mood of longing. "Where the Flamingos Fly" is moody and quiet. All in all, a nicely varied collection of jazz songs sung by a singer with fine phrasing and a strong voice accompanied by a traditional trio that have what it takes.

Inga Swearingen


KaiserCartel - Okay... and Other Things We Feel & March Forth
This is actually two releases- "Okay... and Other Things We Feel" and "March Forth." March Forth is so new there aren't any images of the cover o the web I could find. KaiserCartel are Courtney Kaiser & Benjamin Cartel and they make catchy little pop tunes that grab onto you and get into your head and heart, whether you want them to or not. If these two find the right management they could end up there in your radio. Or maybe not- the music is so much more interesting and heartfelt than what you can hear on the radio it just might be too good for the mainstream. The two met in New York ans soon realised they not only wanted to make music together, they wanted to make a life together. Their sense of purpose and their sense of joy with each other, with life, with the world shines through every one of their songs. In the "Season Song" they pull out all the stops- whistling, tambourines, hand clapping- it SCREAMS at you, "this is sunshine pop!" But don't dismiss it- it has a great deal to say about the cycle of the year. Simple phrases decribing emblematic symbols of each season combine with more personal symbols to make an incredibly infectious ditty that sets you thinking about what you love about the yearly cycle- and all in less than three minutes.
They're not a one trick pony though. Each song has an individual style and an individual mood. "The Flood" is surprisingly dour. "Dog Stars" starts off simply, a plaintive solo vocal by Kaiser that develops into a powerful chorus. I envy these two- in love with each other and possessing the talent to make their experience felt by others. They almost turn a cynical old crank like me back into an optimist.
KaiserCartel

All these albums can be heard on NeverEndingWonder Radio

CD REVIEW: RICHARD BLIWAS - WAS IS

Richard Bliwas - Was Is

"Ghost," released in 2004, was a masterful album of mostly piano based jazz by Richard Bliwas. Its asymmetrical phrasing and complex melodies owed a lot to the be bop movement. It was haunting, inventive, engrossing. His new release, "Was Is" is like that album on acid - and I mean that in a good way. The same disjointed phrasing on the piano is there, as are the exotic vocal intonations. What's added to that are multitudes of filigrees and embellishments layered around, beside, on top of and throughout the piano & vocal phrases. We hear organs, electronics, other pianos and who knows what else fading in and out - sometimes in rapid succession, sometimes staying longer, blending with the framework provided by the piano and vocal.

It's a natural progression for an artist growing and expanding his palette. It's a fascinating listen and dazzles at every turn. Multi layered, multi textured, multi-enjoyable for those that like their music challenging and innovative. Bravo to you, Mr. Bliwas.

Richard Bliwas

Was Is & Ghost by Richard Bliwas can both be heard on NeverEndingWonder Radio

TONS OF NEW MUSIC - GLENN MILLER, PAUL ROBESON, KLAUS SCHULZE, WINE SONGS, CLASSIC ELECTRONIC, SOUNDTRACKS AND MORE

Well, I am getting SO behind! My apologies! (Starting to sound like the old newsletter) TONS of NEW music on NeverEndingWonder Radio. Here's a rundown on some of it:

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME ON EARTH
Great anthology of World Music. South America, North America, Africa, Europe, Asia and several Island nations are represented.

PLATINUM GLENN MILLER
Wonderful two disc set of the Big Band giant.



WINE SONGS 1926 - 1939
Indespensible collection of songs from the Greek Archive, all on the subject of wine and drinking it, all recorded from 1926 - 1939. A marvelous look into the early recording history of Greece.


EPICS - ERICH KUNZEL & THE CINCINATTI POPS ORCHESTRA
Fine recordings of epic movie themes- from classics like Ben Hur, Spartacus and Gone With the Wind to more modern fare like Harry Potter, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Lord of the Rings.


KLAUS SCHULZE - INTER FACE
1985 release from ex-member of Tangerine Dream. Highlight is the 24 minute title track.


PAUL ROBESON - SONGS OF FREE MEN
Live recordings of Paul Robeson, one of the most powerful, pure and impressive voices ever to record music. From spirituals to folk songs to theatre music, every note is a gem.



DANNY ELFMAN - PLANET OF THE APES
Another excellent soundtrack from Danny Elfman - Tim Burton's remake of the classic Planet of the Apes.


PAUL ROBESON - PAUL ROBESON
Another fine collection of Paul Robeson vocals.


THE FILM MUSIC OF ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD
Performed by the BBC Philharmonic, this album features music from the soundtracks of The Sea Wolf and The Adventures of Robin Hood


PHILIP GLASS - THE HOURS
Atmospheric soundtrack from Philip Glass.


BEST OF HENRY MANCINI
All the best known themes from one of the most recognisable and best soundtrack composers ever. All the best loved melodies are here - Pink Panther, Baby Elephant Walk, Moon River, Mr. Lucky, and others.


COLUYMBIA-PRINCETON ELECTRONIC MUSIC CENTER
Collection of early electronic music recorded from 1961-1973 at the first electronic music lab in the United States. Includes pieces by Alice Shields, Bulent Arel, Daria Semegen, Ingram Marshall and Ilhan Mimaroglu.

It can all be heard on NeverEndingWonder Radio

NEW AMAZING MUSIC: Oxygene 8, Days Between Stations, Marvin Ayres, Todd Grubbs & GG06

More new music on NeverEndingWonder Radio:

OXYGENE 8 - FREAK OF CHANCE

The driving force behind Oxygene 8 is Chapman Stick player/vocalist Linda Cushma. She creates a sound that's somewhat proggish and somewhat poppish. This works splendidly as it makes for and edgy sound that still sounds catchy. Cushma uses her voice effectively and she has some top talents working with her on this project. Drummer Tim Alexander worked with Primus and guitarist Claudio Cordero with Cast. I can find no information on synth player Steve Parrish, but he definitely adds an essential quality to the sound. The music is powerful, complex, involving. My only complaint is that it's an EP. I want more!
Oxygene 8

DAYS BETWEEN STATIONS

More proggish type fun with "Days Between Stations." This duo consists of guitarist Sepand Samzadeh and keyboardist Oscar Fuentes, who met in Los Angeles in 2003. They describe their music as art rock and post-prog. I'd add to that the genre of space rock. There's a lot of Pink Floyd here, and Ash Ra Tempel as well as Hawkwind or Ozric Tentacles. The songs range from the languid & eerie "Requiem for he Living" to the captivating rocker "Radio Song." The centerpiece of the album- 22 minute long "Laudanum" features sax, trumpet, trombone, bass, drums and classical guitar in addition to Samzadeh and Fuentes guitars and synthesizers. It's a great, meandering number that reminds one of some of King Crimson's early lengthy excursions. At turns spacey, jazzy, haunting- it's a marvelous composition. For fans of inventive, adventurous music this is well worth a listen.
Days Between Stations

MARVIN AYRES - ECCENTRIC DELIQUESCENCE

Marvin Ayres refers to his music as "ambient orchestral minimalism." That can cover a lot of ground, and o his Eccentric Deliquescene album he does cover a lot of ground. "Forever Is Now" begins sounding like a piece for chamber orchestra and slowly morphs into an ethereal droning. "The Bark That is Bearing" is a traditional love song sung at first in a quiet a capella voice that is eventually swallowed up by its own echo. "Coiling Compotation" plays with overtones and dissonance. "Durdy" is two minutes of bansheelike feedback. Each piece goes its own direction on this release. It's inventive, experimental and varied. Exciting listening!
Marvin Ayres

TODD GRUBBS - TIME, SPACE AND THE ELECTRIC

Todd Grubbs' "Time, Space & The Electric is all about one thing- rock guitar. This is an album of rock instrumentals with Grubbs and his guitar front and center. Since he has the skill and talent to pull it off, this release is a winner. Grubbs has devoted his life to instrumental rock guitar. An unusual path, but listening to this CD, I'm glad he's doing it! It's not just about jamming out though- Grubbs realizes melody serves a purpose and his inventive tunes keep the listener interested.
Todd Grubbs

GG06

This is much more conventional music than the rest in this article, but it's just as interesting. You know these guys, even though you don't know you do. GG06 are Kevin Godley and Graham Gouldman who once played together in the band 10CC, which gave us such hits as "Things We Do For Love" and "I'm not In Love." Accordingly what we have here are a collection of actual songs with lyrics that verses and choruses, instrumental hooks and the like. Here's the catch- these are REALLY GOOD songs. Why I can't hear these songs on the radio is beyond me. Well, no it's not- you just won't hear music this good on the radio any more. These gentleman have the musical experience and expertise to create interesting, involving tunes that just happen to be catchy as well. They've managed to create six new songs in three years, with no indication when there might be a proper release for these songs. You CAN go to their website and watch some videos of the new band in action, and purchase the songs if you so desire. I found the website to be a bit confusing to navigate, but if you're persistent you'll eventually find everything. Check it out- it's worth it!
GG0G

All this marvelous music can be hear on NeverEndingWonder Radio

New Additions: Twitch, Two Witches, Dirty Blues and Michael Charles

More recent additions to NeverEndingWonder Radio:

TWITCH - LONG RIDE ON A SHORT BUS

Twitch were an unusual, eclectic band who defied easy categorization. In short- exactly the type of music NeverEndingWonder Radio loves. Unfortunately they didn't last long. This is their last album, which was released in 2002 on Static Records. 16 tracks of interesting and engaging post-modern music that incorporates elements of jazz, alternative, electronica and more utilizing unusual instrument choices such as trombone and thumb piano.

TWO WITCHES - THE VAMPIRE'S KISS

Two Witches are not in fact two witches. They are three musicians. Heavy Goth rock. This their first release, from 1994.

IF IT AIN'T A HIT I'LL EAT MY... BABY (THE DIRTIEST OF THEM DIRTY BLUES)

The title of this release is no hype. Everything about these songs is dirty. From the names of the artists (Snatch & The Poontangs), to the titles (Fuck Off, The Dirty Rooster), to the lyrics themselves. Blues have always been filthy, as evidenced by such early classics like Bessie Smith's 1927 recording of Hot Dog Man. There are some big names here- Dinah Washington, Slim Gaillard, Amos Milburn, Boozoo Chavis, Jackie Wilson & Laverne Baker, as well as some on the more obscure - two numbers by the aforementioned Snatch & The Poontangs and Cliff Ferre. Some numbers, like The Clovers' "Rotten Cocksuckers Ball" come out and say EXACTLY what they mean. Others, like Cliff Ferre's "Joe's Joint" prefer to let innuendo do the work. Certainly entertaining listening!

MICHAEL CHARLES - I'M NOBODY'S FOOL

Can they play the blues in Australia? After listening to this CD the only answer I can give is HELL YES! Michael Charles plays straight ahead blues like he was straight from the Mississippi Delta. Songs like The Tune (the chords my daddy taught me) and Jumbo (a catchy blues instrumental) show Michael is equally at home with both acoustic and electric blues. Charles can do more than boogie though. "One Two Ten" is a slow Claptonesque blues instrumental. "I Can't Hear Our Song" displays a bit of Neil Young influence- and is all of 26 seconds long. There's even an instrumental reprise- which is also 26 seconds long. Certainly Michael Charles plays by nobody's rules. That's a good thing for us, as it makes for inventive, infectious music. There's even a country blues anthem of sorts, "Gave It All Away," that has a very catchy melody. This collection of 15 varied blues tunes is recommended.
Michael Charles website:
Michael Charles

All these fine musical offerings can be heard on NeverEndingWonder Radio