Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

Rural Grit Radio

Wednesday MidDay Medley rang in the New Year with Rural Grit Radio, a special celebration of 20 years of Rural Grit Records & Productions that has hosted the Rural Grit Happy Hour for the past 15 years in Kansas City. Rural Grit were the first to record The Wilders, and feature the music of many of KC’s prominent musicians and songwriters.

Joining Mark as guest producers and guest co-hosts were: Kim Stanton, Executive Director; Mark Smeltzer, Principle Musician of Rural Grit; and KC Stanton longtime host of Rural Grit Happy Hour.

1. Trouble In Mind – “Titanic”
from: 21 Song Demo / Rural Grit Records / 1992
[Trouble In Mind were: Patrick Frazier, Mark Smeltzer, Don Carrick, Mike Murphy. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Randy Wolf in Maryville, MO. Rural Grit was started by Trouble In Mind and Randy Wolf. At a show at Whistler’s Mother, a coffeehouse about Whitler’s Books in Westport, Trouble In Mind met The Young Johnny Carson Story (Ike Sheldon, Tom Livesay and Clayton Brown) and The Dhurries (Phil Wade and Betse Ellis). The night that Whistler’s Mother closed down their friendships and musical explorations expanded.]

10:15

2. Dale Frazier – “Tough Luck”
from: Dressed Up & It’s Hot – Farther On / Rural Grit Records / 2001
[notes: Recorded live at Tickfest 2001 by Brendan Moreland and Tom Livesay. Mixed and mastered by Phil Wade.]

3. Jerry, Len, Jen – “The Cuckoo”
from: Tick 777 / Rural Grit Records / 2007
[Recorded live at Tickfest 2007 held at the farm of Dale Frazier. Jerry, len & Jen were traveling friends of Dale Frazier’s who dropped in and played a few songs. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Mark Smeltzer.]

4. Sandoval – “Coal Train Coming”
from: Randy’s Road Tape / Rural Grit Records/1999
[Sandoval was: Tony Ladesich, Brendan Moreland & guest Mark Smeltzer. Recorded live around a campfire at Tick Ranch in 1998 by Randy Wolf. Mixed & mastered by Randy Wolf.]

5. Columbo – “Arkansas Sheik”
from: Dressed Up & It’s Hot-Tongue Unknown/ Rural Grit Records / 2001
[Columbo was: Ike Sheldon, Mark Smeltzer, Nate Gawron and Mike Dolumbo. Recorded live at Tickfest 2001by Brendan Moreland and Tom Livesay. Mixed and mastered by Phil Wade.]

10:40

6. The Kemps – “Will You Miss Me”
from: High Atop The Haybale / Rural Grit Records / 2000
[The Kemps were: Mark Stevenson, Scott Gobber, Amy Bhesania. Recorded live at Winfield in 1999 on the Rural Grit Stage. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Randy Wolf.]

7. Patrick Frazier – “Tear Open Your Heart”
from: Unreleased / 2003
[Patrick Frazier, with: Ike Sheldon, Clayton Brown. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Clayton Brown in Chicago.]

10:53

8. Nate Gawron & The Gospel Three – “When I Was A Sinner”
from: Happy Times / Rural Grit Records / 2001
[Nate Gawron, Ike Sheldon, Brendan Moreland, Scott Gobber. Recorded live at Tickfest 2000. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Randy Wolf]

9.Ike Sheldon – “Nobody’s Fault But Mine”
from: Dressed Up & It’s Hot – Farther On / Rural Grit Records / 2001
[Recorded live at Tickfest 2001 by Brendan Moreland and Tom Livesay. Mixed and mastered by Phil Wade.]

10. The Severe Brothers – “By The Way The River Runs”
from: Dressed Up & It’s Hot – Farther On / Rural Grit Records / 2001
[Stephen Hartley and David Regnier. Recorded live at Tickfest 2001 by Brendan Moreland and Tom Livesay. Mixed and mastered by Phil Wade.]

11. Freight Train Rabbit Killer – “Saw Brother Judas”
from: Freight Train Rabbit Killer / Rural Grit Records / 2013
[Mark Smeltzer and Kristopher Bruders. Recorded live at the Open Fire Pizza afterhours in 2013 by Mark Smeltzer. Mixed and mastered by Mark Smeltzer]

11:05

12. Mel McDonald – “Mr. Crump Don’t Like It”
from: Dressed Up & It Hot – Farther On / Rural Grit Records / 2001
[Recorded live at Tickfest 2001 by Brendan Moreland and Tom Livesay. Mixed and mastered by Phil Wade.]

13. Dale Frazier & The Black Greasy Firemen – “Ballad of the Black Greasy Firemen”
from: Tick 777 / Rural Grit Records / 2007
[notes: Dale Frazier, Mark Smeltzer, Don Carrick, Sterling Brown, Chris DeVictor, David Regnier. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Mark Smeltzer.]

14. The Wilders – “Sandy Boys”
from: Show Us Your Tick / Rural Grit Records / 2003
[Ike Sheldon, Betse Ellis, Phil Wade, Nate Gawron. Recorded live at Tickfest 2003. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Mark Smeltzer.]

11:15

15. Trouble In Mind – “Fortress”
from: Mudlick / Rural Grit Records / 1998
[Mike Murphy, Don Carrick, Patrick Frazier, Mark Smeltzer. Recorded two-track live at the Tick Ranch Studio in 1997. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Randy Wolf.]

16. Clayton Brown – “I Wanted You Around”
from: Epitaphs From the Tomb of the Unknown Loser/ Rural Grit Records/1999
[notes: Clayton Brown recorded, mixed and mastered at his house in Kansas City, MO.]

17. The Whittlers – “Dressed Up & It’s Hot”
from: Dressed Up & It’s Hot-Tongue Unknown / Rural Grit Records / 2001
[The Whittlers were: Tom Livesay, Phil Wade, with guest Ike Sheldon. Recorded live at Tickfest 2001by Brendan Moreland and Tom Livesay. Mixed and mastered by Phil Wade.]

11:25 – Interview with Ike Sheldon

18. Dually Jukes – “Trust of a Fool”
from: Unreleased / 2011
[David Regnier, Mark Smeltzer. Recorded live in Smeltzer’s living room. Mixed and mastered by Mark Smeltzer.]

19. Freight Train Rabbit Killer – “Old American Law”
from: Freight Train Rabbit Killer/ Rural Grit Records/2013
[notes: Kristopher Bruders, Mark Smeltzer. Recorded live at Open Fire Pizza afterhours. Mixed and mastered by Mark Smeltzer.]

11:43 – Underwriting

11:45

20. Mark Smeltzer – “Lay Your Burden Down”
from: Mudlick/ Rural Grit Records/1998
[Recorded live at Tick Ranch Studio. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Randy Wolf.]

21. Betse Ellis – “Question To Lay Your Burden Down”
from: High Moon Order/Free Dirt/2013
[Betse Ellis with: Jason Beers, Jonathan Kraft, Josh Mobley, Mark Smeltzer, Michael Stover, Mike West. Recorded at 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor, Lawrence, KS. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Mike West. Produced by Mike West and Betse Ellis. ]

11:58

22. Pattonsburg Levee Volunteers – “Highsteppin’ Country Girl”
from: Tick / Rural Grit Records / 2007
[The song that ends every Rural Grit Happy Hour known as Jubilee.]

Notes on Rural Grit from Kim Stanton:

Mission Statement: Rural Grit is dedicated to the promotion, performance, and preservation of roots music and strives to provide opportunities for like-minded individuals to further their artistic causes.

… a bio…a biography of who we are…we are a group of individuals who play and work together. We are musicians, artists, teachers, students, social workers, farmers, welders, engineers, chefs, retailers, conservationists, realists, and idealists.

Our focus is roots music–old time, old country, honky tonk, blues, juke joint and original music–traditional sounds to experiments beyond the accepted boundaries. Rural Grit has a stable of performers who create and perform in more than one of these genres.

Rural Gritters are linked by the belief that artists from the past laid down a foundation to be enhanced and built upon. They are encouraged and supported by like-minded musicians, family, and friends to express this belief.

Rural Grit is an exchange of ideas and information. Education is always at the forefront.

Rural Grit provides recording opportunities. We capture live recordings whenever possible.

…Rural Grit is a group of individuals who work and play together.
Rural Grit started from the musical/artistic homesteading of a band called Trouble In Mind (Mark Smeltzer, Patrick Frazier, Mike Murphy & Don Carrick) and a sound engineer (Randy Wolf). Formed in 1990 in Maryville, Missouri, Trouble In Mind and their sound freak friend stuck together–creating and recording music. In 1994, they self-released ‘Trouble In Mind’ on the Rural Grit Label; the name ‘Rural Grit’ was chosen to describe the kind of music that Trouble In Mind created–they never could be identified by one genre and the idea of grit use on the farm appealed to them. After the release, they continued to record–in their attics, basements, and out at the Tick Ranch in the original farmhouse.

When Trouble In Mind started, the music world looked a lot different in Kansas City than it does today. For example: there was a single booking agency that was extremely powerful and if you didn’t belong to their stable of performers, then you didn’t get booked. Of course there were underground shows or underage shows, but they were often shut down by the city after the first show. Acoustic shows were unheard of-you couldn’t find one anywhere. At that time, coffee shops had just started to exist and were beginning to host more diverse/eclectic shows but the public wasn’t that accepting, yet. Groups like Uncle Tupelo and movements like No Depression were regional at best. Everything in KC was very much a formula and the thing that you could really rely on from audiences was a big round of indifference. It seemed like gigs at that time were based not on good music, but whether the band could play something that was known and popular, and in a style that was known and popular. Bands, just by the nature of the music scene, couldn’t really be all that creative. Even to this day, the general population of this city doesn’t really support local music. People don’t know what they like; they like what they know.

Trouble In Mind didn’t care if they were popular or not. They soon realized that the kind of music that they wanted to hear, they’d have to be playing it themselves. Maybe they just didn’t know any better–none of them grew up here; they all grew up in small towns, met at a small town university (Northwest Missouri State University) and gravitated together to KC. They didn’t look for anyone to respect what they did, so when they weren’t respected, they didn’t care. The main difference between them and any other “punk” band was that they didn’t call it quits after six months. Trouble In Mind only played music that they thought people should hear, not what the public wanted to hear. This attitude led to a following that was 98% musicians–artists from all different kinds and types of musical expression.

The underground scene that was present at the time enabled them to meet musicians like: Dale Frazier, The Young Johnny Carson Story, The Dhurries, My Childhood Hero, and Blue Museum. None of these artists publicly played the same kind of music, but as they hosted house parties and afters or hung out for an afternoon, a community of musicians emerged. The artists challenged and supported each other. They each shared their American musical roots–by listening to old recordings, playing the traditional or revised versions and revealing their song-writing abilities. This established an outpost that didn’t cater to the popular thing at the time. They tried to encourage other artists to go farther back and listen–to try to find the roots. Trouble In Mind and Randy were constantly recording and inviting others to record with them. It wasn’t about the next record deal or being a star. It was about playing music, being honest, and following your heart/soul.

In 1995 The Santa Rosa Tick Fest began. Trouble In Mind, Randy Wolf and Dale Frazier hosted the Santa Rosa Tick Fest–a weekend long playing/recording extravaganza. That year the infamous “Meat Gig” at the American Royal began. They continued to meet, play and socialize with new artists and newly founded bands (Foolish Sad Robot, Daysleeper, The Wilders, Santa Rosa String Band, The Kemps, Sandoval, Secret Liquor Cure).

In 1996 longtime friends, KC and Kim Stanton, returned to the area and helped Trouble In Mind out with the business end–bookings, publicity and merchandise sells.

The community of musicians continued to musically interact. Randy continued to record, record, record. Other artists wanted to release on the Rural Grit Label–Dale Frazier, Santa Rosa String Band, The Wilders, The Kemps, Clayton Brown and Al Trout. Decisions were made about what did we want Rural Grit to be. We went the full gamut–with a board of directors, monthly meetings, a mission statement, and even procedures. The core group–Mark, Pat, Mike, Don, Dale, Randy, KC, Kim, Ike, and Betse–agreed on this: Rural Grit was not out to make money. We provided the label name. Each artist that released on the label would do all the work, thus garnering all the money and owning all rights to the record. Rural Grit would produce shows or events and we would recorded it. Rural Grit would release compilations or anthologies from their own recordings. All proceeds from Rural Grit merchandise and shows would go back into the general fund to maintain recording gear and RG merchandise, produce Tick Fest and have some money available for our uninsured artists. There would be no regular paid positions–basically everything done is on a volunteer basis.

That’s how Rural Grit started–a lot of work, dedication, love of music and hanging with like-minded folks.

Rural Grit Happy Hour–What it started as…what it is today.
On August 23, 1998, the band Trouble In Mind was scheduled to play a Sunday night gig at the Grand Emporium. Three weeks before the gig, the other two scheduled bands cancelled and we were asked if we wanted to try and fill the night. What an exciting prospect…one whole night, designed by us, we couldn’t resist the lure. For a number of years, we had been putting on the legendary 15 hour Tick Festival out in the middle of nowhere, so we knew we could round up musicians and put on a show. In addition, we had also recorded the Tick Fest that summer and wanted to release the music. So, we moved into high gear, rounding up the musicians who had played at the Tick Fest, mastered a 90 minute cassette for release and advertised.

“Rural Grit Records invites you to the 49th Annual Santa Rosa Tick Fest Tape Release Party” Featuring: Trouble In Mind, The Wilders, The Kemps, Sandoval, Rex Hobart & the Misery Boys and The Santa Rosa Stringband. The four hour show turned into a 5 1/2 hour show–there was constant music with main acts- acoustic and electric, in-between acts, to acts standing on chairs in the audience to battery powered amp wielding musicians mingling with the crowd. It was a huge success.

Roger Naber, owner of the GE, asked us if we would be interested doing such a show monthly. After discussion, we decided that we could do it every 4 months. The next show was scheduled for Sunday, January 1, 1999. It was crazy to take on the odds of having a successful show on the day after New Year’s Eve but we decided to try . We even ended up competing with a snowstorm, but the musicians and audience still showed up to participate.

Not long after the success of the January 1st show, Roger, who had just returned from Austin where he had attended a variety of Happy Hour shows at clubs, like the Continental Club, contacted Kc, who had lived in Austin and was familiar with how the Happy Hour shows ran. They discussed Rural Grit putting on a weekly Happy Hour Show. We decided to do it—we’d have a weekly event at the GE, a reputable club; we would have a regular venue for our artists to perform; we could meet more musicians. After some discussion and sweet persuasion, Ike Sheldon (The Wilders and Trouble In Mind) agreed to host the weekly Happy Hour. ..Brother Ike..s Rural Grit Happy Hour at the Grand Emporium.. began on the first Monday of February in 1999.

“Brother Ike’s Rural Grit Happy Hour (RGHH) every Monday 6:00-8:00” –In the beginning, we featured local bands–artists that were part of Rural Grit or networked with Rural Grit artists. Attendance was sparse during the first several months–what in the hell did we think we’re doing? We realized that what we were offering was too much like every other show offered in Kansas City. We decided to make the Happy Hour more like our big shows–constant music of a wide variety with some element of the unorthodox each night. We wanted to create a situation where musicians and music lovers were the regulars.

Our mission statement (Rural Grit is dedicated to the promotion, performance, and preservation of roots music and strives to provide opportunities for like-minded individuals to further their artistic causes) provided the road map for the RGHH. We decided to keep the RGHH acoustic in nature and the focus on Roots Music. The stage plot designed was a single mic set up, a large single diaphragm microphone. This eliminated the need for the full-time sound engineer (Randy, Little John, Jenna, Conrad, Mark) to take music time away using multiple mic set ups. We noticed that with the single mic, artists were placed in a situation where they had to listen to each other with out monitors and they were able to quickly get on and off the stage. There was usually a bass mic and an extra 57 as a spot for quiet instruments, however, these were seldom used.

To create a music, party-like atmosphere and check out booking prospects, the—Inbetweens: were created to allow artists who were not featured that evening to participate. “Duets & Trios” night (every 3rd Monday) was an opportunity for beginners to interface with skilled amateurs to professional road-dogs and for all artists to test new material/instruments. “Theme Nights” (like Death, Disaster and Destruction, or Trainwrecks and Catastrophes, or Outlaws and the Women Who Loved Them) and ”VS” nights (as in Hank Williams Sr. VS Robert Johnson, or Johnny Cash VS Muddy Waters) were created to add variety and encourage learning new material. “Electric Freakout” (every 5th Monday) was a night for our musicians who also played electrically to rock out. Occasionally we had touring bands featured, which opened the need for opening acts, in response the “Rural Grit All-Stars” were created. This is a changing group of artists who frequent the RGHH and can be tailored to compliment the touring band. We also put on two 6-hour shows a year–The Winter Tick Fest and The Anniversary Show.

By the end of 2002, the consistent touring of The Wilders kept Ike and company at the Happy Hour less, but by that time, we had met another wave of crazy, musician types who sure did like getting together and exploring musical roots firsthand. All the time The Wilders were beginning to trek across the country, spreading Rural Grit recordings far and wide. At this time we changed the name officially to the Rural Grit Happy Hour.

At the beginning of 2003, the Rural Grit Happy Hour was still in full swing, providing musicians with a unique networking opportunity and the audience with variety each week. Roger extended our hours and the RGHH was the only gig offered on Monday nights. The RGHH had become a place where musicians connected and created new bands, where young bands came to spread their wings, and old timers came back to reconnect with the young. In addition, there was a core loyal following among musicians, patrons and staff. Amazing Grace was there each Mondays feedin’ us soul food; it went well with the soul of the music. It was real, honest– it was music from the heart for the heart. We felt like we had actually done something good, something to be proud of and something that was continuing to grow.

In May of 2004 a series of unforeseen events took place: Roger had cut a deal to sell the Grand Emporium. The new owners planned to rip out everything, down to the studs–nothing would remain the same except the stage. We did not want the RGHH to end but where to go after 5 years and 3 months. Other happy hour shows had come and gone but the Rural Grit had outlasted them and now the venue itself!

Memorial Day- a day we usually take off-would be the last day the GE’s doors would open and the RGHH would be the final event at the GE. We decided to put on a Big Show–Memoriam at The Grand Emporium–everyone was coming together for the last show, flyers were posted, radio and print interviews. Everything was high energy; people were exited. Musicians and fans alike had begged, pleaded, demanded that the RGHH go on somewhere else. We thought, “o.k., but where?” Where indeed. Venues from across the city were courting us. We didn’t want to make a decision in such a short period of time, so it was decided that we would “take a summer vacation” at Mike’s Tavern playing theme shows and scout out a permanent venue.

The Saturday night before the last show at the GE was when the second of a series of unforeseen events took place. A F4 tornado cut a deadly path through Davies County MO, home of the Santa Rosa Tick Festival and the magical Tick Ranch studio. Dale, Mary and cousin Jeff made it out alive, but some folks just down the road did not. As for the studio, (really an old farm house) the main record room was amazingly just fine but the roof above the engineer’s room was ripped off and 7 inches of rain was dumped inside. It would rain 5 more inches that week and another funnel cloud would threaten two weeks later. However, 40 yards away an earth contact home was destroyed. Now not only we looking for a new venue, but we had less than 2 months to repair the studio and clean up the debris to get ready for Tick Fest. Ever cleaned up after a F4 tornado–it’s one hell of a job! The final RGHH at the GE was a huge success–over 150 patrons and 50 musicians closed the GE in style.

At the end of our summer vacation at Mike’s Tavern, we decided to move to The Brick. So the RGHH continues on Monday nights from 6-9 p.m. at The Brick. We keep to the same format that we used in the past. There are featured bands/artists with “Inbetweens”. Every third Monday of the month is Duets & Trios night. Every fifth Monday is the Electric Freakout. We still have theme nights or vs nights. We still use a single mic. We still encourage the networking between musicians and supporting a like-minded community.

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:
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http://www.kkfi.org

Show #506

Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

Rural Grit Radio

Wednesday MidDay Medley rings in the New Year with Rural Grit Radio, a special celebration of Rural Grit Records & Productions that has hosted the Rural Grit Happy Hour for the past 15 years in Kansas City. Rural Grit were the first to record The Wilders, and feature the music of many of KC’s prominent musicians and songwriters.

Joining Mark as guest producer and guest co-hosts are: Kim Stanton, Executive Director and Mark Smeltzer, Principle Musician of Rural Grit. Mark and Kim will feature music from their vast catalog of Rural Grit Recordings of over the last 15 years. Along with the recordings we will also feature a live, in the studio group performance from many of the regular contributors of The Rural Grit Happy Hour, produced every Monday night at The Brick.

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #506

Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

The 113 Best Recordings of 2013
(Part 4 of 4)

Wednesday MidDay Medley presents part-four, of our four-week special: The 113 Best Recordings of 2013. Based on the playlists of Wednesday MidDay Medley, we’ll feature representative tracks from our favorite recordings. In 2013 we’ve played over 1000 songs, and hundreds of New & Local Releases. We’ve presented dozens of LIVE in-studio performances from area performers, and we’ve interviewed over 200 local and national guests.

1. (25.) Spirit is the Spirit – “I Believe That We Will Win”
from: Baktun Baby / Independent / November, 2012
[Lawrence, Kansas based 5-piece band known for their beautiful Psychedelic-Folk-Rock sound. Members include: Austen Malone, Noah Compo, Josh Landau, Brook Partain, Danny Bowersox]

2. (24.) Foxygen – “San Francisco”
from: We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic / Jagjaguar / January 18, 2013
[Second full-length album by Californian experimental rock duo of Sam France, 22 year old vocalist and songwriter, originally from Olympia, Washington, and Jonathan Rado, also 22, who is a songwriter, guitarist, and keyboard player, originally form NYC. Formed in 2005, the band self-released several EPs between 2007 and 2011. In 2012 the group was signed to Jagjaguwar Records. This album was produced by Richard Swift and recorded at his National Freedom studio.]

3. (23.) Ha Ha Tonka – “Rewrite Our Lives”
from: Lessons / Bloodshot Records / September 24, 2013
[Formed in Springfield, Missouri their music is steeped in Ozark folk. Originally from West Plains, Missouri. Brett Anderson – keyboard, guitar, and vocals; Lennon Bone – drums & vocals; Lucas Long – bass & vocals; Brian Roberts -guitar & vocals. Signed to Bloodshot Records out of Chicago. The band is named after Ha Ha Tonka state park in southern Missouri.]

10:15

4. (22.) Laura Marling – “I Was An Eagle”
from: Once I Was An Eagle / Ribbon Music / May 28, 2013
[4th album by British singer-songwriter Laura Beatrice Marling born Feb 1, 1990. A folk musician from Eversley, Hampshire, United Kingdom. Her debut album “Alas, I Cannot Swim,” her 2nd album “I Speak Because I Can,” and her 4th album “Once I Was An Eagle” were nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2008, 2010, and 2013, respectively. She won Best Female Solo Artist at the 2011 Brit Awards and was nominated for the same award at the 2012 Brit Awards.]

5. (21.) Maps For Travelers – “Matter of Time”
from: Change Your Name / No Sleep Records / April 27, 2013
[Formed in the Spring of 2010 by 4 musicians who have played and toured nationally in various bands in and around the local KC area. RL Brooks on Vocals, Guitar, Trumpet; Zach Brotherton on Vocals, Guitar; David Fleming on Bass, Kevin Medina on Drums.]

[Maps For Travelors play Riot Room, 4048 Broadway, on Jan. 10, with David Hasselhoff on Acid and Various Blonde.]

6. (20.) Janelle Monae – “Dance Apocalyptic”
from: The Electric Lady / Bad Boy Records / September 10, 2013
[Janelle Monáe moved from Kansas City, Kansas to New York to study theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Her original plan was to pursue a career on Broadway, but she soon changed her mind and returned to music. After moving to Atlanta, GA, where she met OutKast’s Big Boi, Monáe founded the Wondaland Arts Society with like-minded young artists and made appearances on Outcast’s Idlewild, where Janelle is featured on the songs “Call The Law” and “In Your Dreams”. In 2007, Monáe released her first solo work, titled Metropolis. A few months later she was signed to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ label, Bad Boy Records.]

[Janelle Monae played the Uptown Theatre, Friday, Novenber 15]

10:29 – Underwriting

10:30

7. (19.) Mazzy Star – “California”
from: Seasons of Your Day / Rhymes of an Hour / September 24, 2013
[4th studio album by alternative rock band formed in Santa Monica, California, in 1989, a collaboration of guitarist David Roback and bassist Kendra Smith. Roback’s friend Hope Sandoval became the group’s vocalist when Smith left the band. Mazzy Star is best known for the song “Fade into You” which brought the band some success in the mid-1990s and was the group’s biggest mainstream hit, earning extensive exposure on MTV, VH1, and radio airplay. Roback and Sandoval are the creative center of the band, with Sandoval as lyricist and Roback as composer of the majority of the band’s material. Mazzy Star has deep roots within the Californian Paisley Underground movement of the early 1980s. David Roback, along with his brother Steven, was one of the main architects of leading Los Angeles psychedelic revival band, the Rain Parade.]

8. (18.) The Latenight Callers – “Straight Razor”
from: Songs for Stolen Moments / TLNC / June 8, 2013
[Formed in Lawrence by baritone guitarist, Krysztof Nemeth, and vocalist Julie Berndsen, With the addition of Bassist Gavin Mac, and Nick Combs on keyboards. The Latenight Callers joined us live on June 5.]

9. (17.) Phosphorescent – “Song For Zulu”
from: Muchacho de Lujo (Deluxe Edition) / Dead Oceans / March 15, 2013
[Phosphorescent is the working moniker of American singer-songwriter Matthew Houck. Originally from Alabama, Houck began recording and performing under this nom de plume in 2001 in Athens, Georgia. He is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.]

10:47

10. (16.) Swimming in Speakers – “So Alive”
from: Guessing The Others / Independent / February 5, 2013
[Debut full length recording from Christopher Clarke & Meadow Elizabeth. Christopher trained professional in KC with UMKC’s professional actor training program at the conservatory. After living and working in Prague, Christopher landed back in Adirondack Park, New York, where Swimming in Speakers was formed. The band mixes indie ambient synth-pop, toe-tapping freak folktronica, and Christopher Clarke’s multi-layered production with Meadow Elizabeth’s hypnotic vocals.]

11. (15.) Cowboy Indian Bear – “Let it Down”
from: Live Old, Die Young / The Record Machine / April 23, 2013 [Released on White Vinyl! Joshua Browning served the band as producer and engineer. The songs were recorded over a three year period, where the band was also constantly touring, living on the road, keeping the van running. Beau Bruns – percussion, vocals, glockenspiel, guitar, Charles Calhoun – vocals, guitar, bass, keys, percussion, Martinez Hillard – vocals, guitar, keys, bass, percussion; Katlyn Conroy vocals, piano, keys.]

[Winner of the 2013 Pitch Music Award for Best Live Act.]

12. (14.) Tiny Horse – “Wind and Rain”
from: Darkly Sparkly [EP] / Flyover Records / Mar. 4, 2013
[Debut EP release from Abigail Henderson and Christopher Lynn Meck. Cody Wyoming-baritone guitar, guitar, keys, Zachary Phillips-bass guitar, Matt Richey-drums, percussion.]

11:00

13. (13.) Akkilles – “Country Boy Deluxe”
from: Something You’d Say / Akkilles / July 2, 2013
[Singer/songwriter David Bennett formed the KC based band Akkilles in 2011. Akkilles includes David Bennett on lead vocalsm guitar; Isaac Anderson, on drums; Rachel Pollock on violin, piano, percussion, & vocals; Nick Pick on Bass & vocals; Jeff Larison on lead guitar & dobro. David Bennett & Issac Anderson joined us on 6/26]

14. (12.) The Wires – “Native”
from: The Wires – Alternative Strings / Independent / March 9, 2013 [Laurel Morgan grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. A classically trained, she has been playing the violin for 25 years. Laurel graduated from the UMKC Conservatory of Music in 2005. She has also performed with the Des Moines Symphony, Quixotic fusion ensemble, Musical Theatre Heritage at the Off-Center Theatre and as a member of folk-rock band, ‘In the Pines” that won several Pitch music awards. As a composer, arranger, and musician Laurel Morgan has traveled to Germany, Austria, and throughout the United States, but is based here in KC. Laurel Morgan is currently on faculty at the Cottey College department of music. Sascha Groschang graduated from Paseo Academy of Performing Arts in 2000, UMKC Conservatory of Music in 2004, and Mannes College – The New School For Music in 2008. She had her solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall’s recital hall, Weill Hall in February 2009. Sascha has recorded or performed with Peter Gabriel, Joanna Newsom, Ashanti, Adina Menzel, Clay Walker, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She has also worked for NBC and Rhino Records. She is currently working with Juniper String Ensemble, Saint Joesph Symphony, and is part of the faculty at Missouri Western State University. She also teaches out of her Midtown KC home studio. You can learn more at: cellolady.com. Together, Laurel Morgan & Sascha Groschang are The Wires, an alternative exploration in string sound from KCMO. They compose & perform original music for violin & cello.]

15. (11.) The Silver Maggies – “Slow Poke”
from: My Pale Horse / Money Wolf Music / March 28, 2013
[Fronted by lead singer/songwriters – Patrick Deveny and Terrence Moore (American Catastrophe, The Black Water). Founding members include Felix Dukes on electric guitar, Jonathan Knecht on drums and Steve Tubbert (Zoom) on bass. Terrence joined The Silver Maggies in 2010 after performing with them that year at the Murder Ballad Ball. He brought several original songs to add to the repertoire and splits singing and songwriting duties. This spring the band added Amy Farrand (American Catastrophe, Atlantic Fadeout, EIO) on vocals and additional instrumentation, as well as Samon Rajabnik on B3 organ. Both artists performed on “My Pale Horse” and joined the band for a raucous set at the 2012 Murder Ballad Ball in Kansas City. The album was recorded over the last year by Chris Cosgrove at Black Lodge, Cosgrove Audio, WaveLab and Element Recording. Mixing was done in Tuscon, AZ at WaveLab by veteran producer/engineer Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Neko Case, DeVotchKa).]

11:15

16. (10.) Bobby Watson & The I Have a Dream Project – “Check Cashing Day (For Ms. Trudy) [feat. Glenn North]”
from: Check Cashing Day / Lafiya Music / Digital – Aug. 28, 2013 / Physical – Nov. 12, 2013
[From wikipedia.org: “Bobby Watson was born in Lawrence, Kansas, August 23, 1953. he is an American post-bop jazz alto saxophonist, composer, producer, and educator. Watson now has 27 recordings as a leader. He appears on nearly 100 other recordings as either co-leader or in a supporting role. Watson has recorded more than 100 original compositions. Watson grew up in Bonner Springs, Kansas, and Kansas City, Kansas. He attended the University of Miami with fellow students Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius and Bruce Hornsby. After graduating in 1975, he moved to NYC and joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. He performed with the Messengers from 1977 to 1981. After the Jazz Messengers, Watson work with many notable musicians, including: drummers Max Roach and Louis Hayes, fellow saxophonists George Coleman and Branford Marsalis, multi-instrumentalist Sam Rivers and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. In addition, Watson has served in a supporting role for a number of vocalists including: Joe Williams, Dianne Reeves, Lou Rawls, Betty Carter, and Carmen Lundy, and has performed as a sideman with Carlos Santana, George Coleman, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Bob Belden and John Hicks. Later, in association with bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Victor Lewis, Watson started the first edition of Horizon, an acoustic quintet modeled after the Jazz Messengers but with its own slightly more modern twist. In addition to his work as leader of Horizon, Watson also led a group known as the High court of Swing (a tribute to the music of Johnny Hodges), The Tailor-Made Big Band (16 pieces in all) and is a founding member of the 29th Street Saxophone Quartet, an all-horn, four-piece group with alto saxophonist Ed Jackson, tenor saxophonist Rich Rothenberg, and baritone saxophonist Jim Hartog. Watson also composed an original song for the soundtrack of Robert De Niro’s A Bronx Tale (1993). A resident of New York for most of his professional life, Watson served as a member of the adjunct faculty and taught private saxophone at William Patterson University from 1985 to 1986 and the Manhattan School of Music from 1996 to 1999. He is currently involved with the Thelonious Monk Institute’s yearly “Jazz in America” high school outreach program. In 2000, he was approached to return to his native midwestern surroundings on the Kansas-Missouri border. Watson was selected as the first William D. and Mary Grant/Missouri, Distinguished Professorship in Jazz Studies. The past seven years he has served as the director of jazz studies at the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory of Music although he still manages to balance live engagements around the world with his teaching responsibilities. Watson’s ensembles at UMKC have garnered several awards and national recognition.] [From DLmediamusic.com: “As Watson reflects, Check Cashing Day serves as “a commentary on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we need to go as a people, as a country, and as a global community.” Watson chose to concentrate on the reason why over 300,000 people, black and white, gathered in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963. Dr. King spoke of coming to Washington to cash a 100 year old check, a moral check that the founding fathers wrote into the Declaration of Independence, but to this day, the check keeps coming back marked ‘insufficient funds.’ Introducing poet and spoken word artist Glenn North from KCMO, Check Cashing Day is a concept recording with 15 tracks portrayed in the vein of musical theatre. “I asked Glenn to put some poetry, from his perspective, to several of my compositions, as well as one written by vocalist Pamela Baskin-Watson and two by bassist Curtis Lundy,” comments Watson. “It was my desire with this project to produce poetry that would in some ways cleanse the soul,” notes North. In addition, Watson’s release features trumpeter Hermon Mehari, pianist Richard Johnson, drummer Eric Kennedy, flutist Horace Washington, and trombonist Karita Carter.]

17. (9.) The Dead Girls – “Under Seige”
from: Fade In/Fade Out / Independent / 2013
[The Dead Girls (formerly Dead Girls Ruin Everything) was formed in 2004 from the ashes of Ultimate Fakebook and Podstar, two bands that were staples of the Lawrence and KC power-pop sound. Guitarists / singers JoJo Longbottom and Cameron Hawk, of Podstar, combine their dual-guitar attack and vocal harmonies with the rhythmic assault of drummer Eric Melin and bassist Nick Colby, of Ultimate Fakebook. The band’s new record was Produced by Chris Cosgrove who produced their 2010 album “Out Of Earshot.”]

18. (8.) Soft Reeds – “Funky Friends Breathe, Ok?”
from: Blank City / The Record Machine / April 23, 2013
[Ben Grimes of Soft Reeds joined us LIVE on WMM on April 17.]

11:28 – Underwriting

11:30

19. (7.) Radkey – “Little Man”
from: Devil Fruit – EP / Little Man Records / October 14, 2013
+ Cat & Mouse – EP / Wreckroom / June 4, 2013
[Radkey is a St. Joesph based band made up of teenage brothers Darrion, Isaiah, and Solomon. Their influences include The Who and Nirvana.]

20. (6.) The ACBs – “Feel Winter”
from: Little Leaves / High Dive Records / March 5, 2013
[Konnor Ervin (lead vocals, guitar); Bryan McGuire (bass); Andrew Connor (guitar); Kyle Rausch (drums). Follow up to their December, 2010 release, Stona Rosa. Their songs have been featured on MTV’s The Inbetweeners, and Daytrotter. The title “Little Leaves” is a nod to frontman Konnor Ervin’s landscaping day job. The lead single, “Ocean” was released as a free download in late 2012, prompting Popmatters to declare the ACBs as one of its “Best Hopes to Break Out in 2013.”]

[Winner of the 2013 Pitch Music Award for Best Pop Band.]

21. (5.) Bloodbirds – “Patterned Sky”
from: Psychic Surgery / Independent / February 1, 2013
[KC based Psychedelic post-punk trio featuring ex-Ad Astra Per Aspera member Mike Tuley, his wife Brooke Tuley and Anna St. Louis. The album will be available as a vinyl LP in April. Recorded at Junior’s Motel, with additional recording at the Worst Place in the World, and House Tuley. Rcorded by Kirk Kaufman and Mike Tuley. Mixed by Mike Tuley.

22. (4.) Dead Voices – “Dream Notes”
from: Dead Voices / Independent / April 20, 2013
[KC Super-Group, formed in September of 2010, by David Regnier, Jason Beers, Matt Richey, Michael Stover, Marco Pascolini. Lauren Krum sings with David on “Pardoning”. The band joined us on April 17.]

11:45

23. (3.) Betse Ellis – “Question To Lay Your Burden Down”
from: High Moon Order / Free Dirt / June 14, 2013
[2nd solo release from renowned fiddler, Betse Ellis, known by many as a founding member of The Wilders.]

24. (2.) The Grisly Hand – “Phineas Gage”
from: Country Singles / Independent / April 26, 2013
[Formed in 2009. The current line up includes: Jimmy Fitzner (Guitar and Vocals), Lauren Krum (Vocals and Percussion), Johnny Nichols (Bass and Vocals), Matt Richey (Drums), Mike Stover (Steel Guitar), and Ben Summers (Guitar and Mandolin). Mike Stover & Lauren Krum of The Grisly Hand joined us LIVE April 24.]

[Winner of the 2013 Pitch Music Award for Best Americana/Bluegrass Band.]

25. (1.) PedalJets – “Terra Nova (Radio Edit)”
from: What’s In Between / Electric Moth Records / June 25, 2013
[1st album of new material in 23 years. Paul Malinowski (Vocals, Guitar), Rob Morrow (Drums, Vocals), Mike Allmayer (Guitar, Vocals), Matt Kesler (Bass, Vocals). Produced by The Pedaljets & Paul Malinoski. The albums photos & design are from artist Archer Prewitt of: the Sea and Cake and The Coctails. More info: thepedaljets.

26. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]

sources for notes: artists websites and wikipedia.org

Show #505

Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

The 113 Best Recordings of 2013
(Part 4 of 4)

Wednesday MidDay Medley presents part-four, of our four-week special: The 113 Best Recordings of 2013. Based on the playlists of Wednesday MidDay Medley, we’ll feature representative tracks from our favorite recordings. In 2013 we’ve played over 1000 songs, and hundreds of New & Local Releases. We’ve presented dozens of LIVE in-studio performances from area performers, and we’ve interviewed over 200 local and national guests. 62% of the recordings on our “Best of” list were locally produced. It’s all good!

This Wednesday, we’ll count down #25 through #1 of our list, with music from: The Grisly Hand, Dead Voices, Pedaljets, Betse Ellis, bloodbirds, The ACBs, Radkey, Soft Reeds, The Dead Girls, Bobby Watson, The Silver Maggies, The Wires, Akkilles, Tiny Horse, Cowboy Indian Bear, Swimming in Speakers, Ha Ha Tonka, Spirit is The Spirit, The Latenight Callers, Maps For Travelers, Foxygen, Phosphorescent, Mazzy Star, Janelle Monae, and Laura Marling.

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #505

Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

The 113 Best Recordings of 2013
(Part 3 of 4)

Wednesday MidDay Medley presents part-three, of our four-week special: The 113 Best Recordings of 2013. Based on the playlists of Wednesday MidDay Medley, we’ll feature representative tracks from our favorite recordings. In 2013 we’ve played over 1000 songs, and hundreds of New & Local Releases. We’ve presented dozens of LIVE in-studio performances from area performers, and we’ve interviewed over 200 local and national guests. 62% of the recordings on our “Best of” list were locally produced. It’s all good!

1. (54.) Arcade Fire – “Flashbulb Eyes”
from: Reflector / Merge / October 28, 2013
[From wikipedia: 4th studio album from Montreal based band. Reflektor was co-produced by former LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy, regular Arcade Fire producer Markus Dravs, and the band itself. Influenced by Haitian rara music, the 1959 film Black Orpheus and Søren Kierkegaard’s essay, “The Present Age”, Reflektor’s release was preceded by a guerrilla marketing campaign inspired by veve drawings, and the release of a limited edition single, “Reflektor”, credited to the fictional band, The Reflektors, on September 9, 2013. The song features guest vocals by David Bowie. The album’s origins stem from a trip that both vocalist and guitarist Win Butler and multi-instrumentalist Régine Chassagne took to her family’s home country of Haiti. Butler noted, “Going to Haiti for the first time with Regine was the beginning of a major change in the way that I thought about the world. Usually, I think you have most of your musical influences locked down by the time you’re 16. There was a band I [feel] changed me musically, just really opened me up to this huge, vast amount of culture and influence I hadn’t been exposed to before, which was really life-changing.” Inspired by the country’s rara music, Butler and Chassagne incorporated elements of this sound into the band’s new material, alongside Jamaican influences. Butler stated, “I mean, it’s not like our band trying to play Haitian music. I just felt like we were opened up to a new influence. Bob Marley probably felt the same way the first time he heard Curtis Mayfield.”]

2. (53.) Beautiful Bodies – “Invincible” [Radio Edit]
from: Battles [EP] / Independent / July 20, 2013
[Indie/rock band from Kansas City that mixes elements of punk, dance, new wave, and rock. Fronted by the magnetic – and at times, mischievous – Alicia Solombrino on VOCALS; Thomas Becker on GUITAR & BACKUP VOX; Luis Arana on BASS; Aaron Crawford on DRUMS. The band has received comparisons to Blondie, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Runaways and Metric. More info at thebeautifulbodies.com]

3. (52.) Erik Voeks – “Dark Angel of Delmar”
from: Finulu [EP] / Independent / April 29, 2013
[Written by Erik Voeks. Produced by Patrick Hawley & Erik Voeks., Mixed & mastered by Adam Schmitt, Drums, piano, pump organ: Patrick Hawley, Steel guitar: Mike Stover, Trumpet: Ryan Oldham, Handclaps: Coleen Voeks & Mary Hawley, Field recordings: Coleen Voeks. Everything else recorded at Sandusky Sound Co. by EV.]

[In 2013 Erik Voeks toured Spain, where he is a big deal, toured the NYC area with The Depth & The Whisper, and won a Pitch Music Award for Best Male Singer-Songwriter.]

4. (51.) Boards of Canada – “Sick Times”
from: Tomorrow’s Harvest / Warp Records / June 10, 2013
[4th studio album by the Scottish electronic music duo. Band members Mike Sandison and Marcus Eoin began composing and recording the album following the release of The Campfire Headphase (2005) and the expansion of their studio at Hexagon Sun near Pentland Hills. The duo continued recording intermittently until late 2012, when large parts of the album were recorded. Influenced by film soundtracks from the 1970s, Tomorrow’s Harvest features a more downtempo form of ambient music, similar to Boards of Canada’s earlier releases. Tomorrow’s Harvest was the first new music released by Boards of Canada in seven years, since Trans Canada Highway (2006).]

10:15

5. (50.) Marva Whitney – “Daddy Don’t Know About Sugar Bear”
from: Eccentric Soul: The Forte Label / Numero Group – Cleanteen Records / Sept. 3, 2013
[Born Marva Ann Manning, May 1, 1944 in Kansas City, Kansas. Whitney’s performing career started as early as three years old while touring with her family’s gospel group, the Manning Gospel Singers. In 1960, when she was 16, she joined a Kansas gospel group, the Alma Whitney Singers, and ended up marrying Harry Whitney, the brother-in-law of the group’s leader. Ever since, she has gone by her married name, Marva Whitney. Marva Whitney is well known as a funk vocalist. Singing with James Brown in the late 1960s, she was able to make a name for herself with powerful songs like “I’m Tired, I’m Tired, I’m Tired (Things Better Change Before Its Too Late)” and “If You Don’t Work (You Can’t Eat).” Her recording of “It’s My Thing (You Can’t Tell Me Who to Sock It To)” reached the R&B Top 20. Her song “Unwind Yourself” has been sampled numerous times, most recognisably by DJ Mark the 45 King on his 1987 track “The 900 Number”, which was then sampled by DJ Chad Jackson on his 1990 hit single “Hear the Drummer (Get Wicked)” (UK #3 in July 1990), by DJ Kool on his 1996 hit “Let Me Clear My Throat” (UK #6 in March 1997), Sway on his 2009 track Mercedes Benz and Mac Miller on his 2011 track Party On Fifth Ave. In 2006, Marva Whitney collaborated with German born DJ/collector/manager DJ Pari and Japanese funk orchestra Osaka Monaurail to produce a new single, “I Am What I Am”. Osaka Monaurail style themselves on the James Brown sound and the single was produced in the fashion of an authentic release of the recordings she produced with Brown in 1969. Two successful tours of Japan and a full length album release followed, also entitled “I Am What I Am”. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, the tour was also brought to Europe. In December 2009, Whitney collapsed on stage in front of thousands of fans in Lorne, Australia, while performing with The Transatlantics at Falls Festival. She was immediately rushed to Geelong Hospital, where doctors diagnosed a stroke. The remaining dates of her tour had to be canceled, but Whitney made a recovery and performed again in 2010. In December 2012, Whitney died from complications of pneumonia at her home. She was 68.]

6. (49.) Claire and the Crowded Stage – “Technicolor”
from: Technicolor [EP] / Independent / January 5, 2013
+ Night Side of Day [EP] / Independent / July 20, 2013
[All songs by Claire Adams. All arrangements by The Crowded Stage: Katy Guillen, Katelyn Boone,, Brent Jamison, Peter Lawless, Stephanie Williams, Jerod Rivers and Teri Quinn. Tecnicolor was Recorded in Kansas City by Jerod Rivers, Peter Lawless, Claire Adams and Brent Jamison, mixed by Claire Adams
mastered by Duane Trower at Weights+Measures soundlab.]

[Claire & the Crowded Stage are Stretching out for the Early Show…Saturday, January 11, 6:00pm to 8:30pm at Coda, 1744 Broadway]

7. (48.) Gemini Revolution – “Floating Thoughts Under Dark Clouds”
from: My Mind Has Wings [EP] / Upstairs Recordings / November 1, 2013
[Gemini Revolution is: Dedric Moore, Delaney Moore, Mika Tayana. They were asked to perform at last year’s Pop Montreal Festival. Upstairs Recordings of Vancouver, Canada, released their self titled, full length debut to coincide with the festival.]

8. (47.) Metatone – “Dark Empress”
from: Metatone / Independent / May 14, 2013
[Recorded & mixed by Metatone 2012-2013. Written by J. Ashley Miller & Metatone. J. Ashley Miller: Vocals, Guitar; Gary Miller: Percussion, Harmonica, Vocals; Jon Kraft: Drums; Rabbit Killer: Mr. Squeaky; Abbi Miler: Vocals; Hank Eddins: Bass; Rhys Ziemba: Guitar; Iko: Vocals, Hype. More info at metatone.bandcamp.com]

10:30 – Underwriting

10:32

9. (46.) Hidden Pictures – “Where Does The Story Go”
from: Where Does The Story Go [EP] / Golden Sound Records / October 14, 2013
+ Sister Wife [EP] / Golden Sound Records / June 4, 2013
[Richard Gintowt wrote the songs and sang lead vocals and played guitar. Claire Adams sang back up. Nate Holt played keyboard. Jeff Freling played guitar. Lennon Bone played drums on “Moving Out.” Cameron Hawk played drums on “Where Does the Story Go?” and “Second Shadow.” Corey Vitt played bass on tracks one and three. Kyle Akers played bass on track two. Wayne Hutcherson sang high harmony on the chorus of “Moving Out” with Leslie Waggoner. Paul Malinowski tracked drums and bass at Massive Sound Studios. Joel Nanos mixed it at Element Studios. Doug Van Sloan mastered it at Focus Mastering Omaha. Patrick Giroux designed the cover.]

[Hidden Pictures play a special Homecoming Show, TONIGHT, at 10:00pm at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, Kansas. Richard is back from San Francisco for the week so a show was wrangled up.]

10. (45.) Maria Taylor – “You’ve Got A Way with the Light”
from: Something About Knowing / Saddle Creek Records / October 29, 2013
[Azure Ray’s Maria Taylor returns with her 5th solo. Recorded with Mike Mogis and Andy LeMaster.]

11. (44.) John L. Keck – “Die With Me”
from: Jack Moon Sessions / Independent / Nov. 9, 2013
[Two years ago while John was visiting the famous Sun Studios in Memphis, TN where Presley, Cash, Howlin’ Wolf, Jerry Lee Lewis, and so many others have recorded John decided to produce a single at the legendary studio and a session being booked. He originally only booked 2 hours thinking that would be plenty of time to get several takes of “Die with Me”, his most recent song. 2 hours turned into 4, and 8 tracks were recorded with 3 takes of each song. This “live” album was brought back to KC and discussed with Brent Jamison & Chappy Felkins of Dreamwolfanimalbear Productions, with the intention of adding more instrumentation to it, to bring out a full band sound that John had planned for most of the songs. John’s friends Betse Ellis; Elaine McMillan; Megan Zander & Chris Taddy of Dream Wolf; Clint Hoffmeier of Ned Ludd and Vehicle; and Hume Man were asked to sit in on the Chappy Road sessions and create the sound John was hearing in his head.]

12. (41) Olassa – “Where Will I Live”
from: I Love You Come Back To Me / Indep. / Jan. 26, 2013
[Indie Folk from Lawrence, KS. Allison Olassa Guitar, Accordion, Organ & Vocals; Cain Robberson on guitar & vocals; and Tyler Bachert on drums.]

[Olassa play the recordBar, 1020 Westport Rd. Friday, Dec. 20, at 10:00 with Akkilles, and Paper Bird.]

10:45

13. (42.) David Burchfield and The Great Stop – “Sun Came Up”
from: Perseids / Independent / August 10, 2013
[Produced, engineered, mixed and master by Mike Crawford at the Impossible Box in Kansas City, with David Burchfield on vocals & guitar; Leslie Hammer on banjo, fiddle and viola; Seth Jenkins on upright bass, Jeff Larison on pedal steel and dobro; Andy Michael on piano and accordian; and Devon Russell on vocals, choir.]

[David Burchfield and the Great Stop regroup while David is home for the holidays playing a special show, Sat, Dec. 21, at 8:00pm, The Brick – 1727 McGee, with Attic Wolves and Devon Russell.]

14. (41.) Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear – “Whole Lotta Problems”
from: We Burned The Cane Field / Independent / October 6, 2012
[Singer songwriter, Madisen Ward graduated from William Chrisman High School in Independence, Missouri in 2007. He plays live and records with his Mother, Ruth WardMama Bear, both on guitar, with Mama Bear harmonizing with her son. Their debut EP was recorded in Kansas City’s Element Recording by Joel Nanos.]

15. (40.) Summer Osborne – “Grace”
from: As I Am / Summer Osborne / June 30, 2013
[St. Louis based singer songwriter has been performing on stage since the age of four. She has been performing her original music since 2005, releasing 8 full-length albums and an EP. Since 2009, Summer has been constantly on tour playing Pridefests in St. Louis, Vancouver, Columbia, Memphis, Springfield, Lexington, Belleville. Summer is a champion of the KC HRC Battle of The Babes – Acoustic Stage. Summer has shared the stage with The Indigo Girls, God-Des and She, Tiffany, Jen Foster, Sugarbeach, The Cliks, Crystal Waters, Betty, Martha Wash, RJ Helton, Jennifer Holliday, Kimberley Locke, Tret Fure, and Shannon Curtis.]

[Summer Osborne plays the Uptown Arts Bar, 3611 Broadway, TONIGHT! The Show starts at 7:00 pm with Roem Baur, The Welcome Matt, and KC Turner, three musicians from San Francisco.]

11:00 – Station ID

16. (39.) The Clementines – “Bayou”
from: The Clementines / Independent / June 1, 2013
[The Clementines as a duo Tim Jenkins & Nicole Springer played LIVE on our April 25, 2012 Wednesday MidDay Medley. Since then they’ve added Stephanie Williams on Drums, and Travis Earndshaw on Bass. Nicole Springer grew up in Oak Grove, MO, and graduated H.S. in 2004. She studied Music-Vocal/Choral at Missouri State University, in Springfield, MO, and studied Special Education with Music at Metropolitan MO CC, in KCMO. Nicole told The Pitch (Jan. 10, 2012 article): “I grew up singing in gospel choirs,” she says. “And I still love gospel music, though I’m not religious or anything. I did musicals throughout high school, and I went to school for a year at Missouri State for music education. But I’ve never been in a committed band before this one.”]

[The Clementines play KC Uncovered III – Shine A Light, A Tribute to the Music of Abigail Henderson, Saturday, December 21, at the recordBar, at 8:00pm, also featuring: Sister Mary Rotten Crotch, Not A Planet, The Vi Tran Band, and The Oil Lamps (Featuring Bill Sundahl, Mike Meyers, Mike Alexander, Steven Michael Tulipana, Scott Easterday, Howard Iceberg, John Velghe, Amy Farrand and others). These five bands perform the songs of Abigail Henderson! 100% of the proceeds go to Midwest Music Foundation, the not-for-profit organization Abigail and friends formed to support area musicians and their emergency health care needs. ALSO, Voting starts at midnight for the 10-day voting period for Boulevard Brewing Company’s KC Pils campaign to benefit Midwest Music Foundation. You can vote each day – one vote per day, per IP address! You can help support the not-for-profit, volunteer organization that supports local musicians! More info at http://www.voteformmf.com.]

17. (38.) The Conquerors – “Our Time”
from: The Conquerors / Independent / February 26, 2013
[First album by KC based Psychedelic – Psychotropic Rock and Roll from: Rory Cameron on Guitar/Vocals, Christian O’Reilly on Bass/Vocals, Jim Button on Drums, Vince Lawhon on Guitar/Vocals, Mikee Pruitt on Drums/Banjo/Vocals. Recorded live by: Willy Christie, Mixed by: Vincent Lawhon, Mastered by: David Gaume at Element Studios.]

18. (37.) Josh Berwanger – “Baby Loses Her Mind”
from: Strange Stains / Good Land Records / October 1, 2013
[From Berwangermusic.com: “Josh Berwanger could easily be considered a veteran of the rock and roll wars. He first made a name for himself as a member of The Anniversary, a seminal Kansas band that released two glorious albums (2000’s Designing a Nervous Breakdown and 2002’s Your Majesty) and selling over 100,000 records before imploding in a breakup of Fleetwood Mac-style proportions while attempting to tour Japan. Undeterred, Berwanger put together a new band—a country-rock outfit called The Only Children–and would go on to release two criminally underrated records (2004’s Change of Living and 2007’s Keeper of Youth) before pulling the plug on that project and taking a job doing the next most logical thing possible– coaching high school basketball in Lawrence, Kansas. For the recording of Strange Stains, Berwanger joined forces with old pal (and original drummer for The Anniversary) Michael Hutcherson, who brought not only brought the rhythm to the record, but a wonderful familiarity as well. “Josh and I met in 1996 while playing in local Kansas City pop punk bands,” recalls Hutcherson, “I am honored to be making music with Josh again. For all that’s changed in our lives over the years, we’ve still got a symbiotic musical relationship. No questions, no egos, just rock and roll. The new also features additional playing from The Breeders’ Jim Macpherson.”]

[Josh Berwanger plays miniBar, 3810 Broadway, Friday, December 20, at 10;00 pm, with The Belles.]

19. (36.) La Guerre – “Lake Ontario”
from: The Three [EP] / The Record Machine / May 7, 2013
Violent (7-song EP) / The Record Machine / Aug. 20, 2013
[Katlyn Conroy is a singer songwriter based in Lawrence, KS and is a member of, Cowboy Indian Bear. La Guerre is the French for “war.”]

[In 2013 La Guerre won a Pitch Music Award for Best Female Singer-Songwriter.]

11:16

20. (35.) The Holydrug Couple – “Willoweed”
from: Noctuary / Sacred Bones Records / Jan. 22, 2013
[Devotional dream pop, neo psychedelia from Chile. All songs written, recorded and produced by Ives Sepulveda. Vocals, guitars, bass guitar, keys, noises, percussion and drums performed by Ives Sepulveda. Drums performed by Manuel Parra. Recorded at From the bed in Santiago, Chile between july and october of 2012. The Holydrug Couple are a part of the burgeoning psychedelic rock scene rising out of Chile. Based in Santiago, members Ives Sepúlveda and Manuel Parra met while “jamming” together.]

21. (34.) Cass McCombs – “There Can Be Only One”
from: Big Wheels and Others / Domino Recording Co. / October 14, 2013
[Born in Concord, California in 1977. Famed DJ John Peel called his music “unobtrusively brilliant.” Cass McCombs has received widespread critical acclaim. He has led a nomadic existence for most of his adult life, moving from one city to the next, living in cars, on couches and at campsites. McCombs spent time developing his music bouncing between New York City, San Francisco, the Pacific Northwest, England and Baltimore. McCombs has stated that his tombstone will read “Home At Last.”]

22. (33.) Of Montreal – “Fugitive Air”
from: Lousey With Sylvianbriar / Polyvinyl / October 8, 2013
[Athens, Georgia based rock band, founded by frontman Kevin Barnes in 1996, named after a failed romance with a woman “of Montreal.” The band is one of the bands of the Elephant 6 collective. Of Montreal’s musical style has evolved from vaudeville and Beatles-influenced psychedelic twee pop to a mixture of electronica, funk, glam, and afrobeat music influenced by Prince and David Bowie. Lousy with Sylvianbriar is the band’s twelfth studio album.]

11:27 – Underwriting

11:29

23. (32.) Crocodiles – “I Like It In The Dark”
from: Crimes of Passion / Frenchkiss / Aug 20, 2013
[4th studio album by indie pop band from San Diego. Formed in 2008 by Brandon Welchez and Charles Rowell after the break-up of their former punk bands Some Girls and The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower. Brandon Welches also played in an early incarnation of Dum Dum Girls and he is married to frontwoman Dee Dee Penny. The album was produced by Sune Rose Wagner of The Raveonettes in LA. Guests on the album include Gregg Foreman of Delta 72 and Cat Power, soul singer Afrodyete of Breakestra as well as Welchez’ brother, jazz musician Josh Welchez.]

[In Sept. 2010, Crocodiles released an instrumental song, “Kill Joe Arpaio”, referencing the controversial anti-immigrant Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona. Arpaio heard the song and responded using twitter, “Msg for the San Diego band ‘Alligators’ who wrote new song called ‘Kill Joe Arpaio’: BITE ME,”. Arpaio also referenced the song during an appearance on Phoenix TV channel KPHO, saying “I’m a little concerned about the music, where kids can get this type of music. I think it sends a bad message. I understand freedom of speech, but there has to be a line of threatening a law enforcement official.” Crocodiles responded via Spin Magazine saying “Maybe if the song was called ‘I’m Gonna Kill Joe Arpaio,’ he’d have a case but what we are attacking is the attitudes and policies he represents. In reality, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that his much-deserved heart attack comes soon; the world can always use one less racist.” ]

24. (31.) Red Kate – “Union Voice (Radio Edit)”
from: When the troubles come (Vinyl) / Replay Records USA / August 23, 2013
[In the review of the debut EP, The Pitch wrote, “Bassist and lead vocalist L. Ron Drunkard, (aka Shaun Saving) is a socialist activist by day, bellows like an Appalachian Roger Daltrey.” Andrew Whelan – Drums/Vocals, Brad Huhmann – Guitar, Desmond Poirier – guitar/vocals]

25. (30.) Rev Gusto – “Click Click”
From: Rev Gusto [EP] / Catapult / January 5, 2012
[Jerry Frederick on Vocals & Guitar, Sam Frederick on Bass, Shaun Crowley on Guitar, Peter Beatty on guitar Quinn Hernandez on Drums, Rev Gusto just released their first self-titled EP recorded at Element Recording.]

26. (29.) She’s A Keeper – “Plattsburg”
from: Sterlin / Independent / Dec. 11, 2013
[5-piece band from KC, includes: Fritz Hutchison – vocals, banjo, percussion; Zac Jurden – vocals, guitar; Colin Nelson – vocals, guitar; Elliott Phillips – bass, mandolin; Kate Sopcich – cello, keyboard. The song is named after the place in Missouri.]

[In 2013 She’s A Keeper won a Pitch Music Award for Best Emerging Band.]

11:45

27. (28.) Not A Planet – “Kingdom Come”
from: The Few, The Proud, The Strange / Independent / May 10, 2013
[Kansas City based Rock and Roll trio formed in 2010. Nathan Corsi, Liam Sumnicht, Bill Sturges.]

[Not A Planet play KC Uncovered III – Shine A Light, A Tribute to the Music of Abigail Henderson, Saturday, December 21, at the recordBar, at 8:00pm, also featuring: Sister Mary Rotten Crotch, The Clementines, The Vi Tran Band, and The Oil Lamps (Featuring Bill Sundahl, Mike Meyers, Mike Alexander, Steven Michael Tulipana, Scott Easterday, Howard Iceberg, John Velghe, Amy Farrand and others). These five bands perform the songs of Abigail Henderson! 100% of the proceeds go to Midwest Music Foundation, the not-for-profit organization Abigail and friends formed to support area musicians and their emergency health care needs. ALSO, Voting starts at midnight for the 10-day voting period for Boulevard Brewing Company’s KC Pils campaign to benefit Midwest Music Foundation. You can vote each day – one vote per day, per IP address! You can help support the not-for-profit, volunteer organization that supports local musicians! More info at http://www.voteformmf.com.]

[In 2013 Not A Planet won a Pitch Music Award for Best Rock Band.]

28. (27.) David Bowie – “Where Are We Now?”
from: The Next Day / ISO – Columbia / Expected March 12, 2013
[We were all surprised to hear the single Bowie released on his birthday, Jan. 8. His 1st new music in 10 years. In the works for over 2 years, Bowie is collaborating w/ longtime producer Tony Visconti who told the BBC that they worked on the new album at a very slow pace. “We never spent more than two to three weeks at a time recording,” Visconti said. “And then we’d take off as much as two months. We’d usually work on one or two songs in an afternoon and we’d whip them up to shape where they’d sound like great rock tracks. At that point there wouldn’t be any final vocals or lyrics. This is the same way I’d been working with him since The Man Who Sold the World. He hasn’t really changed in his approach.” Toward the end of Bowie’s 2004 tour in Europe the singer underwent emergency heart surgery for a blocked artery. There were rumors about Bowie’s health. Visconti told the BBC “He’s a very healthy man… I couldn’t explain how I know that, but I worked with a very healthy David Bowie in the studio and a very happy David Bowie in the studio.”]

[Bowie was nominated for a Grammy Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Album.]

29. (26.) Vi Tran Band – “The Charmer”
from: American Heroine / Independent / October 4, 2013
[The Vi Tran Band is singer, songwriter, guitarist – Vi Tran, with Katie Gilchrist on vocals, percussion; Sean Hogge on guitar; Jerod Rivers on drums, vocals; and Ben Byard on bass, vocals.]

[The Vi Tran Band play KC Uncovered III – Shine A Light, A Tribute to the Music of Abigail Henderson, Saturday, December 21, at the recordBar, at 8:00pm, also featuring: Sister Mary Rotten Crotch, Not A Planet, The Clementines, and The Oil Lamps (Featuring Bill Sundahl, Mike Meyers, Mike Alexander, Steven Michael Tulipana, Scott Easterday, Howard Iceberg, John Velghe, Amy Farrand and others). These five bands perform the songs of Abigail Henderson! 100% of the proceeds go to Midwest Music Foundation, the not-for-profit organization Abigail and friends formed to support area musicians and their emergency health care needs. ALSO, Voting starts at midnight for the 10-day voting period for Boulevard Brewing Company’s KC Pils campaign to benefit Midwest Music Foundation. You can vote each day – one vote per day, per IP address! You can help support the not-for-profit, volunteer organization that supports local musicians! More info at http://www.voteformmf.com.]

30. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]

sources for notes: artists websites and wikipedia.org

Show #504

Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

The 113 Best Recordings of 2013
(Part 3 of 4)


Wednesday MidDay Medley presents part-three, of our four-week special: The 113 Best Recordings of 2013. Based on the playlists of Wednesday MidDay Medley, we’ll feature representative tracks from our favorite recordings. In 2013 we’ve played over 1000 songs, and hundreds of New & Local Releases. We’ve presented dozens of LIVE in-studio performances from area performers, and we’ve interviewed over 200 local and national guests. 62% of the recordings on our “Best of” list were locally produced. It’s all good!

Tune into 90.1 FM, Wednesdays in December through the 25th. We’ll play nearly 8-hours of music that represent: The 113 of Best Recordings of 2013!

This Wednesday, we’ll count down #54 through #26 of our list, with music from: Not A Planet, Beautiful Bodies, Erik Voeks, Josh Berwanger, David Burchfield and the Great Stop, Marva Whitney, Gemini Revolution, Claire & The Crowded Stage, Hidden Pictures, Olassa, John L. Keck, La Guerre, The Conquerors, The Clementines, Summer Osborne, Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, Metatone, She’s A Keeper, The Vi Tran Band, Rev Gusto, Red Kate, David Bowie, Of Montreal, Crocodiles, Arcade Fire, Cass McCombs, The Holydrug Couple, Boards of Canada, and Maria Taylor.

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #504

Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

The 113 Best Recordings of 2013
(Part 2 of 4)

Wednesday MidDay Medley presents part-two, of our four-week special: The 113 Best Recordings of 2013. Based on the playlists of Wednesday MidDay Medley, we’ll feature representative tracks from our favorite recordings. In 2013 we’ve played over 1000 songs, and hundreds of New & Local Releases. We’ve presented dozens of LIVE in-studio performances from area performers, and we’ve interviewed over 200 local and national guests. 62% of the recordings on our “Best of” list were locally produced. It’s all good!

Tune into 90.1 FM, Wednesdays in December, through the 25th. We’ll play nearly 8-hours of music that represent: The 113 of Best Recordings of 2013!

1. (84.) Sonny & The Sunsets – “dark corners”
from: Antenna To the Afterworld / Polyvinyl Records / June 11, 2013
[San Francisco based 5-piece band that list The Clash and Amy Goodman as influences. Helmed by the acclaimed singer / songwriter, playwright, author & onetime troubadour pianoman Sonny Smith, The Sunsets have featured a revolving door lineup that became permanent with Kelley Stoltz, Tahlia Harbour, Ryan Browne and Zack Ehrlich.]

2. (83.) Beach Fossils – “Clash The Truth”
from: Clash The Truth / Captured Tracks / Feb. 19, 2013
[2nd release from Brooklyn band, formed in 2009, by Dustin Payseur’s who recorded the band’s self-titled debut album on his own, playing all instruments. After signing to Captured Tracks, Beach Fossils became a full band, touring the U.S. endlessly with a scattered line-up that included 12 different drummers and 3 guitarists.]

3. (82.) Fol Chen – “I.O.U.”
from: The False Alarms / Asthmatic Kitty / March 19, 2013
[Electronic band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2009 with: Samuel Bing, Garrett Henritz, Sinosa Loa, Alexander Myrvold, Jeph Valenzuela and Julian Wass. They have released three full-length albums.]

10:13

4. (81.) Grenadina – “Tina Needs a Girlfriend”
from: Get Shallow / Music Road / September 3, 2013
[Produced by Johnny Burke at Vibe Studios in Bedford Heights, Ohio. Music by Grenadina. Lyrics by Katie Ford. Grenadina is: Steph Castor, Katie Ford, Mia Morrow, Stef Petrozz ]

5. (80.) Fourth Of July – “Empty Moon”
from: Empty Moon / High Dive Records / 2013 [Comprised of two sets of siblings, Brendan Hangauer (guitar, vocals), Patrick Hangauer (bass guitar), Brian Costello (drums, vocals), Brendan Costello (lead guitar, vocals). Their new record was produced by Chris Crisci of Old Canes and Appleseed Cast.]

[Fourth of July played the High Dive Records Showcase with Ghosty, Shy Boys, and The ACB’s for Ink’s Middle of The Map Festival April 4-6]

6. (79.) Drew Black and Dirty Electric – “Curio Doll”
from: Dead Kings & Queens / Independent / January 26, 2013
[Starting as a solo project with the early 2012 release Wanderlust, Drew Black (formerly of The Belated) soon enlisted frontmen from two other dynamic local bands (Terra Peal of The Quivers and Zach Hodson of Dolls on Fire) and multi-band drummer Michelle Bacon to create this new band. Their debut ED was mixed & mastered by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures SoundLab in Kansas City. ]

7. (78.) Cherokee Rock Rifle – “Burn”
from: Ta Li / Independent / April 20, 2013 [2nd EP from KC based band fronted by Dutch Humphrey. The 5-piece band also features: Douglas Nelson – lead guitar, Scott Reed – rhythm guitar, Bert Northward – drums, Evan John – bass.] [Cherokee Rock Rifle played the Crossroads Music Fest, on Sept 14.]

10:27 – Underwriting
10:28

8. (77.) Andrew Foshee – “Thunderstorm”
from: Headphones Required / Independent / June 11, 2013 [Eclectic collection of home recordings that Andrew performed, recorded and mixed in his basement studio. Produced, engineered, performed and mixed by Andrew at home. Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures Soundlab ]

9. (76.) CocoRosie – “After the Afterlife”
from: Tales of a Grasswidow / Transistor Recording / May 28, 2013
[Formed in 2003 by sisters Bianca “Coco” and Sierra “Rosie” Casady. The sisters were born and raised in the United States, but formed the band in Paris after meeting for the first time in years. Their music has been called “freak folk.”. CocoRosie began as a duo, with Sierra singing, playing the guitar, piano and harp, and Bianca singing and manipulating various children’s toys, electronic and percussion instruments, as well as other exotic noisemakers. They’ve added various backing musicians, a bassist, keyboardist, and beatboxer. They have released five full-length albums: La maison de mon rêve (2004), Noah’s Ark (2005), The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn (2007), Grey Oceans (2010) and Tales of a GrassWidow (2013)]

10. (75.) Man Bear – “Sleep Forever”
from: Power Slop / Universal / Oct. 21, 2013 [Charles Aaron Nickless – Bass, Alex Courtney – Vocals, Guitars, Keith – Drums. Produced by Chan. Recorded in the Man Bear Cave. All songs written by Man Bear]

11. (74.) Krystle Warren – “I Don’t Know”
from: Sing Me The Songs Celebrating The Works of Kate McGarrigle / Nonesuch / June 21, 13
[Features highlights from three concerts in honor of the late Kate McGarrigle. Proceeds from the concerts provided seed money for the Kate McGarrigle Foundation a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money in the fight against sarcoma and also to preserving her legacy through the arts. Net proceeds from the sale of Sing Me the Songs also will be donated to the Foundation. The double-disc set was produced by Joe Boyd, who curated the concerts, and features performances by Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Anna McGarrigle, Emmylou Harris, Antony, Norah Jones, and Teddy Thompson, among others. The New York concerts were filmed for a feature documentary entitled Sing Me the Songs That Say I Love You: A Concert for Kate McGarrigle, directed by Lian Lunson (Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man) and produced by Luson and Teddy Wainwright. Candid interviews with McGarrigle’s family and friends are paired with rousing performances of her music.]

11:43 – KC Blues

12. (73.) Katy Guillen & The Girls – “The Race”
from: Katy Guillen & The Girls – EP / Independent/ August, 2013
[Formerly: The Katy Guillen Trio, prior to that: Katy & Go Go. The current band was formed in KC in Sept. of 2012 w/ Katy Guillen (guitar, vocals), Claire Adams (bass, vocals) & Stephanie Williams (drums).]

[Katy Guillen & The Girls play The KC Blues Christmas Ball to benefit MMF, December 20, at Knuckleheads with Amanda Wish, Coyote Bill Band, and Stone Cutters Union.]

[Katy Guillen and the Girls have an indiegogo campaign to raise funds for the trio trip to Memphis to represent Kansas City at the International Blues Competition. We have a link on our WMM page.]

13. (72.) Trampled Under Foot – “Bad Bad Feeling” from: Badlands / Concord Music group – Telarc Records / July 9, 2013
[“Trampled Under Foot” is a song by English rock group Led Zeppelin, featured on their 1975 album Physical Graffiti. The lyrics were inspired by blues musician Robert Johnson’s 1936 “Terraplane Blues.” Trampled Under Foot is also one of Kansas Cities hottest blues bands consisting of siblings: Nick Schnebelen on Guitar & Vocals; Danielle Schnebelen on Bass & Vocals, and Kris Schnebelen on Drums & Vocals. Trampled Under Foot is the winner of the 2012 Pitch Music Award for Best Blues Band. More info at: tufkc.com]

14. (71.) Samantha Fish – “Miles to Go”
from: Black Wind Howlin’ / RuF Records / September 10, 2013
[From TWANGVILLE.COM: Produced by Royal Southern Brotherhood member and solo artist Mike Zito, Black Wind Howlin’ features 11 original songs and a cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Who’s Been Talking.” The opening rocker “Miles To Go,” inspired by a relentless tour schedule, sets the tone for the blues rock blitz that dominates the album. Other highlights include “Go To Hell,” co-written by Zito, which presents a sort of anti-duet from the male and female perspectives, “Sucker Born,” which includes some nice electric slide guitar work. ”Over You” slows it down for a bit, and on the closing number, “Last September,” Fish demonstrates her surprising versatility with a straight up catchy country tune. Mike Zito provided vocals and guitar on the album, along with Yonrico Scott on drums and Charlie Wooton on bass. Paul Thorn on vocals, Johnny Sansone on harmonica and Bo Thomas on fiddle also contributed to the album.]

15. (70.) Neko Case – “Local Girl”
from: The Worse Things Get, the Harder I Fight, the Harder I Fight, the More I Love You / Anti- / Aug 30, 13
[9th solo release of Neko Case who also performs with The New Pornographers. Nominated for a Grammy for Best Alnernative Music Album.] [Neko Case played Liberty Hall, in Lawrence, on Tues, Oct 15.]

11:00

16. (69.) Irma Thomas – “In Between Tears”
from: In Between Tears / Alive Naturalsound / July 23, 2013 [Orig. 1973] [Re-released for the very first time on vinyl since its original release. Produced by legendary soul singer, songwriter, producer Jerry Williams Jr., aka Swamp Dogg, and featuring Duane Allman on two songs. Initially released in 1973 on the homegrown Fungus Records label, it has remained well under the radar for the past 40 years. It is one of the finest examples of early ’70s soul I have ever heard. – Blinded By Sound. Irma Thomas was born February 18, 1941, Ponchatoula, Louisiana. In 2007, she won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album for After the Rain, her first Grammy in a career spanning over 50 years.]

17. (68.) The Blackbird Revue – “When You Were Mine”
from: Glow / The Blackbird Revue / January 23, 2013 [Recorded at The Conductor Studio, Nashville, TN. and produced with Don Chaffer. All songs by Jacob Prestige. The band includes: Jacob & Danielle Prestidge and Joesph Peak. The Blackbird Revue played LIVE on WMM on May 22.]

18. (67.) Wells The Traveler – “One For The Dreamers”
from: One For The Dreamers / Independent / August 23, 2013
[Manchester, England born Danny McGaw released one of our favorite recordings of 2012 w/ “Eccles Road.” Since then he has been playing with drummer Jason Jones & bassist Dan Hines (of the Lawrence band Paw), Chad Brothers on guitar, and Musician, Producer, and member of Truckstop Honeymoon, Mike West, who was intially brought in to produce the group’s debut recording, and ended up becoming the fifth member.]

19. (66.) Mavis Staples – “Can You Get to That”
from: One True Vine / Anti Records / June 21, 2013 [Nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album. Jeff Tweedy nominated as Best Producer. 13th studio album, and the second on which she collaborated with record producer and Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. Their 2010 collaboration, “You Are Not Alone” won a Grammy in the category of Best Americana Album. Tweedy also played most of the instruments on the album, with the exception of the drums, which were played by his son, Spencer Tweedy. The album was recorded at the Wilco Loft in Chicago, and while working on it, Staples commuted back & forth between the Loft (on Chicago’s North Side) and her home on Chicago’s South Side.] [“Can You Get to That” was originally written by George Clinton & Ernie Harris and recorded for “Maggot Brain,” the 3rd studio album by Funkadelic, released in 1971. ]

11:15

20. (65.) Maria The Mexican – “Sigh”
from: Moon Colored Jade / Independent / October 18, 2013
[Influenced by traditional Mariachi music, Maria The Mexican is a hybrid of Mexican folklore and Rock. For 10 years, Teresa & Maria Elena Cuevas performed with Marachi Estrella, founded by their grandmother Teresa Cuevas in 1970. As one of the first all female mariachi bands in the country, Maria Teresa Alonzo Cuevas is a pioneer in the Hispanic musical community. Her band flourished in the 80s but was struck by tragedy when four of the seven members were killed in the Hyatt Skywalk collapse in 1981. Once Teresa recovered she began teaching her grandchildren Mariachi music. In 2000, Teresa and Maria began exploring other genres of music while simultaneously co-directing Mariachi Estrella. Today the fusion of Maria The Mexican is mixed with a touch of blues, soul, funk, & rock n’ roll enhanced by the musical knowledge and sounds of Garrett Nordstrom. With a southwestern flare & melancholy motifs, Maria The Mexican rocks it out in Spanish & English.]

21. (64.) Charles Bradley – “Victim of Love (feat. Menahan Street Band)”
from: Victim of Love / Daptone / April 2, 2013
[Born November 5, 1948, Charles Bradley was raised by his maternal grandmother in Gainesville, Florida until the age of eight when his mother, who had abandoned him at 8 months of age, took him to live with her in Brooklyn, New York. In 1962, his sister took him to the Apollo Theater to see James Brown perform. Bradley was so inspired by the performance that he began to practice mimicking Brown’s style of singing and stage mannerisms at home. When he was fourteen, Bradley ran away from home due to his poor living conditions — his bedroom was in a basement with a sand floor — and lived on the streets during the day and slept nights in subway cars for two years. Later, he enlisted in Job Corps which eventually led him to Bar Harbor, Maine to train as a chef. One time while working, a co-worker told him he looked like James Brown. When asked if he could sing, he was at first shy but eventually admitted that he could. He overcame his stage fright (when a crew member pushed him through the curtains onto the stage) and performed five or six times with a band. After his band mates were drafted into the Vietnam War, the act never re-formed. Bradley worked in Maine as a cook for ten years until deciding to head west, hitchhiking across the country. He lived in upstate New York, Seattle, Canada and Alaska before settling in California in 1977. There, Bradley worked odd jobs and played small shows for 20 years. In 1996, Bradley’s mother called him and asked him to move back in with her in Brooklyn so she could get to know him. It was there he began making a living moonlighting as a James Brown impersonator in local clubs under the name “Black Velvet.” During this time, Bradley experienced more hard times, including almost dying in a hospital after being given penicillin (to which he has an allergy) and waking to the police arriving to the scene of his brother’s murder just down the road from his mother’s house. While performing as “Black Velvet,” he was eventually discovered by Gabriel Roth, co-founder of Daptone Records. Roth introduced Bradley to Daptone artist and his future producer Tom Brenneck, then the songwriter and guitarist for The Bullets, and later for Menahan Street Band, who invited Bradley to his band’s rehearsal. Bradley asked that the band simply perform while he made up lyrics on the spot. After writing several songs, with Daptone releasing some of them on vinyl starting in 2002, ten were chosen and released as Bradley’s debut album No Time For Dreaming in 2011.]

22. (63.) Grand Marquis – “Every Day’s the Same”
from: Blues and Trouble / Grand Marquis / June 25, 2013
[12 New songs from Bryan Redmond – lead vocals, soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones; Chad Boydston – trumpet, backing vocals; Ryan Wurtz – guitar; Ben Ruth – upright bass, sousaphone, backing vocals; Lisa Mckenzie – drums, washboard.]

23. (62.) Deerhunter – “Back To The Middle”
from: Monomania / 4AD / May 6, 2013
[5th studio release from the five-piece indie rock group originating from Atlanta, Georgia. The band, consisting of Bradford Cox, Moses Archuleta, Frankie Broyles, Josh McKay and Lockett Pundt, have described themselves as “ambient punk,” though they incorporate a wide range of genres, including noise rock, art rock, shoegaze, and post-punk, as well as significant pop elements. The band has gone through several line-up changes and the death of a member.]

11:27 – Underwriting

11:28

24. (61.) Atoms For Peace – “Judge Jury and Executioner”
from: Amok / XL Recordings / Audio CD Release Feb. 26, 2013
[Experimental rock and electronic supergroup formed in late 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The group consists of Radiohead lead singer Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar, and piano), Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, longtime Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich (keyboards, synthesizers, guitars), Joey Waronker of Beck and R.E.M. (drums) and Brazilian instrumentalist Mauro Refosco (percussion) of Forro in the Dark. Their debut album, Amok, became available for streaming on February 18, 2013, and was released on February 25, 2013.]

25. (60.) The Julie Ruin – “Oh Come On”
from: Run Fast / Discharge – TJR Records / September 3, 2013
[Debut album from NYC Band formed in 2010 with Carmine Covelli, Sara Landeau, Kathleen Hanna, Kathi Wilcox, and Kenny Mellmany. The band rehearses in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and records at Oscilloscope. In December 2010, The Julie Ruin previewed a performance at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn.]

26. (59.) Johnny Marr – “Upstarts”
from: The Messenger / Sire / Feb. 26, 2013
[Debut solo recording from British musician, Born October 31, 1963. Marr is best know as lead guitarist and co-songwriter for one of the most influencial bands of all time, “The Smiths.” Marr has also been a member of Electronic, The The and Modest Mouse.]

27. (58.) Savages – “She Will”
from: Silence Yourself / Matador / May 3, 2013
[London-based post-punk revival rock band, formed in 2011. The band’s guitarist Gemma Thompson had come up with the name for the band and had been discussing the idea with singer, Jehnny Beth,(real name: Camille Berthomier) is from France, for almost a year. Thompson says the band’s name was derived from books, such as Lord of the Flies, that she read when she was younger. The band had their first gig in January 2012 supporting rock band British Sea Power. Their manager John Best also manages Sigur Ros. The Observer has said of Savages: “it’s not exactly sexy, it’s not funny and they’re not going to be rolling around in mud like the Slits. But it’s the closest thing to art that “post-punk”… has offered in a while”.]

11:43

28. (57.) Daft Punk- “Doin’ It Right”
from: Random Access Memories / Columbia Records / May 21, 2013
[4th studio album by French electronic music duo. The album pays tribute to the late 1970s and early 1980s era of music in the U.S., particularly the sounds that emerged from L.A. Unlike their previous studio albums, Daft Punk recruited session musicians to record live instrumentation in professional studio locations, and limited the use of electronic instruments to drum machines, a custom-built modular synthesizer, and vintage vocoders. The album features collaborations with Giorgio Moroder, Panda Bear, Julian Casablancas, Todd Edwards, DJ Falcon, Chilly Gonzales, Nile Rodgers, Paul Williams, and Pharrell Williams. Random Access Memories is the duo’s most critically and commercially successful album to date. Nominated for multiple Grammy Award including Record of The Year for “Get Lucky,” Album of The Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Dance/Electronica Album, Best Engineered Album Non-Classical.]

29. (56.) John Vanderslice – “How The West Was Won”
from: Dagger Beach / Tiny Telephone / June 11, 2013
[John Vanderslice launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the recording and distribution of his 9th full length recording of original songs: Dagger Beach, on his own label, Tiny Telephone. For Kickstarter donors he also recorded a limited edition vinyl recording: Vanderslice Plays Diamond Dogs. We will bring you some of these tracks on vinyl on future WMM shows.] [John Vanderslice played Czar Bar, on Friday, October 25]

30. (55.) Yo La Tengo – “Well You Better”
from: Fade / Matador Records / January 15, 2013
[Indie rock band formed in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1984 by husband and wife: Ira Kaplan (guitars, piano, vocals), and Georgia Hubley (drums, piano, vocals). Since 1992, the lineup has included James McNew (bass, vocals). This is their 13th full-length album. It was produced by John McEntire, instead of Roger Moutenot, who had produced all their albums since 1993’s “Painful.” Yo La Tengo has been called “the quintessential critics’ band” and maintains a strong cult following. The band is renowned for its encyclopedic repertoire of cover songs both in live performance and on record.]

31. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]

sources for notes: artists websites and wikipedia.org

Show #503

Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

The 113 Best Recordings of 2013
(Part 2 of 4)

Wednesday MidDay Medley presents part-two, of our four-week special: The 113 Best Recordings of 2013. Based on the playlists of Wednesday MidDay Medley, we’ll feature representative tracks from our favorite recordings. In 2013 we’ve played over 1000 songs, and hundreds of New & Local Releases. We’ve presented dozens of LIVE in-studio performances from area performers, and we’ve interviewed over 200 local and national guests. 62% of the recordings on our “Best of” list were locally produced. It’s all good!

Tune into 90.1 FM, Wednesdays in December, on the 11th, 18th, and 25th. We’ll play nearly 8-hours of music that represent: The 113 of Best Recordings of 2013!

This Wednesday, we’ll count down #84 through #55 of our list, with music from: Grenadina, Fourth of July, Drew Black and Dirty Electric, Cherokee. Rock. Rifle., Andrew Foshee, Krystle Warren, Man Bear, Katy Guillen & The Girls, Samantha Fish, Trampled Under Foot, The Blackbird Revue, Wells The Traveler, Maria The Mexican, Grand Marquis, The Julie Ruin, Deerhunter, John Vanderslice, Mavis Staples, Charles Bradley, Atoms For Peace, Johnny Marr, Savages, Daft Punk, Yo La Tengo, Irma Thomas, CocoRosie, Neko Case, Sonny & The Sunsets, Fol Chen, and Beach Fossils.

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #503

Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

The 113 Best Recordings of 2013
(Part 1 of 4)

Wednesday MidDay Medley presented part-one, of our four-week special: The 113 Best Recordings of 2013. Based on the playlists of Wednesday MidDay Medley, we’ll feature representative tracks from our favorite recordings. In 2013 we’ve played over 1000 songs, and hundreds of New & Local Releases. We’ve presented dozens of LIVE in-studio performances from area performers, and we’ve interviewed over 200 local and national guests. 62% of the recordings on our “Best of” list were locally produced. It’s all good!

Tune into 90.1 FM, Wednesdays in December, on the 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th. We’ll play nearly 8-hours of music that represent: The 113 of Best Recordings of 2013!

1. (113.) Sneaky Creeps – “Tired”
from: Bell St. Radio / Independent / January 5, 2013
[3rd release from Sneaky Creeps. Recorded in the Sneaky Creeps living room/practice space (A.K.A. Bell St. Radio) with a single AKG 414. It was later overdubbed with vocals and professionally mastered by Joel Nanos of Element Recording Studios. Max – Drums & Yell/Talk, Isaac – Bass, Andy – Guitar & Yell/Talk.]

2. (112.) Daughn Gibson – “Me Moan”
from: Me Moan / Sub Pop / July 9, 2013
[Carlisle, Pennsylvania based singer/songwriter, was formerly the drummer for the band Pearls and Brass. His debut solo album “All Hell” received such critical acclaim that Sub Pop records signed Gibson.]

3. (111.) Polvo – “Light, Raking”
from: Siberia (Bonus Track Version) / Merge Records / Oct. 1, 2013
[Formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 1990, by guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski. Brian Quast plays drums, and Steve Popson plays bass guitar. Eddie Watkins was the band’s original drummer, but did not rejoin the band upon its reunion in 2008. Considered to be standard bearer of a genre which came to be known as math rock, although in interviews the band disavowed that categorization. Their sound was defined by complex and dissonant guitar harmonies and driving rhythm, complementing cryptic, often surrealist lyrics. The band’s name means “octopus” in Portuguese and “powder” or “dust” in Spanish; in Spain it also is a slang word for sex.]

10:13

4. (110.) Mount Moriah – “Bright Light”
from: Miracle Temple / Merge Records / February 26, 2013
[Sophomore album from North Carolina based trio, fronted by Heather McEntire who who brings her postpunk roots to americana sounds. The band is currently on tour with Telekinesis.]

5. (109.) White Fence – “Chairs in The Dark”
from: Cyclops Reap / Castle Face / April 9, 2013
[Originally planned as a compilation of Tim Presley’s 40 unreleased songs. Since 2010, he’s released four solo LPs, one collaborative album with Ty Segall, a live cassette, and a handful of singles, and work in other bands. He changed plans on the compilation, “there were more coming. a better crop,” he wrote in a press release. He wrote more songs, recorded them to the four-track in his bedroom, and scrapped the compilation altogether.
White Fence’s trippy, distortion-laced music has been critically acclaimed.]

6. (108.) Clairaudients – “Broken Mend”
from: I’m a Loudmouth, You’re a Puppet / Independent / June 29, 2013
[Music and Lyrics by Clairaudients: Eric Fain – Graphite Neck Electric Bass, Backup Vocals; Brandon Gardner – Electric Guitars; Blaire Geenens – Drumset; Chase Horseman – Grand piano, Backup Vocals, Bigsby Strums; Patrick Robinson – Lead Vocals, Electric Rhythm Guitar; Jordan Thompson – Lead Vocals, Electric Slide Guitar, Backup Vocals. Recorded from January to June, 2013 with Jeff Pickman at Massive Sound Studios. Produced by Jeff Pickman and Clairaudients]

7. (107.) Molly Picture Club – “Typical Biped”
from: In My Own Time Machine / Independent / April 30, 2013
[Aniko Adany: vocals, keys, synths & omnichord; Matthew Hayden: drums, & drum sequencing; Michael Tipton: vocals, guitar, & bass. All songs written, arranged, performed, & produced by Molly Picture Club. Additional percussion by Justin Skinner. Drums recorded, EP Mixed & Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab. All other sounds recorded by Matthew Hayden at Southland Studios.]

10:27 – Underwriting

10:28

8. (106.) The Bryan Ferry Orchestra – “Love is the Drug”
from: The Jazz Age / BMG / February 12, 2013
[A rerecording of some of Bryan Ferry’s compositions, as played in jazz style of the 1920s, by The Bryan Ferry Orchestra. The 13 songs have been chosen from 11 albums, from his very first release Roxy Music (1972) to his recent solo record Olympia (2010). The album was co-produced by Ferry and Rhett Davies, with arrangements by Colin Good. Talking about the inspiration behind the reinterpretations, Ferry told Clash (magazine), “I’ve sort of gone back to the music that I liked listening to when I was a young lad, nine or ten years old – I was really fairly precocious for that time.”]

9. (105.) Nosaj Thing – “Eclipse / Blue (feat. Kazu Makino)”
from: Home / Innovative Leisure / Jan. 22, 2013 [2nd studio album by Nosaj Thing, born Jason Chung,an American electronic musician based in Los Angeles, California. He has produced tracks for artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Kid Cudi, Busdriver, Nocando, and most recently, Chance the Rapper.]

10. (104.) Minden – “What’s More Than Appropriate?”
from: What’s More Than Appropriate? / Independent / July 24, 2013 [Recorded in October 2012 by Larry Crane at Jackpot Studio (PDX). All songs written by Casey Burge and Minden. Casey Burge (vocals), Dan Talmadge (keyboard, vocals), Lia Gist (vocals), James Taylor (guitar), Evan Houston (bass), Ryan Johnson (drums). Mixed and mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Studio (KCMO).]

11. (103.) The Bad Ideas – “Dead in My Head”
from: Lesson #1 / Independent / March 8, 2013
[Full length debut recording from the Kansas City based punk band, formed in October 2011. They’ve written all original songs and are influenced by post-hardcore, punk, and early pop punk. Their EP, Worse Thoughts, was one of our favorite recordings of 2012. Breaka Dawn on lead vocals; 
Britt Adair on Guitar, Back Up Vocals, 
Caitlin on Bass, back up vocals.]

[The Bad Ideas play Black & Gold Tavern Sat. Dec. 7 with Pedaljets, Red Kate, Kansas City Thieves.]

10:40

12. (102.) King Khan & The Shrines – “Born To Die”
from: Idle No More / Merge Records / September 3, 2013 [Berlin-based garage rock and psychedelic soul band. Founded in 1999 by then 22-year-old King Khan, formerly of Canadian garage rock outfits The Spaceshits (where he operated under the pseudonym Blacksnake) and Kukamongas. The band is noted for its impressive stage antics. Typically King Khan is scantily clad, and the overwhelming frontman. His performances feature cheerleader/go-go dancer Bamboorella and a mixture of instrumentation including: keyboard, baritone saxophone, guitar, bass, drums.]

13. (101.) Willis Earl Beal – “Coming Through (feat. Cat Power)”
from: Nobody Knows. / XL Records / Sept. 6, 2013
[Beal was born in Chicago, Illinois. In his early twenties Beal joined the US Army, moving to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Beal was medically discharged from the army due to intestinal problems. He then returned to Chicago where he worked at Sears Tower, following a five month hospital stay. In 2007, Beal moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Here Beal spent some time homeless, and working entry-level jobs, notably as a night-shift security guard. During this time Beal began to record music, leaving CD-Rs in public spaces around Albuquerque. Beal would also leave self-illustrated flyers around the town in the hope of finding a girlfriend. One of these flyers was discovered by Found Magazine who put Beal on the cover of their magazine. Found later released a limited-edition box set called The Willis Earl Beal Collection, which included Beal’s poetry, artwork and a 17-song album. Through these flyers and the subsequent coverage in Found, Beal was contacted by more than 100 members of the public. Beal participated in auditions for Simon Cowell’s The X Factor television show, but dropped out of the “boot-camp” stage of the competition. In 2012, Beal signed a recording contract with Hot Charity, an imprint of independent record label, XL Recordings. Beal’s first single for the labels, “Evening’s Kiss” was released on February 17, 2012 and the accompanying music video was illustrated by Beal. Beal’s debut album, entitled Acousmatic Sorcery was released on April 2, 2012. He will also star in a film entitled ‘MEMPHIS’ directed by Tim Sutton that will premiere at the 2013 Venice film Festival.]

14. (100.) High and Dry – “Pay No Attention To Alice”
from: High and Dry / Independent / August 16, 2013
[KC based band High and Dry is: Greg Connally on accordian & vocals; Sam Zech on guitar & vocals; Cathy Hawes on mandolin & vocals; and John Yingst on dobro, banjo & vocals. Written by Tom T. Hall.]

15. (99.) The Buttermilk Boys – “Hey Look”
from: Oh Pretty Good / Independent / April 2013
[Kansas City based band that calls their music “psychedelic rust folk.” Scott Stanton – vocals, acoustic guitar, song writin’; Travis Huffhines – mandolin; Kasey Rausch – harmonies, upright bass, fiddle, viola.]

[The Buttermilk Boys play Mike Kelly’s Westsider, Friday, Dec. 6.]

16. (98.) Loaded Goat – “Down On The Misery”
from: Corker / Loaded Goat / October 15, 2013
[Martin Korb, Matt Hawkins, Eddie Crane, Paul Andrews, Rob Ritter. Written by Matt Hawkins. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Mike West at the 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor, Lawrence, Kansas.]

17. (97.) Cadillac Flambé – “Our Child”
rom: Movin’ On / Independent / July 18, 2013
[Kansas City’s delta darlings, Cadillac Flambé, have been breathing new life into the Americana scene with their rejuvenating tumble boogie. Rooted in the solitary country blues of Leadbelly and the urban grit of John Lee Hooker, they till in the harmony of Johnny & June Cater and combine the funk punk blues brandish of The Black Keys, conjuring up their own explicit type of roots music they like to call “Blue-Eyed Americana Psychedelic Soul.” Their 2013 release Movin’ On is a collection of recordings memorializing the loss of their harmonica player, James “Pappy” Garrett, a follow up to their 2011 release, Eli’s Porch. From their humble farmhouse beginnings, husband/wife duo Kris & Havilah Bruders, drummer Mike Payne and bassist Dr. Dave Duly are bound and determined to open the sonic flood gates.]

[Loaded Goat and Cadillac Flambe’ play The 5th annual Murder Ballad Ball “Pleading The Fifth” Dec. 6 & 7, at The Living Room Theatre 1818 McGee, KCMO. FRIDAY, DEC 6, “THE TRIAL” features: Freight Train & Rabbit Killer, and the reunion of, American Catastrophe. Before the concert, a very special dinner will be prepared by KC celebrity chef, Celina Tio, limited to 50 people and is presale only. SATURDAY, DEC 7, “THE VERDICT” features 14 short performances by: The Silver Maggies, Rural Grit Allstars, Thee Haunted Maestro (Shaun Hamontree’s his new band), Anthony Ladesich, Kasey Rausch, Cadillac Flambe’, Mikal Shapiro, The Philistines , Damon Parker, Loaded Goat, Kill Noise Boys, A.J.Gaither, Blue Boot Healers, and David George. ]

11:02

18. (96.) Julia Holter – “This is A True Heart”
from: Loud City Song / Domino Records / August 19, 2013
[3rd studio album from 30 year old Julia Holter who has been compared to: Laurie Anderson, Julianna Barwick, Kate Bush, Joanna Newsom, and Stereolab. Her father once performed with Pete Seeger. Her mother, Carole Shammas, is a prominent academic and currently holds the John R. Hubbard Chair in History at the University of Southern California. Besides playing and recording music, Holter tutors students and works with a nonprofit organization for teenagers in South Central Los Angeles. A graduate of CalArts, where she studied composition, Holter released her debut studio album, Tragedy, in August 2011.]

19. (95.) Lucy Wainwright Roche – “Seek and hide (feat. Colin Meloy)”
from: There’s A Last Time For Everything / maeby music / October 15, 2013
[From citywinery.com: “Lucy Wainwright Roche was born into a musical family Greenwich Village, NYC, Lucy Wainwright Roche is deeply steeped in the musical world. In addition to her parents (Loudon Wainwright III and Suzzy Roche of The Roches) and her siblings, (Martha and Rufus Wainwright), Lucy’s various aunts, uncles and cousins are all musicians. After a childhood of touring in vans, and hanging out backstage at clubs and theaters around the country, Lucy went off to college and grad school –– a twist on the classic rebellion –– and became a school teacher in NYC. She had very little to do with the music world. Then in 2005 on a whim, she spend a few weeks out on the road with her brother Rufus which reignited her deep connection to life on the road. Shortly, Lucy left her teaching job to pursue music full time. Fast forward to 2013. With two EPs (8 Songs and 8 More) and one full-length album entitled Lucy (2010) under her belt, she’s traveled thousands of miles, and armed with a just a guitar and a huge angelic voice, she’s performed solo and with countless musicians from Neko Case to the Indigo Girls in this country and internationally. There’s a Last Time For Everything was recorded in Nashville with her friend, collaborator and producer, Jordan Brooke Hamlin. Colin Meloy (The Decemberists) adds harmonies to “Seek And Hide”, which Lucy wrote while watching a man walk up and down the block outside of her building one afternoon, and is the album’s upbeat and fleshed out second track. Roche recalls, “It was a song that I wrote kind of mysteriously – and about a stranger. I knew that I wanted a male voice that was very distinctive to join me on that song. My very first choice was Colin and although I don’t know him well, he graciously agreed to sing on the track and really hit the nail on the head and added just the touch I was hoping for.”]

11:12

20. (94.) Quiet Corral – “Send The Line”
from: Ancestors / Independent / August 27, 2013
[Quiet Corral is a six-piece band from Lawrence, Kansas, that includes: Jim Barnes, Garrett Childers, Isaac Flynn, Matt Green, Jesse Braswell Roberts, Zach Mehl. Recorded in Lawrence, KS at The Art House and The Flynn Music Factory in 2012. Engineered by Jim Barnes. Additional engineering by Isaac Flynn. Mixed by Jim Barnes. Produced by Jim Barnes and Quiet Corral. All songs written by Quiet Corral.]

21. (93.) Iron & Wine – “Grace for Saints and Ramblers”
from: Ghost on Ghost / Nonesuch / April 16, 2013 [5th studio album from Iron and Wine, aka singer-songwriter Sam Beam. Sam Beam told the New York Times writer James C. McKinley Jr. that “Some of the tracks on the new LP are built over jazz rhythms and walking bass lines; others are constructed over funk beats.” “The songs feature Motown chord progressions with R&B horn lines, string parts and rich layered backup harmonies reminiscent of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s late arrangements.’]

22. (92.) Alaturka – “Dar Hejiroke”
from: Yalniz / Tzigane / March 4, 2013
[From Alaturkamusic.com: “formed in 2009 with the vision of creating an equal “auditory handshake” between two musical cultures, American jazz and Turkish classical music. Founder and director Beau Bledsoe joined with three of KC’s most acclaimed jazz musicians, Rich Wheeler, Brandon Draper, Jeff Harshbarger, to form a quartet in which both cultures are treated with equal respect. The collaboration resulted in an intriguing new sound that has garnered the ensemble multiple invitations to perform throughout the U.S. and abroad. In 2013, Alaturka’s second recording, “Yalniz” (Tzigane Music) received 4.5 stars in Downbeat Magazine.]

11:25 – Underwriting

11:27

23. (91.) Merry Clayton – “Gimme Shelter”
from: 20 Feet from Stardom (Music from the Motion Picture) / Columbia / June 7, 2013
[Born Dec. 25, 1948, in Gert Town, New Orleans, Clayton began her recording career in 1962 at the age of 13, singing “Who Can I Count On? (When I Can’t Count On You)” as a duet with Bobby Darin. She has provided back-up vocals with Mick Jagger on The Rolling Stones song “Gimme Shelter”. Her early career included performances with Ray Charles as one of The Raelettes., on Neil Young’s debut album 1968, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” and for Tom Jones, Joe Cocker and Carole King. She also originated the role of the Acid Queen in the original 1972 London production of The Who’s Tommy.] [Merry is currently featured in Twenty Feet From Stardom, a documentary about background singers and their contributions to the music industry. Merry also just released The Best of Merry Clayton.]

24. (90.) Lyal Strickland– “(What If We Could) Save The World”
from: Balanced On Barbed Wire / Independent / 2013
[From Buffalo Missouri. A singer, songwriter, and farmer born, raised, and living in the Missouri Ozarks, Lyal Strickland balances songwriting, touring, and raising grass-fed beef. Writing about too much rain and not enough of it, economic upturns and downturns and the intricacies of small town culture, his songs come straight from the heart with a heavy dose of reality.]

25. (89.) Hailu Mergia – “Shilela”
from: Hailu Mergia & His Classical Instrument / Awesome Tapes From Africa / June 25, 2013
[Hailu Mergia was an Ethiopian one-man-band accordion/keyboardist extraordinaire. Hailu made his name in Walias Band and later went on to do some visionary solo recordings. Hailu Mergia’s beautiful and surprising 1985 foray into traditional Ethiopian songs via analog synth, electric piano and accordion was remastered.]

26. (88.) Rhye – “The Fall”
from: Woman / Polydor Records / March 5, 2013
[Debut release from Rhye, a musical duo based in Los Angeles, California, made up of: Mike Milosh, from Canada, and Robin Hannibal, from Denmark. Milosh had previously released albums as Milosh, and Hannibal had previously recorded as Quadron. Recorded in Copenhagen and Los Angeles, their sound brings together elements of their modern cultural aesthetics mixed with an homage to classic sensibilities; lush strings and melodies intertwined with simple electronic production and soft and sultry vocals – a marriage between refined decadence and modern elegance]

11:45

27. (87.) Bill Callahan – “Javelin Unlanding”
from: Dream River / Drag City / September 17, 2013
[Born June 3, 1966, Bill Callahan is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, who has also recorded and performed under the band name Smog. Callahan began working in the lo-fi genre of underground rock, with home-made tape-albums recorded on four track tape recorders.]

28. (86.) Ólöf Arnalds – “German Fields”
from: Sudden Elevation / One Little Indian / March 5th, 2013
[After two critically lauded albums, Iceland’s Ólöf Arnalds released her second US full length, Sudden Elevation. (Arnalds’ third) 12 original tracks all sung in English. Ólöf’s voice, finger-picked acoustic guitar and South American charango are once again the central focus, but there is also subtle but luminous colouring from koto harp, keyboards and electric guitar, as well as the odd, deftly applied swell of a string section.]

29. (85.) The Black Angels – “Don’t Play With Guns”
from: Indigo Meadow / Blue Venture / April 2, 2013
[The Black Angels are a psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas, formed in 2004. They have released four studio albums and one compilation album. Their name is derived from the Velvet Underground song “The Black Angel’s Death Song”.]

30. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]

sources for notes: artists websites and wikipedia.org

Show #502

Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

The 113 Best Recordings of 2013
(Part 1 of 4)

Wednesday MidDay Medley presents part-one, of our four-week special: The 113 Best Recordings of 2013. Based on the playlists of Wednesday MidDay Medley, we’ll feature representative tracks from our favorite recordings. In 2013 we’ve played over 1000 songs, and hundreds of New & Local Releases. We’ve presented dozens of LIVE in-studio performances from area performers, and we’ve interviewed over 200 local and national guests. 62% of the recordings on our “Best of” list were locally produced. It’s all good!

Tune into 90.1 FM, Wednesdays in December, on the 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th. We’ll play nearly 8-hours of music that represent: The 113 of Best Recordings of 2013!

This Wednesday, we’ll count down #113 through #85 of our list, with music from: Sneaky Creeps, Clairaudients, The Bad Ideas, High and Dry, Buttermilk Boys, Loaded Goat, Cadillac Flambe’, Quiet Corral, Alaturka, Lyal Strickland, Minden, Molly Picture Club, Nosaj Thing, Rhye, Bill Callahan, Olof Arnalds, Julia Holter, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Iron & Wine, Merry Clayton, Hailu Mergia, Daughn Gibson, Polvo, King Khan & the Shrines, Willis Earl Beal, Mount Moriah, White Fence, The Black Angels, and The Bryan Ferry Orchestra.

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #502