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

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

More New & MidCoastal Releases + Krystle Warren + Jake Walker

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
   from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
   [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]

2. New York Dolls – “Lonely Planet Boy”
   from: New York Dolls / Mercury Records / July 27, 1973
   [New York Dolls is the debut album by the American hard rock band New York Dolls. It was released on July 27, 1973, by Mercury Records. In the years leading up to the album, the Dolls had developed a local fanbase by playing regularly in lower Manhattan after forming in 1971. However, most music producers and record companies were reluctant to work with them because of their vulgarity and onstage fashion as well as homophobia in New York; the group later appeared in exaggerated drag on the album cover for shock value. // After signing a contract with Mercury, the Dolls recorded their first album at The Record Plant in New York City with producer Todd Rundgren, who was known for his sophisticated pop tastes and held a lukewarm opinion of the band. Despite stories of conflicts during the recording sessions, lead singer David Johansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain later said Rundgren successfully captured how the band sounded live. The resulting music on the album – a mix of carefree rock and roll, influences from Brill Building pop, and campy sensibilities – explores themes of urban youth, teen alienation, adolescent romance, and authenticity, as rendered in Johansen’s colloquial and ambiguous lyrics. // New York Dolls was met with widespread critical acclaim but sold poorly and polarized listeners. The band proved difficult to market outside their native New York and developed a reputation for rock-star excesses while touring the United States in support of the album. Despite its commercial failure, New York Dolls was an influential precursor to the 1970s punk rock movement as the group’s crude musicianship and youthful attitude on the album challenged the prevailing trend of musical sophistication in popular music, particularly progressive rock. Among the most acclaimed albums in history, it has since been named in various publications as one of the best debut records in rock music and one of the greatest albums of all time. // New York Dolls were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1971. Along with the Velvet Underground and the Stooges, they were one of the first bands of the early punk rock scenes. Although the band never achieved much commercial success and their original line-up fell apart quickly, the band’s first two albums—New York Dolls (1973) and Too Much Too Soon (1974)—became among the most popular cult records in rock. The line-up at this time consisted of, vocalist David Johansen, guitarist Johnny Thunders, bassist Arthur Kane, guitarist and pianist Sylvain Sylvain, and drummer Jerry Nolan; the latter two had replaced Rick Rivets and Billy Murcia, respectively, in 1972. On stage, they donned an androgynous wardrobe, wearing high heels, eccentric hats, satin, makeup, spandex, and dresses. Nolan described the group in 1974 as “the Dead End Kids of today”. /// According to the Encyclopedia of Popular Music (1995), the New York Dolls predated the punk and glam metal movements and were “one of the most influential rock bands of the last 20 years”. They influenced rock groups such as Kiss, The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Damned, Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses and The Smiths whose frontman Morrissey organized a reunion show for the New York Dolls’ surviving members in 2004. After reuniting, they recruited new musicians to tour and record. They released three more albums—One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This (2006), Cause I Sez So (2009) and Dancing Backward in High Heels (2011). Following a 2011 British tour with Alice Cooper, the band once again disbanded. // Sylvain Sylvain and Billy Murcia, who went to junior high school and high school together, started playing in a band called “the Pox” in 1967. After the frontman quit, Murcia and Sylvain started a clothing business called Truth and Soul and Sylvain took a job at A Different Drummer, a men’s boutique that was across the street from the New York Doll Hospital, a doll repair shop. Sylvain said that the shop inspired the name for their future band. In 1970 they formed a band again and recruited Johnny Thunders to join on bass, though Sylvain ended up teaching him to play guitar. They called themselves the Dolls. When Sylvain left the band to spend a few months in London, Thunders and Murcia went their separate ways. // Thunders was eventually recruited by Kane and Rick Rivets, who had been playing together in the Bronx. At Thunders’ suggestion, Murcia replaced the original drummer. Thunders played lead guitar and sang for the band Actress. An October 1971 rehearsal tape recorded by Rivets was released as Dawn of the Dolls. When Thunders decided that he no longer wanted to be the front man, David Johansen joined the band. Initially, the group was composed of singer David Johansen, guitarists Johnny Thunders and Rick Rivets (who was replaced by Sylvain Sylvain after a few months), bass guitarist Arthur “Killer” Kane and drummer Billy Murcia. // The original line-up’s first performance was on Christmas Eve 1971 at a homeless shelter, the Endicott Hotel. After getting a manager and attracting some music industry interest, the New York Dolls got a break when Rod Stewart invited them to open for him at a London concert. // In the band’s early days, the New York Dolls performed at the Mercer Art Center, where Ruby and the Rednecks opened for and were influenced by them. // While on a brief tour of England in 1972, Murcia was invited to a party, where he passed out from an accidental overdose. He was put in a bathtub and force-fed coffee in an attempt to revive him. Instead, it resulted in asphyxiation. He was found dead on the morning of November 6, 1972, at the age of 21. // Once back in New York, the Dolls auditioned drummers, including Marc Bell (who was to go on to play with Richard Hell, and with the Ramones under the stage name “Marky Ramone”), Peter Criscuola (better known as Peter Criss, the original and former drummer of Kiss), and Jerry Nolan, a friend of the band. They selected Nolan, and after US Mercury Records’ A&R man Paul Nelson signed them, they began sessions for their debut album. In 1972, the band took on Marty Thau as manager. // New York Dolls was produced by singer-songwriter, musician and solo artist Todd Rundgren. In an interview in Creem magazine, Rundgren says he barely touched the recording; everybody was debating how to do the mix. Sales were sluggish, especially in the middle US, and a Stereo Review magazine reviewer in 1973 compared the Dolls’ guitar playing to the sound of lawnmowers. America’s mass rock audience’s reaction to the Dolls was mixed. In a Creem magazine poll, they were elected both best and worst new group of 1973. The Dolls also toured Europe, and, while appearing on UK television, host Bob Harris of the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test derided the group as “mock rock,” comparing them unfavorably to the Rolling Stones. // For their next album, Too Much Too Soon, the quintet hired producer George “Shadow” Morton, whose productions for the Shangri-Las and other girl-groups in the mid-1960s had been among the band’s favorites. // By 1975, the Dolls were playing smaller venues than they had been previously. Drug and alcohol abuse by Thunders, Nolan, and Kane, as well as artistic differences added to the tensions among members. In late February or early March, Malcolm McLaren became their informal manager. He got the band red leather outfits to wear on stage and a communist flag as backdrop. The Dolls did a five-concert tour of New York’s five boroughs, supported by Television and Pure Hell. The Little Hippodrome (Manhattan) show was recorded and released by Fan Club records in 1982 as Red Patent Leather. It was originally a bootleg album that was later remixed by Sylvain, with former manager Marty Thau credited as executive producer. Due to Kane being unable to play that night, roadie Peter Jordan played bass, though he was credited as having played “second bass”. Jordan filled in for Kane when he was too inebriated to play. // In March and April, McLaren took the band on a tour of South Carolina and Florida. Jordan replaced Kane for most of those shows. Thunders and Nolan left after an argument. Blackie Lawless, who later founded W.A.S.P., replaced Thunders for the remainder of the tour after which the band broke up. // The band reformed in July for an August tour in Japan with Jeff Beck and Felix Pappalardi. Johansen, Sylvain and Jordan were joined by former Elephant’s Memory keyboardist Chris Robison and drummer Tony Machine. One of the shows was documented on the album Tokyo Dolls Live (Fan Club/New Rose). The material is similar to that on Red Patent Leather, but notable for a radically re-arranged “Frankenstein” and a cover of Big Joe Turner’s “Flip Flop Fly.” The album is undated and has no production credit, but was issued circa 1986. // After their return to New York, the Dolls resumed playing shows in the US and Canada. Mercury dropped the Dolls on October 7, 1975, their contract with Mercury having expired on 8 August 1975 – five months after Thunders’ and Nolan’s departures from the band. Their show at the Beacon Theatre, on New Year’s Eve, 1975 met with great critical acclaim. After a drunken argument with Sylvain, Robison was fired and replaced by pianist/keyboardist Bobbie Blaine formerly a member of Street Punk. The group toured throughout 1976, performing a set including some songs with lyrics by David Johansen that would later appear on David Johansen’s solo albums including “Funky But Chic”, “Frenchette” and “Wreckless Crazy.” The group played its last show December 30, 1976 at Max’s Kansas City; on the same bill as Blondie. // Shortly after returning from Florida, Thunders and Nolan formed The Heartbreakers with bassist Richard Hell, who had left Television the same week that they quit the Dolls. Thunders later pursued a solo career. He died in New Orleans on April 23, 1991, allegedly of an overdose of both heroin and methadone. It also came to light that he suffered from t-cell leukemia. Nolan died on January 14, 1992 following a stroke, brought about by bacterial meningitis. In 1976, Kane and Blackie Lawless formed the Killer Kane Band in Los Angeles. Immediately after the New York Dolls’ second breakup, Johansen began a solo career. By the late 1980s, he achieved moderate success under the pseudonym, Buster Poindexter. Sylvain formed The Criminals, a popular band at CBGB. // A posthumous New York Dolls album, Lipstick Killers, made up of early demo tapes of the original Dolls (with Billy Murcia on drums), was released in a cassette-only edition on ROIR Records in 1981, and subsequently re-released on CD, and then on vinyl in early 2006. All the tracks from this title – sometimes referred to as The Mercer Street Sessions (though actually recorded at Blue Rock Studio, New York) – are included on the CD Private World, along with other tracks recorded elsewhere, including a previously unreleased Dolls original, “Endless Party.” Three more unreleased studio tracks, including another previously unreleased Dolls original, “Lone Star Queen,” are included on the Rock ‘n’ Roll album. The other two are covers: the “Courageous Cat” theme, from the original Courageous Cat cartoon series; and a second attempt at “Don’t Mess With Cupid,” a song written by Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd for Otis Redding, and first recorded independently for what was later to become the Mercer Street/Blue Rock Sessions. // Sylvain formed his own band, The Criminals, then cut a solo album for RCA, while also working with Johansen. He later became a taxicab driver in New York. // Johansen, meanwhile, formed the David Johansen Group, and released an eponymous LP in 1978, recorded at the Bottom Line in NYC’s Greenwich Village,featuring Sylvain Mizrahi and Johnny Thunders as guest musicians. // In May, 1978, he also released “David Johansen,” on Blue Sky Records, a label created by Steve Paul, formerly of The Scene. Johansen continued to tour with his solo project and released four more albums, In Style, 1979; Here Comes the Night, 1981; Live it Up, 1982; and Sweet Revenge, 1984. // During the later 1980’s, Johansen, ever-evolving, decided to try to liberate himself from the expectations of his New York Dolls perceived persona, and, on a whim, created the persona Buster Poindexter. // The success of this act led him to be invited to appear in multiple films: Scrooged, Freejack, and Let it Ride, among others. // He also formed a band called David Johansen and the Harry Smiths, named after the eccentric ethnomusicologist, performing jump blues, Delta blues, and some original songs. // During this period, in the early 1990s, Sylvain moved to Los Angeles and recorded one album Sleep Baby Doll, on Fishhead Records. His band, for that record, consisted of Brian Keats on drums, Dave Vanian’s Phantom Chords, Speediejohn Carlucci (who had played with the Fuzztones), and Olivier Le Baron on lead guitar. Guest appearances by Frank Infante of Blondie and Derwood Andrews of Generation X were also included on the record. It has been re-released as New York A Go Go/ // Morrissey, having been a longtime fan of the band and head of their 1970s UK fan club, organized a reunion of the three surviving members of the band’s classic line-up (Johansen, Sylvain and Kane) for the Meltdown Festival in London on June 16, 2004. The reunion led to a live LP and DVD on Morrissey’s Attack label, as well as a documentary film, New York Doll, on the life of Arthur Kane. However, future plans for the Dolls were affected by Kane’s sudden death from leukemia just weeks later on July 13, 2004. Yet the following month the band appeared at Little Steven’s Underground Garage Festival on August 14 in New York City before returning to the UK to play several more festivals through the remainder of 2004. // In July 2005, the two surviving members announced a tour and a new album entitled One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This. Released on July 25, 2006, the album featured guitarist Steve Conte, bassist Sami Yaffa (ex-Hanoi Rocks), drummer Brian Delaney and keyboardist Brian Koonin, formerly a member of David Johansen and the Harry Smiths. On July 20, 2006, the New York Dolls appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, followed by a live performance in Philadelphia at the WXPN All About The Music Festival, and on July 22, 2006, a taped appearance on The Henry Rollins Show. On August 18, 2006, the band performed in a free concert at New York’s Seaport Music. // In October 2006, the band embarked on a UK tour, with Sylvain taking time while in Glasgow to speak to John Kilbride of STV. The discussion covered the band’s history and the current state of their live show and songwriting, with Sylvain commenting that “even if you come to our show thinking ‘how can it be like it was before,’ we turn that around ‘cos we’ve got such a great live rock ‘n roll show”. In November 2006, the Dolls began headlining “Little Steven’s Underground Garage Presents the Rolling Rock and Roll Show,” about 20 live gigs with numerous other bands. In April 2007, the band played in Australia and New Zealand, appearing at the V Festival with Pixies, Pet Shop Boys, Gnarls Barkley, Beck, Jarvis Cocker and Phoenix. // On September 22, 2007, New York Dolls were removed from the current artists section of Roadrunner Records’ website, signifying the group’s split with the label. The band played the O2 Wireless Festival in Hyde Park, London on July 4, 2008, with Morrissey and Beck and the Lounge On The Farm Festival on July 12, 2008. On November 14, 2008, it was announced that the producer of their first album, Todd Rundgren, would be producing a new album, which would be followed by a world tour. The finishing touches on the album were made in Rundgren’s studio on the island of Kauai. The album, Cause I Sez So, was released on May 5, 2009 on Atco Records. // The band played at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas on March 21, 2009, and a show at London’s 100 Club on May 14, 2009 supported by Spizzenergi. On March 18, 2010, the band announced another two concert dates at KOKO in Camden, London and the Academy in Dublin on April 20. In December 2010, it was announced the band would release their fifth album which had been recorded in Newcastle upon Tyne. The album, Dancing Backward in High Heels, featuring new guitarist Frank Infante (formerly of Blondie) was released on March 15, 2011. // On March 1, 2011, it was announced the New York Dolls would be the opening act for a summer tour featuring Mötley Crüe and Poison. They announced a new lineup for the tour, featuring guitarist Earl Slick, who held previous stints with David Bowie and John Lennon, bassist Kenny Aaronson, who had toured with Bob Dylan, and drummer Jason Sutter, formerly of Foreigner. // In a 2016 interview, Earl Slick confirmed the band was over. “Oh, yeah, it’s long gone. There was no point in doing it anymore and it was kinda spent. You know, David really does enjoy the Buster thing. He’s so good at it. I’ve seen him do it a couple of times this last year, and man! He’s got it down, you know.” // Sylvain Sylvain died on January 13, 2021, at age 69, leaving David Johansen as the last surviving original member of the band. // Certainly neither great nor punk in any of its variations were words applied to the Dolls when they began performing late in 1971 – awful and ugly were more like it. Moreover, at the time, the Dolls were associated with glam-rock and David Bowie in his most flamboyantly gay period, an understandable mistake. — Ken Tucker // According to AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine, the New York Dolls developed an original style of hard rock that presaged both punk rock and heavy metal music, and drew on elements such as the “dirty rock & roll” of the Rolling Stones, the “anarchic noise” of the Stooges, the glam rock of David Bowie and T. Rex, and girl group pop music. Erlewine credited the band for creating punk rock “before there was a term for it.” Ken Tucker, who referred to them as a proto-punk band, wrote that they were strongly influenced by the “New York sensibility” of Lou Reed: “The mean wisecracks and impassioned cynicism that informed the Dolls’ songs represented an attitude that Reed’s work with the Velvet Underground embodied, as did the Dolls’ distinct lack of musicianship.” // When they began performing, four of the band’s five members wore Spandex and platform boots, while Johansen—the band’s lyricist and “conceptmaster” often preferred high heels and a dress occasionally. Fashion historian Valerie Steele said that, while the majority of the punk scene pursued an understated “street look”, the New York Dolls followed an English glam rock “look of androgyny—leather and knee-length boots, chest hair, and bleach”. According to James McNair of The Independent, “when they began pedalling their trashy glam-punk around lower Manhattan in 1971, they were more burlesque act than band; a bunch of lipsticked, gutter chic-endorsing cross-dressers”. Music journalist Nick Kent argued that the New York Dolls were “quintessential glam rockers” because of their flamboyant fashion, while their technical shortcomings as musicians and Johnny Thunders’ “trouble-prone presence” gave them a punk-rock reputation. // By contrast, Robert Christgau preferred for them to not be categorized as a glam rock band, but instead as “the best hard-rock band since the Rolling Stones”. Robert Hilburn, writing for the Los Angeles Times, said that the band exhibited a strong influence from the Rolling Stones, but had distinguished themselves by Too Much Too Soon (1974) as “a much more independent, original force” because of their “definite touch of the humor and carefreeness of early (ie. mid-1950s) rock”. Simon Reynolds felt that, by their 2009 album Cause I Sez So, the band exhibited the sound “not of the sloppy, rambunctious Dolls of punk mythology but of a tight, lean hard-rock band.”]

3. Andrew Connor – “Real Boy Now”
   from: In Colorado / Pretend Outlaw Music / April 21, 2021
   [Darien Williams on drums, Justin Fernando on bass guitar, Joseph Murphy on synth, Ryan Connor on guitar & lap steel, Andrew Connor on guitar, keys, & bass guitar. // Engineered by Doug Malone at Jamdek, Chicago // additional tracking by Andrew Connor. // Mixed by Mike Nolte and Andrew Connor in Portland, OR // Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering // Songs by Andrew Connor, Pretend Outlaw Music ASCAP Except “Misery” by Ryan Connor and Andrew Connor. // VINYL PRE ORDERS AVAILABLE SUMMER 2023 // “Daytime” (Official Video): youtu.be/PNQNowsCpPQ // “Moment Passed” (Official Visualizer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR28LYcRFlo // Andrew Connor is a veteran of the Lawrence Kansas – Kansas City Music Community. His band Ghosty has released some of our most favorite music of the past 19 years of this radio show.]

[Andrew Connor plays The Ship, 1221 Union Ave. KCMO WEST BOTTOMS, on Friday, June 2 at 8:00 PM with Daniel Gum, and 95 Sweetbird.]

[Andrew Connor plays the Eight Street Tap Room, 801 New Hampshire Street, Lawrence Kansas on Saturday, June 3, with Miss Boating, and Empty Moon.]

Ghosty Discography

Ghosty released the 3-song EP, PRODIGAL SUN on February 28, 2020 with Bill Belzer on drums, percussion / Ross Brown on guitar, keys / Andrew Connor on guitar, keyboards, vocals / Mike Nolte on bass

Ghosty released the self titled album GHOSTY on April 17, 2014. It was Ghosty’s 3rd full length release with Andrew Connor, Mike Nolte and Bill Belzer who recorded the album themselves over two years with help from David Wetzel, Josh Adams, Jake Blanton, Konnor Ervin, Ryan Connor, Kirsten Paludan, and Dan Talmadge. The album was pressed on vinyl and available on digital download.]

Ghosty released the single “Love U 2” on July 15, 2013, recorded June 2013 at Westend, Kansas City, KS. A documentary was made about the recording of this song by surrounding media vimeo.com/70317712 // with: Mike Nolte on bass, engineering, mastering // Andrew Connor on guitar, keys, vocals / Bill Belzer – drums, & percussion

Ghosty released the 5-track EP, TEAM UP AGAIN on April 13, 2010 with Andrew Connor, Mike Nolte, David Wetzel, Josh Adams, Jake Blanton, Suzannah Johannes, Konnor Ervin, Ryan Johnson // Team Up Again,” “Ocean of Heat (Setting FIres),” and “Quell The Hunger” by Andrew Connor, arranged by Ghosty, Pretend Outlaw Music, ASCAP, 2010. “Virginia Song” by Rev. Howard Finster, arranged by Ghosty. “On A Saturday” by Jake Blanton, arranged by Ghosty. // “Team Up Again,” “Setting Fires,” “Virginia Song,” and “On A Saturday” recorded and mixed at Run Riot / More Famouser Studios, Shawnee, KS, September 2009 through March 2010. Engineered and mixed by Mike Nolte and Ghosty. // “Quell The Hunger” recorded at Mixtape Soundlab, Lawrence, KS, January 2009 additional tracking and mixing and Run Riot / More Famouser studios, Shawnee, KS, and February 2010. Engineered and mixed by Mike Nolte and Ghosty.

Ghosty released the 3-track EP, FOOLISH PRIDE on November 17, 2009 with All songs by Andrew Connor, arranged by Ghosty, Pretend Outlaw Music, ASCAP, 2009 // “Foolish Pride” and “Rose-Colored Glasses” basic tracks recorded at Jack’s House, Merriam, Kansas, Fall 2007. Engineered by Mike Nolte and Ghosty. Additional tracking and mixing at More Famouser Studios, Kansas City, MO, and Run Riot Studios, Shawnee, KS, Fall 2009. // “Hey Bill” basic tracks recorded at Mixtape Soundlab, Lawrence, KS, January 2009. Engineered by Mike Nolte and David Wetzel. Additional tracking and mixing at More Famouser Studios, Kansas City, MO by Mike Nolte and Ghosty, Spring 2009.

Ghosty released the 3-track EP, A MYSTIC’S ROBE on September 15, 2009 with Andrew Connor, David Wetzel, Mike Nolte, Jake Blanton, Josh Adams, Carmen Winters // All Songs by Andrew Connor, arranged by Ghosty, Pretend Outlaw Music, ASCAP, 2009 // “My Girl Is Strong” and “Sunday Morning” basic tracks recorded at Mixtape Soundlab, Lawrence, KS, January 2009. Engineered by Mike Nolte and David Wetzel. Additional tracking & mixing at More Famouser Studios, KCMO by Mike Nolte & Ghosty Spring 2009. // “Secret Language” basic tracks recorded at Jack’s House, Merriam, KS, Fall 2007 Engineered by Mike Nolte & Ghosty. Additional tracking & mixing at More Famouser Studios, by Mike Nolte & Ghosty Spring 2009.

Ghosty released the 11-song album ANSWERS on January 15, 2008 with tracks recorded by Paul Malinowski at Westend and Run Riot Studios, Kansas City, KS, 2006-07. racks 4, 6, 7, and 9 were recorded and mixed by Trent Bell at Bell Labs, Norman, OK, 2006. // Track 8 was recorded by Tim Brandsted at UMKC and Paul Malinowski at Westend. Mixed by Paul Malinowski at Westend, 2007. // Tracks 2 and 10 were recorded by Chris Behmer at the Ferrell home, Overland Park, KS, 2005, and with Trent Bell at Bell Labs. Mixed by Trent Bell at Bell Labs, 2006. // Mastered by Roger Seibel at SAE Masterin // All songs by Andrew Connor, arranged by Ghosty // Pretend Outlaw Music, ASCAP. // Released on Oxblood Records.

Ghosty released the 5-track EP, ME, ME, ME on January 15, 2006 w/ Andrew Connor on guitar & vocals / Jeff Ferrell on guitar & vocals // David Wetzel on keyboards &* vocals // Mike Nolte – bass & vocals // Josh Adams on drums & vocals // Recorded & mixed Fall 2005 by Jeff Ferrell and Ghosty at New York St. house, Lawrence, KS. Artwork by Paul Browning. Songs by Andrew Connor, Pretend Outlaw Music

Ghosty released the 19-ytrack album GROW UP OR SLEEP IN (Deluxe Edition) on August 30, 2005 with Josh Adams, Andrew Connor, Jeff Ferrell, Mike Nolte, David Wetzel// and Alums: Jacob Baum, Richard Gintowt, Mark Hurst, Andrew Sallee, James Duft // Big Surrender, Henry Greene, and Hey! Somebody were recorded by Mike Mogis at Presto! in Lincoln, NE in the summer of 2002 // Jacqueline, Rooms in the Dark, (In a Big World)Little Dreams Count, High on Life, Clouds Solve It, Go to Add/Drop City, and World Travelers were recorded by Trent Bell and Andy Nunez at Bell Labs in Norman, OK in the fall 2003 // Mastered by Doug Van Sloun at Studio B // Design by Patrick Giroux at Blue Collar Press // All songs by Andrew Connor, Copyright 2005 // Pretend Outlaw Music(ASCAP) // Wayne Coyne appears courtesy of Warner Brothers Records // BONUS TRACKS: Primadonna, John Hunter, and Sad Sack recorded Summer 2006? at the Ferrell Home in Overland Park, KS by Chris Behmer and Ghosty // Dust Box Nites and Rok Town Air recorded and mixed with Tom Wagner at Underground Sound in Lawrence Kansas, Winter 2005? James Duft plays bass // Going Home Recorded in the Spring of 2002 at 1225 and 1137 Tennessee in Lawrence, KS by Ghosty, Mixed with Jeff Ferrell.

Ghosty released the 6-track EP THE FIVE SHORT MINUTES on February 2, 2002 with Andrew Connor: Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards / Jacob Baum: Bass, Organ, Percussion, Guitar / Richard Gintowt: Drums, Percussion / Jeff Jackson: Pedal Steel Guitar on Track 5 // Recorded Fall 2001 at the haunted house by Jacob Baum / Produced by Ghosty / Mastered by Boyd Bristow

4. Eddie Moore – “Tsunami”
   from: Tsunami – Single / Eddie Moore Music / April 20, 2023
   [Recorded & produced at Moore’s Tribe Studios, this song features Jaylen Ward on drums. Mixed & mastered by veteran KC savant Crayge Lindesay. // “Tsunami” is a kick back song. Grab a drink, maybe roll up something, and take a mental health day. Because right now, life for everyone is kind of stressful. Moore provides the vibes with smooth piano melodies, swirling synth textures, and when the bass hits it washes over you like a tidal wave. // When you speak to Eddie Moore you find an ocean of calm, and when you listen to Eddie Moore you find the depth of that ocean. Moore reaches from the soul with every note, in a deep way, with a tension just below the surface. His yearning for exploration and curiosity in music contribute to an ebb and flow freedom of expression. // Eddie Moore released hia critically acclaimed album INTUITION on October 28, 2022. Written & Produced by Eddie Moore. Recorded at Tribe Studios. Featuring Tim Ogutu on guitar. Mix & Mastered by Rick Carson at Make Believe Studios. Album Art by Brandon Wilson. // Eddie Moore released the single, “Love Song” (with Joel Castillo and Bree Cummings) on October 22, 2021. // Eddie Moore released “We Chillin’” on April 9, 2021. // Eddie Moore’s band We The People released their album MISUNDERSTOOD on September 25, 2020. // Eddie Moore is the recipient of the 2016 Charlotte Street Generative Performance Award for his genre bending collaborations. Raised in Houston Texas, he began his musical journey at Texas Southern University where he later earned a Bachelors in Arts and immersed himself in the Houston music scene. Eddie relocated to Kansas City to study under Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he received a M.A in Jazz Studies. 2017’s Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art “Artist in Residence” in collaboration with Rashid Johnson. In 2018 his work with The Outer Circle was nominated for an Indie Music Award for “007”. His music has been featured commercially for Sprint, Netflix’s “Queer Eye”, and Morgan Cooper’s short film “Room Tone”. Moore’ has shared the stage and recordings with Bobby Watson, Logan Richardson, Maurice Brown, Boys II Men, Brian Blade and the Fellowship, John Baptiste, Erykah Badu, Mosdef, Bilal, Ledisi, Chantae Cann, Krystal Warren, Matt Otto, Brandon Draper, Andre Hayward, Tivon Pennicott, Various Blonde, Dominique Sanders, 77 Jefferson, and the Marcus Lewis Big Band. We The People released the single, “Single Double” on June 10, 2021. Written & Produced By Eddie Moore with Moore on keyboards, key bass, & programming; Zach Morrow on drums; and Jason Emmond on bass. Recorded at Tribe Studios. Mixed by Rick Carson at Make Believe Studios. Eddie Moore joined WMM on Sept. 23, 2020 and Nov. 23, 2022. More info at http://www.eddiemooremusic.com]

5. Iris DeMent – “Say A Good Word”
   from: Workin’ On A World / FlariElla / February 24, 2023
   [Iris DeMent’s 7th full length album, WORKING ON A WORLD was stalled partway through by the pandemic, the record took six years to make with the help of three friends and co-producers: Richard Bennett, Pieta Brown, and Jim Rooney. It was Pieta Brown who gave the record its final push. “Pieta asked me what had come of the recordings I’d done with Jim and Richard in 2019 and 2020. I told her I’d pretty much given up on trying to make a record. She asked would I mind if she had a listen. So, I had everything we’d done sent over to her, and not long after that I got a text, bouncing with exclamation marks: ‘You have a record and it’s called Workin’ On A World!’” With Bennett back in the studio with them, Brown and DeMent recorded several more songs and put the final touches on the record in Nashville in April of 2022. // DeMent sets the stage for the album with the title track in which she moves from a sense of despair towards a place of promise. “Now I’m workin’ on a world I may never see ‘ Joinin’ forces with the warriors of love / Who came before and will follow you and me.” “Goin’ Down To Sing in Texas” is an ode not only to gun control, but also to the brave folks who speak out against tyranny and endure the consequences in an unjust world. // On October 6, 2020 iris DeMent released her single “Going Down To Sing In Texas.” Stereogum on October 13, 2020 wrote: Other than a handful of guest appearances, Americana legend Iris DeMent hasn’t released new music since her 2015 album The Trackless Woods, a collection of Anna Akhmatova poems set to original music. But DeMent is back today in a big way with “Going Down To Sing In Texas,” a lengthy rambler that’s a lot more serious than its casual, jazzy piano groove lets on. Over the course of nine minutes, DeMent addresses police brutality, George W. Bush (“What’s the deal with all these war criminals who get to walk around free?”), Islamophobia, progressive protesters (“I’m so proud of all of these young people for taking it to the streets”), gun control, Jeff Bezos (“Ain’t we all just a little bit tired of greedy people getting a free pass?”), the Chicks, the Squad, and Jesus Christ (“He spoke truth to power, he stood up for the poor/ The church today wouldn’t even let him through the door”) among other things. It’s a hell of a song, clear and direct yet artful in its conversational ease. Never forget that DeMent can go toe to toe with songwriting legends like her old duet partner John Prine. In his review for WHYY’s Fresh Air, Entertainment Weekly Music Editor – Ken Tucker wrote: “Iris DeMent possesses one of the great voices in contemporary popular music: powerfully, ringingly clear, capable of both heartbreaking fragility and blow-your-ears-back power. Had she been making country albums in the ’70s and ’80s and had more commercial ambition, she’d probably now be considered right up there with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. Instead, she’s lived a contemporary life, a somewhat private life. As she recently told an interviewer, “There’s a lot that goes into life besides songwriting.” And she’s taken her time in composing songs that fit into no genre easily.”]

[Iris DeMent played Knuckleheads 2715 Rochester Street, KCMO on Thursday, March 23, 2023 in a SOLD OUT SHOW with guest Ana Egge opening the show.]

6. Lael Neale – “Must Be Tears”
   from: Star Eaters Delight / Sub Pop Records / April 21, 2023
   [Lael Neale returns with her beguiling new full-length Star Eaters Delight. The album, which features the highlights “I Am The River,” “In Verona,” “Must Be Tears,” and “Faster Than The Medicine,” was written by Neale, with arrangements and production by Guy Blakeslee. The recordings were made on cassette in Virginia and mastered by Chris Coady in Los Angeles.// Star Eaters Delight reveals an expansion of Neale’s sonic collaboration with producer and accompanist Blakeslee and arrives on the heels of her Sub Pop debut Acquainted With Night, which won international acclaim for its crystalline vocals, clever songwriting, and excellent use of Omnichord to build a world of beautiful reveries. That album saw praise from the likes of Uncut, MOJO, Loud & Quiet, The AV Club, Stereogum, SPIN, and earned “Best of 2021” placement from Under the Radar, Les Inrocks, Aquarium Drunkard, Gold Flake Paint, Still Listening, Secret Meeting and more. // April of 2020, Lael moved from Los Angeles back to her family’s farm in rural Virginia. Looking at the world from a distance and getting in tune with her own rhythms, she wrote and recorded steadily for two dreamlike years, driven by a need to make order out of chaos. Forged in isolation, Star Eaters Delight is a vehicle for returning, not just to civilization, but to celebration. She explains: “The unbroken silences on the farm compelled me to break them with sound. This album is louder and more external, calling out to the world.” // Album opener “I Am The River” melts the ice with a dynamic explosion of minimalist transcendental pop clearly descended from the Velvets branch of modern music’s family tree. Watch the official self-directed video for “I Am The River” below. // Lael Neale is also sharing her international tour schedule for 2023 in support of Star Eaters Delight which begins April 22nd in Los Angeles at Permanent Records Roadhouse and currently runs through May 27 in Gothenburg, Sweden. For the US run, the tour will have stops in Washington, Austin, Nashville, Tucson, New York, Northampton, and Philadelphia. Tickets for these shows are on sale now.]

7. Photo Ops -“When You See Something Beautiful”
   from: Burns Bright / Paul Is Dead Records / April 28, 2023
   [Photo Ops is the musical project of Terry Price. This is Photo Ops’ 4th album. Burns Bright explores hope, loss, and nostalgia through the lens of hushed yet sweeping melodies, anchored with fingerpicked guitar, lush piano, and synth flourishes. Burns Bright is out April 28, 2023 on Paul Is Dead Records. // The autumn blaze maple tree, famous as music in Nashville, is a fast grower. Imagine its teeming majesty of red leaves from above one house in the city’s Inglewood neighborhood. You see it ensconced like a controlled flame by rolling hills and winding roads. A familiar pattern lulls you from days into nights in this dreamy park town. You never realized from the ground, under the shade of that tree, how all these beautiful designs in any city keep you sane. // The sweeping vantage points of Photo Ops’ Burns Bright belong first to the quiet of Nashville’s first modern suburb after World War II. Terry Price lived there while perfecting the melodic soft-rock modes that pleased audiences on tour with Camera Obscura and Fences. Price took this way of seeing to a new home in Los Angeles. Long drives through dimensional vistas ended in his room in Los Feliz where he recorded Burns Bright. When Etta James, Molly Drake, and The Byrds are all touch-points of sound and silence, what emerges is a gentle homage to the commonalities of lasting influence in pop music, a kind of time-bending presentiment — the moment of tracking in a studio when everyone senses it’s a moment that will be remembered. Reaching through the layer of industry noise in both hallmark cities as we know them from a distance — is this a hit? — Price treasures the visceral experience of making and recognizing music. // The most devout of craftspeople, Price is on a quest toward the merciful essence of recognition when he writes songs; each line discovers a pure element of comfort, calling back to the land and to his musician mother’s love of transcendent melodies. Burns Bright reminds us how those forces are one and the same. // Price’s heroes in music are more than inspirations. To him, they offer examples of how to keep breathing in a culture that discourages total presence. It’s true that moving an open heart through the world comes with constant risk. Looking out at the expanse we all share — really seeing that world — is the practice of Burns Bright, and the special ability that makes Price a songwriter to cherish.]

10:31 – Underwriting

8. Red Kate -“Shut It Down”
   from: ”Shut It Down” – Single / Black Site / April 27. 2023
   [The Kansas City based, class-conscious punk rock and rollers, Red Kate, are proud to announce their first new music in five years. “Shut It Down”, the debut single from the band’s upcoming third album, EXIT STRATEGY, is a blistering, no-holds-barred call to action for the oppressed, marginalized and working class. Written by the band’s former guitar player, Desmond Poirier, after attending a Stand Up KC march, “Shut It Down” reminds us that when push comes to shove, the one power the powerless still have when they come together in solidarity is to SHUT! IT! DOWN! The song begins streaming on all platforms Thursday, April 27, 2023. // In late 2021, singer/bassist, L. Ron Drunkard, drummer Andrew Whelan, rhythm guitarist Shawn Hamontree, and newly added lead guitarist Chris Kinsley returned to the band’s mainstay studio, Duane Trower’s Weights and Measures Soundlab, to finish what, at this point, had become a multi-year project. The group laid down four new tracks written during lockdown and then began the long process of turning twelve songs recorded over several sessions in two different studio locations with four different guitarists into the best sounding, and best collection of, songs the band has ever recorded. // Exit Strategy is set for release in the Fall of 2023 on Kansas City record label cooperative Black Site. // BLACK SITE is a record label cooperative created by Kansas City musicians interested in supporting regional punk and rock bands release their recordings on a physical medium. With the world around us becoming a deluge of digital l’s and 0’s, transient as a trust fund crust punk on a cross country excursion, tangible art is critical to maintaining connections to our past, our sense of place, and who we are as a people. Only WE can create the world we want to live in. Reciprocity and solidarity are the cornerstones of building long lasting, self-sustaining community power that pushes back against the commodification of culture. Music is not a business; Punk is not a brand, and DIY is not a lifestyle to be consumed. This is a way of life, and if we don’t hang together, we’ll surely hang alone. Info at: http://www.black-site.org]

[Red Kate plays Farewell, 6515 Stadium Drive, KCMO, Friday, May 5, at 7:00 PM with Trauma Czars from Denver, plus Backpedal, and Small Victories, 21+ Shows]

9. Killer Mike – “Don’t Let The Devil (feat EL-P & thankugoodsir) (clean edit)”
   from: DON’T LET THE DEVIL (feat EL-P & thankugoodsir) (clean edit) / Loma Vista / 8/24/22
   [Killer Mike is celebrating his birthday by formally launching the countdown for his new solo album MICHAEL via the release of “DON’T LET THE DEVIL feat. EL-P & thankugoodsir.” MICHAEL marks the celebrated MCs first solo project since 2012’s critically lauded R.A.P. Music and serves as an introduction to the totality of Michael Render, a lifelong rap fiend whose consciousness is seeped in the sounds of community that raised him – multiple eras of southern rap flows, Sunday church service, and barbershop discourse. Speaking on his most autobiographical and independent album to date, Mike states “RTJ is the X-Men, this is my Logan.” For the new single Mike linked with his Run The Jewels partner in rhyme EL-P, trading verses over a lilting soul loop produced by No I.D., EL-P, & Little Shalimar. “My favorite group (US) with my favorite producers! It’s our 10 year anniversary and MICHAEL is an origin story so I wanted to start w/ El.” // “DON’T LET THE DEVIL” arrives in the wake of RTJ announcing a 10 year anniversary run this Fall, the release of their collaborative sneakers with Nike this week, and Mike’s recent appearance at SXSW, where he performed an intimate career-spanning show at Stubb’s, flanked by a choir, and previewed several new songs that are expected to appear on the Atlanta MC’s new album (read more here). He further brought the album to life at a private listening event in NYC this past Monday, where a couple hundred attendees crowded into St. Ann’s & the Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn to hear Mike present the album in his own words. // The single was preceded last year by “RUN (ft. Young Thug)” and “TALK’N THAT SHIT!” his first batch of solo material since linking up with El-P to form Run The Jewels, who have gone on to create four fanatically received albums and achieved near cultural ubiquity. Mike has also frequently surfaced as a cultural commentator in high regard, from his own shows Love and Respect and Trigger Warning (Netflix), regular appearances on Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Real Time with Bill Maher, his stint as a campaign surrogate for Bernie Sanders, and viral moments addressing the public in the wake of the Ferguson verdict and the police killing of George Floyd. // In early April 2023 Killer Mike re-asserted his acting bonafides in a cameo on FX’s Dave, where the titular rapper agonizes over a perceived Twitter beef with Mike, adding to a growing acting CV that also included an appearance on the last season of Netflix’s Ozark.]

10. Alisa Jefferson – “Falling”
    from: “Falling” – Single / Alisa Jefferson / April 28, 2022
    [“Falling” was co-written by: Alisa Jefferson, Barb Wilmoth, Lynne Grimes, with Alisa Jefferson (Lyrics, Lead & Backup Vocals, Shaker, Bass Guitar, Rhythm Acoustic Guitar), Barb Wilmoth (Drums, Backup Vocals), Lynne Grimes (Lead/Rhythm Electric Guitar, Keys, Backup Vocals) th track was Produced/Mixed/Mastered by: Andy Oxman at SoundWorks Recording Studio. Alisa Jefferson Music/ All Rights Reserved, 2023. // Alisa Jefferson released her single “Angel” on May 8, 2022. Angel was recorded at Alisa’s home studio. Jeremy KeelerLawrence, Kanss musician Jeremy Keeler added guitar part. Angel was mixed and mastered by Andy Oxman. On June 1, 2021 Alisa Jefferson released the 10-song solo debut album, TELL ME. All lyrics, instrumentation, vocals, melodies, song content for TELL ME was written and created by Alisa Jefferson. TELL ME was also recorded by Alisa Jefferson. Mixed and produced by Alisa Jefferson and Andy Oxman of SoundWorks Recording Studio, Blue Springs, Mo. And mastered by Matt Elliott of Black Sky Studios, Buckner, MO. Alisa Jefferson grew up in KC. She played viola in her school orchestra and received her first acoustic guitar at age 13. Alisa established her rock trio, Morning Fix, in 1994, singing & playing bass. In December, 2014, Alisa established, fronted, and played bass in the rock trio, Radial Red. In 2019 Alisa performed on the side stage with Joan Jett and Heart at Starlight Theatre with KC band, Mad Libby. Info at: http://www.alisajeffersonmusic.com Alisa was on WMM on June 2, 2021 and Feb. 10, 2021]

[Alisa Jefferson & Scott Mitchell play Savage Saloon, 1611 Genessee St., KCMO, on Fri, May 19, 5:00 PM]

11. Friendly Thieves – “You Better Run”
    from: “You Better Run” / Friendly Thieves / October 28, 2022
    [Debut single from five-piece alt-funk band, Friendly Thieves who are: Sam Wells on lead vocals, Jamae Breeze on lead guitar, Sam Millard on bass, John Goss on drums, and Ben Baker on saxophone. // From Michelle Bacon’s piece in http://www.bridge909.org: Friendly Thieves describes themselves as if “Alabama Shakes and Young The Giant had a Vulfpeck-inspired love child,” and well, that’s pretty spot on. Their single captures that intersection of vibrant indie-rock energy and exceptional musicianship, with an intriguing funk aroma. // The bands show at ULAH is their only KC show so far this year before the ban sets off on tour to Austin, Chicago, Denver, and Nashville. // Sam Wells released her debut EP, FOR THE DEFLATED on French Exit Records on December 31, 2020. Sam Wells is a Kansas City, based singer songwriter who has shared stages with Betsy Phillips, Kelly Hunt, Andrew Ryan, The Zack Pietrini Band, and The Phantastics. She was featured as a composer and performer in the Kansas City Repertory Theater production of “Ghost Light” performed on the lawn of The Nelson Atkin Museum of Art in October, 2020. Sam has also performed in Troostival (2020), Kansas City Porchfest (2019) and Jamdemic. In 2019, Wells released her debut single “Lesson Learned.” In early 2020 Wells released her second single “Sugar” producer and engineered by Riley Corbin at the Lawrence Kansas Public Library recording studio. It was only a decade ago, Sam Wells sat in her bedroom learning the Corrine Bailey Ray classic “Put Your Records On”. This was all it took to ignite a lifetime love affair with music. With her smooth and sultry voice and the warm tones of a baritone ukulele, she shares stories of love, loss and everything in between. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Sam Wells has lived in Lawrence, but now calls KC home. Sam Wells also contributed to The Black Lives Matter Compilation from French Exit Records that featured tracks from 22 acts from the area, and was released on July 6, 2020. Sam contributed the song, “Dear Black People”. On WMM we featured tracks from: Blackstarkids, Daniel Gum, Crystal Rose, UpKeep, Bream, Heavy Surface, Palace Intrigue, Self Harmony, and Sam Wells. All proceeds donated to One Struggle KC’s Liberation Fund, a Black-led coalition of KC activists seeking to connect the struggles of oppressed communities, locally & globally. French Exit Records launched in 2018, and is an independent music label based out of Kansas City, Missouri founded by Brad Girard. French Exit Records has released albums for No Magic and Raymond, and has organized live events. The Black Lives Matter Compilation is available on French Exit Record’s Bandcamp page: http://www.frenchexitrecords.bandcamp.com. More information at: http://www.whoissamwells.com. Sam Wells was on WMM on May 13, 2020 and January 20, 2021.]

[Friendly Thieves play a ULAH Live Session, Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 7:30 PM ay ULAH, 4707 Rainbow Blvd, Westwood, KS. Presented by You Found Music]

[Friendly Thieves play at Boulevardia Friday, June 16, 2023 at Crown Center.]

12. Rewound & Calvin Arsenia – “Bad Blood/I Knew You Were Trouble”
    from: Bad Blood/I Knew You Were Trouble – Single / House of Outlyre Productions / 4/11/2023
    [Rewound & Calvin Arsenia just released their 2nd single of the year, “All Too Well” on April 25, 2023, and like their earlier single that are covering the songs of Taylor Swift. // Rewound is a trio with Carmen Dieker on violin, Alyssa Bell on viola, and Ezgi Karakus on cello that perform classical and contemporary music re-imagined. For these recordings they are collaborating with Calvin Arsenia on harp.c// Calvin Arsenia Born in Orlando, Florida, Calvin’s creative journey really began when he moved to the KC suburb of Olathe, teaching himself the guitar, and eventually the harp. He learned his signature instrument at the age of 20 after he couldn’t find a harpist as determined as him to meld folk, rock, classical, rap and R&B into the irresistible fusion which has become his calling card in KC and beyond. His passion for stretching the boundaries of musical expression saw him transform a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland’s Fringe Festival early in his career into a life-changing music mission, with an Edinburgh church offering him a role as musical liaison between the church and the city that would change his life. Two years and 300 shows later, Calvin returned to KC reborn as a humanistic songwriter / performer whose impassioned and conceptual stage shows (regularly sold-out in Kansas City, currently catching fire on the West Coast with a diverse following across Europe), are collaborative, costumed-culture-bridging spectacles which In KC Magazine has hailed as ‘equal parts opera, symphony, musical theatre, rock show, all built around its creator: a charismatic 6-foot-6-inch harpist with a natural stage command and knack for gilding gold and painting lilies.’ Calvin released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. On February 14, 2017 Calvin released his critically acclaimed full length debut, Catastrophe. Calvin Arsenia premiered these songs in a live show at recordBar in November 2016 in a stage show that involved a company of 50 people, dancers, stilt walkers, special lighting, back up singers, guest artists. Calvin’s 2018 national debut, Cantaloupe, September 15, 2018 on Center Cut Records, has been acclaimed for melding diverse textures into an alluring signature sound for the adventurous artist. On June 28, 2019 Calvin released Honeydew, an EP including a remix of three songs from Cantaloupe. On Dec. 13, 2019 Calvin released his full length Christmas album “all is calm.” Since 2014 we have been celebrating the music of Calvin Arsenia. He has played Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, The Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. Calvin is a graduate of Artist INC. // Charlotte Street Foundation announced that the recipients of the 2022 Generative Performing Artist Awards are The Black Creatures and Calvin Arsenia Scott.]

[Calvin Arsenia plays the rooftop of the Crossroads Hotel 2101 Central St. KCMO, on June 7, 2023, doors open at 7:00 PM the show starts at 8:00 PM for the Summer Concert Series.]

13. The Swallowtails – “Who’s Gonna Be There”
    from: “Who’s Gonna Be There” – Single / Miki P / August 21, 2020
    [Rachel Lovelace on bassoon, Adee Dancy on cello & vocals, and Miki P on guitar & lead vocals. Each member is an integral part of the Kansas City music scene, writing, arranging, performing, and collaborating original music for their own groups and several other projects in the metro. “Introspective pop music with lyric-driven folk influences, mixed with collaborative energy & an odd pairing of instruments.” Miki P is a self-taught musician/multi-instrumentalist & songwriter driving the Swallowtails into a creative collaboration like any other. Miki P was born in Kansas City, KS. Miki P started playing guitar in middle school. She taught herself to play the drums, while listening to Mitch Mitchell, Keith Moon and Ringo Starr. Miki P performed “She Loves You” at her 7th grade talent show. In 9th grade she joined a teen-band called American Slim as drummer & vocalist, and she wrote songs for their full-length album Irreplaceable released in 2017, followed by a single “Queen of Hearts” released April 11, 2018. played Middle of the Map Fest, Crossroads Music Fest, Kauffman Stadium, Arrowhead Stadium, and The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art before officially ending in 2018. As a teen she played drums for various groups including American Slim. S Att 21, Miki P began work on her debut solo-record, Dome of Swallows, that was released August 2, 2018. Shes then formed Miki P and the Swallowtails who released their first EP, Swallowtail in 2019, In 2021 Miki P released the 6-song EP, DON”T LOSE HOPE, created in covid isolation, in Miki P’s home space. Sitting & working from Miki’s computer, she composed and recorded 80% of the EP, working through the music like a journal entry, creating each song from her internal hurricane of emotions. All songs written, recorded, played, & mixed by Miki P. Recorded & Mixed with Emma Klien & Jake Hilger. Mastered by Joel Nanos. Miki P released her single “Your Love” on June 24, 2022. This new single follows Miki P’s March 18, 2022 single “Peter Parker!” // More info at: http://www.mikipmusic.com]

[The Swallowtails will be playing the 5th Annual Manor Fest, May 19-20 in Lawrence, May 25-28 in KC]

11:00 – Station ID

14. Krystle Warren & The Faculty – “Rising”
    from: Rising – Single / Parlour Door Music / May 31, 2019
    [“Rising” was included in the official soundtrack to the Ana DuVernay television series soundtrack for “When They See Us.” This single was produced by co-founding member of The Faculty, bassist Solomon Dorsey. I was texting with Krystle over the weekend after of the KC Bands Together, (Saturday, May 16, 2020) weekend 6-hour streaming concert where Krystle shared three songs including a cover of Gerry Raferty’s “The Ark” from his 1978 album, City to City. Krystle was currently doing over dubs on “Rising” that will be included on the new Krystle Warren & The Faculty album called, “Extended Play.” Krystle told me that they had wanted to do album cover photos during a concert that was scheduled in Kansas City in March, but was cancelled due to COVID-19. Getting everyone together has not been possible. Krystle was hoping for a late 2020 release. Krystle Warewn learned to play the guitar by listening to Rubber Soul & Revolver from The Beatles. Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy in 2001 and began her musical career in collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians. After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label, Because Music, and moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played French and British television programs, including Later with Jools Holland, garnering critical acclaim and traveling all over the world with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman. Krystle created, Parlour Door Music, to release “Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace” a recording from a 13-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections.]

[Krystle Warren & Solomon Dorsey will headline the KC Folk Fest 2023 on Saturday, May 20, in Washington Square Park, Kansas City, MO with Solomon Dorsey. Info: http://www.krystlewarren.com or http://www.kansascityfolkfestival.org]

11:03 – Interview with Krystle Warren

KC born and internationally known singer songwriter Krystle Warren joins us from France. One of our most played artists of all time on the radio show. Krystle is also one of our most frequent guests. Krystle Warren join us today to premiere the new song, “Macca” from Krystle Warren & The Faculty, that was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY to be released this year. Krystle says that the song, “became equal parts: a love letter to (Paul McCartney) and a note of encouragement to me. Which is a wonderful thing if you think about it.” This is the first of three interviews we will be doing with Krystle over the next five weeks that culminate with a LIVE in-studio show with Krystle on May 26 . Krystle will headline the KC Folk Fest 2023 on Saturday, May 20, in Washington Square Park, Kansas City, MO with Solomon Dorsey. Info: http://www.krystlewarren.com or http://www.kansascityfolkfestival.org

Krystle Warren, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

We just heard the single “Rising” from Krystle Warren & The Faculty and produced by Solomon Dorsey and written especially for Ava DuVernay’s critically acclaimed Netflix television mini series WHEN THEY SEE US, the gut-wrenching story of the Central Park Five – Five young teenagers Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise and Raymond Santana who were falsely accused, arrested, convicted and sentenced fto prison or raping and beating almost to death Trisha Meili – “the Central Park jogger” – a young white woman whose poor, battered body was found that same night. Eventually they were exonerated in 2002…

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Krystle Warren began performing in her native KC at the age of 16 before moving to New York City, where she started busking on the streets and later formed her regular band, The Faculty. She and the group have recorded several full-length albums, including 2009’s Circles, 2012’s Love Songs and 2017’s Three The Hard Way. Her EP THE CREW released September 15, 2020. Her band The Faculty is ready to release EXTENDED PLAY

Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy in 2001 and began her musical career in collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians.

After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label, Because Music, who gave her a one way ticket to France.

Krystle moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played French & British TV programs, including Later with Jools Holland, garnering critical acclaim and traveling on world tours with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman.

Krystle left Because Music and created her own recording label, Parlour Door Music, to release “Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace / A Time to Refrain from Embracing” a double album recording from a 14-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections. In 2019 The Kansas City based Owen/Cox Dance Group premiered a new dance piece titled “Love Songs” with choreography by Jennifer Owen, set to all 24 songs, in the order they appear in the recording,.

Krystle Warren has collaborated with Erykah Badu, Keziah Jones, Zap Mama, Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright, Brad Cox Amadou & Mariam, Lakecia Benjamin, Guarco, Teddy Thompson, Gwyneth Herbert, Hercules & Love Affair, and Joon Moon. Along with being included in the compilation “NYC Subway – Songs from the Underground,” and tribute recordings for Kate McGarrigle, and Nick Drake.

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In an article in SPIN Magazine, December 6, 2020, The 35 Best Lesser-Known Artists of the Last 35 Years, Picked by 35 Well-Known Artists Krystle Was named twice!

Joan as Police Woman on Krystle Warren: “Most stellar voice, tender and strong in equal measure with a range nothing short of miraculous. Incredible writer of songs, the type of which used to get written and go on to become classics. Exquisite live performer in the way you forget completely where you are and what’s happening in your life.”

Rufus Wainwright on Krystle Warren: “Krystle Warren’s voice and performance style seared an indelible mark on me years ago when she joined Martha and I on tributes to our mom Kate McGarrigle in both London and New York. Her haunting interpretations, vocal timbre and singular look completely devastated all present, and soon after I had the honor of taking her out on the road with me. Be it covers, her own material or harmonizing with others, she is a true musician and should be considered an international treasure.”

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Krystle Warren & The Faculty Discography

Krystle Warren & The Faculty has released the EP “Diary” on May 1, 2007;

Krystle Warren released “The Up Series – EP” on November 10, 2008;

Krystle Warren releases the 13-song Album CIRCLES on March 13, 2009;

Krystle Warren & The Faculty released “A Time To Keep – Love Songs EP”, Aug. 12, 2011

Krystle Warren & The Faculty released the double album 24-song “Love Songs” released on vinyl in Europe on April 9, 2012 as “Love Songs: A Time to Embrace,” and “Love Songs: A Time to Refrain from Embracing. ” And re;eased on separate digital and CD albums in the U.S. as: “Love Songs: A Time to Embrace,” on March 13, 2012 and “Love Songs: A Time to Refrain from Embracing” on February 27, 2015.

Krystle Warren released the album THREE THE HARD WAY on August 18, 2017.

Krystle Warren & The Faculty released the single “Rising” – Single on May 31, 2019

Krystle Warren & The Crew released the 4-song EP, THE CREW on September 15, 2020

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From Diary EP to Extended Play A Truncated History of Krystle Warren & The Faculty
From http://www.krystalwarren.com written by Phil Anderson:

Krystle Krystle Warren met Solomon Dorsey some weekend at a high school debate competition in Kansas City. After she had trounced Solomon’s debate partner, the two ended up in an open classroom where they began playing music—Krystle had brought her guitar and was practicing chords, and Solomon, then an accomplished violinist, cellist, bassist, and singer likely had some sort of instrument on him, and even if he didn’t he had his voice.

Due to some specific details we’re not going to get into, Krystle was already living on her own; she was eighteen and he was seventeen. But she had a friend who had an apartment near hers, and this friend was having a party. “Wanna go?” she asked Solomon. And, as Solomon puts it, he has seen or spoken to Krystle every single day of his life since.

So when Solomon decided to attend the jazz program at New School in New York, he asked Krystle, “Wanna go?” And a few months after he moved, Krystle showed up. On her first night in the city, Solomon introduced her to Zach Djanikian, a saxophonist he’d become fast friends with at school. They lived in the same dorm, and Zach and Solomon took Krystle to a practice room in the basement and the three of them played musical games. According to Zach, “We’d sing as many melodies as we could over four open strings of the upright bass, plucked successively. ‘Norwegian Wood’ and the theme to ​Family Matters​ were a couple favorites.”

This led to busking as a trio, and each of them was hustling for gigs. An Italian restaurant that featured live music gave Krystle a regular night, and she often had Solomon and Zach play with her. Zach’s friend from Philadelphia, Ben Kane, would come to these nights, and he brought Mike Riddleberger.

In Philly, Zach was in a band called The Brakes, and Ben Kane was producing an album for Zach’s band in a windowless apartment that he shared with Riddleberger. Kane and Riddleberger had become friends a year earlier at NYU, bonding over their love of D’Angelo’s album ​Voodoo​. Riddleberger says that even though he saw Krystle perform, he didn’t speak to her until after she saw him play with his band, Quintus. Zach had brought her, and she approached him after the show to play in a band she was starting.

The Faculty was formed with Krystle, Solomon, Zach, Riddleberger, and Dave Moore, a keyboardist from Kansas who was at New School, too. While the four boys had classes and gigs, Krystle floated around New York and made a lot of friends. She busked and wrote songs, and, with the help of her band members and Ben Kane, who had an internship at ElectricLady Studios and was sneaking them in at odd hours, Krystle turned those songs into an EP called DIARY.

And it was a diary. The songs were about her daily experiences in this new place and with these new people. “I’ve Seen Days” has a title that implies a reflection, but it’s about how the world is new to her, how she’s “a frightened child” in a new city. “The New Astrologer” is about a new and exciting love, one that remains a good friend of hers. “A Song For Holly” is a letter to family explaining her new quotidien life (“your big sister / out in New York on some subway / your big sister, out trying to get paid”). And “Central Park” is a document of a night she had in Central Park with Zach and his boyfriend (now husband) Jesse, and how she is coming to embrace this new city, these new people, and this new chapter of her life.

If DIARY, the Faculty’s first recordings, is Krystle’s “Songs of Innocence,” then EXTENDED PLAY​, the Faculty’s latest, is Krystle’s “Songs of Experience.”

Diary​ led to CIRCLES,​ which Ben Kane co-produced with ​Voodoo​ engineer Russell “The Dragon” Elevado. ​Circles​ was bought by Because Music in France, and Krystle had her next move. She stayed in France even when her relationship with Because ended because she found Vanessa, and Vanessa was worth staying in France for. But Krystle still recorded ​LOVE SONGS in New York, a double album that invokes a Blakean duality with its two subtitles, “A Time to Refrain from Embracing” and “A Time You May Embrace.” LOVE SONGS was produced with most of the Faculty (Zach was on tour with Amos Lee) and a slew of guest musicians in Brian Bender’s Brooklyn studio. Bender’s assistant, Jonathan Anderson, would later go on to replace Dave Moore on keys in the Faculty.

The Faculty has always been a tenuous project for everyone involved because of the distance and the schedules. While everyone remains close friends, the band members are spread across the globe. Krystle in France. Riddleberger in New York and Zach in Woodstock. Solomon and Jonathan in Los Angeles. And then they are all working musicians, touring, recording, and collaborating with an impressive list of artists. Musicians like, in no particular order: D’Angelo, Hercules and Love Affair, Donald Fagen and the Nightfliers, Joan As Policewoman, Jose James, Emily King, Janet Jackson, Ron Sexsmith, The Dixie Chicks, Amy Helm, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Rufus Wainwright, Kylie Minogue, Sara Bareilles, Natalie Merchant, Kesha, Bleachers, Emylou Harris, Amos Lee, Lana Del Rey, Broken Social Scene, Teddy Thompson, Lakecia Benjamin, Jenny Lewis, and honestly that’s less than the half of it.

So they have been busy, and they have gained a lot of experience since the days of sneaking into ElectricLady late night or playing for meager pay and free wine at an East Village Italian resto. And while DIARY and CIRCLES and LOVE SONGS were recorded with everyone in the same room (THREE THE HARDWAY was just Krystle and Kane together), EXTENDED PLAY was recorded disparately and assembled together by the steady hands and ears of Kane and Krystle. There is distance between the musicians in the recording process, but there is still a close emotional connection that can be heard in these songs.

And Krystle is writing with a close emotional connection to the distant past. The songs that make up Extended Play are songs of experience—the lyrics reflect on a crush from high school, a departed musical hero, and others who live in memory. There is nostalgia in ​EXTENDED PLAY and a forlornness. And these songs are filled with references, musical and otherwise, to those who have inspired Krystle over the years, from ​Les Mis ​(specifically the song adopted by the ACT UP movement) to Gregory Djanikian, Zach’s poet father, and Audre Lord.

Krystle describes “When I Look Back,” the last song of ​Extended Play​, as “an apology to my teenage self.” Seventeen years ago she was writing songs about what happened day-of because being young is about immediacy and living in the present tense. Now the songs are about years past because life slows down, and we are allowed the time to “look back.”

But as Krystle sings in “Rising,” “Future lingers while past is present.” She’s writing about the past because we are all our collected histories—or as she puts it in “When I Look Back”: “there’s still something of her that stays.” The future, of course, still lingers, always there waiting for us, for the next move. The album ends with a recording of Audre Lorde’s gravelly voice. She says,

“I’m going on to something else, the shape of which I have no idea. ‘Only thing I know, is it’s going to be quite different. What I leave behind has a life of its own. I’ve said this about poetry… Well in a sense, I’m saying it about the very artifact of who I have been.”

Krystle Warren & The Faculty still have more to come. They have built seventeen years of memories, experiences, recordings, and shows, and with the release of ​Extended Play​, they continue to show a commitment to growing as musicians together, even if apart.

Written by Phil Anderson

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With the EP The Crew a video was released along with The Crew’s interpretation of “Bein’ Green” an emotionally stirring five minute montage of footage of Black Lives Matter protests, young Black children choosing white dolls over dark-skinned ones, archival footage of James Baldwin, Angela Davis, Malcom X, Nina Simone, Marsha P. Johnson Al Sharpton, Ella Baker, as well as Sandra Bland, George Floyd and Eric Garner. Proceeds from the EP will be donated to the ACLU.

Bein’ Green – Kermit the Frog’s iconic song “Bein’ Green” (written by Joe Raposo). // The moving five-minute clip, over which Warren sings her rendition of the 1970 song — since recorded by Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and others — sprang from a covers EP she recorded during the pandemic with a group of musicians known as The Crew. ‘Bein’ Green,’ it’s such a gorgeous song, and it says so, so much,” says Warren. “I began thinking about what I wanted it to express visually before we started [recording the song]. Essentially — it’s not easy being Black. That’s what Ray Charles was saying, and we felt it needed to be said again.”

Warren embarked on the project after her forthcoming album with her regular group, The Faculty, was put on hold due to COVID-19. The Crew EP, which tackles themes of racial injustice in the wake of nationwide Black Lives Matter protests this summer, also includes a cover of John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth.”

The Crew: Lakecia Benjamin, Matthew Silberman, Jacob Snider, Joe Blaxx, Solomon Dorsey, Zach Djanikian, Cassorla, Krystle Warren, and Ben Kane.

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Krystle Warren and 90.1 FM KKFI

Mark first interviewed Krystle Warren for The Tenth Voice, back 2002.To track down recorded music from Krystle, Mark waited several hours, during a winter snow storm, at a huge party, where Krystle played with her band including her longtime friend Solomon Dorsey on bass, in a packed, smoke filled apartment near Community Christian Church across the hall from where Solomon lived, to be given a 2-song demo CD, that contained Krystle’s first recorded music, including a song called “Chanel #5.” Krystle has since gone on to be known all over the world, but still maintains contact with her hometown of Kansas City.

Krystle was on WMM on June 29, 2016 as “Guest Producer” to share inspirations for her new record, THREE THE HARD WAY playing early gospel recordings, that crossed over into Jazz from: Pharoah Sanders, Edwin Hawkins, and The Swan Silvertones. Krystle’s critically acclaimed album, Three The Hard Way was #1 on WMM’s 117 Best Recordings of 2017. Wednesday MidDay Medley was the first to play tracks from Krystle’s album, before it was released. Krystle came on the show months before the release, to share music that was the inspiration for the recording. Released on Parlour Door Music, on August 18, 2017 and Produced by Krystle Warren and Ben Kane. Recorded, engineered, and mixed by Ben Kane. Written & performed by Krystle Warren. Mixed at The Garden, Brooklyn. Mastered & cut by Alex DeTurk at Masterdisk. In 2015 in Krystle Warren premiered new songs from this album at the Middle of the Map Fest in a packed room at Californos in Westport and later at The Polsky Theatre for the Performing Arts Series of Johnson County Community College. For this record Krystle decided to play every instrument and vocals & back up vocals, “playing bass, drums, lap steel, piano, guitar, and vocals directly to analog tape. She and Ben Kane recorded in Villetaneuse, France, a small town on the outskirts of Paris in a vintage 70s era studio that offered just the right, rich sound to suggest the musical foundation for the record, and to do justice to the duo’s carefully balanced arrangements.” On the Wednesday MidDay Medley radio show in 2016 Krystle shared inspirations for this record, early gospel recordings, that crossed over into Jazz from: Pharoah Sanders, Edwin Hawkins, and The Swan Silvertones.

Krystle was on WMM on Oct. 16, 2019 with Brad Cox when she was in KC to present LoveSongs with Owen/Cox Dance Group at Oct 19 & 20, 2019 at Polsky Theatre at JCCC.

We talked with Krystle on September 23, 2020 about The Crew EP where Krystle and friends recorded unique versions of four classic songs with the hope of encouraging the rallying cries of the moment: the movement of the people. Warren embarked on the project after her newest album, with her band The Faculty, was stalled due to COVID-19

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The World Premiere of “Macca”

Following their double album LOVE SONGS (2012) and their single “Rising” written especially for Ava DuVernay’s critically acclaimed television mini series WHEN THEY SEE US, the gut-wrenching story of the Central Park Five – Five young teenagers Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise and Raymond Santana who were falsely accused, arrested, convicted and sentenced fto prison or raping and beating almost to death Trisha Meili – “the Central Park jogger” – a young white woman whose poor, battered body was found that same night. Eventually they were exonerated in 2002…

“Macca” is the newest release from Krystle Warren & The Faculty, that was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY.”Macca” arrived unexpectedly.

“A Pal contacted me to help work on the music for an advertisement he was piecing together. My job was to find a melody and put words to it, so I set up my mic and started trying out ideas. And then POW! ‘ ‘Hang then upon the moon…’ – it sounded so distinctly Paul. Immediately I worried that the client would accept my buddy’s sunbmission; thankfully, they didn’t.”

The “Paul” Krystle is referring to is of course, Paul McCartney, whose famous nickname entitles the song.

“He is such a huge inspiration for me. As a songwriter – my love of melody, the little quirks that come out lyrically – that’s all thanks to him. And singing that chorus — it evoked for me those gorgeous ballads he composed in the 80s – ‘Wanderlust,” ‘Tug Of War’…There’s a bit of Wings there as well, I think, with a nod to ‘I’m Carrying.

“What’s wild to me is that, though I decided. ‘This is for Paul,’ it became equal parts: a love letter to him, and a note of encouragement to me. Which is a wonderful thing when you think about it: Paul’s music so often encourages us to keep going, keep trying, and in using his language (so to speak), unwittingly, he was giving me strength.”

Krystle Warren, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Krystle will headline the KC Folk Fest 2023 on Sat., May 20, in Washington Square Park, KCMO with Solomon Dorsey. http://www.krystlewarren.com or http://www.kansascityfolkfestival.org

11:19

WORLD PREMIERE!!! WORLD PREMIERE!!! WORLD PREMIERE!!!

15. Krystle Warren & The Faculty – “Macca”
    from: “Macca”- Single / Parlour Door Music / TBA
    [Following their double album LOVE SONGS (2012) and their single “Rising” written especially for Ava DuVernay’s critically acclaimed television mini series WHEN THEY SEE US, “Macca” is the newest release from Krystle Warren & The Faculty, that was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY.”Macca” arrived unexpectedly. // “A Pal contacted me to help work on the music for an advertisement he was piecing together. My job was to find a melody and put words to it, so I set up my mic and started trying out ideas. And then POW! ‘ ‘Hang then upon the moon…’ – it sounded so distinctly Paul. Immediately I worried that the client would accept my buddy’s submission; thankfully, they didn’t.” // The “Paul” Krystle is referring to is of course, Paul McCartney, whose famous nickname entitles the song. // “He is such a huge inspiration for me. As a songwriter – my love of melody, the little quirks that come out lyrically – that’s all thanks to him. Nd singing that chorus — it evoked for me those gorgeous ballads he composed in the 80s – ‘Wanderlust,” ‘Tug Of War’…There’s a bit of Wings there as well, I think, with a nod to ‘I’m Carrying.’ // “What’s wild to me is that, though I decided. ‘This is for Paul,’ it became equal parts: a love letter to him, and a note of encouragement to me. Which is a wonderful thing when you think about it: Paul’s music so often encourages us to keep going, keep trying, and in using his language (so to speak), unwittingly, he was giving me strength.”]

[Krystle Warren & Solomon Dorsey will headline the KC Folk Fest 2023 on Saturday, May 20, in Washington Square Park, Kansas City, MO with Solomon Dorsey. Info: http://www.krystlewarren.com or http://www.kansascityfolkfestival.org]

17. Krystle Warren – “Born In The Fall”
    from: A Time to Keep Love Songs EP / Parlour Door Music / August 12, 2011
    [Originally from KC, Krystle learned to play the guitar by listening to Rubber Soul & Revolver from The Beatles. Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy in 2001 and began her musical career in collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians. After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label, Because Music, and moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played French and British television programs, including Later with Jools Holland, garnering critical acclaim and traveling all over the world with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman. Krystle created, Parlour Door Music, to release “Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace” a recording from a 13-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections.]

[Krystle Warren & Solomon Dorsey will headline the KC Folk Fest 2023 on Saturday, May 20, in Washington Square Park, Kansas City, MO with Solomon Dorsey. Info: http://www.krystlewarren.com or http://www.kansascityfolkfestival.org]

23. Ghost Funk Orchestra – “Scatter”
    from: A New Kind of Love / Karma Chief – Colemine Records / October 28, 2023
    [The long-awaited 3rd LP from Ghost Funk Orchestra is out. Seth Applebaum is a brilliant musician and composer, and he really stretched his imagination on this album. A New Kind of Love sees the 11-piece band blending impressions of a bygone era (the 60’s and 70’s) with the personal experiences Seth has had as a film maker in the 21st century. It’s psychedelic, romantic, soulful, and yet could score soundtracks to action movies or a modern twist on a classic film noir. // Each song on Ghost Funk Orchestra’s 3rd album, A New Kind of Love, due to be released on Colemine Records … 2022, resonates like the soundtrack to a scene from an imaginary movie. The music could score a romantic drama, an action thriller, or a modern twist on a classic film noir. The spare, cascading vocals accentuate the lush instrumental orchestrations composed, performed, arranged and produced by multi-instrumentalist Seth Applebaum, whose latest brainchild was conceived and conceptualized during The Great Pause of 2020, a time of tension, bewilderment and isolation. Evoking the grooviness of an era which preceded his arrival on earth, Applebaum draws upon sonic devices of mid-century exotica and the succinct but dense arranging style of the leaders of the pop orchestras which dominated the hit parades of the 60s and early 70s. He blends impressions of this bygone era with an expression of his actual experiences as a young filmmaker coming of age in the 21st century, citing influences such as Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and Antibalas. A New Kind of Love encompasses a reverence for the past without attempting to recreate it. // In the tradition of the “production forward” discographies of such record makers as David Axelrod and the Mizell Brothers, it’s easy to visualize Applebaum as a “mad doctor” figure, hunkered down in a studio channeling this musical representation of his inner world into the 12 compositions which make up A New Kind of Love. His writing stretches his psyche to explore a terrain in which to capture emotional notes of love going well, love gone sour, manifesting love songs based in ghostly affairs. While the studio is obviously a wondrous happy place of experimentation and creativity for Applebaum, he’s a band guy too (having actually fronted punk outfit The Mad Doctors). Applebaum has the wherewithal to bring his dreamy material to the 10 piece all star Ghost Funk Orchestra, leading them to breathe life into this sophisticated body of work which heralds the celebration of a new era for the group. Ghost Funk Orchestra will be touring in concert this summer and fall to celebrate the release of A New Kind of Love, an album which is sure to stand the test of time. More info at: http://www.ghostfunkorchestra.com]

11:29 – Underwriting

18. Corey Dies in the End – “Boy With No Job”
    from: “Boy With No Job” – Single / Lime Squeeze Records / February 17, 2023
    [Corey Dies in the End is the solo musical project of Corey Vitt who has been playing in Kansas City and Lawrence bands since 2006 playing with Videodisk, Parents, Hidden Pictures, Rooms Without Windows, and Beautiful Bodies. With Corey Dies in the End on vocals, programming, & guitars and Matty Harris on mixing & mastering. / Corey Dies in the End released the single, “Stranger’s Faces” on September 2, 2022. / Corey Dies in the End released the single, “Goth Girl Summer” on May 20. 2022. / Corey Dies in the End released the single, “Air” on January 26, 2022. / Corey Dies in the End released the single, “Island” on October 6, 2021. More info at: http://www.coreydiesintheend.bandcamp.com]

11:33 – Interview with Jake Walker

Jake Walker who has been a professional actor for 20 years, and for most of those years his artistic home has been Kansas City. In 2020 when covid-19 shut down performing arts venues across the country, Jake and several colleagues from the theatre community banded together to create the Theatre Community Fund of Kansas City, or TCF for short, a non profit organization designed to provide support to KC theatre workers. First providing food and financial assistance, then growing to also provide free career development and urgent community care. More information at: http://www.theatrefundkc.org

Jake Walker, Thank you for being with us today on WMM.

Theatre Community Fund of Kansas City Board of Directors

President, Founding Member – Amanda Arany (she/her)
General Manager @ ArtsKC / Artistic Associate @ KC Public Theatre
aarany@outlook.com

Executive Director, Founder – Jake Walker (he/him)
Founder @ Theatre Community Fund of KC / AEA Actor
kctheatrefund@gmail.com

Vice President, Founding Member – Korey Childs (he/him)
Artistic Director @ The Arts Asylum
grants@theatrefundkc.org

Founding Member – Christopher Barksdale-Burns (he/him)
Dancer, Choreographer
tcfkcboard@gmail.com

Founding Member – Sierra Berry (she/her)
Local Performer & Creator
tcfkcboard@gmail.com

Member – Phil “Blue Owl” Hooser
Playwright, Actor
tcfkcboard@gmail.com

Member – Natalee Merola (she/her)
Actor, Choreographer
marketing@theatrefundkc.org

Jake Walker, Executive Director writes:

“When the pandemic hit in early 2020, like millions of other theatre artists, I lost all my work, and all prospects of work for the foreseeable future. I had a little savings, but not much, and when that ran out, I had no idea how I would pay rent till my unemployment kicked in. I put out the call for help and in two days, the people in my community completely covered me. I’ve wanted to create something like TCF for some time, but this was my call to action; to create a way for any local theatre artist to have access to the same help I received.”

“KC is a theatre town, and it’s been my home for 30 years. I was in my first equity show at The Unicorn in 2001. I was in my first Shakespeare production here. I got my equity card at The Coterie. A lot of local theatre folks have the same story. We make homes and lives and families here. We get to know the people in the audience, we see them at the grocery store, or at the movie theatre. The theatre community in KC is a buzzing little eco system, everyone relying on each other in some way.”

“At some point, we all need help, and we all are capable of making a difference in someone else’s life. TCF was created to serve as a lightning rod for the generosity that already courses through our community, connecting the helpers with folks in need, grounded in the knowledge that we are all here to take care of each other. And that’s that.”

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Join the Volunteer Ensemble Today!

Since 2020, our Volunteer Ensemble has assembled and delivered care packages to households in need. Ensemble members help out at our food pantry and assist at in person events. It’s ranks are filled with both theatre workers and theatre patrons, all share in their love for the theatre community and their desire to help folks who need it.

Email us today at volunteer@theatrefundkc.org to join our Ensemble of Volunteers. The Ensemble is instrumental in the success of TCF by providing support at food drives, dropping off requests, and helping our organization supply assistance to our community in Kansas City. Join today and make a lasting impact in our arts community.

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TCF Food Bank

Drop Off Day is back!! For almost a year we had weekly drop off hours at The Unicorn Theatre, who generously hosted our food bank for many months. Now, Drop Off day is back, this time at The Arts Asylum. Anything you give will have a huge impact on KC families in need. If you need assistance please fill out our Request Form to get help TODAY! The TCF Food Bank is available to any theatre artist and is there for our community when you need a helping hand with groceries, toiletries, household items, and pet needs. TCF aims to take the stigma out of needing help, so don’t worry about requests. TCF is here for YOU! Contact us now and receive the help you deserve.

Additional Local Services:

Resolution Services – REVEAL program: Housing assistance, dental/medical resources
816-931-4751 ex. 1

MOCSA – Free mental health resources – 816-931-4527

KC Tenants – Grassroots Renters rights org – 816-533-5435

Community Assistance Council (Hickman Mills, Ruskin, Center districts)
Food distribution (within certain service area), Emergency Rent/Utility assistance
816-763-3277 ex. 100

UMKC School of Dentistry (affordable dental) – New patients call 816-235-2100

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception – Emergency Utility Assistance
Tues-Friday, 930am to 1130am – 816-842-0416 x132

Guadalupe Center – Various programs/resources for Latino communities
1015 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez, Kansas City, MO 64108 – (816) 421-1015
http://www.guadalupecenters.org/

Bethel-Riverview Coordination and Development – Emergency financial assistance for utilities; Food pantry 947 Osage, Kansas City, KS 66105, (913) 321-7418

Crosslines Cooperative Council, Inc. – Emergency Assistance for individuals and families with opportunities to receive basic necessities such as: Clothing Closet — free clean clothing, Rent and Utility Assistance, Shower facilities, Laundry services, Medicine Cabinet – 736 Shawnee Avenue. Kansas City, KS 66105, (913) 281-3388 / http://www.cross-lines.org/programs/emergency-assistance

Economic Opportunity Foundation Inc. – Emergency assistance to help families obtain needed supports such as utility and rent assistance, and mortgage default counseling, and to address emergency situations. / 1542 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66102, (913) 371-7800, http://www.eofkck.org

Della Lamb – Community Services – Della Lamb serves thousands of Kansas City people annually through rent, utility, food, back-to-school supplies and holiday assistance. Residency restrictions apply. – 500 Woodland Ave., Kansas City, MO 64106, (816) 842-8040 / Ask for Social Services Department, http://www.dellalamb.org/educational-support-services/emergency-services/

Theatre Community Fund of Kansas City – Telephone: 720-569-4246
Address: 4741 Central St., Suite 1409, Kansas City, MO 64112

Jake Walker, Thank you for being with us today on WMM.

The Theatre Community Fund of Kansas City, or TCF for short, a non profit organization designed to provide support to KC theatre workers. First providing food and financial assistance, then growing to also provide free career development and urgent community care. More information at: http://www.theatrefundkc.org

11:50

19. The Salvation Choir – “Tafakarini (Radio Edit)”
    from: Tafakarini / The Salvation Choir / February 8, 2023
    [This single release contains 3 versions of Tafakarini: Tafararini (Live in Kansas City, full version) 09:36 / Tafakarini (Radio edit) 05:04 / and Utukuzwe (Bonus track, lo-fi phone demo) 03:31 video . The Salvation Choir is a Congolese Rumba band from Congo and Tanzania based in Kansas City, Missouri. The are over 20 members in the choir and the choir masters are Jeune Premier Silambien and Pastor John Wilondja. “Tafakarini” was recorded live in our front yard in Kansas City, Missouri in April 2022. It was recorded and mixed by Danny Bowersox and Tyler Bachert. “Utukuzwe” is a lo-fi demo of our song that was featured on Dust To Digital. Recorded on a cassette tape and cell phone by Pastor John Wilondja in 2021. // The Salvation Choir are planning to record in the studio in 2023. More info at: www:thesalvationchoir.com

[The Salvation Choir will play at Boulevardia Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Crown Center.]

20. Stephen Marley – “Old Soul”
    from: “Old Soul” – Single / Tuff Gong Collective / April 20, 2023
    [Stephen Marley releases his highly anticipated single “Old Soul,” now available on all streaming platforms via Tuff Gong Collective/UME/Ghetto Youths International. The award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer chronicles his growth and innocence as a youth Marley kid, the second son of Bob Marley, and his personal rites of passage through the family legacy. The warm acoustic track takes the listener on a coming-of-age journey through allusions to personal legends and eras of musical influences that “made it all possible.” / “April 1972, my mom and poppa brought me through,” Stephen sings on the moving new track. “Back then, I was the favorite, so they say.” The song arrives simultaneously as Bob Marley’s second oldest son celebrates his 51st year of life. “I’m an old soul, living in the body of a 9-year-old,” Stephen sings, sharing glimpses of his past. “Guess I’ve been here before.” The song was co-written with Jamaican pop star Omi, whose manager, renowned producer Specialist, brought it to Stephen, saying it fit him. “I had to change up the years to place my life in it,” Stephen says, “but really, Omi gave me the first inspiration.” / “Old Soul” showcases Marley’s versatility, and the message within his music remains consistent. “We come to free the people’s minds,” says the multi-Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Stephen Marley. “Only way you can free your soul is to free your mind. My father said, ‘No chains on my feet, but I’m not free,’ and then he come to say, ‘Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery.’ Anywhere the music calls us, we are going to be there to spread the message of love and unity.”/ Summer 2023 marks the triumphant return of Stephen’s “Babylon By Bus Summer Tour,” which includes a cavalcade of hand-picked support artists appearing at various venues across the country including Fortunate Youth, Skip Marley, Jesse Royal, Hirie, Arise Roots and Roots of Creation. The tour will begin in San Diego, CA in June with multiple stops in California before heading to Colorado, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Chicago, Cape Cod, Brooklyn, NY and more]

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

Next week on Wednesday MidDay Medley on May 3 we talk with Vice President of KKFI’s Board of Directors, Elyshya “Millz” Miller and CEO of One Voice Radio – internet radio, based out of Kansas City , Missouri, giving a voice to the voiceless, playing independent artists, and offering podcasts that are done live on air. More info at: http://www.ovrstation.com

Also… next week we talk with Philip Dickey of the bands: Someone Still Loves you Boris Yeltsin, and Dragon Inn 3. Phil shares all the details about the new album release from Dragon Inn 3 called TRADE SECRETS coming out on April 28, 2023. Phil Dickey & Grace Bentley of Dragon Inn 3 play the Songbird Sessions presented by Manor Records at Blip Roasters, 1301 Woodswether Road, KC WEST BOTTOMS, on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 8:00 PM.

Also… Next week we talk with Ethan Eckert about his new 17-track full length album, 21, PUNISHMENT and DISARRAY. More info at: http://www.ethaneckert.bandcamp.com

In 2 weeks Shaun Crowley joins us for an entire show featuring the music of Manor Fest 5.

Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information.
Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org

Big THANK YOU to all of our wonderful listeners and friends who generously and thoughtfully donated to support KKFI 90.1 FM – Kansas City Community Radio during our Wednesday MidDay Medley broadcast today! Through the airwaves, and through social media, a total of 55 people donated a total of $3149.00 to allow us to continue our mission. THANK YOU to my incredible co-hosts: Betse Ellis & Marion Merritt, and special guest J Kelly Dougherty, and very special guest Hermon Mehari for sharing your brilliance with our listeners. Thank you to Scott Bunte, Lincoln Dreher and Darryl Oliver for taking our donations over the phones.

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:
http://www.kkfi.org,
http://www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM

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

Show #991

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

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

More New & MidCoastal Releases + Krystle Warren + Jake Walker

Mark spins more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Eddie Moore, Andrew Connor, Red Kate, The Swallowtails, Krystle Warren & The Faculty, Rewound & Calvin Arsenia, Alisa Jefferson, Iris DeMent, Corey Dies in The End, Friendly Thieves, The Salvation Choir, Killer Mike, Ghost Funk Orchestra, Lael Neale, Photo Ops, Stephan Marley, and New York Dolls.

At 11:00 Mark talks with Paris based Kansas City raised singer songwriter Krystle Warren. We will premiere the new song, “Macca” from Krystle Warren & The Faculty, that was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY to be released this year. Krystle says that the song, “became equal parts: a love letter to (Paul McCartney) and a note of encouragement to me. Which is a wonderful thing if you think about it.” We will talk LIVE with Krystle Warren on the phone from France. This is the first of three interviews we will be doing with Krystle over the next five weeks that culminate with a LIVE in-studio show with Krystle on May 26. Krystle will headline the KC Folk Fest 2023 on Saturday, May 20, in Washington Square Park, Kansas City, MO with Solomon Dorsey. Info: http://www.krystlewarren.com or http://www.kansascityfolkfestival.org

At 11:30 Mark welcomes Jake Walker who has been a professional actor for 20 years, and for most of those his artistic home has been Kansas City. In 2020 when covid hit, Jake and several colleagues from the theatre community banded together to create The Theatre Community Fund of Kansas City, or TCF for short, a non profit organization designed to provide support to KC theatre workers. First providing food and financial assistance, then growing to also provide free career development and urgent community care. More information at: http://www.theatrefundkc.org

Krystle Warren Photo by: Travis Young
Jake Walker Photo by: Brian Paulette
Red Kate Photo by Too Much Rock

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

Show #991

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

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

More New & MidCoastal Releases + Sondra Freeman & Midwest Music Foundation + Alisön Hawkins & Fritz Hutchison + Alicia Ellingsworth

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
   from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
   [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]

2. Monta – “Apples of the Sun”
   from: Apples of the Sun – Single / The Record Machine / April 28, 2023
   [On April 28, 2021, during its eighth flyby of the Sun, Parker Solar Probe encountered the specific magnetic and particle conditions above the solar surface that told scientists it had crossed the Alfvén critical surface for the first time and finally entered the solar atmosphere” (source: Nasa.gov). // Monta had been inspired by a Ray Bradbury short story, which in turn had been inspired by a song, and created Apples of the Sun. Speaking to the hubris of humankind and our quest to become our own gods, the song talks about the high self-esteem we collectively place on ourselves as we strive to prove we are as great as the gods of myth and legend. How best to show it? By touching the sun, we claim our invincibility and our eternal status as modern legends. It is an exciting time as we start to surpass what we thought we might never be able to do as we begin our expansion to the stars. // About Monta: It’s a strange time to be making music at all. In the midst of this bizarre attention economy, it’s hard to retrain our minds to sit still for an entire song. We are in constant states of flux. Kansas City’s resident post-punkers Monta find themselves in that same state of change now. The band is finding freedom in the moment, wherever it takes them. // Monta means “to climb higher.” Through lineup changes and scenes ebbing and flowing, this band continues that climb. Founded by brothers Dedric and Delaney Moore, Monta (originally Monta At Odds) has grown into its own community with a rotating cast of musicians and characters. Krysztof Nemeth and Lucas Behrens play guitars. Dedric Moore experiments with synthesizers and electronics. On drums, Matthew Heinrich is the heartbeat of the band; keeping everyone in time and allowing for spontaneous musical moments. After exploring the far reaches of sound through psych-rock freakouts, the band is now turning their attention towards melody. Joined by songwriter and vocalist Mikal Shapiro, Monta is now able to take their noisy, pulsing soundscapes and pair those with pop hooks. With friends and other collaborators making appearances, Monta expand and contract to fit the need of the song. // This shift towards melody is audible in their newer material. “Everybody’s Baby” is a dark-wave rager, perfect for the back room of a dimly-lit club. “Looking Back” is an uplifting synth pop groove mixed with contemplative thoughts about the past. // Peak of Eternal Light, released in 2021, alternates between dreamy post-punk and dark synth pop with no missteps in between. Dedric remarks that the band is in the process of “simplifying the song down to what it needs.”The band has honed-in on this approach, and are making some of their most interesting material to date.Their songs beg us to dance away the darker moments of our lives. By dredging up these murky memories and setting them against a backdrop of groovy, angular post-punk, Monta helps us to make sense of this cold, bleak world. In a cultural ocean with ever-changing waves, it’s nice to know that some things are still built to last. Monta is here to stay, even though they won’t ever remain the same. // On March 24, 2023 Monta released their 4-track EP, Crystal Momentum. The EP hones the Kansas City band’s mastery of electrified dreamworld post-punk, presenting four spacious songs to accompany out-of-body explorations. Monta’s core players — Mikal Shapiro on vocals, Krysztof Nemeth and Lucas Behrens on guitars, Dedric Moore on electronics, Matthew Heinrich on drums, and Teri Quinn with additional vocals — accompany their visions with a groovy flow that rings with subtle tensions, introspective instrumentation, and chorus-fed uplifts. // Found within are “Everybody’s Baby,” an otherworldly adoration of unnamed strangers set to transfixing melodies and a snake-like groove; the buoyant “Looking Back,” which shines a danceable, sonic brightness through a haze of ecstatic reminiscence; the inspired “Perimeter Dancer,” an ode to those who fight for the cause, accompanied by a punky disco beat and a chorus that launches the song upward to a mirror-ball-lit sky. And then there’s “Luna Lost In Your Gaze,” a righteous desert sleepwalk of a tune that recalls the spaghetti western tones of Monta’s past while remaining on the current trajectory. // With the Crystal Momentum EP, Monta grabs the moment, further defining the distinctive mix of synth-pop and dark psychedelia that’s become the band’s trademark. Take a leap and fall into their world. // Monta means “to climb higher.” Through lineup changes and scenes ebbing and flowing, this band continues that climb. Founded by brothers Dedric and Delaney Moore, Monta (originally Monta At Odds) has grown into its own community with a rotating cast of musicians and characters. Info at: kosmiccity.com / therecordmachine.co]

10:08

We wish for a healthy recovery for 16 year old High School Junior and honor student Ralph Yarl, who was shot the head and arm, after approaching the wrong house, attempting pick up his younger siblings. He confused 115th Street with 115th Terrace. The house addresses were the same except for the one detail. The homeowner inside shot Ralph in the head through the glass door. While Ralph was on the ground, the homeowner shot him again. Ralph garnered his strength to get up and knock on 3 more doors before someone offered help. He passed out before an ambulance arrived. A Go Fund Me account has been set up investing into Ralph’s recovery and future education. Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nf36y-cover-medical-expenses

We ask for justice for Ralph Yarl’s horrible mistreatment, and justice for his beautiful family. And while the whole world is watching, we ask the question, what kind of world are we living in?

Many of us have been riveted watching the amazing activism in Nashville surrounding 27 year old Justin Jones who represents parts of Nashville and 28 year old Justin Pearson who represents parts of Memphis. These two young Democratic Representatives were expelled from the Tennessee State House of Representatives, in an unprecedented, hastily forced move by Republican Leader Cameron Sexton who presides over a Tennesssee Republican super majority of the Tennessee Legislature. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were punished for expressing their first amendment rights of peacefully participating in a gun control protest, (with constituents form their districts) inside the state capitol, in a manner that Republicans said was “disorderly behavior”. Many saw this action as unfair, and racist as Justin Jones and Justin Pearson are black, while a third Democratic Rep. Gloria Jones who is white and who was also protesting in the chamber, was the only member of the “Tennessee Three” to not be expelled from legislature, retaining her seat by a single vote.

Ultimately the racist Republican move backfired, and on April 10, 2023, the Nashville Metropolitan Council voted unanimously to reinstate Justin Jones to serve as an interim representative pending a special election to fill the seat. Justin Pearson was reappointed by an unanimous vote of the members present at the Shelby County Board of Commissioners on April 12, 2023. The national attention on this matter has left a cloud over the Tennessee Republican Party and entire state, and catapulted Justin Jones and Justin Pearson to national acclaim.

Watching Justin Pearson at the National Civil Rights Museum in Nashville reminded my mind and heart of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the way both of these young men move crowds with their brilliant words, biblical metaphors and important historical references, all in the noble effort for a more perfect union, and for equality. So we have three songs:

Abraham Alexander was Born in Greece to parents of Nigerian descent, Alexander moved to Texas with his family at age 11 to escape the racial tensions they faced in his birthplace. Shortly after moving to the states, his birth mother was killed in a car accident with a drunk driver, leading Alexander to be adopted later in his teens. He found solace in sports as a soccer prodigy and later, following a torn ACL that ended his playing career, in music once a friend handed Alexander a guitar and he unexpectedly found songs pouring out of him. From his debut album s SEA/SONS we’ll play “Déjà Vu (feat. Mavis Staples)” Abraham Alexander plays The Madrid Theater, 3810 Main Street, KCMO on Monday, May 1, at 7:30 PM opening for Wilder Woods / The Fever / Sky Tour.

But before Abraham Alsexander, and because we’ve been talking about “Justin Pearson representing Memphis”, we will play Booker T. Jones, who was born in Memphis. He was named after his father, Booker T. Jones Sr., who was named in honor of Booker T. Washington, the educator. Booker T. Jones, Sr. was a science teacher at Memphis High School. We’ll play from Booker T”s album grammy winning album, The Road from Memphis released in 2011with Questlove on drums), “Captain” Kirk Douglas on guitar and Owen Biddle on bass from the Roots. The song is “Representing Memphis (feat. Matt Berninger of The National and the late great Sharon Jones. — Booker T. Jones plays The Folly Theater, 300 West 12th Street, KCMO on Friday, April 21, at 8:00 PM. More info at http://www.follytheater.org]

This 3-song set starts with the original version of “Piece of My Heart”, sing by Aretha Franklin’s older sister Erma Vernice Franklin who was an American gospel and soul singer.

3. Erma Franklin – “Piece of My Heart”
   from: Piece of Her Heart The Epic and Shout Years / Sony / February 18, 2011
   [Erma Vernice Franklin (March 13, 1938 – September 7, 2002) was an American gospel and soul singer. Franklin’s best known recording was the original version of “Piece of My Heart”, written and produced by Bert Berns, and recorded in 1967, for which she was nominated for a Grammy Award. A cover version of the same song was recorded the following year by Big Brother and the Holding Company, with the lead vocal by Janis Joplin. Franklin was the elder sister of American singer/musician Aretha Franklin. // Erma Franklin was born in Shelby, Mississippi, United States, the oldest daughter of Barbara (née Siggers) and the Reverend C. L. Franklin. She was raised in Detroit, Michigan, where her father was pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church. She was raised by both parents until the age of 10, when her parents separated for the final time. Her mother took her eldest sibling, half-brother Vaughn, with her to Buffalo, New York, in 1948. Barbara Siggers-Franklin died four years later, on March 7, 1952, in Buffalo. Franklin studied Business at Clark Atlanta University (then known as Clark College). // During her childhood, Erma and her sisters Aretha and Carolyn sang at New Bethel Baptist Church. Later, when Aretha became a recording artist, Erma provided backing vocals and toured with her. Among her more notable back-up performances for her sister was on Aretha’s signature tune “Respect”. // In 1967, Erma Franklin sang the original version of “Piece of My Heart”, which was a top 10 soul hit in the U.S. and rose to number 62 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track was co-written and produced by Bert Berns. In the UK, Franklin’s version was used in a Levi’s jeans commercial (“Cinderella” AKA “Night and Day”), leading to a resurgence of interest in the song. The single was re-released in the UK in 1992 and peaked on the UK Singles Chart at number 9. // Franklin told an interviewer that when she first heard Janis Joplin’s version on the radio, she did not recognize it because of the vocal arrangement. // In the mid-1970s, Franklin left the music industry, apart from occasional engagements with her sister. She was one of the special guests on Aretha’s 1986 Showtime cable television special — filmed at Detroit’s Music Hall — and also performed on June 28, 1990, at Nelson Mandela’s rally at Tiger Stadium. Franklin married Thomas Garrett and gave birth to their two children: Thomas Jr. and Sabrina. For 25 years, Franklin worked for the Boysville Holy Cross Community Center, a Detroit organization that helps homeless and disadvantaged minority children. Franklin died of cancer in Detroit, on September 7, 2002, aged 64. She is interred at Detroit’s historic Woodlawn Cemetery.]

4. Booker T. Jones – “Representing Memphis (feat. Matt Berninger & Sharon Jones)”
   from: The Road from Memphis (Deluxe Edition) / Anti Inc. / May 10, 2011
   [In 2011, Jones released The Road from Memphis. The backing band included Questlove (drums), “Captain” Kirk Douglas (guitar) and Owen Biddle (bass) from the Roots as well as former Motown guitarist Dennis Coffey and percussionist Stewart Killen. The album features vocals by Yim Yames, Matt Berninger, Lou Reed, Sharon Jones and Booker T. himself, as well as lyrics contributed by his daughter/manager Liv Jones. Jones also recorded with party band the Gypsy Queens on their eponymous album. // On February 12, 2012, The Road from Memphis won at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Pop Instrumental Album. Jones holds a total of four Grammy Awards. // Booker Taliaferro Jones Jr. was born November 12, 1944. He is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and arranger, best known as the frontman of the band Booker T. & the M.G.’s. He has also worked in the studios with many well-known artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, earning him a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement. // Booker T. Jones was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He was named after his father, Booker T. Jones Sr., who was named in honor of Booker T. Washington, the educator. Booker T. Jones, Sr. was a science teacher at Memphis High School, providing the family with a relatively stable, lower middle-class lifestyle. // Booker T. Jones was musically a child prodigy, playing the oboe, saxophone, trombone, double bass, and piano at school and organ at church. Jones attended Booker T. Washington High School, the alma mater of Rufus Thomas, and contributed with future stars like Isaac Hayes’s writing partner David Porter, saxophonist Andrew Love of the Memphis Horns, soul singer/songwriter William Bell, and Earth, Wind & Fire’s singer/songwriter Maurice White. // Jones’s entry into professional music came at the age of 16, when he played baritone saxophone on Satellite (soon to be Stax) Records’ first hit, “Cause I Love You”, by Carla and Rufus Thomas. Willie Mitchell hired Jones for his band, in which Jones started on sax and later moved to bass. It was here that he met Al Jackson Jr., whom he brought to Stax. Simultaneously, Jones formed a combo with Maurice White and David Porter, in which he played guitar. // While hanging around the Satellite Record Shop run by Estelle Axton, co-owner of Satellite Records with her brother Jim Stewart, Jones met record clerk Steve Cropper, who would become one of the MGs when the group formed in 1962. Besides Jones on organ and Cropper on guitar, Booker T. and the MGs featured Lewie Steinberg on bass guitar and Al Jackson Jr. on drums (Donald “Duck” Dunn eventually replacing Steinberg on bass). While still in high school, Jones co-wrote the group’s classic instrumental “Green Onions”, which was a massive hit in 1962. // Bob Altshuler wrote the sleeve notes on the first Booker T. & the M.G.’s album Green Onions released by Stax Records in 1962: [His] musical talents became apparent at a very early age. By the time he entered high school, Booker was already a semi-professional, and quickly recognized as the most talented musician in his school. He was appointed director of the school band for four years, and in addition, organized the school dance orchestra which played for proms throughout the Mid-South. In the classroom, he concentrated on the studies of music theory and harmony. … Booker’s multiple activities earned him a coveted honour, that of being listed in the students’ “Who’s Who of American High Schools.” Booker’s first instrument was the string bass, but he soon switched to the organ. Booker came to the attention of record executive Jim Stewart in Memphis, and while still in high school he worked as a staff musician for Stax Records, appearing as sideman on many recording dates for that label. It became obvious that one day Booker would be ready to record under his own name and several months later Booker’s first recording session was set. // Over the next few years, Jones divided his time between studying classical music composition, composing and transposition at Indiana University, playing with the MGs on the weekends back in Memphis, serving as a session musician with other Stax acts, and writing songs that became widely regarded as classics. He wrote, with Eddie Floyd, “I’ve Never Found a Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)”, Otis Redding’s “I Love You More Than Words Can Say”, and, with William Bell, bluesman Albert King’s “Born Under a Bad Sign” (later popularized by the British rock group Cream). // In 1970, Jones moved to California and stopped playing sessions for Stax after becoming frustrated with Stax’s treatment of the MGs as employees rather than musicians. Even though Jones was given the title of Vice President at Stax before leaving, as he put it, “There were titles given (to us) but we didn’t actually make the decisions.” While still under contract to Stax, he appeared on Stephen Stills’s eponymous album (1970). The 1971 album Melting Pot would be the last Booker T. & the M.G.’s album issued on Stax. // Jones was married to Priscilla Coolidge in 1969, sister of singer Rita Coolidge. He produced Priscilla’s first album Gypsy Queen in 1970; then the pair collaborated as a duo on three albums: 1971’s Booker T. & Priscilla, 1972’s Home Grown, and 1973’s Chronicles, and Jones produced Priscilla’s final solo album, Flying, in 1979, right as their marriage ended that year. // Making the charts as a solo artist in 1981 with “I Want You”, he produced Bill Withers’s 1971 debut album Just as I Am (on which Jones played guitar as well as keyboards), Rita Coolidge’s album Love Me Again (1978) and Willie Nelson’s album Stardust (1978). Jones has also added his keyboard playing to artists ranging from the R&B/pop/blues of Ray Charles to the folk rock/country rock of Neil Young. // On June 18, 1985, Jones married Nanine Warhurst. They have three children together, and an additional five stepchildren from their prior relationships. One of their daughters, Olivia Jones, is also a performer, and starred in Candy Girls. // On March 1, 1995, Booker T. & the MGs won their first Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for the song “Cruisin'”. Jones still plays with the MGs and his own small combo called the Booker T. Jones Band. His current touring group includes Vernon “Ice” Black (guitar), Darian Gray (drums), and Melvin Brannon (bass). // Jones was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and was honored with a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement on February 11, 2007. // In 2007, Jones was also inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. // In 2009 he released a new solo album, Potato Hole, recorded with the Drive-By Truckers,[9] and featuring Neil Young. He performed at the Bonnaroo Music Festival with Drive-By Truckers on June 6, 2009, with a set including most tracks from Potato Hole as well as some Truckers tracks. On January 31, 2010, Potato Hole won the Best Instrumental Album award at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. He is featured on the Rancid album Let the Dominoes Fall (2009), playing a Hammond B-3 on the track “Up to No Good”. Jones also played his B-3 on the track “If It Wasn’t For Bad” from the Elton John and Leon Russell 2010 collaboration album titled The Union. The track was nominated at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. // Jones received an honorary doctorate degree from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music at its 2012 undergraduate commencement. Jones originally attended Indiana University in the 1960s, even staying after his smash-hit Stax Records recordings. // Jones was featured on organ for singer Kelly Hogan on Hogan’s 2013 release on Anti-Records, I Like to Keep Myself in Pain. // In June 2013, Jones released his 10th album, Sound The Alarm, on Stax Records after originally leaving the label more than 40 years previously in 1971. The album features guest artists Anthony Hamilton, Raphael Saadiq, Jay James, Mayer Hawthorne, Estelle, Vintage Trouble, Gary Clark Jr., Luke James, and Booker’s son Ted Jones. That summer, he performed at the TD Kitchener Blues Festival in Ontario. .. On September 1, 2017, Jones performed live at the Royal Albert Hall BBC Proms with Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra in a tribute concert honoring the 50th anniversary of Stax Records alongside Steve Cropper, Sam Moore, William Bell and British artists Beverley Knight, Ruby Turner, James Morrison and Tom Jones. // On October 29, 2019, his memoir Time Is Tight: My Life, Note by Note was released. The memoir was mentioned on Fresh Air on October 25, 2019.]

[Booker T. Jones plays The Folly Theater, 300 West 12th Street, KCMO on Friday, April 21, at 8:00 PM. More info at http://www.follytheater.org]

5. Abraham Alexander – “Déjà Vu (feat. Mavis Staples)”
   from: SEA/SONS / Dualtone Music Group / April 14, 2023
   [Abraham Alexander’s debut album SEA/SONS. Born in Greece to parents of Nigerian descent, Alexander moved to Texas with his family at age 11ing, anguish and joy. And while his lyrics speak to pain, trauma and life-changing loss, he instill to escape the racial tensions they faced in his birthplace. Shortly after moving to the states, his birth mother was killed in a car accident with a drunk driver, leading Alexander to be adopted later in his teens. He found solace in sports as a soccer prodigy and later, following a torn ACL that ended his playing career, in music once a friend handed Alexander a guitar and he unexpectedly found songs pouring out of him. // The 11 tracks on SEA/SONS touch on themes of loss, redemption, longs his music with a joyful passion and irrepressible spirit, ultimately giving way to songs that radiate undeniable hope.]

[Abraham Alexander plays The Madrid Theater, 3810 Main Street, KCMO on Monday, May 1, at 7:30 PM opening for Wilder Woods / The Fever / Sky Tour. More info at http://www.madredtheatre.org]

6. Danza – “Business Cards”
   from: “Business Cards” – Single / Danza / April 7, 2023
   [“Business Cards follows Danza earlier single “Things I Do” which had a video made for the track that won Best Music Video Award t Hollywood Screenings Film Festival in Los Angeles, California in March. The Kansas City based artist has recorded as Danza’s Garden but recently shortened their name to Danza. Danza, also known as Anthony Louderback, an established artist who has been delivering lush melodies and pop-laced beats since 2012. With a performance style that is dazzling and song-writing that is congenial, he has become known for delivering celebratory anthems for life’s highs, lows, and in-betweens. // Growing up with pop and hip hop as his preferred vehicles of self-expression, Danza has found success in creating music that offers empathy and hope for those seeking to find their way in life. “It’s an intuitive experience for my thoughts and feelings. I feel a connection and want that for us,” he explains. // “Things That I Do” is an introspective and thought-provoking song that showcases Danza’s talent for soul-tinged production and feel-good lyrics. With its catchy hooks and infectious beats, it is sure to become a fan favorite and leave listeners feeling inspired to take responsibility for their own actions.// Danza will be releasing a new video for “Business Cards” on April 25, 2023. More info at: http://www.soundcloud.com/danzaspecial%5D

7. Gemini Parks – “Snake Charmer (featuring J. Arrr & Backwood Sweetie)”
   from: “Snake Charmer” – Single / Love You Tons Records / March 30. 2023
   [Gemini Parks is the Genre-Bending Funk Project of Kansas City Musician Josh Berwanger. Josh Berwanger’ is known for the bands: the Anniversary, and The Only Children. Gemini Parks is on a mission to make you dance. Recorded with Oklahoma producer Jarod Evans (Broncho, Flaming Lips) in 2021 at Blackwatch Studios, Berwanger later added Mitch Hewlit on drums and J-Swamp on bass. GP plans to release their first single in July, monthly single drops to followGemini Parks released his debut single “Up All Night” on August 4, 2022, followed by “Price You Pay in September 2022.

[Gemini Parks play The Brick, 1727 McGee, Street, KCMO, on Friday, April 21, at 8:00 PM with Labrys (which features member of the band Broncho).]

8. Kara Jackson -“Pawnshop”
   from: Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love / September Recordings / April 14. 2023
   [Kara Jackson wants to be dangerous. Wielding her voice like a honey-coated blade, Kara crafts a blend of emotional folk music and poetic alt-country. With the radical honesty of Nina Simone, and the intricate lyricism of Fiona Apple and Joana Newsom, Kara’s writing blurs the line between poetry and song, demanding an attentive ear and a repeat listen. // Raised by country folk and Black feminist poets like Gwendolyn Brooks and Lucille Clifton, Kara’s songs have the softness and warmth of a southern drawl, while still being sharp enough to cut deep. Born and raised in Oak Park, IL, a community 10 miles west of Chicago, with a Southern sensibility imbued by their parent’s background, her innate talent was unlocked early on honing her skills for music and writing from a very young age. At five years old she began piano lessons; she later taught themself guitar and eventually her passion for poetry took full force during high school. It was then that she began to be appreciated as the Black Queer polymath that she is, earning the prestigious and coveted honour of being 2019’s National Youth Poet Laureate and releasing her debut EP A Song for Every Chamber of the Heart in the same year. // Why Does the Earth GIve Us People to Love, Kara’s debut album, out April 14th via September Recordings, continues in their already signature style: asking open ended questions; the meandering process of trying to answer them leaves us pause for thought. Specifically, Kara’s debut album is a sonic invitation to process our grief. The title is a question the author is always answering. How do we give ourselves permission to yearn for the people we miss? How do we find the courage to let go of what begs to be released? How do we have the audacity to love in spite of everything invented to deter us from it?

10:32 – Underwriting

9. Kristopher Bruders – “Butterflies and Turpentine”
   from: “Butterflies and Turpentine” / Kris Bruders / August 24, 2022
   [One of many new singles Kris Briders has recently recorded with friends and collaborators. Kris Bruders is also performing with a new band called, Copper Threading, that Kris describes as ”that sweet sound of that old family harmony of Havilah Bruders and Kenese Cartwright right next to the trains with the beautiful upright bass sound of Brandon Day and the sweet sounds of a mandolin by Corey Clark and yours truly.” Many Kansas City music fans know Kristopher Bruders for his great work with band, Cadillac Flambé with your wife vocalist and keyboardist, Havilah Bruders. Kristopher Bruders is also one half of Freight Train Rabbit Killer with Mark Smeltzer. Kristopher Bruders is a beautiful, peaceful gentleman and then we turn on the microphone and are blown away by the power of the voice, truly reminding me of a far away train, getting closer in the middle of a cold dark night. Freight Train Rabbit Killer, a musical duet made up of Kristopher Bruders (Freight Train) and Mark Smeltzer (Rabbit Killer). Described as “Apocalyptic Roots” or “Doom Blues” their intense and riveting live shows are accompanied by suits and masks. Freight Train Rabbit Killer released their album, HAMMER OF JUDGEMENT on April 30, 2022 on vinyl from Haymaker Records.

[Kris Bruders plays , The Dinner Show, at 6:00 PM, hosting with Havilah Bruders, and featuring: The Bruders Family Band, Copper Threading, Havilah Bruders, Bruders & Smeltzer, and Cadillac Flambe for Midwest Music Foundation’s Annual Spring Donation Drive, at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in the West Bottoms, Saturday, April 22, . Donate/Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org]

10:38 – Interview with Sondra Freeman

Sondra Freeman is Director of Promotions & Artist Relations for Midwest Music Foundation, a nonprofit created to support music and musicians in Kansas City and the surrounding areas, founded in 2008 by a collective of musicians and music lovers. The Midwest Music Foundation (MMF) unites and empowers the greater KC music community by providing programs and resources to area musicians through outreach, support, education, and health care opportunities. Sondra is instrumental in MMF’s annual events: Apocalypse Meow, Murder Ballad Ball, and other collaborative musical events and fundraisers.

Sondra Freeman joins us to share details about Midwest Music Foundation’s 5th Annual Spring Donation Drive, MENTAL HEALTH IS HEALTH that culminates at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in the West Bottoms, on Saturday, April 22, with The Dinner Show, at 6:00 PM, music at 7:00 from: The Bruders Family Band, Copper Threading, Havilah Bruders, Bruders & Smeltzer, and Cadillac Flambe. Followed by The Evening Show, at 9:30 PM with: Radkey, Pamper the Madman, Gascan, and DJ Thundercutz. <ore info at http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

Sondra Freeman thanks for being with us again on WMM.

DONATION DRIVE | APRIL 1ST-30TH, 2023

CONCERT | APRIL 22ND AT THE SHIP IN KANSAS CITY, MO

Our annual Spring Donation Drive expands our ability to connect musicians with vital resources for mental and urgent health care needs.

MMF believes that a healthy, thriving community of artists contributes to the strength and character of our city. Funds raised from the Donation Drive will expand our ability to connect musicians with vital mental health resources offering mental health care grants, education and support, while continuing to provide urgent health care grants through Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care.

Throughout April 2023, Midwest Music Foundation (MMF) continues our service to Kansas City’s music community in our Spring Donation Drive. Funds raised will expand our ability to connect musicians with vital mental health resources.

The drive will culminate in an evening of live music at The Ship (1221 Union Ave) on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

The Ship’s new All Else the Sea stage will host two events that evening – a matinee variety show curated by Havilah & Kris Bruders at 7 p.m., followed by a concert with Radkey, Pamper the Madman and Gascan. DJ Thundercutz will spin a mix of soulful and funky 45s on The Ship’s original stage.

The drive culminates at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in the West Bottoms, April 22, with The Dinner Show, at 6:00 PM, music from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, hosted by Havilah & Kris Bruders, and featuring: The Bruders Family Band, Copper Threading, Havilah Bruders, Bruders & Smeltzer, and Cadillac Flambe.

Followed by The Evening Show, at 9:30 PM with: Radkey, Pamper the Madman, Gascan, and DJ Thundercutz.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater KC will be on hand from 6 to 9 p.m. to provide information and resources to attendees. Research College of Nursing will be offering free health screenings from 7 to 9 p.m.

Funds from MMF’s annual Donation Drive have assisted local musicians and industry professionals with affordable, essential health care services. This year’s focus on our Mental Health For Musicians initiative will designate funds for counseling and other mental wellness resources. As artists lost countless opportunities to create, perform and generate income over the pandemic, their need for mental health support remains at an all-time high. Our initial goal of $20,000 will provide mental health grants to 10 musicians.

Tickets for the Donation Drive Concert can be purchased here:
DINNER SHOW & BOTH SHOWS
EVENING SHOW ONLY

If tickets remain, they will also be available at the door. Doors for the dinner show open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 7 p.m. The evening show will have doors at 9:30 p.m. and music starting at 10 p.m.

Donations can be made to MMF by visiting http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

10:46

10. Radkey – “Better Than This”
    from: “Better Than This” – Single / Little Man Records / September 23, 2022
    [Radkey also released the single “Games (Tonight)”: on January 28, 2022 on Little Man Records. Isaiah, Dee, and Solomon Radke of the critically acclaimed rock trio Radkey joined us live in our 90.1 FM studios on September 5, 2018. Radkey was formed in 2010 in St. Joseph, where the brothers were raised. The family moved to Kansas City. The band has released multiple full-length recordings. IN 2021 Radkey was featured in Dave Grohl’s van-touring documentary film, WHAT DRIVES US. Radkey released GREEN ROOM on Little Man Records on November 27, 2020.On Green Room the band serve as their own producers. Radkey released DARK BLACK MAKE UP in 2015 and DELICIOUS ROCK NOISE in 2016 — plus multiple EPs and singles, and were part of a MasterCard advertising campaign on digital billboards in NYC along with a national television commercial that aired during the 2018 Grammy Awards that brought the band to the attention of Jack White who asked the band to tour with him. In 2018 the band went back on the road with The Damned throughout the United States. In December they went back into the studio to record with producer Bill Stevenson of the California punk rock group Descendents. In early 2019 they played shows in Amsterdam and Stockholm. In 2018 the band released “Basement,” “St. Elwood,” “Rock & Roll Homeschool,” as well as several other singles. On February 22, 2019, Radkey released “No Strange Cats…P.A.W.” a 7-song EP is essentially a collection of the band’s most recent singles. It comes after the January 11, 2019 release of No Strange cats…Spiders – EP a 6 song EP of several new songs mixed with several singles from late 2018.]

[Radkey plays The Evening Show, at 9:30 PM with: Radkey, Pamper the Madman, Gascan, and DJ Thundercutz. for Midwest Music Foundation’s Annual Spring Donation Drive, at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in the West Bottoms, Saturday, April 22, Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org]

10:50 – Interview with Sondra Freeman

Sondra Freeman is Director of Promotions & Artist Relations for Midwest Music Foundation, a nonprofit created to support music and musicians in Kansas City and the surrounding areas, founded in 2008 by a collective of musicians and music lovers. The Midwest Music Foundation (MMF) unites and empowers the greater KC music community by providing programs and resources to area musicians through outreach, support, education, and health care opportunities. Sondra is instrumental in MMF’s annual events: Apocalypse Meow, Murder Ballad Ball, and other collaborative musical events and fundraisers.

Sondra Freeman joins us to share details about Midwest Music Foundation’s 5th Annual Spring Donation Drive, MENTAL HEALTH IS HEALTH that culminates at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in the West Bottoms, on Saturday, April 22, with The Dinner Show, at 6:00 PM, music at 7:00 from: The Bruders Family Band, Copper Threading, Havilah Bruders, Bruders & Smeltzer, and Cadillac Flambe. Followed by The Evening Show, at 9:30 PM with: Radkey, Pamper the Madman, Gascan, and DJ Thundercutz. More info at http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

Sondra Freeman thanks for being with us again on WMM.

DONATION DRIVE | APRIL 1ST-30TH, 2023

CONCERT | APRIL 22ND AT THE SHIP IN KANSAS CITY, MO

Our annual Spring Donation Drive expands our ability to connect musicians with vital resources for mental and urgent health care needs.

We believe that a healthy, thriving community of artists contributes to the strength and character of our city. Funds raised from the Donation Drive will expand our ability to connect musicians with vital mental health resources offering mental health care grants, education and support, while continuing to provide urgent health care grants through Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care.

Throughout April 2023, Midwest Music Foundation (MMF) continues our service to Kansas City’s music community in our Spring Donation Drive. Funds raised will expand our ability to connect musicians with vital mental health resources.

The drive will culminate in an evening of live music at The Ship (1221 Union Ave) on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

The Ship’s new All Else the Sea stage will host two events that evening – a matinee variety show curated by Havilah & Kris Bruders at 7 p.m., followed by a concert with Radkey, Pamper the Madman and Gascan. DJ Thundercutz will spin a mix of soulful and funky 45s on The Ship’s original stage.

The drive culminates at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in the West Bottoms, April 22, with The Dinner Show, at 6:00 PM, music from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, hosted by Havilah & Kris Bruders, and featuring: The Bruders Family Band, Copper Threading, Havilah Bruders, Bruders & Smeltzer, and Cadillac Flambe.

Followed by The Evening Show, at 9:30 PM with: Radkey, Pamper the Madman, Gascan, and DJ Thundercutz.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater KC will be on hand from 6 to 9 p.m. to provide information and resources to attendees. Research College of Nursing will be offering free health screenings from 7 to 9 p.m.

Funds from MMF’s annual Donation Drive have assisted local musicians and industry professionals with affordable, essential health care services. This year’s focus on our Mental Health For Musicians initiative will designate funds for counseling and other mental wellness resources. As artists lost countless opportunities to create, perform and generate income over the pandemic, their need for mental health support remains at an all-time high. Our initial goal of $20,000 will provide mental health grants to 10 musicians.

DINNER SHOW & BOTH SHOWS
EVENING SHOW ONLY

If tickets remain, they will also be available at the door. Doors for the dinner show open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 7 p.m. The evening show will have doors at 9:30 p.m. and music starting at 10 p.m. Donations at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

Sondra Freeman thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Midwest Music Foundation’s 5th Annual Spring Donation Drive, MENTAL HEALTH IS HEALTH that culminates at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in the West Bottoms, on Saturday, April 22, with The Dinner Show, at 6:00 PM, music at 7:00 from: The Bruders Family Band, Copper Threading, Havilah Bruders, Bruders & Smeltzer, and Cadillac Flambe. Followed by The Evening Show, at 9:30 PM with: Radkey, Pamper the Madman, Gascan, and DJ Thundercutz. More info at http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

10:57

11. Pamper The Madman – “Hey Joe (Judd’s Song)”
    from: Pity The Fool / Theresa Scott, Chris Fugitt, Johnny Hamil, Chris Tady / Dec. 31, 2022
    [From Johnny Hamil: The new Pamper The Madman album is electric and Theresa has returned to full form. Her lyrics are perfection. There was lots of care put into the making of this album much like the first two. Old school fans will love it as much as the new fans. The old albums will help the new fans get access to these songs they enjoy at the live shows. // The band performed from early 90s til 98 when the lead singer Theresa stopped to start her family of three kids. The 2015 show was the first show that Pamper performed since marked the return of this amazing singer/songwriter. The shows since have been just as amazing as Theresa is truly a great performing artists that needed to be on the stage. The people in the audience both in the 90s and now will tell you how lucky they are to have witnessed these events. Goodtimes we’ve had and goodtimes await. The new album is still in works. // Theresa started playing music with Robbie Wagner in an acoustic duo called beatific smile. The sametime Robbie was starting a rock band with drummer Chris Fugitt and bassists Scott Hassler. They decided to see if the vocals would work in a rock context….. That lead to the start of Pamper the Madman which played it’s first show in the front room at Davey’s. Marshall Strong took over on bass after a few live shows. They released a demo cassette -Gosh Golly, Nothing, Muddle mind, Pork n Beans, and The wall is bleeding on it. This is very rare to find this cassette. By the time the full first album was released (CD) the band was wildly popular in the midwest. Johnny Hamil took over on bass in 95 and they recorded the second ep Muter. These two albums are widely sought after around the internet. The live shows are the main source of hearing these albums with some links below to some of it. // Chris Fugitt has been around the world as a touring musician with the band totimoshi as well as many other projects. he decided to return to kc around 2015. Chris is the founding member of the band. // Robbie Wager had relocated to South Korea and the distance keeps him from performing. Robbie and Johnny formed the band Eric after Pamper stoped playing and recorded and released 2 albums. Robbie happened to be in kc around 2015 which prompted the first show which was all the members of the band. // Johnny and Theresa were writing new material and Johnny luckily asked his friend what he was doing these days.. Chris Tady said well I’m just sitting on my couch smoking weed and playing my guitar. That’s when the magic took off as Tady is very similar background to Robbie with his Rock n roll and metal guitar god type guitar playing. It was a perfect solution. We all thank Tady for making Pamper happen again.]

[Pamper The Madman plays The Evening Show, at 9:30 PM with: Radkey, Gascan, and DJ Thundercutz. for Midwest Music Foundation’s Annual Spring Donation Drive, at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in the West Bottoms, Saturday, April 22, Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org]

12. GASCAN – “Rich Boys”
    from: GASCAN / GASCAN / January 4, 2019
    [Kansas City Punk Rock]

[GASCAN plays The Evening Show, at 9:30 PM with: Radkey, Gascan, and DJ Thundercutz. for Midwest Music Foundation’s Annual Spring Donation Drive, at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in the West Bottoms, Saturday, April 22, Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org]

11:00 – Station ID

13. True Lions – “Fake Tears”
    from: “Fake Tears” – Single / Manor Records / April 7, 2023
    [“Fake Tears” is the first single from the upcoming True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette being released by Manor Records on April 26, 2023. True Lions released their debut full length album, “The Fempire Strikes Back,” on Manor Records on April 9, 2021 with Alisön Hawkins on keytar & vocals; Adee Rocket Dancy on cello & vocals; Claire Adams on guitar, Elizabeth Kosko on drums & percussion; Iona DeWalt on synthesizers; Miki P on guitar & vocals, and Teri Quinn on bass & vocals. Recorded at Deep Space Co-op. Tracking & engineering by Ross Brown at Escape Pod Audio. Mixing and mastering by Joel Nanos at Element Recording. In 2019 True Lions released their EP debut, “Cute at Best,” on February 5, 2019. They followed up with a second EP called. You’re Not Invited, released on November 9, 2019. For these recordings True Lions was: Alison Hawkins on guitar, synth, and vocals; Elizabeth Kosko on percussion, vocals; Mikala Petillo on bass, vocals; Claire Adams on guitar, vocals; Leslie Butsch on saxophone, Ezgi Karakus on cello; and Teri Quinn on vocals. All songs written by True Lions and produced by Claire Adams and Alison Hawkins. Tracking & Engineering by Claire Adams. Mixing and Mastering by Ian Dobyns and Chase Horseman. More info at: http://www.manorrecords.com .]

[True Lions play The True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette Release Show is Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 PM with Jass & The Boys at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.manorrecords.com]

11:06 – Interview with Alisön Hawkins & Fritz Hutchison

Alison Hawkins is a queer artist, writer, multi-instrumentalist, and music teacher in KCK. They dropped out of music school (after studying classical piano) and dedicated their life to intersectional activism through community organizing and self-expression. In 2018 they founded the alt-pop band True Lions, releasing two EPs in 2019, and a keytar-inspired full-length album “The Fempire Strikes Back” in 2021, released by Manor Records. In 2022 they became enchanted by the fiddle and obsessed with Ozark old time while hiking through North American national parks. In 2023, Al teamed up with their partner Fritz Hutchison to create a homemade split tape,to be released bu Manor Records.

Fritz Hutchison is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter based in Kansas City. Fritz is a multi-instrumentalist who was born May 27, 1991. Fritz landed in the KC Music Community in 2008 playing drums with: She’s a Keeper. He played for several years with Grand Marquis, was part of the band Freight Train Rabbit Killer. As a guitarist he has played with True Lions, J Ashley Miller, Lauren Krum, Miki P, Calvin Arsenia, and many others. His second solo album, MOVIE NIGHT was released on April, 15, 2022 through Manor Records. He released his debut album Wide Wild Acres in March 2020 on Center Cut Records, receiving positive reviews in the US, Australia, the UK and the Netherlands. . Fritze has also released the sweet and sad country single “All the Way From Here (Happy Holidays)” in January 2021 and the unhinged rock rave-up “Zack Attack!” in March 2022.

Alisön Hawkins & Fritz Hutchison join us to talk about their new True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette being released by Manor Records and The True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette Release Show on Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 PM with Jass & The Boys at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.manorrecords.com

Alisön Hawkins & Fritz Hutchison Thank you for being with us on WMM

We just heard one of The Single releases from the Split Cassette, “Fake Tears” with lyrics from the poem “The Fake Tears of Shirley Temple” by Patricia Lockwood, from Motherland Fatherland Homelandsexuals, published by Penguin Books, New York (2014)

True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette releases April 26, 2023

The True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette Release Show on Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 PM with Jass & The Boys at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.manorrecords.com

THIS SIDE

Alison Hawkins – vocals, guitar (4,5), synth (2), strings (1), chords, melodies & structures
Fritz Hutchison – guitars, percussion, vocals (2,4), synth (3)
Eli Kosko – drums, percussion
Carly Atwood – bass
Teri Quinn – clarinet (5)
Cam Seip – trumpet (4)
Daniel Cox – flute (3)

All True Lions lyrics were adapted from the following works of poetry:

“Crowded Vacant” by Andrew Squitiro
From My Year With the Devil, published by Gaggle Books, New Orleans (2021)

“Cigarette Girl” by Eileen Myles
From Sorry, Tree, published by Wave Books, Seattle (2007)

“The Fake Tears of Shirley Temple” by Patricia Lockwood
From Motherland Fatherland Homelandsexuals, published by Penguin Books, New York (2014)

“Love Song” by T.S. Leonard
From Reverse Cowboy + Other Poems, published by the New Emotionalist Press, Portland (2020)

“bday poem / grateful 2 b alive with u” by Delia Rainey
From Delia Writes Everyday, published by @deliawriteseveryday on May 23, 2020

THAT SIDE

Fritz Hutchison – songs & instruments, singing & talking
Marco Pascolini – pedal steel
Alison Hawkins – fiddle (6,7)
Trevor Turla – trombone (8)

Produced by Fritz Hutchison & Alison Hawkins
Recorded & mixed by Fritz at home in Strawberry Hill KCK
Mastered by Caufield Schnug/Melody Men Mastering
Design by Alison Hawkins with art by Anna Schwartz
Photo by Alec Nichols
Logo by Nika Winn
Long Live Manor Records ❤
Special thanks to Kristin Slipp, Teri Quinn & Ross Brown

The True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette Release Show on Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 PM with Jass & The Boys at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.manorrecords.com

11:15

14. Fritz Hutchison – “Little Referee”
    from: “Little Referee”- Single / Manor Records / April 7, 2023
    [Fritz Hutchison released his second solo full length album, MOVIE NIGHT On April 15, 2022. Fritz was signed by Manor Records that same year. Multi-instrumentalist Fritz Hutchison was born May 27, 1991. A life-long resident of KC. Since 2008 he’s been part of multiple bands playing drums with: She’s a Keeper, Freight Train Rabbit Killer, and Grand Marquis. As a guitarist he has played along side True Lions, J Ashley Miller, Lauren Krum, Miki P, Calvin Arsenia. A decade of lending an ear and a hand to other musicians Fritz Hutchison released his debut solo album Wide Wild Acres on Center Cut Records on March 27, 2020. Written & performed by Fritz Hutchison. Produced by Fritz Hutchison & Joel Nanos. Recorded & mixed in KC by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studio. Mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room in Chicago.]

[Fritz Hutchison plays The True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette Release Show is Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 PM with Jass & The Boys at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS]

11:18

We’re talking with Alisön Hawkins & Fritz Hutchison about The True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette Release Show is Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 PM with Jass & The Boys at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS.

Alisön Hawkins & Fritz Hutchison Thank you for being with us on WMM

Alison Hawkins is a queer artist, writer, multi-instrumentalist, and music teacher in KCK. They dropped out of music school (after studying classical piano) and dedicated their life to intersectional activism through community organizing and self-expression.

In 2018 they founded the alt-pop band True Lions, releasing 2 EPs in 2019, and a keytar-inspired album “The Fempire Strikes Back” in 2021, released by Manor Records.

In 2022 they became enchanted by the fiddle and obsessed with Ozark old time while hiking through North American national parks. In 2023, Al teamed up with their partner Fritz Hutchison to create a homemade split tape,to be released bu Manor Records.

Fritz Hutchison is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter based in Kansas City. Fritz is a multi-instrumentalist who was born May 27, 1991.

Fritz landed in the KC Music Community in 2008 playing drums with: She’s a Keeper. He also played with Grand Marquis, and Freight Train Rabbit Killer. As a guitarist he has played w/ True Lions, J Ashley Miller, Lauren Krum, Miki P, Calvin Arsenia, and others.

His 2nd solo album, MOVIE NIGHT was released April, 15, 2022 through Manor Records.

He released his debut album Wide Wild Acres in March 2020 on Center Cut Records, receiving positive reviews in the US, Australia, the UK and the Netherlands. . Fritze has also released the sweet and sad country single “All the Way From Here (Happy Holidays)” in January 2021 and the unhinged rock rave-up “Zack Attack!” in March 2022.

Alisön Hawkins & Fritz Hutchison Thank you for being with us on WMM

The True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette Release Show is Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 PM with Jass & The Boys at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.manorrecords.com

11:26

15. Jass & The Boys –”Love U Like I Love U feat. Jass & Black Light Animals)”
    from: “Love U Like I Love U” / Groove King recors – Fat Beats / December 2, 2022
    [“The Boys” are the members of Black Light Animals: Colby Bales, Branden Moser, & Cody Calhoun. Colby and Branden also are pare of the Freedom Affair. Jass is Jasmine “Jass” Couch released the EP OFFKEY: TOO HIGH on September 23, 2022. Jass released her single “Higher Ground” on August 16, 2022. It was WMM’s #1 Single in our 50 Favorite Singles of 2022. Jass released her single “Him” on February 23, 2022. Jass released AT THE CLOSE OF A DECADE on November 26, 2022. It was part of WMM’s 121 Best Recordings of 2021. She wrote, “After years of writing and recording in voice memos, I decided to grab my iPad and began recording something that I am very proud of, and named it, At the Close of A Decade, and released it in November 2019. With my iPhone/iPad, some apple headphones, I created this project. The amazing people around me told me it was worth it, even when I didn’t believe it myself. I convinced myself I would be the only one that liked my songs. If you decide to listen you’ll hear sound clips of shows and movies that made a difference in the way I saw the world, the way I saw myself, and the way I overcame my experiences. I remember asking my grandma and my son if I should release what I’ve been writing and they both said very simply to do it, so I’ve done it. I want to thank all of my wonderful friends who have been my soundboards during this process, all of the people that have asked me when it’s coming, the people that have kept me accountable, and believed that this time it was for real. My story is so very triumphant and beautiful because I have overcome experiences and shunned the fear I had to do what I love. It’s crazy how you can talk your way out of some amazing things and also how you can talk yourself into making some amazing things happen. If you partake, I hope you enjoy.” // Jass has played The Essence Festival, Apocalypse Meow, Manor Fest, Farmers Ball, KC Monarchs, recordBar, Bottleneck, Mutual Musicians Foundation, Grinders, Sofar Sounds, The Uptown Theatre . She has shared the stages with The New Respects, Thundercat, Old Sound, and many others. More info at: http://www.jassrcouch.com]

[Jass & The Boys play The True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette Release Show is Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 PM at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS.]

11:29 – Underwriting

16. Kemet Coleman – “Maraca (Radio Edit)”
    from: Duality / Kemet Creative / April 21, 2023
    [With his latest album “Duality,” Kemet invites you on a journey through the depths of the human psyche and nature, blending hip-hop, jazz, funk, and house progressions into a sonically vast soundscape. This album showcases Kemet’s skills as a music producer and features some of the most up-and-coming Kansas City-based artists. At the release party, you’ll be able to experience these sounds in person, surrounded by a community of music lovers who share your passion for dynamic, soulful beats. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to witness the future of music and immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of Kemet Coleman. // Hip hop MC extraordinaire, Kemet Coleman is a Kansas City based musician, producer and is a member of the Funk/Rap/Soul band The Phantastics. Kemet is also a core element of The Marcus Lewis Big Band for Brass & Boujee. Kemet is Founder and Director at Troostival Kemet is a two time Pitch Music Award nominee for “Best Hip-Hop Act.” Kemet is known for his unprecedented collaborations with Crane Brewing Company, UMKC, KC Streetcar, and The Kansas City Royals. He is also highly regarded for his impresario role within the Sly James for Mayor Campaign in the 2010-2011 where he created the first ever KC mayoral candidate rap song. A University of Missouri – Kansas City alumnus, Kemet, created “Gold and Blue” for UMKC’s sports teams, which has garnered thousands of plays on YouTube and has been featured on prime-time television commercials for the university. In 2020. Coleman contributed his song, “The Virus” to the compilation, Kansas City Syzygy, music created by over 25 Kansas City-based musicians in the middle of the map of a pandemic. “The Virus” is his comment on the impact of the coronavirus, as well as the virus that is racial injustice in America that has received global attention during the past months. All proceeds donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone has a safe, accessible, affordable home. On November 3, 2020 Kemet Coleman released EPISODE TWO: THE RISE OF KEMET EP. On August 1, 2020 Kemet Coleman released BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL. On August 16, 2019 Kemet Coleman released ELECTRIC PARK. On May 5, 2017 Kemet Coleman released PARIS OF THE PLAINS EP. On March 9, 2017 Kemet Coleman released THE INVISIBLE MAN.]

[Kemet Coleman plays a “Duality” Album Release Show, with DJ Skeme & Friends Friday, April 21, at 10:00 PM at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, Kansas City, WEST BOTTOMS]

11:33 – Interview with Alicia Ellingsworth

Alicia Ellingsworth is Executive Director and Co-Founder of The KC Farm School at Gibbs Road. Alicia has always fed people. She waited tables in high school and through college at Ohio State, and after across the country. She apprenticed with biodynamic farmer Mark Trela at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana for several years before coming to Gibbs Road Farm in 2009. It was there she found home and for six years demonstrated how much food can be grown on one urban acre utilizing six high tunnels for year-round production with sales topping $135,000. Her farm crews were apprentice farmers and over the course of those years she mentored 40+ young growers at Gibbs Farm and at the Juniper Gardens Training Farm’s New Roots For Refugees program. She’s a Robert Wood Johnson Fellow, serves on the Growing Growers Organizing Committee, Johnson County Community College Sustainable Ag Advisory Board, and was the 2019 recipient of the John Kaiahua Mentorship Award. For Alicia this farm grows possibility and a place where hope lives.

KC Farm School invites the community to Compost Fest and spring Plant Sale, Saturday, April 22, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. 2443 S. 42nd Street, Kansas City , Kansas, ADA Parking only available at 4223 Gibbs Road. More info at: http://www.kcfarmschool.org.

Alicia Ellingsworth thank you for being with us today on WMM.

Alicia Ellingsworth tell us about The KC Farm School at Gibbs Road 4223 Gibbs Rd, Kansas City, KS 66106

KC Farm School at Gibbs Road empowers individuals of all ages, abilities, and ancestries through on-farm, hands-on experiences connecting them to opportunity and their community.

The center of its community, the farm generates an inspiring environment transforming the individual and society through community-wide, multi-generational, participatory, and collaborative food projects and while it provides vocational training, job opportunities, healing, and fun.

KC Farm School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

How can individuals become involved in The KC Farm School at Gibbs Road

KC Farm School invites the community to Compost Fest and spring Plant Sale, Saturday, April 22, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. 2443 S. 42nd Street, Kansas City , Kansas, ADA Parking only available at 4223 Gibbs Road. More info at: http://www.kcfarmschool.org.

Starting in May – The Farmer’s Market at KC Farm School at Gibbs Road, 4223 Gibbs Road, KCK 66106 is open and with an online store, where customers can order online by 2:00 PM and then pick up produce during market hours from 3 to 7. Featuring organically grown veggie, herbs and floweres along with products from farmers and producers . Www.kcfarmschool.org

Common Ground, KC Farm School’s eleven acres of raw, rolling land just east of our current farm site. and room for orchards, animals, composting, and more. KC Farm School imagines Common Ground as a safe space for critical conversations that seed action. KC farm School believes in the power of this community to join in to create a tomorrow better than today, right here, right now.

Alicia Ellingsworth thank you for being with us today on WMM.

KC Farm School invites the community to Compost Fest and spring Plant Sale, Saturday, April 22, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. 2443 S. 42nd Street, Kansas City , Kansas, ADA Parking only available at 4223 Gibbs Road. More info at: http://www.kcfarmschool.org

11:47

17. Jacob E.chord – “Smoodie”
    from: “Smoodie” – Single / Independent / February 28, 2023
    [Jacob E.chord released Lava Lion’s Reflections in Retrospect on November 21, 2020, Jacob E.chord released the single, “The Way 2” on February 18, 2022. // Jacob E.chord released the single, “Om, Yu! (or ‘Hologram of November Weather’)” on April 1, 2022. Music by Jacob E. Lyrics by James Shelton and Jacob E. Mixed by Jacob E. Mastered by Brandan Hoffman. // Jacob E.chord released “Go Back” on November 23, 2022 // Jacob E.chord released ABYSS on December 21, 2022 // More info at: http://www.jacobechord.bandcamp.com.]

[Jacob E.chord plays Songbird Sessions presented by Manor Records at Blip Roasters, 1301 Woodswether Road, KC WEST BOTTOMS, on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM]

18. Lonnie Fisher – “If I Could Live Forever”
    from: BEAUTIFUL STAR / Lonnie Fisher / February 9, 2022
    [Last year, Lonnie Fisher’s 8-song, solo album FAMOUS GIRL was part of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. FAMOUS GIRL was released January 19, 2022 and was engineered by Ed Rose and Duane Trower with contributions from: Chris Nunez. Tim Jenkins, Tim Manning, and Julia Reynolds. On October 22, 2021 with his band, Lonnie Fisher And The Funeral released, HAUNTED with Lonnie Fisher on lead vocals, 5 String Guitar & Keyboards; Tim Jenkins on guitars; Chris Nunez on drums, Tim Manning on bass, & Julia Reynolds on vocals & keyboards.Lonnie Fischer played a solo album release show for his new album BEAUTIFUL STAR at The Brick, 1727 McGeee Street, KCMO, on Friday, December 23, at 8:00 PM with The Criterz and Killer City. More information at: http://www.lonniefisher.bandcamp.com.]

[Lonnie Fisher and The Funeral play The Brick, 1727 McGee Sweet, KCMO, Saturday, April 22, at 8:00 PM with La Cerca, and Proceeders.]

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

Next week on Wednesday MidDay Medley on April 26 we talk with International singer songwriter Krystle Warren and play brand new music from Krystle Warren and The Faculty. Plus, Actor and activist Jake Walker joins us to share details about the Theatre Community Fund of Kansas City and how the non-profit organization helps performing artists in need.

Big THANK YOU to all of our wonderful listeners and friends who generously and thoughtfully donated to support KKFI 90.1 FM – Kansas City Community Radio during our Wednesday MidDay Medley broadcast today! Through the airwaves, and through social media, a total of 55 people donated a total of $3149.00 to allow us to continue our mission. THANK YOU to my incredible co-hosts: Betse Ellis & Marion Merritt, and special guest J Kelly Dougherty, and very special guest Hermon Mehari for sharing your brilliance with our listeners. Thank you to Scott Bunte, Lincoln Dreher and Darryl Oliver for taking our donations over the phones.

Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information.
Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:
http://www.kkfi.org,
http://www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM

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

Show #990

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

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

More New & MidCoastal Releases + Sondra Freeman & Midwest Music Foundation + Alisön Hawkins & Fritz Hutchison + Alicia Ellingsworth

Mark spins more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Monta, Radkey, True Lions, Jass and The Boys, Pamper The Madman, Kris Bruders, Danza, Jacob E.chord, Fritz Hutchison, Gemini Parks with J. Arr. & Backwood Sweetie, Lonnie Fisher, Gascan, Booker T. Jones with Sharon Jones, Kara Jackson, Abraham Alexander with Mavis Staples, Molchat Doma, and Erma Franklin.

At 10:30 Sondra Freeman shares news about MENTAL HEALTH IS HEALTH, Midwest Music Foundation’s Annual Spring Donation Drive, raising funds to assist local musicians & industry professionals with affordable, essential health care services. The drive culminates at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in the West Bottoms, April 22, with The Dinner Show, at 6:00 PM, music from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, hosted by Havilah & Kris Bruders, and featuring: The Bruders Family Band, Copper Threading, Havilah Bruders, Bruders & Smeltzer, and Cadillac Flambe. Followed by The Evening Show, at 9:30 PM with: Radkey, Pamper the Madman, Gascan, and DJ Thundercutz. The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater KC will provide info & resources. Research College of Nursing will offer free health screenings. MMF’s initial goal of $20,000 will provide mental health grants to 10 musicians. Donate/Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

At 11:00 Mark welcomes Alisön Hawkins & Fritz Hutchison who join us to talk about their new True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette being released by Manor Records on April 26, 2023. The release offers five songs from True Lions with lyrics adapted from works of poetry by Andrew Squitiro, Eileen Myles, Patricia Lockwood, T.S. Leonard, and Delia Rainey. True Lions are currently configured with Alisön Hawkins on vocals, guitar, synth, strings, melodies & structures; Fritz Hutchison on guitars, percussion, vocals & synth; Eli Kosko on drums & percussion; Carly Atwood on bass; with Teri Quinn on clarinet, Cam Seip on trumpet, and Daniel Cox on flute. The Split Cassette also contains 5 new songs written by Fritz Hutchison on vocals & instruments with Marco Pascolini on pedal steel, Alisön Hawkins on fiddle, and Trevor Turla on trombone. The True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette Release Show is Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 PM with Jass & The Boys at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.manorrecords.com

At 11:30 Alicia Ellingsworth, Executive Director and Co-Founder of The KC Farm School at Gibbs Road joins us to talk about EARTH DAY! Alicia is a Robert Wood Johnson Fellow, serves on the Growing Growers Organizing Committee, Johnson County Community College Sustainable Ag Advisory Board, and was the 2019 recipient of the John Kaiahua Mentorship Award. KC Farm School at Gibbs Road empowers individuals of all ages, abilities, and ancestries through on-farm, hands-on experiences connecting them to opportunity and their community. KC Farm School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. More info at: http://www.kcfarmschool.org

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

Show #990

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

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Guest Producer Patrick Sprehe

Today, we welcome back to the show, Patrick Sprehe as our special “Guest Producer.” Patrick Sprehe was an educator for 25 years, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Education from The University of Kansas, and his Masters in Secondary School Administration from the University of Central Missouri. He served with the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan after the fall of the Soviet Union, and then moved on to teaching English as a Second Language at a community college in Raleigh, NC, working primarily with refugees and immigrant families. After a couple of years teaching at an International Baccalaureate magnet middle school in Raleigh, he moved to Oakland, CA, and taught at an international language school in Berkeley, and then on to Tokyo, Japan, to teach English as a Foreign Language. He spent his last 13 years teaching middle school English at Academie Lafayette, a French language immersion school in Kansas City.

As he approached 50, a conversation with longtime best friend and high school classmate James Andrews led to the decision to make a difference in the Kansas City music community and industry. Founded in 2017, Center Cut Records’ mission is to illuminate the amazing collection of musical talent in Kansas City and solidify its place in the national discussion about sonic art.

Center Cut released Calvin Arsenia’s album “Cantaloupe” in the fall of 2018 to national acclaim, as well as the experimental EP “Honeydew” the following spring. Later in 2019, Center Cut released Calvin’s follow-up, “LA Sessions” which was recorded with legendary session players and showed another side of the multi-talented Arsenia. In March of 2020, right at the start of the pandemic, Center Cut released Fritz Hutchison’s solo debut “Wide Wild Acres.” Despite the pandemic, they soldiered on and nationally released The Black Creatures’ “Wild Echoes,” earning album of the year recognition from Nick Spacek at The Pitch. 2022 saw the next The Black Creatures’ release “By Thy Hand,” this time being voted Best Local Album by readers of The Pitch as well as 2nd place for Best Local Band.

Patrick and Center Cut have provided numerous services to artists including funding and assistance with recording, mixing, and mastering, physical production of vinyl, CDs, and other merchandise, music video production, public relations and marketing campaigns, press releases, management, bookings, tour support, and anything artists need to be successful and grow their audience. 2023 finds their focus on releasing or reissuing some lost gems from Kansas City artists as part of the label’s Buried Treasure series. More info at: http://www.centercutrecords.com

Patrick Sprehe, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
   from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
   [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]

2.Jorge Ben – “Ponta De Lanca Africano (Umbabarauma)”
from: Brazil Classics 1: Beleza Tropical / Luaka Bop / October 1, 1989
[Brazil Classics, Beleza Tropical is the first in a series compiled by Talking Heads singer David Byrne that preceded the big wave of interest in Tropicalia during the late ’90s by almost a decade. Performers include such influential Brazilian figures as Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, and Jorge Ben, with several songs from each. The selected recordings span the 1970s and ’80s, also including tracks from Milton Nascimento, Nazare Pereira, and more. The liner notes feature the original lyrics as well as their English translations.]

3. Caetano Veloso – “O Leãozinho”
   from: Brazil Classics 1: Beleza Tropical / Luaka Bop / October 1, 1989  
   [“O Leãozinho” means Little Lion. Caetano Emanuel Viana Teles Veloso was born August 7, 1942. He is a Brazilian composer, singer, guitarist, writer, and political activist. Veloso first became known for his participation in the Brazilian musical movement Tropicalismo, which encompassed theatre, poetry and music in the 1960s, at the beginning of the Brazilian military dictatorship that took power in 1964. He has remained a constant creative influence and best-selling performing artist and composer ever since. Veloso has won nine Latin Grammy Awards and two Grammy Awards. On November 14, 2012, Veloso was honored as the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. Veloso was one of seven children born into the family of José Telles Veloso (commonly known as Seu Zeca), a government official, and Claudionor Viana Telles Veloso (known as Dona Canô). He was born in the city of Santo Amaro da Purificação, in Bahia, a state in the eastern area of Brazil, but moved to Salvador, the state capital, as a college student in the mid-1960s. Soon after that, Veloso won a music contest and was signed to his first label. He became one of the founders of Tropicalismo with a group of several other musicians and artists—including his sister Maria Bethânia—in the same period. However, the Brazilian military dictatorship viewed Veloso’s music and political action as threatening, and he was arrested, along with fellow musician Gilberto Gil, in 1969. The two eventually were exiled from Brazil and went to London where they lived for two years. In 1972, Veloso moved back to his home country and once again began recording and performing. He later became popular outside Brazil in the 1980s and 1990s.]

4. Moreno Veloso – “Sertão”
   from: Music Typewriter / Luaka Bop / 2001 
   [Moreno Veloso was born November 22, 1972. He is a Brazilian musician and singer. His parents are Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso and his first wife Andréa Gadelha (Dedé) Veloso. Brazilian singer Gal Costa is Moreno Veloso’s godmother. // Veloso studied physics at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He turned later to music and singing. In 2000, he recorded his first album, Máquina de Escrever Música (English: Music Typewriter), but his songwriting debut came in 1982 with “Um Canto de Afoxé para o Bloco Do Ile”, a reference to African mythology.// In 1998, Veloso collaborated with Sadjo Djolo Koiate on the track “Coral” for the AIDS benefit compilation album Onda Sonora: Red Hot + Lisbon produced by the Red Hot Organization. // Again in 2011, he contributed to the song “Águas de Março” that featured ATOM™ Toshiyuki Yasuda and Fernanda Takai for the Red Hot Organization’s charitable album Red Hot+Rio 2. The album is a follow-up to the 1996, Red Hot + Rio. Proceeds from the sales were donated to raise awareness and money to fight AIDS/HIV and related health and social issues. // One of Moreno Veloso’s music groups is called Moreno + 2, including Moreno Veloso, Alexandre Kassin and Domênico Lancelotti. // When you’re the son of Caetano Veloso, one of Brazil’s most beloved singer/songwriters and men of letters, you have to face a lot of expectations when you release your debut record. But Moreno Veloso is no clone; while he’s inherited the wry iconoclasm of his father, he stamps himself all over this record, letting his personal musical idiosyncrasies flourish, like the theremin and sound processing that buzz like flies over his cover of the Brazilian classic “Das Partes.” While the majority of the songs come from Veloso’s pen, like fellow new generation artist (and musical scion) Bebel Gilberto he’s not afraid to pay homage to the inspirational samba and bossa nova that’s an integral part of his country’s musical heritage, even venturing as far as North America for a take on “I’m Wishing” from the movie Snow White, which pitches English and Portuguese vocals against each other in a luminously simple performance. His own material can range from the rhythmic and funky “Arrivederci” to the understated, relaxed “Nenhuma,” where he reaches into a falsetto range of a voice that’s admittedly limited. The experimental tendencies are just enough to give an interesting quirk factor, without overwhelming his natural melodicism. While this album won’t start another Tropicaliá movement, the way his father’s mix of Brazilian and rock did in the late ’60s, it establishes him as one of the brighter new lights in the MPB (Brazilian popular music) scene.]

5. Eliane Elias – “Samba De Uma Nota So”
   from: Eliane Elias Sings Jobim / Blue Note Records / July 28, 1998
   [“Samba De Uma Nota So” translates to “One Note Dancing.” Eliane Elias Sings Jobim is the thirteenth studio album by Brazilian jazz artist Eliane Elias. This is her second album solely dedicated to the works of Antônio Carlos Jobim after Eliane Elias Plays Jobim released in 1990. Eliane Elias is a Brazilian jazz pianist, singer, composer and arranger. Elias was born in São Paulo, Brazil on March 19, 1960. She started studying piano when she was seven, and at age twelve she was transcribing solos from jazz musicians. She began teaching piano when she was fifteen, and began performing at seventeen with Brazilian singer-songwriter Toquinho and touring with the poet Vinicius de Moraes. // In 1981 she moved to New York City, where she attended The Juilliard School of Music. A year later she became part of the group Steps Ahead. In 1993 Elias signed with EMI Classics to record classical pieces, which were released on On the Classical Side. // In 2001, Calle 54, a documentary film by Spanish director Fernando Trueba, included Elias performing “Samba Triste.” In 2002 she recorded The Lost Days with Denyce Graves, for whom she wrote a composition entitled “HaabiaTupi.” In 2002, Elias signed with RCA/Bluebird, which issued Kissed by Nature. Dreamer was released in 2004 and received the Gold Disc Award, as well as being voted Best Vocal Album in Japan. It reached No. 3 on the pop charts in France and No. 4 on the Billboard magazine charts in the U.S. Around the City was released by RCA Victor in August 2006. In 2007, Elias released Something for You, which won Best Vocal Album of the Year and the Gold Disc Award in Japan. Something for You reached No. 1 on the U.S. jazz charts, No. 8 on Billboard, and No. 2 on the French jazz charts. In 2008, she recorded Bossa Nova Stories to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bossa nova. // In 2009, EMI Japan released Eliane Elias Plays Live. Light My Fire, released in 2011, features four compositions written or co-written by Elias and includes covers of songs by the Doors, Stevie Wonder, and Paul Desmond. In September 2011, her song “What About the Heart (Bate Bate)” was nominated for a Latin Grammy in the category of Best Brazilian Song. In 2012 she collaborated with bassist Marc Johnson on the album Swept Away, the Editor’s and Critic’s choice in 2012 Downbeat and Jazztimes magazines, respectively. Her 2013 release, I Thought About You, reached No. 1 on the U.S. and French Amazon.com websites; No. 2 on iTunes U.S., France and Brazil; and No. 4 on Billboard. // Made in Brazil, was followed by Dance of Time, which debuted at No. 1 on two Billboard: jazz and world music. Both Made in Brazil and Dance of Time debuted at No. 1 on iTunes in seven countries and won Grammy awards for Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year. // Her 2019 album Love Stories reached the #1 position as Best Seller Amazon.com Latin Jazz, #1 Best Seller Amazon.com Brazilian Jazz and #2 Best Seller Amazon.com Orchestral. // Her 2021 album Mirror, Mirror, which she recorded with Chick Corea and Chucho Valdès, won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album.] 

6. Marisa Monte – “Dança Da Solidão”
   from: Verde Anil Amarelo Cor De Rosa & Carvão / EMI-Odeon, Blue Note / 1994
   [Verde, anil, amarelo, cor de rosa e carvão (distributed in the United States as Rose and Charcoal) is Brazilian singer Marisa Monte’s third album, released in 1994. Contributors include well-known artists such as Gilberto Gil, Paulinho da Viola, Naná Vasconcelos, Carlinhos Brown, Arnaldo Antunes and the group Época de Ouro. The album includes the hits “Maria de verdade,” “Na estrada,” and “De mais ninguém.” // It was listed by Rolling Stone Brazil as one of the 100 best Brazilian albums in history. // Marisa de Azevedo Monte (Brazilian Portuguese was born July 1. 1967. She is a Brazilian singer, composer, instrumentalist, and producer of Brazilian popular music and samba. As of 2011, she had sold 10 million albums worldwide and has won numerous national and international awards, including four Latin Grammys, seven Brazilian MTV Video Music Awards, nine Multishow de Música Brasileira awards, 5 APCAs, and six Prêmio TIM de Música. Marisa is considered by Rolling Stone Brasil to be the second greatest singer, behind only Elis Regina. She also has two albums (MM and Verde, Anil, Amarelo, Cor-de-Rosa e Carvão) on the list of the 100 best albums of Brazilian music. // Monte was born in Rio de Janeiro, daughter of the engineer Carlos Saboia Monte and Sylvia Marques de Azevedo Monte. On her father’s side, she is descended from the Saboias, one of the oldest Italian families in Brazil. She studied singing, piano, and drums as a child, and began studying opera singing at 14. // After failing to break through into 1980s Brazilian pop rock she went into semi-exile in Italy, where she met the famous producer Nelson Motta. Thereafter she became a hybrid of MPB diva and pop rock performer. While most of her music is in the style of modern MPB, she has also recorded traditional samba and folk tunes, largely in collaboration with such musicians and songwriters as Carlinhos Brown, Arnaldo Antunes, and Nando Reis and producer Arto Lindsay. She has also collaborated with the New York pop music vanguard, including Laurie Anderson, David Byrne, Marc Ribot, Bernie Worrell and Philip Glass. ]

7. Bebel Gilberto – “August Day Song (King Britt Remix)”
   from: Tanto Tempo Remixes / Ziriguiboom – Crammed Discs / April 25, 2000
   [Tanto Tempo (lit. “So Much Time”) is an album by Brazilian bossa nova singer Bebel Gilberto. Tanto Tempo was produced by Serbian producer Suba and co-produced by Béco Dranoff for the Ziriguiboom imprint of Crammed Discs. Suba died from smoke inhalation while saving the newly recorded album from a studio fire. The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. // Isabel Buarque de Hollanda Gilberto de Oliveira (born May 12, 1966), known as Bebel Gilberto, is an American-born Brazilian popular singer often associated with bossa nova. She is the daughter of João Gilberto and singer Miúcha. Her uncle is singer/composer Chico Buarque. // Gilberto was born in New York City to Brazilian parents, bossa nova pioneer João Gilberto and singer Miúcha, who were briefly living in the city at the time of her birth. She often traveled with her father when he recorded albums in different countries; she lived in Mexico at age three and moved to Rio de Janeiro at age five. Gilberto’s parents separated when she was seven, and she spent her time between Rio de Janeiro with her mother and New York with her father. Gilberto has been performing since her youth in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. // Gilberto recalls that her childhood was “music nonstop”; when reflecting on her father’s influence, Gilberto states, “He taught me to be a perfectionist. But my mother taught me how to lose it. And you can hear it in my music today, I think.” She grew acquainted with popular artists such as Caetano Veloso, David Byrne, and Stan Getz, who often visited her father’s home to collaborate. She began singing with her mother at a young age and participated in professional musicals such as Saltimbancos and Pirlimpimpim. At the age of seven, she made her recording debut on her mother’s first solo album, Miúcha & Antônio Carlos Jobim (1977). Two years later, she performed at Carnegie Hall with her mother and Stan Getz. // Gilberto was a great friend of Cazuza and composed several songs with him in addition to “Eu preciso dizer que te amo”, including “Amigos de Bar”, “Mais Feliz”, and “Mulher sem Razão”. // Gilberto next participated in the project Red Hot + Rio, joining major music stars such as Everything but the Girl, Maxwell, George Michael, and others for the benefit CD recording. She also collaborated on Towa Tei’s CD Future Listening!, singing on the hits “Technova” and “Batucada,” and also participated in Peeping Tom with Mike Patton (lead singer of Faith No More), singing “Caipirinha”. // Tanto Tempo, an electronic bossa nova album released in 2000, was popular at clubs around the world and positioned Gilberto as one of the best-selling Brazilian artists in the U.S. since the 1960s. With her second album, Bebel Gilberto (2004), she refined her sound to create an acoustic lounge style that showcased her strengths as a Brazilian composer. // With Momento (2007), her third album in seven years, she wanted to do a fusion of both. Mixing the taste of Rio’s Orquestra Imperial with the melting pot of New York’s Brazilian Girls, and following the direction of the English producer Guy Sigsworth (Madonna’s partner in “What It Feels Like for a Girl”), Momento reaffirmed the international character of Gilberto’s music. In 2007, she was a judge for the 6th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists’ careers. // Gilberto recorded her fourth studio album, All in One, in New York, Jamaica, and the Brazilian state of Bahia. It was released worldwide on September 29, 2009, on the American jazz label Verve, and was released in Brazil by Universal Music. It is the least electronic-infused of her albums, and brings to the forefront more of Gilberto’s personality and love for organic styles. All in One had a team of accomplished producers including Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen), John King (Dust Brothers, Beck), Daniel Jobim, Carlinhos Brown, Didi Gutman (Brazilian Girls) and Mario Caldato Jr (Beastie Boys, Björk, Jack Johnson). Gilberto also provided the voice of the bird Eva in the animated film Rio (2011), an experience she called “amazing”. // Since the launch of Tanto Tempo in 2000, she has sold over 2.5 million records and has been featured on seven film soundtracks including Next Stop Wonderland, The Bubble, Closer and most recently 2010s Eat Pray Love and 2011’s Rio; and seven TV series including Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, and Nip/Tuck. // In 2011, she contributed a track entitled “Acabou Chorare” to the Red Hot Organization’s most recent charitable album, Red Hot+Rio 2. The album is a follow-up to the 1996 Red Hot+Rio. Proceeds from the sales will be donated to raise awareness and money to fight AIDS/HIV and related health and social issues. In 2015, her song “Tudo” was nominated for the 16th Latin Grammy Awards in the Best Brazilian Song category.]

10:32 – Underwriting

8. Everything But The Girl – “Corcovado”
   from: Red Hot + Rio / Antilles – Verve / October 15, 1996
   [“Corcovado” (known in English as “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars”) is a bossa nova song and jazz standard written by Antônio Carlos Jobim in 1960. English lyrics were later written by Gene Lees. The Portuguese title refers to the Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro. // Tony Bennett recorded the first popular English cover of “Quiet Nights” with new lyrics by Buddy Kaye in 1963. Numerous English cover recordings then followed sometimes credited to Lees and/or Kaye and Lees, including the Andy Williams recording of the song with English lyrics, reaching #92 in the Billboard Hot 100 and #18 in the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart in 1965. Also receiving air-play, contemporaneously with Andy Williams’ recording of “Quiet Nights,” was Kitty Kallen’s version. Her album, titled “Quiet Nights,” was released by 20th Century-Fox Records in 1964. // Everything But The Girl have recently released their new track “Caution To The Wind” and its accompanying lyric video. The track is taken from the band’s upcoming album Fuse out April 21, 2023. // Red Hot + Rio is a compilation album produced by Béco Dranoff and Paul Heck as part of the Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series intended to promote AIDS awareness. This installment is a contemporary tribute to the bossa nova sound, especially the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim. This release has proven to be one of the Red Hot series’ more successful projects, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars for AIDS charities around the world. // Brazilian recording artists including Jobim, Astrud Gilberto and Gilberto Gil are among the contributors to the project. Along with them, many contemporary pop music performers are featured on this release, including Incognito, David Byrne, Sting and PM Dawn. // Its success made it the 2nd most celebrated entry in the Red Hot Series. The album was sent out to music and lifestyle retail locations (3–5,000 copies) across the country that gave it widespread exposure, including shops such as Urban Outfitters and The Gap as well as upscale shops like Wilkes-Bashford and Louis Boston. Its release coincided with a renewed interest in tourism to Brazil and the Tropicalia music revival of the early 1960s. // In part, the success of the initial album has prompted a second Red Hot + Rio project, a live concert event slated for December 2008 in New York City’s Brooklyn Academy of Music. Contrasting with the 1996 album, Red Hot + Rio 2: The Next Generation of Samba Soul will contain works from Brazil’s samba music heritage. The concert will benefit AIDS-related projects coordinated through the Brazil Foundation, founded in New York in 2000 to promote social development throughout communities in Brazil. // Everything But The Girl broke through on the UK indie scene in 1982 with a stark jazz-folk cover of Cole Porter’s “Night and Day.” They then released a string of UK gold albums throughout the 80s, experimenting with jazz, guitar pop, orchestral wall-of-sound and drum-machine soul. After Watt’s near-death experience from a rare auto-immune condition in 1992, the pair returned unbowed with the million-selling ardent folktronica of Amplified Heart in 1994. It includes their biggest hit, “Missing,” after New York DJ-producer Todd Terry’s remix unexpectedly made the leap from heavy club play to global radio success (Number 2 US Hot 100; Number 3 UK Top 40). The sparkling Walking Wounded – emotional songs brimming with ideas from the mid 90s electronic scene – followed in 1996 (Number 4 UK Album Chart). Spawning four UK Top 40 hits, the record became the band’s first platinum selling album. After their final show at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2000, the pair chose to quit Everything But The Girl on a high. // Everything but the Girl is an English musical duo formed in Kingston upon Hull in 1982, consisting of lead singer and occasional guitarist Tracey Thorn and guitarist, keyboardist, producer and singer Ben Watt. The group’s early works have been categorized as sophisti-pop with jazz influences before undergoing an electronic turn following the worldwide success of the 1994 hit single “Missing”. // The duo have accomplished four top ten and twelve top 40 singles in the UK and have received eight gold and two platinum album BPI certifications in the UK as well as one gold album RIAA certification in the US. Their cover of “I Don’t Want to Talk About It” reached number three on the UK Singles Chart in 1988, a feat which would later be matched by “Missing”, which charted high in several countries and reached number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1995 and spent over seven months on the UK Singles Chart thanks to an extremely popular remix by Todd Terry which later led to a Brit Award nomination for Best British Single. // Their ninth album Walking Wounded (1996) set a new career best by entering the UK albums chart at number four; it spawned the top ten singles “Walking Wounded” and “Wrong”. The band went inactive in 2000, with Thorn declaring that she would no longer perform live. Thorn and Watt, who did not publicise their romantic relationship with each other while active, married in 2009, both released solo albums and said it was unlikely that Everything But the Girl would be active again. // However, in November 2022, Thorn announced that a new album had been recorded for release in spring 2023. Fuse, the band’s first new material in 24 years, will be released on 21 April 2023. // When Thorn and Watt met, they were both attending the University of Hull and both had contracted with the independent record company Cherry Red Records, as solo artists. Thorn was also a member of the trio Marine Girls. The pair each had solo album releases through Cherry Red: Thorn’s 1982 LP was A Distant Shore, an eight-track mini-album. Watt’s 1983 debut LP – the follow-up to his 1982 5-track EP Summer Into Winter featuring Robert Wyatt – was entitled North Marine Drive. // 1985 view of Turners, with the slogan Everything but the Girl. They formed a duo and adopted the name “Everything but the Girl” from the slogan used by the Hull shop Turner’s Furniture on Beverley Road.]

9. Кино – “Верь мне”
   from: Это не любовь / Moroz Records / 1985
   [Eto ne lyubov… (Russian: Это не любовь…, lit. ’This is not love…’) is the fourth studio album by Soviet rock band Kino. It was released in 1985. // Kino (Russian: Кино, lit. ’cinema, film’, IPA: [kʲɪˈno]) was a Soviet rock band formed in Leningrad in 1982, considered to be one of, if not the, greatest rock band in the history of Russian music. The band was co-founded and headed by Viktor Tsoi, who wrote the music and lyrics for almost all of the band’s songs. Over the course of eight years, Kino released over 90 songs spanning over seven studio albums, as well as releasing a few compilations and live albums. The band’s music was also widely circulated in the form of bootleg recordings through the underground magnitizdat distribution scene. Viktor Tsoi died in a car accident in 1990. Shortly after his passing, the band broke up after releasing their final album, consisting of songs that Tsoi and the group were working on in the months before his death. // In 2019, the band announced a reunion with concerts planned in the fall of 2020 for the first time in 30 years, however they were later postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.]

10. Кино – “Уходи”
    from: Это не любовь / Moroz Records / 1985
    [Kino was formed in 1981 by the members of two earlier groups from Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Palata No. 6 and Piligrimy. They initially called themselves Garin i giperboloidy (Russian: Гарин и гиперболоиды, lit. ’Garin and the Hyperboloids’) after Aleksei Tolstoi’s novel The Hyperboloid of Engineer Garin. The group consisted of Viktor Tsoi, guitarist Aleksei Rybin, and drummer Oleg Valinsky [ru]. They began rehearsing, but Valinsky was drafted and had to leave the band. In the spring of 1982, they began to perform at the Leningrad Rock Club and met with influential underground musician Boris Grebenshchikov. It was around this time that they changed the band’s name to Kino. The name was chosen because it was considered short and “synthetic,” and the band members took pride in that it had only two syllables and was easy to pronounce by speakers all over the world. Tsoi and Rybin later said that they had the idea for the name after seeing a bright cinema sign.]

11. Bravo (Браво) – “Zapolarniy Tvist”
    from: Moskovskiy Bit (Moscow Beat) / Московский бит / 1994
    [Bravo was founded in 1983 in Moscow, Russia by guitarist Evgeny Havtan. Drawing heavy inspiration from 1950s western music, Bravo was a part of the Soviet rock & roll revival of the 1980s, along with Secret. Their first album was made in 1983.// Despite the fact that at that time rock and roll and beat music (except for The Beatles) were less popular among Soviet citizens than classic rock, the band was one of the most popular underground acts in Russia in the 1980s, until the departure of original lead singer Zhanna Aguzarova in 1988. Since then Bravo has achieved success with several different singers, Valeriy Syutkin (1990-1994) and Robert Lenz (since 1996). // In 2011, after a ten-year break from studio recordings, Bravo released an album Fashion receiving positive reviews from critics and good attention from younger audiences. The band recorded the album using vintage instruments from the 50s & 60s. The album was produced by Ghian Wright. The album cover includes a photography of Audrey Hepburn from the US-American romantic comedy Roman Holiday.]

12. Bravo – “Wonderful Country”
    from: Live In Moscow / Bravo / 1994

11:00 – Station ID

13. Машина Времени (Mashina Vremeni) – “Разговор в поезде”
    from: Лучшие песни 1979-1985 (Greatest Hits) / Sintez Records / May 27, 1993
    [Разговор в поезде translates to “Conversations on a Train.” // Mashina Vremeni (Russian: Машина времени, lit. ’Time Machine’) is a Russian rock band founded in 1969. Mashina Vremeni was a pioneer of Soviet rock music and remains one of the oldest still-active rock bands in Russia. The band’s music incorporates elements of classic rock, blues, and bard’s song. Mashina Vremeni’s best known members are Andrei Makarevich (founder, principal singer-songwriter, public face of the band), Alexander Kutikov (bass player and producer/sound engineer), and Evgeny Margulis (guitarist/songwriter). // Andrei Makarevich’s musical career can be traced to a school band called The Kids, which was made up of two male guitarists and two female vocalists. The group sang mostly English-language folk songs and performed primarily at talent shows put on in Moscow schools. According to Makarevich, the momentous event in his musical career came when the Soviet group VIA Atlanty (Russian: ВИА «Атланты») visited his school and allowed him to play a couple of songs on their equipment during a break in the performance. On the heels of this experience, Makarevich joined with other musically talented students from his school and another school to form Mashiny Vremeni (Russian: Машины времени, lit. ’Time Machines’ – in plural form imitating The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, etc.). The most significant founding members included Sergey Kawagoe and Andrey Makarevich. The band’s repertoire consisted of eleven songs in English, now lost.// Mashina Vremeni started playing during the last years of the Brezhnev era, but could not get official bookings as a professional band. In 1979 Makarevich signed the band up with Rosconcert, becoming legitimate in the State music system.]

14. Квартал – “Там на Таити (In Tahiti)”
    from: Резиновые джунгли (Rubber Jungle) / 1994

15. Shonen Knife – “Till The End Of The Day”
    from: The Birds And The B-Sides / Virgin Records / 1996
    [Shonen Knife is a Japanese pop-punk band formed in Osaka in 1981. Influenced by 1960s girl groups, pop bands, the Beach Boys, and early punk rock bands such as the Ramones, the band crafts stripped-down songs with simple yet unconventional lyrics sung both in Japanese and English. // The band has been credited with making “the international pop underground more international” by “opening it up to bands from Japan”. They have also performed as a Ramones tribute band under the name the Osaka Ramones. Guitarist/singer Naoko Yamano is the only member to have remained with the band for its entire history; her sister Atsuko Yamano was a founding member and, after a long hiatus, returned to the band in 2016. They have released 22 studio albums; their most recent album Our Best Place was released in February 2023. // In the words of the Boston Globe, “something oddly spellbinding occurs when deceivingly silly lyrics are sandwiched between a buoyant guitar and a rapid-fire, pop-punk drum kit. Which perhaps explains why the Japanese female alternative rock/pop punk trio Shonen Knife is still singing songs about cookies, sushi, jelly beans, and, of course, banana chips.” // Shonen Knife was formed in December 1981 in Osaka, Japan, by Naoko Yamano on guitar and vocals; her college friend Michie Nakatani on bass, keyboards, and vocals; and Naoko’s then 17-year-old sister Atsuko Yamano on drums. Naoko and Michie had both worked at office jobs; Atsuko had received training as a fashion designer and has created many of the band’s stage outfits. The band was named after an old brand of pen knife that had been marketed to Japanese boys. Female rock bands were rare in Japan at the time. While cultivating a punk rock sound, the band emphasized positivity using catchy, upbeat melodies and simple, carefree lyrics that often dealt with sweets, animals, and consumer culture. As explained by Nakatani in an interview, “We’ve always enjoyed writing songs about everyday things. Besides, there are already enough bands out there singing about pollution, war and poverty. While we all care very much about those things, we also feel that music should be fun.” // They played their first gig in Osaka in March 1982, and self-released the cassette-only album Minna Tanoshiku later that year. Their first full-length album Burning Farm was released in 1983, followed by Yama-no Attchan in 1984. While the band’s early albums were only officially released in Japan, imported copies attracted a cult following among alternative rock fans in the United States. In 1985, Burning Farm attracted the attention of K Records in Olympia, Washington, which re-released the album in America. // In 1986 the band released multiple international versions of the album Pretty Little Baka Guy, with the American version issued by Sub Pop, their song “One Day of the Factory” appeared on an international compilation released by that label. In 1987, Shonen Knife was invited to open for Sonic Youth in Osaka, and played internationally for the first time at a concert in Los Angeles with organizational support from Sonic Youth and Redd Kross. The band’s cult following among musicians was illustrated by the 1991 tribute album Every Band Has a Shonen Knife Who Loves Them, with cover songs by 23 punk and alternative rock acts.]

16. Guitar Wolf – “カワサキZII 750 ROCK’N’ROLL”
    from: 狼惑星 PLANET of THE WOLVES / Matador Records / October 21, 1997
    [Planet of the Wolves is the fifth studio album by Japanese rock band Guitar Wolf. It was released in Japan on September 21, 1997/. It features covers of The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, Link Wray’s “Rumble”, Milan the Leather Boy’s “Motor Cycle Leather Boy”, and Teengenerate’s “Let’s Get Hurt.” // Guitar Wolf (Japanese: ギ タ ー ウ ル フ) is a Japanese garage rock power trio founded in Tokyo in 1987. They coined the phrase “jet rock ‘n’ roll”, which they use to describe their musical style. The band is signed to Sony Music Japan’s Ki/oon Records division. // Guitar Wolf has released thirteen studio albums internationally as well as a live album, numerous singles, and a retrospective compilation called Golden Black. The band members have also been featured in two B-grade science fiction horror films: Wild Zero and Sore Losers. A collection of Guitar Wolf’s most popular videos and live performances have been compiled into a limited-edition DVD titled Red Idol. // Guitarist Seiji was born in Nagasaki Prefecture but moved to nearby Shimane Prefecture while he was still young. Upon graduating high school, he moved to Tokyo, where he became lead vocalist for the band Far East Punch. With a strong desire to play guitar, Seiji dedicated himself to the instrument after coming across a copy of the single “Rumble” by Link Wray & His Ray Men at Tower Records in Shibuya. He has stated that the 1958 instrumental “saved his music life”. // Seiji met bassist Billy (Hideaki Sekiguchi) while the two were working in Harajuku. Realizing they shared similar musical tastes, they decided to form a rock band together. After convincing Seiji’s coworker Narita to accompany them on drums, Guitar Wolf formed in Harajuku in 1987. Each member adopted a Ramones-style surname reflecting the instrument he played: Seiji became Guitar Wolf, Billy became Bass Wolf, and Narita became Drum Wolf, though Narita would depart the group shortly thereafter. For a brief period, Seiji’s younger brother Masaharu filled in on drums before current drummer Tōru was found. // In time, the band would come to develop its own unique strain of punk rock music, fusing multiple genres together into what the band described as Jet Rock ‘n’ Roll. Although Guitar Wolf has cited Joan Jett as an important musical and stylistic influence, contrary to some reports, the term Jet Rock is not derived from Joan Jett’s name. The term’s origin is, rather, attributed to the sound of a jet plane. In an interview conducted in St. Louis on 5 April 2012, Seiji clarified: “I love jet plane. I love noisy music, too. So…there were records…many records…every record have no big sounds. So…easy to listen. I hate that! So! I add jet sounds. Bwaaaahng! Explosion!” In the same interview, when asked who created the term Jet Rock, Seiji replied, “Me. Yeah, yeah. So we are #1 Japanese Jet Rock Band”. // By 1994, the band had released three albums and a single. Their first album, Wolf Rock!, was recorded in Seiji’s basement and released in the US on vinyl by Goner Records. Their second album, Kung Fu Ramone, was released through Bag of Hammers; their third, titled Run Wolf Run, contains a number of re-recorded tracks from Kung Fu Ramone. 1994 also saw the release of their first single, “Somethin’ Else b/w Red Rockabilly”, again through Bag of Hammers. // Guitar Wolf at Burger Boogaloo, Mosswood Park, Oakland, 2017. The period between 1994 and 2000 is when Guitar Wolf released much of their best-known material. In 1996, a performance at a New York City record store secured the band a contract with Matador Records, who issued their fourth album, Missile Me!, that same year. Guitar Wolf would continue releasing albums with Matador until 1999’s Jet Generation, an album that the company claimed was the loudest ever put to wax, and which included a warning that playing it could potentially damage the listener’s audio equipment. // On 24 April 2019, it was announced that Guitar Wolf’s latest album, Love & Jett, would be released on Jack White’s Third Man Records on 10 May 2019. A US tour with Nashville Pussy was organized to promote the album.]

17. The 5, 6, 7, 8’s – “Woo Hoo”
    from: Bomb The Twist / Sympathy For The Record Industry / January 11, 1996
    “Woo Hoo” was featured in the 2003 film Kill Bill Volume 1, directed by Quentin Tarantino. // The 5.6.7.8’s are a Japanese rock band from Tokyo. They first started performing as a quartet in Tokyo, and recruited guest performers during their Australian tour. They became a trio in 1992, before touring Australia. // The 5.6.7.8’s formed when Sachiko and Yoshiko “Ronnie” Fujiyama, two sisters from Tokyo who both shared a passion for rock and roll, founded the band in 1986 with two other members. Originally, the line-up consisted of Yoshiko on vocals and guitar, Rico on second guitar, Yoshie on bass guitar and Sachiko on drums. After several line-up changes (including the bassist Yoshiko “Yama” Yamaguchi, who was the bassist featured in the Kill Bill movie), the band eventually became a trio after Rico’s and Yoshie’s departures. Yoshiko and Sachiko are still the main components in the band, and now Akiko Omo has rejoined the band as the bass guitarist (She originally joined the 5.6.7.8’s in the early 1990s). // Even though the group mostly sing their songs in Japanese, they do many covers of American rock and roll records from the 1950s to the 1980s. However, their official website and most of their fansites and fanclubs are in Japanese, as they have their biggest following in their home country. // Yoshiko, who plays a Teisco guitar and sports a “Teenage Queen Delinquent” tattoo on her upper right arm, was initially the lead vocalist, but as the band performed more rock and roll songs originally performed by female groups, every member had equal parts in vocals and many songs are performed singing simultaneously. // The 5.6.7.8’s became known in the West after their appearance in Kill Bill Vol. 1, in which they performed “I Walk Like Jayne Mansfield”, “I’m Blue” (a cover of The Ikettes’ song) and “Woo Hoo” in a Tokyo club, “The House Of Blue Leaves”. On the Special Bonus Features of the Kill Bill Volume 1 DVD, one of the specials featured a live performance which shows the 5.6.7.8’s singing “I Walk Like Jayne Mansfield” and “I’m Blue” during filming of the movie. The 5.6.7.8’s song “The Barracuda” is featured in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift soundtrack. // According to Quentin Tarantino, he discovered the music of the 5.6.7.8’s after hearing it in an urban clothing store in Tokyo, hours before going to the airport. // They also became renowned for the use of their cover of The Rock-A-Teens song, “Woo Hoo”, in advertisements for Carling lager and Vonage VoIP service in the mid-2000s. The song reached No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart in 2004. The follow-up song was “I’m Blue”; it peaked at No. 71 on the same chart two months later. //. The 5.6.7.8’s have also toured many countries including China, Australia, the United States, and their native Japan. // The 5.6.7.8’s music draws from multiple genres of American music, including rock and roll, surf, rockabilly, doo-wop, punk rock and psychobilly. According to Yoshiko “Ronnie” Fujiyama, the band wanted to “deconstruct rock ‘n’ roll into punk music by using distortion and noise and screaming.” The band’s influences include Chuck Berry and Sex Pistols. The 5.6.7.8’s sound has been classified as garage rock, rock and roll, garage punk, punk rock, rockabilly, roots rock, surf punk and surf rock.]

18. Pizzicato Five – “The Earth Goes Round”
    from: Happy End of The World / Matador / June 21, 1997
    [Happy End of the World (ハッピー・エンド・オブ・ザ・ワールド) is the tenth studio album by Japanese pop band Pizzicato Five. The album was released on June 21, 1997, by Readymade Records. In the United States, it was released by Matador Records on September 9, 1997, and peaked at number 32 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart. A companion remix album, Happy End of You, was released in 1998.[6] Happy End of the World was reissued by Readymade on March 31, 2006. // On Happy End of the World, Pizzicato Five incorporated influences from contemporary styles of electronic music, including breakbeat, downtempo and drum and bass, into their trademark Shibuya-kei sound. Tokyo Weekender writer Ed Cunningham found that the album saw the band expanding on the “beat-driven experimentation” that had been hinted at on previous albums such as Sweet Pizzicato Five (1992) and Bossa Nova 2001 (1993). He describes it as having “both the density and adventurousness of a plunderphonics record (despite much of it being performed live) and the chilled, featherweight listenability of lounge and easy-listening pop.”]

19. Pizzicato Five – “Trailer Music”
    from: Happy End of The World / Matador / June 21, 1997
    [Pizzicato Five (formerly typeset as Pizzicato V and sometimes abbreviated to P5) was a Japanese pop band formed in Tokyo in 1979 by multi-instrumentalists Yasuharu Konishi and Keitarō Takanami. After some personnel changes in the late 1980s, the band gained international fame as a duo consisting of Konishi and vocalist Maki Nomiya. With their music blending together 1960s pop, jazz and synth-pop, the group were a prominent component in the Shibuya-kei movement of the 1990s. // Pizzicato Five was a hugely prolific group during its existence, usually releasing at least a studio album each year in addition to various EPs and remix albums. Their music has appeared in numerous movies, television episodes, and video games. // Pizzicato V began in 1979 when university students Yasuharu Konishi and Keitarō Takanami first met at a local music society conference. Ryō Kamomiya, Mamiko Sasaki, and Shigeo Miyata were soon recruited after a few years. Miyata left the group almost immediately but the four remaining members kept the name Pizzicato V. The band released its first single on Haruomi Hosono’s Non-Standard label (Teichiku Records), a 12-inch release titled “The Audrey Hepburn Complex” which was produced by Hosono, in 1985. They followed this with the single “Action”. // In 1986, Pizzicato V signed with CBS/Sony (now Sony Music Entertainment Japan). In 1987, the band released their first all-new album, Couples. It was a commercial failure, and the record company began pressuring the band to find a new lead singer. Kamomiya and Sasaki decided to quit. Takao Tajima, Original Love’s frontman, joined the band soon as the new vocalist. He decided to work at these two bands. With Tajima, the band released its second album, Bellissima! in 1988. // The next two albums, 1989’s On Her Majesty’s Request and 1990’s Soft Landing on the Moon, were also commercial failures. // In 1990, Maki Nomiya, who had previously released one solo album, joined as the third lead vocalist. Takao Tajima left to concentrate on his own band Original Love. In 1991, Pizzicato Five signed with Nippon Columbia/Seven Gods (later Triad Records). // Following three EPs showcasing Nomiya’s vocals, Pizzicato Five released This Year’s Girl. Inspired by the advent of sampling (De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising is said to have been a major influence), the group put together a sound which would help start the burgeoning Shibuya-kei scene. The album would spawn two of their best-known songs: “Twiggy Twiggy” and “Baby Love Child”. // 1992 saw a change in direction as the clubby Sweet Pizzicato Five was released. // The band began to get increasing exposure via the theme songs it recorded for television dramas (a common practice for pop bands in Japan), achieving widespread fame with the 1993 single “Sweet Soul Revue”, which was featured in a major spring advertising campaign for Kao Corporation (Kanebo Cosmetics). In December, the single “The Night Is Still Young” (東京は夜の七時, tōkyō wa yoru no shichiji) (literally, 7 p.m. in Tokyo) became another smash hit after it was used as the opening theme of the children’s television programme UgoUgo Rūga Ni-gō. // The band’s American debut came in 1994 with the release of the EP Five by Five on Matador Records. This was quickly followed by a full-length album, Made in USA, a compilation of tracks from their last three Japanese albums which sold 200,000 copies worldwide. // Shortly before the release of the next album Overdose in the same year, Keitarō Takanami quit the band, leaving Konishi and Nomiya as the only remaining members. In February 1995, the two set off on a successful 14-stop tour of Europe and America. Another compilation, The Sound of Music by Pizzicato Five, was released in October 1995, again featuring various tracks from the Maki-era albums. // After the 1996 release of the album Romantique 96 and several singles, including the hit “Baby Portable Rock”, in 1997 the band formed its own label, Readymade Records, and released the commercially successful album Happy End of the World – the only Pizzicato Five album to be released unchanged in both Japan and the rest of the world. // In 1998, the band released The International Playboy & Playgirl Record in Japan. It would be released a year later worldwide with a slightly different track listing and the shortened title (which was also its Japanese title) of Playboy & Playgirl. // 1999 came and Pizzicato Five released the JBL Maxisonic series of EPs, followed by the album Pizzicato Five. It included songs from each of the three EPs in very different forms: “Darlin’ of Discothèque” is shorter and instrumental, “A Perfect World” is a lounge-style rearrangement sung by guest vocalist Mieko Hirota and the new song “20th Century Girl” is based on the B-side “Room Service”, originally written by Masumi Arichika of TV Jesus. // In 2000, Matador Records released Pizzicato Five under the somewhat less confusing name of The Fifth Release from Matador. The CD version of this left out the first song “Love Again” but added three extra tracks (one from each of the JBL Maxisonic EPs), while the LP version shared the same title but deviated still further from the original track listing. It would also be Pizzicato Five’s last American release. // 2001 saw the Japanese release of the album Çà et là du Japon and the announcement that the band was to break up, followed by a series of live events featuring guest performances by old members and two further Big Hits and Jet Lags albums – Pizzicato Five R.I.P. (1998–2001) and Singles (1993–2001).]

20. PUFFY – “渚にまつわるエトセトラ (Etc Etc.)”
    from: THE VERY BEST OF PUFFY ～amiyumi JET FEVER～ / Epic / 2000
    [Puffy (パフィー, Pafī, stylized as PUFFY) is a Japanese pop rock duo formed in Tokyo in 1995, consisting of singers Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura. In the United States, they adopted the name Puffy AmiYumi to avoid legal naming conflicts with Sean Combs, who also performed under the name Puffy. They sing in Japanese and English. // Onuki and Yoshimura were scouted by Sony-affiliated talent agencies and put together in the mid-1990s. Most of their work was produced or co-written by Tamio Okuda and Andy Sturmer, formerly of the bands Unicorn and Jellyfish, respectively. // The pair’s first release “Asia no Junshin” (1996) sold a million records. They gained mainstream success in Japan during 1998, following the release of their album Jet CD and continued with several more full-length releases (totaling 15 million sales in Japan).// In 2004, an animated series featuring cartoon versions of Onuki and Yoshimura, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, premiered on the US Cartoon Network. Although their characters were voiced by actresses, the singers portrayed themselves for short live-action segments taped in Japan. // When she was in high school, Ami sang for a band called “Hanoi Sex”. In her sophomore year, the band auditioned during the Sony SD Audition and passed, becoming employees of Sony Music Entertainment. Years went by with little action by either the band or the record label, as Ami took vocal lessons and attended a professional school to learn how to become a better performer. Eventually the band dissolved, leaving only Ami under Sony’s employment. She was encouraged to stay, despite lacking a band and a clear musical direction. // Separately, Yumi had learned of the Chotto Sokomade talent search underway by Sony Music Artists when she was “around 18”. She also auditioned and passed. She moved on her own from Osaka to Tokyo, where she eventually met Ami by chance in the Sony Music offices and then at a concert after-party, when the two hit it off. Both felt alone within the large Sony organization and neither were confident in their abilities as solo artists, so even though Ami had already recorded a solo CD under the guidance of former Unicorn front-man Tamio Okuda (it would later become half of solosolo), they requested Sony pair them as a duo. // Producer and American pop musician Andy Sturmer christened them “Puffy”, and is considered by Ami and Yumi as “the godfather of Puffy”. Ami had previously met Tamio Okuda at a Sparks Gogo concert, and he had produced her then-unreleased solo CD. He was eventually signed on to produce Puffy’s first album AmiYumi. Their debut single, “Asia no Junshin”, launched Puffy-mania. Asked if they were surprised by the attention after its success, Yumi told an interviewer “… everything that was put together for that song all came together and made it happen, but we didn’t expect it. It was luck.” // As “Puffy-mania” exploded, they became multimedia stars, including hosting their own weekly TV show Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Puffy with guests such as Lenny Kravitz, Sylvester Stallone, Harrison Ford, and rock band Garbage. // Puffy made their first US appearance as part of Music Japan’s “An Evening with Japan’s All-Stars” showcase at the 2000 South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas. After their performance at SXSW, attorneys for Sean “Puffy” Combs sent the band a cease and desist letter asking them to change their name. After changing their name in the US to Puffy AmiYumi, they told Entertainment Weekly: Yumi: It doesn’t bother us at all. We respect the fact that Puff Daddy is Puffy in the U.S. Ami: The bottom line is that we don’t know what puffy means. We were given our name by somebody else six years ago, and we really don’t have a clue. // After Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Puffy ended production in 2002, Puffy focused on performing in the United States. Several of their previous Japanese albums were released for the US market and they recorded theme songs for the animated series Teen Titans and SD Gundam Force. They have also done a cover version with Cyndi Lauper of her hit “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. They were also interviewed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! by Jimmy Kimmel and performed their songs “Hi Hi” and “Akai Buranko” (Red Swing) on the show. They came back to the US in 2006 for their Splurge Tour, and also toured with Tally Hall for Super-Ultimate Awesome Exploration America 2006 In January 2017, they announced for the US tour titled Puffy AmiYumi US TOUR 2017: NOT LAZY in April 2017. In the same month, the band made an appearance at Anime Boston for autograph signings. After their appearance at Boston Anime Convention they undertook a three city USA Tour which they called their ‘Not Lazy Tour’ of the cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Dallas, Texas.]

11:28 – Underwriting

21. PUFFY – “日曜日の娘 (Sunday Girl)”
    from: THE VERY BEST OF PUFFY ～amiyumi JET FEVER～ / Epic / 2000

22. Yellow Magic Orchestra – “Behind The Mask”
    from: YMO Go Home / Alfa Music / September 22. 1999
    [Japanese electronic music band formed in Tokyo in 1978 by Haruomi Hosono (bass, keyboards, vocals), Yukihiro Takahashi (drums, lead vocals, occasional keyboards) and Ryuichi Sakamoto (keyboards, vocals). The group is considered influential and innovative in the field of popular electronic music. They were pioneers in their use of synthesizers, samplers, sequencers, drum machines, computers, and digital recording technology, and effectively anticipated the “electropop boom” of the 1980s. They are credited with playing a key role in the development of several electronic genres, including synthpop, J-pop, electro, and techno, while exploring subversive sociopolitical themes throughout their career. // The 3 members were veterans of the music industry before coming together as YMO, and were inspired by eclectic sources, including the electronic music of Isao Tomita and Kraftwerk, Japanese traditional music, arcade games, funk music, and the disco productions of Giorgio Moroder. They released the surprise global hit “Computer Game” in 1978, reaching the UK Top 20 and selling 400,000 copies in the U.S. For their early recordings and performances, the band was often accompanied by programmer Hideki Matsutake. The group released several albums before pausing their activity in 1984. They briefly reunited several times in subsequent decades before Takahashi and Sakamoto’s deaths in 2023. // Prior to the group’s formation, Sakamoto had been experimenting with electronic music equipment at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, which he entered in 1970, including synthesizers such as the Buchla, Moog, and ARP. The group leader Haruomi Hosono had been using an Ace Tone rhythm machine since early in his career in the early 1970s. Following the break-up of his band Happy End in 1972, Hosono became involved in the recording of several early electronic rock records, including Yōsui Inoue’s folk pop rock album Kōri no Sekai (1973) and Osamu Kitajima’s progressive psychedelic rock album Benzaiten (1974), both of which utilized synthesizers, electric guitars, electric bass, and in the latter, electronic drums, and rhythm machines. Also around the same time, the band’s future “fourth member” Hideki Matsutake was the assistant for the internationally successful electronic musician Isao Tomita. Much of the methods and techniques developed by both Tomita and Matsutake during the early 1970s would later be employed by Yellow Magic Orchestra. // Sakamoto first worked with Hosono as a member of his live band in 1976, while Yukihiro Takahashi recruited Sakamoto to produce his debut solo recording in 1977 following the split of the Sadistic Mika Band. Hosono invited both to work on his exotica-flavoured album Paraiso, which included electronic songs produced using various electronic equipment. The band was named “Harry Hosono and the Yellow Magic Band” as a satire of Japan’s obsession with black magic at the time, and in late 1977 they began recording Paraiso, which was released in 1978. The three worked together again for the 1978 album Pacific, which included an early version of the song “Cosmic Surfin”. Hosono and Sakamoto also worked together alongside Hideki Matsutake in early 1978 for Hosono’s experimental “electro-exotica” fusion album Cochin Moon, which fused electronic music with Indian music, including an early “synth raga” song “Hum Ghar Sajan”. The same year, Sakamoto released his own solo album, The Thousand Knives of Ryuichi Sakamoto, experimenting with a similar fusion between electronic music and traditional Japanese music in early 1978. Hosono also contributed to one of Sakamoto’s songs, “Thousand Knives”, in the album. Thousand Knives was also notable for its early use of the microprocessor-based Roland MC-8 Microcomposer music sequencer, with Matsutake as its music programmer for the album. // While Sakamoto was working on Thousand Knives, Hosono began formulating the idea of an instrumental disco band which could have the potential to reach success in non-Japanese-language territories, and invited Tasuo Hayashi of Tin Pan Alley and Hiroshi Sato of Uncle Buck as participants, but they declined. Hosono, Sakamoto and Takahashi eventually collaborated again to form the Yellow Magic Orchestra and they began recording their self-titled album at a Shibaura studio in July 1978. // YMOs 1978 self-titled album Yellow Magic Orchestra was successful and the studio project grew into a fully fledged touring band and career for its three members. The album featured the use of computer technology (along with synthesizers) which, according to Billboard, allowed the group to create a new sound that was not possible until then. Following the release of the album Yellow Magic Orchestra, a live date at the Roppongi Pit Inn was seen by executives of A&M Records of the USA who were in the process of setting up a partnership deal with Alfa Records. This led to the YMO being offered an international deal, at which point (early 1979) the three members decided the group would be given priority over their solo careers. The most popular international hit from the album was “Firecracker”, which would be released as a single as “Computer Game”, which became a success in the United States and Europe.]

23. Kim Jung Mi – “난 정말 몰라요(I Really Don’t Know)”
    from: 이건 너무 하잖아요 (This Is Too Much) / Kim Jung Mi / 2000
    [Kim Jung Mi is a South Korean psychedelic rock singer. // Born on April 23, 1953, in Seoul, as the second daughter of Kim Sun Sung, an entrepreneur who owned a transportation company. In 1971, when she was in her last year of high school, Kim joined Shin Jung-hyeon’s band to record film soundtracks for The Women in the Waiting Room and Wolves and Cats. She continued her singing career as a vocalist for Shin Jung Hyun & Yup Juns, and recorded Now. However, after six years of musical success, Kim was forced to leave the scene in 1977 due to repetitive censorship criticizing her “vulgar voice”.During the 1975 Marijuana Incident, Kim was arrested and all the music albums she produced were believed to have been discarded.]

24. 신중현과 엽전들 (Shin Jung Hyun & Yup Juns) – “생각해 (Think)”
    from: 신중현과 엽전들 1집 / Jigu Records / November 1, 1974
    [Shin Jung Hyun & Yup Juns (신중현과 엽전들) was a South Korean rock band formed by Shin Jung-hyeon (lead guitarist, lead vocal), Lee Nam-yi (), and Kim Ho-sik (). ” Yup Jun” is an ad hoc romanisation of yeopjeon (“leaf coin”), a kind of old brass coin with a square hole.. The band’s album Shin Jung Hyun & Yup Juns Vol. 1, released in 1974, sold more than one million copies.]

25. 작은 거인 (Little Big Man) – “행복 (Happiness)”
    from: 별리/어쩌면 좋아 (Separation/What Do I Do) / 1987

26. Kim Jung Mi – “Blow Spring Breeze”
    from: Now / Kim Jung Mi / 1973

27. Morelenbaum² / Sakamoto – “Vivo Sonhando – Dreamer”
    from: Casa / Warner Music Japan / 2001 [Casa is a 2001 studio album by the trio Morelenbaum²/Sakamoto, consisting of cellist Jaques Morelenbaum, vocalist Paula Morelenbaum, and pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto. It is a tribute to Brazilian musician and composer Antônio Carlos Jobim, with most of the songs recorded in his house in Rio de Janeiro, using his grand piano. Casa featured the first recording ever of Jobim’s composition entitled “Tema para Ana.” The album was released in the United States by Sony Classical. // Ryuichi Sakamoto (Japanese: 坂本 龍一[a], Hepburn: Sakamoto Ryūichi, January 17, 1952 – March 28, 2023) was a Japanese composer, record producer, and actor who pursued a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). With his bandmates Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, Sakamoto influenced and pioneered a number of electronic music genres. // Sakamoto began his career while at university in the 1970s as a session musician, producer, and arranger. His first major success came in 1978 as co-founder of YMO. He concurrently pursued a solo career, releasing the experimental electronic fusion album Thousand Knives in 1978. Two years later, he released the album B-2 Unit. It included the track “Riot in Lagos”, which was significant in the development of electro and hip hop music. He went on to produce more solo records, and collaborate with many international artists, David Sylvian, Carsten Nicolai, Youssou N’Dour, and Fennesz among them. Sakamoto composed music for the opening ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and his composition “Energy Flow” (1999) was the first instrumental number-one single in Japan’s Oricon charts history. // As a film score composer, Sakamoto won an Oscar, a BAFTA, a Grammy, and two Golden Globe Awards. Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) marked his debut as both an actor and a film-score composer; its main theme was adapted into the single “Forbidden Colours” which became an inter after which he continued earning accolades composing for films such as The Sheltering Sky (1990), Little Buddha (1993), and The Revenant (2015). On occasion, Sakamoto also worked as a composer and a scenario writer on anime and video games. He was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the Ministry of Culture of France in 2009 for his contributions to music.]

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

Big THANK YOU to all of our wonderful listeners and friends who generously and thoughtfully donated to support KKFI 90.1 FM – Kansas City Community Radio during our Wednesday MidDay Medley broadcast today! Through the airwaves, and through social media, a total of 55 people donated a total of $3149.00 to allow us to continue our mission. THANK YOU to my incredible co-hosts: Betse Ellis & Marion Merritt, and special guest J Kelly Dougherty, and very special guest Hermon Mehari for sharing your brilliance with our listeners. Thank you to Scott Bunte, Lincoln Dreher and Darryl Oliver for taking our donations over the phones.

Next week on Wednesday MidDay Medley on April 19 Sondra Freeman joins us to share all of the details about Midwest Music Foundation’s Annual Spring Donation Drive Dinner Show 7:00 to 9:00 PM hosted by Kris & Havilah Bruders AND LateShow with Radkey, DJ Thundercuts, Pamper The Manman and Gascan at 10:00 Saturday, April 22 at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS AND we’ll also talk with Alison Hawkins & Fritz Hutchison about the new True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette Release Show on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:00 PM with Jass & The Boys at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS. AND Alicia Ellingsworth, Executive Director and Co-Founder of The KC Farm School at Gibbs Road joins us to talk about gardening and EARTH DAY!

Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information.
Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:
http://www.kkfi.org,
http://www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM

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

Show #989

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

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Guest Producer Patrick Sprehe

Mark welcomes Patrick Sprehe, of Center Cut Records, who joins us as “Guest Producer.” Patrick earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education from The University of Kansas, and his Masters in Secondary School Administration from the University of Central Missouri. He served with the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan after the fall of the Soviet Union, and taught English as a Second Language at a community college in Raleigh, NC. Patrick taught for several years at an International Baccalaureate magnet middle school in Raleigh, before he moved to Oakland, CA. to teach at an international language school in Berkeley, California. From there he moved to Tokyo, Japan, to teach English as a Foreign Language. Patrick worked for 13 years teaching English at Academie Lafayette in KC. Patrick & James Andrews founded Center Cut Records in 2017, and released Calvin Arsenia’s album “Cantaloupe” in the fall of 2018, the EP “Honeydew” in 2019, and Calvin’s follow-up, “LA Sessions” recorded with legendary session players. In 2020, Center Cut released Fritz Hutchison’s solo debut “Wide Wild Acres” and remastered & re-released nationally, The Black Creatures’ “Wild Echoes,” earning “Album of the Year” recognition from The Pitch. In 2022 Center Cut released The Black Creatures’ “By Thy Hand,” voted “Best Local Album” by The Pitch. In 2023 center Cut is focused on reissuing some lost gems from KC artists, as part of the label’s Buried Treasure series. More info at: http://www.centercutrecords.com

Patrick will spin tracks from: Jorge Ben, Caetano Veloso, Moreno Veloso, Eliane Elias, Marisa Monte, Bebel Gilberto, Everything But The Girl, Shonen Knife, Guitar Wolf, The 5.6.7.8’s, Pizzicato Five, PUFFY, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Kim Jung Mi2, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Little Big Man, Busker Busker, One Plus One, Quarter/Back, This Is Not Love, Moscow Beat, and more.

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

Show #989

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

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Kate McCandless & Cody Wyoming on Patti Smith’s EASTER + Megan Birdsall & Michael Andrew Smith + Jess Shoman of Tenci

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
   from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
   [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]

2. Monta – “Perimeter Dancer”
   from: Crystal Momentum EP / The Record Machine / March 24, 2023
   [The band released the single “Looking Back” on February 27, 2023, and “Everybody’s Baby” on January 27, 2023. Monta’s latest, the Crystal Momentum EP, hones the Kansas City band’s mastery of electrified dreamworld post-punk, presenting four spacious songs to accompany out-of-body explorations. Monta’s core players — Mikal Shapiro on vocals, Krysztof Nemeth and Lucas Behrens on guitars, Dedric Moore on electronics, Matthew Heinrich on drums, and Teri Quinn with additional vocals — accompany their visions with a groovy flow that rings with subtle tensions, introspective instrumentation, and chorus-fed uplifts. // Found within are “Everybody’s Baby,” an otherworldly adoration of unnamed strangers set to transfixing melodies and a snake-like groove; the buoyant “Looking Back,” which shines a danceable, sonic brightness through a haze of ecstatic reminiscence; the inspired “Perimeter Dancer,” an ode to those who fight for the cause, accompanied by a punky disco beat and a chorus that launches the song upward to a mirror-ball-lit sky. And then there’s “Luna Lost In Your Gaze,” a righteous desert sleepwalk of a tune that recalls the spaghetti western tones of Monta’s past while remaining on the current trajectory. // With the Crystal Momentum EP, Monta grabs the moment, further defining the distinctive mix of synth-pop and dark psychedelia that’s become the band’s trademark. Take a leap and fall into their world. // Monta means “to climb higher.” Through lineup changes and scenes ebbing and flowing, this band continues that climb. Founded by brothers Dedric and Delaney Moore, Monta (originally Monta At Odds) has grown into its own community with a rotating cast of musicians and characters. More Information at: kosmiccity.com / therecordmachine.co]

3. Altin Gün – “Canim Oy”
   from: Ask / ATO Records / March 31, 2023
   [GRAMMY-nominated Turkish psych-folk innovators Altın Gün release their new album, Aşk. The album has already been met with significant international praise ahead of its release. MOJO was one of the first to weigh in with a four-star review in their new issue. Exclaim! said that Aşk “captures a band more comfortable roasting in the sweaty, late-night heat of their notoriously fiery concerts, and is imbued with that invigorating immediacy,” while PopMatters praised the band for the way their music “plays up the psychedelic aspects of the Anatolian scene with ecstatic relish.” // Rooted in antiquity yet blazing with contemporary relevance and vitality, Aşk includes such recently released tracks as the pulse-pounding “Rakıya Su Katamam” and the deeply atmospheric “Güzelligin On Para Etmez,” both of which are available now at all DSPs and streaming services. // An exuberant return to the 70s Anatolian folk-rock sound that characterized Altın Gün’s landmark first two albums, Aşk sees Altın Gün veering away from the electronic, synth-drenched sound of their critically acclaimed 2021 albums, Âlem and Yol, to capture all the infectious power and urgency of the Amsterdam-based band’s famously propulsive live performances. Recorded using vintage equipment and techniques, the album’s ten groundbreaking tracks all represent visionary new readings of traditional Turkish folk tunes, revealing how these ancient songs remain eternally resonant and ripe for reinterpretation.// Altin Gün released their album Gece on April 26, 2021. // Amsterdam based band with a Turkish-psychedelic sound. With Ben Rider on guitar; Daniel Smienk on drums; Erdinç Ecevit on synthsizers, saz, & vocals; Gino Groenveld on percussion; Jasper Verhulst on electric bass; and Merve Daşdemir on vocals & keysboards. Altın Gün release their 2018 debut album, “On” in 2018.]

4. Kye Colors – “IN THE DARKNESS (clean)”
   from: Colorman: Red [EP] / Wasteland Records / March 16, 2023
   [Kye Colors released his single “Phil Collins” on March 25, 2022. // Kye Colors, born J’Kye Slatton, is a 21 year-old rapper and producer from the South side of Kansas City, Missouri. Kye began writing music as early as age 5, usually done in crayons. “I’d describe my music as very colorful and vibrant from the beats to the lyrics” Colors says. “I’d describe my music as very colorful and vibrant from the beats to the lyrics” // The name Kye Colors derives from multiple meanings. The first coming from the idea that hues enact certain moods, “you can feel orange, you can feel yellow, you can feel brown; it’s like an emotion” says Kye. The second is best described through his lyrics on the track Broken Place, “I’m KC for real, check the initials.” // His gift of rap was nurtured and harbored from Elementary School to High School. As a teenager, Kye’s talent was quickly taken notice by his peers. While in school, his seniors made sure that he would get his high school diploma before he could fully pursue his music career. After sporadic trials with rap he went by the name Kye Colors by age 14. The same year he began producing. // In 2015 he released his first mixtape entitled “00“. The project garnered attention from hip hop fans all over the Kansas City Metropolitan. In 2017, he joined the rap collective “CaviArt” alongside artists Gee Watts, A’Sean, Ray Muney, and others. // Soon after and at only 17 years old, he would release his 1st full length project “Milk Is Nasty”. It was nationally acclaimed by Lyrical Lemonade, publicized in local Newspapers such as The Kansas City Star and The Pitch KC, and also gained notable local airplay. The project also led to him performing alongside Denzel Curry, Famous Dex, Wiz Khalifa, Lil TJay and many more. // “Milk Is Nasty”. It was nationally acclaimed by Lyrical Lemonade, publicized in local Newspapers such as The Kansas City Star and The Pitch KC, and also gained notable local airplay. // In 2019, Kye released some of his most popular single releases to date including “Sweet Thang,” “Doggy,” “Talk About It” and more. These independent releases would land him on platforms such as Baller Alert, a modeling gig with Lee Jeans, and national airplay on Shade45. // In 2020, at the age of 20 he founded his label “Wasteland Records” partnering with manager Jesse Brown and Jaron Baston. He went on his first independent tour and released his 2nd LP With Love By Faith. It peaked at 166 on the Top 200 Rap/Hip Hop albums on iTunes. // Come 2021, Kye delivered three glossy singles “Nike Boy Freetstyle”, “Grateful”, “1-800” and an impressive five-track EP “WOW” in which helped him rank in the top 10K “R&B, Funk & Soul” artists in the world. // Kye kicked off 2022 with a flamboyant and captivating new single “TAKE UR PLACE”. A track thats surely setting the mood for whats to come. // From having a vibrant young passion for his penmanship to flourishing on the energy of his supporters, Kye looks to establish his mark in the industry as a rapper, and creative with a purpose. The artist intends to create moving and powerful connections through his newly-constructed label, releasing quality music, and collectively refining the abilities of his sound. More info at: http://www.kyecolors.com]

5. Yves Tumor – “Echolalia”
   from: Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds) / Warp Records / March 17, 2023
   [Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds) is produced by Noah Goldstein (Frank Ocean, Rosalía, Drake, Rihanna, Bon Iver), and mixed by Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, Nine Inch Nails), lending the album with a sonic signature that acts as a distillation and amplification of Yves’ previous work. The album’s boundlessly visceral aesthetic is bolstered by invaluable contributions from long-time collaborators Chris Greatti (Yungblud, WILLOW), Yves Rothman (Girlpool, Amaarae) and Rhys Hastings, melding restraint and chaos in a soulful clarity. // Yves Tumor released their 4th album HEAVEN TO A TORTURED MIND on April 2, 2020. Yves Tumor aka Sean Bowie is best known by the recording alias Yves Tumor, is an American producer of experimental electronic music, born in Miami, Florida and currently based in Turin, Italy. Raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Tumor started making music at age 17 as an outlet away from “dull, conservative surroundings.” They taught themself to play drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards. Describing their experience growing up in Tennessee as unpleasant, they moved at age 20 to San Diego, and after college to Los Angeles, where they met Mykki Blanco in 2012, with whom they later toured for two and a half years throughout Europe and Asia.In the early 2010s, Tumor recorded as Teams, and made music which AllMusic described as “post-chillwave”. They debuted their Yves Tumor project in 2015 with an EP for Berlin’s experimental club label Janus, and another one for Blanco’s label, Dogfood MG. That same year, they self-released their first album, When Man Fails You (which would later be re-released by Apothecary Compositions on April 29, 2016). In September 2016, Tumor signed with PAN Records and released its label debut, Serpent Music. They had worked on the album for three years after moving to Leipzig, Germany. The album was recorded between Miami, Leipzig, Los Angeles and Berlin. In Pitchfork’s review of the album, critic Andy Beta compared Tumor’s musical style to James Ferraro and Dean Blunt, and noted their use of “unsettling percussive loops and field recordings to create a mood as if lost in a strange urban landscape”. In September 2017, Tumor released a compilation album titled Experiencing the Deposit of Faith for free. Later that week, it was revealed through a tour announcement that Tumor had signed to Warp Records. Following the announcement, they embarked on a tour with a new audiovisual show. In September 2018, Tumor released their Warp debut, Safe in the Hands of Love, with no prior announcement. It was preceded by the singles “Noid” on July 24, “Licking an Orchid” featuring James K on August 29, and “Lifetime” on September 3. The album received universal acclaim from music critics. Pitchfork’s Jayson Greene stated in their review that the album “dwarfs everything the artist has released by several orders of magnitude. The leap is so audacious it’s disorienting.” Tumor’s fourth album, Heaven to a Tortured Mind, was released on April 3, 2020, preceded on March 3 by the single “Kerosene” featuring Diana Gordon. Alexis Petridis, reviewing the album for The Guardian, awarded it Album of the Week, describing it as “extraordinary: experimental, capable of any genre, with an internal logic powering its shifts in mood. Tumor has cited Throbbing Gristle as a major influence, saying: “There’s something about their music, like the hypnotic trance vibes, that really influenced me.]

6. Kevin Morby – “Like A Flower”
   from: Music From Montana Story / Dead Oceans / January 25, 2023
   [Music and Lyrics by Kevin Morby, except “One Paper Kid” written by Walter Martin Cowart. Produced and Arranged by Rob Barbato (2021, Squeak E Clean Studios NYC and Austin) Publishing: Kevin Morby (ASCAP, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd), Rob Barbato (BMI, New England Rose Music), Walter Martin Cowart (ASCAP, BMG BUMBLEBEE OBO DRUNK MONKEY MUSIC) // Kevin Morby releases Music From Montana Story, a soundtrack for the 2021 film Montana Story, via Dead Oceans. Additionally, he shares a new video for the soundtrack’s featured track “Like A Flower.” // Written, produced and directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel (What Maisie Knew, The Deep End), Montana Story is distributed by Bleecker Street / Stage 6 Fillms and available to stream on Showtime and major SVOD platforms. The film is a neo-Western that tells the story of two estranged siblings (Haley Lu Richardson, Owen Teague) who return home to the family ranch they once knew and loved, confronting deep and bitter secrets in the process. It’s a human-scaled story set against a mythic American backdrop – Montana’s Big Sky Country, sprawling with vast outdoor spaces and lonesome homes. Morby’s Music From Montana Story articulates both that sprawl and lonesomeness with the precision and delicate mastery of an artist who has always written straight from the heart, often about the very Western people and places that shaped his sound. // Before a note is played, there’s a delicate musicality to Montana Story – the crackle of gravel and strained local radio; tense familial silence; the pacing of footsteps in the morning cold. Morby’s score gives spirit and melody to that musicality: piano bars move like cautious footsteps while guitars hover over sleepless nights back in your childhood bedroom; radio songs flicker on with their timeless magic, creeping from the dial to the part of you that sings along in your truck and never, ever seems to forget the words. Music From Montana Story is as restrained and evocative as the story it lives inside, understated in its power but undeniable in its beauty. In “Like A Flower,” Morby’s voice unfurls over blooming instrumentation. The accompanying video was directed by filmmakers Scott McGehee and David Siegel intertwines clips from their filmwith footage shot in Kansas City, where Morby is based. // “It has long been a dream of mine to one day score a film and with Montana Story I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect film to do so,” says Morby. “Against wide open landscapes the film is patiently and masterfully captured and it was my job, alongside my collaborator Rob Barbato, to write a score with as much beauty and depth as the film itself. I’m so proud of how everything turned out and am forever grateful to directors Scott Mcgeehee and David Siegel for bringing me on.” // Kevin Morby’s seventh album as a solo artist. THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH was released by Dead Oceans on May 13, 2022. It was in the Top 10 of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. // From http://www.rollingstone.com: “In January 2020, songwriter Kevin Morby witnessed his father collapse from a medical event while visiting his childhood home in Kansas. In a state of shock, the singer spent the evening looking at old family photos and fixated on an image of his father as a young man, looking, as Morby states, ‘full of confidence.’ The experience forced Morby to confront both the idea of mortality and the passage of time — and, after an extended sojourn in Tennessee, these reflections came together in the form of his upcoming album, This Is a Photograph. To mark the announcement, the singer released the record’s eponymous single, accompanied by a music video directed by Chantal Anderson. Produced by frequent Morby collaborator Sam Cohen, This Is a Photograph was primarily written in Memphis’ historic Peabody Hotel, where the singer-songwriter holed up in search of inspiration and self-realization amongst the city’s dark past.” Morby will also embark on a 65 City tour of Europe and North America through the majority of 2022, which starts May 20 in Madrid, Spain and wraps Nov. 12 in Vancouver, BC. On October 16, 2020 Kevin Morby released SUNDOWNER, ranked #20 on WMM’s 120 Best recordings of 2020 and was the 6th release from Kevin Robert Morby born April 2, 1988. SUNDOWNER was the follow up to his 2019 release OH MY GOD. Kevin Morby released CITY MUSIC in 2017. Kevin learned to play guitar when he was 10. In his teens he formed the band Creepy Aliens. 17-year-old Morby dropped out of Blue Valley Northwest High School, got his GED, and moved from his native Kansas City to Brooklyn in the mid-2000s, supporting himself by working bike delivery and café jobs. He later joined the noise-folk group Woods on bass. While living in Brooklyn, he became close friends and roommates with Cassie Ramone of the punk trio Vivian Girls, and the two formed a side project together called The Babies, who released albums in 2011 and 2012. He began a solo career in 2013 releasing his debut album HARLEM RIVER. His 2nd album STILL LIFE was released in 2014. His album SINGING SAW was in WMM’s The 116 Best Recordings of 2016. His album CITY MUSIC was in WMM’s The 118 Best Recordings of 2018.]

[Kevin Morby plays recordBar, 1520 Grand, BLVD. KCMO, on Friday, Night, April 7, at 8:00 PM with special guest Erin Rae. This Show is SOLD OUT!!!]

7. Faith Maddox – “frances”
   from: “frances” – Single / French Exit Records / March 11 2023
   [Performed and mixed by Faith Maddox. Mastered by Deegan Poores. Faith Maddox released the single “Bloody Maple” on February 18, 2022 on French Exit Records. Faith Maddox released the 9-song album SUBTLE HAUNTINGS on February 25, 2022, Faith Maddox on vocals/guitar/bass and Jared Crowley on drums. The album was recorded by Faith Maddox, it was mixed & mastered by Joel Martin. Faith Maddox is a 21-year-old artist currently living in Lawrence, Kansas. A self-taught guitarist and writer, Maddox’s work explores themes of gender, mortality, and nature, often weaving literary references between fingerpicked melodies. Her music is not easily boxed in, taking influence from math rock, jazz, folk, and slowcore. She is an avid fan of Fleabag, Joan Didion, and anything green. Faith Maddox released the 9-song album SUBTLE HAUNTINGS on February 25, 2022, Faith Maddox on vocals/guitar/bass and Jared Crowley on drums. The album was recorded by Faith Maddox, it was mixed & mastered by Joel Martin. Info: http://www.faithmaddox.bandcamp.com]

10:25 – Underwriting

8. Tenci – “Two Cups”
   from: A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing / Keeled Scales / November 4, 2022
   [All songs written by Jess Shoman. Recorded by Abby Black. Mixed by Melina Duterte. Mastered by Piper Payne. Guitar, Vocals, Xylophone by Jess Shoman. Sax, Flute, Guitar, Clarinets, Backing Vocals, Track 1 + 10 Keys by Curtis Oren. Drums, Track 4 Keys, Backing Vocals by Joseph Farago. Bass, Backing Vocals, Violin by Isabel Reidy. Auxiliary Percussion by Abby Black. // Album notes/Bio written by Delia Rainey: A well is a stone-encircled place of depth, keeping an abundance of water for survival. “Well” is also a phrase for pause, for transition in language. Our tears can well up and bubble over. To define ourselves as “well” is the most basic term of goodness. // What’s on the other side of the well? Inside the tunnel of change, or this life, we can either feel intimidated by the darkness of uncertainty, or excited by the possibility of nourishment. Songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Jess Shoman wonders, “what the hell,” why don’t we go for the excess of love we deserve? Tenci’s album A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing becomes a gathering and collection of well-like vessels – cups, puddles, fists – to hold tight to this love and newfound joy. // A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing is Tenci’s second album, coming after their 2020 debut My Heart Is An Open Field, which introduced Jess Shoman’s music explorations to the world. Shoman admits that their first album dealt with letting go of painful life experiences, resulting in emptiness. In this recent collection of wiser years and distance from that former grief, Tenci carries an opposite feeling, a celebration of self-rejuvenation. A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing shows Shoman steering their inventive music further and wilder, spilling over with 12 fable-like songs. In a combination of milk, coins, glass, water, and light, each song forms a spell to “fill my heart back up,” Shoman says, “by reframing complex feelings by turning my head sideways and seeing them in a different way.” / From the close-knit Chicago scene, Shoman is joined by Curtis Oren on saxophone and guitar, Izzy Reidy on bass (Izzy True), and Joseph Farago on drums (Joey Nebulous). The years following My Heart is an Open Field saw the band playing shows together all over the country before regrouping in Chicago to record A Swollen River with engineer Abby Black. While the themes of Tenci shuffle around a serious pool of thought, trying to understand life’s calamities, their live sets often feature an ample amount of goofy light-heartedness. Their playful interplay of loose drums and bass, huffing sax, and vocal waterfalls leave us warmer than before. The songs on A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing weave together like twigs to create that fire, a burning message to keep going. // The album begins with “Shapeshifter,” which Shoman says is about “piecing yourself together, shape-shifting into someone new,” and finding power in this new form. Setting the tone for the rest of the record, the brief song appears like a glimmering poem in darkness, unveiling an undeniable newness to their sound. “I’m a diamond ring / in a thick lagoon / Butterfly with clay-sewn wings,” sings Shoman. Like the transformation Shoman sings of, the track grows and morphs with stacked guitars and the harmonies of bandmates’ voices. //Tenci’s sonic evolution is further reinforced by the upbeat immediacy of “Vanishing Coin.” Shoman’s soft and trilling vocals fuel the song’s imagery as a friendship vanishes and another well appears, as a wish from a coin tossed into that well never comes to fruition. “Two Cups” continues this interplay between folk and rock genres, as a tough and sweet guitar solo converses, “I won’t wait,” fizzling towards freedom. Unlike a public fountain, a personal cup can be filled on your own terms towards abundance. // Tenci’s songs on A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing often appear simplistic at first, then split off to unruly places of boiling self recognition. On “Sour Cherries,” the band starts simple and slow, introducing the brutal fruit of love and the theme of wanting excess: “don’t you think you’ve had enough?” As Tenci gets deeper and huskier, they dip into one of the album’s most exciting and unexpected sections. // Shoman explains the idea behind “The Ball Spins” as “watching the ball spin – as in the world – but also as mundane as a ball on the ground. The world burns with so much sadness and destruction and I am witnessing it in a very desensitized way.” Living during an ongoing pandemic, dangerous nationalism, and climate change, to name a few, can feel so painful, it’s numbing. Tenci attempts to create art out of that metaphorical car on fire outside. Instead of disassociating, Shoman hopes to find commonality in communal care. // Just as the band name Tenci comes from Shoman’s grandmother Hortencia, the legacy of family is woven into the album. “Swallow Me Whole, Blue” comes from Shoman’s mother’s memory of her childhood dog, Blue, who was poisoned by the neighborhood kids: “They threw a poison bone / it cast a spell on you.” Perhaps Shoman’s longing to protect and know Blue is the same longing to protect their family’s memories. The album closes with “Memories”: in a bare folk song, their guitar, and their memories, echoed by the audio of an old family video. The voices of parents, grandparents, and children filter in and out, fuzzy against the assertion of a “crystal clear picture.” “Memories” captures the feeling of “knowing that at the end of your life, you will have your memories to fill your heart,” Shoman says. // Tenci has traveled through a spout that leads to a restorative lake, finding a new place of compositional and lyrical complexity on A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing. All of this fullness bursts forth from words and ideas jotted in Shoman’s journal. The notebook’s cover is made from a repurposed children’s book titled “Great Big Elephant.” Shoman’s own writing often feels like a nursery rhyme, a naming of animals and clowns under your bed, a recipe for understanding life, and hopefully, each other.]

[Tenci plays recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO, Sat, April 8, at 10:00 PM w/ Perfect Lovers.]

10:32 – Interview with Jess Shoman

Jess Shoman is the lead singer and songwriter for the Chicago band Tenci, who just last November 4, 2022 released their critically acclaimed album, A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing. Tenci plays recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO, on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 10:00 PM with Perfect Lovers. More information at: http://www.therecordbar.com

Jess Shoman, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing follows Tenci’s 2020 (debut) My Heart Is An Open Field, which introduced Jess Shoman’s music explorations to the world. Shoman admits that their first album dealt with letting go of painful life experiences, resulting in emptiness. In this recent collection of wiser years and distance from that former grief, Tenci carries an opposite feeling, a celebration of self-rejuvenation. A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing shows Shoman steering their inventive music further and wilder, spilling over with 12 fable-like songs. In a combination of milk, coins, glass, water, and light, each song forms a spell to “fill my heart back up,” Shoman says, “by reframing complex feelings by turning my head sideways and seeing them in a different way.”

From the close-knit Chicago scene, Shoman is joined by Curtis Oren on saxophone and guitar, Izzy Reidy on bass (Izzy True), and Joseph Farago on drums (Joey Nebulous). The years following My Heart is an Open Field saw the band playing shows together all over the country before regrouping in Chicago to record A Swollen River with engineer Abby Black. While the themes of Tenci shuffle around a serious pool of thought, trying to understand life’s calamities, their live sets often feature an ample amount of goofy light-heartedness. Their playful interplay of loose drums and bass, huffing sax, and vocal waterfalls leave us warmer than before. The songs on A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing weave together like twigs to create that fire, a burning message to keep going.

The band name Tenci comes from Jess Shoman’s grandmother Hortencia, the legacy of family is woven into the album. “Swallow Me Whole, Blue” comes from Shoman’s mother’s memory of her childhood dog, Blue, who was poisoned by the neighborhood kids: “They threw a poison bone / it cast a spell on you.” Perhaps Shoman’s longing to protect and know Blue is the same longing to protect their family’s memories. The album closes with “Memories”: in a bare folk song, their guitar, and their memories, echoed by the audio of an old family video. The voices of parents, grandparents, and children filter in and out, fuzzy against the assertion of a “crystal clear picture.” “Memories” captures the feeling of “knowing that at the end of your life, you will have your memories to fill your heart,” Shoman says.

A well is a stone-encircled place of depth, keeping an abundance of water for survival. “Well” is also a phrase for pause, for transition in language. Our tears can well up and bubble over. To define ourselves as “well” is the most basic term of goodness.

What’s on the other side of the well? Inside the tunnel of change, or this life, we can either feel intimidated by the darkness of uncertainty, or excited by the possibility of nourishment. Songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Jess Shoman wonders, “what the hell,” why don’t we go for the excess of love we deserve? Tenci’s album A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing becomes a gathering and collection of well-like vessels – cups, puddles, fists – to hold tight to this love and newfound joy.

The album begins with “Shapeshifter,” which Shoman says is about “piecing yourself together, shape-shifting into someone new,” and finding power in this new form. Setting the tone for the rest of the record, the brief song appears like a glimmering poem in darkness, unveiling an undeniable newness to their sound. “I’m a diamond ring / in a thick lagoon / Butterfly with clay-sewn wings,” sings Shoman. Like the transformation Shoman sings of, the track grows and morphs with stacked guitars and the harmonies of bandmates’ voices.

Tenci’s sonic evolution is further reinforced by the upbeat immediacy of “Vanishing Coin.” Shoman’s soft and trilling vocals fuel the song’s imagery as a friendship vanishes and another well appears, as a wish from a coin tossed into that well never comes to fruition. “Two Cups” continues this interplay between folk and rock genres, as a tough and sweet guitar solo converses, “I won’t wait,” fizzling towards freedom. Unlike a public fountain, a personal cup can be filled on your own terms towards abundance.

Tenci’s songs on A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing often appear simplistic at first, then split off to unruly places of boiling self recognition. On “Sour Cherries,” the band starts simple and slow, introducing the brutal fruit of love and the theme of wanting excess: “don’t you think you’ve had enough?” As Tenci gets deeper and huskier, they dip into one of the album’s most exciting and unexpected sections.

Shoman explains the idea behind “The Ball Spins” as “watching the ball spin – as in the world – but also as mundane as a ball on the ground. The world burns with so much sadness and destruction and I am witnessing it in a very desensitized way.” Living during an ongoing pandemic, dangerous nationalism, and climate change, to name a few, can feel so painful, it’s numbing. Tenci attempts to create art out of that metaphorical car on fire outside. Instead of disassociating, Shoman hopes to find commonality in communal care.

Jess Shoman, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Tenci just last November 4, 2022 released their critically acclaimed album, A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing. Tenci plays recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO, on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 10:00 PM with Perfect Lovers. More information at: http://www.therecordbar.co

10:32

9. Tenci – “Vanishing Coin”
   from: A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing / Keeled Scales / November 4, 2022
   [ All songs written by Jess Shoman. Recorded by Abby Black. Mixed by Melina Duterte. Mastered by Piper Payne. Guitar, Vocals, Xylophone by Jess Shoman. Sax, Flute, Guitar, Clarinets, Backing Vocals, Track 1 + 10 Keys by Curtis Oren. Drums, Track 4 Keys, Backing Vocals by Joseph Farago. Bass, Backing Vocals, Violin by Isabel Reidy. Auxiliary Percussion by Abby Black. // Album notes/Bio written by Delia Rainey: A well is a stone-encircled place of depth, keeping an abundance of water for survival. “Well” is also a phrase for pause, for transition in language. Our tears can well up and bubble over. To define ourselves as “well” is the most basic term of goodness. // What’s on the other side of the well? Inside the tunnel of change, or this life, we can either feel intimidated by the darkness of uncertainty, or excited by the possibility of nourishment. Songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Jess Shoman wonders, “what the hell,” why don’t we go for the excess of love we deserve? Tenci’s album A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing becomes a gathering and collection of well-like vessels – cups, puddles, fists – to hold tight to this love and newfound joy. // A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing is Tenci’s second album, coming after their 2020 debut My Heart Is An Open Field, which introduced Jess Shoman’s music explorations to the world. Shoman admits that their first album dealt with letting go of painful life experiences, resulting in emptiness. In this recent collection of wiser years and distance from that former grief, Tenci carries an opposite feeling, a celebration of self-rejuvenation. A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing shows Shoman steering their inventive music further and wilder, spilling over with 12 fable-like songs. In a combination of milk, coins, glass, water, and light, each song forms a spell to “fill my heart back up,” Shoman says, “by reframing complex feelings by turning my head sideways and seeing them in a different way.” / From the close-knit Chicago scene, Shoman is joined by Curtis Oren on saxophone and guitar, Izzy Reidy on bass (Izzy True), and Joseph Farago on drums (Joey Nebulous). The years following My Heart is an Open Field saw the band playing shows together all over the country before regrouping in Chicago to record A Swollen River with engineer Abby Black.

[Tenci plays recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO, Sat, April 8, at 10:00 PM w/ Perfect Lovers.]

10. Betse Ellis – “All Good Cars Go To Heaven”
    from: Selected Ambient Tag: Requiem for a Town Car / Clarke Wyatt / December 24, 2022
    [KC based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, performer, Clarke Wyatt wrote: (in December 2022), “some street racers destroyed Cody Wyoming & Kimmie Queen’s beloved Lincoln Continental right after they had spent a bunch of money to get it back on the road. It will never roll again.” Clarke says “I recently started a game of ambient music tag, so I thought to myself, hey self, what if people contributed tracks & we compiled a record that Cody can sell to raise funds for a car? Well, that’s what we did. A bunch of incredible and fascinating KC musicians have sent me their audio experiments for the cause. It’s that simple: buy the record, support a great couple that had some really bad luck right at the worst time, and enjoy some really great space music. More tracks coming soon…” Contributing artists include: Betse Ellis, Mike Stover, Adam Stafford, Nate Hofer, Clarke Wyatt, Shawn Edward Hansen, Krysztov Nemeth, Jason Beers, Scott Hobart, Tilden Snow, Wade Allen Williamson, Gentleman Echo and Rod Peal. More info at: codywyoming.bandcamp.com] [Betse Ellis. Originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas, Betse received her Bachelors of Arts in Music and a Bachelors of Arts in English, from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She has been playing the Violin for over 40 years, with over 20 years playing fiddle and also working as a teacher of music. Betse was a founding member of the acclaimed internationally known band, The Wilders. Betse has released two solo records, and records and performs with her husband, multi-instrumentalist Clarke Wyatt, as Betse & Clarke. In 2020 they released their latest 8-song release, WINTER, which was in the Top Ten of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2020. Betse also plays with the Starhaven Rounders.]

11. The Philistines – “Further”
    from: Further – Single / The Philistines / (March 15, 2019) (Unreleased)
    [New music from The Philistines, that will be part of the upcoming album Dysnomia. Produced and engineered by paul Malinowski at Massive Sound Studios. The Philistines are a Kansas City based rock band with a psychedelic bent, made up of: Kimmie Queen on lead vocals; Cody Wyoming on lead guitar & vocals; Rod Peal on guitar; Josh Mobley on keyboard, Steve Gardels on drums, and Barry Kidd on bass.]

[SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES submits: Patti Smith’s EASTER on EASTER, Sunday, April 9, 2023, at 7:00 PM, at recordBar 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO. SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES is thrilled to partner with Kansas City forces: THE CODY WYOMING DEAL, Julia Othmer, and Teri Quinn to create a cathartic, sacred homage to Patti Smith and her work…with a surprising, shamanic edge where nothing is sacred… Sacred is all. To purchase tickets go to http://www.therecordbar.com]

12. Patti Smith Group – “Privilege (Set Me Free)”
    from: Easter / Arista / June 15, 1978
    [Easter is the third studio album by the Patti Smith Group. It was released in March 1978 by Arista Records. Produced by Jimmy Iovine, the album is regarded as the group’s commercial breakthrough, owing to the success of the rock single “Because the Night” (co-written by Bruce Springsteen and Smith), which reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the UK Singles Chart. // The first album released since Smith had suffered a neck injury while touring for Radio Ethiopia, Easter has been called the most commercially accessible of the Patti Smith Group’s catalogue. Unlike its two predecessors, Easter incorporated a diversity of musical styles, including straightforward rock (“Because the Night”), classic rock and roll (“25th Floor/High on Rebellion”, “Rock N Roll Nigger”), folk (“Ghost Dance”) and spoken word (“Babelogue”). Easter is the only 1970s album of Smith’s that does not feature Richard Sohl as part of the Patti Smith Group; in one interview at the time, Smith stated that Sohl was sick and this prevented him from participating in recording the album. Bruce Brody is credited as the keyboard player, though Sohl makes a guest appearance contributing keyboards to “Space Monkey”, along with Blue Öyster Cult keyboardist Allen Lanier. The cover photograph is by Lynn Goldsmith and the liner notes photography by Cindy Black and Robert Mapplethorpe. // In addition to the religious allusion of its title, the album is replete with biblical and specifically Christian imagery. “Privilege (Set Me Free)” is taken from the British fame- and authoritarianism-satirizing film Privilege; its lyrics are adapted from Psalm 23. The LP insert reproduces a First Communion portrait of Frederic and Arthur Rimbaud, and Smith’s notes for the song “Easter” invoke Catholic imagery of baptism, communion and the blood of Christ. A solitary hand-drawn cross is placed below the group member credits on the sleeve insert, and the last sentence of the liner notes is a quote from Second Epistle to Timothy 4:7 — “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course …” // Beyond Christian themes, the song “Ghost Dance” references the Ghost Dance Native American religious revival of the late 19th century. // Easter was highly acclaimed upon its release. Rolling Stone critic Dave Marsh called it “transcendent and fulfilled”, while Sandy Robertson proclaimed that “the rock ‘n’ roll resurrection is upon us” in his review of the album for Sounds. In Creem, Nick Tosches deemed Easter to be Smith’s best work, “truer and surer and less uneven than her previous albums”. Robert Christgau of The Village Voice felt that the music “is as basic as ever in its instrumentation and rhythmic thrust, but grander, more martial”, and that “most of these songs are rousing in the way they’re meant to be.” Lester Bangs, however, began his review of the album in Phonograph Record, “Dear Patti, start the revolution without me”, and contended that while Horses had changed his life, Easter “is just a very good album”. Easter placed at number 14 in The Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop critics’ poll of the best albums of 1978, while NME ranked it the 46th best album of the year.] [Patricia Lee Smith was born December 30, 1946. She is an American singer, songwriter, poet, painter, and author who became an influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses. // Called the “punk poet laureate”, Smith fused rock and poetry in her work. Her most widely known song, “Because the Night”, co-written with Bruce Springsteen, reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978 and number five on the UK Singles Chart. In 2005, Smith was named a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture. In 2007, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. // In November 2010, Smith won the National Book Award for her memoir Just Kids. The book fulfilled a promise she made to her former long-time partner Robert Mapplethorpe. She is ranked 47th on Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, which was published in 2010 and was also a recipient of the 2011 Polar Music Prize. // Smith was born on December 30, 1946, at Grant Hospital in Chicago to Beverly Smith, a jazz singer turned waitress, and Grant Smith, a Honeywell machinist. The family was of part Irish ancestry and Patti was the eldest of four children, with siblings Linda, Kimberly, and Todd. When Smith was four, the family moved from Chicago to the Germantown section of Philadelphia, then to Pitman, New Jersey, and finally settled in the Woodbury Gardens section of Deptford Township, New Jersey. // At this early age, Smith was exposed to her first records, including Shrimp Boats by Harry Belafonte, Patience and Prudence’s The Money Tree, and Another Side of Bob Dylan, which her mother gave her. Smith graduated from Deptford Township High School in 1964 and, following graduation, began work in a factory. She gave birth to her first child, a daughter, on April 26, 1967, and placed her for adoption. She later entered Glassboro State College in Glassboro, New Jersey. // In 1967, Smith left Glassboro State College and moved to Manhattan in New York City, where she met photographer Robert Mapplethorpe while working at a bookstore with friend and poet Janet Hamill. She and Mapplethorpe had an intense romantic relationship, which was tumultuous as the pair struggled with poverty and Mapplethorpe’s sexuality. Smith considers Mapplethorpe to be one of the most influential and important people in her life, and referred to him as “the artist of my life” in her book Just Kids. // Mapplethorpe’s photographs of Smith became the covers for Smith’s albums, and they remained lifelong friends until Mapplethorpe’s death in 1989. Smith’s book and album The Coral Sea is an homage to Mapplethorpe and Just Kids tells the story of their relationship. She also wrote essays for several of Mapplethorpe’s books, including one, at Mapplethorpe’s request, for his posthumous Flowers. // Smith went to Paris with her sister in 1969, where she started busking and doing performance art. When Smith returned to Manhattan, she lived in the Hotel Chelsea with Mapplethorpe; they frequented Max’s Kansas City. Smith provided the spoken word soundtrack for Sandy Daley’s art film Robert Having His Nipple Pierced, starring Mapplethorpe. The same year, Smith appeared with Wayne County in Jackie Curtis’s play Femme Fatale. She also starred in Anthony Ingrassia’s play Island. As a member of the St. Mark’s Poetry Project, she spent the early 1970s painting, writing, and performing. On February 10, 1971, accompanied by Lenny Kaye on electric guitar, she gave her first public poetry performance opening for Gerard Malanga. // Later in 1969, Smith performed one night in Cowboy Mouth, a play she co-wrote with Sam Shepard. The published play’s notes call for “a man who looks like a coyote and a woman who looks like a crow”. She wrote several poems about Shepard and her relationship with him, including “for sam shepard” and “Sam Shepard: 9 Random Years (7 + 2)”, that were published in Angel City, Curse of the Starving Class & Other Plays (1976). // Smith was briefly considered for the lead singer position in Blue Öyster Cult. She contributed lyrics to several of the band’s songs, including “Debbie Denise”, which was inspired by her poem “In Remembrance of Debbie Denise”, “Baby Ice Dog”, “Career of Evil”, “Fire of Unknown Origin”, “The Revenge of Vera Gemini”, on which she performs duet vocals, and “Shooting Shark”. She was romantically involved at the time with the band’s keyboardist, Allen Lanier. During these years, Smith was also a rock music journalist, writing periodically for Rolling Stone and Creem. // In 1973, Smith teamed up again with musician and rock archivist Lenny Kaye, and later added Richard Sohl on piano. The trio developed into a full band with the addition of Ivan Kral on guitar and bass and Jay Dee Daugherty on drums. Kral was a refugee from Czechoslovakia who had moved to the U.S. in 1966 with his parents, who were diplomats. After the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, he decided not to return. // Financed by Sam Wagstaff, the band recorded their first single, “Hey Joe/Piss Factory” in 1974. The A-side was a version of the rock standard with the addition of a spoken word piece about fugitive heiress Patty Hearst. The B-side describes the helpless alienation Smith felt while working on a factory assembly line and the salvation she dreams of achieving by escaping to New York. In a 1996 interview on artistic influences during her younger years, Smith said, “I had devoted so much of my girlish daydreams to Rimbaud. Rimbaud was like my boyfriend.” // Later that same year, she performed “I Wake Up Screaming”, a poem, on The Whole Thing Started with Rock & Roll Now It’s Out of Control album, an album by The Doors’ Ray Manzarek. // In March 1975, Smith’s group, the Patti Smith Group, began a two-month weekend set of shows at CBGB in New York City with the band Television. The Patti Smith Group was spotted by Clive Davis, who signed them to Arista Records. Later in 1975, they recorded their first album, Horses, produced by John Cale amid some tension. The album fused punk rock and spoken poetry and begins with a cover of Van Morrison’s “Gloria”, and Smith’s opening words: “Jesus died for somebody’s sins but not mine”, an excerpt from “Oath”, one of Smith’s early poems. The austere cover photograph by Mapplethorpe has become one of rock’s classic images. As punk rock grew in popularity, the Patti Smith Group toured the U.S. and Europe. The rawer sound of the group’s second album, Radio Ethiopia, reflected this. Considerably less accessible than Horses, Radio Ethiopia initially received poor reviews. However, several of its songs have stood the test of time, and Smith still performs them live. She has said that Radio Ethiopia was influenced by the band MC5. // On January 23, 1977, while touring in support of Radio Ethiopia, Smith accidentally danced off a high stage in Tampa, Florida, and fell 15 feet into a concrete orchestra pit, breaking several neck vertebrae. The injury required a period of rest and an intensive round of physical therapy, during which time she was able to reassess, re-energize, and reorganize her life. // The Patti Smith Group produced two further albums before the end of the 1970s. Easter (1978) was their most commercially successful record, including the band’s top single “Because the Night”, which was co-written with Bruce Springsteen. Wave (1979) was less successful, although the songs “Frederick” and “Dancing Barefoot” both received commercial airplay. // Before the release of Wave, Smith separated from her long-time partner Allen Lanier and met Fred “Sonic” Smith, the former guitar player for Detroit rock band MC5 and Sonic’s Rendezvous Band. Like Smith, Lanier adored poetry. Wave’s “Dancing Barefoot”, which was inspired by Jeanne Hébuterne and her tragic love for Amedeo Modigliani, and “Frederick” were both dedicated to him. The running joke at the time was that she married Fred only because she would not have to change her name. They had a son, Jackson (b. 1982), who went on to marry Meg White, drummer for The White Stripes, in 2009, and a daughter, Jesse Paris (b. 1987), who is a musician and composer. // Through most of the 1980s, Smith was in semi-retirement from music, living with her family north of Detroit in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. In June 1988, she released the album Dream of Life, which included the song “People Have the Power”. Fred Smith died of a heart attack on November 4, 1994. Shortly afterward, Patti faced the unexpected death of her brother Todd. // When her son Jackson turned 14, Smith decided to move back to New York City. After the impact of these deaths, her friends Michael Stipe of R.E.M. and Allen Ginsberg, who she has known since her early years in New York, urged her to go return to live music and touring. She toured briefly with Bob Dylan in December 1995, which is chronicled in a book of photographs by Stipe. // In 1996, Smith worked with her long-time colleagues to record Gone Again, featuring “About a Boy”, a tribute to Kurt Cobain, the former lead singer of Nirvana who committed suicide in 1994. That same year, she collaborated with Stipe on “E-Bow the Letter”, a song on R.E.M.’s New Adventures in Hi-Fi, which she performed live with the band. After the release of Gone Again, Smith recorded two further albums, Peace and Noise in 1997, which included the single “1959” about the invasion of Tibet, and Gung Ho in 2000, which included songs about Ho Chi Minh and Smith’s late father. Smith was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for two of the “1959” and “Glitter in Their Eyes”. // A box set of Smith’s work up to that time, The Patti Smith Masters, was released in 1996. In 2002, Smith released Land (1975–2002), a two-CD compilation that includes a cover of Prince’s “When Doves Cry”. Smith’s solo art exhibition Strange Messenger was hosted at The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh on September 28, 2002. // On April 27, 2004, Smith released Trampin’, which included several songs about motherhood, partly in tribute to Smith’s mother, who died two years earlier. It was her first album on Columbia Records, which later became a sister label to her Arista Records, her previous label. Smith curated the Meltdown festival in London on June 25, 2005, in which she performed Horses live in its entirety for the first time. This live performance was released later in 2004 as Horses/Horses. // In July 2005, Smith was named a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture. In addition to Smith’s influence on rock music, the Minister noted Smith’s appreciation of Arthur Rimbaud. In August 2005, Smith gave a literary lecture about the poems of Rimbaud and William Blake. On October 15, 2006, Patti Smith performed a 3½-hour tour de force show to close out at CBGB, which had been an influential New York City live music venue for much of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. At the CBGB show, Smith took the stage at 9:30 p.m. (EDT) and closed the night (and the venue) at a few minutes after 1:00 am, performing her song “Elegie”, and finally reading a list of punk rock musicians and advocates who had died in the previous years. // Smith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 12, 2007. She dedicated her award to the memory of her late husband, Fred, and performed a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter”. As the closing number of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Smith’s “People Have the Power” was used for the big celebrity jam that traditionally ends the program. Smith’s cover of “Gimme Shelter” appeared on her tenth album, Twelve, an all-covers album released in April 2007 by Columbia Records. // From November 2006 to January 2007, an exhibition called ‘Sur les Traces’ at Trolley Gallery, London, featured polaroid prints taken by Smith and donated to Trolley to raise awareness and funds for the publication of Double Blind: Lebanon Conflict 2006, a book with photographs by Paolo Pellegrin, a member of Magnum Photos. She also participated in the DVD commentary for Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters. From March 28 to June 22, 2008, the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain in Paris hosted a major exhibition of the visual artwork of Land 250, drawn from pieces created by Smith between 1967 and 2007. At the 2008 Rowan Commencement ceremony, Smith received an honorary doctorate degree for her contributions to popular culture. // Smith was the subject of a 2008 documentary film by Steven Sebring, Patti Smith: Dream of Life. A live album by Smith and Kevin Shields, The Coral Sea, was released in July 2008. On September 10, 2009, after a week of smaller events and exhibitions in Florence, Smith played an open-air concert at Piazza Santa Croce, commemorating her performance in the same city 30 years earlier. She contributed the introduction to Jessica Lange’s book 50 Photographs, published in 2009. // Smith’s book, Just Kids, a memoir of her time in Manhattan in the 1970s and her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe, was published in 2010; it won the National Book Award for Nonfiction later that year. In 2018, a new edition of Just Kids, including additional photographs and illustrations, was published. Smith also headlined a benefit concert headed by bandmate Tony Shanahan, for Court Tavern in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Smith’s set included “Gloria”, “Because the Night”, and “People Have the Power”. // In 2010, Smith had a brief cameo in Jean-Luc Godard’s Film Socialisme, which was first screened at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. // In 2012, Smith was awarded an honorary doctorate in fine arts from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. Following the conferral of her degree, Smith delivered the commencement address and played two songs along with long-time band member Lenny Kaye. In her commencement address, Smith said that when she moved to New York City in 1967, she would never have been accepted into Pratt but most of her friends (including Mapplethorpe) were students at Pratt and she spent countless hours on the Pratt campus. She added that it was through her friends and Pratt professors that she learned many of her own artistic skills. // In 2011, Smith was one of several Polar Music Prize winners. She made her television acting debut at age 64 on the TV series Law & Order: Criminal Intent, appearing in an episode titled “Icarus”. In 2011, Smith was working on a crime novel set in London. “I’ve been working on a detective story that starts at the St Giles in the Fields church in London for the last two years”, she told NME, adding that she “loved detective stories” and was a fan of British fictional detective Sherlock Holmes and U.S. crime author Mickey Spillane in her youth. // Following the death of her husband in 1994, Smith began devoting time to what she terms “pure photography”, a method of capturing still objects without using a flash. In 2011, Smith announced the first museum exhibition of her photography in the U.S., Camera Solo. She named the project after a sign she saw in the abode of Pope Celestine V, which translates as “a room of one’s own”, and which Smith felt best described her solitary method of photography. The exhibition featured artifacts that were everyday items or places of significance to artists Smith admires, including Rimbaud, Charles Baudelaire, John Keats, and William Blake. In February 2012, she was a guest at the Sanremo Music Festival. // Smith recorded a cover of Buddy Holly’s “Words of Love” for the CD Rave on Buddy Holly, a tribute album tied to Holly’s 75th birthday, which was released June 28, 2011. She also recorded the song “Capitol Letter” for the official soundtrack of the second film of the Hunger Games’ series The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. // Smith’s 11th studio album, Banga, was released in June 2012. American Songwriter wrote that, “These songs aren’t as loud or frantic as those of her late 70s heyday, but they resonate just as boldly as she moans, chants, speaks and spits out lyrics with the grace and determination of Mohammad Ali in his prime. It’s not an easy listen—the vast majority of her music never has been—but if you’re a fan and/or prepared for the challenge, this is as potent, heady and uncompromising as she has ever gotten, and with Smith’s storied history as a musical maverick, that’s saying plenty.” Metacritic awarded the album a score of 81, indicating “universal acclaim”. // Also in 2012, Smith recorded a cover of Io come persona by Italian singer-songwriter Giorgio Gaber. // In 2015, Smith wrote “Aqua Teen Dream” to commemorate the series finale of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. The vocal track was recorded in a hotel overlooking Lerici’s Bay of Poets. On September 26, 2015, Smith performed at the American Museum of Tort Law convocation ceremony. On December 6, 2015, she made an appearance at the Paris show of U2’s iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE TOUR 2015 and performed “Bad” and “People Have the Power” with U2. // In 2016, Smith performed “People Have the Power” at Riverside Church in Manhattan to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Democracy Now, where she was joined by Michael Stipe. On December 10, 2016, Smith attended the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony in Stockholm on behalf of Bob Dylan, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, who could not be present due to prior commitments. After the official presentation speech for the literary prize by Horace Engdahl, the perpetual secretary of the Swedish Academy, Smith sang the Dylan song “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall”.[68] She sang “I saw the babe that was just bleedin’”, the wrong words to the second verse, and was momentarily unable to continue. After a brief apology, saying that she was nervous, she resumed the song and earned jubilant applause at its end. // In 2017, Smith appeared as herself in Song to Song directed by Terrence Malick, opposite Rooney Mara and Ryan Gosling. She later made an appearance at the Detroit show of U2’s The Joshua Tree 2017 tour and performed “Mothers of the Disappeared” with the band. // In 2018, Smith’s concert-documentary film Horses: Patti Smith and her Band, premiered at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. In addition, Smith narrated Darren Aronofsky’s VR experience Spheres: Songs of Spacetime along with Millie Bobby Brown and Jessica Chastain. // In January 2019, Smith’s photographs were displayed at the Diego Rivera gallery in the San Francisco Art Institute and she performed at The Fillmore in San Francisco. // In 2019, Smith performed her anthem “People Have the Power” with Stewart Copeland and Choir! Choir! Choir! at Onassis Festival 2019: Democracy Is Coming. Later that year she released her latest book, Year of the Monkey. “A captivating, redemptive chronicle of a year in which Smith looked intently into the abyss”, stated Kirkus Reviews. // Smith was set to be awarded receive the International Humanities Prize from Washington University in St. Louis in November 2020; however, the ceremony was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Columbia University. // In 2023, Smith was nominated for induction to the Songwriters Hall of Fame. // One of the earlier references to Smith as an influence is by Todd Rundgren in his 1972 album Something/Anything?. In the liner notes, he writes that “Song of the Viking” was “written in the feverish grip of the dreaded ‘d’oyle carte,’ a chronic disease dating back to my youth. Dedicated to Miss Patti Lee Smith.” Seven years later Rundgren produced the final Patti Smith Group album, “Wave.” // Smith has been an inspiration for Michael Stipe of R.E.M. Listening to her album Horses made a huge impact on him. In 2008, Stipe said, “I decided then that I was going to start a band.” // In 1998, Stipe published a collection of photos, titled Two Times Intro: On the Road with Patti Smith. Stipe sings backing vocals on Smith’s songs “Last Call” and “Glitter in Their Eyes”. Smith sang background vocals on R.E.M.’s songs “E-Bow the Letter” and “Blue”. // The Australian alternative rock band The Go-Betweens dedicated a track, “When She Sang About Angels” on the 2000 album The Friends of Rachel Worth, to Smith. // In 2004, Shirley Manson of Garbage spoke of Smith’s influence on her in Rolling Stone’s issue “The Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time”, in which Smith was ranked 47th. The Smiths members Morrissey and Johnny Marr share an appreciation for Smith’s Horses, and revealed that their song “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” is a reworking of one of the album’s tracks, “Kimberly”. In 2004, Sonic Youth released an album called Hidros 3 (to Patti Smith). U2 also cites Patti Smith as an influence. // In 2005, Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall released “Suddenly I See”, a single, as a tribute of sorts to Smith. Canadian actor Elliot Page frequently mentions Smith as one of his idols and has done various photo shoots replicating famous Smith photos, and Irish actress Maria Doyle Kennedy often refers to Smith as a major influence. In 1978 and 1979, Gilda Radner portrayed a character called Candy Slice on Saturday Night Live based on Smith. // Alternative rock singer-songwriter Courtney Love of Hole heavily credited Smith as a major influence on her; Love received Smith’s album Horses in juvenile hall as a teenager, and “realized that you could do something that was completely subversive that didn’t involve violence [or] felonies. I stopped making trouble,” said Love. “I stopped.” Hole’s classic track “Violet” features the lyrics “And the sky was all violet / I want it again, but violent, more violent”, alluding to lyrics from Smith’s “Kimberly”. Love later stated that she considered Smith’s song “Rock n Roll Nigger” the greatest rock song of all time. // American pop singer Madonna has named Smith as one of her biggest influences. Anglo-Celtic rock band The Waterboys’ debut single, “A Girl Called Johnny”, was written as a tribute to Smith. In 2018, the English band Florence and the Machine dedicated the High as Hope album song “Patricia” to Smith. The lyrics reference Smith as Florence Welch’s “North Star”. Canadian country musician Orville Peck cited Smith as having had a big impact on him, stating that Smith’s album Horses introduced him to a new and different way to make music. Poetic singer songwriter Joustene Lorenz also cites Patti Smith as a ‘powerful influence’ on her life and music. // In 1993, Smith contributed “Memorial Tribute (Live)” to the AIDS-benefit album No Alternative. // Smith supported the Green Party and backed Ralph Nader in the 2000 United States presidential election. She led the crowd singing “Over the Rainbow” and “People Have the Power” at the campaign’s rallies, and also performed at several of Nader’s subsequent “Democracy Rising” events. Smith was a speaker and singer at the first protests against the Iraq War as U.S. President George W. Bush spoke to the United Nations General Assembly. Smith supported Democratic candidate John Kerry in the 2004 election. Bruce Springsteen continued performing her “People Have the Power” at Vote for Change campaign events. In the winter of 2004–2005, Smith toured again with Nader in a series of rallies against the Iraq War and called for the impeachment of Bush. // Smith premiered two new protest songs in London in September 2006. Louise Jury, writing in The Independent, characterized them as “an emotional indictment of American and Israeli foreign policy”. The song “Qana” was about the Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese village of Qana. “Without Chains” is about Murat Kurnaz, a Turkish citizen who was born and raised in Germany, held at Guantanamo Bay detainment camp for four years. Jury’s article quotes Smith as saying: I wrote both these songs directly in response to events that I felt outraged about. These are injustices against children and the young men and women who are being incarcerated. I’m an American, I pay taxes in my name and they are giving millions and millions of dollars to a country such as Israel and cluster bombs and defense technology and those bombs were dropped on common citizens in Qana. It’s terrible. It’s a human rights violation. // In an interview, Smith stated that Kurnaz’s family had contacted her and that she wrote a short preface for the book that he was writing, which was released in March 2008. // In March 2003, ten days after Rachel Corrie’s death, Smith appeared in Austin, Texas and performed an anti-war concert. She subsequently wrote “Peaceable Kingdom”, a song which was inspired by and is dedicated to Corrie. In 2009, in her Meltdown concert in Festival Hall, she paid homage to the Iranians taking part in post-election protests by saying “Where is My Vote?” in a version of the song “People Have the Power”. // In 2015, Smith appeared with Nader, spoke and performed the songs “Wing” and “People Have the Power” during the American Museum of Tort Law convocation ceremony in Winsted, Connecticut.[109] In 2016, Smith spoke, read poetry, and performed several songs along with her daughter Jesse at Nader’s Breaking Through Power conference at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. // A long-time supporter of Tibet House US, Smith performs annually at their benefit at Carnegie Hall. // In 2020, Smith contributed signed first-edition copies of her books to the Passages bookshop in Portland, Oregon after the store’s valuable first-edition and other books by various authors were stolen in a burglary. Smith regards climate change as the predominant issue of our time, and performed at the opening of COP26 in 2021. // On February 24, 2022, Smith performed at The Capitol Theatre (Port Chester, New York) for the first time, saying, “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t affected by what is happening in the world” referencing the Russian invasion of Ukraine earlier that day. “Peace as we know it is over in Europe”, she said. “This is what I heard in my sleep and goes through my head all day all night long like a tragic hit song. A raw translation of the Ukrainian anthem that the people are singing through defiant tears”, she wrote on Instagram on March 6, 2022. // Smith was raised a Jehovah’s Witness and had a strong religious upbringing and a Biblical education. She left organized religion as a teenager, however, because she felt it was too confining. In response to this experience, she wrote the line, “Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine”, in her cover version of “Gloria” by Them. She has described having an avid interest in Tibetan Buddhism around the age of 11 or 12, saying “I fell in love with Tibet because their essential mission was to keep a continual stream of prayer,” but that as an adult she sees clear parallels between different forms of religion and has concluded that religious dogmas are “… man-made laws that you can either decide to abide by or not.” // In 2014, she was invited by Pope Francis to play at Vatican Christmas concert. She commented: “It’s a Christmas concert for the people, and it’s being televised. I like Pope Francis and I’m happy to sing for him. Anyone who would confine me to a line from 20 years ago is a fool! I had a strong religious upbringing, and the first word on my first LP is Jesus. I did a lot of thinking. I’m not against Jesus, but I was 20 and I wanted to make my own mistakes and I didn’t want anyone dying for me. I stand behind that 20-year-old girl, but I have evolved. I’ll sing to my enemy! I don’t like being pinned down and I’ll do what the fuck I want, especially at my age…oh, I hope there’s no small children here!” She performed at the Vatican again in 2021, telling Democracy Now! that she studied Francis of Assisi when Pope Benedict XVI was still the pope. Smith called Francis of Assisi “truly the environmentalist saint” and said that despite not being a Catholic, she had hoped for a pope named Francis. // According to biographer Nick Johnstone, Smith has often been “revered” as a “feminist icon.”including by The Guardian journalist Simon Hattenstone in a 2013 profile on the musician. // In 2014, Smith offered her opinion on the sexualization of women in music. “Pop music has always been about the mainstream and what appeals to the public. I don’t feel it’s my place to judge.” Smith historically and presently declines to embrace feminism, saying, “I have a son and a daughter, people always talk to me about feminism and women’s rights, but I have a son too—I believe in human rights.” // In 2015, writer Anwen Crawford observed that Smith’s “attitude to genius seems pre-feminist, if not anti-feminist; there is no democratizing, deconstructing impulse in her work. True artists, for Smith, are remote, solitary figures of excellence, wholly dedicated to their art.”]

11:00 – Station ID

13. She Speaks In Tongues – “gloria, GUITAR”
    from: gloria GUITAR / SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES / May 6, 2014
    [Kate McCandles on vocals, guitar; Eric Schmidt pm guitar; Daniel Majid on bass guitar; Adrian Vigliano on drums; Nigel Harsch on samples. All songs performed by She Speaks in Tongues. All songs arranged by Kate McCandless. Described by Sasha Geffen as “Best Feminist Rock n’ Roll Exorcism” SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES is ARTIST/VOCALIST Kate McCandless. Armed with voice and looping pedal and a fierce, shamanic energy, SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES lures with nostalgia – simultaneously embracing and questioning its comfort and authority with a dark, feminist bent. “Due to the music sampling in my work, I am currently only accepting DONATIONS for my music at this time. Please donate to VENMO or PAYPAL after listening or downloading to enable me to continue making my work and covering costs.” – The artist // “Blue” recorded at Emaciated Raiden (aka Dick Cheney’s Bunker), Chicago, Ill., 2013. Engineered and mixed by Steve Marek. Songs 2–6 recorded at CarterCo Recording, Chicago, Ill., 2013. Engineered and mixed by Jonah Kort. Additional mixing and effects engineering by Curtis Ruptash at The Wayback Machine, Chicago, Ill. Mastered by Jonathan Schenke. Cover photo by Reginald Lawrence.]

[SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES submits: Patti Smith’s EASTER on EASTER, Sunday, April 9, 2023, at 7:00 PM, at recordBar 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO. SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES is thrilled to partner with Kansas City forces: THE CODY WYOMING DEAL, Julia Othmer, and Teri Quinn to create a cathartic, sacred homage to Patti Smith and her work…with a surprising, shamanic edge where nothing is sacred… Sacred is all. For more info you can go to: http://www.therecordbar.com]

11:06 – Interview with Kate McCandless & Cody Wyoming

Described by Sasha Geffen of The Chicago Reader as “Best Feminist Rock n’ Roll Exorcism” SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES is ARTIST/VOCALIST Kate McCandless. Armed with voice and looping pedal and a fierce, shamanic energy, SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES lures with nostalgia – simultaneously embracing and questioning its comfort and authority with a dark, feminist bent. Kate McCandless samples music as hungrily as Girl Talk, but she doesn’t use a computer. With her band Speaks in Tongues, the singer repurposes well-worn rock and blues classics into new narratives…unravels threads from the music she loves to knot together her own bizarro-world reimaginings, a process she describes…as ‘a necessary feminist act…a reclaim of agency.”

Cody Wyoming is a multi-instrumentalist musician, singer, composer, band leader, actor, director, record producer and performer who has been a part of Kansas City’s Music and Entertainment community since the mid 1990s. He has performed in, and directed several local theater productions, but is mostly known for having played in well over two dozen bands over the last three decades, including: The Philistines, the Pedaljets, The Guillotine Choir, WYCO, The Afterparty and The Cody Wyoming Deal. The Philistines are returning after a lengthy hiatus this year with their long awaited sophomore album Dysnomia. Which they hope to release this fall. The Cody Wyoming Deal, is an outfit known for playing classic albums in their entirety. This time The Deal has teamed up with Kate McCandless of She Speaks in Tongues to perform Patti Smith’s Easter.”

Kate McCandless and Cody Wyoming who join us to share details about SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES submits: Patti Smith’s EASTER on EASTER, Sunday, April 9, 2023, at 7:00 PM, at recordBar 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO. SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES is thrilled to partner with Kansas City forces: THE CODY WYOMING DEAL, Julia Othmer, and Teri Quinn to create a cathartic, sacred homage to Patti Smith and her work…with a surprising, shamanic edge where nothing is sacred… Sacred is all. For more info you can visit http://www.therecordbar.com Proceeds will benefit the Kansas City Indian Center – Our Honor/Stop the Chop.

Kate McCandless & Cody Wyoming Thank you for being with us on WMM

SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES started in Chicago and has transitioned to Kansas City.

Many of us first became aware of She Speaks in Tongues last year when you played the Outer Reaches Festival.

Kate McCandless and Cody Wyoming meet through the efforts of Steve Tulipana of recordBar.

About SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES//// HEALING ARTS

Kate McCandless (SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES) is as an artist, writer, energy healer, and tarot reader in the Kansas City area, after studying and practicing in Chicago IL. Her Shamanic approach takes the work beyond the basic hand positions or interpreter role, and flows seamlessly with her artistic practice and expression. Kate was attuned and initiated into the Reiki practice at levels 1-Master through Sara Gaines of Red Bird Reiki’s 1 Year Shamanic Reiki Apprenticeship (Chicago/Galena IL.) There she studied and explored Shamanism in the open tradition/practice of the Andean Peruvian shamans/Q’ero. Kate’s path to Tarot came naturally and intuitively and she is mostly self taught, though counted among her teachers is Lindsay Mack. Kate has completed Mack’s renowned and in depth course, Tarot for the Wild Soul and continues to study and practice on her own. Kate believes tarot and energy work is for every person and can be used as an excellent tool for self reflection, healing, and self care for any one who is curious, interested, and/or called. She serves as a compassionate facilitator and holder of space. She believes the journey is yours and she is here to support that without dogma nor judgement. Kate believes that tarot and energy work is intended to be inclusive, compassionate, healing, unpretentious and easeful, while rooted in the here and now. By reflecting on “what’s here now” we can curiously and kindly bring our awareness to reach for a more whole and healing present, and therefore, future. Other practitioners/artists she considers teachers and inspirations are Chani Nicholas, Sarah Faith Gottesdiener, Tatianna Morales, Renee Sills (Embodied Astrology,) Michelle Tea, Julia Cameron, and Rachael Gonzalez (FAMILIAR) just to name a few.

SHAMANIC ENERGY WORK + TAROT //// SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES

“KATE IS INCREDIBLE! I don’t have the words to fully relay what happened but Kate created the most healing safe cocoon of reiki energy magic I have ever experienced. I was able to feel and release challenging emotions and I feel we accomplished deep healing work for myself and ancestors… my experience was so epic. Thank you Kate for doing this kind of work in the world.” – Amy W., Energy Healing Client, Kansas City, MO

11:18

14. Kate McCandless & Cody Wyoming – “We Three” (LIVE)
    (from Patti Smith Group – Easter on Arista originally released June 15, 1978)

11:22

We’re talking with Kate McCandless & Cody Wyoming.

Kate McCandless and Cody Wyoming join us to share details about SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES submits: Patti Smith’s EASTER on EASTER, Sunday, April 9, 2023, at 7:00 PM, at recordBar 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO. SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES is thrilled to partner with Kansas City forces: THE CODY WYOMING DEAL, Julia Othmer, and Teri Quinn to create a cathartic, sacred homage to Patti Smith and her work…with a surprising, shamanic edge where nothing is sacred… Sacred is all. For more info you can visit http://www.therecordbar.com Proceeds will benefit the Kansas City Indian Center – Our Honor/Stop the Chop.

For Easter The Cody Wyoming Deal will include: Matt Richey on drums, Julia Reynolds on keyboards, Brian Robinson on bass, and Benjamin Hart on guitar.

SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES – DOMESTIKA was released by SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES, on May 8, 2020 with: 1. ALL THAT SHE SAID WAS TRUE 2. MOTHER//PAIN 3. MAKE IT RIGHT 4. MOTH MESSAGES 5. MY NAME 6. INVISIBLE LABOR 7. OXYGEN 8. LIGHT BEARER SUGGESTED DONATION: $12 via VENMO @shespeaks OR PAYPAL kate.mccandless@gmail.com ONLY* *Due to the music sampling in my work, I am currently only accepting DONATIONS via my VENMO @shespeaks.

Kate McCandless writes: DOMESTIKA began as an exploration of what I believed were feminist themes in Bjork’s music and a desire to highlight them. This was especially given her latest releases Vulnicura & Utopia, and subsequent interviews. “Domestika” was the original title intended for what became Bjork’s iconic Vespertine, until she met Matthew Barney … the partner who would later cheat on her and file for divorce. There was something I wanted to reclaim in that. This desire was highlighted by my more recent struggles with Motherhood, mental health, and the wounding of being homebound.

Kate McCandless writes: In the process I formed a chain of channeled messages … as if from my Mother ancestors, or Mother Earth herself. Messages of unheard stories, pain, healing, justice, and hope.

Kate McCandless writes: This album is my bloody valentine to Motherhood and all the wisdom She gave me. My hope is that this music serves as a kind of balm for my listeners, especially during these trying times.Vocals, looping pedal, arrangement/mashup, select lyrics: Kate McCandless. Electronic music (Light Bearer): Nigel Harsch. Engineering: Steve Marek. Mixing and Mastering: Steve Marek. Music & Lyric Inspiration: Bjork. Album Art: Kristina Carr, Tom Gonzales

Selected Ambient Tag: Requiem for a Town Car / Clarke Wyatt / December 24, 2022
[KC based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, performer, Clarke Wyatt wrote: (in December 2022), “some street racers destroyed Cody Wyoming & Kimmie Queen’s beloved Lincoln Continental right after they had spent a bunch of money to get it back on the road. It will never roll again.” Clarke says “I recently started a game of ambient music tag, so I thought to myself, hey self, what if people contributed tracks & we compiled a record that Cody can sell to raise funds for a car? Well, that’s what we did. A bunch of incredible and fascinating KC musicians have sent me their audio experiments for the cause. It’s that simple: buy the record, support a great couple that had some really bad luck right at the worst time, and enjoy some really great space music. More tracks coming soon…” Contributing artists include: Betse Ellis, Mike Stover, Adam Stafford, Nate Hofer, Clarke Wyatt, Shawn Edward Hansen, Krysztov Nemeth, Jason Beers, Scott Hobart, Tilden Snow, Wade Allen Williamson, Gentleman Echo and Rod Peal. More info at: codywyoming.bandcamp.com] [Betse Ellis. Originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas, Betse received her Bachelors of Arts in Music and a Bachelors of Arts in English, from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She has been playing the Violin for over 40 years, with over 20 years playing fiddle and also working as a teacher of music. Betse was a founding member of the acclaimed internationally known band, The Wilders. Betse has released two solo records, and records and performs with her husband, multi-instrumentalist Clarke Wyatt, as Betse & Clarke. In 2020 they released their latest 8-song release, WINTER, which was in the Top Ten of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2020. Betse also plays with the Starhaven Rounders.]

The Philistines – “Further” – Single / The Philistines / (March 15, 2019) (Unreleased)
[New music from The Philistines, that will be part of the upcoming album Dysnomia. Produced and engineered by paul Malinowski at Massive Sound Studios. The Philistines are a Kansas City based rock band with a psychedelic bent, made up of: Kimmie Queen on lead vocals; Cody Wyoming on lead guitar & vocals; Rod Peal on guitar; Josh Mobley on keyboard, Steve Gardels on drums, and Barry Kidd on bass.]

Kate McCandless & Cody Wyoming Thank you for being with us on WMM

SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES submits: Patti Smith’s EASTER on EASTER, Sunday, April 9, 2023, at 7:00 PM, at recordBar 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO. SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES is thrilled to partner with Kansas City forces: THE CODY WYOMING DEAL, Julia Othmer, and Teri Quinn to create a cathartic, sacred homage to Patti Smith and her work…with a surprising, shamanic edge where nothing is sacred… Sacred is all. For more info you can visit http://www.therecordbar.com Proceeds will benefit the Kansas City Indian Center – Our Honor/Stop the Chop.

11:27

14. She Speaks In Tongues – “MRS. JOHNSON”
    from: gloria GUITAR / SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES / May 6, 2014
    [Kate McCandles on vocals, guitar; Eric Schmidt pm guitar; Daniel Majid on bass guitar; Adrian Vigliano on drums; Nigel Harsch on samples. All songs performed by She Speaks in Tongues. All songs arranged by Kate McCandless. Described by Sasha Geffen as “Best Feminist Rock n’ Roll Exorcism” SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES is ARTIST/VOCALIST Kate McCandless. Armed with voice and looping pedal and a fierce, shamanic energy, SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES lures with nostalgia – simultaneously embracing and questioning its comfort and authority with a dark, feminist bent. “Due to the music sampling in my work, I am currently only accepting DONATIONS for my music at this time. Please donate to VENMO or PAYPAL after listening or downloading to enable me to continue making my work and covering costs.” – The artist // “Blue” recorded at Emaciated Raiden (aka Dick Cheney’s Bunker), Chicago, Ill., 2013. Engineered and mixed by Steve Marek. Songs 2–6 recorded at CarterCo Recording, Chicago, Ill., 2013. Engineered and mixed by Jonah Kort. Additional mixing and effects engineering by Curtis Ruptash at The Wayback Machine, Chicago, Ill. Mastered by Jonathan Schenke. Cover photo by Reginald Lawrence.]

[SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES submits: Patti Smith’s EASTER on EASTER, Sunday, April 9, 2023, at 7:00 PM, at recordBar 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO. SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES is thrilled to partner with Kansas City forces: THE CODY WYOMING DEAL, Julia Othmer, and Teri Quinn to create a cathartic, sacred homage to Patti Smith and her work…with a surprising, shamanic edge where nothing is sacred… Sacred is all. For more info you can go to: http://www.therecordbar.com]

11:30 – Underwriting

6. M Bird – “Head in The Ground”
   from: Mercy Flight / Independent / August 2016
   [MBird is Megan Birdsall on vocals 7 guitr, Michael Smith on guitat, Ben Leifer on bass & vocals, and Matt Leifer on drums. Written by Megan Birdsall and Michael Smith. Produced by Jack Sundrud. Mixed by Bill Halvorson and Jack Sundrud. Mastered by Jim Demain for Yes Master Studios in Nashville, TN. Recorded at West End Studios in Kansas City, MO. Engineerd by Justin Mantooth]

[MBird’s Artist Showcase Series, starting Monday, April 17, at 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, at Kansas City Artist’s Coalition at 3200 Gillham KCMO. This is the inaugural MBird’s Artist Showcase at KCAC! The show will feature: Joey Bahamundi on classical guitar, a film from Jerry Mañan, Camry Ivory with her Coloratura, David Wayne Reed with a spoken word performance, and MBird (Michael Smith on guitar, Megan Birdsall on vocals, and Ben Leifer on bass)with a special musical performance.]

11:36 – Interview with Megan Birdsall & Michael Andrew Smith

Michael Andrew Smith is the Education Associate & Puppets in Progress Coordinator for What If Puppets, Inspiring play & cultivating connections through puppetry. Michael Andrew Smith is an actor, puppeteer, writer, teacher, producer, musician, songwriter. Michael Andrew Smith made his stage debut at The Coterie at the age of 14. He has been in multiple shows at The Unicorn Theatre, and multiple companies. Michael is the creator of Story Time with Mr. Michael on YouTube.

Megan Birdsall is a critically acclaimed vocalist, band leader, singer songwriter, actress, mom, wife. She grew up in a performing arts family. Her dad Jim Birdsall is a nationally known voice over artist and critically acclaimed actor of multiple shows at the Missouri Rep, The Unicorn, film and television. Megan has worked professionally as a vocalist for over a decade in Kansas City and beyond.

Megan Birdsall & Michael Andrew Smith are co-founders of the band MBird. They join us to share all of the details about MBird’s Artist Showcase Series, starting Monday, April 17, at 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, at Kansas City Artist’s Coalition at 3200 Gillham KCMO. This is the inaugural MBird’s Artist Showcase at KCAC! The show will feature: Joey Bahamundi on classical guitar, a film from Jerry Mañan, Camry Ivory with her Coloratura, David Wayne Reed with a spoken word performance, and MBird (Michael Smith on guitar, Megan Birdsall on vocals, and Ben Leifer on bass)with a special musical performance. Tickets available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mbirds-artist-showcase-tickets-601746729667?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Megan Birdsall & Michael Andrew Smith Thank you for being with us on WMM

MBird’s Artist Showcase Series, starting Monday, April 17, at 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, at Kansas City Artist’s Coalition at 3200 Gillham KCMO.

This is the inaugural MBird’s Artist Showcase at KCAC!

The show will feature:
Joey Bahamundi on classical guitar,
a film from Jerry Mañan,
Camry Ivory with her Coloratura,
David Wayne Reed with a spoken word performance,
and MBird – Michael Smith on guitar, Megan Birdsall on vocals, & Ben Leifer on bass

11:43

16. M Bird – “Drive”
    from: Mercy Flight / Independent / August 2016
    [MBird is Megan Birdsall on vocals 7 guitr, Michael Smith on guitat, Ben Leifer on bass & vocals, and Matt Leifer on drums. Written by Megan Birdsall and Michael Smith. Produced by Jack Sundrud. Mixed by Bill Halvorson and Jack Sundrud. Mastered by Jim Demain for Yes Master Studios in Nashville, TN. Recorded at West End Studios in Kansas City, MO. Engineerd by Justin Mantooth]

10:47

We are talking with Musicians Megan Birdsall & Michael Andrew Smith join us to share all of the details about MBird’s Artist Showcase Series, starting Monday, April 17, at 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, at Kansas City Artist’s Coalition at 3200 Gillham KCMO.

Megan Birdsall & Michael Andrew Smith Thank you for being with us on WMM

Megan Birdsall and Ben Leifer daughter is now 5 years old.

Megan Birdsall & Michael Andrew Smith Thank you for being with us on WMM

MBird’s Artist Showcase Series, starting Monday, April 17, at 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, at Kansas City Artist’s Coalition at 3200 Gillham KCMO. This is the inaugural MBird’s Artist Showcase at KCAC! The show will feature: Joey Bahamundi on classical guitar, a film from Jerry Mañan, Camry Ivory with her Coloratura, David Wayne Reed with a spoken word performance, and MBird (Michael Smith on guitar, Megan Birdsall on vocals, and Ben Leifer on bass)with a special musical performance. Tickets available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mbirds-artist-showcase-tickets-601746729667?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

11:53:00

17. M Bird – “Mercy Flight”
    from: Mercy Flight / Independent / August 2016
    [MBird is Megan Birdsall on vocals 7 guitr, Michael Smith on guitat, Ben Leifer on bass & vocals, and Matt Leifer on drums. Written by Megan Birdsall and Michael Smith. Produced by Jack Sundrud. Mixed by Bill Halvorson and Jack Sundrud. Mastered by Jim Demain for Yes Master Studios in Nashville, TN. Recorded at West End Studios in Kansas City, MO. Engineerd by Justin Mantooth]

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

Big THANK YOU to all of our wonderful listeners and friends who generously and thoughtfully donated to support KKFI 90.1 FM – Kansas City Community Radio during our Wednesday MidDay Medley broadcast today! Through the airwaves, and through social media, a total of 55 people donated a total of $3149.00 to allow us to continue our mission. THANK YOU to my incredible co-hosts: Betse Ellis & Marion Merritt, and special guest J Kelly Dougherty, and very special guest Hermon Mehari for sharing your brilliance with our listeners. Thank you to Scott Bunte, Lincoln Dreher and Darryl Oliver for taking our donations over the phones.

Next week on Wednesday MidDay Medley on April 12 we welcome Patrick Sprehe of Center Cut Records joins for the entire show as our Guest Producer.

Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information.
Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:
http://www.kkfi.org,
http://www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM

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

Show #988

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

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Kate McCandless & Cody Wyoming on Patti Smith’s EASTER + Megan Birdsall & Michael Andrew Smith + Jess Shoman of Tenci

Mark spins more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Monta, Kye Colors, Kevin Morby, Faith Maddox, Betse Ellis, The Philistines, SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES, M Bird, Tenci, Altin Gün, Yves Tumor, and The Patti Smith Group.

At 10:30 we talk with Jess Shoman of the Chicago band Tenci, and play tracks from their critically acclaimed album, A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing. Tenci plays recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO, on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 10:00 PM with Perfect Lovers. More information at: http://www.therecordbar.com

At 11:00 Mark welcomes Kate McCandless who records & performs as, SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES and Cody Wyoming who join us to share details about SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES submits: Patti Smith’s EASTER on EASTER, Sunday, April 9, 2023, at 7:00 PM, at recordBar 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO. SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES is thrilled to partner with Kansas City forces: THE CODY WYOMING DEAL, Julia Othmer, and Teri Quinn to create a cathartic, sacred homage to Patti Smith and her work…with a surprising, shamanic edge where nothing is sacred… Sacred is all. To purchase tickets go to http://www.therecordbar.com A portion of proceeds will benefit the Kansas City Indian Center – Our Honor/Stop the Chop.

At 11:30 musicians Megan Birdsall & Michael Andrew Smith join us to share all of the details about MBird’s Artist Showcase Series, starting Monday, April 17, at 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, at Kansas City Artist’s Coalition at 3200 Gillham KCMO. This is the inaugural MBird’s Artist Showcase at KCAC! The show will feature: Joey Bahamundi on classical guitar, a film from Jerry Mañan, Camry Ivory with her Coloratura, David Wayne Reed with a spoken word performance, and MBird (Michael Smith on guitar, Megan Birdsall on vocals, and Ben Leifer on bass)with a special musical performance. Tickets available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mbirds-artist-showcase-tickets-601746729667?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Show #988

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

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Guest Producer – April Fletcher + Jennifer Owen & Brad Cox of Owen Cox Dance Group

On this show April Fletcher joins us as our special “Guest Producer.” April Fletcher grew up in St. Louis, and moved to Kansas City to attend the UMKC Conservatory of Music. While in KC April hosted the radio show “Mix Well Before Serving” during KKFI‘s first year of broadcasting in 1988. April worked professionally in Kansas City at the Unicorn Theatre, Theatre League, The Paul Mesner Puppets, The Broadway Marionettes, Big Bang Buffet, and Cafe LuLu. She also worked for Pennylane Records. April moved to Los Angeles in 1995. April graduated from California Institute of the Arts in 2003 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Multi-Instrumental Studies. April has played in the band Cool Beat Borscht, in the cumbia band, La Sonora Tropicana, the band Epically Cracked, and has played bass for five years for the 80s band Klymaxx. In recent years, April has been exploring other creative spaces and is currently collaborating with an entertainment and technology company and has been working with a business brokerage as an advisor using her expertise in the arts and entertainment industries and online marketing. Her side projects include her Etsy store, a YouTube channel all while trying to find time to practice so she can start performing again upon her return to Los Angeles. You can learn more about her social media and work at: sociatap.com/aprilfletcher

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
   from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
   [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]

2. Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine – “Conga”
   from: Primitive Love / Epic / August 13, 1985
   [“Conga” is the 1st hit single released by the American band Miami Sound Machine, led by Gloria Estefan, on their 2nd English-language album, Primitive Love. The song was written by the band’s drummer & lead song-writer Enrique Garcia. The song first appeared on August 31, 1985, as part of the album. The single was released in Australia on Sept. 9, 1985. // “Conga” became a worldwide success and is recognized as the Miami Sound Machine and Gloria Estefan’s signature song. The single reached the top 10 in various countries, including the United States and the Netherlands. // This album was a follow-up to the band’s previous releases in every sense: in the music, in the rhythms, and in Gloria Estefan’s vocals. Previous releases by Miami Sound Machine had failed to achieve much in the way of crossover success. However, with the release of Primitive Love in 1985, their distinctive sound was finally being heard by a wider audience, both in the United States and abroad. // This album was the band’s first appearance on the American albums chart, reaching #21 on the Billboard 200. The album ended the year on the 1986 Billboard Year End Charts at #10. // Three singles released from this album reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart: “Conga” peaked at #10; “Bad Boy” reached #8; “Words Get in the Way” was the highest-charting single from this album, at #5; and “Falling in Love (Uh-Oh)” climbed to #25. // Gloria Estefan (Spanish: [ˈɡloɾja esˈtefan]; born Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García; born 1 September 1957) is a Cuban-American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. Estefan is a seven-time Grammy Award winner, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and has been named one of the Top 100 greatest artists of all time by both VH1 and Billboard. Estefan’s record sales exceed 75 million worldwide, making her the second best selling female latin artist in history and one of the best-selling female singers of all-time. // A contralto, Estefan started her career as lead singer of Miami Latin Boys, which was later renamed Miami Sound Machine. She and Miami Sound Machine earned worldwide success with their 1985 single “Conga”, which became Estefan’s signature song and led to Miami Sound Machine winning the 15th annual Tokyo Music Festival’s grand prix in 1986. In 1988, she & Miami Sound Machine achieved their first number-one hit with “Anything for You”. Estefan is credited with breaking down barriers and opening doors for Latin musicians, including Selena, Jon Secada, Shakira and Ricky Martin. // In March 1990, Estefan sustained a life-threatening cervical vertebrae fracture when her tour bus was involved in a serious accident near Scranton, Pennsylvania. She underwent an emergency surgical stabilization of her cervical spine and post-surgical rehabilitation that lasted almost a year, but made a full recovery. A year later, in March 1991, Estefan launched her comeback with a worldwide tour & album, Into the Light.// Estefan’s 1993 Spanish-language album Mi Tierra won the first of her three Grammy Awards for Best Tropical Latin Album. Mi Tierra immediately soared to the top of the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart upon its release. The album was also the first Diamond album in Spain. // Many of Estefan’s songs, including “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You”, “1-2-3”, “Don’t Wanna Lose You”, “Get On Your Feet”, “Here We Are”, “Coming Out of the Dark”, “Bad Boy”, “Oye!”, “Party Time” and a remake of “Turn the Beat Around,” became international chart-topping hits. // In addition to winning three Grammy Awards and being the 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Estefan has been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame & Las Vegas Walk of Fame, and was a Kennedy Center Honors recipient in 2017 for her contributions to American cultural life. Estefan also won an MTV Video Music Award, was honored with the American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement, and has been named BMI Songwriter of the Year. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and has received multiple Billboard awards. // Billboard has listed Estefan as the third Most Successful Latina and 23rd Greatest Latin Artist of all time in US, based on both Latin albums and Latin songs chart. Hailed as the “Queen of Latin Pop” by the media, she has amassed 38 number one hits across Billboard charts, including 15 chart-topping songs on the Hot Latin Songs chart. Rolling Stone has ranked her 1985 hit “Conga” the 11th Greatest Latin Pop Songs of all time. Richard Blanco, the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Poet, told The Boston Globe in 2020 that Estefan is among the Latin singers who helped him gain ground “in the musical poetry of my culture and rejuvenate my spirits”]

3. Alabama Shakes – “Don’t Wanna Fight”
   from: Sound & Color / Alabama Shakes – ATO Records / April 21, 2015
   [Formed in Athens, Alabama in 2009. The band currently consists of lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, bassist Zac Cockrell, keyboard player Ben Tanner, and drummer Steve Johnson. The group rose to prominence from virtual obscurity in the early 2010s with their distinctive and soulful roots rock sound. The band began their career touring and performing at bars and clubs around the Southeast for two years while honing their sound and writing music. They recorded their debut album, Boys & Girls, themselves in Nashville while still unsigned. Online acclaim led ATO Records to sign the band, which released Boys & Girls in 2012 to acclaim. The album had a hit single, “Hold On,” and was nominated for three Grammy Awards. After a long touring cycle, the band recorded their sophomore record, Sound & Color, which was released in 2015 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. // Brittany Amber Howard was born October 2, 1988. She is an American musician, singer, and songwriter known for being the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter of rock bands Alabama Shakes, Thunderbitch, and Bermuda Triangle. Her work with Alabama Shakes has garnered her nine Grammy Award nominations including Best New Artist and Album of the Year for Sound & Color. They eventually won four awards including Best Alternative Music Album. // In 2018, Alabama Shakes announced they were going on hiatus. During this time, Howard released her debut studio album as a solo artist, Jaime, in 2019. The work received critical acclaim and earned her seven Grammy nominations, winning Best Rock Song for “Stay High”. // Howard was born in Athens, Alabama, one of two daughters born to Christi (née Carter) and K. J. Howard. Her mother is white, of English and Irish ancestry, while her father is African American. The family’s home was in a junk yard, and once burned down due to a lightning strike. She learned to write poetry and play the piano from her older sister Jaime, who died from retinoblastoma in 1998; Howard got the same affliction but survived with partial blindness in one eye. Her parents separated soon after. She began playing the guitar at age 13, and was enamored with albums by Dionne Warwick and Elvis Presley, which she listened to repeatedly, and was inspired to write song lyrics. // Howard attended East Limestone High School, where she met future Alabama Shakes bassist Zac Cockrell. In high school, Howard began listening to 1970s rock music, such as Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd. “I’d be in the back of this Buick and be like ‘What’s this? This is really cool’ and my friends told me it was Pink Floyd and I was like ‘Whoa’, it blew my mind. I started getting into all the classic rock stuff, like Yes, Cream, all that stuff.” // After high school, Howard worked for the United States Postal Service until becoming a full-time musician as lead singer of Alabama Shakes. // Brittany Howard is best known as the lead singer and guitarist for the American rock band Alabama Shakes. The band formed under the name “The Shakes” when Howard and bassist Zac Cockrell began playing covers and original songs together with drummer Steve Johnson. Guitarist Heath Fogg later rounded out the lineup, and the band began playing shows at bars in Alabama and recording their debut album, Boys & Girls. They went on to sign a record deal with ATO Records and released Boys & Girls in 2012 which received critical acclaim and multiple Grammy Award nominations. // In April 2015, Alabama Shakes released their second album, Sound & Color. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and received favorable reviews from the music press. The band went on to perform on multiple late night shows, including Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Howard was featured in the musical medley alongside Mavis Staples, Stephen Colbert, Ben Folds, and more in the series premiere of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. At Lollapalooza in 2015, Howard was invited on stage to perform a duet of “Get Back” with Paul McCartney. Howard also performed at the ceremony for Eddie Murphy’s Mark Twain Prize. In 2015, Howard was named the recipient of Billboard’s Women in Music “Powerhouse” Award. // Howard is also the lead singer of the rock band Thunderbitch, formed in Nashville in 2012 with members of Clear Plastic Masks and ATO Records labelmates Fly Golden Eagle. The band surprise-released a self-titled album in September 2015. Although the band rarely makes live appearances, they did play a rare set at ATO Records’ CMJ Music Marathon showcase in October 2015. // Brittany Howard is also a singer in the band Bermuda Triangle with Jesse Lafser and Becca Mancari, which was formed in Nashville in 2017. Their debut live performance was on July 12, 2017 at the Basement East in Nashville. The trio released their first single on September 6, 2017, titled “Rosey”, which was first released on Jesse Lafser’s 2015 album “Raised On The Plains”. Although originally believed to be a one time performance, the trio performed a five show tour through the Southern states of America in October 2017. This small tour included shows in Carrboro and Asheville, North Carolina; Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; and Knoxville, Tennessee. // In June 2019, Brittany Howard announced a debut solo album, Jaime which was released on September 20, 2019, as well as a tour across North America and Europe. Jaime was received with universal acclaim, with Pitchfork noting “The exceptional solo debut from the Alabama Shakes singer-songwriter is a thrilling opus that pushes the boundaries of voice, sound, and soul to new extremes.” On July 16, 2019, Howard released the music video to the single Stay High, featuring actor Terry Crews lip-syncing to the track. On April 15, 2020, Howard released a cover of a Funkadelic’s 1971 song “You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks” and a new rendition of her song “Stay High”. Stay High was recommended as an appropriate musical remedy to get people through bad lockdown and quarantine feelings.]

4. Marc Rebillet – “Hold On”
   from: Loop Daddy III / Bored Certified / October 1, 2020 
   [Marc Rebillet was born December 10, 1988) is a French-American electronic musician and YouTuber from Dallas, Texas, currently based in New York City. Known for his improvised funk and hip-hop electronic music with free flowing, humorous lyrics. Rebillet distributes his work primarily through YouTube videos and Twitch live streams using a loop station, keyboard, vocals and percussion instruments to produce his songs in his apartment. He has released three studio albums (Marc Rebillet, Europe and Loop Daddy III) and two extended play records (Loop Daddy and Loop Daddy II). // Rebillet’s father was French and his mother is from South Carolina. His parents met in Paris. Rebillet started playing piano at age four; he studied classical music until age 15 while attending Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas. // In 2007, Rebillet first went viral after being interviewed on Fox 4 in Dallas while lining up to be the first to buy an iPhone during its initial release. A woman paid Rebillet $800 for his spot in the front of the line, attempting to buy many phones to resell. The plan backfired because the store’s policy only allowed one iPhone sale per customer. The video of the encounter received four million views. // Rebillet dropped out of Southern Methodist University after studying acting for a year. During the next decade, Rebillet worked as a server, an executive assistant, and in a corporate call center while producing music under the name “Leae”. Rebillet moved to New York City in 2011 and back to Dallas in 2014 to care for his father, who had Alzheimer’s disease. // In 2016, Rebillet claimed on Reddit to have discovered an alleged unreleased 1998 Sufjan Stevens album in a dumpster outside record label Asthmatic Kitty’s studios in Dumbo, Brooklyn in 2014. A representative from the label who responded to the post was unable to confirm the album’s authenticity, but requested that Rebillet not share it. A few hours later, Rebillet proceeded to upload the album and share it on 4chan. In an interview with Stereogum the next day, he expressed regret for disrespecting the label’s wishes, but stated he wanted to let the album be preserved online. When asked if the album was possibly a hoax, Rebillet responded, “I have neither the time nor the desire to prove its authenticity.” // Rebillet’s professional music career began in 2016, when he began publishing YouTube videos and live streams of himself improvising songs in his bedroom, apartment, and hotel rooms, often while dancing in his boxer briefs. These videos began to go viral through Reddit and Facebook, generating a fan base, and earning Rebillet tips. Many of Rebillet’s songs are inspired by live requests from his fans, who call him on a phone number that he posts on social media, or comment during the live stream. Rebillet’s sessions can last from one to five hours. The content of the streams varies widely, from romancedLJ. spbx to more frivolous topics, such as snacking. // During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rebillet’s tour of Australia and New Zealand was cancelled and subsequently rescheduled for early 2021. In place of the cancelled shows, he scheduled four free live stream shows on Twitch named for four cities on the cancelled tour. He called this collection of shows the “Quarantine Livestream Tour”, with the first show attracting over 1.57 million viewers and raising over $34,000 for coronavirus-related charity Explaining why he chose to begin streaming on Twitch, Rebillet told The Verge, “I’m just trying to survive, and Twitch has the highest earning potential for livestreams.” // Also related to the pandemic, Rebillet recorded a song, called “Essential Workers Anthem”, dedicated to essential workers, to thank them for their work. Discussing the song for the Boston Herald, Jed Gottlieb wrote that “the tune he built in a minute had more moxie and magic than anything on the recent lo-fi network TV concerts”. // On December 9 2020, in anticipation of hitting one million YouTube subscribers, Rebillet streamed live during and after hitting the milestone. He used the stream as an opportunity to donate to multiple charities. // Rebillet has performed streams with Erykah Badu, Reggie Watts, Emily King, DJ Premier, Brady Watt, Flying Lotus, Madison McFerrin, Harry Mack, and Wayne Brady. // In June 2021, Rebillet starred in a television commercial for German supermarket chain Edeka. The lighthearted commercial shows him creating music in the market by playing the produce and food products as musical instruments. // As of August 2021, Rebillet has 11.8 million online streams of his music, more than 2 million YouTube subscribers, and over 127 million YouTube views. // Rebillet was the host of a biweekly series “We’ve Got Company” that streamed on Twitch in early 2022, featuring Rebillet along with musical guests. Guests during the first season included Wyclef Jean, Tokimonsta, Alison Wonderland, Reggie Watts and Tenacious D.]

5. Lisa Fischer – “How Can I Ease The Pain (Live)”
   from: “How Can I Ease The Pain (Live)” / 1991
   [From her debut album So Intense, released on Elektra Records, April 30, 1991. “How Can I Ease the Pain” is a song co-written and performed by American singer Lisa Fischer, from So Intense. It was produced by Narada Michael Walden with associate producer Louis Biancaniello. The hit song spent two weeks at number-one on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was sampled by rap group Three 6 Mafia for their hit “Late Nite Tip”. // In 1992, the single won a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Female and it also won a 1992 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. The song also peaked at number eleven on the pop charts. This was Fischer’s biggest and most well-known hit. // Lisa Fischer (born December 1, 1958) is an American singer and songwriter. She found success with her 1991 debut album So Intense, which produced the Grammy Award–winning hit single “How Can I Ease the Pain”. She has been a back-up singer for a number of famous artists, including Sting, Luther Vandross, and Tina Turner, and she toured with The Rolling Stones from 1989 to 2015. // Fischer was born in the Fort Greene neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Fischer’s mother gave birth to her at age 16 and had a total of three children by the time she was 19. Fischer has fond memories of singing with her mother (a homemaker), her father (a warehouse worker and security officer), and her two younger brothers. She attended The High School of Music & Art in Manhattan. When Fischer was 14 her father left the family and when Fischer was 17, her mother died. // In an interview with Christian Wikane of PopMatters, Fischer stated she was influenced by Freda Payne, Marvin Gaye and Melba Moore, and others early in her childhood.[6] In the years before launching her solo mainstream career, she noted significant influence from the black LGBT community, particularly in developing a stage image with adventure, quality, and beauty. // In 1983, under the stage name “Xēna”, Fischer released the b-boy classic “On the Upside”. In 1984, a club track she recorded titled “Only Love (Shadows)” was briefly featured in the motion picture Beat Street [9] and was later released in 1995 as part of the Hot Productions’ The Best of Criminal Records compilation. However, Fischer began her music career supporting other artists providing backing vocals for artists including Melba Moore and Billy Ocean. She worked with many other famous singers, both as a session vocalist and sideman. She accompanied Luther Vandross whom she met through the mutual acquaintance shossof choreographer Bruce Wallace, who asked her to come to his agency for an audition. Fischer then traveled as a backup singer on his tours and sang on his albums until his death, in addition to other famous musicians, including Chaka Khan, Teddy Pendergrass, and Roberta Flack. // Fischer maintained her career as a session singer, and has accompanied The Rolling Stones on tour since 1989. She worked as a backup vocalist during the same period for Luther Vandross for the 22 years prior to his death alongside friend and collaborator Ava Cherry, juggling his concert tours and those of The Rolling Stones, with whom she grew an audience playing the foil to Mick Jagger onstage. During tours with the Rolling Stones, she shares lead vocals on several songs, including “Monkey Man, and “Gimme Shelter”, which showcase her vocal talents. // Fischer’s solo career peaked with the 1991 release of “How Can I Ease the Pain” from her album So Intense, reaching Number One on the R&B charts, and winning a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1992. The album spawned three Top 20 R&B hits, and peaked at #5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #100 on the Billboard 200 chart. Asked about the inspiration for her album, Fischer replied “I wasn’t deep in search of a record deal, it was just one of those things…”. In the movie 20 Feet From Stardom, Fischer’s Grammy award for her hit single collects dust on a shelf. Fischer said she “just doesn’t know what to do with it”. Although Fischer earned success with her first album, a follow-up solo studio album was not released because an attempt to create a second album failed due to “energy shifts”. // Fischer recorded on various projects including providing lead vocals on the power ballad “Colors of Love” featured on the soundtrack for the film Made in America.[18] Fischer says a contributing factor in her decision to discontinue her solo career following the release of her debut album was her fondness for backing vocalist rather than a solo artist. In a 2013 article, Fischer compared back-up singing to a “tuning fork”, and noted she rejected the idea of dissatisfaction and the theory of always aspiring for something more while creating music and supporting other artists. In 1992, Fischer traveled to Japan to perform in the Earth Voice Concert with Lee Ritenour, Phil Perry, Bobby Caldwell, Brenda Russell, James Ingram, Michael McDonald, Anita Baker, and others. During the concert, Fischer sang her 1991 hit “How Can I Ease The Pain”, and provided backing vocals for her fellow musicians. // In August 1996, Fischer made her theatre debut in the off-Broadway play Born to Sing! chronicling the life and career of the fictional gospel superstar, Doris Winter. The final installment of the Mama, I Want to Sing! trilogy featured Fischer in the starring role of Doris Winter, and followed the character as she assembled a company of fellow singers for a global World Peace and Harmony Tour. // Fischer continued to work on music, doing background vocals and writing songs for other artists, including Anane Vega. Fischer toured with Tina Turner on her Twenty Four Seven Tour. It was the worldwide top-grossing tour of 2000. Lisa was featured in an April 14, 2008 issue of Jet Magazine′s “Where Are They Now?” column. In 2009, Fischer completed touring with Tina Turner on her Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour, and is featured on Turner’s live DVD-CD titled Tina Live. In the performance of Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour, Fischer and Turner sang “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)” together; after Turner left the stage, Fischer completed the song solo. // Fischer sang on Sting’s album If on a Winter’s Night… as a backing vocalist. In September 2009, Sting and his band with Fischer performed in Durham Cathedral. The rehearsals as well as the concert are available as a DVD. The behind-the-scenes documentary surrounding the event was produced jointly by the BBC, and was screened on December 29 that year. She appeared at the 2010 CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, Rhode Island with jazz trumpeter Chris Botti. She toured with Botti through 2010, including appearing nightly as guest vocalist during the trumpeter’s annual holiday engagement at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York city. She remained a guest artist with Botti’s band in 2011, and continued to appear at their 2012 concerts. // In 2012, she joined the Rolling Stones for their 50 & Counting Tour in October 2012, and toured globally with the band until July 2013. The band announced a follow-up tour 14 On Fire scheduled to start in February, including dates in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe in summer 2014, and Australia in fall 2014. // In 2013, Fischer joined the rock band Nine Inch Nails as a backing vocalist for their Tension 2013 tour. // Fischer is one of the artists featured in the Oscar-winning documentary film 20 Feet from Stardom (2013), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released on June 21, 2013. The documentary highlights back-up singers by archiving the oral histories of artists like Merry Clayton and Darlene Love and their experiences within the American music industry. The film earned the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Music Film, with the award presented to the featured artists as well as the production crew. // In 2014, Fischer re-united with many of the back-up singers in 20 Feet From Stardom including Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, and Judith Hill to sing the national anthem at the 100th Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. // In 2014, Fischer began her solo tour accompanied by her band Grand Baton, performing across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. That same year, a press release announced Fischer would collaborate with performer Billy Childs on a studio project about Laura Nyro. 2015, returning to her solo career, Fischer sold out six consecutive shows at The Jazz Standard in New York City. // In 2015, she, along with her musical director, the composer, arranger, and pianist JC Maillard, collaborated with choreographer Alonzo King to create the music/dance ensemble piece entitled The Propelled Heart for the Alonzo King LINES Ballet. The Propelled Heart premiered at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco on November 6, 2015. In September 2017, Fischer reprised her role in The Propelled Heart at the Kwai Tsing Theatre in Hong Kong. The program returned to the SF Bay Area’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in November 2017 in honor of the 35th Anniversary of LINES Ballet. // In addition to her collaboration with King, in 2016, Fischer provided vocal performances on three Grammy nominated projects including Louie Vega Starring…XXVIII with Louie Vega and The Elements of Life; Sing Me Home with Yo-Yo Ma, The Silkroad Ensemble, and Gregory Porter; as well as New York Rhapsody with Lang Lang and Jeffrey Wright. In February 2018, Fischer’s vocal performances were featured in the HBO Film presentation Notes From The Field written and produced by playwright Anna Deavere Smith. // Fischer and Grand Baton partnered with The Seattle Symphony for their program Just A Kiss Away in February 2018 in which rock music anthems such as The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” were re-created orchestrally. The orchestral arrangements were composed by Chris Walden.]

6. The Police – “Driven To Tears”
   from: Zenyatta Mondatta (Remastered) / A&M Records / October 3, 1980
   [Zenyatta Mondatta (stylised as Zenyattà Mondatta on the album cover artwork) is the third studio album by English rock band the Police, released on 3 October 1980 by A&M Records. It was co-produced by the band and Nigel Gray. // Zenyatta Mondatta reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and number five on the US Billboard 200. It produced the hit singles “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” and “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da”. The album won the band two Grammy Awards: Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” and Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “Behind My Camel”. // Zenyatta Mondatta was written during the Police’s second tour and recorded in four weeks (minus several days for concerts in Ireland and at the Milton Keynes festival in the United Kingdom). The band members have often expressed disappointment over the album, going so far as to re-record two songs during a brief, unsuccessful reunion in 1986. Drummer Stewart Copeland said about the time pressures: “We had bitten off more than we could chew. … we finished the album at 4 a.m. on the day we were starting our next world tour. We went to bed for a few hours and then traveled down to Belgium for the first gig. It was cutting it very fine.” // The band had wanted to record the album at Surrey Sound, the recording site of their first two albums, but could not record at any British studio for tax reasons. They were, however, able to retain Nigel Gray as their co-producer, bringing him with them to Wisseloord Studios in the Netherlands. Feeling that he had played a significant part in the Police’s first two albums, Gray negotiated for a £25,000 fee, which brought the album’s total budget to £35,000 (more than twice the combined budgets of their first two albums, but still exceptionally cheap for a band who at that point had become established stars). // As mentioned by Copeland, the Police embarked on a tour of the world the day of the album’s completion, beginning in Belgium and finishing in Australia. // The album is the last of the Police’s early era, influenced by reggae and punk and featuring few musical elements on top of the core guitar, bass, and drums. // The record has two instrumentals, “The Other Way of Stopping” (named from a line in Bob Newhart’s “The Driving Instructor” routine) and “Behind My Camel”. “Behind My Camel” was guitarist Andy Summers’ first entirely self-penned composition. As bassist and vocalist Sting refused to play on it, Summers recorded the bass line himself, overdubbing the guitar parts. According to Sting, “I hated that song so much that, one day when I was in the studio, I found the tape lying on the table. So I took it around the back of the studio and actually buried it in the garden.”[6] Nigel Gray believed that the title was an in-joke by Summers: “He didn’t tell me this himself but I’m 98% sure the reason is this: what would you find behind a camel? A monumental pile of shit.” // “Bombs Away” was recorded on a tape that Nigel Gray had just used with Siouxsie and the Banshees. Copeland said that “when he first set up his home studio he got hold of a load of second hand tape which included some stuff by Siouxsie and the Banshees. ‘Bombs Away’ was written on a Siouxsie and the Banshees backing track. I changed the speed and did things to the EQ to change the drum pattern. So with the desk I can get my song playing, then press a switch and there’s Siouxsie singing away.” // Zenyatta Mondatta also saw the band’s lyrics turning towards political events, with Sting’s “Driven to Tears” commenting on poverty and Copeland’s “Bombs Away” referring to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. These themes became more prevalent on the Police’s next album, Ghost in the Machine. // The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For most of their history the line-up consisted of primary songwriter Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar) and Stewart Copeland (drums, percussion). The Police became globally popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Emerging in the British new wave scene, they played a style of rock influenced by punk, reggae, and jazz. // Their 1978 debut album, Outlandos d’Amour, reached No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart on the strength of the singles “Roxanne” and “Can’t Stand Losing You”. Their second album, Reggatta de Blanc (1979), became the first of four consecutive No. 1 studio albums in the UK and Australia; its first two singles, “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon”, became their first UK number ones. Their next two albums, Zenyatta Mondatta (1980) and Ghost in the Machine (1981), led to further critical and commercial success with two songs, “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” and “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”, becoming UK number-one singles and Top 5 hits in other countries; the former album was their breakthrough into the US reaching number five on the US Billboard 200. // Their final studio album, Synchronicity (1983), was No. 1 in the UK, Canada, Australia, Italy and the US, selling over 8 million copies in the US. Its lead single, “Every Breath You Take”, became their fifth UK number one, and only US number one. During this time, the band were considered one of the leaders of the Second British Invasion of the US; in 1983 Rolling Stone labelled them “the first British New Wave act to break through in America on a grand scale, and possibly the biggest band in the world.” The Police disbanded in 1986, but reunited in early 2007 for a one-off world tour that ended in August 2008. They were the world’s highest-earning musicians in 2008, due to their reunion tour, which was the highest-grossing tour of 2007. // The Police have sold over 75 million records, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. The band won a number of music awards, including six Grammy Awards, two Brit Awards—winning Best British Group once, and an MTV Video Music Award. In 2003, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Four of their five studio albums appeared on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. The band were included among both Rolling Stone’s and VH1’s lists of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”]

10:28 – Underwriting

7. Brad Cox & Jeffrey Freling – “One Confession (feat. Annie Ellicott)”
   from: aRound & aRound / Owen Cox Dance Group / March 31, 2023

10:29 – Interview with Jen Owen & Brad Cox

Jennifer Owen is Artistic Director of Owen/Cox Dance Group, an ensemble she co-founded with composer Brad Cox in 2007. She has choreographed over fifty new works for Owen/Cox Dance Group. Prior to founding Owen/Cox Dance Group, Owen enjoyed a 13-year international ballet career. After training with Pacific Northwest Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet School, School of American Ballet, and the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, she went on to dance with the Russian State Ballet, Moscow Renaissance Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, BalletMet, and was a guest artist with the National Ballet of Turkmenistan.

Brad Cox is a composer in the uniquely American Ellington model, Brad is dedicated to forming long lasting relationships with musicians and writing music for those musicians. Brad is a founder and contributing composer to The People’s Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City, and conceived and organized the ensemble’s versions of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King and The Battleship Potemkin. In addition to his work with Owen/Cox Dance Group, he has created compositions and arrangements for Sony Classical recording artist Nathan Granner, Grammy award-winning producer and engineer Russ Elevado, Paris-based songwriter Krystle Warren and internationally-recognized puppeteer Paul Mesner. Brad is a 2009 recipient of the Tanne Foundation Award, and 2010 recipient of the Charlotte Street Foundation Generative Performing Artist Award.

Jennifer Owen & Brad Cox join us live in our 90.1 FM Studios to share all the details about Owen Cox Dance Group’s newest production, aRound & aRound, Friday, March 31 ansd Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 8:00 PM, and Sunday, April 2, 2023, at 2:00 PM at ​The City Stage Theatre, Union Station, 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108. More information at: http://www.owencoxdance.org

Jennifer Owen, and Brad Cox, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

We last talked with Jennifer Owen on September 28, just before the Owen Cox collaboration with The Black Creatures “What Came With Spring,” Oct. 7, 8 & 9, 2022.

This new production features original music composed by Brad Cox and Jeff Freling (of Victor & Penny and Slim Hanson and the Poor Choices). This new work also features visual projections created by artist and NEA Fellow, Nate Fors.

Owen Cox Dance Group’s newest production, aRound & aRound, Friday, March 31 ansd Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 8:00 PM, and Sunday, April 2, 2023, at 2:00 PM at ​The City Stage Theatre, Union Station, 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108.

Jennifer Owen has choreographed over fifty new works for Owen/Cox Dance Group, including two commissions by the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and works commissioned by Island Moving Co. of Newport, RI, Kansas City Dance Festival, Kansas City Baroque Consortium, and Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. She has also created nine new works for Kansas City Ballet’s In the Wings choreographic workshop, and a winning entry for the 2006 Columbus Choreography Project. Owen is the recipient of a 2000 Princess Grace Honorarium. Prior to founding Owen/Cox Dance Group, Owen enjoyed a 13-year international ballet career. After training with Pacific Northwest Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet School, School of American Ballet, and the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, she went on to dance with the Russian State Ballet, Moscow Renaissance Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, BalletMet, and was a guest artist with the National Ballet of Turkmenistan. She has performed principal roles in Giselle, Don Quixote, George Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux and Donizetti Variations, and the central pas de deux in Todd Bolender’s Arena.

Jen Owen’s husband and partner is Brad Cox, who is also the founder of The People’s Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City–a musicians’ collective dedicated to the creation and performance of new large ensemble jazz. AND, Brad Cox Octet–an eight-piece ensemble made up of 2 saxophonists, 2 bass players, 2 drummers, and 2 keyboardists.

Owen/Cox Dance Group is a 501 (c) 3 not for profit corporation with a mission is to create new music and dance collaborations, to present high-quality contemporary dance performances with live music, and to engage as wide an audience as possible through affordable live performance, education and outreach programs

Over the last few years Owen/Cox Dance Group’s was working on a U.S. State Diplomacy Tour in Ukraine. COVID-19 local & international protocol, postponing this trip until later. Jen Owen how do you explain how your donace company has been involved in international history and now with the Russian invasion into the Ukrain things have dramatically changed.

Brad Cox and April Fletcher were apartment mates at 4407 Harrison back in 1989.

Jennifer Owen, and Brad Cox, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Owen Cox Dance Group” newest production, aRound & aRound, is]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] March 31 through April 1, 2023, at 8:00 PM, and April 2, 2023, at 2:00 PM at ​The City Stage Theatre, Union Station, 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108. This new production features original music composed by Brad Cox and Jeff Freling (of Victor & Penny and Slim Hanson and the Poor Choices). This new work also features visual projections created by artist and NEA Fellow, Nate Fors. More information at: http://www.owencoxdance.org

10:41 -10:42

8. Snarky Puppy – “We Like It Here”
from: We Like It Here / Ropeadope / February 25, 2014
[We Like It Here is an album by American jazz fusion group Snarky Puppy that was released on February 25, 2014. The track “Lingus” includes a solo on the synthesizer performed by Cory Henry. // Snarky Puppy is sometimes referred to as a “collective.” The band’s current roster boasts about 19 members, and well over 40 musicians have performed with the group over the years and through the group’s 14 albums. Michael League explains that, in the early days of the original 10-piece band, if someone got an opportunity to earn more money than for the band’s gig, “…we’d get a substitute and if the substitute played well, then it felt like, ‘Well, they learned the music and played great, what a waste for them to learn all that for one gig…’ so we would kind of just keep them in the Rolodex, so to speak, and rotate them in and out. Then it became a thing where we started touring so much that guys couldn’t do all the dates, or didn’t want to, or whatever.” When people came in, the differences in their playing would influence all those on the date. “That would change the way that they played the music. And then even when that new person left, that memory of that new relationship with the music would remain. So really we just kept building on the personalities of the new people that would come in, brick by brick. …in general, the guys understand what the band is– a rotating cast… But I don’t really think of Snarky Puppy as a collective. It’s just a large band and sometimes people aren’t there. It doesn’t feel like a revolving door, it doesn’t feel anonymous at all. The guys who have played gigs with us the least have still played several hundred gigs. That’s more than most people play with their own bands. So it’s very much a tight, familial unit. Everyone feels very, very close and very essential, also.]

9. Snarky Puppy – “We Like It Here”
   from: We Like It Here / Ropeadope / February 25, 2014
   [We Like It Here is an album by American jazz fusion group Snarky Puppy that was released on February 25, 2014. The track “Lingus” includes a solo on the synthesizer performed by Cory Henry. // Snarky Puppy is sometimes referred to as a “collective.” The band’s current roster boasts about 19 members, and well over 40 musicians have performed with the group over the years and through the group’s 14 albums. Michael League explains that, in the early days of the original 10-piece band, if someone got an opportunity to earn more money than for the band’s gig, “…we’d get a substitute and if the substitute played well, then it felt like, ‘Well, they learned the music and played great, what a waste for them to learn all that for one gig…’ so we would kind of just keep them in the Rolodex, so to speak, and rotate them in and out. Then it became a thing where we started touring so much that guys couldn’t do all the dates, or didn’t want to, or whatever.” When people came in, the differences in their playing would influence all those on the date. “That would change the way that they played the music. And then even when that new person left, that memory of that new relationship with the music would remain. So really we just kept building on the personalities of the new people that would come in, brick by brick. …in general, the guys understand what the band is– a rotating cast… But I don’t really think of Snarky Puppy as a collective. It’s just a large band and sometimes people aren’t there. It doesn’t feel like a revolving door, it doesn’t feel anonymous at all. The guys who have played gigs with us the least have still played several hundred gigs. That’s more than most people play with their own bands. So it’s very much a tight, familial unit. Everyone feels very, very close and very essential, also.]

11:00 – Station ID

0. Fela Kuti – “Water Not Get Enemy (Edit)”
   from: Best of the Black President / Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Estate / 1January 1, 2009
   [Ths was a Single Compilation tracing the Nigerian firebrand’s evolution from Afrobeat prognitor in the 1960s to World Music icon ny the 1990s..// in 2002, Femi contributed a remake of his father’s classic song “Water No Get Enemy” to Red Hot & Riot, a compilation CD in tribute to Fela Kuti that was released by the Red Hot Organization and MCA. Femi’s track was created in collaboration with hip-hop and R&B artists D’Angelo, Macy Gray, The Soultronics, Nile Rodgers and Roy Hargrove, and all proceeds from the CD were donated to charities dedicated to raising AIDS awareness or fighting the disease. // Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; October 15, 1938 – August 2, 1997), also known as Abami Eda, was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, an African music genre that combines West African music with American funk and jazz. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa’s most “challenging and charismatic music performers”. AllMusic described him as a musical and sociopolitical voice of international significance. Kuti was the son of Nigerian women’s rights activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. After early experiences abroad, he and his band Africa 70 (featuring drummer and musical director Tony Allen) shot to stardom in Nigeria during the 1970s, during which he was an outspoken critic and target of Nigeria’s military juntas. In 1970, he founded the Kalakuta Republic commune, which declared itself independent from military rule. The commune was destroyed in a 1978 raid. He was jailed by the government of Muhammadu Buhari in 1984, but released after 20 months. He continued to record and perform through the 1980s and 1990s. Since his death in 1997, reissues and compilations of his music have been overseen by his son, Femi Kuti.]

11. Sade – “Cherish The Day”
    from: Love Deluxe / Epic – Sony / October 26, 1992
    [Love Deluxe is the fourth studio album by English band Sade, released by Epic Records in the United Kingdom on October 26, 1992 and in the United States on November 3, 1992. // In a contemporary review for The Village Voice, music critic Robert Christgau felt that half of the album cannot qualify with Sade’s most memorable songs and particularly panned the lyric about a Somali woman who has a life that “hurts like brand-new shoes” on the song “Pearls”. Amy Linden of Entertainment Weekly stated that the album “surges with emotion, but the mostly lush ambient music on Love Deluxe is low on the oomph meter.] In a retrospective review, AllMusic’s Ron Wynn wrote that it “marked a return to the detached cool jazz backing and even icier vocals that made her debut album a sensation” with an “urbane sound.” // In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked the album 247th on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. In September 2022, Pitchfork ranked Love Deluxe as the 52nd best album of the 1990s. // Love Deluxe peaked at number 10 on the UK Albums Chart, and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on June 1, 1993. In the United States, the album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, and as of May 2003, it had sold 3.4 million copies. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it four-times platinum on 9 November 1994, denoting shipments in excess of four million copies. The album was also commercially successful elsewhere, reaching number one in France and the top 10 in Belgium, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. By April 1993, the album had sold three million copies worldwide, including 220,000 copies in Italy. // Following the release of Love Deluxe, the band had a seven-year hiatus, during which Sade Adu came under media scrutiny with rumours of depression and addiction and later gave birth to her first child. During this time, the other members of the band, Matthewman, Denman, and Hale, went on to other projects, including Sweetback, which released a self-titled album in 1996. Matthewman also played a major role in the development of Maxwell’s career, providing instrumentation and production work for the R&B singer’s first two albums. // Sade are an English band, formed in London in 1982 and named after their lead singer, Sade Adu. Three members, Paul Anthony Cooke, Stuart Mathewman, and Paul Spencer Denman, were originally from Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Its music features elements of soul, quiet storm, smooth jazz and sophisti-pop. All of the band’s albums, including compilations and a live album, have charted in the US Top Ten. // The band’s debut studio album, Diamond Life (1984), reached number two on the UK Album Chart, selling over 1.2 million copies and won the Brit Award for Best British Album in 1985.[7] The album was also a hit internationally, reaching number one in several countries and the top ten in the United States, where it has sold four million copies to date. // In late 1985, the band released its second studio effort Promise, which peaked at number one in both the United Kingdom and the US. It was certified double platinum in the UK and quadruple platinum in the US. In 1986, Sade won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Their fifth studio album, Lovers Rock (2000), won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. Their sixth studio album, Soldier of Love (2010), peaked at number four in the UK and number one in the US. In 2011, the band won its fourth Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. // Sade’s US certified sales in 2012 stood at 23.5 million units according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and by 2014 sold more than 75 million records worldwide to date. The band were ranked at No. 50 on VH1’s list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”]

12. Hiatus Kaiyote – “Red Room”
    from: Mood Variant (The Remixes) / Brain Feeder / April 8, 2022
    [Hiatus Kaiyote is an Australian jazz/funk band formed in Melbourne in 2011, made up of singer/guitarist Nai Palm, bassist Paul Bender, keyboardist Simon Mavin, and drummer Perrin Moss. // In 2010, Nai Palm (born Naomi Saalfield) performed a solo show in Melbourne that was witnessed by Paul Bender. After the show, Bender approached Palm and suggested a collaboration. After working as a duo for a short time, they recruited Perrin Moss and Simon Mavin in 2011 and formed Hiatus Kaiyote. Mavin was then a member of The Bamboos but left that band to focus on Hiatus Kaiyote. // Hiatus Kaiyote played their first gig at the 2011 Bohemian Masquerade Ball among sword swallowers, fire twirlers, and gypsy death core bands. In February 2012, the band opened for Taylor McFerrin in Melbourne. McFerrin was so impressed with them that he introduced their music to influential broadcaster and record label owner DJ Gilles Peterson. // The band released their debut album Tawk Tomahawk independently in April 2012. It was noticed by numerous musicians including Animal Collective and Dirty Projectors, and the band later received public endorsements from Erykah Badu, Questlove, and Prince, who urged their social media followers to explore the band’s music. In early 2013, Gilles Peterson named them the Breakthrough Artists of the Year at his Worldwide Music Awards in London, and shortly thereafter they were introduced to Salaam Remi who had just started working as an A&R executive at Sony Music. Sony gave Remi the opportunity to start his own label, Flying Buddha, and his first signing was Hiatus Kaiyote. The band licensed Tawk Tomahawk to the label, adding an updated version of the song “Nakamarra” featuring Q-Tip. Following this release, the band toured internationally, and in 2014 were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance for “Nakamarra.” They were the first Australian act to be nominated for a Grammy in an R&B category. // Every song we make is a little world and contains a multitude of influences. Although some may refer to our songs as R&B in one moment, and electronica or proggy-tropicalia in another, we don’t think about sounds in terms of genres, but look at them more from a cinematic way. We’re always trying to get to that moment where people are overwhelmed in joy, in confusion, in sadness, or in the magnitude of emotion or disbelief – as well as sometimes feeling all of these simultaneously. We like to call this “wondercore”, and that’s what we’re always aiming for as a group. – Hiatus Kaiyote in Music Business Worldwide // In 2014, the band began working on their second album, Choose Your Weapon, which was released on May 1, 2015. The review aggregator Metacritic gave the album a normalized rating of 87 out of 100, based on 6 reviews, indicating “universal acclaim”. On 9 May 2015, Choose Your Weapon debuted at number 22 on the Australian albums chart. Nai Palm described the album as an “extension” of their debut, and stated that she and the band had no intention to make a one-genre body of work. Many of the songs on the album started with Saalfield’s original ideas and were later fleshed out by the band collectively. During the recording the band wanted to pay tribute to the mixtape format, so they incorporated interludes. // Choose Your Weapon became the band’s first release to chart in the US, reaching #127 on the Billboard 200, and #11 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The song “Breathing Underwater” from the album was nominated for a Best R&B Performance at the 58th Grammy Awards. // Starting in 2016, prominent rap and R&B artists began sampling Hiatus Kaiyote songs, starting with Anderson .Paak’s sample of “Molasses” in “Without You” on his album Malibu. The following year, Kendrick Lamar sampled “Atari” in “Duckworth” from his album Damn, and Drake sampled “Building a Ladder” on the song “Free Smoke” from his playlist More Life. In 2018, Beyonce and Jay-Z sampled “The World It Softly Lulls” in “713” from their album Everything Is Love. // In 2017, Nai Palm released her debut solo album Needle Paw. In June 2018, Palm was featured on Scorpion by Drake, who has spoken highly of both her and the band. She sang a cover of “More Than a Woman” by Aaliyah, which appears at the end of Drake’s song “Is There More?”. On October 18, 2018, Palm revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. While recuperating in the hospital following a mastectomy, Palm and Bender performed a cover of Curtis Mayfield’s “The Makings of You” which was released online Palm announced in 2019 that she was cancer-free. // During Palm’s recovery period, the other members of Hiatus Kaiyote formed several side projects. Perrin Moss, under the name Clever Austin, released the solo album Pareidolia in 2019. Simon Mavin formed a band called The Putbacks, and produced the album Control by Natalie Slade in 2020. Paul Bender formed an act called The Sweet Enoughs and released the album Marshmallow in 2020. Bender has also produced albums for Jaala, Vulture St. Tape Gang, and Laneous. Bender, Mavin, and Moss also released an all-instrumental album called Improvised Music 2015-17 in 2020, under the name Swooping (formerly Swooping Duck). // Hiatus Kaiyote reconvened in 2020 and signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. They began work on a new album inspired by Palm’s health crisis and her loss of a beloved pet, as well as the social difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The song “Get Sun” was arranged and conducted by Brazilian musician Arthur Verocai. The album Mood Valiant was released on 25 June 2021, and reached the Top Ten on the Australian albums chart. The album was nominated for a Grammy in 2022 for Best Progressive R&B Album.]

13. Bebel Gilberto – “Aganjú”
    from: Bebel Gilberto / Crammed Discs / January 1, 2003
    [Isabel Buarque de Hollanda Gilberto de Oliveira (born May 12, 1966), known as Bebel Gilberto, is an American-born Brazilian popular singer often associated with bossa nova. She is the daughter of João Gilberto and singer Miúcha. Her uncle is singer/composer Chico Buarque. // Gilberto was born in New York City to Brazilian parents, bossa nova pioneer João Gilberto and singer Miúcha, who were briefly living in the city at the time of her birth. She often traveled with her father when he recorded albums in different countries; she lived in Mexico at age three and moved to Rio de Janeiro at age five. Gilberto’s parents separated when she was seven, and she spent her time between Rio de Janeiro with her mother and New York with her father. Gilberto has been performing since her youth in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. // Gilberto recalls that her childhood was “music nonstop”; when reflecting on her father’s influence, Gilberto states, “He taught me to be a perfectionist. But my mother taught me how to lose it. And you can hear it in my music today, I think.” She grew acquainted with popular artists such as Caetano Veloso, David Byrne, and Stan Getz, who often visited her father’s home to collaborate. She began singing with her mother at a young age and participated in professional musicals such as Saltimbancos and Pirlimpimpim. At the age of seven, she made her recording debut on her mother’s first solo album, Miúcha & Antônio Carlos Jobim (1977). Two years later, she performed at Carnegie Hall with her mother and Stan Getz. // Gilberto was a great friend of Cazuza and composed several songs with him in addition to “Eu preciso dizer que te amo”, including “Amigos de Bar”, “Mais Feliz”, and “Mulher sem Razão”. // Gilberto next participated in the project Red Hot + Rio, joining major music stars such as Everything but the Girl, Maxwell, George Michael, and others for the benefit CD recording. She also collaborated on Towa Tei’s CD Future Listening!, singing on the hits “Technova” and “Batucada,” and also participated in Peeping Tom with Mike Patton (lead singer of Faith No More), singing “Caipirinha”. // Tanto Tempo, an electronic bossa nova album released in 2000, was popular at clubs around the world and positioned Gilberto as one of the best-selling Brazilian artists in the U.S. since the 1960s. With her second album, Bebel Gilberto (2004), she refined her sound to create an acoustic lounge style that showcased her strengths as a Brazilian composer. // With Momento (2007), her third album in seven years, she wanted to do a fusion of both. Mixing the taste of Rio’s Orquestra Imperial with the melting pot of New York’s Brazilian Girls, and following the direction of the English producer Guy Sigsworth (Madonna’s partner in “What It Feels Like for a Girl”), Momento reaffirmed the international character of Gilberto’s music. In 2007, she was a judge for the 6th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists’ careers. // Gilberto recorded her fourth studio album, All in One, in New York, Jamaica, and the Brazilian state of Bahia. It was released worldwide on September 29, 2009, on the American jazz label Verve, and was released in Brazil by Universal Music. It is the least electronic-infused of her albums, and brings to the forefront more of Gilberto’s personality and love for organic styles. All in One had a team of accomplished producers including Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen), John King (Dust Brothers, Beck), Daniel Jobim, Carlinhos Brown, Didi Gutman (Brazilian Girls) and Mario Caldato Jr (Beastie Boys, Björk, Jack Johnson). Gilberto also provided the voice of the bird Eva in the animated film Rio (2011), an experience she called “amazing”. // Since the launch of Tanto Tempo in 2000, she has sold over 2.5 million records and has been featured on seven film soundtracks including Next Stop Wonderland, The Bubble, Closer and most recently 2010s Eat Pray Love and 2011’s Rio; and seven TV series including Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, and Nip/Tuck. // In 2011, she contributed a track entitled “Acabou Chorare” to the Red Hot Organization’s most recent charitable album, Red Hot+Rio 2. The album is a follow-up to the 1996 Red Hot+Rio. Proceeds from the sales will be donated to raise awareness and money to fight AIDS/HIV and related health and social issues. In 2015, her song “Tudo” was nominated for the 16th Latin Grammy Awards in the Best Brazilian Song category.]

11:28 – Underwriting

14. The Funkees – “Akula Owu Onyeara”
    from: Dancing Time: The Best of Eastern Nigeria’s Afro Rock Exponents 1973 – 77 / Soundway Records / April 9, 2012
    [The Funkees were a Nigerian afro-rock group formed in the late 1960s. They moved to London in 1973 and quickly gained prominence in the expatriate West African and West Indian music scene, but fragmented four years later. They specialized in funky, upbeat, highly danceable afro-rock that often featured lyrics sung in Igbo, as well as English. Originating as an army band after the Nigerian Civil War, they contributed to the outpouring of upbeat music produced by young people in Nigeria in response to the darkness of the recently concluded civil conflict. In 2012, Soundway Records reissued a compilation of their recordings from the mid-1970s, leading to a resurgence of interest in the band. // Members included:Harry Mosco on guitar, vocals, gong; Chyke Madu on drums, vocals; Sonny Akpabio on congas; Jake N. Sollo on guitar, organ, piano, vocals; Danny Heibs on bass, vocals, percussion; Tony Mallett & Mohammed Ahidjo on vocals, percussion; Roli Paterson on bongos. // Discography: Point of No Return from 1974, Now I’m A Man from 1976, and Dancing Time: The Best of Eastern Nigeria’s Afro Rock Exponents 1973-77 (reissue compilation) from 2012.]

15. Kokoroko – “Colonial Mentality (Live)”
    from: Colonial Mentality (Live) / SoFar Sounds London / December 9, 2016
    [Recorded Live on December 9, 2016 for SoFar Sounds London. https://youtu.be/zUnKDK1iklo // Kokoroko is a London-based eight-piece musical group led by Sheila Maurice-Grey, playing a fusion of jazz and Afrobeat. In February 2019 they were named “ones to watch” by the Guardian, after their track “Abusey Junction” garnered 23 million views on YouTube. In February 2020 they won Best Group at the Urban Music Awards. In September 2020 they played BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. // They released their debut album COULD WE BE MORE, on Brownswood Records on August 2022.// Sofar Sounds is a global music community that connects artists and audiences through live music. We bring people together to create space where music matters in 400 cities around the world.]

16. Maraca – “Se Te Acabo la Rumba”
    from: Tremenda Rumba! / Ahi-Nama / April 23, 2022
    [Maraca is an afro-cuban jazz band from Cuba. The band is led by former Irakere flutist Orlando Valle “Maraca”. Orlando Valle, “Maraca”, was born in September, 1966 in Havana within a family of musicians. When he was ten years old he began studying the flute at the “Manuel Saumell” Conservatory. His professional career began in 1987 with the orchestra of Bobby Carcassés. Later on, he joined the group led by the pianist and composer Emiliano Salvador, whose experience constituted a remarkable influence for Maraca. In 1988, Maraca joined the Irakere Group as flute player, composer and arranger with whom he performed at the most important jazz clubs and festivals across the world for six years. // In 1994, he parted from Irakere to start his career as soloist. He produced, orchestrated and composed the themes contained in the record entitled Cocodrilo de agua salá by Yumuri and His Brothers. Likewise, he composed the music for the “Pasaporte” record by the renowned Cuban percussionists Tata Guines and Angá. He conceived and arranged three of the themes included in the Cubanismo album by Jesús Alemañy and worked with the American saxophone player Steve Colleman and trumpet player Roy Hargrove. His first album as soloist was “Fórmula I”. // In December 1995, he founded his own jazz group called “Maraca” y Otra Visión (the group”s name is a tribute to Emiliano Salvador, a true Cuban jazz legend) with which he participated at the most important jazz festivals held in Europe. Two years later, his group was the only Cuban group participating at the MIDEM in Cannes, France, representing the Cuban music. The first CD he recorded with his group, “Havana Calling”, became a resounding hit on the market as was acknowledged by the specialized critic since it was placed among the ten best records in 1997 according to the “Latin Beat” Magazine. That same year, “Jazzman” from France, described him as one of the most important musical creators in the island, thus consolidating his vanguard position within the Latin jazz. // In 1999, he received the Cubadisco Award for the best fusion album with his CD entitled “Sonando” including guest stars like Compay Segundo, Barbarito Torres, Pío Leyva, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Rolo Martínez, Lino Borges and others. This record also received two Lucas Awards for the best video-clip of the year in Cuba. // The following years up to now have witnessed the meteoric development of “Maraca” and his group as musicians whose versatility has allowed them to travel from jazz to Cuban popular music, and vice versa, with a quality put to the proof. “Maraca” and his group have performed almost in every European country, in the United States, Canada and Martinique, among others, at the most outstanding jazz, salsa music and Caribbean music events. He has shared the stage with Celia Cruz, Oscar de León, “El Canario” and Cesaria Evora, just to mention a few. // His records entitled “Descarga total” and “Tremenda rumba” were placed in the American and European hit parades, since “Maraca” displays a new vision of the Latin music by merging tradition and modernity.]

17. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
    from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]
    We must give a huge THANK YOU to our special Guest Producer – April Fletcher for sharing so much incredible music with us today. Her side projects include her Etsy store, a YouTube channel all while trying to find time to practice so she can start performing again upon her return to Los Angeles. You can learn more about her social media and work at: sociatap.com/aprilfletcher

We must give a huge THANK YOU to our special Guest Producer – April Fletcher for sharing so much incredible music with us today. Her side projects include her Etsy store, a YouTube channel all while trying to find time to practice so she can start performing again upon her return to Los Angeles. You can learn more about her social media and work at: sociatap.com/aprilfletcher

Next week on Wednesday MidDay Medley on April 5, 2023, Kate McCandless (who records and performs as She Speaks in Tongues) and Cody Wyoming join us to talk about, SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES submits: Patti Smith’s EASTER on EASTER Sunday, April 9, 2023 at 7:00 PM at recordBar 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO. SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES is thrilled to partner with Kansas City forces: THE CODY WYOMING DEAL, JULIA OTHMER, and TERI QUINN to create a cathartic, sacred homage to Patti Smith and her work…with a surprising, shamanic edge where nothing is sacred… Sacred is all.

Also next week we welcome musicians Megan Birdsall and Michael Andrew Smith.

And we talk with Jess Shoman of the Chicago band Tenci, and play tracks from their critically acclaimed album, A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing. Tenci plays recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO, on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 10:00 PM with Perfect Lovers

Big THANK YOU to all of our wonderful listeners and friends who generously and thoughtfully donated to support KKFI 90.1 FM – Kansas City Community Radio during our Wednesday MidDay Medley broadcast today! Through the airwaves, and through social media, a total of 55 people donated a total of $3149.00 to allow us to continue our mission. THANK YOU to my incredible co-hosts: Betse Ellis & Marion Merritt, and special guest J Kelly Dougherty, and very special guest Hermon Mehari for sharing your brilliance with our listeners. Thank you to Scott Bunte, Lincoln Dreher and Darryl Oliver for taking our donations over the phones.

Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information.
Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:
http://www.kkfi.org,
http://www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM

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

Show #987

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

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Guest Producer – April Fletcher + Jennifer Owen & Brad Cox of Owen Cox Dance Group

Mark welcomes April Fletcher, who joins us as “Guest Producer.” April grew up in St. Louis, and moved to Kansas City to attend the UMKC Conservatory of Music. While in KC April hosted the radio show “Mix Well Before Serving” during KKFI’s first year of broadcasting in 1988. April worked professionally in Kansas City at the Unicorn Theatre, Theatre League, The Paul Mesner Puppets, The Broadway Marionettes, Big Bang Buffet, and Cafe LuLu. April moved to Los Angeles in 1995. April graduated from California Institute of the Arts in 2003 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Multi-Instrumental Studies. April played in the band Cool Beat Borscht, and has played bass for five years for the 80s band Klymaxx. In recent years, April has been exploring other creative spaces and is currently collaborating with an entertainment and technology company and has been working with a business brokerage as an advisor using her expertise in the arts and entertainment industries and online marketing. Her side projects include her Etsy store, a YouTube channel all while trying to find time to practice so she can start performing again upon her return to Los Angeles. You can learn more about her social media and work at: sociatap.com/aprilfletcher

April will spin tracks from: Alabama Shakes, Marc Rebillet, Laura Mvula, Snarky Puppy, Fela Kuti, Hiatus Kaiyote, KOKOROKO, The Funkees, The Police, Whitney Houston, Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine, Sade, Bebel Gilberto, and Maraca.

At 10:30 Mark & April will talk with Jennifer Owen & Brad Cox of Owen Cox Dance Group about their newest production, aRound & aRound, March 31 through April 1, 2023, at 8:00 PM, and April 2, 2023, at 2:00 PM at ​The City Stage Theatre, Union Station, 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108. This new production features original music composed by Brad Cox and Jeff Freling (of Victor & Penny and Slim Hanson and the Poor Choices). This new work also features visual projections created by artist and NEA Fellow, Nate Fors. More information at: http://www.owencoxdance.org

Show #987