We began Capital Radio with nearly 90 minutes of music from Dickey Betts, one of the last living members of The Allman Brothers Band, who died last week at 80, concentrating on the songs he wrote for the band — some of which were its biggest hits. But there was also music from Betts’ earlier
Tax Day brings The Beatles’ “Taxman,” of course, but also another dozen songs about taxation, ten more songs about paying the man; and 17 additional tracks about the root of all this consternation – money. Technical problems in the show seemed to start happening when the most incendiary anti-tax songs were playing — “Me and
It’s not often one can react in real time to an event being simultaneously celebrated nationwide. But our regularly scheduled Monday afternoon edition of Capital Radio coincided nicely with the first total solar eclipse across North America in some decades. Hence, a carefully planned playlist of eclipse-ready songs were interspersed with celestial updates, featuring tunes
The new month brings songs of April, from Deep Purple to Simon & Garfunkel. Then April Fool’s Day songs from Patti Smith to Rufus Wainwright. Then all manner of songs about foolishness in general; 25 in all, from Elvis P. to Elvis C.,Bobby Fuller to Bryan Ferry, including two different songs titled “Fool Killer,” and
Survived an equipment meltdown early in the show to bring a slew of birthday greetings, primarily for Aretha Franklin, born today in 1942; Elton John, turning 77 today, and early rock ’n’ roller Johnny Burnette, born in 1934. But also celebrated is Bonnie Guitar, born this day in 1923, Hoyt Axton (1938), Pee Wee Harris
Our salute to Eric Carmen came with the rare one-two punch of “All By Myself” following the Rachmaninoff piano concerto that inspired it, topped by a pint of hits from his band, Raspberries. Also celebrated the work of Karl Wallinger of World Party, who also died this month, as well as works from the lesser
He never got an Oscar either, but Steve Lawrence had a No. 1 hit and a long career with his wife Eydie Gormé before he died last week at 88. A trio of his songs kicked off Capital Radio today. We had a few new things from The Black Keys, Pernice Brothers and Cedric Burnside
Songs of March and coming in like a lion were part of Capital Radio, as were songs that responded to the day’s stated command: March Forth. Then it was time to celebrate the birthdays of Bobby Womack, born this day in 1944, and Evan Dando, turning 57 today. Also noted the birthdays of Miriam Makeba,
Cutting into the annual 24 Hours of Christmas programming for my own holiday edition of Capital Radio, I tried to concentrate on somber, more solemn numbers appropriate for the day rather than dazzle dazzle of jingle bells. Themes of “Christmas Day is Here” were much favored over “Christmas time is coming.” Nice to have Coltrane
The last show before Christmas warrants the annual avalanche of holiday songs, starting with the Bosstones, Aimee Mann and Nick Lowe, shifting to ’60s oddities from Bobby Goldsboro and Brian Hyland, and enduring rokcers from the Kinks and the Ramones. There was so much Yuletide, there wasn’t time for the usual birthday salutes, except for
