This programme starts with one of the loveliest tunes in rock / blues music – live with 4 tubas – Taj Mahal’s Ain’t Gwine Whistle Dixie Any Mo – and he introduces it himself in 1971 from the Filmore east. Then a Brazilian singing about tramps – from Bahia – Daniella Mercury and three songs from my favourite Colombian – Shakira from three times in her life – one with dark hair and two as a blond. A typical Crossroads mix is next – the Cramps, some Englisha regaae 2 Mexicans, some blues from the legendary Lurrie Bell and a track with both kinds of music to finish Country and Western (swing). I hope you liked it and don’t forget the listen again / pod cast through the BCB website.

Peruvian God

Taj Mahal – Ain’t Gwine Whistle Dixie Any Mo
Daniela Mercury – Nobre vagabundo
Shakira – Donde estan los ladrones
– Underneath your clothes
– Don’t bother
The Cramps – Muleskinner blues
Kevin Coyne – Eastbourne ladies
Peter Tosh – Stepping razor
Robbie Robertson – Fear of falling
Rodrigo y Gabriela – Diablo rojo
Lurrie Bell – One day
Lyle Lovett – That’s right you’re not from Texas

After a mixed start with geniuses and blues men, we settle into an English Crossroads programme this week. Just as mixed as usual and (in my less than humble opinion) just as good.

Folkies, punkies, crazies (Otways’ completely mad Rising sun), some 60’s stars, arm wavers and a frog.  Finally – because I don’t throw these programmes together – three songs about the night – brrrr. This is what you heard and the vote is in from the Norwegian jury.

John Hiatt – Master of disaster
Rolling Stones – Loving cup
Bob Dylan – Most likely you go your way I go mine
Drive By Truckers – Ray’s automatic weapon
Otis Taylor – Maybe yeah
John Martyn – Could’ve been me
Bert Jansch – If you see my love
Richard Thompson – I misunderstood
John Otway – The House of the rising sun
Elvis Costello – (The angels wanna wear) my red shoes
Wynder K Frog – green door
Joe Cocker – The letter
The Kinks – You really got me
Bowie – Here comes the night
Wilson Pickett – In the midnight hour
King Curtis – Night train

I Went to the Crossroads Blog 29th May 2011

Hi, my Sunday evening chums – a “normal” Crossroads this week with a collection of new, old and very old. A track from Robbie Robertson’s latest waxing – 5 years in the waiting, a 1948 big hit from fussy old Bull Moose Jackson, a couple of over-40’s big numbers – the magnificent Sheffield windmill, Joe Cocker’s big hit and the lovely Bell Bottom Blues from Eric Clapton. Two extra special tracks by Cherry Lee Mewis, who appears at the Keighley Blues Club on the 10th June, finishing off with the delightfully barmy, Crossroads’ favourite – Seafood Department Blues – “there’s something fishy going on”!

Joe Cocker – With a little help from my friends
Derek & the Dominos – Bell bottom blues
Cherry Lee Mewis – Western star
Drive By Truckers – Cartoon gold
Albert King -Crosscut saw
J J Cale – Nowhere to run
Bull Moose Jackson – I want a bow-legged woman
Richard Thompson – Why must I plead
Cat Stevens – Don’t be shy
Bruce Springsteen – Rendevous
Dave Alvin – Highway 61 revisited
Robbie Robertson – He don’t live here no more
Cherry Lee Mewis – Southbound train
Jeff Chaz – Seafood Department Blues

I’m officially out of work – have I got the blues? Well, I have a blues show, but am quite chirpy really. I left Bradford Council today and (only partly as a result) the 22nd May show is all Blues, with a capital Blues. The main reason for this week’s programme is that I was contacted by Blues Boy John of Keighley Blues Club, and that made me think it was some time since I had an all Blues programme. He sent me some music by Cherry Lee Mewis (geddit) who is at the club on 10th June. I’ll play the tracks on the 29th May programme, next week. Very good they are too. www.keighleybluesclub.net

Water Melon Slim – Hard labour
Slim Harpo – Sittin’ here wondering
Taj Mahal –You’re gonna need somebody on your bond*
Elmore James – Dust my broom
Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials – You done me wrong for the last time
Captain Beefheart – Ah feel like ahcid
John Mayall – Ramblin’ on my mind
Jimmy Reed – Baby, what do you want me to do
John Lee Hooker – Dimples
Stevie Ray Vaughan – Dirty pool
Howlin’ Wolf – Riding in the moonlight
Billy Boy Arnold – Love me baby
The Black Keys – Meet me in the city

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The other week’s Manchester visit to talk to Celilia Noel accompanied by hubby Colin hay resulted into a 1 and ¼ hour interview that I have now cut up into bite sized chunks. Look forward to 2 programmes with the questions (and more importantly) the answers interspersed with rare, brilliant and classic songs by Ms Noel, her band the Wild Clams and some of her heroes.

Bit of a classic Crossroads this week with many firm favourites. Two tracks by Crossroads’ favorita, the Queen of Salsoul – Cecilia Noel, including the awesome 9069 in its full glory, an autobiographical number about Ms Noel and her sister in New York, a return of Miguel the talking Iguana – new stuff, i.e. Irish band The Blizzards and Red Light Company – standout CD of the year. Two, yes two songs written by Cousin Joe from New Orleans – one by Diz and one by Dr John – the full list is:

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