Spindale Cycle™

With the 10/2 release of Van Morrison's latest album, we thought we'd take a moment to look back at one of his classics, "Saint Dominic's Preview".  From the R&B opening of "Jackie Wilson Said" to the closing 10-minute anthem "Almost Independence Day", it's one of a string of brilliant albums he churned out during this most fertile creative period of his.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of its release. 

After years playing parties, wedding receptions, restaurants, and bars around East L.A., Los Lobos finally got a record deal and issued this full-length.  It offers proof of what a talented, eclectic band they were (rock, R&B, country-blues, & nortenas here), and would remain some 30 years later.  We celebrate Cesar Rosas' and David Hidalgo's upcoming birthdays with this 1984 classic, produced by T-Bone Burnett. 

Since 1925, The Grand Ole Opry has brought country music acts to homes across the U.S., and defined this genre that has evolved perhaps more than any other.  Hank Williams was a member from just 1949 until 1952, but it catapulted both him and the Opry to iconic status.  Thanks to vinyl discs made by the Armed Forces Radio Service for broadcast on military radio stations, many of these broadcasts have been preserved, including this one from 1950.  Crowd around the radio for a half-hour of Opry music and comedy from Red Foley, Minnie Pearl, and others.  We'll round out the hour with other vin

   On July 8, 1965, Otis Redding was a young soul singer of modest renown, less than three months removed from releasing his first Top 10 r&b hit single. By July 10, he had become something else entirely: It took only 24 hours to lay down 10 of the 11 songs that would make up Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul. It's a hell of a record, the crowning achievement of a man who could sound pained and celebratory and tender and gritty and proud all at once. Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul, arguably the 1960s' greatest studio-recorded soul LP.

This full-length live concert from April 18, 1970 at the Royal Albert Hall in London has just been released as part of a 2-disc set (the first of which is the debut of studio recordings from 1969-1973).  The live show you'll hear includes originals as well as covers by Robbie Robertson/Garth Hudson, Sonny Boy Williamson, Sleepy John Estes, and a 10-minute "Oh Susannah".  Catch this great new release of early Taj!

Following successful years with The Sunny Mountain Boys and Kentucky Mountain Boys, J.D. Crowe assembled his own band and released their first album in 1975, to critical acclaim.  With Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, and Bobby Slone,  J.D. Crowe & The New South elevated bluegrass to a whole new level with this one.  Covers of Fats Domino, Gordon Lightfoot, & Ian Tyson alongside traditional tunes as we wish J.D. a happy birthday!

Following his great success with "Bring the Family", John Hiatt assembled his road band The Goners (including Sonny Landreth and Bernie Leadon) into the studio to record 1988's "Slow Turning." From the opening "Drive South", "Trudy & Dave", and "Tennessee Plates", to the closer "Feels Like Rain", it's an album of hard-won lessons about life and love...as we've come to expect from one of 'NCW's favorite singer-songwriters.

In the summer of 1970, The Grateful Dead released the first of two classic albums showcasing their Americana roots of country, blues, and even bluegrass.

From the first notes of "Uncle John's Band" (their first radio hit) to the favorite "Casey Jones" wrapping it up, it's a great soundtrack for WNCW's celebration of the life of Jerry Garcia and the anniversary of Woodstock this month.

As we dig into Robert Cray's brand new release this month, we also look back at his 1986 recording to celebrate his birthday this Wednesday. 

As critic Bill Dahl writes, this blend of blues, R&B, and pop "rendered him the first sex symbol to emerge from the blues field in decades, but it was his innovative expansion of the genre itself that makes this album a genuine 1980s classic."

On 11/22/81, The Stones were in Chicago in the midst of a mammoth U.S. tour, when Mick Jagger, Ron Wood, Keith Richards and Ian Stewart stopped by Muddy Waters' own club to check out one of their biggest inspirations.  Fortunately, Muddy called them on stage to jam, along with Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, and also fortunately, it was recorded.  A cleaned up DVD/CD of this great union has been released this week.