Spindale Cycle™

A WNCW tradition for the Monday before Christmas for over ten years now, it's always extra special for us when it falls on Christmas Eve.  This definitive Christmas soundtrack was created in 1965 for the treasured A Charlie Brown Christmas TV special.  Vince Guaraldi's piano and arrangements make the perfect soundtrack for conjuring up falling snowflakes ("Skating"), a relaxing holiday spirit ("Christmas Time is Here"), and the humor, charm, and innocence of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the entire Peanuts gang.  Perfect for sharing presents, reflecting on memories of Christmas past,

We celebrate harmonica great Paul Butterfield's birthday with this powerful '66 release.  Recorded the year following Dylan's famous electric Newport set backed by members of his band, East-West includes covers of Robert Johnson, Allen Toussaint, Muddy Waters, ....and closes with a 13-minute experimental jam inspired by none other than Ravi Shankar, who passed away last Tuesday.  Butterfield's band included Elvin Bishop, Mike Bloomfield,  Jerome Arnold, & Billy Davenport.

One of the vanguards of progressive jazz, pianist Dave Brubeck died Wednesday, just one day short of his 92nd birthday.  WNCW salutes this legend with his landmark 1959 release "Time Out" for your Spindale Cycle Monday night.  Inspired by a recent U.S. State Department sponsored trip to Eurasia, this album features non-Western time signatures as a theme, including Turkish-inspired 9/8 time, and their signature 5/4 hit, "Take 5". 

We always get thank you's whenever we play a little J.J. Cale, so how about an hour's worth?  His 1976 release "Troubadour" is a favorite of ours, and featured the debuts of "Cocaine" and "Travelin' Light" (covered later by Eric Clapton and Widespread Panic, respectively and respectfully.)  Let's celebrate Cale's Dec. 5th birthday a couple days early: tune in Monday night for The Spindale Cycle! 

Recorded on Thanksgiving Day 1976 at Bill Graham's Winterland Ballroom, this "farewell concert" for The Band remains one of THE classic live recordings of our time.  Aside from the rock solid foundation of the late Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, and the rest of the host band, the incredible guests steal the show, with standout performances from Muddy Waters, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, The Staple Singers, and more.  Part I was aired on November 19th, and Part II will be aired tonight, November 26th.  (Sorry, the Thanksgiving Dinner that was served for 5000 not included.)  

Neil Young is as busy this year as any other: two 2012 releases with Crazy Horse (Americana, and his brand new Psychedelic Pill), a huge autobiography (Waging Heavy Peace), and various ongoing projects from designing an electric car, to inventing a new listening format, to caring for his son and ranch.  We celebrate his birthday today by revisiting his 1974 album "On the Beach" for your Spindale Cycle.  Not a favorite among critics back then, but one of Neil's favorites, and nowadays a favorite of his hardcore fans. 

Acknowledged widely as The Father of Country-Rock and Americana and the man who introduced us to Emmylou Harris (not to mention the foundation of Friday night's "Cosmic American Music Show"), Gram Parsons was born on 11/5/46.  His all-too-short solo career followed short, classic stints with The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, and of course The International Submarine Band.   We honor one of our favorites with "GP" on Monday night, near the 40th anniversary of its release, along with selections from other Gram recordings to round out the hour. 

We celebrate Dizzy's 10/21 birthday with this 1963 gem of a recording, featuring James Moody on sax and flute, Kenny Barron on piano, Chris White on bass, and Rudy Collins on drums. 

The first half is a reworking of some 1945 favorites, and the second half includes then-new tunes like "Cup Bearers" and "Early Mornin' Blues."

Bob Weir's first solo album Ace, released in 1972, is really for all intents and purposes a classic Grateful Dead album, and a wonderful bridge between American Beauty and Wake of the Flood. 

With all of his Dead bandmates on board (sans Pigpen), Ace includes "Playing in the Band", "Cassidy", and 5 other staples of future live Dead sets.  Happy Birthday Bobby from WNCW! 

To celebrate WNCW's birthday this week, we look back at a classic album from our first year, 1989.  It was the year of Shawn Colvin's debut, "Steady On", featuring Suzanne Vega, Bruce Hornsby, and above all, the introduction of the impressive songwriting and studio partnership between Colvin and longtime collaborator John Leventhal.  Join us for a release that was a cornerstone of our first year of programming!