Spindale Cycle™

We celebrate Marty Balin's birthday Monday with this gem from the Summer of Love.  Released in February 1967, the album went gold after spending over a year on the Billboard 200 chart, thanks to "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit."  Also on here are Jorma Kaukonen's Fahey-esque "Embryonic Journey", and Balin's driving "Plastic Fantastic Lover."  The name, by the way, comes from the album's "Spiritual Advisor" (a.k.a. uncredited Producer) Jerry Garcia, who said the album sounded "as Surrealistic as a pillow is soft." Feed your head with this one Monday night...

After Pops Staples and his daughters met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., they began writing a string of civil rights songs to accompany Dr. King's speeches and movement, including King's favorite, "Why Am I Treated So Bad?".  We honor Dr. King's birthday Monday evening with The Staples Singers' 1972 Stax album, which featured 3 R&B Top 10 hits: "Respect Yourself," "I'll Take You There," and "This World."

Released as a one-off project for MCA's briefly revived country subsidiary Dot Records, T-Bone Burnett's 1986 self-titled release is a wonderful stripped down snapshot of the singer/songwriter that is also a bit of a departure from the pop/rock side of his other work during this era.  With contributions from folks like Jerry Douglas, David Hidalgo, and Byron Berline here, you can hear how Burnett, who would become one of the most in-demand producers for successes by The Counting Crows, The Wallflowers, and others, was a great fit for roots-music classics like the O Brother Where Art Tho

Possessing one of the most emotive and unmistakable sopranos in folk and pop music, Joan Baez has been performing (and championing various political causes) for over 50 years now.  Though she is associated most with her 1960's successes, her 1975 gold-selling album "Diamonds & Rust" is our spotlight on Monday night as we celebrate her January 9th birthday.  Defining covers here of John Prine, Jackson Browne, The Allman Brothers Band, and of course Bob Dylan,  but the crown jewel is the title track, the revealing Top 40 single about her relationship with Dylan...not bad for her first for

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.