Spindale Cycle™

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! 

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!