Peak of the Week

Louisiana's "Swamp Pop" father Bobby Charles helped shape rock & roll’s evolution during the ‘50s and ‘60s, writing a string of hits for artists like Fats Domino and Bill Haley & the Comets.  In 2007, folk-blues songwriter Shannon McNally began working on this tribute project with him that is now finally complete, three years after his death.  Dr. John, who played piano on Charles’ 1972 self-titled album, produced it and joins McNally and other New Orleans musicians.  It's our feature Thursday night.

When the L.A.

The Gourds' frontman Kev Russell has had a side project for a few years now, to help provide an outlet for his huge well of material.  But to throw in a little curveball, he ends Gulf Coast Museum with a ukulele version of "If You Don't Know Me By Now".  Featuring a revolving lineup of Austin talent backing him up, this is Shinyribs' second album ("Poor Peoples' Store" became a WNCW hit from their first.) 

If you can maybe picture Roy Orbison as a Cuban-American, fronting a band that draws from Hank Williams as much as the Sir Douglas Quintet, with a fresh new release, then you get an inkling of what our Thursday night music mix has in store for you.  Raul Malo and The Mavericks are back after a 10 year hiatus, and their new album In Time is your Peak of the Week.