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The RockIt Scientist
on 1485 Radio Today


1485 Radio Today
Also on DStv
Audio Channel 70

The RockIt Scientist is a very diverse music programme that features Progressive/ Hard/ Classic Rock, Blues, Brass Rock, Latin/ African Rock, Jazz and Metal music.

As "non-commercial/ non-Top 40" music ranging from the mid sixties to the present day is featured, the intention is to cater for the more discerning music listener, with no age limits or restrictions imposed or implied. An open mind and a love of music is mandatory!

The programme, which is broadcast on 1485am Radio Today, every Friday evening between 10pm and 1am, is presented by Leon Economides, who has worked with radio greats such as Tony Sanderson (Chuckle and Chat Show on Radio 5), Chris Prior (The Priority Feature on Radio 5), Phil Wright (The Dinosaur Days on 5fm), and Rafe Lavine (Rock Classics and The Great Unknowns on Radio 5, and the original RockIt Scientists on SAfm).

Radio Today is also available nationwide on the DStv Audio Channel 70.


Playlist for Friday 22/09/2006 - 22h00 to 01h00
 
 
01. Elephant's Memory - The Running Man, from "Angels Forever", in 1974
 
This US band, who started out in the mid to late sixties as a psych/hippie outfit, were big buddies with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, appearing on the former's " Some Time In New York" album in 1972. (Lennon, in turn, reciprocated by appearing on the band's self-titled 4th album, the same year). Elephant's Memory also appeared on the soundtrack to the movie "Midnight Cowboy". They released a total of five albums, the featured album being their heaviest and, arguably, their best.
 
02. Fable - Hard Life, from "Fable", in 1973
 
This short-lived English folk-rock outfit were formed by vocalist Pete Goalby in the early 70's. Not unlike Unicorn and Wooden Horse sans the female vocals, their music was punctuated by some really pleasant acoustic bits, with the odd rocker, as per the featured track, thrown in. Goalby went on to feature with Trapeze, Uriah Heep and others, and bass guitarist Peter Mackie with Roy Wood (he of the nicely groomed hair) in Wizard/Wizzo. 
 
03. Chicken Shack - Riding With The Devil, from "The Creeper", in 1977
 
Featuring Stan "The Man'' Webb in a more rock-orientated mood. The band now featured (the late) Tony Ashton on keyboards, Paul Martinez on bass, Edd Spevock (ex-Babe Ruth) on drums and Robbie Blunt (Broken Glass/Robert Plant), together with the great man, Stan, on guitars. Stan Webb is still one of the finest, and most underrated, blues guitarists in the world. If you don't believe that, check out the recent "I'd Rather Go Live" dvd, released on Angel Air Records, about a year ago. And his voice is still not too shabby, either.
 
Give-away time again.
 
This time, courtesy of Rob O'Brien at Redflag, we had three copies, plus three posters, of the debut album, called "Rise", of the sensational new Irish blues/rock outfit, The Answer, to give away. 
 
Question was (a real difficult 'un: Where are The Answer from?)
 
The three winners were:
 
Patrick Jacobs
Tamara Loob
Monica Erasmus
 
Tracks from "Rise" featured were:
 
04. The Answer - Come Follow Me.
05. The Answer - Into The Gutter.
06. The Answer - Never Too Late
 
If you don't have this album yet, get it. It's really good. If this is the direction hard rock/blues rock is heading, the future of the genre looks very promising.
 
A tribute to John "Bonzo" Bonham
 
Considered by many to be one of the finest rock drummers of all time, John Bonham was born in England on May 31st, 1948. He worked as a bricklayer before launching his musical career in a series of Birmingham-based bands, such as Terry & The Spiders and Band Of Joy, with future partner/band member Robert Plant. He subsequently worked on the British touring circuit backing vocalist Tim Rose when the offer to join Led Zeppelin came up, although guitarist Jimmy Page's initial first choice drummer had been Procol Harum's B.J.Wilson. Joining Bonham and Page were vocalist Robert Plant and bassist John Paul Jones, and one of the greatest rock bands in the world was born, evolving out of The (New) Yardbirds.
 
Bonzo's reputation and ability are legendary - you just need to check out his drumming on the "Led Zeppelin" dvd, released a few years ago, and you'll be convinced that he was in a different league. 
 
Unfortunately, like so many before, and after him, he was a slave to the evil of drugs and booze, which ultimately claimed his life on
September 25th, 1980. 
 
Out of respect for their fallen comrade, the rest of the group promptly disbanded in October 1980, having recorded nine albums between 1969 and 1979.
 
07. Led Zeppelin - Ramble On, from "Led Zeppelin 2", in 1970
 
One of the best, and most important records in rock history. This album set the stage for fame and fortune that would make Led Zep probably the world's biggest-ever group in terms of fan adulation and record sales. No hard rock collection can be considered to be complete without it. The cardboard replica edition make this (and the others in the series) a must for any collector.
 
08. Tarney Spencer Band - Set The Minstrel Free, from "Three's a Crowd", in 1978
 
Alan Tarney (guitars/keyboards/vocals) and Trevor Spencer (drums) had worked as sessions musicians for countless bands and artists. This was their second studio album, and it featured all of the members of The Climax Blues Band as backing musicians, as well as keyboard player Lynton Naiff from jazz/rock outfit Affinity. They recorded a third album in 1979.
 
09. Firefall - Mexico, from ''Firefall", their great debut album, released in 1976.
 
Firefall have been extensively featured on The RockIt Scientist and they're well represented on The RockIt Scientist website, so you can read up on them elsewhere on the site. Suffice to say that they were sometimes unfairly said to be a poor man's version of Poco or The Eagles. Not true. They were equally as good, if not better, than their better-known contemporaries. Firefall released a number of great albums and charting singles.
 
10. Charlie Daniels Band - Blind Man, from "Million Mile Reflections", in 1979
 
Another RockIt Scientist/Dinosaurdays regular, and certainly not only because of his "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" classic. Charlie Daniels was, and still is, one of the most respected fiddle players/guitarists/vocalists in Country Rock music. He's always had great musicians in his band, a tradition that has remained true to this day. A long-awaited dvd, "CDB DVD Live", was released about a year ago.   
 
11. America - Tin Man, from ''Holiday", in 1974
 
America were formed in the late 60's by the offspring of American servicemen stationed in the UK. Heavily influenced by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, America, comprising Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley and Dan Peek, were extremely popular in the early to mid 70's, scoring with a number of major hits, such as ''A Horse With No Name", 'I Need You", "Ventura Highway", the featured track, and a host of others. Dan Peek left in 1977, but Bunnell and Beckley continued to write great songs and fill venues. The band are still around today, and recently released a very good live dvd, recorded at The Sydney Opera House in Australia, a few years ago.
 
12. Bad Company - No Smoke Without Fire, from "Best Of Bad Company Live - What You Hear Is What You Get", in 1993.
 
This was the band's first official live album, and it featured new vocalist Brian Howe (ex-Ted Nugent's Band), together with bassist Rick Willis (ex- Foreigner, King Crimson and Peter Frampton, who replaced the now sadly deceased Boz Burrell) and guitarist Dave "Bucket" Colwell (ex-Samson). Original members, guitarist Mick Ralphs and drummer Simon Kirke, still featured with the band at this stage, although Ralphs would later leave, with Colwell taking over sole guitar duties. Original vocalist Paul Rodgers revived Bad Co about four years ago.
 
13. Foreigner - Juke Box Hero, from ''Live, Las Vegas, November 26, 2005''
 
Not quite an official live album (as in a worldwide release), but certainly a must-have for any fans of this legendary band. This album features the new line-up of Jason Bonham (ex-Bonham & UFO, on drums), Jeff Pilson (ex-Dokken, bass), Jeff Jacobs (keyboards/vocals), Tom Gimbel (guitar/sax/flute/vocals) and Kelly Hansen (vocals, ex-Hurricane & MSG), together with sole original member, guitarist/vocalist Mick Jones. Nice recording, nice crowd, most of the well known tracks, but strangely no "Double Vision"!
 
14. G3 - La Grange, from "Live in Tokyo", in 2005
 
Joe Satriani, Steve Vai & John Petrucci (Dream Theater) team up together on this double album that features each guitarist doing his own thing, as well as the three of them collaborating on a number of well known classics, such as their version of the bearded ones' "La Grange".
 
15. Keef Hartley Band - Not Foolish, Not Wise, from "The Battle Of North West Six", in 1969
 
Fresh from their performance at Woodstock (has anybody EVER seen footage of their performance at Woodstock?? Wishful thinking!), the band set about recording this album, considered by many to be one of their best. Featuring Miller Anderson (vocals/guitar), Gary Thain (bass) and Keef Hartley on drums (nice little solo, there, Keef!)
 
16. Swallow - Why Am I Treated So Bad, from "Out Of The Nest", in 1972
 
This band, who's name is also given to the bird that prevents babies (!), were a little-known US brass-rock outfit  who released one pretty rare album and folded in the early 70's. Jeff "Skunk" Baxter appeared on the album. Anyone know why he was known as "Skunk" Baxter? Rumor has it that he used to drop the odd trouser cough in the studio during recording sessions!
 
17. Creative Rock - Lady Pig, from "Lady Pig", in 1974
 
A short-lived German brass-rock outfit who were based in Bielefeld. Evolving out of a soul/jazz/rock outfit called The Bourbon Street Paraders, they released two good albums for the prestigious Brain label. Inspired by the likes of Colosseum, Nucleus and Blood, Sweat & Tears, they were quite inventive and they had a very powerful singer in Rainer Erbel. The band split in the mid 70's.
 
18. Stomu Yamash'ta - Crossing The Line, from "Go Live From Paris", in 1976
 
A brilliant double live album from this very talented Japanese multi-instrumentalist who's been featured elsewhere on The RockIt Scientist website. The album features contributions from Mike Shrieve (drums), Klaus Schulze (keyboards), Stevie Winwood (vocals) and Al Di Meola, who's blistering solo on this track, in particular, is one of his best.
 
19. Goddo - Under My Hat, from 'Best Seat In The House", in 1981
 
Goddo were formed in Canada by ex-Fludd bass guitarist, Greg Godovitz, together with drummer Doug Inglis and Gino Scarpelli, who's guitar work on this track can only be described as brilliant, one of the best solos you'll hear in a long time! The band were formed in the early-to-mid 70's and they released their self-titled debut album in 1977. They reformed recently and released a great new album called ''Kings Of The Stoned Age". Not that easy to find their material, but they're certainly worth looking out for.
 
20. Sweathog - Hallelujah, from "Hallelujah", in 1971
 
A sadly overlooked US rock band who had much to offer, but, other than making a cameo appearance on the 'Fill Your Head With Rock'' compilation brought out by Columbia Records in the early 70's, the band had nothing else to show for themselves. The two albums they released, however, were out of the top drawer, but they sank into obscurity in the early 70's. 
 
21. Glencoe - Born In The City, from ''The Spirit Of Glencoe", in 1973, their 2nd and last album.
 
Formed in London in 1971, Glencoe's initial members included two ex-members of Forevermore (Stewart Francis on drums and Mick Travis on guitar & vocals), Norman Watt-Roy on bass, from Greatest Show On Earth, and Graham Maitland on keyboards/vocals, from Hopscotch. Francis was later replaced by John Turnbull (ex-Bell and Arc and Skip Bifferty). Both of Glencoe's albums are highly recommended.
 
22. Tiger - Ticket Machine, from "Goin' Down Laughing", in 1976, their second anl last album.
 
Tiger was a competent UK blues/rock outfit put together by seasoned guitarists Big Jim Sullivan (ex-Green Bullfrog) and Les Walker (ex-Warm Dust), together with vocalist Nicky Moore (ex-Hackensack & Megaton), keyboard player Dave McCrae (ex-Nucleus), drummer Billy Rankin (ex-Brinsley Schwarz) and bass player Phil Curtis (ex-Crazy World Of Arthur Brown). Dave McCrae later featured with singer Joy Yates in Pacific Eardrum, and he was replaced by Alan Park, previously with Beggars Opera. Andy Brown joined on bass and this line up appeared on the featured album. Tiger split in 1977.
 
23. Flied Egg - I'm Gonna See My Baby Tonight, from "Dr. Siegel's Fried Egg Shooting Machine", in 1972
 
No, it's not a spelling mistake - this Japanese blues/rock outfit were really known as Flied Egg (think of "Lock and Loll", or "House Of Lising Sun"). Weird name aside, this band were, next to Flower Traveling Band, one of Japan's best blues/rock outfits. My Japanese is almost as bad as my Outer Mongolian, so the liner notes on the CD sleeve are slightly difficult to grasp, making finding info on the band a tad problematic. They've released around three velly good albums. 
 
24. Fuzzy Duck - Country Boy, from "Fuzzy Duck", in 1971
 
This short-lived UK outfit's album is a serious rarity, fetching quite a handsome price on the collectors market (only 500 copies were pressed). The band featured Paul Francis on drums (ex-Tucky Buzzard), Garth Watt-Roy on guitar (ex-Greatest Show On Earth), Roy Sharland, ex-Arthur Brown and Spice, on organ, and ex-Andromeda and Five Day Week Straw People bass player, Mick Hawksworth. It's basically an album of heavy progressive rock music and it's definitely worthwhile checking out.
 
25. Raw Material - Miracle Worker, from "Time Is Rare", in 1971
 
A serious vinyl rarity from the RCA Neon label. This UK progressive rock outfit were formed by members of the bands Steam and Welcome, neither of which had ever committed any recordings to vinyl. Their self-titled debut album, released on the Evolution label in 1970, had some very interesting and long tracks with involved and elaborate instrumental breaks. The featured album, whilst being more song orientated, also featured a number of really good progressive pieces based on heavy guitar, sax and keyboard riffs. When the band finally folded, some members went to Deep Feeling and others to Shoot. Both albums are available on CD and are worthwhile additions to the collection.
 
26. Paul Samson - Brand New Day, from "P.S", his latest (and final) album, released just recently.
 
Paul Samson, in my humble opinion, was one of the best guitarists of the NWOBHM scene. As is well known and documented elsewhere on The RockIt Scientist website, he formed his band Samson way back in the late 70's, together with some of the UK's finest musicians and vocalists. Samson (the band) released some really great albums, especially during the time that vocal duties were handled by Nicky Moore. Paul Samson tragically died (on 9th August 2002) during the writing and recording sessions for what was to be the new Samson album. Bassist John McCoy, who'd previously worked with Paul Samson in Scrapyard in the mid 70's, and who played bass on the album, was asked to complete the project. It was initially intended to be released as a new Samson album called "Brand New Day", but it was suggested instead that it would be a fitting tribute to release it as a Paul Samson CD. Featuring Nicky Moore on vocals, John McCoy on bass, Ian Ellis on bass & vocals (the same guy who featured with Kim Simmonds in Savoy Brown?) and Billy Fleming on drums, it certainly is a fitting tribute to a truly great heavy rock/blues rock guitarist. 
 
The album is available through Angel Air Records (www.angelair.co.uk), who have an amazing catalogue of rare recordings, re-releases and other collectibles. They're undoubtedly one of the best record labels in the UK.  
 
27. Riot - Darker Side Of Light, from "Army Of One", brand new recording from this famous New York-based hard rock outfit.
 
Riot were featured just recently on an earlier RockIt Scientist show. The new album then arrived in the post and I just had to play a track from it. Guitarist Mark Reale is the only remaining original member (he formed the band, together with vocalist Guy Speranza, back in the mid 70's). This new album, which features new-ish members Mike Flyntz on guitars, Pete Perez on bass, Frank Gilchrist on drums and Mike DiMeo on vocals, is dedicated to the memory of Guy Speranza, who died of cancer in November 2004. The band have released nearly 20 albums since 1977, and this is one of their strongest offerings to date.  
 
28. Desperado - See You At Sunrise, from "Ace", originally recorded in 1989, but only recently released, on Angel Air Records.
 
This band could've been pretty big, had they lasted longer. Featuring vocalist Dee Snider (Twisted  Sister), solo guitarist Bernie Torme (who'd also worked with Mammoth/Gillan/Atomic Rooster), bassist Marc Russell and original Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr, this was a supergroup in the making. The group wrote close to 100 songs for the album and were signed to Elektra Records, but they only managed one live gig, a secret show in Birmingham, England, where Kix, (who shared the same management), had played the night before and left their gear on stage for Desperado to use. The rise of Grunge in the late 80's/early 90's destroyed the label's interest, and they were dropped. The band dissolved as a result, with Snider and Russell continuing as Widowmaker. Bernie Torme resumed his solo career and has recently teamed up with bassist John McCoy in GMT. Clive Burr has sadly been struck down with MS and is now unable to play. Fortunately, thanks to Angel Air Records, the album has finally been released.
 
29. First+Aid - Two Brothers, from "Nostradamus", in 1977
 
This little known album, put together by this little known English prog outfit, is a conceptual masterpiece, based on the life of Nostradamus
(or Nostril-damus, the chap who "nose" the future. But then you've heard that one already, haven't you?). The members were Allan Wormald on guitar & vocals, Keith Parkinson on keyboards, Norrie Tennant on bass and Dave Freeman on percussion. Astounding orchestral arrangements, musicianship and songwriting, together with an intriguing and fascinating interpretation of the mysterious prophet's forecasts, make this a very worthwhile addition to the collection of any lover of prog rock music. Whether or not you can find it, however, is another story.
 
30. Tucky Buzzard - Coming On Again Suite, from "Coming On Again", in 1972 (part of "Time Will Be Your Doctor", double compilation, released in 2005)
 
Do you know what it's like when you finally find something that you've been searching for, and that's been eluding you, for years and years? The third "mystery" album from this fantastic UK outfit was only released in Spain (the fact that it was recorded in Spain, with the Madrid Philharmonic Orchestra, could have something to do with that). Previously, Tucky Buzzard's main claim to fame was that they were managed and produced by the Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman, but after you hear the quality of their music, the Wyman link is really of minor interest. These guys were nothing short of brilliant. Evolving out of a mid-sixties outfit called The End, they released their (equally rare and nigh-impossible to find) debut album in 1971. Oddly enough, this album was only released in the US, where the band were starting to make serious waves. The follow-up album, "Warm Slash", released in 1971 in the US and in 1972 in the UK, had some of the finest boogie rock you're ever likely to hear, with vocalist Jimmie Henderson in great form. The band later signed to Deep Purple's Purple label and released two further albums, ''Alright On The Night" and "Buzzard", before splitting. These latter two recordings have been freely available for some time now, but albums one, two and three not so, which make thus double compilation of the first three albums a fantastic way of answering all those questions about Tucky Buzzard that've been lingering for so many years. And no, the Nicky Graham who featured in The End was NOT the same Nick Graham who featured with Atomic Rooster, Skin Alley and Alibi. So there!    
 
 
The following bands/artists were featured on The RockIt Scientist on Friday 29/09/2006. Write-ups to follow in the next newsletter.
 
Janis Joplin (Tribute)
Cold Blood
Affinity
Sandy Pantaleo (Sonny Rose)
Tower Of Power
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Hemlock
Arcadium
Rumplestiltskin
Apache
Epitaph
Fantasy
Dave Meniketti
Ken Hensley
Gamma
Landmarq
Like Wendy
Kayak
Windchase
Scarlet Thread
Sebastian Hardie
Schenker/Pattison Summit
Sky High
Dave Greenslade
Rick Wakeman
Trace
Lucifer Was
Standarte
Primevil
 
 
Remember to tune in to The RockIt Scientist, every Friday night, between 10.00pm and 01.00am, on 1485 Radio Today, also on DSTV Audio Channel 70.


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