This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week of July 28th, 2013

July 28th, 2013 to August 3rd, 2013

We had quite a variety of music on the show this week, including some great Motown hits, some Lost Treasures, your requests and our tribute to the late J.J. Cale. What a great guitarist, songwriter and vocalist he was, and very influential as well. Please check out the Treasure Island Oldies Blog for the announcement posting of his passing.

Next week on the show, it's one of the most popular and eagerly anticipated specials of the year. It's the Annual Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special, Live Sunday, August 4th and later on the Archives at the Listen page. If there is a particular instrumental song you'd like to hear, let me know. Click the Requests Button on any page of the website, or call the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Line at 206-339-0709. I look forward to hearing from you.

There were no birthdays to announce on the show this week. However, if you have a birthday coming up, I invite you to let me know so that I can wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday by The Beatles for you. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog pays tribute to J.J. Cale with a great live performance of After Midnight. It's our Song of the Week. R.I.P. J.J.

Voice Your Choice presents an under-rated music arranger and producer, who was the very first to recognize the talent that the Beatles had. He signed them to a record deal in Germany. This week we present Bert Kaempfert as part of the Annual Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special. Cast your vote for either Red Roses For A Blue Lady or Wonderland By Night. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Here's the Rock And Roll News for the week of July 28^th

Listen to the Top 5 Countdown from 1956

See you next week for the Annual Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special on Treasure Island Oldies.

Bye for now.

Michael

Bert Kaempfert - Voice Your Choice

Bert Kaempfert was born in Hamburg, Germany, October 23, 1923. Not only did he start his own orchestra, he also started writing and producing. His many worldwide hit compositions include "Strangers In The Night", "Spanish Eyes", "Wooden Heart", "Danke Schoen", among others.

He also produced the first Beatles recording session in Hamburg ("Cry For A Shadow"/"Ain't She Sweet"), initially hired as a backup musicians for Tony Sheridan.

In conjunction with the Annual Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special next week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents the great instrumental band leader, Bert Kaempfert. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Red Rosed For A Blue Lady or Wonderland By Night. I'll play the winning song in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

J.J. Cale - Song Of The Week

In tribute to the late J.J. Cale who passed away July 26th, I was pleased to play some songs by him this week on Treasure Island Oldies. Here at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog, I am also pleased to play one of his signature songs for you.

In a great live performance, here is J.J. Cale with After Midnight, our Song Of The Week. Keep you eye out for Leon Russell on the organ at the end of the clip.

R.I.P. JJ

Michael

Singer/Songwriter J.J. Cale Has Died At Age 74

J.J. Cale, the songwriter behind the Eric Clapton classics "Cocaine" and "After Midnight," died  Friday at the age of 74.

Born John Weldon Cale in 1938 in Oklahoma City, Okla., the Grammy winner was an originator of the "Tulsa Sound," a loose genre drawing on blues, rockabilly, country and jazz influences.

His career saw him release 14 albums and his songs have been covered by acts including Johnny Cash, Santana, Tom Petty, Waylon Jennings and Captain Beefheart. His biggest U.S. hit single, "Crazy Mama," peaked at No. 22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1972.

He won a Grammy for his 2006 album with Clapton, called "The Road to Escondido."

A statement on his website said: "We've lost a great artist and a great person.

"JJ Cale passed away at 8:00 pm on Friday July 26 at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, CA. He had suffered a heart attack.
"There are no immediate plans for services. Donations are not needed but he was a great lover of animals so, if you like, you can remember him with donations to your favorite local animal shelter."

In his bio, was asked if he was bothered that that contemporaries and critics list him among  legends, and fans might love his songs yet not even know his name?

"No, it doesn't bother me," he laughs. "What's really nice is when you get a check in the mail."

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week Of July 21st, 2013

July 21st, 2013 to July 27th, 2013

It was a case of unfortunate and fortunate. It was unfortunate that we lost the live stream during the second hour of this week's live show. However it was fortunate that the show was still encoding or recording so nothing was lost. We were able to get back on the air live at the beginning of the third hour and there were no other problems. If you missed most of the second hour, you can hear the entire show at the Archive Page at the website.

Despite the technical issue, the Technicolor Special was a lot of fun with so many songs with a colour in the song title played throughout the show. Thanks for your requests. Our next special is one of the most popular specials of the entire year. Join me Live Sunday, August 4th for our Annual Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special.After the live show, the Archive will be available for listening on demand. If you have a favourite instrumental hit you'd like to hear, be sure to let me know and I'll do my best to play it for you. Click the Requests Button on any page of the website or call me on the Listener Line at 206-339-0709 to record your request. I look forward to hearing from you.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to my good close friend, Dorothy Allen in Vancouver, BC, Doug Thompson in Aurora, Ontario and Tommy Lam in Vancouver, BC. If you have a birthday coming up, I invite you to let me know so that I can wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday by The Beatles for you. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is keeping up with our Technicolor Special by playing Booker T. & The MGs in a clip from the TV show, Hollywood A Go Go, with Green Onions. It's our Song Of The Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents the first TV idol, Ricky Nelson, who got his start on his parents TV show, The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet. Cast your vote for either Hello Mary Lou or Travellin' Man. I'll play the winning song in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Here's the Rock And Roll News for the week of July 21^st

Listen to the Top 5 Countdown from 1958

See you next week for another four hours together with you on Treasure Island Oldies.

Bye for now.



Michael








 

Ricky Nelson - Voice Your Choice

Ricky Nelson was born into show business. Born Eric Hilliard Nelson on May 8, 1940 in Teaneck, New Jersey, both his mom and dad were stars. His dad, Ozzie Nelson, was a bandleader and his mom Harriet Hilliard was a vocalist. Together they had a radio show in 1949 and then made the switch over to television from 1952 to 1966 with The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet. Ricky and his brother David were regulars on the show.

Ricky Nelson was one of the first teen idols of the rock and roll era and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He appeared on the Billboard chart a total of 54 times between 1957 and 1973, and scored 9 Gold Records and an astounding 18 Top Ten Hits.

Next week on Treasure Island Oldies,  Voice Your Choice presents Ricky Nelson. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Hello Mary Lou or Travellin' Man. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Booker T. & The MGs - Song Of The Week

In keeping with the Technicolor Special this week on Treasure Island Oldies, here are Booker T. & The MGs, in a clip from the TV show Hollywood A Go Go, performing Green Onions.

It's our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week of July 14th, 2013

July 14th, 2013 to July 20th, 2013

I was saddened to hear from Paula Hill, who informed me of the passing of her husband, David Hill, owner of The Houndog KXDX 95.7 FM in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, and a member of the Broadcast Partners Network. The Houndog has been airing Treasure Island Oldies for years now; and as a consequence of David's passing, it seems that the station will soon go off the air. I'd like to send our most sincere condolences to Paula and her family on the loss of David. It's been an honour to have been on your station.

It was great spending another four hours together with you on Treasure Island Oldies again this week. And thanks for the many requests. A very interesting request came from Vance in Everett, Washington. He wanted to hear The Four Coins and A Broken Promise. What was interesting about this song is that it appeared on the chart in Cash Box Magazine but not at all on the Billboard Magazine chart. Nonetheless, it was nice to hear it again. Another very cool request came from Sally in Peorioa, Illinois who wanted to hear Mary Mary Lou by Bill Haley And His Comets. Now THAT is a Lost Treasure. It was on a 45 with It's A Sin on the flip side. Our listeners know their stuff! If you've got a song you'd like to hear on the show, just let me know. Click the Requests Button on any page of the website or give me a call on the Listener Line at 206-339-0709 and I'll do my best to play it for you.

Next week be sure to wear you sunglasses; it's going to be a bright show. It's our Annual Technicolor Special Live July 21st and on the Archive at the Listen page. You'll hear such colourful songs as Silver Threads And Golden Needles, The Purple People Eater, Scarlet Ribbons, and many many more. It all starts at 6 pm Pacific time.

If you have a birthday coming up, I invite you to let me know so that I can wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday by The Beatles for you. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing the great Roy Orbison with a live performance of In Dreams. It's our Song Of The Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice spotlights the Fab Four for our Technicolor Special next week with two great songs by The Beatles. Cast your vote at theVoice Your Choice page for either YellowSubmarine or Baby's In Black. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's Technicolor Special.

Here's the Rock And Roll News for the week of July 14^th

Listen to the Top 5 Countdown from 1966

See you next week for our Technicolor Special.

Bye for now.

Michael

The Beatles - Voice Your Choice

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice features The Fab Four. What can I possibly tell you about The Beatles that you don't already know? Suffice it to say, they continue to make their mark on popular music and they've influenced a number of generations.

We spotlight two great ballads by John, Paul, George and Ringo this week.

Which song would you like to hear? Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Yellow Submarine or Baby's In Black, two perfect songs for our Technicolor Special. I think it will be quite the contest to determine the winner, but whichever song wins, I'll play it in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Roy Orbison - Song Of The Week

I played this song this week on Treasure Island Oldies and I mentioned that if you had the 45 like so many others, you would have, at some point, flipped the record over and played the B side, Shadaroba. And wow did it generate great comments in the Treasure Island Oldies Chat Room during the live show.

Here is Roy Orbison in a fantastic live performance of In Dreams. It's our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!
Michael

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week Of July 7th, 2013

July 7th, 2013 to July 13th, 2013

I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone for your very nice comments regarding our special last week, the Music of Canada. It was great to hear from you. Our next special will be the Technicolor Special, Live July 21st and on the Archive at the Listen page. Every song title will have a colour or reference. For example, Rainbow, Blue Moon, Yellow Balloon, etc. If you'd like to hear a particular song, be sure to let me know. Click the Requests button on any page of the website or give me a call on the Listen Line at 206-339-0709.

This week it was great to play a few more summertime classics for you, along with a lot of other great hits from the '50s. '60s, and '70s. It's always a memory refresher on Treasure Island Oldies!

Happy Birthday wishes go out to my son David Godin, who is now back in Vancouver after being away for two years getting his Master's Degree in Urban Planning. Happy birthday also to Bobbi Gutman in Richmond, British Columbia, Gerry Young in Toronto, Ontario, and Wayne Harrett in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia. If you have a birthday coming up, I invite you to let me know so that I can wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday by The Beatles for you. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is spotlighting a group from Chicago, Illinois. It's the American Breed with Bend Me Shape Me. It's our Song of the Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice spotlights Jefferson Airplane, one of the key groups from the San Francisco music scene of the mid-sixties. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Somebody To Love or White Rabbit. I wonder if it'll end up in a tie for these two massive hit songs. We'll find out next week in the 3rd hour of the show.

Here's the Rock And Roll News for the week of July 7^th

Listen to the Top 5 Countdown from 1961

Hope you have a great week.

Bye for now.

Michael

Jefferson Airplane - Voice Your Choice

San Francisco, California was the home to Jefferson Airplane, who rose to fame during 1967, the Summer of Love. The members were Marty Balin, Grace Slick, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Cassidy, and Spencer Dryden. Over the years, their name changed to Jefferson Starship and finally to Starship.

To some it may be a surprise that they appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 charts 38 times between 1967 and 1991!

This week on Voice Your choice we go back to their beginnings with two of their first hits, both Top Ten. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Somebody To Love or White Rabbit. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Incidentally, Somebody To Love was originally released by the Great Society in 1966 under the title Someone To Love. If you have a copy of this 45 on North Beach Records, it is worth $300 to you!

American Breed - Song Of The Week

The American Breed were a group from Chicago, Illinois, who scored a handful of hits in the mid-to-late sixties. This week the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing their signature hit song for you.

Here they are, the American Breed with Bend Me Shape Me. It's our Song of The Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week Of June 30th, 2013

June 30th, 2013 to July 7, 2013

Happy Canada Day! What a great treat to spotlight the artists and groups from coast to coast across Canada on our Music Of Canada Special here on Treasure Island Oldies. You know, it's one thing to put together a show with a theme such as the Summer Beach Party. I can choose from songs released by artists from around the world. However, to have way more than enough songs by artists and groups from just one country for a special is, well, pretty special. And I didn't even touch on the groups that had Canadians as prominent members of the group, such as The Mamas And The Papas, with Denny Doherty from Halifax, The Young Rascals with Gene Cornish from Toronto, and The Lovin' Spoonful with Zal Yanovsky from Kingston, Ontario. What I was able to do was present a broad spectrum of music styles from the '50s, '60s and '70s. They all had big hits, either in Canada or around the world as well. I'd also like to thank you for the many requests I received for our Music Of Canada Special. What was so interesting was the fact that so many requests came from American listeners! I also thought it was very fitting to close the show with O Canada, our national anthem, recorded by a large number of artists. The whole list is far too long to mention, but here are just a few of the Canadian starts who participated in this milestone recording: Rita McNeil, Randy Bachman, Gino Vannelli, Alannah Myles, Paul Janz, Dan Hill, Alanis Morisette, Murray McLauchlan, country star Tommy Hunter, and so many more. If you missed the Live Show, be sure to Listen to the Archive.

Our next special will be in a few weeks with the Technicolor Special, Live July 21st and all week on the Archive. It promises to be very colourful. so be sure to wear your sunglasses!

There were no listener birthdays I was made aware of for this week, so didn't get to play our birthday song. However, if you have a birthday coming up, I invite you to let me know so that I can wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday by The Beatles for you. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is paying tribute to our Music Of Canada Special by playing the song we closed the show with this week. In multi-studio recording sessions, with overall engineering and mixing by my long time friend Hayward Parrot, with whom I share a birthday, arrangement and production by Eric Robertson, here is the various artists recording session of O Canada. It's our Song of the Week for Canada Day. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents the giant instrumental group, The Ventures. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Hawaii Five-O or Walk Don't Run. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Here's the Rock And Roll News for the week of June 30^th

Rock And Roll News on You Tube

Listen to the Top 5 Countdown from 1969

See you next week.

Bye for now.

Michael

The Ventures - Voice Your Choice

Co-founded by Bob Bogle and Don Wilson, The Ventures became a highly influential instrumental group that scored many hit records.

The Seattle-based group consisted of original line-up members Bob Bogle (lead guitar), Don Wilson (rhythm guitar), Nokie Edwards (bass) and Howie Johnson (drums). They appeared on the charts a total of 24 times between 1960 and scored four Top Twenty hits.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents The Ventures. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Hawaii Five-O or Walk - Don't Run. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

O Canada - Song Of The Week

In recognition of Canada Day and the Music Of Canada Special on Treasure Island Oldies this week, here is the National Anthem of Canada, O Canada. It was recorded by a multitude of Canadian artists at studios located across Canada. It was produced and arranged by Eric Robertson, engineered and mixed by Hayward Parrot, with executive producer and broadcaster, Ross Carlin.

Ross contacted by back in 1992 to help organize the studio and artists for the west coast portion of the sessions. I was able to also get Hayward Parrott involved along with Manta Sound Studios in Toronto. I also did this for the Northern Lights mammoth recording project for Tears Are Not Enough, a multi-artist recording for African Famine Relief.

Here then is O Canada, the video version of how we closed the Music Of Canada Special.

Enjoy and Happy Canada Day!

Michael



And then there is this innovative version of O Canada. :-)