Tag Archives: podcast

Shows

#217 – Duke Robillard – Calling All Blues

Duke Robillard was one of the founding members of Roomful of Blues in the late Sixties.  Then, he replaced Jimmie Vaughan in the Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1989.  But, his solo career has been arguably more adventurous than either of those two bands.  Duke’s love is delving into the various facets of classic American music.  His latest offering, Calling All Blues, is a summation of the different styles of blues music, from Memphis to Mexico, from jazz swing to nasty rock,  brooding, shuffling, there’s a lot here.  We talk to the “ambassador of the blues” about how he broke his hand but continued to play guitar for the new record, playing to blues fans all over the world, and getting to release his new album on vinyl.

Shows

#216 – P.F. Sloan – What’s Exactly a Matter With Me

PF Sloan wrote an impressive list of songs in the mid Sixties, including Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction,” Johnny Rivers’ “Secret Agent Man,” as well as hits for the Mamas & the Papas, Grassroots, Herman’s Hermits, the Turtles and others.  He met Elvis & the Beatles, and hung out with Dylan & Stephen Stills.  But, like a lot of staff songwriters, he was employed by a record label run by ruthless individuals, which eventually led to Sloan leaving the music business for many years.  Sloan, along with S.E. Feinberg, have just written his autobiography, What’s Exactly a Matter with Me – Memoirs of a Life in Music, from Jawbone Press.  In addition, he has a brand new musical endeavor, My Beethoven.  P.F. Sloan talks about writing the theme to the T.A.M.I. Show, working with Ann Margaret, and helping produce “Paint it, Black,” for the Rolling Stones

Shows

#215 – Devon Allman – Ragged & Dirty

Despite his famous last name, Devon Allman has forged a path uniquely his own, beginning with his band, Honeytribe in 1999, then more recently, the Royal Southern Brotherhood, and his solo career. Now, hot on the heels of 2013’s Turquoise comes Allman’s finest work to date, Ragged & Dirty, an album that straddles Chicago blues with his Southern roots.  We talk his improving guitar work, touring overseas, and why he chose to cover the Spinners’ classic “I’ll Be Around.”

Shows

#214 – Ruthann Friedman – Chinatown

1969 — Songwriter Ruthann Friedman wrote the hit song “Wendy” made popular by 1960s-70s band, The Association. — Image by © Henry Diltz/CORBIS

Ruthann Friedman wrote “Windy,” which became a #1 smash for the Association in 1967.  With it, she became only the third woman to write a number one hit on the Billboard charts.  This led to Constant Companion, considered by many to be a great lost folk classic, released in 1970.  But, that album never took off and Friedman chose to settle down and raise a family instead.  Now, some 40 years later – she’s back with a new album, Chinatown.  We talk the inspiration behind “Windy,” what got her out of retirement, and what David Crosby had on the wall of his house that upset his mother.

Shows

#213 – Davina & the Vagabonds – Sunshine

Davina & the Vagabonds inject a fresh approach to a very classic style of music, a mix of blues & New Orleans-style jazz.  The Minneapolis band has just released a brand new record called Sunshine (read our review) , and we mean record, it is available on vinyl as well as CD & mp3.  We talk with leader Davina Sowers about her love of vintage music and how it gets infused in her songs.  She also tells us how Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups influenced the song “I Try to Be Good,” and how everyone, even Britney Spears, should cover a Fats Waller song.

Shows

#212 – Seth Walker – Sky Still Blue

Singer / songwriter Seth Walker has perfected his own unique blend of blues, soul & folk over his last few records.  His eighth album, Sky Still Blue, continues in that vein, proving that people can actually still put together an entire record of good tunes.  He talks about moving to New Orleans, turning up the volume on the guitars on this album, writing songs with country legend Gary Nicholson.

Shows

#211 – Ken Caillat – Making Rumours

He played a major role in shaping one of the biggest selling albums of all-time, Rumours.  Ken Caillat co-produced the classic Fleetwood Mac album with Richard Dashut.  We know the stories of how the band members were breaking up, but what about creating the songs?  Caillat gathers his recollections of the year spent in the studio in Making Rumours – the Inside Story of the Classic Fleetwood Mac Album from Wiley Publishing.  Incidentally, Caillat is still working – recently helping to guide the career of his daughter, Colbie Caillat to several successful albums.  He tells us the unbelievable stories behind many of the great songs on Rumours, and the advice he gave his daughter before she entered the music business.

Shows

#210 – Tommy James of the Shondells – Hanky Panky, Mony Mony & Other Tales

Tommy James of the Shondells was our very first interview on Icon Fetch.  Now, 209 shows later, he returns with an extensive talk about the stories behind some of his biggest hits: The unbelievable tale of his rise to fame with “Hanky Panky,” the party classic “Mony Mony,” the bubblegum confection of “I Think We’re Alone Now,” the psychedelic “Crimson & Clover,” the anti-war “Sweet Cherry Wine,” and the heavenly “Crystal Blue Persuasion.”  He also updates on his book Me the Mob and the Music and how it’s going to be turned into a major motion picture.

Shows

#209 – Gary Lewis of the Playboys – Happy Together Tour

In the mid Sixties, the charts were dominated by bands from the British Invasion – the Beatles, Herman’s Hermits, the Rolling Stones.  Yet, a few artists from America were still able to break through – the Beach Boys & Motown artists for example.  Then, there was Gary Lewis & the Playboys, who became the first American band to have their first seven singles hit the Top 10.  In fact, in May of 1965 – Gary & band were the only act from America in the entire Top 10.

Once again Gary is back on the road as part of the Happy Together tour which is coming to a city near you.  Gary tells us the story behind his great hits like “This Diamond Ring,” “She’s Just My Style,” and “Everybody Loves a Clown.”  Plus, he talks about getting discovered at Disney World by producer “Snuff” Garrett, and playing Hulabaloo with his dad, singing a Beatles song.

Shows

#208 – Mitch Ryder – Happy Together Tour

In the mid Sixties, Mitch Ryder was rarity – a white guy who successfully captured the essence of R&B but who could rock as well.  He was also one of the few American artists who gave those four lads from over the big pond a run for their money on the charts.  “Jenny Take a Ride,” “Devil With the Blue Dress,” and “Sock it to Me Baby” were just three examples of this unique sound.  Now, Mitch is back on the road as part of the Happy Together tour which is coming to a city near you.  He also wrote his autobiography (which we reviewed here).  Mitch talks about how music was not his first career choice, about seeing James Brown in concert and how it changed his life, and getting a visit from the Stones during the recording of his first hit song.