Hour One - Door Knockin’ Songs

1.   The Doors: Strange Days - 1967
2.   Mahogany Rush: Man At The Back Door - 1976 *
3.   Bruce Cockburn: Shipwrecked At The Stable Door - 1988 *
4.   The Clash: Jail Guitar Doors - 1977
5.   Mary Hopkin: Knock Knock Who’s There - 1970
6.   The Razorbacks: Knock Knock Bim Bam - 1988 *
7.   Pukka Orchestra: Knocking On Open Doors - 1986 *
8.   Don Brose & The Chords: Knocking On Heaven’s Door - 1975 *
9.   Little Richard: Tutti Fruiti / Keep On Knocking - 1969 *
10. The Rolling Stones: Can’t You Hear Me Knocking - 1969
11. Pete Townsend: Let My Love Open The Door - 1980
12. Jimmy Buffett: Door Number 3 - 1974
13. Mac Beattie: The Stone Outside Dan Murphy’s Door - 1965 *
14. The Beegees: Close Another Door - 1967

Hour Two - Feelin’ Fine

1.   The Beatles: I Feel Fine - 1964
2.   Tommy Tucker: Hi Heeled Sneakers - 1964
3.   The Phantoms: Heavenly Girl - 1990 *
4.   JJ Cale: Nowhere To Run - 1970
5.   The Shakers: Honey Hush - 1981 *
6.   Mainline: One Time Loser - 1971 *
7.   Stan Rogers: Forty-Five Years - 2019 *
8.   James Hill: Promenade - 2014 *
9.   The Sunparlour Players: Soapbox - 2014 *
10. Ahmad Jamal: Naked City Theme - 1965
11. Commander Cody: Hot Rod Lincoln - 1972
12. Joan Morrissey: The Boarding House on Federation Square - 1972 *
13. Mack: Faut Pas Lacher - 1975 *
14. Cannonball Adderley: African Waltz - 1961

CanCon = 54%

Hour One

1.   The Doors: Strange Days
(The Doors)
Strange Days: Elektra EKS 74014
Los Angeles CA
Jim Morrison: vocals
Ray Manzarek: keys
Bobby Krieger: guitar
John Densmore: drums
Douglas Lubahn: bass
Produced by Paul A Rothchild, 1967
Recorded by Bruce Botnick at Sunset Sound, Hollywood

This song was one of the earliest uses of the Moog synthesizer. In the book The Doors: Unhinged, John Densmore gives some insight into the meaning of "Strange Days." Around the time that Morrison wrote the song, the other three Doors band members decided to sell "Light My Fire" to Buick so that the song could be used in a commercial. Morrison went absolutely "ballistic," calling his lawyers to tell them to tell Buick that he would smash a Buick to pieces on stage if they didn't drop the contract.

Even after resolving the issue and getting Buick to retract the commitment, Morrison felt that something had changed for the worse and that the Doors were now on a slippery slope to selling out. He began seriously proposing that they all move to an island and start all over again. These thoughts were on Morrison's mind when he wrote "Strange Days."

2.   Mahogany Rush: Man At The Back Door
(Frank Marino)
Mahogany Rush IV: Kotai Records (Columbia) WBC 34190
Montreal QC
Frank Marino: guitars, vocals
Jim Ayoub: drums
Paul Harwood: bass
Produced by Frank Marino, 1976
Recorded at Tempo Studios, Montreal by Billy Szawlowski and Ian Terry
 
3.   Bruce Cockburn: Shipwrecked At The Stable Door
(Bruce Cockburn)
Big Circumstance: True North Records TN 70
Ottawa ON
Bruce Cockburn: vocals, guitar, harmonica
Fergus Jamison Marsh: bass, Chapman Stick
Hugh Marsh: violin
Jon Goldsmith: keyboards, autoharp
Michael Sloski: drums, percussion
Myron Schultz: clarinet
Judy Cade: background vocals
Mary Margaret O'Hara: bg vocals
Mose Scarlett: bg vocals
Produced by Jon Goldsmith, 1988
Recorded by John Naslen at Manta Sound, Toronto

4.   The Clash: Jail Guitar Doors
(J Strummer / M Jones)
The Clash: Epic Records 36060
London UK
Mick Jones: guitars, vocals
Joe Strummer: guitars, vocals
Paul Simonon: bass
Nicky Headon: drums
Produced by The Clash & Bill Price, 1977
Recorded February 1977 at CBS Studios in London and National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, England

This was originally the B side of the bands fourth single Clash City Rockers. Subsequently it was left off the British version of this, their first album. The song actually originated with Strummer’s former band The 101ers as Lonely Mother’s Son with much the same chorus: “Clang clang go the jail guitar doors”. Interestingly, the song mentions three prominent musicians: Wayne Kramer of the MC5, Peter Green of the Fleetwood Mac, and Keith Richards.

5.   Mary Hopkin: Knock Knock Who’s There
(J Carter / Geoff Stephens)
45 single bw I’m Going To Fall In Love Again: Apple Records – APPLE 26
Pontardawe, Wales
Mary Hopkin: vocal
Johnny Arthey: orchestra conductor
Produced by Mickie Most, 1970
Recorded at Abby Road Studios, London

Mary Hopkin (born 3 May 1950 Pontardawe, Wales)
 
Song was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1970 where it came 2nd. Song peeked on British charts at #2 for 14 wks. Rather different from her usual material, Hopkin rarely performed the song after the Eurovision due to her distaste for it. She later commented: "I was so embarrassed about it. Standing on stage singing a song you hate is awful". She never wanted to sing it again.

6.   Razorbacks: Knock Knock Bim Bam
(Bobby Carroll / C Connelly)
Go To Town: Other Peoples Music - TJD-2102
Toronto ON
Tony Kenny: guitar, vocals
Joe Myke: bass
Don Dekouchay: drums
Produced by Chris Spedding, 1988
Recorded at Wellesly Sound, Toronto by Tod Cutler

Rockabilly trio that I used to see busking on the streets of Toronto. Recorded two albums before disintegrating into the ether. Active from 1986–1996.

7.   Pukka Orchestra: Knocking On Open Doors
(Graham Williamson / Pukka Orchestra)
The Palace of Memory: Major Lable Records 12PUK010
Toronto ON
Graham Williamson: vocal, keys
John Anderson: drums
Mike Kahn: bass
Tony Duggan-Smith: guitar
Neil Chapman: guitar
John Whynot: keys
David Morrow: keys
Ron Allen: emulator
OK Chorale: bg vocals
Gordon Phillips: jaw harp
Produced by Pukka Orchestra, 1986
Recorded at Enormus Sound Studios, Toronto by Tom Adam

Active years: 1979–1988

The band's name is derived from the Hindi word pukka, which in UK slang can mean "very good". The single, Rubber Girl, was their first recording, self-financed and produced. The band’s first album came out three years later, in 1984. The Toronto Police Service attempted to block radio airplay of their hit, "Cherry Beach Express",  due to its theme of opposition to police brutality. The Palace of Memory was their last record, a four song EP.

8.   Don Brose & The Chords: Knocking On Heavens Door
(Bob Dylan)
50th Anniversary Collectors Item: Ram Records C 137
North Bay ON
Bob Brose: vocals
John Ranger: keys
Bill Baines: bass, guitar
John Joe Vendetti: drums (d. August 4, 2012)
Produced by John Ranger, 1975
Recorded by Ken Fraser at Ram Studios, North Bay

Don Brose b. North Bay, ON 1937

Brose started The Chords in 1959 and claimed: "As a new band nobody would hire us in North Bay. We had to play in places like Trout Creek, South River, Sturgeon Falls and Lavigne. We used to do square dances." He smiles as he remembers. "We didn't get to play (the big time) in North Bay until 1962."

Don Brose is now President of the North Bay Musicians Hall of Fame. This is the only LP that I know of that Brose appeared on; he also recorded a 45 for Vintage Records in 1973. Don Brose from North Bay was inducted into the Northern Ontario Country Music Association's Hall of Fame on November 7th, 2015.

9.   Little Richard: Tutti-Fruiti
(R. Penniman, D. La Bostrie, R. Blackwell)
Keep On Knocking
(R. Penniman, J. Williams, B. May)
Live at Toronto Rock 'N' Roll Revival:
Macon GA
Little Richard: piano
Others unknown
Produced by Jeff Palo and Frazer Pennebaker, 1969
Recorded live at Varsity Stadium, Toronto, Sept 13, 1969

Richard Wayne Penniman (b Macon Georgia, Dec 5, 1932)
 
10. The Rolling Stones: Can’t You Hear Me Knocking
(Jagger / Richards)
Sticky Fingers: Rolling Stones Records COC 59100
London UK
Bill Wyman: Bass
Rocky Dijon: Congas 
Charlie Watts: Drums
Mick Taylor: Guitar 
Keith Richard: Guitar, Vocals 
Billy Preston: Organ
J. Miller: Percussion
Bobby Keyes: Saxophone
Mick Jagger: Vocals
Produced by Jimmy Miller, 1969
Recorded At  Olympic Studios by Andy Johns, Chris Kimsey, Glyn Johns, Jimmy Johnson

11. Pete Townsend: Let My Love Open The Door
(Pete Townsend)
45 single bw And I Moved: Atco Records 7217
London
Pete Townsend: vocal, guitar, synth
Tony Butler: bass
Simon Phillips: drums
"Rabbit" Bundrick: keys
Pete Hope-Evans: harmonica
Produced by Chris Thomas, 1980
Recorded by Bill Price at  Eel Pie Studios
Mastered By TY, Timtom

12. Jimmy Buffett: Door Number Three
(Jimmy Buffett / Steve Goodman)
A1A: ABC Dunhill Records – DSD 50183
Mobile Alabama
Jimmy Buffett: acoustic guitar, vocal
Roger Bartlett: guitar
Steve Goodman: acoustic lead guitar
Reggie Young: electric lead guitar
Doyle Gresham: steel
Greg Taylor: harmonica
Tommy Cogbill: bass
Mike Uttley: keysw
Ferrel Morris: percussion
Sammy Creason: drums
Buzz Cason, Bergen White, Don Grant: bg vocals
Produced by Don Grant, 1974
Recorded by Tommy Semmes, Woodland Sound Studios, Nashville

The songs for A1A, Buffett’s 5th album, were all written by him except for
"Door Number Three," a novelty song about the game show Let's Make a Deal
co-written with Steve Goodman

Monty Hall: Monte Halparin b. August 25, 1921 (age 95) Winnipeg, one of
Canada’s trio of game-show exports to the US. (Art Linkletter b. Arthur
Kelly July 17, 1912 Moose Jaw SK – host of People Are Funny) and Alex
Trebek, b. July 22, 1940 (age 76), Sudbury ON). Hall became the host of
the game show Let's Make a Deal, which he developed and produced with
partner Stefan Hatos.

Backup vocalist Buzz Cason, a Nashville songwriter known for his composition Everlasting Love. His 1962 song, "Soldier of Love" – a co-write - was covered by The Beatles on their Live at the BBC.

13. Mac Beattie & Ottawa Valley Melodiers: The Stone Outside Dan Murphy’s Door
(Mac Beattie)
Sing A Song: Banff Rodeo – RBS 1243
Arnprior ON
Mac Beattie: vocal, drums
Reg Hill: fiddle, bass
Gaetan Fairfield: guitar
Bob Whitney: alto sax, drums
Allan Utronki: steel, spanish guitar, bass
Jimmy Mayhew: piano
Produced by George Taylor, 1965

John McNab Beattie, b Arnprior, ON 21 Dec 1916 / d 14 Jun 1982 Arnprior (65)

14. The Beegees: Close Another Door
(Barry Gibb / Robin Gibb / Maurice Gibb)
45 single bw To Love Somebody: Atco Records 6503
Isle of Man, UK / Redcliff, Australia
Robin Gibb: lead vocals
Barry Gibb: acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Maurice Gibb: bass and acoustic guitar
Colin Petersen: drums
Vince Melouney: lead guitar
Bill Shepherd: Accompaniment Director
Produced by Robert Stigwood, 1967
Recorded April, 1967 at Ryemuse Studios, London

Formed in 1958, The Beegees brothers moved to England from their native Australia in 1967. Their first hit song on this side of the ocean was the New York Mining Disaster 1941. To Love Somebody followed soon after and became one of their biggest all time hits. Close Another Door was on the B side. They followed this with a dozen other hits before going disco in the latter 1970s to resurrect their then faltering career.

Hour Two – Feelin’ Fine

1.   The Beatles: I Feel Fine
(John Lennon / Paul McCartney)
45 British single bw She’s A Woman: Parlophone Records R5200
Liverpool UK
John Lennon: double traked lead vocal, lead & rhythm guitars
Paul McCartney: bass, harmony vocal
George Harrison: lead & rhythm guitars, harmony vocal
Ringo Starr: drums
Produced by George Martin, 1964
Recorded at EMI Abby Road Studio Two, London

This is the original British version of the song on 45 and to me, sounds a wee bit different from the North American release. "I Feel Fine" starts with a single, percussive feedback note produced by McCartney plucking the A string on his bass, and Lennon's guitar, which was leaning against McCartney's bass amp, picking up feedback. This was the first use of feedback on a rock record. According to McCartney, "John had a semi-acoustic Gibson guitar. It had a pickup on it so it could be amplified ... We were just about to walk away to listen to a take when John leaned his guitar against the amp. I can still see him doing it … it went, 'Nnnnnnwahhhhh!' And we went, 'What's that? Voodoo!' 'No, it's feedback.' 'Wow, it's a great sound!' George Martin was there so we said, 'Can we have that on the record?' 'Well, I suppose we could, we could edit it on the front.'

John Lennon claimed:  "I defy anybody to find a record – unless it's some old blues record in 1922 – that uses feedback that way."

2.   Tommy Tucker: Hi Heeled Sneakers
(R Higgenbothom)
45 singe bw Suzie Q (Dale Hawkins): Collectables Records COL 3429A
Springfield OH
Tommy Tucker: lead vocal
Dean Young: lead guitar
Produced by Herb Abramson, 1964
Recorded 1963 at  A-1 Sound Studios in New York City

Robert Higginbotham b. Springfield, Ohio, March 5, 1933 / d. January 22, 1982 Newark NJ (48)

Tommy Tucker's original recording reached number one on the Cash Box R&B Locations chart and number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100. It was originally released on Chess Records imprint Checker Records and was the last song on that label to hit No. 1. It’s been covered by dozens of artists, including Johnny Rivers, Elvis Presley, Ramsey Lewis, Jose Feliciano, Chuck Berry, the Chambers Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis , David Cassidy and Boots Randolph.

Tucker died in 1982 at the age of 48 at College Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, from inhaling carbon tetrachloride while refinishing the hardwood floors of his home.

3.   The Phantoms: Heavenly Girl
(The Phantoms)
Pleasure Puppets: Spy Records 1006
Toronto ON
Ottawa / Toronto ON
Jerome Godbo: bass, lead vocal
Ben Richardson: bass, bg vocals
Joe Toole: guitar
Gregory Ray Tunis: drums, bg vocal
Produced by The Phantoms, 1990

Jerome Godboo: b. Victoria BC

Originally from Ottawa, The Phantoms invaded Toronto in the late 80s and hit the scene hard. However, they only lasted until 1992 before breaking up. The first of only two albums this Ottawa band recorded in the early 90s for A&M

He won the Lee Oskar Best Harmonica Player Award in Memphis in 2014. His career actually began in Ottawa after winning an Ottawa Bluesfest contest as a harmonica player.

4.   JJ Cale: Nowhere To Run
(JJ Cale)
Naturally: MCA Records MCA 37104
Oklahoma City, OK
J J Cale: guitars, vocals
Karl Himmel: drums
Chuck Browning: drums
Tim Drummond: bass
Carl Radle: bass
Norman Putnam: bass
Bob Wilson: piano
David Briggs: keys
Jerry Whitehurst: piano
Weldon Myrick: steel guitar
Buddy Spiker: fiddle
Shorty Lavender: fiddle
Walter Haynes: dobro
Mac Gayden: slide guitar
Ed Colis: harmonica
Diane Davidson: bg vocals
Produced by Audie Ashworth, 1971
Recorded by Joe Mills and Jim Williamson at Bradleys Barn, Mt Juliet Tenn, and by James Long at Moss Rose Studio Nashville

John Weldon Cale  (December 5, 1938 July 26, 2013 La Jolla CA)

Songs were covered by Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash, Phish, Kansas, Bill Wymans Rhythm Kings, George Thorogood, Lynard Skynayrd, The Band, Waylon Jennings, Bobby Bare & Captain Beefheart

5.   The Shakers: Honey Hush
(Big Joe Turner)
Rock And Roll EP: Warpt Records WRC1 1515
Hamilton ON
Claude Desroches: drums
Tim Gibbons: lead guitar
Rick Andrew: bass
Dave ‘Rave’ Desroches: rhythm guitar, vocals
Produced by Daniel Lanois 1981
Recorded by Daniel Lanois in Grant Avenue Studios, Hamilton ON

The Shakers, from 1979 to 1983. Only put out 2 LPs: 1981 (In Time) and ‘83 called Weekend.
Dave Rave played rhythm guitar for Teenage Head. He also formed a group called "The Dave Rave Conspiracy".  The Shakers have done some reunion shows the past few years.

6.   Mainline: One Time Loser
(Joe Mendelson)
Canada Our Home And Native Land: GRT Records 9230-1011
Toronto Ontario Canada  
Zeke sheppard: bass, mandolin
Tony Nolasco: drums
Mike McKenna: lead guitar
Joe Mendelson: guitar, harmonica, vocal
Produced by Adam Mitchell, 1971
Recorded by Fred Catero at Pacific Recording Studio, San Mateo CA  April – May 1971
Cover Art: David Andoff
 
7.   Stan Rogers: Forty-Five Years
(Stan Rogers)
The Best of Stan Rogers: Borealis Records BVL 262
Binbrook ON
Stan Rogers: guitar, vocals
Curly Boy Stubbs: guitar
Ken Whiteley: piano
David Woodhead: bass
Jerome Jarvis: drums, percussion
Produced by Paul Mills, 2019
Recorded September 1976 at Springfield Sound, Springfield ON by Bob Leth
Originally released on LP ‘Fogerty’s Cove’ on Barn Swallow Records and Fogerty’s Cove Music
Remastered by Joao Carvalho and Bill Garrett at Joao Carvalho Mastering, Toronto
LP Cover by A Man Called Wrycraft

Stanley Allison Rogers b. Hamilton ON Nov 29, 1949 / d. June 2, 1983 (33)
Hebron, Kentucky

This is a brand new double LP of the best of Stan Rogers.

8.   James Hill: Promenade
(James Hill)
The Old Silo: Borealis Records BCVL 230
Halifax NS / Ottawa ON
James Hill: vocal, baritone uke, tambourine, organ
Joel Plaskett: bass, drums, vocals
Joe Murhpy: harmonica
Produced by Joel Plaskett, 2014
Recorded at New Scotland Yard, Dartmouth NS by Thomas Stajcer
Mixed by Joel Plaskett and Thomas Stajcer
Mastered by LaPointe at Archive Mastering, Halifax

James Hill b. Nova Scotia, 1980

As a kid, Hill was inspired to learn to play the ukulele from Haligonian Chalmers Doane (Melanie Doane’s father) who wrote the book on learning to play the instrument. As a singer/songwriter, he began recording albums in 2002 featuring his ukulele. Teamed up with his cello playing wife Anne Janelle (previously Davison). In 2015, his album "The Old Silo" was nominated for the Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year

9.   The Sunparlour Players: Soapbox
(Andrew Penner)
The Living Proof: Sunparlour Players SPP004
Toronto ON
Andrew Penner: vocals, guitars, banjo, bass, vibes, keys, percussion etc
Michael Rosenthal: drums
Chris Stringer: synths, ukulele, guitars
Hugh Oliver: recipe reading
Nadia Baer: trumpet
Produced by Chris Stringer & Sunparlour Players, 2014
Recorded by Chris Stringer & John Dinsmore at The Lincoln County Social Club
Mixed by Chris Stringer
Mastered by Fedge

Andrew Penner grew up on a farm near Leamington, ON in the region nicknamed Canada's "Sun Parlour", thus their name. Based in Toronto, the band released its debut album Hymns for the Happy in 2006. Living Proof is their fourth offering.

10. Ahmad Jamal: Naked City Theme
(B May / M Raskin)
Naked City Theme: Chess CSLP 733
Pittsburgh PA
Ahmad Jamal: piano
Jamil Sulieman: bass
Chuck Lampkin: drums
Produced by Ahmad Jamal, 1965
Recorded by Reice Hamel at The Jazz Workshop in San Francisco, June 1964

Frederick Russell Jones b. Pittsburgh, PA July 2, 1930

Jamal made his first records in 1951 for the Okeh label with The Three Strings. Naked City Theme is a live album by American jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal featuring performances recorded at the Jazz Workshop in 1964.  Clint Eastwood featured two recordings from Jamal's But Not For Me album — "Music, Music, Music" and "Poinciana" — in the 1995 movie The Bridges of Madison County.

11. Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen: Hot Rod Lincoln
(C Ryan / S Stevenson)
45 single bw My Home In My Hand: Paramount Records PAA Q146X
Chicago IL
George Frayne IV, Commander: Keys
Billy C Farlow: Harmonica
John Tichy: Guitar
Bill Kirchen: Lead Guitar
Andy Stein
Paul Bruce Barlow: Bass
Lance Dickerson: drums
Bobby Black, sax
Produced by Bob Cohen and Commander Cody, 1972
Recorded at Peninsula Sound Studios, San Carlos CA by Dave Lear

Hot Rod Lincoln: "Hot Rod Lincoln" is a song by American singer-songwriter Charlie Ryan, first released in 1955.  Canadian guitarist, Pat Travers, recorded it on his first LP, Pat Travers (1976).

12. Joan Morrissey: The Boarding House on Federation Square
(Tom Cahill)
Home Brew: Marathon Records MS 2118
St. John’s NL
Joan Morrissey: vocals
Produced by Bill Bessey and Jack Boswell, 1972
 
Joan Learning b. St. John’s NL Jan 23, 1935 / d. January 10, 1978 (42) Mount Pearl NL

"Home Brew" her fourth album, selling 50,000 copies, and reaching gold status. She was subsequently appointed Newfoundland's Musical Ambassador of Good Will by the Provincial Government.  Some of her most notable songs include "Thank God We're Surrounded by Water", and "CN Bus".

13. Mack: Faut Pas Lacher
(André Deguire / Luc Giroux)
Rock & Becs: Zodiaque Records ZOX-6021
Montreal QC
André Deguire: guitars, claviers, percussion
Luc Giroux: bass, percussion
Nicky Catalano: drums
Tony Pietroniro: rhythm guitar, bg vocals
Produced by Mack, 1975
Recorded by Billy Szawiowski at Tempos Studios, Montreal
Mixed by Billy Szawiowski and Mack

This was Mack’s only LP

14. Cannonball Adderley Orchestra: African Waltz
(Macdermott)
45 single bw Kelly Blue: riverside Records R-45457
Tampa FL
Cannonball Adderley: sax
Produced by Bill Grauer, 1961

Julian Edwin Adderley b. Tampa Florida Sept 15, 1928 / d. August 8, 1975 (46)
Gary, Indiana