Hour One – The Light
1. Magazine: The Light Pours Out of Me - 1978
2. Music Explosion: I See The Light - 1967
3. Vicki Lawrence: The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia – 1972
4. Rolling Stones: 2000 Light Years From Home – 1967
5. Brian Eno: Strange Light – 1978
6. Nineteen Seventy-Seven: There’s A Light – 2007 *
7. Eskimo Women Of Povungnituk: Song of Northern Lights – 1980 *
8. Bill Vrebosch & Descendants of Tyme: Shining Light - 1975 *
9. The Beatles: The Inner Light - 1968
10. Motherlode: Oh! See the White Light – 1969 *
11. Ronney Abramson: Light Up Your Love - 1978 *
12. King Biscuit Boy: Blue Light Boogie - 1988 *
13. Hank Williams: I Saw The Light - 1948
14. Crowbar: House of Blue Lights - 1971 *
Hour Two – Horses
1. The Byrds: Chesnut Mare - 1970
2. Shingoose: Appaloosa Mare – 1979 *
3. Martin Carthy: Old Horse - 1994
4. Stompin’ Tom Connors: Mule Skinner Blues – 1971 *
5. Barney McCaffrey: The Jolly Drovers of Westmeath – 1992 *
6. Girls of the Golden West: Bucking Bronco – 1934
7. Wilf Carter: He Rode The Strawberry Roan – 1940 *
8. The Flying Burrito Bros: Wild Horses – 1970
9. Moby Grape: Horse Out In The Rain – 1971
10. America: Horse With No Name - 1971
11. Corin Raymond: If Wishes Were Horses – 2009 *
12. Roy Rogers: Happy Trails – 1975
CanCon = 46%
Hour One – The Light
And Now for The Particulars:
1. Magazine: The Light Pours Out Of Me
(Howard Devoto / John McGeogh)
Real Life: Virgin Records V 2100
Manchester UK
Howard Devoto: vocals
Barry Adamson: bass
Dave Formula: keys
Martin Jackson: drums
John McGeoch: guitar, sax
Produced & recorded by John Leckie, 1978
Recorded at Virgin Mobile & Abbey Road Studios
active from 1977 to 1981
Magazine was formed by Howard Devoto after leaving punk band Buzzcocks in early 1977
2. Music Explosion: I See The Light
(E Chiprut)
45 single bw Little Bit O Soul: Laurie Records L-3380X
Mansfield, Ohio
James "Jamie" Lyons (singer, percussion)
Donald (Tudor) Atkins (guitar)
Richard Nesta (guitar)
Burton Stahl (bass)
Robert Avery (drums)
Producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz, 1967
One of the first (of many) bands produced by Kasenetz-Katz who were (in)famous for their bubble gum roster which included Ohio Express (Yummy Yummy Yummy I Got Love In My Tummy) The 1910 Fruitgum Company (Simon Says) and The Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus (Dong-Dong-Diki-Di-Ki-Dong). Unfortunately, the Music Explosion only had one hit song: Little Bit O’ Soul which was the A side to this record. "Little Bit O' Soul" has been sub-sequently covered by several bands including The Ramones and 2 Live Crew sampled the melody line.
3. Vicki Lawrence: The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia
(Bobby Russell)
45 single bw Dime A Dance: Bell Records Golden Treasures Series GT 126X
Inglewood CA
Vicki Lawrence: vocal
The Wrecking Crew
Artie Butler: arranger
Produced by Snuff Garrett 1972
Victoria Ann Axelrad b. Inglewood CA March 26, 1949
Lawrence was, at the time, a regular performer on the ensemble variety comedy television show The Carol Burnett Show. She was presented her Gold Record (for selling over a million copies) by Carol Burnett live on TV.
Although Bobby Russell wrote both the lyrics and music for the song, he was reluctant to record even a demonstration because he "didn't like it." According to Lawrence, who was married to Russell at the time, she believed it was destined to be successful and recorded the demo herself.
4. The Rolling Stones: 2000 Light Years From Home
(Keith Richards / Mick Jagger)
Their Satanic Majesties Request: London Records NP-2
London UK
Mick Jagger: lead vocals
Keith Richard: guitar
Brian Jones: dulcimer
Bill Wyman: bass
Charlie Watts: drums
Nicky Hopkins: intro/outro piano
Produced by The Rolling Stones, 1967
Recorded by Glyn Johns at Olympic and Bell Sound, London
Jagger reportedly wrote the lyrics in Brixton prison following his conviction on drug charges in June 1967. The song was recorded by the band inside Olympic Studios during July 1967.
5. Brian Eno: Strange Light
(Brian Eno)
Music For Films: Polygram / Editions EG EGED 105
Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK
Brian Eno: keys
Fred Firth: electric guitar
Rhett Davies: trumpet
Produced by Brian Eno & Rhett Davies, 1978
Music for Films is the seventh solo studio album by British musician Brian Eno. It is a conceptual work intended as a soundtrack for imaginary films, although many of the pieces had already appeared in actual films. The tracks range from a minute to four minutes in length, unlike Eno’s ambient music albums which would follow.
6. 1977: There’s A Light
(Julie Kendall)
Nineteen Seventy-Seven: JK001
Toronto ON
Julie Kendall: keys, vocals
Brent Hough: guitar, bass, tambourine
Jordan Bruce: drums
Produced by Julie Kendall & Brent Hough, 2007
Recorded by them in their apartment
Mixed at Gay Studio, Parkdale by Alphonse Lanza
Mastered by Noah Mintz at The Lacquer Channel, Toronto
Kendall and Brent Hough (Bellevue, Music Maul, Purple Hill) recorded the songs on Nineteen Seventy-Seven, during the winter of 2007 in her Toronto apartment, and rehearsal space. Released in 2009, Nineteen Seventy-Seven was nominated for a Juno Award in the category Adult Alternative Album of the Year.
7. Eskimo Womens Music of Povungnituk: Song of Northern Lights
(Trad)
Inuit Throat And Harp Songs: Canadian Music Heritage Collection MH001
Povungnituk, QC
Alasi Alasuak
Lucy Amarualik
Alaci Tulaugak
Nellie Nungak
Mary Sivuarapik
Produced by Marvin Green, 1980
Recorded by Paul Hodge
This was recorded at a time when Inuit were still called ‘Eskimos’. While that might be time sensitive, the throat singing is universal. Throat singing was usually something women did, mostly for fun, to see who could last longer; first person to laugh was the loser.
8. Bill Vrebosch & The Decendants of Tyme: Shining Light
(Bill Vrebosch)
50th Anniversary Collectors Item: Ram Records – C 137
North Bay ON
Bill Vrebosch: vocals, sax
Bab Ahern: drums
Ken Simms: guitar
Ange Nunner: bass
Produced by John Ranger, 1975
Recorded by Ken Fraser at Ram Studios, North Bay
Bill Vrebosch b. July 10, 1943 in North Bay
After high school, he worked in the finance and banking industry for Seaboard Finance and the Toronto Dominion Bank while playing music across Ontario. Two of the bands that he fronted were Billy and the Belmonts and Bill Vrebosch and the Descendants of Tyme. After the Descendants of Tyme broke up, he began his own DJ service with his wife Gisele where he still continues to sing. In 2013, he was inducted into the North Bay Music Hall of Fame
He has served on the North Bay city council since 1978, including a stint as mayor.
9. The Beatles: The Inner Light
(George Harrison)
45 single bw Lady Madonna: Capitol Records Canada 2138
Liverpool
George Harrison: lead vocals, direction
John Lennon: harmony vocals
Paul McCartney: harmony vocals
Aashish Khan: sarod
Hanuman Jadev: shehnai
Hariprasad Chaurasia: bansuri
Mahapurush Misra: pakhavaj
Rijram Desad: harmonium
uncredited: tabla tarang
Produced by George Martin, 1968
Recorded at HMV, Bombay; EMI, London
Harrison recorded the instrumental track for "The Inner Light" in Bombay in January 1968, during the sessions for his Wonderwall Music soundtrack album. It is the only Beatles studio recording to be made outside Europe. The Beatles' only contribution came in from John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s backing vocals over the song's final line. Ringo is excluded. So was it really a Beatles’ song? It was the first Harrison composition to appear on a Beatles single.
10. Motherlode: Oh! See the White Light
(William Smith / Steve Kennedy)
When I Die: Revolver Records RLPS 501
London ON
William Smith: keys, vocals
Ken Marco: electric guitar, vocals
Wayne Stone: drums
Steve Kennedy: tenor sax, harmonica, vocals
Carol Kaye: bass, acoustic guitar
Produced by Mort Ross & Doug Riley, 1969
Recorded by Terry Brown
The roots of the original Motherlode can be traced back to Toronto's Yonge St. club scene of the late '60s. Despite receiving rave reviews and loyal following, “The Soul Searchers” were on their last legs. Steve Kennedy and William Smith, who’s resume also included some time with David Clayton Thomas's bands, decided to go out on their own, and joined up with members of Grant Smith & The Power.
RPM Magazine, based out of Toronto, decided to declare them Canada's first 'supergroup' ... which was a bit prophetic as the original band split up only a couple of months later, with most members joining Dr Music. Because producer Mort Ross owned the band’s name, several editions of Motherlode tried to carry on the cause.
11. Ronney Abramson: Light Up Your Love
(R Abramson)
Jukebox of Paris: True North Records TN 34
Montreal QC
Ronney Abramson: vocal
Alan Schwartzburg: drums
Tom Szeczesniak: bass
John Tropea: electric guitar
John Capak: Fender Rhodes
Fred Mollin: congas
Earl Seymore: sax
Moe Koffmand, Guido Basso, Rob McConnell: horns
Archie Jordan: string arrangements
Bruce Sees, Rob Galbraith, Fred Mollin: bg vocals
Produced by Fred Mollin, 1978
Recorded at Manta Sound, Toronto by Gary Gray
Ronney Abramson b. Paris, France but grew up in Montreal. She released her first album for Capitol Records in 1972; Jukebox of Paris was her third LP and featured a special guest appearance by David Clayton-Thomas. ‘Light Up Your Love’ from this album was featured on a special compilation LP, of very limited numbers, made for True North Records owner, Bernie Finkelstein.
Ronney is now living in Ottawa. She’s still writing and performing. Her most recent Toronto appearance was at Hugh's Room as part of Tin Pan North 2019.
12. King Biscuit Boy: Blue Light Boogie
(J.M. Robinson)
Richard Newell aka King Biscuit Boy: Stony Plain Records SPL 1120
Hamilton ON
King Biscuit Boy: vocals, harmonica
Dennis Grasely aka Sonny Del Rio: saxes
John Lewis: guitar
Teddy Joe Brown: piano
Neil Nickafor: bass
Paul Panchezak: drums
Produced by Andy Grigg & Richard Newell, 1988
Recorded & Mixed at Sound Path Studios, Oakville ON by Richard Lightheart
Richard Alfred Newell b. Hamilton ON March 9, 1944 / d. January 5, 2003 Hamilton (58)
King Biscuit Boy played with a Hamilton band called ‘The Barons’ who were later renamed ‘Son Richard and the Chessmen’ from 1961 to 1965. After that he joined Toronto band The Mid-Knights (of Charlena fame). In the summer of 1969 he helped to form Ronnie Hawkins's new backing band at that time. After recording one LP, Hawkins fired the entire band who went on to become Crowbar. Newell recorded ‘Official Music’ with Crowbar, and then embarked on a solo career. He continued to be associated with Crowbar off and on for the rest of his career.
13. Hank Williams Sr: I Saw The Light
(Hank Williams)
24 Greatest Hits: MGM Records MIPD 2 9354
Butler Co, AB
Hank Williams: guitar, vocal
Zeke and Zeb Turner (guitar)
Brownie Raynolds (bass)
Tommy Jackson (fiddle)
Smokey Lohman (steel guitar)
Produced by Fred Rose, 1948
Double LP released 1977
Williams was inspired to write the song in January 1947 while returning from a show in Fort Deposit, Alabama. His mother, Lilly, drove him and the band back to Montgomery that night. As she was approaching the city, she spotted the lights of Dannelly Field Airport. Williams, who slept inebriated in the backseat of the car, was roused by his mother, who told him "I just saw the light", announcing to him that they were close to Montgomery. It was recorded at MGM studios on April 21, 1947.
14. Crowbar: House Of Blue Lights
(D Raye / F Slack)
Bad Manors: Paramount Records PAS 6007
Ancaster ON
Sonnie Bernardi: drums
Kelly Jay: piano, vocals
Roly Greenway: bass, vocals
Rheal Lanthier: lead guitar, vocals
The Ghetto: lead guitar, slide guitar, vocals
Jozef Chirowski: piano, organ, vocals
Steve Kennedy: horns
Produced by Love, 1971
Recorded Terry Brown at Toronto Sounds Studios
This was the first ‘Crowbar’ release, the year after ‘Official Music’ with King Biscuit Boy. Steve Kennedy (of Motherlode) played the horns on this cut. Recording engineer Terry Brown would later make his mark recording Rush albums. I remember seeing Rush open for Motherlode (circa 1972) at the Midland (Ontario) Arena.
Hour Two – Horses
Bill Heffernan, who’s been a CIUT listener for three decades, emailed to tell me that he just supported CIUT with another donation. He also loved the James Bond feature I recently put together and made his own suggestion: why not a feature on songs about horses? So the next galloping hour is dedicated to Bill Hoofernan. It begins with The Byrds.
1. The Byrds: Chest nut Mare
(Jacques. Levy / R. McGuinn)
Untitles: Columbia Records G 30127
LA
Clarence White: guitar
Gene Parsons: drums
Roger McGuinn: guitar, vocals
Skip Battin: bass
Produced by Jim Dickson & Terry Melcher, 1970
Recorded by Chris Hinshaw at Columbia Studios, Hollywood
Jacques Levy b. New York City July 29, 1935 / d. September 30, 2004 (69) NYC
Jacques Levy was an American songwriter, theatre director and clinical psychologist. In 1965, he directed Sam Shepard's play Red Cross in New York City. The following year he directed the successful off-Broadway erotic revue Oh! Calcutta! During this period, Levy approached Roger McGuinn of The Byrds to collaborate on a project called Gene Tryp. They wrote "Chestnut Mare," which the Byrds released as a single from the (Untitled) album in 1970. Although it didn’t achieve much in The States, the song reached #19 in the UK. This lead to many further Levy-McGuinn songs, some of which appeared on various Byrds and Roger McGuinn albums during the 1970s. The songwriting partnership between McGuinn and Levy endured until 1977's McGuinn solo album ‘Thunderbyrd’.
2. Shingoose: Appaloosa Mare
(Graeme Card)
Ballad of Norval: CBC - LM 467
Roseau River First Nation MB
Produced 1979
Curtis Jonnie b Winnipeg 26 Oct 1946, Roseau River First Nation
Last week I played a Shingoose track ‘West Coast Fever’; here’s another from his ‘half-album’ of songs. Written by songwriter Graeme Card (ex-Humphrey & The Dumptrucks).
3. Martin Carthy: Old Horse
(Trad)
Out Of The Cut: Topic Records 12TS426
London UK
Martin Carthy, guitar, vocals
Howard Evans: flugelhorn
John Kirpatrick: concertina
Richard Thompson: guitars
Produced by Jerry Boys, 1994
Recorded at Gateway Studio, London
Martin Dominic Forbes Carthy b. 21 May 1941 (now 79) Hatfield, Hertfordshire
Martin Carthy was one of the fathers of modern day folk-guitar, often using alternative tunings which influenced a generation of players. Carthy's debut album was released in 1965, and featured Dave Swarbrick playing fiddle on some tracks (although he was not mentioned in the liner notes). Carthy's arrangement of the traditional ballad "Scarborough Fair" was adapted, without acknowledgement, by Paul Simon on the Simon and Garfunkel album recording Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme in 1966. This caused a major rift between Carthy and Simon which remained unresolved until Simon invited Carthy to sing the song with him on-stage at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2000. He has sung with The Watersons since 1972; was twice a member of British folk rock group Steeleye Span and the Waterson-Carthy trio (with his daughter and wife). He has inspired contemporaries such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, and Richard Thompson.
4. Stompin’ Tom Connors: Mule Skinner Blues
(Jimmie Rodgers)
Live At The Horseshoe Tavern: Ole / Anthem Legacy OLE94
Saint John NB / Halton Hills ON
Tom Connors: guitar, foot, vocals
Gerry Hall: guitar
Ronald McDonald: bass
Mickey Andrews: steel
Produced by Dr. Tom Connors, 1971
Recorded June 30, 1971, live at the Horshoe Tavern, Queen St, Toronto City, Canada
Remastered by Ole 2018
What a treat to hear these time-worn songs remastered on new vinyl! If anybody’s albums needed to be remastered it was Stompin’ Tom’s. We finally get to hear them for real. This is a 500 copy release by Ole. Also released: Tom’s 50th Anniversary album as well as Stompin’ Tom at the Hockey Game. Looking forward to the next batch.
5. Barney McCaffrey: The Jolly Drovers of Westmeath
(Trad)
Live at The Great North Wind Radio Program
Wilno ON
Barney McCaffrey: accordion, vocals
Produced by Steve Fruitman
Recorded live at CIUT October 19, 1992
Bernard McCaffrey b. USA / d. January 4, 2012 (77)
Not from vinyl or CD! This was from a live performance at CIUT on my 1992 radio program ‘The Great North Wind’. I had the privilege of having Barney on my program twice! This was from the first one.
The Jolly Drovers of Westmeath is a traditional Ottawa Valley logging song that Barney learned from a woman who frequented a bar in Pembroke. She had to be at the right state of inebriation to sing the song in its entirety. Many times Barney tried to get her to sing it but she was either too drunk or not drunk enough to do it. Finally, one afternoon, she was in perfect singing condition and he recorded it on his cassette recorder. It’s a great song which uses the metaphor of ‘horses getting too fat’ for being lazy.
6. Girls Of The Golden West: Bucking Bronco
(Belle Starr or James Hatch)
Banjo Pickin’ Girl: Rounder Records 1029
Mount Carmel, IL
Mildred Good: vocals
Dorothy Good: vocals, guitar
Album Produced by Charles Wolfe and Patricia A Hall, 1978
Recorded in Chicago, October 31, 1934
Sisters known for their yodelling harmonies and western songs. They made their professional debut in 1930 appearing on a radio program out of St. Louis, Missouri. They signed with Victor and went on to record more records than any other women performers at that time. They remained an act and continued to record until the death of Dorothy in 1967.
Bucking Broncho was a double-entendre country song was said to have been written by the infamous female outlaw Belle Starr but folklorists have since proven that it was a widely known song by then. In fact, they’ve dated it back to a James Hatch, who claimed to have written it in Platte City, Newbraska in 1882.
7. Wilf Carter: He Rode The Strawberry Roan
(Wilf Carter)
Wilf Carter / Montana Slim Vol 1: Bear Family Records - BCD 15939 HI
Port Hilford NS
Wilf Carter: vocal, guitar
Produced by Hugh Joseph
Originally recorded for Victor in 1934
Re-issue Producer: Richard Weize, 1997
Passed away in 1996 at the age of 92
Wilf Carter was enamored with the original Strawberry Roan, written by California cowboy Curley Fletcher and first published in 1915, as a poem called The Outlaw Broncho. Carter recorded The Strawberry Roan in 1935 and went on to write and record two songs: ‘He Rode The Strawberry Roan’ (1934) and ‘The Fate of Old Strawberry Roan’ (1936).
BTW the rodeo rider in He Rode The Strawberry Roan was Harry Knight, born in Quebec City, Canada, in 1907, learned to pack horses as a youngster at a Banff.
8. The Flying Burrito Bros: Wild Horses
(Keith Richards / Mick Jagger)
Burrito Delux: A&M Records SP-4258
LA
Gram Parsons: vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Chris Hillman: vocals, bass, mandolin
Sneaky Pete Kleinow: pedal steel guitar
Bernie Leadon: vocals, guitar, Dobro
Michael Clarke: drums
Leon Russell: piano
Produced by Jim Dickson, Henry Lewy, 1970
Recorded by Henry Lewy at A&M Studios,, Hollywood
Gram Parsons was trying to find his way into The Rolling Stones by striking up a friendship with Keith Richards. It was Parsons’ influence that inspired Richards to write a country style song, recorded by both The Stones and Parson’s band, The Flying Burrito Brothers. Both versions of the song are excellent.
9. Moby Grape: Horse Out In The Rain
(Peter Lewis)
20 Granite Creek: Reprise Records – K-44152 (UK version)
San Francisco CA
Peter Lewis - rhythm guitar, vocals
Jerry Miller - lead guitar, vocals
James R Mosley - bass, vocals
Alex ‘Skip’ Spence - rhythm guitar, koto, vocals
Don Stevenson - drums, guitar, vocals
Andy Narell: steel drums
David Rubinson: electric piano, congas
Produced by David Rubinson & Moby Grape Productions, 1971
Recorded at Moby Grape’s House by Quadra-Centric Sound Systems by Ed Bannon; Pacific Recording Studios, San Mateo by Ed Bannon, David Rubinson and Jerry Zatkin
Mixed at Pacific Recording Studios by David Rubinson
10. America: Horse With No Name
(Dewey Bunnell)
America: Warner Bros 2576
London UK
Dewey Bunnell: acoustic guitar, lead vocal
Dan Peek: bass
Gerry Beckley: 12 string acoustic guitar
Kim Haworth: drums
Ray Cooper: percussion
Produced by Ian Samwell, Jeff Dexter and America, 1971
Recorded by Ken Scott at Morgan Studios, London
I always have to remember that America was a British band!
11. Corin Raymond: If Wishes Were Horses
(Corin Raymond)
There Will Always Be A Small Time: Independent CSHR 002
Hamilton ON
Corin Raymond: guitar, vocal
David Baxter: lead acoustic guitar, bg vocals
Brian Kobayakawa: upright bass
Treasa Levasseur: bg vocal, piano
John Showman: fiddle
Produced by Corin Raymond & Sean Cotton, 2009
Recorded by James Paul at The Rogue Studio, Toronto
Mastered by James Paul at Lacquer Channel, Toronto
12. Roy Rogers: Happy Trails
(Dale Evans)
Happy Trails To You: 20th Century Records ¬ 9209-467
Cincinnati OH
Roy Rogers: vocal
Produced by Snuff Garrett, 1975
Recorded by Lenny Roberts at Larrabee Sound
Leonard Franklin Slye Nov 5, 1911 Cincinnati - d. July 6, 1998 (86) Apple Valley, CA
Dale Evans aka Frances Octavia Smith Oct 31, 1912 Uvalde TX / d- Feb 7, 2001 (88) Apple Valley, Ca
The Song was written by Rogers’ wife, Dale Evans – they sang it as a duet to sign off their television show.
Heard over:
CIUT FM 89.5 CHMR FM 93.5 FM
University of Toronto Radio Inc Memorial University, St. John's NL
Mondays 12 noon: 2pm Tuesdays 10-12 pm NT
Radio Bell Island 93.9 FM Radio VGR
Wabana, Bell Island NL London/Thetford UK
Tuesdays at 8-10 pm NT Tues 21:30: 23:30 GMT
Bluewater Radio CFBW 91.3 FM VOBB The Voice of Bonne Bay
Hanover / Grey Co. ON Rocky Harbour & Norris Point NL
Sundays 3-5 pm Tuesdays 8-10 pm ET Tuesdays 9-11 pm NT
BOIR Bay of Islands Radio Southern Shore Sounds
100.1 FM Internet Radio
Corner Brook, NL Ferryland NL
Thursdays 2-4 pm NT Sun 8:30-10:30 pm NT
Community Radio CIOE
97.5 FM
Lower Sackville NS
Sun 5-7 pm AT