Rockabilly DJ

The Rockabilly DJ is in a contrary mood this week. All kinds of weird and wonderful this week. But definitely not "an eclectic mix"! Diverse ditties from Frank, Hank, Ella, Eddie, Buddy, Link, Hasil, Cash, the Stanleys, the Carters, the Wolf, Molly, Sonics, the Soulseller, Rochee, Carlos and the Rockin' 8 Balls,

Following a summer of profligate extravagance, it's time to rustle up some stock to flog on eBay. A trawl through the crates has turned up dozens of discs that are so good, I bought them twice! In a display of blatant commercialism and a plug for billsmoker's auction items, here is an hour's worth of duplicated vintage vinyl. Gemini gems from Peanuts Wilson, Bob Riley, Scarlets, Bruce Porter, Al Oster, Sammy Masters, Weldon Rogers, Sons of the Pioneers, Wayne Walker, Johnny Bond, Don Ellis, Jacky Lee, Charles Nash, Ernie Chaffin, Ashley Beaumont 18th, Joe Clay, Bill Compton, Buddy Bruce and Ben Hewitt.

Another stroll through the spin-up box, sweeping up vinyl crumbs for your listening pleasure. Tectonic tunes from Luke McDaniel, Mack Stevens, Tommy Blake, Charlie Feathers, Jerry Martin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Bond, Rose Maddox, Skip Graves, Lionel Cormier, Roy Orbison, Freddie Franks, Sanford Clark, Billy Barton, Brother Claud Ely, Ric Cartey, Carlos & Bandidos, Riley Crabtree, and some scrofulous ruffian called Mark Lee Allen.

Second installment of fashionista rockers. All songs feature clothes in the title. Accessorised audio from Jim Worley, Reg Smith, Mike Cunningham, Carl P, Benny Joy, Gene V, Hopless Homer, John Worthan, Brad Suggs, Charlie Feathers, Johnny Dollar, Jerry Lee, Frank Andy Starr, Sparkletones, Pee Wee King, Donnie Bowshier, Bill Beach, Dwight Pullen, Juke Boy Bonner and Mel Smith.

The first in a two-part rummage through the wardrobe. An hour of rocking tunes themed around clothes, with thanks to Sally for setting the challenge. Thrilling threads from Jerry Siefert, Merle Matts, Webster Dunn Jr, Charlie Gore, Jacky Wayne, Pat Kelly, Gene Rambo, Dodie Stevens, Jody Reynolds, Jimmy Johnson, Bert Bradley, Major Hicks, Nelson Ray, Tommy Palm, Gerry Granahan, Bell Notes, Burt Blanca, Lloyd Arnold, Wes Holly, Glen Glenn, Marcel St Jean, Jimmy Crain, Gene Summers and Lee Denson.

Hop aboard our Hades-bound hotrod for an hour of the Devil's finest tunes. Yes, it's another shoddily assembled random spin up! Brimstone burners from Kid Thomas, Bill Tutt, Skee Brothers, Royce Porter, Johnny Tyler, Rav'Ons, Mickey Lee Lane, Bob Carter, Emil Spak, Cliff Nash, Johnny Cates, Tommy Moreland, Bob Leers, Adron Jumper, The Ding Dongs, Sonics, Blue Chips, Harold Casner, Buck Jones and Clint Miller.

Another selection of original 45s snatched from the grasp of Croydon's postmen. Nwely-acquired nuggets by Sanford Clark, Wayne Raney, Johnny Horton, Bobby Bruce, Frankie Lee Sims, Bo Diddley, Ric Cartey, Johnny Fay, Mondo, Elmer Parker, Chase Webster, and many more.

Another chaotic mash of hastily thrown together platters. Featuring the talents of Link, Glen Glenn, Ray Smith, High Noon, Shakin' Pyramids, Narvel the Marvel, Johnny Horton, The Shadows, Curtis Gordon, Buddy Holly, Billy Walker, Sonics, Carlos and the Bambibos, Big Sandy and the Flyrite Boys, Mike Bell & the Belltones, the Big O, Randy Tedder, Jimmy Ford, Slim Harpo and the mighty Bo.

Second and final part of our review of the diverse and potty-mouthed album series that is Greasy Rock'n'Roll. Dolly-bird chasing ditties from Lonnie Smithson, Donnie & Ronnie, Bruce C & Ronnie D, Louisiana Red, Mondo, Dean Hawley, Jack & Ripperz, Recalls, Lee Emerson, Mark Wynter, Sportsmen, Ken Craig, Roy Buchanan, Hollywood Vines, Tielman Brothers, Skip Goodspeed, Carnations, Marty Wilde, Runabouts, Jack Dupree and Bobby Roberts.

The first installment of a two-part series investigating the crazy, funny (and often downright) rude world of Greasy Rock'n'Roll. This set of fourteen 12" LPs deliver a huge range of fantastic rocking music. Take a journey On The Buses with Elias McDaniel, Billy Dee, Lue Cazz, Sideburn Slim, Dr Ross, Al Ferrier, Buddy Love, Dick Curless, The Crew, Dixie Dee, Don Ellis, Electras, Buddy Thompson, Elmer Parker, Frantics, Dub Howington, and Bobby Lee Trammell.

A hard-rocking episode on the train of love. Ride the rails with both sides of Joe & Ray Shannon's 45 on Shenandoah, Go Getters, Don Cavalli, Joe D Johnson, Carlos y Los Bandidos, Jimmy Murphy, Floyd Dakil Combo, Artie Dillon, Johnny Burnette, Bill Browning, Glenn Bland, Tennessee Jim, Onie Wheeler, Deep River Boys, Glenn Barber, Johnny Sea, Billy Lee, Ronnie Self, Jimmy Dempsey, Dottie Jones and Scotty McKay.

To celebrate the long-overdue release of Country Hicks volume 7, this week we play highlights from this fantastic LP series. Country boppers, uptempo hillbilly and primitive rural rockabilly galore from Leon Bass, Phil Beasley, Unk Art, Bill Chambers, Hugh Friar, Luke Gordon, Bob Baker, Curley Griffin, Harmonica Frank Floyd, Jim Nesbitt, Webb Foley, Charles Ross, Rod Morris, Russell Spears, Les & Helen Tussey, Blankenship Brothers, Frank Evans, Johnny Burnette, Harold Montgomery, Larry Nolen, Howard Vokes, and Have a Ball by The Country Dudes.

Having stumbled home from the Rave weighed down by bags of just-pressed platters, it is time to run throught the new releases on the rocking record market. Brand new beats from Greasy RNR, Texas Bop, Rollin' Records, two Bills (Bloodshot & Dollar), Maynie & Howie, Hog Maw Records, Stormy Gayle, Blue Mambas, Country Hicks, Barnshakers, Bobby Fuller, Carlos & Bandidos, Harmonica Frank Floyd, and from the new Crazy Cavan tribute album, Big Sandy

Broadcasting from the World Famuos Studio this week, an unthemed ramble through our verdant thicket of records. Invigorating airs by The Echoes, Roy Orbison & Teen Kings, Sidney Ester, Sister Rosetta, Don & Phil, Merle, Freddie Frank, Hank, Charlie Gore, Howling Wolf, Ronnie Hawkins, Link, Hollywood Persuaders, Billy Barton, Red McCoy, Johnny Burnette, Bobby Brown, Conny & Bellhops, Donnie Boy, Johnny Earl, and a hit jiver by Lee Dresser (El Camino Real).

Today myself and Tall Mark will be playing 3 hours of rare original vinyl for the delectation of a pub full of appreciative drunken hepcats. This annual feature is exclusive to the Rockabilly Rave weekender (www.rockabillyrave.co.uk). But thanks to the wonders of modern technology even those losers who didn't attend can hear a selection of vintage platters from my magical flight case. Wallet-emptying wildies from Dennis Herrold, Roy Gaines, Bill Allen, Chuck Rivers, Red Berry, Tony Shepherd, Pete & Jimmy, Don Woody, Dwight Pullen, Hayden Thompson, Jerry Parsons, Jimmy & Johnny, Tennessee Jim, Tommy Knackin, Werly Fairburn, RD Hendon, Jack Reno, Sweetie Jones, Johnny T Talley, Emery Blades, Charlie Brown and Jimmy Gray.

Another stack of four-trackers provide us with classic boppers aplenty again this week. Featuring releases from Groove, Cool, Cat, Jump, Reb, Space, Spinning Top, Maverick and Wildcat. Lo-fi larks with Benny Ingram, Pico Pete, Sid Silver, Chordettes, Marie Knight, King Perry, Jean Denning, Harold Shutters, Hound Dog Taylor, Curley Jim, Johnny Tate, Marlon Humphries, Tyrone Schmidling, Ford Nix, Frank Deaton, Bob Taylor, Jimmy Patton, Mel Dorsey, Elites, Billy Sherrell, Lazy Lester, Memphis Slim, Don Covay, Oran Hot Lips Page and Lester Robinson.

Throughout the 1980s, the extended play seven-incher was the preferred format of teenage Rockabilly hoodlums everywhere. In this, the first episode of a two-part run, The Rockabilly DJ investigates the embarrassment of rocking riches to be found on the many compilation EP series. A show packed with Rockabilly stormers featuring Fed, Bop, For Teds Only and umpteen other bootlegged beauties.

Our third and final meander through the arcane mysteries of the exalted Dixie label. Featuring antebellum antics from Alden Holloway, Bill Willis, St Benjamin of Joy, Tommy Nelson, Pat & Dee, Joe Poovey, Ray Hudson, Fred Netherton, JP Dunn, Renaud Veluzat, Love Brothers, Holidays, Jack Hanna, Dee Mullins, and several by the ever-prolific Unk Art. Includes a bunch or original Dixie 45s too!

The weather in Croydon is warm for a change. In fact it's hot enough to leave my anorak unzipped. To celebrate, we are having a spin up in the cupboard under the stairs. Dance-inducers from Johnny Sea, Jody Reynolds, Rock-a-Teens, Sparkeltones, Reesa Lynn, John Lee Hooker, Bill Willis, The Sonics, Johnny Neal & Starlighters, Sister Rosetta, Carl Smith, Bob Garland and Tommy Angel. Plus a bunch of tracks from the must-buy new album by Carlos & the Bandidos.

Another round-up of recently acquired antique vinyl from the World Famous Studio in the cupboard under the stairs in Croydon. Spiral scratches from Papa Lightfoot, H Bomb Ferguson, Harmonica Fats, Jerry Lee, Wes Buchanan, Bill Compton, Jimmy Ordge, Vince Everett, Hank Davis, Paul McDowell, Donnie Brooks, Buck Griffin, Vince Anthony, Al Oster, and the Four Teens

Another sixty minutes from the phantasmagoric DIXIE label. Rarities galore! (Photo from RCS / Stephane Chatain)

Our first episode focusing on the talismanic Dixie label. Fantastically rare music, custom pressed in tiny quantities, 45s on Dixie are the holy grail for many vinyl hunters. (Photo pinched from RCS, courtesy of T.Gordon.)

More resurrected rompers on on latter-day labels like Dee Jay Jamboree, Eccofonic, Olympic, Record Mart, Rollin' Rock, Crypt, White Label, Northwood, Spade, Norton and Showtime. Shoe-shredders from a young Roy O, Hank Le Gault, Lou Millet, Curley Jim, Pat Cupp, Lloyd McCullough, Lee Dresser, Bob Luman, Lee Mitchell, Moonlighters, Ralph Nielsen, Jimmy Patton, Lee Pickett, "Groove" Joe Poovey, Vern Pullens, Danny Ray, Excels, Doctor Ross, Guitar Jeff, Tooter Boatman and Sonny Russell.

Reiterated rockers on reissue labels such as Rollin Rock, Record Mart, Dee Jay Jamboree and Norton. Ear-melting monsters from the Blankenship Brothers, Hasil, Leigh Howell, Ray Campi, Johnny C, the Cochran Brothers, Sonny Cole, Pat Cupp, Wade Curtis, Lee Finn, Don Dell, Tennessee Drifters, Jimmy Grubbs, Screamin' Jay and Jesse Hector.

A selection of recent finds, rediscoveries, tunes I've been meaning to play for you and earworms. Disparate ditties from the likes of Last Train From Memphis, Bo, Bill Crittenden, Hi Voltage, Deathrow, Ballroomers, the Burnette Brothers, Jussi Syren, Jimmy Dell, Carl Smith and the Hodges Brothers

It's time once again for The Rockabilly DJ to round up some freshly-minted discs and play the newest issues. Check out the latest rocking tunes, including some Spanish-flavoured spins, masses of proper vinyl LPs, the fabulous new Thunderbike album, That British Sound, the Lost Art of the Rockaballad, and an Aloha from Johnny C.

This week we have a round-up of contemporary rocking music beamed directly from our World Famous Studio in the cupboard under the stairs. Hepcatnip* from Mars Attacks, Los Straitjackets, Sir Bald Diddley, Nick Gilroy, Darrin Stout, Mack Stevens, Jerry J Nixon, Smith Ranch Boys, Knocksville, Last Train from Memphis, Smokestack Lightning, Planet Rockers, Big Sandy, Santos, Playboys and Luis & the Wildfires. Then there's the brand-new 45 from Knocksville. An unreleased number from the Frantix. And even a psychobilly classic! Let's Party!! [* The term "Hepcatnip" is TM, copyright and patent pending of The Rockabilly DJ Show 2010]

This week take an unplanned meander along a vinyl-strewn stream of consciousness into the beautiful valley of Crogdene. Platinum bop pills from Glen Glenn, Curley Griffin, Ron Haydock, Ralph Hodges and his brothers, Hayden Thompson, Elmore James, Mackey Beers, Lattie Moore, Wiley Barkdull, Whitey Pullen, Mack Self, Jerry Engler, Delmore Bros, St Charles of Feathers, Bo, Chuck, Harmonica Frank Floyd and Gene Maltais. Who needs a theme to enjoy themselves?

The fifth and final episode on the Desperate LPs. We've saved the best until last. Drop dead knockouts from Tommy Todd, Junior Wells, Don Bishop, Vince Anthony, Cliff Crofford, Tommy Harbin, Monroe Moe Jackson, Wee Willie & Pals, Lucky Wray, Ray Vernon, Piano Red, Joe McCoy, Lattie Moore, Eddie Cleary, Lee Dresser and legions more!

Our penultimate return to the Desperate Rock'n'Roll series, from the first release in 1987 to the present day. This show contains more killers than death row in the Texas state penitentiary!