All Blog Posts (1,468)

SONGS FOR AUTUMN PT.2 END

Late with this one because as some of you know, I am the Staff Announcer at a TV station and worked well into the night yesterday, recording promos in a flurry of activity for the coming Christmas season.

That will continue as I barely scratched the surface.

And I also write the promos- they tell me what they want, how much time I have for each of the spots, and then leave me alone- very much like the radio station- maybe it's my abrasive personality, lol!

This episode will close… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on November 12, 2010 at 2:41am — 6 Comments

SONGS FOR AUTUMN PT.1

This is a sort of change of pace show for me.

There is something about The Fall Season that lends itself to a certain melancholy, a wistfulness, as the days get shorter and the nights colder.

That is the case here, as I will be playing more topical Songs For Autumn, and even dip into that Great American Songbook.

For example, the Leaves are a popular song topic at this time of year.

Included is one by Eva Cassidy- the sad story of that artist should be known to you.

She… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on November 9, 2010 at 1:24am — 6 Comments

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR RADIO PT.2

Alright, as we celebrate the Fall Foliage, it is time for you to meet, or become re-acquainted with, ROY G BIV!

Any idea who that is?

Well, honestly he is not a person but rather a teaching aid used by the nuns when I was in grammar school.

It was a way to remember the Color Wheel, an acronym.

I am shocked that since I did this show that only a couple of people have told me thay have heard of this- even to the point of folks on the East Side of Manhattan not knowing what I… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on November 4, 2010 at 1:38am — 4 Comments

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR RADIO PT.1

Here is the start of a Series I did some years ago, celebrating the arrival of Autumn and its beautiful Colors.

In fact, George Pataki was then Governor, and I will read a bit of a letter from him- meant for ALL New Yorkers, not just ME.

The nerve of that guy, lol!

I played much more vinyl records back then, which you may be able to hear.

Listening to it now, I love the opening set!

No ego there- after all this time it's like someone else played it.

And then a… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on November 2, 2010 at 1:26am — 7 Comments

HALLOWEEN 2007- VAMPIRES PT.1 & PT.2

Sometimes you think things will work on a radio show, but as I listen to this 2007 show I think I carried in the wrong music with me.

I remember in the 2nd half Engineer Ken and I looked at each other and knew...this maybe wasn't our kind of music...at least so many in a row.

But I could be wrong.

I leave it up to you to decide whether I get a thumbs up or thumbs down.

In any case, hope you enjoy it and Happy Halloween again!

Here are both halves of the show from… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on October 29, 2010 at 8:12pm — 5 Comments

HALLOWEEN 2010 PT.2 END

Got some British Folk Rock and some British Folklore to begin this closing half.

How would you like some hideous Witch hitting on you and trying to make you her husband?

By the way, therein lies the secret to my success with women- the fact that I am NOT hideous!

Of course, there are a LOT of things I am NOT, lol!

In this tradional old story, she turns the guy into a wyrm, which in Olde English is a dragon.

Now I would think that is a worm, but hey, it's their language-… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on October 29, 2010 at 1:04am — 6 Comments

HALLOWEEN 2010 PT.1

Some fun strangeness to open this Halloween show, and an audition for my acting career, lol!

Strange Things Are Happening indeed!

And I'd like you to try to guess what world-famous group, one of the greatest Rock bands ever, does that instrumental I will play.

Incidentally, it is from the vinyl album- sound any different?

Then it is on to the main question of this particular show.

Is it the time for Zombies?

Or as another person declares, is it the time for… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on October 27, 2010 at 1:40am — 4 Comments

AN OLD HALLOWEEN SHOW PT.1 & PT.2

Here's a show that's 5 or 6 years old that I brought back and used last year.

I'll have a new one for 2010.

So if you would like to listen, here are both halves.

HALLOWEEN PT.1

Well it’s that enjoyably creepy time of the year, Halloween.

And I usually try to acknowledge it on the show with themes within a Theme.

But first, I’ll start with a fellow you may remember from TV, radio and a hit record who was nicknamed the Cool Ghoul, John Zacherle.

I met him… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on October 24, 2010 at 12:20pm — 10 Comments

HARVEST MOON BALL PT.4 END

Going into this final stretch of the Harvest Moon Ball, it occurred to me that we had done a lot of Dancing.

But I hadn't paid any attention to those who won't, can't, or just plain don't want to, Dance.

So that calls for a musical acknowledgement of the NON-Dancers!

Of which I, in my now 15 years sober state, am becoming a proud member, lol!

Plus, and this happens occasionally, I will have TWO endings.

Ending A is satisfactory and makes perfect sense.

I thought of… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on October 21, 2010 at 1:17am — 6 Comments

HARVEST MOON BALL PT.3

I'll get you off to a rocking start to this chapter of our Harvest Moon Ball.

I love it when our minds get in synch, and people write to me anticipating what I am going to play.

The MOST anticipated song will be played this time out...or in.

Sometimes I don't feel like writing, this is one of those times.

I don't get paid to write, I get paid to talk, lol!

Suffice it to say I have harvested some terrific music that will leave you surprised that they weren't on the first… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on October 19, 2010 at 12:50am — 5 Comments

HARVEST MOON BALL PT.2

Opening up this second chapter for our Harvest Moon Ball, a song that has been interpreted by very many artists and in very many ways.

But I will play you the original version, a Rocker from 1958.

Then I will play one of those interpretations, as the song is turned from a Rocker into a sultry Song Of Seduction, a remarkable transition.

That will open a set of what I'll call Romantic Dancing.

And you know what a hopeless romantic I truly am, lol!

Plus I can be obsessive… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on October 14, 2010 at 1:43am — 6 Comments

HARVEST MOON BALL PT.1

This is going to be fun.

It is that time of year for a Harvest Moon Ball.

For those nitpickers out there, I know that the Harvest Moon appeared in September as it almost always does, although there are those rare times it happens in October.

But Harvest Moon Balls are traditionally held in October!

Before the invention of electric lights (in danger of extinction in this country?), for generations farmers knew that full moon as the Harvest Moon because it provided extra light… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on October 12, 2010 at 12:51am — 6 Comments

EARTHY MANN PT.2 & OTHER MANN MEN (HUH?)

We continue.

Today, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s music is called Progressive Rock.

Back in those beginning days of free-form FM Radio in 1966-67 we had a much looser definition- anything they DIDN’T play on AM was progressive rock!

It was simpler, and I hate labels anyway.

Got a couple of Angel songs to begin this one, one of them, yes, another Bob Dylan song covered by the Earth Band.

Then one I like called Questions- which reminds me very much of the old band Procol… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on October 7, 2010 at 12:42am — 5 Comments

EARTHY MANN PT.1

I am always honest with you.

So I must tell you that sometimes putting a Podcast up can be a royal pain in the ass!

That is the case with this one.

Not the content, but from a technical standpoint. It was a struggle.

If you only know Manfred Mann from the 60’s pop singles group, you will be very surprised by what he moved into as Manfred Mann’s Earth Band.

He headed in a much more “progressive” direction.

I’ll begin this with a Springsteen song and a classical… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on October 5, 2010 at 12:31am — 4 Comments

THIS IS A MANN’S WORLD PT.2 END

I am putting this show up now.

As the week goes on you will see why.

Coming back with Manfred Mann, we’ve got Pretty Flamingo by them.

Then another of their many interpretations of Bob Dylan songs- this time his Just Like A Woman.

Manfred Mann was on of the few groups to successfully replace their lead singer and still remain at the top of their game.

The not so well known You Gave Me Somebody To Love is next, and the opening piano riff reminds me off the Vince… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on October 3, 2010 at 9:31pm — 2 Comments

THIS IS A MANN’S WORLD PT.1

I am putting this show up now.

As the week goes on you will see why.

I think I can guarantee you a fun time with this one,

it was a treat for me to do!

The music of that 60’s British Invasion group, Manfred Mann.

Just wait till you hear these songs- the memory section of your brain will be in overdrive.

We will start off with a countdown, 5-4-3-2-1.

The band was asked to provide a new theme for the famous British TV music show, Ready, Steady,… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on October 2, 2010 at 9:15pm — 4 Comments

BACK TO BACK TO SCHOOL 2010 PT.2 END

I am going to open up this last half of Back To Back To School with a question.

A question regarding Teachers who use propaganda to brainwash kids, and although the song is from 1964, the situation has never been worse than it is today.

Then it is on to how maybe the reason I hated school was because when you think about it, the whole day for a kid revolves around it. and being told what to do.

So quickly the Rebel comes into our show, not unlike myself, making the Teachers… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on September 30, 2010 at 4:54am — 7 Comments

BACK TO BACK TO SCHOOL 2010 PT.1

This was the 3rd show I had planned before I was so rudely interrupted last September.

Well not exactly what I had planned, since I added songs in the course of the year, and a different time in free-form radio brings different results.

NO songs from last year will be repeated- all distinct selections for this 2010!

It is that most awful time of year again, resulting in going Back To Back To School, kicking and screaming!

I will open with a school that I might, just might,… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on September 28, 2010 at 1:02am — 2 Comments

THE CYCLE OF LIFE - ENTIRE SERIES PARTS 1 THRU 8

Here is some of a back and forth between RJ and I, regarding a series I did- The Cycle Of Life- and he suggested I put it out here.

He had asked me about my disappearing in a huff one time.

And yes, it is true- I did quit radio for a while over this and some other things.

Possibly a couple of more people will listen to the series, cause I still feel not enough did, lol!

Maybe next I’ll put up the other tipping point series, Money & The Financial Crisis, another somewhat… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on September 27, 2010 at 12:59pm — 19 Comments

TEACHERS PT.2

The concluding Part from last year that is exclusive to you- a musical look at Teachers.

Opening back up with one more GOOD Teacher song, this time a title song from a movie.

You are forewarned, both the movie and the song are so sweet, you may fall into a diabetic coma!

And notice, as I will comment upon in this episode, that none of these fictional teachers are from books- just movies & TV.

Maybe because kids can’t read.

Just a thought…cynical as it is,… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on September 24, 2010 at 9:43pm — 6 Comments