Putting Episode 4 of this year’s Summer Mixtape series together felt like I had just emerged from The Time Tunnel with James Darrin, arriving at Rt. 33 in Neptune, NJ in the mid-80s… and it was my night to spin records. I swear I could actually smell the DJ Booth and needed to look around the Basement Studio to make sure nobody was passed out. It was a glorious time indeed, but we knew even while it was happening that these would be the days we longed for if we managed to get old. Not all of us did, and this episode is dedicated to two of the finest, J.T. Copulous and Chopper. Bob “Chopper” Kopcho was already a star DJ in the Jersey Club scene by the time WHTG got off the ground in 1984. It was he and J.T. that kept popping up in my head and I was hoping they were tuned in from the Afterparty. This episode is just shy of 5 hours and there are no interruptions. If you are looking for a soundtrack of exactly what an Alternative Rock Dance Club sounded like in 1985, well you just found it. There will be one more episode to wrap up the Summer of 2023, but for now just turn it up and dance.
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This show was held up for a very good reason and that is you! Yes, thanks to you I was able to get a new (used) updated computer here in The Basement, so the rewiring and setup takes a bit of time and is almost finished. Is anything ever really finished? We say goodbye to Robbie Robertson this episode, a songwriter that has left standards in his wake, as well as some controversy. My only experience working with him was wonderful and I found him to be warm, open and friendly, so that is how I’ll remember him. I will say that his impact would not have been as large without the voices and musicality of Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko, and the last remaining member, Garth. We also note the passing of David LaFlamme of It’s A Beautiful Day and (Sixto) Rodriguez. New releases include: Diane & the Gentle Men (with Alejandro Escovedo), Blonde Redhead, Wilco and some rare Iggy Pop. The library gets raided for sounds that include: Peter Perrett, Mott The Hoople, David Bowie, Roxy Music, Sly & The Family Stone, Willy DeVille, Jason Collett, R.E.M., Glen Phillips, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Radiohead, Bobby Charles, NRBQ, Eric Burdon, Melody Gardot, Bruce Cockburn and a bunch more. Even a shoutout and dedication to my old pal, Matty Love. Thanks for listening and your support and here’s a clip of a recent chat with Mixcloud, https://youtu.be/BFgepGe6jII
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Even though we have witnessed unprecedented history this week, once again we are keeping the new episode a Politics Free Zone. Beginning with a more thought out tribute to Sinead O’Connor, featuring The The, Bob Marley, Kris Kristofferson and Peter Gabriel, who also delivered yet another new track in addition to appearing in the Sinead Set. There are also new releases from the late Neal Casal, Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band, Joni Mitchell; Taylor Goldsmith, John Dunbar, Ray LaMontagne and Orville Peck. Stevie Wonder’s “Innervisions” album turned 50 this week, a groundbreaking work that manages to still sound fresh. We stuffed the cracks with the usual/unusual compendium of sounds while ignoring genre restriction, a bothersome set of arbitrary guideposts that have nothing to do with music. Thanks to everyone for support, understanding and most of all, your ears.
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This year's Mixtape Series has truly been a blast to put together with the only bottleneck deciding what order the topics decided upon should roll out. This episode is not a strict Summer Of Love set due to the fact I was 12 in 1967. And yes I clearly remember experiencing this music for the first time at that age. I was already set as far as what I wanted to do with my life, and music had to be part of the equation. A rough guide to the years covered here would be 1966-1971, and AM was still being listened to but drum lessons were beginning and the Freeform era was soon to be my main drug of choice, with WBGO from Newark covering Jazz. There was now a pad and pen near the radio to fill a list of interesting sounds, with a decision made to toss the large cartons of Baseball cards out and make more room for records. My Mother had nothing to do with it, I clearly remember carrying the three large boxes to the curb and stacking them next to the garbage cans. I would only collect records from this point, what could I do with Baseball Cards? If I only knew at the time that their value would have made a nice down payment on a house 20+ years later. At least three more episodes of this series will be forthcoming with The Laurel Canyon/Singer Songwriter period, A Punk/Powerpop/New Wave/Alternative show focusing on fun years 1984-90 birthing WHTG at The Jersey Shore and an “Anything Goes” personal favorite Summer Tunes of all time episode. If you have suggestions, get them in ASAP. We’re leaning toward the WHTG type show coming next… but you never know. Thanks for everything.
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This is not a political show. But I am compelled to make this missive just that as I need to get it off my chest. The full text will only be published on my personal web site due to understanding that there’s already too much noise but I simply had to get it out. If that’s where you are and you want to ignore my rant, not a problem at all, skip to the next horizontal line after this.
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Mike MarroneDad, Husband, Radio Programmer/DJ, Music Enthusiast, Drummer and Retired American. To help keep the From The Basement programs afloat, especially now that I am retired and living on a fixed income. Please donate via PayPal below whatever you feel you can afford to help cover my costs.
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and/or please support my efforts through Mixcloud
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