Mike's Basement - MIKE'S BASEMENT

FTB Mixtapes A Jersey Summer EP03 "Love Is All Around"

7/30/2023

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.

You may need this... CLICK for PLAYLIST

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FTB #223 “Inflection Point With A Planet in Flames”

7/27/2023

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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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I am not a Democrat and to paraphrase Steve Van Zant from I believe the best song he ever wrote, but I sure ain’t no Republican. It was Jackson Browne’s version that I first heard but the message was clear and to my mind perfectly stated. We have been subjected to a badly scripted reality show since 2015. Stuck in a seemingly endless multimedia loop that has nothing to do with Politics. There’s a great old saying, “Don’t piss on my head and tell me it’s raining.” Perhaps a bit blunt but it is spot on regarding our current situation. What happened to Truth, Justice and The American Way? I didn’t run around in a homemade cape as a 4 year old Superman freak for nothing!

The amount of lying, misinformation, good old grift and thievery that we have been subjected to since Tangerine Mussolini came down the escalator is incalculable. We are experiencing a societal outbreak of PTSD. The proud Republican Party, and there is not even a tinge of snarkiness intended, has turned into a Cult. The party of Lincoln, Eisenhower and John McCain to name just a few that I admired, is no different than those who fell under the spell of a self proclaimed “Messiah” like Charles Manson, Jim Jones or so many other charlatans that eventually either wiped out their followers or finally revealed their larceny and/or insanity and broke the spell. While our system of Government is certainly taking on water, there is little hope to begin repair until consequences and justice are imposed.

Perhaps as a New Jersey native, exposure to this entire playbook of eventual devastation left in his wake has closed my mind in advance. Let’s make it very simple. There has never been even a shred of evidence that he was a great or even a modestly successful businessman. How does anyone bankrupt three casinos? Now that I find myself back home in Jersey, living minutes away from Atlantic City, I remain bewildered that his following continues to be strong right next to where he destroyed so many lives. How long do the lies get swallowed? How many creditors need to get stiffed. He is incapable of truth, has no honor and has never done anything for anyone other than himself.

Toward the end of my tenure working in Washington, DC, right before the 2016 Election I wound up in conversation with Michael Steele, former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland and Chairman Of The RNC from 2009-2011. He’s actually 2 years younger than me, a huge music fan and an honest straight shooter, no fluff, no airs at all. We were talking about everything, mostly music and life in DC and Maryland. He was clearly a regular dude, so before parting company I inquired if I could ask him a real question, purely for my own edification. This was not an interview situation. “Absolutely,” was his instant reply. I told him, as a Dad, that for the first time in my life I was actually afraid of what would happen to our Country if the name I have managed to avoid printing up to this point, actually was elected President. What was his opinion? A loud laugh, a slap on the back and I can’t quote him exactly, but he said “I don’t blame you, we all are! He is way out of his depth and has no qualifications, he doesn’t even know what The Constitution is, let alone what it contains. But don’t worry, they will keep him under control.” I’ve been so tempted now that my brain is restored to reach out to him, but I remain convinced that if by some miracle he gets back in, our Country is finished.

From this point forward I will fall back on the genius of the people of Scotland and not let that name come out of my mouth or keyboard. They have referred to him as everything from Onion-eyed flap dragon and Wee orange rodent to Witless fucking cocksplat and Gerbil-headed, woodstained, haunted spunktrumpet. My current choice is an alternating mashup of Toupéd fucktrumpet and Rug wearing thunder nugget. LOCK HIM UP.
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This episode brings forth new releases (including archival) from: Nina Simone, John Dunbar, Dan Auerbach, Sparklehorse, The Lilac Time, Blur, America, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Chris Stapleton, Bobby Boyd, Joel Harrison, The Who, Lol Tolhurst, Budgie & Jacknife Lee and Kula Shaker. Mini Tributes to Tony Bennett, Sinead O’Connor and Bob Segarini as they head to the after party far too soon and the usual/unusual sidetracks including: Gil Scott-Heron, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Esther Phillips, Brittany Howard, Becca Mancari, The Arcs, Danger Mouse, TTNG, The Psychedelic Furs, The Kinks, The Pretty Things, The Byrds, Yes, Warren Zevon, Dr. John, Treat Her Right, Mark Sandman, Traffic and Love. Thanks to all for the contributions, you keep making an old man weep with gratitude. We fell a little short but it looks like I can make it work. You people are the best.

Full PLAYLIST is HERE

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FTB #222 “Tre Deuces on a Joyride”

7/18/2023

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When it comes to episodes, much like secret agent men, we always give them a number but occasionally adding a name is also warranted. This is just such an instance. Within three long and winding sets, there are a few new discoveries from Vance Gilbert, Billy Sullivan, Jamie Hoover and old friends The Cucumbers, but the overall vibe reflects the late night hours when it was crafted, as I remain a nocturnal being even in my dotage. This musical “joyride” finds us exploring The Clovers, Jackie DeShannon, Anderson East, Tom Waits, Alice In Chains, Cactus, Ray Charles, Amos Lee, Alice Cooper, Blue Öyster Cult, Bobby Womack, David Ruffin, Gregory Isaacs, Junior Murvin, The Clash, Marshall Crenshaw, The Smithereens, 20-20, Social Distortion, Pink Floyd, Sly & The Family Stone, Charlie Parker w/Miles Davis, The dB's, Hoodoo Gurus and many more, uncovering some classic and previously unheard sounds and even comments. Thanks to all for the support of our computer fundraiser, we are still a bit short but with only one week left hope to rally strong to the finish. If you can, here's the link. https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8VksUE4LLe

To get the full PLAYLIST just click HERE

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The Mixtape Series - “A Jersey Shore Summer” Episode #2 “Childhood Memories”

7/11/2023

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Episode #2 is arriving late but brought back so many musical memories and culture upheavals that I may need to take a break before deciding what episode 3 will bring. I hope you enjoy "Childhood Memories" even half as much as I enjoyed putting it together. What a magical time to grow up for a music loving kid. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade it for any other as for most of my formative years, it was music that really drove the culture. Literally everything went from black and white to technicolor in what seemed at the time a blink of the eye. In attempting to convey the magnitude there is a clear point in the mix where the explosion occurred. Utilizing more than a 100 songs in a mere 237 minutes will hopefully take you there. Sorry for the delay and thank you for your patience and do me a favor and wish my brother Gerard a Happy Birthday. Please try and help our fund drive to update the computers, your support for this programming has been astounding, it has only another 16 days to remain active at https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8VksUE4LLe

Get your scorecard here PLAYLIST

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FTB #221 Saturday July 8, 2023

7/8/2023

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A rockin’ new show for a hazy Saturday on the Jersey Shore, with more than a sprinkle of Power Pop goodness for good measure. There are new releases from Peter Gabriel, Big Country, Lucinda Williams, Chris Stamey, old Red House pal Tony Stives, and vault material unleashed from guitar masters Rory Gallagher and Mike Bloomfield. Combine that with library choices that include Lenny Bruce, The Sound, Dirty Looks, Rockpile, The Rolling Stones, Little Richard, Stereophonics, Nick Lowe, The Records, Spirit, Reno Bo, The Ramones, Tommy Keene, Red Rockers, Translator, The Rave-Ups, The Cars, Cheap Trick, Sweet, Badfinger, Car Seat Headrest, The The, The Call and a bunch more. The 3 and a half hours fly by. Thanks for the continued support as we update our computers, the link is active for another 18 days. Click if you can.

That PLAYLIST you are looking for is found here.

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FTB Mixtapes A Jersey Summer EP03 "Love Is All Around"

FTB #223 “Inflection Point With A Planet in Flames”

FTB #222 “Tre Deuces on a Joyride”

The Mixtape Series - “A Jersey Shore Summer” Episode #2 “Childhood Memories”

FTB #221 Saturday July 8, 2023

Mike Marrone

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