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SET One dl
Although this arrives on Saturday during the Labor Day Weekend, it is in no way an end of Summer vibe. Summer does not end this weekend, only the business of Summer. The 2024 autumnal equinox occurs at 8:44 a.m. ET Sept. 22, so we have another 22 days to get that episode ready. Retirement does have advantages, my friends. I envision this episode to be a perfect soundtrack to a late Summer gathering of old friends, catching up on each other's lives and how time sure is starting to move fast. Photo albums are passed around to share those snapshots not yet available on your phone. Laughs, fellowship, an occasional tear and lots of love. Comfortable, content but missing those that are gone.
Set One The legendary Dave Barthalamew gets things underway, some funk from The Godfather and a nice portion of Blues, containing two of the most underappreciated guitarists of my lifetime - Rory Gallagher and Roy Buchanan. There’s early R&B and the first appearance of Jimi leads to a touch of Jazz from the Birds, first Charlie Parker but also containing a new remaster of Joey DeFrancesco and Jimmy Smith getting downright filthy on the way to winding up at a logical piece from Donald with a “y.” 
Set Two
Concentrating on mood, now we get around to attempting an elevation of the head and spirit with the ethereal voices of the late Mark Hollis, Paul Buchanan and David Sylvian. They are joined by an astonishing new effort from Jon Anderson in setting the tone. Bill Hicks breaks the mood as only he could and a few heartbreakers from Dolorean and Ryan Adams and comfy memories courtesy of The Beatles and Stones, leading to one of my favorite new songs from Anders Osborne’s new album. 
Set Three
Opening with a pair of tunes from Irish band Fontaines D.C. and their new album “Romance.” If you like to keep up new music, as so few from my generation do, this is one of the finest bands to emerge in the last few years. Then we head toward the stars, Mott, Bowie, Radiohead, Roxy and the deeply missed Sparklehorse bring everyone together singing and counting along with Lothar and The Hand People and their classic head trip of “Space Hymn.” Mick Jagger tries to explain the magnitude of influence the arrival of Jimi Hendrix to London’s Swingin’ Sixties before closing with the Nostradamus-like warning of John Kay and Steppenwolf. As always thanks for listening, let me know your feelings on the new format and if you have some spare change, we always appreciate it click here to donate or HERE
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You were warned that sometimes there will be a bonus set and this is a subject that practically demands one, especially now. I have revealed about a dozen times that I am not a Democrat, but this is not a political issue, it’s Societal. Close your eyes and think back to the days prior to Trump descending his gaudy surroundings. Lips pursed, makeup and hair overdone, atop his floating throne, his gold plated escalator. I turned away. So much has happened I understand if it takes a few minutes. Okay? What was going on in your life, your everyday routine? Work, family, school, neighbors, shopping, kids, hobbies, friends, events, etc. Now try and recall everything that has changed in your normal routine since that day, positive and negative, the good and bad. It was June 16, 2015, just short of a decade in the past but from my perspective it seems a lot longer.
Every single day since, Donald Trump has demanded more attention. Even after he lost the last election by over 7 million votes in the popular vote. He lost the Electoral College 306 to 232. Reverse those numbers and that was the previous election result when Trump won 306 to 232, which he touted as a “massive landslide victory!” He lost the popular vote by 3 million! We were doomed from that point on. I wrote in this very blog the night prior, “One of them has never been elected to any public office, never shown compassion or concern for anything other than accumulating personal wealth, yet refuses to reveal his tax returns. That is something no candidate has ever done. He has spewed forth a steady stream of hate, fear and lies, denigrating any and all opposition with the zeal and temperament of a schoolyard bully. The fact that he is even on the ballot is an embarrassment to our country around the world, except perhaps Russia and North Korea. He has revealed no plan to "make America great again" and has no experience whatsoever in Public Service. He is reality TV and if like me you were concerned with someone like Al Haig or Dick Cheney having "the button" in reach, how will anyone get a good night's sleep with him possessing the nuclear codes?” Click here Although I followed Politics, no one would ever confuse me with an obsessed political junkie. Family, Music and Baseball. Period. The running order occasionally swapped around but that was it. I was happy, very busy but generally my usual optimistic self, which has for 44 years annoyed the shit out of my wife at times, the “almost” exact opposite. We agree on important stuff, otherwise I shudder to think what might have happened. On the very first day of his “massive landslide victory” he was ready to roll up his sleeves and start fixing what was wrong with the Country he swore to make great again. After mapping out his golf schedule he got right to the biggest problem, crowd size and the press who refused to print that it was the most people ever gathered in that location in history. He’s very smart, you know. Each day or as he thinks of them, the news cycle, the volume of petty nonsense and stupidity was raised, turned up louder. His tiny hand has not moved from the dial since. I can’t bear to recount everything he caused to happen, and I don’t blame him for The Pandemic, only how he mishandled it. Even those that supported him can’t be happy that he has made Women second class citizens, or can they? Let’s face it, he did not do this alone and optimism or not, logical thinking has not put a dent in slowing down his influence. I can’t explain how anyone that has witnessed his insane ranting, abject thievery, ingratiating stupidity and lack of a moral compass can even consider putting him back in The White House. Over the last nine years I can’t count the number of times the term “unpresidented” has been used in regard to the actions of The President Of The United States. I especially cannot fathom how anyone that served or is serving in the Military could vote for a blatant traitor, a person on record as disparaging those that gave their life in service to this country as “suckers and losers.” He disrespected John McCain, a true American Hero even after he died. Unthinkable. His own Vice President does not support him, nor any other members of his staff. Whew… I needed to get that out. This edition of FTB Leftovers does not contain political content, aside from the Intro and Closing. It’s all music and it’s about the condition of our Society and the move toward an Authoritarian Regime replacing Democracy. Remind yourself and anyone who will listen that their Freedom is on the line. The only promise he made and kept was Abortion. Taking away the right of a woman to have providence over her body. Everything else pales in comparison. And everything else is really horrifying, and consider that I didn’t even mention January 6 until now. My innate optimism cannot help but think the only real way to beat the shit out of him properly is to have a woman of color kick his diapered ass. This simply can’t happen again. There will be no going back, ever. THE PLAYLIST CAN BE FOUND HERE 
 Once again you kids have brought an old man close to weeping like a 2 year old while reading through correspondence both public and private concerning my missive regarding the show. As anyone experienced in interacting with the public learns, there is always a jerk or two, which simply proves two infallible truths. That you are on the correct path and inflection simply does not translate on Social Media.
When I retired (cough… forced out) I was overwhelmed with hundreds of wonderful notes, cards and letters and the expected few of the “good… you suck” variety. One stood out: “Yep Mike, you may remember giving me complete shit over making a comment to Chris Muckley about 'an amazing shift ' .. I'll never forget you saying ' we don't do shifts'... it was an innocent comment, going on, and on.. I even tried to explain my comment, you were a complete asshole.” I replied “I don't remember that but thanks for letting me know. Sorry.” I honestly didn’t remember but knew it had to be through text or the web site as this is something that I insisted upon from all staff members going back to WHTG in 1984 because my radio philosophy has always been that there should never be a “shift mentality” in any on-air position. We do “shows” as there is a beginning, middle and conclusion. If you are a working actor or musician the time of the performance is not a shift, it’s clearly a “SHOW.” This seemingly innocuous element in my experience has often been the difference between building a bond with the listener and fostering a community, instead of the play this, say this and hit the post, paint by numbers that is anathema to creativity and integrity. Of course, I may be wrong but I firmly believe it. Ask anyone who has ever worked with me. I never let a reference to a shift go by. I would say, we don’t do shifts, we do shows. We actually care about what we play and when we play it. Shifts are boring, shows are a journey, an adventure we are on together. I have said this hundreds of times and never in a dismissive or angry manner. Quite the opposite actually, the person would say something like “Maybe that’s why I listen so much” or “I never thought of it that way” or even “That makes sense.” I had never before experienced a response like this, chalked it up to someone digging for dirt which was not going to happen since I love Muck Muck. He stayed with my family during the transition! I recommended him to replace me and was (and still am) happy for him. Chalking it up to yet one more clueless asshole I’ll never have to deal with again, I forgot all about it and moved on with more important life issues such as getting to the bottom of why I felt like shit. You know what comes next, right? After posting #254 I went to bed and sure enough this love letter was waiting for me the next day. “Yep, I'll never forget what an asshole you were to me on chats years ago.” I actually laughed out loud, thinking about what I have been through since 2018 and simply wrote back. “Be well, Maynard.” I haven’t heard back. So Maynard if you happen upon this post, why don’t you go outside and play a nice game of hide and go f#@k yourself! Have an absolutely beautiful rest of your life. To everyone else, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I truly do love all of you. FTB #255 will be in your hands by Friday morning. There’s a title on this one… “Freedom.” 
"Freedom" is the title and theme of these sets, collectively episode#255. Leon Bridges "Peaceful Place" is first out of the new release bin and I can't wait to hear the rest of what will be his fourth release, "Leon" which is due 10/4. The Asylum Albums (1976-1980) continues the wonderful Joni Mitchell catalog upgrade joining previously unreleased live material from The Staples Singers (recorded in 1972) and Tower Of Power (recorded in 1973). It's a nice smooth ride navigating from the Clash and Damned to Jon Batiste and John Coltrane. DL
FTB255 Set 2 "Freedom"
FTB255 Set 2 utilizes Brother Ray and Milt Jackson from a new remaster of their classic "Bags and Blues" album as a classy entry point which initiates a route toward the must listen new release from Devon Allman, "Miami Moon." Forget everything you think you know about Devon. On the way milepost markers will bear names like The Chairman, Oscar Peterson and The Velvet Fog, picking up new young jazz collective The Rare Sounds covering Dev (of course). The beautiful soul and spirit of the lovely and talented Syd Straw joined by that Stipe fellow and a tune from her "Surprise album I will never tire of. More from Lemon Twigs latest, Chicano Batman contributing to our episode theme and a Sly & The Family Stone performance of a song I had never heard until the other day, recorded live at The Fillmore East in 1968. DL
FTB255 Set 3 "Freedom"
Fontaines D.C., Amy Helm and Ray LaMontagne contribute a trio of new tracks that are not only strong individual tunes, they work very effectively as connective tissue taking us on a widely divergent musical adventure. Inspiring previously unheard linkage with Alvin Lee, Lead Belly, Primal Scream featuring Linda Thompson, Son Volt, a new to me Rick Wakeman solo piano version of "Close To The Edge, "Simple Song Of Freedom," my favorite Freedom song (Bobby Darin's version and a song he wrote for Tim Hardin as payback for his song "Reason To Believe" which provided the multi-talented Darin with a hit. I've long felt Bobby Darin is one the most underappreciated artists of my lifetime. He could do everything at an élite level. An amazing talent that tragically died young. I always appreciated Kevin Spacey as an actor, but I have never been more disappointed in a movie than his Darin homage, "Beyond The Sea." Within a few days Set 4 "Freedom Leftovers" will wrap up the episode. DL
COMPLETE PLAYLIST CAN BE FOUND HERE
To say the past few years have been a whirlwind of adjustment is somewhat of an understatement in my life. While I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude to have my mental facilities restored, financial and physical realities continue to present frustration that often feels beyond my control. I have always loved to share music. Whether turning someone on to something new or previously unknown it truly brings me joy. There are dwindling venues remaining that provide or even encourage the practice of presenting what I’ve always felt was the art of a DJ., programming, building and engineering a set of music that entertains while educating, flows but makes you think or simply feel good. It just somehow makes sense. In the last few years it has been torture for me to speak properly, at least to my satisfaction. I’ve never enjoyed talking on the radio, but did feel I could communicate my musical vision honestly and with passion. Due to the aftermath of my medical adventure and treatment I simply can no longer do that. Speaking has become a chore and embarrassment due to dental issues that I will never be able to afford to repair. It takes me a long time to manipulate my voice tracks to where they “almost” sound like me speaking to you, but they never will. I have never been one of those “Big Voice” radio guys but always able to say what was on my mind and the truth, at least from my perspective. I have tried a variety of things with A.I. over the past few years, creating imaginary characters like Art Damage, Hal Jalikeakick, Ripper McSesh, Biff Renaldo and so many others. Rest assured that Teenage Eddie is not a creation, uniquely real and loved and that is his voice, as is old friend, colleague and sister Loretta Windas who have both been on the show during this period. I can’t do it anymore, it feels dishonest. In addition, the way most people use music in this day and age is very different. Although approaching 70 when it comes to playing, sharing and collecting music, tools to do so have never been better, easier or more affordable and available. Everyone from fan level to professional have access to a remarkable tool kit for creation and enjoyment. I am never going to stop putting sets of music together and am honored that some of you want to hear them. From this episode forward the show will be presented as 3 (sometimes more) sets, each one 60-75 minutes in length. No voice tracks. The music and occasional other noises when required but not me. There is another strong factor in the decision to put the music in 3 distinct sets and that issue is “content” presentation. For example, Mixcloud has some new rules (and I don’t blame them) that present a situation like this. A new album comes out that is just mind-blowing and in my view important. Think “Revolver,” “Pet Sounds,” “Entertainment!,” “Axis:Bold As Love,” “In A Silent Way,” “Nevermind,” and so many more. If I put a three hour show together I can only play 2 songs from it and nothing else by the artist. If I post 3 different 1 hour shows, I can play 2 in each. Today music is regarded as “content”... nothing more or less. Interchangeable and measured as a commodity. The 1:50 run time of “Old Fart At Play” from Captain Beefheart's seminal “Trout Mask Replica” album has the exact same value and footprint as the more than 25 minutes of Miles Davis’ “Yesternow” from “A Tribute To Jack Johnson” album. Sorry for being so wordy… I love you and thank you for listening. Any questions? [email protected] MIXCLOUD LINKS COMING SOON.  SET ONE (1 MINUTE VIDEO PREVIEW)Click to set custom HTML
 SET TWO (1 MINUTE VIDEO PREVIEW) dl SET THREE (1 MINUTE VIDEO PREVIEW) |
Mike MarroneDad, Husband, Radio Programmer/DJ, Music Enthusiast, Drummer and Retired American. 
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