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The June 8 edition of Greasy Tracks featured the just-released JUBU (Little Village Foundation) by guitarist John “Jubu” Smith.

Here’s the archive, while a playlist is here.

Included in the program is an interview with guitarist Charlie Hunter who — with drummer Calvin Napper — rounded out the trio for the sessions. Guitarist Eric Gales makes a guest appearance on one of the tracks. Hunter produced the album.

Despite his reputation as an in-demand session and tour player, Hunter does not take any solos on the release. Instead, employing his guitar/bass hybrid guitar, he combines with Napper to take the rhythm section to a new level on what is an amazingly soulful, jazz-funk offering.

Jubu and Hunter both have roots in San Francisco’s East Bay. They each graduated from Berkeley High School — albeit four years apart — and then followed their musical paths around the country and the world — either leading groups of their own or playing with other artists.

Jubu spent a decade playing with Oakland-based Tony Toni Toné, backed Whitney Houston on a world tour and did time with the Philly soul outfit Maze. He also did studio work with Luther Vandross, Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, George Duke and George Benson.

In addition to a slew of solo projects, Hunter was part of The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Garage a Trois and T.J. Kirk and did session and production work with scores of other artists. He’s played on recent releases by Victoria Victoria and SuperBlue, a collaboration with Kurt Elling.

On the June 7 edition of Friday Class, Prof. Lay took listeners back to Argentina, aurally speaking.

The program also served as an introduction to Cinestudio’s preview screenings of “Chronicles of a Wandering Saint” (“Crónicas de una Santa Errante”) before it opens nationally. Click here to listen live.

Cinestudio will show the film June 7-12. Click here to view the trailer.

There was also an interview with Tomás Gómez Bustillo — the writer and director of the film — who discussed how it came together, including the fascinating story of Rita Lopez and her quest to achieve sainthood.

The May 28 edition of So Latin This Jazz featured a special presentation as Lissette Colon, vice president of the Puerto Rican Parade of Fairfield County, interviewed Charles R. Venator-Santiago, the director of Puerto Rican Studies Initiative and El Instituto at the University of Connecticut.

Some of the issues that were explored emphasized women’s rights, equal pay for equal work, equality in academic and developmental opportunities, and the importance of celebrating ethnic pride.

The program not only identified shortfalls in the treatment of the disenfranchised, but discussed specific actions necessary to make things right.

The May 18 edition of Greasy Tracks featured the just-released Sam’s Place (Hot Tomato Productions) by Little Feat, part of a special three-hour spotlight on the band.

Here’s the archive, while a playlist is here. 

There were interviews with Little Feat members Sam Clayton, Bill Payne and Scott Sharrard, along with sax man Art Edmaiston who was part of the sessions at the legendary Sam Phillips Recording in Memphis.

It’s the first studio album in 12 years from Feat and the collection of classic blues tracks they recorded is stunning. May 17 was the official release of the album.

This offering from the band marks the first time percussionist Clayton sings lead on every track.

Bonnie Raitt, a longtime Feat friend, guests on a version of Muddy Waters’ “Long Distance Call” and Michael “Bull” LoBue contributes harp on a few songs. In addition to Edmaiston, fellow Memphis horn man Marc Franklin is on a handful of tracks.

Minus one original, “Milkman” — co-written by Clayton with guitarists Sharrard and Fred Tackett — the album is entirely covers penned by the aforementioned Waters, Willie Dixon, Bobby Charles, Little Walter Jacobs and Preston “Red” Foster.

The band appears several times in the tri-state area this summer as part of their “Can’t Be Satisfied Tour”, including Aug. 17 at the Milford Oyster Festival in Milford, Conn.; Aug. 20 at Tree House Brewing Summer Stage in Deerfield, Mass.; Aug. 21 at The Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, Mass.; Aug. 22 at South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, Mass.; Aug. 24 at Indian Ranch in Webster, Mass.; and Aug. 25 at Bethel Woods Center For The Arts in Bethel, N.Y.

The May 11 edition of Greasy Tracks was an in-depth feature on the Austin trio Greyhounds.

The program marked the start of the 30th year of Greasy Tracks. Here’s the archive, while a playlist is here. 

There were interviews with guitarist Andrew Trube and keyboardist Anthony Farrell who founded the band 25 years ago. Drummer Ed Miles rounds out the line-up.

There was music from across their catalogue as well as work with other artists and some insight on touring and recording plans for the future, including a new record to celebrate a quarter century of the ‘Hounds.

The May 6 edition of the Devo Rock Show featured an interview with DEVO guitarist and keyboardist Josh Hager.

Here’s the archive. 

Host Devo got a chance to talk with Hager recently, before Hager joined his bandmates on a tour to mark their 50th anniversary.

Hager shared how he got started in music and some of his experiences working with DEVO founding members Gerry Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh.

Hager also talks about some of his earliest bands, including Backstroke To Cuba, The Elevator Drops and his work with Matt Sharp of the band Weezer. Also included will be music from his band with Tom Chapman of New Order called Shadowparty.

DEVO was formed in 1973 in Akron, Ohio, by two sets of brothers, Mark (keyboardist/vocalist) and Bob Mothersbaugh (guitarist), and Gerald (bassist) and Bob Casale (keyboardist) along with drummer Alan Myers.

The band started as an art project and joke at Kent State University and centered on the concept of “de-evolution” which was a satirical take on the dysfunction of modern society.

The joke took a more serious turn following the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, in which four students were killed and nine injured after Ohio National Guard troops fired on anti-Vietnam war protestors.

Gerald Casale was friends with some of the victims, including Allison Krause, and witnessed her death at the scene. This had a profound impact on him and was the catalyst to the formation of DEVO.

In 1977, DEVO released their first single “Mongoloid” with the B-side “Joko Homo”. The second single was a cover of The Rolling Stones song “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” which led to their brief stint on Stiff Records.

They were signed to Warner Brothers in 1978 — with the help of David Bowie and Iggy Pop — and recorded their first album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!

They gained national attention after their appearance on Saturday Night Live with their performance of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “Joko Homo”.

In 1980, they broke through with their album Freedom Of Choice which included their biggest hit, “Whip It”. Throughout the 1980s, they continued to produce albums and tour until 1991 when they decided to break up. Later in the decade, they got back together and worked on various projects and toured on and off.

Mark Mothersbaugh got involved in TV and film soundtracks and Gerald Casale released an album under the name Jihad Jerry and the Evildooers. In 2010, they reformed and released Something For Everybody. Hager and his brother Paul worked on the production of that album, which included the singles, “Fresh” and “What We Do”.

On February 17, 2014, Bob Casale died of heart failure at the age of 61. Shortly after this, Hager was asked to replace him and tour with the band. This led to Hager working on several solo projects with Gerald Casale, including the singles “I’m Gonna Pay You Back” and “It’s All Devo”.

DEVO’s tour winds up in Las Vegas on May 27.

The April 27 edition of Greasy Tracks featured a special tribute to Dickey Betts.

Here’s the archive, while a playlist is here. 

The iconic guitarist, one of the founding members of the Allman Brothers, passed away April 18, 2024, at the age of 80.

There were interviews with numerous people who played with Betts — including a contingent of Connecticut-based musicians — as well as a pair of noted journalists who have written extensively about Betts over the years.

The feature went in depth when it came to recordings Betts made with the Allmans as well as his solo work and time spent with Great Southern and The Dickey Betts Band.

Providing insight and sharing memories of Betts were former Allman Brothers Band bassist David Goldflies, guitarist Andy Aledort, keyboardist Matt Zeiner, bassist David Stoltz and saxophonist Kris Jensen.

Zeiner, Stoltz and Jensen are all based in Connecticut and played with Betts when he regrouped the Dickey Betts Band and later, Great Southern. The trio is part of the Great Southern Reunion. Stoltz is an adjunct professor at Trinity’s Austin Arts Center.

An associate editor at Guitar World, Aldort — who spent 12 years with various Betts lineups — now plays with Friends of the Brothers, which he formed with author Alan Paul.

Paul wrote two of the definitive tomes on the Allmans, including Brothers & Sisters: The Allman Brothers Band and the Inside Story of the Album That Defined the 70s (St. Martin’s Press) and One Way Out: The Inside History of the Allman Brothers Band (St. Martin’s Press).

Paul, who was also interviewed, co-wrote Texas Flood: The Inside Story of Stevie Ray Vaughan (St. Martin’s Press), with Aledort.

Music from the recently released debut by Louisa Stancioff, When We Were Looking (Yep Roc), was featured on the April 22 edition of the Devo Rock Show.

Check out the archive.

Devo interviewed the singer/songwriter — who hails from Camden, Maine — prior to her April 18 show at Passim in Cambridge, Mass. She discussed some of the background of the material on her album which was produced by Sam Kassirer who also plays assorted keyboards.

Recorded in Parsonsfield, Maine, the album has a dreamy sound that showcases Stancioff’s unique voice.

Included in the program are some of her singles from last year, including “Red Neck Yacht Club” and “Cass’s Song” which were produced by Benny Yurco, formerly of the Nocturnals and now part of Grace Potter’s solo outfit.

Stancioff grew up in rural Maine and spent some time living in California, New York and North Carolina before returning to Maine during the pandemic.

These experiences, along with her memories of growing up in Maine, are inspirations for her music. She will be touring throughout New England during the summer and fall.

The April 13 edition of Greasy Tracks featured an interview with and a feature on Dave Mason.

Here’s the archive, while a playlist is here. 

Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam comes to the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport on May 24 with the Beach Boys.

The program went deep and wide when it comes to Mason’s career, from the early on and off period as a founding member of Traffic; interesting studio collaborations — sessions that would lead to George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, Paul McCartney and Wings’ Venus and Mars and Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland — and road work in one of the greatest touring bands, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends.

Mason’s chart-friendly solo career, especially his legendary 1970s period, will also be included along with a number of interesting Mason tracks covered by other artists.

The April 6 edition of Greasy Tracks featured the recently released live gem, Bear’s Sonic Journals: Sing Out! (Owsley Stanley Foundation).

Here’s the archive, while a playlist is here. 

The three-CD collection captures Country Joe McDonald, Kate Wolf, Rosalie Sorrels, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart and John Kahn in an acoustic setting on April 25, 1981, at a Seva Foundation benefit presented at a Berkeley Community Theater. The legendary Odetta was also on the bill, but her set is not included on the release.

Berkeley, Calif.-based Seva was formed in 1978 to prevent/treat blindness in countries around the world. One of the organizations founders, Wavy Gravy, organized the benefit.

The recording was done by Owsley Stanley, the long-time sound guru for the Grateful Dead, who was running the front of the house as a volunteer at the event in a venue long considered to be sonically challenging.

This concert marked the last time he recorded members of the Dead. Stanley, best known as “Bear”, began working with the Dead in 1966 and designed their famed “Wall of Sound” which they only employed in 1974.

In addition to some insight from Wavy Gravy, there were interviews with Stanley’s son, Starfinder Stanley who is president of the Owsley Stanley Foundation and OSF board members Hawk and Pete Bell. Starfinder Stanley and Hawk served as executive producers for the project while Bell was an associate producer. All contributed to the extensive liner notes.

Guitarist Mitch Greenhill, who accompanied Rosalie Sorrells at the benefit, is also interviewed.

OSF is a non-profit organization founded to finance the incredible undertaking of digitizing the massive trove of music that makes up “Bear’s Sonic Journals” — 1,300 reels of live soundboard recordings of 80 artists — that Owsley made. Thus far, they’ve gone through nearly 900 reels from concerts in the 1960s through the 1980s by 80-plus acts running the gamut from the Grateful Dead and Miles Davis to Johnny Cash and the Jefferson Airplane.

Previous OSF releases featured on Greasy Tracks included concerts by Tim Buckley and Johnny Cash.