Vinyl Voyage Radio

Beltane is an ancient Celtic celebration that celebrates the beginning of summer.  Beltane literally means "bright fire" and for the ancient Celts, fire was a way to bring about purification.  So, bonfires were--and still are--an important Celtic tradition during this time of the year.  In fact, on April 30th, thousands of people attend the traditional burning of the bonfires in Edinburgh, Scotland. I am about 1/3 or so Irish.  And I am also a celtophile, I must say.  I like all things Celtic.  In 2001, I got engaged in Ireland.  We had Celtic-themed wedding.  My vest was made in the traditional tartan pattern of my wife's family. And it was in a bar in Dublin where I became acquainted with Dougie MacLean.  Dougie MacLean has often been called "Scotland's James Taylor."  No, he wasn't performing in the bar that evening.  But a singer performed one of his tunes.  It was one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.  ...

This should really be called the "Rick Springfield Mix."  On a 1 hour mix tape, the Aussie/Soap Opera Star/Rock Star/Author appears some 7 times.  And most of the songs that my friend, Dena, placed of Rick Springfield's are those that you did not hear on the radio.  No "Jesse's Girl," for example. This will be very interesting broadcast, from a logistic point of view.  You see, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) has defined the standards for internet radio.  And you can only play 3 songs by a single artist in a 3 hour time period.  Ooops.  Playing Dena's Mix will, therefore, break copyright law.  And I can be fined upwards of $500,000 if caught. But what the hell.  Let's live life on the edge, shall we? This mix was made most likely in 1984.  Many of the songs come from that year.  And it was the year I began to drive and I distinctly remember playing this in the car--which happened to be a Ford Pinto station wagon....

The Vinyl Brunch , heard ever Sunday from 10 AM to 1 PM CT will feature a special broadcast this Sunday, April 24.  In honor of Easter, we will play, in its entirety, the original concept album of Jesus Christ Superstar from 1970.  Known by aficionados of the musical as the "brown album," this recording was made before the stage shows were mounted in London or New York.   It features Ian Gillian as Jesus, Murray Head a Judas and Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene.  The musical is unique in that it does not focus on the religious nature of the Gospels too much, but on the political situation and the interpersonal relationships between the three main characters.  As a result, many accused it of being sacrilegious.  It was even banned for awhile by the BBC. The album shot to the top of the Billboard charts in 1970 and produced two hit songs:  "Superstar" and "I Don't Know How to Love Him." If you are only familiar with the Ted Neeley version from the 1...

The other day, I added "The Warrior" into rotation. Had the song on a 45 rpm single. You know the song: "Shooting at the walls of heartache. BANG! BANG! I am the warrior!" The song was released in 1984 and peaked at #7 on the Billboard charts. Not a terrible song, to be sure. Very 80s. The video, however, is atrocious. It's like an apocalyptic Cats :  dancers in ragged tights dance-fighting in an alley.  I've seen various renditions of this over the years at high school orchesis performances.  At one point in the video, Patty Smyth's hair changes into a bizarre Bride of Frankenstein doo.  Why?  Who knows. She battles too, but stops in time to lip-sync the important lines in song.  The video is so bad, it's actually fun to watch: After Sammy Hagar left Van Halen, supposedly Eddie Van Halen asked Patty Smyth to front the band.  Could you imagine Van Halen doing a rendition of this song? On the Vinyl Voyage you can hear an eclectic mix of...

Remember this one from the days when MTV actually played music videos?  This was one of my favorite songs from the era and I particularly love the clips from Nosferatu within this video.  This collaboration between Queen and David Bowie was released 1981.  Of course, Vanilla Ice ripped the famous baseline off in his single "Ice, Ice, Baby" ten years later.  "Under Pressure" can be heard on the Vinyl Voyage. Give us a listen. Streaming commercial-free all day long. Vinyl: The Original CD

I recently came across this site while exploring YouTube, avoiding the task of doing some actual work. On this site, a guy who calls himself "The Dude" shows his appreciation for vinyl by creating some pretty creative videos of vinyl being played in the most unlikely of places:  on a beach, in a field, cooking on a stove--just to name a few. Here's an example: How about this for Bowie's "Suffragette City?" Pink Floyd's "Us and Them:" There's more there as well--a nice mixture of the old and new:  Wilco, The Beatles, Kansas, The Rolling Stones, Phish...and many more. Check out the Daily Vinyl's YouTube page here . Also, check out the website .  Some cool stuff there as well.

Yes, "Careless Whisper" was the #1 song of 1985.  It is a song you will not hear on Mix Tape Memories.  Tune in tonight for an encore broadcast of Mix Tape Memories ---we'll take you back to 1985 for a decidingly non-Wham nostalgic trip to the past. Even so, who can ever forget that classic saxophone riff at the beginning of the song?  Apparently, not this guy: An encore broadcast of Mix Tape Memories airs tonight at 8 pm, Central. If you like early 80s alternative/New Wave, this is the show for you. Sorry, but no George Michael.  Instead:  Boomtown Rats, Psychedelic Furs, The Thompson Twins, Nick Heyward, General Public, Time Zone, Corey Heart, Real Life, Berlin. Oh, and also Alien Sex Fiend. For more information about tonight's encore performance, click here .

Records.  Lots and lots of records. We are going to try it again, folks.  Got everything working (hopefully).  Listen live to The Vinyl Voyage all day without commercial interruptions.  We have the most eclectic mix out there and are adding more each day. Then, stay tuned at 9 pm (CT) for Mix Tape Memories .  Tonight, we will be playing a mix from 1985 with some of the best new wave/alternative of the early 80s.  Time Zone.  The Fixx.  Real Life.  Boomtown Rats. And, of course, Alien Sex Fiend. Join us at 9.

Starting today, the Vinyl Voyage will be live and commercial free, streaming the best music on vinyl throughout the day.  Perfect for listening at work.  Growing up during the 70s and 80s, I have a large record collection, so most of the music will be from those eras---with a few new modern hits thrown in as well.  We offer an eclectic mix of the best tunes from the last several decades plus deep tracks, rarities and oldies as well.  And we are constantly adding to our collection.  You never know what might end up on the Vinyl Voyage turntable. Give us a listen. Let us know what you think.

This was my favorite mix tape from the 1980s; it was the one I was most proud of.  We all had mix tapes like that:  the ones we cranked up in the car when we drove with the windows down, showing off our taste in music.    This was the tape that made me feel cool, in my highschool--"look at me, I'm an individual"---way. This is the tape with Alien Sex Fiend. I bought that Alien Sex Fiend album at a record store in Northbrook.  I didn't know anything about them.  Just thought it would be cool to own.  It's not very good, yet I put a couple of tracks on this mix---probably just to show that I was "cutting edge,"  or something like that.  The album is called "Who's Been Sleeping in My Brain?" and contains some classic punk/death metal songs, such as " Drive My Rocket (Up Uranus) ."  Don't worry, that one is not on this mix. But " Black Rabbit " is. The mix begins with a classic 80s song that really captures the s...

Tonight, we will be an encore broadcast of Mix Tape Memories, Episode 1.  This mix is called "Many Songs #4" from 1986 and includes such 80s bands as Oingo Boingo, Tones on Tail and R.E.M. Broadcast begins at 8 pm CT. Join us for this nostalgic trip back to the mid-80s--commercial free.

This week on The Vinyl Brunch , we will be featuring Over the Rhine .  Over the Rhine has been making music together for 20 years.  Their new album, The Long Surrender , is perhaps one of their best. The core of the band is husband and wife team, Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist. They are, perhaps, the most literate of bands, making music that spans many genres.  Karin's voice radiates passion and there is no finer vocalist today, in my opinion. In fact, Over the Rhine provided some inspiration for a novel that I am writing as well. The Long Surrender was released on vinyl this year and we will be playing several selections during The Vinyl Brunch . Broadcasting every Sunday morning from 10 am to 1 pm CT, The Vinyl Brunch offers an eclectic mix of music perfect for a Sunday morning.  Join us. More information about The Vinyl Brunch can be found here .

I used to doodle the faces of all of the members of the band KISS. We’d debate among friends who was our favorite band member. Mine: the drummer, Peter Criss. He was the “cat,” in case you’re wondering. There was something magical about a band that wore bizarre costumes and make-up. I longed to go to a concert and imagined the fireworks, the spitting blood and the sound. Oh, that sound. I could only imagine how loud it actually was. The only thing I knew was that it would have been louder than my record player. I first became acquainted with KISS in 1976 with, believe or not, a K-Tel album called Disco Mania . That’s right---you read correctly: Disco Mania . The song “Rock and Roll All Nite” appeared late on the second side. And I loved it. I played it all the time. I got other KISS albums. I imagined what it would be like to see them in concert. In 1976, KISS played a concert at my soon-to-be junior high. River Trails Junior High in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, had...

I turned 8 years old in 1976. And that was the year I got K-Tel’s classic compilation, Disco Mania . I have fond memories of this album---not because I was a huge fan of disco.  Quite the opposite, actually.  This was the album that introduced me to Kiss. Yes, you read correctly. An album called Disco Mania introduced me to the make-up wearing, hard-rocking, blood-spitting band, Kiss. That is what makes this album pure K-Tel nuttiness. Sure, there are some early bona fide disco hits here: “The Hustle,” “Walkin’ in Rhythm,” “Never Can Say Goodbye” and “Disco Queen.” But then, there are some songs that are gloriously out of place: “Rock and Roll All Nite” by Kiss, “Lady” by Styx and “Hey You” by Bachman Turner Overdrive. There are 19 songs on this album and it begins with the classic disco song, “The Hustle.” This song was all over the place in 1976.  I remember dancing to it in my living room. Included are other Disco hits: “Kung Fu Fighting,” “Shame ...

If you missed last Friday's Mix Tape Memories , you can catch an encore broadcast tonight at 8 pm CT---live and commercial free.  This is a great mix tape from 1986 and features some eclectic music, including Belinda Carlisle, the Stray Cats, Duran Duran, INXS and the Monkees.  Plus a song from West Side Story , as well.  I did say it was eclectic, didn't I? Join us for a nostalgic trip to when music was shared...on mix tapes.

This week on the Vinyl Brunch , we will be featuring songs about the sun and sunshine.  As we shake these winter blues, these songs will be a perfect accompaniment to your relaxing Sunday morning. So pour some coffee, open the Sunday paper and lose yourself in this eclectic mix of music---all played on glorious vinyl.  What will you hear this Sunday?  The Beatles.  John Denver.  Cowboy Junkies.  Neil Young.  Billie Holiday.  Bobby Darin. Ray Charles. Vikki Carr. Just to name a few. The Vinyl Brunch airs every Sunday morning from 10 am to 1 pm (Central.)

I am not exactly sure when "Alane's Mix" was created.  Sometime in 1986, I believe.  In that year, Belinda Carlisle released her first post-Go-Go's solo album, Belinda .  A couple of songs from that album appear on this mix including the hit, "Mad About You."  So I assume it was made around this time---summer, 1986. This is a nice mix and very Alane.  I basically grew up with Alane.  We went to elementary school, junior high and high school together.  Our families camped together a couple of times.  We went on road trips into the city and once got lost while singing songs from Jesus Christ Super Star and didn't realize we were lost until well into the second act. (Yeah, we liked musicals and she got me hooked not just on JCSS, as we called it, but also on West Side Story as well.  Sometimes we'd act out scenes in the hall in high school.  We were Glee before Glee .) Tonight, on Mix Tape Memories, we will feature "Alane's Mix."...