All articles filed in K-Chuck Radio

Manu Dibango passed away yesterday from complications from COVID-19.  He was 86.  He lived a long life and he was a beloved musician. And he will always be known for one of the funkiest world hits of the 1970’s, “Soul Makossa.” Dibango originally recorded the song as a tribute to the success of his native…

Ages and ages ago, when I wrote for the music collector’s magazine Goldmine, I did a well-received profile of novelty “break-in” artist Dickie Goodman.  Goodman pioneered the idea of taking audio samples from popular songs and using them as the “out of context” answers for wacky interview questions.  If you’ve ever heard Goodman’s “Mr. Jaws”…

So … I’ve been listening to Chip Ordway’s Friday night record show on WPTR, the Capital District’s local community radio station.  The show airs Friday nights, 6-8pm, and can be streamed at wptrradio.com or heard on your AM radio (1240 AM).  Yes, AM radio.  Just like back in the day. Over his two-hour broadcast, Chip…

Space Age Pop is an eclectic subgenre of early to mid 1960’s pop music.  It experimented with stereo separations, it created a more percussive instrumental format, and invariably it was used as background music or instrumental filler for everything from commercials to short films. I’ve got a few examples of this cool Space Age Pop…

So I’m going under the knife today.  By the time you read this, I will be swimming in a bath of anesthesia, while the doctor surgically repairs my ankle. So while I’m trying to get through the surgery … I’m going to need some music to keep me going. So let’s get started with ……

Just for the heck of it, I thought about Christmas songs that didn’t have any Christmas-themes to them – or, if they did mention Christmas, it was in passing.  Probably just because it’s Christmas Eve, and I’ve already written a blog post for tomorrow (what, you think I’m getting up on Christmas morning to write…

Tom Waits is a songwriting genius.  His tracks have been covered by artists from nearly every musical genre, and his music has become the fabric of pain and heartache and solace for decades. What’s amazing about his songs is that every one of them sounds perfect for the artist who covered them.  They sound like…

This year is the 50th anniversary of the release of the Beatles’ album Abbey Road.  A fantastic album, for sure.  Full of classic Beatles tracks.  After this came the soundtrack to the motion picture Let it Be, and then a series of repackagings from their record label – two greatest hits albums (the “red” and…

I’m trying a new photography technique today.  If it works, I will have some super-swank photos that will make for new opportunities.  So I need a little musical motivation. And when I say “musical motivation,” I need the most positive, uptempo, run-thrugh-a-brick-wall-after-the-coach-gives-you-the-pep-talk tracks out there. In other words, these are the songs I would listen…

Okay, if I said to you, “What do you know about Suzi Quatro,” I’m sure I’d get one of three responses. “Wasn’t she on Happy Days for a season or two?” “Didn’t she have that sappy duet song called Stumblin’ In?” “Suzi Who?” I get it. Let’s fill this out.  Suzi Quatro is one of…