Hour One – Tribute to Allen Baekeland
1. The Bownesians: How Allen Saved The Radio Station - 2009 *
2. Postie Talk: Wrestlemania / Postalmania – April 2, 1990 *
3. Allen Baekeland & Steve Fruitman: I’m Gonna Tear Down The Mailbox – 1990 *
4. Willie P Bennett: The Lucky Ones – 1990 *
5. Allen Baekeland: Drinkin’ Ex And Askin’ Why – 1991 *
6. The Rembetika Hipsters: In The City’s Bath Houses – 2004 *
7. The Rembetika Hipsters: The Seagulls – 2010 *
8. Allen Baekeland: Ripped Off Winkle – 2004 *
9. Allen and Charlie: Lonely Street – 2019 *
10. Allen and Charlie: Always Late With Your Kisses – 2019 *
Hour Two
1. Waylon Jennings: Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line - 1968
2. Jim Reeves: Waiting For A Train - 1968
3. Tennessee Ernie Ford: Smoky Mountain Boogie - 1960
4. Richard Knechtel: Make A Little Music - 1976 *
5. Paul James Band: Good Old Rock and Roll – 1984 *
6. Nick Lowe: I Knew The Bride When She Used To Rock And Roll – 1985
7. Don Hardy & The 11 O’Clock Blues Band: Yellow Dog Blues – 1981 *
8. It’s A Beautiful Day: Girl With No Eyes – 1970
9. kd lang: Luck In My Eyes – 1989 *
10. Jr. Gone Wild: I Fell Dumb – 1986 *
11. John Borra: Hambre and Dolores – 2020 *
12. John Borra: Foggy Notion – 2020 *
13. David Crosby: Lady Of The Harbour – 1982
14. The Beau Brummels: Don’t Talk To Strangers - 1965
15. T Texas Tyler: I Tickled Her Under The Chin – 1955
16. Alan Baekeland: Holding Things Together – 2019 (Bonus Track)
CanCon = 70%
And Now for The Particulars:Hour One – Tribute to Allen Baekeland
Allan Baekeland b. Calgary November 6, 1959 / d. May 23, of cancer (60) Calgary
Performed in various bands, most notably Lost & Profound (five yrs), The Hackmores & The Rembetika Hipsters. Baekeland and Terry Tompkins formed psych-rock band The Now Feeling in 1983 and released one album before starting ‘Lost and Profound’ with vocalist Lisa Boudreau; they relocated to Toronto in 1985. That’s when he decided to get a job as a letter carrier with Canada Post. In fact, we worked together.
Here’s a band from the Bow neighbourhood of Calgary with an historic song about one of Allen’s good deeds, still remembered 25 years later. It’s a song about Allen Baekeland (when he was Acting Station Manager Jun 1979 – May 1980) when he decided to save the University of Calgary’s student radio station before it went FM, when it was still a radio club. After years of conflict with the Students' Union over programming policy and budget, the SU secretly voted to shut CJSW down without notice to the station's management and membership or the University community. Tipped off to the SU's treachery, station manager Allen Baekeland slept in the studio, unbeknownst to campus officials and the locksmiths sent to perform the midnight shuttering. On the morning of 1980-04-15 he got up and switched on the station as usual, making a point of turning the roof speakers atop MacEwan Hall up full while playing the Pete Seeger song We Shall Overcome. (In 2009 this incident was immortalized on CD by Calgary band "The Bownesians" in their song How Allen Saved the Radio Station). After two days of peaceful protest with community and media support, the new SU executive reconsidered and reversed the closure decision.
1. The Bownesians: How Allen Saved The Radio Station
(The Bownesians)
I Heart Bowness: no label or serial no.
Calgary AB
Doug Waite: vocals, guitar
Leah McCartney: vocals
Brad Kostvnuik: drums
Mike Cormier: percussion
Produced by The Bownesians, 2009
2. Postie Talk: Wrestlemania / Postalmania
Postie Talk with Allen Baekeland & Steve Fruitman
CIUT–FM April 2, 1990 9:55 pm
In 1988, I decided to see if I could get a radio show. Also a letter carrier, I was delivering mail to Jen Norfolk, a CIUT programmer. She suggested that I try CIUT. I was given a one hour show, at 10 pm on Monday Nights following The Twistin’ Postman hosted by Allen Baekeland. (We didn’t know that we were posties at the time). It was some time later, on a Toronto streetcar, that we caught a glimpse of each other in our uniforms. So five minutes before ending his show, Allen would ask me something quirky about the Post Office. This eventually lead into a 10 minute segment that ran for three years without CIUT management knowing about it. Posties, working in the sortation plant, would take their breaks to listen to us. I think that it was a good thing that Allen decided to move his show to Saturday afternoons coz it probably saved our jobs!
In May of 1990, before he moved to Saturdays, our Monday evening line-up was Allen, Me and then Rick Fielding’s Acoustic Workshop. The three of us decided to produce a CIUT fundraising event and booked the hall at St. Vladimir’s Church. Allen booked Willie P for the event which, if you wore a postie shirt you got in for free. It was an amazing night of incredible talent where we did Postie Talk live. Here’s Allen and I singing our theme song:
3. Allen Baekeland & Steve Fruitman: I’m Gonna Tear Down The Mailbox
(Vaughan Horton)
Live at St. Vladimir Church Hall CIUT Benefit
Toronto
Allen Baekeland: bass, vocals
Steve Fruitman: guitar, vocals
Lewis Melville: dobro
Pineapple Frank Barth: steel
Produced by Steve Fruitman, 1990
Recorded by db Hawkes
In-House sound: Joe Benneroch
Allen met Jen. Jen and Allen fell in love and in 1995 made the move back to Calgary as husband and wife. They both loved the music of Willie P Bennett and used one of his songs as their official wedding song. According to ex-CIUT programmer Barry Livingstone who played at their wedding: “Lace and Pretty Flowers was also the song that we played to accompany Al and Jen they walked down the wedding aisle. It is a classic .”
4. Willie P Bennett: The Lucky Ones
(Willie P Bennett)
Live at St. Vladimir Church Hall CIUT Benefit
Peterborough ON
Willie P Bennett: vocal, guitar, harmonica
Produced by Steve Fruitman, 1990
Recorded by db Hawkes
In-House sound: Joe Benneroch
Willie P put out a limited edition cassette in1986 called The Lucky Ones which Allen copied for me. Willie later put out another album called The Lucky Ones with mostly different songs and versions.
5. Allen Baekeland: Drinkin’ Ex And Askin’ Why
(Allen Baekeland)
Moose: The Compilation: Moose Records / Vertigo 510 806-2
Calgary AB
Allen Baekeland: bass, vocals
Lisa Boudreau: bg vocals
Pineapple Frank Barth: pedeal steel
Bartok Guitarsplat: mandolin
David Quinton: drums
Terry Tompkins: guitar
Curtis Driedger: piano
Exec Producer: Richard Chapman, 1991
Mastered by John Switzer
Spiritual Consultant: Dave Bookman
As a member of Lost & Profound, Allen was a part of The Moose Records acts which included The Grievous Angels, Cajun Ramblers, Rheostatics, Big Smoke, Bob Snider, The Celtic Gales, Polka Dogs, Lazy Grace and The Bookmen. This excellent track about beer commercials was included on a Moose compilation CD released by Polygram. It includes another of Allen’s musical friends, Curtis Driedger of the Ceedees.
6. The Rembetika Hipsters: Mes tis Polis To Hammam (In The City's Bathhouses)
(A Delias)
Architects of Narghilé: Socrates Pizza Records SPR001
Calgary, AB
Allen Baekeland: guitar, vocals
Nikos Diochnos: bouzouki, vocals
Lincoln Frey: clarinet, melodeon
Ron Casat: keys
Produced by Ron Casat, 2001
The Rembetika Hipsters started as a duo of Nick Diochnos on bouzouki and Allen Baekeland on guitar. Eventually the band expanded to half a dozen people. The Pegasus Restaurant in Calgary was their home bass. “We actually prefer playing on a small stage because it enables us to be relaxed and get to know the people a lot better,” said Allen Baekeland in the Vermilion Voice. They recorded three albums.
7. The Rembetika Hipsters: The Seagulls
(Meimaris / Vasiliadis)
Kafeneion: Socrates Pizza Records - SPR003
Calgary AB
Allen Baekeland: guitar, vocals
Nikos Diochnos: bouzouki, vocals
Lincoln Frey: clarinet, melodian
Giorgos Iosifelis: bass, vocals
Jonathan Lewis: violin, baglama, accordion, bouzouki, vocals
Malcolm Lim: persussion
Zoe Theodorou: vocals
Produced by Jonathan Lewis, 2010
Recorded by Jonathan Lewis at Moxam Studios, EK Sound, Calgary; Casa Frey, High River
Mixed by Stelios Pulos at EK Sound
Mastered by Golden Mastering, Los Angeles CA
8. Allen Baekeland: Ripped Off Winkle
(T C Connors)
Calgary Does Connors: Bring Your Own Plywood - SRCR001
Calgary, AB
Allen Baekeland: guitar, vocal
Steve Nykolyn: drums
Steve Pineo: electric guitar, bass
Charlie Veilleux: steel
Ron Casat: keys
Executive Producers: Dawn Loucks, Jennifer Abel & Cam Hayden, 2004
Mastered by Richard Harrow
Another great compilation featuring artists from Calgary performing Stompin’ Tom songs. He claimed that he covered this particular song because “it was one of Tom’s most political statements.” He went on to claim, in the liner notes of Bring Your Own Plywood, that Connors was not the “be-all and end-all of the distinctly Canadian country sound.” He stated matter-of-factly that “I’m sure Tom would second me when I urge you to seek out the music of Stevedore Steve and Ward Allen, Mac Beattie, and Marcel Martel, and Roy Payne and Earl Mitton and so many other incredible performers that have been undeservedly ignored and forgotten.”
9. Allen & Charlie: Lonely Street
(Carl Belew)
Seven Country Music Favourites: Dog In The Window Records 2019
Calgary AB
Allen Baekeland: vocals, acoustic guitar
Charlie Veilleux: steel
Derek Pulliam: bass
Ross Watson: drums
Jonathan Lewis: violin, viola
Brooker Buckingham: lead guitar
Tim Leacock: mandolin
Produced by Derek Pulliam, 2019
Last Christmas I received a home-made CD from Al. He hand wrote: “Steve and Maggie, this was my 2019 Xmas card. Due to a lot of upheaval in my live, I’m only getting it to you now. Enjoy! Love from Allen and Jen XO.”
10. Allen & Charlie: Always Late With Your Kisses
(Lefty Frizzell / Blackie Crawford)
Seven Country Music Favourites: Dog In The Window Records 2019
Calgary AB
Allen Baekeland: vocals, acoustic guitar
Charlie Veilleux: steel
Derek Pulliam: bass
Ross Watson: drums
Jonathan Lewis: violin, viola
Brooker Buckingham: lead guitar
Tim Leacock: mandolin
Produced by Derek Pulliam, 2019
Hour Two
1. Waylon Jennings: Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line
(Jimmy Bryant)
Greatest Hits: RCA AHL 1-3378
Austin TX
Waylon Jennings: guitar, vocal
Wayne Moss: lead guitar
Others unknown
Produced by RCA, 1979
Song Produced by Chet Atkins, 1968
Waylon Arnold Jennings b. June 15, 1937 Littlefield, TX - d. February 13, 2002 (64) Chandler, AZ
2. Jim Reeves: Waiting For A Train
(Jimmy Rodgers)
When The Evening Shadows Fall: RCA LSP-4073
Galloway, Texas
Jim Reeves: vocals
Produced by Chet Atkins
Recorded by Bill Porter in Nashville, Nov 13, 1956
Compilation produced 1968
James Travis Reeves b. Galloway TX Aug 20, 1923 / d. July 31, 1964 (40) Davidson County, TN
Died in the same plane crash as Patsy Cline.
3. Tennessee Ernie Ford: Smoky Mountain Boogie
(Ernie Ford / Cliffie Stone)
Sixteen Tons: Capitol Records Star Line Series DT 1380
Bristol TN
Ernie Ford: vocals
Cliffie Stone Orchestra
Produced by Lee Gillette, 1960
Originally Recorded 1949
Ernest Jennings Ford b. Bristol, Tennessee Feb 13, 1919 / d. Oct 17, 1991 (72) Reston, Virginia
When I was a kid watching I Love Lucy, there was an episode where the guest star was Tennessee Ernie Ford. What a voice he had! While Ford was mostly into bluesy country, it was his gospel recordings that sold incredibly well. What I didn’t know was how much he loved boogie music. In fact, on Sixteen Tons he wrote and recorded several boogies. Shot-Gun Boogie, Catfish Boogie, Smoky Mountain Boogie and Blackberry Boogie and they’re all great. Smokey Mountain Boogie was originally recorded by Ford in 1949.
4. Richard Knechtel: Make A Little Music
(Richard Knechtel)
Reach It On The Run: Greentree Music GT-2
Walkerton ON
Richard Knechtel: guitar, vocal
Nick Peterson: bass
Rick Hutt: electric guitar, high string guitar, organ
Gerry Heslip: vibes
Produced by J Richard Hutt and Richard Knechtel, circa 1976
Mastered by Alan Moy at Lacquer Channel, Toronto
Recorded by Paul David Mercey at Mercey Brothers Recording Studios, Elmira ON
Yes, way up there in Bluewater Radio country lives the former artistic director of Summerfolk, Richard Knechtel, aka Dickie Bird. He released three long playing records in the 1970s. He currently lives and works up in Walkerton, Ontario.
5. Paul James Band: Good Old Rock and Roll
(Paul James Vigna)
Almost Crazy: Lick ‘n’ Stick Records CSPS 2340
Toronto ON
Paul James: guitars, vocal
Gary Gray: keys, vocals
Brian Kipping: bass, vocals
Adrian Vecchiola: drums
Rob Hancock: percussion
Produced by Paul James, 1984
Recorded at Comfort Sound & Kensington Sound studios, Toronto, by Doug McClement, Blair Packham, Gabe Lee and Vezi
Paul James Vigna b. January 18, 1951 in Toronto
Started the band Lick'n Stick 1971. Was a backing band for Bo Diddley at the El Mocambo, 1972 became good friends did lotsa work together.
6. Nick Lowe: I Knew The Bride When She Used To Rock And Roll
(Nick Lowe)
The Rose Of England: Columbia Records USA BL39958
Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England
Nick Lowe: bass, vocals
Paul Carrack: keys
Martin Belmont: guitar
Bobby Irwin: drums, bg vocals
Produced by Nick Lowe and Colin Fairley, 1985
Recorded at Eden Studios, Acton by Irene Kelly and Boathouse Studios, Twickenham by Tony Phillips
Nicholas Drain Lowe b. 24 March 1949 Walton-on-Thames, UK
In 1979, Lowe married country singer Carlene Carter, daughter of fellow country singers Carl Smith and June Carter Cash and stepdaughter of Johnny Cash. The marriage ended in 1990, but they remained friends, and Lowe remained close to the Carter/Cash family. He played and recorded with Johnny Cash, and Cash recorded several of Lowe's songs.
7. Don Hardy & The 11 O’clock Blues Band: Yellow Dog Blues
(Don Hardy)
The 11:00 O’clock Blues: 11:O’Clock Records EOR 00128
Vancouver BC
Don Hardy: keys
Al Remple: bass
James Chadwick: drums
David Thrasher: harmonica, lead vocals
Muddy Fraser: guitar
Produced by Jack Velker and Don Hardy, 1981
Recorded by Al Remple at Bullfrog Recorders, Vancouver
8. It’s A Beautiful Day: Girl With No Eyes
(Linda Laflamme / David Laflamme)
It’s A Beautiful Day: Columbia Records CS 9768
San Francisco CA
David Laflamme: violin, vocals
Hal Wagenet: guitar
Mitchell Hollman: bass
Linda Laflamme: keys, vocals
Pattie Santos: percussion
Produced by Matthew Katz & David Laflamme, 1969
Recorded by Brian Ross-Myring
Active years: 1967-1974
David LaFlamme (born Gary Poise May 4, 1941, in New Britain, Connecticut changed his name to his stage name David LaFlamme so to protect his Symphony Orchestra reputation. Symphony Orchestras at that time often did not think much of Rock music. In 1967 the band were living in Seattle, Washington, practicing in an attic. David LaFlamme explains their hit song White Bird:
“Where the 'white bird' thing came from ... We were like caged birds in that attic. We had no money, no transportation, the weather was miserable. We were just barely getting by on a very small food allowance provided to us. It was quite an experience, but it was very creative in a way.”
9. kd lang: Luck In My Eyes
(kd lang / Ben Mink)
Absolute Torch And Twang: Sire Records 92 58771
Consort AB
Kd lang: vocal
Michael Pouliot: drums
John Dymond: bass
Michael Creber: piano
Greg Leisz: lap steel
Gordie Matthews: electric guitars
Ben Mink: acoustic guitar
Produced by Greg Penny, Ben Mink and kd lang, 1989
Recorded and mixed by Joe Seta and Greg Penny at Vancouver Studios, BC
Kathryn Dawn Lang, b. Consort AB, November 2, 1961
Her 4th album, it was her first collaboration with Ben Mink. IMHO it was the first album which truly reflected her energy.
10. Jr. Gone Wild: I Fell Dumb
(E Dobek / M McDonald)
Less Art More Pop: Better Youth Canada Records BYC-013
Edmonton AB
David Lawson: lead guitar, vocals
Dove: bass, vocals
Mike McDonald: guitar, harmonica, vocals
Edward Jerzy Dobek: drums, vocals
Produced by JGW and Sean Stern, 1986
Recorded by Brett Guervits, Dave Mockford and John Oparyk at Westbeach, Hollywood; Powerzone, Edmonton
Jr. Gone Wild was formed in 1982 in Calgary (and then moved to Edmonton). Less Art More Pop was their first album, released in 1986.
11. John Borra: Hambre and Dolores
(Eva H.D. / John Borra)
Blue Wine: Cousin Jeb Records JEB 007
Toronto
John Borra: guitar, vocal, harmonica
Michael Boguski: keys
Dani Nash: vocals
Glenn Milchem: drums
Sam Ferrera: vocals, tambourine
Produced by John Borra, 2020
Recorded by John Borra at Johnny MacLeod’s Studio, Toronto
Mixed by John Borra
Mastered by Peter J Moore at the E Room, Toronto
Last week I mentioned a Toronto musician, Johnny MacLeod who has a recording studio in Toronto. That’s where the latest John Borra album, Blue Wine, was recorded and I promised you that I’d play a cut from it for you. It just came out! So how about we play two of its songs for you instead?
The album features three songs who’s lyrics were written by Toronto poet Eva H.D. I’ve known Eva since she was a teen, hanging around with my son and his friends. They were all fans of Corin Raymond and his Undesirables and somewhere along the line Eva started writing and publishing her poetry. One revue of her work stated: “Crazy wisdom filtered through an eternally broken/bent heart.”
12. John Borra: Foggy Notion
Lou Reed / Maureen Tucker / Doug Yuls / Sterling Morrison / Hy Weiss)
Blue Wine: Cousin Jeb Records JEB 007
Toronto
John Borra: guitar, vocal, harmonica
Michael Boguski: keys
Dani Nash: drums, vocals
Sam Ferrara: vocals
Kevin Hearn: organ
Produced by John Borra, 2020
Recorded by John Borra at Johnny MacLeod’s Studio, Toronto
Mixed by John Borra
Mastered by Peter J Moore at the E Room, Toronto
John Borra has been playing in and around Toronto for over 35 years in bands like A Neon Rome, Change of Heart, The John Borra Band and The Rattle Snake Choir to name a few.
13. David Crosby: Lady Of The Harbour
(David Crosby)
Oh Yes I Can: A&M Records SP 5232
Los Angeles CA
David Crosby: acoustic guitar, vocals
Don Kortchmar: electric guitar
George Perry: bass
Kenny Kirkland: keys
Graham Nash: keys
Joe Vitale: drums
Joe Lala: percussion
Produced by David Crosby, Ron Albert, Howard Albert, 1989
Recorded by Steve Gursky at A&M Studios, Hollywood
14. The Beau Brummels: Don’t Talk To Strangers
(Ron Elliott / Bob Durand)
Greatest Hits of the Beau Brummels: Rhino Records
San Francisco CA
Sal Valentino lead vocals, tambourine
Ron Elliott lead guitar, vocals
Ron Meagher bass guitar, vocals
Declan Mulligan rhythm guitar, harmonica, vocals
John Petersen drums
Produced by Sylvester (Sly Stone) Stewart, 1965
Leo de Gar Kulka engineer
The band's first full-length album, Introducing the Beau Brummels, released in April 1965. They were included in a 1965 episode of 'The Flintstones' in which the band gave an animated performance as the “Beau Brummelstones”.
Beau Brummels had taken their name from a term for an excessively well-dressed person. The group liked that the name sounded British, and knew that following the Beatles so closely in the alphabet would likely result in the bands' records being placed next to each other on record store shelves. The song has been criticized, however, for sounding too similar to The Byrds in regards to the harmonies and twelve-string guitar licks
15. T Texas Tyler: I Tickled Her Under The Chin
(Harry Montegue)
Western Jamboree: Arc International 801
Mena AR
T Texas Tyler: guitar, vocals
Produced circa 1961
Recorded – 1955
David Luke Myrick (June 20, 1916 – January 28, 1972)
He died on January 28, 1972 of stomach cancer, age 55.
Started recording in 1946 and was a popular C&W performer till the mid-1950s. Had a raw, gut-bucket style with hits like Courtin’ In The Rain, Bumming Around and My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It.
Bonus Track:
16. Alan & Charlie: Holding Things Together
(Merle Haggard)
Seven Country Music Favourites: Dog In The Window Records 2019
Calgary AB
Allen Baekeland: vocals, acoustic guitar
Charlie Veilleux: steel
Derek Pulliam: bass
Ross Watson: drums
Johnathan Lewis: violin, viola
Brooker Buckingham: lead guitar
Tim Leacock: mandolin
Produced by Derek Pulliam, 2019