A fun mix of sun, sand, weird and wonderful, and big-beat blasts power this week’s lineup of Pure Pop Radio specialty shows.
We kick off the excitement tonight at 8 pm ET with an all-new episode of Ken Michaels’ Every Little Thing. On this week’s show, Ken talks to Jude Kessler, author of a series of books, written as historical narratives, covering the life of John Lennon. In addition, a theme set of songs with the word road in the title, a variety of top Beatles and solo Beatles tracks, and a cover of “You’ve Got to Hide your Love Away” by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder are played.
Tonight at 9 pm ET, Jammin’ James Riley negotiates the sun-drenched waves for another set of fabulous summer sounds on Catching a Wave. You’ll dig a set of Beach Boys numbers, a pair of classic tracks from Glen Campbell, and tunes from the Rivingtons, Santo and Johnny, Surfer Joe, Duane Eddy, and many more of your favorites.
Scott McPherson’s got your midweek lunchtime festival of pure pop sounds to go along with your soup and sandwich combo on the latest get-together known as The Weird and the Wonderful. This Wednesday, October 26 at 1 pm ET, heritage sounds from Florapop and Klaatu mix with tracks from Eric Barao, Prefab Sprout, Frank Bango, Nilsson, Pop 4 and lots more. Plus: Scott remembers back to his first show, on which “Sammy Davis, Jr.” made a memorable visit…
Coming up this Thursday at 8 pm ET on Things We Said Today, Ken Michaels, Steve Marinucci, Al Sussman, and Allan Kozinn gather around the Beatles roundtable for a fun discussion with Lefty and Zeek Weekling, aka Glen Burtnik and Bob Burger, respectively, from the fabulous Weeklings. Lefty and Zeek speak with our panel about the Weeklings’ new album, Studio 2, which is full of big-beat fun and releases on November 18. (We’re all about the Weeklings here at Pure Pop Radio; this is the second interview with Lefty and Zeek that we’ve aired; Alan Haber’s chat with the boys on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation ran on October 18.)
Gather ’round your Internet radio receptacle for this week’s specialty shows. Pure Pop Radio is the place to be this week!
Roll over, Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news: The world’s most popular Beatlesque foursome, slinging their guitars over their Merseybeat shoulders and bringing the swinging backbeat to the front lines of today’s melodic pop universe, will be spinning and talking about tracks from their forthcoming new album, Studio 2, next Tuesday night, October 18, at 8 pm ET on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation.
Lefty and Zeek Weekling (aka Glen Burtnik and Bob Burger, respectively), the collective heartbeat of The Weeklings, will be in conversation with me to talk about this amazing long player, presented in glorious monophonic sound, to be released by Jem Records on November 18. Studio 2 is a rocking collection of electrifying big-beat recordings from New Jersey’s fabulous foursome, which also features the pumping performances of Rocky (John Merjave) and Smokestack Weekling (Joe Bellia). Twelve vibrant tracks–seven Lefty and Zeek originals, one Rocky and Zeek co-write, and four rare Lennon-McCartney songs never released by the Beatles–take center stage on this classic platter, one of the very best releases of the year.
And it is, of course; look for my review soon, and get ready to win a copy of Studio 2. In the meantime, roll up, roll up for a tour of The Weeklings’ new album, being released on November 18 by Jem Records. Join Lefty, Zeek and yours truly for an electrifying hour pounding out the infectious beat on an all-new, rocking edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation. The Beatlesque hits just keep on coming right here on your 24-hour-a-day home for the greatest melodic pop music from the ’60s to today. See you on the radio next Tuesday, October 18 at 8 pm ET!
After Scott McPherson’s The Weird and the Wonderful kicks off its run this Wednesday at 1 pm ET, musician Brian Bringelson lowers the tone arm onto a bevy of records on the latest edition of Needle Meets Vinyl. Tune in at 8 pm ET on Wednesday for a triple-play of Beatles tunes, and equally fantastic sides from across the decades from such artists as The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Michael Nesmith and the First National Band, and Emitt Rhodes. It’s all vinyl, all the time for a festive celebration of 33 1/3 and 45 rpm spins.
What’s on tap? We kick off the cool proceedings on Monday, September 5 at 8 pm ET, with an all-new edition of Ken Michaels’ Every Little Thing, which this time around features an interview with Beatles author Chuck Gunderson and a pair of tracks from the Fab new Live at the Hollywood Bowl album, releasing on September 9.
Tune in Tuesday and Wednesday, September 6 and 7, for a rousing Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation twofer. On Tuesday, September 6 at 8 pm ET, Winterpills’ Philip Price sits down with Alan Haber for a two-hour marathon session detailing the many, varied stops through his musical career. Listen for tracks from the Maggies, Philip’s solo releases (including an unreleased tune), and Winterpills, whose latest album, Love Songs, is a big airplay item on Pure Pop Radio.
The next evening, Wednesday, September 7, also at 8 pm ET, we’ve got popster-of-the-hour Nick Piunti dropping in to speak with Alan about his smashing new album, Trust Your Instincts, releasing on Friday, September 9 through Jem Records. You’ll hear three songs from the album and Nick’s comments on them. Plus who knows what else?
We finish this exciting week of specialty shows with the latest back-and-forth from our panel of Beatles experts on Things We Said Today on Thursday, September 8 at 8 pm ET. This time around, Ken Michaels, Steve Marinucci, Al Sussman, and Allan Kozinn discuss Paul McCartney’s album Press to Play with returning guest Dr. Kit O’Toole, author of the Deep Beatles column and the book Songs We Were Singing. Also up for discussion is the 50th anniversary of the Beatles final concert, held at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, and a concert appearance by the Claypool Lennon Delirium; Ken was there and he has an on-the-spot report.
Tomorrow night, Tuesday, August 23, classic singer-songwriter Bob Lind talks with Alan Haber about his new album, Magellan Was Wrong, on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation at 8 pm ET. Bob goes in-depth on three of the album’s songs, talking about what he was trying to get across, his writing process, and his views on a number of informative topics. He also talks at length about his iconic song “Elusive Butterfly,” which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. You’ll hear “Elusive Butterly,” as well as “Blind Love,” “From the Road,” and the title song from Magellan Was Wrong.
A few minutes after Bob’s interview concludes, frequent In Conversation guest Jamie Hoover speaks about his role as producer of many of the songs on Magellan Was Wrong. He talks about what it’s like to produce Bob Lind, how he goes about arranging Bob’s tunes, and how Bob’s music has affected his own work. As a bonus, you’ll hear Jamie’s version of “Elusive Butterly,” which appeared on his great Lind Me Four EP in 2008.
It’s another week of can’t-miss listening on Pure Pop Radio. Gather round your Internet radio receptacles for the best specialty programming around. And get ready for the debut of Jammin’ James Riley’s Catching a Wave next Monday night, August 29, at 9 pm ET!
Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the original 24-hour Internet radio station playing the greatest melodic pop music from the ’60s to today. From the Beatles to the Monkees, the Posies, McPherson Grant, the Connection and the New Trocaderos, we play the hits and a whole lot more. Tune in by clicking on one of the listen links below.
This week’s specialty shows on Pure Pop Radio stress love and tenderness and bring on the happy for all to cherish. All-new editions of the weekly Beatles roundtable, Things We Said Today, and Needle Meets Vinyl, where every note pops from vinyl records, are going to keep the good feelings flowing, as is the timely mystery guest on this Tuesday night’s all-new edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation (see separate story today; mystery guest’s identity unveiled tomorrow).
“Catch the latest installment of Things We Said Today as we interview Alan Haber, who programs the wonderful Pure Pop Radio music (station),” said Ken Michaels in his promotional blurb posted last week on Facebook. “Alan discusses many of the Beatlesque artists featured on the channel, which all lovers of great pop music should listen to!!!”
And I couldn’t have said it better myself. Indeed, I am the guest on this week’s all-new edition of Things We Said Today (TWST), the weekly Beatles roundtable hosted by Fab experts Ken Michaels, Steve Marinucci, Al Sussman and Allan Kozinn (8 pm this Thursday night, July 21). During this program, I tell the esteemed panel about Pure Pop Radio and answer their questions about various aspects of its operation. Plus, as a follow-up to a TWST aired this past February, I talk about Beatlesque music played on the station.
It’s Weeklings Wednesday on Pure Pop Radio! Today, you can hear Lefty and Zeek talk about the group’s adventures recording their upcoming second album at London’s famed Abbey Road Studios.
And you can hear all about it, straight from Lefty and Zeek Weeklings’ mouths when they talk to me today, Wednesday, July 13 at noon, 4 pm and 8 pm ET (three times to listen!) on a very fab, very special edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation. You will hear all about the Weeklings’ second album and the group’s trek to Abbey Road Studios in London, England, which swings like a pendulum do.
Energized in Abbey Road’s Studio Two, the Weeklings shook with delight and didn’t, under any circumstances, want to leave, which will come as no surprise to anyone. Find out what it’s like to record an album where the Beatles stood and waxed poetic and had wonderfully brewed cups of tea by tuning into Pure Pop Radio today, Wednesday, July 13 at noon, 4 pm and 8 pm ET. All will be revealed and, hey, why not say it–a splendid time is guaranteed for all.