Another week chock full of top-flight specialty programming is in store for listeners this week on Pure Pop Radio.
Kicking off the festivities tonight at 8 pm ET is an all-new edition of Ken Michaels’ Every Little Thing. The usual varied opening set, this time featuring classic songs from Wings, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, is followed by an interview with Elephants Memory’s Gary Van Scyoc, during which Ken plays a double shot of Memory tunes. The third, thematic set features songs with the words yesterday, today and tomorrow in the titles, plus an interview with the late Sir George Martin. It’s another outstanding show, number 83 in the series.
Musician Brian Bringelson, who records under the name Paul Starling and is a member of the band Anchor and Bear (a new album is coming soon), spins 16 songs from vinyl records on the latest Needle Meets Vinyl program, airing this Wednesday, August 10 at 8 pm ET. On the docket: The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Sam Cooke, Harry Nilsson, the Electric Flag, the Zombies, and a triple play from Neil Young. Another sterling lineup, and another sterling, all-vinyl show.
It’s two for Thursday this week when a double shot of first-time Pure Pop Radio airings of the latest Things We Said Today programs comes to you on August 11. The first one kicks off at 8 pm ET with author Kit O’Toole sitting in the virtual guest chair. The longtime music writer, who is also a contributing editor at Beatlefan magazine, sits in with Ken Michaels, Steve Marinucci and Al Sussman (Allan Kozinn is absent from this episode). But Allan is back in the Things fold in the second half of this week’s twofer, which begins at 9:10 pm ET (yes, the one after 9:09!). Beatlefan writer Tom Frangione joins in on the discussion with the most knowledgeable Beatle experts around.
Keep your nights free this week so you don’t miss brand-new editions of Every Little Thing, Needle Meets Vinyl, and Things We Said Today. Pure Pop Radio is the place to be!
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.
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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.
Music makers Tricia and Dana Countryman, and author Chuck Gunderson sit behind the microphones on this week’s Pure Pop Radio specialty shows. You’re in for a real treat.
Tonight at 8 pm ET on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, Tricia Countryman checks in with Alan Haber to talk about her just-released solo album, Sometimes When I’m Dreaming…, produced and arranged by her husband Dana, who also sits in to add his comments.
Sometimes When I’m Dreaming… is a lovely musical journey built on classic song craft and Tricia’s golden voice. During this typically in-depth episode of In Conversation, you’ll hear how the album’s 16 songs (plus one bonus track) were selected, how Dana came up with the sweetly-realized arrangements, and much more. You’ll also be treated to three songs from the album, including the beautifully sung Jimmy Webb masterpiece, “Adios.”
Would you like to win a copy of Tricia Countryman’s Sometimes When I’m Dreaming…? Simply fill in the form at the bottom of this story and send it on to us by this Friday, July 15 at noon ET. Don’t forget to include your email address and type “Tricia” in the Comment field. Enter once only. Good luck!
Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 13, at noon, 4 and 8 pm ET (three times to listen!), Lefty and Zeek Weekling, from the super fab group the Weeklings, talk to Alan on In Conversation about recording their upcoming second album in London at the famed Abbey Road Studios. And speaking of famed, Lefty, Zeek, Rocky and Smokestack Weekling recorded in Abbey Road’s Studio Two, where the Beatles made so much legendary musical magic.
You’ll hear from Lefty and Zeek about the Weeklings’ time spent recording at Abbey Road, and you’ll get some tasty information about the Weeklings’ upcoming second album, including the provisional title. As always, Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation is in the center of the action that fuels the soundtrack of your life.
This Thursday, July 14 at 8 pm ET on Things We Said Today, our regular panel of Beatles experts talks to Chuck Gunderson, author of the two-volume opus, Some Fun Tonight!: The Backstage Story of How the Beatles Rocked America: The Historic Tours of 1964-1966, which will be available in paperback on September 6. The topic: the 1966 tour that the Beatles undertook. And the recent passing of the legendary Scotty Moore, who created the guitar sound on Elvis Presley’s early records, will be discussed.
Tonight at 8 pm ET on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, Suzzy Roche and her daughter, Lucy Wainwright Roche, talk with Alan Haber about Mud and Apples, a sparkling duo collection that features warm harmonies, clever original songwriting and the inclusion of beautifully-sung covers such as Paul Simon’s “Bleecker Street” and the Cascades’ “Rhythm of the Rain.” Mud and Apples is one of this year’s top expressions of musical joy.
Classic servings of vintage tunes, and vintage video coming in September, are the hot buttons in the spotlight on this week’s specialty shows being broadcast on Pure Pop Radio.
Musician Coke Belda and another lively discussion of the merits of the just-released Pure McCartney compilation are in the spotlight on this week’s episodes of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation and the weekly Beatles roundtable, Things We Said Today.
Tomorrow night, Tuesday, June 14, at 8 pm ET, musician Coke Belda checks in on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation to talk about the spirited cover he recorded of the Cowsills’ “Poor Baby,” his latest long player release, Nummer Zwei, and his love for the music of Jeff Lynne. You’ll hear Coke’s rendition of “Poor Baby,” two songs from Nummer Zwei, and Coke’s favorite Jeff Lynne song, which just happens to be Alan Haber’s. Plus: a special bonus number that sits lovingly alongside that song.
Tonight, June 6, at 8 pm ET, longtime pop music critic and the man behind the International Pop Overthrow festivals, David Bash, checks in to talk with Alan on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation. This must rank as David’s most in-depth interview ever. David will take you from his early days listening to and collecting music through to his presenting the work of artists worldwide at IPO. You’ll hear four songs that have appeared on the annual IPO CD collections–songs that David feels epitomize what the festival is all about. This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of pop music’s top observers; you won’t want to miss it.
Tomorrow night, June 7, at 8 pm ET, musician Michael Oliver checks in behind the microphone to talk about the wonderful songs he’s working on for his next album, Everything Sunny All the Time Always. Michael’s rich, heartfelt melodies are something to behold; we feel these new songs are among his best yet. Don’t miss an hour with one of pop music’s most talented practitioners.
Tonight at 8 pm ET on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, Scottish popster Kenny Herbert stops by to talk about his phenomenal concept album, Forever and Beyond, a gorgeous, romantic song cycle inspired by Caroline, the love of Kenny’s life. The 14 songs on offer, encompassing 1950s, 1930s and modern melodic pop vibes, are tremendously affecting, beautifully drawn snapshots of a happy existence.
Tomorrow night at 8 pm ET, round two of this week’s Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation twofer rolls out with a return appearance by Klaatu’s John Woloschuk, who sits behind the Pure Pop Radio microphones to talk about and play some of his favorite pop songs from years gone by. This is a rare chance to hear what one of pop music’s greatest songwriters and performers thinks about such songs as the Hollies’ “Bus Stop,” the Kinks’ “A Well Respected Man,” Donovan’s “Hurdy Gurdy Man,” and a pair of Beatles classics. John spins 14 songs in all; you won’t want to miss a revolution!
Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation returns next week with the first of two double-decker combo shows anchored by, you guessed it, big names. Big stars! We’ll announce the first round of guests tomorrow, right here.
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