Some Kind of Jam

Episode 36: Threshold

2012-02-13T22:09:00.001-06:00

It took a lot to fight the urge to make an all contemporary 80s sound podcast this week since I've been on a ridiculous kick after finally watching Drive, but bookending the episode with the bands I was lucky enough to see on back to back nights a few weeks ago did the trick. Devotchka sounded even more amazing in person than I had imagined as an undeniably powerful mix of in-studio quality and raw live energy. If you haven't seen them and they're playing within 100 miles of your humble abode, then do yourself a favor and make the trip.

With their recent Featured Artist and Live on Some Kind of Jam posts, Greensky Bluegrass had already been in heavy rotation here, but after seeing them on the grand stage at Park West I've had trouble not listening every other day. Though this episode features their cover of Beat It from the in-studio session, I honestly cannot recommend Handguns enough. It's truly a timeless work of art.

With those two acts holding down the front and back end I was able to put a shit ton of music brand new to the podcast in this week and am really anticipating the feedback on some of them. Feel free to leave a note on here, or the usual Facebook and Twitter musings. Enjoy!

Start Time – Artist / Track / Album

0:31 – Devotchka / The Man from San Sebastian / 100 Lovers
4:11 – Mr. Scruff / Get A Move On! / Keep It Unreal
9:34 – Empire Of The Sun / Standing On The Shore / Walking On A Dream
13:51 – Sex Bob-Omb / Threshold / Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
15:38 – Mulatu Astatke / Yegelle Tezeta / Broken Flowers Soundtrack
18:48 – Abalone Dots / Craighead County Sky / Traveler
22:22 – Jon Brion / Strings That Tie To You / Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Soundtrack
25:08 – Death Cab for Cutie / I Will Possess Your Heart / Narrow Stairs
33:28 – Detektivbyrån / Lyckans Undulat / E18 Album
36:17 – Magic Wands / Teenage Love (Magic Love & Dreams Masters) / Magic Love & Dreams EP
39:33 – Cake / Love You Madly / Comfort Eagle
43:26 – Wynton Marsalis Septet / Juba and A O'Brown Squaw / Swingin' Into The 21st
47:36 – Beirut / Santa Fe / The Rip Tide
51:48 – Greensky Bluegrass / Beat It / Live on Some Kind of Jam

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode36.mp3

Greensky Bluegrass Live on Some Kind of Jam

2012-01-25T22:14:00.002-06:00

Over the years at WIDR I had few guests I enjoyed more than Kalamazoo's own Greensky Bluegrass. Put simply, this band is the reason I love bluegrass. On a cold winter night about eight years ago the combination of Bell's Two Hearted and Greensky's cover of When Doves Cry hit all the right nerves and my adoration for the twangy goodness that is bluegrass has grown ever since.

Though there were several phone interviews and oddly enough a couple games of Catchphrase during the WIDR years, the tracks on this compilation are the only records that have made it through. The first six tracks were recorded in 2009 right before their recording of All Access Vol. 1, their second live album. It was their first appearance on the show as a quintet, so it was a real treat to have em play for a little bit and end with their "Beat It" tribute to Michael Jackson. The last track on this compilation of sorts is a combination of two short songs played back in 2007 when three of the fellas stopped in before playing on of their countless Bell's shows. Here's what you'll be listening to:

1. Intro
2. Untitled
3. WIDR Serenade
4. All Four
5. Q & A
6. Beat It
7. WIDR Jam

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS ALBUM

Scrounging through these recordings I stumbled across a video from their 07 visit and had to share.

Featured Artist: Greensky Bluegrass

2012-01-25T22:14:00.000-06:00

Greensky Bluegrass

In many ways Greensky Bluegrass is the little band that could. And did. Forming near the turn of the century in Kalamazoo Michigan, this quintet has been traversing the nation like crazy with nearly 175 shows a year and stops at countless festivals along the way. Shortly after winning the 2006 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition the group added Anders Beck on dobro to fully round out their sound and really hasn't looked back. Perhaps summed up best by NPR after their stop by the Mountain Stage: "the group uses traditional bluegrass instruments to craft original songs and sounds. Occasionally, they'll venture into exploratory rock & roll jams, giving songs by the Talking Heads, Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead and Bob Marley a bluegrass twist."

Hailed by Rolling Stone as "representing the genre for a whole new generation," Greensky continues to serve as a gateway between those who have never heard bluegrass and those who love it. Their most recent album, Handguns, shoves rather than nudges folks towards loving the genre with every track. Though an improvement on their 2008 release Five Interstates would seem an amazingly daunting task for most, they handled it with absolutely no problem.

Put simply: when (not if) this band is playing near you, run don't walk to the door.

Episode 35: Utopia

2012-01-20T11:55:00.002-06:00

This week's episode kind of kicks you in the mouth to start and doesn't really let go. It's been a long time filtering through songs in the queue and I'm happy to say it's pretty much new/fresh music each week now based on what I'm listening to throughout the week and listener requests. I wasn't really in the mood to fight the urge to play some straight up rock and roll, so it's a bit heavier in the rotation this week than usual. As will happen from time to time, I've had Les Claypool stuck in my head for days, so that set the tone for the first half of the show and I'm happy how well the requests for Ssion and Roxy Music fit in.

Next week's episode will most likely lean more towards the style of the second half of this episode with a lot more variety, so let me know if there's anything you'd like to hear.

Start Time – Artist / Track / Album

0:26 – Les Claypool / Rumble Of The Diesel / Of Whales And Woe
4:23 – Stardeath And White Dwarfs / Those Who Are From The Sun Return To The Sun / The Birth
6:43 – The Greenhornes / Can't Stand It / The Greenhornes
9:58 – Ssion / Fear Us / Fools Gold
14:29 – The Rumble Strips / Not The Only Person / Welcome to The Walk Alone
16:44 – Ray Charles / I Don't Need No Doctor / Singular Genius
19:07 – Roxy Music / Prairie Rose / Country Life
24:42 – Hank Williams / Honky Tonk Blues / Alone With His Guitar
26:37 – Beach Fossils / Golden Age / Beach Fossils
31:19 – Zoe Keating / Legions (War) / One Cell x 16: Natoma
37:13 – The Come Ons / Sunday Drive / Hip Check!
39:49 – Grant Green / Grant's Dimensions / Don't Explain
47:40 – Ernesto Djédjé / Lola / Ivoir' Compil Volume 8
51:37 – Janelle Monáe / Locked Inside / The ArchAndroid
55:47 – YACHT / Utopia / Shangri-La

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode35.mp3

Episode 34: Shout Bama Lama

2012-01-09T13:10:00.000-06:00

Starting off 2012 with the gentleman who rang in the new year for me, the Bar Room Preacher, Mr. Jimmy Johnson. He and his band absolutely killed it at what's quickly become one of my favorite Chicago blues joints, B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted. Tiny, kinda dingy, and hinting at self-deprecating humor (the bathrooms labeled "Ladies" and "Other" continued to get funnier as the evening went on), the place has sorts of character and a surprisingly decent beer selection. After recently spending an evening at the Green Mill it was great getting back into a blues bar where things flow a little more freely and the overall atmosphere is of good times and whiskey. Not that I won't be back at Green Mill soon... but no one shushed us at B.L.U.E.S.

Beyond that, this week's episode is kind of interesting simply for the fact that Duran Duran is involed. I can't say they're a band I ever really considered adding to the mix, but The Chauffeur was sent to me on Spotify and I have to admit I like it. Whether or not there's more of them in the future of the show is yet to be seen, but if you're up to the challenge feel free to recommend a track of theirs on the Facebook page. Any and all other requests, as always, are welcome here on the blog, Twitter or Facebook.

Happy New Year! Hope you enjoy what you'll be listening to this week:

Start Time – Artist / Track / Album

0:26 – Jimmy Johnson / Little By Little / Bar Room Preacher
4:47 – The Detroit Cobras / Shout Bama Lama / Sympathetic Sounds of Detroit
6:44 – David Byrne / Strange Overtones / Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
10:58 – The Fame Gang / Grits & Gravy / Solid Gold From Muscle Shoals
13:30 – John Duffy / Pallet On The Floor / Bluegrass Banjos!
16:40 – Miniature Tigers / Bullfighter Jacket / F O R T R E S S
19:52 – Jeff Tweedy / Simple Twist Of Fate / I'm Not There
23:28 – Fleet Foxes / Bedouin Dress / Helplesnes Blues
28:12 – Afro-Cuban All Stars / Alto Songo (Son Montuno) / A Toda Cuba le Gusta
34:54 – Benny Gordon / Never Give Up On Love / GWP - NYC - TLC Vol 2
38:07 – Jimmy Carpenter / Upswing / Toiling In Obscurity
41:24 – Jamiroquai / Little L / A Funk Odyssey
46:05 – John Foxx / Maybe Tomorrow / D.N.A
49:58 – The Dead Weather / Jawbreaker / Sea of Cowards
52:57 – Mum / Asleep In A Hiding Place / Causes 2
57:19 – Duran Duran / The Chauffeur / Rio

http://ia700405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode34.mp3

Episode 33: The 3rd Annual Christmapodtacular

2011-12-21T22:41:00.000-06:00

Not really one for all the holiday hubub the Christmapodtacular has never actually featured Christmas music... until now. The main reason I switched it up this year is because I stumbled across Otis Redding's version of White Christmas and a Kermit Ruffins Christmas album in the same day and decided there has to be enough decent music out there to actually do a holiday album. So I suppose it was a challenge of sorts to find the goodins mixed in with all the same ol crap. Well, there are some standbys on here, but I couldn't really resist putting Frank Sinatra and Johnny Cash in this episode.

Think of this playlist as a fine alternative to the same ol same ol Xmas music you're usually forced to hear that may perk you up enough to deal with those family members you're fine only seeing once a year, in-laws, or driving through traffic. Or maybe you love Christmas music and this'll fall into that line. Either way, hope you like it and happy holidays.

Start Time – Artist / Track / Album

0:42 – Tenacious D & Sum 41 / Things I Want / Christmas Calling
4:17 – My Morning Jacket / Xmas Curtain / At Dawn
9:01 – The Temptations / Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer / Merry Christmas
11:56 – The Specials / Holiday Fortnight / Alternative Rock X-Mas
14:37 – The Pipettes / Santa's On His Way / Santa's On His Way
18:04 – Andy Williams / It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - A Shrift Remix / Christmas Remixed
22:04 – David Bowie & Bing Crosby / The Little Drummer Boy, Peace On Earth / Bing Crosby Christmas Special
26:17 – Tom Waits / Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis / Used Songs
31:02 – Kermit Ruffins / What Will Santa Say When He Finds Everybody Swingin' / Have A Crazy Cool Christmas
34:31 – Johnny Cash / Blue Christmas / Christmas With Johnny Cash
36:51 – Weezer / We Wish You A Merry Christmas / Christmas With Weezer
38:14 – Mason Jennings / Santa Claus is Coming To Town / The Warm December
40:18 – The Decemberists / Please Daddy (Don't Get Drunk This Christmas) / Alternative Rock X-Mas
43:37 – Wynton Marsalis / Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! / Crescent City Christmas Card
47:52 – Fiona Apple / Frosty The Snowman / Christmas Calling
50:00 – The Flaming Lips / Christmas At The Zoo / Clouds Taste Metallic
53:01 – Frank Sinatra / Winter Wonderland / Christmas Songs by Frank Sinatra
55:03 – Otis Redding / White Christmas / Soul Christmas

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode33.mp3

Episode 32: It Feels Alright

2011-12-13T21:50:00.000-06:00

Though winter's yet to really show its teeth here in Chicago I'm gearing up for the cold crisp air, snow fall, extra lights and all the gloriousness that comes with the winter season. Next week will mark the third annual Christmapodtacular, but will actually feature Christmas music this year. Though I barely celebrate the holiday I stumbled on some gems from some great artists I'd really like to share. If nothing else it'll offer a great alternative on xmas morning for all the gift openin if that's what you're into.

But, that's next week. There haven't really been any podcasts I don't like, but some of them get me all sorts of giddy and force me to bob my head like a moron wherever I may be. This week's episode most definitely falls into the latter category and is one of my favorites in the past couple of months. I should probably play The Mumlers a little more, but tend to lose them in the shuffle of week to week searching. Hoping you dig their slightly New Orleans style as much as I do. Also really happy to get some updated Piers Faccini in this week. When I first saw him a few years back he was touring the Tearing Sky album, which is beautiful, but kind of lacks oomph. The same cannot be said for his releases since, especially Two Grains of Sand (the album featured in this episode). Lastly there's Ten Years After, a band that seems to have been lost in the decades since their height, but certainly holds up. I was lucky enough to find them in my dad's old record collection (Best. Christmas. Gift. Ever.) several years back and have been loving them ever since.

Anyway, enough ramblin. Here's what you'll be listening to this week.

Start Time – Artist / Track / Album

0:20 – Ashanti Afrika Jah / Onyame / Nigeria 70 – Lagos Jump
5:08 – The Temper Trap / Drum Song / Conditions
8:23 – Wolfmother / Sundial / Cosmic Egg
12:06 – Thom Yorke / FeelingPulledApartByHorses / FeelingPulledApartByHorses
18:24 – Aloe Blacc / I Need A Dollar / Good Things
22:26 – Tom Waits / Step Right Up / Small Change
28:03 – Drive-By Truckers / Danko/Manuel / The Dirty South
34:06 – Piers Faccini / Your Name No More / Two Grains of Sand
37:35 – Sam Bush / Roll On Buddy, Roll On / Circles Around Me
40:02 – Fabulous Wailers / Tall Cool One / Original Golden Crest Masters
42:27 – The Mumlers / Raise The Blinds / Don't Throw Me Away
46:45 – The Dansettes / I've Got a Feeling (feat. Leah) / Oh My!
49:29 – Black Lips / It Feels Alright / Good Bad Not Evil
52:11 – The Budos Band / Rite of the Ancients / The Budos Band III
55:51 – Ten Years After / One Of These Days / Recorded Live

http://ia700405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode32.mp3

Episode 31: No Problema

2011-12-01T21:43:00.001-06:00

No talky talky, just listen!

Start Time – Artist / Track / Album

0:27 – The Naked And Famous / Cheek / No Light
3:37 – Forro In The Dark / Bandinha / Light A Candle
6:31 – Soulive / Flurries / Next
12:16 – Man Man / Knuckle Down / Life Fantastic
15:19 – David Bowie / Panic In Detroit / Aladdin Sane
19:32 – Black Prairie / Ostinato Del Caminito / Feast of the Hunter's Moon
23:45 – moe. / Where Does the Time Go / The Conch
29:32 – The Black Keys / Lonely Boy / Lonely Boy
33:13 – Jerome Richardson / No Problema / Blue Juice Vol. 1
41:46 – Abigail Washburn / Coffee's Cold / Songs of the Traveling Daughter
44:30 – Freddie King / Have You Ever Loved A Woman / Blues - Gold
47:30 – Abacothozi / Theme Maboneng / Kon & Amir Present Off Track Vol: 2 Queens
53:47 – Elton John & Leon Russell / A Dream Come True / The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversay Edition

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode31.mp3

Episode 30: Juvenile Thrills

2011-11-21T14:13:00.001-06:00

Happy Turkey Carcass Day!! Fear not, I won't be going into detail about how you shouldn't eat meat, or how the holiday's a shame or blah blah blah. Personally I'm looking forward to some Turducken and football back in the great state of Michigan and put together this week's podcast with a road trip in mind. Though it won't take up all the hours on the road for most of us making trips, it should at least help, and I promise you it'll be better than playing the damn license plate game someone always wants to play.

Start Time – Artist / Track / Album

0:21 – The Launderettes / Juvenile Thrills / Fluff 'n' Fold
3:02 – Bonobo / We Could Forever / Black Sands
7:18 – Talking Heads / Don't Worry About The Government / Talking Heads 77
10:15 – Femi Kuti / Truth Don Die / The Definitive Collection
16:26 – Charlie Feathers / Mound Of Clay / Late Night Tales
18:50 – Beirut / O Leãozinho / Red Hot & Rio 2
22:04 – George Lewis / Caldonia / At The Club Hangover 1953
27:21 – Lew Childre / Riding The Elevated Railroad / Bluegrass Banjos!
29:51 – Dr. Dog / The Old Days / Fate
33:31 – Toubab Krewe / Carnavalito / TK2
36:36 – Fruit Bats / Union Blanket / Mouthfuls
41:52 – Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings / Inspiration Information / Dark Was The Night
45:51 – Noah And The Whale / 2 Atoms In A Molecule / Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down
47:50 – Norman Connors Feat. Freddie Hubbard / Samba For Maria / Passion
52:27 – The Raconteurs / Many Shades Of Black / Consolers of the Lonely

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode30.mp3

Episode 29: Our World

2011-11-07T22:00:00.000-06:00

Can't say it was exactly intentional... but this podcast is pretty much a "back in the day" edition with the majority of the artists not even having a Wikipedia page nevertheless a website to direct y'all to. That said, I feel this is one of the best in a long time. Not to besmirch the great name of the other podcasts, but this one truly has a little bit of everything and it all rocks my fucking socks. Especially the female vocal ranges of Mabel Franklin, Édith Piaf, and Nancy Wilson all in one sitting.

On a contemporary note is My Morning Jacket's cover of "Our World" from the relatively under-the-radar Jim Henson classic Emmit Otter's Jugband Christmas. Christmas is around the corner(ish), so if you haven't seen it now is actually the perfect time of year. If nothing else it's worth a watch just to see the Riverbottom Nightmare Band shred that lil ol town into a new century at the end.

Hope you enjoy this week's episode, let me know if you have any requests.

Start Time – Artist / Track / Album

0:26 – Mabel Franklin / Let's Do The Wiggle / Ain't Got Much
2:38 – Midtown Underground / Pot Pie / Somethin' Else
6:44 – Stelios Kazadzidis/Litsa Diamadi / Efige Efige / ...And All The Pieces Matter, Five Years of Music From The Wire
10:14 – Lindstrøm & Christabelle / Lovesick (Bear In Heaven Cover) / Bear In Heaven / Lindstrøm 12"
16:27 – My Morning Jacket / Our World / Muppets: The Green Album
19:29 – Édith Piaf / Milord / 100 Hits
23:57 – Jon Kennedy Live / Live Test / 14
29:00 – Nancy Wilson / Ode To Billie Joe / Welcome To My Love
34:17 – Of Montreal, Os Mutantes / Bat Macumba / Red Hot & Rio 2
37:29 – Ify Jerry Crusade / Everybody Likes Something Good / Nigeria 70 - Lagos Jump
40:51 – Traveling Wilburys / Rattled / Volume 1
43:46 – Bukka White / Fixin' To Die / Fixin' To Die
46:31 – Machito, Charlie Parker / Mango Mangue / The Essential Charlie Parker
49:23 – Tunji Oyelana & The Benders / Ifa / Ifa
54:07 – Junip / Rope & Summit / Fields

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode29.mp3

Episode 28: Fear of the South

2011-10-27T21:00:00.001-05:00

After nearly a month long break, it's really great to be back to mixes based on new finds, listener suggestions and all the goodies I can get my grubby hands on looking through Spotify. Congratulations to the tickets winners who saw EOTO and the entire Harvest Music Festival 100% free just for being kick ass folks. There will certainly be more ticket giveaways in the future, so don't worry if you missed out this go round.

As far as what you'll be listening to this week, I have to admit some big guns were brought out.

Start Time – Artist / Track / Album

0:20 – Nick Waterhouse / I Can Only Give You Everything / Is That Clear EP
3:08 – Givers / Up Up Up / In Light
7:40 – Dengue Fever / One Thousand Tears Of A Tarantula / Escape From Dragon House
14:28 – John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers / Steppin' Out / Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton
17:00 – Raphael Saadiq / Good Man / Stone Rollin'
21:45 – Elza Soares / Mas Que Nada / Blue Note Trip
23:08 – Radiohead / High And Dry / The Bends
27:47 – Marshall Crenshaw & The Handsome, Ruthless and Stupid Band / You're My Favorite Waste Of Time / This Is Easy
30:18 – Ananda Shankar / Streets of Calcutta / Trip Tease
34:58 – Dead Meadow / Indian Bones / Dead Meadow
41:37 – Gnarls Barkley / Mystery Man / Causes 2
43:46 – Speedometer / Monkey Stick / This Is Speedometer Volumes 1 & 2
47:00 – Fats Domino / Rose Mary / Ain't It A Shame
49:18 – The Jam / That's Entertainment / The Sound of The Jam
52:50 – Tin Hat Trio / Fear of the South / Everything Is Illuminated Soundtrack
56:49 – Brown Bird / Fingers To The Bone / Salt For Salt

http://ia700405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode28.mp3

Episode 27: Harvest Music Festival

2011-10-07T00:53:00.000-05:00

Add caption

Super short post this week, boys and girls. All sorts of things going on, not least of which the Detroit Tigers beating the New York Yankees!!! (Yes, I happen to double as a huge baseball fan, so what?). Ticket winner for Harvest Fest will be announced later today, until then here are some of the amazing artists playing next weekend in Arkansas:

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:41 - Yonder Mountain String Band / Troubled Mind / Yonder Mountain String Band

3:31 - Béla Fleck and the Flecktones / Stomping Grounds / Greatest Hits of the 20th Century

8:58 - Railroad Earth / Been Down This Road / Amen Corner

13:57 - 7 Walkers / Sue From Bogalusa / 7 Walkers

17:27 - Emmitt-Nershi Band / New Country Blues / New Country Blues

21:16 - Corey Smith / Sugar Daddy / The Broken Record

24:21 - Cornmeal / Onward / Feet First

31:59 - Split Lip Rayfield / Devil / In The Mud

35:14 - Peter Rowan / a Jealous Heart and A Worried Mind / Americana Master Series

38:12 - Trampled By Turtles / Truck / Duluth

40:46 - Reckless Kelly / I've Done Everything I Could Do Wrong / Somewhere In Time

45:14 - Todd Snider / If Tomorrow Never Comes / The Devil You Know

48:02 - Sara Watkins / Long Hot Summer Days / Sara Watkins

53:14 - Great American Taxi / New Millennium Blues / Reckless Habits

57:16 - Greensky Bluegrass / Bottle Dry / Tuesday Letter

1:02:34 - The Ben Miller Band / Follow You Down / 1 Ton

1:04:57 - The Wilders / Riding On Your High Horse / The Wilders

1:07:00 - The Greencards / Rivertown / Fascination

1:11:06 - David Lindley / Clinch Mountain Backstep / Feuding Banjos

1:12:31 - Jay Nash / Oogly Boogly / Some Kind of Comfort

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode27.mp3

Harvest Music Festival Ticket Giveaway!

2011-10-03T14:50:00.001-05:00

The Harvest Music Festival is back for 2011 with just a little bit extra. This year Yonder Mountain String Band has joined the Harvest Fest family to create Yonder Mountain String Band’s Harvest Music Festival. Just like in years past, it will bring the best in string strummin’ and foot stompin’ to Mulberry Mountain October 13-16 and Some Kind of Jam is giving you the opportunity to go FOR FREE!

There are a few ways to win a tickets to Mulberry Mountain Harvest Music Festival:
1. Tag yourself in THIS PICTURE
2. Post this line on Facebook, tagging both the festival and Some Kind of Jam: "Who's ready for Mulberry Mountain Harvest Music Festival!? Follow Some Kind of Jam & repost to win FREE TICKETS! http://bit.ly/oIfl00"
3. Post this line on Twitter: "Who's ready for @YonderMountain's @MulberryMtn Harvest Fest!? Follow @SomeKindofJam & RT to win FREE TICKETS! http://bit.ly/oIfl00"

If you're curious what Harvest Fst offers aside from the stellar lineup (more on this next post), there are all sorts of other things to do:

The Roost

The Roost is a great hangout spot away from the main stage filled with a variety of arts and entertainment! Workshops for all ages will be held; everything from yoga and meditation to hoop classes and kids' activities. 19 bands will perform on The Roost stage over the weekend along with fire performers, hoopers, a magician clown act, and burlesque styled performers. The Roost will also be the home of the First Annual Fiddlin' and Pickin' Contest.

Children's Area

A special children's area will be led by Quixotic Fusion School of Performing Arts (facebook.com/quixoticfusionschool), a sister company of Quixotic Fusion (quixoticfusion.com); who wowed fans at Wakarusa on their very own performance stage. Children are highly encouraged to attend Harvest Music Festival! Bring your kids along and let them explore their creative sides. Quixotic Fusion School of Performing Arts will offer lessons in painting, tumbling, dance, and will be face painting during the festival. Supplies and mats will be provided.

Rock The Earth

Rock The Earth joins Harvest Music Festival along with river-rafting experts Turner Bend and the Shimon Presents Work Exchange Team to lead a "River & Road Cleanup" on Wednesday, Oct. 12 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) in the vicinity of Mulberry Mountain. The Mulberry River is an extremely popular destination for canoeing, kayaking and rafting, and has become a staple in the local culture of Arkansas and the country. All participants in the clean-up activities will receive free early admission to the festival, snacks & beverages, and a free event shirt. To sign up or for more information, inquiries can be sent to harvestfest@rocktheearth.org.

Disc Golf

9 holes of disc golf awaits you at the Harvest Festival! We've designed a challenging and scenic course for a quick round in between sets!

Hiking

Take an amazing adventure through the Ozark National Forest with hundreds of miles of hiking trails to explore. The Ozark Highlands Trail, rated one of the most scenic hiking trails in the country, is easily accessed from Mulberry Mountain. Enjoy an afternoon trip to the waterfalls on mountain creek or take a hike along the Mulberry River for great views of the Ozark Mountains. No matter where you tread you are sure to see some of the most amazing sites the forest has to offer.

Fishing

You’ll find some great fishing opportunities at Mulberry Mountain. Fish one of our four stocked mini-lakes or enjoy private access to ½ mile of the Mulberry River. Note: An Arkansas fishing license is required to fish on these lakes. In late spring and early summer, the river is an excellent choice when angling for smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass or green and longear sunfish. The potholes can be fished during drier months, but getting to them may require hiking along a slippery streambed. The mini-lakes at Mulberry Mountain are kept stocked with a variety of fish

Float Trips and Kayaking

Turner Bend Outfitter and general store is located just four miles south of Mulberry Mountain. They offer canoe, kayak, and raft rentals on the Mulberry River. Turner Bend has been outfitting the Mulberry River for 28 years. The Mulberry River can be an easy Class I river or can be challenging whitewater depending on recent rainfall. Check them out at www.turnerbend.com or call them at 479-667-3641. Reservations are recommended.

Yonder Mountain Harvest Festival's Fiddlin' and Pickin' Contest

Yonder Mountain Harvest Festival is having the First Annual Fiddlin' and Pickin' Contest! Don't miss your chance to compete in one of the four competitions: Mandolin, Banjo, Flat Picking, and Fiddle-- submissions will be accepted up to 15 minutes before the competition and are available on our website. Even if you aren't a Fiddler or Picker be sure and stop by during the competitions to check out all the talent! Contests will be held on October 13, 14, and 15th. Please note that competitions will be held within the Harvest Festival grounds for Harvest ticket holders only.

CONTEST CHECK-IN TIMES:
Mandolin	Thursday 10/13	10:15am-10:45am
Fiddle	Thursday 10/13	12:15pm-12:45pm
Flat picking	Friday 10/14	10:15am-10:45am
Banjo	Friday 10/14	12:15pm-12:45pm

Featured Artist: EOTO

2011-09-28T12:30:00.000-05:00

EOTO

With their 2011 Sonic Bloom appearance, the two-headed bass juggernaut EOTO has officially hit the 5 year mark. What began, half a decade ago, as a late-night, after-party experimental electronic project has evolved into a full-fledged headlining behemoth. The drummer-producer team of Jason Hann and Michael Travis has pioneered the art of live dubstep, not only bringing the big, brash, bass-heavy EDM movement to the concert setting, but crafting it on stage and on the spot more than a hundred times a year.

This fall the duo has had almost 40 dates planned for September and October, including a 3-date run with Bassnectar in the Midwest. The nearly non-stop tour will culminate with EOTO’s annual Halloween bash EOTOween in Lawrence, KS. Along the way, fans can catch shows in Montana, Michigan, Massachusetts, Maine, and many more. New technology is constantly being thrown into rotation, and the continued collaboration with a full-time, touring VJ is elevating the already explosive live show to a whole new level.

For those who can’t make it out to the live show, or for fans who want to dig even deeper into the EOTO universe, the band is releasing a whole slew of concert goodies. Throughout the tour, the duo will release a weekly podcasts featuring 20 minutes of live audio, and a Q&A with Hann and Travis about gear, life on the road, and whatever else fans want to know. Additionally, check out the Jason Hann Flip Cam series on YouTube to get an idea of the venue and check out the way the visuals were laid out during a particualar show. Remember, you can relive each womp and wobble from the more than 400 live show recordings available for download. And check out the third volume in the K-Turns and U-Turns series. Spanning 4 hours and 27 cities, the 2010 tour retrospective packs in 39 seamless tracks from around the country, giving old and new fans alike a year-in-review sampler.

With dates at huge, prestigious venues and growing flocks of fervent fans, Michael Travis and Jason Hann are celebrating EOTO’s fifth anniversary in style.

- Tsunami Publicity

Episode 26: EOTO Live at Papa Pete's

2011-09-28T12:20:00.001-05:00

After many an in-studio visit and cross-promoted concert or three, I'm very happy to be working with the two-man traveling road show known as EOTO yet again. This time giving away a FREE pass to their October 3rd show at Bell's Brewery! All you have to do is "like" Some Kind of Jam on Facebook, and be one of the first 20 to tag yourself in THIS PICTURE. Boom bam. Done and done. The winner will be announced this weekend!

If you're unfamiliar with EOTO, they're this month's Featured Artist, giving you the opportunity to preview a song or two and read a little bit about their fall tour. If that's not quite enough and you crave more detail about their five year history, you can find it on their website, Facebook or Twitter. They're pretty much everywhere.

It's with all of this in mind that this entire episode is dedicated to these long time friends. A re-broadcast from the WIDR days including an interview with Jason Hann, this hour long set replays EOTO's first performance in Kalamazoo at Papa Pete's Taverna back in 2008. Because they make up their set from scratch every night, no two shows are the same and it's always interesting going back and listening to where their sound was that long ago. Since their first Papa Pete's performance they've become quite a bit more dub-step and hard driving, making the sound from 08 kind of a rarity.

Here's what you'll be listening to:

1. Kleener
2. Loaded
3. Canadian Flag
4. Security
5. Softy
6. March
7. Expand
8. Well Behaved
9. Park Drive
10. Monger
11. Uncle D.
12. Baby Boy
13. Headcase
14. King of Clubs
15. Notes From Dr. Dingle
16. Orange Handled Scissors

http://ia700405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode26.mp3

If you'd like a copy of this performance minus the interview and cut into individual tracks, you can download a copy HERE.

Episode 25: Sénégal Fast-Food

2011-09-22T23:19:00.000-05:00

Well boys and girls, this is the last "regular" podcast for a almost a month. There'll be a little less variety, but a whole hell of a lot more ticket giveaways! For next week I've unearthed a one hour all-EOTO episode of the show from the WIDR days including a recorded interview with Jason Hann. The ticket giveaway for their October 3rd show at Bell's Brewery in Kalamazo will coincide with that post, so keep ya eyes peeled.

The next two episodes after that will be dedicated to Yonder Mountain String Band's Harvest Music Festival and the ticket giveaway for that. Yes, a FREE ticket to the entire festival! If you'd like a preview of what the weekend might sound like, you can check out the YSMB Harvest Music Festival playlist on Spotify. If you're not on there, or if you'd like more info about the fine folks playing the festival visit the Lineup section of their site, it's purty. Without a doubt this means there will be two very bluegrass heavy episodes... it's pretty exciting. As is the case with the EOTO giveaway, the Harvest Fest freebie will coincide with the festival post, so be sure to check out Facebook and Twitter for more regular updates.

As for this week... well... I'd like to think the show's taking a "break" on a gigantic high note. I could ramble on about how these are some of my absolute favorites... but I'll simply say go listen to The Pipettes. Now.

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:22 - Generationals / When They Fight, They Fight / Con Law
3:44 - The Hentchmen / Some Other Guy / The Coolest Songs In The World! Vol. 5
6:20 - Ivan "Funkboy" Bodley / Soul Kiss / Pigs Feet & Potted Meat
12:09 - The Pipettes / We Are The Pipettes / We Are The Pipettes
14:59 - Maximum Balloon v's David Byrne / Apartment Wrestling / Maximum Balloon
18:35 - Federico Aubele / Luna Y Sol / Causes 2
22:11 - Buddy Guy / When My Left Eye Jumps / Left My Blues In San Francisco
26:04 - Mason Jennings / Ain’t No Friend Of Mine / Blood Of Man
29:49 - Mos Def / Sex, Love & Money - Instrumental / Sex, Love & Money
34:00 - Fat Freddy's Drop / Cay's Crays / Based On A True Story
41:03 - The Postelles / 123 Stop / The Postelles
43:34 - HEARTSREVOLUTION / C.Y.O.A. / C.Y.O.A.
47:31 - Oysterhead / Mr. Oysterhead / The Grand Pecking Order
52:00 - Amadou & Mariam / Sénégal Fast-Food / Dimanch a Bamako
56:39 - Jet Black Crayon / Monday / In The Interim
59:38 - Count Basie / Honeysuckle Rose / Swinging The Blues

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode25.mp3

Episode 24: Land Of The Freak

2011-09-08T10:01:00.000-05:00

After all the talk about it last time, Some Kind of Jam is officially part of the Spotify universe and can be found by clicking HERE or searching spotify:user:djpretentious in Spotify. One of the main differences being that requests can now become more direct, but are always welcome via Facebook or Twitter as well. Another difference is accessibility to WAY more music than any one person can possibly contain in their iTunes collection. So not only are you more free to recommend anything your little heart desires, but I can finally get around to listening to artists I've been meaning to catch up on (Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.), get introduced to new folks (Aloe Blacc) or indulge in some more depth from those I could honestly listen to every damn day (King Khan And The Shrines).

While this new marriage will one day live in complete harmony there are some hiccups in the short term. Switching formats has left some small gaps in between songs that will be properly righted by next week, but just expect a slightly longer delay between tracks this week. Along with the longer gaps are some slightly harsh transitions, which will also be smoothed out by next week.

There will be many an update on the EOTO at Bell's ticket giveaway as well as the pair of tickets for Yonder Mountain String Band's Harvest Festival, but that's all for another email. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for the Some Kind of Jam turntable room which is currently setting empty, but will play host to each episodes songs and whatever you may want to share. Updates on when the room is active will be posted on Facebook or Twitter.

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:32 - Steels Heal The World / Let The Healing Begin / Steels Heal The World
3:58 - Simon And Garfunkel / Cecilia / Bridge Over Troubled Water
6:53 - Aloe Blacc / Green Lights / Good Things
9:51 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. / We Almost Lost Detroit / It's A Corporate World
13:11 - King Khan And The Shrines / Land Of The Freak / The Supreme Genius of King Khan And The Shrines
16:45 - Kalyanji, Anandji / My Guru / Thicker Than Water Soundtrack
20:58 - PowerSolo / Pirates of the Oblivion / Bloodskinbones
23:28 - TV On The Radio / Staring at the Sun / Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
26:54 - Lee Moses / I'm Sad About It / Retro Soul Magic
30:20 - Herbie Hancock / Jammin' With Herbie / Jazz Masters
36:45 - Madeleine Peyroux / Was I? / Dreamland
39:29 - Air / Sing Sang Sung / Love 2
46:36 - Bobbie Gentry / Mississippi Delta / Ode To Billie Joe
45:40 - Alex Cuba / Si Pero No / Agua Del Pozo
49:01 - Junior Kimbrough / Most Things Haven't Worked Out / Most Things Haven't Worked Out
55:05 - Preservation Hall Jazz Band / Choko Mo Feel No Hey / New Orleans Preservation, Vol. 1

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode24.mp3

Episode 23: Falcon Jab

2011-08-30T21:58:00.000-05:00

It's taken a minute, but I'm finally getting up and running on Spotify and will most likely make that the place to put in your requests for the show. It's not quite ready to go just yet, but soon I'll have a publicly accessible profile for all y'all to recommend your favorites and generally just share more tunes. Spotify's also going to open the doors to all sorts of new music and artists I may not have been able to get my hands on before, which means better and more diverse podcasts.

Along with Spotify, I've been toying with the idea of having a "release party" of sorts on Turntable.fm the night podcasts are released where I'll play the tracks from the show and open the floor to the general public to join in. If any of you are on Turntable and would be interested in that just drop a line on Facebook or Twitter and I'll get something set up either later this week or for the next podcast.

Beyond the new use of fancy schmancy technologies, this is an extremely exciting time for the show with ticket giveaways lined up for EOTO's October 3rd performance at Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo thanks to Coast II Coast Entertainment! After a year and half off it's really great to be working with EOTO again, especially in that new room at Bell's. There will also be a PAIR of tickets to Yonder Mountain String Band's Harvest Festival down in Arkansas! Happy to say Some Kind of Jam has officially paired up with Pipeline Productions not only for the Harvest Fest tickets, but a whole hell of a lot more that's lined up on the horizon for you fair listeners. As of right now pretty much everything is going to be done through social media, so make sure you're following along.

And finally, here's what you'll be feasting on this week:

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:23 - Andrew Bird / Skin Is, My / Andrew Bird and the Mysterious Production of Eggs
3:56 - Wolfmother / Witchcraft / Wolfmother
7:18 - Ratatat / Falcon Jab / LP3
11:10 - Stardeath and White Dwarfs / New Heat / The Birth
14:27 - Bubbha Thomas & The Lightmen / Survival Song / Country Fried Chicken
21:11 - Piers Faccini / All The Love In All The World / Streets of London
24:53 - Rusted Root / Back To The Earth / When I Woke
30:16 - DeVotchKa / The Enemy Guns / How It Ends
34:49 - Theodore / Vivian and Wade / Defeated, TN
37:29 - Ray LaMontagne / Three More Days / Till The Sun Turns Black
41:06 - The Lee Boys / Come On Help Me Lift Him Up / Say Yes!
46:15 - Casxio / Seventeen / Friends Vs. Lovers
49:43 - The Anansa Professionals / Enwan / Nigeria Afrobeat Special
55:10 - The Black Keys / Never Gonna Give You Up / Brothers

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode23.mp3

Episode 22: Sweet On You

2011-08-21T21:32:00.000-05:00

Listening to and absolutely loving Appalachian Voices On Mountain Stage while putting the finishing touches on this episode. If you're unfamiliar with Appalachian Voices, it's the combination of Ben Sollee, Daniel Martin Moore and Yim Yames (who appears in this episode), three Kentucky musicians united by their concerns about the practice of mountaintop removal coal mining and its affects on the Appalachian region. With that group it's not shocking that the end result is something utterly fantastic and amazingly beautiful.

I don't know if it's the quickly approaching fall, but I've been on a folk and bluegrass kick lately that I'm not in a huge hurry to end. Along those lines, Kalamazoo's own Michael Beauchamp makes an appearance on this episode as well as Chicago bluesman Jimmy Burns (who you can catch from time to time at Rosa's Lounge). All in all this episode feels a little more on point than the previous few have. Which isn't to say the other ones were bad, this just feels like it's hitting the proverbial spot a little better. Could just be me. Anyway, haven't had requests in a little while, feel free to drop a line on Facebook or Twitter.

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:25 - James Brown / Mother Popcorn, pt.1 / It's a Mother
3:44 - John Paul Keith & The One Four Fives / Lookin' For a Thrill / Spills & Thrills
6:09 - Little Feat / Rag Mama Rag / Chinese Work Songs
12:39 - Duke Ellington / C Jam Blues / Blues in Orbit
17:39 - Iron & Wine With Calexico / A History of Lovers / In the Reins
20:41 - Jimmy Burns / Rollin' And Tumblin' / Leaving Here Walking
25:11 - Talib Kweli & Hi Tek / Love Speakeasy / Reflection Eternal
27:07 - Yim Yames / My Sweet Lord / Tribute To - EP
30:47 - OHN / What Does Soul Represent? / Revolutionary Revolution
34:29 - Janelle Monáe / Tightrope / Tightrope
39:07 - Booker T & The MGs / Red Beans & Rice / Time Is Tight
41:08 - Jimmy Reed / Bright Lights Big City / Jimmy Reed Plays 12 String Guitar Blues
43:46 - Michael Beauchamp / Sweet On You / My Northern Voices
46:46 - Lost Bayou Ramblers / Cote Gelee / Vermilionaire
51:01 - Brazilian Girls / Rules Of The Game / Talk To La Bomb
55:37 - Steppenwolf / Don't Step On The Grass, Sam / Steppenwolf The Second

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode22.mp3

Episode 21: Ease Back

2011-08-11T17:36:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the long delay between episodes, there was a much needed vacation to the great state of Michigan in between episodes 20 and 21. Happy to say Some Kind of Jam is back to getting some promo materials sent along and one of them was Tea Leaf Green's new album Radio Tragedy! It's been a loooong time since I've heard anything from the studio side of this group (somehow managed to miss a few albums in there), so it's great to get them back into rotation. Aside from that, this episode is really all over the place, hopefully you like variety.

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:30 - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble / Leave My Girl Alone (Live) / The Real Deal
5:24 - Steppin' In It / Give My Regards To Ms. Moline / Simple Tunes For Troubled Times
8:22 - The Black Angels / Doves / Directions To See A Ghost
12:58 - Le Tigre / The Empty / Le Tigre
14:50 - Le Castle Vania / Zero Machine / Zero Machine Single
19:40 - Micachu / Golden Phone / Jewellery
22:33 - Marvin Gaye / Right On / What's Going On
30:28 - Spring Creek / Cuba Vera Swing / Way Up On a Mountain
33:39 - Tea Leaf Green / Germinating Seed / Radio Tragedy!
37:44 - Elias Haslanger / Watch Your Step / Dream Story
43:39 - The Dandy Warhols / The Dandy Warhols Love Almost Everyone / Welcome To The Monkey House
45:37 - The Postal Service / Clark Gable / Give Up
50:18 - The Meters / Ease Back / Funkify Your Life
53:46 - Rootstand / I Know You Rider / Roots and Branches
58:52 - Let's Wrestle / I Won't Lie To You / In Loving Memory Of?

http://ia700405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode21.mp3

Episode 20: Eye On The Dollar

2011-07-26T10:12:00.000-05:00

Not a whole hell of a lot to say for this week, other than I've really been loving Turntable lately. If you'd like to DJ in the same room, or just listen, follow along on Facebook or Twitter to find out which room I'm in and when. You can log in using Facebook, so it's super easy.

As far as the playlist this week, not too many newbies, just some damn fine gems pulled from the vault. Let me know if there's anything you'd like to hear for the next episode by leaving a comment here or on one of the social networking sites.

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:39 - Los Lobos / Billy / I'm Not There
4:42 - Lee Moses / Reach Out, I'll Be There / Time & Place
7:22 - Jimi Hendrix / Spanish Castle Magic / Axis: Bold as Love
13:20 - Papercuts / Take The 227th Exit / Can't Go Back
16:48 - The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band / Going Up The Country / Speed Of Life
21:04 - Citay / Eye On The Dollar / Little Kingdom
26:23 - The 1969 Cubs / Slide / The Chicago Cubs Sing
28:46 - Al Green / Have You Been Making Out O.K. / Call Me
32:46 - Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band / Worn Out Shoe / The Whole Fam Damnily
37:00 - The Ramones / Judy Is A Punk / Ramones
38:35 - Fujiya & Miyagi / Ankle Injuries / Transparent Things
43:36 - Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears / I'm Broke / Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!
47:49 - Paul Cantelon / Odessa Medley / Everything Is Illuminated
51:31 - Dirty Projectors + David Byrne / Knotty Pine / Dark Was The Night
54:00 - The Stranglers / Golden Brown / La Folie
57:23 - Radio Moscow / Luckydutch / Radio Moscow

http://www.archive.org/download/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode20.mp3

Featured Artist: Ultraviolet Hippopotamus

2011-07-14T22:30:00.000-05:00

Ultraviolet Hippopotamus

Ultraviolet Hippopotamus is a five piece rock band from Grand Rapids, Michigan whose strength in original compositions and ability in effortlessly flowing from one genre to another has made them a captivating force in the midwest music scene. The energy, crowd banter and light show make this band hard to ignore. It started in the summer of '04 when a few friends from Big Rapids, Michigan got together for a few low-key jam sessions. Before long they had established a couple of sets of music containing fun covers and even some original musings. As they tried to settle on a name for their new group, they stumbled across a story containing a fictional band with the name Ultraviolet Hippopotamus. They felt it worked as a perfect representation of the ridiculous nature of the band... so it stuck.

In an era which seems like everything has been done before, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus has carved a niche sound of its own with genuinely heartfelt lyrics, compelling composition and explosive instrumentation. The music created by this five piece is progressively diverse and often switches genres throughout the course of a show; sometimes even throughout the duration of a song. Their live shows have become an avenue for the band to build upon the core of their songs, exploring new ground, creating tension and taking risks for those moments of pure musical ecstasy, giving fans an original experience within every show.

Right now Chicago fans can enter to win a FREE spot on the guest list for Hippo's show next Friday the 22nd with Yamn at Martyr's just by uploading a picture on Facebook. Check out the event page for more info, or just click here. Seriously. Free.

Ultraviolet Hippopotamus Live on Some Kind of Jam

2011-07-14T22:26:00.001-05:00

Ultraviolet Hippopotamus Live on Some Kind of Jam

A little over two years ago Some Kind of Jam celebrated its two year anniversary at WIDR with style by having the fellas of Ultraviolet Hippopotamus stop by and play an improvised set. Tracks varied from original cuts like "Bob The Wondercat" (which appears on their newest album Square Pegs Round Holes) to a Star Wars theme teaser and all sorts of savory tidbits in between. Most of the in-studio sessions on the show are cut into tracks, but they just felt like going at it for about 40 minutes, so if it ain't broke why try to fix it?

CLICK HERE to download this album.

Episode 19: Black Magic

2011-07-10T22:53:00.000-05:00

Happy to have a much overdue CCR song getting the podcast back into its usual one hour non talky talky swing of things. Maybe more than any other band CCR signifies the beginning of summer to me, something just feels wrong listening to them in any other season. Keeping the hot and sticky season in mind, there's an MGMT song you've undoubtedly heard and might even be sick of it by now, but I honestly couldn't help but include. For those preferring a slightly more vintage summer sound there's a sway-inducing song from Jimmy London and going way way way back there's a rag tune from the master of boogie himself, Mr. Albert Ammons. If there's something you're not hearing, by all means leave a note in the comments or drop a line on Twitter or the newly revamped Facebook Page.

Yes, at long last the Facebook Page has had a facelift of sorts courtesy of the switch to ReverbNation as the email provider. It's a little more colorful and quite a bit more useful with links to other Some Kind of Jam sites, email list sign up, promo tracks and recommended artists. Go ahead, kick the tires a little. Anyway, here's what you'll be listening to this week:

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:28 - Creedence Clearwater Revival / Green River / Chronicle, Vol. 1
3:08 - Greyboy Allstars / Hot Pants Breakdown / Live
8:04 - MGMT / Electric Feel / Oracular Spectacular
11:32 - Albert Ammons / Mile-Or-Mo-Bird Rag / Master Of Boogie
15:02 - Steve Cropper, Pops Staples & Albert King / What'd I Say / Jammed Together
20:15 - Jimmy London / I'm Your Puppet / Darker Than Blue: Soul From Jamdown 1973-1980
24:05 - Matthew Dear / Soil To Seed / Black City
26:35 - Bryan Sutton and Friends / Le Pont De La Moustache / Almost Live
31:15 - Van Morrison / Baby Please Don't Go / Story of Them Featuring Van Morrison
34:03 - John Coltrane / Locomotion / Blue Train
41:19 - Magic Wands / Black Magic / Magic Love & Dreams EP
44:03 - Princes of Babylon / Meaningless Conversation / The September Sessions
48:49 - Sondre Lerche / Modern Nature / Faces Down
52:17 - Fiona Apple / Get Him Back / Extraordinary Machine
57:41 - Elliott Brood / Write It All Down For You / Mountain Meadows

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode19.mp3

Episode 18: A Death at WIDR Part 2

2011-07-04T19:30:00.002-05:00

Well it took a littler longer than expected, but at long last here's the second half of the Death of Some Kind of Jam at WIDR. There's been a lot of great feedback on the first half of this episode, so thanks for that. It seems people don't really mind the "on air" presence in between songs as much as I may have expected. Which is good, because there are two more hours of it headed your way with this episode. Another note on these episodes: if I haven't mentioned it before, WIDR is an absolute beacon of hope for what free form college radio can be. It was an honor to be a part of something so special for so many years. If you find yourself wondering what to listen to from time to time during the day at work, in the evening while being your awesome self, or pretty much any time of any day, you can check out their webstream 24/7. Nothing's been confirmed yet, but fellow former WIDRite Dirty Dub and I are considering a return to the WIDR airwaves for another marathon.... perhaps King of Thursday Night Part 2!

Slightly off subject, but Some Kind of Jam is now happily a part of the Reverb Nation community! This will mainly mean much more in depth and useful emails sent out to those of you gracious enough to sign up on the email list... which you can do right here. There are a few more gadgets and whatnot from the site that may be utilized later, but for right now it's pretty much just to keep folks up to date on the haps.

Things will resume their hour long, no talky talky format next week, so if you have a request send it along via Facebook or Twitter. Here's what you'll be listening to this week:

Artist / Track / Album

1. Herbie Hancock / Watermelon Man / Head Hunters

2. Greensky Bluegrass / Tied Down / All Access Vol. 1

3. Kermit Ruffins / Skokiaan / Live at Vaughan's

4. Jamiroquai / Use The Force / Traveling Without Moving

5. Booker T & The MGs / Boot Leg / Stax Profiles

6. Daft Punk / Da Funk > Daftendirekt / Alive 2007

7. Chicago Afrobeat Project / Superstar Pt. 7 / (A) Move To Silent Unrest

8. Beirut / The Gulag Orkestar / Gulag Orkestar

9. Del McCoury / Fire On The Mountain / I Wonder Where You Are Tonight

10. Ultraviolet Hippopotamus / Songs For The Reaper / Songs For The Reaper

11. Ben Sollee / A Change Is Gonna Come / Learning To Bend

12. Built To Spill / Strange / Ancient Melodies Of The Future

13. Detektivbyrån / Lyckans Undulat / E18 Album

14. Dungen / Bortglomd / Ta Det Lugnt

15. Sam Cooke / Having A Party / Live At The Harlem Square Club

16. Lotus / Jump Off / Nomad

17. The Gourds / Dying Of The Pines / Across The Great Divide

18. Rodrigo Y Gabriela / Diablo Rojo / Rodrigo Y Gabriela

19. Bassnectar / The Churn Of The Century / Cozza Frenzy

20. Wayne Hancock / Tulsa / Tulsa

21. moe. / Wind It Up / The Conch

22. The Flaming Lips / Vein Of Stars / At War With The Mystics

23. Colonel Les Claypool's Flying Frog Brigade / Riddles Are Abound Tonight / Live Frogs

24. Old Crow Medicine Show / Wagon Wheel / O.C.M.S

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode18.mp3

Episode 17: A Death at WIDR Part 1

2011-06-24T19:05:00.002-05:00

One year ago, almost to the minute, Some Kind of Jam officially died at WIDR in Kalamazoo. In honor of the four hour send off I'm reposting the show in its entirety in separate two hour segments this and next week. This is a temporary change of pace for the podcast and strictly in honor of the years spend at WIDR. The main difference you'll notice is the presence of talking stop sets reading back the 15-20 minute segments. A lot of the information won't exactly be relevant... I mean the concerts mentioned about 45 minutes in aren't happening this weekend. There are also some pretty great WIDR liners in there that I really miss playing in between songs to break things up and create a change of pace. Since the show is completely online these days I no longer do the read backs, so it's kind of a strange change of pace. That's also why there's no start time for the tracks, they'll be announced usually in groups of four.

For those of you that are regular listeners to the podcast you'll recognize some of the same artists and sometimes even the same exact song from previous episodes... sorry about that. I wasn't sure if I was going to repost the Death episode, so I pulled out some of my favorite tracks (such as Dark Meat's "One More Trip") for more recent podcasts and now they're showing up again. I promise you variety is the absolute top priority for the podcast and after these two episodes there won't be any redundancies whatsoever. Absolutely all of the big guns needed to be brought out for the last show on the airwaves though, so even if there are a few that are the same this may be the best playlist I've ever put together. I hope you enjoy it!

Artist / Track / Album

1. My Morning Jacket / One Big Holiday / Okonokos

2. Yonder Mountain String Band / Death Trip / Live at Bell's

3. Dark Meat / One More Trip / Universal Indians

4. Fela Kuti & The Africa 70 / Let's Start / Fela With Ginger Baker

5. Devil In A Woodpile / Has My Gal Been By Here? / In Your Lonesome Town

6. The Budos Band / Chicago Falcon / The Budos Band II

7. The White Stripes / Hello Operator / De Stijl

8. Grant Green / Ease Back / Blue Breakbeats

9. Luke Winslow-King Trio / Shiawassee Pen / Live on Some Kind of Jam

10. Umphrey's McGee / Bottom Half / The Bottom Half

11. Tom Waits / Ice Cream Man / Closing Time

12. Toubab Krewe / Hang Tan / Toubab Krewe

13. Cream / Steppin' Out / BBC Sessions

14. Medeski, Martin & Wood / Pappy Check / Note Bleu - The Best of the Blue Note Years

15. Fleet Foxes / Ragged Wood / Fleet Foxes

16. Cornmeal / Dead Flowers / Live at Griffin's Public House

17. Radiohead / 2+2=5 (The Lukewarm) / Hail To The Thief

18. Curtis Mayfield / Pusherman / Superfly

19. The Born Again Floozies / Floozy Revival/Live It Up Now! / With Novelties, Addenda & Eph

20. Mifune / Supercrush / Afro-Electronique

21. The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band / My Old Man Boogie / Big Damn Nation

22. Tea Leaf Green / One Reason / Rock N Roll Band

23. Oysterhead / Mr. Oysterhead / The Grand Pecking Order

24. Talking Heads / This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) / Speaking In Tongues

25. John Mayall / Hide Away / Blues Breakers w/ Eric Clapton

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode17.mp3

Episode 16: Oh My My

2011-06-19T13:53:00.011-05:00

Missed it in the last post, but June 11th marked the two year anniversary for this blog! It's come a ridiculously long way from its origins of not-so-well-written reviews and plugs for the show... and it may have even been tie-dyed. In its evolution the page has grown more and more popular with this June already seeing the most traffic of any other month in its history. It's been done pretty much 100% word of mouth, so THANK YOU for telling a friend or six. By all means keep the feedback, requests and responses coming!

Speaking of requests, there were some dad-style ones this week in honor of Father's Day with Cube Bros co-creator Mike Klasek recommending The Who and InRO Editor-In-Chief Sam C. Mac helping NRBQ get on the show for the first time. If there's anything you want to hear feel free to drop a line on Facebook or Twitter. Here's what you'll be listening to this week:

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:24 - Rodrigo Y Gabriela / Diablo Rojo / Rodrigo Y Gabriela

5:23 - The Who / Boris The Spider / A Quick One

7:45 - Self / What A Fool Believes / Gizmodgery

11:27 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs / Date With the Night / Fever To Tell

14:08 - Colonel Claypool's Bucket Of Bernie Brains / Buckethead / The Big Eyeball In The Sky

19:56 - E.J.'s LTD / Black Bull / Funk Instrumental Back Beat 608

22:51 - Wilco / Hate It Here / Sky Blue Sky

27:33 - Bill Monroe / Rawhide / Live From Mountain Stage

30:33 - The Hall Monitors / Girls / Girls

33:58 - Jill Barber / Oh My My / Chances

37:41 - Pacha Massive / Al Ritmo De Pacha / All Good Things

41:07 - NRBQ / Smackaroo / Grooves In Orbit

43:08 - Rotary Downs / A Feast In Squalor / Chained to the Chariot

47:13 - Robert Randolph & The Family Band / I Don't Know What You Come to Do / Live At The Wetlands

http://ia700405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode16.mp3

Episode 15: Lemonade Stand

2011-06-12T15:21:00.018-05:00

New Orleans is on my mind. It really can't be helped. After watching The Preservation Jazz Band and Del McCoury absolutely kill it at Bonnaroo (via the Vevo webstream, unfortunately not in person) I haven't been able to stop thinking about the city that's given so much to the world of music. Spending an evening with some close friends (who have this pretty amazing campaign going on by the by) and talking about everything NOLA from Treme and amazing food to the legendary Vaughan's, Kermit Ruffins, street musicians and everything in between didn't exactly push the city from forefront of my mind. So naturally this week's episode starts with perhaps the greatest of New Orleans natives (and that's a loooooong list), Mr. Louie Armstrong singing "Skokiaan," a song that will put a smile on absolutely anyone's face.

Quite by happy accident, this episode also features some great Michigan artists I came to know and love in my days in Kalamazoo. The Total Blam Blams helped my transition from a jam band heavy rotation to some straight up rock n roll and a female fronted band always kicks just a little more ass, ya know? Who Hit John? made the already endearing O'Duffy's Pub that much better with weekly concerts and no aid of microphones needed. If you find yourself singing along or wishing you were in a small Irish pub while listening you're not alone.

Got requests? Leave a comment and I'll get it into rotation. Here's what you're listening to this week:

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:21 - Louis Armstrong / Skokiaan / All Time Greatest Hits

5:13 - Doug Martsch / Heart (Things Never Shared) / Now You Know

9:18 - Maceo And The Macks / Cross the Tracks (We Better Go Back) / Snatch Soundtrack

12:25 - White Rabbits / I Used To Complain Now I Don't / Fort Nightly

16:06 - Realpeople / My Night With The Prostitute From Marseille / Holland

19:00 - Sexsmith & Kerr / Lemonade Stand / Destination Unknown

22:37 - Beatfanatic / Cookin' (Funky 7" Mix) / Adventures In The World of No-Fi Beats

25:44 - Total Blam Blams / Hey Baby! / Total Blam Blams

30:11 - Nina Simone / Buck / The Blues

32:02 - Ruckus Roboticus / A Child's Introduction To Drums / Playing With Scratches

37:01 - Oakley Hall / Hiway / Second Guessing

44:16 - The Magnetic Fields / I Think I Need A New Heart / 69 Love Songs, Vol. 1

46:46 - Tom Waits / Big In Japan / Mule Variations

50:49 - Zilla / Milk Man / All Iz

53:28 - Xavier Rudd / Fortune Teller / Food In The Belly

56:57 - Who Hit John? / Draft Dodger Rag / Heirloom

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode15.mp3

Episode 14: Banana Ghost

2011-06-05T13:14:00.016-05:00

Summer has shown its beautiful face at long last here in Chicago and this week's playlist is the first of many to be made in the spirit of barbeques, days at the beach, driving with the windows down and breaking the sandals out of the back of the closet. Some artists may be a familiar site to regular readers, Michael Bellar/The As-Is Ensemble was the Featured Artist back on August 13th, and Luke Winslow-King has what's been the most popular Live on Some Kind of Jam album to date. Others such as the absolutely spectacular jazz guitarist Grant Green and blues God John Lee Hooker are making much overdue first appearances on the podcast. All of these artists, in one way or another, remind me of summer and all the fine times that come with it.

There are a few requests on the back burner right now that I wasn't able to get to this week, but they'll be in the next episode. As per usual, if you have any requests feel free to send em along on Facebook or Twitter.

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:21 - The Love Me Nots / Give Em What They Want / Detroit

3:00 - African Music Machine / Black Water Gold / Black Water Gold

6:01 - Michael Bellar/The As-Is Ensemble / Fur Turban / Turned On Turned Up

12:00 - Jonah Smith / I Feel More Like I Did Back Then (Than I Do Right Now) / Jonah Smith

14:45 - Leningrad / Zvezda Rok-N-Rolla / Everything Is Illuminated

16:50 - Erin McKeown / Thanks For The Boogie Ride / Sing You Sinners

19:03 - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass / Whipped Cream (Anthony Marinelli Remix Featuring Ozomatli) / Whipped Cream & Other Delights Rewhipped

23:06 - Jim James & Calexico / Goin' To Acapulco / I'm Not There

28:32 - Andy Hall / Velocity / Sound of the Slide Guitar

31:48 - Man Man / Banana Ghost / Six Demon Bag

34:40 - Little Barrie / Free Salute / We Are Little Barrie

38:29 - Grant Green / The Windjammer / Blue Breakbeats

43:58 - Luke Winslow-King / Lost Soul / Old/ New Baby

45:39 - Badly Drawn Boy / Delta (Little Boy Blues) / About a Boy

49:36 - Etubm Rex Williams & His Nigerian Artistes / Isip 2 / Nigeria Special Volume 2

53:03 - John Lee Hooker / Let's Go Out Tonight / The Ultimate Collection

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode14.mp3

Episode 13: Okie Dokie

2011-05-25T20:39:00.000-05:00

So the month of May has been WAY more spotty than things should really ever get around here... sorry about that. In case you haven't been able to check it out yet, there's a new old live recording from The Ragbirds up in the Mixes section of the site by way of apology for the missed weeks. A more regular schedule is starting to settle in, tons of new artists have been added to the library and the summer weather not only brings the ability to blare CCR in the car with the windows down, but the chance to see a ton of live music, so things are looking up.

On the new music note, a big thanks to Mike Nudelman for filling in some holes (how Dan Deacon's been neglected thus far is beyond me) and shedding light on some new gems... well... new to this show anyway. He's also the man behind the Some Kind of Jam jukebox artwork to the left. His actual work doesn't involve a computer, but tons and tons and tons of strokes with ball point pens. Just go check it out, there's even one of a flying saucer!

As per usual, if you have any requests please send em along on Facebook or Twitter and I'll do my best to get something lined up for you. Here's what you'll be hearing this week:

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:26 - The Band / Up On Cripple Creek / The Best Of The Band

4:57 - Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra / Dirt And Blood / Liberation Afrobeat Vol 1

13:54 - Le Tigre / Deceptacon / Le Tigre

17:11 - Bassnectar / The Churn Of The Century / Cozza Frenzy

21:08 - Funkadelic / Freak of the Week / Uncle Jam Wants You

26:39 - Andy Cotton / Early In The Morning / Last Stand At The Havemeyer Ranch

30:33 - Billy Bragg & Wilco / Feed Of Man / Mermaid Avenue, Vol. 2

34:39 - Acid Burns & Druggy Grooves / Court is Open (featuring Del Jones) / Acid Burns & Druggy Grooves

39:16 - LCD Soundsystem / Give It Up / LCD Soundsystem

43:29 - Ben Sollee / It's Not Impossible / Learning to Bend

46:48 - The Interpretations (Bell) / Snap Out / Block Party

48:26 - Dan Deacon / Okie Dokie / Spiderman of the Rings

51:07 - Drums & Tuba / Elephants / Mostly Ape

55:05 - Lord Invader / Cousin Family / Calypso In New York

57:24 - The Gourds / 6-Jan / Ghosts Of Hallelujah

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode13.mp3

Featured Artist: The Ragbirds

2011-05-24T20:38:00.005-05:00

The Ragbirds

Ask The Ragbirds how to describe their hard-to-define Folk Rock and World fusion and they’ll tell you it’s “Big on rhythm, energy and global grooves” – (Relix Magazine) Led by fiery front-woman Erin Zindle, they put on a show that is designed to engage the audience on many levels - to get people thinking, listening and dancing. As the band’s founder and songwriter, Zindle is like a bright excited tour guide through a beautiful foreign world of sights and sounds. Her earthy-sweet voice is the center of the storm of energy around her - the whirlwind of guitarist T.J. Zindle and dynamic bassist Dan Hildebrandt spinning over the ethnic grooves of drummer Randall Moore and percussionist Tim Dziekan. Amidst this blissful, restless energy Zindle skillfully switches between violin, mandolin, banjo, accordion, and percussion in addition to singing lead vocals (all while dancing!)

Traveling in a van that runs on Recycled Vegetable Oil in order to promote sustainability, The Ragbirds have performed to enthusiastic audiences in over 20 states so far, and some of the midwest's finest festivals. The musical roots of The Ragbirds sound are complex - with Gypsy, Middle-Eastern, Americana, Rock, and Latin influences, all stirred with a Celtic fiddler’s bow. In live performances the band incorporates variations on traditional African drum pieces, each member trading their instrument for a hand drum. The Ragbirds craft their songs carefully weaving joy and hope into honest lyrics, while keeping an ear always open to improvisation. The songs carry a positive message that appeals to listeners of all ages. For all the intensity of their live show, this is a band that is not afraid to show their softer side with acoustic tunes that are anything but typical folk.

- ReverbNation

The Ragbirds Live on Some Kind of Jam

2011-05-24T20:14:00.005-05:00

The Ragbirds Live on Some Kind of Jam

On the verge of their extremely talented front-woman Erin Zindle's debut solo album Scenes From The Fragile, Agile Avian World I'm happy to finally unearth one of the true gems in the Some Kind of Jam library: The Ragbirds Live on Some Kind of Jam.

The self proclaimed sound of Infectious Global Groove is extremely well earned with this collective hailing from Ann Arbor, Michigan, but you can read more about that in their Featured Artist post.

As for this in studio session, here's what you'll be hearing:

1. The Frame

2. Banter

3. Book Of Matches

4. Banter

5. How Can I Say

6. Banter

7. Finally Almost Ready

8. Little Things

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS ALBUM!

Episode 12: Jungle Symphony

2011-05-11T20:43:00.000-05:00

I would like to officially blame the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Red Wings for making me miss last week's podcast. Sure it's an odd pair of teams to root for on the same night, but it can't be helped. Anyway, things have calmed here in Some Kind of Jam land a little bit and this week's playlist should make up for missing a week. If that don't do it for ya, then hopefully another in studio performance from the WIDR days will. There are still some damn fine gems hiding the in far reaches of the ol iTunes collection, just debating which one to use next.

That's pretty much all for this week, I recommend getting outside and enjoying it.

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:15 - Old Crow Medicine Show / Minglewood Blues / Big Iron World

3:08 - Fred Wesley / Blow Your Head / Damn Right I Am Somebody

7:53 -Colourmusic / Put in a Little Gas / F, Monday, Orange, February, Venus, Lunatic, 1 Or 13

11:45 - Daft Punk / Face To Face / Short Circuit / Alive 2007

16:46 - Ananda Shankar / Jungle Symphony / A Life In Music

20:19 - Modest Mouse / Bukowski / Good News For People Who Love

24:32 - Assembly Of Dust / Roads / Honest Hour

31:02 - The Wood Brothers / Loaded / Loaded

34:44 - Emperor Dele Ojo & His African Internationals / Jekoyewa / Nigeria Special Volume 2

40:26 - Led Zeppelin / Bron-Y-Aur Stomp / Led Zeppelin III

44:43 - Coleman Hawkins / Soul Blues / Soul

54:54 - The Clash / Rudy Can't Fail / London Calling

58:09 - Elmore James / Talk To Me Baby / Person to Person

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode12.mp3

Episode 11: Duct Tape And Pancakes

2011-04-28T11:56:00.009-05:00

Things are indeed picking up here in Some Kind of Jam land. First and foremost, welcome and thank you to all of the new fans! This site and the social networks have been growing like crazy over the past few months and since no ads have been taken out or any of that jazz it's pretty much 100% word of mouth, so again, thanks to all y'all fine folks spreading the word.

Secondly, there's nice little gem in the middle of this week's show produced once again by Cube Bros co-creator Michael Klasek. Though it hasn't been featured in the podcast yet, you can CLICK HERE to hear from the other cube bro (Joe) and his intro for the show.

Lastly, just wanted to put out a reminder about another ticket giveaway coming up! Chicago Funktion fans who want to see their May 5th CD release show for free just need to like the Funktion or Some Kind of Jam FB Page or follow on Twitter (@FunktionKZoo or @SomeKindOfJam) and they'll automatically be entered to win. Already a fan? Recommend friends and you're in the drawing too. One winner on each of the four pages. Good Luck!

And here's what you'll be hearing in this week's episode:

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:31 - Fleet Foxes / Ragged Wood / Fleet Foxes

5:48 - Big Mama Thornton / Hound Dog / The Peacock Recordings

8:27 - Grimy Styles / Duct Tape And Pancakes / Rewind

11:30 - Black Mountain / Don't Run Our Hearts Around / Black Mountain

17:41 - Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys / Honey Stick Around a While / Jumping from 6 to 6

20:14 - Bonobo / D Song / Dial M for monkey

25:36 - Tim Easton / Burgundy Red / Porcupine

28:14 - Fela Kuti & The Africa 70 / Lets Start / Fela with Ginger Baker Live!

35:54 - Breathe Owl Breathe / Don't / Ghost Glacier

39:55 - Michael Klasek / Oh, Some Kinda Jam / CubeBros.Tumblr.Com

40:32 - Alison Krauss & Union Station / Oh, Atlanta / Live (Disc 2)

45:08 - Brinsley Schwarz / Silver Pistol / Across The Great Divide

48:26 - Billie Holiday / Trav'lin' All Alone (Nickodemus & Zeb Remix) / Billie Holiday Remixed & Reimagined

52:26 - A Hawk And A Hacksaw / In The River / The Way The Wind Blows

55:46 - Bob Dylan / From A Buick 6 / Highway 61 Revisited

59:02 - Balkan Beat Box / BBBeat / Nu Med

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode11.mp3

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Episode 10: The Satisfier

2011-04-21T22:49:00.012-05:00

All sorts of things going down this week, all pretty fantastic. First and foremost, as you may have noticed on Facebook and/or Twitter, later today there will be a ticket giveaway for the Roots of Creation show taking place this Saturday at The Ace Bar (CLICK HERE for all the details). Really happy to be getting back into working with artists and venues to spread the word about great local shows and giving away free shit while doing it. There will also be a giveaway for the Funktion show coming up May 5th, more details to follow on this soon.

Secondly, as eluded to last week the show has a brand new intro this week from Mr. Michael Klasek, co-creator of Cube Bros. Fred Durst, an ICP portrait painting, Hulkamania, lute mania and the River Cuomo fan club all make appearances. Go there. Enjoy.

Lastly, this week has some of the best requests featured to date. For future reference, pretty much any time anyone asks for anything David Bryne, I'll have trouble saying no. Also, Noah And The Whale and Hot Chip are making their first appearances this week and I have no idea why it took me so long to get them into rotation. But they're there now and all is well. With no further babbling, here's what you'll be hearing this week:

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

1:05 - Eli 'Paperboy' Reed & The True Loves / The Satisfier / Roll With You

3:30 - Colonel Les Claypool's Flying Frog Brigade / Riddles Are Abound Tonight / Live Frogs (Set 1)

9:36 - Etta James / Tell Mama / Tell Mama

11:41 - Hot Chip / Colours / The Warning

17:21 - And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead / Baudelaire / Source Tags & Codes

20:59 - Grateful Dead / Me And My Uncle / Ladies and Gentlemen - Fillmor

24:19 Noah And The Whale / 5 Years Time / Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down

28:01 Allen Toussaint / Gone Too Far / Allen Tousaint, from Life, Love and Faith, Reprise

31:14 - Airborne Or Aquatic / World Is On Your Side / Airborn or Aquatic

35:50 - Roots Of Creation / Dubomb / Rise Up!

38:06 - David Byrne / Miss America / Feelings

42:26 - Bill Withers / Who Is He (And What Is He To You?) / Jackie Brown

45:24 - Back Forty / Lake Erie / Down Home Funkgrass

49:24 - Dr. Dog / My Old Ways / We All Belong

53:11 - Aim / Vipco / Hinterland

58:39 - David Bowie / Oh! You Pretty Things / Hunky Dory

http://ia700405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode10.mp3

Featured Artist: Roots of Creation

2011-04-20T16:29:00.007-05:00

Roots of Creation

Bolstered by a sense of it's own colorful history and urged onward by the promise of a fruitful future, Roots of Creation approaches it's 6th year of full-time touring having evolved into a musical force of nature. With a hard-working ethic and an arsenal of upbeat, substantial songs, Roots of Creation have ascended to the top of their profession by putting their fans first and doing business with focus and respect. Writers, DJs, venue owners, and booking agents alike have joined ROC's steadily growing army of fans in heaping praise upon the New Hampshire quartet, and not just for the music - the band has forged a unique connection with their listeners that provides concert attendees with a highly personal experience. They also walk the walk when it comes to social and environmental activism, having raised money for many causes.

This past October the band released RoC Live, Vol. #2 on Harmonized Records featuring the band’s best performances of 2009 and 2010, including songs recorded during their very popular sets at the Wormtown and Nateva Music Festivals, The Paradise Rock Club in Boston and more. Live Vol #2, features the hit single ‘Policy’ and stylistic covers of classics by the Talking Heads and Tom Petty. Other highlights include the epic instrumentals ‘Mammoth’ and ‘Dubby Conqueror.’

Roots of Creation create their sound from a plethora of styles. Starting with a strong base in reggae and roots-rock, they add elements of dub, electronica and dance to guitar-heavy progressions. Brett Wilson’s (Lead singer and guitarist) introspective and consciousness-laden lyrics round out the band's intoxicating, genre blending sound. They continue to raise the bar at every show with the intent of delivering a true rock show cleverly disguised as a reggae dance throwdown.

The band is comprised of original members Wilson, keyboard player Tal Pearson, and drummer Mike Chadinha and is currently touring with bassist, Brandon Downs, and second guitarist, Jay McGuinness. Formed in 2000 while attending Franklin Pierce College, they began touring heavily in 2004 and have continuously progressed.

Episode 9: Battle Cat

2011-04-13T20:38:00.015-05:00

Grabbed some damn fine new music recently and am pretty excited to share it in the coming weeks. One of the artists I'm damn happy to finally have in the library is Stardeath and White Dwarfs, who I found out about after they worked with The Flaming Lips for their version of Dark Side of the Moon. Very similar sound to the Lips, which isn't the easiest thing to accomplish. Also glad to have Ultraviolet Hippopotamus finally making an appearance on the podcast; some long time friends of the show who recently released a new album I've yet to get my grubby hands on. However, there are few tracks on Songs For The Reaper I can't listen to at any given moment. Rounding out this week's edition is a special track shared with me by the immensely talented Mallory Dowd, a song that will remain stuck in my head for three more days.

Lastly, next week will be the unveiling of some brand new liners created for the show by Cube Bros co-creator Mike Klasek. I'd give more info, but then what's there to look forward to?

Here's what you'll be listening to in this week's edition:

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:24 - Stardeath and White Dwarfs / I Can't Get Away / The Birth

3:35 - The Allman Brothers Band / Every Hungry Woman / Live at the Atlanta International Pop Festival

8:07 - Papa Grows Funk / My Man / Mr Patterson's Hat

13:21 - The Born Again Floozies / Small Penis Compensation Vehicle / With Novelties, Addenda And Ephemera

16:32 - American Analog Set / Hard To Find / Promise Of Love

20:20 - Akron/Family / Ed Is A Portal / Love Is Simple

28:13 - Adventure / Battle Cat / Adventure

32:44 - Dark Meat / One More Trip / Universal Indians

36:35 - James Brown / I'm A Greedy Man Pt 1 / Sex Machine

40:27 - Ultraviolet Hippopotamus / Songs for the Reaper / Songs For The Reaper

44:49 - Detektivbyrån / Nattoppet / E18 Album

48:14 - Albino / Puppet Boy / Rhino

51:58 - Dungen / Skit I Allt / Skit I Allt

54:55 - Beck / Debra / Midnite Vultures

http://ia700405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode9.mp3

Episode 8: Built For Comfort

2011-04-08T11:28:00.006-05:00

Going to keep it short and sweet this week, boys and girls. Things are quite busy here in podcast land, and I'm really excited to continue to update the music library and share the new findings with y'all. Until then, I promise there are some goodins pulled out of the vault for this week.

Just a quick reminder for all y'all Chicago folks, the CHIRP Record Fair & Other Delights is this weekend and it's gonna be gooooood!

Here's this week's playlist, enjoy:

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:13 - Benny Gordon / Tighten Up / Blue Juice vol. 1

2:39 - TV on the Radio / Golden Age / Dear Science

6:46 - Mifune / Storm Troopers / Afro-Electronique

15:08 - Trampled by Turtles / White Noise / Duluth

17:17 - Gorillaz / Double Bass / Gorillaz

22:06 - Howlin' Wolf / Built For Comfort / The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions

24:13 - The Black Angels / The Sniper At The Gates Of Heaven / Passover

28:13 - Beat Circus / The Rough Riders / Dreamland

32:44 - Elvis Costello & The Imposters / Needle Time / The Delivery Man

39:08 - Jamiroquai / Feels Just Like it Should / Dynamite

43:36 - Marva Whitney / It's My Thing (You Can't Tell Me Who to Sock It To) / James Brown's Funky People Pt. 3

47:31 - Eric Clapton / San Francisco Bay Blues / Unplugged

50:56 - The Fort Knox Five / Papa Was Stoned / Radio Free DC

55:44 - Arcade Fire / Lenin / Dark Was The Night

http://ia700405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode8.mp3

Featured Artist: Spare Parts

2011-04-07T11:05:00.007-05:00

Spare Parts

Long time ally of the show, Spare Parts is a Chicago based group rapidly gaining international acclaim by fusing funk, rock, jazz, latin and reggae with a list of influences ranging from Weather Report to The Beatles fueling the creative engines both live and in studio. In addition to their successful weekly residence at Alive One Chicago, the band has played at festivals from Wakarusa and Summer Camp to Festival de Jazz in Lima, Peru. Their sound is sought after in every type of market, pleasing the discerning ears of music aficionados and general listeners. The band’s broad musical scope has landed them opening spots for acts such as George Clinton, Victor Wooten, Snoop Dogg, Fareed Haque, Lenny Pickett (SNL / Tower of Power), Melvin Seals, 2 Live Crew, Liquid Soul, and The Jazz Mandolin Project to name a few.

They recently released their finest work to date on their album Trio. The tracks receive regular airplay on jazz DJ Russ Davis’s “Moja Radio,” WXRT, WDCB, and other fine independent stations across the country. The band’s previous two albums Exit 54 (2003) and Brain Candy (2006) have sold out of physical copies and enjoy continued radio play.

Spare Parts remains focused on expanding their musical boundaries while attracting new listeners around the globe, leaving them thirsty for more.

Episode 7: Fix & Release

2011-04-03T12:57:00.008-05:00

Ridiculously exciting news this week, boys and girls! First and foremost, Some Kind of Jam is proud to announce it's now officially sponsored by In Review Online. For years InRO has published weekly film and music reviews and recently ramped up efforts to bring its subscribers new and innovative podcasts; an effort Some Kind of Jam is grateful to be a part of. While this alliance won't affect the week to week podcast, it will offer Some Kind of Jam listeners a more in depth look at the music industry with regular album reviews (which can be seen on the right hand side of this page under the Twitter feed).

Secondly, Some Kind of Jam is undergoing a slight transformation this week. One of the smaller (but kind of big) changes is the naming of each episode. I've heard from some of you that it's difficult keeping track of the episodes when they're just numbered, so starting this week they get titles. Hell, if you have suggestions for episode names send em along on Facebook or Twitter and if they're good I'll use em. Also, as this show has evolved from the airwaves of Kalamazoo to the interwebs, it's also become more free form and all encompassing and it's high time the image starts to reflect that. All of the sites are getting facelifts, hopefully you're enjoying what you see so far, there's much more to come.

Thirdly, this week's podcast kicks all sorts of ass. I pulled out a few more heavy hitters than I usually would, but one never gets another chance at a first impression, so hopefully all y'all InRO subscribers listening for the first time like what you're hearing. Thanks to the folks who have sent requests along so far, as always please keep em coming.

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:21 - Boo Boo Davis / Dirty Dog / Name Of The Game (Black & Tan Records)

4:31 - Csokolom / Amari Szi Amari / Everything Is Illuminated

7:38 - Spare Parts / Meteorite / Trio

13:58 - B.B. King / Paying The Cost To Be The Boss / The Millenium Collection

16:29 - The Duhks / Down To The River / Migrations

21:23 - Ladytron / Play Girl / 604

25:28 - Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad / Buffalo / Slow Down

29:29 - Otis Redding / I Can't Turn You Loose / In Person at the Whisky A Go Go

34:21 - The Beatles / I Want You (She's So Heavy) / Abbey Road

42:07 - Muse / House Of The Rising Sun

45:30 - José González / Lovestain / Veneer

47:42 - Matthew Stubbs / Medford & Main / Medford & Main

50:25 - The Okmoniks / I'm On My Own / Party Fever!!!

52:10 - Chicago Afrobeat Project / Fix And Release / (A) Move To Silent Unrest

57:31 - May Erlewine / Heavy / Golden

http://ia700405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode7.mp3

Episode 6

2011-03-23T14:23:00.010-05:00

First and foremost, thanks to those of you fine folks who have been giving feedback and sending requests along! Because of the regular requests on Facebook, this week has a few newbies to the show including the easily addictive Fujiya & Miyagi and some fine R&B from Bob & Gene. By all means keep the requests coming, Facebook and Twitter work just fine for em.

Another extremely helpful bit of feedback from last week's podcast is that it's been a little hard to track exactly which artist is playing at any given time in the playlist. So, starting this week instead of numbering the tracks I'll be labeling them with the time the song starts. Also starting this week, I'll be storing the playlist in the lyrics section of each individual file so you won't even have to leave iTunes to know who's playing the song you're listening to at that moment. Hopefully this makes it a little easier to find the artists you're interested.

Lastly, this week's playlist includes long time friends of the show Funktion as an appetizer for their upcoming show this Friday at The Ace Bar. If you're in the mood for some funky dancin, I promise they will not disappoint; CLICK HERE for more info and to RSVP.

Start Time - Artist / Track / Album

0:15 - Rubblebucket Orchestra / November / Rubblebucket

5:40 - Bob & Gene / Gotta Find A Way / If This World Were Mine...

8:44 - The White Stripes / Offend In Every Way / White Blood Cells

11:59 - Mark Mothersbaugh / Lindbergh Palace Hotel Suite / The Royal Tenenbaums

19:14 - Wayne Hancock / Jump the Blues / Viper Of Melody

21:34 - Fujiya & Miyagi / Minestrone / Ventriloquizzing

25:44 - The Beach Boys / Heroes and Villains / Smile

29:35 - Funktion / Ooo Baby / Funk Prelude

32:43 - Preservation Hall Jazz Band / Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out (Feat. Jason Isbell) / An Album To Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program

37:00 - Lord Kitchener / Take Yuh Meat Out Muh Rice / Klassik Kitchener - Volume Two

40:36 - Willie Mitchell / Respect / Ooh Baby, You Turn Me On

42:41 - Ani DiFranco / In The Way / Evolve

47:57 - Brian Wright / The Good Dr. / House On Fire

51:15 - Deodato / Latin Flute / Deodato 2

55:34 - Derek & The Dominos / Anyday / Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs

CLICK HERE to download this podcast.

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode6.mp3

CHIRP Record Fair & Other Delights

2011-03-19T12:04:00.013-05:00

The CHIRP Record Fair & Other Delights returns for its 9th year April 9-10, 2011 at Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union, located at 1340 W. Washington Blvd! With its well-lit room, great stage for entertainment and loads of free parking, it's the ideal location for the event.

As as has been the case for the past eight years, CHIRP will offer up an amazing selection of vinyl, CDs, posters, ‘zines, artwork, and crafts. This event is paradise for music lovers, with vendors offering everything from rock and pop to psychedelia and folk, soul and jazz to country and international, house and hip-hop to rockabilly and R&B, and even more. You can find plenty of rarities, and other stuff that’s just outright weird! There will also be tons videos, DVDs, posters, artwork, and lots of other things you don’t even know you want yet!

Ami Saraiya & the Outcome, Blue Ribbon Glee Club, Darling, Julie Meckler (of Rambos), Leaf Bird, and Numero Group DJs are just some of the artists that will be performing live throughout the weekend. An updated schedule of bands and DJs will be posted regularly on the CHIRP Record Fair Website.

Interested in going? Let em know by RSVPing to the Facebook Event.

Also, if you've been thinking of getting rid of your collection of old vinyl they have a solution! You can donate your unwanted records to the Chicago Independent Radio Project. Free up some space and help a new community radio station in Chicago. They'll even arrange pick-ups. If you’d like to donate your vinyl to CHIRP, please email recordfair@chirpradio.org.

Episode 5

2011-03-16T18:15:00.008-05:00

No new albums or artists to feature this week, just back to the good ol basics that have made up this show's playlist for quite some time. Well... most of it anyway. As this show has continued to evolve I've had trouble denying any episode music either from or based in another culture; this week I'm delighted to throw Afro-Cuban All Stars into the mix. Their albums Distinto, Diferente and A Toda Cuba Le Gusta both put a smile on my face and make me want to actually learn how to dance... properly... which is something my coordination isn't all that well suited for.

Also had a request for Greensky Bluegrass on Facebook this week and as you may expect was more than happy to oblige. If you've been reading the blog for a little while you probably noticed Greensky on the bluegrass compilation Two High Turtles, Nitty Gritty Duhks & Devil Ramblers, and if you haven't been reading for a while and like bluegrass some of my favorites are on there. As for this week, here's your playlist for episode 5:

Artist / Track / Album

1. Dan Auerbach / Heartbroken, In Disrepair / Keep It Hid

2. Yo La Tengo / Georgia Vs. Yo La Tengo / Summer Sun

3. Shuggie Otis / Ice Cold Daydream / Here Comes Shuggie Otis / Freedom Flight

4. The Beta Band / I Know / The Three E.P.'s

5. The Bubble Puppy / Hot Smoke And Sassafrass / Gathering of Promises

6. Curtis Mayfield / Move On Up / The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield

7. Architecture In Helsinki / It's 5! / In Case We Die

8. Prefuse 73 / Storm Returns / One Word Extinguisher

9. Albert King With Stevie Ray Vaughan / Ask Me No Questions / In Session

10. Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire / Vidalia / Oh! The Grandeur

11. Afro-Cuban All Stars / A Toda Cuba le Gusta / A Toda Cuba Le Gusta

12. Al Hirt / Night Rumble / The Horn Meets The Hornet

13. Talking Heads / Moon Rocks / Speaking in Tongues

14. Captain Planet / On Yer Feet (ft. Ako) / Bastard Jazz

15. Greensky Bluegrass / Freeborn Man / Five Interstates

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the podcast.

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode5.mp3

Episode 4

2011-03-09T18:07:00.001-06:00

Great to get some requests back into the rotation! Thanks to the fine folks commenting on the Facebook page this week's playlist has appearances from old friends of the show The Twin Cats as well as a kick ass newcomer to the podcast Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears. If there's anything you'd like to hear in the next episode drop a line on Facebook or Twitter and I'll do my best to get it into rotation.

As for this week, I couldn't be happier to share the new DeVotchKa, which continues their tradition of absolutely stellar albums. They're not moving in a new direction or anything like that, but if it ain't broke why the hell fix it? The only other note I have for this edition is the fact that the Stealin' Strings track was indeed recorded live... and kind of poorly. There's some crowd noise in there, but I kind of find it charming and hopefully it won't deter you from enjoying the song.

Thanks for listening and if you like what you've been hearing tell a friend!

Artist / Track / Album

1. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears / Boogie / Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!

2. Ella Fitzgerald / How High The Moon / Ultimate Diva Collection: The Diva Series

3. DeVotchKa / The Alley / 100 Lovers

4. Sam Cooke / (Ain't That) Good News / Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964

5. Sugarman Three / Bosco's Blues (Bull Jun Remix) / Sharon Jones&DapKings Daptone Records Remixed

6. The Zombies / Prison Song Aka Care Of Cell (Backing Track) / Odessey & Oracle

7. Jimmie Skinner / Never No Mo' Blues / Bluegrass Banjos!

8. The Twin Cats / Unknown / Live At The Jazz Kitchen

9. Built To Spill / Happiness / Ancient Melodies Of The Future

10. Mouse On Mars / Yippie / Niun Niggung

11. The Black Santiagos / Ole / Nigeria Afrobeat Special - The New Explosive Sound in 1970's Nigeria

12. Charlene Kaye / Strike A Chord / Things I Will Need In The Past

13. Lightsweetcrude / Kaafi Funk / Lightsweetcrude

14. Stealin' Strings / Left / Hot Dog

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the podcast!

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode4.mp3

Featured Artist: Red Stick Ramblers

2011-03-02T00:01:00.002-06:00

Red Stick Ramblers

The music of Louisiana has a lot in common with the cuisine. An initial blast of heat usually commands attention right off the bat, but then -- slowly, but surely -- all sorts of subtler notes start to creep in, making for an irresistibly captivating experience. That’s the vibe that emanates from The Red Stick Ramblers, an appropriately-named aggregation that builds stylistic bridges spanning the decades -- not to mention connecting styles as diverse as traditional Cajun, western swing, blues and old-school jazz. (via facebook.com/redstickramblers)

Episode 3

2011-02-27T23:00:00.000-06:00

So I missed a week... sorry about that. However, I'm very happy to report that I'm officially on the way to being a volunteer for the amazing CHIRP Radio here in Chicago and that's been taking up a little bit of time lately. Hopefully there will be some updates on this soon.

As for this week's playlist, I'd like to give a shout out to A.A. Dowd (one damn talented film critic) for making me give another listen to The Decemberists newest album The King Is Dead. The second time around I realized that album does indeed kick a whole lot of ass and it's great to see an already successful band continue to push themselves. By all means those fine Portlanders could've just kept making The Crane Wife over and over and people would've loved it... I would've loved it. But, because they're interested in furthering their craft they came up with the under appreciated rock opera Hazards of Love and have now gone Americana with the quite beautiful The King Is Dead. After seeing Radiohead fall flat with The King of Limbs, it's refreshing to see successful bands continue to push themselves forward.

And speaking of a step forward, The Flaming Lips make an appearance on this week's playlist much for the same reason as The Decemberists. On the first listen I really wasn't sure about Embryonic, but after listening to it on a long Michigan bus ride last Spring I fell in love with the fusion of their old and new sounds. So naturally it came to mind when putting all this together and I had to share one of my favorites off the album.

Ramble ramble ramble, here's the playlist. Please enjoy!

Artist / Track / Album

1. The Decemberists / All Arise! / The King Is Dead

2. The Bar-Kays / Shake Your Rump To The Funk / Too Hot To Stop

3. Blue Eyed Devils / Lone Mountain / The Legend of Shorty Brown

4. The Urges / You Don't Look So Good / SXSW 2009 Showcasing Artists

5. Lyn Christopher / Take Me With You / Pulp Fusion Vol. 9 - Bustin' Loose

6. Blind Melon / The Pusher / Nico

7. Buena Vista Social Club / El Cuarto de Tula / Buena Vista Social Club

8. Band Of Horses / Islands On The Coast / Cease To Begin

9. Toots & The Maytals / Pressure Drop / Live (Remaster)

10. T.H. White / Fantasy Pictures / Company Book

11. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings / 100 Days, 100 Nights / 100 Days, 100 Nights

12. Bo Diddley / Say Man, Back Again (Alt. Take) / Chess Box

13. The Flaming Lips / Silver Trembling Hands / Embryonic

14. Beirut / Carousels / Lon Gisland E.P.

15. Wilco w/ Fleet Foxes / I Shall Be Released / Live

http://ia600405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode3.mp3

Episode 2

2011-02-16T17:39:00.000-06:00

Greetings!

Pretty damn excited to be back on a weekly playlist rotation and keeping this podcast going. This week's selections have a mix of new and old and some curve balls. It was a few years ago now, but I'm still finding that a lot of folks don't know about the instrumental album The Beastie Boys did, so it's always a treat to throw one of those tracks into the mix. Kinda wish they'd been making that kind of music all along, but where would the world be without Brass Monkey? Toubab Krewe is a band I cannot praise enough and Lamines Tune is one of my favorites to showcase their truly unique blend of surf rock and African rhythm. Rounding out this week's playlist is legendary bluesman Junior Kimbrough, an artist brought into the light for we new generation types by Black Keys tribute album Chulahoma back in 2006. If you haven't listened to either be prepared for both to become heavy rotation in no time.

With no further ado, here's what you'll be getting in this week's installment:

Artist / Track / Album

1. The Mountain Goats / This Year / The Sunset Tree

2. Toubab Krewe / Lamines Tune / Live At The Orange Peel

3. Frank Zappa / Electric Aunt Jemima / Uncle Meat

4. The Wiyos / Stomp / Broken Land Bell

5. Cake / Commissioning A Symphony In C / Comfort Eagle

6. The Beastie Boys / B For My Name / The Mix-Up

7. Radio Moscow / Introduction > Frustrating Sound / Radio Moscow

8. The Dansettes / Oh My! (Featuring Jaime) / That New Music Smell

9. Euforquestra / Backbone / Soup

10. BoomBox / Showboat / downriverelectric

11. The Raconteurs / Top Yourself / Consolers Of The Lonely

12. Entrain / 9-Bar Samba / Entrain Live: Volume 2 "Right Away People"

13. The Cat Empire / Two Shoes / Two Shoes

14. Junior Kimbrough / I Feel Alright / Meet Me in the City

http://ia700405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Episode2.mp3

Episode 1

2011-02-09T20:57:00.000-06:00

It's been far too long since Some Kind of Jam was part of the podcast community, but fret not friends, that time has come to an end! It's still slightly unpolished, but the important thing is it's up and running. There are no liners, promos or anything of the sort in this edition, but those be added in the future to remind all y'all about the Facebook and Twitter; don't worry, they'll be short and hopefully something you'll at least get a chuckle out of.

Also, as of this moment, Some Kind of Jam has gone sans voice overs of any kind. I've debated doing an intro of sorts and read backs for each set so you know what you're listening to, but now that this is exclusively a podcast the playlists are online all over the place and in the future will be included in the individual episodes in iTunes. If you feel you're missing the read backs, concert info and short quips about the artists please feel free to send me an email at DJPretentious@SomeKindofJam.com. I do miss the interviews and in-studio performances, but there are wheels in motion to potentially alleviate both of those problems. Stay tuned for more info on all that jazz.

Now, about this first episode. Pressure can be felt when something's starting brand new, but luckily this show ain't new. So, I tried to pick some of my favorites (while saving even more for later episodes) to create a varied mix and match playlist to get back to what I felt made this show great when it was on air. This first episode has more than its fair share of artists you may recognize, which is something that won't necessarily be the trend ongoing, but the big guns had to be brought out right off the bat. If you hear something you like please visit that artists page and check em out in more detail... that's what them there links be for.

With no further ado, the playlist for Some Kind of Jam's first(ish) podcast:

Artist / Track / Album

1. My Morning Jacket / Off The Record / Okonokos

2. Diplomats Of Solid Sound / Trouble Me / The Diplomats Of Solid Sound featuring The Diplomettes

3. Konono Nº1 / Nsimba & Nzuzi / Live At Couleur Café

4. The Black Keys / I'll Be Your Man / The Big Come Up

5. Gogol Bordello / My Companjera / Trans-Continental Hustle

6. Forro In The Dark / I Wish (Featuring David Byrne) / Bonfires Of São João

7. Les Claypool / One Better / Of Whales and Woe

8. The Budos Band / Mas O Menos / The Budos Band II

9. Gnarls Barkley / Who's Gonna Save My Soul / The Odd Couple

10. Kermit Ruffins / Palm Court Strut / Big Easy

11. Mr. Scruff / Music Takes Me Up / Ninja Tuna

12. Red Stick Ramblers / Old Fashioned Two-Step / My Suitcase Is Always Packed

13. The Black Lips / Short Fuse / 200 Million Thousand

14. The Mumlers / Coffin Factory / Don't Throw Me Away

15. MC5 / Kick Out the Jams / Kick Out the Jams

http://ia700405.us.archive.org/16/items/SomeKindOfJamVol.1/Itunes201102022148.mp3

Featured Artist: Eli "Paperboy" Reed

2011-01-30T14:00:00.001-06:00

Eli "Paperboy" Reed

Growing up in Brookline, MA, Eli Reed had wide exposure to music. His father was a critic and lent his extensive record collection to his son, who soaked up as much as he could, gravitating toward the gospel, soul, blues, and R&B albums especially. Reed taught himself piano, guitar, and harmonica, and busked in Boston's Harvard Square to practice his chops and performing skills.

After finishing high school he found work in Clarksdale, MS. Upon moving there, and finding that the job had fallen through, Reed introduced himself to the music community, playing frequently at local clubs and even ending up under the tutelage of drummer Sam Carr. It was in Mississippi that Reed also got his nickname, "Paperboy," thanks to the newsboy-styled hat he was wearing at the time.

After nine months there, at his parents' bequest he moved north to attend the University of Chicago. In Chicago Reed was able to meet soul singer Mitty Collier, who had had a hit in 1964 with the single "I Had a Talk with My Man" but had since turned to ministry. The young musician impressed her so much -- he auditioned on the piano in his dormitory -- that she asked him to be the Minister of Music at her church, a position he held until he returned to Boston after a year of school.

Back home, Reed worked on assembling his band, called the True Loves, and in 2005 he self-released the record Sings "Walkin' and Talkin' (For My Baby)" and Other Smash Hits, a collection of covers and originals.

The band began to gain recognition around town, particularly thanks to Reed's enthused and passionate singing, and a performance at 2007's SXSW attracted some label interest. Signed to Boston-based Q Division, Eli "Paperboy" Reed & the True Loves issued their second full-length, Roll with You (with all songs written or co-written by Reed), in the spring of 2008.

Since then Reed and the True Loves have toured the world and gained international attention for their famously fiery live shows. 2009 promises more touring (including trips to Australia and Japan) and a highly anticpated new album in the fall.

This Time It's Free!

2011-01-13T11:28:00.000-06:00

The Best of Live on Some Kind of Jam

"What's this?" you may ask yourself, "haven't I already seen this before?" Yes, yes you have but that was whilst this show was gracing the Thursday 5-7 time slot at WIDR. Many a fine artist came through during the Kalamazoo years and last spring their performances were collected into one super mega amazing album given away during WIDR Week (the station's annual fundraiser) for any donation of $10 or over. However, you can get this digital copy for absolutely nothing! If you still feel the need to support public radio (and why wouldn't you?) WIDR has the built cyborgs to gain the ability to DONATE ONLINE; and it's a tax write off, so that's pretty sweet.

I'm not going to lie, this is something a filler album to get y'all by while things get sorted out here in Some Kind of Jam land (which shouldn't imply that this mix is somehow not epic, because it is). The new URL has been purchased and podcasting equipment is on the way, so very very soon this show will transition back into podcast form. A devolution while evolving of sorts if you will. There are also some feelers out there to find a new home for this orphan blog/podcast thingmajig type deal mabob and some of them are going quite well. Fingers crossed.

Anyway, these live performances kick ass and the quality of the recording continues to amaze me. So while things around here get sorted please enjoy the following:

1. Funktion - 1+1+1 is 3
2. BoomBox Liner
3. BoomBox- No Joke
4. Who Hit John? - Blue Train
5. Oridjinns - No Comment
6. Luke Winslow-King Trio Liner
7. Luke Winslow-King Trio - Cake Walkin' Babies From Home
8. The Werks - Liquid
9. WIDR Liner
10. The Ragbirds - Finally Almost Ready
11. Midtown Underground - Pot Pie
12. WIDR Liner
13. Bump - Antidote
14. Urban Abstraction - Untitled
15. Doctor Dwyer - Sid & Sri (New D-Jam)
16. Greensky Bluegrass Liner
17. Greensky Bluegrass - All Four
18. Ultraviolet Hippopotamus - WIDR Jam

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS ALBUM!

The Second Annual Christmapodtacular!

2010-12-23T11:24:00.001-06:00

The Second Annual Christmapodtacular!

Season's greetings! At this time last year Some Kind of Jam took a two week hiatus to celebrate xmas and NYE and thus was born the first ever Christmapodtacular; to that point the only online exclusive for this show. Even though the show is now completely online and not a podcast I see no reason to deny you fair listeners your Christmapodtaculistic celebrations. For those of you that don't celebrate Christmas, no need to worry there aren't actually any Christmas songs on this mix. For those of you that do celebrate this time of year, the Christmapodtacular makes a great stocking stuffer!

1. The Band - Ophelia

2. Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Shake It & Break It (feat. Andrew Bird)

3. Stephen Malkmus & The Million Dollar Bashers - Ballad Of A Thin Man

4. Otis Redding - Any Ole Way

5. Fiona Apple - Tymps (The Sick In The Head Song)

6. Aleph-1 - DB

7. David Bowie - Moonage Daydream

8. Alash - Bashtak Joke

9. The Beta Band - The House Song

10. Apples In Stereo - Go

11. Balkan Beat Box - Blue Eyed Black Boy

12. Ali Farka Toure - I Go Ka

13. Dungen - Sjutton

14. The American Analog Set - Like Foxes Through Fences

15. Gov't Mule - It Hurts Me Too (Acoustic Live)

16. Galactic - ...And I'm Out Featuring Mr. Lif

17. Tom Waits - Depot, Depot

18. Al Green - Take Me To The River

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS MIX

Welcome Back Winter, You Ol Beautiful Son Of A Bitch

2010-12-06T19:04:00.003-06:00

Never Trust A Snowman

OK, so one of the many New Years Resolutions here in Some Kind of Jam land is to NOT go two months without putting up a download for the fair listeners. Sorry about that. The good news, however, is that things have changed yet again and the mixes have gone back to the traditional format from the radio days. After doing some "studies" in Afrobeat and Bluegrass I've come to the conclusion that there are finite options and they take a damn long time to put together. All of that aside, variety is the spice of some sort of delicious stew you may not have tried yet.

The current mix doesn't have so much to do with the changing weather as it does with what's been in heavy rotation on my computer, in my head, or just something I think y'all will enjoy. Basically the mixes have gone back to the weekly format from the WIDR days. There will still be focused mixes from time to time, but losing the self-imposed restrictions should allow for more frequent downloads. I will say this is quite a bit of fun to listen to while walking down the street.

If you have any recommendations please feel free to leave some comments here on the blog or on the Facebook page. With no further ado here's the track listing for Never Trust A Snowman:

1. Laura Reed & Deep Pocket - Train

2. Eli 'Paperboy' Reed & The True Loves - Am I Wasting My Time

3. Dark Meat - Well Fuck You Then

4. The Flaming Lips & Stardeath and White Dwarfs - On the Run (feat. Henry Rollins)

5. Beirut - The Gulag Orkestar

6. Nina Simone - Do I Move You?

7. Man Man - Black Mission Goggles

8. The Allman Brothers Band - Don't Keep Me Wonderin'

9. Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass - Whipped Cream (Anthony Marinelli Remix Featuring Ozomatli)

10. The White Stripes - Stop Breaking Down

11. The Believers - Mr. Hot Pants a.k.a. Across the Track, Pt. 1-2

12. Total Blam Blams - Find Me A Woman

13. Fleet Foxes - Mykonos

14. Dan Auerbach - Mean Monsoon

15. Daft Punk - Around The World / Harder Better Faster Stronger

16. The Black Angels - Doves

17. Detektivbyrån - Kärlekens alla färjor

18. John Mayall - What'd I Say

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS MIX

Featured Artist: BoomBox

2010-12-05T21:25:00.001-06:00

downriverelectric

Switching things up for the featured artist and spreading the word about BoomBox's highly anticipated second studio album, downriverelectric. The easy thing to say would be that this album picks up where their debut Visions of Backbeat left off, but that would be very very wrong. It's not a completely different vibe, but it is tighter and more honed in on what this duo wants their sound to be.

Hell, you must've watched Reading Rainbow so don't take my word for it, CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW THE ALBUM. And, as per usual, if you like what you hear sign up for their mailing list below.

BoomBox In Studio Session

2010-10-12T22:27:00.000-05:00

BoomBox Live on Some Kind of Jam

In the late fall of 2007 the traveling two man dance party known as BoomBox made the long trek north from Muscle Shoals, Alabama to lil ol Kalamazoo and rocked the house to a sold out Bell's crowd. But not before gracing the WIDR studios for a solid hour of some of the best radio Some Kind of Jam was very happy to slap its name on. To this day the sound quality of the recording surprises people, it honestly sounds CD quality (which has more than just a little to do with Mr. Randolph).

Just in case you've been living under a non-funky rock for a little while, BoomBox is Producer/Engineer/DJ/Drummer Russ Randolph and Producer/DJ/Vocalist/Guitarist Zion Rock Godchaux. These two virtuosos of modern music mix elements of funk, drum n bass, electro, rock n roll and pretty much whatever else strolls through their stream of conscious and roll it into a sound I challenge you not to bob your head to. You'll be reaching for your dance shoes by the third song. Go ahead, try it out. Here's what's on the in-studio session:

1. Mr. Boogie Man

2. No Joke

3. Tonight

4. Zion Speaks

5. *

6. India

7. Monterreo

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS ALBUM

P.S. They recently released their much anticipated second album downriverelectric, their first studio album since 2005. Yeah, it's good.

Featured Artist: Albino!

2010-10-12T22:06:00.001-05:00

ALBINO!

The SF Music Award winning band ALBINO! is a San Francisco Bay Area-based 10-piece Afrobeat ensemble that honors the fiery legacy of Afrobeat inventor Fela Kuti by melding tightly crafted arrangements and jazz-tinged harmony with propulsive, high energy grooves. Whenever this funk-fueled juggernaut performs, ALBINO! re-acquaints listeners with what it feels like to truly groove, and infuses audiences with an ecstatic energy that pours forth from the stage. Witnessing all ten members of this garish behemoth locking into choreographed step is as much of a feast for the eyes as the band's deliciously layered funk is for the ears. According to the SF Weekly, "This is world music that lives up to its name."

Sai Hankuri: An Experiment in Afrobeat

2010-09-25T11:57:00.000-05:00

This is the mix I've had in mind since starting the downloads. Sai Hankuri (which translates to “Have Patience”) is a compilation of innovators and up and comers ranging from 1970's Nigeria to modern day Iowa embodying the glorious sound that is Afrobeat. As is the case with many of the worlds best genres, Afrobeat originated out of hardship and a desire for social change and is still used as social commentary and critiques to this day. There's much more to say on the matter, but it's better heard from the artists that created and were inspired by this amazing genre.

Some Kind of Jam proudly presents:

Sai Hankuri: An Experiment in Afrobeat

1. Mad Man Jaga - Hankuri

2. Euforquestra - Ochosi

3. Sir Shina Peters & His International Stars - Yabis

4. ALBINO! - Jing Bongwa

5. Mifuné - Supercrush

6. Ernesto Djedje - Zadie Bobo

7. Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra - Beaten Metal

8. Toubab Krewe - Devil Woman

9. Tunji Oyelana & The Benders - Iwo Ko La Dami

10. Orlando "Cachaito" López - A Gozar El Tumbao

11. Chicago Afrobeat Project - Bscg2

12. Mahmoud Ahmed - Atawurulegn Léla

13. Fela Kuti & The Africa 70 - Black Man's Cry (feat. Ginger Baker)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS MIX

Featured Artist: Funktion

2010-09-25T11:39:00.001-05:00

Funktion

Funktion, the 8-man band based in Kalamazoo, MI, delivers their dare-you-not-to-dance blend of funk and soul with a hip-hop beat that isn’t afraid to straddle genres – including rock and jazz. This lends to a gritty and some times flat-out rambunctious flavor in their live shows. Whether they’re entertaining in a small basement bar or a Chicago club, the rhythm section lays down a skillful, yet simple groove, while up from the center comes a shockwave of energy from the driving percussion and soulful vocals. Don’t worry, the horn line isn’t just for show. They provide slinky, yet powerful grooves, subtle vocal harmonizing and when the mood strikes, some dance moves that beg the audience to join them. Funktion’s high-energy performances are as intoxicating as whatever’s on tap. Night after night their live shows bring the kind of soul-stirring experience usually reserved for Sunday mornings. - Emily Haines

Funk It Up!

2010-09-08T21:16:00.001-05:00

Hello friends!

Well it took eons longer than I originally thought, but I finally have a stable internet connection and therefore will be updating this puppy quite a bit more often. I'm still working on a fresh mix to be posted next week, so in the meantime I have for you one of my favorite in studio performances from the days at WIDR. At this point in time Funktion and Some Kind of Jam go way back, but this performance was the Kalamazoo based band's first appearance on the show. This was before their roster beefed up to its current eight members, but one listen to this jam session will prove without a doubt that the original six could handle themselves just fine.

Here's the track listing and you can download the mix by clicking RIGHT HERE!

1. Body Heat

2. Hypnotize

3. Number 4

4. 1+1+1 is 3

5. Mellowship Slinky

6. Where It Goes

7. Pass The Peas

If you're interested to find out a bit more about the Funktion boys they're currently the Featured Artist on this very blog, or you can visit them on Facebook.

Featured Artist: The Gourds

2010-09-06T12:50:00.002-05:00

The Gourds

Whether you think The Gourds non-sequitur loving n'ere-do-wells or post-modern lyrical geniuses, their mandala-like musical vignettes and gulps of down-home authenticity can not be denied. Musical lifers and road dogs to the end, Kevin 'Shinyribs' Russell, Jimmy Smith, Max Johnston, Keith Langford and Claude Bernard remain at once roots music's envelope pushers and its torch bearers, its purveyors of Joyce-ian density and nickel novel groove - its Jekyll and its Hyde.

While the Gourds studio efforts have all been well received, their high-energy live performances and constant touring have earned them the reputation of a band that must be seen to be appreciated. As a result, they enjoy a dedicated fan base that is happy to follow them from town to town, and have become a favorite among those who tape live music.

On a random note, it was The Gourds and NOT Phish that made the bluegrass cover of Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice" over twelve years ago. If you thought that was good take a listen to their original material.

Featured Artist: Michael Bellar/The AS-IS Ensemble

2010-08-13T16:56:00.002-05:00

Michael Bellar/The AS-IS Ensemble

Michael Bellar has performed music on six continents but being a native of North Carolina, he stands by his slow, southern roots. Along with creating music and touring with his group, the AS-IS Ensemble, Michael has also toured and or recorded with Amos Lee, Art Garfunkel, Howie Day, Wheatus, Jump Little Children, Teddy Geiger, Euro pop superstar Giorgia and Jay Clifford’s Rosebud. His national TV appearances include Late Night with David Letterman, the Late Show with Conan O’Brien Show, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Ellen Degeneres Show, TRL, Good Morning America, Regis and Kelly and the CBS Morning Show. Michael has produced and scored music for CUT Music (LA), Fluid (NYC), Bang Music and Razorhead.

Michael is the founder, composer and keyboardist of the AS-IS Ensemble. This highly excitable, alt-jazz group has performed at such venues as Avery Fischer Hall at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, South By Southwest and the JVC, Bell Atlantic and New York City Winter Jazz Festivals along with being the former house band at the world-famous Blue Note jazz club in NYC. They have opened for John Scofield, Tea Leaf Green, Medeski Martin & Wood, Grant Green Jr. and JFJO. In a review of their first ever performance in New York City, they were hailed as “Generation Next” by Billboard Magazine. The group has recorded three studio CDs – “Turned On Turned Up” (2009), “Like It Is,” and “REACT!”

Bluegrass!

2010-08-09T17:33:00.001-05:00

Whether it's sitting on the porch or driving around with the windows down, everything about summer is better with some bluegrass. I first fell in love with the genre at Bell's Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo a few years back thanks to hometown heroes Greensky Bluegrass (hence the two appearances on this double disc album). It's an old genre to say the least, but with a new generation of pickers up and coming all across the nation it's obvious this foot-stompin good time will NOT being going the way of disco or the Beta Max.

This marks the first fresh mix for Some Kind of Jam in nearly two months, so hopefully y'all like it. Not sure if I'm going to continue the study of genres like this or go back to mixing it up song by song. What I am sure of is that I'm not overly chatty right now and without any further ado proudly present:

Two High Turtles, Nitty Gritty Duhks & Devil Ramblers: An Experiment In Bluegrass

Disc 1:
1. Greensky Bluegrass - Train Junkie
2. Arnett Hollow - Carnival
3. Béla Fleck & The Flecktones - When Joy Kills Sorrow
4. The Infamous Stringdusters - A Hundred Years From Now
5. Old Crow Medicine Show - Don't Ride That Horse
6. Two High String Band - Sonny's Ride
7. Chris Thile - Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground
8. Emmitt-Nershi Band - I Come From The Country
9. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Somethin' Dangerous
10. Pickin' Buds - Toppin' The Crop
11. Spring Creek - My Love Is Way Up On A Mountain
12. Bryan Sutton & Friends - Big Island Hornpipe
13. The Gourds - Ghosts Of Hallelujah
14. Cornmeal - Hillbilly Ride

Disc 2:
1. Who Hit John? - Birthed From The Earth
2. Andy Hall - The Chase
3. Devil In A Woodpile - You Just Well to Let Her Go
4. Alison Krauss & Union Station - Every Time You Say Goodbye
5. The Marlin Hot Strings - Ptarmigan In The Tundra
6. Red Stick Ramblers - Nonc' Yorick (La Bataille de 1916)
7. Hot Buttered Rum - Firefly
8. Yonder Mountain String Band - Rambler's Anthem
9. Trampled By Turtles & Chatham County Line - Ceiling Slide
10. Michael Beauchamp - Gamble/Drink All My Money
11. No Time Flatt - Klinch Mountain Backstep
12. Keller & The Keels - Cold Roses
13. The Duhks - Pretty Boy Floyd/Stoney Point
14. Sam Bush - The Old North Woods
15. Greensky Bluegrass - Time>Breathe Reprise

CLICK HERE to download this album.

If you like what you're hearing please take the time to visit the artists websites and poke around for upcoming shows, albums and all that gloriousness.

As an Iron Chef may say: Please Enjoy.

Luke Winslow-King Trio

2010-07-21T21:33:00.000-05:00

Luke Winslow-King Trio

You have before you some fabulous New Orleans jazz, delta blues, ragtime and folk all rolled into one in studio performance. Michigan's own Luke Winslow-King packed a few bags, grabbed some friends and made the long trek north from his current hometown (New Orleans) this past winter for a brief Midwest tour and was gracious enough to stop by the WIDR studios before his show at The Strutt. The reward for this cross country trip? A sousaphone, drum set, traveling amp and three grown men all crammed into a room that would be considered by some a sizable closet. In spite of the small space the fellas sounded great and the recording came out sounding like a fresh pressed live(ish) CD. I'd tell you more about it, but it'd probably be a lot easier to just download it and enjoy for yourself, no? Just CLICK HERE to get your copy.

If you like what you hear, he recently released his second studio album Old/New Baby which you can preview and purchase by clicking that there link.

On an off note, I'm well aware I'm digging into an old bag of tricks again this week for the download. The majority of the downloads will be fresh sooner than later, but for now it's nice to release these studio sessions cut into tracks for y'all to enjoy instead of the long continuous stream they were as a podcast. I've finally managed to cut the majority of the in studio performance into tracks, so almost every artist that came through and played on the show will be featured on here at some point. If there are any you'd like to see on here drop me a line on the brand new Facebook Page and I'll get it done.

The next download will be a fresh mix, hope y'all are in the mood for some bluegrass!

Michigan Jams!

2010-07-12T17:41:00.000-05:00

Some Kind of Jam lives on!

As promised the show formerly favoring the WIDR airwaves has officially gone online with this post. The first download is something of an oldie, but most certainly a goodie. The Michigan Jams compilation was originally a gift to the generous donors for WIDR Week back in 2008 and can now be yours. The album is comprised entirely of Michigan based artists, nearly all of which are still touring and branching out of the mitten as well.

Here's the playlist:

1. Ultraviolet Hippopotamus - North Coast
2. Back Forty - Groove Tractor
3. The Macpodz - Token House
4. Four Finger Five Liner
5. Four Finger Five - Change
6. Larry David Liner
7. Daisy May - Big Mama Brown
8. Ignorant Mob - Monsieur Le President
9. Steppin' In It - Giuliani's Blues
10. Rootstand - Kalamazoo Song
11. Goldfish Swallowing
12. Bump - Antidote
13. Covert Operations - Opportunity Missed
14. Jam Samich - One Way Ticket
15. Batman & Robin
16. The Ragbirds - Ypsilanti Song
17. Joshua Davis - Bessie May
18. Seth Bernard - Angelo's
19. George W. Bush Liner
20. The T-Lo Effect - 4 On 6
21. Greensky Liner
22. Greensky Bluegrass - Tied Down

To download this album simply click this here link -> Michigan Jams. This is a zip file, which is pretty much the only way these downloads can be done. If you need any help with this here's how to unzip a file.

This post is the first of what could be many to come. Some will be the in studio performances previously only available in one big long continuous file and some will the mix and match playlist you've come to know and love from Some Kind of Jam. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or requests feel free to email DJPretentious@gmail.com.

If you'd like to be alerted when a new album is available for download, start following Some Kind of Twitter.

Enjoy the some of the best the Great Lakes state has to offer!

Don't Be Square Jamz

2010-06-17T00:46:00.000-05:00

Some Kind of Jam is indeed nearly done at WIDR 89.1FM. But, fret not! Like a phoenix from the ashes comes Don't Be Square Jamz! The ongoing web-based podcast will take over the 5:00 - 7:00pm shift at WIDR July 1st.

If you're a band looking to hit the WIDR airwaves, contact DJ Bosco at eric@dontbesquare.com. WIDR is still fully capable of in studio performances and Don't Be Square Jamz will most likely keep that tradition going.

The End Is Nigh!

2010-06-04T17:40:00.000-05:00

That's right boys and girls, Some Kind of Jam's time at 89.1FM WIDR is coming to an end. It's a very sad day indeed to see the show transition from its origins and only home to this point, but tough decisions MUST be made.

Starting next month, the show will go viral with all sorts of glorious downloads available to you, the loyal listener. The possibility of the podcast continuing is not off the table, but is not in stone yet either.

No matter what, tune to 89.1fm in the greater Kalamazoo region or the WIDR Webstream to listen to the VERY LAST edition of Some Kind of Jam THURSDAY, JUNE 24TH from 5:00pm - 9:00pm!

If you have any requests or last wishes feel free to share them on the Facebook Event page.

Best of Live on Some Kind of Jam!

2010-05-13T16:22:00.003-05:00

Well, it's been a long time coming, but The Best of Live on Some Kind of Jam is finally here! Coinciding with the show's 3rd birthday, this CD is the first ever compilation of the best on air performances to grace the Thursday 5-7 slot on WIDR. The album was originally given away during WIDR Week, our annual fundraiser round here, for any donation of $10 or over.

However, a digital copy can be yours for the low low price of $5! All you have to do is DONATE ONLINE, take a screenshot (on MAC or PC) of the receipt and send a copy to me at DJPretentious@gmail.com and the album shall be yours!

What's on this CD that would be worth my hard earned $5, you may ask? Well, I'll let the track listing do the talking:

1. Funktion - 1+1+1 is 3
2. BoomBox Liner
3. BoomBox- No Joke
4. Who Hit John? - Blue Train
5. Oridjinns - No Comment
6. Luke Winslow-King Trio Liner
7. Luke Winslow-King Trio - Cake Walkin' Babies From Home
8. The Werks - Liquid
9. WIDR Liner
10. The Ragbirds - Finally Almost Ready
11. Midtown Underground - Pot Pie
12. WIDR Liner
13. Bump - Antidote
14. Urban Abstraction - Untitled
15. Doctor Dwyer - Sid & Sri (New D-Jam)
16. Greensky Bluegrass Liner
17. Greensky Bluegrass - All Four
18. Ultraviolet Hippopotamus - WIDR Jam

Pretty sweet, right? DONATE ONLINE today and it's all yours.

As always, thank you for your support of radio evolution!

Jesterfest II @ The Strutt!

2010-04-05T14:34:00.001-05:00

Royal Jester Productions is very proud to present Jesterfest II!

The second annual two day celebration of music to be held at The Strutt in Kalamazoo, MI. Just to make things even better, the event will be sponsored by WIDR 89.1FM!

The festival will be kicked off by Kalamazoo's own Urban Abstraction. Founded in the early months of 2009 in Kalamazoo, the group's overall mindset is inspired by the improvisational mentality of many Jazz greats, both past and present. Urban Abstraction goes into each performance with concrete musicial ideas, but relies on improvisation to complete the sound. This approach is not only exciting for the musicians, but also for the listeners, making each experience a unique one.

Headlining THURSDAY, APRIL 22ND will be This Must Be The Band, a Talking Heads Tribute Band that only plays Talking Heads music, and, if possible, 3 to 4 hours at a time. Since forming in May 2007, TMBTB has been Burning Down The House throughout Chicago and the entire midwest. With a rapidly expanding repertoire from the Talking Heads’ catalog of countless hits, TMBTB highlights the best of the Talking Heads, equipped with their very own Bernie Worrell, Adrian Belew, Lynn Mabry, and Ednah Holt.

FRIDAY, APRIL 23RD will begin with Kalamazoo native Michael Beauchamp. With his powerful voice and mournful guitar licks, Beauchamp spins beautifully melodic yarns about lost love, discovery, and the playful allure of live music. He writes songs that hearken back to old-time, bluegrass, and the '60's folk revival as part of the vibrant and growing Michigan music scene. He is also a member of the Earthwork Music Collective - many of whose members (including the band Breathe Owl Breathe) helped him produce his debut solo album, My Northern Voices, released in 2008.

He will be followed by fellow Earthwork musician Rachel Davis, who has been singing on-stage since she was two years old. Being born to parents who never intended to keep her very far from music for very long seems to have made all the difference in the world. Before she could walk Rachel would be set in a car seat and placed in the middle of a song circle, and with silver bells on her ankles she would shake her feet to the rhythm. In September of 2001, Rachel moved to Boston and within the span of seven months was awarded a Boston Music Award for Best New Singer-Songwriter. Her influences range from the jazz stylings of Ella Fitzgerald to the soulful pop vocals of Patty Griffin -- with many more in between. She is a contemporary songwriter but is equally at home singing anything from traditional ballads to Cole Porter to Joe Henry.

And closing out the weekend will be Joshua Davis. His music is steeped in ragtime blues, sweet jazz, real country and cajun, and Davis blends these traditions with his love for gritty rock n' roll and old soul. The result is what Performing Songwriter Magazine calls, "Some of the liveliest and most rocking roots music around.”

Mr. Davis travels across the country playing at concert halls, old theatres, festivals, clubs, dives, classrooms and parks. He’s released a number of albums, including his 2005 solo effort, Fool Rooster, which earned the album of the year slot from “Progressive Torch and Twang”, a cult favorite Americana show on WDBM. He’s released four albums with roots-rocking quartet Steppin’ In It, one album of jazz standards with Shout Sister Shout, and has appeared on too many albums to count.

Facebook Event

THURSDAY, APRIL 22ND:

This Must Be The Band (Talking Heads Tribute)

Urban Abstraction

FRIDAY, APRIL 23RD:

Josh Davis

Rachel Davis

Michael Beauchamp

WIDR ALLNIDR Performances Available For Download

2010-04-01T16:14:00.000-05:00

Kalamazoo's own Urban Abstraction and Doctor Dwyer (pictured above) both stopped in studio last week and represented Some Kind of Jam amazingly well as part of the WIDR ALLNIDR, the first ever day dedicated to live performances going over the airwaves. If you'd like to get a copy of these sets, or any of the others that happened throughout the day, all you have to do is click THIS LINK.

Both artists will also be featured on The Best of Live on Some Kind of Jam, a compilation CD featuring the best in-studio performances to take place on the show over the past three years. The album will go to anyone who has, or is going to donate $10 to WIDR, which you can do at any time by Donating Online. Keep posted for more info on this.

Most importantly, thanks to everyone who tuned in and donated during this year's WIDR Week! We literally wouldn't be able to do this without your help.

The Werks Spring Tour Stops by Kalamazoo

2010-03-11T17:32:00.001-06:00

Dayton, Ohio's The Werks will headline the evening of March 27th at Papa Pete's, located at 502 S. Burdick St. The Werks fuse a unique blend of musical styles and influences to produce a distinct and powerful sound that audiences crave; exploring genres such as rock, funk, jam, electronica, soul, bluegrass, jazz, Afro-Cuban, Celtic, R&B and dance.

With their tour radius increasing and the addition of former Maji keyboardist, Norman Dimitrouleas, the band is beginning to turn heads across the US. The success is largely credited to the hard work of their street team as well as the dedication of the band, their fans and a unique performance, which is affected and manipulated by the energy and soul of the audience, guaranteeing that each show will be different and memorable.

Joining them will be Kalamazoo's own Doctor Dwyer and Nunca Duerma. Ranging from all different musical backgrounds, Doctor Dwyer incorporates improvisational electronic jamming along with a creative rock writing process that is sure to be a new experience with every live performance. Nunca Duerma's live performance is typically loud, energetic, and full of bass, often accompanied by live artists/visuals.

The show is presented by Royal Jester Productions, a Kalamazoo based graphic design and event promotions company returning to the musical world after a brief hiatus.
Tickets are just $5.00 at the door, all adults ages 18 and up are welcome. Visit myspace.com/royaljestermidwest for information and updates.

Doctor Dwyer will play live on air at 6:30pm on WIDR 89.1FM’s Some Kind of Jam Thursday, March 25th as part of WIDR Week (the stations annual fundraiser). Check out the Facebook Event for more info.

WIDR Week In Studio Performances!

2010-03-07T16:04:00.001-06:00

WIDR 89.1FM will proudly host 12 HOURS OF LIVE MUSIC Thursday, March 25th from 2:00pm-2:00am! Some Kind of Jam will host two of Kalamazoo's finest up and comers Urban Abstraction at 5:00pm and Doctor Dwyer at 6:30pm.

This is all taking place as part of WIDR Week, WIDR's annual fundraiser. If you would like to help keep radio evolution alive Donate to WIDR-FM Online right now!

WIDR Email!

2010-02-26T17:55:00.000-06:00

Hey all!

WIDR is beginning to compile all the names of the kick ass folks who want to support Radio Evolution. Just sign up below and you'll be painlessly added to our database!

The Ragbirds Performance Now Available!

2010-02-23T18:11:00.001-06:00

Hey all, The Ragbirds in studio performance from last week is now available through Some Kind of Jam's Live Performances page on iTunes.

Randall and Erin also stopped in studio to chat about eco-touring, their trip to Japan, a benefit show for the homeless and a whole lot more! Check out the Jamcasts to hear all about it.

And as always thanks for choosing your one and only source for radio evolution WIDR 89.1FM!