In the early ’80s, skate punk roared out of Phoenix, led by a group of teenagers called Jodie Foster’s Army. On JFA’s 1983 full-length debut, Valley of the Yakes, vocalist Brian Brannon rails against preps, gossipers, cops, and Reagan. But he saves some of his gnarliest lyrics for a local radio deejay, a guy named Johnny D. […]
As the fiddle drops...the newest release from Ramco Records; "Rare And Unissued Fiddle & String Band Music" '47-'50, featuring Eck Robertson, Curly Lewis, Carl Griswold, Everett Holman, Ardell Christopher, Clay Ramsey's Old Timers and others. From the Ramsey Radio Studio, just off 7th Street at Weldon, next to the barber shop. Informative notes by Mr. Joe Baker make this a must have for you old school Arizona music fans out there. Featuring 27 tracks, one hour of hoe down classics! Purchase on Ebay
In the late ‘50s and on through the 1960s, Phoenix, Arizona, was home to a thriving R&B scene. Though no other song catapulted onto the national charts like Dyke and the Blazer’s signature “Funky Broadway,” inspired by the South Phoenix road of the same name, regional soul and funk acts picked up steam in the Valley of the Sun as established artists passed through on the way to the West Coast and performers traveled along the bustling Southern California to Texas black corridor. Culled from the tape vault of Audio Recorders of Arizona by music archivist and legendary Arizona disc jockey John “Johnny D” Dixon and ZIA's Jason Woodbury, [...]
Arizona's PHIL and the FRANTICS finally get the deluxe treatment on this new "Frantically Yours" CD from Ramco Records. Packed with 26 tracks, this long overdue Digipak package includes a big 24 page booklet, with extensive liners by historian Dan Nowicki and lots of unseen pictures and vintage labels for your visual delight. The full story of Phil Kelsey's career as told by his band mates and family, including the group's complete story as the house band at JD's and The Fifth Estate and his latter solo years as Devin Payne. Kelsey died in 2003, never achieving the fame he longed for, but his music lives on as you'll [...]
A fantastic Jazz album by American jazz guitarist and composer LLOYD ELLIS, titled "Ellisintonia," with 26 tracks, many unreleased,on 1 CD, from the archives of Audio Recorders in Phoenix Arizona. Great takes on many standards, along with some Ellis originals, captured on tape in 1959-67 by Jack Miller and Dave Oxman. Ellis worked with: Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Red Norvo Trio, Page Cavanaugh, Liza Minnelli, Steve Lawrence, Phil Harris, Pete Fountain and many others as well as a long solo career. With beautiful packaging and extensive notes by Jazz historian Jim Carlton, this deluxe CD will not disappoint. On Fairmont Records #3881. Available now: eBay & Amazon. [...]
Mid-Century Sounds: Deep Cuts from the Desert is the story of Phoenix, AZ-based studio operator, label owner, and publishing entrepreneur Floyd Ramsey, but per its title, it’s simultaneously a tour of music history spanning 1957 to 1973. Light on mindblowers but consistently engaging, the set offers 29 selections from an assortment of artists; the biggest name included is Waylon Jennings, as Duane Eddy twangs behind the scenes. There’s also Sanford Clark, Al Casey, Tommy Strange, and even a young Wayne Newton. Danke Schoen! Beginning in a honky-tonk and ending in a psychedelic soul shack, the limited-edition double 140gm vinyl in a gatefold sleeve is out now through Fervor Records. Read the rest of [...]
At last, something that I have been working on for many years is finally realized. BDI has placed a beautiful bronze headstone on Ernie Johnson’s grave at Resthaven Cemetery in Phoenix. As you know he was half of the great Eddie & Ernie soul duo that made so many great (and collectible) R&B recordings in the 60’s. Ben Dover Inc. hosted a headstone unveiling recently, where we premiered a wonderful 22 minute interview that I had with Ernie at The Elks Club shortly before his untimely passing in 2005. That video is now up on You Tube for the world to watch and appreciate and you can view now it by [...]
On Lee Hazlewood's 72nd birthday in 2001, the legendary singer, songwriter, and producer performed at a party at The Rhythm Room. The night's curator was Arizona music historian and legendary DJ John "Johnny D" Dixon, who recently assisted the independent label Light In The Attic in compiling a collection of Hazlewood's earliest demos titled 400 Miles From L.A. 1955-1956. "That early time was not successful," says Dixon, recalling the interview he had with the "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" writer included in the release. "So he wasn't glossing over what a wonderful time it was when he was pitching the songs and taking the Greyhound bus over to L.A. and getting [...]
Release Notes 2xLP pressed at RTI & housed in a deluxe Stoughton “tip-on” jacket Tracks mastered from original Viv Records analog tapes Featuring many previously unreleased compositions and an early draft of Trouble Is A Lonesome Town Liner notes by Hunter Lea with an interview from John Dixon Includes archival photos and ephemera Deluxe Bundle (Color Set) includes a treasure trove of Hazlewood rarities created especially for this release: 2x Gold LP, a travel journal, 18×24 silkscreen print, shot glass, and a set of ‘Labels of Lee’ drink coasters, all approved by the Hazlewood estate. Click here to buy
Stan Devereaux isn’t in any hall of fame, and he’s never topped the Billboard charts. But the R&B singer is an important player in Arizona's rich music history, an unsung talent deserving of his time in the sun. On July 5, President Gator Records pays homage to Devereaux with Stars of the Southwest, featuring four previously unreleased songs. Devereaux and his band, The Trendsetters, recorded "Merry Go Round" and "All Over Now" at San Diego’s Quad Room in 1967, and later cut two covers of "This Diamond Ring" and "Conjure Woman" with Phoenix percussionist Steve Forman. Continue Reading... Purchase on eBay