2/9 in a nutshell
We've plugged "skeatles" on this show before, but this week, prepare to meet the real thing! The Skeatles, much like Ringo Ska, are an all-Beatles-covers ska band, this one HQ'd in Groningen, Netherlands, where this live gig recording originated. Our "fab" 4(+2)-in-a-row also had Ringo Ska in it, as well as Skapontas. GotchaSKAvered's J-Lollipops week 2 was sung by Mie Nakao, we had another new Pinstripes track, Sherwood reprised Perez Prado's epic "Voodoo Suite", and the "Ooh" belatedly celebrated the same-day (this past Monday Feb. 6) birthdays of Bob Marley and Derrick Harriott. Jerk to the Ska!

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(2/2 in a nutshell... )
An RSST debut of a brand-spankin-new Pinstripes track in Hour 3, and it's a goodie... "Alright, Baby" from I on a label we haven't heard of called Collective Culture. We also kicked off an entire month of Japanese "Lollies" as we like to call 'em around here, whether it's "My Boy" "My Girl" "My Collie" or who- or what- ever it is that inspired any given singer to cover the 'Pop. This week: Yukari Ito. The 4(+1)@4 is some Prince Buster-related sides, Sherwood spun one of the 'b's on Shiina Ringo's Carnation single in addition to meandering down Jade Warrior's "Dark River", and listen to the tail end of the "Ooh" for this really cool '60s ska oldie... all the way from Soweto, SA! 'Til next time, keep unearthin'...

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1/26 in a nutshell...
Skeatles! Ska Beatles covers by ARTS, Ringo Ska, The Brass Circus and the Clarendonians made up the 4(+1)-in-a-row, followed by the "GotchaSKAllipop", this time by a Swedish outfit called Flamingo Kvintetten, with their 1970 take "Lilla Raringen"... "SvenSKA", indeed! Sherwood dropped another "Buzzz" cut by Tipsy into his mix, and made time flow slowly with substantial help from Serani Poji. Dave Pike had the feelin' with "Spooky", and ... oooooh, how Blue is that Beat at the top of the Opening Oldies Hour? We get three answers... from Chris Farlowe, Rita Hovink, and Joe Meek's Tornados, in that order!

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1/19 in a nutshell...

In which we get Ringrolled! Also, Giuliano Palma comes In From The Cold while The Pietasters stay Out All Night. The Miceteeth are in a Meeting with gigantic (and presumably radioactive) ants, and some outfit called Qypthone don't cover Marley, but Teresa Brewer does cover Millie! And leading up to all that, you ask?
Cool 4(+1)-in-a-row this week__ This Are Post-2Tone!
Starring the original Selecter having just bailed and going direct-to-Chrysalis, the Dammers-less Specials of the '90s (on MCA), the always Buster-ful Bad Manners (on a Fatty-helmed Blue Beat, and later Moon), and Madness undercover as a cover band ("The Dangermen")! In the Voov, Sherwood unearths tracks from a 3rd Tipsy album he'd never heard of before ("Buzzz" on Ipecac) and drops some interesting 45s into his set, and (ooh!) a well-rounded hour of first- and second-generation ska is bookended by King Desmond at the start and Morgan the Hoople at the finish. Inbetween... well, hear it for yourself!

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1/12 in a nutshell...
I just can't do my customary 3rd/2nd/1st-hr. recap this week, 'cuz THEE BIGG highlight this week was in the Opening Oldies Hour (the "Ooh") when we played Name That Ska! What Was That Ska Named?, I hear you asking... well how 'bout Shirley... that's right, Shirley! ...and Maureen, Zella, Lulu and Isabell, to boot. Heck, even Tom, Dick & Harry make an appearance. Between 'em, they've got the whole world doing the Ska! And who better to clear out the room at the end of the hour than Baby Face Nelson? Accompanied by Prince Buster, of course... and good thing, too, 'cuz here comes Sherwood with Reptilicus, no, Birthe Wilke in tow... and also dropping a choice selection from the longest-titled album in the HISTORY of... Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band. Alas, Sherwood must then break the news that one of his favorite bands, Tokyo Jihen (or Tokyo Incidents or Incidents Tokyo, take your pick) are splitting. Last gig's gonna be right on Leap Day, and in 16 years, they'll be marking the 4th anniversary of the breakup... unless they've put it back together before then (hey, hope springs eternal!) Anyway, you'll hear a track from (the forthcoming?) Color Bars 5-track mini. Mutant Frogs did the 4@4, a band called Akatz had the Lollipop, and a companion piece (involving a Butterfly) was provided by someone named Annamarie. No last name given, which was odd for 1964! Si & The Dualers warned us about Jack Frost, and Gina Gina took skiing lessons again. At least she won't have to worry about the fake snow melting!

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