Bob started off with a set of Otis Redding in honor of his 79th birthday. Bill was home busily preparing for next week’s secret birthday party show. The show also comprised a set of unusual Neil Young covers, a nod to the California Wildfires, and a recitation of “Hummingbird.”
Bob will be back on September 23 with Bill back on the 30th. We’re not trying to take turns–we’re not that organized–it’s just working out that way. It keeps the virus guessing.
Bob was live in-studio for the first time since March 4, while Bill golfed in Piqua to test out his new foot. Both excursions ended well. Feeling blue without Bill, Bob returned the show to its roots (rhymes with “foots”) with new and old acoustic blues as well as a touch of bluegrass. And, of course, he worked in a little Lightnin’.
In his second straight pre-recorded show from the Compound, Bob paid tribute to Justin Townes Earle who passed away earlier in the week at the age of 38. The show also featured new music from the Jayhawks and Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Bob wished a happy 70th birthday to Bill and Dick Cowsill, giving Bob another chance to talk about his five months without a haircut or beard trim.
Well, the fidelity of this broadcast might be a little better than Bell’s first telephonic exclamation–more like Edison’s waxy “Mary Had A Little Lamb”– but unkempt, unshorn Bob finally was back on the air after a five-month Corona vacation, albeit pre-recorded and from his bunker. Bill, exhausted from carrying the load alone, took the night off even though it meant missing the hilarity of Bob trying to operate the newfangled equipment. Between the muffled patter and ambient sounds and conversations from Bob’s homelife, you can hear new music from Dylan, Earle, Young, Hubbard and more. Thanks for hanging in there with us.
Bill put the spotlight on Lucinda Williams, wished Friend of the Show Kathy Greiner a happy ^)th birthday and thanked Maria Carrelli, Olivia Frances and Travis Talbert for their planned visit that was a victim of the virus.
After reading Robert Hilburn’s biography of Paul Simon, Bill expanded the Spotlight Artist segment to more than half the show, looking at the singer-songwriter’s career that stretches more than 60 years.
With Bob entering his fifth month of self-quarantine, Bill is playing more music each week, including the return of Spotlight Artist. “All the Good Times,” a new album of cover songs by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, was inspiration to visit the catalog of the Nashville duo.
To paraphrase the late, great Barry White, you “Can’t get enough of Blue Snakes & Banjos, baby.” The legendary singer made his BS&B debut on a show that sailed smoothly until the end when Bill signed off with a song by Rod Hamdallah, then mashed the button for Mandolin Orange. Oh well, it’s all part of the charm.
Bob delayed his return after his salon receptionist tested positive for coronavirus and he had to cancel his haircut. Bill stepped into the breech, wishing Debbie Harry, the leader of Blondie, a happy 75th birthday.
Technical glitches (no live streaming, balky CD players) interrupted the usually seamless pandemic presentation, but Bill persevered to get most of the show recorded. And when an episode opens and closes with legendary songwriter Dan Penn, it’s worth a listen
We use cookies to enhance your experience while using our website. If you are using our Services via a browser you can restrict, block or remove cookies through your web browser settings. We also use content and scripts from third parties that may use tracking technologies. You can selectively provide your consent below to allow such third party embeds. For complete information about the cookies we use, data we collect and how we process them, please check our Privacy Policy
