Selvin On The City

Eric Clapton, Sideman

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Eric Clapton did some of his finest work in little known appearances on other people's records, not just "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

ONLY ON 45

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 17:07:19 +0000

Liberating great tracks trapped on the B-side of 45s including seldom heard classics from the Beatles, Stones, Who, Bruce, Van and even the ultra-rare Beach Boys/Four Seasons duet.

BOB DYLAN: SPECIAL GUEST

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 10:30:43 +0000

It's always a party when Bob shows up -- ask Bette Midler, Eric Clapton, Harry Belafonte and Mavis Staples, to name a few.

SESSION MAN: NICKY HOPKINS

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 17:12:02 +0000

What do The Beatles, Stones, Who, Jerry Garcia, Jefferson Airplane, Steve Miller Band, Quicksilver have in common? Their extraordinary keyboard man.

Quincy Jones Soundtracks

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 16:19:04 +0000

QTRAX: Some of the finest work by the multi-talented Quincy Jones can be found on movie soundtracks. He was a pioneer black soundtrack composer who brought a unique, contemporary sound to the big screen.

The Lost Journey Album

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 22:24:19 +0000

The Lost Journey Album: “Dream After Dream,” was recorded in 1980, just before the band’s mainstream popular breakthrough, and only released in Japan. The soundtrack to a little-known Japanese film has only three vocals from Steve Perry and represents a return to the band’s roots in progressive rock.

Todd Rundgren In the Studio

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 22:16:50 +0000

Author Paul Myers visits the basement record library to discuss his book “A Wizard a True Star Todd Rundgren In the Studio.”

The Beserkley Story

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 21:29:32 +0000

Beserkley Records’ “Reigning Looney” Matthew King Kaufman visits the basement record library to recall his subversive rock guerrilla encampment with Earth Quake, Jonathan Richman, Greg Kihn, the Rubinoos and others.

The Rolling Stones, 1971

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sun, 4 Sep 2022 17:31:58 +0000

A 1971 interview with Mick Jagger by the great KSAN dj Tom Donahue, plus rare recordings, focus on the highpoint of the band’s career.

Nicky Hopkins - Session Man

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sun, 4 Sep 2022 14:13:57 +0000

He regularly played on sessions by the Beatles, the Stones, the Who. The Kinks wrote a song about him. When he moved to San Francisco, he played with Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jerry Garcia Band. Was Nicky Hopkins rock’s greatest keyboard man?

George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Live at the Boarding House

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sun, 4 Sep 2022 13:44:40 +0000

From an original KSAN broadcast during one of the first visits to town by George and the boys in 1977, around the time the band released its first album. George keeps giving out the Boarding House phone number (441-4333) and telling the audience to call in their requests.

The Organ Room

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sun, 4 Sep 2022 13:04:07 +0000

Cocktails are served. The organ is ready. Pull up a chair and enjoy an evening at the organ room with Booker T., Lee Michaels, Jimmy Smith, and many surprise guests.

THE GREATEST UNKNOWN GUITAR PLAYER: ROY BUCHANAN

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 23:41:41 +0000

He never lived the reputation down. A retrospective of the tragic life and brilliant career of the master of the Telecaster.

Jerry Lee Lewis

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 23:35:28 +0000

An hour with the Wild One from Louisiana, Jerry Lee Lewis, featuring interviews from the man himself, and rockin’ tracks selected from his expansive career.

Killer B Sides

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 23:30:11 +0000

Rare B sides from the Beatles, Stones, Mellencamp, Seger, Van Halen, others.

Sammy Hagar

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 23:24:58 +0000

A 2005 visit to the basement record library by the Red Rocker, a trip back through his entire amazing career.

The Original Fleetwood Mac

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 23:14:29 +0000

Long before “Rumours,” Fleetwood Mac started out as England’s most blistering blues-rock band, thanks largely to the extraordinary troubled genius, Peter Green.

The Music Of Frank Zappa

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 23:08:41 +0000

A special one-hour devoted entirely to composer Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.

Jersey Boys

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:59:54 +0000

Bob Gaudio of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons visits the basement record library to talk about the Jersey Boys musical and play some of their classic hits.

BIG AL ANDERSON

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:58:54 +0000

Nashville songwriter and guitarist with NRBQ for many years, Anderson sits in at the basement record library to talk over his career.

Let the Good Times Roll – The Music of Louis Jordan

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:23:31 +0000

He was the king of rock and roll… before there was rock and roll.

San Francisco, 1978

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:23:08 +0000

Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. Producer Elliott Peltzman mixes recordings of police radio from City Hall after the Moscone and Milk shootings with classic rock from the same year.

San Francisco’s Greatest Hits – 1967 to 1968!

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:22:57 +0000

Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Country Joe and the Fish, Big Brother and the Holding Company — San Francisco was the center of the rock universe and these were the landmarks of that golden era.

Norton Buffalo

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:22:47 +0000

Norton Buffalo, who died of cancer in October 2009, played on hundreds of albums and everybody he played with thought of him as a friend; from the Doobie Brothers and Bonnie Raitt to Roy Rogers and Steve Miller, whose demo of Buffalo’s “Desert Highway” is heard in public for the first time.

Vietnam - the War on Record

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:22:38 +0000

Taken from the exhaustive 13-CD box set from Germany’s Bear Family Records (courtesy Country Joe McDonald). Produced by Elliott Peltzman.

Fake Bands

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:22:28 +0000

From the Monkees to Spinal Tap, movies and television have always been making up rock bands who then have to make records. A collection of the greatest hits by the never were’s.

The Who

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:22:16 +0000

Author Richie Unterberger (“Won’t Get Fooled Again; The Who From Lifehouse to Quadrophenia”) leads a guided tour of Pete Townshend demos and rare Who recordings.

50 Years of The Twist

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:22:00 +0000

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the dance craze that swept the nation, the story behind the Twist and the records that made it great.

Ahmet Ertegun

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:21:35 +0000

A look back at the founder of Atlantic Records through the records he produced; Ray Charles, Sonny and Cher, Rockin’ Dopsie & the Zydeco Twisters.

SF GARAGE

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:20:48 +0000

Talk about underground garage – Creedence Clearwater, Count Five, Tommy Tutone, even Grateful Dead – San Francisco garage bands under a psychedelic spell.

Van Comes To America

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:20:32 +0000

Van Morrison’s bumpy route to rock stardom started with the trip to California where his first band, Them, broke up and continued when he was brought to New York City to make “Brown Eyed Girl” with a batch of session musicians and Brill Building record producer.

HIT THAT JIVE JACK: THE SLIM GAILLARD STORY

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:20:15 +0000

“To Slim Gaillard,” wrote Jack Kerouac in “On the Road,’ “life was just one big O-rooni.” The little known jazz jivester, who hung and swung with Dizzy and Bird, made the scene with all the cats, and strummed and played groovy numbers like “Flat Foot Floogie.” Very vouty.

Sal Valentino

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:19:54 +0000

The great vocalist behind “Laugh Laugh” visits the basement record library to talk story and share some rare records from San Francisco’s first hit rock group.

Journey Superjam

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Sep 2022 22:18:53 +0000

Unreleased 1978 live radio broadcast, largely unaired, by Journey with guests including Tom Johnston of the Doobie Bros., Tower of Power horns, others.

BOB DYLAN: SPECIAL GUEST

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 29 May 2021 19:31:55 +0000

Bob Dylan appears on other people's records; from Leonard Cohen and Bette Midler to Harry Belafonte and Eric Clapton. Always a welcome visitor.

Lee Hazlewood

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 8 May 2021 20:54:23 +0000

From producing Duane Eddy to singing duets with Nancy Sinatra, we trace one of the great iconoclasts of American music through to his final sessions last year.

Elvin Bishop

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 1 May 2021 15:17:42 +0000

The great blues guitar stylist and raconteur visits the basement record library. He’s like Will Rogers with a Les Paul.

Sly Stone in North Beach

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 16:11:11 +0000

Before he was the black prince of Woodstock, Sly Stone sang at go-go’s along Broadway and produced rock and roll records for San Francisco’s Autumn Records. Unreleased records, radio airchecks and rare sides tell the story.

T Bone Burnett

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 14:03:11 +0000

Renowned producer and artist T Bone Burnett visits the basement record library to spin some records and discuss his career and new album.

Tiki Room

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 21:39:33 +0000

Welcome to paradise. Put on a Hawaiian shirt, toss a chunk of pineapple in your cocktail and join us for the exotic world of the basement record library, from Santana to Martin Denny.

ALL KEITH! KEITH RICHARDS’ ROLLING STONES

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 3 Apr 2021 13:24:14 +0000

Imagine the Rolling Stones with a different vocalist. An hour of the Stones backing up Keith Richards while he sings. It’s a whole other band.

Tom Waits

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sun, 28 Mar 2021 00:53:21 +0000

A rare visit from the great songwriter to the basement record library. We play favorite records of his by other artists, and some obscure things of his own.

The Golden Age of Instrumentals

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 14:42:32 +0000

From Cozy Cole to James Booker, Booker T. to Duane Eddy, the art of the instrumental for 45 RPM single.

Donovan

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 14:00:00 +0000

Donovan stops by the basement record library to discuss his career and play some of his classic hits, plus some more rare musical gems.

Electric Sitar

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 16:12:36 +0000

Hit records by Joe South, Box Tops, Stevie Wonder, Steve Miller, Steely Dan all had the Coral Electric Sitar in common. This electric sitar was manufactured in the late 60’s. Even long after Danelectro stopped making this wonderful instrument, it was an integral part of many great recordings.

Ry Cooder

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 14:00:00 +0000

“I, Flathead” himself makes a rare public appearance on the radio, visiting the basement record library to discuss his work in Cuba, East Los Angeles and his new anthology of his cult favorite solo records.

New Orleans 78s

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 14:00:00 +0000

From the collection of Chris Strachwitz, vintage New Orleans R&B from Lloyd Price, Dave Bartholomew, Professor Longhair and others, off the original 78 RPM pressings. Hear what the CDs are missing.

CHRIS ISAAK AND KENNY DALE JOHNSON

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 6 Feb 2021 17:30:56 +0000

Chris Isaak and his drummer Kenny Dale Johnson visit the basement record library for banter, quips and live performances straight out of their cable TV show.

Charity Records

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 14:00:00 +0000

After We Are the World there were a slew of all-star charity records you never heard. Remember Ferry Aid? Or Michael Jackson’s all-star tribute to 9-11, released only on the Internet? There are all down here in the basement record library.

BOOKER T.

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 14:21:18 +0000

The Memphis soul immortal visits the library to play records and discuss his career.

GEORGE MARTIN: THE MAN BEHIND THE BEATLES

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 15:51:25 +0000

An audio biography of the record producer who signed the Beatles and remained behind the glass through the band’s entire career, Sir George Martin.

Linda Ronstadt Interview And Music

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 9 Jan 2021 17:09:38 +0000

The great vocalist comes to the basement record library and talks about how she isn’t really a rock singer.

YOUNG PHIL SPECTOR

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sun, 3 Jan 2021 19:16:11 +0000

After graduating high school in Los Angeles, 19 year-old Phil Spector went to New York to serve an apprenticeship, working with Leiber and Stoller and others on a succession of unsuccessful singles that are among the rarest records in the basement record library.

FRO DOWN: BLAXPLOITATION SOUNDTRAX

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +0000

Rare tracks from ‘70s soundtrack albums featuring players, pimps and a whole host of bad mothers. Shut your mouth. But I’m talking ‘bout Selvin On the City.

The Music Of Andrew Gold

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +0000

Son of an Oscar-winning composer and a famous movie studio vocalist, Gold was more than singer of a couple of dippy TV themes; he was the secret weapon behind the Linda Ronstadt hits, a masterful pop parodist and one of Hollywood’s great rock recording artists.

STEVE MILLER IN CHICAGO

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +0000

Steve Miller takes a cab ride around his old stomping grounds and recalls the glory days of Chicago blues.

STEVE DOUGLAS: THE WORLD'S GREATEST ROCK AND ROLL SAXOPHONIST

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 13:25:37 +0000

Exploring the music of the forgotten pioneer who played with everyone from Elvis and the Beach Boys to Bob Dylan and John Fogerty.

THE MUSIC OF JACK NITZSCHE

joelselvin@aol.com (Joel Selvin) — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 18:33:48 +0000

From The Lonely Surfer to Up Where We Belong, from arranging the historic Wall of Sounds sessions for producer Phil Spector to cutting movie soundtrack albums with Captain Beefheart and Miles Davis, the late Jack Nitzsche had one of the most amazing careers in music ever.