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Mystery Train Playlists

Mystery Train playlist for 07/07/2017

Today's show contains a super-sized serving of songs by stupendous women.

Mystery Train playlist for 06/23/2017

Explore a diverse collection of cover songs and originals drawn from rock and roll, alternative, Americana, R & B and more, along with new music and interviews with women who make things. Celebrate the last two hours of (somebody's) work week onboard the Mystery Train.

Had so much good stuff left from last show's Beatlemania that I decided to do a part 2. Last show covered the lads up through Sgt. Pepper. This week's collection of Beatle music picks up with "the White Album" and extends into their solo careers. Plus kick-ass covers, as per usual, from Billy Preston, Ella Fitzgerald(!), Regina Spektor... plus a li'l preview of my next show.

Mystery Train playlist for 05/26/2017

Today's Mystery Train makes two stops. First: Austin,Texas. Jimmy LaFave passed away, mere days after appearing at his own benefit concert. I'll be featuring some of his music as well as that of some fabulous musicians who make Austin their home. Such as:

Incredible under-famous troubadour James McMurtry -- the best songwriter you (may have) never heard of. (Imagine John Prine and Randy Newman had a baby... just work with me here... and that baby went back in time, grew up and had a baby with Townes Van Zandt. That's James McMurtry.) And Alejandro Escovedo, Ruthie Foster, Carolyn Wonderland, Sarah Jurosz, Brian Christopher. And Jason Isbell, even though he's not an Austin guy. Hey, my show.

Second stop: Seattle. For a Chris Cornell tribute show, highlighting Cornell's brilliant acoustic versions of his own music, and covers of Imagine and Billie Jean. Also: Johnny Cash, The Head and the Heart and Norah Jones covering Soundgarden and Temple of the Dog.

Mystery Train playlist for 05/12/2017

Fill-in For Carrie Blank's "Mystery Train" show, featuring guest DJs Kenn Toomey, and Verlaine Hell.
Featured a phone interview with RICHARD LLOYD.
Show was partially pre-empted at 4:15 by Volleyball coverage.

Mystery Train playlist for 04/28/2017

This week's Mystery Train is Part 2 (The Redux) of my First Annual EightiesPalooza ROCKTACULAR (is too a word) Mini-Marathon-mania-a-go-go. Because I assembled waaaay too much Eighties-ness to fit into one show. But the same rules apply -- no Air Supply, Asia, Astley, A-Ha or Axel F.

Also: NEW MUSIC by The Sadies, Craig Finn, The Mavericks, Old 97's and Spoon.

I KNOW! (I'm psyched too.)

Mystery Train playlist for 04/14/2017

Jealous of the other DJs who took part in the many awesome music marathons during Radiothon, I made my own tiny lonesome version. So this week's Mystery Train is The First Annual Eighties ROCKTACULAR (is too a word) Mini-Marathon. Featuring some J. Geils' Band cuts, in honor of Geils, who died earlier this week, as well as Smithereens, Blondie, R.E.M., The Replacements, The Pretenders, INXS, The Talking Heads, The Pixies, Joan Jett, Prince, Pat Benatar, among others. But no Air Supply, Asia, Astley, A-Ha and no Axel F. And that's just the As. It's all eighties rocking goodness, my friends.

Hope you're inspired to make a pledge to (631) 632-6901 or during the show, to wusb.fm

Mystery Train playlist for 03/31/2017

This week the Mystery Train pulls into St. Louis, the birthplace and former home of Chuck Berry. Berry died on March 18th, and, to quote John Lennon, "If you tried to give rock'n'roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'. I'm spinning his hits, rarities, covers, inspirations and a few of the legion he inspired. Hope you're into it. If not, let me quote the legend himself: "I don't want your botheration."

NEXT SHOW: An Elvis-y80's fest...

Mystery Train playlist for 03/16/2017

Don't know how we're doing it, but the Mystery Train is pulling in to Ireland. Lots of St. Pat's themed Celtic goodness is cued up: Van Morrison covers, Rory Gallagher, The Cranberries, ASH, Saw Doctors, Dropkick Murphys, Black 47, The Pogues (I'm counting them; it's my show. That's why Sly & The Family Stone made the cut.)

Mystery Train playlist for 03/03/2017

This week's Mystery Train featured a tribute set to my father-in-law Alvin, who recently passed away just shy of 99. Played some stuff he would have liked -- bit of Gershwin, Charlie Parker, Cole Porter, Sinatra -- but mixed it up Mystery Train style with unexpected covers: Caetano Veloso doing Porter, Charlie Parker doing Gershwin -- to keep youse sharp. Otherwise, played eclectic mix of rock, blues and country awesomeness, new and old, covers and originals.

Mystery Train playlist for 02/17/2017

This Mystery Train features new releases by Alejandro Escovedo, Miranda Lambert and Ryan Adams, some cool covers (as always, but fewer this week), a bunch of stalker-y or tortured love songs (for Valentine's Day) and a couple of surprises.

Mystery Train playlist for 01/21/2017

On this week's Mystery Train, I'm counter-programming, because something else is going on in the morning and afternoon -- I forget what. I will be playing some great songs (fewer covers this week) that mirror my state of mind with regard to... um... current affairs.

Wait: that doesn't sound hot. Do-over. I'll be playing a lot of great music and featuring The Clash and Bettye LaVette. (look her up if you don't know her, or better yet, just listen)

Mystery Train playlist for 01/06/2017

This week's show features the Rolling Stone's December 2016 release, "Blue and Lonesome", their first real studio album in about a decade. The cuts are all covers of Chicago style blues, originally written and performed by the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Little Walter and Jimmie Reed. Since rock and roll was born from the blues, and so many artists were, like the Stones, inspired to pick up instruments because of their love for the blues, I'm using the album cuts to springboard back to the original writers and performers.

And because this playlist is decidedly estrogen deficient, I've added some powerhouse women to the mix.

Mystery Train playlist for 12/23/2016

This is my year-end wrap up, my Christmahanukkwanzifestivus edition Mystery Train. I'll be playing a mix of my favorite covers and original songs from 2016, as well as tributes to some of the musical stars we lost this past year. Definitely going to mix in David Bowie, Prince, Merle Haggard, Leon Russell, Sharon Jones, Leonard Cohen and Maurice White with old favorites with 2016 releases -- Paul Simon, Pixies, Radiohead -- and newer artists such as Mitski and the Seratones. Cool mix? I think so.

Mystery Train playlist for 12/09/2016

Fill-in By Kenn Toomey for Carrie Blank's 'Mystery Train' Show...

Mystery Train playlist for 11/25/2016

Friday 3-5pm
Explore a diverse collection of cover songs and originals drawn from rock and roll, alternative, Americana, R & B and more, along with new music.
Fight turkey coma and Black Friday hordes: climb onboard the Mystery Train.
**Special tribute to artists we just lost: local legend Mose Allison and Leon Russell.**

Mystery Train playlist for 11/11/2016

It's Veteran's Day... and Leonard Cohen died... some other things went down Tuesday that I can't start talking about or I won't stop. So, today's Mystery Train will have our usual collection of covers, originals and new music, but I'll be playing a special tribute to Leonard Cohen, an Alex Chilton-themed set of connecting songs, a new music set, some awesome suggestions from listeners, and a few songs honoring our veterans, with a hope for peace. Nothing sappy, but kinda serious today. More music, less connective tissue (me talking, I mean). That's the plan anyway, but it IS a Mystery Train.

Mystery Train playlist for 10/14/2016

Explore a diverse collection of cover songs and originals drawn from rock and roll, alternative, Americana, R & B and more, along with new music and interviews with women who make things. Celebrate the last two hours of (somebody's) work week onboard the Mystery Train.