Episode #90: The Lovin’ Spoonful in MONO
DJ Andrew Sandoval salutes The Lovin’ Spoonful, spinning more than forty original mono vinyl pressings of their music from 1965-1969.
Episode #89: The Golden Earrings
In an episode first aired on September 9, 2013, DJ Host Andrew Sandoval presents a batch of singles in MONO by Tuneful Trolley, Gabriel & The Teenage Choir, The Shackelfords, The Groop, Dave Berry, The Sundowners, The Thomas Group, December’s Children, Jimmy Boyd, The First Edition, Vigrass, Stephen Monahan, The Stained Glass, Tony’s Tygers, L.T. Josie, The Innocence, Charles Ross III, The Doodle Town Pipers, Southwest F.O.B. & Noel Harrison. And in part two turns the “Come To The Sunshine” artist spotlight onto the music of The Golden Ear-rings (from 1965-1967).
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Episode #88: The Five Americans in MONO
In an episode first broadcast August 26, 2013, host Andrew Sandoval plays twenty 1960’s 45’s collected from his recent travels through the United States working with The Monkees. These include singles by: The Berkeley Kites, The Lime, The Impact Express, The In-Keepers, The Scene, The Lovin’, Crowd +1, Bazooka, The Long Brothers, Disciples of Shaftesbury, Bobby Lile, The Chips, Johnny Draper, The Fireballs, dRAKE, The Higher Elevation, The Hamilton Face Band, The Back Seat, The Downtown Collection and Crib & Ben.
Hour two features 20 slices of the Five Americans in MONO! Many of these sides have never appeared on CD, let alone in mono, and if you are not familiar with the songwriting of Mike Rabon, Norman Ezell & John Durrill, you are in for both an education and a treat. From Garage to Pop to Baroque to Psych to Bubblegum to Soft Pop to total Heavyocity, these five Americans pretty much did it all.
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Episode #87: Brian Hyland
In an episode first aired on April 29, 2013, “Come To The Sunshine” #87 features an artist spotlight on singer AND songwriter, Brian Hyland.
Host Andrew Sandoval also spins original vinyl by Ray Chayfin; The Alan Bown!; The Cowsills; The Turtles; The 4 Seasons; The Byzantine Empire; Johnny Walsh; The Blossoms; The Moon; Spanky & Our Gang; The Blue Things; The Five Americans; Jesse Lee Kincaid; Michael Gately; The Capes Of Good Hope.
The Brian Hyland set features previously unissued tracks, as well as look at his collaborations with Del Shannon & The Street Corner Society.
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Episode #86: The Who Pop Art Spectacular
In an episode first aired on April 8, 2013, host Andrew Sandoval presents nearly three hours of The Who. Focussing on their recordings from 1964-1969, included are rare mono mixes, Pete Townshend home demos and covers from the Merseys, Oscar, Hamilton, Twilights & the Barron Knights.
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Episode #85: The Cryan’ Shames in MONO
In an episode first aired on April 1, 2013, “Come To The Sunshine” episode #85 features vinyl singles from host Andrew Sandoval’s travels in the Pacific Northwest including sides by: Sounds Of Modification; The City Zu; The Convention; Peter Courtney; Peter’s Pipers; The Five Americans; The Crackerjack Society; Don & The Goodtimes; Mr. Lucky and The Gamblers; The Pipe Dream; The Gordian Knot; Bobby And I; The Velvet Crest; The Free Reign; Christopher; Harmony Grass; Lee Raymond; Grains Of Sand; The Chocolate Tunnel; The Gentle Soul.
In part two of the program the Sunshine artist spotlight focuses on the work of that talented Chicago combo, The Cryan’ Shames. An hour of rare mono mixes (including cuts from the unavailable on CD Sugar & Spice and A Scratch In The Sky albums) show the band’s phases of garage, folk rock, pop and psychedelia.
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Episode #84: A Conversation With Larry Marks
In an episode first aired on March 11, 2013, host Andrew Sandoval conducts an exclusive discussion with the late producer/composer/artist, Larry Marks. The interview includes details on composing “Shadows And Reflections” with Tandyn Almer, a song covered by The Action (as produced by George Martin). Larry’s fascinating entree into the world of songwriting and production in the Los Angeles music scene of the mid-1960’s. Composing for Frank Sinatra and signing with his publishing company (including a collaboration with Sammy Cahn). Producing at the famed Gold Star Studios and collaborating with the “wrecking crew” of session musicians (such as Leon Russell). Composing the song “Glass” as covered by Sagittarius and produced by Gary Usher. How Larry collaborated with other songwriters, like Ernie Sheldon and Sammy Cahn. Marks role as a staff producer at Columbia. His early releases for the label such as Sonny Oceans (a.k.a. Gary Weiss – director of The Rutles) and Keith Allison’s “Action, Action, Action.” Recording at Columbia Square on Sunset Blvd. with engineer Ray Gerhardt. Producing British duo Chad & Jeremy’s hit “Distant Shores” (and meeting their bassist/songwriter/manager Jim Guercio). Producing Gene Clark’s solo debut single, the masterpiece “Echoes” (including Leon Russell’s mesmerizing orchestral arrangement). Songwriter/producer/artist Johnny Walsh’s fantastic one-off single for Columbia, “The End,” composed by Ian Whitcomb. Jamie And The Jury (a group that recorded for a few labels) and their catchy 45, “This Too Shall Pass.” Larry Marks’ forced move from Columbia to A&M and signing the Merry-Go-Round. The generosity and culture of Herb Albert & Jerry Moss. Producing Emitt Rhodes & The Merry-Go-Round recordings such as “She Laughed Loud” and “Missing You” (which he composed). Studio aggregation The Garden Club’s “Little Girl Lost-And-Found” (which featured songwriter Ruthann Friedman as vocalist). The Merry-Go-Round’s lack of national success. Producing Southern California’s West Coast Branch for their A&M release, “Colors Of My Life.” Working with Phil Ochs and producing his Pleasures Of The Harbor album (selections of which are presented in rare mono mixes), which represented a stylistic shift for the singer-songwriter. Working at A&M studios and mastering with Bernie Grundman. Phil’s fascination with Lenny Bruce. Larry Mark’s own single on A&M: “L.A. Break Down (And Take Me In).” Producing the Flying Burrito Brothers seminal debut album with engineer Henry Lewy (and the fuzz pedal steel sound of Sneaky Pete). A reunion with Gene Clark and producing the albums of Dilllard & Clark and the single “Why Not Your Baby.” Larry Marks’ departure from A&M to focus on his family and his amp company Acoustic, as well as eventual move to Warner Bros. pictures.
Larry Marks passed away on February 24, 2013 – his music lives on.
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Episode #83: “Colours” in MONO and Dalton/Montgomery Spotlight
In an episode first aired January 28, 2013, host Andrew Sandoval presents the eighty-third edition of “Come To The Sunshine.” This program features a wonderful selection of singles in part one by Declaration Of Independence, Bob Dileo, Jimmy Boyd, The Sky, Christopher Robin, The Playground, The Girls From Petticoat Junction, Del Shannon, Peggy Lee, The Vogues, Tommy Roe, Mojo, Brewer And Brewer, Sonny Curtis and The Exception.
Part two features an album on the masterful 1968 debut album by Colours in MONO (a mix that is unavailable on CD) and the show further surveys the work of Colours songwriting duo: Jack Dalton & Gary Montgomery. Sandoval spins some of their rare covers (as well as original demos) as performed by The Dalton Boys, Young Canadians, James Fleming, Dalton & Montgomery, Nino Tempo & April Stevens, The Moon, The Committee, The Peppermint Trolley Company, Harper & Rowe and sort of The Outsiders.
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Episode #82: A Talk With Perry Botkin, Jr.
In an episode first aired on January 21, 2013 “Come To The Sunshine” host Andrew Sandoval talks with arranger/composer/musician/publisher Perry Botkin, Jr.
Botkin’s work in the mid-1960’s with such artists as Harry Nilsson, The Ronettes, The New Establishment, Tommy Boyce, Mojo Men, Thorinsheild, Sunday Funnies, The Shangri-las, Gil & Johnny, Tom Northcott, Electric Prunes, Jennifer Warnes, Harper’s Bizarre, the Looking Glass, Collage and Robin Ward is reviewed, replayed and discussed.
Along the way he tells stories of his path in music through the Los Angeles studio scene, working at Gold Star Studios and with such luminaries as arranger George Tipton, Leon Russell, The Incredible Bongo Band, Phil Spector, Lenny Waronker, Dave Hassinger, Van Dyke Parks, Randy Newman, Johnny Cole, Steve Douglas, Rusty Draper, the Trends and many more in a one-of-a-kind glimpse into this golden era of recording and creativity.
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Episode #81: Tributes to Tandyn Almer & Trevor Gordon
First aired January 14, 2013 episode 81 of “Come To The Sunshine” features rare vinyl singles from Svensk, The Third House, The Staccatos, Adam, Mike & Tim, The Daily Flash, The Move, The Wailers, The Playground, Plastic Penny, Springfield Rifle, The Rumbles Ltd., Mid Day Rain, George Bean, The Promise and Lemon Tree.
Part 2 of the program includes a tribute to the late composer Tandyn Almer with music from The Association, The Ballroom, Eddie Hodges, The Kitchen Cinq, Peter And The Wolves, The Paper Fortress, The Sure Cure, Pleasure featuring Billy Elder and The Beach Boys. Host Andrew also pays respect to the recently passed Trevor Gordon, with music from his work with the Bee Gees, Marbles and cuts from his rare 1970 solo album, Alphabet.