The Strombo Show - December 8th, 2013

It was January 23^rd, 1981. Sitting in the nosebleed section at the Montreal Forum, we watched excitedly as the rocker in the blue t-shirt with the rolled up sleeves walked out onto the stage. Followed by his band, he threw his guitar onto his shoulder and stepped up to the mike. After a few seconds, the house lights dropped, the spots came on, and the Montreal Forum exploded with the magic of the Asbury Park, New Jersey band. When he finally left us that night, after a set list  twenty seven songs long , and another four for an encore, we were almost as exhausted as he must have been. We were, however, anything but disappointed. This .. this is why he was known as The Boss.

It is now 32 years later, and Bruce Springsteen is set to release his 18^th studio album. He will be accompanied on the album by the E Street band, including tracks recorded by Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici before their deaths, as well as featuring Tom Morello on guitar. The album is scheduled to be released on January 14^th. The first single, High Hopes, was released on November 24^th.  Tonight, Darby Wheeler returns to the show and will be chatting with George in the broom closet about Bruce Springsteen and the upcoming album.  Welcome back Darby!

One of my favourite albums of 2012 was an album called 12 bit blues by Vancouver DJ Kid Koala. Kid Koala just happens to have joined up with producer Dan the Automater, and Del the Funky Homo Sapien to form supergroup Deltron 3030. They will also be joining G for a chat in the broom closet tonight to talk about their second album, Event II.

It wouldn't be the Strombo Show without a weekly nod to the Gods of Rock and Roll.  On the 33rd anniversary of his death at the hands of an assassin, the life and music of John Lennon is celebrated.

... The Magnificent Seven, the top seven tunes of the week ...

.. Ten O'Clock With Tom (Waits) ..

.. and lastly, the Big Lie-Down or the Collective Horizontal, where George tucks you in to bed with the mellowest of tunes. 

You can hear The Strombo Show on CBC Radio 2 on Sunday nights, from 8 to 11 pm.  

See you there.  ;)