What the Riff?!? Podcast

What the Riff?!?

Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks and Brian Dickhute
Every week, “WHAT THE RIFF?!?” takes a look at a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted or peaked on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1965-1995. Four friends discuss the artists and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 4 “staff picks” of other artists that were also in the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear some familiar tunes as well as some deeper cuts and entertainment tracks as we share a little look into the culture and happenings of that day— having fun recalling that “old time rock and roll.” We hope to bring back memories for you — and we encourage you to find and purchase the tracks and albums from iTunes, Spotify or your other favorite music service. You’ll find each episode with a short blog on this site. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any release! We also invite you to follow us and learn more about us @whattheriffpodcast on Facebook.
1966 - February:  The Sonics  "Boom"
Wayne riffs on the second studio album by The Sonics, “Boom,” from February 1966 (Cinderella / He's Waitin' / Louie, Louie / Shot Down). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Theme from the motion picture “The Rare Breed” STAFF PICKS: “Crying Time” by Ray Charles — Bruce. “It's a Man's Man's Man's World” by James Brown — Lynch. "Secret Agent Man” by Johnny Rivers — Rob. "Lies” by The Knickerbockers — Wayne. NOVELTY TRACK: "The One on the Right Is On the Left" by Johnny Cash. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Jun 16
29 min
1990 - June:  Poison  "Flesh & Blood"
Lynch riffs on the third studio album from Poison, “Flesh & Blood” from June 1990 (Unskinny Bop / Valley of Lost Souls / Life Goes On / Something to Believe In). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: "Youre In the Doghouse Now" by Brenda Lee (from the motion picture "Dick Tracy") STAFF PICKS: “Ball and Chain” by Social Distortion — Wayne. “Way Down Now” by World Party — Rob. “Tie Die on the Highway” by Robert Plant — Bruce. “Kool Thing” by Sonic Youth — Lynch. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Mildred Pierce” by Sonic Youth. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Jun 9
42 min
1972 - October:  Delaney & Bonnie  "D&B Together"
Bruce riffs on the sixth album from Delaney & Bonnie “D&B Together” on the charts in October of 1972 (Comin' Home / Only You Know and I Know / I Know Something Good About You / Groupie (Superstar)). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Main Theme from the television series "The Rookies" STAFF PICKS: "And You and I” by Yes — Wayne. “You Wear It Well” by Rod Stewart— Rob. "Lean On Me” by Bill Withers — Lynch. “Turn to Stone” by Barnstorm — Bruce. COMEDY TRACK: “My DIng-a-Ling” by Chuck Berry. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Jun 2
38 min
1966 - January:  The Yardbirds  "Having a Rave Up"
This is REALLY the YardBirds...not America (IYKYK). Rob riffs on the second American album from The Yardbirds “Having a Rave Up'” from January of 1966 (Heart Full of Soul / You're a Better Man than I / Smokestack Lightning / The Train Kept a-Rollin'). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Main Theme from the television series "Batman" STAFF PICKS: "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright” by The Wonder Who? — Bruce. “All Your Love” by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers— Lynch. “My Generation” by The Who — Wayne. “Day Tripper” by The Beatles — Rob. COMEDY TRACK: “The Lurch” by Ted Cassidy. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
May 26
33 min
1972 - December:  Neil Diamond  "Hot August Night"
Wayne riffs on the live double album by Neil Diamond, “Hot August Night,” from December 1972 (Kentucky Woman / Cherry Cherry / Song Sung Blue / Cracklin' Rosie). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Theme from the animated series “Josie and the Pussycats” STAFF PICKS: “Ventura Highway” by America — Rob. “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder — Lynch. "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu” by Johnny Rivers — Bruce. "It Never Rains in Southern California” by Albert Hammond — Wayne. NOVELTY TRACK: "Crazy Horses" by The Osmonds. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
May 19
34 min
1968 - September:  Aretha Franklin  "Aretha in Paris"
Lynch riffs on the second live album from Aretha Franklin, “Aretha in Paris” from September 1968 ((I Can't Get No) Satisfaction / (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman / (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone / Chain of Fools). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Theme from the television comedy show "Laugh In" STAFF PICKS: “Ride My See Saw” by Moody Blues — Wayne. “Harper Valley PTA” by Jeannie C. Riley — Rob. “Light My Fire” by Jose Feliciano — Bruce. “Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield — Lynch. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “And I Love Her” by Jose Feliciano. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
May 12
30 min
1971 - September:  Carole King  "Tapestry"
Bruce riffs on the second studio album from Carole King “Tapestry'” from September of 1971 (Tapestry / Where You Lead / You've Got a Friend / So Far Away). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Main Theme from the serial "Danger Island (from the television series “The Banana Splits Adventure Hour”) STAFF PICKS: "Ain't No Sunshine” by Bill Withers — Lynch. “Signs” by Five Man Electrical Band— Rob. “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get” by The Dramatics — Greg. “Thin Line Between Love and Hate” by The Persuaders — Bruce. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “The Rock” by Atomic Rooster. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
May 5
34 min
1989 - February:  U2  "Rattle and Hum"
Rob riffs on the hybrid live/studio album by U2, “Rattle and Hum,” on the charts in February 1989 (Angel of Harlem / When Love Comes to Town / All Along the Watchtower / Pride (In the Name of Love)). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Iko Iko” by The Belle Stars (from the motion picture “Rain Man”) STAFF PICKS: “Kiss” by Art of Noise featuring Tom Jones — Bruce. “She Drives Me Crazy” by Fine Young Cannibals — Lynch. "Once Bitten, Twice Shy” by the Great White — Greg. "What I Am” by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians — Rob. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: "Sunset Road" by Bela Fleck & the Flecktones. ....and if you listen through to the end, you'll hear a sincere apology from today's guest. ;-) **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Apr 28
43 min
1971 - May:  Rod Stewart  "Every Picture Tells a Story"
Rob riffs on the third studio album by Rod Stewart, “Every Picture Tells a Story,” from May of 1971 ((I Know) I'm Losing You / That's Alright/Amazing Grace / Every Picture Tells a Story). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Main theme from the television comedy series "Green Acres" STAFF PICKS: “Don't Pull Your Love” by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds — Bruce. “It's Too Late” by Carole King — Lynch. "Charity Ball” by Fanny — Wayne. “If Not for You” by Olivia Newton John — Rob. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: "Milky Way" by Weather Report. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Apr 21
34 min
1991 - May:  Guns N' Roses  "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II"
Lynch riffs on the third and fourth studio album by Guns N' Roses, “Use Your Illusion I” and "Use Your Illusion II" simultaneously released in September 1991, presented in May 1991 just before the first single was released ahead of the albums (November Rain / Knockin' On Heaven's Door / You Could Be Mine / Don't Cry). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Snappy theme from the motion picture "The Addams Family" STAFF PICKS: “The Only One I Know” by The Charlatans UK — Wayne. “Why Should I Cry for You?” by Sting — Bruce. “Texarkana” by R.E.M. — Rob. “Into the Great Wide Open” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers — Lynch. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Trademark” by Eric Johnson. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Apr 14
45 min
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