Search - Various Artists :: The Golden Age Of Underground Radio, Vol.2

Another Essential Listen!

Mark Phillips | London, UK | 11/10/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Golden Age of Underground Radio series is just that - a look back at a golden age, when DJs were free-form, when they played what they liked, when they liked, and without the aid of a computer or a program controller who allegedly "knows better".Volume One of this series featured Tom Donahue, volume Two has BMR - B Mitchel Reed - in the hot seat, although "chilling-out seat" might be a better description.If you've already heard the legendary BMR on the frantic "Cruisin' 1963" title then you're in for a shock. The nuttiest guy on the New York Turf, the fastest tongue in the east, the original WMCA Good Guy is... well.. rather more laid back than you might expect. By 1969, the yelling and sloganising of top 40 radio was so unhip that the Beemer thought he could do better and landed a gig on the West Coast. And wow! Is this guy laid back?! Once again, what feels like a whole radio show unfolds before you. BMR philosiphises on Jagger's demise, then plays Ike and Tina's stonking take on Brown Sugar. He chuckles and complains about the ban on him plaing anything from the new Beatles album Let it Be, then plays the superb cover of You Can't Do That. One classic track follows another - The Pusher by Steppenwolf follows a rap on drugs, Canned Heat's Rollin and Tumblin, Love's divine Alone Again Or, The Byrds, Donovan, Spirit, they're all here and, as before, the re-mastering is re-masterful.But the classic moment is what sounds like a highly stoned and spaced out BMR extolling the virtues of Fat Bernie's Waterbeds. Yes, the whole thing is an artefact, a piece of aural history that belongs to its time, but what a sublime time that was, boys and girls. Listen and learn."

An Eclectic Gem!

Michael B. Bruneio | Macungie, PA. | 06/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This interesting compilation of favorite tracks played by the immortal DJ, B. Mitchel Reed, is a must for any lovers of free-form radio and obscure music tracks. While tracks by artists such as The Byrds and Steppenwolf are familiar classics now, the clear standouts are Jefferson Airplane's version of "Wooden Ships," and Brewer and Shipley's terrific cover of Jim Pepper's rockin' "Witchi-Tai-To." The late Mike Bloomfield's guitar mastery is evident on the Electric Flag's "Killing Floor," and Tina Turner manages to make "Honky Tonk Women" more interesting than the original. Perhaps what's best of all are BMR's signature voiceovers and commercials in between the tracks that really put this CD over the top. Highly recommended for all radio and music lovers!"

Little slice o history; freeform underground radio

Michael B. Bruneio | 05/25/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"B Mitchell Reed was one of the founders of freeform rock and roll radio in the mid to late 60s. He, Tom Donahue, Dave Diamond, Uncle T., and others created a new medium, one which made the DJ more than a disc spinner.He became the radio listener's friend and advisor, and his choices of tunes(called a set) helped shape the evening.He would also hip you in to good concerts around town, happenings, etc. A typical set would run 3 to 6 tunes, sometimes with a common theme; Say, Casey Jones by the Dead, Traintime by Cream, and Train, Train by Blackfoot. The commercials are also very low-key and listener-friendly. This CD has excerpts from some shows from those times. it really does give you a feel of what radio was like in those days. BMR is so cool that Joni Mitchell wrote a song about him...."