In late 1963/early 1964, a new dance craze blew through the Windy City: the Uncle Willie! In this episode, the first of 2023, we listen to 6 songs that range from R&B, girl group, and garage - all of them will have you putting your hands on your hips and letting your feet slip ... it's as easy as it can be!

In late 1963/early 1964, a new dance craze blew through the Windy City: the Uncle Willie! In this episode, the first of 2023, we listen to 6 songs that range from R&B, girl group, and garage - all of them will have you putting your hands on your hips and letting your feet slip ... it's as easy as it can be!

In late 1963/early 1964, a new dance craze blew through the Windy City: the Uncle Willie! In this episode, the first of 2023, we listen to 6 songs that range from R&amp;B, girl group, and garage - all of them will have you putting your hands on your hips and letting your feet slip ... it's as easy as it can be!

Uncle Willie

The usual format is this: we pick a song from the 1950s or 1960s (genres range from garage, R&amp;B, Girl Groups, Motown and Doo-Wop), and discuss three versions of that song, or sometimes we just play a song we haven’t heard before and react to it. We’ve covered classics like “Little Bit o’ Soul” and “Psychotic Reaction” to rarities like “Jump and Dance” by the Carnaby, and “Ringo I Love You” by Bonnie Jo Mason (aka Cher). Our aim is to discuss what makes these songs interesting, ineffable, or even intolerable. We place special emphasis on the “moments” in these songs where, perhaps, a new interpretation will emerge from. A close look at song structure is also present in our discussions. If that sounds academic, maybe it is a little bit, but we like to keep the analysis in the spirit of the songs we speak of – which means we drink some spirits (for Erik, it’s bourbon, for Weldon, it’s Stambecco) – and that means by the third song, things can get a little wild. Basically, we talk about rock!

Music

Music Commentary

Music History

The usual format is this: we pick a song from the 1950s or 1960s (genres range from garage, R&B, Girl Groups, Motown and Doo-Wop), and discuss three versions of that song, or sometimes we just play a song we haven’t heard before and react to it. We’ve covered classics like “Little Bit o’ Soul” and “Psychotic Reaction” to rarities like “Jump and Dance” by the Carnaby, and “Ringo I Love You” by Bonnie Jo Mason (aka Cher). Our aim is to discuss what makes these songs interesting, ineffable, or even intolerable. We place special emphasis on the “moments” in these songs where, perhaps, a new interpretation will emerge from. A close look at song structure is also present in our discussions. If that sounds academic, maybe it is a little bit, but we like to keep the analysis in the spirit of the songs we speak of – which means we drink some spirits (for Erik, it’s bourbon, for Weldon, it’s Stambecco) – and that means by the third song, things can get a little wild. Basically, we talk about rock!

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Uncle Willie

Uncle Willie

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