It is a hopeless cause to catch up with doing these notes on Bob Dylan’s “Theme Time Radio Hour” show from XM Satellite Radio, but then around here we make what many consider to be hopeless causes our specialty.

As anyone who heard it would surely have to agree, this was one of the very best episodes yet, and that is saying something. There are too many highlights to highlight, but a highlight among highlights was definitely Bob’s playing of Jerry Lee Lewis’s Lust of the Blood. Bob said it himself: “You know if anybody ever asks me why I do this radio show, I could just play ’em that.” Bob gave some background on how the Killer came to play Iago in a musical version of Othello, but you’ll get even more background from Fred Bals at his quirky but great website, Dreamtime, and this post: Catch My Soul: The Jerry Lee Lewis and Shakespeare Connection.

In addition to playing a bumper-crop of brilliant and one-of-a-kind records, our DJ was in exceptionally sharp and funny form, imparting both trivia and wisdom with almost out-of-control generousity. Don’t miss Bob’s reflections on being a citizen of the world, on how to play good geetar, on the “click to buy” generation, and on gospel music. All sentiments heartily endorsed by everyone at RWB HQ, of-course. (I haven’t yet tried Bob’s Bloody Mary recipe, so no endorsement on that at this stage.)

Playlist and a few selected quotes:

Little Esther (later Esther Phillips) — Flesh, Blood and Bone

[Bob tells the story of Da Costa Woltz, finishing with the following] Let me see now … patent medicine business, crooked mayor, swindled the town, disappeared in obscurity: Of-course he recorded a gospel record!

Da Costa Woltz and the Southern Broadcasters — Are You Washed In The Blood Of The Lamb?

Being washed in the blood of the Lamb refers to the metaphoric washing away of sin by virtue of the Lamb of God. The lamb was a frequent animal sacrifice in both the Old and New Testament. When Abraham was supposed to have sacrificed his son Isaac, he tells his son that they were going to offer a lamb for sacrifice. After all, I don’t think Isaac would have gone with him otherwise. They bring a lamb on their journey, and when God spares Isaac, the lamb is sacrificed instead. During Passover, the ten plagues are commemorated. The tenth one was the slaying of each first born Egyptian male. The blood of a sacrificed lamb was sprinkled on the doorposts of homes belonging to the Israelites. That would be a signal for the angel of death to pass over. And the Last Supper, of-course, was a Passover seder.

Memphis Slim — Cold Blooded Woman

Slim gave a shout-out to his guitar player Matt Murphy there, and Matt played pretty nice, but he wasn’t what you’d call a “guitar god.” They love the flashy fingers and the solos full of filigree. Be careful — these might be false gods. I hope if you’re a young guitar player, listening to this show, with your guitar in your lap — hoping to cop some licks — you pay attention. You don’t have to fill up every moment with a hundred notes. People like Guitar Slim only played a few notes, but every single one of those notes was like an ice-pick to your heart.

Jerry Lee Lewis — Lust of the Blood [listen on YouTube here]

You know if anybody ever asks me why I do this radio show, I could just play ’em that. Jerry Lee Lewis singing Shakespeare. That’s what this show is all about. Kind of makes you sad that no one ever recorded Muddy Waters’ version of “Death of a Salesman.”

Ike Turner — She Made My Blood Run Cold

Nervous Norvus (Jimmy Drake) — Transfusion [listen on YouTube here.]

That record got up to number 8 on the pop charts. Imagine a record like that on the charts now! We lived in great times.

[Bob talks about Sylvester Graham, famous for Graham crackers and also for his campaign against masturbation, which Bob enlightens us on at untranscribable length, finishing with:] I don’t know. For me, I think it would be easier to give up Graham crackers.

Honeyboy — Bloodstains On The Wall

Paul Clayton — Go Down You Blood Red Roses

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Those are the words of noted politician and clock collector, Thomas Jefferson.

Of-course TJ said that in the days before we were all citizens of the world, in a global environment, when it was still possible to be a patriot in deed and not just in words. Another example of how the future confuses us. Which is why we stick with our credo: Predicting the past is our way to the future.

Danny Barker — Blood On The Moon

[Bob talks about the killing of André Escobar in Colombia, due to his scoring of an "own goal" in an important soccer match. And much else besides.]

Big Boy Groves — Bucket O’ Blood

The String Kings — Bloodshot

[Bob offers his recipe for a Bloody Mary] Take two thirds of a cup of tomato juice. Don’t pinch pennies here — get a good tomato juice! Add two or three ounces of vodka — I sometimes add four — one teaspoon of horseradish. Use fresh horsewash — horshrad [the DJ breaks down here momentarily ...] Use fresh horseradish! Sprinkle a little tabasco sauce in there, and then one teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. I can say that easier than horseradish! Take the juice of a half a lime, a little bit of salt — I use the coarser sea salt, I like the texture — a little fresh ground pepper, then stick a celery stalk in there. Put on a couple of Willie Nelson records, sit for a while, and goodnight, Martha.

…

[Bob takes a phone call from, er, the usual guy. This time, in a cracked voice, he's complaining that Bob plays too much gospel music, referencing the "Blood of the Lamb" song from earlier in the show. Bob defends (for the second time, fans will note) his playing of gospel music:]

Well Charlie listen. I play all sorts of music. I’m sorry you don’t like the gospel music. I think they’re great songs. You might just be getting too hung up on the meaning. I play murder ballads: I’m not out killing anybody. Y’know, it’s funny: no one ever calls up to complain when we play songs about drinking too much liquor. In a way, it doesn’t matter what the song is about. What’s important is the fact that the singer means it that minute. I mean I’d rather hear a heartfelt song on a subject I don’t care about than than hear two minutes of empty sentiment about something I love.

The watch-words here on Theme Time Radio Hour have always been passion and heart. So we’re gonna keep on playing gospel music, because there’s certainly plenty of heart in it.

The Zion Travelers — The Blood

We got time for about one more, courtesy of the Mississipi Sheiks. Walter Vinson on guitar and vocals, Lonnie Chatmon on fiddle, Sam Chatmon on guitar, and Bo Carter on guitar. Don’t let the name fool ya: he was also a Chatmon.

I mention their names because it’s important to remember that these are people. This is how they made their living. They went somewhere to record it, and went many places to perform it. That’s how they got life experience, to write and record more songs. Sure, you can sit around your house, “click to buy,” without ever leaving home. Stick in your earbuds and listen to it all alone. But you’ve got to ask yourself: What’s the next generation gonna write about — sitting home alone? You’re not gonna write a song like this!

The Mississippi Sheiks — I’ve Got Blood In My Eyes For You

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Next week’s theme: WAR

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