Fusion 45

The Original Fusion 45 (Gotta Get Me A TV Special)

I launched Fusion 45 almost two years ago because I wanted to spend more time with my record collection (and less time with my kids!) in the studio I’d spent a lot of time and money building. (OK, the part about my kids is not exactly true; but when the going gets tough, it’s certainly an attractive refuge. My wife, the nurturer, understands.)

What I’ve gotten is more time with my computer. Damn, another plan foiled.

The very first Fusion 45 post was a mix of songs that happened this way: I took 12 records off the shelf, numbered them 2 through 12. I rolled a pair of dice to determine the record (2 through 12) and then the cut (2 through 12) that I would play. Unfortunately, Cut #1 never got played (poor, sad Cut #1).

Today, Mr. Peabody is setting the Wayback Machine for December 2006 for the first Fusion 45 mix in a mighty long time. A couple of changes: no dice, baby, just a random stack of records sitting on the studio floor and the tunes are set up individually (not in one big ole MP3).

John Stewart - Midnight Wind

Maria Muldaur - Any Old Time

Stephen Stills- Song Of Love/Rock And Roll Crazies/Cuban Bluegrass

Laura Nyro - Blackpatch

Linda Ronstadt - Up To My Neck In Muddy Water

Allan Sherman - Shake Hands With Your Uncle Max

Three Dog Night - Southbound

Marty Robbins - Foggy Foggy Dew

Steve Miller Band - Going To The Country

Robert Gordon And The Wildcats (with Link Wray) - Red Hot

It’s hard to find an acoustic rock record made in the 1970’s (especially those from Elektra and Asylum) that didn’t include Russ Kunkel. From his inauspicious launch in 1969 on the much-touted Barbara Keith debut album to his 2008 appearance on James Taylor’s X2 record, Kunkel could possibly be the most recorded session drummer of all time.

Here are a dozen that feature Kunkel laying down the groove.

Jackson Browne - Nothing But Time (Running On Empty, Elektra, 1977)

I always liked the fact this tune was recorded on a cross-country tour bus. Our tour bus never had that much stability. Actually, neither did our band.

Harry Chapin - Burning Herself (Sniper and Other Love Songs, Elektra, 1972)

Crosby, Stills and Nash - Shadow Captain (Crosby, Stills and Nash, Atlantic, 1977)

Dan Fogelberg - Nexus (The Innocent Age, Epic, 1981)

This is a pretty standard groove but it has that Kunkellian flavor that’s unmistakable.

Andrew Gold - Lonely Boy (What’s Wrong With This Picture, Elektra, 1976)

I’m not a big fan of Andrew Gold but this song does bring back some memories. A tough beat to make work but Russ knocks it out here.

Carole King - Where You Lead (Tapestry, Ode, 1971)

Nobody did laid-back California better than Kunkel did on this one (for my money, a better tune than the ones you always hear on the radio).

Joni Mitchell - Casey (Blue, Reprise, 1971)

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Prodigal’s Return (Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy, Liberty, 1970)

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Dudes rockin’ out!

Linda Ronstadt - Sail Away (Don’t Cry Now, Elektra, 1973)

Nothing too exciting drum-wise but a beautiful interpretation of Randy Newman. Reminds me why I resent her for bailing out on rock and roll.

John Stewart - Big Joe (Willard, Capital, 1970)

Kunkel is credited with playing “knees” on this tune

Stephen Stills - Shuffle Just As Bad (Stills, Columbia, 1975)

Warren Zevon - Excitable Boy (Excitable Boy, Elektra, 1978)

MP3: Download The Mix

ZIP: Download The Files

Recorded live at The Buddha Barn on July, 16, 2007

• Jimmie Rodgers - Oh-Oh I’m Falling In Love Again (Single, 1958)
• Linda Ronstadt - I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight (Hand Sown…Home Grown, Capitol, 1969)
• The Broken Homes - Seeds I’ve Sown (Straight Line Through Time, MCA, 1988)
• The Clash - Train In Vain (London Calling, Epic, 1979)
• Nick Lowe - Tanque-Rae (Abominable Showman, Columbia, 1983)
• Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper - Wash Dishes No More (Bo Day Shus, Enigma, 1987)
• English Beat - Mirror In The Bathroom (What Is…, IRS, 1983)
• Archie Bell and The Drells - Just Can’t Stop Dancin’ (I Can’t Stop Dancin’, Atlantic, 1968)
• The Guess Who - Proper Stranger (American Woman, RCA, 1970)
• Wilson Pickett - Mustang Sally (Wicked Pickett, Atlantic, 1966)
• Roxy Music - Oh Yeah (Flesh + Blood, Virgin, 1980)
• Marty Robbins - Saddle Tramp (Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, Columbia, 1959)
• Graham Parker - Stupefaction (The Up Escalator, Arista, 1980)
• R.E.M. - Disturbance At The Heron House (Document, IRS, 1987)
• Flatt and Scruggs - Life of Trouble (Folk Songs of Our Land, Columbia, 1962)
• The Fifth Dimension - Ticket to Ride (Magic Garden, Soul City, 1967)
• The Police - Miss Gradenko (Synchronicity, A and M, 1983)
• Jim Croce - Careful Man (Life and Times, ABC, 1973)

Remembering Fagan’s