Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Turn Your Radio On - GRANDPA JONES
2. Papa's On The Housetop - LEROY CARR and SCRAPPER BLACKWELL
3. Shortnin' Bread - PAUL CHAPLAIN & HIS EMERALDS
4. Seven Nation Army - THE WHITE STRIPES
5. Gun Fever (Blam Blam Fever) - THE VALENTINES
6. Pistol Packin' Mama - AL DEXTER & HIS TROOPERS
7. Pistol Packin' Mama - THE HURRICANES
8. Homework - OTIS RUSH
9. He Will Break Your Heart - JERRY BUTLER
10. Take It Away Lucky - EDDIE NOACK
11. Buddy, Stay Off The Wine - BETTY HALL JONES
12. Tears A Go-Go - CHARLIE RICH
13. Rich Woman - LI'L MILLET & HIS CREOLES
14. Laughin' & Jokin' - ERNIE CHAFFIN
15. Me And My Chauffeur Blues - MEMPHIS MINNIE accompanied by LITTLE SON JOE
16. If I Lose - THE STANLEY BROTHERS
17. I Sat And Cried - JIMMY NELSON
18. Beatnik's Wish - PATSY RAYE & THE BEATNIKS
19. Devil In His Heart - THE DONAYS
20. Let's Invite Them Over - GEORGE JONES & MELBA MONTGOMERY
21. Don't Take Ev'rybody To Be Your Friend - SISTER ROSETTA THARPE with the Sam Price Trio
22. Good Morning Heartache - BILLIE HOLIDAY
23. Pouring Water On A Drowning Man - JAMES CARR
24. I Drink - MARY GAUTHIER
25. Mother Earth - MEMPHIS SLIM

Disc 2:

1. Chain Of Fools - ARETHA FRANKLIN
2. Walk A Mile In My Shoes - JOE SOUTH & THE BELIEVERS
3. Cry Tough - ALTON ELLIS & THE FLAMES
4. Tommy Gun - THE CLASH
5. (Everytime I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone - ROY MONTRELL
6. Those DJ Shows - PATRICE HOLLOWAY
7. I Ain't Drunk - LONNIE 'THE CAT'
8. Eat That Chicken - CHARLES MINGUS
9. Mama, Get Your Hammer - BOBBY PETERSON QUINTET
10. How High The Moon - SLIM GAILLARD
11. Cool Water - THE SONS OF THE PIONEERS
12. Only A Rose - GERAINT WATKINS
13. I Walk In My Sleep - BERNA-DEAN
14. Stars Fell On Alabama - JACK TEAGARDEN'S CHICAGOANS
15. Mama Tried (The Ballad From Killers Three) - MERLE HAGGARD & THE STRANGERS
16. Big Long Slidin' Thing - DINAH WASHINGTON
17. Black Coffee - BOBBY DARIN
18. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water - THE CATS AND THE FIDDLE
19. Ain't Got The Money To Pay For This Drink - GEORGE ZIMMERMAN & THE THRILLS with the Bubber Cyphers
20. Bottle And A Bible - THE YAYHOOS
21. Okie's In The Pokie - JIMMY PATTON
22. If You're So Smart, How Come You Ain't Rich? - LOUIS JORDAN
23. Ay Te Dejo En San Antonio - SANTIAGO JIMENEZ
24. Mona - BO DIDDLEY
25. Roadrunner (Twice) - THE MODERN LOVERS

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5898 in Music
• Released on: 2008-05-27
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Album Description
Ace is proud to present a 2008 double CD paying tribute to Theme Time Radio Hour hosted by Bob Dylan. For those that are new to the show, each radio program lasts an hour and has a different theme each week, often something simple like 'Drink', or 'Mother'. On the radio program each track is introduced by Dylan with his dry humor, eclectic interest and vast musical knowledge. On this CD set, though, Dylan himself does not appear; just selected tracks that he played on his shows. It can be regarded as the best introduction to music ever.

This double set is the only officially-authorized release associated with the show. Its 50 tracks represent the 50 shows of the first series of radio shows. The track-listing reflects Dylan's wide taste and ranges from Billie Holiday and George Jones, through Aretha Franklin to the Clash and the White Stripes. Although each track was chosen by Dylan for the radio show, the CD itself was compiled by the show's producer Eddie Gorodetsky and Ace's own Roger Armstrong.

The luxury package contains a 2-CD jewel case, with an accompanying 48-page full color book, all in a cardboard slipcase. The sleeve notes include a track-by-track commentary by some of the world's great music writers including Barney Hoskyns, Colin Escott, Billy Vera and Fred Dellar. Each track, no matter how obscure, is illustrated with a sleeve, label shot or photo of the artist.

Other Theme Time Radio Hour compilations have concentrated on the very early material, essentially because that material was in the public domain and thus royalty payments could be avoided. As with all Ace releases, this is a fully legitimate production and royalties are paid on every track.

Album Description
2008 double CD paying tribute to Theme Time Radio Hour hosted by Bob Dylan. For those that are new to the show, each program lasts an hour and has a different theme each week, for example Drink or Mother. Each track is introduced by Dylan with his dry humor, eclectic interest and vast musical knowledge. His voice does not appear on this CD, just tracks selected from the shows. It can be regarded as the best introduction to music ever. This is the only officially-authorized release - and is compiled by the show's producer Eddie Gorodetsky and Ace's own Roger Armstrong. Features 50 tracks, representing the 50 programs of the first series of radio shows. The tracklisting reflects Dylan's wide taste and ranges from Billie Holiday and George Jones, through Aretha Franklin to the Clash and the White Stripes. The sleeve notes include a track-by-track commentary by some of the world's great music writers including Barney Hoskyns, Colin Escott, Billy Vera and Fred Dellar. Each track, no matter how obscure, is illustrated with a sleeve, label shot or photo of the artist. Ace.

Customer Reviews

Not Theme Time...but the next best thing
So much about what I have come to love about music is falling away - "albums" are being replaced by singles downloaded from cyberspace, music magazines (so long No Depression) are shuttering their doors due to lack of ad revenue, and great record stores are closing by the dozen. Into these dangerous straits waded XM Radio and Bob Dylan with the Theme Time Radio Hour - a throwback to simpler times wherein Bob Dylan selects an hour's worth of choice cuts loosely centered around a "theme" like flowers, or marriage or coffee. The show has been a breath of fresh air - it's success due in equal measure to Dylan's pithy narrative style and his impeccable taste in popular music.

What we have here is Ace Records' attempt to anthologize the radio show by choosing 50 cuts that have appeared on Theme Time. There is no "theme" and no Dylan. What we do get is 2 hours of music - most of it blues, R&B, and American roots music. Some of the choices are inspired, the Geraint Watkins cut, "Only a Rose" for example; others - two versions of "Pistol Packin Mama" - less so. The overall effect is akin to listening to a jukebox stocked by Dylan. One could do worse. The packaging is excellent, with track and artist information and a photograph to accompany every song. Sound is more than adequate as well.

If you have access to XM radio by all means listen to Theme Time Radio Hour. If not, this makes a more than acceptable substitute.

EXTRA CREDIT FOR TRYING, BUT....
Arrright folks. I have been enjoying the Theme Time Radio now for some time, via the use of bootlegs. If there would be one reason for me to wish I had satellite radio, it would be for this one hour a week radio show. Bob Dylan picks the songs every week and throws some banter around, with interesting tid bits of information. Very ecclectic mix, and I really love hearing all of this rare stuff, presented to me by the man, Bob Dylan.
A compilation seems to be due, however, with fifty hours of programming being represented here... there is absolutely no way to make an acceptable two disc set. I'd have to say, that the show has been a treasure trove for me, and out of the dozens of old-old-oldies I've discovered on this show, I don't think a single one of them appear on this collection..... also, neither does Dylan. Not even once.
So, it's a tough call. If you are completely unfamiliar with the show, this may give you an idea. It's pretty much, taking a ride through Bob Dylans music collection, which is largely built up of blues, rock and r&b roots music... singles from the thirties-forties-fifties, and the occasional White Stripes tune (which personally, I didn't think should have been included here, but is). Really though, you should listen to the show. Bootlegs. Listen for the music that grabs your ear, or is different. Theres tons of gems coming out of this show, and not enough in this mix... however it is still pretty great. Theme Time Box Set is due! And keep in all of that great Bob Dylan jibberjabber. I guess I'll let this collection slide with a four star rating. That may be a bit of a stretch though.

*Ooops, I guess I gave it a five star rating anyway. Oh well.