Snap, Crackle, POP! with Alec Cumming

Shiny Happy People – Mickey DolenzPorpoise Song – The MonkeesThe Door Into Summer – The MonkeesYou Bring the Summer – The MonkeesTerri – Mickey DolenzKiss Me on the Bus – The ReplacementsLeft of the Dial – The ReplacementsCut Your Hair – PavementIt Only Takes One Lion – Belle and SebastianWatching the Omnibus – The Bug ClubHave U Ever Been to Wales – The Bug ClubBlowin' Up – Kiwi Jr.Sound Asleep/Wide Awake – Pearl & The OystersGood Kid – Dana and AldenThe Sofa – Wolf AliceHollywood Communication – Julia CummingJazzman – Carole KingIn The Beginning – The Autumn DefenseChelsea Morning – Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66Night In the City – Joni MitchellMy Front Pages – Arlo GuthrieYou're My Favorite Song – Neil DiamondBrooklyn Roads – Neil DiamondBut You Just Woke Me Up – This is Lorelei

Sigh. This was supposed to be a "Catch a Wave" week fundraiser for WPKN, with the great Dawn Eden Goldstein joining me for the first half and the legendary Rob Silber joining me for the second half. Dawn came up with the idea of playing break-up songs as a theme within the "we need money" theme. Well, I mean, it was a fundraiser, but we didn't get a single donation during my shift, though. It would do me (and our brilliant radio station!) a tremendous amount of good if you donated to WPKN here in honor of Snap Crackle POP... so: Please? ---------------------------------------------Catch A Wave – The Beach BoysYou're Gonna Miss Me – The 13th Floor ElevatorsOff and Running – Lesley GorePartially Awesome – Edward O'ConnellAlone Again Or – The DamnedShake Hands and Walk Away Cryin' – Lou ChristieValentine's Day – Wild HaresFuture Me Hates Me – The BethsSo You Say You Lost Your Baby – Gene ClarkI'm Not Living Here – SagittariusThe Breakup – Art GarfunkelAll I Know – Art GarfunkelBye Bye Love – The CarsIf I Didn't Love You – SqueezeI Summon You – SpoonLovers Who Wander – DionBoth Sides Now – Judy Collins

This show was kind of a "memorial 2-fer". First, it was a belated tribute to Memorial Day; Dawn Eden Goldstein and I were going to co-host the Snap Crackle POP! WPKN show on the Memorial Day morning of 5/25/26, but due to a family issue we had to re-run the 1/27/26 Beatles REVOLVER special.Secondly, this show served as a memorial of sorts to the memory of Cynthia Louise Harden, who passed on 5/26/26 - and yes, that was the family issue. Cynthia was the mother of my amazing daughter Julia Cumming, my partner and co-leader of the '90s pop-rock-rap duo Bite the Wax Godhead, and... my ex-wife. I am still extremely sad and in shock, even as I write this.I'm not sure I did her memory justice (much less to the brave and women who lost their lives to war) but here it is anyway. I meant well. ===========================================The Way We Were / Try to Remember – Gladys Knight Reflections of My Life – The MarmaladeDo You Remember Walter? – The KinksRemember – John Lennon Here Today – Paul McCartney As You Lie There – Paul McCartney Soho Square – Kirsty MacCollNever to Be Forgotten – The Bobby Fuller FourI’ve Got a Broken Heart – The Lemon TwigsTill We Meet Again – The Cheepskates Galveston – Glen CampbellRuby, Don't Take Your Love to Town – Kenny Rogers and the First EditionPowderfinger (acoustic) – Neil Young I Can’t Write Left-Handed (live) – Bill WithersThe Green Fields of France – Dropkick Murphys Between the Wars – Billy Bragg Old World – The Modern LoversRivers of Babylon – The Melodians Keep On Movin' – Soul II Soul The Captain of Her Heart – Double Starlight – Nick Kivlen Only Love Can Break Your Heart – Neil Young

My guest co-host Dawn Eden Goldstein proposed we do a show based on early '90s UK "twee" music, with an emphasis on the 1991 "The Waaaah! CD", and I quickly agreed... Because Dawn always brings the obscure yet utterly fantastic pop songs to the world of Snap Crackle POP! So get into your pajamas and bring out your kittens and let's (politely) TWEE out! Who Loves the Sun – The Velvet UndergroundWalking My Cat Named Dog – Norma TanegaI'd Like to Walk Around in Your Mind - Vashti BunyanFill Your Heart – David BowieThink Of Rain – Margo GuryanDream Lover – The Paris SistersGoing Downtown – PianosaurusI Don’t Want to Back – Riff DoctorsFlowers Through the Air – Tiny LightsThe Sunday Way of Life – Smalltown ParadeSeptember's Not So Far Away – The Field MiceAshlands Road – Strawberry StorySunny Tuesday Afternoon – The DufflecoatsJames – Fat TulipsPerfect Day – Ric MenckAir – The OwlsSeems So – The Apples in StereoVoice In My Head – The SneetchesI'll Be Gone – Papas FritasDisconnect the Dots – Of MontrealStop Buying Things – Swan DiveWalk The Way You Talk – Dionne Warwick

Dawn Eden Goldstein is a badass. There, I've said it. Both a deeply respected Catholic theologian and pop music historian! I really like when she comes on my morning Snap Crackle POP! shows and I hope we do it again and again. She suggested a tribute/exploration of sorts into the career of British songwriter John Carter, and I was game, and this is what it sounded like. Chelsea Morning – Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 I Wish You Hadn't – Benjamin MorrenShe Is Today – Bergen White Sweet And Tender Romance – The McKinleys Lonely Room – The Ivy League I Can't Explain – The Who Tossing and Turning – The Ivy League Can't You Hear My Heartbeat – Herman's HermitsMy World Fell Down – SagittariusBeyond the Railroad – The Pen Friend Club Annie Almond – The Junipers Let's Go To San Francisco – The Flower Pot MenJangleheart – Novelty Island This Whole World – The Beach Boys Beach Baby – The First Class Winchester Cathedral – The New Vaudeville BandWestchester Hadassah – Allan ShermanPaper Trail – Caper Clowns In The Beginning – The Autumn Defense Little Bird – Famous GroupiesSadie – Aggie Miller

On yesterday's Snap, Crackle POP! I was delighted to have legendary raconteur and man about town Edward Rogers as a guest as we talked about his splendid new(-ish) album ASTOR PLACE. We talked about the fine art of songwriting, Birmingham homecomings, Sidewalk (sigh) and the Losers Lounge and the never-ending comings and goings of the East Village and htray rock 'n' roll and... well, it was a really fun and informative chat. And Edward's beautiful, deeply felt and finely wrought music really hits home. Cheers to Ed and Melani Rogers for making this happen and for being patient with me! I Know a Place – Petula ClarkMove In a Little Closer – Harmony Grass (for Joseph)Build Me Up Buttercup – The FoundationsNext Plane to London – The Rose GardenLondon Life – Anita HarrisMy Baby Loves Lovin' – White PlainsYou've Got Your Troubles – The FortunesMy Baby Loves Lovin' - White PlainsLong Cool Woman in a Black Dress – The Hollies Romeo – Edward RogersOld Town – Phil Lynott Tears In My Martini – Edward RogersStreet Life – Roxy MusicThe Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead – Edward Rogers, Loser’s Lounge Caroline Goodbye – Colin Blunstone15 Eldon Road – Edward Rogers All the Way from Memphis – Mott the HoopleWhat You Do to Me – Teenage Fanclub I've Got a Broken Heart – The Lemon Twigs No Milk Today – Herman’s HermitsHeadline Hustler – 10cc The Monsters of Pig Alley – Morrissey Long Way to Fall – BedouineOh My Love – John LennonOh Yoko! – John Lennon

The second of two day's worth of Snap Crackle POP! shows with female performers, songwriters, musicians, etc. in honor of Women's History Month. Pictured: the mighty BREEDERS. Drivin' on 9 – The Breeders I Am Woman – Helen Reddy I'm a Woman – Peggy LeeLola – The Raincoats Spellbound – Siouxie and the Banshees Don't Go Away – Tallulah Gosh Never Say Never – Romeo Void Thinking About Sex Again – The Waitresses O Superman – Laurie Anderson Hounds of Love – Kate Bush There's a Part I Can't Back – Sunflower BeanSmall Town Girl – Tracey ThornNight Terrors – Diet Cig Jersey – Barrie Cloud 9 – Beach Bunny Twilight Café – Susan Fassbender & Kay RussellGo Away – Strawberry Switchblade Black Boys on Mopeds – Sinéad O'ConnorHow Much Did You Get For Your Soul? – Lucinda Williams There She Goes Again – King Princess Broken English – Marianne Faithful

Wind – Circus Maximus Windy – The AssociationThe Wind Cries Mary – Jimi Hendrix Part of the Wind – Tim HardinWind Chimes – The Beach Boys Catch the Wind – DonovanI Talk to the Wind– Giles, Diles & FrippFour Strong Winds – Ian & Sylvia All I Did Was Dream – beebadoobeePassion Plug – Bella Litsa Rust & Wire – AnjimileGhosted – Laura Nyro Doomscrollin' – The Gershwin Brothers I Don't Like Hockey No More – The Zambonis Best Tears I've Ever Cried – Lane Steinberg Steer The Wheel – Bubble Wu–Tang – They Might be Giants Piccadilly – Squeeze Can't Wait – Piper Teenage Kicks – The Undertones Rat Trap – The Boomtown Rats I Will Follow – U2Soon – My Bloody Valentine

I usually don't save the fundraising shows I've done - there's an awful lot of begging for money - but I really enjoyed doing this show with I Messiah, the mysterious and stately reggae DJ at WPKN (for over 30 years!) All songs are performed by Stevie Wonder unless otherwise noted. ==============Isn't She Lovely Master Blaster (Jammin')Tell Me Something Good – RufusBoogie On Reggae WomanHigher Ground Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away It's A Shame – The SpinnersI Was Made to Love Her Fingertips Pts. 1 & 2 - LiveSigned, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) Too HighYou Haven't Done Nothin'Send One Your Love Hey Love I Don't Know Why I Love You I Love Every Little Thing About You – SyreetaI Wish My Cherie AmourThe Tears of a Clown – Smokey Robinson & The MiraclesI Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever) Village Ghetto LandLiving for the City Golden Lady You Are the Sunshine of My Life Uptight (Everything’s Alright) High Heel Sneakers (live in Paris, 1965)Do I Do

I hope the "title" of this episode isn't too on the nose. But that line has been stuck in my head since he passed this weekend. The Masked Marauder – Country Joe & the Fish I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag (1965 version) – Country Joe & the Fish Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine – Country Joe & the FishSilver and Gold – Country Joe & the FishComing Into Los Angeles – Arlo Guthrie Hesitation Blues – Hot Tuna Tamalpais High (At About 3) – David CrosbyHave You Seen the Stars Tonite – Paul Kantner and Jefferson StarshipStrawberry Letter 23 – Shuggie Otis After the Gold Rush – k.d. langOnly Love Can Break Your Heart – Neil Young Junk – Paul McCartneyWu-Tang – They Might Be Giants Eyeball – They Might Be GiantsGoodbye Mr. Blue – Father John MistyShooting Star – Sunflower Bean The Monsters of Pig Alley – Morrissey Fresh Air for My Mama – 10ccSolitude Is Exhausting – Paulzon Fire Senses Working Overtime – XTC I Wanna Go with Dignity – Peter Perrett 2468 – Horsegirl

I am probably going to re-upload this show shortly, vut for the time being here's this morning's Snap Crackle POP! tribute to Neil Sedaka, with my amazing co-host Dawn Eden Goldstein! [All songs are performed by Neil Sedaka unless otherwise noted.] That's When the Music Takes Me Stupid Cupid – Connie Francis The Diary I Go Ape One Way Ticket (To the Blues) Oh! Carol Oh! Neil – Carole King Where The Boys Are – Connie Francis Personality – Lloyd Price Calendar Girl Breaking Up Is Hard to Do I Can't Stay Mad at You – Skeeter Davis Magic Colors – Lesley GoreKissin' My Life Away (excerpt) – The Hondells When Love Comes Knockin' (At Your Door) – The Monkees Oh, Don't Come Crying Back To Me – Something Young Just to Let You Know (I Love You So) – California (Curt Boettcher)Beautiful You Love Will Keep Us TogetherLaughter In the Rain Bad Blood Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (Slow Version) Anywhere You're Gonna Be (Leba's Song)

Today was the crazy-ass "Calvin" blizzard day - still happening as I post this - so for this morning it was time for another last-minute Sunday pre-recorded Snap Crackle POP! show for a Monday morning. And yeah, yada yada I like to do these shows live, weather traffic yada yada, and pre-recording is such a pain because I fuss over the shows too much (tho grateful to have an opportunity to delete all my ummms and ahhhs and delete my word-retrieval shenanigans). But this show gets to the point, PLUS I get to play my daughter Julia's first-ever solo single. I'm enjoying the re-listen, especially after last week's live fiascoes. Valhalla, I am coming!=================Cold Rain and Snow (live at the Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY 2/21/1971) – Grateful Dead Angel In the Snow – Elliot Smith Valley Winter Song – Fountains of Cold As Ice – Foreigner Hazy Shade of Winter – The Bangles Wu Tang – They Might Be GiantsGoodbye Girl – The Shins Junior’s Farm (live BBC 2) – Squeeze Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five – Paul McCartney and Wings The Immigrant Song – Led ZeppelinSnow Blind – Black SabbathHeavy Snow – Lightnin’ HopkinsCold, Cold Heart – Hank WilliamsHold Steady – Queen Esther Headless Heroes – Eugene McDaniels My Life – Julia Cumming Anyone Who Ever Had a Heart (live) – Wynonna So Far Away – Carole KingThat’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be – Carly Simon American Obituary – U2How Much Did You Get for Your Soul? – Lucinda WilliamsA Plea – Flea The Windows of the World – Dionne WarwickWinter (Giles Martin 2020 mix) – The Rolling StonesFrozen Pines – Lord Huron White Winter Hymnal – Fleet FoxesFreeing Wheels – Souled American

As part WPKN's Black History Month celebration, I focus here on the type of music Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell made - something I'm here calling "Black Orchestral Pop", and what some others would call "Champagne Soul" (although that can be a problematic phrase to the creators themselves). Ironically, this music is such a focus of love and a huge topic for me... it was ridiculous that I dedicated a 2-hour show to it - I only played one Thom Bell song, right at the end. I HAVE TO DO ANOTHER ONE. There Goes My Baby – The DriftersSmoke Gets In Your Eyes – The PlattersI Only Have Eyes For You – The FlamingosDon't Make Me Over – Dionne WarwickMake It Easy On Yourself – Jerry ButlerBaby I'm Yours – Barbara LewisAny Day Now (My Wild Beautiful Bird) – Chuck JacksonI Hear a Symphony – The SupremesReach Out (I'll Be There) –The Four TopsMy Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me) – David RuffinGive Me Just a Little More Time – Chairmen of the BoardStay with Me – Lorraine EllisonThe Last One to Be Loved – Lou JohnsonGoin' Out of My Head – Little Anthony & the ImperialsAin't Nothing Like the Real Thing – Marvin Gaye & Tammi TerrellSomeday We'll Be Together – Diana Ross & the SupremesCalifornia Soul – The 5th DimensionWhere Is the Love – Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (Groovefunkel Extended Remix)A Song for You – Donny HathawayI'm Going Down – Rose RoyceJust My Imagination (Running Away with Me) – The TemptationsKeep On Truckin' (part 1) – Eddie KendricksRainy Night In Georgia – Brook BentonDidn't I Blow Your Mind This Time – The Delfonics