Rough Sundays

Look, we don't want to brag, but this is probably the first gospel music-based podcast from Kosovo that you've ever heard, so if for no other reason to listen this week... However, if you need a bit more of a push, we've got the High Priestess of Soul, the Thunderbolt of the Midwest, two from France's naughtiest crooner and one of the most famous actors of all-time donning a Caribbean accent for his virtually-unknown Calypso album... and a lot more.  It's Rough Sundays. FROM Kosovo. Subscribe and listen in Spotify!

What do oysters + wine + 2am, two notable deaths, a 17-year old deejay from Tulsa and friends of both Thomas Edison & Mark Twain have in common? It's all part of the 14th (yes) episode of Rough Sundays. Make coffee. Have a seat. And let us handle things for half-an-hour.   Subscribe in Spotify! 

Three years ago, on the eve of Mardi Gras, we phoned up Christopher Gargiule, aka "Brother Chris", aka "The Prince of New Orleans" to talk all things about that magical city. From the explanation of a Second Line to Mardi Gras Indians, the history of different krewes to just getting caught up in a little magic, it quickly became one of the most popular shows ever to appear on Rough Sundays. For whatever reason, it disappeared online and had to be tracked down by some tech-savvy folks (who did so at no cost as they remembered the show in question).  And so, on the Sunday before Mardi Gras 2021 - a strange one, perhaps, but even more special for it - it's Rough Sundays, New Orleans edition.  Throw me something, Mister! 

A day late, but that's because it's such a good show that Spotify thought it was done by professionals and wanted to make sure we weren't stealing.  Back down the rabbit hole of Ethiopian Jazz, the resistance and resistance of New Orleans, the realness of Satan and one of the catchiest gospel tracks you've never heard. Plus a whoooooole lot more. Subscribe in Spotify! 

A stone's throw from the Bosnian border, it's Rough Sundays Vol. XI, featuring Civil Rights hymns, Nigerian Palm Wine music, a coffee-soaked Holiday, Elvis vs. Cultural Appropriation and just who, exactly, kidnapped Fats Waller and forced him to stay up for 3 days playing his piano. Subscribe in Spotify! 

Despite what the pictured high-fashion would have you believe, probably the best show since the recent reboot. We go from Palm Wine music coming out of West Africa, across the Atlantic and down to Brazil, followed by some Blind Boys and then probably the greatest live gospel performance ever recorded and a few more tracks after that. It's Rough Sundays — live from Novi Sad, Serbia! [Subscribe in Spotify]

A doozy of a show, featuring gypsy jazz from the 1930s, two old-time gospel tracks, a song about okra + a tribute to Mr. Okra, Brenda Lee and much, much more. Subscribe in Spotify. Be kind to animals. And have a great Sunday!  x

From a snow-covered Belgrade, it's Rough Sundays! Featuring some old Texas blues, old-time religion, jungle fever, some hipster feel-good, plus a continuation the story of the Romani and their music. We then end it all with a tribute to one of the greats that we recently lost.  Make coffee. Click play. And enjoy your Sunday. (Subscribe in Spotify!)

From Belgrade, the first episode of 2021! Featuring gospel from the 1930s, Brazilian goodness, Cuban delights and an introduction to gypsy jazz.  Rough Sundays Vol VII. Subscribe in Spotify. See ya later.

From an old apartment overlooking downtown Belgrade, it´s Rough Sundays - back from a month off (computer died), but in no way are we missing an excuse to fill your hour with mirth and jolly. So pour a drop of something cheerful and let some old holiday tunes keep you warm.  Happy Christmas!!!    

From underneath the bells of a medieval church in Montenegro (and then later a balcony overlooking the bay), we're back with the Queen of Gospel, a voice that was built on Sundays, Sam Cooke's original band and a story about how host Aric S. Queen stalked Otis Redding's family... twice. It's Rough Sundays, Vol. VI!  Subscribe in Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts and more. 

From Northern Albania, we've got gospel from the 1930s, Senegalese goodness, live version of a now-passed on legend, 1970s soul and even a bit of Albanian street busking. Rough Sundays! Subscribe in Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, TuneIn FM and more.  

From a cafe table surrounded by gypsy jazz in Tirana, Albania (and then another cafe table, and then finally at home), it's the 4th installment of our wake-you-up show, featuring a bit of Mardi Gras magic, French "yé-yé", gospel from the 1930s, a bit of monopolized funk and a very, very special audio recording at the end. It's Rough Sundays Vol. IV! Subscribe in Spotify, Amazon, Google, etc. Hooray! 

From the lobby of the Grand Hotel de Londres — built in 1892 for passengers arriving on the Orient Express—it's our third show back with some dreamy Sunday morning picks: a summertime in New Orleans track, some local Turkish jazz from the 1970s, some forgotten Chicago gospel and why you should always be afraid of the Inkspots... plus much more. It's Rough Sundays Vol. III, live from Istanbul!           

The final show from Bangkok if host Aric S. Queen doesn't die from his going-away party hangover first. Fortunately, there are some absolute gems in here to get everyone moving (slowly) this Sunday. Lord, Lord, Lord - Shannon Powell Baby, I'm In The Mood For You - Odetta Boliviana - Ibrahaim Ferrer Yègellé Tezeta - Mulatu Astatke Ofege - It's Not Easy Louis Prima - The Next Time (Live) Subscribe in Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts and basically just about every other place except iTunes which we're still waiting for approval on.  And if you got a few bucks for the tip jar, it'd go towards the new adventure, as Aric leaves on a plane tonight. Venmo @aric-queen PayPal aric@aqueenandcountry.com Enjoy your Sunday!

From under a mosquito net in an old teak house up in the hills of Northern Thailand — back and hopefully for the last time — it's Rough Sundays! 30 minutes of 5 tracks guaranteed to get you moving after a large Saturday night.    Tracklist:   1. Yusef Lateef - The Plum Blossoms (Rudy Van Gelder Remaster) 2. Kamasi Washington - Street Fighter Mas 3. Gal Costa - Palavras No Corpo  4. Ebo Taylor - My Love and Music 5. Jimmy "Bo" Horne - Gimme Some   Click to subscribe in iTunes: Click to subscribe in Spotify   Donation info (but only a dollar or so to help pay for expenses): PayPal - aric@aqueenandcountry.com Venmo - @aric-queen   Enjoy your Sunday!   x

When things are a bit shit, there's no better remedy than a bit of ragtime. And if you're not feeling at least a little bit better after 40+ minutes of it, we don't know what to tell you. Lots of moxy in this week's episode, see! Here's what's what! - Scott Joplin – Maple Leaf Rag The Mariners Trio – Happy Feet Phil Baxter and His Texas Tommies – If I Had You and You Had Me Fred Rich & His Orchestra – As Long As We’re In Love Three Keys – Heebie Jeebies Winifred Atwell – Way Up In North Carolina Jelly Roll Morton – Mamie’s Blues Fats Waller – Christopher Columbus Ben Bernie & His Orchestra - Look Who's Here - Press play. Be happy! And don't forget to subscribe in iTunes. 

Maybe it's the shiite weather or maybe it's the amount of alcohol consumed per capita, but something about Scotland makes for a living soundtrack to slow Sunday mornings. - Beta Band – Dry the Rain The Proclaimers – I’m On My Way Belle and Sebastian – String Bean Jean Annie Lennox – A Whiter Shade of Pale Donovan – Catch the Wind Finley Quay – Your Love Gets Sweeter Teenage Fanclub w/ De La Soul – Fallin’ Bay City Rollers – Give A Little Love Frightened Rabbit – I Wish I Was Sober - This show is dedicated to the memories and families of Scott Hutchinson, Michelle Anders and Anthony Bourdain. 

Back from holiday with an absolute banger of a show. The original title was: "Sunday Morning Songs That Include the Word 'Summer' In Them That You Probably Don't Know and Even If You Do, They're So Good, You'll Want To Hear Them Again Anyway" ... But that takes an hour to write, so you're stuck with the shortened version.  Here's what's what: Jerry Keller - Here Comes Summer The Flaming Lips - It's Summertime Bay City Rollers - Summerlove Sensation The Diamonds - One Summer Night XTC - Summer's Cauldron Ruby and The Romantics - My Summer Love Anders Osbourne and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux ... Hit play! Be happy! And don't forget to subscribe in iTunes. Hooray! 

After our breakout star who is Brother Chris of the Chart Room - who was the focus of not one but two of our favorite shows - we made it a rule to never talk New Orleans without him. Meaning this week's show - another one highlighting the magic that comes from the Crescent City and during her second week of Jazzfest - we present to you half an hour (exactly!) of songs and artists you need to know from New Orleans.   Tracklist: Allen Toussaint - Soul Sister Kermit Ruffins - Drop Me Off In New Orleans Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Tailgate Ramble  Tuba Fats, Peter Nissens New Orleans Jazz Band - After You've Gone The New Orleans Jazz Vipers - I Hope You're Coming Back To New Orleans Fats Domino - Walkin' To New Orleans Irma Thomas - Straight From The Heart Louis Armstrong - (When We Are Dancing) I Get Ideas The Meters - Cissy Strut ... Where y'at! [End]