From their rural cottage rehearsal roots, Traffic went on to become more than just your average psychedelic band, eventually branching out into rather eclectic and moody forms of R&B, folk-rock, jazz, folk and the ever interesting jazz-folk! Not merely just a vehicle for the dizzying talents of Steve Winwood, they also contained the writing and singing proficiencies of Dave Mason and Jim Capaldi while supplying one of rock's only regular band members supplying the reeds in Chris Wood. But as rock life tends to take its toll, only Mason (left) and Winwood (centre seated) are alive today while other former band members Reebop and Ric Grech have passed on as well.

When the dreary days of winter just won't go away, sometimes it's nice to get away. Or at the very least it's nice to contemplate the idyllic days to come or what is experienced in a tropical setting. Enter March's theme on Pressplus1's Sound & Groove. If you're ever cold, just warm up to this toasty little podcast episode. So sit back and take in the splendor of a musical education courtesy of yours truly, Press+1 contributor Evan Dowbiggin. This is a themed podcast show entitled "Sound & Groove. And if you're new to this podcast: Every month there will be a theme the selection of music is centred around.

Gene Vincent sang about racing with the devil and other scary scenarios, plus many highly risque love songs for the time. He lived a hard and fast life and died before he ever turned 40. He represents the demonic side of rock and roll music, a phenomenon practically borne out of the underworld when Robert Johnson supposedly went down to those mythical crossroads and sold his soul to Satan.

Ah yes, aside from gospel and those often ignored but still real satanics making their music in the bowels of a building, contemporary music provides us many examples of spiritual, heavenly, existential inspired or inspiring music. Then on the flip side there's the demonic, dark, hellacious and evil! Subgenres of metal love to focus on this side of rock music. It's a much more central theme to the blues-rooted music of the 20th century but a necessary yin to the yang of the angelic themed or related music out there. Soooo take a trip with me, Pressplus1 podcaster Evan Dowbiggin, on a stairway to heaven... or if you prefer, a highway to hell! So sit back and take in the splendor of a musical education courtesy of yours truly, Press+1 contributor Evan Dowbiggin.

This is a themed podcast show entitled "Sound & Groove. And if you're new to this podcast: Every month there will be a theme the selection of music is centred around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopsis, breakdowns, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy. And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. This is the second of two episodes, going by the theme of "Song in the Key of the Divine and the Demonic" where different songs with exact same titles get played back-to-back. All killer, no filler... other than when I talk and introduce the tunes and recap the ones before it. But that's actually an appetizing filler... like hot dogs! Below I've also provided information and links relevant to the things talked about. Take a listen and come back for more! I double dog dare ya.

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Track Listing:

1. God on My Side- World Party (1990)

2. Race with the Devil- Gene Vincent (1956)

3. Spirit- The Waterboys (1985)

4. Hell Hole- Spinal Tap (1984)

5. Strange Angels- Laurie Anderson (1989)

6. New Face in Hell- The Fall (1981)

7. Talkin' About Jesus- Delaney and Bonnie (1971)

8. Catch Hell Blues- White Stripes (2007)

Info of note:

Intro- "Roads" by Portishead (1994)

Outro- "Glory Box" by Portishead (1994)

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

The late Harry Nilsson (1941-1994) in more angelic early days, a perfect example of a double threat singer/songwriter and musical force who knew the divine and demonic sides; possessing a voice capable of both, a face that transformed from boyish leanings to a ravaged, grizzled, drunken facade and a self-destructive streak that showed he was no mere Tin Pan Alley songwriting choirboy. He makes an appearance in the first episode of February's "Divine and Demonic" theme.

Ah yes, aside from gospel and those often ignored but still real satanics making their music in the bowels of a building, contemporary music provides us many examples of spiritual, heavenly, existential inspired or inspiring music. Then on the flip side there's the demonic, dark, hellacious and evil! Subgenres of metal love to focus on this side of rock music. It's a much more central theme to the blues-rooted music of the 20th century but a necessary yin to the yang of the angelic themed or related music out there. Soooo take a trip with me, Pressplus1 podcaster Evan Dowbiggin, on a stairway to heaven... or if you prefer, a highway to hell! So sit back and take in the splendor of a musical education courtesy of yours truly, Press+1 contributor Evan Dowbiggin.

A rather surly looking group photo of English folk rock purveyors Fairport Convention, playing mandolins, hurdy gurdys and fiddles in the midst of their prime. Sandy Denny (front centre) and Richard Thompson (far right) would be the two members who went on to the greatest fame once they left the band. One of the many artists heard inside Episode 2 of "New Year's Renewals."

Ah yes that time of year where it all begins again on the calendar but also where people- whether they live up to it or not- pledge to try things differently, right the wrongs, cut out the bad things. They call them resolutions. The only resolution I'm serious about is music sound quality! Hence this second of two January podcast episodes inspired by the night we countdown, the day we celebrate having it off work to kick off a new year and what the passing of a year entails and conjures up. Did I just make you feel old? Well sorry, my words tend to ramble on. Enjoy what I've come up with, my creatures of the night! So sit back and take in the splendor of a musical education courtesy of yours truly, Press+1 contributor Evan Dowbiggin.