Music and Cannabis have a friendship worth mentioning. Jack Herer, author of the seminal work, "The Emporer Wears no Clothes", had once stated that the memories around his first time using cannabis, were very special to him.
After finding love after his first marriage, he was given a pair of headphones, saying " for the first time in his life, had understood that music had so much music in it, and so, no wonder people really enjoyed it."
He was listening to Herb Alpert and the Tiajuana Brass and smoking Alcapulco Gold as a first time cannabis experience. He said "he could see the different sounds interacting and moving around" and his mind was blown.
Herb Alpert is one of the most famous artists you sadly may never had heard of. Many vinyl thrifters have no doubt encounted countless of his records, and probably most often the green one with the lady covered in whipped cream.
I was already familiar with the iconic Whipped Cream and Other Delights when Drew Carey played taste of honey on his show sometime in the midz 90s, but it was then that I realized Herb was more popular with folks, than I had thought.
I mean it makes sense, who doesn't like Herb? Herb made dinner dates and game shows like "the dating game " way better. Herb is about that Jazz life, the orginal weed music. (By original I mean in the last 200 years).
The enjoyment of music and separately cannabis, both date back to biblical times, so it would be silly to think that over the years nobody had mixed weed with music, but lets just keep it canntemporary.
Herb Alpert, like many prominent jazz artists, has often been sampled in, especially hip hop music, and must notably by legendary Wu Tang Clan, with founding member Method Man's Release yo' Delph , and even the Notorious Diddy with, I guess Notorious also, B.I.G.s Juicy.
Alpert has quietly outsold the Beatles, maintained a single marriage, released 50 albums, launched a fine art career, built a giant record label, sold a giant record label and is still on the road touring. An absolutely amazing example of a life's work and one well lived.
Herb and wife Lani Hall are still performing nationally and there are rumors of a TJB reunion tour in the coming months. I have seen the live show and it is awesome. "An evening with" seated performance type of show, and as anecdotal as it is musical.
A few years ago, I had learned that a group involved in archived music memorabilia, the David Bieber Archives, was looking for DJs to play sets from their vinyl collection. They have an incredible amount of media, a sort of sound bank-sters paradise.
My idea was to put out a cassette tape friendly, 90 minute vinyl show, featuring interviews with interesting people from the arts and cannabis communities paired with the music catalogue of Herb Alpert and The Tiajuana Brass.
In its treasure trove of american popular culture, The David Bieber Archives, has a great collection of Herb Alpert records, many of which I hadn't become acquainted with. Most of the collection came from radio stations, so they have tons of rare promos and just a really solid collection of original a&m vinyls.
Aside from The TJBs, Herb's catalogue includes some interesting solo jazz projects,and collaborations. I was familiar with Janet Jackson's song "Diamonds" , but didnt realize it was actually an Alpert Jam. Btw.. The 45 at 33 gives it quite a different vibe.
I also discovered ( for myself), Herb's work with Hugh Masekela. The Main Event incorporates an afro-cuban element, and is a very different sound than anything in his catalogue. The live version is a very fun record.
Of the hundreds of songs, there aren't many tracks with vocals, and so I felt the Herb is a perfect backdrop for an interview based, radio style show. Elevated Music if you will.
Being in New England in the current decade has been great for cannabis reasons. I have over the years been able meet some of the industries biggest shakers and movers as well as seen scores people of rise and fall in the " always dodgy " cannabis arena.
New England is also a [great place for live local art and music and as I tend to spend my time and resources participating in these circles, naturally it only made sense to solicit interviews from the local legends I tend to admire.
Herb Alpert started out with loading recordings into the trunk of his car, making trips to radio stations, and pioneering an original sound on sweat equity, drive and showmanship. These are the human qualities that most resonate with me, and so I always look for guests that I find to exemplify these traits.
Smoke N Herb Radio Show Podcast. It cann be said, is a Herb Alpert fanboy show and a cannabis culture show and local music showcase. These are true statements, but more than that the Show is about art and the human spirit .. oh yeah and weed.
I hope you will check it out and offer your listener and click support :)
SMOKE N HERB RADIO SHOW - Interviews with folks from the arts and cannabis communities. A collision of spheres ...or at least discs.
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