A musical wonderkid, some godhead Boston soul, a bizarre murder and some Dr. John gris-gris!
This brand-new podcast, From the Archives With Fervor Records, is already building a cult following since its debut last week. Hell, it hit the Apple podcast charts at No. 34. Ain’t bad for an Arizona indie label whose massive, historic master tape vaults hold more great songs than the world ever bothered to hear. These are the yarns of the underdogs, those who starved to pay studio bills, who suffered endless hot, sweaty days and freezing long nights in broken-down vans getting from one back-alley dive to another beer-swill tavern, playing live to stay alive, moved only by that inexplicable passion to create. Each episode is a crate-digger history lesson with enough human triumph, tragedy and sonic greatness to make it compelling even if you know little or nothing about the music. The musical genres change with each podcast season. Each episode contains its own peculiar, city-specific music constellation.
This second episode follows musical wonderkid Herschel Dwellingham from tiny Bogalusa, Louisiana, who debuts live on drums at five years old. The Wrecking Crew’s Earl Palmer and Dr. John abduct his heart, and he lands his first regional hit as a songwriter at 16. A full ride to Berklee College of Music brings him to Boston, where he creates a soul music scene in the ’60s with tentacles stretching from Chitlin’ Circuit whispers to regional radio towers and across oceans. Among many bizarre turns is a hit song he writes, produces and plays on, whose singer is murdered.
There is no shortage of exquisite soul anthems born of racial tension and hard-lived experience, alongside long-lost masterpieces newly unearthed. Hear how podcast hosts Jeff Freundlich and David Hilker have breathed new life into these obscure Boston greats, artists and songs alike, through hit film and TV placements.
Watch this space each week for a new episode of From the Archives.
Top photo: From The Archives crew (from l.): Jeff Freundlich, David Hilker and producer Keagan Stomberg.
