Bob Abrahamian’s Sitting in the Park show on WHPK 88.5 FM Chicago delivered an all-music edition exploring obscure and classic soul tracks. Abrahamian showcased groups like The Mandells, The Carpets, and The Flint Emeralds, and introduced the “Classic Chicago Dusty” segment, highlighting records that were local hits but lesser-known outside Chicago. The show provided a deep dive into soulful obscurities from various regions, with special attention to Chicago’s contributions. Bob’s careful curation and reverence for the genre offered listeners a chance to connect with rare records and forgotten stories of soul history.
Mandells - I just can't win - Moneytown
Carpets - Keep Pushing On - Show ME
Mighty Mustangs - Outside Inside - Sure Shot
Bill Pinkney - I do the jerk - Fontana
Soul Shakers - Savage a go go - Triangle
Flint Emeralds - Just like a baby - Gatewood
Charles Spurling and the Lovejoys - No man has ever touched me - Bubbles
Toby King - Operator - Deesu
Jack and the Mods - One is enough for one - Hamtown
Darryl Stewart - You must know magic - Musicor
Apollas - All Sold Out - WB
Geraldine Hunt - For lovers only - ABC
Mary Wells - I'm sorry - 20th Century
Carl Mogan - I've got everything - Born
Tiares - I'll never let you go - Leona
Chocolate Glass - For I love you - Judnell
Three Dudes - Sad little boy - Satin
Johnny Neel and the Shapes of Soul - You've got to hold me - Richie
W.O.E. - I've got no regrets - Sprinkleville
Joe Brackenridge and the Kascades - Sometimes Baby - USA
Power Source Band - I don't have anything - WASP
Earl Randle - We need to turn to him - Family
Gloria Taylor - What's your world - Selector Sound
Clear - Equal Love Opportunity - DT
The show opened with a track from The Mandells, a group from Chicago’s West Side. Their song "Just Can’t Win" marked the second record released by the group and set the tone for the evening. Abrahamian’s deep knowledge of soul history shines here, drawing a line between these Chicago artists and their contemporaries across the nation. Following The Mandells, the audience was introduced to The Carpets from Kansas City, played next with their track "Keep Pushing On." Bob’s seamless connections between regions emphasized that soul wasn’t just a musical style but a unifying cultural force.
Bob’s reverence for each track, artist, and region was evident as he explored music from Kansas City to Michigan. He played songs like "Just Like a Baby" by The Flint Emeralds, named after the Detroit Emeralds, subtly highlighting how influential groups shaped emerging local talent in adjacent states. Bob then paid homage to James Brown with a track produced by the Godfather of Soul himself, featuring Bill Pinkney from The Drifters on vocals—a historical reminder of how interconnected these artists and scenes were.
“Classic Chicago Dusty”: Reclaiming the Forgotten Hits
The highlight of the show was the debut of Abrahamian’s new segment, "Classic Chicago Dusty." In this segment, he sought to bring attention to records that were local sensations in Chicago but less recognized elsewhere. The chosen record, "All Sold Out" by The Apollos, exemplified this effort. While the A-side "Mr. Creator" might have been the label’s intended hit, Chicago DJs saw something special in the B-side and turned it into a blue light party staple. By flipping the record, these DJs effectively created a new cultural moment that Abrahamian now shared with his listeners.
Abrahamian’s decision to spotlight the B-side of The Apollos’ record wasn’t just a nod to Chicago’s taste-making role; it was a reminder of how community and context shape music. His approach to curating tracks like these illustrated his dedication to giving lesser-known artists their due, affirming the historical significance of these "dusty" records in the broader narrative of soul music.
Bridging the Gap Between the Past and the Present
Beyond the music, Bob used his platform to advocate for the importance of arts education, highlighting how creativity fosters openness and tolerance. It’s a reminder that the preservation of music history goes hand in hand with the cultivation of new generations of artists and listeners. His mention of the decline of arts programs in schools emphasized the need for community engagement, urging parents to take action.
As the show moved toward its conclusion, Abrahamian continued his exploration of the soul diaspora, playing tracks by The Power Source Band from Chicago’s South Side, Earl Randall’s gospel-tinged soul cut, and Gloria Taylor’s deep soul piece. By weaving in regional sounds from Detroit, Chicago, Texas, and beyond, Bob painted a portrait of a genre that was simultaneously local and universal.
Bob Abrahamian 00:00
Okay, you are tuned to WHPK, 88.5 FM in Chicago. You are now tuned to the Sitting in the Park show. I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving. I have an all-music show today. If you want to call me up, the number here is 773-702-8424. I'm going to start off this show on the West Side of Chicago. This is The Mandells with the second record they ever released. This track is called Just Can’t Win.
[music playing: "Just Can’t Win" by The Mandells]
Bob Abrahamian 12:40
Okay, you’re tuned to WHPK 88.5 FM in Chicago. You’re listening to the Sitting in the Park show. My name is Bob, and this show happens every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9 PM. We started the show with The Mandells from the West Side of Chicago. That was the second record they released, Just Can’t Win. After that, we played The Carpets from Kansas City, on the same label as The Mandells. That track was called Keep Pushing On. Following that was The Mighty Mustangs with Outside, Inside, a James Brown production featuring Bill Pinkney, who I believe was the singer from The Drifters. We wrapped up with another dance record, The Soul Shakers’ Savage A-Go-Go.
If you want to call me, the number here is 773-702-8424. At 8 PM, I’m going to do a new segment called Classic Chicago Dusty, where we play obscure records that were hits in Chicago. This next record is a rare, but really nice track from Flint, Michigan. This is The Flint Emeralds, named after the Detroit Emeralds. This track is called Just Like a Baby.
[music playing: "Just Like a Baby" by The Flint Emeralds]
Bob Abrahamian 27:56
Okay, you’re tuned to WHPK, 88.5 FM in Chicago. You are listening to the Sitting in the Park show. My name is Bob, and this show happens every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9 PM. I also have a website for the show, which is www.sittinginthepark.com. On the site, I’ve archived all the interviews I’ve done with Chicago groups and audio of all the music shows I’ve hosted over the past few years. Tonight’s show will be uploaded online, probably by midnight.
We started the set with The Flint Emeralds and their track Just Like a Baby. After that, from Ohio, we had Charles Sperling and the Love Joys with No Man Has Ever Touched Me. From North Carolina, Toby King’s Operator was next, followed by Jack and the Mods from Virginia with One Is Enough for One. Finally, from the New York/New Jersey area, we played Darryl Stewart’s You Must Know Magic.
If you want to call me, the number here is 773-702-8424. Now, we’re moving on to the new segment of my show, Classic Chicago Dusty. The idea is to feature classic records that were hits in Chicago, but are not necessarily from Chicago. They also aren’t played on other "dusty" stations. Today, I’m playing a track by The Apollos. This is actually the B-side of their record; the A-side is Mr. Creator. But in Chicago, DJs flipped the record and made this side a hit at blue light parties. This track is called All Sold Out.
[music playing: "All Sold Out" by The Apollos]
Bob Abrahamian 43:02
Okay, you’re tuned to WHPK, 88.5 FM in Chicago. You are listening to the Sitting in the Park show. My name is Bob, and this show happens every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9 PM. Today’s show is an all-music edition, and I hope you’re enjoying it. We began this set with my new segment, Classic Chicago Dusty, where we featured a blue light basement party hit by The Apollos, All Sold Out.
Next, we had Geraldine Hunt from Hyde Park High School with For Lovers Only, Mary Wells with I’m Sorry, and Carol Mogan from Chicago with I’ve Got Everything. We finished with a group from Detroit, The Trads, and their track I’ll Never Let You Go.
Parents, keep in mind that arts are an essential part of a child’s education. They foster tolerance, openness, and creative growth. However, art classes are disappearing from the curriculum. Get involved to ensure your child gets their fair share of art education. For more information, visit americansporthearts.org.
On a different note, another show you should check out is The Dusty Party. It airs every Thursday night from 9 PM to midnight, featuring soul, funk, blues, and jazz from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. There’s a rotating lineup of DJs, so tune in!
We’re halfway through the show. If you want to call, the number here is 773-702-8424. This next record is from Texas. It’s The Chocolate Glass with For I Love You.
[music playing: "For I Love You" by The Chocolate Glass]
Bob Abrahamian 1:01:51
Okay, you’re tuned to WHPK, 88.5 FM in Chicago. You are listening to the Sitting in the Park show. My name is Bob, and this show happens every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9 PM. In the last set, we started off with two groups from Texas. First, we played For I Love You by The Chocolate Glass. Then we heard Sad Little Boy by The Three Dudes. This group is related to The Four Dudes, which I played a few years ago. After that, we played You’ve Got to Hold Me by Johnny Neil and the Shapes of Soul. Next was I’ve Got No Regrets by The Willow Oakland Ensemble. We closed the set with a track from the North Side of Chicago by Gabriel Green and Joe Brackenridge in the Cascades called Sometimes Baby.
We have about 25 minutes left in the show. If you want to call me, the number here is 773-702-8424. Up next is a group from the South Side of Chicago, The Power Source Band, with a track titled I Don’t Have Anything.
[music playing: "I Don’t Have Anything" by The Power Source Band]
Bob Abrahamian 1:20:16
Okay, you’re tuned to WHPK, 88.5 FM in Chicago. You are listening to the Sitting in the Park show. My name is Bob, and this show happens every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9 PM. We started off that set with The Power Source Band from Chicago, followed by a gospel soul cut by Earl Randall titled We Need to Turn to Him. Next was Gloria Taylor with What’s Your World, and then a group from Detroit called Clear with Equal Love Opportunity.
We’ve got about five minutes left. If you want to call me, the number here is 773-702-8424. Our next track is from San Francisco. This is Bobby Sansom and the Miles Marks with Don’t Leave Baby, Don’t Go.
[music playing: "Don’t Leave Baby, Don’t Go" by Bobby Sansom and the Miles Marks]
Bob Abrahamian 1:21:18
Thank you for tuning in to Sitting in the Park. I hope you enjoyed the show. We’ll be back next Sunday night from 7:30 to 9 PM. Don’t forget to check out the website, sittinginthepark.com, where you can find interviews and past shows. Until next week, take care!
