Online radio sampler highlights CCCIV

Five standout selections heard today:

KUNV (Las Vegas, NV)

• Everything Is Fine-Nicole Henry (An easy, relaxed bounce supports Henry's strong vocals.  Rhythmically and lyrically, Al Jarreau's "We're In This Love Together" could segue with this.)

KWAX (Eugene, OR)

• Frederic Chopin: Mazurka in C minor, Op. 56, No. 3 (Emanuel Ax, piano) (This graceful, melancholy melody had me leaning in to ingest it.)

KXCI (Tucson, AZ)

• Follow Your Heart-The Paladins (With a guitar intro this intense, I don't doubt the conviction of the lyrics that follow it.)

WKYN (Mount Sterling, KY)

• Seven Year Ache-Rosanne Cash (Cash has always been adept at crafting cross-categorical tunes that fit just as easily in the singer-songwriter genre.  "Seven Year Ache" chronicles someone's inability to grapple with a relationship that's falling apart.  The synthesizer part has 1981 stamped all over it, appealingly.)

WSCA (Portsmouth, NH)

• Swingin' At Newport (Live)-Count Basie (Basie sets the template with a "Choo Choo Ch' Boogie"-style rhythm on the piano, and his band maintains its swing for eight minutes.  I'm glad that in 2026, there's a place on the air where you can still hear a vinyl recording of this.)

Segue suggestion XVIII

For a smooth jazz station seeking two compatibly bouncy tunes, I recommend pairing Kenny G's "The Shuffle" with Tom Grant's "Eye Of The Hurricane."  I played "The Shuffle" many times on KNJZ, but surprisingly, I have yet to hear "...Hurricane" on any station or stream.  This pairing offers a graceful way of gliding from an upbeat saxophone instrumental into rhythmically compatible vocals.

Retro FM dial scan highlights VI: 7/7/97

During my FM dial scan 29 years ago, one radio station after another was testing the Emergency Broadcast System.  Despite encountering that repetitive tone on station after station, I still managed to hear some music along the way.  Among the highlights:

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Poinciana-Gary Burton (This is a pleasant, expansive take on this standard, with Fred Hersch's piano playing and Burton's vibraphone stylings maintaining a mellow mood.) 

KCFV 89.5 FM

• Down By The Water-PJ Harvey (This of-its-time earworm's whispered refrain, "Big fish, little fish, swimming in the water...," still creeps me out decades later.)

WFUN 95.5 FM

• On The Wings Of Love-Jeffrey Osborne (Considering how radio-friendly this well-sung 1982 staple ballad of dedication shows is, I was surprised to learn that it wasn't a bigger hit.) 

KFAV 99.9 FM

• How Was I To Know?-John Michael Montgomery (Jann Arden's "Insensitive" could segue with this.)

KEZK 102.5 FM

• Someone Saved My Life Tonight-Elton John (This holds up, in my opinion, as one of John's best hits.  The piano underscoring, vocals, and lyrics check all the boxes that need to be checked.)

A function of age L

"Now, there's a tape I haven't played in a while," I thought recently.  "I should get out the Walkman and listen to it."

I looked upward after thinking that, half-expecting a neon sign to start flashing above me that said, "FOSSIL ALERT!  55 YEARS OLD!" 

Well...I'm fine with being a 55-year-old fossil.  The Walkman still works, and I got to hear my cassette.

Context? CDXLIV

This afternoon, the host of a pet advice radio show tactfully tried to discourage people from buying costumes for their pets.  He said it's best to save your money instead of spending it on something your dog will just tear apart.

I would add, "...and something that will compromise your dog's dignity."  In my view, pets aren't meant to wear bonnets, ties, vests, or any other human clothing.  They're pets, not dolls. 

A minimal frills 4th

It was refreshing to watch the Boston Pops Orchestra's July 4, 1978 concert this morning.  As I watched, I kept thinking, "In 1978, the powers that be didn't feel the need to have a celebrity host or pop stars singing with the orchestra.  The Boston Pops just put on an enjoyable light Classical concert with an off-screen announcer, and the audience responded enthusiastically."  Offenbach's "Overture to Orpheus In Hades," Copland's 'Hoedown' from "Rodeo," and "Pop Goes The Weasel," among other selections, received particularly boisterous cheers.  About the only musical concession the orchestra made to then-recent times was performing Walter Murphy's "A Fifth Of Beethoven."  Conductor Arthur Fiedler was restrained, as well, only introducing pieces occasionally and keeping his remarks brief.

Current conductor Keith Lockhart has done a fine job for decades with the annual July 4 concerts, and Craig Ferguson and Lockhart's 2009 impromptu "lords of the dance" commercial break interlude during the orchestra's performance of "Shipping Up To Boston" is the most amusing thing I've seen during any Boston Pops performance.

It's also nice, however, to remember a time when people just appreciated a full concert for the music itself and the fireworks--and that was enough.

Community Radio St. Louis highlights XI

Seven of the best songs I've heard today:

Sweet Inspiration

• The Ballad Of El Goodo-Big Star (Since first playing this on KCOU in the early '90s, I've always liked these lyrics about staying true to yourself.)
• Everyday Singing-Tift Merritt (This June release's lyrics illustrate how not everyone's efforts to make life fairer or better for others are acknowledged sufficiently.)
• When The Saints Go Marching In-Jimmy Smith (Many renditions of this treat the melody as a joyous free-for-all.  Smith's version, however, conveys the impression, "Let's not rush this; we'll get there in good time."  I'd expect no less when Smith is playing the organ.) 

Beyon' Cray

• Ponteio-Astrud Gilberto with Stanley Turrentine (I've glad crstl.fm played this, as it was a good reminder for me to pull out this CD and listen to it again.  These are appealing uptempo vocals, keyboard, and saxophone rhythms, with the immediately identifiable harmonica playing of Toots Thielemans.)
• Spiral-The Crusaders (This is one of many examples of why The Crusaders are my favorite jazz instrumentalists.  Every instrument contributes mightily to this jam, and Larry Carlton's blistering guitar playing is prominent.  Even after hearing this ensemble's stellar '70s releases for decades, I still want to hear them just as often today.  Also recommended: "Keep That Same Old Feeling.")

Dangerous Curves

• Golden-Jill Scott (These lyrics about making the most of one's freedom are empowering--and appropriate for Independence Day.)
• The Hump-Patrice Rushen (This strong 1977 funk groove acknowledges that life comes with obstacles--but resilience and this soundtrack should make overcoming them a bit easier.)