Context? CDLVI

This afternoon, a radio talk show host joked that "everything (played) on the banjo sounds like the theme from 'The Beverly Hillbillies.'"

Well...Not quite.  Granted, I might have thought so 40 years ago, but after years of listening to such artists as Bela Fleck, Tony Trischka, and Alison Brown, I'll admit that the banjo has more range than I realized initially.

Context? CDLV

I just caught the end of an underwriting mention on NPR today, so I'm not sure which sponsor thinks "AI should be optional," but I'm inclined to support them--whoever they are.

Persistent earworm alert CDL

Gambling strikes me as too risky, so I've always avoided it.  Inexplicably, though, despite never hearing it on the radio, "Go Down Gamblin'" by Blood, Sweat & Tears hasn't left my mind for the past week.

Now, I'm wondering.  Did I read about a gambling-related amendment recently?  Did an ad for a casino seep into my mind subconsciously?  Did I overhear part of a sermon about refraining from placing bets?

What might my ears have picked up that I didn't realize?

Community Radio St. Louis highlights XIV

Five standout tunes heard today:

Fresh Start

• Agitations Tropicales-L'Imperatrice (Instrumentally and vocally, this 2015 release pulls off a convincing '70s dance pastiche.)
• Carry The Weight-Beth Bombara (These reassuring, uplifting lyrics remind me of "Trouble Me" by 10,000 Maniacs and "I'll Come Over" by The Kennedys.)
• X-Ray Hip-Bona Fide (This uptempo smooth jazz/funk instrumental's catchy hook works equally well on the piano, guitar, and vibraphone.)

Backroads

• Black Pine Waltz-Doc & Merle Watson (This fiddle-and-guitar instrumental would flow well into various renditions of "Tennessee Waltz.")
• Ode To Earl-Bela Fleck (Spirited banjo playing and impressive mandolin playing with ample tremolos.) 

FM dial scan highlights CCCXI

Five recommended tunes heard today:

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Sincerely-Claudia Hayden (An uptempo smooth jazz flute number with a dash of mystery, released in July.)
• Francisco-Jackie McLean (McLean's dominant saxophone playing steers the course of this energetic Latin jazz-meets-bop track.  I'd segue this with Vince Guaraldi's "The Love Of A Rose.")

KSHE 94.7 FM

• It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference-Todd Rundgren (This is one of Rundgren's softer, subtler tracks.  Alison Krauss covered it effectively.)
• Titles-Barclay James Harvest (The vocal harmonies and guitar strumming on this strung together list of Beatles song titles sounds like a group of friends playing around a campfire.  The Thorns would have sounded smooth covering this.)

KLOU 103.3 FM

• Dare Me-The Pointer Sisters (Rhythmically and vocally, this is one of the group's stronger hits.  I'm surprised that KLOU's 1985 rebroadcast of "American Top 40" marks the first time I've heard it in decades.)

SiriusXM highlights CLXXVIII

Saturday morning highlights:

The Elevator

• Up On The Roof-John Fox (This flute, guitar, and strings rendition of the classic Drifters hit slows the tempo down, giving it a tasteful, easy listening sheen.)

B.B. King's Bluesville

• Every Step Of The Way-Keb' Mo' (An honest acknowledgment that not every decision we make in life will be perfect, but what we learn along the way helps us navigate life more gracefully.)

Lo-Fi Sleep

• Over The Moon-Team Astro (A warm piano riff with crackling vinyl sound effects.)

Luna

• Brigas, Nuncas Mais (Fights Never More)-Antonio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina (Rhythmically, these vocals and keyboard accompaniment could segue with various versions of "One Note Samba.")

Piano Instrumentals

• Changing Winds-Alexandra Streliski (Fit for a soap opera scene in which a character contemplates a major life decision.)

SiriusXMU

• Knocking At The Sky-The Last Dinner Party (For lyrical contrast, Samia's "Spine Oil" would be an interesting tune to segue with this.)

Spectrum Discovery

• Haunted-Phoebe Bridgers (How do you regroup and soldier on after a setback, especially when it's one that's not visible to others?  This new release ponders this thoughtfully and takes a one-foot-in-front-of-the-other attitude toward recovery.) 

Stevie's Coolest Songs

• Casablanca-Susanna Hoffs (Hoffs has maintained an earnest sincerity in her vocals over decades, as this new release illustrates.) 

Online radio sampler highlights CCCVIII

Today's standouts:

KAFM (Grand Junction, CO)

• Dance Floor-The Apples In Stereo (I'm guessing that one or more band members intended to channel ELO here.  Also recommended: "Tidal Wave.")

KCSM (San Mateo, CA)

• My Whole Life Through-The James Carter Organ Trio (A slow, relaxed melody with prominent saxophone over a backdrop of organ.)
• Dolphin's View-Alex Sipiagin (The piano underscores Sipiagin's trumpet playing compellingly, giving the tune some dark turbulence.)

WQED (Pittsburgh, PA)

• Felix Mendelssohn: Paulus (St. Paul), Op. 26, MWV A14: Overture (City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Edward Gardner, conductor) (I'd like to have played any of the stringed instruments on this recording so I could say I pulled off the piece's inherent tension and its ultimately heroic conclusion.)  

WRUJ (Richmond, VT)

• I Know But I Don't Know-Blondie (This track has more of a freewheeling, punk rock vibe than the group's hits.)
• Burning Out-The Linda Lindas (As this June release conveys, we all have our going-through-the-motions days.)