A petty fixation XLIX

In 1997, I was incredulous when I heard a new radio station, WALC, i.e. "Alice at 104.1," say in its promos, "You might not have heard of the music (we play...)"  I thought, "These are major pop hits that other stations have played for years.  These songs are also heard frequently in stores and other businesses.  To even casual listeners, most of these songs should be familiar.  Maybe they wouldn't be if you've made a concerted effort not to hear any pop music for at least the past decade.  If that's the case, though, why would this station draw you in?" 

Sometimes, it doesn't take much to trigger my inner music snob.

Persistent earworm alert CDXXVII

Reading about tonight's debut of the United Kingdom's version of "Saturday Night Live" prompted me to check out bits of other international editions.  Since yesterday, I've come to like the opening theme of "SNL Arabia."  It sets the tone for a comedy show with a sunny melody that underscores footage of the cast dancing as a group and leaping into the air individually.  Essentially, it's Egyptian-style smooth jazz that captures a reach-for-the-stars quality suitable for opening credits.

Segue suggestion XIII

Usually, only noncommercial stations can pull off this kind of across-the-decades segue.  I'm not sure if anyone has ever paired these songs, but to my ears, "Daydream Believer" by The Monkees would flow well into Yo La Tengo's "I Can Feel The Ice Melting."  Lyrically and rhythmically, both songs share an earnest optimism, proving that certain sentiments that were valid in 1967 were also at home in 2015.

Online radio sampler highlights CCXCIV

Today's standouts:

KBMF (Butte. MT)

• Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)-Sly & The Family Stone (I never thought I'd recommend any rendition of this tune, as it's usually cloyingly precious in the way "My Favorite Things" usually is.  However, by slowing the tempo way down and singing it as a blues-tinged  "Oh, well"  rumination on life, this is--dare I say it?--a pretty cool version.) 
• Orange Colored Sky-Nat King Cole (The carefree lyrics and rhythm would make this segue easily with "It's Only A Paper Moon.")

KNBA (Anchorage, AK)

• Speakers' Corner-Suzanne Vega (A timely reminder that we have freedom of speech and should use that power for good without spreading misinformation.) 
• Wise Up-Aimee Mann (Fitting lyrics for coming to terms with an uncomfortable truth in the middle of the night.) 

KVRU (Seattle, WA)

• Love Is Where You Find It-The Whispers (An easy to digest midtempo groove that could segue with Earth, Wind & Fire's "Can't Hide Love.")

WCLK (Atlanta, GA)

• Dance-Gino Rosaria featuring Phillip Doc Martin (A pleasant midtempo piano-and-saxophone smooth jazz groove, released in January.)

WCUW (Worcester, MA)

• Wade In The Water-Ellen McIlwaine (An unusual take on this tune, with acoustic guitar, percussion, and freewheeling vocals.  My two main go-to versions of this are by Ramsey Lewis and Eva Cassidy, but it's interesting hearing McIlwaine and company's offbeat interpretation.)

WDAV (Davidson, NC)

• Franz Joseph Haydn: Piano Concerto in F major: I. Allegro (Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra; Emanuel Ax, piano) (This movement is stately and lyrical in equal measure.)

Enough wild weather

In a relatively short time recently, St. Louis has experienced wild temperature swings.  Temperatures have ranged from the teens to the 80s.

I concur with the Community Radio St. Louis DJ who said, "I'm ready for it to be Spring.  I'm not ready for it to be Summer."

Currently, it's 59 degrees, and that's just about right for me--neither broiling nor frigid.

SiriusXM highlights CLXIX (St. Patrick's Day edition)

Eight holiday-appropriate selections heard today:

St. Paddy's Day Essential Pub Mix 

• The Rocky Road To Dublin-The High Kings (A lack of coordination didn't stop me from doing a few subtle kicks in time to these forthright, uptempo vocals.  The Irish Descendants recorded a similarly strong version.)

St. Paddy's Day Radio 

• Piping Solo/Garret Barry's (Live)-The Bothy Band (A midtempo bagpipe melody segues into an impressively rapid reel, earning appreciative rhythmic claps and cheers from the audience.)
• Siesta Set-Dervish (Brisk, dexterous fiddle playing and top-notch synchronicity between all players.)
• Nancy Whiskey-Gaelic Storm (Vocally, this could segue with multiple versions of "Rattlin' Bog."  The instrumental portion, if looped, would flow well into Emerson, Lake & Palmer's version of Aaron Copland's "Hoedown.")
• The Stride Set-Solas (A strong showcase for the dexterity of the band's instrumentalists.  I reacted similarly to a live version of "The Wiggly Jigs.")

The Village Presents Celtic Twilight 

• Nine Apples Of Gold-Karan Casey (An endearingly sung portrait of someone with a generous spirit.  We should all aspire to this level of kindness.)
• I Would Bring You Ireland (Live)-Nanci Griffith (A touching show of affection across many miles.)
• Let The Circle Be Wide-Tommy Sands (A welcoming way to say, "You're among friends here.")

Persistent earworm alert CDXXVI

I'm not sure if the version of a 1982 hit inhabiting my mind this morning actually exists.  In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, I've been imagining an easy listening instrumental version of "What About Me?" by Moving Pictures, with the tin whistle as the lead instrument.  I've always been indifferent to the original version but not surprised that it was a hit.  Although the lyrics nobly address not getting a fair shake in society, the vocals strike me as calculated and somewhat overwrought.  In the rendition I've envisioned, however, the melody works better as a Celtic instrumental.  At a minimum, it's a more natural fit than the tin whistle version of The Clash's "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?" I also imagined.