Context? CDLXVII

When your full attention isn't on the radio station in the car, your mind sometimes fills in gaps strangely.  This morning, I thought for a moment that I'd heard a DJ say, "Have you seen those bundles of hate mail by the side of (the road)?"

I thought, "I wasn't paying complete attention, so I can't have heard that right."  Shortly after this, however, another DJ mentioned going on a hayride, so I realized, "Ah!  She said, '...bundles of hay bales...'  That makes much more sense."

My reflexive perception of society's divisive discourse is telling, considering my mind went initially to "hate mail." 

The allure of shuffle mode XCVIII

Until iTunes shuffle mode paired these songs together recently, I'd never thought of them as compatible: Hearing Frank Popp Ensemble's "The World Is Waiting" flow into Christopher Cross's "Ride Like The Wind," however, made me realize the people in both songs are well-advised to seek an escape from their current situations.  The degree of urgency, admittedly, differs.  In "The World Is Waiting," someone's life is stuck in a rut, while the person in "Ride Like The Wind" is trying to escape the long arm of the law.

Both songs prod their respective people to do what's needed to improve their situation, and both tunes have a captivating energy.

The pitfalls of shuffle mode XV

So...An endearing tune about the warmth of Christmas isn't really meant to slam into an angry, cathartic song about avoiding the general public due to its lack of civility.  Today, iTunes shuffle mode paired "Christmas Is My Favorite Time Of Year" by Kenny Rogers with Paramore's "This Is Why."  "This Is Why"'s central point about the deterioration of thoughtful discourse is well-taken, and I think of it often when I've read or watched a misguided screed about the state of the country or the world.  When I'm feeling disgruntled, "This Is Why" is one of my top go-to songs.  It isn't, however, best heard after thoughtful musings about the origin of Christmas.

Obviously, when I turn on shuffle mode, I expect any number of unlikely segues.  That one, however, prompted me to stop listening in random play and select songs that made musical and lyrical sense together.

The allure of shuffle mode XCVII

After hearing iTunes pair Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "4+20" randomly with Tommy Emmanuel's "Papa George" Sunday, I was struck by how well those songs mesh in a darkness-to-light progression.  After hearing Stephen Stills sing about how depression feels somewhat similar at age 24 and age 84, it's refreshing to hear "4+20" segue into Emmanuel's sunny guitar instrumental.  Despite their contrasting moods, the tunes have nearly identical beats per minute, which aids the smooth transition.

Context? CDLXVI

I was surprised to hear that a cigar store now sponsors a radio station's traffic reports.  I was only half-listening this morning, but I think the commercial's tag line was, "Choose your smoke.  Enjoy the moment."

To each, his or her own, I suppose.  I'll pass, though.  I've never seen the allure of smoking anything, and I can't see suddenly changing my mind on that at age 56.

Teaching my cat respect for music III

To follow up, I put the David Crosby CD in another room.  So far, it remains safe from Collette the cat's claws.  Perhaps I was paranoid to think that she'd saw the door down.  Still, she's pacing outside the door and has had plenty of time to think...

Persistent earworm alert CDLX

Since hearing FUTURENOT's "Be The Change" on WSIE earlier this month, it has been on my recurring mental loop.  I'm thankful, as it's one of the coolest blends of piano and horns I've heard in recent memory.  I was surprised to learn it was recorded in 2020, as it could pass for bumper music the Saturday Night Live band might have played in the '70s.

When musicians nail that type of throwback pastiche so convincingly, it's a win for the band and the listener.