Context? CDXLIX

As I drove to my polling place this morning, a newspaper reporter said on the radio, "You can't be too cynical when it comes to politics."

That's generally true, unfortunately.  A vote for someone is a leap of faith that the candidate is seeking office for noble reasons and aims to make people's lives better.  That's why I always look forward to voting in every election.  When my preferred candidates and propositions prevail, I'm proud of helping to make that happen.

As contradictory as it sounds, I'm an idealistic, jaded cynic.  I'll continue to cast my ballot every chance I get.

A studio fit for a polar bear

In retrospect, I'm surprised that the DJs were allowed to control the thermostat in one particular studio.  I was one of at least two DJs who liked the studio freezing cold, so in the later months of my employment there, I set the temperature to near David Letterman studio levels.  While I still like a cool residence or office on a hot day, I've never set the thermostat anywhere near that low in my own home.

It's interesting how your definition of a comfortable temperature changes when you know you'll have to pay the electric bill.

FM dial scan highlights CCCIX

Sunday morning standouts:

WSIE 88.7 FM

• South Of The Border-Lou Donaldson (To me, this uptempo sax number's joyous spirit reminds me of the standard, "Cheek To Cheek," performed at a faster-than-usual tempo.) 
• Magic In Your Eyes-Earl Klugh (The pace and mood of this upbeat guitar track make it segue well with Al Jarreau's "Rainbow In Your Eyes.")

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Different Kind-Kathleen Hoye (Hoye's vocals really sell these lyrics about a relationship falling apart.  "Different Kind" isn't far removed from the blues, actually.) 

KSHE 94.7 FM

• Peace Of Mind-Loggins & Messina (Not all friendships are built to last, as these lyrics acknowledge.)
• People Of The South Wind-Kansas (This somewhat overlooked Kansas track doesn't get a lot of radio airplay these days, unfortunately.  It's a measure of how well-structured the song is that the guitar, keyboard, and vocals are equally integral to the melody.)

KLOU 103.3 FM

• Alibis-Sergio Mendes (I was pleased to finally hear "Alibis" on the radio again, thanks to an "American Top 40" rerun from 1984.  I've listened to this tune fairly often over the years, and I've always thought it deserved to be a bigger hit.  Joe Pizzulo nails the vocals, which make the lyrics about suspecting that your significant other is cheating on you sink in effectively.) 
• I'm Free (Heaven Helps The Man)-Kenny Loggins (I have nothing against Loggins's "Footloose" title track, but I've always found "I'm Free..." more compelling due to its urgency and sense of risk in the lyrics.  Another "Footloose" soundtrack highlight, Karla Bonoff's "Somebody's Eyes," deserves attention, as well; it always puzzled me that it wasn't a hit.)

Context? CDXLVIII

Yesterday, a radio announcer admitted not knowing a particular R.E.M. song that another staffer referenced.  His explanation: "I'm a hits kind of guy, and that's a deep cut."

Most of us, if we're honest, are in that same boat when it comes to certain artists and bands.  Sometimes, surface level appeal is enough when a particular genre isn't one of your favorites.  Also, there's only so much time, even for music fans like me, to hear all the music you want to hear.  Inevitably, there will be artists whose familiarity to you doesn't extend past the hits--and that's understandable.

The foot-biting default option XXXIII

If I've learned one thing over the past several years, it's not to be late when feeding my cat, Collette.  If I wait too long, she'll sing, "If I scratch you and I bite you, I'm more than just a little justified."

I didn't realize that Collette had internalized her own meaning of the Kacey Musgraves song, "Justified," but my feet have suffered the brunt of her wrath.

Persistent earworm alert CDXLVII

A 1981 album title track I haven't thought about in decades has been on my mind for the past week.  The Allman Brothers Band's "Brothers Of The Road" obviously wasn't intended to be a hit.  As the album's leadoff track, it essentially conveys, "Listeners, this band has been through a lot over the years, but we're back with this new song and this new album.  We've had some challenges thrown our way, but we're not giving up."

That's a reasonable way to start an album, and it reminds me of the spirit Chicago exhibited in the song, "Alive Again." 

Online radio sampler highlights CCCVI

Standout tunes heard today on six radio stations that haven't been featured in Online radio sampler highlights posts before:

KALA (Davenport, IA)

• Butterfly Lullaby-Swing Out Sister (A chill instrumental reprise of "Butterfly," which I'm surprised isn't a smooth jazz radio staple.  Its encouraging lyrics and vocal hook should have guaranteed that.)
• Reaching Out-Kim Waters (This uptempo smooth jazz saxophone melody is fit for a brisk run--or possibly a stakeout.)

KNMC (Havre, MT)

• I Want You Back-Hoodoo Gurus (I played a bit of this band on KCOU in the early '90s, but I wish I'd thought to play this 1984 melodic power pop track.  It's worth learning to play guitar so one can master this song.)

KSCU (Santa Clara, CA)

• Quand Vas Tu Rentrer?-Melody's Echo Chamber (The vocals float compellingly over a hypnotic, festive-sounding keyboard hook.)

WJCT-HD4 (Jacksonville, FL)

• Pick Yourself Up-Oscar Peterson (Wow...I thought the Carolbeth True Trio zipped through "The Way You Look Tonight" at a breakneck pace.  This, hands down, is the fastest version I've ever heard of this standard.  Peterson zooms through it adroitly on the piano.)
• I've Got You Under My Skin-Charlie Parker Quintet (Parker carries the melody of this standard prominently on the saxophone.)

WSPJ (Syracuse, NY)

• Caught In A Dream-Alice Cooper (I haven't listened to Alice Cooper's music that often, so I forget sometimes that it goes beyond "School's Out."  This is pretty accessible, actually, and fit for a road trip playlist.  Rhythmically, it could segue with Lynyrd Skynyrd's "What's Your Name?")

WTTH (Atlantic City, NJ)

• Tell Me If You Still Care-The S.O.S. Band (This is how to stay on point when requesting a relationship status update.)
• Sir Duke-Stevie Wonder (Whose day doesn't "Sir Duke" brighten, considering its appreciation for how music appeals to our common humanity?)