Teaching my cat respect for music II

For weeks, my cat, Collette, has used David Crosby's "For Free" CD cover as a scratching post.  Regardless of where the CD is in the living room, she finds it and sharpens her claws on it.  I've told her she should respect Crosby's strong later work.  She should especially favor "River Rise," his duet with Michael McDonald that was one of my favorite songs of 2021. 

Actually, I don't think a lack of respect for Crosby's music prompts Collette to scratch the cover.  Most likely, it's because the cardboard packaging suits her claws better than typical plastic CD cases.

The obvious solution is to put the CD in another room.  Knowing Collette, however, she'll likely use a power saw to cut open the door, find the CD, and resume scratching it up.  

Not much gets past her.

FM dial scan highlights CCCXV

Sunday night standouts:

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Eyes For You (Ain't No Doubt About It)-Daryl Hall (The hint of the Hall & Oates chart-topper, "I Can't Go For That," drew me in, and Hall's smooth vocals sell this tune easily.)

KWUR 90.3 FM

• Savannah-Jensen McRae (The protagonist in this song made a wise choice in ending her relationship with the person about whom she sings.)
• All In Good Time-Iron & Wine featuring Fiona Apple (Endearing lyrics about having faith in the future, despite the knocks life throws at us.)

KWMU 90.7 FM

• We Will Meet Again-Herbie Mann & Phil Woods (Bittersweet, uptempo flute and saxophone, ideal for a late night playlist.)
• Moon Over Miami-George Shearing (Engaging pep on the vibraphone and piano from Marjorie Hyams and Shearing, respectively.  If I didn't know otherwise, I might have thought this was a Lionel Hampton & Count Basie collaboration.)

KSHE 94.7 FM

• Heart Of The Night-Poco (A well-crafted immediate hook with a sing-along chorus.  "Heart Of The Night" and "Crazy Love" have held up deservedly well over the decades.)

Establishing a welcoming atmosphere

One of the hosts of last night's neighborhood cookout made a sound musical choice.  How, after all, can anyone walk into a cookout in a cross mood during a recording of "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling?"

You know you're tired when...

...you let out a two-octave yawn, as I just did, that could pass for the sound of a doorbell.

FM dial scan highlights CCCXIV

Thursday night highlights:

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Fields Of Gold-Sting (Lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally, this is still one of Sting's classiest, most contemplative hits.  Eva Cassidy sings an impressive cover of it, and Rachel Z honors the tune's spirit in her piano rendition.)
• California-The Olympians (This 2025 instrumental has a '60s throwback vibe in its melody for piano and horns.  It could segue with Keith Mansfield's "Funky Fanfare.")

KCFV 89.5 FM

• Don't Look Back-Boston ("More Than A Feeling," understandably, is Boston's default track in most classic rock playlists.  I always thought this was an honorable follow-up, though, as there's still complete commitment in the vocals and guitar.)

KWUR 90.3 FM

• Write Me A Letter-beabadoobee (This type of guitar intro usually sets the stage for a promising song, as do honest lyrics like these about being in a less than great state of mind.  This is one of the more earnest recent releases I've heard.  Speaking of recently released tracks...)
• Close-berryblue (...This October release's hypnotic dance beat sells this relatively brief tune effectively.)

Persistent earworm alert CDLIX

When I have a looming deadline or a metaphorical clock feels like it's ticking, Herb Alpert's instrumental, "Beyond," sometimes comes to mind.  Right from the intro, the tune has a need-to-get-there-before-it's-too-late urgency.  It's not unusual to for me to picture sands in an hourglass running out when I hear it.  It's tricky to pull off tuneful tension, but Alpert succeeds with "Beyond."

Retro FM dial scan highlights VII: 10/6/91

Sigh...Didn't I turn 21 just yesterday?  Well...No.  That was 35 years ago.  Today, as I turn 56, I'm looking back on my FM dial scan from October 6, 1991:

WFUN 95.5 FM

• The Magic Cookie-Cookie Monster (For those who don't know, WFUN used to have a "Planet Fun" format aimed at kids.  Cookie Monster sounds surprisingly subdued at first about the prospect of obtaining everlasting joy and happiness.  Unsurprisingly, his interest increases significantly when he's given the alternate option of a cookie.  I won't spoil the ending for you, but I suspect you can guess the path he chooses.) 

KRJY 96.3 FM

• Rhythm Of The Rain-Dan Fogelberg (Fogelberg's slowed down cover of this oldie by The Cascades is appropriate for lamenting a breakup.)

KHTK 97.1 FM

• Enjoy The Silence-Depeche Mode (The vocals and instrumental backing could easily pass for a 1984 new wave track, so I have to remind myself this song is from 1990.  Lyrically, this holds up as a reminder that silence truly is golden sometimes.) 

WFXB 101.1 FM and KFXB 105.7 FM

• Lake Shore Drive-Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah (The sing-along-on-a-road-trip vibe of this tune makes it a staple cut of album rock stations even now.  In 1991, it was simulcast on two frequencies during the mellow rock days of "The Fox."  Also recommended: "Slippin' Away.") 

KLOU 103.3 FM

• Come A Little Bit Closer-Jay & The Americans (When a member of the band is warning you to exit before the person inviting you to "come a little bit closer" gets her way, it's wise to retreat and avoid encountering her jealous ex.) 

KMJM 107.7 FM

• Emotions-Mariah Carey (Carey's strong vocals are in the glass-shattering stratosphere here.  Between the driving rhythm and her demonstrably wide vocal range, it's no wonder this was a chart-topper.)