Online radio sampler highlights CCCI

These are six of the more interesting tunes I've heard today:

KBZR (Baker City, OR)

• 'Til You Know-Slippers (This new release's catchy jangly guitar power pop underpinning takes the edge off of lyrics about a relationship that probably can't be salvaged.)

KVSF (Santa Fe, NM)

• Come Rain Or Come Shine-Milt Jackson Quintet (Jackson's mellifluous vibraphone and the piano playing on this rendition conjures up the feel of many Bill Evans piano recordings, which I always consider a plus...)
• Too Blue-Victor Feldman (...Feldman, on the other hand, captures a different mood on the vibraphone here throughout this sly walk of a melody.) 

WSUM (Madison, WI)

• Why Try To Change Me Now?-Fiona Apple (Apple's low-pitched vocals and sublime piano playing fit this Cy Coleman-penned standard perfectly.  I'm not sure how this version escaped my notice until now.)

WTIP (Grand Marais, MN)

• Mandarin Moon-Pearl & The Oysters (The '70s-style flute and keyboard stylings. in conjunction with endearing vocals, give this May release a surprisingly sunny vibe.  That's not what I'd expect from a song about the harrowing subject of surviving a fire.  Rhythmically, this could segue with EchoWave's "Sad Dream.")
• Red Sun-Big Wild (The captivating midtempo dance beat serves the vocals well.  If this tune had existed in the early '90s, I would have played it on KCOU.)

Reassuring continuity

I graduated from college over 30 years ago, so it's not surprising that most of the music department instructors during my time there have retired.  It's nice to see that a few of them still teach there, though.  

I know that the passage of time is inevitable, but I'll take all the links to my years there that I can get.

Underscoring the thrill of the chase

While listening to Sammy Nestico's "Dark Orchid" yesterday, I wondered if the tune had ever underscored a chase scene in a TV drama or movie.  It should, as that instrumental conveys a tense, suspenseful vibe while falling somewhere between a Chuck Mangione track and the Isaac Hayes classic, "Theme From 'Shaft.'"

Context? CDXLI

An AM radio caller said this morning, "Of the Three Stooges, my favorite is..."

...And, that was my cue to change stations.  Although it has been about 45 years since I last saw anything they did, I'm certain their comedy isn't for me.  I know they had a long career and people still watch them today.  The appeal of their humor just eludes me, though.  Even as a 10-year-old, I thought, "This is a form of entertainment?  Really?"

No law requires every form of humor has to be cerebral, but...

Persistent earworm alert CDXLI

Although it was a relatively big hit in 1978, I've almost never heard Atlanta Rhythm Section's "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight" on the radio.  Until today, about the only part of the song I'd remembered was the title being sung in the chorus.  After looking up the lyrics, they're a lot darker than I realized.  I'm choosing to ignore that, however, and focus on the bounce in the rhythm that reminds me of one of the band's best earlier songs, "Angel."

FM dial scan highlights CCCVI

Five of the better songs I've heard this morning:

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Hey, Western Union Man-Grant Green (A cool, expansive instrumental take on the Jerry Butler hit.  There's great interplay between the guitar, organ, and tenor sax.  Even after seven minutes and change, I wouldn't have minded hearing this continue.)
• What Is Meant To Be-Lindsey Webster (There's a general consistency in Webster's emotive vocals that I like.  This pleasant blend of R&B and jazz is ideal for a late night playlist.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Same Stars-The Vindys (This March release has a compelling vibe, a solid hook, and good synergy between the vocals and keyboard.  Makar's "I Can't Tell You To Stay" wound sound right to me before this, and "Domino" by Nicole Atkins could follow it.)

KCFV 89.5 FM

• I'd Like That-XTC (Just when you think you've heard every possible way of saying, "You're the one for me," along comes "I'd Like That."  These are typically unique XTC-style lyrics with compelling acoustic guitar backing.)
• Spyz-The Urge (Loud, energetic ska-rock.  This has to be cathartic to sing and play.  Also recommended: "Strangers" and "Just Don't Know.") 

Online radio sampler highlights CCC

Six standout tunes heard today:

KDLR (Devils Lake, ND) 

•  Letting Go-Suzy Bogguss (A heartfelt way of acknowledging that kids grow up so fast.)

KMHD (Portland, OR)

• Waves-Charles Lloyd (A very 1972 jazz-meets-prog-rock groove, with Lloyd's flute playing fluttering over a melody that sounds somewhat like Todd Rundgren's "I Saw The Light.")

KRML (Carmel, CA)

• Just The Once-Metric (This 2023 track pairs lyrics about being morally precarious with a catchy dance beat.) 

WDIF (Marion, OH)

• Evil Hearted-Joyann Parker (A sly keyboard part and walking bass line underscore bluesy, forthright vocals.) 

WFHB (Bloomington, IN)

• Someone To Watch The Band With Me-Tift Merritt (This April release is a direct way of asking someone, "Why aren't you here with me?"  I'm inclined to like tunes with this type of loping rhythm.)

WJVX (Chicago, IL)

• Selfish One-Jackie Ross (The lyrics start out conveying a message similar to that of Tift Merritt's "Someone To Watch The Band With Me."  Happily, the situation resolves itself pleasingly for both parties involved.  There's a bright bounce in this tune's step, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was a fairly big hit in 1964.)