A function of age LV

Erin Bode knew her audience this morning.  Near the end of an enjoyable concert at Kirkwood Performing Arts Center this morning, she told us, "With Halloween coming up, if you want to be the coolest house on your street, you know what kids are into? CDs..."  She continued, "I know kids.  Forget the full size Snickers bars."

That's as good of a tongue-in-cheek prod as any to let people know you have CDs of your music for sale, and it earned a knowing laugh from the crowd.

2025 retcon II

After listening to Tristen's "Let Go" multiple times over the past week, I'm retroactively declaring it my second favorite song of 2025.  Its catchy rhythm, lyrics about resisting the pressure to conform, and well-executed vocals have held my attention, making each hearing of it as appealing as the previous ones.  As a bonus, it also segues well with my retroactive favorite tune from last year, Wolf Alice's "White Horses."

I wish I'd known about "Let Go" when it was released late last year.

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.)