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.) 

Online radio sampler highlights CCCXII

Today's standouts:

KEBF (Morro Bay, CA)

• Even The Sparrow-Kelly Hunt (An impressive blend of bluegrass and Classical influences in the instrumentation underscores these confidently emoted lyrics.)

KTRU (Houston, TX)

• Hello From Everywhere-The Drift (This is one instance in which a plodding rhythm isn't a bad thing.  The harmonica gives this deliberately repetitive instrumental riff some spice.  As I listened, I wondered what electronic effects The High Llamas might have added if they'd composed this.)
• Seoul-Amiina (A long, fanciful instrumental fit for an ambient music box.)

WCRI (Block Island, RI)

• Franz Schubert: Allegretto in C minor, D.915 (Alfred Brendel, piano) (Sorrowful and intense.)

WDCE (Richmond, VA)

• Last Train To London-ELO (Despite being ELO's best hit, in my opinion, this track barely grazed the charts in 1980.  The memorable opening hook and siren caught my ears immediately, as did the sing-along chorus when I first heard it.  Rhythmically, the tune is of its time in the best way, and yet, I've hardly ever heard it on the radio.)

WSGE (Dallas, NC)

• Maggie-Cassandra Coleman (Sometimes, friendships just fade with time, not because of anything someone did, but just because adulthood comes with a lot of time-sapping responsibilities.)
• Smokestack-Valerie June (Blistering blues-rock guitar and vocals.)

WZZJ (Pittsburgh, PA)

• Hittin' Twelve-Count Basie (This raucous big band arrangement could segue with Basie's "Jumpin' At The Woodside.") 
• Whispering-Nino Tempo & April Stevens ("Deep Purple" is this duo's go-to track, in my opinion, but this follow-up tune has a similar feel.)

Positive perspective VI

Following up on yesterday's free concert from a distance: I opened up a living room window to hear a couple of the bands performing at Kirkwood's Fall Fest yesterday.  For a moment, based on the semi-faint instrumental strains I heard, I thought a band was starting into one of ELO's best hits, "Can't Get It Out Of My Head."  I turned closer to the window when the vocals came in and recognized that it was actually John Lennon's "Imagine."

When only hearing muffled strains of a concert, it's likely the only time anyone would mistake John Lennon for ELO.  Since last night, however, I've realized that there's more common ground between those two melodies than I realized.

Positive perspective V

I'd forgotten that Fall Fest is today in downtown Kirkwood.  Several musical acts are performing, and I can hear them pretty well from where I live.  Some people might see this as a distraction, but to me, it's a free concert from a distance, and it sounds pretty good.  Time to open a window or step outside for a bit...