Online radio sampler highlights CCCVII (International edition)

Today, I decided, "Why limit the radio stations I sample for this blog to just American ones?"  Hence, my first international edition of Online radio sampler highlights.  These are seven standout tunes I've heard today:

CJRT-FM (Toronto, Canada) 

• Follow You, Follow Me-Chester Thompson Trio (Thompson's drumming underscores this pleasant jazz piano-led version of one of the best Genesis hits.)

Connemara Community Radio (Connemara, Ireland)

• The Wedding Jig-Gerry O'Connor (I'm always up for this type of spirited, uptempo fiddling.)

FIP (Paris, France)

• I Can't Turn You Loose-Otis Redding (Rhythmically and lyrically, this would segue easily with "I Can't Help Myself" by The Four Tops.)
• Confusion Song-Luna Li (Swirling, celestial instrumentation augments the endearing dream pop vocals compellingly.)
• Melanie-Gary Burton (Warm vibraphone jazz with just enough dissonance to keep things interesting.)

Tilos Radio (Budapest, Hungary)

• New Day (Quentin Harris Remix)-Atelewo (Sometimes, with techno music, less is more.  When you have a beat that works, why not stay with it and keep it relatively undistracted?)
• Relics-Studio Pressure (This track illustrates how critical percussion is in underscoring certain techno arrangements.)

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."