Keeping order effortlessly

One year, at my high school's talent show, a band of students performed "Don't Change" by INXS.  Some audience members were so into the performance that they jumped on stage and started dancing.  Our principal, as though he'd seen this many times, walked calmly onto the stage and simply shook his head at each dancer.  In a testament to his ability to keep order, every dancer improvised a quick skip down the stairs and off the stage, as though their exit had been planned.  With just a simple head shake, the principal was able to clear the stage of dancers.  That's what being principal--and nearly 6 1/2 feet tall--gets you.

Online radio sampler highlights IV

Standout tracks that I heard today:

KAFM (Grand Junction, CO)

• Weightless, Pt. 1-Marconi Union (A fitting title for an instrumental that conjures up images of floating in space.  I'm surprised that this program, "The Orbit Lounge," airs in the morning instead of late at night.)

KPTZ (Port Townsend, WA)

• Little Martha-Leo Kottke (One of Kottke's most pleasant, pastoral guitar works.)

KQAL (Winona, MN)

• Summer Night-Doug MacDonald (Cool orchestral swing; a strong closing number on the "Turn" CD.)

KSDS (San Diego, CA)

• A Walk In The Black Forest-Horst Jankowski (A stately easy listening, piano jazz hit from the '60s.)

WRFN (Nashville, TN)

• Hearts And Bones-Paul Simon (In Simon's vast treasure trove of outstanding songwriting, "Hearts And Bones" is somewhat overlooked; the original version and the "Live In New York City" version deserve more attention.)

WZUM (Pittsburgh, PA)

• Since You've Been Gone-Aretha Franklin ("Respect" gets a disproportionately large amount of radio airplay.  "Since You've Been Gone" and "Until You Come Back To Me" deserve as much, or more, airplay, as well.)

The ear of the beholder: Excellent or average?

Although it isn't feasible, it would be interesting and revealing to go through school having a panel of three teachers, instead of just one, determining a student's grade in each class.  After all, teachers differ on expectations and grading scales; a variety of perspectives would likely lead to more accurate assessments of students' work.

When I was in school, each St. Louis high school with an orchestra would take part in an annual festival.  Each orchestra would play before a panel of three judges, who were usually college music instructors.  None of the judges could see the other judges' grades or comments during the performance.  I thought that routine kept things honest and revealed how much of a difference each judge had in his or her expectations and grading scale.  This was especially clear to me when my high school orchestra received an A- for intonation from one judge, a B+ from another instructor, and a C from the third judge.  The difference between an A- and a B+ can be explained by one judge having slightly higher standards or hearing a few more miscues than another.  The gulf between an A- and a C, however, is substantial.  It was interesting to me that when determining something as basic as how in tune the orchestra was, one judge heard it as excellent, another judge thought it was close to excellent, and the third judge thought it was only average. 

When I heard the tape of our orchestra's performance, I thought our group deserved a B for intonation.  I'd like to think I had an accurate read on the performance, as a B was the average of the judges' grades.  (Admittedly, our school, unlike others, was helped, in part, by our director accompanying us on piano.)

It might be more intimidating to hear, in each class, "These are your three teachers for the semester--Ms. Adams, Mr. Jones, and Mr. Smith."  Still, I think that students' grades would be more accurate under such a system.

Online radio sampler highlights III

I've heard a diverse array of interesting selections today, including:

KJHK (Lawrence, KS)

• Transits-Bonobo featuring Szjerdene (A haunting, ethereal, fast track that mimics the sound of a well-worn LP.  Szjerdene's vocals add an appropriate layer of heart and soul.)

KVSC (St. Cloud, MN)

• Are You OK?-Stars (In this 2014 release, the protagonist asks why someone is running away.  The question goes down smoother with a beat like this.)

WEMU (Ypsilanti, MI)

• When Marissa Stands Her Ground-Christian Scott (Simultaneously contemporary and retro.  Scott's trumpet leads the way, the piano conveys effective, rumbling undercurrents, and the guitar line suggests Pat Metheny and John Scofield influences.)
• Milestones-Roy Hargrove (A proud, pulsating rendition of a Miles Davis classic.)

WFCL (Nashville, TN)

• Luigi Boccherini: Guitar Quintet No. 2 in E major, G. 446 (Zoltan Tokos, guitar; Danubius String Quartet) (It's refreshing to hear a piece for guitar and string quartet by an underplayed composer.)
• Gabriel Faure: Nocturne No. 4 in E-flat major, Op. 36 (Pascal Roge, piano) (An appropriately solemn elegy, played with tenderness, when appropriate, and force, when needed.)

WFMU (Jersey City, NJ)

• Don't Mess With Me-Richard "Groove" Holmes (A freewheeling warning, issued over a cool organ backdrop.  Holmes does an impressive cover of "Misty," as well.)

WUSF (Tampa, FL)

• The Seeker-Jessica Williams Trio (Williams transfers John Coltrane's expansive saxophone style to the piano effectively.)

WYCE (Grand Rapids, MI)

• Better Not Wake The Baby-The Decemberists (This new track blends elements of Fairport Convention, They Might Be Giants, and John Kirkpatrick's "Stir The Fire.")
• Silver Springs-Fleetwood Mac (On record and in concert, three of Fleetwood Mac's most powerful performances are of the Stevie Nicks songs "Rhiannon," "Sisters Of The Moon," and "Silver Springs."  "Silver Springs" is a prime example of powerfully written pathos.)

KCOU playlist flashback: Retro 88--1/27/93

One of my favorite shows to guest host on KCOU was "Retro 88."  I got to pick out a bunch of fun tracks from the '80s, including well-known hits, hits that should have been better known, and album tracks that deserved more play in the '80s, and segue them with frequent requests from listeners.  This was my playlist on this day 22 years ago:

   1.  Slipping Away-Dave Edmunds
(My favorite Edmunds track; it's an infectious hit that still holds up.)
   2.  Girls-Dwight Twilley
   3.  The Gap-Thompson Twins
(The Thompson Twins performed this on "Saturday Night Live" in 1984, and that year is stamped all over this song.)
   4.  She's A Beauty-The Tubes
   5.  Call Me-Skyy
(Although this is far from the only song to incorporate a dialed and ringing phone, both effects are well-placed here.)
   6.  White Horse-Laid Back
(A memorable instrumental groove with minimal lyrics.  "Call Me" and "White Horse" are two of the first songs I think of in connection with '80s KMJM.)
   7.  I Ran-A Flock Of Seagulls (*)
   8.  Der Kommissar-Falco (*)
(After The Fire's version is catchier, but this works, as well.)
   9.  Lost In The Supermarket-The Clash
("Train In Vain" and "Lost In The Supermarket" have held up best, among the band's best known tracks.  This track still works as a theme song for someone who feels overlooked.)
  10.  Come On Eileen-Dexy's Midnight Runners (*)
(According to Jeff, the regular host of "Retro 88" during the semesters I subbed for it, this was the most requested "Retro 88" tune.  That didn't surprise me, considering the violin and vocals are nearly impossible to forget once you've heard them, and this is one of the most recognizable '80s tunes.)
  11.  Our House-Madness
(One of the best hits of the '80s; the opening swoosh draws you right in and keeps you primed for the tale of "our house, in the middle of our street."  Well-sung, well-played, and well-produced.)
  12.  Poison Arrow-ABC
(If you liked the feel of "The Look Of Love," you probably liked this similar-sounding hit, as well.)
  13.  No More Words-Berlin (*)
(Berlin's best hit single; a prototypical '80s hit.)
  14.  I Melt With You-Modern English (*)
(This was one of the more overplayed hits on college and modern rock stations, but "Retro 88" is incomplete without it.)
  15.  Love Plus One-Haircut 100
  16.  Whirly Girl-Oxo
(Looking back, I think this was only popular in the states for about five minutes; no one ever remembers it when I bring it up.  The melody is hard to dislodge from your mind once you hear it, though.)
  17.  Little Too Late-Pat Benatar
(I always thought this was one of Pat Benatar's more appealing hits, but I've almost never heard any radio station play it since it was a hit.)
  18.  Jessie's Girl-Rick Springfield
(I'm surprised that I got 18 tracks into the show without someone requesting this.)
  19.  99 Red Balloons-Nena (*)
  20.  Who Will Stop The Rain-Heaven 17
("East side, west side..."  This track would have worked in a promo for a TV weather forecaster.)
  21.  Tempted-Squeeze
(As I mentioned in a previous post, this was one of Paul Carrack's highlights during his stint as the group's lead singer.)
  22.  It's Inevitable-Charlie
  23.  Whisper To A Scream-Icicle Works (*)
  24.  Standing In The Light-Level 42
(So many radio-friendly tracks, and yet, only "Something About You" and "Lessons In Love" were American hits.  That still baffles me.)
  25.  The Sun Always Shines On TV-a-ha (*)
  26.  Medley-Stars On 45
(I wasn't surprised that this was a number one hit in the Summer of '81, considering that it consists of accessible sound-alike clips of  "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies and a bunch of Beatles tunes.)
  27.  The One Thing-INXS
  28.  I Eat Cannibals-Total Coleo (*)
(Sigh...A listener wanted to hear "I Eat Cannibals," a song that fits the "Retro 88" concept that I would never have played if it hadn't been requested.  "Radio is for the people, radio is for the people, radio is for the people," or so I told myself.)
  29.  Goody Two Shoes-Adam Ant
  30.  Can't Stop The World-The Go-Gos (*)
  31.  2000 Miles-The Pretenders
(It's not just for Christmas...)

(*) indicates a listener's request.

A "Never the twain shall meet" moment

Several years ago, when I put in a Stephen Bishop CD to download a track into iTunes, one of Bishop's songs sported an incorrect AC/DC title on the playlist.  Apparently, it substituted the title of a song that was the same length as Bishop's song.  The glitch has been fixed since then, but there's a funny "Never the twain shall meet" aspect to a Stephen Bishop song being misread as an AC/DC tune.

Puzzling defensiveness

About 25 years ago, I was reading a rock critic's compilation of album reviews.  Three people, at separate times, upon seeing me read it or flipping through it themselves, had variations of the same reaction.  "I'm not sure I'd need something like this," one of them said.  "I have my own opinions." I thought, "No one's saying that you can't or shouldn't have your own opinions about music.  No one has heard every piece of recorded music, though, so chances are, if you read enough reviews, you'll find something that sparks your interest."

Shuffle mode results XVI

Today's shuffling of my iTunes music library turned out this way:

   1.  Ravel: Bolero For Two Pianos (sampler excerpt) (Ruth Laredo, Jacques Rouvier)
(Strong, novel instrumentation for an especially strong piece.)
   2.  Ain't Nothing But A House Party-Show Stoppers
(I wonder if Jeff Lynne was inspired by the melody of this catchy, accessible R&B track when he wrote "Slipping Away" for Dave Edmunds?)
   3.  The Love Letter-Carrie Newcomer
("Things can look better in the distance, but that's not the way I want to love you," Newcomer sings.  Newcomer conveys a brave, refreshingly honest outlook here.)
   4.  Stolen Car-Beth Orton
(One of Orton's most memorable tracks.  Also recommended: "Concrete Sky" and "Dawn Chorus.")
   5.  The Wire-Haim
(One of several infectious hooks from the 2013 CD, "Days Are Gone.")
   6.  Memories-Etienne Charles
(A standout track, with reflective, Miles Davis-inspired trumpet playing.)
   7.  Bye Bye Blackbird-Ron Carter
(Bass and piano drive home this impressive tribute to Miles Davis.)
   8.  Home By The Sea-Genesis
(I'm sure I'm not the only listener who turns up the volume when KSHE plays this.  A great driving rhythm is established within the first two notes.  This is one of my two favorite tracks from the band's self-titled album...)
   9.  October Rain-Dan Golfus Project
(The guitar evokes the song's title accurately in this easy-going instrumental.)
 10.  5-22-02-Golden Smog
(It's hard not to sing the date involuntarily when it comes up; a good hook with a brassy backing track.)
 11.  Hello Stranger-Barbara Lewis
(The "shoo bop, shoo bop" backing conveys the era in which this track was recorded.  I wish I'd played it more often on WEW.  Yvonne Elliman's cover of it is also impressive.)
 12.  Just A Job To Do-Genesis
(..."Just A Job To Do" is the other.  See my review of "Home By The Sea.")
 13.  Peace Behind The Bridge-Carolina Chocolate Drops
(Compelling fiddling.)
 14.  Aquamarine-Ben Watt
(A spacy, new age style of arranging on display.)
 15.  Rappin' Duke (instrumental)-Rappin' Duke
(The instrumental version holds up better than the vocal version; it's very of its time as an '80s music bed.)
 16.  Somewhere All The Time-Samantha Crain
(My favorite track of Crain's; it segues well with Kim Richey's "I Know.")
 17.  The Toy Guitar-Earl Klugh
(Several years ago, I paired this on a mix CD with Harry Belafonte's "Don't Ever Love Me."  There's a shared island feel in both songs.  Klugh's track has the more optimistic vibe of the two.)
 18.  Change The Ending-Maia Sharp
(Who hasn't wanted to edit reality this way?)
 19.  Philosophy Machine-The Groupers
(It's unusual to hear a strong, introspective tune that's played and sung this fast, but this St. Louis band pulls it off.  This song contains one of my favorite choruses, "I've been walkin' by myself.  I've been talkin' to myself--to an audience of one, who would rather be at home."  Kudos to KPNT for playing this back in the day.)
 20.  Throwback-Tony Banks
(This should have been a huge hit for the Genesis songwriter/keyboardist.  To me, it sounds like a ready-made theme for a TV show about time travel gone wrong.)
 21.  You Came A Long Way From St. Louis (Live)-Ray McKinley
(This goes all the way back to the '40s...It cooks!  I used to play the studio version on WEW and never tired of it.  McKinley and his band pack a lot of energy into this relatively short version.)
 22.  Rain In Spain-Sea Level
(The piano line just draws you in.)
 23.  Mongonucleosis-Chicago
(An overlooked, mostly instrumental jam from "Chicago VII."  It should have been a hit; the horn lines starting at 1:05 and 1:26 should have guaranteed that.)
 24.  Where To Now?-Darol Anger and the American Fiddle Ensemble
(A great uptempo number for fiddle and guitar.)
 25.  Flavor Of The Month (Live)-The Posies
(Although this seems meant to be electrified, it works just as well acoustically.  Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow sing great harmonies.  It's no wonder they became members of the great power pop band, Big Star.)
 26.  Mountain Sun-Beth Bombara
(A tempered view of feeling "good to be alive.")
 27.  Dawn Of The Sunset-Cyrus Chestnut
(Appealing piano and trumpet, with just enough dissonance.)
 28.  Cruisin'-Smokey Robinson
(Still one of Robinson's best grooves, ranking up there with his excellent album, "A Quiet Storm.")

FM dial scan highlights XIX

Highlights from this afternoon:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• (The World Is A Little Under The Weather) Doodle-Oop-The Meters (You can choose any vocal or instrumental by The Meters, and it will be a challenge not to tap your toes in time.)
• Atlas-The Wood Brothers (Strong lyrics about not spreading yourself too thin; holding up the world is a tall order, admittedly.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Criminal-Fiona Apple (A unique individual's compelling alto voice is captured on this track, just as it is on "Shadowboxer" and "Extraordinary Machine.")

WFUN 95.5 FM

• Midnight Train To Georgia-Gladys Knight & The Pips (Going back to the life you knew and knowing you'll have support is the reassuring theme of this classic.  It also has some of the best backup lyrical punctuation of any hit song.)

K297BI 107.3 FM, a.k.a. KIHT-HD2

• Antonin Dvorak: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53 (Berlin Philharmonic/Manfred Honeck, conductor; Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin) (A compelling mix of sweet and sour overtones.  The third movement suggests Beethoven's influence.)

Online radio sampler highlights II

I've heard a vast array of compelling selections this morning, including:

KCRW (Santa Monica, CA)

• Since You Asked Kindly (J. Rocc remix)-Badbadnotgood (A trance-like instrumental that picks up steam while remaining hypnotic.)
• Inside Out-Eska (An exceptionally well-sung, well-played cover of an Odyssey tune.  I'd never heard Eska's music until today, and this track makes me want to hear more of her work.)

KEXP (Seattle, WA)

• The Only One I Know-The Charlatans (Universal sentiments set to a riff seemingly derived from Deep Purple's "Hush," recast for a 1990 college rock listener.  If I'd been at KCOU in '90, I would have played this.)

KHUM (Ferndale, CA)

• I Will Sing You Songs-My Morning Jacket (An appropriate early morning tune, with a long instrumental intro and outro and unhurried vocals.  I can imagine Pink Floyd's "Us And Them" being played before it.)

KUNC (Greeley, CO)

• One Of These Things First-Nick Drake (Another of my favorite Drake tunes, with matter-of-fact musings about paths he could have pursued.)

KXCI (Tucson, AZ)

• Drifting-Andy McKee (Shades of Michael Hedges in this pleasant guitar instrumental.)
• A Horse In The Country-Cowboy Junkies (Margo Timmins sings wistful lyrics, with her customary understated confidence, about love waning and taking comfort in a beloved horse.)

WERS (Boston, MA)

• Stay Gold-First Aid Kit (Who can't relate to Robert Frost's lament, "Nothing gold can stay?"  Who hasn't wished that certain people, places, and times would stay as they are?  These two sisters convey this universal longing effectively.)
• Mushaboom-Feist (One of two especially strong highlights from Feist's debut CD, "Let It Die."  Her song, "One Evening," is also one of the CD's peaks.)

WWOZ (New Orleans, LA)

• Amsterdam After Dark-Tim Hegarty (An excellent rendition of a George Coleman tune with saxophone, piano, and vibes setting the mood.  It's easy to imagine it being played onstage at a smoke-filled club.)

WXXI (Rochester, NY)

• Aaron Copland: Simple Gifts (Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams, conductor) (In previous posts, I've raved about versions of this by The King's Singers and Barry Phillips & William Coulter.  This majestic orchestral rendition warrants a rave review, as well.)

Only in college IV

Winter semester 1990.  A student on my dorm floor and I were trying to remember the lyrics of the Charlie Daniels Band song,  "The Devil Went Down To Georgia."  That record, despite not being typical of my taste now or then, was the first 45 I ever bought.  The story about good triumphing over evil appealed to me as a kid.  We remembered all of it, except two words.  Neither of us could remember how to fill in the lyric, "Chicken in the ____________ peckin' out dough."  After some thinking, the student thought it might be "breadhouse."  I said, "I'm not sure that's it."  As we recited the lyrics, my roommate walked in.  During that line, the other student recited, "Chicken in the breadhouse peckin' out dough."  My roommate started to say, while laughing, "Chicken in the bread...Chicken in the!  Chicken in the breadhouse?!"  He then reminded us of the correct lyric, "Chicken in the bread pan peckin' out dough."  Admittedly, bread pan wasn't in my vocabulary--or the other student's--back then. 

Online radio sampler highlights

All over the country, great music is playing.  Among the highlights this morning:

KWMU-3 (St. Louis, MO)

• Edvard Grieg: Wedding Day at Troldhaugen (Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields/Neville Marriner, conductor) (The threat of a storm may cast a temporary gloom on the wedding, but this generally joyful piece suggests that the ceremony was beautiful.)
• The Cliffs Of Dooneen (Barry Douglas, piano) (An enjoyable Irish melody, played gracefully.)

KZSC (Santa Cruz, CA)

• J.B.'s Shuffle (Live in Chicago)-J.B. Hutto (Wailing slide guitar dominates this track, in a reissue released today.  Although it stands on its own, it would also work as a cool, continuous blues instrumental loop or music bed.)

WRTI (Philadelphia, PA)

• There Are Such Things-Sonny Rollins (One of several sax-based gems from the album, "Worktime."  For more uptempo fare, check out "It's All Right With Me.")

WUMB (Boston, MA)

• Walking On A Wire-Richard & Linda Thompson (Brave lyrics about a relationship that's deteriorating.)
• The Speed Of Trees-Ellis Paul (There's a consistency in Paul's singing and songwriting that makes each release worth seeking out.  This song about making a decision when it needs to be made is noteworthy.  I also strongly recommend "All Things Being The Same," "Maria's Beautiful Mess," and Paul's version of Woody Guthrie's "God's Promise.")

WXPN (Philadelphia, PA)

• We Meet, We Part, We Remember-The Holmes Brothers (A realistic take on nostalgia and second chances.)
• Everything Reminds Me Of My Dog-Jane Siberry (This has been the track I've listened to most on Siberry's "Bound By The Beauty" LP for years, and I never expected to hear it on the radio.  After listening to it today, I'm even more convinced that the word, "everything," isn't all that exaggerated in this context.  The fadeout, "Do you want to go for a walk? Do you want a cookie?" makes me smile every time.)
• I Can't Remember-The Thorns (Not the most optimistic song, but the vocal harmonies suggest an undercurrent of hope.)
• Wherever Is Your Heart-Brandi Carlile (The theme of this song, "Wherever is your heart, I call home," has been paraphrased thousands of times in virtually every genre of music.  It still feels fresh in this track from Carlile's forthcoming CD, "The Firewatcher's Daughter.")

Only in college III

While I was playing a record on the air, another DJ walked into the studio and started listening.

DJ: I like this.  Who's singing it?
Me: It's Crystal Waters.
DJ: I've never heard this before.
Me: Really?  I'm surprised.  It was a hit.
DJ (suddenly frowning:) Oh, it was a hit?

The DJ then stared at the record for a moment and left the studio. 

An offbeat way to show initiative

Shortly after our company had moved into a new building, our manager asked us to conduct a phone test.  It unfolded like this:

Manager: I'd like to make sure that the on-hold message plays when everyone's on the phone.  So, if everyone would pick up a phone, I'll try calling in.

(After a long period of silence:)

Co-worker: We could use some on-hold music.  (singing:) "Do you know the way to San Jose...?"

"Well, they're both good ensembles..."

A large number of us from our high school's jazz band were going to have an impromptu rehearsal, outside of school, before a concert.  As he pulled out of the parking lot, the driver asked, as the Beatles tune, "Blackbird," played on the radio, "Would anyone like to hear the tape of the last concert?"  A jazz band member responded, "Hmmm...The greatest group in the history of music or our high school jazz band?  Tough choice..."

Shuffle mode results XV

My iTunes music library is shuffling the tracks, and the first song that's coming up is...

...1.  Little Fluffy Clouds-The Orb
(Rickie Lee Jones reminisces about beautiful Arizona skies over a beat; it all just works, somehow.)
   2.  10,000 Miles-Jill Hennessy
(If you like the general feel and the chords used in "No Blue Sky" by The Thorns, you'll likely enjoy this track by the "Crossing Jordan" star.)
   3.  Safe Side-James McMurtry
(My favorite track by this artist, thanks in part to a propulsive guitar riff.)
   4.  Invisible Man-Joe Jackson
(This stands up with much of Jackson's best work and would be a good theme song for an atypical superhero.)
   5.  Neidin-Tommy O'Sullivan
(Moving vocals and violin for times when one is nostalgic for the best people in one's life.  Building a song around a "won't-you-remember-me" theme is a good move.)
   6.  Best Of My Love-J.D. Souther
(A respectful cover of one of the better Eagles hits.)
   7.  The Happy Archer-Billy McLaughlin
(It's worth learning to play the guitar so you can perform a melody this pleasant.)
   8.  The Long Way Around-Dixie Chicks
(Great lyrics about following your own path, even when it's not conventional or popular.  Great, "Rumours"-era, Fleetwood Mac-style harmonizing, as well.)
   9.  Cinema Paradiso (Live)-Chris Botti featuring Yo-Yo Ma
(An excellent trumpeter and renowned cellist play a moving theme beautifully.)
 10.  Somebody's Crying-Chris Isaak
(I was never a fan of Isaak's "Wicked Game."  This song, however, impresses me, as Isaak sings it with absolute conviction.)
 11.  I Only Want To Be With You-Dusty Springfield
(Simple, effective, catchy lyrics.)
 12.  Santos And The Well-Traveled Bear-William Ackerman
(An impressive new age melody whose title is conveyed well instrumentally.)
 13.  There Is A Tree-Carrie Newcomer
(One of many compelling, heartfelt Newcomer tunes.  Watch her live performance of it on YouTube in which she prefaces it with an explanation to her father about her "odd job description.")
 14.  World Spins Madly On-The Weepies
(Universal lyrics with strings.  When life has fallen apart for you, and you need to hear it acknowledged in song, this is a strong choice.)
 15.  Echo Box-David Poe
("Echo Box" has to be a fun song to play or sing live.  With a hook this strong, it's surprising that it wasn't a big hit.)
 16.  Desert People-Seals & Crofts
(An obscure album track with a feel somewhat similar to War's "All Day Music."  If you like the duo's hits, you'll likely enjoy this song.)
 17.  Higher Ground (Live)-Stevie Wonder
(A great concert version of one of Wonder's greatest hits.)
 18.  Babylon ("Live At The World Cafe" version)-David Gray
(Still Gray's most tuneful song; it's as appealing in this incarnation as the original version was in 2000.)
 19.  Hear The Wind Howl-Leo Kottke
(Kottke's naturally rough vocals work on this number.  As usual, he plays guitar as though he has four hands.  Check out his even faster live version on the "My Feet Are Smiling" album.)
 20.  Traitor-Richard Buckner
(As a former co-worker observed, Buckner's music is suitable for a rainy November day.  "Traitor" isn't meant to be a pick-me-up, but it's a well put together track.)
 21.  Where Can I Go?-Laura Marling
(Marling channels Janis Joplin to strong effect.)
 22.  Beaumont Rag-Brooks Williams
(A pleasant throwback piece for guitar that's also suitable for the piano.)

Off the rails, or...?

For a goofy yet amusing listen, check out "Toast" by Sons Of The Never Wrong.  Then, try to make toast without the song running through your mind.  I'm sure it's possible, but it's not as easy to achieve as you might think.

FM dial scan highlights XVIII

FM radio has provided some strong selections this morning:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Towards The Sun-Alexi Murdoch (A moving throwback sound that's reminiscent of Nick Drake; it makes me wonder if the DJ's next selection will be...)
• Things Behind The Sun-Nick Drake (...Nick Drake's "Things Behind The Sun."  Sure enough...This is one of many low-key gems from the bare bones, vocals-and-guitar "Pink Moon" album, and it segues well with one of my favorite Drake songs, "At The Chime Of A City Clock.")
• No Matter What-Badfinger (Music critics have often cited Badfinger as one of the best power pop bands, and this hit--their best one, in my opinion--is exhibit A in justifying that mantle.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• A Weaver Of Dreams-Ben Riley featuring Wayne Escoffery (A strong, elegant ballad for saxophone.)
• Guilty-Wendy Moten (Engaging vocals and piano.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Simple Song-The Shins (This was the perfect choice for the pivotal scene in which "How I Met Your Mother" finally revealed the mother.)

WFUN 95.5 FM

• What You Won't Do For Love-Bobby Caldwell (Years ago, a listener called KNJZ and asked if we would play "that song that goes, 'I guess you wonder where I've been...'"  She then went on to sing an impressive rendition of the entire song.  I didn't have the heart to tell her we'd just played it.)

KIHT 96.3 FM

• Everyday Is A Winding Road-Sheryl Crow (One of Crow's best uptempo hits from the '90s; I remember hearing this a lot on WVRV next to "Bed" by New World Spirits.)
• Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover-Sophie B. Hawkins (Hawkins is refreshingly frank here.)
• Tempted-Squeeze (One of Paul Carrack's highlights during his stint as the band's lead vocalist.)

Disingenuous disclaimers about rankings

At the beginning of his first rehearsal, the conductor advised those of us in the orchestra not to fixate on the chair placements we'd been assigned.  He said not to focus on being ranked as the supposed best or worst player in our section.  He brought up his days at a prestigious conducting institute, saying that he didn't go into his conducting classes thinking that he was the best or the worst conductor.  "I can only be me," he reasoned.

It was a nice, if disingenuous, disclaimer.  (Whenever a conductor or teacher would tell the class that rankings don't matter that much, in the long run, I would always think, "Why were we ranked, then?")  Contrast that conductor's approach to numerical rankings with my high school English literature teacher's observation.  Just before handing us slips of paper with our first quarter grades, he said, "I form a rough impression of how each of you are doing based on the way you participate in class.  When I added up the numbers to determine your grades, though, I was amazed to find out how well or how poorly some of you are doing.  Numbers are very dehumanizing things."

So, I was fourth chair out of 10 bass players in an orchestra, and second in an English class of 30 with an A- average.  Did those rankings and that grade matter, or didn't they?

Shuffle mode results XIV

First up in today's random assortment of my iTunes library tunes is...

...1.  Churchill-Samantha Crain
(Contemplative lyrics, including, "My whole life, I thought I was an opportunist, but I'm not.")
   2.  Goodnight And Go-Imogen Heap
(Heap's most captivating track, lyrically and vocally.)
   3.  The Crow's Nest-Laurence Juber
(One of Juber's best, most memorable uptempo guitar instrumentals.)
   4.  Ill Wind-Charlie Haden Quartet & Norah Jones
(A perfect synchronicity of material, singer, and rhythm section.)
   5.  Everyone's In Love With You-Marshall Crenshaw
(A strong, tuneful demo that brings Todd Rundgren's '70s output to mind.)
   6.  Little Town-Cliff Richard
(Richard's impressive rendering of "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" elevates it above most versions of this carol.)
   7.  Young-Nickel Creek
(Chris Thile handles this should-be-better-known track with a great hook from the band's outstanding "This Side" CD with considerable confidence.)
   8.  Something Wild-Maia Sharp
(As I mentioned previously, this is Sharp's most gripping, powerfully sung track from a strong CD, "Fine Upstanding Citizen."  A forceful set of lyrics about thinking you want something and realizing, when you get it, that you don't want it so much.)
   9.  Different Drum-Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs
(These two voices fit this cover well.)
 10.  Pack Up Your Troubles (In Your Old Kit Bag)-David Wall
(Intended as the backing track for a sing-along; I was inspired to look this up after seeing it mentioned in a "Peanuts" comic strip.)
 11.  Tangerine-Chet Baker
(Cool, straight ahead trumpet-and-rhythm-section jazz; what's not to like?)
 12.  Little Song-Sarah Jarosz
(One of many impressively sung tracks from Jarosz's debut CD, "Song Up In Her Head.")
 13.  Take Five-Herb Drury Trio
(An appealing Vince Guaraldi-style approach on this cover of the Dave Brubeck classic.)
 14.  Alabama Jubilee-Chet Atkins
(There's an admirable consistency to Atkins' picking; you can choose basically anything in his discography and know that it will be played impeccably.)
 15.  More Than This-Lucy Kaplansky
(Kaplansky slows this Roxy Music song down, sings it from the heart, and makes it her own.)
 16.  Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore-The High Kings
(A fitting tribute to one's homeland, sung with epic grandeur.)
 17.  Runaway-The Hello Strangers
(Endearing lyrics about being a loner.)
 18.  Fall Right In-Beach Fossils
(A favorite from 2011, with an arrangement that segues well with "California Blue" by The Orange Peels.)
 19.  As Time Goes By-Ron Carter
(Carter's bass anchors this standard.)
 20.  At Your Best You Are Love-Aaliyah
(Compellingly sung, and a sad reminder that Aaliyah's time on this planet was much too brief.)
 21.  Stanford: Three Motets, Op. 38: II. Caelos Ascendit Hodie (Winchester Cathedral Choir & David Hill)
(Evidence of why Symphony Hall on Sirius makes worthwhile Sunday morning listening.)
 22.  Strangers-The Urge
(A good, fast social conscience track from 1990.)
 23.  Either Side Of The World-Crowded House
(Inviting vocals float above a spacy instrumental arrangement.)

The idealist vs. the realist

A former St. Louis music store owner: "I didn't get into this to sell Kenny G.  Come back in a month, though, and I'll probably have a big wall display of his music."

I knew what he meant, but in fairness to Kenny G, "I've Been Missin' You" and "The Shuffle" deserve a listen.

Easygoing folkies

I remember watching a documentary in which Peter, Paul & Mary had a mild disagreement over a possible lyric change.  Mary Travers suggested changing a lyric, and one of the other members thought the lyric was strong enough to remain unchanged.  While watching, I thought, "This is about the gentlest disagreement I've ever seen.  That's refreshing."  I also thought, "That's in keeping with the nature of folk music, with its themes of peace and inclusion."  I tried to imagine what an unusually tense argument between folk musicians would sound like, and I came up with this:

"The lyric should read, 'Peace and compassion are the keys to sympathizing.'"

"What?!  Clearly, it should be, 'Peace and empathy.'  That shows an even greater depth of sympathizing than compassion!"

"Am I the only one who understands that compassion and empathy are two sides of the same coin?! Whether it's 'peace and compassion' or 'peace and empathy,' those are the keys to understanding someone's viewpoint before sympathizing with it!  Understanding should be the listener's first goal!  Understood?!"

An intense round of chair-throwing would then ensue--or, most likely, not.

Supporting select tastes

In the late '80s, while listening to a Classical music station, WNIB, in Chicago, I was struck by how thoroughly the station was making its case for support.  In laying out the station's case, the announcer noted the call letters of three stations in Chicago that used to have Classical formats.  The announcer continued that the station needed listeners to continue supporting "this select taste."

There's a parallel between WNIB's plea for support and the rationale for buying a jazz record instead of copying it that I once read on an LP sleeve.  "Jazz is not a mass market format," it said on the sleeve.  The pitch pointed out that when listeners copy a record instead of buying it, they hurt the very musicians whose work they enjoy.

It's a shame that, in both cases, it was necessary to state what should have been obvious.

Only in college II

Fall 1991.  A student on my dorm floor walked, uninvited, into the TV/VCR room that I'd reserved.  After he sat down, we had the following exchange:

Student: So...Music's been around a long time, hasn't it?
Me (after a long pause:) Yes.  (Pause.)  Yes, it has.

Only in college

I had this conversation years ago, and it's the kind of exchange you only have in college:

Me:  What type of work would you like to do after you graduate?
Student:  I'd like to do something with sound.  I'd like to find something that combines sound and light.
Me:  Oh, well, good luck with that.
Student:  Thanks.  What would you like to do after you graduate?
Me:  I'd like to go into radio as a DJ and eventually as a program director.
Student:  May the heavens permit that.
Me:  Thanks.

Shuffle mode results XIII

The tracks in my iTunes library have started shuffling, and the first one that comes up is...

...1.  Lucky-Halie Loren
(Loren sings movingly about counting her blessings in a style reminiscent of Tori Amos.)
   2.  One Voice (Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House)-The Wailin' Jennys
(Three beautiful voices show how one or more voices can use their powers for good.)
   3.  Pink Panther Theme-Laurence Juber
(A strong guitar reading that captures the spirit of the original version.)
   4.  Rainin' Inside-The Trishas
(Powerful, bluesy emoting and harmonizing.)
   5.  Blackbird-Brad Mehldau
(Mehldau gives this Beatles favorite its due on the piano, and the trio gives it a cool, expansive workout that doesn't make the mistake, as some jazz covers do, of discarding the original melody.)
   6.  Forever-Haim
(My favorite song of 2013; this is what pop music should sound like.  Three sisters execute a great hook, as they also do on "Falling" and "The Wire.")
   7.  Pickup Truck-The Boorays
(One of my two favorite tracks by this St. Louis band.  I've always liked the lyrics about taking a risk when your resources are limited.  I also like that the lyrics are sung at a more contemplative pace the first time and at a much faster clip halfway through.)
   8.  Desafinado-Andre Kostelanetz and his orchestra
(Time to cue up the new stereophonic platter on the newfangled hi-fi system in the den...)
   9.  Brooke's Waltz-Don Ross
("This station now concludes its broadcast day.  Stay tuned for our overnight test pattern, following this ambling guitar melody.")
 10.  Someday, Someway-Marshall Crenshaw
(Why on Earth wasn't this a bigger hit?  Why weren't at least 10 other Crenshaw songs hits, as well?  Crenshaw knows his way around a well-crafted, radio-friendly hook, and this studio version is the best one.)
 11.  Sweets For My Sweet-The Drifters
(This overlooked Drifters track features one of the catchiest piano riffs of the '60s.)
 12.  Riu Chiu-The Monkees
(Thank you to the KCOU staffer who brought this carol to my attention years ago.  If I hadn't seen the CD label, I would never have guessed that The Monkees sang this.)
 13.  River Of Fallen Stars (Live)-The Kennedys
(The Kennedys perform one of the first song of theirs I ever heard.  The guitars jangle, Maura Kennedy's voice shimmers, and the lyrical idealism shines through.  I still enjoy this song just as much 20 years later.)
 14.  The Road-The 442s featuring Erin Bode
(Bode joins her husband, bassist Syd Rodway, in this great mesh of vocals and strings from 2013.)
 15.  A Road Is Just A Road-Mary Chapin Carpenter
(A country/crossover gem and one of Mary Chapin Carpenter's best uptempo tracks.  I also recommend her slower, more introspective song, "I Am A Town.")
 16.  Rock Of Ages-The Mills Brothers
(iTunes shuffle mode has good taste in hymns and vocal ensembles.)
 17.  Rockin' Alone (In An Old Rockin' Chair)-Billie Joe & Norah
(A surprising pairing of the Green Day singer and Norah Jones pull of a thoughtful take on this Everly Brothers tune about an elderly woman looking back on her life.)
 18.  Rocking Horse-Adrian Legg
(An aptly titled guitar instrumental.)
 19.  Roof Garden-Al Jarreau
("Roof Garden" is equally infectious in its studio incarnation or live, as I discovered at a Jarreau concert in 1989.)

Moved by the spirit--and not holding back

For years, I had an aversion to the hymn, "Be Not Afraid."  Decades later, I view it in a more charitable light.  I've realized that my aversion to it had nothing to do with the hymn itself; my dislike stemmed from hearing it bellowed in church on at least three occasions when I was young.  I still don't know which lady drowned out the rest of the congregation on the lyric, "I GOOOOOO BEFORRRRRRE YOU ALLLLWAAAAYS!" whenever it came up, but I see her loud performance now in a different light.  Maybe it was a deceased relative's favorite hymn.  Perhaps it brought back memories of happier times.  Maybe the hymn moved her profoundly.  As startling as her top-volume singing was, it was, if nothing else, in keeping with Psalm 100's admonition to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord."  Still, the lyric, "I go before you always," makes me cringe a bit, more than 30 years later.

FM dial scan highlights XVII

A good helping of respectable music has been playing on the FM dial this morning, including:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Wild Mountain Thyme-Keltik Elektrik (This deservedly well-covered Celtic standard receives a surprising kick from this band.  To its credit, Keltik Elektrik shows respect for the poetry of the original version while not going overboard on its modern arrangement.  For another strong but more traditional reading, I recommend the version by The Nields.  For an even more traditional arrangement, listen to The Clancy Brothers.)
• Hickory Wind-Emmylou Harris (I like that a tree inspired Gram Parsons, Bob Buchanan, and Harris as a metaphor for nostalgia.  The two writers and Harris are a veritable Lorax troika here.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Satin Doll-Duke Ellington (An elegant, classic ballroom jazz melody that has stood the test of time.  Even in my supporting role as a bass player, I never got tired of playing it with my high school jazz band.  I can't imagine tiring of it as a listener.)
• Midnight Sun-Nancy Harms (This is one of Harms' more compelling covers, enhanced by a melodic piano accompaniment.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Flood-Jars Of Clay ("Flood" holds up as one of the best contemporary Christian/crossover songs; lyrically, its appeal goes beyond religion.  dc Talk's "Between You And Me" pulls this off, as well.)

KSHE 94.7 FM

• Make Me Smile-Chicago (This was one of my favorite songs as a teenager.  For the full effect, it's best to hear it as the band intended, as part of the "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon" set on "Chicago II."  The elongated prelude and "Now More Than Ever" reprise, with its trumpet fanfare, build on Terry Kath's already powerful vocals.)
• Doctor Wu-Steely Dan (Cryptic lyrics, impeccably written and performed, as usual.)
• Paperlate-Genesis (Genesis takes the word, "paperlate," from its Peter Gabriel-era song, "Dancing With The Moonlight Knight," and transforms it into a new context in this overlooked hit from the Phil Collins era.)
• Baker Street-Gerry Rafferty (Rafferty recorded an impressive hat trick of well-written, compellingly performed hits in the late '70s--"Baker Street," "Right Down The Line," and the lesser-known "Get It Right Next Time."  Any songwriter should be pleased to pen or sing even one song of this caliber, let alone three.)

KIHT 96.3 FM

• Because The Night-10,000 Maniacs (Natalie Merchant, underscored by the piano, brings out the tenderness in this originally grittier Patti Smith tune.)

Memorable feedback

The day after solo/ensemble festival in high school, during which students performed before judges from various high schools and colleges, our orchestra director would read the evaluations of each performance aloud.  I've never forgotten one bit of advice a judge gave a student.  "Never say, 'I messed up,'" she wrote.  "I might not have noticed."  Interesting advice for an instrumentalist--and applicable in life, at least part of the time.

Rappin' with the young people

When I was in middle school, a guest speaker talked to our class about possible careers in his line of work.  In an attempt to ingratiate himself with the audience, he began, "Many people think we're such an old company, but really, we're not.  We're actually the same age as Michael Jackson.  So, if you just think about how young Michael Jackson is, you've got it."  Naturally, given that he was speaking to an audience in its early teens, he was greeted with indifferent stares.

Tuning up for the new year

(In memory of my middle school and high school orchestra director...Names have been changed to protect the out-of-tune.)

MR. D.: OK, metaphorical musicandradiomusings readers.  Let's start the year off on the right note by getting a good A.

(Mr. D. plays an A on the piano.  The metaphorical readers use it to tune their instruments.)

MR. D.: OK, Angela?

(Angela plays the four strings of her violin.)

MR. D.: D is a tad sharp.  E is slightly flat.  (after marking a tuning grade in the gradebook:) Bruce.

(Bruce plays the strings of his bass.)

MR. D.: A is just a hair flat.  (murmuring:) Just a hair flat.  Jill.

(Jill plays the strings of her viola.)

MR. D.: Everything's out.  Larry.

(Larry plays the strings of his cello.)

MR. D.: C is surprisingly sharp.  D is surprisingly flat.  Mary.

(Mary plays the strings of her violin.  Mr. D. remains silent, indicating that everything's in tune.)

MR. D. (closing the gradebook:)  Let's start with the third movement of the Corelli...

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Now that we're in tune, welcome, 2015!