Logic in there somewhere?

Supposedly, a consultant once prevented KNJZ from airing Grover Washington, Jr.'s then-new CD, calling it "too jazzy"--for a smooth jazz station.  As a former co-worker used to say, "Everything makes sense to someone."

No wonder it was in the 75% off bin...

Nearly 30 years ago, at a music convention, I bought a book of musical staff paper.  I thought it would be fun to compose my own music.  After I bought it, however, I took a closer look and realized I'd have to eliminate the top or bottom notes from any composition I planned to write.  All of the staffs contained four, instead of the standard five, lines.  That was one of my earliest cases of buyer's remorse. 

Warning: CDs In Area; Wear Protective Gear

One hazard I never expected while working in radio: The music library might fall on you.  About two seconds before I was scheduled to go on the air at KNJZ, a nail on the back wall holding the CD library in place came loose.  All of the CDs, except for the one playing and a few coming up, fell on me.  A lot of people might react to being beaned by a CD library by saying, "What the...?"  Keeping in mind a former program director's advice to everyone at another station about never swearing in a room with a microphone, though, I opened the mic, and said, as scheduled, "You're in the middle of another extended set of today's smooth jazz..."

Online radio sampler highlights VIII

Standout selections I heard this morning:

KXT (Dallas, TX)

• Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)-Squeeze (One of the band's strongest uptempo tracks, with a great keyboard interlude.  I don't think the original version can be improved, but the decades-later version on "Spot The Difference" is nearly as impressive as the original.)

WBGU (Bowling Green, OH)

• Little Steps-Beatrice Allunni & Marc Peillon (A good, new contemplative piano/bass instrumental.)

WMNF (Tampa, FL)

• If I Knew (Live at WMNF)-Alice Wallace (A talented singer-songwriter, with a naturally strong alto voice.  During an interview with the station's morning DJ, she mentioned Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons as inspirations, and their influence shows.  I'll be surprised if she isn't signed to a major label.)
• This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)-Talking Heads (Home, in this case, must be a turbulent place--or at least an ambivalent one.  I've always thought that the coldness of this song is one of its best qualities.)

WPRB (Princeton, NJ)

• Boris Papandopulo: Concerto For Xylophone and Strings (Dubrovnik Symphony/Ivo Drazinic, conductor; Jan Lotko, xylophone) (A compelling, offbeat combination of instruments in an interesting Croatian recording.)

SiriusXM highlights III

Standout selections I've heard in recent days:

Bluegrass Junction

• My Flower-Irene Kelley (A good secret password arrangement: Sing the right song, and you're OK in my book.)

The Coffee House

• One Friend-Keb' Mo' (A good show of appreciation.)

Deep Tracks

• Presence Of The Lord-Blind Faith (Along with "Can't Find My Way Home," this proves what a strong vehicle Blind Faith was for Steve Winwood's lead vocals.  Imagine if the band had made a second album.)

Enlighten

• Amazing Grace-The Inspirations (Pure conviction, conveyed through elongated notes and phrasing.)

Escape

• Bluesette-Andre Kostelanetz (If you miss the more uptempo easy listening string arrangements played on KEZK prior to 1989, this might appeal to you.  If you prefer to hear "Bluesette" on the harmonica instead, check out the Toots Thielemans version.)
• Moon River-Nick Ingman (An unusual bass arrangement in this instrumental rendition; it's probably a safe bet that this is the only version of "Moon River" that sounds as if it's about to jut off into Mr. Mister's "Broken Wings.")

Real Jazz

• Willow Weep For Me-George Benson (An expansive jazz instrumental rendition, featuring considerable guitar and organ, from early in Benson's career.  Given the strength of the source material, I'm not sure there are any weak versions of "Willow...")

Soul Town

• Neither One Of Us-Gladys Knight & The Pips (A heartbreakingly painful parting, rendered artfully.)

Symphony Hall

• Leos Janacek: Lachian Dances (Warsaw Philharmonic/Antoni Wit, conductor) (The joy and grandeur of six dances, played with zest.)

Watercolors

• Amalia-Melody Gardot (Along with "Mira," this is a standout vocal on her CD, "The Absence.")

Willie's Roadhouse

• Silver Threads And Golden Needles-Linda Ronstadt (Ronstadt's cover version is among the strongest.)

I appreciated the offer, but...

I was honored when one of the high school symphonic band directors asked if I'd like to join the band.  Still, I thought, "I play an upright bass.  Where is there a place for a double bass in the context of trumpets, trombones, clarinets, and so on?  With all these brass and winds players, how would anyone be able to hear the bass?  Also, how in the world would you march with it?"  I think it was best that I stuck to the orchestra.  

No elaborate weather intro needed

A radio station program director once told me that it's best to introduce weather forecasts by just saying, "KBIA (i.e. the station's call letters) Weather."   He's right.  A weather forecast doesn't need an elaborate buildup such as, "Now, here is your reliable and accurate weather forecast for the metro area and vicinity."

I also think there's no reason to say, when giving Monday's forecast, "On Monday, back to work..."  People who have to work Monday already know it's a back-to-work day; the reminder isn't necessary.

Sunny career (and life) advice

A cheerful reminder I received years ago from a radio operations manager: "That's the nice thing about this business.  You can believe all the positives you want."  Provided that outlook isn't taken to extremes, it's an encouraging way to think.

FM dial scan highlights XXI

Five of the best tracks I heard this morning:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Up Above My Head-Rhiannon Giddens (A powerfully sung gospel track that would segue well with Patty Griffin's "Move Up.")
• Fascinate Me-The Mavericks (If "I Want To Know" is the first song that comes to mind in connection with this band, you might be surprised to hear The Mavericks pull off this sublime, '50s-style ballad.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Quik Pik's Blues-Mark Whitfield (Swingin' guitar and trumpet; a highlight, along with Whitfield's version of "Save Your Love For Me," from the "True Blue" CD.)
• Silver's Serenade-The Bronx Horns (A faithful cover and a brassy salute to Horace Silver.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Don't Stop Now-Crowded House (It would be difficult for the band to ever top such excellent tracks as "Weather With You," "Distant Sun," or "How Will You Go."  Nevertheless, this is another respectable track in Neil Finn's discography.)

A worn-out trope

Why all of the "walk(ing) on down the line" in song lyrics, especially oldies?  It's one of the most overused metaphors.  At least in "Positively Lost Me" by The Rave-Ups, the author described the sense of loss in a more original way, without resorting to people walking on down the line.

Shuffle mode results XVIII

Results of the most recent shuffling of my iTunes music library:

   1.  Mary Anne-Marshall Crenshaw
(Yet another strong example of Crenshaw's easy way with a hook.)
   2.  Spanish Song Bird-Keren Ann
(A quiet charmer with understated vocals.)
   3.  Jitterbug Waltz-Renee Rosnes with string orchestra
(Fats Waller covered in the classiest way; a beautiful, elegant piano-and-strings rendition.)
   4.  Razamataz-Bruce Becvar
(A memorable, uptempo guitar hook that would fit in a smooth jazz playlist.)
   5.  The Lark In The Clear Air-Fionnuala Sherry
(An atmospheric instrumental that features a captivating violin part.)
   6.  Balloon-Leo Kottke & Mike Gordon
(Spritely guitar, goofy lyrics, and it all works great.)
   7.  Cast Your Fate To The Wind-Earl Klugh
(A great Vince Guaraldi piano standard; Klugh gives it its due on the guitar.)
   8.  This Tornado Loves You-Neko Case
(A quirky point of view, sung with absolute conviction.)
   9.  Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring-Pete Kennedy
(An enjoyable guitar rendition, with a compelling prelude.)
  10.  Lovely One-The Jacksons
(One of Michael Jackson's catchier efforts from the pre-"Thriller" days.)
  11.  Incumbent Waltz-Vince Guaraldi
(An example of why Guaraldi was the perfect choice to provide music for the "Peanuts" specials.)
  12.  Lord Of The Dance-The Launton Handbell Ringers
(A melody similar to "Simple Gifts" that stays with you.)
  13.  Sea Breeze-David Grisman & Sam Bush
(New age bluegrass?  Two genres mesh effectively in this instrumental.)
  14.  Aye Waukin-O-Eddi Reader
(Reflections on walking alone, sung movingly by this Scottish talent.  Also recommended: "Kiteflyer's Hill," which is a natural follow-up.)
  15.  Cab Driver-The Mills Brothers
(One of my favorites from my WEW days; smooth, consistent harmonies, with catchy lead and backup harmony vocals.)
  16.  Just Walking In The Rain-Johnnie Ray
(Another oldie I used to play on WEW; the journalism adviser who frowned on Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog" in a previous post used to sing the chorus of this in class occasionally.)
  17.  Peanut Butter Karma-Monsterland
(Energetic '90s indie rock; life has its great moments and its irritating ones that require us to adjust.)
  18.  Mr. Cab Driver-Lenny Kravitz
(Consequences of having unfair biases are detailed effectively.)
  19.  In The Bleak Midwinter-Erin Bode
(Bode sings this carol with moving reverence against an unusual, effective instrumental backdrop.)
  20.  Hope Springs Eternally-Helen Sung
(Good piano jazz that swings; I imagine this tune goes over well live.)

Online radio sampler highlights VII

Interesting tracks I heard on Tuesday:

KALX (Berkeley, CA)

• The Good Got To Suffer For The Bad-Pat Brown (Listening to the protagonist sing, I get the feeling that her thesis is off, and she's making a mistake.  Nevertheless, this is a well-sung, well-played, overlooked R&B gem.)
• Out Of The City (Into Country Life)-Allen Toussaint (Lyrically, this defense of peaceful listening makes a good companion piece to "Country Living" by The Stylistics.)
• I Want You Either Way-Sourpatch (Guitar-heavy indie rock with optimistic vocals and a sunny vibe.  It's from 2009 but would have fit in with the early '90s indie rock scene.)

KFJC (Los Altos Hills, CA)

• Radar Road-Insect Surfers (A good guitar/bass instrumental, with a bass line reminiscent of "Peter Gunn.")

KSBR (Mission Viejo, CA)

• Feeling Fine-Sharpshooters (A cool, flute-dominated, jazzy instrumental, built around the melody of "Spooky," the oldie by The Classics IV featuring Dennis Yost.)

KUCI (Irvine, CA)

• Understand The Problem-Quiet Company (A promising, well-sung, easy-to-relate-to track from the band's forthcoming "Transgressor" CD.)

WCJS (Potomac, MD)

• Darn That Dream-George W. Carroll (Alas, the dream won't come true.  At least, there's a heartfelt song to be gleaned from it.)
• Flying High-Anthony Crawford featuring Eric Darius & Ruslan Sirota (Engaging uptempo piano and saxophone, with refreshing vocal punctuation.)

Break in the music=Big issue question

Each time our director stopped the music at one high school jazz ensemble rehearsal, one player would ask him a big issue question, such as "Do you think creationism should be taught in public schools?" or "Do you think there should be a seven-day waiting period in order to buy a gun?"  I don't remember the director's answers.  I remember, though, that after this player had asked four such questions, and the director stopped the music for the fifth time, he looked at the student and asked, "Well?"  "Well?" the student replied.  The director asked, "Don't you have any more provocative questions?  Any other test-my-morals questions?"  It amused me that, by that point, the director's expectation of a big question had become Pavlovian.

SiriusXM highlights II

Standout tracks that I've heard on SiriusXM in recent days:

1st Wave

• Space Age Love Song-A Flock Of Seagulls ("I Ran" is the band's hit that most people think of first.  In my opinion, "Space Age Love Song" holds up even better.  The keyboard arrangement alone transports the listener right back to the '80s.)

'60s On 6

• Western Union-The Five Americans (A fun oldie that mimics the sound of a telegraph.)

'70s On 7

• Year Of The Cat-Al Stewart (Consider such Stewart hits as "Time Passages," "Song On The Radio," and "Year Of The Cat."  There's a level of literacy, appreciation for people and places, and well-crafted musicianship that the pop charts could use more of today.)

'80s On 8

• Breakout-Swing Out Sister (The band's big American hit, and rightfully so; vocally and instrumentally, its bounce and confident outlook are just as captivating as they were years ago.)

The Bridge

• An Old Fashioned Love Song-Three Dog Night (One of the band's most enduring hits.  As much as I like the band's "Shambala," this track feels at home in a wider range of eras.)
• Secret O' Life-James Taylor (It's nice to be reminded so gently how important it is to enjoy the passage of time.)

Classic Vinyl

• Glad/Freedom Rider-Traffic (One of rock's great "We're starting now!" keyboard intros.  I can't imagine how any musician wouldn't enjoy playing the piano or saxophone on "Glad.")

The Coffee House

• Driving (Acoustic)-Everything But The Girl (One of Tracey Thorn's most moving vocals; the acoustic arrangement makes the song all the more intimate.)
• For Those Below-Mumford & Sons (A thoughtful, contemplative track that segued smoothly after...)
• Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)-Ron Sexsmith (...this respectful cover of George Harrison's song that doesn't get a lot of radio airplay today.)

The Groove

• Golden Lady-Stevie Wonder (One among a great many strong Wonder songs from the '70s.)

Margaritaville 

• Water Song-Hot Tuna (One of the most pleasant rock guitar instrumentals.)

Real Jazz

• Take Five-Trio Da Paz (It's interesting to hear a Dave Brubeck tune whose piano and sax lines are so famous reinterpreted as a Spanish guitar piece.)

Siriusly Sinatra

• Blue Skies-Ella Fitzgerald (A great match of singer and material.  For a faster take, check out Al Jarreau's version.)

Watercolors

• One 2 One-Brian Hughes (A pleasant, kick-back-and-relax guitar instrumental.)

If you don't want to go the tongue-in-cheek route,...

...as mentioned in my February 9 post, Marshall Crenshaw's "T.M.D." is a safer choice for Valentine's Day.  Tim Finn's "Persuasion" is a strong choice, as well.

Blanking on the air

Almost every DJ has feared this happening at least once.  You have something smooth, profound, or thoughtful you want to convey to listeners.  When you go on the air, however, your mind goes blank.  A DJ told me he once planned to end his shift with the advice, "Don't always reach for the brightest star; sometimes, it's the most dimly lit star that takes you furthest."  When the time came, however, he opened the mic and said, "And remember...Um...Well..."

Hearing what you're seeing

John Cheetham's string orchestra piece, "Three Binghams," is based on a great concept.  Each of its three movements corresponds to a painting by George Caleb Bingham.  Look at the paintings as you listen, and you'll hear what you're seeing.  That's an impressive feat for any composer to pull off.

Online radio sampler highlights VI

Tracks that caught my attention tonight:

WITR (Henrietta, NY)

• I'm Not Ashamed (I Need You) (Mind Street Lounge Mix)-Namy featuring Stephanie Cooke (It's easy to lose yourself in this groove of basic lyrics, an inviting woman's voice, and a good workout for saxophone.)

WLOY (Baltimore, MD)

• Some Angel-Fractal Cat (Midtempo, idealistic power pop with Classical embellishments; an appealing, low-key lyrical Valentine.)

WSUM (Madison, WI)

• Try A Little Tenderness-Aretha Franklin (Otis Redding's version usually gets the radio airplay; this is jazzier than usual for Franklin.)
• I'd Rather Go Blind-Etta James (Effective emoting from James and effective punctuation from the backup singers.  To hear early Christine McVie vocals, check out Chicken Shack's version.)

WWEC (Elizabethtown, PA) 

• (No Place I'd) Rather Be-Kam Franklin (As a rule, I don't usually seek out dance music.  This new release got my attention, though.  Franklin's powerful voice is perfect for this genre, so here's wishing her a bright future.)
  

SiriusXM highlights

Here are some of the best selections I've heard on SiriusXM over the last four days:

'60s On 6

• Everlasting Love-Robert Knight (Carl Carlton's '70s version gets most of the radio airplay today, but Knight's slightly more restrained version is just as worthy.)

'70s On 7

• Go All The Way-The Raspberries (One of the coolest, crunchiest guitar riffs in rock history.)

'90s On 9

• I Don't Know Anybody Else-Black Box ("Everybody Everybody" was a big hit for the band, but this track deserved just as much acclaim.  Revisit this beat, and it'll feel like 1991 again.)
• This House-Tracie Spencer (Also part of the spirit of '91...Simple lyrics over an accessible beat.)

The Coffee House

• Peace Train (Exclusive)-Yusuf (formerly Cat Stevens) (The lyrics are just as relevant today, alas, and Yusuf sings them as well as he did in the '70s.) 

Escape

• High Noon-Skitch Henderson (Is Henderson setting the stage for a showdown or a siesta?)

Jam_On 

• Mandolin Rain/Black Muddy River-Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers (Hornsby smartly fuses two songs that segue well.)
• Waiting All Night-Phish (A pleasant groove that reminds me of Omar's "There's Nothing Like This.")

Lithium

• Seether-Veruca Salt (The opening note, played five times, makes you sit up and take notice.  It's still one of the catchiest songs about seething anger.  "Seether" and "Cannonball" by The Breeders are accurate snapshots of the state of rock in 1993 and '94.)

The Loft

• Groovin'-Kenny Rankin (A subtle, easy-to-digest take on the Rascals oldie.)
• Prayer In Open D-Emmylou Harris (Poignant lyrics about regrets, sung beautifully.)
• Running Up That Hill-Kate Bush (Gripping and intense; as powerful as it was in the '80s.)

Real Jazz  

• Cedar Walton-George Cables (A cool, moving piano line that's a fitting tribute to Walton.)
• A Child Is Born-Kenny Burrell (It would be interesting to hear "Send In The Clowns" played in this style.)
• Sister Sadie-Ray Brown (A strong piano/bass version of this Horace Silver standard; for a strong organ-based version, check out Joey DeFrancesco's rendition.)

Spa

• Lullaby-Al Petteway & Amy White (An always reliable duo that knows its away around the guitar and many other stringed instruments turns in another pleasant track that lives up to its name.)

Symphony Hall

• Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 (St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble) (A brassy, stately rendition.  The second movement is especially lyrical, while the third movement is especially spirited.)
• Edward Elgar: Introduction and Allegro For Strings (London Chamber Orchestra/Christopher Warren-Green, conductor) (A somber introduction gives way to a somewhat turbulent yet somewhat hopeful-sounding Allegro.)

Watercolors

• Blue Azure-Shakatak (A compelling, laid-back piano instrumental.  "Quiet Storm" by Ramsey Lewis came to mind as I listened.)
• Calls-The Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Jill Scott (Scott sings a captivating refrain repeatedly.)

Favorite tongue-in-cheek Valentine's Day song

My favorite example of a song with tongue-in-cheek Valentine's Day sentiments is Marshall Crenshaw's "You're My Favorite Waste Of Time."  You realize quickly that Crenshaw's title isn't meant to be taken literally and that the song's protagonist cares a great deal about his beloved.  Somehow, the recording sound effects at the beginning and the hint of a false ending on the demo give the tune added sincerity.  I'm still puzzled that it wasn't a hit, as it's a great, tuneful example of well-sung, midtempo power pop.

If you took piano lessons...

...and used the John Thompson series of lesson books, what piece from those books first comes to mind?  A show of hands, please...

How many of you answered, "Spinning Wheel?"  Decades later, I remember that melody more clearly than any other from that series.

Mysterious record pricing

If you've bought used records, you've probably had this experience.  A record store worker pulls the record out of its sleeve, looks up at the ceiling, turns around three times, mumbles some weird incantation, and then, pondering before speaking as if he or she were the swing vote on a Supreme Court decision of great Constitutional significance, says, "Hmmmm...I'll take four dollars off the price."

That might be an exaggeration, on second thought.  The parts about looking at the ceiling and arriving at a four-dollar discount, though, happened during at least one of my visits.  I'm sure of that.  I'm not complaining, as that's a good discount, but it's an interesting method of assessment.

Waiting in vain for requests

Looking back, it was naive to believe my requested song would ever be played. After all, the request line rang over 100 times before the DJ answered, and the DJ never confirmed that it would be played.  This was a recurring scenario when I was a kid, though.  In time, I came to realize that the standard response most DJs gave to requests, "I'll see what I can do," meant, "Most or all of our music is scheduled in advance, so if it happens to appear on my playlist, I'll attach your name and/or city to it when it comes up.  If I see it's not on the playlist, I won't tell you; that way, you'll keep listening to hear if it's played."

Online radio sampler highlights V

These are some of the best selections I've heard this morning:

KRUI (Iowa City, IA)

• Velvet Guitar-Alejandro Escovedo (For those who just have to pick up their instruments and play their music, even when their hands are numb.)
• Him-Lily Allen (Does God think we waste too much time?  It's interesting to ponder.)

KZAM (Pleasant Valley, TX)

• Someone Took The Words Away-Elvis Costello (Costello sings in the best part of his range on this slower track.)
• Here Comes The Rain, Parts 1 & 2-Mark-Almond (A snapshot of 1976 prog rock and fusion; I hear elements of Rush, Yes, and Chick Corea on this track.)

WBGO (Newark, NJ)

• Black Coffee-Willie Bobo (A great midtempo, Latin jazz wake-up call.  I also recommend Bobo's takes on "Grazing In The Grass," "The Look Of Love," and "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.")

WHWS (Geneva, NY)

• Weekend Girl-The S.O.S. Band (An '80s highlight from this R&B band with a feel similar to The Gap Band's "Yearning For Your Love."  Also recommended: "The Finest" and "Take Your Time (Do It Right.)"

WIIT (Chicago, IL)

• Because It's Not Love (But It's Still A Feeling)-The Pipettes (More than 40 years later, three women capture the spirit of early '60s Motown in a catchy, compact tune.)

WREK (Atlanta, GA)

• Franz Joseph Haydn: Piano Sonata No. 33 in C minor: I. Moderato (Odense Symphony/Scott Yoo, conductor; Anne-Marie McDermott, piano) (This is exactly the type of movement I heard students practice frequently when walking past rehearsal rooms with my upright bass in college.  I would always think, "Good for them, following their passion," or "Anyone who can play the piano with that level of heart and dedication is clearly meant to pursue it.")

Shuffle mode results XVII

Here's what turned up in my iTunes music library shuffle mode today:

   1.  Should Be Gone-The Feelies
(Accessible power pop guitar and vocals that segue well with The Sea And Cake's "Up On The North Shore.")
   2.  Zerapiky-Regina Carter
(A fun, whirling violin and accordion instrumental.)
   3.  Man In The Street-Umbrella Bed
(A cool, brassy ska instrumental, with shades of The Scofflaws and The Specials.  It contains one of the best opening riffs of any ska track.)
   4.  1901-Phoenix
(As catchy, danceable hooks go, Phoenix set the bar high here.)
   5.  She Walks The Night-Matthew Sweet
(Sweet knows his way around a sing-along hook.  Also recommended: "I've Been Waiting," "Sick Of Myself," "We're The Same," "Get Older," and "Time Capsule.")
   6.  National Anthem-LeAnn Rimes
(A soaring, well-sung, respectful rendition.)
   7.  Still Rain-The Sun Sawed In 1/2
(As much as we'd all like to control the literal and metaphorical rain in our lives, a rain dance, unless you're Ted Mosby, won't necessarily elicit the result you want.)
   8.  Manzanita (1st Variation)-Tony Rice Unit
(Spanish guitar meets bluegrass pickin' in this compelling instrumental.)
   9.  To The Stars-Erin McKeown
(Cautiously hopeful lyrics set to an optimistic, energetic arrangement.)
  10.  Between Friends-The Nields
(For idealists with their hearts in the right place.)
  11.  Funny Little Frog-Belle and Sebastian
(I remember hearing this on KDHX and KCLC in 2006 as I was driving to my new residence.  The keyboard and bass riffs made for great driving music.  It's still one of the group's most appealing efforts.)
  12.  Moving On-Dolce
(The arrangement reminds me of The Kennedys, which is always a good thing.)
  13.  The Duck-Al Holliday
(A good, bluesy instrumental with a throwback feel.)
  14.  Pure And Easy-The Who
(Not the band's most frequently played track on the radio, but still one of the best...)
  15.  God Bless America-Beegie Adair
(A stirring piano rendition that takes just enough liberties without overdoing them.)
  16.  Soul Limbo-George Benson
(One track, among many, that proves that Benson's instrumentals are as strong as his vocals.)
  17.  Save It For Later-Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs
(Sweet and Hoffs do a commendable cover of The English Beat's best song.)
  18.  Everybody's Talkin'-The Sneetches
(Now, this is how you pay homage to a great Nilsson tune; one of the best sets of lyrics about following your own muse.)
  19.  Festival Waltz-Al Petteway
(A consistently strong guitarist plays yet another pleasant instrumental.)
  20.  More-Bobby Darin
(When conveying heartfelt sentiments, you can miss the mark and be cheesy and cloying.  Or, you can convey them this way--with heart and class.)

FM dial scan highlights XX

Noteworthy tracks heard this evening:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Billions Of Eyes-Lady Lamb The Beekeeper (Musings about the ordinary and not-so-ordinary moments that make up a person's life.  Sometimes, you're just relieved to catch your train on time.  I look forward to hearing the rest of Lady Lamb's new CD when it's released March 3.)
• 1000 Black Birds-Tyler Ramsey (The open air production values fit this thoughtful ode to bird songs.)
• Get Up-Caitlin Canty (Hauntingly plaintive vocals in this good, new release.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Solar-The Stanley Clarke Trio with Hiromi & Lenny White (A strong piano/bass/drums rendition of a Miles Davis tune.  Also, check out the Renee Rosnes Trio with strings version.)
• Laura-Charlie Parker (A beautiful, elegant saxophone ballad; it's one of my two favorite Parker tracks.  The other is "Star Eyes.")

 WFUN 95.5 FM

• Hello, It's Me-The Isley Brothers (One of Todd Rundgren's best hits lends itself well to smooth R&B harmonizing.)

A refreshingly honest preface

As a tie-in with the material we'd been studying, my high school American history teacher once sang Johnny Horton's "The Battle Of New Orleans" while playing it on the ukulele.  Before singing, he told the class, "Now, I'm going to do something I haven't done since my first year of teaching.  (Pause.)  I'm going to starve to death."  He added, while laughing, "No, that's not what I'm going to do."

Positive Groundhog Day forecast music

Although I don't have the prognostication power of the legendary groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, I'm still hoping that his verdict tomorrow will match the title of one of my favorite new age melodies, "Early Spring" by Alphonse Mouzon.  Even if Spring doesn't come early this year, I'll still be happy to play Mouzon's song and segue it with another favorite, early Spring-like instrumental, Dave Grusin's "Mountain Dance."