Persistent earworm alert II

Regardless of whether they're addressed to a specific individual or more than one wronged person, sung apologies are tricky business.  If they sound too detached, they might come across as insincere.  If they're sung with too much emotion, listeners might find them overwrought.  John Denver pulled off a sincere apology in the ballad, "I'm Sorry."  Hothouse Flowers also recorded a song with that title, and the apology in it, set to a much faster beat, also sounds sincere. 

The sung apology that has come to my mind often over the past week, although I have no idea what has triggered it so frequently, takes a different approach.  Lyrically, the apology is somewhat ambivalent in the verses but more firmly planted in the chorus.  Passion Pit issued a new release this month, but my mind is still stuck on the band's 2012 song, "Carried Away."  It's an interesting approach, singing "I get carried away..." and "Sorry, sorry 'bout that..." to a beat that's so memorable.  Because the chorus practically demands that listeners sing along, the apology goes down smoother than it would in any other arrangement.  That's a neat trick for any songwriter to pull off.  

Play well, stave off critics

In 1987, I was paid to attend rehearsals and play in a community orchestra's Christmas concert.  The other bassist, a longtime orchestra member, said to me during one rehearsal, "You're a good bass player."  After rehearsal, his wife showed up to take him home.  He told her, "He's a good bass player.  I'd have told him if he wasn't."  I still wonder how he would have conveyed that, if I hadn't played well.  Would he have said, during a rest in "Joy To The World," for instance, "Say, you're a lousy bass player!  A pox upon you?"  He probably wouldn't have said that, but I'm still not entirely sure.

Online radio sampler highlights XIV

Highlights heard this afternoon:

KUTX (Austin, TX)

• Take A Little Time-Kathryn Calder (Calder's airy, well-produced vocals shine against an '80s-sounding synthesized arrangement in this fun, new track.  Watch the video, as well, to see Calder make it the through the rain and outrun various pencil-sketched creatures.)

KXUL (Monroe, LA)

• Anna-Ransom and The Subset (Strong power pop from last year that brings Erik Voeks' music to mind.  Tuneful lyrics express regret for not treating someone well.)

WMCC (Rochester, NY)

• Song Of Few Words-We Landed On The Moon! (Sparse, well-sung lyrics, a strong female lead singer, a solid hook, and whistling went into this fine indie rock track from Baton Rouge.  Also recommended: "Boats" and "Across The Sun.")

WRUV (Burlington, VT)

• The Ruminant Band-Fruit Bats (A well-crafted 2009 track with a '70s album rock feel.  Favorite lyric: "You won't lose the beat if you just keep clappin' your hands.")
• Little Bitty Pretty One-Aaron Neville (A good, tight cover of the Jackson 5 tune.)

WVAS (Montgomery, AL)

• Meiji Mambo-Hiroshima (One of the group's more memorable instrumentals that could easily double as a talk show theme.)

Now, that's a stage direction...

Once, at the beginning of a radio newscast, I had to read a brief ad for the sponsor, a brand of orange juice.  According to the ad, this brand was "the best-tasting orange juice, naturally!"  According to the parenthetical instructions in the copy, "naturally!" was to be "said with the implication, 'Is there anything else?'" I did my best to put every ounce of feeling I had into "naturally," so I'd like to believe I guilted those coffee, tea, soda, water, and non-orange juice-drinking scoundrels into guzzling this orange juice as they listened to the news. 

Those parenthetical instructions would have sounded even more bizarre if I'd applied them to a sentence I once announced in some voice-over copy.  For several years, I was one of the main voices of an information-by-phone service.  Each week, I would record a multitude of events-around-town listings.  The most offbeat sentence I ever had to announce was, "The artist's work is an amalgamation of gourds and seed pods."  Although putting gourds and seed pods together is honest work, I still think if I'd added "naturally!" to the end of that sentence, it would have sounded even more eccentric.  I missed an opportunity, alas.

One priority of a good chorus teacher

Elementary and middle school chorus teachers: As soon as it's even remotely age-appropriate, have your chorus classes sing tunes to which they can relate.  Certain pop hits from previous eras might go over well.  When I was in sixth grade, the chorus teacher led the class in playing the piano and singing selections from "The Muppet Movie," Joey Scarbury's "Theme From 'The Greatest American Hero' (Believe It Or Not)," and Survivor's "Eye Of The Tiger," which was still a hit when we sang it. 

The wrong approach is for classes to sing any song specifically for kids that's too contrived.  (My brother still remembers a cringe-inducing song about going home from school and raiding the refrigerator that one of his chorus classes sang.)  When a songwriter's lyrics suggest that (s)he was never a kid or sound overly stilted or sugary, that's a tune that's best avoided.

About 12 years after that sixth grade chorus teacher's class, I was working for a pre-Internet news processing service.  I was working on the obituaries section one night and was startled to see that teacher's obituary as it came across the wire.  I thought back to that class, the songs we all sang, and how she always remembered the age range of the students she taught and the music that spoke to them.  That's what makes a good chorus teacher.

FM dial scan highlights XXVII

Noteworthy songs I've heard this morning:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Tell Heaven-Rosanne Cash (One of the stronger tracks from last year's "The River & The Thread" release.  Cash's vocals are characteristically understated.  Lyrically, this is a good way to ask for help from above without sounding over-the-top.)
• Blue Skies-Tom Waits (A good early track from Waits, in which he sings in his natural range.  On days when you expect to feel ambivalent about waking up and desire a song that matches your mood, you might set your alarm to this.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Joana's Waltz-Angela Davis (Sultry saxophone and piano with a film noir flavor.)
• Goes To Eleven-Baker's Dozen (A fast-paced saxophone lead, backed by a strong band reminiscent of Maynard Ferguson's mid-to-late '80s players.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Mechanical Heart-Beth Hart (A good new release.  Hart's low-pitched vibrato brings to mind elements of Fiona Apple and Mary Fahl.  Orchestral backing enhances Hart's powerful vocals.)

WFUN 95.5 FM

• You And I-O'Bryan (A smooth slow jam from 1983; yet another good memory from early '80s KMJM.)

KLOU 103.3 FM

• Smoke From A Distant Fire-The Sanford/Townsend Band (One of the best one-hit wonder tracks; strong lead vocals, lyrics to which almost everyone can relate, and a band that plays exactly what the song requires.)

Come one, come all, singer-songwriters of all ages...

A former co-worker told me he listens mainly to singer-songwriter Americana "by artists my age or older."  His reasoning is that he's less likely to learn something from the lyrics of someone who is a lot younger.  To his credit, he admitted, after I recommended it, that Sarah Jarosz's cover of the Tom Waits tune, "Come On Up To The House," is excellent.  I hope that he has enjoyed at least some of Jarosz's original songs, as well.  Although there's something to his belief, a good song is a good song, regardless of the creator's age.

An unlikely source of consolation

In the early '80s, I read that my favorite radio station's overall rating had dropped.  Because low ratings sometimes mean a station will change formats and/or personnel, I thought a bit of consolation might be in order.  I called the request line and told the DJ, "Your station plays the best music.  I'm sorry to hear that your ratings dropped from 4.8 to 3.2."  He paused and said, "Um, yes.  I guess that would be interesting to know.  Thank you."  It might have been expected to hear that kind of consolation from one's general manager, program director, or spouse.  Hearing it out of the blue from an 11-year-old who had remembered the station's ratings from a newspaper column probably wasn't expected, though.

Stingray Music highlights III

Some of the best selections I heard yesterday:

Alt Country-Americana

• I'm A Memory-Sara Watkins (Watkins handles Willie Nelson's song deftly, singing "Cloooooose your eyes, I'm a memory," with absolute conviction.  Also recommended from her strong "Sun Midnight Sun" CD: "You And Me" and "The Foothills," a brisk romp of an instrumental that meshes bluegrass and Celtic sensibilities effectively.)

Canadian Indie 

• Dying To Live-Rich Aucoin (The stark piano arrangement and recurring, minimalist vocals make this an effective track, especially for middle-of-the-night listening.  The song's general feel reminds me of The Guess Who's "Sour Suite" and Elvis Costello's "In The Darkest Place.")
• Where Are You Now?-Jenny Mayhem & The Fuzz Orchestrator (Dreamy, spacy vocals in a good track from last year; the tune would flow well before or after The Ocean Blue's "Blow My Mind" or after "Waltzing Back" by The Cranberries.)

Classic R&B And Soul

• Try A Little Tenderness-Otis Redding (Exceptionally effective emoting; there's a reason this song has been played for decades.)

Cocktail Lounge

• Canada In Springtime-The Free Design (A choral group with a sunny, idealistic outlook, as demonstrated on this track and others, such as "Chorale," "Ivy On A Windy Day," and "The Proper Ornaments.")

Folk Roots

• I Am Sad-Kate Rusby (Rusby's beautiful voice makes a plaintive song more poignant and an optimistic one all the more upbeat.  Also recommended: "Planets," "Sir Eglamore," and "Annan Waters.")
• Long Ride Home-Patty Griffin (Griffin is a consistently strong lyricist, as "Long Ride Home" illustrates.  Also recommended: "Rain," which is possibly her most effective, heart-wrenching song.)
• Winnie Hayes' Jig/The Lonesome Jig-John Williams (A welcoming Celtic medley.)

Gospel

• Up Above My Head (I Hear Music In The Air)-Ruthie Foster (If you think a large choir is essential for gospel music to be uplifting, Foster presents a compelling counterargument here.)

Jazz Latino

• Choro-Aquiles Baez (An enjoyable piece to play for a clarinetist, I'd imagine.)

Pop Classics

• Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major (London Philharmonic/Marin Alsop, conductor) (I'm inclined to recommend any rendition of this symphony simply on the strength of the piece.  I'm glad that I heard this version before recommending it, as it's well worth repeated listening.  The London Philharmonic's performance of the symphony's final movement is particularly spirited.)
• Antonin Dvorak: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 (Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Jiri Belohlavek, conductor; Alisa Weilerstein, cello) (A gripping, lyrical piece, played with considerable feeling.)

Swinging Standards

• I Thought About You-The Four Freshmen & Jo Stafford (A combination that works in harmony; I would've played this on WEW.)

KCOU playlist flashback: Retro 88--4/21/93

When KCOU DJs hosted specialty shows, such as "Retro 88," they were allowed to choose a featured artist to play throughout the show.  XTC, who recorded a sufficient number of '80s gems, was my featured band on this day 22 years ago.  Listeners' requests and XTC tracks accounted for a large portion of the show that day, and I thought it turned out well.  My playlist:

   1.  Kids In America-Kim Wilde
(Setting the energy level where it should be on an '80s retro show...How many of you started to smile as you recalled this song?)
   2.  How Much More-The Go-Gos
   3.  Genius Of Love-Tom Tom Club
(Sports a riff that might not leave your mind for days, at a minimum.)
   4.  Forget Me Nots-Patrice Rushen
(Segues well with track 5.)
   5.  Bad Boy-Ray Parker, Jr.
   6.  Ten Feet Tall-XTC (#)
(Oddly, the version in which the lyrics are harder to understand is the catchier one.)
   7.  Funk Pop A Roll-XTC (#)
   8.  I Want Candy-Bow Wow Wow (*)
   9.  Bedbugs And Ballyhoo-Echo & The Bunnymen (*)
 10.  My Ever Changing Moods-The Style Council
 11.  The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul-XTC (#)
 12.  Only Lonely-The Divinyls
 13.  Respectable Street-XTC (#) (*)
 14.  Dear God-XTC (#) (*)
 15.  Killer In The Home-Adam & The Ants (*)
 16.  Karma Chameleon-Culture Club (*)
 17.  I Got You-Split Enz
(One of the best tracks on the playlist, in my opinion; not just any band could pull off a chorus like "I don't know why sometimes I get frightened...," and make it this tuneful.)
 18.  Angel Say No-Tommy Tutone
 19.  Heatwave-Bronski Beat
 20.  Stray Cat Strut-The Stray Cats
 21.  Gangsters-The Specials (*)
(One of the stronger requested tracks; a fun rock/ska tune.  Also recommended: "Rudy, A Message To You" and "Friday Night, Saturday Morning.")
 22.  The Everyday Story Of Smalltown-XTC (#)
 23.  Love On A Farmboy's Wages-XTC (#)
(Presents the lyrical dilemma of how to sustain a marriage when you only have so much money.)
 24.  I Confess-The English Beat (*)
 25.  Just What I Always Wanted-Mari Wilson (*)
 26.  Synchronicity II-The Police (*)
 27.  Happy Birthday-Altered Images (*)
 28.  Meccanik Dancing-XTC (#)
 29.  Radios In Motion-XTC (#)
 30.  The Mayor Of Simpleton-XTC (#)
(As I wrote in a previous post, the lyrics remind me of Sam Cooke's "(What A) Wonderful World."  This is still my favorite XTC song, so I made sure to end the show with it.  Looking back, I wish I'd played four of my other favorites by them--"King For A Day," which is a very close second favorite, "One Of The Millions," a great song about the perils of being a nonconformist, "Earn Enough For Us," whose subject matter is similar to "Love On A Farmboy's Wages," and "Season Cycle.")

(#) indicates a track by the featured band, XTC.
(*) indicates a listener's request.

SiriusXM highlights VIII

Among the highlights I've heard over the past two days:

'80s On 8

• Automatic-The Pointer Sisters (One of the catchier songs of 1984.) 

Bluesville

• Louisiana 1927-Marcia Ball (A solid cover of Randy Newman's song about a flood that wreaked considerable havoc.)

The Bridge

• The New Ground (Live @ SiriusXM)-Kristin Andreassen (A singer-songwriter highlight of 2015, so far; pleasant vocals in a well-crafted song.)

Escape

• What's New?-Beegie Adair (There's a comforting consistency in Adair's piano playing from album to album.)

The Groove

• Fight The Power-The Isley Brothers (Even if your idea of rebellion is akin to Willow's "I'm eating this banana now; lunchtime, be damned," declaration in "Buffy The Vampire Slayer," this is still an empowering tune.)
• I Really Don't Need No Light-Jeffrey Osborne (An energetic, appealing groove; when making a mix CD for myself years ago, I found that it segues well after Stevie Wonder's "I Love You Too Much.")

The Loft

• On Sir Francis Drake-The Youngbloods (This track starts strong, with a great keyboard part that's sustained for close to three minutes.  If Vince Guaraldi had played in this band, it might have sounded a lot like this.)

Real Jazz

• Ciao, Ciao-Stanley Turrentine & Shirley Scott (Smooth sax-based jazz with a Brazilian flavor.)
• Cottontail-Roger Kellaway (A strong piano and vibes track.)

The Spectrum

• Heavy Things-Phish (My favorite song by Phish, due to its sing-along quality, lyrics, guitar, and percussion.)

Symphony Hall

• Leos Janacek: The Lord's Prayer (Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford/Stephen Darlington, director) (A moving, reverential rendition.)

Making his debut on the dulcimer...

A man once made a dulcimer.  He built it, applied the finish, installed the strings, and tuned the instrument.  This husband and his wife attend St. Louis Symphony Orchestra concerts regularly, seek out Metropolitan Opera performances, and are Wagner's Ring Cycle enthusiasts.  On the day he finished making the instrument, however, about three decades ago, the husband started playing the dulcimer while singing some unexpected words.

The lyrics he sang?  "Find it all at Carpet World.  Find it all at Carpet World."

Happy birthday, Dad.  Approximately 30 years later, I still remember that commercial jingle, and I imagine you do, as well.  Thanks to Mom and you for sparking my interest in music at an early age.

Persistent earworm alert

Starbuck's "Moonlight Feels Right" hasn't left my mind for two days.  I'm not sure why that song from 1976 has stayed with me.  Actually, the more I think about it, I know why. The tune has unusual lead vocals, a short laugh before the chorus, a memorable keyboard hook, a marimba solo that sets the bar for marimba interludes up in the clouds, and a whole vibe that wouldn't likely have made it a hit in any other era.  Name another pop song that has all five of those ingredients and sounds remotely like "Moonlight Feels Right."  When I've heard it on the radio, I've always let it play out.  Now, it's starting again, for about the 40th time, in my mind: "The wind blew some luck in my direction..."

SiriusXM highlights VII

Among the highlights I heard this morning:

'40s On 4

• Heart And Soul-Skitch Henderson (A big band arrangement that swings; hearing this version reminds me that "Heart And Soul" is more than just a song that kids learn to play by ear on the piano.)

'70s On 7

• After The Love Has Gone-Earth, Wind & Fire (Soaring vocals dominate this stellar track.  Most radio stations, unfortunately, don't play it in its entirety.  The winding sax riff at the end that bleeds over into "Let Your Feelings Show" on the "I Am" album is a great way to cap off one of the band's best songs.)

'90s On 9

• Good-Better Than Ezra (For anyone who has the voice for it, this must be a fun karaoke tune, especially during the "Maybe I'll call or write you a letter..." section.) 

BPM

• Palm Of Your Hand (Aerosoul Remix)-Speed Limits & Jaco featuring Joni Fatora (A hypnotic trance track released in January.  Fatora's vocals are appropriately detached.  I'd be curious to see a light show coordinated with this tune.)

The Coffee House

• My Little Love-The Weepies (Another heartfelt selection from this band.  Also recommended: "World Spins Madly On" and "Can't Go Back Now.")

Deep Tracks

• On The Road To Find Out-Cat Stevens (Some of the best lyrics for transition times.)

Jam_On

• Waiting On Love-Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers (Bluhm's vocals and a good guitar hook propel the tune.  Bluhm has shown her vocal range on YouTube in a series of covers, so I'm curious to hear what comes next for this group.)

Love

• Daisy Jane-America (An oldie that doesn't get a lot of radio airplay today.  America displays a good sense of harmony here, in a style similar to Seals & Crofts and England Dan & John Ford Coley.  The piano, strings, and beating heart enhance the vocals.)

Ozzy's Boneyard

• Since You Been Gone-Rainbow (One of rock's crunchier riffs; a tight, concise track about attempting to live without someone.  Head East's version is just as strong.)

Real Jazz

• Hidden-Helen Sung and Regina Carter (A compelling piece for keyboards and violin.)
• It Might As Well Be Spring-James Moody (Improvisational joy on the saxophone and fine brass accompaniment.)
• One Note Samba-Stacey Kent (Vocally and instrumentally, Kent captures the spirit of Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66.)

Soul Town

• Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing-Stevie Wonder (A gripping rhythm, right from the opening piano riff, and a great sing-along chorus; one of Wonder's many excellent hits.)

The Spectrum

• Veronica-Elvis Costello (One of Costello's most accessible, radio-friendly tracks.)

Symphony Hall

• Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83 (Berlin Philharmonic/Claudio Abbado, conductor; Maurizio Pollini, piano) (Stately, intense, and sensitive, as the concerto's moods shift.)

Stingray Music highlights II

Some of the best tracks I heard this morning:

Classic R&B And Soul

• Never Too Much-Luther Vandross (One of the best instrumental openings, providing instant atmosphere, and one of the best Vandross vocals.)
• Street Life-The Crusaders featuring Randy Crawford (It was gratifying that The Crusaders, who recorded scores of strong albums, particularly in the '70s, had a top 40 hit with this album title track.  Crawford's vocals carry an already strong instrumental.  Also recommended from the album: "Carnival Of The Night," a memorable saxophone-based composition by Wilton Felder.)

Cocktail Lounge

• Like Young-David Rose (A smart, jazzy instrumental with a spooky mood.)

Folk Roots 

• Easy Rider-Eliza Gilkyson (One of Gilkyson's more endearing vocals.)
• Writing In The Margins-John Gorka (One of the most consistent singer-songwriters from album to album; this track is one of many examples of Gorka's consistency.  Also recommended: "Flying Red Horse," "I Miss Everyone," and "Looking Forward.") 

Hot In South Africa

• Susan-The Soil featuring Khuli Chana (A rhythm that stays with you.  I was reminded of Ladysmith Black Mambazo as I listened, so I wasn't surprised to see that the album, "Nostalgic Moments," features them on other tracks.)

Hungarian Pop & Rock 

• Videki Sanzon-Magna Cum Laude (An appealingly retro '70s soft rock sound.)

Jazz Masters

• Greensleeves-Kenny Burrell (At first, this is a low-key, melodic guitar take on "What Child Is This?"  Then, the band comes in, and the tempo starts to fly.)

Jazz Now

• Kaleidoscope-Walter Smith III (An appealing piece for saxophone and piano.)

New Age

• The Wind That Shakes The Barley-Loreena McKennitt (McKennitt sings with characteristic epic grandeur.)

The Spa

• Echoing Gilewitz-Leo Kottke (One of Kottke's quieter guitar instrumentals; an appealing melody.)

SiriusXM highlights VI

SiriusXM played a lot of gems this morning, including:

1st Wave

• Blood And Roses-The Smithereens (The Smithereens recorded a number of songs, including this one, in the same key and in a similar tempo.  It's a formula that serves the listener well.)

'70s On 7

• 99-Toto ("99" is played only sporadically on the radio today, but it's one of Toto's best-constructed songs.   The piano is the song's glue, and the verses and chorus stay with you after you've heard them.)

'90s On 9

• Escapade-Janet Jackson (Similar to another one of Jackson's best hits, "Miss You Much."  Either song was a strong template for crafting a hit 25 years ago.)
• Linger-The Cranberries (Still one of the band's most melodic songs, thanks to a delicate arrangement for strings and Dolores O'Riordan's vocals floating above it all.  I remember how impressed I was when I played various tracks on KCOU, including "Linger," from the CD, "Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?"  "Dreams" and "Wanted" hold up, as well.  It's difficult to believe that 22 years have passed since this song and CD were new.)

The Bridge

• If You Could Read My Mind-Gordon Lightfoot (One of the best-written and movingly sung soft rock hits of the '70s; one of the best combinations of a singer-songwriter and lyrics ever recorded.)
• Wooden Ships-Crosby, Stills & Nash (If the lyrics don't convince you that nuclear war is best avoided, then...?)

The Coffee House 

• Love Song-Dawn Landes with Norah Jones (I look forward to hearing more from this effective pairing.)
• Mrs. Cold-Kings Of Convenience (Pleasant backing that brings to mind David Gray's "Babylon."  Also recommended: "Misread.")

Real Jazz

• Doxy (Part 1 & 2)-Cal Tjader (A cool "Ain't Misbehavin'" vibe.)
• Starmaker-Roy Hargrove (Summer night, wish-on-a-star music, with a warm trumpet sound and piano accompaniment.)

Siriusly Sinatra

• Only Forever-Nat King Cole (Yet another entry in the richly sung, emotionally moving Nat King Cole canon.)

Soul Town 

• Gimme Little Sign-Brenton Wood (Sung with just the right amount of confidence.)
• Soulful Strut-Young-Holt Unlimited (A great midtempo rhythm for piano and saxophone.  Swing Out Sister added vocals to it and turned it, effectively, into "Am I The Same Girl?")

Stingray Music highlights

I sampled Stingray Music, a service of U-verse, today.  Standout selections I heard included:

Big Band

• Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea-Ken Peplowski (As Ella Fitzgerald, George Harrison, and many others have shown, this tune holds up well in a variety of interpretations.  Peplowski's interpretation on the clarinet is one worthy rendition.)
• Opus One-Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (One of the most famous melodies of the genre; a list of big standards is incomplete without it.  I'd be curious to know how many listeners were first made aware of the tune because of "Hooked On Swing.")

Chamber Music

• Martin Kraus: Rondo In F major, VB. 191 (Jacques Depres) (A thoughtful, quiet piano piece.)

Cocktail Lounge

• C'est Magnifique-Peggy Lee (When it's time to lighten up...)

Folk Roots

• Leviathan-Leahy (Toe-tappin' fiddling that brings Natalie MacMaster's music to mind.)
• Wild Mountain Thyme-Maggie Reilly (Movingly sung; one of the strongest versions I've heard, and the best track I heard this afternoon.)

Jazz Now

• Hard To Find-Joshua Bruneau Septet (A good brass track, released in January, that reminds me of The Crusaders when Wayne Henderson played trombone.)
• Movin'-Gregory Porter (Strong vocals about "movin' in the wrong direction," from an impressive 2013 CD, "Liquid Spirit."  Also recommended: "Water Under Bridges," "Wind Song," and "The 'In' Crowd.")

Kids' Stuff

• Sesamstraat-Sesame Street Netherlands (A fun reminder that gentle life lessons translate into any language.  It's also fun to contemplate how different countries have their own equivalents of "Sesame Street."  The original American incarnation has a cookie-loving monster, a giant bird, and a grouch who lives in a trash can.  Other countries entertain and educate kids via a mouse or giant blue creature.  The lessons, and the heart, get through to the audience, regardless of where it is.)

Nature

• Ponds And Streams Of Niagara-Dan Gibson (An example of why I almost never listen to recorded music when I go to the park; the animals provide plenty of enjoyable music there.)

Retro R&B

• It's Just A Matter Of Time-Brook Benton (I tend to think of "Rainy Night In Georgia" first in connection with Benton, but this smooth ballad deserves its due.  It would segue well with "Earth Angel" by The Penguins.)

Smooth Jazz

• On The Strip-Marc Antoine (Cool, chill guitar.  I also recommend Antoine's cover of "Mas Que Nada.")

"Eyes! Eyes!"

Conductors use different methods to elicit the slower, faster, louder, or softer results they want from an orchestra.  One conductor, for instance, might say to the ensemble, "We're not together in bar 40.  Be sure to watch how I'm conducting there, so our precision is where it should be."  Another conductor might ask the orchestra to pencil in a pair of glasses at a particular place in the score as a reminder to look up.  Other conductors, however, might take the approach one director did when I was in high school.  When people weren't watching his conducting, he'd shout, "Eyes!  Eyes!"  I always thought our rehearsals would have made for some interesting outtakes on a CD.  You'd hear a dramatic crescendo, a spirited yet ragged entrance from a gaggle of instruments, and then, "Eyes!  Eyes!"  "Eyes!  Eyes!" would have been a good title for the CD, actually. 

Online radio sampler highlights XIII

Six of the best selections I've heard today:

KOPN (Columbia, MO)

• 20/20 Vision-Charlie Haden with Bruce Hornsby (A hypnotic arrangement fit for lyrics that aren't especially optimistic.)
• Ray, River & Raven-Gloria Attoun (Vocally and instrumentally welcoming.  I also recommend Attoun's instrumental, "Barefoot Waltz.")
• Talking About-Susan Tedeschi (This track has grit in its lyrics, power in its vocals, and a scorching guitar riff that brings to mind Janis Joplin's "Move Over" and Robert Cray's "Smoking Gun.")

KWVA (Eugene, OR)

• It's Real-Real Estate (Concise, catchy power pop with just enough lyrics.)

KXPR (Sacramento, CA)

• Franz Danzi: Wind Quintet in G minor (Vienna Quintet) (Conveys the feel of Spring at its peak.)

WBLS (New York, NY)

• Whatever Makes You Happy-Ten City (It was good--and surprising--to hear this '90s R&B groove that I used to play on KCOU.  The beat stays with you, and the lyrics convey a live and let live outlook.)

Two jazz piano hooks that are worth the wait

Listen to the title track from McCoy Tyner's "Just Feelin'" album.  Do you hear that great piano hook?  The song cycles back to it frequently.  If that catches your ear, you'll probably also like the shorter piano hook in the Charlie Haden/Hampton Hawes tune, "Irene."  It doesn't come up as often during the tune, but it's memorable and brings Vince Guaraldi's music to mind.  To my ears, those are two of the best jazz piano hooks.

A gentle reminder for slackers

I'm not sure what year it was, but I remember hearing a good interview with Brian Auger on KDHX.  With his band, Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, Auger recorded a number of impressive album rock tracks during the '70s, including "Happiness Is Just Around The Bend," "Straight Ahead," and a strong cover of "Bumpin' On Sunset."  During the interview, he praised his band, saying, "There are no freeloaders on the Oblivion Express."  I thought to myself, "That's a great sentence, in context or out of context."  When people are slacking, that's a great admonishment: "There are no freeloaders on the Oblivion Express."

Tonight's forecast concerns me, but...

...I've been trying to stay positive about it by remembering the upbeat attitude toward rain conveyed in "I Am The Mercury."  At the 3:40 mark, Jimmie Spheeris sings, "Let it rain...," and lets loose with a "Eureka"-style yelp that, transcribed approximately, looks like "EeeEEEEEEEyeahhhhhhhhh!"  I've never reacted that way to rain, especially heavy rain, but I suppose I would, if there had been a long drought.

Did the winning team beat, defeat, or down the losing team?

Something I learned while ad libbing my way through radio sports reports: There are so many ways to say that one team defeated another.  I rarely said that one team beat another because I thought it would be too easy to overuse that word.  Thus, one team defeated another.  Team A downed Team B.  The winner topped the loser.  The winning team got past (or got by) the losing team.  In close victories, the winning team narrowly deafeated, took a close win over, or eked out a victory over the losing team.  One team edged the other.  For lopsided wins, Team A won big, skated past, or triumphed over Team B.  In other cases, Team A took the win over Team B.  I avoided saying that a team annihilated, clobbered, or trounced its opponent, however.  These weren't gladiator contests, after all, and I didn't see any reason to add insult to injury.   In other cases, Team A and Team B played to a 1-1 tie, tied at one, or played to a 1-1 draw.  Despite all of those options, however, I still wish I'd come up with a description similar to the headline in an old Shoe cartoon: "Pirates quite rude to Atlanta."

Online radio sampler highlights XII

Among the better tracks I've heard today:

WFUV (Bronx, NY)

• Big Yellow Taxi-Joni Mitchell (Contains one of the most valid lyrics about the environment in any song, "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."  It's rare to find a song with this level of concern and such a breezy, sing-along quality.  Here's hoping there's good news to report about Mitchell's health very soon.)
• Falling From The Sky-Calexico (A sign of good things to come from the band's forthcoming release, "Edge Of The Sun."  Also recommended: "Alone Again Or," a spot-on cover of Love's great '60s tune.)

WNCU (Durham, NC)

• Of Things To Come-Stefon Harris (Horns and vibes in harmony; this is how you strike up the band.)
• Three Faces Of Lecuona: La Comparsa No. 2-Chucho Valdes (An engaging, expansive mood piece for the piano.)

WTMD (Towson, MD)

• Revelation Road-Shelby Lynne (Lyrically strong and downcast.)

What does "world music" mean?

Several years ago, I listened to a radio interview with a band.  The singer said he dislikes the "world music" label that's applied to his band and others.  He asked what that label means.  Given that all music we hear on Earth is made in the world, it's a fair point.

Alternate version of a recommended Easter hymn

Recently, I recommended "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today" in its St. Michael's Singers incarnation.  For those who prefer an instrumental rendition with an uplifting Celtic feel, listen to the Joyfull Strings version.

To everyone who celebrates it, Happy Easter!

Also, if you've listened to Brave Combo's "I'm A Bunny Rabbit," as I suggested in my post, "A fun, quirky, segue," this photo will likely ensure that the song stays with you for a while:

A favorite Baroque Easter selection

If you're looking for a Baroque instrumental that conveys the glory of Easter, I recommend Johann Sebastian Bach's Sinfonia from his Easter Oratorio.  The Empire Brass rendition, with Douglas Major on organ, is regal and accessible.

Money is always hard-earned in letters to the editor...

Sometimes, when I read a letter to the editor that's particularly self-righteous, I start hearing "Battle Hymn Of The Republic" or "Fanfare For The Common Man" in my mind, ironically.  When people are so convinced that their opinions are the right ones, despite their logical gaps, I wonder if they heard these same standards in their minds, without the irony, as they wrote.

Easter music favorites

Some of the best selections to hear, in my opinion, on or around Easter, in no particular order:

   1.  Christ The Lord Is Risen Today-St. Michael's Singers
(Of all the selections on this list, this conjures up the most memories of standing for the opening hymn in church.  Over time, this became my favorite hymn.)
   2.  Gift Of Finest Wheat-Thomas Jones
(A piano rendition of another hymn that came up often during Mass when I was younger.)
   3.  Rock Of Ages-The Mills Brothers
(Any of the selections on the "Hymns We Love" CD are worth hearing, but "Rock Of Ages" stands out.)
   4.  Were You There?-Themba Girls and Erin Bode
(An effective pairing sings a rendition of a hymn that provides reassurance after the Crucifixion.)
   5.  Amazing Grace/Down By The Riverside/Amen-The Neville Brothers
(Spirited live renditions of three hymns in a medley "for the Easter weekend," as the intro states.)
   6.  Lift Every Voice And Sing-The Harmonizing Four
(Of all the days in the year to "lift every voice and sing," Easter is one of the most appropriate days.)
   7.  Day By Day-"Godspell" cast featuring Robin Lamont
(Still a standout from the movie, as Lamont's voice shines.  If Carole King recorded religious music, it might sound like this.  "Save The People," "All Good Gifts," and "Bless The Lord" are other highlights.)
   8.  Get Away, Jordan-Take 6
(From the group's excellent self-titled debut release; there's no shortage of outstanding work on the album, but the vocal ranges conquered successfully on "Get Away, Jordan" make it a standout.  "Gold Mine" is another strong selection from the album.)
   9.  Christian Automobile-Sons Of Andros
(From the Bahamas, this is an effective metaphor comparing tuning up one's faith to tuning up a car.)
 10.  Oh Happy Day-Edwin Hawkins Singers
(The choir doesn't hold back, and its commitment to the lyrics has to be one of the reasons this selection has stood the test of time.)

To anyone attending an Easter service or Mass this weekend, I offer this memory from childhood: When I attended Mass at a Hungarian church, the priest began his sermon, in English, "Easter...What is the meaning of this feast?"  He answered this question and continued the rest of the sermon in Hungarian, which I don't speak.  "I guess I'll have to look up the answer when I get home," I thought.  I still think that was an interesting time to switch languages.  It might have been interesting if that same approach had been taken with the hymns.

A good instrumental for Easter is...

...Sandy Owen's "Robbie The Rabbit."  It's an upbeat piano piece that approximates a rabbit's hopping.  It's one of many strong Owen tracks.  "The Island Groove" and "Traveling" are also recommended, for days beyond Easter.