Music to enjoy in 2017

So, that's 2016--a year in which far too many musicians' lives were lost and many singer-songwriters released a lot of compelling music.  In 2017, new releases are scheduled in the singers-with-captivating-range front (Rhiannon Giddens), the thought-provoking singer-songwriter department (Aimee Mann and Laura Marling), the infectious jazz bass department (Nathan East), and the appealing-fusion-between-piano, vocals, and mandolin-front (Brad Mehldau & Chris Thile.) Regardless of what happens in the new year, we won't be left empty-handed musically.

Those fond food processing days of yore

A memory book representative called me in 1995.  Her company was assembling a directory of students from my high school class, listing their current jobs and contact information.  I told her, "I have two jobs.  I'm a news processor who puts articles online so people can read them, and I sometimes write headlines.  Also, I'm an announcer at a smooth jazz radio station, KNJZ 100.3 FM."

"OK," she responded.  "So you're a food processor for KNG Radio?"

"No," I answered.  "I'm a news processor at (such-and-such company).  I'm also an announcer at KNJZ 100.3 FM."

"Oh, alright," she replied.  "I'll put Channel 100.3 for the radio station, then."

"Actually, it should be listed as 100.3 FM," I said.  "Radio stations aren't usually referred to as channels."

When my directory arrived in the mail, I flipped through it, half-expecting to see myself listed as a food processor for KNG Radio.  Fortunately, except for referring to KNJZ's frequency as Channel 100.3, the information was correct.  It just goes to show that if you're tenacious enough about details, you'll get most of what you want--maybe.

Ten years of #1 song picks

Since 2014, I've posted my favorite songs of the year on this blog.  I assembled countdowns of my favorite songs for years prior to starting this blog, however.  Here's a look back at my favorite songs of the year for the 10 years that predate my blog:

2013: My #1 song pick: Forever-Haim
(This is what pop music should sound like.  Three sisters execute a great hook, as they also do on "Falling" and "The Wire."  I've read they have a new release due in 2017, so I look forward to it.)
Other worthy contenders: Build Me Up From Bones-Sarah Jarosz, Gently Down The Stream-Hem, Heston's-The 442s, The Stars Are Ours Tonight-Mayer Hawthorne

2012: My #1 song pick: Jacaranda Bougainvillea (Live)-Al Jarreau & The Metropole Orkest
(Jarreau sings encouragingly about trees and flowers as metaphors for hope; the orchestra enhances the song's optimistic vibe.)
Other worthy contenders: Hearts And Bones (Live)-Paul Simon, I'm A Memory-Sara Watkins, Planets-Kate Rusby featuring Sarah Jarosz, Run Run Run-The Explorers Club

2011: My #1 song pick: Ring Them Bells-Sarah Jarosz
(A well-sung, well-played version of a Bob Dylan tune.  Erin Bode sings a strong version of it in concert, as well.)
Other worthy contenders: Daybreak-Sierra Hull, Fall Right In-Beach Fossils, Send Somebody-Colin Hay

2010: My #1 song pick: The Mountain-Erin Bode
(One of Bode's most memorable hooks, and some impressive whistling, as well.  She has closed her concerts with this tune often.)
Other worthy contenders: Either Side Of The World-Crowded House, Equilibrium-Hot Club Of Detroit, Stones In The River-Carrie Newcomer

2009: My #1 song pick: Prophets-A.C. Newman
(One of the most effective uses of music I've seen in a sitcom; it's used in "The Leap," one of my favorite episodes of "How I Met Your Mother."  If you enjoy seeing a likable group of people take literal and metaphorical leaps in their lives, watch that episode, and appreciate how well "Prophets" underscores the final scene.)
Other worthy contenders: Cinema Paradiso-Chris Botti featuring Yo-Yo Ma, Cold Cold Heart (Live)-Norah Jones, How Not To Behave-Christine Kane

2008: My #1 song pick: Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore-The High Kings
(A fitting tribute to one's homeland, sung with epic grandeur.)
Other worthy contenders: Born At The Right Time-Erin Bode, Sweater Song-Erin Bode, There Is A Tree-Carrie Newcomer

2007: My #1 song pick: Even A Child-Crowded House
(One of the band's most radio-friendly hooks.)
Other worthy contenders: I Will Rise Up-Lyle Lovett & His Large Band, Pick Up The Pieces-Money Mark

2006: My #1 song pick: 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.)
Other worthy contenders: Funny Little Frog-Belle and Sebastian, Holiday-Erin Bode

2005: My #1 song pick: Sitting In Limbo-Thea Gilmore
(Sometimes, a song resonates with you at just the right time.  When I first heard it in late 2005, I was on the cusp of moving, but I didn't know where yet.  The lyric, "Sitting here in limbo, knowing that I have to go," stayed with me.  Gilmore makes this Jimmy Cliff song her own.) 
Other worthy contender: One Evening-Feist

2004: My #1 song pick: Almost-Sarah Harmer
(One of 2004's most compelling, energetic hooks, and you don't usually hear it played on the radio anymore.)
Other worthy contender: Better After All-Jonatha Brooke

Not the most stable gig

A pair of popular morning drive DJs during the '80s was celebrating 10 years in radio as a team.  One of them asked the other, "You've named all the newscasters we've had since we've been here.  Now, can you name all the program directors we've had?"  The other DJ's response: "Got an hour?"

Given the precarious ratings book-to-ratings book status by which program directors are retained or let go, the DJ's response, though not meant literally, contained an uncomfortable ring of truth.

Making a joyful noise?

The overnight grocery store shelf stocker hasn't been singing lately.  Each week, for several months in a row, I'd shop late at night.  An aisle or two over, I'd hear her singing along with whatever tune she was listening to.

"What on Earth is that sound?" I thought, the first time I heard her belting out a tune unexpectedly.  "Who's singing an off-key rendition of Sweet's 'Ballroom Blitz' at this hour?"

After I got over the initial surprise, however, I thought, "Oh, why not?  Her intonation is lacking, but what harm does this really do?  It's the middle of the night, and there aren't that many customers here. It's a big store, so customers can always get away from her warbling."

I'm guessing customers whose thought process didn't go past "What on Earth is that sound?" might have complained, though.  Working among the public isn't easy, so I hope she gets to still listen to her tunes, even if she's no longer allowed to sing in the store.

Good Winter music listening

If you enjoy Christmas music, it's difficult to stop listening to it altogether on December 26.  I've often used the day after Christmas to listen to carols and Winter-related tunes that aren't as familiar to me.  Today, I listened to the "Celtic Christmas: A Windham Hill Sampler" compilation and recommend it as a bridge between Christmas and the beginning of January.

Online radio sampler highlights L (Christmas edition)

December 25, 2005: If Rosie the cat had any Christmas music requests, I'm pretty sure I played them.  After all, it's unwise to cross a calico.

Christmas music highlights heard this morning:

KWMU-2 (St. Louis, MO)

• I'll Be Home For Christmas-Dave McKenna (McKenna gives the tune an unusually uptempo, swing/lounge arrangement on the piano.  It works, as do his other interpretations on the "Christmas Ivory" CD.)

KWMU-3 (St. Louis, MO) 

• The Holly And The Ivy-Robert Shaw Chamber Singers (As the announcer noted, not just any ensemble can sing with this degree of pitch or precision.)

WXPN (Philadelphia, PA)

• O Magnum Mysterium-Linda Ronstadt & The Choir From Tucson (Ronstadt leads the singing in this solemn observance of Christ's birth.)
• Candlelight Carol-Mary Chapin Carpenter (Carpenter's alto vocals do John Rutter's lyrics about the nativity justice.)
• A Child Is Born-Thad Jones & Mel Lewis (If you're not inclined to listen to at least a smidgen of jazz during the Christmas season after hearing this, I don't know what to tell you.)

WXPN-2 (Philadelphia, PA)

• In The Bleak Midwinter-Shawn Colvin (Midwinter may be bleak, but Colvin's vocals suggest a ray of hope.)

FM dial scan highlights LXXIV (Christmas edition II)

If you enjoy Christmas music, may the carols and other seasonal favorites you hear tonight and tomorrow make you at least as happy as this bear on our live Christmas tree was in 2003.

Some of the more appealing Christmas music I've heard since Tuesday:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Christmas Is Coming-Vince Guaraldi Trio (Decades ago, I thought this was one of the hippest original Christmas instrumentals anyone had ever composed and that it had to be a blast for Guaraldi to anchor its alternating rhythms on the piano.  My opinion hasn't changed in all that time.  I'm sure I'm not alone.)  
• Silver And Gold-Burl Ives (I'd be happy to swap the lion's share of radio airplay "Have A Holly Jolly Christmas" usually gets for this more thought-provoking "Rudolph..." highlight.)
• Silent Night-Mahalia Jackson (Leave it to "The Big Bang"'s host, Dr. Jeff, to select multiple captivating Christmas tunes from distinctly different genres.  Jackson's larger-than-life voice brings out the power and tenderness of this carol.)

WSIE 88.7 FM 

• O Christmas Tree-Oscar Peterson (A subtle, in-its-own-time piano rendition.  Strongly recommended: Peterson's beautiful, sublime version of "Away In A Manger," with excellent flugelhorn emoting from Jack Schantz.)

KLOU 103.3 FM

• (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays-The Carpenters (Karen Carpenter always sang with such sincerity and crisp, clear enunciation.  When she sings that there's no place like home for the holidays, I can't imagine doubting her.)

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

• Leroy Anderson: A Christmas Festival (The Boston Pops Orchestra/Arthur Fiedler, conductor) (The resounding horn intro on this medley's first selection, "Deck The Halls," welcomes in Christmas majestically, and Anderson's arrangement transitions smoothly from one engaging seasonal favorite to another.)
• Suite Of Carols For String Orchestra (BBC Concert Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin, conductor) (The orchestra's vigorous, forceful bowing makes "Wassail, Wassail" especially engaging.  As played in this medley, "Wassail, I'm Telling You!" would be an equally appropriate title.)
• Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!-Hampton String Quartet (Played in the style of Mozart, this is one of the best renditions I've heard.)

A captivating new age Christmas

New age music has a reputation among some listeners as being overly synthesized or robotic.  To anyone who feels this way, listen to Suzanne Ciani's or David Darling's version of "Oh (or O) Holy Night," and feel the warmth.  Those are two of the best instrumental renditions of the carol, to my ears.

A plethora of good music this year

While choosing my favorite songs of the year yesterday and revising my choices today, I was struck by how often I thought, "So-and-so had a new release this year.  Which tune do I like best from that release?"  It got to the point where I thought, "Arrrrrgh!  I just remembered that I meant to include so-and-so in the countdown...Which tune stands out most to me, though?  Where should it fall in the rankings?"  Near the end of my revising, I thought, "I never checked on so-and-so's new release this year.  Oh, wait.  It's actually not a new release but a compilation of older material.  Whew...That's one less decision I have to make."  Knowing there was so much good music from which to choose this year is a good so-called problem to have.  In music, at least, 2016 has been a positive year.

Back to Christmas-related content tomorrow...After all, there's a lot of captivating Christmas music to highlight, as well.

Favorite music of 2016

It was a crowded field for good singer-songwriter material, jazz, and cover tunes this year.  It was challenging for me to compile a list of my favorite music in 2016--so much so that I restricted myself to a one-song-per-artist rule.  I'll start with my top 20 favorite songs, as of this moment:

   20.  How Can It Be?-Bria Skonberg
(No wonder Skonberg has received such enthusiastic reviews as an artist to watch.  Her silky vocals, which bring Diana Krall to mind, and commanding trumpet playing carry this tune impressively.  Check out her Madison Square Park performance of it on YouTube.  This is one of the highlights from her latest release, "Bria."  Also recommended: "Malaguena" and "Down In The Deep.")
   19.  Porch Light-Aoife O'Donovan
(This tune, like many others on O'Donovan's release, "In The Magic Hour," tackles the subject of loss and carrying on under less than ideal circumstances, gracefully.  I've come to view a new release by O'Donovan the same way I view a new one by Mary Chapin Carpenter; I know there will be a high level of grace, sensitivity, and thoughtfulness in her vocals and lyrics.) 
   18.  Mashol varnak-Blahalouisiana
(Appealingly retro, tuneful vocals sung in Hungarian, whirling organ, and an engaging hook that would flow well after "Fine" by The Cardigans.)
   17.  Song For Irene-Eric Johnson
(It was a pleasant surprise to hear a new release from Johnson this year.  If you listened to album rock radio in 1990, you probably remember his blistering guitar instrumental, "Cliffs Of Dover," from his strong album, "Ah Via Musicom."  "Forty Mile Town" is an excellent example of his more contemplative, singer-songwriter abilities from that album.  Johnson returned this year with an all-acoustic album that includes this contemplative instrumental.  Although it isn't sequenced as such on the CD, it makes an effective prelude to a more frenetic tune, "Once Upon A Time In Texas.")
   16.  When You're Gone-Amanda Shires
(An ear-catching uptempo powerpopish/countryish tune; the strategically used echo on Shires' voice gives the tune an appropriately spacey feel.)
   15.  You Can Feel It-Young Gun Silver Fox
(One of the easiest-on-the-ears tunes of 2016; I would have guessed it was a late '70s or early '80s hit.  Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams," America's "You Can Do Magic," and Real Estate's "Crime" would all flow smoothly into this tune.)
   14.  Only Desire What You Have-Kate Rusby
(This isn't the easiest advice to follow, but Rusby's angelic voice, this uptempo romp of an arrangement, and Celtic instrumentation make it go down easy.)
   13.  I Live For You-Kevin Whalum
(Some of 2016's best jazzy, subtle vocals; I would have guessed this was a Michael Franks track from the '70s.)
   12.  Future Self-Boehm featuring Melody Noel
(One of the more interesting, sticks-with-you tunes of 2016; lyrically, it posits that even if you could send a letter of warning to your future self, it might not help, and you still might make the same choices.  The video, in which the lyrics are written with a fountain pen on envelopes, is effective, as well.)
   11.  Flipside-Norah Jones
(If released in almost any other year, this uptempo highlight from the "Day Breaks" release would be one of my top 10 shoo-ins.  It's gripping to hear Jones sing and play with this much force.  Other "Day Breaks" standouts: "Peace" and "It's A Wonderful Time For Love," which would segue with Van Morrison's "Moondance.")
   10.  Green Lights-Sarah Jarosz
(A highlight of Jarosz's "Undercurrent" release.  The production values differ from her earlier releases, giving the tune an appropriately airy sound.  It's just as compelling hearing her voice and mandolin in this context.)
    9.  Take Me To The Alley-Gregory Porter
(Movingly sung vocals convey lyrics that work on a spiritual level.  This is the emotive title track of Porter's latest release.  Also recommended: Porter's "Liquid Spirit" CD.)
    8.  Rule The World-Michael Kiwanuka
(Lyrically and vocally impressive, with a trippy guitar part; this strong track uses some of the chords from Morris Albert's "Feelings" and expands on them.)
    7.  Midnight Rider-Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
(An impressive cover of the Allman Brothers Band tune, with Jones powering through the vocals and horns handling the original version's guitar part deftly.  The world lost a strong, resilient singer in Jones this year.)
    6.  Humanism-Jon Batiste & Stay Human
(The theme song from "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" is an infectious slice of jazz/funk in its full version.)
    5.  Every Songbird Says-Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop
(This duo's alternating vocals suggest that a couple's future is likely to be a bright one.  The melody skips and hops appealingly.  I had a hard time ranking this tune, but it's so endearingly sunny and has so much heart that it lands here for me.)
    4.  Black River-Sierra Hull
(A lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally impressive track from Hull's release, "Weighted Mind."  Lyrically, it strikes me as a prelude to the resolve Lyle Lovett shows in "I Will Rise Up."  Even if Alison Krauss hadn't been a backing vocalist on this track, I'd still be reminded of her writing and vocal phrasing.  Heavy hitter Bela Fleck's contribution doesn't hurt, either.   Also recommended: Hull's medley of "Tennessee Waltz" and "After You've Gone," from Harvester Performance Center in Rocky Mount, Virginia; the performance, from last year, is a strong example of her vocal prowess and mandolin proficiency.  It's worth checking out on YouTube.)
    3.  The Noisy Days Are Over-Field Music
(One of the best ways to decide on a song ranking is to ask yourself, "How often have I listened to this song?"  I've listened to "The Noisy Days Are Over" many times in the last two-and-a-half months, and it always holds my attention for its entire six minutes and change.  It's one of the catchiest grooves about aging I've heard, and it straddles the line cleverly, in Talking Heads style, between reality and tongue-in-cheek advice.  Also recommended: "It's A Good Thing.")
    2.  These Days-Erin Bode
(Bode makes Jackson Browne's song her own, capturing the wise-beyond-one's-years introspection of the lyrics.  As she mentioned in concert, it's surprising that Browne wrote this when he was still a teenager.  It's one of many sensitively sung covers on Bode's release, "Here And Now."  Other highlights from it are her renditions of Irving Berlin's "Reaching For The Moon" and Gerry Rafferty's "Whatever's Written In Your Heart.")
    1.  Call Off Your Dogs-Lake Street Dive
(Thanks to Rachael Price's strong alto vocals and a catchy groove that would have been at home on the radio during the late '70s or early '80s, this is 2016's best song, in my opinion.  I could imagine it flowing well after Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust" or "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses.  To hear more of Lake Street Dive's impressive range, watch their NPR "Tiny Desk" concert.)

Quite a few other respectable tunes didn't make my rankings this year, but here are other noteworthy tracks from 2016, listed alphabetically:

• Behind The Armory-Case/Lang/Veirs (A seemingly unlikely blend of voices--from Neko Case, K.D. Lang, and Laura Veirs--comes together impressively here.)
• Casual Party-Band Of Horses (One of 2016's best tunes for driving; I hear elements of Wilco on this track, released in June, and it could segue with Franz Ferdinand's "Do You Want To.")
• Colours So Fine-Miranda Lee Richards (Appealingly airy, psychedelic vocals and instrumentation on this track, released in January.)
• I'll Remember April-Bill Charlap Trio (From a quiet, piano-anchored release of covers, "Notes From New York."  Also recommended: Charlap's versions of "A Sleepin' Bee" and "Not A Care In The World.")
• Lazarus-David Bowie (A fitting swan song from the "Blackstar" album.  Lyrically, it suggests how Bowie might look back at his life upon entering the afterlife.  Instrumentally, it reminds me of "Space Oddity," but with heavier world-weariness.)
• Lean In Toward The Light-Carrie Newcomer (I maintain that Newcomer has one of the most beautiful alto voices I've heard and that her singing and songwriting are incredibly consistent from CD to CD.  This track, with its uplifting spirit and gospel-style backing vocals, is a highlight of her release, "The Beautiful Not Yet."  Also recommended: "Sanctuary.")
• Like New Year's Day-Sara Watkins (When you just need to step back from a bad situation and breathe, these are suitable lyrics for doing so.)
• One Fine Summer Morning-Britta Phillips (Optimistic vocals and sunny instrumental backing, especially from the flute.)
• Rewards-Kylie Auldist (It's hard to believe this is a 2016 release, as its dance vibe and vocals would have segued smoothly with Madonna's "Holiday" in 1983.)
• Royals-Monika Herzig featuring Jane Bunnett (Herzig anchors this pleasant midtempo jazz combo track on piano.  I also recommend her "Come With Me" album.)
• Something Tamed Something Wild-Mary Chapin Carpenter (A well-written ode to the happy moments of one's past and a reminder to appreciate the present, sung with Carpenter's usual conviction.  It's from her CD, "The Things That We Are Made Of," released in May.)
• These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)-Brad Mehldau Trio (To hear Mehldau's more contemplative side on the piano, check out his "Blues And Ballads" release.  It contains this track and other strong covers, such as "Since I Fell For You" and "I Concentrate On You.")
• This Little Light Of Mine-Jennifer Paskow (Paskow sings these optimistic lyrics in an appealingly breathy voice.  I could imagine Norah Jones doing a credible rendition of this.)
• Try Try Try-Rachael Sage (Appealingly breathy vocals; at times, Sage sings at the top of her range, bringing to mind Sara Watkins on Nickel Creek's "Best Of Luck."  Add a clap-along beat and appealing violin backing, and you've got a winner of a tune.)
• Turn My Head Off-Takenobu (If you listen to only one new alt-rock cello instrumental this year--of the many thousands of such tracks out there, of course--you'd be wise to pick this one.  The floating sensation it conjures up makes it one of the year's better instrumentals.)

If this tune doesn't elicit at least a subtle grin...

Just try taking anything seriously while listening to "Happy Holiday," as performed by Percy Faith's orchestra and chorus.  It's nearly impossible not to at least grin slightly during the chorus's "Whoooooooop!" at 29 and 59 seconds into the tune.  What's Christmas, after all, without at least a few goofy whoops of joy?

One more way "Jingle Bells" should be heard

Another "Jingle Bells" recommendation: Jazz great Jimmy Smith approaches the tune unlike any other artist I've heard.  He keeps the tune chugging along on the organ by playing the essence of the melody, embellishing it, and returning to its essence.  While this approach is common for jazz, it isn't so common for "Jingle Bells."  It works, however, so if you like the way Booker T. & The MGs approach Christmas carols, you'll likely appreciate Smith's take on "Jingle Bells."

Accessing that newfangled website

It's amusing to remember how I had to mention URLs on the air and in voice-overs 20 or so years ago. 

"Visit our website using your desktop computer," the copy would say.  "Just type in (name of site)-dot-com.  That's (name of site)-dot-c-o-m."

Imagine hearing a web address spelled out that specifically today.

Setting the tone with a downcast hymn

I remember standing up a little straighter at Mass when the opening hymn was "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."  Whenever an Advent Mass began on such a solemn note, it felt disrespectful to let my mind wander.

When "grand" and "solemn" aren't contradictory terms...

Sometimes, you just have to hear the right version of a Christmas carol to truly appreciate it.  That's the case for me this year with "The Wexford Carol."  Although I've never disliked the carol, it took Alison Krauss's soaring vocals and Yo-Yo Ma's cello accompaniment to make me realize how well the lyrics capture the nativity's solemnity.  Krauss sings it beautifully, with a hard-to-pull-off combination of grandeur and intimacy.  Her voice is an ideal fit for the carol, and Ma's cello underscores her voice perfectly.  I've listened to their rendition of "The Wexford Carol" several times this month, and I'm sure I'll play it several more times.

Charge!

Riding into battle on horseback?  "Good King Wenceslas," performed by The Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy, is a suitable soundtrack.

FM dial scan highlights LXXIII (Christmas edition)

Five of the better Christmas tunes heard since Sunday:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Sleigh Ride-Los Straitjackets (The band pulls off a rock-infused, guitar-dominated cover of the arrangement The Ventures made famous.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Carol Of The Bells-Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band (Although this has never been one of my favorite carols, this strong, brassy rendition brought to mind Plan 9's take on "Deck The Halls," titled "Fa La La," that our former smooth jazz station, WSSM, used to play.)
• Hark! The Herald Angels Sing-Ella Fitzgerald (Inspiring vocals in a rendition I've rarely heard on the radio.)
• I'll Be Home For Christmas-Gene Harris (A slower, contemplative piano rendition.)

KEZK 102.5 FM

• We Wish You The Merriest-Frank Sinatra & Bing Crosby (One of the more carefree sing-along efforts by both artists.)

Beginning to look like Christmas?

Considering that it starts to look a lot like Christmas earlier every year, it's fitting that the Christmas tune I've heard most often on the radio since last month, in multiple versions, is "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas."  With less than two weeks until Christmas, however, it sounds mostly ironic now.

Context? XX

"We put a bow on the cat, and that's about it."

That offbeat sentence got my attention this morning after I heard an executive/announcer on a Classical radio station say it.  He claimed his wife and he hadn't done much Christmas decorating at home yet.

As much as I love Christmas, however, I won't decorate my cat.  I think that's a reasonable place at which to draw the line.

Haven't heard it on the radio this year, but...

Does Firefall's "Christmas In Love" make anyone else start thinking of the Ethan Allen commercial jingle, "At our house, you're right at home...?"

Persistent (Christmas) earworm alert XLIII

For the past two days, Hagood Hardy's version of "Deck The Halls" has been stuck in my mind.  Hardy's "The Christmas Album" contains possibly the most beautiful instrumental version of "Silent Night" I've ever heard.  During its annual 36--in later years, 24--hours of Christmas music from 1985 to 1991, KYKY played both songs.  Hardy's rendition of "Silent Night" moved me each time I heard it.  His version of "Deck Of The Halls" elicited a different reaction from me.  Whenever I heard it, I thought, "Was this featured on a TV variety show in some bygone era?"  It's easy to imagine the singers dancing across a stage while dressed as candy canes or Christmas trees.  It's difficult to take much of anything seriously after hearing it.  Although I haven't heard it on the radio in 25 years, it's not a version that's easy to forget.

Another spirited Dial-A-Carol session

I've written previously about my experiences with dial-a-Christmas-carol services.  I'm pleased that my annual call today was as pleasant as those in past years.  The woman who tackled my requested carol, "O Come, All Ye Faithful," sang it with pitch-perfect confidence.  I told her, "I have only limited singing ability, so I appreciate hearing someone who truly has that ability and uses it well.  Thank you for the carol."  I meant that, too; it's always comforting for me to remember that even though I can't sing, there's an abundance of great singers whose music I can enjoy.

In memory of Greg Lake

I was to sorry to learn that Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer passed away Wednesday.  In addition to his ELP contributions, he left us the enduring holiday single, "I Believe In Father Christmas."  I've written about it before, but it warrants elaboration.  On November 14, 2014, I wrote, "Yet another explanation for why I was an existentialist from an early age: This is the first Christmas 45 I was ever given.  Lake's thoughtful, measured lyrics offer an unusually tempered view of the season.  By a slight margin, Lake's original version with a choir's backing is the best one; his version with Emerson, Lake & Palmer in which the piano has the last word is a close second."

I've always thought it was unusual for a Christmas song that has been played on the radio since 1975 to acknowledge feeling let down while concluding on an optimistic yet realistic note.  Lake's lyrics,  "I wish you a hopeful Christmas.  I wish you a brave new year.  All anguish, pain, and sadness leave your heart, and let your road be clear," admit that life is sometimes difficult, but that doesn't mean you can't wish others well and hope that things turn out positively for them.

That's as reasonable and realistic of an outlook as any I've ever read on a Christmas card.

"Jingle Bells," as it should be heard

"Jingle Bells" has always struck me as being a tad too simple for a Christmas tune.  Nevertheless, there are at least two strong instrumental versions of it.

Paul Mauriat and his orchestra give "Jingle Bells" a gloss I haven't heard in any other rendition.  The orchestral flourishes at the beginning and end and the unobtrusive vocal backing during the chorus make it possibly the best easy listening version of the tune.

Joel Mabus recorded a lesser known version of "Jingle Bells" under the title, "The One Horse Open Sleigh."  His brisk arrangement for acoustic guitar says all it needs to say in one minute and 39 seconds.  It could also work in a Christmas-themed commercial for Motel 6; it's easy to imagine Tom Bodett's voice over the guitar.

Hearing "Jingle Bells" with the right instrumental presentation makes all the difference.  Otherwise, it just amounts to, "Gee, it's fun to travel by sleigh." I haven't heard either of these versions on the radio in years, but perhaps there's a place on the right noncommercial station for both of them.

"'Winter Wonderland?' A fine tune, but not a hymn..."

During my weekly religion class in third or fourth grade, our class went to church for a Christmas sing-along.  The priest said we were welcome to request any of the Christmas carols in the hymnal.  I remember feeling a bit annoyed when students started requesting tunes such as "Frosty The Snowman" and "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer."  There's nothing wrong with either of those tunes, but I thought, "They've been to Mass at this church before.  They should know that those aren't actually carols, and they aren't in the hymnal."

Each time this happened, the priest responded politely.

"That's a nice request, but I'm afraid it isn't in the hymnal," he said.  "That would be a good song you could sing with your family, though."

He handled that situation more gracefully than I probably would have.  Admittedly, "I said your requests have to be Christmas carols in the hymnal!  How much clearer could I be?!" wouldn't convey the proper Christmas spirit.

Stingray Music highlights XXXIII (Christmas edition)

Noteworthy Christmas selections heard Saturday:

Easy Listening

• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen-Philip Aaberg (The carol's downcast melody is ideal for a solo piano arrangement.  Aaberg brings out its solemnity.)

Holiday Favorites

• Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas-Lou Rawls (No one sings this with more self-assurance than Rawls.)
• Song For A Winter's Night-Sarah McLachlan (McLachlan slows the tempo of this Gordon Lightfoot song down, making it her own.  Her heartfelt, intimate vocals serve the tune well.  Seek out Lightfoot's original version, as well.)
• Winter Wonderland-The Andrews Sisters (Appealing vocal harmonies that would have fit in on WEW.)

Holiday Hits

• Christmas Is-Lou Rawls (See my review in Holiday Favorites of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.") 

Jazz Masters

• Silent Night-Benny Green (Subtle, sublime piano.)

Jazz Now

• The Christmas Waltz-Grover Washington, Jr. (The tune is equally uplifting as a vocal number, a piano instrumental, or, in this case, a saxophone instrumental.)

Smooth Jazz

• Silent Night-Spyro Gyra (An appealing harmonica part.)

Turning down those pesky crescendos

Adjusting the volume for a long stretch of music is tricky sometimes.  Any piece with a lot of dynamic contrasts doesn't necessarily lend itself to one constant volume.  I drifted off to sleep this morning while listening to The Cambridge Singers And Orchestra, directed by John Rutter.  The volume was at an ideal level for several Christmas carols in a row.  Then, suddenly, "O Come, All Ye Faithful," the CD's closing carol, jolted me awake.  For a moment, I wasn't sure whether to turn it down or stand and salute no one in particular.  I turned it down.  I'm pretty sure I made the right choice.

SiriusXM highlights LVI

Saturday morning standouts:

'40s Junction

• (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons-Nat King Cole Trio (Cole's resonant vocals are just as moving 70 years later.)

'60s On 6

• Incense And Peppermints-Strawberry Alarm Clock (Lyrically, it doesn't make complete sense.  It's a catchy, well-structured, of-its-time oldie, however.)

The Coffee House

• The Middle (Acoustic)-Jimmy Eat World (I praised this tune in a previous post.  It's refreshing to hear that the lyrics about being yourself and following the path that's right for you work just as well acoustically.  That doesn't surprise me.)
• What Am I To You?-Norah Jones (It's difficult to imagine any other vocalist conveying the sultry, old soul quality as gracefully as Jones does here.)

The Groove

• Livin' It Up (Friday Night)-Bell & James (An ear-catching dance vibe from 1979; one of the better one-hit wonder songs of its kind.)

Holly

• A Christmas To Remember-Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton (This song has grown on me over the years.  Rogers and Parton blend well here.)
• The Christmas Waltz-Harry Connick, Jr. (The Lettermen, Beegie Adair, and She & Him recorded my favorite versions of "The Christmas Waltz," but the smooth vocals on this rendition deserve a listen.)

Soul Town

• Show Me The Way To Go-Barbara Acklin & Gene Chandler (A gem of a vocal pairing on a gem of a pleasant midtempo track from 1968; I'm surprised this wasn't a huge seller when it was released.)

1991: Practically just yesterday

In my November 23 post, "The new director for the past quarter-century," I wrote that I still think of my high school orchestra director's successor, Mr. J., as the new orchestra director even though he has been at the orchestra's helm since 1991.

I just read that Mr. J. is retiring at the end of the school year.  This startled me because, after all, he's the new director.  I mean, 1991...That was only 25 years ago.  Recent hits, such as Mariah Carey's "Emotions," Bonnie Raitt's "Something To Talk About," Seal's "Crazy," R.E.M.'s "Shiny Happy People," and Amy Grant's "Every Heartbeat" were on the charts when Mr. J. took over.  Calling them oldies is clearly premature.  Why, I was enjoying all of five of those songs just recently on the dual cassette tape deck in my dorm room.  As I listened, I read a broadcasting textbook that predicted compact discs would be a fast-growing format that radio stations would use more often.  This prediction was accurate, as I attended a meeting at KCOU where the hot topic was how to allot shelf space for all the CDs that were starting to surpass the number of vinyl releases.  After the meeting, I made sure to shake out the change from my desk drawers.  I had to make sure I had enough money for dinner Sunday.  I had to plan ahead because, after all, the dorms didn't serve dinner on Sundays, the credit union was closed then, and it was a college, so why would there have been an ATM nearby?  After dinner, I typed and printed a paper for my broadcasting class on my word processor. The evening news spotlighted some interesting national, international, and local events that I looked forward to reading more about in the next day's newspaper.  After watching the news, I went for a walk, making sure to pick up a zine that fellow students wrote; after all, how else could their free verse and editorials attract an audience?  Rumor had it that people might be able to reach others all over the world via computer, but of course, that was, um, way off in the future and, well...

...Admittedly, a smidgen of time has passed since 1991.  Congratulations, Mr. J., on building and maintaining such a successful high school orchestra program.  Here's hoping you have an enjoyable retirement.

KCOU playlist flashback: Jazz Odyssey--12/1/92

Here's the music I chose--and, in two cases, what listeners requested--for my 11 a.m.-1 p.m. shift on this day 24 years ago:

   1.  Black & Gold-Antonio Hart
(From "Don't You Know I Care," one of the strongest jazz albums I ever reviewed for KCOU; Hart shines on alto sax throughout, particularly on this blisteringly fast number.  Also recommended: "Jessica's Day" and "From Across The Ocean.")
   2.  Cruisin' For A Bluesin'-Maynard Ferguson
(Continues the mood established in "Black & Gold," in big-band style, with Ferguson's piercing trumpet leading the way.)
   3.  Swing High-Tommy Dorsey
(Reaching back to an earlier era and continuing the mood Ferguson laid down in "Cruisin'...")
   4.  Deep Jungle-Ben Pollack & his orchestra
   5.  Lost Weekend-Woody Herman
   6.  Elevation-Elliot Lawrence & his orchestra
(A progressive big band sound for 1949.)
---
   7.  Maca (Apple)-Flora Purim
   8.  Gone With The Wind-Ella Fitzgerald (*)
   9.  Let's Call The Whole Thing Off-Billie Holiday
(Perhaps breaking up over a disagreement about how to pronounce "tomato" isn't the best idea.  Holiday brings this realization to light in her rendition of the much-covered Gershwin tune.)
 10.  Giant Steps-John Coltrane (*)
 11.  Now's The Time-Buddy Rich
(An enduring riff for every player; Rich's drums give the tune its kick.  If you've listened to any traditional jazz radio station anywhere close to regularly, you've almost certainly heard this tune.)
 12.  Bluesology-Modern Jazz Quartet
(From one great rhythm section to another...Given the coolness of the vibraphone part on this tune and other MJQ recordings, I should have played this group more often on "Jazz Odyssey.")
---
 13.  A Dream Deferred-David Murray & Friends
 14.  Dr. Macumba-Earl Klugh
(One of Klugh's most impressive Spanish-style guitar melodies.  It's from one of his best albums, "Finger Paintings."  Other highlights from the album: "This Time" and his covers of James Taylor's "Long Ago And Far Away" and "Dance With Me" by Orleans.)
 15.  I Had The Craziest Dream-Joe Pass
 16.  Close Your Eyes-Russell Malone
 17.  Swinghouse-Gerry Mulligan Quartet
---
 18.  Theme From "Route 66"-Nelson Riddle and his orchestra
 19.  Addictive Love-Maceo Parker
 20.  Inside Track-Out Of The Blue
(A 1986 track by a six-piece ensemble that should be better known.  This is a good big band-style showcase for a trumpeter and saxophonists.)
---
 21.  Snowfall-The Manhattan Transfer
(What vocal ensemble would be better suited to conveying the wonder a lot of us feel during Winter's first snowfall?  Their spirited version of "Caroling, Caroling" is another highlight from "The Christmas Album.")
 22.  Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow-Marcus Roberts
("Let It Snow..." is more credible as a piano instrumental, in my opinion, than it is when sung.  Roberts stays faithful to the tune while putting some of his own personality into it.)
 23.  J.S. Bach: Cantata No. 156: Arioso-Ron Carter
 24.  John Patitucci: Concerto Movement #1: Westward Expansion
(An excellent merging of Classical and jazz styles, right from the introduction.  It's from one of Patitucci's most compelling albums, "Heart Of The Bass.")
---
 25.  Summertime-Gary Burton & Friends
(Ending the show on an ironic note for December 1...)
---

(*) indicates a listener's request.
--- indicates a station break between songs.

FM dial scan highlights LXXII

Wednesday afternoon highlights:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Rewards-Kylie Auldist (It's hard to believe this is a 2016 release, as its dance vibe and vocals would have segued smoothly with Madonna's "Holiday" in 1983.)
• Midnight Rider-Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (An impressive cover of the Allman Brothers Band tune, with horns handling the original version's guitar part deftly.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Deck The Halls-Herbie Hancock (Possibly the most raucous version--the most raucous jazz version, at least--of this carol.  The carol's familiar theme is apparent near the beginning and end of the tune.  In between, the brass players, especially trumpeter Woody Shaw, and rhythm players take the melody and fly with it.  Everyone spits the notes out at a breakneck tempo, making listeners almost forget they're hearing "Deck The Halls."  This is one of the standout tracks on the various artists "Jingle Bell Jazz" compilation.  Dave Brubeck's "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" cover is another highlight.) 
• Silent Night-Ann Hampton Callaway (Tasteful, elegant vocals, as I'd expect from a singer of this caliber.)
• I'll Be Loving You-Gabriela Anders (Smooth, sultry vocals that fit into traditional and smooth jazz formats easily.  There's a pleasant consistency to "Wanting," the CD from which this comes.)

KEZK 102.5 FM 

• I Saw Three Ships-Sting (Sting's brisk, upbeat take on this carol serves it well.)

Remember, he was benevolent...

I won't name the ensemble, but I've heard a version of "Good King Wenceslas" in which the vocalist assuming the king's role gets a little too into the part.  Yes, Wenceslas was a king, but he was known for his kindness.  The singer I heard takes a little too much pleasure in sounding high and mighty.  I'll admit that it's a decent version of a good carol, but as I listened, I kept thinking, "Let's hear more of the 'good' in this interpretation and less of the 'king.'"  Maybe it's best to just listen to the Muppet Brass Buskers or Philadelphia Brass Ensemble perform it as an instrumental.

Persistent earworm alert XLII

I've hardly ever eaten Kix cereal.  I can't even remember the last time I bought it.  I haven't seen a commercial for Kix in many years.  And yet, inexplicably, a Kix TV commercial jingle from the '80s lodged itself in my mind this morning.

You might remember the jingle, "Kids like Kix for what Kix has got.  Moms like Kix for what Kix has not."  I always thought it was smart to market Kix equally well to the kids who would eat it and the parents who would buy it.  Apparently, kids like the cereal's corn taste, and moms like that Kix has low sugar content and lacks the additives that many other cereals have.

Decades later, that jingle won't leave my mind.  I can't be the only susceptible viewer who's considering buying Kix at this moment.  After all, when you have taste and fewer additives on your side...

Light hostility among conductors

My high school orchestra director, Mr. D., gave me a ride home one year from All-State Orchestra.  Or, he eventually did, at least, after getting together for drinks with the All-State conductor and another orchestra director.  It was interesting for me to watch three conductors one-up each other in their stories.

"I remember waiting forever to receive that music," one conductor said.

"And I remember waiting forever for the payment for it," another responded.

The three of them had a seemingly good time, laughing at each other's memories.

After the other two conductors left, Mr. D. said to me, "That's known as penance time in the business."

Staying mellow while conducting

Whenever choral directors conducted any of the orchestras in which I played, I noticed that they never seemed very temperamental.  Unlike orchestra conductors, I don't recall any choir director getting all that upset with an orchestra.  Most likely, it's because they were used to working with singers.  When you get angry with your choir, you risk making the singers' voices tense up, which could result in them sounding strained and tentative.  I'd like to think that a calm, cool approach is best, generally, when conducting any orchestra or chorus.  It's good to see a conductor's mellow demeanor reap rewards.

Who was that rebel Yuletide music enthusiast?

Now that it's the Christmas season, how do you acknowledge it musically?  I heard someone blasting "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms through an open window yesterday.  Although playing music that loud is usually ill-advised, it's nice to know that someone likes Christmas enough to want to crank up "Jingle Bell Rock."  Turning up the volume to 11, per Spinal Tap, isn't usually done with Christmas music, so it was refreshing to hear--for those 30 seconds, at least.

Online radio sampler highlights XLIX (Thanksgiving edition)

Once again, WXPN has programmed an impressively diverse array of family, home, and Thanksgiving-related themes.  Other radio stations have played scattered harvest-themed selections, as well.  Among the highlights I've heard today:

KQAC (Portland, OR)

• Shenandoah (Lara Downes, piano) (A moving arrangement for solo piano; it's easy to imagine pastoral landscapes during the harvest as you listen.)

KWMU-3 (St. Louis, MO)

• We Gather Together (Dale Warland Singers) (A tasteful, solemn choral rendition with effective crescendos.)

WXPN (Philadelphia, PA)

• Driving Home-Cheryl Wheeler (Sensitively sung lyrics about driving home in no great rush.  Thanksgiving is a great holiday on which to slow down and appreciate what's around you.)
• Friendships-Ellis Marsalis Trio (A contemplative, elegant piano instrumental.  If you've never heard Marsalis play, check this out, and then check out everything on his "Heart Of Gold" CD.)
• Homegoing-LisaBeth Weber & Maggie Marshall (Nice folky violin, guitar and vocals, appropriate for a "welcome home" song.)
• Follow That Road-Anne Hills (As far as I know, no GPS is this thorough or considerate.  Hills sings street directions endearingly, tailored to each season.)
• Home-Karla Bonoff (It was a pleasure to hear the original version, in all its sincerity and conviction.  The Boxcar Lilies released a beautifully sung cover of it last year.)

Thank you to everyone who enjoys reading my blog!  Here's wishing all of you a pleasant Thanksgiving, or if you don't celebrate it, a pleasant Thursday.

The new director for the past quarter-century

I've written about my middle and high school orchestra director, Mr. D., many times on this blog.  His successor, Mr. J., built the district's program into a powerhouse.  The high school now has two orchestras, which would have been unthinkable during my years there.  What I heard of the upper level orchestra made me think I was listening to an All-State or Youth Symphony concert.

And yet, because this transformation started after I graduated, Mr. J. is still the new orchestra director to me.  The new orchestra director--who has been there for 25 years.

It's interesting how we often filter things through the lens of our own experience.

KCOU playlist flashback: Kruzin' Music--11/22/92

On this day 23 years ago, I thought it would be fun to take a look back at KCOU's predecessor.  KCOU had previously been KCCS.  KCOU's files included the KCCS featured A, B, and C tracks from the week of November 15-21, 1972.  I searched the station's library, pulled all of the LPs I could find with those cuts, and grouped them into sets.  This was my playlist:

   1.  Living In The Past-Jethro Tull
(The most appropriate choice for a leadoff track, encapsulating the concept of "Kruzin' Music" and that day's show, in particular.  The track sports some of the best flute playing and carefree vocals of any classic rock tune.)
   2.  Lies-J.J. Cale
   3.  Summer In The City-B.B. King
(King's bluesy cover of The Lovin' Spoonful's oldie contrasts the difference between Summer days and nights effectively, in an appropriately slower tempo.)
   4.  One Way Out-The Allman Brothers Band
(Talk about an intro primed to make the audience clap along...)
   5.  Stop And Start It All Again-Jonathan Edwards
   6.  I'll Tell The World About You-Joe Walsh
---
   7.  Tomorrow's Dream-Black Sabbath
   8.  Good Time Sally-Rare Earth
   9.  I Wanna Be With You-The Raspberries
(One example of why The Raspberries are revered as a power pop group.  The Sneetches and Shoes sing a great collaborative cover of it.)
 10.  Sea Cruise-Sha Na Na
 11.  Tragedy-Argent
(I'm surprised I haven't heard this recently on KSHE's Sunday morning "Klassics" show.  There's strong guitar work, a groove that stays with you, and a vibe that had to have gone over well live.)
---
 12.  Rockin' Pneumonia-Boogie Woogie Flu-Johnny Rivers
 13.  Angel-Rod Stewart
 14.  Sweet Surrender-Bread
 15.  Rocky Mountain High-John Denver
(Still one of Denver's most deservedly enduring hits.  I wonder how many listeners were inspired to take guitar or voice lessons because of this song.)
---
 16.  Dialogue-Chicago
(Captures the era in which it was recorded; the back-and-forth exchanges between Terry Kath and Peter Cetera make it one of their strongest hits.  No one makes album rock like this today.)
 17.  You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio-Joni Mitchell
 18.  Jamestown Ferry-Doug Kershaw
 19.  Does Anybody Love You?-Cass Elliott
 20.  Tumbleweed-Joan Baez
(Vocally and instrumentally, "Tumbleweed" segues well with Jim Croce's "Time In A Bottle.")
---
 21.  What Would The Children Think?-Rick Springfield
 22.  Long Dark Road-The Hollies
 23.  Walk On Water-Neil Diamond
 24.  Sitting-Cat Stevens
(From the "Catch Bull At Four" album; Stevens' vocal delivery became more gruff on this album but was no less effective.  Also recommended: "Angelsea.")
 25.  One More Mile-Jose Feliciano
(A good of-its-time vocal and instrumental arrangement, fit for a road trip.)
---
 26.  Lady Sings The Blues-Diana Ross
(A short a cappella prelude that you don't usually hear on the radio today; given that most of the other A, B, and C cuts on the list were album rock and singer-songwriter tunes, this tune stands out.)
 27.  Superstition-Stevie Wonder
("Superstition ain't the way," indeed.  Still one of his best-written and performed tunes.)
 28.  Corner Of The Sky-The Jackson 5
---
 29.  Your Mama Don't Dance-Loggins & Messina
(Not one of my favorite tunes of theirs...Oldies stations still play it, though, so apparently, it still has a following.)
 30.  Blind John-Mickey Hart
---
 31.  And You And I-Yes
 32.  Dawn Of A New Day-Mom's Apple Pie
 33.  The Jean Genie-David Bowie
 34.  Lady In Love-Megan McDonough
(The guitar and vocals here would segue smoothly with Carrie Newcomer's "The Love Letter.")
 35.  Latin Bugaloo-Malo
(Ending on an energetic note with some good Latin jazz-rock...)
---

--- indicates a station break between songs. 

Freezing time

So, why record what you've heard on the radio?  Even someone with an extraordinary memory won't remember every nuance of every pleasant moment, so it's good to jump-start your memory with recordings.  Even if some of your memories are just reminders of everyday activities, it's still enjoyable to look back.

An example: Unearthing a jazz program recording from KOPN in Columbia, Missouri one night in October 1990 brought back a flood of memories.  I remember it was a cool night, and I was doing some reading for my 20th century American history college class.  The DJ played both of my requests, "Quiet Storm" by Ramsey Lewis and Cannonball Adderley's "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," which I appreciated.

I'm not sure I would have justified my recording in this way back then, but I especially appreciate how such recordings freeze time.  As I wrote in a commercial about sports yearbooks that aired on KMOX, "You can't relive the past, but you can preserve it."  Hearing a radio show from the past triggers so many memories and takes me right back to the time it was recorded.  Hearing KOPN's jazz show from that Autumn night 26 years ago put me right back in my dorm room, hearing one compelling tune after another while I studied for an interesting class.  That, in turn, triggered other memories of how I went on the air at KCOU the following year, played those Lewis and Adderley songs and many other enjoyable ones on the air, and met so many interesting people there.

None of us will remember everything, nor can we step into a time machine and go back to 1990.  It's comforting to know that we can remember at least some of the pleasant times, however, thanks to our recordings.

FM dial scan highlights LXXI

Friday through Sunday highlights:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• This Land Is Your Land-Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (Rest in peace, Sharon Jones.  Far too many talented musicians have passed away this year.  Jones sings this with an effective, sobering undercurrent.  Strongly recommended: "Got To Be The Way It Is.")
• Over The River And Through The Woods-Dog On Fleas (Debbie Lan's vocals here fall somewhere between Suzanne Vega and Petra Haden.)
• We Gather Together-Elizabeth King & Otto Krease (This Thanksgiving favorite works well as a mandolin instrumental.)
• No Regrets-Tom Rush (For times when saying goodbye is the right thing but not the easiest thing...)
• If You Live-Mose Allison (Allison is another talented artist who passed away recently.  Allison conveys of-its-time coolness on the piano and in the vocals here.  I also recommend his versions of "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore."  While no one can top Nat King Cole and Duke Ellington, respectively, Allison's cover versions are impressive.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Temptation-Diana Krall (Krall's vocal delivery is appropriately sultry.  Check YouTube for her 2010 concert performance of "Temptation" in France.)
• Chillin'-George Duke (The tune's laid-back keyboard groove and sunny backing vocals warrant regular airplay on smooth jazz stations.)

KWMU 90.7 FM

• 25 Years Of Rootabagas-Matt Wilson's Arts & Crafts (Drummer Wilson anchors an impressive ensemble.  I was surprised to learn this track is from 2007.  Gary Versace's atmospheric organ playing and Terell Stafford's throwback trumpet part made me think I was listening to a Verve Records release from the '60s.) 

KSHE 94.7 FM

• Keep On Trying-Strawbs (You don't usually hear inspirational rock tracks sung in this style on the radio today.  Also recommended: "Simple Visions," "Charmer," and "(Wasting My Time) Thinking Of You.")

KLOU 103.3 FM

• Linus And Lucy-Vince Guaraldi Trio (Could there be a more perfect match than Guaraldi's piano arrangements and the "Peanuts" characters?  It's astonishing that after viewing "A Charlie Brown Christmas" the first time, the network executives weren't immediately sold on the music--or the special itself.)

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

• Claude Bolling: Picnic Suite (Jean-Pierre Rampal, flute; Alexandre Lagoya, guitar; Claude Bolling, piano) (It was a pleasant surprise to hear Radio Arts Foundation turn over so much of its 1 p.m. hour Friday to this impressive Bolling piece that's at the intersection of Classical music and jazz.  The piece's pick-me-up quality made the overcast skies not feel so gloomy.)

Context? XIX

While listening to short excerpts of NPR's "Morning Edition" on KWMU Friday, I heard the phrases "the color of Pepto-Bismol" and "will clear your sinuses" come up.  "A medicine that clears up stomach trouble and allergies?" I thought. "That's intriguing."

The segment wasn't about medicine, however.  In looking it up, I discovered it was about correspondent Susan Stamberg's enthusiasm for her mother-in-law's cranberry relish.  The recipe includes not only cranberries and sugar, but onions and horseradish, as well.

Although those ingredients seem to clash, I won't pass judgment.  I've never tasted that relish, after all.  Also, I tasted a surprisingly delicious smoothie recently that included such disparate ingredients as blueberries and cucumbers.  That odd combo goes down easily, so perhaps the relish does, too.

I still wish someone would invent a medicine that combines the healing powers of Claritin and Pepto-Bismol, though.

Gratitude for one's home state, in song

I've rarely heard it on the radio, as it wasn't a hit, but it's one of Dan Fogelberg's best album tracks.  In "Illinois," from the "Souvenirs" album, Fogelberg sings movingly about his home state and how much he enjoys returning to it.  "And it looks like you're gonna have to see me again..." is a heartwarming refrain, and the lyric, "I may miss the harvest, but I won't miss the feast," is ideal for Thanksgiving. 

With all due respect to Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," "Illinois" is about as heartfelt as a tribute to one's home state can be.

FM dial scan highlights LXX

Eight highlights from the St. Louis radio dial today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Prince Of Peace-Leon Russell (The world lost a talented songwriter Sunday in Russell.  Lyrically, "Prince Of Peace"'s "Do unto others..." reminder to humanity is very of its time, i.e. 1970, but needs to be heard and absorbed in today's divided world.  Also recommended: "A Song For You" and "Bluebird.")
• Beware Of Darkness-George Harrison (DJ Rich made a smart, lyrically compatible segue here.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Georgia On My Mind-Shirley Horn (A fine tribute to Ray Charles.  Horn's vocals and organ accompaniment proceed in their own unhurried time.)
• Precious Things-Jonathan Butler (A pleasant, uplifting guitar instrumental that stacks up with the best of Earl Klugh's work.)

KEZK 102.5 FM

• Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas-James Taylor (KEZK and KLOU are now playing continuous Christmas music, and this has been one of the low-key highlights.  Taylor sings it with a tempered optimism, making "if the fates allow" sound especially poignant.)
• Winter Wonderland-Bing Crosby (More often than not, when commercial stations play Crosby's Christmas music, they tend to gravitate mainly toward his version of "White Christmas."  That's understandable, as his rendition is excellent and sung with the right proportion of warmth and grandeur.  It's refreshing to hear his take on "Winter Wonderland," however, which isn't played as often.  He sings it in a fairly brisk tempo with big band accompaniment, and it's an enjoyable throwback.)

KLOU 103.3 FM

• Sleigh Ride-Amy Grant (I'm not sure many other artists could pull off calling, "Yoo-hoo!" as sincerely as Grant and have it brighten an already cheery version of "Sleigh Ride" to this extent.)
• Frosty The Snowman-Gene Autry (Autry conveys the right amount of wonder and whimsy without being over the top.  It would be churlish not to smile at least once while hearing this.)

Kudos to the Ray Conniff Singers...

...for interpreting "Carol Of The Bells" (retitled "Ring Christmas Bells" in their rendition) accurately.  The scream that the choir unleashes from 2:01 to 2:10 in the studio version conveys the carol's pessimism and terror that were never far from the surface.

"The ballroom is closing shortly..."

Before any ballroom closes for the evening, it would be well-served to play "Eydie's Tune" by Marshall Crenshaw.  The opening guitar notes signal, "This has been a lovely evening.  Thank you for coming.  Please come back and see us again.  Now, here's one more number before the lights go out..."  For that matter, "Eydie's Tune" is a great pick for any radio station sign-off.  It's ideal for announcing, "(Name of station) now concludes its broadcast day..."

Not just any instrumental is such an effective closer.  "Eydie's Tune" is, however.

The Amazing Drew and his vanishing act

A DJ with whom I used to work didn't want anyone else in the studio during his air breaks.  I understood that.  One of radio's most appealing contradictions, to a lot of us who have been on the air, is getting to reach a lot of listeners without having to communicate face-to-face.  Just before one of this DJ's breaks, however, I realized there wasn't enough time for me to step out without swinging the door open and causing distracting background noise.  So, just before the microphone went on, I dropped to the floor behind the console.

Once the DJ's break was over, I reappeared. 

"While I was on the air, I kept thinking, 'Where did you go?'" he said.  "You just disappeared."

"I thought it would be distracting if I opened the door while you were on the air," I replied.

When the same scenario happened later that morning, he said, "Almost time for another break.  Time for you to fall on the floor..."

...Which I did, once again.  After all, I didn't want to create a distraction.

The right context: Reappraising a familiar tune

This might sound like heresy to Leonard Cohen fans, especially in light of his recent passing.  Until last night, I'd respected Cohen's song, "Hallelujah," but it wasn't a tune I usually wanted to hear.  I feel the same way about the Beatles classic, "Yesterday."  I respect the lyrics and the performance, but the song's melancholy outlook makes me want to hear it only occasionally.

Hearing "Saturday Night Live"'s Kate McKinnon sing "Hallelujah" and accompany herself on piano last night made me appreciate the tune more than I ever had, however.  The context in which she sang it--as Hillary Clinton and with the admonition, "I'm not giving up, and neither should you,"--was a perfect acknowledge-your-post-election-grief-and-move-forward opening for the show.

Context is everything sometimes.  In this case, it made me reassess one of Cohen's most covered songs and realize that I hadn't been giving it its due.

Well done, Kate.  Well done, SNL.

"Bravo! Way to explain syncopation!"

In high school, a guest lecturer giving a talk about music asked if someone would explain the concept of syncopation.  I raised my hand and said, "Syncopation means stressing beats in a measure where you wouldn't expect them to be.  It's part of what makes jazz sound like jazz instead of like Classical music.  Typically, in a Classical piece, if you have a 4/4 time signature, you'd expect the accents to fall on the first and third beats.  In a jazz tune, though, the accents are more likely to fall on the second and fourth beats..."

The lecturer complimented my answer, and I was surprised that multiple students did, as well, after the talk.  I remember at least four students considerately telling me some variation of, "That was impressive, the way you explained syncopation." 

I walked out of the auditorium feeling as though I'd created a life-saving vaccine.  That made me wonder, "How must people who have actually accomplished something, such as inventing a vaccine, feel?  If you don't feel as though you can walk on water then, when would you ever feel that way?"

Online radio sampler highlights XLVIII

Pivoting away from politics, at least directly, this evening...Here are seven impressive tunes I've heard this afternoon and evening:

KBEM (Minneapolis, MN)

• Temperance-Wynton Kelly (Kelly's at the helm of this trio on piano, guiding a melody that cooks and simmers.)
• How Can It Be?-Bria Skonberg (No wonder Skonberg has received such enthusiastic reviews as an artist to watch.  Her silky vocals, which bring Diana Krall to mind, and commanding trumpet playing carry this tune impressively.  Check out her Madison Square Park performance of it on YouTube.  This is one of the highlights from her latest release, "Bria."  Also recommended: "Malaguena" and "Down In The Deep.")

KZSC (Santa Cruz, CA) 

• Forgive Them Father-Lauryn Hill (Do you forgive those who have wronged you?  If so, when? Hill's lyrics bring these questions to mind, along with the anguish it takes to answer, "Yes," to the first question.)

WUMB (Boston, MA)

• We Are More-Erin McKeown (I'm not sure Nietzsche was entirely correct in saying, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."  Nevertheless, McKeown presents a good lyrical argument about how it's possible to survive adversity.)
• Bird On The Wire-Leonard Cohen (Rest in peace, Leonard Cohen.  These are some of his best lyrics about the consequences of being yourself and how it isn't really possible to be completely free.)
• Higher Ground-Stevie Wonder (See my review, two songs up, of "We Are More.")
• I'll Get Along-Michael Kiwanuka (Easy-going vocals paired with a refreshingly sunny instrumental backdrop that, despite being released in 2012, would make me swear it was recorded in the early '70s.)

Wondering about July 4

In light of the presidential election result, I've been wondering about what music will resonate with a large portion of America, including me, on the next Independence Day.  Right now, I'm thinking portions of Paul Simon's "American Tune" will have added resonance, and sadly, Gil Scott-Heron's "Winter In America" will, as well.  We'll see.

On the other hand...

...Adding to yesterday's post, if the result of an election isn't what you desired, it's at least a little cathartic to play The Police's "When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What's Still Around" on a loop--and to remember that, in all likelihood, the pendulum will eventually swing your way again.  Until then, there's the partially healing balm of music--and Pepto-Bismol.  Or, so I'm telling myself.

Only in college XXV

At least one KCOU DJ used to play a long Miles Davis tune while he went off and watched the presidential election returns.  Those inclined to step away from the radio got to watch the election coverage and see how their fellow citizens voted, while those who wanted to hear music got to hear one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time.  I thought that was a win-win scenario for the audience either way.

SiriusXM highlights LV

Noteworthy tracks heard over the weekend:

Bluesville

• Hobo's Hop-Mary Flower (A fun uptempo melody for guitar and tuba.)
• Make Believe Stunt-Ernie Hawkins (Nice hints of Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" in this acoustic guitar piece.)

The Bridge

• Thinking Of You-Loggins & Messina (Loggins & Messina sing lyrics fit for a Valentine that's somehow bold yet cautious.  That's a neat trick to pull off while sounding this upbeat and accessible.  I'm puzzled that oldies stations don't play this regularly.)  

Escape

• The Phoenix Love Theme (Senza Fine)-The Brass Ring (This 1966 instrumental was in tune with the lounge music zeitgeist of the time.  I'm reminded of The Baja Marimba Band.)
• Something's Gotta Give-Beegie Adair (I used to play vocal renditions of this on WEW, but Adair shows that its melody translates well to the piano.)

Holly

• Merry Christmas Darling-The Carpenters (Ironically, the first Christmas tune I've heard a streaming service play this season has lyrics most appropriate for late Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  With lyrics and vocals this sincere, however, I'm fine with hearing it this early.  It's not surprising that it has held up for decades as one of the radio's most-played Christmas tunes.)

The Loft

• Danny Boy-Eva Cassidy (I hadn't expected to praise another version of this standard just one week later, but this cover deserves its due.  Cassidy's voice pulls off the mixture of tenderness and soaring gravity the song requires.  Also recommended: Cassidy's live version of "Autumn Leaves.")

Soul Town

• Inner City Blues-Marvin Gaye (Gaye's version is markedly different from Gil Scott-Heron's take.  Gaye sounds mostly weary and frustrated about problems that aren't fixed easily.  Scott-Heron, on the other hand, brings out the anger in the lyrics.  Each version is effective in its own way, but the contrast is striking.)

In memory of co-worker Todd

I was shocked to learn of a former co-worker's death tonight.  Over the last two hours or so, I've found that several of my memories of Todd involved music.  Among them:

• I remember him imitating the retro keyboard part of Luscious Jackson's "Here."  Its throwback pattern would have been at home on the radio during the late '70s, and his imitation captured that.
• Todd's eclectic mix tape of his life in song, recorded in the mid '90s, contained an interesting preface.  He recorded himself calling Pizza Hut, ordering bread sticks, asking if it would be OK to pick them up, and stressing that he hoped they weren't greasy because "I don't respond well to grease." It was an amusing, offbeat way to kick off a musical summary of his life.
• One afternoon, Todd was leaving work as I was arriving.  We were startled to see that, without planning it, we'd both worn t-shirts with the cover of the Beatles album, "Rubber Soul," on them.  Todd remarked, "I suppose if a third person shows up wearing this shirt, we'll be able to say, 'Brethren!'"

Todd was a good person, easy to work with, and always willing to help his co-workers.  Here's hoping that he's able to hear all of the "Rubber Soul" tracks and other music he wants in the afterlife--and that all the bread sticks he consumes will be free of grease.

Just call it a song.

"Ditty" is a demeaning synonym for a song.  Whenever I hear the phrase, "this little ditty," I think, "Call it a song!  Or a tune, melody, or jingle."  When there are better, more dignified words you could use, I don't know why anyone would use a clunky-sounding word like "ditty." 

Persistent earworm alert XLI

Why did this opening guitar riff enter my mind while driving and stay there today?  I'm not sure, as I haven't heard it on the radio in some time, but to pass it on...

..."Ebony Eyes" by Bob Welch.

There.  That had to have been a fun lick to play live.

Only in college XXIV

Me, reading KCOU's Events Calendar on the air, 4/21/93:

"On Friday, April 23, at a location to be announced, because it still hasn't been confirmed yet, (and) we...need to clear this up...right away...Prozac Memory, Fragile Porcelain Mice, and Bent will be playing somewhere in Columbia.  We don't know where yet..."

I'm not sure when the venue was nailed down, but presumably, it was no later than April 23.

Only in college XXIII

One of my air breaks on KCOU, 11/4/92:

"...It's 3:46.  My name is Drew, and I will be with you until 6:00...Unfortunately, I can't take any of your requests...because the phone has been ripped out of the wall.  We do have a fax machine, but that would be sort of going to extremes, I think, at 3:46 in the a.m. here..."

To this day, I don't know why the studio phone was missing that morning.  At a noncommercial, freeform college station, though, you reach a point where you don't question such things.

FM dial scan highlights LXIX

Some of the more appealing tunes I've heard since Tuesday morning:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Unsound-Bettie Serveert ("Ray Ray Rain" is Bettie Serveert's most infectious tune, in my opinion, but "Unsound"'s ideal-for-driving rhythm segues well with it.)
• Dream All Day-The Posies (One of many well-produced tracks from a strong album, "Frosting On The Beater."  Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow are adept at crafting sing-along hooks that jump out of the speakers against a backdrop of jangly guitars.  Other highlights from the album: "Twenty Questions," "Flavor Of The Month," and "Solar Sister.")

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Through It All-Al Jarreau (Singing this type of ballad is as natural as eating and drinking for Jarreau.  Also recommended from the "Tomorrow Today" album: "Just To Be Loved.")

WFUN 95.5 FM

• Devotion (Live)-Earth, Wind & Fire (The audience is clearly on the band's side; that makes perfect sense, considering how soaring the vocals are in concert and how uplifting "Devotion"'s lyrics are.)
• Off The Wall-Michael Jackson (Taking nothing away from "Thriller," I contend that the best tracks from Jackson's "Off The Wall" album, including the title track, hold up as well or better than "Thriller"'s strongest tunes.)

Stingray Music highlights XXXII

Three witch cats agree.  Once per Halloween is a reasonable quota for Bobby "Boris" Pickett's "Monster Mash."

Here are some of the better selections the witch cats and I have heard in recent days:

Big Band

• Danny Boy (Londonderry Air)-Glenn Miller and his orchestra (Not every bandleader can pull off this level of sentimentality and stateliness.)

Cocktail Lounge

• South American Getaway-Burt Bacharach (The Swingle Singers meet Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass--or so it seems.)

Cool Jazz

• Fukai Aijo-Regina Carter (Carter elicits a sweet tone from the violin, as usual, in this elegant instrumental.)

Folk Roots

• That's The Way Love Goes-Buddy Miller & Shawn Colvin (Colvin is such a talented songwriter, but she's an equally strong interpreter.  If I hadn't known otherwise, I would have thought she wrote "That's The Way Love Goes."  Her voice and Miller's guitar are an ideal pairing.)
• Time Has Told Me-Nick Drake (A contemplative highlight of Drake's "Five Leaves Left" album; we should all be as introspective as Drake was in his twenties.)

Holiday Hits

• All You Zombies-The Hooters (Until recently, I'd always paid more attention to this song's melody than its lyrics.  After listening more closely to the lyrics, I now realize what a grim warning of a tune this is.  It fits easily into an AAA radio station's playlist, and not just on Halloween.)
• Friday The 13th-101 Strings (101 Strings is known for soft, easy listening instrumentals that KEZK would have played during the '70s and '80s.  The ensemble rises to the occasion here, sounding atypically eerie.)

Hungarian Pop & Rock

• Deeper (I'm Going Deeper)-Blahalouisiana (A bouncy, feel-good dance tune with easily accessible lyrics.)

Creepiest Halloween tune

There's a tune I've only heard on the radio once.  It was in the early '90s on KCOU, and to this day, it's the creepiest tune I've ever heard.  David Bowie immerses himself in his role on "Please Mr. Gravedigger," complete with ominous sound effects.  If hearing him sing lyrics such as "I was the wicked man who took her life away...Very selfish," doesn't disturb you, I'm not sure what to tell you.  The song's ending, "No, Mr. G.D., you won't tell.  And just to make sure that you keep it to yourself...," should haunt any remotely human listener.  The 12 words he sings after that comprise one of the eeriest warnings I've ever heard anyone sing.  I won't spoil it, in case you haven't heard it.  I suppose "Please Mr. Gravedigger" works as a Halloween track, but...Yikes!

SiriusXM highlights LIV

Recent standouts:

The Bridge

• We May Never Pass This Way Again-Seals & Crofts (One of the best soft rock tunes about appreciating the best parts of life when they happen.  Its lyrical sentimentality is appropriate in any era.)

Classic Rewind

• Owner Of A Lonely Heart-Yes (It still leaps out of the speakers as much as it did in 1983.  It's no wonder this was Yes's biggest hit.)

The Coffee House 

• Tragedy-Norah Jones (One of several smoky piano-and-smooth-vocal highlights from the new release, "Day Breaks."  Also recommended: "Flipside" and "It's A Wonderful Time For Love.")

Deep Tracks

• Stagnation-Genesis (One of the band's early Peter Gabriel-era standouts.  "Stagnation" and "The Knife" are two of the highlights from the album, "Trespass."  The band isn't as instrumentally concise as it would become, but the tune builds to its chorus effectively.)

Love

• Hurting Each Other-The Carpenters (The Carpenters were adept at crafting hits that hold up. Karen Carpenter's vocal intro on this tune is one of her most effective, and she sings each lyric and the chorus with equally effective gravity.)

No Shoes Radio

• Early Morning Rain-Eva Cassidy (Cassidy sings this Gordon Lightfoot tune powerfully and authoritatively.)

Real Jazz

• Pannonica-Thelonious Monk (I've recommended covers of this tune on this blog, so it's time I recommended Monk's original version.  The tune has a great, musty (in the best sense) melody with a strangely appealing dissonance.  Whenever I listen to it, I imagine monsters dancing at a costume ball.)

Watercolors

• Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight-George Benson (A smoothly sung cover of one of James Taylor's best hits.)

Heaven defined

I was nine years old, and I'd just bought Casey Kasem's American Top 40 Yearbook.  Dad was explaining the difference between Heaven and Hell to me and offered this incentive:

"In Heaven, you can have all the free American Top 40 books you want," he said. 

I'd read and heard about God's generosity, but at age nine, hearing it put that way really sold me on the concept of Heaven.

"God must really approve of a person if he's going to give him or her free access to that much information about the artists, their music, and the Billboard charts," I thought.

I know there's more to Heaven than free American Top 40 books, but 37 years later, I still think that's a pretty enticing incentive.

Stingray Music highlights XXXI

Noteworthy tunes heard yesterday:

Chamber Music 

• Anton Bruckner: String Quinet in F major, WAB. 112 (Raphael Ensemble) (The animated fourth movement, in particular, reminds me that I need more of Bruckner's music in my library.)

Cocktail Lounge

• Brazilian Tapestry-Astrud Gilberto (Vocally and instrumentally, this is a refreshing breeze of an uptempo melody; its title is an apt description of Gilberto's music.)
• Caper At The Coffee House-Warren Barker (Sounds like the Sharks and the Jets are about to rumble...)

Cool Jazz

• Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me-Ben Webster (Nat King Cole's version is the definitive one for me, but Webster's smooth saxophone stylings deserve their due.)
• Ginza Samba-Vince Guaraldi & Bola Sete (One of the most tuneful, accessible sambas a listener could hope to hear.  If Guaraldi's scores from the "Peanuts" specials appeal to you, it's very unlikely this will disappoint you.)
• Noble Nobles-Esperanza Spalding (I hear Joni Mitchell's influence in the vocals and instrumental backing.)

Jazz Now

• Moanin'-Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (The compellingly sung Lambert, Hendricks & Ross rendition comes to mind first when I think of this tune, but this is Blakey's composition, which his band pulled off impressively.  The first 10 notes make up one of the most memorable jazz themes.)

Putting a value on longevity

In the mid '90s, a DJ who had moved from Chicago to St. Louis asked me, "What is it about the St. Louis radio and TV market?  It seems like a lot of personalities stay here for decades."

"That's true," I replied.  "A lot of people who live in St. Louis were born here, and when they get to know and like an on-air personality, they tend to want that personality to stay here.  Familiarity and loyalty often count for a lot here."

"It's not like that as much in Chicago," the DJ responded.  "Usually, you're either good all the time, or you're gone."

Admittedly, Chicago is a big media market, and from a business standpoint, I understand the reasoning he described as typical of media there.  However, if you're a radio or TV personality and you're still reasonably good at what you do, why shouldn't the good will you've earned with your audience count for something?

SiriusXM highlights LIII

Recent standouts:

'60s On 6

• We'll Sing In The Sunshine-Gale Garnett (This was a hit in 1964, although it would have sounded more at home on the pre-rock, early '50s charts.  Its idealistic, forget-the-bad-times chorus would have fit in even better then.  Looking back, I should have played it on WEW.  I remember hearing this on KXOK's "Super Oldies Show" in 1979.)

Heart & Soul

• Piano Song-Eryn Allen Kane (Heartfelt lead and backing vocals against an endearing piano backdrop and horns playing in the style of early '70s Chicago.  A great fit for any smooth jazz, traditional jazz, or R&B radio station.)

Lithium

• Next Year-Foo Fighters (One of the band's best tunes; the lyrics convey the mentality you'd have to have on any space mission.)

The Loft

• Echo Fidelis-Cora Smyth (In this appealing violin instrumental, Smyth successfully merges a pastoral throwback melody with a more contemporary beat.) 

No Shoes Radio

• Pressure Drop-Toots & The Maytals (Even if you don't think you've heard this, you probably have--as bumper or background music.  It has one of the most memorable intros and choruses of any reggae tune.)

Real Jazz

• God Bless The Child-Kenny Burrell (Vocalists ranging from Blood, Sweat & Tears to Lou Rawls have shown how strong and adaptable Billie Holiday's song is.  Burrell proves that it works as a guitar instrumental, as well, and that its melody can be stretched out for eight minutes.)

Soul Town

• Ellie's Love Theme-Isaac Hayes (Despite its title, this laid back orchestral instrumental with prominent vibraphone works for an early morning walk.)

Spa

• Grace-Yo-Yo Ma & Bobby McFerrin (McFerrin's compellingly subdued vocals-and-cello composition kicks off the duo's excellent album, "Hush."  Also recommended: "Stars.")

Persistent earworm alert XL

Since watching part of Dan Rather's interview with Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson this morning, the intro to their song, "Barracuda," has been stuck in my mind.  It's one of rock's most memorable bass riffs, and if I'd been able to write this blog in high school, I would've cited it then.  Another bassist in my high school orchestra would play that riff frequently, at unexpected intervals.  Consequently, it wasn't unusual for me to walk into a rehearsal with that song in mind.

That opening riff sets the stage effectively for the tune; vocally and instrumentally, the song blasts off from that intro and soars.  Ideally, it should be a part of any classic rock listener's high energy music mix.

Only in college XXII

The first year I worked at KCOU, Election Day in November was also when the staff voted on new higher-ups, i.e. a general manager, chief announcer, business manager, etc.  The people elected took over shortly after the results were counted. 

I thought the timing of those takeovers was odd.  New DJs would be placed on the sub list, and some of them would fill regular, available shifts.  As a new DJ, you'd go through training, start going on the air more frequently once you made the sub list or schedule, get acclimated to how things were done at the station, and then--bam!  There was a regime change.

Fortunately, the powers that be changed the procedures the following year.  Elections were held in Spring, and those elected started their terms as soon as the school year ended.  That made more sense, having each executive staffer's term line up with the school year.  Just because presidents, statewide, and local politicians are elected in November didn't mean that KCOU's executives should be elected then, as well.

Stingray Music highlights XXX

Noteworthy tracks heard yesterday:

Alt Country-Americana

• Green Lights-Sarah Jarosz (It's interesting hearing Jarosz singing and playing mandolin in this context, with airy, more commercial-sounding production.  This is one of the highlights from her latest release, "Undercurrent.")

Folk Roots

• Honest Life-Courtney Marie Andrews (An honest, sincerely sung confessional.)
• I'll Always Be Waiting For You-Sierra Hull (A standout vocal from Hull's "Daybreak" release. Hull's vocals and mandolin playing bring Alison Krauss to mind.  I also recommend "Daybreak"'s title track for its thoughtful lyrics and vocals and "Bombshell" and "Chasin' Skies," which illustrate Hull's dexterity on the mandolin.)

Jazz Masters

• Giant Steps-John Coltrane (Regarded as one of Coltrane's most impressive saxophone pieces. McCoy Tyner transfers Coltrane's blistering barrage of notes effectively to the piano on his rendition, so I recommend it, as well.)

Jazz Now

• Days Of Blue-Patrick Naylor with Sara Mitra (A classy uptempo number; Mitra's vocals remind me of Norah Jones and Astrud Gilberto.  If traditional jazz stations used Top 40 airplay classifications, this track ought to qualify for heavy rotation easily.)

Kids' Stuff

• My Funny Friend And Me-Sting (The lyrics about how fortunate we are to have sources of kindness and support are easy to take in--and appreciate.)

New Age

• My Song-Pat Metheny (One of many strong, subtle guitar instrumentals on one of Metheny's best CDs, "One Quiet Night."  Also recommended: "Over On 4th Street" and his cover of the Norah Jones standout, "Don't Know Why.")

Only in college XXI

At the beginning of the semester in 1989, my Intro To Psychology teacher announced that each student would have to turn in a project.  For most students, this meant writing a paper.  One lucky student, however, would get to skip the paper and assemble music on cassette to be played as the class walked in.  The instructor was vague about his criteria.  I submitted a tape of what I thought was appropriate filing-into-class music.  I don't remember what music I picked, except for George Harrison's "Got My Mind Set On You."  My thinking there was psychological.  When the instructor chose the music during the first two weeks, Harrison's "When We Was Fab" came up twice.  I thought repeating a song that had already been played would be too obvious, so I thought another big Harrison hit might increase my odds of being selected.  Alas, the teacher chose someone else's cassette.  I think I would have done a great job selecting the music for class each week, and I wonder why the other student's tape was chosen.  I earned an A- on the paper I wrote, though, so I suppose it all worked out.  Still, I would have enjoyed having 25% of my semester grade determined by my ability to make a mix tape each week.

SiriusXM highlights LII

Thursday morning standouts:

'80s On 8

• Only Time Will Tell-Asia (I still like the arena rock grandeur of this tune, especially on its chorus, as much as I did during its 1982 chart run.)

Bluesville

• Ice Pick-Albert Collins (This guitar instrumental stands up with any song on the "Truckin' With Albert Collins" album.  Its melody brings to mind the Otis Redding/Carla Thomas song, "Tramp.")

Chill

• September Remix-Earth, Wind & Fire/Wolfskind (There's no way to improve the already great groove of "September," but it's interesting to hear it used as a springboard for a more modern techno interpretation.)

The Coffee House 

• O-o-h Child-Beth Orton (A quiet, effective guitar-and-vocals cover of the hit by The Five Stairsteps.)
• One Friend-Keb' Mo' (A reassuring reminder of a friend's importance...)
• You're My Best Friend-Renee & Jeremy (...and it segues well with this endearingly sung acoustic cover of a Queen hit.  This duo's approach is similar to the way I imagine Sam Beam and Jesca Hoop might sing it.)

Margaritaville

• Love Is Free-Sheryl Crow (Segues well with Shawn Colvin's "Nothin' On Me," in my opinion.)

Real Jazz

• The Girl From Ipanema-Richard "Groove" Holmes (Holmes gives "...Ipanema" an added layer of hipness on the organ.  That doesn't surprise me, as I'd heard him do the same for "Misty.")
• You And The Night And The Music-Stan Getz & Bill Evans (Getz kicks things off with a shimmering saxophone solo that you might expect to hear someone play against a moonlit backdrop.  Evans enters the proceedings on piano, and the melody blasts off.)

Siriusly Sinatra

• It's Been A Long, Long Time-Peggy Lee (Sultry yet subtle vocals; I should have played this version on WEW.)

SiriusXMU

• Still Sound-Toro Y Moi (A jazzy, dreamy, uptempo vibe with effective vocal punctuation.) 

Spa

• Morning With Annie-Devin Rice & Erin Aas (An appealing uptempo, contemplative guitar and cello instrumental.)

Stingray Music highlights XXIX

Wednesday morning U-verse standouts:

Caribbean Vintage Vibes

• Reggae Is Tight-Lloyd Charmers & The Hippy Boys (A good reggae rendering of the Booker T. & The MGs instrumental, "Time Is Tight.")

Chamber Music

• Clara Schumann: Romance in A minor (Susanne Grutzmann, piano) (A subtle, understated melody from a composer I've rarely heard on the radio or streams.)

Cool Jazz

• Take Another Look-Gary Burton (An appealing, midtempo vibraphone melody, with compelling support from the piano and rhythm section.  It should fit into a traditional or smooth jazz station's playlist easily.)

Folk Roots

• Northwest Passage-Stan Rogers (It's no wonder "Northwest Passage" is regarded as a Canadian anthem.  Although the recurring quest about which Rogers sings has stymied explorers repeatedly, his heroic a cappella tale should make listeners' appreciate the adventurers' resolve.)
• Someone Else's Life-Gabrielle Louise (A new, endearing vocals and acoustic guitar number that I could imagine KDHX playing on "Backroads.")
• When You Need A Train It Never Comes-Amanda Shires (I've been thinking about this song all day.  Shires sings about someone who envisions herself ending things by lying on railroad tracks and waiting for a train.  Deep down, she knows the train won't arrive, and she'll have to deal with the aftermath of a failed relationship.  Shires sings the title, an effective chorus, and emphasizes it with plucked fiddle notes.  The tune reminds me of Nickel Creek's "Set Me Up With One Of Your Friends," as Chris Thile sings about another way to move past the sadness of a relationship ending.  It isn't on their albums, but there are performances of it on YouTube.) 

Jazz Masters

• Meditation-Antonio Carlos Jobim (Guitar, keyboards, and easy listening orchestral scoring intermingle seamlessly in this relaxing bossa nova.)

Tango

• Triunfal-Jose Basso Y Orquesta ("Triunfal" radiates lush intensity, and its drama builds early and sharply.  I suspect this isn't a tango for beginners.)

SiriusXM highlights LI

Tuesday afternoon highlights:

The Bridge

• I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City-Nilsson (Engaging lyrics about making a fresh start, with a melody similar to "Everybody's Talkin'.")

Escape

• It's De-Lovely-Skitch Henderson (Piano, brass, and vibes mesh well in this big band arrangement that swings.)

The Loft

• Don't Get Me Wrong-The Pretenders (Still one of the classier ways to say that someone has caught your eye.)

Prime Country

• Seven Year Ache-Rosanne Cash (Cash has always been adept at crafting cross-categorical tunes that fit just as easily in the singer-songwriter genre.  "Seven Year Ache" chronicles someone's inability to grapple with a relationship that's falling apart.  The synthesizer part has 1981 stamped all over it, appealingly.)

Real Jazz

• Bumpin'-Wes Montgomery ("Bumpin'" segues smoothly with Al Jarreau's live version of "Save Your Love For Me."  Montgomery's forthright guitar, and the orchestra's compelling backing, make this an ideal late-night staple for any traditional jazz station.)

Spa

• Aloha Kaua'i-Ozzie Kotani (An understated midtempo slack key guitar instrumental.)

The Spectrum

• New York, New York-Ryan Adams (Adams performed this on "Saturday Night Live"'s first show after the 9/11/01 atrocities.  "I'll always love you, though, New York," was an especially appropriate sentiment then.  The tune is just as appealing 15 years later.)

Willie's Roadhouse

• Drivin' My Life Away-Eddie Rabbitt (Another tune that's just as pop as it is country, to its benefit.  The song's accessible hook and undercurrent of hope must induce a lot of listeners to sing along.)