Finishing the sentence XI

One of my unfinished sentences and responses it received in October 1988:

From off in the distance in a field of seemingly endless desolate Earth, a brave new beat breaks the silence.  Its pulse envelopes the land and enlightens the weary traveler.  The beat is...

...The Smiths.  They could enlighten anyone, given the chance. (Kristin K.)

...(a person's) heart as it follows a path through the old world to a new one of self-understanding. (Anthea H.)

...the pulsating lips of Shawn R., as his "Human Beat Box" sounds rock the neighborhood. (Shawn R.)

...the drum section of the Marching Pioneers playing a cadence in preparation for their next song, "Mickey," by Toni Basil. (Will S.)

...the legendary fusion artist, Steve Gadd, who can stimulate anybody's auditory senses with his pulsating sambas and mambo grooves (while) playing with a hot rhythm section in a smoke-filled nightclub in New York. (Doug M.)

...Neil Peart, Omar Hakim, Steve Smith, Steve Gadd...I've said enough! (Matthew F.)

Finishing the sentence X

On February 28, I posted answers I received to the following unfinished sentence when I was in college.  Here are answers I received near the end of my high school days in May 1989:

The best musical accompaniment for a picture perfect day is...

...David Sanborn's "Summer" on the album, "A Change Of Heart." (Shawn R.)

...the theme from "Love Story." (Kristin H.)

...The Alan Parsons Project's "Time." (Scott N.)

..."Dust In The Wind" by Kansas. (Chris H.)

..."Circle In The Sand" by Belinda Carlisle. (Michelle A.)

..."Till Tomorrow" by Don McLean. (Chris A.)

...Pachelbel's "Canon In D." (Penny B.)

...Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue." (Kyle R.)

..."Celestial Soda Pop" by Ray Lynch. (Kelley R.)

..."Mountain Dance" by Dave Grusin. (Don M.)

..."Love Theme From 'St.Elmo's Fire'" by David Foster. (Laurie S.)

..."Funeral For A Friend" by Elton John. (Will S.)

..."Oh My Surprise" by Batdorf & Rodney. (John H.)

..."Bullet The Blue Sky" by U2. (Sue A.)

..."But Not Tonight" by Depeche Mode. (Laura R.)

..."Catch" by The Cure. (Dani S.)

..."King For A Day" by XTC. (Kelly G.)

SiriusXM highlights LXI

March 18-29 standouts:

'40s Junction

• April In Paris-Count Basie (Classy, steppin'-out-on-the town big band bliss, with "Pop Goes The Weasel" in the mix, to boot.)

The Bridge

• Beautiful-Gordon Lightfoot (Some of the classiest, most eloquently sung lyrics fit for a Valentine.  I've always thought this tune is nearly on par with Lightfoot's most moving hit, "If You Could Read My Mind.")

Deep Tracks

• Save The Country-Laura Nyro (Nyro had success writing for such groups as Blood, Sweat & Tears and The Fifth Dimension, who had a hit with this tune.  Still, she deserved more acclaim for her own performances of her songs, which featured her heartfelt vocals and piano playing.  Nyro captured the of-its-time idealism of the era in which she wrote "Save The Country," so it's a treat to hear her sing it.  Also recommended: Nyro's take on her own songs, "And When I Die" and "Stoney End.")

Escape

• The Homecoming-Hagood Hardy (Conveys the feeling of a forest at dawn through Hardy's piano, the guitar, and orchestra.) 

The Groove

• You Are In My System-The System (An ear-catching synthesized groove that holds up decades later.  I remember always letting this play out when I heard it on KMJM and WZEN.)

Heart & Soul

• Holding On-Gregory Porter featuring Kem (Porter's vocals shine in traditional jazz and gospel arrangements, so it's interesting to hear him in a more contemporary context here.) 

Real Jazz

• Up Jumped Spring-Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (Engaging drumming from Blakey and impressive trumpet runs from Freddie Hubbard on his own composition.) 

Siriusly Sinatra

• My Foolish Heart-Charlie Watts Quintet featuring Bernard Fowler (Fowler's smooth, elegant vocals carry this rendition.  Also recommended: "Bewitched," "My Ship," and really, the whole "Warm & Tender" CD.) 

St. Paddy's Day Radio

• Cunla-Planxty (An interesting mix of bagpipes and lyrics that skip along, requiring challenging enunciation.) 

Watercolors

• Bang Bang-David Sanborn (One of Sanborn's more raucous uptempo tracks, thanks in no small part to the backing vocalists.)

KCOU playlist flashback: Country Brunch--3/28/93

I still think the one time I filled in as the host of "Country Brunch" went smoothly.  I had never chosen two hours of country music for airplay before, but by including country-tinged rock as well as bona fide country artists in the mix, I came up with a strong playlist.  Here's what I played between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on this day 24 years ago:

   1.  Family Dinner-The Starkweathers
(I opened the show with a tribute to a strong Columbia, Missouri band, The Starkweathers.  Their country-tinged rock impressed me on records and in concert during KCOU's 1992 Springfest.  I wish my favorite tune of theirs, "Took Me By Surprise," hadn't been missing from the studio that day, as I wanted to play it.)
   2.  Learnin' The Hard Way-The Starkweathers
   3.  You Cruel Thing-The Starkweathers
   4.  Forever Young-The Starkweathers
---
   5.  I Can't Hold Back-Pure Prairie League
(I'm surprised that this Vince Gill-penned track wasn't a hit for the band, as there should have been an audience for its radio-friendly chorus in 1979.)
   6.  I'll Always Remember That Song-Charlie Daniels Band
   7.  Last Lonely Eagle-New Riders Of The Purple Sage
---
   8.  Orange Blossom Special-Johnny Cash (*)
(Now, this is how you mimic a train on the harmonica credibly.  In any genre, you can't go wrong with the classics.  I was glad a listener requested this...)
   9.  Wheels-Flying Burrito Brothers (*)
(...and this, as well.)
 10.  Wayfaring Stranger-Emmylou Harris
(Harris sings this cover of a 19th century melody convincingly, with just the right amount of vibrato in the vocals.)
 11.  The Wrong Side Of Memphis-Trisha Yearwood
 12.  Bye Bye Blackbird-Rickie Lee Jones
(Not just any tune can feel equally at home in a country and jazz format.)
---
 13.  Church-Lyle Lovett
(One of Lovett's strongest tracks, in my opinion; if you want the priest to speed up the service so you can go home and eat, this is a respectful way to convey that.  The chorus, "To the Lord, let the praises be.  It's time for dinner; now, let's go eat," doesn't leave my mind easily whenever I hear it.)
 14.  Muddy Rio Grande-Killbilly
 15.  Rainbow Bridge-New Grass Revival
---
 16.  Under The Falling Sky-Bonnie Raitt
(Cool, uptempo grit in Raitt's vocals; Raitt brings Jackson Browne's lyrics to life appealingly in this vocally and instrumentally energetic 1972 track.)
 17.  Three Days-K.D. Lang And The Reclines
(My recommended segue: The Beach Boys tune, "Heroes And Villains," as Geraint Watkins covers it.)
 18.  Sweet Becky Walker-Larry Gatlin
 19.  From A Jack To A King-Ned Miller
 20.  Whiskey River-Willie Nelson
 21.  Tonight The Bartender Is On The Wrong Side Of The Bar-Asleep At The Wheel
(Admittedly, now and then, I would choose a song for airplay based on the band's reputation and the song's unusual title.)
---
 22.  Cold, Cold Heart-Hank Williams
(Norah Jones would later record an excellent cover of this.)
 23.  Georgia In A Jug-Johnny Paycheck
 24.  Dance With The Tiger-Rosanne Cash
(The mood and tempo of "Dance..." would segue well with Cash's "Blue Moon With Heartache."  I was listening to "Blue Moon..." earlier today and was struck by the tune's arrangement, which brought to mind Linda Ronstadt and Stephen Bishop.)
 25.  If You're Not Gone Too Long-Loretta Lynn
---
 26.  Jesus Christ S.R.O. (Standing Room Only)-Tom Paxton
(An interesting way to acknowledge the popularity of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Godspell.")
 27.  The World Doesn't Turn For Me-Normaltown Flyers
 28.  Don't Be Afraid-Kelly Willis
 29.  Drive-In Movies And Dashboard Lights-Nanci Griffith
(Not exactly comforting lyrics, but Griffith sings honest, heartfelt narratives with compelling consistency from album to album.  One of the most endearing live albums anyone ever recommended to me was Griffith's "One Fair Summer Evening.")
---
 30.  Sweep Around Your Own Back Door-Roy Acuff
 31.  Gotta Travel On-Billy Grammer
 32.  Barnyard Dance-The Delaware Water Gap
 33.  Sing A Little Song Of Heartache-Rose Maddox
---
 34.  Good Time To Say Goodbye-Juice Newton & Silver Spur
(A good sample of Newton's pipes from 1976, before her string of top 40 hits.)
---

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

Composing music, ostensibly

My sixth grade chorus teacher, Mrs. B., once passed out staff paper and asked everyone to write a treble or bass clef on the page, along with a time signature and any notes we chose, divided into measures.  She then played each student's composition on the piano.  It was interesting to me that each composition supposedly made musical sense when she played it.  Although she added chords to what each student wrote and most likely made at least a few other changes at the piano, it was nice to have the illusion that each of us could compose at least one short, compelling piece.

Only in college XXIX

A memory from Fall 1991: KCOU's general manager impressed upon everyone at a meeting to stop back announcing music sets by saying, "OK, that was..."  It's too easy to lean on those words as a crutch, so the g.m. pleaded, "Say, 'Wow, I really like playing with this clock,' or something else!  There are all kinds of ways you can get around it."  He said the next time he heard someone say, "OK that was...," he planned to call in and ask, "OK, that was WHAT??!!"

His point was reasonable.  "88.1, KCOU with The Urge and 'Live As One.'  The Urge will be at The Blue Note Friday night...," is a better way of back announcing than saying, "OK, that was The Urge..."

Finishing the sentence IX

Another unfinished sentence I created and the responses it received in February 1989:

I feel most like playing a trumpet fanfare when...

...I hear a trumpet fanfare. (Scott S.)

...a losing team that is very pathetic finally scores. (Chris E.)

...a moron grasps an incredibly simple concept and says, "Oh, I get it now," with or without much conviction, depending on whether they completely understand. (Jen E.)

...I do an absolutely perfect round-the-world with my yo-yo. (Betsy B.)

...I see a crocus popping up out of the ground, and I know that the Winter season that always seems to drag on forever is over! (Rachel P.)

Finishing the sentence VIII

Tonight, my time machine is set for November 1988, when I was in high school.  I created the following unfinished sentence and received these responses:

Music's greatest attribute is its ability to...

...bring on emotions and feelings that you are aware of but not that aware of. (Tracey R.)

...change, sometimes for the better, people's attitudes and feelings about life. (Rachel P.)

...piss people off! (Andrew B.)

...free the soul and let one boogie down. (Shantel S.)

...drive perfectly sane people into arguments over whether John Lennon or Paul McCartney broke up the Beatles! (Chris A.)

...make obscene amounts of money for people who would otherwise be unable to earn a living. (John O.)

Not just about the music

In fairness, I'll balance my previous post, "A conductor's odd request for clarity," with something else that conductor once said.  Decades later, I still remember him saying that the most important non-musical quality that good musicians should possess is humanity.  He's right.  As he explained, "A guy can play his instrument well, but if he's a jerk, then..."

Context? XXII

"They see a silver lining in nuclear war."

--A jaw-dropping out-of-context statement heard on KWMU Wednesday night during a dial scan; I'm not sure I'll ever want to know its context.

John Oliver is right...

...After watching footage of a dancing zebra against a green screen, it's difficult not to smile at least a little--especially when the zebra rocks out and starts playing air guitar.  (Watch the most recent episode of Oliver's "Last Week Tonight" for context.)

Persistent earworm alert LIII

For days, I've had the first 10 seconds of Brick's "Dazz" on a recurring loop in my mind.  I have no idea what triggered it, but that instrumental intro seems to be lodged in my mind for good.  The tune, whose title stands for "Disco Jazz," was a big hit in late 1976 and early '77.  If its title doesn't ring a bell, seek it out.  Chances are, you've heard at least the first 10 seconds of it on an oldies station or sampled in a DJ's mix at a party.

In memory of Chuck Berry

By now, you've most likely heard about Chuck Berry's passing yesterday at age 90.  In recognition of Chuck Berry's contributions over the decades to rock and blues, many articles are citing such hits of his as "Maybellene," "Sweet Little Sixteen," "Johnny B. Goode," and "No Particular Place To Go."  However, four tracks of his that won't get that level of press but deserve their due, in my opinion, are:

• Blue Feeling (One of Berry's early cathartic instrumental compositions, played with heartfelt conviction on guitar and piano.)
• Deep Feeling (Another one of Berry's strong early instrumentals.  Berry makes the notes bend and cry on his guitar while conjuring up a floating sensation.)
• Driftin' Blues (Berry and his impressive backing vocalists cover this Charles Brown-penned number with captivating lyrics about feeling alone.)
• Liverpool Drive (An overlooked instrumental gem with fast, spirited guitar and thumping bass.)

Those are some of Berry's most appealing tracks, in my view, between 1957 and 1964.  May the next equivalent of Chuck Berry, if there is such a person, have at least as long of a life and as much positive influence on multiple musical genres as Berry did.

Finishing the sentence VII

Another unfinished sentence I wrote for my notebook and some of its responses from Spring '93:

Time stood still.  Lance was oblivious to his surroundings, as a mental soundtrack of poignant Beatles lyrics impaired his ability to concentrate.  Uncanny how Lennon & McCartney's prosaic language paralleled Lance's situation.  Incredibly, the music also prevented Lance from realizing...

...that love would lead him back to the long, winding road. (Kathy P.)

...that lovely Rita, the meter maid, was having his car towed to Karl's. (Cathy N.)

...that strawberry fields can't last forever; they are seasonal. (Julie A.)

Before St. Patrick's Day elapses...

...try ending the holiday on a graceful note with the moving melody of "Mna na h Eireann" by The Chieftains.  It segues well with the Eileen Ivers tune, "Bygone Days," on the Windham Hill compilation, "Thanksgiving."  Both tunes convey the same sense of solemnity and grandeur.

Subtle, contemplative, Celtic

If you're looking for a fitting St. Patrick's Day tune that isn't a jig or reel, listen to Solas perform the air, "Song Of The Kelpie."  While Celtic music has its share of joyous uptempo melodies, the subtler compositions, such as this one, deserve their due, as well.

A conductor's odd request for clarity

A finishing-the-sentence memory from high school: Almost always, when I asked someone to complete one of the unfinished sentences I created for my notebook, the person was in my general age bracket.  Once in a great while, I'd make an exception.  Each time, however, I'd write the sentence at the top of the page and create two columns with the labels of Name and Response.  Once, when I asked the conductor of one of my after school orchestras if he'd like to finish a sentence, he looked at the page and asked, "By 'Name,' you mean what I call myself?"

Well...yes.  That was what I meant.  No one had ever asked that before, nor has anyone asked it since then.  As I've mentioned before, conductors sometimes think differently than the rest of us.

Finishing the sentence VI

Another of my unfinished sentences and some of its responses from February 1992:

Jimmy Webb's lyrics to "MacArthur Park," which Richard Harris first made famous, read, "Someone left the cake out in the rain.  I don't think that I can take it 'cause it took so long to bake it, and I'll never have that recipe again..."  Aside from describing the park's destruction, this chorus could also symbolize...

...loss of Betty Crocker's Easy American Desserts cookbook. (Chip C.)

...the chance in a lifetime that is spoiled by another's desire, envy, or hate. (Karen B.)

...a friendship/relationship that both of you have let stagnate, and now, you can't get it back.  Or a wet dog. (Lisa G.)

FM dial scan highlights LXXVIII

Five of the better songs I've heard over the past two days:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• The Pipers-Sileas (A gentle Celtic romp from an uplifting harp duo.)
• Fionnghuala (Mouth Music) (Live)-Runa (Runa pulls off the tune's challenging vocals deftly.  Ever since I first heard Nightnoise sing this on a Windham Hill sampler in the '90s, I've thought, "If ever there were a tune that demands excellent enunciation, articulation, and precision from its singers, this is it."  Also recommended: "The Wind That Shakes The Barley.")

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing-Stevie Wonder (An ear-catching piano vamp with instant atmosphere and vocals to match; this is one of Wonder's most appealing efforts--and that's saying something for an artist whose career exceeds 50 years.)
• All My Love Is Gone-Lyle Lovett (Lovett and company provide slick drown-your-sorrows vocals and bluesy instrumentation.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Eyes Wide Open-Gotye (Good, direct lyrics about plundering Earth's limited resources while knowing it's ill-advised.)

Finishing the sentence V

Another unfinished sentence I created for my notebook, ROAM (Remnants Of Abstract Minds), and the responses it elicited in 1993:

Classic words from Bob Dylan: "Something's going on, but you don't know what it is, do you, Mr. Jones?"  In modern terms, these lyrics could apply to...

...the state of the United States and the type of people we have leading our country.  The people who truly have the minds to save our country are too smart to take the abuse that goes along with running for office, so we get stuck with the power-hungry idiots. (Joe S.)

...our generation.  That is to say, the baby boomers are still calling the shots to the puzzlement of all other generations in this country.  We have met the befuddled, obscure, and out-of-date, and they are us.  So sad.  But, hey, how 'bout that Zeppelin box set? (Michael M.)

...my elementary school principal--remember, he's your "pal"--Mr. Jones.  He was only there for two years, and though I never met him--can't even remember seeing the guy--he did yell at my older brother, Jeff, which truly indicates how clueless Mr. Jones was.  After all, Jeff is a cool guy. (Bob D.)

...most of the men in my life. (Laura W.)

...Ditto...I mean, uh, well, yeah. (Liz F.)

Finishing the sentence IV

Here's an unfinished sentence I created for my notebook, ROAM (Remnants Of Abstract Minds), in March 1992:

In "A Small Slice Of Heaven," the Lightning Seeds sing, "The voice of reason is rhyming with treason today.  The laughing devil is chasing the angels away.  The dog is barking.  The baby's crying. The rainy days are multiplying."  Conditions like these are most prone to arise...

...from the age of 13 on... (Jennie K.)

...(at) mid-semester, you realize you have no realistic goals or ambitions, and someone tells you that you have to get your life together. (Karen W.)

...(when) election year rolls around, and every politician tries to save the United States. (Karen B.)

Persistent earworm alert LII

Today, Club Nouveau's cover of the Bill Withers tune, "Lean On Me," has been on my mind.  That tune was playing during a high school assembly, as one of the class officers announced a list of school clubs and activities.  He asked, "How many of you play varsity sports?  How many of you are involved in band?  How many of you are in orchestra?  How many of you are in French club? ...German club?  ...Spanish club?" People involved in these and other activities were asked to stand.  Another class representative ran through the audience after each question was asked, giving a member of each group a sign to hold.  At the end of the assembly, the class officer said something like, "Look at how diverse our class is and how many activities are represented."

As class spirit events go, that's not a bad idea.  Years later, I'm still recalling Club Nouveau's "Lean On Me," complete with the group's "We be jammin'..." addition.

SiriusXM highlights LX

Standout selections heard yesterday:

Bluesville

• Let It Rain (Exclusive)-Quinn Sullivan (A strong interpretation on guitar of the Eric Clapton tune.)

Real Jazz

• Avila And Tequila-Ingrid Jensen (A raucous brass showcase, with Jensen leading the way on trumpet.)
• Jubilation-Patrice Rushen (A joyous flute-dominated carnival of a melody.)
• Peel Me A Grape-Diana Krall (Sultry yet detached vocals make this one of Krall's most appealing covers.)

Soul Town

• This Time It's Real-Tower Of Power (If you think of "So Very Hard To Go" or "What Is Hip?" in connection with this band first, the '60s feel of this track might surprise you.)

Symphony Hall

• Claude Debussy: Sonata For Flute, Viola, And Harp (Trio Medici) (A gracefully played rendition of a piece that brings to mind Debussy's "Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun.")
• Johann Strauss, Jr.: Mephisto's Calls From Hell (Vienna Philharmonic/Gustavo Dudamel, conductor) (Considering the carnival-like atmosphere the piece conveys, its title is puzzling.)

Stingray Music highlights XXXV

Tuesday and Wednesday highlights heard on U-verse:

Adult Alternative

• Sleeping Satellite-Tasmin Archer (An appealing singer-songwriter number from 1992 that you might have heard on adult contemporary radio stations.  Its hook, "I blame you for the moonlit sky...," gets the listener's attention right away.  Seek out the acoustic version, as well as the one from the "Great Expectations" CD that received airplay.)

Cool Jazz

• In A Mellow Tone-George Duke (Duke sings and plays an impressive cover of this Duke Ellington/Milt Gabler standard.  The arrangement blends contemporary and old school styles seamlessly.)

Folk Roots

• Everything-Brigitte DeMeyer & Will Kimbrough (Pleasant, well-matched vocal harmonies.)
• Grace-Rose Cousins (Emotionally gripping lyrics, vocals, and piano accompaniment.)
• Houses In The Fields-John Gorka (Good lyrics about the price and inevitability of so-called progress; Gorka writes such lyrics convincingly and sings them compellingly in his recognizable baritone voice.  Gorka is one of the most consistently strong singer-songwriters from album to album I've ever heard.)

Jazz Masters

• Solitude-Joe Pass (When it came to Christmas carols, interpretations of jazz standards, and original compositions, Pass was a master of quiet, thoughtful guitar arrangements.)

Jazz Now

• Angel Eyes-Chico Freeman (Saxophone playing fit for a film noir scene.)

Latin Lounge

• Domingo-Gotan Project & Jimi Santos (Sly spy movie-style instrumentation complements the vocals.)

Nature

• Cool Evening Air-Chris Phillips (Soothing new age guitar accompanies an ever-present cricket.  Or, is it the other way around?)

KCOU playlist flashback: 1-4 p.m., 3/7/92

Here are the tunes I chose to play on the air 25 years ago today:

   1.  Television, The Drug Of The Nation-Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
(One of the better rap tunes of its era...It's amusing now to recall a pre-Internet time when watching too much TV was about the strongest musical caution against wasting time and filling one's mind with junk.)
   2.  Theme From "Get Smart"
(A natural segue?)
   3.  Any Way The Wind Blows-The U.M.C.s
(Another good example of early '90s rap; the tune samples Syl Johnson's good 1972 track of the same name.  Johnson's original is worth seeking out, as its arrangement brings Al Green's music to mind.)
---
   4.  Atomic Garden-Bad Religion
(This was usually about as hard as any hard rock on my air shifts got.)
   5.  Happy-The Lightning Seeds
(To my ears, this is one of the most tuneful melodies on the playlist.  In a sense, it's subdued power pop.  Also recommended: "The Life Of Riley" and "Sense.")
   6.  Chicago Song-David Sanborn
(Strong saxophone talk show bumper music.)
---
   7.  This Is Different-Mecca Normal
   8.  Many Miles-Sun-60
   9.  Woyaho-Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
(Brickell's vocals are partially atonal here, but that's not a criticism.  The chorus cements itself easily in the mind.)
---
 10.  Return To The Eve-Celtic Frost
 11.  Just Like Heaven-Dinosaur Jr.
 12.  Suspended Animation-Benediction
---
 13.  Nettle Bed-Soft Machine
(I've always thought this instrumental would have been a good theme for a '70s TV newscast.)
 14.  The Look Of Love-ABC
(Catchy, driving, melodramatic '80s pop.)
 15.  The Night Away-7 Seconds (*)
 16.  Think It Over-Flat Duo Jets
---
 17.  I Am The Cosmos-Chris Bell
(A memorable confidence-boosting pep talk of a chorus from Big Star's Bell.  Jon Auer of The Posies sang it especially well in Big Star's later incarnations.)
 18.  Answering Machine-The Replacements (*)
 19.  Compared To What-Col. Bruce Hampton & His Aquarium Rescue Unit
 20.  Motherless Children-Eric Clapton
(One of Clapton's best screaming guitar parts, used as the theme for HBO's "Not Necessarily The News.")
 21.  Blues For Stevie-Albert Collins
(Some fine guitar wailing here, as well...Whenever I wanted to segue any song with a blues instrumental, Collins was one of the safest bets.)
 22.  She's Coming Back Some Cold Rainy Day-Georgia Cotton Pickers
 23.  No Secret-Liquid Jesus
---
 24.  Dreamin'-Lou Reed
 25.  Crackerbox Palace-George Harrison
 26.  Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)-Mojo Nixon & The Second Edition
---
 27.  Pain & Pleasure-The Snapdragons
 28.  Wonderful Again-Hypnolovewheel
(Ear-catching, guitar-heavy accessibility makes this tune an easy segue with any number of power pop charmers.)
 29.  Chain Train-The Last Drive
 30.  Don't Talk To Strangers-Rick Springfield (*)
---
 31.  Don't Bang The Drum-The Waterboys
 32.  Beethoven's Fifth-Louis Clark & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
(One of the most famous first movements in Classical music, mixed with a dance beat.)
---
 33.  Fabulous-Happyhead
 34.  Mersey Paradise-Stone Roses
 35.  101 (Sonic Shuffle)-Finitribe
 36.  Magnetic-Earth, Wind & Fire
(Earth, Wind & Fire tried a more mechanized, overtly '80s sound here.  I remember hearing this often on WZEN when it was a hit.)
 37.  What You Said-Holy Rollers
---

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

Only in college XXVIII

"Don't that make the teardrops of your heart pucker right up..."

-DJ Chip, back announcing O.C. Smith's "Little Green Apples" on KCOU in 1992; you don't usually expect to hear phrasing like that on the air, except on a college station.  Looking back, I still think it's appropriate for that tune.

SiriusXM highlights LIX

Sunday morning standouts:

'40s Junction

• It's Only A Paper Moon-John Kirby (A strong swing instrumental version that showcases Kirby's ensemble and soloists effectively.)
• Straighten Up And Fly Right-Nat King Cole Trio (Some of the best lyrics I've heard about keeping a cool head; George Benson's rendition is appealing, as well.)

'60s On 6

• I Only Want To Be With You-Dusty Springfield (Pop lyrics don't get much more universal or accessible than this.)

The Bridge 

• Crackerbox Palace-George Harrison (I can't imagine anyone other than Harrison crafting a song like this and having a hit with it.  Crackerbox Palace sounds like an inviting place in which to grow up.)
• Take Another Turn (Live @ SiriusXM)-Sarah Jarosz (Jarosz's lyrics illustrate how it's possible to be alone even in a crowded city.  It was a pleasure to hear this, along with many of her other songs and interview segments, on "The Village Folk Show.") 

The Pulse

• Babylon-David Gray (Pop music could use more thoughtfully written and sung tunes like this.  Gray pulls off the hat trick of being cerebral, heartfelt, and tuneful here.)

Real Jazz

• Joanne Julia-Stan Getz (Smooth midtempo saxophone and piano played in a bossa nova style.  With Getz on saxophone and Kenny Barron on piano, what's not to like?)

SiriusXM highlights LVIII

Saturday morning highlights:

'60s On 6 

• I Fought The Law-Bobby Fuller Four (When I mentioned this song in college, a friend asked, "Is that the song where he sings, 'I fought the law, and the law won,' about a hundred times?" Yes, but it's a tightly constructed oldie with a memorable hook.)

The Coffee House

• Boat Behind-Kings Of Convenience (Low-fi acoustic charm in the vocals and guitar.  Also recommended: "Misread.")

Jam_On

• In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed-Big Something (Exclusive) (A strong cover of a great Allman Brothers Band instrumental; it's interesting to hear a saxophone added to the mix.)

The Loft

• No Myth-Michael Penn (A good sing-along track that any station with an AAA format would be wise to play.  Also recommended: "This & That.")
• Watch Your Step-Elvis Costello & The Attractions (An ominous warning juxtaposed with carousel-style backing.)

Siriusly Sinatra

• Pick Yourself Up-Wesla Whitfield (A well-sung version of the tune with a "Put On A Happy Face" vibe.)

Watercolors

• I Am-Kayla Waters (A well-sustained, pleasant keyboard instrumental.)

A lukewarm endorsement

On the first day of radio-TV programming and management class in college, the instructor told us, "We do have a textbook for this class, and it's...adequate."

With a ringing endorsement like that, it was obvious that studying for tests would mean paying more attention to the material the instructor brought up in class instead of what we read in the textbook.  It was just as well, considering that the textbook, in 1992, contained such gems as, "Some radio stations are starting to use compact discs for their music library."

Stingray Music highlights XXXIV

Noteworthy selections heard this morning:

Cool Jazz

• Bye Bye Blackbird-Melody Gardot (Gardot's wise-beyond-her-years voice is ideal for this cover version.)
• Dreamer-Joe Henderson (The guitar melody of this Antonio Carlos Jobim tune works well on the saxophone.)
• Rise-Russell Malone (Yet another good cover; Herb Alpert's trumpet line transfers well to Malone's guitar.)

Folk Roots

• Arbor Day-Solas featuring Aoife O'Donovan (Breathy vocals and poignant Celtic instrumentation serve the tune's heartfelt, wistful lyrics effectively.)
• Myself At Last-Graham Nash (The introspective lyrics should strike a chord with many listeners; Nash offers the listener hope for the future.)

Hungarian Pop & Rock

• Munka utan-Szaloki Agi (Hungarian Jazz & Lounge describes the tune more accurately.  The vocals coalesce well with the violin and walking bass line.)

Jazz Masters

• Nuages-Django Reinhardt (Listen and allow yourself to be transported to another era of pleasant fingerstyle guitar playing.  I half-expect Leon Redbone to start singing when I hear "Nuages.")

Retro R&B

• Amen-Otis Redding (A listener can't ask for more feeling behind the lyrics than this.  Redding incorporates "This Little Light Of Mine" into the tune skillfully.  As strong as "Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay" is, the rest of Redding's catalog deserves attention, as well.)

SiriusXM highlights LVII

Wednesday afternoon highlights:

'60s On 6

• Come On Down To My Boat-Every Mother's Son (This one-hit wonder group combined a swirling instrumental track with sing-along, clap-along vocals that were ideal for 1967.)

Bluegrass Junction

• Hard Cry Moon-Donna Ulisse (If you like the way Alison Krauss emotes in her music, you'll likely enjoy "Hard Cry Moon.")

Chill

• Morphine-Slushii (Ethereal, airy vocals and production values.)

The Coffee House

• My Sweet Lord-Yim Yames (A thoughtful cover of the George Harrison tune that takes its time.  The tune sounds as though it was recorded in a tunnel, which makes the lyrics sink in all the more.)

The Groove

• You Get The Best From Me (Say Say Say)-Alicia Myers (The tune would segue well with Evelyn "Champagne" King's "Love Come Down.")

Love

• Sailing-Christopher Cross ("Sailing" holds up well, in my opinion.  It has one of the best orchestral openings of any pop tune and conveys the sensation of sailing soothingly.)

Real Jazz

• Harvest For The World-Dave Stryker (A straight ahead piece with a bounce for guitar, organ, vibraphone, and drums.)
• Summertime-Miles Davis (A haunting arrangement of the Gershwin tune.)

SiriusXMU

• Extraordinary Machine-Fiona Apple (Apple showcases her full vocal range effectively in this well-written tribute to individualism and thick skin.)

Soul Town

• Welcome To The Club-Blue Magic (The lead vocals remind me of an uptempo Stylistics tune.)

Symphony Hall

• Claude Debussy: Six Epigraphes Antiques (Intimately, tenderly played piano.  I wish I knew who performed this rendition.)