The music I chose to play on the air 25 years ago today:
1. Smoke From A Distant Fire-The Sanford/Townsend Band
(If you're a one-hit wonder, this is a well-constructed, well-sung, and well-played standard for which to aim.)
2. Goin' Back To Kingston-The Scofflaws
(Cool ska with brassy accompaniment. Also recommended: "A Shot In The Dark," "The Man With The Golden Arm," and the band's cover of the jazz standard, "Night Train.")
3. This Is A Perfect World-The Staple Singers
(The tune's lyrics differentiate the world from the people in it effectively. It also weaves "My Country 'Tis Of Thee" appropriately into the mix. This energetic track from 1971 about trying to show the creator that people from different backgrounds can coexist peacefully holds up today.)
4. Everyday Life Has Become A Health Risk-Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
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5. Strum-Minerva Strain
6. The Guitar (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)-They Might Be Giants
(A fun reworking of the hit best known as an oldie by The Tokens.)
7. The Life Of Riley-The Lightning Seeds
(A catchy early '90s track with an early-to-mid '80s feel. Also recommended: "Happy" and "Sense.")
8. It'll All Catch Up To You-The Shams
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9. Jazz From Hell-Frank Zappa (*)
10. Caseworks-Art Ensemble Of Chicago
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11. Whirly Girl-Oxo
(I remember this being played a lot for the brief time it was a hit but not after that. It blended in easily with the catchy hooks played on top 40 stations in Spring 1983.)
12. Johnny B. Goode-The Chambers Brothers
(The Chambers Brothers also cover "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys, and it's worth seeking out.)
13. Machine Gun-The Commodores
(Interesting to hear the band's first hit, an instrumental that segues smoothly with Billy Preston's first hit, "Outa-Space.")
14. School Days (Live)-Stanley Clarke
(A great opening bass riff grabs the listener's ears and holds onto them for the tune's duration.)
15. I Can Make You Dance-Zapp
16. Rising Above Bedlam-Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
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17. Almost Gold-Jesus & Mary Chain
18. Up Before Dawn-Orchestra JB
19. No Disguise-The Looserails
20. Morning Is The Long Way Home-Leo Kottke
(As usual, Kottke plays the guitar as though he has four hands. Seek out the version on the "Ice Water" album.)
21. Days Like These-Janis Ian
(Thoughtfully sung lyrics about remembering what--and who--is really important, aided by moving piano accompaniment.)
22. Grey Victory-10,000 Maniacs
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23. Paradise Cafe-Arcangels
24. Favorite Son-Ellen James Society
25. Simple Visions-Strawbs
(As I wrote in 2014, this is a core piece of "Amazing Grace" transformed into a song with poppier
sensibilities. This is my favorite track from the "Deep Cuts" album;
"Charmer" and "Wasting My Time (Thinking Of You)" are also highlights.)
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"Mellow Out" hour (Tracks 26-37; 4-5 a.m.) (During this semester, I used this hour to play softer, generally introspective tunes that would be underplayed or not played during the rest of the day.)
26. East River Drive-Grover Washington, Jr.
(Instant atmosphere, thanks to the saxophone...)
27. Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)-Gladys Knight & The Pips
(I was always glad to hear this moving ballad on our former smooth jazz station, WSSM.)
28. Since I Fell For You-Bob James, David Sanborn & Al Jarreau
29. Promise (Beyond The Mountain)-Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra
30. I Remember You-Marcus Roberts
(My invention of this "Mellow Out" hour was intended for tracks like this; outside of "Jazz Odyssey," you wouldn't ordinarily hear a subtle, sublime piano instrumental such as this.)
31. Dream Weaver-Gary Wright
32. Because It's There-Michael Hedges
(A captivating, ominous guitar instrumental, suitable for a science documentary.)
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33. Since The Last Time-Lyle Lovett
34. Constant Craving-K.D. Lang
35. You're My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration-Teddy Pendergrass
36. Time Passages-Al Stewart
(This is an essentially perfect tune about feeling wistful and nostalgic.)
37. I'm Fine, How Are You?-Bob Baldwin
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38. People Get Ready-The Persuasions
(Hearing this sung a cappella makes the lyrics sink in all the more.)
39. Sometimes-No Doubt
40. Shock The World-Tom Tom Club
41. Everything-Adrian Belew
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42. That's The Question-The Harper Brothers
43. Honey-The Jazz Butcher
44. Honeychild-Ghost Of An American Airman
45. Take It Easy On Me-A House
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46. Velouria-The Pixies
47. Teresa, Give Me That Knife-No Means No
48. Out Of Work-Gary U.S. Bonds
49. Mother Earth-Kool & The Gang
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50. Everybody's In The Park-Tiny Lights
51. Two Hangmen-Mason Proffit
(An anthem for anyone who is persecuted despite being on the humane side of an issue. Also recommended: "It's All Right" and "Let Me Know Where You're Going.")
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(*) indicates a listener's request.
--- indicates a station break between songs.
