In honor of today's super blue blood moon...

...I've just played three fitting songs for the occasion:

• Here Comes The Moon-George Harrison (A comforting chorus and appropriately celestial-sounding guitar.  Chances are, you've heard its counterpart predecessor a few thousand times.)
• Once In A Very Blue Moon-Nanci Griffith (A perceptive metaphor for missing someone; it's even more moving when Griffith sings it live.)
• Strawberry Moon-Grover Washington, Jr. (Fine uptempo saxophone accompaniment for the late night/early morning sky.  I'm puzzled that I've never heard any smooth or traditional jazz station play this.)

Here's hoping everyone gets the view of today's rare celestial occurrence that they want.

Stingray Music highlights LI

Monday and Tuesday highlights:

Caribbean Vintage Vibes

• Nassau Night-Delbon Johnson (Any instrumental that blends the best elements of Benny Goodman, Django Reinhardt, and the tropics this way deserves an appreciative audience.)

Folk Roots

• Etta's Tune-Rosanne Cash (It's reassuring to know there's always at least one person on whom you can depend.  Cash's warm voice sings Etta's story compellingly.)
• Is It Like Today?-Eliza Gilkyson (A heartfelt version of the World Party song, with thought-provoking lyrics about the positive and negative contributions humans make to this planet.)

New Age

• Ballad For Kay-Acoustic Alchemy (With its airy production values, this instrumental would segue well with Nickel Creek's "First And Last Waltz.")

Revival--'60s & '70s

• Because The Night-Patti Smith Group (Natalie Merchant's excellent version usually gets more airplay, but Smith's original version deserves its due; these are compelling lyrics about how one person's charisma affects someone else, and how they click, as result.) 

Soul Storm

• The Man-Aloe Blacc (Strongly sung lyrics about facing the world with confidence, even when life hasn't dealt you the best hand.)

The Spa

• And On This Day-Patrick Canavan (What one might sing or hum while floating in space...)

Reconsidered merit

Although it will never be one of my favorite songs, I've been having second thoughts lately about John Mellencamp's--or, in 1982, John Cougar's--"Jack & Diane."  From the first time I heard it, it irked me that, in the verses, the number of syllables in the lyrics doesn't match up with the number of beats on the guitar.  To me, a basic requirement of writing a song is that the vocals should align with the instrumental accompaniment.

Having said that, I've come to appreciate that Jack and Diane want to hold "onto 16 as long as (they) can."  Knowing that, before too long, you'll have college, work, and/or marriage to which you'll have to adjust, can be overwhelming for almost anyone.  Also, when you graduate from high school, there are friends you'll see sparingly or never from that point on.  Why, then, wouldn't you want to appreciate the best parts of your life at 16 as much as you can?

SiriusXM highlights LXXXIII

Standout tunes heard yesterday:

'80s On 8

• Breakout-Swing Out Sister (The band's big American hit, and rightfully so; vocally and instrumentally, its bounce and confident outlook are just as captivating as they were years ago.  Other recommended gems: "Butterfly," "Forever Blue," and the Cal Tjader instrumental remix of "Now You're Not Here.")

Chill

• Without You-Lane 8 (Forthright recurring vocals set to a hypnotic keyboard groove.)

The Coffee House

• What Is Love?-Duncan Sheik (Sheik's acoustic rendition is as strong as the original by Howard Jones.)

Real Jazz

• Armando's Rhumba-Helen Sung/Paquito D'Rivera (A simmering number for piano and clarinet.  Also recommended: Sung's "Going Express" CD.)

SXM Spotlight

• Insanity-Gregory Porter/Lalah Hathaway (Porter and Hathaway blend well here.  Porter is equally at home singing traditional jazz, contemporary R&B, or singer-songwriter material.)

Watercolors

• Rosemary's Tune-Jay Rowe (To me, this sounds like a Steely Dan backing track, especially in the keyboard and drums.)

Y2Kountry

• Landslide-Dixie Chicks (This contemplative, Stevie Nicks-penned Fleetwood Mac take on aging suits these three voices well.)

Persistent earworm alert LXXXIII

Does anyone else remember the Praise dog food commercial jingle from the '80s?  Over the last two days, I haven't been able to get, "Good dog!  Here's your Praise.  Dogs love the taste of Praise.  Dogs love Praise," out of my mind.

It's funny what reading the Pets Of The Week column in the paper after hearing Fatboy Slim's "Praise You" triggers.

Stingray Music highlights L

Noteworthy selections heard yesterday:

Canadian Indie

• Silver Velvet-The Courtneys (A driving beat, spirited vocals, and a memorable hook draw the listener in.)

Chamber Music

• J.M. Kraus: Sonata In E major, VB 196 (Jacques Despres, piano) (I heard a definite resemblance to Beethoven in all three movements.)

Jazz Masters

• Brownie Eyes-Clifford Brown (An ideal trumpet piece for late nights that would segue with Sean Jones Quartet's "We'll Meet Under The Stars.")

Jazz Now

• Lenteur Tzigane-Christine Tassan et les Imposteures (A thoughtful, elegant midtempo piece for guitar and violin.)

Nature

• Forest Dawn-Ron Korb (Forest animals playing flutes--well, not really, but that's how it comes across.  Balancing animal sounds and musical accompaniment is somewhat tricky, but both elements come together here.)

Pop Classics

• J.S. Bach: Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012 (Mstislav Rostropovich, cello) (A perfect match of source material and performer; if you know someone who doesn't usually care for Classical music, this might melt the ice.)

Retro R&B

• Too Busy Thinking About My Baby-Marvin Gaye (The chorus has stood the test of time; I don't hear it played on oldies stations as much as I once did, but I'm glad it still gets played.)

Not one to frequent bars, but...

...I wonder if any group at a bar near closing time has ever sung Sarah McLachlan's "Adia," sincerely or ironically.  While hearing it recently, it occurred to me that lyrics such as, "We all falter.  Does it matter?" might be appropriate in that setting.

SiriusXM highlights LXXXII

Noteworthy tunes heard today:

'40s Junction

• Lullaby In Rhythm-Charlie Ventura (Impressive vocals for fans of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross.  Also recommended: "Euphoria.")

The Beatles Channel

• For You Blue-Dhani Harrison (George Harrison's son stays true to the galloping spirit of the original version.) 

Chill

• Lost In Space-Emmit Fenn (Vocally, "Lost In Space" reminds me of Jack Johnson and Bon Iver.)

Deep Tracks

• Green Grass And High Tides-The Outlaws (A fine slice of inspired album rock from 1975; I'd like to think that in Heaven, people get to see all of the best musicians perform.)

Enlighten

• Sustaining Grace-Karen Peck & New River (The sincerity of Peck's vocals underscore the tune's message about being stronger than we sometimes think we are.)
  

Heart & Soul

• Strength, Courage & Wisdom-India Arie (Inspiring lyrics about staying true to yourself.)

Real Jazz

• Peace-Horace Silver (Powerful vocals from Andy Bey and warm keyboard underpinning from Silver.  Norah Jones covered it exceptionally well.)
  

In memory of Hugh Masekela

Hugh Masekela, a prolific trumpeter, flugelhornist, and composer for over five decades, passed away today.  I consider these seven of his best tracks:

• Been Such A Long Time Gone (One of the last LPs I bought at Webster Records just before it closed was Masekela's "I Am Not Afraid."  One of its highlights is this Masekela composition, with captivating lyrics about readjusting to a place that was once so familiar.)
• Blues For Huey (Masekela displays his traditional straight ahead jazz chops on trumpet here.)
• Cantelope Island (Live) (A fine, forthright cover of the Herbie Hancock tune, with Larry Willis on piano.)
• Grazing In The Grass (Fifty years later, this is still an engaging fresh breeze of a melody.  To casual listeners, this is the instrumental for which Masekela is best known.  Also, check out the idealistic, welcoming vocals on The Friends Of Distinction's rendition.)
• Moonza (with Herb Alpert) (If smooth jazz had been a radio format in 1978, this would have been a staple cut, for its immediate accessibility and resemblance to Chuck Mangione.)
• Night In Tunisia (Another standout from "I Am Not Afraid."  This is how you honor Dizzy Gillespie, while sounding contemporary for the time, i.e. 1974.)
• Skokiaan (with Herb Alpert) (An appealingly blended cover kicks off a collaboration between two noted trumpet and flugelhorn players.)

Stingray Music highlights XLIX

Recent highlights from U-verse:

Cool Jazz

• Weird Lullaby-Wynton Kelly (Intimate, expansive piano jazz.)

Folk Roots

• I'll Be Here In The Morning-Townes Van Zandt (One of his best sets of lyrics, along with "To Live Is To Fly."  Richard Shindell covers it compellingly.)

Gospel

• Yeah-Yolanda Adams ("Yeah" radiates commendable resolve and strength, particularly in the chorus, to follow God.)

Jazz Latino

• Ternura-Omar Sosa (I'd be curious to hear a mashup of "Ternura" and Martin Denny's "Quiet Village.")

Nothin' But '90s

• Missing-Everything But The Girl (Tracey Thorn's wistful vocals about a relationship that is no more can't help but sink in, if you're paying attention.  The Ultramarine remix is just as effective, in my opinion.)

Retro R&B

• I've Been Loving You Too Long-Otis Redding (If the emotive power of Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long" and "Try A Little Tenderness" appeals to you, this likely will, too.)

South Africa Traditional

• Self Existent-Wowo (A midtempo smooth jazz groove, featuring an appealing blend of piano, bass, and backing vocals.  This could segue with Incognito's "After The Fall.")

Persistent earworm alert LXXXII

Although I enjoy many of Billy Joel's songs, "Pressure" is one that I respect but don't like all that much.  During the largely bleak month of January, its appropriately ominous, pounding keyboard refrain is one of my most frequent, recurring earworms.  Usually, it subsides by March.

A noncommittal response

Another noncommittal variation of the "I'll see what I can do" response DJs often gave when I requested songs as a kid: "We're working on it."

As a kid, I didn't question that response, but I still thought, "Working on it?  Is heavy machinery involved?  Why doesn't the DJ just get the song out of the station's library and play it when there's a spot available on the playlist?"

The usual answer: There were no available spots on the playlist, as that day's music had already been predetermined.

SiriusXM highlights LXXXI

Standout selections heard this afternoon:

'40s Junction

• Flying Home-Benny Goodman Sextet (Goodman's clarinet serves the tune as compellingly as Lionel Hampton's vibraphone.)
• Love Is Here To Stay-Larry Clinton featuring Bea Wain (I wish I'd played this on WEW, as Wain's vocals would flow smoothly into just about any version of "Cheek To Cheek.")
  

Eagles Channel

• Meet On The Ledge-Fairport Convention (Lyrically and vocally moving, even after 100 listens.  Sandy Denny and company sing about seeing all of one's friends "when the time is up."  I really hope Heaven is like that.)

Escape

• Tangerine-Beegie Adair (Straight ahead piano jazz with an appealing bounce; this is another tune that segues well with "Cheek To Cheek.") 

No Shoes Radio

• Fooling Myself-Grace Potter & The Nocturnals (I'd be curious to hear how Sarah Jarosz would cover this.)

Real Jazz

• Night Train-Wes Montgomery & Jimmy Smith (A fine propulsive reading of the Duke Ellington classic.)

Soul Town

• Joy (Part 1)-Isaac Hayes (The string accompaniment, which brings Love Unlimited Orchestra to mind, would segue smoothly with "Love Song" by Ramsey Lewis.)

FM dial scan highlights XCIV

Five noteworthy tunes heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• (They Long To Be) Close To You-The Cranberries (Dolores O'Riordan's breathy, sincere vocals make this a highlight of the various artists Carpenters compilation tribute CD, "If I Were A Carpenter."  Also recommended: Matthew Sweet's cover of "Let Me Be The One.")
• Barterers And Their Wives-The Left Banke (Any tune that can evoke a Bach harpsichord concerto and Every Mother's Son's "Come On Down To My Boat" this artfully deserves the respect of its listeners.  I was listening to the band's compilation, "There's Gonna Be A Storm: The Complete Recordings, 1966-1969," two days ago, and was struck by how many concise, tuneful gems they recorded.  Perhaps the best of the bunch: "She May Call You Up Tonight.")

WSIE 88.7 FM

• I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me-Charlie Parker (Parker's saxophone guides a rhythm section that sizzles.  I'd be curious to hear a violin carry this melody.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Happier-A Fine Frenzy (Alison Sudol sings a sad, realistic appraisal of a relationship that's falling apart.)

WFUN 95.5 FM

• A House Is Not A Home-Luther Vandross (A soaring, emotive rendition.  Dionne Warwick and Vandross sing two of the best versions, in my opinion.)

Online radio sampler highlights LXX

Five standouts heard today:

KBXR (Columbia, MO)

• It's A Shame-First Aid Kit (A strongly sung, unflinching look appreciating a relationship you have, before its expiration date.  I'm curious to hear the rest of the new release, "Ruins," due Friday.)

KVRX (Austin, TX)

• Walkman-Kasso (A cool funk instrumental that reminds me of Ray Parker, Jr.'s "For Those Who Like To Groove.")

WAER-HD2 (Syracuse, NY)

• Marseille-Ahmad Jamal (A beguiling, winding, mysterious piano-and-percussion piece.)

WXPN (Philadelphia, PA)

• Up All Night-Beck (I hear elements of Kam Franklin's "(No Place I'd) Rather Be" here, which strengthens my already favorable impression of this upbeat melody.)
• Tightrope-Janelle Monae (Whether you're tough, determined, both, or neither, this is good life advice.  Hearing Sarah Jarosz sing this with aplomb on NPR's "Live From Here With Chris Thile" made me hear it in a new light and appreciate it all the more.)

Dial back the rage!

In a radio station's 1994 poll of its listeners, one of the categories was "band that should die a horrible death."  Although I'm not a fan of the band the listeners chose, why was it necessary to phrase the category that way?  Why not phrase it as "most overrated band" or "least talented band?" Why the excessive venom?

In memory of Dolores O'Riordan

One of the musical highlights of my last semester at KCOU was playing multiple tracks from the debut CD by The Cranberries, "Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?"  In memory of the band's lead singer, Dolores O'Riordan, who passed away today, I consider these five of the group's most memorable songs:

• Dreams (O'Riordan's lyrics and vocals from 1993 still hold up.  This is still a great song for driving.)
• Just My Imagination-The Cranberries (One of the band's sunnier efforts, at least on the surface.)
• Linger (Still one of the band's most melodic songs, thanks to a delicate arrangement for strings and O'Riordan's vocals floating above it all.)
• Waltzing Back (When choosing music for a 2-6 a.m. shift on KCOU, I played this before a listener's request, Elvis Costello's "Alison."  I still like the way the haunting last note of "Waltzing Back" flows into the plaintive first note of "Alison.")
• Wanted (A brisk, honest look at the end of a relationship.)

Context? XXXVI

As I flipped past NPR's "Morning Edition" on KWMU today, I heard a nurse say, "I didn't go into nursing to try to save lives..."  As I started to switch stations, I thought, "Wait a minute.  I want to hear what she says next."  I turned back to KWMU and heard her say, "I went into nursing to provide care, a shoulder, a listening ear..."

Whew!  This was NPR, so I figured there probably wouldn't be a shocking twist or any callous follow-up statement, such as, "It pays better than my previous job," but when you hear something out of context...

OK to be a subtle announcer

There was one instructor in broadcasting school who typically spoke, even in a small room, as if he were projecting his voice to the back of a 10,000-seat auditorium.  Whenever he listened to my mock radio show tapes, he encouraged me to put more energy into my delivery.  Even when complimenting my tapes, there would be a qualifier.

"This is good, professional, and you'll probably be hired tomorrow," he once said.  "But it can't hurt to stretch and see what else you can do." 

I thought, "I'm sure that's well-intentioned advice, but that isn't me.  I don't typically speak with manic energy, nor would I seek work at a station where that's required."

At another session, he listened to one of my tapes and joked, "Did someone pass out the Valium?" I played that same tape for the next instructor, who said she liked it.  I told her, "(The previous instructor) thought it needed more energy."  "No," she replied.  "That's plenty of energy for me."

I felt vindicated.  I felt even more vindicated when that second instructor became a program director and hired me for her radio station. 

It's good to know that some listeners appreciate a subtle announcer.

Early '90s tech wizardry

It's strange for me to think now that there was ever a pre-Internet time.  I remember an early '90s moment at KCOU when the station had just gotten a new fax machine.  A few of us were talking about how convenient it would be to fax our weekly countdowns of the station's most played songs to CMJ (College Music Journal).  One KCOU executive admitted feeling like a kid on Christmas, wanting to stay up and play with the train set.  Today, that would be an unusual sentiment.  Then, however, when none of us were online, it wasn't.

Tough or determined?

Ever since hearing an interview with singer-songwriter Suzi Quatro, I've been thinking about a perceptive distinction she made.  She said there's a huge difference between being tough and being determined.  I think that's an admirable viewpoint for at least three reasons:

• It's brave.  It isn't easy to admit that rudeness and slights can wound you and make you sometimes take them to heart too much.
• It's accurate.  If you're tough, you can shrug off the slings and arrows that come your way.  If you're determined, you might have a harder time ignoring naysayers, but you might still achieve your goal through persistence.
• It's reassuring.  It's comforting to know that you don't always have to be the strongest person to succeed.  If you work hard and just keep at whatever you're doing, you can still have some measure of satisfaction and success.  

Sometimes, a motivational speech hits you when you aren't expecting it.  It's especially appropriate that this distinction came from Quatro, an entertainer in a field where the chances of success are typically slim; in such a pursuit, one has to be either tough or determined.  It's a relief to be reminded, though, that you don't necessarily have to have both of those qualities in equal measure.

FM dial scan highlights XCIII

Tuesday and Wednesday standouts:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Alone Again Or-Love (One of the most appealing, spirited odes to loneliness ever recorded and ideal for its era, the late '60s.  Calexico and UFO recorded strong covers of it.)
• You Get What You Deserve-Big Star (To me, the guitar part sounds like a more sobering version of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"  That hook induced me to play the tune on KCOU 25 years ago.  Although I'm generally more inclined to listen to "Back Of A Car," "In The Street," or "Watch The Sunrise," this tune holds up well.)
• Walk Between Raindrops-Donald Fagen (This song came to mind this afternoon thought, "This tune fits the atmosphere outside."  KDHX's Dr. Jeff must have had the same thought, as I heard it on the radio two hours later.  It's about as whimsical as any Fagen or Steely Dan song gets.  The cool shuffle of a keyboard rhythm makes the tune.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• God Bless The Child-Freddie Hubbard (A warm, expansive trumpet reading of a deservedly much-covered tune.)
• Country Preacher-Cannonball Adderley (Quiet keyboard underpinning makes this rendition, as well as Roy Buchanan's version, a winner.  The appreciative audience adds to the ambience, as it does on two of Adderley's other best tracks, "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" and "Walk Tall.")
• Constant Blue-Juliet Green (Green's alto voice carries this lament effectively; it would segue well with Al Jarreau's live version of "Save Your Love For Me.")
• Mona Lisa-Gregory Porter (Porter's rich voice is ideal for covering this heartfelt Nat King Cole standard.)

W279AQ 103.7 FM, a.k.a. KLOU-HD2

• Through The Fire-Chaka Khan (I was always glad to see "Through The Fire" come up on KNJZ's playlist, as I've always thought Khan sang it with appropriate commitment and devotion.)
  

Excessive tuning

If you play violin, viola, cello, or bass, you know it's customary to tune your instrument to an A note. When I was in high school, however, I once played for a conductor who wasn't content to leave it at that.  He tuned each section individually, string by string.  He then announced to the orchestra, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have just spent the last half-hour tuning.  We do not have that kind of time to spare."

I thought, "Everyone in this room was judged to be one of the best high school string players in the state.  Was the ensemble so horribly out of tune that this overly meticulous tuning was necessary, or are you just trying to establish who's in charge for the next four days?  If it's the latter option, the first 30 minutes of tonight's itinerary should have read, 'Feed the conductor's ego.'"

Only in college XXXIX

Related to today's post on my other blog, I remember one of the older DJs at a college station where I worked telling other DJs that a station meeting was "slated to begin" at a designated time.  At the time, I thought, "That's one difference between those of us in our twenties who have a lot less work experience and someone in his forties who has a lot more experience with work-related meetings.  I've never heard anyone in their twenties use the phrase, 'slated to begin.'"

Persistent earworm alert LXXXI

There must be at least a few of us who involuntarily think of an early '80s United States Postal Service PSA when dropping any mail into a mailbox.  For decades, sending any mail has made me start hearing, "Good news travels better in a letter with the right zip!"  That might explain why I check any zip code I write on an envelope at least twice.  That habit started early, as that PSA aired frequently during the Saturday morning cartoons I watched when I was in grade school.

I watched that PSA on YouTube this morning for the first time in at least 35 years.  I'd forgotten that Sammy Davis, Jr. and his father were in it, extolling the importance of using the right zip code.  It's a testament to the jingle's staying power that I've never forgotten that chorus, however.

Sometimes, the twain shall meet.

When a baseball strike is looming, you can simply report it as news, or you can convey the news more poetically, as WMRY's Leo Chears did on August 3, 1985.  As soft jazz played in the background, Chears said, "And the Redbird cap is a little bit tilted.  The Cardinals were losers this afternoon to the Phillies, now leading the East by a half-game and not knowing what comes after tomorrow.  Well, we all hope that baseball continues.  The modern sounds will continue, and we hope you stay right here on 101 FM."

Usually, there isn't much common ground between jazz and baseball, so it was refreshing to hear two different worlds cross paths, if only for a minute.

Glad to have supported this store

I've written previously about the irreverence of Mr. H., the proprietor of a former '90s Kirkwood music store, Backroads Music. Here's another example: In his May 1995 store newsletter, Mr. H. wrote this review: "Shedding their romantic notion of the inherent purity of revolutionary peasants has helped the venerable folkies Peter, Paul & Mary to put out their most accessible and least strident album since black and white TV.  Entitled 'Lifelines,' it is a fine blend of old and new."  I've read a lot of music reviews, and I can't imagine any other critic phrasing his candid yet positive assessment of a group or an album that way.  In this same newsletter, Mr. H. prefaced a list of recommended old-time country releases with "Obviously, there can't be too many new releases by mostly dead people, but there are some enticing new reissues..."

If those quirky reviews don't make you want to buy some music, I can't help you.

"Let's just say the next DJ is here."

I just noticed that on the back of one of my archived playlists, I wrote the name of the DJ due in after me.  Next to it, I'd written, "Melodic maven?  Melody master?"  I'm guessing I wanted to say something more creative that day than just, "So-and-so is up next..."  Looking back, though, I probably went with that conventional option.  Just as Jerry Seinfeld advised underselling a comedian's introduction, you don't want the person choosing music for four hours after you to be stuck with the pressure of having to be a melodic maven or melody master.

"Congratulations, but..."

After getting a supplementary job as a smooth jazz DJ in the '90s, a co-worker at my full-time job told me, "I feel defeated.  I've been looking for a radio job myself.  I'm not jealous so much of what you're doing as the fact that you're doing it."

I wasn't sure how to react, but I'm pretty sure I said something like, "Here's hoping you get that radio job you want soon."  I thought but didn't say, "I'll bet a lot of aspiring comedians have this kind of exchange."

A Christmas/New Year's Day bridge

Kudos to KDHX for playing Artisan's "The Wassail Bough" on Sunday.  If you're looking for a tune that covers Christmas and New Year's Day, this is it.  Essentially, it's an a cappella version of "Here We Come A-Wassailing" with the "new year" phrase repeated and emphasized.

Sylvia's day at the spa

During a semi-recent vet visit, the vet tech went two steps beyond the norm.  She offered my cat, Sylvia, some food and wrapped her in a warm towel.  I asked Sylvia after the appointment if they had played soothing new age music for her--perhaps something seasonal by George Winston or Enya.  Sylvia's answer was a meow, so I'm not sure if that was a yes or a no.  If they play requests, I'm thinking Shastro's "Stream Of Life" would be a relaxing choice for her.

I'm always glad to know that the animal hospital takes good care of her.