Card for a prodigy?

Does a greeting card exist that congratulates a prodigy composer?  If not, such a card should exist.  Who doesn't want to be told, at any age, "Congratulations on your first concerto?"  Surely, there's a niche market for that.

An overlooked cover tune XLVII

I have yet to hear any radio station play it, possibly because it's over 10 minutes long.  Dennis Coffey's live rendition of a great Temptations tune, "Just My Imagination," deserves the airplay, though; it goes down easily and would fit into a smooth jazz station's playlist.  Also recommended: His versions of the standard, "Moonlight In Vermont," David Sanborn's "Chicago Song," and the Miles Davis classic, "All Blues."

As much as I like Coffey's raucous '70s hit, "Taurus," all of these covers are just as worthy of airplay.

The easiest and hardest feature to write

Of all the recurring features on this blog, the persistent earworm alerts are the easiest--and hardest--to write.  Half the battle is won just by writing, "This song has been running through my mind."  Elaborating on why the song is lodged so firmly in my brain or why the song is compelling or grating is the challenging part, however.  It's not enough to say, "Wow, this song is on my mind.  I wonder why."

Credit for ballpark accuracy

I listened to a radio program once.  How could I not have, when an announcer said it would elicit "giggles and guffaws?"  While I didn't giggle or guffaw, I did chortle a bit.

I suppose that's close enough.

Promoting courtesy: A shot in the dark

I wonder if any call center has ever used the chorus of Todd Rundgren's "Be Nice To Me" as its on-hold music.  If it calms down even one rude caller, it's worth a try.

A not-subject-to-debate truism

Sometimes, you know a song has the right attitude just from its title.  Before I'd even heard it, I knew I'd like John Denver's "Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone.)"  If that isn't universally applicable to everyone's life, what would be?

Online radio sampler highlights XCV

Eight noteworthy selections heard today:

KAPY (Duvall, WA)

• When The Morning Comes-Daryl Hall & John Oates (When things aren't quite clicking within a couple, it's sometimes healthy to assume an optimistic yet realistic outlook.  Considering Hall's impressive multi-octave vocals, the tune's accessible lyrics, and its memorable melody, it's surprising this wasn't a hit.  This is some of the duo's best work.)

KCSN (Los Angeles, CA)

• Hey Brother (Do Unto Others)-The Family Daptone (It's a tribute to all of the artists featured here that this sounds like a lost oldie from the early '70s.)

KUVO (Denver, CO)

• Blues For Stitt-Bill Easley (A fine tribute to Sonny Stitt, thanks to Easley's warm tenor saxophone tone and the tune's bop feel.)
• Goin' Back To New Orleans-Dr. John (No one can replicate Dr. John's unique mix of grit and authenticity as a vocalist.  Songs like this remind me of what the music world lost on June 6 after Dr. John's passing and on July 22, when Art Neville, the keyboardist featured here, as well as a Neville Brothers member and co-founder of The Meters, passed away.)

KWAX (Eugene, OR)

• Alexander Borodin: String Quartet No. 2 in D major, IV. Finale: Andante--Vivace (Cleveland Quartet)  (Compelling alternation between dark, foreboding passages and joyous, spirited ones.  Cleverly, the violins ask questions musically, and the viola and cello answer them.  At a certain point, however, the tables turn, and they switch roles.)

WUMB (Boston, MA)

• I'd Run Away-The Jayhawks (I'm perplexed that I've been writing this blog for nearly five years, yet haven't thought to cite this song.  The song's swirling intro catches the ear immediately, and the tune's well-considered, sensitive lyrics live up to its promise.  In my view, "I'd Run Away" is as strong as "Blue" and the cover of Grand Funk's "Bad Time," two other standouts from the album, "Tomorrow The Green Grass.")
• Caught By The Rain-Sarah Borges (Borges, as usual, sings this with resolve and confidence; this is especially impressive here, considering the lyrics detail a situation that isn't confidence-inducing.  I'd be curious to hear Susan Tedeschi cover this.)
• Wayfaring Stranger-Rhiannon Giddens (Giddens has the perfect voice for this well-covered folk tune.  Her soaring vocals highlight the tension and resolve inherent in the lyrics.)

The appeal of a limited edition

Rationally, there's no reason why a limited edition 45 should appeal to me more than a standard issue record.  After all, it's the same song, regardless of how it's pressed.  Still, I'll admit that I feel a slightly greater sense of satisfaction when I play "You Move Me Like A Slug" by The Boorays on the turntable and see that it's record #229 out of 500 pressed in the original run.  Admittedly, there's a smidgen of snob appeal for me there.

The aquamarine vinyl doesn't hurt, either.

Persistent earworm alert CXLV

The Liberty Mutual jingle is even more pervasive than I thought.  A little while ago, I picked up my cat, Sylvia, and sang, "Sylvia, Sylvia, Syl-vi-a, Syl-vi-a."

To Sylvia's credit, she didn't try to sell me insurance.

Persistent earworm alert CXLIV

It's happening again.  As I ponder what to write, I'm thinking, "Liberty, liberty, lib-er-ty, lib-er-ty."

Other insurance companies, take note: Liberty Mutual pulled off the trick of being memorable in its jingle without being irritating.

When faced with a tight deadline...

...does any music reviewer ever write, "Look, it's (insert name of well-known artist.)  You already know this person's reputation.  Did you like his (or her) previous work?  Well, this isn't substantially different, so you know this new release is a safe choice.  Just buy it.  Go on.  Buy it!?"

Conquering the moon

Tonight, after reading about the moon walk of 50 years ago, I understand the exclamation point in the band name We Landed on the Moon! more than ever.  Out of respect for Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, however, I prefer to think of the band as They Landed on the Moon!

I'm going to contradict what I just said, however, in mentioning that I listened to Erin Bode's "The Moon Is Ours Tonight."  It's a fitting tribute to everyone who had a hand in making the Apollo 11 moon walk happen 50 years ago today.

Context? LIX

During the '80s, I once heard a station start off a music sweep with its peppy jingle.  Instead of hearing a song after the station's sung call letters, however, there was a prerecorded woman's voice saying, "Ow!"  Then, there were several seconds of silence, followed by a song.

After a few seconds, I pieced together what happened.  Instead of starting a song, the DJ accidentally segued the jingle with the beginning of an aspirin commercial.  The woman's "Ow!" was supposed to indicate the pain of a headache. 

I would have been impressed if the DJ had salvaged the situation by saying, "Contrary to what you just heard, playing the hits is never painful on (station's call letters...)"

Persistent earworm alert CXLIII

Passing a display of chocolate bars in a grocery store this morning triggered my memory of a Smothers Brothers song, "Chocolate."  I've been thinking about it ever since.  If you haven't heard the routine, it's about someone falling in a vat of chocolate.  The person's reaction is more logical than it seems, on the surface.  It's a satisfying payoff to a joke that's structured in a way comedy routines usually aren't today.

Online radio sampler highlights XCIV

Five late night standouts:

KUNV (Las Vegas, NV)

• September-Earth, Wind & Fire  (Possibly the group's most infectious hit, with excellent use of horns, powerful vocals, and a great sing-along chorus.  It's one of the most upbeat songs about nostalgia ever recorded.)

WAER-HD2 (Syracuse, NY)

• Soul Caravan-The Crusaders (Larry Carlton shines on electric guitar in one of many stellar grooves from the "Chain Reaction" album.) 
• Compton Strut (Live)-Dynamo (I hear a definite Crusaders influence in this refreshing breeze of a tune; there's excellent synergy between the piano and horns in this uptempo number.  One of the best compliments I can give a song is that I'm scheming to find a place for it in my favorite songs of 2019 countdown--even though it was released five years ago.)

WYCE (Grand Rapids, MI)

• Singer's No Star-Waxahatchee (Vocally and instrumentally, this is an ideal middle-of-the-night track for a freeform college station; Aimee Mann's "Wise Up" would work on either side of it.)
• True Blue-Calvin Owens (This is ideal walk-on music for a respected blues artist; the horn arrangement sounds like it should have an emcee announcing over it, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an evening of no-holds-barred trumpet sounds from Calvin Owens!")

Context? LVIII

Heard in the late '80s on a Chicago soft rock station: "A free concert will take place tonight at (such-and-such) Park.  For more information, call us."

Granted, when a concert is free, complaints should be kept to a minimum.  Still, shouldn't the DJ announce the name of the artist performing and when the concert starts?

"I'm kind, I'm telling you!"

During an orchestra rehearsal in which I played, the conductor told the ensemble sternly, "Do not mistake my kindness for weakness."

I suspect we all thought, "Considering the tone you just used, no one is thinking of you as especially kind--or weak."

"Most likely, it won't rain, but..."

Heard in a news-talk station's air check from the '70s: "Chances of measurable precipitation are just five percent today..."

I think that's the only time I've ever heard an announcer mention a five percent chance of rain.  The thoroughness and consideration for the listener there impresses me.  It's a good way of saying, "It probably won't rain, but there's still a slim chance of it."

I can't remember the last time, however, that I heard any radio announcer mention a chance of rain below 20 percent.

A smart, even-handed response

What should a talk show host say when a listener asks on-air, "Why aren't you on the air more often?"

It's wise to respond, as one host did, "That's management's decision.  It's a taste issue."

The host responded evenly, without rancor.  For job security, that's a smart move.

A one-day cacophony

At one point today, there were construction workers doing chimney, soffit, and fascia repairs on my condo building, sewer workers cleaning up a basement drain backup, and tree service workers clearing out branches so they wouldn't drag electrical lines down.  It's great to have all that necessary work done.

With all the racket that work caused at once, however, I missed an opportunity to practice the trumpet.  I don't play the trumpet, but with all of the other commotion, I doubt my attempting to learn it would have disturbed anyone.

Persistent earworm alert CXLII

That's it!  The mystery is solved.  While feeling ill tonight, I've had an incomplete jingle in my mind.  At first, I thought it might be for Pepto-Bismol.  Actually, however, it's for Alka-Seltzer.  I've been thinking, "What's the jingle that goes, 'Something, something to the rescue?"  Now, I remember.  It's "Alka-Seltzer to the rescue," and that jingle is from the '80s.

I'm still taking Pepto-Bismol, however, because time is of the essence, and that's what I have.

Fit for a coronation

Whenever I hear Chicago's "Questions 67 And 68," I expect someone to roll out a red carpet and an emperor to appear.  The song's regal intro skillfully intertwines horns and electric guitar in a way you don't ordinarily hear.  Even if the song isn't to your taste, I don't see how anyone couldn't respect the musicianship on display.

Let the royal procession begin.

Persistent earworm alert CXLI

Ever since watching this season's finale of "The Amazing Race," I've been reminded of what a powerful anthem The White Stripes crafted in "Seven Nation Army."  Lyrically, it's a clever way of conveying, "Maybe vengeance isn't advisable here, but it's justified."

A warped ponderable

Has anyone, during a court case or just in an attempt to convey dry humor, ever said, "In reference to the aforementioned funky wah-wah...?"

Liking the music I like, without apologies

In the mid '90s, I bought a Kenny Loggins album from one of the area's hipper record stores.  While the clerk was ringing it up, I felt silently judged--which made me feel proudly defiant.

Just background music?

On more than one occasion, I've lamented a radio station that changed formats, only to receive the reply, "What were they before?"

Sometimes, a casual radio listener brings a radio enthusiast back to Earth.

Only in college LXVIII

After playing in a concert, the other bassists and I took our basses back to the storage room.  I said to another bassist, "I couldn't really hear you from where I was on stage, but good job, presumably."  The bassist responded in kind, "Thank you.  You were not entirely inadequate yourself."

There's nothing like a sincere compliment to lift one's spirits.

Not an either-or scenario

It's refreshing to have heard Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" more than ever on various radio stations in its entirety and as bumper music over the last two days.  In fractured times, it's wise to remember that "this land was made for you and me," not "you or me."

Happy Independence Day day to everyone who celebrates it.

Context? LVII

I heard the host of a national news/talk show today say he was about to interview a reporter who will be "covering the skeptical" of the president's July 4 event at the National Mall.  He clarified that he meant to say "spectacle" instead "skeptical" and admitted that he was skeptical about the event.

To anyone who has been paying attention since January 20, 2017, both words should ring true.

Close but not quite there pitch

It's puzzling how you can listen to a tune 50 times and still hear something new.  Today, in listening to an instrumental rendition of "Battle Hymn Of The Republic," my ears detected something.  I listened more closely and realized the piano was slightly sharp.

As long as his, i.e. God's, truth is marching on, however, I suppose there's no harm in the piano being slightly off-key.  I just won't be able to listen to that rendition in quite the same way.

Going through channels

This was the most contradictory response I received from a DJ when calling the request line: "I'll run it by committee, and we'll see if we can get that on for you right quick."

"Really?" I thought.  "There's going to be a hastily assembled conference of the heads of state to determine if you can play 'Dust In The Wind' by Kansas?  This station sure takes its music rotation seriously."

The DJ didn't play my request.  At least, I knew the decision wasn't made lightly.