FM dial scan highlights CXXVI

Five noteworthy tunes heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• No, It Ain't My Fault-Olympia Brass Band (The midtempo oomph of Dirty Dozen Brass Band's "Open Up (Whatcha Gonna Do For The Rest Of Your Life?)" sounds compatible with this track.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Boplicity-Miles Davis (A "Birth Of The Cool" highlight; it's a pleasure to hear this early Miles track that has more of a big band feel than his later work.  Also recommended: "Godchild.")
• This I Dig Of You-Ptah Williams Trio (Cookin' synchronicity among the piano, bass, and drums.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Hand Over My Heart-The Secret Sisters (Some of the more endearing lyrics I've heard about the realization that we all have baggage--and that it doesn't have to crush our optimism.)

WFUN 95.5 FM

• Through The Fire-Chaka Khan (A powerfully sung ballad; I always looked forward to playing this when it came up on KNJZ's playlist.)

Thicker or thinner skin needed?

Considering all of the teaching that's being done online now, I'm trying to imagine an orchestra conductor in these situations admonishing the orchestra remotely.

Perhaps the pointed criticism would sting less because it isn't happening in person.  Then again, maybe it would sting more because, with people playing in separate locations, it would feel more personal.

Online radio sampler highlights CV

Seven highlights from recent days:

KPTZ (Port Townsend, WA)

• Barnyard Boogie-Louis Jordan & His Tympani Five (Why shouldn't farm animals have their own groove?  Jordan brings their clucks and moos to life.)
• Ain't Misbehavin'-Dinah Washington (Warm vocals and piano; I'm convinced that anyone who sings these sentiments this convincingly truly is saving her love for one special person.)
• Confess-The Mills Brothers (When you want to know how someone feels about you, this is one of the most tuneful, polite ways to ask.)

KVSF (Santa Fe, NM)

• That's My Kick-Erroll Garner (Out for a stroll?  This is your piano accompaniment.)
• Takin' Care-Hampton Hawes Quartet (Out for another stroll?  This is your piano accompaniment.)

WUMB (Boston, MA)

• Yellow Coat-Wendy MacIsaac & Mary Jane Lamond (An engaging reel for fiddle and guitar that grows more intense gradually.)
• Poor William-Barrule (I can imagine Nickel Creek covering this, with Chris Thile on vocals.)

All too apropos

Recently, I unearthed a recording of my previous cat, Sylvia, purring loudly.  While assembling a playlist, I pondered what song would sound best before it.  I chose a tender guitar instrumental by Muriel Anderson that underscored my warm memories of Sylvia and my sorrow about her loss.  The song's title still gives me shivers.  Nevertheless, I segued "It Never Gets Easier" with Sylvia's purring.

An odd way to calculate a raise

Stevie Wonder has sung about how it's foolish to "believe in things that you don't understand..." Usually, this is true.  I know a former radio DJ who benefited from a manager's superstitious belief, however.  The DJ's pay was raised to $14.00 per hour.  His manager said, "It would have been 13 dollars an hour, but I didn't want to give you that because it's an unlucky number."

That's quirky, to say the least, but if I were on the receiving end, I wouldn't have argued.

Seeking tempo clarity

As multiple sources have recommended, I've been singing "Happy Birthday To You" at least twice while washing my hands.  To clarify, I've been singing it in my mind; I don't sing it out loud due to my limited singing range.  I realized today, however, that the last time I sang it twice, I sang it half as fast as I'd sung it previously.

To a lot of people, it might be extreme to start a metronome ticking whenever you wash your hands, but when it comes to the life-and-death matter of coronavirus, you can't be too careful.  In these unnerving times, it's best to err on the side of a slower tempo.

Dancing around potential coronavirus carriers

While shopping at two grocery stores today, I was impressed with the improvisational dance routines multiple shoppers did as a form of social distancing.  I include myself among that group; at one store, to avoid being too close to others, I approached certain aisles in the most circuitous ways. I'll admit that choreography isn't one of my strong suits or even one of my interests...

...Avoiding someone who could give you a life-threatening disease, or to whom you could give such a disease, is a powerful motivator to dance when necessary, however.

Staying in one place

With a stay-at-home order in effect in St. Louis, the lyrics of my favorite Everything But The Girl song, "One Place," have added resonance.  Do I feel, as Tracey Thorn sings, "happy and fulfilled, here in one place?"

Well, yes.  That's the best way to think right now.

Music for chewed feet

One quirk I've had to accept about my new cat, Collette, is her propensity for biting my feet.  Although it's irksome, I've come up with a coping mechanism. I've amused myself by singing to the tune of Paul McCartney's "Young Boy," "She's just a young cat, looking for a foot to gnaw on..."

Staying away, despite sung invitations

I wonder if the gas station's music service chose the Seals & Crofts tune, "Get Closer," ironically today.  My reaction upon hearing it today was, "No!  Not right now...Social distancing!"

I reacted similarly to hearing "I'll Come Over" by The Kennedys.  It's one of the duo's warmest songs, and Maura Kennedy sings it beautifully.  Right now, though, no!  Don't come over.  Call or email instead.

Alas, this is our current Covid-19 reality.

In memory of Kenny Rogers

In honor of Kenny Rogers, who passed away Friday, here are five tracks I'd consider among his best:

• Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) (The First Edition) (Based on his first hit with The First Edition in 1968, I don't think any listener could have predicted Rogers would take a different direction and score such country crossover hits as "Lady," "Love Will Turn You Around," and "You Decorated My Life."  If you've never heard Rogers sing like a psychedelic album rocker, this will surprise you.)
• Kids (This sentimental Christmas tune about how the holiday makes us feel young again has grown on me over time.)
• Tell It All Brother (Kenny Rogers & The First Edition) (The idealism in these lyrics is pure 1970.  Listening to it again, I wonder if Troubadours Of Divine Bliss had this song in mind, or at least in the back of their minds, when they wrote "Fortune Teller."  Both songs convey comparable messages about using your powers for good instead of evil.)
• Through The Years (It's no accident that, for years, so many listeners requested this for their significant others as a Long Distance Dedication on "American Top 40.")
• What Are We Doin' In Love? (with Dottie West) (An honest description of the thornier parts of a relationship as "a mess like this.")

Persistent earworm alert CLXXX

"Friday Night, Saturday Morning" by The Specials has run through my mind frequently in recent days.  For the many people in mandatory or voluntary quarantine right now, the notion of leaving home on Friday night and returning home on Saturday morning must sound like a distant luxury. 

Here's hoping everyone's time in quarantine passes quickly and that those in the know will smile upon hearing the not easily forgotten chorus of this Specials tune.

A sad sign of the times

During this pandemic, I suspect there will be many more program and radio station underwriting announcements like one I heard this morning: "Support for (this program) is provided by (a music school and studio), where all classes and performances have been cancelled indefinitely."

Context? LXXIII

"It'd be easier to list the restaurants that still have eat-in service," a radio talk show host said today.  Unfortunately, for a great many people, that's part of our new pandemic reality.  A co-host was going to list area restaurants that are closed--and it was expected to take quite a while.

That Celtic sense of rhythm

I was pleased to see my cat Collette's intuitive sense of rhythm on display again recently.  Not just any cat cleans herself in time to Altan's "Tommy Peoples/The Windmill/Fintan McManus's Reels." 

I'm glad she and I share that innate Irish spirit.

Betting on humanity?

"All For The Best" is one of many memorable musical numbers in the movie, "Godspell."  In the song, Jesus and Judas do a soft shoe routine while reminding those who aren't well off that things will be better for them in Heaven.

I've thought about those lyrics a lot in recent days.  Despite news reports to the contrary, I'd like to believe that the coronavirus will subside very soon.  Right now, however, the future looks murky, at best.  I've seen videos and read reports of empty store shelves and fights breaking out.  Although I've seen some empty shelves over the last few days, everyone I've encountered in stores lately has been respectful and practiced social distancing.  I want to believe this civility will continue.  I'd like to think that everyone would have enough of an "All For The Best" perspective to prevent them from becoming unhinged when a store runs out of toilet paper or hand sanitizer.  As a nation, however, we're not used to being tested this way.  "All For The Best" is a long view perspective.  That's comforting in the long run, but less comforting when you're at the mercy of a store's supplier and your fellow citizens to do what they're supposed to do during a pandemic.

Here's hoping "All For The Best" keeps our more savage emotions in check--and that we all stay healthy, civil, and sane.

Context? LXXII

I was only half-listening to a AM radio commercial break last night until I heard a promo asking listeners to "listen to our new travel show."

Unfortunate timing there, in the midst of a pandemic...

Making the best of it

With all of the recent concert and event cancellations, there's an opportunity for easy listening and smooth jazz radio stations to say, "You've had us on in the background.  Now, keep us on in the foreground."

Here's hoping everyone is enjoying the music at home--and staying safe.

The "wrong" tempo

For years, I was used to hearing the studio version of Steely Dan's "Bodhisattva."  Then, after listening to the concert recording from Santa Monica, I got used to hearing it at a faster tempo.  Now, when listening to the studio version, I sometimes think, "Why are they playing this at the wrong tempo?"  Then, I remind myself, "It's not the wrong tempo.  It's the original tempo, and it's their song.  It makes sense that they'd play it faster in concert; it's a sound way of getting the evening off to a great start."

There's a good reminder about not getting too wedded to a particular version of a song.

FM dial scan highlights CXXV

Six highlights from recent days:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Starry Eyes-The Records (Songs about severing times with someone are rarely this catchy.  This is a perfectly put-together song, from the forthright lyrics to the infectious power pop guitar part.  This was one of my favorite tunes to play on KCOU.)
• Full Moon Turn My Head Around-Off Broadway (Liberating riffs like these are why people aspire to become rock stars.  Every part here--vocals, guitar, bass, and drums--is essential for the tune's feel.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Darben The Redd Foxx-Dizzy Gillespie & Friends (One of Gillespie's friends was the great flutist, James Moody.  If you've seen "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," recall the scene where Snoopy blows a leaf on top of the leaf pile while Charlie Brown rakes the yard; that'll give you a good approximation of the tune's intro.  Moody carries the melody of his composition through its gentle intro and more powerful moments.)
• Lucy's-Mindi Abair (The deliberately muffled, minimalist vocals complement Abair's saxophone perfectly in this midetmpo smooth jazz standout.)

WFUN 95.5 FM

• Shame-Evelyn "Champagne" King (I'd forgotten King was just 18 when she had a hit with this.  She sings here with the confidence of someone decades older; the saxophone and rhythm players are on board with the groove throughout, making this one of 1978's bigger hits.)

K297BI 107.3 FM, a.k.a. KNOU-HD2 

• Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Guitar Concerto No. 1 in D major (London Mozart Players/Andrew Litton, conductor; Nicola Hall, guitar) (The orchestra and Hall capture the piece's turbulent, foreboding passages and romantic, lyrical passages with equal grace.)

Remembering everything, except...

I remember one of my high school jazz band's concerts in one of the gyms senior year.  I remember the audience responding to the music in a way none of our other audiences had.  I remember many students clapping along in rhythm. 

What I don't remember is the song that elicited that reaction.  I remember it was uptempo. 

"C Jam Blues?"
Probably not.  That's a great jazz standard, but I don't think it was that one.

"Jumpin' At The Woodside?"
Although it would have been impressive to hear so many people react so positively to that tune, I think we actually played it the year before--and possibly just in rehearsals.

"Pressure Cooker?"
Possibly...As much as I enjoyed the bionic shifting and fast, continuous playing that tune required from me as a bass player, I'm not sure this was it, though.

This is driving me crazy.  If I remember the tune, I'll write an updated post.

When a song transcends its speakers...

As long as I can hear the music, I'm not particular about the system on which it's played.  I can understand why an audiophile might want to hear The Firm's 1985 hit, "Radioactive," through expensive speakers, however.  Considering how critical the guitar, bass, and drums are to the tune's feel, it wouldn't surprise me if the right speakers have blown certain listeners across the room.  Put the vocals of Bad Company and Free alum Paul Rodgers on top of an explosive rhythm section, and you have to try not to be blown back.

However, with bass-heavy, cover-the-whole-room '80s production values, maybe top-of-the-line speakers aren't essential; through its sheer force of will, "Radioactive" might still send you flying across a room--or a car, at least.

Online radio sampler highlights CIV

Consider this a throwback Monday.  My five recommended songs heard today were released between 1971 and 2003:

WAVV (Naples Park, FL)

• Always And Forever-Heatwave (Although I don't often seek this song out, I'll usually let at least one verse play when it comes on the radio.  With soulful vocals this smooth, I have to respect the song's deserved staying power.  I feel similarly about Peaches & Herb's "Reunited.")
• It's Too Late-Carole King (Some of the most realistic lyrics about a relationship's end, played and sung with King's customary sincerity.  This is one of King's more melancholy hits, but it, along with all of her other "Tapestry" album standouts, never wears out its welcome.  As varied and obscure as much of my musical taste is, it's sometimes a breath of fresh air to listen to a '70s-rooted soft adult contemporary station; sometimes, it's a pleasure to listen to a long stretch of well-crafted oldies, knowing that you have--and like--almost every song.  Soft rock stations were plentiful in St. Louis in the '80s and early '90s; that's not the case now, however.) 

WCBY (Cheboygan, MI)

• The Bluest Eyes In Texas-Restless Heart (This 1988 track holds up, with its relatable lyrics and country crossover appeal...)
• Suspicions-Eddie Rabbitt (...Ditto for this underplayed 1979 hit.  It's one of Rabbitt's subtler, sleepier--in a positive sense--tunes.  I've almost never heard it on the radio, outside of "American Top 40.")

WIFY (Addison, VT)

• Everybody's Changing-Keane (Some of the stronger lyrics I've heard about how difficult it is to grapple with life's slings and arrows.  Also recommended: Lily Allen's cover version.)

Not too much to ask

Recently, in the middle of the night, a DJ announced he was going to play some local tunes.  If any of his plays were the first spins those songs had gotten on-air, I hope the musicians were up to hear their music played for the first time on the radio.  I hope they allowed themselves to dream big and think, "This could be the start of something.  Years from now, we'll look back on this day."

The odds are slim for bands making it big, so I hope musicians who have the talent and determination allow themselves to at least dream big.

A function of age

As I walked into a grocery store this morning, someone behind me was whistling a tune.  Twenty-five years ago, my reaction would have been, "That's cool.  I don't whistle as much as I should.  I wonder what song that is."  Today, my unspoken reaction was, "That's weird.  I don't usually hear people whistle like that.  Did this person just escape from an asylum?"

Perhaps I'm not giving people the benefit of the doubt as often as I should.

Online radio sampler highlights CIII

Seven ear-catching selections heard today:

KCSM (San Mateo, CA)

• O Cantador (Live At Montreux)-Flora Purim (Brazilian vocals and keyboard fir for a cinematic dream sequence.)
• Cape Verdean Blues-Stefon Harris & Blackout (The percolating Latin jazz feel in the keyboard and all other instruments could segue with any number of Chucho Valdes tunes.)
• Helpless-Fareed Haque (A strong guitar cover of the Neil Young-penned Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tune.)

KHFM (Santa Fe, NM)

• Friedrich Kuhlau: Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 32: I. Allegro (New Budapest Quartet; Ilona Prunyi, piano) (Somber yet sweet; the movement's dolce quality is heard largely from the violin.)

KPOA (Maui, HI)

• E Hele Pohaku-Lono (Laid-back folky vocals and guitar.)

KZUM (Lincoln, NE)

• Light From A Distant Shore-Hollie Smith (Moving Celtic-style vocals and instrumentation; I would never have guessed Smith was just 16 when she recorded this.)

WROU (Dayton, OH)

• I Can't Stop Loving You-Kem (These heartfelt R&B vocals wouldn't be out of place on a smooth jazz station.)

Misguided first impressions

As a kid, I saw a 45 by Fat Larry's Band, called "We Just Can't Get It Together."  Mistakenly, I thought it would be a raucous free-for-all in which everyone was deliberately playing out of tune and out of time.

That's not the case.  Instead, the song is a pleasant, slow R&B jam about a relationship that isn't working.  I was glad I actually listened to the song and didn't let my first impression stand.  Years later, I learned the same lessons with 10,000 Maniacs and Cowboy Junkies.

Sometimes, you really can't judge a song by its song title or band name.

Everything's-going-right music

Listening to Noel Paul Stookey's "Paul And" album tonight, I'm reminded not only of the beauty of his hit, "Wedding Song (There Is Love)," but of the appealing, laid-back vibe of a more obscure tune.  "Ju Les Ver Negre En Cheese" has an of-its-time (1971) feel in the best way; the vocals float over the tune unobtrusively while the guitar part makes me think Joni Mitchell is about to sing.

Cars with the tops down usually annoy me, but I couldn't fault anyone driving with this music drifting from their car.  In fact, a segue with the right Brazilian tune should be encouraged.

Context? LXXI

Yesterday, I heard an announcer say, "They want to be kept busy.  They want to have lots of stuff to do."

I assume he was referring to the volunteers answering phones during a radio station's pledge drive. Presumably, if the volunteers care enough about the station's future to answer phones for free, that's probably true.

Then again...

A linguistic irritant XIX

It irks me slightly when I read a critic's review about a band's "eponymous" album, such as The Band's album, "The Band."  Eponymous sounds like a mammal you might see at the zoo.  Call a self-titled album a self-titled album.

Thank you.

Narrowcasting, sort of...

While watching David Byrne and his band's performance of "Toe Jam" on last night's "Saturday Night Live," did anyone other than me think, "This was a missed lip-synch opportunity for Craig Ferguson, his staff, and his puppets on 'The Late Late Show,' circa 2009?"