When I was asked to fill in for this shift, I thought, "Hmmm...Just two hours instead of the three or four hours that make up most other general air shifts. I'd better make them count by choosing the most diverse array of music I can round up." I was mostly pleased with the way these two hours turned out. Here was my playlist:
1. Toast And Jelly-Poi Dog Pondering
(What better way to start a morning radio shift than with rousing Let's-get-up-and-have-breakfast lyrics...?)
2. When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What's Still Around-The Police
(...On the other hand, let's not get too carried away with our optimism.)
3. Short Memories-Graham Parker
(The uplifting guitar provides an interesting counterpoint to these grim lyrics about the consequences of war.)
4. One Place-Everything But The Girl
(Tracey Thorn sings thoughtful musings about what it might be like to settle down in one locale instead of living a touring musician's city-to-city life. This is still one of my favorite songs.)
5. What's The Matter Here?-10,000 Maniacs
(Thematically, these lyrics would have segued well with Graham Parker's "Short Memories." Natalie Merchant has always had a knack for being the listener's conscience.)
6. Abraham, Martin, And John-Dion
(Lyrically, this oldie illustrates how one person can be a force for good
and how such a hole is left when that person is no longer around. If ever there were a time for this reminder...)
7. Blues For The Chosen Few-Roger Manning
(Just try getting the guitar part out of your mind once you hear this. After playing the KCOU promo with Manning's voice in it, I thought, "Why not play the whole song for once?" This is DIY indie folk, with just Manning's voice and a guitar.)
8. Trying-J.C. Hopkins
9. Kid Fears-Indigo Girls
10. Sanctuary-The Chills
11. Misery (Someone Is Winning)-Scrawl
12. Pearl-Throwing Muses
13. Stay-Cubic Feet
(An early '90s track with a synthesized 1984 feel. I segued it on a mix CD once with Heaven 17's "Who'll Stop The Rain?")
14. Never-The Meanies
15. Got My Mojo Working (Parts 1&2)-Muddy Waters
16. Blues City Shake Down-John Mayall
(Cool wailing harmonica from 1965.)
17. Wake Up-The Meditations
(If I'd thought of this reggae track earlier, I might have eased listeners into my two on-air hours with it at 9 a.m.)
18. Ban The Car-Greenhouse
19. Absolute Zero-Dead, White & Blue
20. Nighttrain-Public Enemy
21. We Will Rock You-Grandmaster Flash
(A rap track that uses the Queen song as its springboard.)
22. Raise Your Hand-Eddie Floyd
(Like the feel of "Knock On Wood?" This will likely appeal to you, as well.)
23. Mame-Louis Armstrong
(I hadn't sought this out but was surprised to see it in the recurrent 45s category. At our first staff meeting of the school years, Roberta, the program director, reminded us all to consider the time of day when choosing our music; in other words, don't hit listeners over the head with pounding hard rock first thing in the morning. She said she'd tuned in while I was playing this and liked that I'd chosen morning-appropriate songs such as this.)
24. Samba De Be-Bop-Phil Woods Quintet
(I thought this was a good way to add some spice to a listener's morning; this is the musical equivalent of cooking chili. Woods takes on fast alto sax runs, and the rest of his ensemble helps the tune simmer.)
25. Manchester England-"Hair" soundtrack
(After watching the movie, this is almost certain to become one of many persistent earworms for most listeners.)
26. Werewolves Of London-Warren Zevon
(Admittedly, this is a forced segue between England and London, but who's hurt by it?)
27. Every Little Thing-T Bone Burnett
(Rhythmically, this would have made for a sobering segue after "Manchester England.")
28. Full Moon-Dalton Reed
29. Confide In Me-Spankin' Rufus
