Six noteworthy selections heard today:
KXCI (Tucson, AZ)
- My Dream-79.5 (An impressive 2020 rendering of a Sunny & The Sunliners tune; if I hadn't known otherwise, I would have thought this was released the same year as the original version. The vocals and flute sound straight out of 1968.)
- How Could I-Thao & The Get Down Stay Down (The trance-like vocals on this 2020 track reeled me in.)
- Move On Up (Single Edit)-Curtis Mayfield (It wasn't as much of an adjustment as I thought it would be, hearing this tune at about one-third of its full length. The essence of the lyrics about determination and not giving up is still there.)
WFDU (Teaneck, NJ)
- Goodbye Cruel World-James Darren (I don't remember hearing this on oldies stations, so I was surprised to learn it was a big hit in 1961. Although it hurts in the moment, the circus sound effects convey that the protagonist knows, deep down, that the scars of his rejection will heal. To offer listeners some additional hope, radio stations should segue this with "You Baby" by The Turtles.)
- Hey, Leroy, Your Mama's Callin' You-The Jimmy Castor Bunch (A cool, jazzy slice of R&B that should have been a bigger hit in 1967 and could segue with George Benson's version of "Soul Limbo.")
WFMT (Chicago, IL)
- Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A major, "Italian": IV. Finale, Saltarello, Presto (Cleveland Orchestra/George Szell, conductor) (Have a tight deadline to meet? Let the strings and winds bring the drama for you. This is one piece--and one movement--that I wish I'd gotten to play on the double bass.)
