Blending the past and present

2009: Sylvia, possibly singing along with a favorite Christmas carol.

June 30 is an important day in my family's history with cats.  On June 30, 2001, the cat duo of Rosie and Sammy joined the family.  Both of them gave us many years of warmth, entertainment, and happiness.

On June 30, 2008, I adopted Sylvia, pictured above.  She gave me over 11 years of loud purrs, welcoming meows, and many hours of companionship as I listened to music.  I'm about to listen to the latest Sara Watkins CD, "Under The Pepper Tree."  I know if Sylvia were here, she'd be curled up on me or beside me, enjoying sensitively sung versions of "Pure Imagination," "Moon River," and "Blue Shadows On The Trail."

Today, however, rain is pouring down, and my current cat, Collette, is creeping around with her tail down.  I'm going to listen to Watkins sing shortly and hope that it will comfort all of us as I reminisce about the wonderful past my family and I had with Sylvia, Rosie, and Sammy--and reassure my cat, Collette, in the present day.

FM dial scan highlights CLIX

Seven noteworthy selections heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Kentucky Blues-Shotgun Jazz Band (An impressive Dixieland-style instrumental; it sounds like Leon Redbone should be singing over it.)
• Hol' Em Joe (Donkey Want Water)-The Sparrow (Rhythmically, this could segue with Harry Belafonte's "Jump In The Line.")
• Don't Knock-The Staple Singers (I imagine Heaven being this welcoming.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Higher Love-Chris Blackwell (This is exactly how I'd expect a smooth jazz, electric guitar cover of Steve Winwood's hit to sound.  That's not to its detriment.)
• Dear Rudy-Terell Stafford (Sublime traditional jazz trumpet.)
• Black And Gold-Brenna Whitaker (Powerful torch-style vocals.) 

K297BI 107.3 FM, a.k.a. WFUN-HD2

• Leroy Anderson: Jazz Pizzicato (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin, conductor) (An approximation of how Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer" would sound, played by strings.)

A grade school memory: A nod to rural life II

Another memory about "Life Is Just Fine On The Farm," which one of my grade school vocal music classes sang:  In one lyric, the city dweller-turned-farmer muses about how he "used to love the city and my cozy two-by-four."

The teacher, Mrs. S., asked the class, "What's a two-by-four?"  Not being well-versed in real estate, no one guessed correctly.

Mrs. S. left us to wonder.

Only in college LXXXVII

I shouldn't have procrastinated.  I hadn't intended to wait until the morning the assignment was due to choose a song and create stills from newspaper and magazine photos for a music video.  As the deadline neared, however, I had a revelation.  I thought, "Why not use Device's song, 'What Is Sadness?'  The lyrics are broad enough.  I should be able to find lots of sad images from my sources on short notice..."

...And I did.  I pulled the project together, got to class in the nick of time, and earned an A.  As a bonus, the song went over well with the class.  I saw students getting into the tune's beat while filming the video, and two of them quoted the lyrics during and after class, "So, tell me, what is sadness?"

Although I still wish I'd chosen a more uplifting subject, I can't complain about the results of my last-minute efforts.

Sparking a forgotten earworm memory II

I've written previously about how singing "Elvira" by The Oak Ridge Boys in sixth grade chorus class amused me.  It would have been even more cringe-inducing, however, if Zoom had existed back then, and we'd all had to sing it individually from our own homes.  

When your singing voice is average, at best, it's reassuring to have many other mediocre singers nearby in class--especially when warbling lyrics you'd never sing otherwise.

An overlooked cover tune XC

It's understandable to want to find quick, effective solutions to problems life throws your way.  Thus, I understand why The Weepies sped up the tempo on their cover of Tom Petty's "Learning To Fly."  The faster pace suggests an urgency and an appropriate impatience toward getting past obstacles.

Online radio sampler highlights CXXXVI

Six of the better tunes I've heard today:

KNWT (Cody, WY)

• Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)-Van Morrison (An unusual track for Morrison, as its appeal is largely in its feel instead of its lyrics.  He replicated some of this tune's upbeat, catchy flavor on "Joyous Sound.")
• Cat Man Do-Brigitte DeMeyer (A cool romping gallop in the piano and guitar underscores DeMeyer's vocals on this track, released in January.  Also recommended: "All The Blue," in which DeMeyer's voice brings Rickie Lee Jones to mind.)

WAJH (Birmingham, AL)

• Driving-Everything But The Girl (Some of Tracey Thorn's most moving vocals; the acoustic version is just as strong.)
• Bye-Ya-Mark Winkler featuring Paquito D'Rivera (A contemporary yet old school groove for piano, clarinet, and percussion.)

WTMP (Egypt Lake, FL) 

• Misled-Kool & The Gang (The first note of this 1985 hit makes its presence known immediately, setting the stage for one of the group's catchier, guitar-heavy tunes.  I remember radio stations playing this frequently when it was a hit.)
• My Cherie Amour-Stevie Wonder (Not just anyone can write and sing universal sentiments in a unique way that stands the test of time.  Wonder has accomplished this since the '60s.  Sidebar: I was going to write a separate post about how the slogan I heard before this tune, "The kids have their station.  Now, you have yours," makes me feel old.  The station's Wikipedia entry says the station's target age range is 25-54.  Being on the older end of that demographic doesn't bother me, though.  I've heard a lot of music and have the good taste to appreciate an evergreen such as "My Cherie Amour.")

FM dial scan highlights CLVIII

Six ear-catching tunes heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Loving You Is On My Mind-The Meters (You can pick any song by The Meters, and you'll hear the same great consistency in the rhythm section.  I can imagine this tune being cross-faded smoothly with Steely Dan's "Rikki Don't Lose That Number.")
• The Spy With A Cold Nose-Les & Larry Elgart (A big band/lounge number fit for a stroll; I would have played this on WEW if I'd known this tune 25 years ago.)
• Changing Horses-Dan Fogelberg (Sensitively written, played, and sung; I miss this adult contemporary sound of the '70s.  Also recommended: "Part Of The Plan" and "Illinois.")

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Sunday Drive-Brock Walker (An appropriately titled midtempo piano groove.)
• Only You-Lindsey Webster (Vocals fit for a late-night Quiet Storm format.)

KPNT 105.7 FM

• The Underground-Meg Myers (This is how Shawn Colvin's "Nothin' On Me" might sound with darker lyrics and heavier guitar.)
  

Strategic shots at the spotlight

I'd written previously about an enthusiastic, seemingly inebriated fan at a concert.  Suppose, later in the concert, after getting to sing part of "Roof Garden," the fan is still feeling no pain.  You might wisely follow Al Jarreau's approach and give him a second moment in the sun.  During "Boogie Down," Jarreau held the microphone up to him once again; the fan made the most of the spotlight, singing, "ALL I NEED IS TO GET MY BOOGIE DOWN!!!!"

"That fan might be a tad sloshed," I thought, "but at least, he has good taste in music."  Also, Jarreau's judgment was spot on, giving the fan two brief chances to be heard during the show.  Was the overenthusiastic man's double shot of the limelight deserved?  Perhaps not, but his energy needed a release; as long as you're not harming anyone, what better place to be heard than at a concert?

An archaic phone habit

While listening to Shelby Lynne's song, "Telephone," recently, I thought, "This tune was released in 2003.  How many other songs since then have referred to a landline phone as something people still use?"  I still like having a phone that isn't subject to the spotty connection that sometimes goes with a cell phone, but I know landline phones are less common today.  I also like the premise of Lynne's "Telephone," in which she hopes that the person whose landline she called won't answer; her hopes are dashed, alas.

Knowing that the song's premise rests on someone answering a landline makes 2003 feel like a long time ago, though.

Linguistic bemusement

There are only so many ways to say, "Today's high temperature will be...," or "Tonight's low temperature will be..."

On a former Classical station, I occasionally heard announcers rephrase, "Today's high temperature will be 80 degrees," as "80 for the top."

I neither like nor dislike that phrasing.  In a way, I don't blame the announcers.  Some phrases are so shopworn that I can understand the temptation to jazz them up.  Besides, "80 for the top," in the context of a weather forecast, shouldn't be difficult to understand.

Persistent earworm alert CCXXXIII

Although it was a fairly big hit in 1974, I'd only ever heard the song on the radio once.  It was about 20 years ago on KDHX, and that one play was enough to keep the song in my mind for weeks afterward.  Thus, I was caught off guard to hear it in a gas station recently.  As I glanced around the shop, I thought, "Looking at the generally young age range of everyone here, I'll bet I'm the only one who knows this song and has it in his music library.  It's a shame younger generations don't know this power pop hook, won't anticipate its key change, and probably won't get it stuck in their minds, as I have."

It's possible that earlier this week, I heard "Who Do You Think You Are?" by Bo Donaldson And The Heywoods for the last time in a public place. 

The allure of shuffle mode

In recent days, I've beefed up my iTunes music library by importing various CDs I've owned for years.  This has made listening in random play all the more intriguing.

Logically, I know this shouldn't be this exciting.  Even without importing all of these songs into iTunes, I could still listen to them whenever I want, in any order I want.  However, that doesn't take into account the mysterious algorithms of the iTunes shuffle mode.  What pure chance segues will it create for me that I might not have considered?

I look forward to finding out.

An overlooked cover tune LXXXIX

Thanks to KDHX for reminding me this afternoon about Dennis Coffey's strong cover of "Groovin'," a staple hit by The Rascals on oldies stations.

I've always liked how the original version's lyrics evoke images of a relaxing day.  However, in his 1968 concert version, Coffey shows how well the tune works as an instrumental.  The organ and guitar carry it off in an arrangement that sounds about 75% like Booker T. and about 25% like a baseball stadium organist's interpretation.

There's nothing like a relaxed yet technically proficient rendition of a song about enjoying the passage of time.

Online radio sampler highlights CXXXV

Five of the better tunes I've heard today:

KNBA (Anchorage, AK)

• Fireflies-Caroline Herring (A foot-stomping blend of bluegrass and Americana vocals and instrumentation.)

WFDU (Teaneck, NJ)

• You Got To Me-Neil Diamond (This 1967 hit from early in Diamond's career has more of a bite than some of his later work; the keyboard and bluesy harmonica suit the vocals well.  Also recommended: "Cherry, Cherry," Diamond's first hit.)

WJAB (Huntsville, AL)

• Something-Musiq Soulchild (An impressive R&B/smooth jazz cover of the Beatles hit; it flows well as a slow jam.)

WNXP (Nashville, TN)

• Can't Get Used To Losing You-The English Beat (Lyrically and rhythmically, this works as a sobering counterpoint to John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John's "Summer Nights.")
• Can You Get To That?-Funkadelic (Glad to hear these forthright vocals from 1971 get their due...)
  

Persistent earworm alert CCXXXII

I'm in a content mood today, so I have no idea why Tangerine Dream's "Bent Cold Sidewalk" has planted itself so firmly in my mind.  I bought the "Cyclone" cassette with this track on it in 1990.  At the time, it was my idea of music for a bad or mediocre day--grim, foreboding synthesizer and vocals.

I respect the intricacies of the track, but I still think it's best reserved for stormy days and times when the world looks bleak.

A well-earned A grade

Another thought about a temperamental college conductor my high school orchestra observed in 1986: I wonder what percentage of the players in his ensemble received an A in orchestra class.  I have no way of knowing, but I suspect that players who received A grades were exceptions--and exceptional in their talent, dedication to practicing, and tolerance for stern remarks.

Here's hoping, after 35 years, that their scars have healed.

Context? CXV

If circumstances beyond your control leave you less than fully prepared for an interview, it's considerate to let your interviewee know.  One radio talk show host did that today, telling his guest, "We're having a technical meltdown.  The email's down, (and) the software doesn't work, but I know we're going to be talking about...immigration..."

I didn't hear the full interview, but I know it got off to a good--and honest--start, at least.

The foot-biting default option VI

Alas, Collette the cat returned to her foot-biting ways today.  She was especially carefree about it, as well.  To the tune of Van Halen's "Jump," she sang, "Might as well bite! Bite!  Go ahead and bite..."

I'm glad she's happy, I guess, but...

The foot-biting detente option

For a change of pace, Collette the cat has refrained from biting my feet today.  To the tune of "Life In One Day" by Howard Jones, she sang, "I'll spare your feet for just this one day..."

I wish she'd turn over a new leaf permanently, but I'll take what I can get.

The foot-biting default option V

My cat, Collette, refuses to stop biting my feet.  Now, she's in retro dance mode, changing Robert Parker's "Barefootin'" to "Foot Bitin'" when she sings it.

That's clever, I'll admit, but I wish she'd channel her creative abilities into something more positive.

The foot-biting default option IV

In contrast with yesterday, Collette the cat's approach to biting my feet today was more casual.  To the tune of "Jive Talkin'" by The Bee Gees, Collette sang, "F-f-f-foot bitin', just biting your feet, yeah..."

Yes, the end result was the same.  She still sank her teeth into my feet.  Nevertheless, I'm calling this an incremental victory.  Her tone, at least, wasn't as high and mighty as it was yesterday.

The foot-biting default option III

I think my cat, Collette, has gotten a tad carried away with her foot-biting ways.  I just heard her singing to the tune of "Masters In This Hall," "Biting of the feet!  Biting of the feet!"

I'd put my foot down about this, but Collette would just bite it.

The foot-biting default option II

This morning, upon spotting a minor mistake in a blog post, I uttered a few choice profanities.  To calm down, I tuned into Dr. Collette, the advice show cat, on the radio.  Predictably, she recommended biting people's feet.

"I can't do that," I told Dr. Collette.  "That's not fair to them.  They didn't cause the error.  I don't want to bite my own feet, either.  That would cause me pain and just make me angrier."

"Suit yourself," Dr. Collette said, "but I've found that foot-biting always works for me."

Alas, we've reached an impasse.

The foot-biting default option

I've written previously about Collette the cat's habit of biting my feet.  Recently, I had a dream in which Collette debuted as a radio advice show host.  In the dream, all of Collette's advice to callers revolved around foot-biting.  (i.e. "Feeling depressed?  Try biting people on the feet.  You'll feel better.  Kids or kittens being disrespectful?  What they need is a good foot-biting.  Employees not working hard enough?  They'll get with the program after you bite their feet.")

The dream ended with the beginning of Collette's second day as a talk show host.  Wisely, the station had added the disclaimer at the beginning of her show, "The opinions expressed on this program reflect only the views of the host and not necessarily those of this station."

Persistent earworm alert CCXXXI

In June 1981, I thought Stars On 45's "Medley" was one of the coolest songs I'd ever heard.  I was pleased when it topped the charts that month.

It still impresses me.  A producer has to have a good ear to segue the guitar intro of Shocking Blue's "Venus" with "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies and follow it up with a string of Beatles snippets.  Rhythmically, it all makes sense, and the soundalike singers mimic Beatles vocals convincingly.

Obviously, it made a strong impression, as I'm still playing that 45 40 years later.

FM dial scan highlights CLVII

Six standout tunes heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• I've Been Down-The Greenhornes (Good for wallowing in sorrow; "Pattern Skies" is still my favorite Greenhornes track for its frank acknowledgment of aging and crunchy guitar work.  It's impressive to hear the band showcase a much different, i.e. slow blues, genre in this tune.)
• Walk A Mile-Holly Golightly (This is an honest, direct way of reminding listeners not to assume that someone else's life is a nonstop picnic.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Come Rain Or Come Shine-Art Blakey (Great swingin' piano from Bobby Timmons on this excellent cover.)
• We've Only Just Begun-Ashley Pezzotti (Disclaimer: This is not a cover of the endearing 1970 Carpenters hit.  It is, however, an example of strong jazz combo accompaniment and lyrical resolve.)
• The Gentle Rain (RJD2 Remix)-Astrud Gilberto (It's interesting hearing the contrast between Gilberto's gentle vocals and such a forthright, declarative piano backdrop.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Be Sweet-Japanese Breakfast (For its catchy, poppy rhythm and solid dance hook, this new track is a 2021 standout.  Rhythmically, Blondie's "Rapture" segues well before or after this.)

An overlooked cover tune LXXXVIII

There's a cover tune that got only limited radio airplay here in the Fall of '83.  Juice Newton's cover of "Tell Her No" by The Zombies deserved more attention, in retrospect.  The energy and gravity with which she sings, combined with the requisite early '80s synth arrangement is an unlikely but satisfying blend.

Another stray thought I had while listening to the "Juice Newton's Greatest Hits" compilation today: I don't know if she would have been interested in covering it, but her voice would have fit a cover of Olivia Newton-John's "Hopelessly Devoted To You."  After hearing Newton's version of "Tell Her No," it doesn't sound like a stretch.

A thought best left unspoken

I wonder how often band and orchestra directors have stifled the urge to tell students who don't practice or have much ability to play their instruments, "Look, it's the beginning of the school year.  It might not be too late for you to get into a study hall instead.  It would be for the good of the ensemble.  Try looking at it as a noble sacrifice."

An overlooked cover tune LXXXVII

Since recommending "All Together" last Friday, I've been doing a deeper dive into various Novi Singers selections.  Their version of the jazz standard, "Satin Doll," stands out to me.  I hear elements of The Manhattan Transfer, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, and especially The Swingle Singers in the group's vocals.  Although Duke Ellington's various renditions will always take precedence for me, I'm sure I'll return to the impressive scat-style vocals of Novi Singers several more times.