Seven noteworthy songs heard today:
KDHX 88.1 FM
- Bummed-Andrew Gabbard (This new track boasts chiming guitar reminiscent of The Byrds underscores vocals and lyrics reminiscent of Big Star and The Zombies. Lyrically, this is a sobering reminder that no one gets out of this life without some degree of heartache and disappointment.)
- Through The Fog-Marinero (Another strong 2021 release. It's a compliment to say this isn't conventional radio fare; the Brazilian-sounding flute arrangement seemingly drawn from the late '60s and early '70s enhances the vocals.)
- Squib Cakes-Tower Of Power (Infectious interplay between the brass and rhythm section. Dr. C., one of my two college Jazz, Pop & Rock class instructors, played this track as students filed in the first day. I thought, "Now, that's how to start a music appreciation class." Sidebar: Thank you, KDHX, for being such a well-programmed, wide-ranging music appreciation class for St. Louis since 1987. Happy birthday!)
WSIE 88.7 FM
- Obsidian Rain-Kayla Waters (An appropriate midtempo piano melody for a rainy, gloomy St. Louis day like today. This falls somewhere between smooth jazz and new age.)
- Who Dun It?-Blue Mitchell (Mitchell's trumpet, the flute, and rhythm instruments create a feeling of suspense and hot pursuit of a suspect.)
- Blue Salt-Jennifer Wharton (This April release from a captivating trombone-led ensemble could segue after Blue Mitchell's "Who Dun It?" or Dirty Dozen Brass Band's "Open Up (Whatcha Gonna Do For The Rest Of Your Life?)"
WFUN 96.3 FM
- Zoom-The Commodores (The idealism of these lyrics is heartwarming. Stevie Wonder's vision of a more just world in "Saturn" would sound right before this.)
