One goofy, partial Christmas segue

I've never heard anyone approach "Joy To The World" the way Hagood Hardy did.  The energy level that the vocalists and instrumentalists convey on Hardy's 1980 version is fit for a marathon or a rocket launch.  Its late '70s dance feel mirrors that of Aragorn Ballroom Orchestra's theme from "Lord Of The Rings," which would sound smooth before it.

FM dial scan highlights CLXXIV

Five standout songs heard this morning:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• You Make It Easy-Air with Beth Hirsch (Hirsch's vocals convey the tenderness these lyrics require, and there's a spacey grandeur in the instrumentation.  I'd be curious to hear Everything But The Girl's Tracey Thorn sing this.)
• Ghosts Of A Different Dream-Guided By Voices (Meant to be turned up loud when you're driving, full of life, and are convinced that the open road is yours.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• The Christmas Waltz-The David Benoit Trio featuring Jane Monheit (Benoit plays piano in a more traditional jazz style than usual, which meshes well with Monheit's strong, confident vocals.  This has more of a brisk feel than most versions.)
• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen-Marian McPartland (An appropriately somber piano interpretation with shifting tempos and jazzy, improvised embellishments to keep things interesting.)

WFUN 96.3 FM

• Anytime-Brian McKnight (An especially heart-wrenching tune about missing someone.)

Three Sondheim-related memories

In honor of Stephen Sondheim, who passed away Friday, I offer these three memories:

• The best production that my college theater pass allowed me to see was my university's production of "Assassins."  Yes, the subject matter is dark, and the antagonists don't deserve anyone's sympathy.  The cast I saw, however, rose to the show's musical demands, turning in some of the most convincing performances I've ever seen on stage.  "Unworthy Of Your Love" is a particular standout, as it puts an appropriate amount of delusion with a dollop of self-awareness into the mouths of actors playing John Hinckley and Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme.  Even out of context, the song holds up.  I could tell that a lot of DJs at KCOU saw the same production I did in 1992, as there was a spike in the soundtrack's airplay.
  
• Of the high school, college, and professional productions in which I played the bass, "West Side Story" had the most challenging score.  With its distinctive, exposed melody, it's especially important to nail the precise rhythm and feel of "Cool."  During a rehearsal, I caught on immediately that I needed to listen to the singer closely so our tempos were synchronized.  That strategy worked; after the final performance, Mr. Z., the director, told me, "When you were playing 'Cool' tonight, I was bouncin' right along with you."  That's still one of my favorite compliments about my bass playing.
• An incident from the '90s that still moves me: A woman I knew told me, "I want to play one of my favorite songs for you.  It makes me think of my sister."  She then played Barbra Streisand's version of "Not While I'm Around" from "Sweeney Todd."  Upon hearing it, I thought, "I see why this moves you.  It's a direct, emotionally honest way of saying, 'As long as I'm here, I'll protect you.'"  People aren't that emotionally vulnerable that often, so I appreciated her sharing that with me.  I haven't seen that woman or her sister in a long time, but I hope they're both doing well--and looking out for each other.
  

Few people have a gift of lyricism that reaches so many people, whether they're lifelong fans or casual listeners.  When someone so influential passes away, it's challenging to write accolades that don't sound like scores of others.  Thus, I asked myself, "What Sondheim-influenced memories do I have that are unique to me?"  I recommend this approach to others facing the same dilemma.

An overlooked (Christmas) cover tune CII

Can an accordion and saxophone coexist harmoniously in the context of a great Vince Guaraldi number?  Absolutely.  Check out Hot Club Of Detroit's rendition of "Skating."  The unusual instrumental combination suits the original version's spirit well, while adding just enough of an oom-pah-pah feel.

Best to watch the levels II

If you're playing a sung rendition of "Once In Royal David's City" on the radio or even just listening to it on a home system, watch the levels like a hawk.  In some versions, the vocals start out relatively faint but crescendo to an almighty volume.  (This is especially true in the collaboration between The Chieftains and The Renaissance Singers.)  If you're not careful, the loudest passages will sound distorted to listeners.  If the levels are set too high on the console, the sudden blasts of sound might blow you back and pin you to a wall.

Needless to say, it's difficult to correct sound levels when you're pinned to a wall.

An overlooked (Thanksgiving) cover tune CI

Actually, a more accurate headline would be "An overlooked (to younger listeners) cover tune CI."  Until recently, I hadn't known that Perry Como recorded "We Gather Together" as "Prayer Of Thanksgiving."  Upon listening to it a few times, I've concluded that...

...its tempo is on the slow side, but that's not to its detriment.

...more organists should play with this warm tone.  It conveys reverence without sounding too strident.

...Como sings the tune with appropriate solemnity.  This rendition conveys gratitude for one's family, health, and security convincingly.

Here's wishing everyone a safe, harmonious Thanksgiving.

"Way to segue--but keep going!"

For many years, I've assembled a Christmas presents wrapping mix CD for my family's Thanksgiving get-together.  Each year, while assembling the music, I've had to stop myself from listening to various chosen carols back to back and thinking, "Yeah!  That flows!  Let's hear those again...and again...and again."

The time to revel in a mix CD is after you've completed it.  Congratulating yourself too much while you're assembling it is ill-advised and stalls the momentum you've established.

An incomplete ensemble

Yes, it's a nice, low-key Christmas tree, with ornaments spanning several decades.  It's heartwarming to see the representations of Santa, Snoopy and Woodstock, trains, cats, instruments, and...

...Wait a minute.  Where's the French horn ornament?  The orchestra is incomplete without it.  It wouldn't have nearly the same ring if The Philadelphia Brass Ensemble was called The Philadelphia Brass Ensemble Minus French Horn.  Did it fall into a box or behind a piece of furniture?

If necessary, I could order another French horn ornament, but it wouldn't be the same.  It wouldn't be the French horn ornament that has traveled from house to house with me since the late '80s.  The appearance and the sentimentality I attach to it just wouldn't be the same.

I understand all the more now why musicians are so attached to their violins, cellos, and other chosen instruments.  The timbre of various models varies widely.  Not just any make and model of an instrument speaks to a person, after all.

Missing old school supermarket Christmas music?

If you miss the sedate sound of old school piped-in instrumental Christmas music, segue "La Primera Navidad (The First Noel)" by Waldo De Los Rios with "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by The Hollyridge Strings.

You'll feel like you're strolling the aisles of a supermarket around Christmas decades ago.

The foot-biting default option X

My cat, Collette, just sauntered in, singing "New York, New York" in the style of Frank Sinatra.

"Just stand there in place--and I'll bite your feet...," she began.

By the end of the song, she wasn't even pretending to hold back.  

She bellowed, "They're just a snack--your feet, your feet!"

I'm not sure that even qualifies as chutzpah anymore, coming from her.  At this point, it's simply a character trait.

Persistent earworm alert CCXLIV

Since hearing it this morning on KDHX, I haven't been able to get The Laurie Berkner Band's "(I'm Gonna Eat) On Thanksgiving Day" out of my mind.  I don't mind, though.  Sometimes, it's fun to have a song in your head that doesn't have any hidden, complex meaning.  Lyrics about what you're going to eat on Thanksgiving Day?  Why not?  Berkner and company also do kids a service; hearing a whimsical, unpretentious song like this could make kids comfortable singing a cappella--in a round, no less.  If you make a mistake while singing it, there's no pressure.  You're not on trial, after all.  You're just singing about what you plan to eat.

Priorities in the right place VI

One Christmas, on former Classical station KFUO, I heard a Christmas melody I liked played on handbells.  I was disappointed when I checked the station's playlist.  That version was part of someone's private collection and not commercially available for purchase.

Then, however, I thought, "Does every recording ever made need to be commercially available?  It was generous of the person whose private collection it was to share it with the audience in the first place.  I'd never have known about it otherwise."

Heading into the Christmas season, I still think that's the right mindset.

Priorities in the right place V

Kudos to my cat, Collette, for waiting to start leaping and spinning in the air until the right song came up on a Christmas CD.  During her playtime session with the Cat Dancer toy tonight, Warren Wolf's cover of Vince Guaraldi's "Skating" came up.  It was the ideal accompaniment for demonstrating a skater's grace.

Priorities in the right place IV

Is having a content, sleeping cat in your lap mandatory to enjoy the beauty of the Christmas carol, "Still, Still, Still?"

No, but it sure helps.  That was my realization today while listening to The Bach Society Of Saint Louis with my cat, Collette.

Context? CXLIII

A radio talk show host recommended The Manhattan Transfer's "Snowfall" as a cure for insomnia today.  I was relieved when she clarified her recommendation as a compliment. 

She's correct that it's "so soothing."  The group's warm vocals on the tune can send listeners into a dreamlike state almost immediately.  That's the kind of mindset to have while watching snow fall gently to Earth.

Grappling with short-lived radio stints

I wonder what mindset most DJs have when they start a new on-air job.  Considering how precarious making a living in radio is--with frequent format changes, personnel changes, and ratings determining one's fate--do most DJs think, "Well, if I can make this work, I'm good for at least six months?"

SiriusXM highlights CXXVI

Compelling Christmas and non-Christmas tunes heard today:

'60s Gold

• Needles And Pins-The Searchers (I'm glad there's still an outlet for this tuneful, relatable oldie.  Rhythmically, "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better" by The Byrds segues well with it.)

Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals

• The Sound Of My Room-Lari Basilio (Atmospherically, this uptempo track reminds me of Michael Hedges.)

Elevations

• Learn To Fly-Vitamin String Quartet (The drive of this Foo Fighters tune lends itself even better to an orchestral arrangement than I would have guessed.)

Heart & Soul

• Show Me Your Soul-Lalah Hathaway & Robert Glasper (Lyrically and vocally empowering.)
  

Holiday Instrumentals

• The Christmas Song-Glenn Miller Orchestra ("Good night and Merry Christmas, everyone.  The Bright And Merry Ballroom is closing for the evening.  Before it does, though, here's one more festive slow dance number...")
• Up On The Housetop-Beegie Adair (Adair lays down a swingin' beat on the piano, and there's room for a saxophonist to shine, as well.  This is possibly the hippest jazz version of this I've heard.)

Holiday Pops

• Ding Dong! Merrily On High-Chanticleer (Stately, crisply enunciated vocals convey the inherent joy and fun of this carol.)

Jazz Holidays

• Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring-David Benoit (Reverential piano and guitar.)
• Oh Tannenbaum-Barbara Dennerlein (Dennerlein takes an appealingly laid-back approach to this tune on the organ.  It wouldn't be out of line to think of her rendition as "Oh Groovy Christmas Tree.")
  

Jolly Christmas

• Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town-The Carpenters (I like that Karen Carpenter's approach to these lyrics isn't hectoring.  Too often, this tune is sung with too much of a, "Tut, tut.  You'd better be good or else," attitude.  Carpenter's vocals, however, convey a more refreshing, "Hey, you know how this goes.  Just be good, and Santa will reward you," attitude.)

Luna

• O Pato-Eliane Elias (Smooth, beguiling uptempo piano and vocals.  Basia's "An Olive Tree" would sound great after this.)

Piano Instrumentals

• Closing Rhyme-Chad Lawson (An effective way to mimic a racing heart; this tune is fit for life's tense but exciting moments.)

Soul Town

• Friendship Train-Gladys Knight & The Pips (A very of its time, i.e. 1969, sentiment that still needs to be heeded today.)

An overlooked (Christmas) cover tune C

This is a grudging recommendation.  Until recently, I'd loathed any version I'd heard of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."  Any vocal rendition I hear makes me want to shout at the kid singing it, "If what you saw scars you that much, tell your therapist!  Don't sing about it!"  At a minimum, sung versions of the tune should be used to torture low level offenders in traffic court.

Hearing Ferrante & Teicher play it on the piano softened my contempt slightly, however.  Any artists who make such a cloying song sound palatable deserve respect.  The duo embellishes the song with ornate flourishes not unlike those in their interpretation of Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue."  That's a surprising approach to take on such a number, but it makes me appreciate their technical prowess, at least.

"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" will never be one of my favorite Christmas songs.  For a few minutes, however, Ferrante & Teicher made me set aside my lifelong hatred of the tune.  That's no easy feat, so I have to respect their effort. 

An overlooked (Christmas) cover tune XCIX

When thinking of the song, "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," versions by Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis, and Amy Grant come to many listeners' minds.  I recommend another rendition, as well, after hearing it last night.

Although I'm used to hearing vocal renditions of the tune, the Canadian Brass ensemble shows how effectively it works as an instrumental.  In fact, it's graceful enough that people could skate to it.

Now, if an all-tuba collective could pull it off just as gracefully, that would be especially impressive.

Context? CXLII

Yesterday, I heard an out-of-town radio station trying to persuade businesses to advertise on their station because "93 out of 100 people retain what they hear on the radio."

I'm curious to know the source of that statistic.  If it's true, it's a pretty persuasive reason to buy commercial time.

Context? CXLI

Heard on an Ohio radio station bumper between songs this afternoon: "...No, we don't have any bait, so quit knockin' on the door."

That sounded a tad cryptic until I heard that the station broadcasts from an RV on a campground.  That clears things up.  After all, radio stations don't ordinarily give away worms as contest prizes.

Priorities in the right place III

Every so often, I'll listen to an obscure artist, band, or piece and think, "I should be paying rapt attention to this music.  I shouldn't just have it on in the background or fall asleep to it.  After all, I might be the only person on the planet--or locally, at least--listening to it right now."

This thought occurred to me one night last month as I listened to a CD of the Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Karel Sejna, performing Vitezslav Novak's Moravian-Slovak Suite, Opus 32.

I've only heard the piece once on the radio.  As I listened to it on KFUO in the mid to late '90s, I thought, "Why isn't this piece better known?  The 'In The Church' movement is particularly appealing."

About a quarter-century later, I thought, "I'd better not listen to this passively.  I should listen to it attentively out of respect for the music and the fact that it's underappreciated."

Now, I'm going to apply that same logic as I listen to the "Worry Dolls" album by Devils Wielding Scimitars.  The lyrics are solid, the lead vocals are compelling, and "Blue Star Linoleum" should have been a hit.

FM dial scan highlights CLXXIII

Six recommended tunes heard this afternoon:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)-The Puppini Sisters (This impressive cover features vocal harmonies reminiscent of and building upon the style of The Andrews Sisters.)
• Roll Out The Barrel-The Accordion Polka Band (Yes, really.  Vocally and instrumentally, this version is fit for a parade float.)
• Pata Pata-Miriam Makeba (A well-known, much-covered dance number with strategically placed spoken word interludes about the dance.  A dance this joyous should have a difficult time wearing out its welcome.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• So Live-Soulive (A cool, keyboard-propelled groove with a bounce.)
• How High The Moon-Janet Evra & Ptah Williams (This is yet another elegant vocals-and-piano cover from this duo.) 

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Summer Girl-Haim (A well-sustained rhythm and quietly self-assured vocals.  The saxophone gives an already strong group an interesting new dimension.) 
  

SiriusXM highlights CXXV

Sunday night standouts:

Bluegrass Junction

• Where I Am-Chris Jones & The Night Drivers (Infectious pickin' on this uptempo instrumental; Nickel Creek's "Ode To A Butterfly" would sound great after this.)

Deep Tracks

• The World Tonight (Rough Mix)-Paul McCartney (An enjoyable version that brings out the acoustic guitar and more freewheeling vocals.  "Things We Said Today" would sound smooth before or after this.)

Escape

• Teach Me Tonight-Beegie Adair (A classy piano arrangement of this much-covered tune.)

Holiday Traditions

• Winter Wonderland-Chris McDonald Orchestra (A swingin' big band rendition and a trumpeter's showcase.)

Holly

• Joy To The World-Diana Ross & The Supremes (The joy is readily apparent in the vocals--and the tempo; this is one of the fastest renditions I've heard.) 

Real Jazz

• Mr. Dayimani-McCoy Mrubata (An inviting big band arrangement, with impressive harmony in the brass section.)
  

Soul Town

• I Feel So Bad-Little Milton (This tune about a relationship's demise sports a catchy blues feel.)

Tom Petty Radio

• Ridgetop-Jesse Colin Young (An appreciative ode to the natural beauty and solitude of one's surroundings.  In my opinion, this was one of the best album rock additions to KNJZ's playlist in its waning months.)
  

Priorities in the right place II

It was an abrupt way to wake up.  In the middle of a sound sleep, I said to no one, "I didn't inadvertently misspell conductor Sir Georg Solti's first name on the blog as George, did I?"

Fortunately, I'd spelled it correctly.  I was able to sleep even more peacefully after that.

The foot-biting default option IX

My cat, Collette, and I sometimes sing this exchange to the tune of the famous Chicken Of The Sea tuna jingle:

Me (singing:) What's your worst habit?

Collette (singing:) Biting of your feet.

Collette might just have too much free rein around here.

Context? CXL

An exchange heard on an AM radio talk show this morning:

Caller: I'll stand by and listen to your erudite comments.

Guest: I'll try and live up to that.

The caller wasn't being sarcastic.  He genuinely respected the program's guest and wanted to hear his thoughts on an issue he raised.  Such overt respect is less common than it once was, so it was an unexpected breath of fresh air in the middle of the night.

Online radio sampler highlights CL

Seven of the better tunes I've heard today:

KCOU (Columbia, MO)

• Every Day Is Blue-Maida Rose (Sometimes, one needs to be insular.  That's just part of being human.)
• It Feels Like I Start Over Again-Faience Knife (The spacey instrumentation and echo on the vocals serves these lyrics about a clean slate well.)
• Working For The Knife-Mitski (A lyrically brave admission that when it comes to a career, most of us don't get to live our dreams.)

KNTU (Denton, TX)

• I Concentrate On You-Nicole Glover (Glover carries the melody on saxophone in this classy rendition of a Cole Porter tune.)
• Westwood Walk-The Clarinet Choir Of Clare Fischer (Simply put, this swings.  The blending of old school and contemporary approaches works well.  I liked the warm clarinet tone immediately and the prominent placement of bass in the mix.)

KOKO (Fresno, CA)

• Never Knew Love Like This Before-Stephanie Mills (Today's pop music scene could use more of this lyrical and vocal 1980 starry-eyed optimism.)
• Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me-Gladys Knight & The Pips (Lyrically, this is a sound way of taking stock of one's life and acknowledging that the positives outweigh the negatives.  This was a deservedly big hit in 1974.)
  

Context? CXXXIX

Heard today on an out-of-state college radio station: "(The World Series is) really about getting hot at the right time."

That comment summarized a spirited on-air discussion among sports fans.  During the discussion, the station's website showed that 13 people were listening online. 

I'm curious to know how many people were listening to the radio at the time.  I like knowing that the number of listeners probably didn't matter to the program's hosts.  That's a large part of what college radio is and should be--discussing your passions in music, news, or sports with fervency, even it's only for 13 listeners.

FM dial scan highlights CLXXII

Five standout tunes heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• An Speic Seoigheach-The Chieftains (KDHX played this in memory of the group's co-founder, Paddy Moloney, who passed away October 12.  This Celtic instrumental shows the group's delicacy, also exhibited on "Sea Image" and one of my favorite sounds-like-a-music-box Chieftains tunes, "Morgan Magan.")
• Space Junk-Beth Bombara (This new release features forthright guitar and lyrics that work as a metaphor for one partner not treating the other with respect.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Exactly Like You-Feyza Eren (Eren's smooth lounge/torch vocals mesh well with the unexpected stadium-style keyboard backing.  I'm glad she has a new release, "A Jazzy Christmas."  On first listen, two highlights are the percussive arrangement of "Joy To The World" and "O Come, All Ye Faithful," in which her vocals blend gracefully with elegant piano accompaniment.)
• Low Life-Donald Byrd (This is how to pull off a sorrowful midtempo trumpet melody with a bounce.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Telepath-Manchester Orchestra (This April release offers sensitive, direct lyrics about committing to someone for a lifetime and knowing you made the right choice.)