Tighten Up or Rumble Up?

Yesterday, while I listened to "Tighten Up" by Archie Bell & The Drells, the floor started to shake.  I don't mean that metaphorically.  It felt like someone in the condo below me had poked the ceiling with unusual force while throwing a javelin onto the roof.

I'm not used to an earthquake I can feel.  Once I got over my momentary concern, I thought, "That's one strong bass line that made the earth vibrate."

Out of concern for my safety, I won't play that record again soon.

Satisfying broadcasting

I never felt like a true broadcaster more than when I was on WEW, waiting for the newscast outro.  After hearing, "This is CNN Radio News," I'd turn on the microphone and say something like, "This is 77 WEW.  Weatherwise today, expect partly cloudy skies with a high of 90 degrees..."

Something about hearing what was happening in the world and then taking things back to a local level appealed to me.  I liked giving the weather forecast and then launching into a set of music I'd chosen.  It was appealing to tell listeners, however indirectly, "Yes, the world has its challenges and trouble spots, but now that we've heard about them, let's relax and listen to some pleasant music."

I never got tired of being the voice and programmer behind that diversion.

Online radio sampler highlights CLXVI

Seven recommended tunes heard today:

KALX (Berkeley, CA)

• Loretta-Ginger Root (This is from 2021?  Wow.  Vocally and instrumentally, this sounds like an infectious late '70s R&B track; this is a convincing way to pull off another era's pastiche.)

KMRE (Bellingham, WA)

• Petunia-Bela Fleck and the Marcus Roberts Trio featuring Rodney Jordan and Jason Marsalis (Can jazz piano and banjo pickin' coexist harmoniously to produce a compelling uptempo instrumental?  Yes, with talent of this caliber.) 

WRTI-HD2 (Philadelphia, PA)

• Pieces Of Dreams-Stanley Turrentine (A beautifully soaring uptempo melody for tenor sax and orchestra.)
• The One Who Really Loves You-Claire Daly (I've praised this catchy melody before in its Mary Wells and Rosie & The Originals incarnations.  This impressive ensemble shows how well it works as an instrumental.  The flute carries the melody with strong rhythmic support from the piano, bass, guitar, and drums.)

WUMB (Boston, MA)

• Otherwise-Heather Maloney (Lyrically and instrumentally, this reminds me somewhat of Aimee Mann and Jonatha Brooke.)
• Wouldn't Be So Bad-Alison Krauss & Union Station (Krauss consistently brings melancholy laments to life convincingly.  WUMB could have segued this song with...)
• Seven Years-Norah Jones (...this overlooked low-key charmer from the smash hit "Come Away With Me" release.  "Come Away With Me" and "Don't Know Why" got the lion's share of radio airplay, but the warmth in the vocals is just as evident on this track.  The guitar interlude at the 1:14 mark sounds similar to what you'd hear on many Alison Krauss songs.)
  

Persistent earworm alert CCLXI

Subconsciously, I've been concerned about the state of the world in recent years.  That apprehension manifested itself as an earworm today.  For hours, I haven't been able to get "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?" out of my mind.  Sometimes, it's Peter, Paul & Mary's version.  Other times, it's the Kingston Trio's rendition.  I've always liked the tune, but I don't think it speaks positively for my state of mind.

There it goes again.  This time, however, it's Pete Seeger's a cappella rendering.  I appreciate the variety; very few of my earworms are split three ways.

Persistent earworm alert CCLX

Just the mention of an air conditioner or heater in almost any context sets it off.  For at least an hour, the jingle, "All across America, people are switching to the Carrier energy way," will run through my mind.  The jingle singers sound so committed that I assume they must be promoting outstanding HVAC systems.

Decades later, that jingle's staying power still doesn't surprise me.

A petty fixation XI

Recently, while in a store, a radio station irked me slightly.  As Tone-Loc's "Funky Cold Medina" ended, I thought, "Why are they playing this?  I'm not in the mood to hear it now."  Then, as Foreigner's "Hot Blooded" started, I thought, "Nope...Not in the mood for this song, either."  

I reminded myself quickly, however, that I was hearing a radio station in a public place.  I wasn't listening to my records, tapes, CDs, or iTunes library at home.  The station's segue was quite logical, considering "Funky Cold Medina" samples "Hot Blooded"'s guitar part.  Both songs were hits that listeners still want to hear, so I have to expect radio stations to play them--even though they aren't my favorites.

Admittedly, radio is for the people--all the people, not just me.

FM dial scan highlights CLXXXIX

Sunday standouts:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Interstate Rag-Doc & Merle Watson (A strong uptempo instrumental, thanks to precise synchronicity between the banjo and guitar.)
• Crazy Love-Rhonda Vincent (Vincent shows how bluegrass-adaptable this Poco song is.  I also recommend Tina Adair's version for that reason.)
• Putnam Valley Flash-Buddy Merriam (Smooth, energetic mandolin playing, fiddling, and guitar playing; Nickel Creek's "Ode To A Butterfly" segues naturally with this.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Summer Groove-Tim Bowman (One of the more pleasant smooth jazz guitar grooves I've heard lately; another compatible guitar groove, "One 2 One" by Brian Hughes, could segue with this.)
• Wish You Were Here-Janet Evra & Khamali Cuffie-Moore (Endearing vocals and lyrics similar to those of Evra's "I'd Rather Be Lonely With You."  Cuffie-Moore's trumpet punctuation makes this strong melody even stronger.)

KSHE 94.7 FM

• Hello-Prism (Lyrically, there's a refreshing level of positivity here.  The guitar's prominence revs up the mood, making this a good arena rock concert opener.)

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

• Mozart: Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major (Lang Lang, piano) (One of the easiest-to-digest uptempo Classical pieces; even if its title isn't familiar to you, you've likely heard it.  This was a great, accessible way for Leonard Slatkin to start this week's key-of-C edition of "The Slatkin Shuffle."  It was also a pleasure to hear it played at just the right tempo.  Other versions seem rushed to me.)
  

The foot-biting default option XVII

My cat, Collette, just takes foot-biting as her due lately.  I don't know where she heard the '80s Heineken jingle, but just before biting my feet today, she sang, "Come to think of it, I'll bite your feet again."

Despite those lyrics, I'm sure the biting was premeditated.

Context? CLXVIII

I liked the way an R&B DJ signed off yesterday.  

 "My goal is always to leave you better than I found you," she said.  

A friendly voice and good music are sound ways of accomplishing that.  That's what I liked to think when I was on the air.

FM dial scan highlights CLXXXVIII

Six of the better songs I've heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Sidelines-Phoebe Bridgers (A lyrically effective way of conveying what losing and regaining the capacity to feel is like.)
• Message To Belial-The Sadies (The faraway echo enhances the guitar and vocals, giving this January release an early '70s prog rock feel.)
• Abandon Ship-April Showers (An appealingly dreamy, poppy vibe; I'm not sure how this 1984 track eluded me for so long.  Film School's "Sunny Day" could segue with this.)

WSIE 88.7 FM 

• On The Beach-Chris Rea (Rea's gravelly voice suits the tune well.  It's equally compelling in its original slower tempo and faster reworking, which I always enjoyed playing on KNJZ.)
• Since I Fell For You (Live)-Ramsey Lewis Trio (The forthright, pleading nature of this tune makes it ideal for this piano arrangement.  Also recommended: Just about any version, really, but especially those by Lenny Welch, Bonnie Raitt, and Bob James, David Sanborn & Al Jarreau.)

WFUN 96.3 FM

• You Are Everything-The Stylistics (One of the group's justifiably big hit ballads; if the heartfelt feel of "Betcha By Golly, Wow" and "You Make Me Feel Brand New" appeal to you, this similar tune likely will, too.)

Online radio sampler highlights CLXV

Six Wednesday morning standouts:

KKJZ (Long Beach, CA)

• Mr. Walker-Wes Montgomery (Great interplay between the guitar and piano; this stands up as one of the hippest jazz cha-chas in any era.)
• I Can't Get Started-Cannonball Adderley (An excellent alto sax rendition of this standard, striking the right balance of warmth and wistfulness.)

KLRR (Redmond, OR)

• Slide Tackle-Japanese Breakfast (Horns complement the vocals appealingly.  This fast-paced tune just throbs--and ranks up there with the group's standout track, "Be Sweet.")

KMFA (Austin, TX)

• Henry Purcell: Three Parts Upon A Ground in D major, Z731 (Bruggen Consort) (To me, this sounds like a precursor to Pachelbel's Canon.)

WNCW (Spindale, NC)

• Simple Things-Tedeschi Trucks Band (The bluesy conviction in Susan Tedeschi's voice sells the tune convincingly.)

WXYG (Sauk Rapids, MN)

• Sufficiently Breathless-Captain Beyond (This 1973 album rock track deserves more recognition.  The guitar drew me in, reminding me of Grand Funk Railroad's "I'm Your Captain" and "Helplessly Hoping" by Crosby, Stills & Nash.)
  

An overlooked cover tune CXIV

Aside from "Holiday," "Crazy For You," and "Live To Tell," I'm not really a fan of Madonna's music.  Playing a strong cover of another Madonna tune recently reminded me that I should add a fourth song to that list.

Jon Auer shows that one of Madonna's strongest uptempo hits, "Beautiful Stranger," works just as well acoustically with a voice, a guitar, and a slower tempo.  Madonna's version is more about the tune's beat.  Auer's version makes the listener pay more attention to the lyrics, as Neil Finn does in his cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean."  

Alas, I've only heard Auer's version once on the radio.  KDHX played it in 2001, but I haven't heard it on any station or stream since then.  On the strength of that one listen, I bought the EP.  It's unfortunate, though, that Auer's strong reworking of the tune didn't receive more widespread attention.

Context? CLXVII

In honor of Easter, I listened to a Lutheran service on AM radio yesterday.  During his sermon, the priest said, "This is why we gather here, right?  Because Christ has risen from the dead.  Isn't that why you're here?  Maybe, not all of us are here for that.  Maybe you just came 'cause your parents made you or your spouse made you..."

I don't think I've heard another sermon that confronted the issue of showing up for church "just because" so directly.  Regardless of a person's belief system or absence of one, hearing an Easter service gives me peace of mind and reminds me that we're all part of a world larger than any one of us.  I think that's a good enough reason to listen to a service or Mass, at least occasionally.

More Rankin/Bass Easter inspiration

Yesterday, I watched another Rankin/Bass Easter special I don't think I'd seen before.  "The Easter Bunny Is Comin' To Town" has positive themes of determination, open-mindedness, and improvising when faced with obstacles.  A song that Fred Astaire sings in it, "All You Have To Do Is Think 'Can Do,'" is especially empowering.  Although it often takes more than a person's will to confront a challenge, confidence is a great starting point.

The special's message and music are relevant in any era, so I'm surprised this 1977 gem isn't aired more frequently.

An overlooked (Easter) cover tune CXIII

For most listeners, the Edwin Hawkins Singers recorded the definitive version of "Oh Happy Day."  I can't argue with that.  The vocals are joyful, resonant, and suffused with spirit.  That version has been and always will be one of my go-to Easter Sunday tracks.

If you prefer a jazzier version, however, Quincy Jones approached it compellingly.  The flute carries the melody with appropriate vocal punctuation, and the rhythm section, especially the bass, is prominent.  It's still a reverential version--but funked up and a tad softer.

Recognizing a distinctive voice

Tonight, I watched the 1971 Rankin/Bass special, "Here Comes Peter Cottontail."  It's possible I might have seen it decades ago, but I hadn't seen it recently.  Casey Kasem provided the voice of Peter, so I kept expecting the rabbit to turn to the camera and say, "And the eggs are now delivered.  Now, on with the countdown..."

Once you've heard Kasem's delivery on "American Top 40," you don't forget his distinctive cadence.

Online radio sampler highlights CLXIV

Five Thursday afternoon highlights:

KEWU (Cheney, WA)

• The Bad And The Beautiful-Russell Malone (There's sublime elegance in Malone's guitar and the backing orchestral strings.  Earl Klugh's "Stay Gold" would sound right after this.)
• Just Another Day At The Office-Monika Herzig (This modern-sounding piano-based melody with elements of a big band throwback reminds me of Barbara Dennerlein's music.)

KRVB (Boise, ID)

• Pierced Arrows-Hurray For The Riff Raff (This energetic January release is suitable for strengthening one's resolve or powering through an irritating task.  Rhythmically, "Slipping Away" by Dave Edmunds would sound good before this.)

WBLS (New York, NY) 

• Love Come Down-Evelyn "Champagne" King (Forty years later, this dance groove hasn't worn out its welcome.)

WXPN (Philadelphia, PA)

• Talkin' To Myself-Sarah Shook & The Disarmers (This is the song I've listened to most in recent months.  The guitar hook is irresistible, and as my brother put it, Shook sounds like Fiona Apple fronting a rock band.)
  

Context? CLXVI

Less than two weeks later, it happened again.  This morning, a radio traffic reporter said, "The camera's pointing away (from the road.)  It's almost as if they don't want you to see what's going on."

My first thought upon hearing that was, "Why did that mistake happen again so soon?"  Shortly after that, however, I thought, "I hope there wasn't some horrible collision that resulted in fatalities."

I hope the camera's improper location was a result of human error, not human tragedy.

FM dial scan highlights CLXXXVII

Six standout tunes heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Vapor-Soulive (This instrumental sports a smooth blend of blues and jazz, especially in the guitar.)
• New Shoes-Ike Stubblefield (This is where rock meets jazz.  It's a great brassy instrumental in which every player radiates confidence.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Turn Out The Stars (Live)-Bill Evans (A classy, jaunty uptempo number for piano, bass, and drums.)
• Fallin'-Al Jarreau (It was a pleasant surprise to hear WSIE play this somewhat overlooked ballad.)
• Hello Stranger-Barbara Lewis (It was also a pleasant surprise to hear this oldie.  The "shoo bop, shoo bop" backing indicates the year, 1963, in which this track was recorded.  I wish I'd played it more often on WEW.  Yvonne Elliman's cover of it is also impressive.)

KCLC 89.1 FM 

• Dark Days-Local Natives featuring Sylvan Esso (Instrumentally, this sounds reminiscent of mid to late '70s Fleetwood Mac.  The chill factor in the vocals makes me think this could segue with "California" by The Lagoons.)

Context? CLXV

One radio talk show host's reaction to a corporate behemoth now offering five-hour delivery: "Is this where we are now?  Are we really that impatient?"  Her co-host chimed in, "I hate it."

It was refreshing to hear two people show their concern for the company's workers and lament how civility has been compromised.

Context? CLXIV

During bass sectionals of a high school/college orchestra, it impressed me how often our symphony member section coaches would acknowledge the conductor's authority.  Frequently, they'd give directions such as, "Use these fingerings (or bowings) unless (the conductor) says otherwise."

I thought that showed considerate deference.  Later, it dawned on me that one doesn't usually get to be part of a symphony orchestra without having played for multiple conductors with varying temperaments.  Our section coaches didn't tell us, "Never cross a conductor," but it wouldn't have surprised me if they'd said it that directly.

Persistent earworm alert CCLIX

If a song must set up shop in my mind for four days, I'm glad when it's a pleasant samba.  I started to doze off on the couch Tuesday night while listening to WSIE.  I woke up, however, when I heard Grant Green's version of "My Little Suede Shoes."  Although many jazz listeners would likely think of Charlie Parker's excellent rendering first, Green showed how a guitar can pull off this invigorating, dance-ready melody as effectively as a saxophone.

I knew the tune had planted itself in my mind when I started shaking my head in time to it last night.  The lack of music playing didn't stop me.

Context? CLXIII

An R&B DJ anticipated my thought process--and likely that of many listeners--yesterday.  Before taking a commercial break, he said an Ohio Players tune was coming up.

"No, not that one," he said.  "No, not that one, either."

His timing matched my thinking without him specifying any song titles.  Initially, I thought, "He'll probably play 'Fire.'  Oh, not that one?  It'll probably be 'Love Rollercoaster,' then.  Those were the group's two biggest hits."

Instead, he played "I Want To Be Free."  I hadn't expected that, but at least I knew to expect the unexpected.

FM dial scan highlights CLXXXVI

Six recommended tunes heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Harlem Shuffle-Bob & Earl (The Rolling Stones had a big hit with a cover version, but this 1963 original version is the catchier, stronger one.)
• Don't Go-The Anydays (If I didn't know otherwise, I'd think this was a power pop track from the 1965-1968 "Nuggets" box set.  It's actually from 2010, however.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• All's Well-Spontaneous Groovin' Combustion featuring Brendan Rothwell (This is one of the most pleasant uptempo smooth jazz grooves I've heard recently.  The guitarist pulls off a melody that reminds me of the children's lyrics, "It's raining. It's pouring...")
• Full Bloom-Kayla Waters (This laid-back piano melody would segue well with the Ramsey Lewis tune, "Quiet Storm.")

WFUN 96.3 FM

• After The Love Has Gone-Earth, Wind & Fire (Possibly the pinnacle of Throwback Thursday slow jams; heartfelt lyrics, tenderly yet powerfully sung.  Essentially, it's a perfect record.  This was a deservedly huge hit in 1979.  Although it's fine in its abbreviated form, the album version, with its winding saxophone closing, is even better.)
• Always And Forever-Heatwave (It's not surprising that radio stations have played this tune since 1978.  Lyrically and musically, it's a timeless ballad.  I suspect this has been the last song of the evening at many dances.)
  

Best to stay still

The Allman Brothers Band had just finished playing one of rock's strongest instrumentals, "Jessica."  I wanted to get up from the sofa and put on another CD.  I didn't, however, because my cat, Collette, had curled up on me and looked too content to move.  Before settling in, she'd kneaded my side for a good long while, singing to the tune of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song," "Kneading you firmly with my paws, kneading you firmly..."

I didn't want to disregard all that effort.  I'm sure I made the right choice.  If I'd gotten up, Collette probably would have bitten my feet.

Online radio sampler highlights CLXIII

Five recommended tunes heard today:

KDKI (Twin Falls, ID)

• People-Oscar Peterson Trio (A steady, ear-pleasing midtempo melody for piano, bass, and drums.)

KGKG (Salida, CO)

• I'm So Excited-The Pointer Sisters (Still one of the most appealingly energetic hits of the '80s.)

KMNR (Rolla, MO)

• Under Cover Of Darkness-The Strokes (A well-sustained pick-me-up electric guitar groove kept me listening.)

WEXT (Amsterdam, NY)

• Slow Down-Alisa Amador (Upon waking, you can take solace in life's small everyday pleasures, as Kelley McRae does in "Morning Song."  Or, you can acknowledge that the day will likely be far from perfect and try to make the best of it.  The appealing keyboard accompaniment underscores Amador's endearing vocals.  If I'd known of this song when it was released last year, it would have placed in my favorite music of 2021 countdown.)
• Good To Be (Home Again)-Keb' Mo' (Reassuring lyrics remind the listener that the core of one's hometown is generally the same, even with its changes over time--and, if it isn't, it's still good to be alive.)
  

Understandable frustration

I never heard the middle school orchestra director angrier than when one student ignored his instructions to get out her instrument and play along with the rest of us.  

The director knocked over two music stands and exclaimed, "What did I tell you to do?!"  The student repeated Mr. D.'s instructions but for good measure told him her mother thought she "should quit that @#&*ing violin!"

"I don't like that," the director responded.  "If she says things like that, don't listen to her.  Now, you apologize to the class for that."

The student gave the class an insincere apology while grinning.  Before walking the student down to the principal's office, Mr. D. said to the rest of us, "I apologize to those of you who are trying to learn something."

I didn't blame the teacher for being frustrated.  I still wonder how I would have reacted in that scenario if I'd been teaching.

Sound logic

Considering the number of tasks we complete online or by mail today, it puzzles me that some people think all voting must be done in person.  As a former local radio talk show host once asked, "Why should voting be hard to do?"

This talk show host, incidentally, is a Mensa member, so I trust his judgment.

A petty fixation X

During a high school/college ensemble rehearsal, the substitute conductor noticed an intonation issue in the bass section.  He asked each of us to play an A.  When I played the note, the conductor said, "I like the sound of that one.  Everyone, tune to that."

For a moment, I thought, "Cool.  The conductor thinks I'm the one who's most in tune."  A moment later, I thought, "Don't get carried away with that thought.  This is a rehearsal, not a concert.  On a different day, a different conductor might think someone else is more in tune.  Besides, being in tune is supposed to be an everyday occurrence."

It helps to remind yourself now and then that what you might think of as a victory is sometimes just a case of doing what you're supposed to do.

Context? CLXII

One pitfall of relying on a monitor instead of a helicopter's vantage point for traffic reports: I heard a radio traffic reporter say yesterday, "The camera's pointing the wrong way.  Something might be happening on Manchester (Road...)"