Opening Day class

Abigail Stahlschmidt performed a stirring rendition of "O Canada" during yesterday's Cardinal baseball home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.  Since hearing it, I've realized how relatively infrequent it is to hear instrumentalists perform "O Canada" or "The Star Spangled Banner" at a baseball game.  After yesterday's rendition, I think violinists should perform those anthems more often before a game starts.  It would set an appropriately respectful tone without being pompous.

A function of age XI

As long as the record doesn't skip, I'm often pleased when I hear a noncommercial station play music on vinyl.  Some listeners, when hearing imperfect vinyl, might think, "Ugh.  That's rickety and flawed."  However, I often think, "Ah, history...ambience...Cool,"--especially if the station is playing an older track.

A function of age X

In case you missed it, actor Jeff Goldblum and "Late Night..." host Seth Meyers sang a small portion of "Moon River" recently.  Goldblum joked with Meyers that "we sound like Sandler & Young."

I've referenced that singing duo from bygone decades occasionally on this blog, so even though no one was around, I exclaimed, "I know that reference!"

If you like lounge-style Christmas carols and standards with prominent baritone vocals, their music just might be for you.

I wonder how many listeners under my age, 52, are familiar with their work, though.

Promoting longer listening

As a courtesy to the DJ following you on-air, it's advisable not to just sign off with, "That's it for me.  Talk to you again tomorrow."  The radio station benefits when you add, "Stay tuned for John Smith (or Jane Doe.) (That DJ) will keep the smooth jazz flowing with tunes from George Benson, Basia, and Acoustic Alchemy."

People are more likely to listen longer when you give them incentives, so it's wise to tell them why to keep listening.

A possible misinterpretation

Perhaps I misinterpreted what my cat, Collette, was attempting to convey on November 10, 2020.  By sitting on the stereo, maybe she wanted to make sure I didn't take the LP of three Brandenburg Concertos by J.S. Bach off and listen to something else.  Admittedly, they are good performances by the Munich Bach Orchestra with Karl Richter conducting.  On Saturday, Collette kneaded her paws frequently on me as Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 played.  Apparently, she appreciates a stately Baroque piece as much as anyone.

Seconding a listener's rave review

When your station allows it, it's smart for a DJ to give positive feedback to listeners on the air.  Until recently, I'd forgotten that in 1996, I'd said when back announcing Joey DeFrancesco's version of "How Little We Know," "...I have to agree with the caller who said that he does sound a lot like a young (Frank) Sinatra there."

It's a polite way to second a listener's enthusiasm.  Also, you never know when that positive local presence might keep a listener tuned in longer.

Mystery solved

In 1976 or '77, I heard a fragment of an R&B song's chorus.  I couldn't make out what was being sung, but I liked the relaxed feel of the vocals.  I didn't hear it again on the radio until the mid '90s.  Again, I was listening passively and couldn't make out what was being sung.  Finally, I heard a more substantial part of the song again yesterday, was listening more attentively, and learned that the song is "(Call Me) The Traveling Man," a tune that The Masqueraders released in 1975.

It just goes to show that if you wait patiently for over four and a half decades, you'll finally learn the title and artist of a pleasant, infrequently played song.

Context? CCXXIX

I must admit, the March 1987 commercial that began, "When was the last time you had lunch with a duck?," got my attention.  The speaker continued, "That's right--a duck.  I'll bet you think I'm crazy."

After hearing this in an AM radio air check, I thought, "Is she promoting the St. Louis Zoo or a park?"

Neither.  She was promoting a condo development that contained a lake with ducks.

Admittedly, that's an unusual--but effective--selling point.

FM dial scan highlights CCXII

Six of the better songs I've heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• I Know The End-Phoebe Bridgers (This is how to build effectively from a quiet start to a thrashing conclusion.)
• Nothing's Free-Angel Olsen (The piano and saxophone underscore Olsen's quietly effective vocals compellingly in this new track.  This is one of 2023's stronger downcast tunes so far.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• The 405-Isaac Hayes (A breezy, refreshing, guitar-dominated uptempo smooth jazz instrumental, with a hint of "Shaft" early in the tune.  Also recommended: "Cafe Regio's.")
• Windy-Wes Montgomery (The Association's oldie lends itself well to Montgomery's guitar cover.)

WFUN 96.3 FM

• All This Love-DeBarge (The '70s and early '80s produced a lot of thoughtful soft rock and R&B ballads, such as this one.)

KPNT 105.7 FM

• Africa-Weezer (Wisely, Weezer sticks reverentially to Toto's template here without being excessively alt rock-ish.)
  

Online radio sampler highlights CXCIX

Five standout tunes heard today:

KVSF (Santa Fe, NM)

• Lotus Blossom-Kenny Dorham (Sizzling trumpet and rhythm section.)
• Walk Between Raindrops-Hailey Brinnel (I've always liked Donald Fagen's original jaunty version, so it's a pleasure to hear this newly released cover with well-sung vocals and brassy backing.  This is approximately how Suzanne Vega might sound as a jazz singer.)

KWCR (Ogden, UT)

• Trouble Man-Marvin Gaye (An anthem for those determined to have things turn out their way.  Not just any vocalist can pull off the precision needed to sing this.)

WERS (Boston, MA)

• Round Of Blues-Shawn Colvin (This is one of Colvin's most rhythmically appealing songs.  Lyrically, it's a direct way of saying, "Let's not forget to tap into the happiness that brought us together.")
• Running Out Of Time-Paramore (Who doesn't use this excuse at least occasionally?  This is about as universally relatable as lyrics get.  Perhaps, as a society, we'd miss fewer deadlines if we had huge instruments creeping toward us, as they do in this song's video.)
  

A lukewarm endorsement II

During a live radio commercial for a bakery and restaurant today, a talk show host said he "wasn't embarrassed to say (he'd eaten) there" recently.

The host's tone was upbeat, but if I were the proprietor of that business, I'd want a more enthusiastically worded endorsement.

Context? CCXXVIII

Heard on a noncommercial radio station in 1999: "We know we've got some signal problems.  They're embarrassing to us, too."

It was refreshing to hear a talk show host fall on the sword for audio dropouts that weren't his fault--and persevere with his interview of a guest despite occasional words being lost.

Persistent earworm alert CCXCVI

Something sparked my memory today of a middle school concert interlude by our vocal music teacher's band.  Between tunes, Mr. B. told the class about how his group chooses songs to cover.  He then played and sang a small portion of "No Parking (On The Dance Floor)"'s chorus.

For those who don't know, Midnight Star sang that tune.  It sports a memorable rhythm, an overtly synthesized backdrop, and a reminder of pop music's dominant feel in 1983.

Context? CCXXVII

The Irish heritage talk continued on this day after St. Patrick's Day.  After a caller said he was "a percentage" Irish, the radio show's host asked what his mother's maiden name was.  The caller responded, "Uhhhh..."

I didn't hear the rest of the exchange, so I'm choosing to believe that he was protecting his privacy in a world that doesn't have enough of it today.  The host asked him one of life's easier questions, so I'd like to believe he didn't forget his mother's maiden name.

She bites my feet, but...

...my cat, Collette, also has the good taste to knead her paws in time to jigs and reels--very appropriate on St. Patrick's Day.

I've listened to a lot of Celtic music this month; I've heard a lot of Solas, Altan, Niamh Parsons, and Mary Black, among others.  Surprisingly, though, I haven't gotten to anything by The Chieftains or any version of "Danny Boy." 

Fortunately, there's still time.  First, though, there's Seamus Egan's entire "When Juniper Sleeps" CD of instrumentals to play in its entirety.  Listen to it yourself, and take in Egan's joyous, life-affirming "Masons Apron/My Love Is In America" and fanciful, seemingly Pat Metheny-influenced "Along The Way," and see how much more upbeat life feels to you.

Online radio sampler highlights CXCVIII

Six Thursday standouts:

KPOV (Bend, OR)

• Your Mind And We Belong Together-Love (A late '60s "anything goes" approach serves this tune well.  Not every band could pull off this song's fast-to-slow, two-songs-in-one transition.  Also recommended: "Alone Again Or.")
• I See The Light (Live)-Hot Tuna (Hot Tuna displays a Grateful Dead-like jam band sensibility here.  Also recommended: "Water Song.")

WFMT (Chicago, IL)

• Franz Joseph Haydn: Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major: I. Allegro (Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Claudio Abbado, conductor; Adolph Herseth, trumpet) (Despite being in the background on double bass, this has been one of my favorite movements of any piece since playing it in the mid '80s.  This piece calls for a trumpeter willing to play unabashedly with a ringing, resonant tone; Herseth does this here.  Alison Balsom achieves this, as well, so I also recommend her 2009 performance of this movement at Royal Albert Hall in London.)

WGMC (Rochester, NY) 

• What The World Needs Now Is Love-Wes Montgomery (Montgomery gives this well-known oldie an appealing kick on guitar, upping its energy level and emphasizing the melody's waltz-like feel.)
• They Can't Take That Away From Me-Diana Krall (Krall's vocals hit the right midpoint here between sultry and confident.)

WRKR (Portage, MI)

• The Breakup Song-Greg Kihn Band (This 1981 hit's lyrics and rhythm have held up well over the decades.  It's difficult, to say the least, seeing other people around you having fun while you grapple with the aftermath of a breakup.)

FM dial scan highlights CCXI

Eight standout selections heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• The Birds-Josienne Clarke (This new track has endearingly sensitive, understated vocals and instrumentation.  The DJ segued it wisely with...)
• When You're Gone-Norah Jones & Bedouine (...this impressive collaboration, which also features endearingly sensitive lyrics, sung and underscored with quiet grace.  Pleasant vocal harmonies, piano, and guitar.)
• I've Been Searching-O.V. Wright (The instrumental underscoring has an Al Green vibe, and rhythmically, the Gladys Knight & The Pips classic, "Midnight Train To Georgia," would sound good after this.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Walk In The Sun-Bruce Hornsby (I never tire of this well-structured tune, with its strong, recurring piano interludes.)
• B'wana She No Home-The Carpenters (This strong cover of a Michael Franks tune shows a jazzier, spicier side of this group than casual listeners might expect.)
• So Into You-Castella (Vocally and instrumentally, this solid cover honors the spirit of Atlanta Rhythm Section's original version.)
  

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Trauma-Summer Magic (This is from 2021, but it has an '80s throwback synthesized sound.  This driving groove would sound right to me before "Fall Right In" by Beach Fossils.)

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

• Sir Granville Bantock: Celtic Symphony (Royal Philharmonic/Vernon Handley, conductor) (One movement reminds me of "Hoedown" from Aaron Copland's "Rodeo," and the majestic swirl of strings and harps brings the piece to a satisfying conclusion.)
  

Patron saint of school string ensembles?

Looking back, it seems like every third piece our middle and high school string orchestras played was by Arcangelo Corelli.

I'm sure I'm overestimating that, but I wonder why that composer's name always strikes me first when I reflect on the pieces we played.

Persistent earworm alert CCXCV

I welcome "I'll Play For You" by Seals & Crofts as today's earworm.  Lyrically, it's a sunny, inviting way to start a concert and a smart way to get the audience on your side.

A '90s memory: When "I'll Play For You" came on the radio at work, a co-worker sang, "Pay the band," instead of "Hear the band," each time.  I suppose that's a smart way of making sure the band plays up to its potential.

Needless trepidation

Recently, I hesitated to listen to a tape of myself on the radio in the '90s.  I thought, "What if I don't sound as graceful as I remember?  What if I stumbled over a word or two?  What if a CD started skipping on the air?"

I sounded smoother than I thought I had, so my fears were unfounded.  Even if any of those miscues had happened, it would be silly to obsess over them now.  In all likelihood, I would have been the only person on Earth thinking about them, and fixating on minor errors that happened so long ago would have been like worrying about a test or an essay I turned in decades ago.

I just sat back, listened to my past, and was glad to have the memories.

A good offer, but...

Years ago, a high school friend received a call offering him a job at a prestigious radio station that would have allowed him to stay in St. Louis.

Unfortunately, the offer came just an hour before he unplugged his home phone and headed off for his new job (and life) in Iowa.

Alas, sometimes, timing really is everything.

A function of age IX

Heard in a radio commercial recently: "If you aren't of the age to remember, the answering machine was a physical audio recorder that plugged into your phone line."

My reaction: "Thanks for reminding me that some people see me as older than dirt."

Context? CCXXVI

Yesterday, I heard a California DJ prioritize condiments as "ketchup first, barbecue sauce second..."  She said she could sometimes bring herself to use mustard.

I'm not sure if she was referring to preferred toppings for burgers, but I disagree respectfully. Mustard is first, as far as I'm concerned.  In my view, it offers a taste suitable for multiple types of sandwiches, a version with honey that's as good or better than its conventional default variety, and the health benefits of turmeric.

I don't dislike ketchup or barbecue sauce, but I'd place mustard at the top of the list.

Online radio sampler highlights CXCVII

Nine noteworthy songs heard today:

KHUH (Seattle, WA)

• Empire Ants-Gorillaz (Welcoming piano trills and shuffling percussion underscore the vocals.  This would work even better as a new age instrumental.)
• Igatsus-Apelsin (Prog rock-style guitar with just the right amount of echo.  I'm pretty sure I'd never heard anything by this Estonian band until today, so I'm glad to have discovered this instrumental from 1980.)

KOPN (Columbia, MO)

• Lonesome Road-Madeleine Peyroux ("Don't Wait Too Long" is my favorite Peyroux tune, so I was pleased to hear another similarly assured vocals-and-guitar number.)
• Goodnite-Melody Gardot (Gardot's jazzy, old soul-sounding voice carries this tune effectively against a foreboding instrumental backdrop.)

KPTZ (Port Townsend, WA)

• All That You Have Is Your Soul (Live)-Tracy Chapman (Compellingly written and sung lyrics about having the courage of your convictions and resisting ill-advised temptations.)

WMWV (Conway, NH)

• Strangers-Nickel Creek (Yes!  This new track is a welcome return to form.  Sara, Sean, and Chris continue their winning combination of captivating vocal harmonies and unique front line of violin, guitar, and mandolin.)
• Peg-Steely Dan (One of Steely Dan's best uptempo hits, with blistering guitar playing and a memorable chorus. Wisely, Michael McDonald's backing vocals are prominent in the mix.)

WPKN (Bridgeport, CT)

• Autumn-Lionel Hampton (An appealingly bouncy vibraphone melody not unlike Hampton's "Flying Home.")
• Hard Times (No One Knows Better Than I)-Ray Charles (Bluesy, emotive vocals, piano, and saxophone.  The crackling record WPKN played made the tune sound all the more authentic.)
  

Context? CCXXV

I'm wondering what type of travel arrangements my cat, Collette, has planned.  At least four times in recent weeks, I've heard the same fragment of a radio commercial in which "Altair Travel and Collette will take care of everything."

Because I haven't heard the entire commercial, I've asked my cat if she's arranging a cruise or airplane travel.  She won't tell me.  There's such a thing as confidentiality in business matters, though, so I respect her dedication to presumably sound principles.

A petty fixation XXIV

Recently, I almost decided not to listen to a CD when I saw that the tracks weren't numbered.  I admonished myself, however, thinking, "I want to hear these two songs from this artist, and counting down the list to find out which tracks of hers to program isn't exactly Herculean drudgery.  Does everything have to be so ultra convenient that counting to 11 and 12 is a task to be avoided at all costs?"

I enjoyed hearing tracks 11 and 12.  I took a nap, though, after hearing them.  After all, counting down a list of song titles takes a lot out of a person.

Fortunately, I've recovered from such an exhausting chore.

FM dial scan highlights CCX

Recommended tunes heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Back Roads (Live)-Kate Wolf (One of Wolf's most endearing songs about taking in the details of what life offers you.  Wolf sang it just as compellingly live as she did in the studio.  Initially, the guitar chords made me think of Jim Croce's "Operator.")
• Calling Me Home-Sara Storer (Well-sung downcast lyrics.  Occasionally, it's interesting to contemplate who else has lived where you have and how different their lives were from yours.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Face To Face-Chris Standring (Uptempo smooth jazz guitar with instruments around the periphery making the tune throb.)
• Spirit Of The West-Yellowjackets (A well-sustained fast melody.  The piano underpins the saxophone melody appealingly.) 
• I Don't Mind-Maysa (I second the DJ's fandom of Maysa's voice.  This January release could segue with her standout track, "Friendly Pressure.")

KWMU 90.7 FM

• Clairvoyant-Jeremy Pelt (Pelt plays trumpet with a tone reminiscent of Miles Davis.  The bass, saxophone, and piano solos are impressive, as well.  Also recommended: "I Can't Escape From You," a sublime ballad that's one of the best songs I've heard so far in 2023.)

KSHE 94.7 FM

• Two Hangmen-Mason Proffit (An anthem for anyone who is persecuted despite being on the humane side of an issue.  Also recommended: "It's All Right" and "Let Me Know Where You're Going.") 
• Bad Weather-Poco (Slide guitar underscores these honest lyrics about a relationship going south effectively.)

Priorities in the right place VII

A grocery store incident from this morning: Someone ahead of me in line started playing a melody with his hands on his shopping cart.  It was at odds with the Foo Fighters song playing over the store's speakers, but somehow, it made sense.  I then realized he was improvising a melody for his child in the cart.

Credit to him for entertaining his child--and being polyphonic.

Persistent earworm alert CCXCIV

Since realizing how much the outline of a portable radio speaker looks like the Pac-Man video game character, I haven't been able to purge Buckner & Garcia's 1982 hit, "Pac-Man Fever," from my mind.  

The lyrics are a straightforward, harmless tribute to the game, but they don't stand up to repeated listening.  To be fair, I don't think crafting a timeless classic was the duo's goal.  Catching the Atari zeitgeist at just the right time was, and on that front, the musicians succeeded.  I was surprised to read that the song was a much bigger hit than I'd thought.

From one brassy riff to another

While listening to The Dirty Dozen Brass Band's "Charlie Dozen" yesterday, I thought, "Has any radio station ever segued this with Average White Band's 'Pick Up The Pieces?'"  You can't go wrong playing a sly brass riff next to a sly saxophone riff.

Online radio sampler highlights CXCVI

Eight of the better songs I've heard today:

KBEM (Minneapolis, MN) 

• So Tinha Que Ser Com Voce (This Love That I've Found)-Eliane Elias (Smooth, goes-down-easy piano and vocals, as usual, from Elias.)
• This Is My Song-George Cables (Cables makes this strong composition of his percolate on the piano.  This could segue with various Tito Puente tunes.)

KCAT (Pine Bluff, AR)

• Slippin' Into Darkness-War (This cautionary tale about not succumbing to vices is ear-catching, thanks to its vocals and harmonica part, which reminds me of Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up.")
• Lookin' For A Love-Bobby Womack (No hidden message here; everything's right there on the surface.  Melodically, this reminds me somewhat of the Looking Glass oldie, "Brandy.")

KDRU (Springfield, MO)

• Come Back Around-Moon Boots featuring Cherry Glazerr (A forward, danceable way of saying, "I don't know you well, but I'd like to."  Jazzamor's "Around n' Around" would sound right to me before this.)

WCCL (Central City, PA)

• Baby Blue-Badfinger (This 1972 hit is still one of the best written, best sung, and best played pop tunes about losing the potential love of one's life.  The synergy between the guitar and vocals shows why Badfinger is praised as a major power pop influence.  "No Matter What," "Day After Day," and "Baby Blue" are the band's trinity of excellence, as far as I'm concerned.)

WKYW (Keyser, WV)

• There Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens-Trapezoid (Feeling whimsical?  If you're up for some fun fiddlin', banjo playing, and lighthearted vocals, this is a fun occasional spin.  I would segue it with Doc & Merle Watson's "Carroll County Blues.")
• All Of The Songs Were Road Songs-Zoe Mulford (Lyrically, this has the tenderness and attention to detail of Carrie Newcomer's music.)