FM dial scan highlights CCXVI

Five noteworthy selections heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• On A Summer Holiday-Fascinations Grand Chorus (Fun, chirpy power pop with everything on the surface lyrically.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• My Blue Heaven-Miss Jubilee (There's a convincing throwback swing pastiche in the vocals and instrumentation.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Call It Like It Is-Bailen (A rhythmically and vocally strong new release with a solid hook.  These are good, direct lyrics, as well, about trusting your intuition when something seems off.)

WFUN 96.3 FM

• I Love Your Smile-Shanice (More than 30 years later, these vocals are still a pick-me-up.)

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

• Wang Huiran: Yi Dance (Xuefei Yang, guitar) (The frequent tremolo on guitar suggests that this piece would translate easily to the mandolin.)
  

Having a clue--and proving it

I remember calling into a radio talk show when I was a teenager. I don't remember what topic I called to discuss, but I was put off when the producer screened my call off-air.  When she answered, I said, "Hi.  I'd like to talk to (the name of the talk show host.)"  She responded, "What are you going to say?"  I thought but didn't say, "Why do I have to tell you?  Can't you just trust that I'll behave responsibly on the air and won't launch into a profane tirade or spout baseless conspiracy nonsense?"

Decades later, after hearing a fair number of off-base lunatic callers on various stations, I almost think that callers should not only tell the producer what topic they're calling about but submit a written rough draft online of what they intend to say.  Also, it might not be a bad idea for a producer to ask a few basic general knowledge questions of the caller, such as, "What year is it?" or "Who is the current president of the United States?" 

It would be reassuring to know that callers taking up time on the radio meet some minimum standard of cognition and civility.  I think one of my high school teachers had the right idea when he passed out checklists for students giving presentations in class.  The first question was, "Do I know what I'm talking about?"

Persistent earwom alert CCC

When you've lived in a particular city your whole life, it's easy to take its attractions for granted.  After hearing my aunt and uncle from Kansas City talk about the many St. Louis activities they'd experienced in a relatively short time, I drove away with a St. Louis tourism commercial jingle on my mind.

I'm still thinking about it one day later.  The enthusiastic jingle singers have succeeded in making me recall, "I'm sold on St. Louis.  I'm sold!"

The Arch, the riverfront, the zoo, Busch Stadium, various cultural attractions...This is a pretty nice city, admittedly.

Context? CCXLIV

One of the middle school orchestra directors, Mrs. K., paid our high school orchestra a compliment.  When I asked what time our orchestra was due to perform at a mall concert, she said, "Your group will go on last at (such-and-such time.)  You're the last of the Mohicans, meaning the best."

I appreciated her calling our ensemble the best one at the concert.  Given the tragedy behind the expression, "last of the Mohicans," however, I would have chosen a different phrase.

Context? CCXLIII

About two months ago, I listened to a tape of a high school jazz ensemble rehearsal I hadn't heard in years.  I was perplexed when someone whose voice I didn't recognize said, "Good job, Andrew!"

Had I just nailed a fast, difficult run in a piece we'd played?  I don't think so, as it sounded like the conversation took place after rehearsal.  Had I written something in my creative writing notebook that people found funny?  Maybe, but again, I doubt it.  We wouldn't have lingered after rehearsal long enough for anyone to read my notebook.  Did I say something humorous or perceptive?  Perhaps, but if so, nothing on the tape clues me in.

What on Earth elicited that compliment?  For that matter, who said it?  How do I not know both answers offhand?  After all, that rehearsal was just--um, brief pause to do the math--36 years ago.

Certain clash or genius pairing?

While reading about various radio stations that I might feature in future Online radio sampler highlights posts, I came across one that touts its unusual format of death metal and French electronica.

I have sampled it yet.  I have the uneasy feeling it could be an ill-advised pineapple-on-pizza combo among radio formats.

Still, I haven't heard the station yet.  Surely, if I listen long enough, I'll hear at least one song that I'll recommend.  If I do, I'll link back to this post.

"Regrets, here are a few..."

 "...but, then again, just five are mentioned...," to parody "My Way."  It amused me recently to see that a radio station's website, instead of just stating, "Last five songs played," labels its abbreviated playlist, "HERE'S WHAT YOU JUST MISSED!"

Psychologically, that's probably a smart strategy.  More of us might have a fear of missing out than we'd admit.  Maybe that melodramatic header makes people listen, just a little longer, to more oldies on that station.

Online radio sampler highlights CCIV

Eight of the better songs I've heard today:

KEWU (Cheney, WA)

• Michelle-Al Hood And The H2 Jazztet (Prominent trumpet and saxophone mesh with elegant piano backing in this appealing ballad.)
• 'Til There Was You-Cassandra Wilson (The intro led me in a direction I didn't expect.  Based on the tune's opening, I thought the stage was being set for an instrumental blues riff.  When Wilson started singing, I was surprised.  The Beatles recorded my favorite version of this, but this is yet another solid cover of Wilson's.  Another recommended Wilson cover: Shelter From The Storm; on Bob Dylan's birthday, this is an appropriate time to spotlight it.)

KILJ (Mount Pleasant, IA)

• Runaway Train-Rosanne Cash (Honest sentiments about a relationship taking off and not knowing what the future holds.)

KNBA (Anchorage, AK)

• Raised On Robbery-Joni Mitchell (This is one of Mitchell's more whimsical, fun tracks.  I still maintain that it segues well with the "Schoolhouse Rock" tune, "Interplanet Janet.")
• Shadow-The Ballroom Thieves (What should you do when your demons follow you?  The backing vocals are particularly appealing.)

KVMR (Nevada City, CA)

• Mood Indigo-Nina Simone (An excellent swingin' take on the Duke Ellington standard.  If the first minute and twenty seconds of piano playing doesn't perk you up, I'm at a loss.)

WWWS (Buffalo, NY)

• Harvest For The World-The Isley Brothers (I'm predisposed to like this type of rhythmic piano and guitar backing in the key of G major.  Unfortunately, the lyrical plight of not being able to feed everyone is as timely now as it was in 1976.)

WYRZ (Brownsburg, IN)

• What You Won't Do For Love-Bobby Caldwell (Caldwell passed away March 14.  This tune speaks well of his vocal abilities, as it grabs the listener right from the beginning.  It's also one of the best cross-categorical songs I've heard, as it fits well into R&B, smooth jazz, and oldies playlists.  Also recommended: "My Flame.")
  

Context? CCXLII

A radio announcer touted a restaurant's menu this afternoon, saying that "they have fried pork intestine."

Pass.  Advertising that you serve intestines--in any form--doesn't strike me as an appetizing selling point.

If fried pork intestine appeals to you, though...Well, it's a free country...

Nothing like freedom of choice

Recently, I looked at several daily playlists from a Classical station.  I was pleased that late in the hour, four or five times a day, spaces were left on the playlist for "music selected by the announcer."

When you have knowledgeable personnel in place, that's the way radio stations should operate.  Listeners should trust that music lovers who respect the station's format will choose appropriate pieces--hopefully imaginative, tuneful ones that are generally underplayed.  They should also trust that the announcers won't choose discordant pieces just to be contrarian.  Also, they should trust that the audience is interested in hearing what compelling pieces the announcers choose; after all, they know their music--and their audience.

Long live freedom of decision.

Online radio sampler highlights CCIII

Six Sunday night highlights:

KEXP (Seattle, WA)

• Music-Sidiku Buari (Sometimes, there doesn't need to be anything deeper in a tune than its beat.)
• Lovin' You-Roberta Flack (Accessible lyrics, fine vocals, strong bass, and a sustained beat...How was this not a pop hit in 1981?)

KISN (Portland, OR) 

• Go Where You Wanna Go-The 5th Dimension (As solid as the vocals are on the version by The Mamas & The Papas, the tune works slightly better at this faster tempo.)

WCPE (Raleigh, NC)

• Gabriel Faure: Nocturne No. 7 in C-sharp minor, Op. 74 (Paul Crossley, piano) (A stark, downcast work for piano.)

WDIF (Marion, OH)

• First Time I Met The Blues-Buddy Guy (Blistering guitar and vocals that exclaim, "Sadness, be gone!")

WPRB (Princeton, NJ)

• Sad Dream-EchoWave (Power pop with a dark twist?  It's interesting hearing a blend of Beatles and ELO influences spun this way.  This is a well-constructed March release with memorable vocals and adroitly handled mood shifts.)

Stingray Music highlights CIX

These are some of the better tunes I heard yesterday:

'60s

• Waterloo Sunset-The Kinks (An introvert's anthem?  Lyrically, this is for people who like to cocoon in their own worlds with limited social interaction.  Seek out the live cover by Suzanne Vega and Phil Collins, in which their voices blend especially well.)

Brazilian Pop

• Me Liga-Cris Delanno (The piano, percussion, and breathy vocals maintain a relaxed midtempo vibe.  Maria Creuza's "Na Paz do Seu Sorriso" would sound right to me after this.)
  

Canadian Indie 

• Sore Eyes-Babygirl (These endearing vocals could segue with "Falling" by Lotus Eaters.)

Caribbean Vintage Vibes

• Megaton-Prince Buster's All Stars (A sunny, steady melody for saxophone--and, late in the tune, guitar.)
  

Folk Roots

• Old Yellow Moon-Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell (Perceptive lyrics that could apply to starting a relationship.)

Indie Classics

• Best Friend-The English Beat (Power pop with horns, in essence.  Even if the lyrics strike you as an ode to narcissism, the hook's infectiousness shouldn't be denied.  Also recommended: "Save It For Later.")
  

Jazz Now

• Benny's Tune-Terence Blanchard (How could any jazz aficionado not enjoy flowing, melodic trumpet playing, a captivating rhythm section, and just enough vocal punctuation?)
  

Popcorn

• Goodbye Girl-David Gates (A reassuring chorus from the Bread lead singer that spells out that being apart from someone doesn't always mean being permanently apart.  Also recommended: "Took The Last Train.")

Context? CCXLI

During a live commercial yesterday, an AM radio announcer gave a moving company a strong endorsement.

"They treated my furniture better (during a move) than I did, and I made some of my own furniture," he said.

I'd want to know that movers aren't just going to throw things haphazardly into a truck, so I'd say that's a wise selling point.

Stingray Music highlights CVIII

Thursday standouts:

Chamber Music

• Frederic Chopin: Mazurka, Op. 30, No. 1 in C minor (Maurizio Pollini, piano) (The tenderness of this piece makes me feel like I'm eavesdropping while listening to it.  I also recommend Arthur Rubinstein's rendition.)
  

The Chill Lounge

• Take Four-The Juju Orchestra (This energetic jazz/electronica/international instrumental with occasional vocals could segue with Outback's "Dance The Devil Away.")

Cool Jazz

• Ponta de Areia-Esperanza Spalding (Engaging vocals and bass, both of which are customary for Spalding.  This is an excellent cover of a Milton Nascimento song in which the piano also shines.)

Folk Roots 

• Bears-Lyle Lovett (If you're going to sing about the attributes of penguins, why not bears, as well?  I've always liked this irreverent tune of Lovett's.)
• The Lucky One-Alison Krauss (As the lyrics suggest, there are wildly different ways to live--and different perceptions of whose lives are or aren't fulfilling.)
  

Jazz Masters

• Easy Listening Blues-Nat King Cole (There are plenty of tracks highlighting Cole's rich vocals.  This one, however, features his impressively bluesy piano playing.)
• Moanin'-Jon Hendricks (Hendricks sings this at a faster clip than he did with Lambert, Hendricks & Ross.  At any tempo, these are good lyrics for acknowledging one's woes.)
  

Jazz Now

• You've Changed-Ellen Andersson Quartet (Pleasant, resonant trumpet.)

Soul Storm

• I Need A Dollar-Aloe Blacc ("Wake Me Up" is my favorite Aloe Blacc tune, but I imagine most listeners can relate to these lyrics at one time or another.)

Stingray Music highlights CVII

Wednesday afternoon highlights:

Bluegrass

• Talking In Your Sleep-The Hillbenders (I have to respect any ensemble that reworks a pop hit this successfully in a completely different genre.  I never envisioned this hit by The Romantics as a steeplechase, but it works much better than I would have imagined.) 

Canadian Indie

• Janet Planet-TOPS (I was taken instantly with the steady rhythm and lyrics.  The echo on the vocals creates an appropriate otherworldly atmosphere.  Who doesn't feel like finding a better planet, metaphorically speaking, once in a while?)
• Better Now-The Weather Station (Fitting, sensitively sung lyrics for anyone resolved to move past a breakup.  The tune swells effectively from quiet vocals to ear-catching crescendos.)
  

Chamber Music

• W.A. Mozart: Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K.331: III. Alla turca (Allegretto) (Alfred Brendel, piano) (Brain lapse fixed!  Three days ago, this melody that my mother used to play on the piano came to my mind, and I was trying to remember the movement and piece from which it originates.  Hearing it today reminded me of why this movement is among Mozart's most popular melodies.  It would be appropriate underscoring for someone riding into town on a horse and saving the day in some heroic fashion.  Brendel takes a slightly more stately, deliberate approach to certain passages than I've heard in other renditions, but I enjoyed hearing this childhood favorite again--and being reminded of its source.)
  

The Chill Lounge

• Cold Comfort Farm-Ishmael (This well-sustained throbbing beat almost demands a pulsating light.)

Classic R&B And Soul

• Summer Madness-Kool & The Gang (This is the appealing earlier, jazzier side of Kool & The Gang.  This laid-back, trance-inducing instrumental's chill guitar and keyboards maintain the mood for the duration.) 

Cocktail Lounge

• Snowfall-Henry Mancini & His Orchestra (This instrumental might become my new go-to version of the tune.  It fuses lush strings, brass, and tasteful piano and vibraphone with a heading-back-to-the ranch guitar part.)
  

Cool Jazz

• The Look Of Love-Martin Taylor (Tasteful, understated guitar that's appropriate for this standard.) 

Folk Roots

• Ever Gonna Fly-Jaspar Lepak (Lyrically, this shows an honest, endearing vulnerability.  Instrumentally, it straddles the line between bluegrass and folk compellingly.) 

Smooth Jazz

• Moon Over Gotham-Keiko Matsui (Uptempo, melancholy piano and trumpet.)

FM dial scan highlights CCXV

Six Tuesday morning gems:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Gladiolus Rag-The Lovestruck Balladeers (An impressive 2020 rendering of a Scott Joplin piece from 1907.  The mandolin, violin, and piano players carry off an authentic throwback ragtime feel in this instrumental.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Stumped-The Service (A persuasive case for starting a band of all rhythm section players.  This track, from the St. Louis band's appropriately titled "Serve The Groove" album, maintains a strong six-minute groove on organ, guitar, and bass.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Can't Let Go-Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (The original Lucinda Williams version has more grit, but this is a solid cover of a tune about clinging to a relationship past its expiration date.)

WFUN 96.3 FM

• All I Do-Stevie Wonder (There's no shortage of songs conveying the message, "I think about you constantly, and I'm glad."  A lot of them, however, don't have a groove that's nearly this steady or coalesce into a tune that you still want to hear after 50 listens.)

WARH 106.5 FM

• Black Coffee In Bed-Squeeze (The keyboard intro holds up as one of the most ear-catching ways to start and sustain any rock tune.  It also gives the lyrics about grappling with a breakup a ray of hope. I rarely hear this tune on American radio stations; that's a shame, as it deserves more stateside exposure.)

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

• Valerie Coleman: Red Clay & Mississippi Delta (Imani Winds) (Gershwin with a twist?  It's worth learning the clarinet to play this piece.)

SiriusXM highlights CXXXV

Monday night highlights:

Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals

• Rylynn-Don Ross/Andy McKee (A pensive but slightly hopeful uptempo melody for two guitars.)

The Coffee House

• Kyoto (Exclusive Version)-Phoebe Bridgers (To forgive or not forgive?  And, even if you do forgive, to what extent should you forgive?  This acoustic version brings out the dilemma that the lyrics pose.)

Real Jazz

• Slick-Ramsey Lewis (Saloon-style piano gives way unexpectedly to a frenetic Chick Corea & Return To Forever-style melody.) 

Silk 330

• A Song For You-The Temptations (Ray Charles sings the best version of this, but this heartfelt, emotive take is also powerful.)

SiriusXMU

• Green Aisles-Real Estate (When you embark on a career, how do you know if you're on the right path or if your efforts will add up to anything?  I sympathize with recent college graduates who are asking themselves those questions.  Thirty years ago, I was in that boat and haven't forgotten how that uncertainty feels.)
  

Soothe

• Come Back To Me-Sayl (Thought-provoking chill guitar with the right amount of reverb and production gloss.  My only quibble: I wish this instrumental lasted at least another minute.)

Soul Town

• Spinning Around-The Main Ingredient (Are you in a daze?  Does everything feel right in your world?  In the mood for a Stylistics-style ballad minus the falsetto vocals?  This is for you.)

A function of age XIII

Yesterday, I noticed in a previous post that Autocorrect changed the word accordion to according.  As I fixed the post, I marveled at how much calmer I've become when such things happen.  I used to erupt when I spotted that type of mistake.  I'd pound on the desk, let out a string of profanity, and/or throw something on the floor or at the wall.  

This time, however, I just said, "Grrrr...," made the necessary edit, and got on with life.  I've reminded myself that occasional typos are inevitable when you churn out daily posts.  Also, there are really no stakes here, as this is a free blog I'm writing largely for my own enjoyment.

I suppose I've mellowed--or just have reduced energy that comes with age.

Still, I want listeners to know about those virtuoso accordion performances.  Hmmm...Maybe a happy medium is in order here.  Maybe if I just uttered one profane word before editing a typo...

...No matter how old I get, I guess I'm still a work in progress.

Context? CCXL

Yesterday, I learned from a promo that a college radio station's heavy metal show airs "on Fridays, from midnight until we get tired..."

Points for honesty there.  If your heart isn't into the music one night and you want to knock off early or if you feel moved to stay on the air all night, you might as well own it.

Online radio sampler highlights CCII

I've heard an eclectic array of standout tunes today.  Here are seven of the best ones:

KCSM (San Mateo, CA)

• Four In One-Renee Rosnes (As much as I love Rosnes's piano-led versions of "Misty" and "I've Got You Under My Skin," it's good to be reminded that her ensemble swings, as well.)
• Little Sunflower-Johnny Lytle (What a compelling uptempo mood this group maintains, centered around Lytle's vibraphone prowess.)

KKCR (Hanalei, HI)

• Ka'alaea-Walea (Early '60s-style harmonizing with a distinctly Hawaiian flavor.  This wouldn't be out of place in a playlist including The Brothers Four, The Lettermen, and Roger Whittaker.)

KVRF (Palmer, AK)

• Mr. Fortune-The Hitch-Hikers featuring The Mighty Pope (A great recurring brassy riff reminiscent of Edwin Starr's "War," with fully committed vocals and energy to burn.  What a gem this 1971 track is.)

WOVM (Appleton, WI)

• Lonely People-Rickie Lee Jones (A respectable--and unexpected--cover of America's 1975 hit.  The intro faked me out, as I thought I was about to hear a cover of The Band's "The Weight.")

WREK (Atlanta, GA)

• Spyrone-Harry J All Stars (Reggae and R&B coalesce perfectly in this organ instrumental from 1969.)

WRHU (Hempstead, NY)

• Tokyo Ballerina-Sparta Locals (Despite not understanding a word of Pizzicato Five's Japanese lyrics, I've raved about the group's infectious rhythms and vocals.  I'm doing the same for this Sparta Locals track because of its full-of-life vocals, guitar, and Japanese lyrics that I can't decipher.)
  

Context? CCXXXIX

I'm a little taken aback that a radio talk show host joked today about Dan Fogelberg being on his "assisted suicide playlist."

To the host's credit, he clarified that he has nothing against Fogelberg as a person and that he has played "Leader Of The Band" on-air in honor of his father. 

I still thought,  "You don't like 'Part Of The Plan,' which, in my view, is Fogelberg's best-played and best-sung tune?  'Illinois' doesn't move you?  'Hard To Say,' 'Longer,' and 'Heart Hotels' don't appeal to you, either?  Really?"

I'll concede that "Same Old Lang Syne" depresses me; I still respect how sensitively crafted it is, though.  

I've always considered Fogelberg a quality singer-songwriter, so it's puzzling to hear a sardonic remark from someone who doesn't like most of his music.  Still, as his co-host noted, acknowledging the poignancy of "Leader..." is a big qualifier.

FM dial scan highlights CCXIV

Tuesday and Wednesday highlights:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Right On-Marvin Gaye (This track doesn't always get its due, as it's on the classic "What's Going On?" album with a lot of great music.  It deserves acclaim, though, as an appeal for treating others compassionately and acknowledging that life isn't fair.  The strings and jazzy flute accompaniment add to the tune's gravity.)
• Northern Lites-Super Furry Animals (How Peter Gabriel might sound with mariachi band backing.)
• Delirium-Whatitdo Archive Group (This new track combines some of the best elements of Isaac Hayes's classic "Theme From 'Shaft'" and Povo's "The Art Of Blakey.")
• Make It Right-The Everettes (I was already singing along with this, despite hearing it for the first time.  This April release sounds like a lost '60s Motown track that should have been a hit.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• After The Fall-Incognito (I've listened to this tune countless times over the years and have never tired of it.  It sets a tuneful, tempered atmosphere immediately and maintains its status as one the best late night driving instrumentals.)
• Does The Music Turn You On?-Peet Project (A somewhat unusual blend of violin, saxophone, and robotic vocals that clicks.)
• New Day For You-Basia (The way Basia sings "Hello" at the beginning of the tune draws me in every time.  Lyrically, this is an encouraging way of saying, "Hang in there, and things will get better.")

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

• Maurice Ravel: Bolero (Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti, conductor) (One of Classical music's most recognizable melodies, played with the right balance of stateliness and tunefulness.  I was half asleep when this aired, but I still started tapping my toes without realizing it.  Meanwhile, my cat, Collette, started kneading her paws vigorously during the melody's crux.  Neither of these reactions surprised me; "Bolero"'s melody is that strong.)
  

Context? CCXXXVIII

A DJ was honest today about the struggle to get a musician's voice to come up on the console.

"Maybe if I hit enough buttons (and) dance around on one foot...," she mused.

Luckily, shortly after this intro, the vocalist in question could be heard, and the interview began.  One refreshing aspect of working at a casual noncommercial station is that you can admit on the air, at least occasionally, that technology sometimes bedevils you.

SiriusXM highlights CXXXIV

Monday morning standout songs:

The Blend

• I Won't Last A Day Without You-The Carpenters (Karen Carpenter was the perfect choice to sing this with just the right amount of heart.  Lesser voices could make these lyrics sound overwrought.)

The Coffee House

• Bloom-The Paper Kites (A nice blend of vocals, acoustic guitar, and whistling.  This is an endearing way of telling someone you really want to know her.)

Luna

• Portrait Of Porto-Brandi Disterheft & George Coleman (Strong synergy between the piano and the bass in this enjoyably energetic Brazilian jazz instrumental.)

Outlaw Country

• Canadian Railroad Trilogy-Gordon Lightfoot (Too often, we take lifelines such as railroads and all the effort that goes into building them for granted.  The orchestral strings and Lightfoot's guitar approximate a train's rhythm compellingly.  I was glad to hear this and other well-selected tunes, along with interview segments, in Lightfoot's memory.)

Prime Country

• Outbound Plane-Suzy Bogguss (Bogguss excels at singing country crossover material.  She does this Nanci Griffith song justice, as I can still hear Griffith's sensibility easily.)

Real Jazz

• Mas Que Nada-Hugh Masekela (It's interesting hearing this at a slower tempo than I'm used to on other renditions.  The trumpet and piano make the tune sound more foreboding as a result.)
• Betcha By Golly Wow-One For All (This is not a straight ahead, note-for-note copy of the hit ballad by The Stylistics.  Instead, it uses the melody as a springboard for exploring other tangents.)

Siriusly Sinatra

• Puttin' On The Ritz-Mel Torme (The instrumentalists backing Torme's vocals give this standard a sly, hip, jazzy feel.)

SiriusXMU Discovery

• Sad To Breathe-The Japanese House (The sudden tempo increase in this new release gives one hope that the protagonist will get over the sadness of her breakup.)

Watercolors

• Blue Horizon-Maysa (Maysa has a compelling way of singing over instrumental backdrops that throb.  Also recommended: "Friendly Pressure.")
  

Fit for bionic arms

I've cited Sammy Nestico's "Pressure Cooker" before as the most challenging jazz tune I played on the bass.  Bassists don't just have to keep time in that piece; they have to master constant shifting between positions at a breakneck pace.

Recently, I listened to the "Crusaders At Their Best" CD and realized that there's another track that's just as challenging for a bassist.  If you play bass, try mastering the rapid shifting required in "Young Rabbits '71 '72."

Any bassist who can play that fast and accurately warrants respect--and an appreciative audience.

Context? CCXXXVII

On Thursday, a DJ began his shift in an unusual fashion.  He said he hoped listeners would appreciate that there was "a real humanoid behind the microphone."

In an age of increasing artificial intelligence and deepfakes, that's something not to take for granted.

Context? CCXXXVI

Yesterday, I heard a DJ announce, "Everybody's comin' (to this special promotional event)--even the weekend DJs..."

In the shoestring budget world of radio, that speaks volumes about how important the event is for the station.

Online radio sampler highlights CCI

Six of the better tunes I've heard today:

KALH (Alamogordo, NM)

• Show Me Love-Robin S (I'd forgotten about this dance groove from 30 years ago.  You've almost certainly heard similar tunes, but that doesn't detract from "Show Me Love"'s solid beat and confident vocals.)

KELS (Greeley, CO)

• We May Never Pass This Way Again-Seals & Crofts (One of the best soft rock tunes about appreciating the best parts of life when they happen.  I've thought of it often when leaving homes, jobs, and schools.  Its lyrical sentimentality is appropriate in any era.)

KFMG (Des Moines, IA)

• Can't Let Go-Lucinda Williams (The opening guitar lick gets my attention in a way few other songs do.  The somewhere-between-country-and-rock guitar line underscores well-written, effectively sung lyrics about wanting to hold onto a relationship that's clearly over.  This tune is just as catchy to me as it was in 1998--and should have gotten more exposure on the St. Louis airwaves.)

WERA (Arlington, VA)

• Hey Little Girl-Allen Toussaint (Excellent stride piano; I felt hipper just being within proximity of the speakers playing it.  The DJ was right to ask, "That was mellow and sophisticated, wasn't it?")

WJSU (Jackson, MS)

• Why Did I Choose You?-Houston Person (A pleasant, melodic ballad--warm tenor sax playing from Person and piano playing from Larry Fuller that's integral in setting the mood.)

WXRV (Boston, MA)

• Once Twice Melody-Beach House (Lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally, this combines some of the best aspects of dream pop and electronica.)

The allure of shuffle mode XXVIII

I wouldn't have thought to pair these two songs from my library, but iTunes did today: Thanks to random play, Amanda Shaw's "Git Fiddler" led into Republica's "Ready To Go."  Although those songs fall under very different genres, each song's energy level feeds off of the other.  

Sometimes, the mix side of mixing and matching is the way to go.

In memory of Gordon Lightfoot

An artist can move a ton of listeners with just his voice and a guitar.  Just last Thursday, I listened to Gordon Lightfoot tunes that aren't usually played on the radio.  I thought, "It's a shame that tracks like 'Looking At The Rain,' 'Second Cup Of Coffee,' 'Race Among The Ruins,' and 'Spanish Moss' aren't better known."

Nevertheless, Lightfoot had considerable commercial success, and with his passing, the world lost a consistent class act among singer-songwriters.  In my opinion, these are 10 of his best tunes:

• Alberta Bound (If you've got a reason to take to the road, this is good driving music.  I've segued it on a mix CD with Jim Croce's "Big Wheel.")
• Beautiful (Some of the classiest, most eloquently sung lyrics fit for a valentine.  I've always thought this tune is nearly on par with Lightfoot's most moving hit, "If You Could Read My Mind."  It speaks volumes about the quality of Lightfoot's work that such a beautiful song was buried as the ninth track out of 11 on his "Don Quixote" album.  When you never record a truly subpar tune, that's bound to happen.)
• Carefree Highway (As Greg Kihn sang, "They don't write 'em like that anymore."  This is one of many Lightfoot songs with a strong sing-along chorus.)
• Early Morning Rain (The fact that so many artists have covered this song speaks to its appeal.  Hearing Lightfoot, Peter, Paul & Mary, Sara Watkins, Eva Cassidy, or Dr. Corn's Bluegrass Remedy perform it reminds me how strong Lightfoot's tune about watching planes while not being in the best of spirits is.  It's no wonder that Lightfoot introduced it in concert as "my first real good song.")
• If You Could Read My Mind (One of the best-written and movingly sung soft rock hits of the '70s and one of the best combinations of a singer-songwriter and lyrics ever recorded.  Lightfoot's baritone voice and guitar playing are perfect for these sentiments.  In my view, this is his best song.)
• Old Dan's Records (It speaks well of Grand Junction, Colorado station KAFM that there's a place for these lyrics about honoring someone and his musical taste.  This is a good choice for a show title and theme song.)
• Song For A Winter's Night (Sarah McLachlan's solid cover usually gets the bulk of the radio airplay around Christmas, but Lightfoot's original, faster version is just as heartfelt.)
• Summertime Dream (Considering how accessible this song is, I'm surprised it wasn't a hit.  It's more lighthearted and uptempo than many of Lightfoot's songs, so perhaps listeners weren't expecting that from him.  I remember bringing this into WEW one morning and shoehorning it onto the air.  I'm not sure it even made musical sense with the songs I programmed around it.  Still, it had lifted my spirits the day before my radio show, so I was determined to brighten everyone else's day with it, as well.)
• Sundown (How many of us haven't sung along with the chorus involuntarily?)
• The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald (Kudos to the record-buying public for taking to this tale of a sunken ship.  It speaks well of listeners' collective taste that this was such a huge hit in 1976.  I also have this related memory.)

A function of age XII

Today, I've been trying to recall the last time anyone asked me, "Is that station on AM or FM?"  I'm not sure, but I suspect I'd have to go back about 30 years for the answer.