When we both know who we are...

...it shouldn't be necessary for either of us to call each other by name multiple times in a conversation.  During a radio interview this morning, a regular station contributor kept saying the host's names repeatedly.  It sounds natural to do that once or twice, but after a while, it becomes a tad grating to hear, "Well, the thing about that, Bob and Sue, is...," or "I'm glad you asked that, Sue and Bob, because it gives me a chance to explain..."

If I know who you are, and you know who I am, we shouldn't need to say each other's names repeatedly.  When people address me by name three or more times in a conversation, I start wondering if they're about to sell me gasoline additives.

Persistent earworm alert CCCXXVIII

While we can't always force situations to turn out as we'd like, it's nice to have the illusion that we can.  Zumpano's "Momentum" reminds us that "momentum's never been wrong."  The attitude in those lyrics cheers me up whenever I listen, and the catchy piano backing makes it one of the band's best songs.  I've been pleased to have such a well-structured, hook-laden power pop tune in my mind for months.

When culture isn't just for humans

Usually, when my cat, Collette, is within earshot of the music I'm playing, she's in the same room with me.  Yesterday, when I had to leave the room, I made a snap decision.  Ordinarily, I would have turned the stereo off.  Brahms composed such a moving second symphony, though, and my hometown St. Louis Symphony Orchestra was playing it.

I let it play out so Collette could hear it.  She hasn't picked up a violin yet and started playing it.  Still, considering that she was still curled up on the sofa when the symphony ended, I bet she enjoyed it.

Maybe I'm projecting, but what's wrong with letting one's pets enjoy some of your favorite sounds?

Persistent earworm alert CCCXXVII

If an instrumental is going to plant itself in your mind, this is a great one: "Paintings And Journeys" by The Quantic Soul Orchestra.  Rhythmically, the guitar part resembles the uptempo urgency of Lighthouse's "One Fine Morning" in the best way, and hearing orchestral strings over it conjures up images of being on a train.  I can imagine looking out the window at picturesque fields with this as my accompaniment.

Context? CCCXVIII

A radio personality asked her co-host this morning, "Why did you start smoking?"  Her co-host replied, "I wanted to look cool.  I was a moron."

I have to respect her for admitting that--and no longer smoking.

Stingray Music highlights CXVII

Thursday highlights:

Alt Country-Americana

• The Rain-Little Quirks (Vocally, this is a captivating blend of folk, rock, and Celtic styles.)
• Thorn In My Heart-Kim Richey (Honest lyrics about how exasperating it is to be with someone who drives you crazy.  Also recommended: "I Know" and "Whistle On Occasion.") 

The Blues

• Jumpin' The Blues-Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (Ample pep from the guitar and horns.  This could segue with Lyle Lovett's instrumental, "The Blues Walk.") 

Caribbean Vintage Vibes 

• La Ri Z'abymes-Al Livrat featuring Eobwer Mavounzy (The piano and horns evoke a fun carnival atmosphere.)

The Chill Lounge

• Outside-Surf Mesa featuring subtoll (This track has a quiet, appealing intensity, particularly from the piano.)
• Road To Benares-Thunderball (A flute glides over the driving, bass-heavy beat at strategic times.)
  

Classic Masters 

• Franz Joseph Haydn: Violin Concerto No. 1 in C major (Northern Sinfonia/Heinrich Schiff, conductor; Christian Tetzlaff, violin) (The first and third movements are challenging romps, requiring a violinist to be nimble, to say the least.  I also recommend Aubree Oliverson's performance of it with Cappella Istropolitana.)
• Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 (Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner, conductor) (I've raved previously about this symphony.  The requisite sorrow is there in the second movement, but I'm especially pleased that the Chicago Symphony nailed the call and response between the flute and the strings in the first movement; that's essential for conveying that movement's joyfulness.  For decades, my default recording of this symphony has been the London Symphony Orchestra's performance under conductor Edouard Van Remoortel.  It's high praise from me that I like the Chicago Symphony's performance just as much.)

Cool Jazz

• Two For The Road-Pat Metheny & Charlie Haden (An airy and subtle piece for guitar and bass.  It's consistent with the rest of this duo's "Beyond The Missouri Sky" CD.)
  

New Age

• Perpetuum Mobile-Penguin Cafe Orchestra (An effective way for stringed instruments to convey perpetual motion.)

The Spa

• Contentment-Calm Radio (This soft, reflective piano piece is titled appropriately.)

Stingray Music highlights CXVI

Thanks to U-verse, I heard a bumper crop of impressive music this morning.  Among the highlights:

'60s 

• Concrete And Clay-Unit Four Plus Two (These weren't unusual sentiments for pop songs to convey in 1965, but the tune's catchy rhythm and relative brevity at just 2 minutes and 14 seconds should have made it a bigger hit.)
  

Brazilian Pop

• Vou Voar-Sabrina Malheiros (These vocals and the tune's start-and-stop piano rhythm wouldn't be out of place on a smooth jazz station.) 

Canadian Indie

• Sad To See You Happy-Olivia Lunny (Lunny gives these lyrics about failing to get over a breakup such an appealing bounce.)
  

Chamber Music

• Maurice Ravel: Sonata For Violin And Piano in G major (Jing Wang, violin; Eduard Laurel, piano) (Tense--but lyrical nevertheless.)

Cocktail Lounge

• Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'-Ray Charles (As usual, Charles's vocals and piano playing nailed the perfect balance between wallowing in one's sadness over a relationship not panning out and moving past it.)
  

Folk Roots

• Hometown-Sarah Jarosz (Is it more satisfying to be a homebody or a nomadic adventurer?  As these lyrics suggest, it depends on your comfort zone and life circumstances.)
• Rider Of Days-Patty Griffin (A thoughtful way of saying, "Although we're no longer together, I still admire you.")
  

Indie Classics

• I Can't Help Myself-Orange Juice (Rhythmically, structurally, and vocally, this reminds me of The English Beat.  The saxophone part seals it.) 

Latin Lounge 

• Matador-Candy Space (Modern yet somewhat '70s-sounding vocals and instrumentation.  This could segue with various Jazzamor tracks.)
• Por Verte Llegar-Monica Giraldo (Pleasant vocals and guitar.)

Smooth Jazz

• Coastal Rays-Drew Simpson (Breezy, easy-on-the-ears guitar playing...)
• Nine 2 Five-Nils (...and that's an accurate description of this track's appeal, as well.  The hook of three ascending notes that first appears 44 seconds in makes the tune.)
  

Soul Storm

• Chasing-Andra Day (What do you do when you meet your ideal partner but you both prefer to be loners?  This new release posits this quandary.  Just about any tune that has this type of inviting guitar intro before its vocals will be a hit with me.)
  

World Carnival

• Jekajo-Chicago Afrobeat Project (An energetic stew of vocals, keyboard, horns, and percussion.)

Stingray Music highlights CXV

Monday and Tuesday standouts:

Adult Alternative

• Water Underground-Real Estate (Rhythmically, this has a Talking Heads feel.)

Bluegrass

• In The House Of Tom Bombadil-Nickel Creek (Brisk, dexterous fiddling, mandolin playing, and guitar picking.  This instrumental is one of many excellent tracks from the group's self-titled CD.)
  

Easy Listening

• Pavane-Steve Erquiaga (Contemplative, delicate guitar playing.)

Groove (Disco And Funk)

• Free Form-The Fatback Band (This rhythm could segue with "101" by Smuggler Brothers.)

Jazz Latino

• Tume Tume-Anga (The percussionists sustain a compelling rhythm under an odyssey of woodwinds and vocals.)
  

Jazz Masters

• Stardust-Art Tatum (Tatum has a way with piano flourishes in this rendition.) 

Jazz Now

• Reimagined-Altin Sencalar (The trombone doesn't always get its due, so it's refreshing to hear a trombonist carry a carefree melody.)
• I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart-Eleonora Strino featuring Greg Cohen & Joey Baron (A self-assured guitar-led rendition of this standard.)
  

Motown

• Too Many Fish In The Sea-Earl Van Dyke & The Soul Brothers (This slick instrumental is an impressive showcase for an organist.)

Retro R&B

• Suspicious Minds-Dee Dee Warwick (Best known in its Elvis Presley incarnation, Warwick's emotive vocals show that the tune works as well or better as an R&B track.)

Everyone's a critic... VI

Comedian Beth Stelling said something in an interview that resonated with me.  She said her comedy isn't for everyone and that not everything has to be for everyone.  I agreed that the heckler who sparked that observation was out of line.  Whoever heckled her could have watched her act online before attending the show and didn't need to compromise the show for other audience members.

Large swaths of country and rap music don't do much for me.  I don't berate them online, though.  Instead, I recommend music that I enjoy and think others might also enjoy.

Stelling is right.  Everything doesn't have to be for everyone. 

Context? CCCXVII

Today, I heard a professor say during a radio interview, "Probably, since this conversation started, a newspaper has folded."

Sadly, that's probably true.  We've already lost too many newspapers around the country.  As credible news sources continue to vanish, it's disturbing that the common base of facts on which we all make decisions will continue to erode.  After all, if no one tells you what's going on or tells you inaccurately...

Old-time ambience, Old-time music

Nothing much ever changed at the barber shop, it seemed.  During the years I went there, 1975 to 1990, every aspect of the shop felt like a relic.  Whenever I walked in, I saw the same barbers, the same chairs in the same order, the same gumball machine, and the same dispenser from which customers could buy soda in glass bottles.

It was only fitting, then, that the radio was always tuned to WEW or WRTH.  When every aspect of your business has a throwback vibe, it just makes sense that you'd have a big band or music-of-your-life station playing.

An overlooked cover tune CXLI

Even without any understanding of "Kid Charlemagne"'s lyrics, Steely Dan plays and sings it so impeccably that it's difficult not to admire how rhythmically compelling the tune is.  Rachel Z covered the tune impressively on piano, keeping its strong rhythm chugging along.  Any hotel playing her rendition in its elevators would convey, "We have a sense of decorum here, but we're not uptight about it."

In memory of Dickey Betts

I was sorry to learn that key Allman Brothers Band member Dickey Betts passed away today.  In addition to his contributions as a guitarist and vocalist, he also composed my three favorite Allman Brothers Band songs:

• In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (Inspired by an actual tombstone, the organ and guitar-based instrumental establishes its haunting vibe right from the first note and never relinquishes it.  Not just any band can pull off such a feat for seven minutes.)
• Jessica (This is another one of the best album rock instrumentals I've ever heard.  The guitar and piano carry this sustained romp for an eternity, but not even one note sounds like filler.  If you're not inclined to stomp your feet, clap your hands, or at least nod in time to this, you might be a cyborg.)
• Revival ("Revival" has a similar feel as "Jessica," but adds a vocal refrain that was perfectly in step with the idealism of 1970.)
  

FM dial scan highlights CCXLI

Some of the better selections I've heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM 

• All My Days-Alexi Murdoch (I can easily imagine Nick Drake singing these ruminations about solitude.)
  

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Entitled-Ken Kase (This 2023 track has an appealing '90s power pop sheen, and lyrically, it effectively reminds people to stay humble.)
• Aftermath-Jessica Carter Altman (The downcast instrumental backing and Altman's low-pitched vocals make her question about how to handle a catastrophe sink in.)
  

KCFV 89.5 FM

• Let Down-Paris Jackson (Jackson's vocals and the tune's waltzing feel remind me of Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You.")

WFUN 96.3 FM

• Voyage To Atlantis-The Isley Brothers (This slow jam from '77 is such a pleasant ballad that I'm surprised it wasn't a hit.)
  

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

• Jean Sibelius: Karelia Suite, Op. 11: I. Intermezzo-Moderato (Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy, conductor) (The strings convey the feel of storm clouds gathering before the brass players take over and turn this movement into a parade.)

Online radio sampler highlights CCXXXIV

Tuesday standouts:

KALX (Berkeley, CA)

• Wish You Were Here-Neutrals (This new track sports such strong, catchy power pop guitar that it almost doesn't matter what's sung over it.)

KOPN (Columbia, MO)

• Zyryab-Barcelona Guitar Trio (Intense guitar playing and clapping.  If any couple masters an appropriate dance for this instrumental, I hope the other dancers are considerate enough to clear the floor for them.)

KUTX (Austin, TX)

• Cardinal-Kacey Musgraves (When someone you admire passes away, it's sometimes difficult to discern if something is a sign from beyond the grave or just a coincidence.  Musgraves sings the chorus with appropriate gravity.)
• Ain't That Peculiar-Fanny (This cover of the Marvin Gaye hit almost never gets airplay anywhere, so this was a pleasant surprise.  I've raved before about why this rendition should be better known.)

WTJU (Charlottesville, VA)

• Thank You Friends-Big Star (I've always liked the tongue-in-cheek attitude of these lyrics, which are fitting for a band whose power pop stylings deserved far more acclaim in the '70s.)

WZUM (Pittsburgh, PA)

• Deep Night-Art Tatum (Dazzling piano technique from Tatum and a clarinet performance by Buddy De Franco worthy of Benny Goodman.)
  

A function of age XXVI

Occasionally, I'll run across a photo of myself playing the bass as a teenager.  It's a measure of how long ago that was that I muse, "Who's this descendant of mine?"

Context? CCCXVI

This morning, I heard a radio commercial in which a psychic reading service promised, "If your reading isn't life-changing, it's free."

I wonder how that service defines life-changing, considering that such readings are really just for entertainment.  Also, what's the statute of limitations on getting a refund?

An overlooked cover tune CXL

Lyrically, Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On" held up an effective mirror to society, illustrating clashes between generations and asking for peaceful resolutions.

Instrumentally, the Carolbeth True Trio shows how well the tune holds up melodically.  Even without vocals, the tune succeeds rhythmically with just piano, bass, and drums.

As I keep saying, sometimes, a rhythm section is all you need.

Online radio sampler highlights CCXXXIII

Recommended tunes heard today:

KSDS (San Diego, CA)

• Misty-Benny Carter (Erroll Garner's famous standard works in so many incarnations.  Johnny Mathis showed how well it endures vocally.  Renee Rosnes played a beautiful rendition on the piano.  Carter shows how easily the melody translates to the saxophone.)
• Streets Of New York-Lori Bell Quartet (Bell's flute playing sustains the melody, with excellent support from the piano, bass, and drums.  Check YouTube for the quartet's lengthy 2022 performance of it at Sam First in Los Angeles.)

WOMR (Provincetown, MA)

• Deer Dancing Around A Broken Mirror-Bruce Cockburn (I was pleasantly surprised to hear any radio station playing this overlooked 1977 instrumental.  Cockburn's melodic guitar playing here sounds similar to Brooks Williams and Laurence Juber.  The song title sounds like one that Leo Kottke would have crafted.  I'm surprised that the station didn't segue it with...)
• Water Song-Hot Tuna (...this track.  Jorma Kaukonen composed one of rock's most pleasant guitar instrumentals, with a strong hook.  It's a shame that this 1972 gem only gets airplay anywhere once in a blue moon.)

WPKN (Bridgeport, CT)

• Still Can't...-The Cranberries (Dolores O'Riordan's vocals underscore how hard it is to process a betrayal.  Also recommended: "Wanted.")
• Voice-Ani DiFranco (Hearing Woody Guthrie's lyrics in DiFranco's voice works in this context; searching for who you are and where you fit in is a timeless theme.)
  

FM dial scan highlights CCXL

Thursday morning standouts:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Mrg-The New Mastersounds (Any instrumental with a guitar intro this strong can't fail.  Guitar, piano, bass, and drums all contribute to a rhythm that reminds me of The Meters.)
• Mas Que Nada-Maria Creuza (This uptempo melody endures justifiably in many incarnations.  Creuza's vocals serve the tune effectively, making me wish it continued for at least three more minutes. Also recommended: "Algo Contigo," which shows Creuza's smooth mastery of a ballad.)
  

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Sunrise Over Suburbia-Ben Reece's Unity Quartet (Compelling interplay between saxophone and drums.)
• St. Thomas-Sonny Rollins (Rollins composed an infectious Latin jazz rhythm and carried it off on saxophone.  Also recommended: Ron Carter's rendition, which shows how well the melody also works on the bass.)
  

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Missing Out-Maya Hawke (A courageous acknowledgment that sometimes, we don't feel comfortable in our own skin and aren't sure what contributions we have to offer the world.)

Context? CCCXV

One radio personality deserves credit for his honesty during a live commercial read yesterday.  He'd hired an electrician to install "some 110s and 220s."  The talk show host then admitted, "I don't know what that means, but I know I needed them."

Most of us have been in comparable situations, I imagine.

Persistent earworm alert CCCXXVI

I wasn't in the path of totality yesterday, but I saw the eclipse.  I'm glad I took the time to watch it, but compared to the August 2017 eclipse, it looked underwhelming.  The lyric, "Oh, well, Whatever, Never mind," from Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" has come to mind since then.

Persistent earworm alert CCCXXV

In the buildup to today's eclipse, I keep thinking of the background vocals of Santana's "Everybody's Everything."  As I double checked the optimal viewing time and tried on my protective glasses, I kept thinking of the background vocalists singing, "Get ready," and hearing the celebratory instrumental backing.

Here's hoping that type of celebrating only happens before the eclipse, not during it.

A function of age XXV

Now and then, it's slightly off-putting when I hear current music that I don't recognize or don't like in a store.  It's never more than mildly irksome, though, as I can't reasonably expect a store to anticipate my arrival and play only my favorite music while I shop.

Also, more often than not, I hear stores play music from 20 to 50 years ago that I enjoy.  Thus, I really can't complain, because even by the luck of the draw, I've usually gotten my way.

Positive perspective IV

Every now and then as a DJ, I'd remind myself that my audience could have chosen to do any number of other things.  Instead of listening to my station, they could have decided to eat, sleep, run errands, or read a book.  Occasionally, I'd remind myself what a privilege it was to be a listener's source of information, humor, or music--even when my voice was just on in the background.

Context? CCCXIV

As I listened yesterday to a radio personality musing about the Cardinals playing their home opener at Busch Stadium, I thought, "Some things never change.  In a world that often moves too quickly, it's nice that a slower-paced game endures."

Then, I was jolted back to the present when the announcer said that Busch Stadium had switched to a cashless system.

"They won't be taking your money, so you've got to have a card," he said.

Even in a sport meant--in a positive way--for the previous century, not every tradition holds up.

Online radio sampler highlights CCXXXII

Wednesday and Thursday standouts:

KCHI (Chillicothe, MO)

• Take It Away-Paul McCartney (This rhythm pulls me in every time, and McCartney warming up his voice in the intro is an unusual touch.  Also, as my brother says, the brassy outro sounds like an of-its-time, i.e. 1982, TV newscast theme.  This is one of my most-played 45s and, in my opinion, it's one of McCartney's best solo hits.  This almost never gets played on the radio today, so it was a blast to hear it unexpectedly.)
• Can't Get You Out Of My Head-Kylie Minogue (When you're in the mood for a dance tune, this isn't a bad earworm to have stuck in your mind.)

KFMG (Des Moines, IA)

• I Got Six-Grady Tate (I doubt there's a funkier way to learn how to multiply by six.  This is one of many fun, catchy "Schoolhouse Rock" tunes.)

KHNS (Haines, AK)

• And Relax!-The Cinematic Orchestra (This aptly titled instrumental features a clarinet fluttering over an appealing call-and-response routine between the piano and bass.)

KMNR (Rolla, MO)

• I Knew I Could Fly-Our Native Daughters (Appealing acoustic instruments underscore heartfelt lyrics about not letting hateful naysayers prevent you from pursuing your dreams.)

WJAB (Huntsville, AL)

• That Girl-Bob Baldwin (Smooth synergy between the piano and guitar in this instrumental cover of the Stevie Wonder hit.)

WKCO (Gambier, OH)

• New World Romance-Voxtrot (Lyrically, this is a pleasant reminder that as long as you're still in the world, positive experiences are there for the taking.  This would have made my year-end countdown if I'd known of its release last November.)

WREK (Atlanta, GA)

• Simmer Down-Bob Marley & The Wailers (When someone or something irritated me during college, these lyrics came to mind frequently.)

WRTI-HD2 (Philadelphia, PA)

• There Will Never Be Another You-Marian McPartland (As with Dave Brubeck and Bill Evans, there's a dependable consistency to McPartland's tasteful piano interpretations.)
• No Strangers Here-Ben Wolfe (Excellent, elegant ambience.)
  

Context? CCCXIII

Sometimes, a DJ has to lay down the law when giving contest instructions.  Today, I heard an announcer say on-air, "We're going to take caller number three when I tell you to call and not before."

Maybe I should have been that direct on the air decades ago.  I doubt it would have made a difference, though.

The allure of shuffle mode LVI

When it's appropriate, why not pair a graceful piano outro with an equally graceful piano intro?  iTunes shuffle mode apparently thought this yesterday when pairing Erin Bode Group's version of "Girl From Ipanema" with Sting's instrumental, "I Miss You, Kate."

FM dial scan highlights CCXXXIX

Monday highlights:

KDHX 88.1 FM 

• One O'Clock Jump-Count Basie (I've always liked this tune, as it has one of the most welcoming uptempo jazz piano intros, and in three minutes, each lead instrument gets a chance to shine.)
• Manteca-Dizzy Gillespie (This simmering brassy rhythm commands the listener's attention.  While the shorter rendition is perfectly fine, seek out the longer rendition that contains the sung, "I'll never go back to Georgia," intro.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Cruising For Bruising-Basia (An honest way to say, "Maybe we'll get back together in the future, but for now, let's pause things."  Fortunately, Basia's smooth, forthright vocals make the sting feel less painful.  This received deserved frequent airplay in 1990.)
• Each And Every One-Everything But The Girl (As off-putting as it is to be on the receiving end of these sentiments, this is one of this group's strongest tracks, vocally and instrumentally.  When I brought it in to KNJZ and played it in '95, I wondered why I'd never heard any radio station play it before.)

KWUR 90.3 FM

• The Bug-Green Park (This new track meshes dream pop with jazzy elements successfully.  Lyrically, it's a cautiously optimistic way of envisioning one's future.)
• J.S. Bach: Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826: 1. Sinfonia (Martha Argerich, piano) (Impishness gives way to ferocity as this movement juts into a rapid tempo.  Credit to the DJ, Abbie, for finding a way to integrate Classical pieces and pop tunes into the same show.)