In honor of Thanksgiving, a low-key holiday that doesn't always get its due, here are some of the better Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving marathon selections I've heard today:
KBAQ (Phoenix, AZ)
- Stephen Paulus: Pilgrims' Hymn (The Dale Warland Singers) (Reverential vocals with crescendos that almost command the listener to stand and salute. I can count on hearing at least one Thanksgiving-appropriate Dale Warland Singers piece on at least one radio station every Thanksgiving.)
- Joseph Curiale: Prairie Hymn (The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) (A tasteful, pastoral showcase for strings and winds.)
KBXR (Columbia, MO)
- Down On The Corner-Johnny Marr & The Healers (One of the best C minor guitar lines you could have to carry your rhythm. KBXR's annual B to X marathon plays the station's music library in alphabetical order, resulting in tunes that aren't played frequently getting exposure. This is a prime example of a quality tune that should be better known...)
- Dream All Day-The Posies (...and so is this song. I'm impressed that KBXR still plays this 1993 power pop track with committed vocals and heavy guitar. It was the last hook-laden track I played frequently during my final few weeks at KCOU.)
WEVL (Memphis, TN)
- Houston (I'm Comin' To See You)-Glen Campbell (How did this 1974 track escape my notice until now? Also, why wasn't it a hit? If you're going to play songs about going home, "Houston..." has a strong sing-along chorus.)
WPFW (Washington, D.C.)
- Cornbread Crumbled In Gravy-Regina Carter (This bittersweet melody suits the violin well.)
WWFM (Trenton, NJ)
- Prayer Of Thanksgiving (The Robert Shaw Chorale) (This is "We Gather Together," sung with absolute conviction and underscored appropriately with organ.)
