I've praised "We May Never Pass This Way Again" by Seals & Crofts in previous posts. I can't imagine ever getting tired of its sentimental look at the pleasant moments of one's life. It ends on such a graceful note, it seems wrong to slam into blistering metal guitar or anything remotely avant-garde. That's why I'm glad iTunes shuffle mode segued it with Toto's "99" today.
One wistful piano part deserves another, I believe.
Five recommended selections heard this morning:
KRCL (Salt Lake City, UT)
KUNV (Las Vegas, NV)
WQXR (Newark, NJ)
WZVN (Lowell, IN)
I don't think I've heard this radio commercial jingle since the late '80s, but it still creeps into my mind at odd times. I'll be grocery shopping, sleeping, or reading an article, and suddenly, I'll think of the jingle, "So, come to The Linen Warehouse, and make your home complete."
I've never set foot in that business, and I'm not sure if it even still exists. I remember the jingle singer having a somewhat unusual voice--not bad but distinctive. Somehow, it's the only jingle for a business of its kind to stay with me over the decades.
I'm sure I wouldn't have predicted that jingle having staying power 40 years ago, and yet...
While listening to Todd Rundgren's "A Dream Goes On Forever" recently, I wondered if any radio station has ever played Carole King's "It's Too Late" before it. Lyrically, it's a good pairing. Rundgren's lyrics suggest that it might not be too late to salvage a relationship, after all, or if it is, you can still hold on to your dreams about it.
I've been grappling with how to approach playing patriotic music this July 4. Paul Simon's "American Tune" is certainly appropriate, given how democracy is veering off course. The "Schoolhouse Rock" track, "No More Kings," would also work and is in keeping with the theme of today's widespread "no kings" protests.
After listening to Erin Bode's rendition of "Savior Of The Nations, Come," though, I'm half-considering playing it on Independence Day. While that hymn isn't a patriotic anthem, it's appropriate this year. After all, it might take divine intervention to get this country back on sane, civil footing.
Since completing my annual viewing of the movie, "1776," last night, the ominous repeating final note hasn't left my mind. Whenever I watch the film, it sinks in what a risk those who signed the Declaration Of Independence were taking.
This time, however, I also thought the movie's final note could underscore the decline and possible elimination of American democracy. I really hope that our democracy doesn't vanish. "1776"'s chilling note reminded me, however, that a positive outcome isn't necessarily a given.
While listening to Joseph Arthur's "Honey And The Moon" recently, I thought, "Has any radio station ever played Alanis Morissette's 'Hands Clean' after this? If not, they should. Both songs start off rather quietly before their energy levels increase, and the vocals in both songs grab the listener's ears. They're lyrically compatible songs, as well."
Yes, I often think in full paragraphs when it comes to musical segues.
In memory of Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson, these are, in my opinion, eight of the best songs he wrote, co-wrote, or arranged:
Sly & The Family Stone's record-buying fans showed commendable taste in the late '60s and early '70s. In my opinion, these are five of the group's best songs; not coincidentally, four of them were among their biggest hits:
An early '90s memory: After playing The Zawinul Syndicate's "South Africa" during KCOU's "Jazz Odyssey" program, the DJ praised the song's message, saying that we all have to live together in the same world. He said we can't live in a world where our mindset is, "I'll take half, and you take half."
That idealistic outlook is admirable. However, the way America is now, that goal has grown increasingly out of reach. I wonder when--or even if--it will ever be truly achievable.
Thanks to today's persistent earworm, I remembered to buy two items at the grocery store. While driving to the store, I sang, "Trash bags! Nexium!" Why I sang this in place of the exclamations, "Incense! Peppermints!" in Strawberry Alarm Clock's "Incense And Peppermints," I'm not sure.
I still say it beats shopping with a list, though.
While listening to an "American Top 40" countdown from December 1970 on SiriusXM recently, my brother found the stylistic clashes between songs amusing. His amusement was well-founded, considering that Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" and Perry Como's "It's Impossible" were in the same countdown that week.
With such "Never the twain shall meet" conflicts on the chart, a generation gap was inevitable.
What are the odds that I would happen to walk by the same outdoor venue twice within two years and hear two different bands performing "Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads? This happened in 2023, and it happened again last night.
Is "Psycho Killer" now a Summer concert favorite, as "Surfin' U.S.A." was decades ago?
Thursday's highlights:
Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals
Luna
Real Jazz
Women Of Rock
Yacht Rock Radio
As much as I like the energy of "Dance To The Storm" by Hothouse Flowers, I wish it wasn't on my mind now. We have had far too much stormy weather here since March--and there's more in store.
If I say much more about this, I'll start swearing and hurling heavy objects at the wall, so I'm ending today's post here.
...I played the tune on the bass with my high school jazz band, so it counts--or does it? After listening to Sammy Nestico's ballad, "Samantha," yesterday, I thought, "The saxophone carries the melody here. If I were to play the bass part out of context, it's unlikely that anyone could identify the tune. For this tune, at least, I wish I played the saxophone."
I'm still not sure if that's narcissistic--or just human.
I used the word pitchy in the post I wrote two days ago. I'm calling myself out on that because it's a grating way to describe someone playing or singing out of tune. It's concise, admittedly, but it's not really a proper word in that context. Off-key is a better linguistic choice.
When I first heard "What About Me?" by Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes & James Ingram on the radio in 1984, I was surprised. I still think as I did then, "That's an unusual blend of voices." I was even more surprised when my high school jazz ensemble played it a few years later. If I think about it long enough, I can hear the tune's jazz instrumental adaptability. It's not the most natural fit for that genre, though.
I've never had strong feelings about either incarnation of the tune, nor do I ever hear it on the radio today, so I'm surprised by how often both renditions come to mind.
While listening to a top 40 station in college, my roommate suddenly felt the urge to sing along with Madonna's "Cherish." Being conspicuously off-key didn't dissuade him. Silently, I ran down the ways I could react. I could have...
Recently, I heard someone say, "I heard on NPR, while it still exists, today..."
It's disturbing that it's necessary to include that qualifier.
Saturday through Thursday highlights:
KDHX 88.1 FM
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCLC 89.1 FM
This afternoon, my cat, Collette, struck a pose while sitting in a cardboard box. She looked as if she would advise anyone who sought her counsel. As I ran to get the camera, I murmured, "Pure energy," to myself. I never thought I would use the spoken word extract from Information Society's "What's On Your Mind" as motivation to grab a camera before a moment passed. Inexplicably, though, I did. Even more inexplicably, "What's On Your Mind" hasn't left my mind since then.
I'm pleased with how the photo turned out, though.
In need of a song that will give you the boost needed to achieve a seemingly out-of-reach goal? Try this: If you'd enjoy "The Impossible Dream" with vocals that are just dramatic enough, you might like how The Temptations recorded it. Strings add gravity to the tune, but the instrumentalists and vocalists never cross the line into melodrama.
"Alexander's Ragtime Band" isn't a tune I would think to seek out regularly but after hearing Beegie Adair's version on the piano, I'll admit that it underscores a brisk stroll cheerfully. While fading out at the end would have worked just fine, the definitive hard stop brings the tune to a satisfying conclusion.
Years ago, I used to listen every Memorial Day weekend to KSHE's "Rock And Roll 500" countdown. I was always curious to see where the album rock tracks I liked most would fall in their rankings. It always bothered me slightly, however, that I never heard any of the DJs announce directly how the rankings were tabulated.
"Did the station poll its personnel to come up with these rankings? Did the program director determine them? Did the station's listeners fill out surveys with lists of their favorite songs? Just tell me," I thought.
The closest thing to an explanation I heard from a DJ was when he hinted on-air, "That's the key (to these rankings)--research outside the radio station."
I thought that was a cryptic yet slightly informative way of telling listeners, "Enjoy the music, and don't get too caught up in the numbers."
It puzzles me that I've posted every day on this music blog for over 10 years, and yet, it took all that time for the chorus of "I Can Hear Music" by The Beach Boys to enter my mind and stay there.
How to explain this? My mind just took a detour into more obscure territory for the answer. I just started singing, "The obvious escapes me, The obvious escapes me," to the tune of Adam Hucke's "The Vegetables Are Singing."
Yesterday, I heard a DJ close his show by inviting listeners to stay tuned for the next DJ's show. He said, "(The next DJ) might not have as (much) good taste in music as I do, but it's pretty darn close."
I wonder what the next DJ thought. After all, how do you follow a compromised compliment?
Seven standout tunes heard today:
KRFF (Fargo, ND)
KRSM (Minneapolis, MN)
WSLR (Sarasota, FL)
WVMO (Monona, WI)
After a broadcasting school production class, I talked with the instructor briefly about the rock station where he worked. He caught me off guard by asking, "What did you think of (a particular shift on the station) when I was doing it?"
I hadn't heard a ton of his on-air work, but what I'd heard sounded...fine. Not outstanding, not terrible, but simply decent. It would have been churlish to say his DJ patter sounded serviceable or workmanlike, though, so I said, with not quite enough conviction, "Sounded great."
"Interesting observation," he mused.
Apparently, my poker voice wasn't quite convincing.
Today, iTunes shuffle mode paired two songs about relying on a higher power for strength when you feel weary. Fittingly, Ebba Forsberg's "Carried" segued into "He Leadeth Me" by Sara Watkins. Regardless of one's belief system or lack of one, both tunes stand up on their own merits lyrically and musically. It impresses me when songs that are spiritual at heart have easy secular appeal.
My perspective 30 years ago: When I worked part-time as a DJ on smooth jazz station KNJZ, I felt fortunate just to be there. While I thought my voice was appropriate for the format, and I was able to share some of my musical knowledge on the air, I thought, "I know I'm low in the pecking order here, but there are only nine DJs on this station--and I'm one of them."
At age 24, that wasn't a bad place to be.
On the first day of eighth grade chorus class, the teacher, Mr. B., told us, "Just so you all know, the administration came up with a new list of offenses over the Summer that can now get you a 'yellow' (discipline slip that requires the offender to go to the principal's office.)"
He said one offense that would result in a yellow was using profanity in class.
"Some of you all curse bad," he elaborated. "Like sailors."
Despite Mr. B.'s generalization, I don't remember anyone being cited for using profanity in chorus class. In fact, I don't remember anyone ever swearing in that class. The class was an elective, so the students in it presumably wanted to be there. Also, it was a relatively small class with no major personality conflicts between students. Besides, everyone in the class already had an interest in music, and the teacher had a laid-back demeanor, so why would we have cursed? Temporarily forgetting the name of a treble or bass clef note on a flashcard doesn't usually elicit expletives from students, after all.
Saturday's highlights:
1st Wave
The Coffee House
Escape
HBCU
The Loft
Piano Instrumentals
Real Jazz
SiriusXMU
Symphony Hall
The Verge
The Village
This morning, thanks to iTunes shuffle mode, two of the warmest tunes in my library ended up back to back; Oscar Peterson's sublime version of "Away In A Manger" flowed into "Merry Christmas Darling" by The Carpenters. The piano and flugelhorn carry the Christmas warmth instrumentally in "...Manger," while Karen Carpenter conveys equal warmth vocally.
I never mind hearing Christmas tunes that convey the warmth of the season--even in May.
"(This news event) happened, but I don't want to talk about that..." a talk radio host said this morning. He then added, "...unless you're dying to talk about it."
Admittedly, some news events may be consequential, but when opened up for public discussion, they just lead to predictable, repetitive calls. Nevertheless, radio is for the people, so if it's reasonable for people to want to discuss something in the news, it's wise for the host to acknowledge that.
It was refreshing to see a pedestrian today sporting the largest pair of headphones I'd ever seen anyone wear while walking down the street. They reminded me of the giant headphones late '70s and early '80s elementary school students wore when listening to lessons on cassettes.
"Good," I thought. "So often, people wear not immediately visible earbuds. Their sudden bursts of speech or song make it look as though they're receiving startling messages from beyond the grave. At least, if this person bursts into song or says, 'I agree,' it'll be obvious she's listening to music or a podcast, and other pedestrians will know she's not speaking to them."
After perusing a schedule of Summer concerts recently, I nodded in recognition at two of the band names.
"Oh, good," I said. "(This band) is performing once again this year. So is (another band.)"
Then, I laughed a little. I've never heard either of those bands play, but for a moment, I'd reasoned, "They must be good since they're asked back year after year."
Familiarity, even just surface level familiarity, is am inexplicably powerful lure sometimes.
It was a pleasure to hear iTunes reach into my library yesterday and pair Hagood Hardy's "Silent Night, Holy Night" with Sally Harmon's "We Gather Together." I never tire of hearing piano-propelled holiday warmth, even when it's out of season.
It's usually obvious when a radio talk show host is getting a little exasperated with a frequent caller.
Earlier this Spring, I heard a host tell a regular caller to "take the win. (The venue about which you call regularly) still has cultural events. Take the win."
Even before the caller responded, I guessed correctly who it was. I'm still not sure if that means he calls a little too often or I listen a little too often.
Provided it's for the right reasons, it's a pleasure to hear someone express pride for their hometown. This morning, a caller who had an item for sale called into an AM station and said, "My phone number in beautiful downtown Ferguson is..."
The caller's phone number is unrelated to the appeal of his hometown, but it's nice to know some people know they're where they're supposed to be and wouldn't have it any other way.
...I was just staring at the cover of Leo Kottke's "Ice Water" album and thinking, "Ice cubes on the brim of a hat...That's one of the strangest album covers I've ever seen--and yet, it still looks pretty appetizing."
There was a water main break here early yesterday morning. The boil advisory is now in its second day, so my cat and I have refrained from drinking tap water. We're also thankful that I filled the ice cube tray two days before this fiasco started.
Six standout selections heard today:
KDHX 88.1 FM
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCLC 89.1 FM
K297BI 107.3 FM, a.k.a. WFUN-HD2
This afternoon, a Classical radio station announcer said, "We're in the middle of...Well, actually, we're not in the middle, although it feels that way when you're on the air sometimes...We're in the beginning of our Spring fund drive..."
I understand that feeling. I didn't do many pledge drives as an announcer, but even one day of a pledge drive can feel like an eternity for announcers and listeners. Regardless of how courteous and subtle you are, it's awkward to say during every break, "You just heard (such-and-such.) If you'd like us to continue bringing you such great programming, please call us to make your donation..."
My apologies for inflicting the memory of this song on anyone who'd rather not hear it:
Honestly, I'd rather not hear it, either, but the chorus of it has invaded my mind randomly for decades. Grandpa was watching TV passively at his house in the early '80s. "Sha Na Na" was in syndication, and Connie Stevens was singing the 1959 Dodie Stevens hit, "Pink Shoe Laces." I thought at the time, "She sings it well, and this tune's rhythm plants itself in a listener's mind easily, but why would anyone want to hear these lyrics sung--by anyone? And, tan shoes with pink shoelaces? Just...No."
I still feel that way. Besides, Shoe Laces should be Shoelaces in the title.
Last week, a recorded liner touted a radio station as being "tariff-free for 29 years."
I suppose that's one way to get a smidgen of humor out of an absurd situation. Steering into a skid doesn't make a situation less vexing, but if nothing else, it acknowledges how preposterous the situation is.
About 30 years ago, KNJZ, the smooth jazz station where I worked, attempted to reel in new listeners. The station mailed sampler cassettes to St. Louisans, giving them a taste of the music we played.
The sales director at my other job told me he'd received the tape. Upon hearing this, another co-worker said he hadn't received his cassette yet.
I told him, "I don't think the tapes were sent to everyone. I heard that the station targeted potential listeners in upscale zip codes."
Chuckling a little, he said, "That must be it, then. I live in a downscale zip code."
Props to him for accepting a potentially awkward revelation with good humor.
I found it interesting that iTunes shuffle mode paired The Captain & Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together" with Milo Greene's "Move" recently. The theme of both songs is, "You're mine, and I'm yours," but the ways they convey it are markedly different. The Captain & Tennille's approach is light and bouncy, while Milo Greene's style is dark and sinister.
It's quite the contrast between greeting card accessibility and underscoring fit for a spy movie.
It amused me yesterday to see an obviously AI-generated fact while "Close To You" by The Carpenters played.
I listened to a radio station whose website displays the title and artist of the current song playing, along with some biographical information, such as "(This artist) lived from 1940 to 2010," or "(This group's) biggest hit was (such-and-such) in 1972."
For The Carpenters, however, the display read (when paraphrased), "Carpentry is the craft of cutting and installing building materials..."
That's an accurate definition, to be fair. It's puzzling, however, that AI didn't pick up on any factual information about such a commercially successful group.
Five ear-catching tunes heard today:
KCHE (Cherokee, IA)
KCOU (Columbia, MO)
WBRH (Baton Rouge, LA)
WPKN (Bridgeport, CT)
After listening to Brook Benton's "Rainy Night In Georgia," it occurred to me how often rain is romanticized in lyrics. St. Louis has had more than twice its normal average monthly rainfall this April, however, so, the lyrical appeal of rain is compromised. The lyrics, vocals, and instrumentation on "...Georgia" are excellent, but a lot of locals are probably in more of a Beatles, "Good Day Sunshine" mood--even those of us, like me, who generally prefer cloudy days to sunny ones.
An ominous question heard during a radio station's commercial break in March 2004: "Have you been noticing subtle or maybe not so subtle changes to your face lately?"
Was the announcer's follow-up about a serious medical condition or just an easily fixed cosmetic issue? I switched stations immediately after hearing the question, so I still wonder.
Boston's "More Than A Feeling" has been in my music library forever, but iTunes shuffle mode had never landed on it until today. As I wrote in a recent post, it's easy to overlook classic rock tunes that have been overexposed on the radio. When you haven't heard a particular song in a while, however, it sometimes makes you appreciate its merits all the more.
Hearing "More Than A Feeling" for the first time in years made me remember why it was one of my favorite songs as a kid. It captures the feel of losing yourself in music with sincere, foot-stomping vocals and a guitar rhythm that stays with you long after you've heard it. Most aspiring rock guitarists or vocalists have undoubtedly taken a stab at it. It's no wonder that album rock stations have been playing it since 1976.
From the first time I heard Shawn Colvin's "Shotgun Down The Avalanche," I was impressed by Colvin's committed vocals.and lyrical metaphor for a rickety relationship that sounds as though it should end.
After rediscovering Maura O'Connell's version recently, I was struck by how well O'Connell captures the song's essence. It's interesting hearing "...Avalanche" sung in a lower register with some degree of Mary Fahl-like gravity.
That's a successfully sung cover--one in which the vocalist gives the song some of her own personality while remaining true to its melody and mood.
Not every lending company would be so candid in a radio commercial. Many such commercials would include a rapidly spoken disclaimer about the unpredictability of the market at the end. In 2004, however, one lender went against the grain admirably.
"Sure, the low rates you've been hearing about won't last forever," the announcer admitted. "When will they go up? Even the professionals at Bridge Lending don't know."
Listeners should admire such front-and-center honesty.
I was pleased that iTunes shuffle mode paired two tunes with acoustic instruments yesterday. James Taylor's version of "Oh, Susannah," in which he takes liberties with the melody without compromising it, flowed into Alison Brown's "Wind The Clock."
It's fitting that Taylor's cover of the classic folk song about someone arriving "with a banjo on (his) knee" would segue with a pleasant, well-played banjo melody.
Recommended tunes heard this afternoon:
Alt 2K
Holiday Traditions
Lo-Fi Study
Real Jazz
SiriusXM 105
Watercolors
Since the passing of Pope Francis, a hymn I last heard in church about 40 years ago has stayed in my mind. "Blessed Are They Who Are Poor In Spirit" has a downcast, droning melody but assures listeners that those who are meek, humble, strive for justice, and show mercy toward others will inherit the earth. Those admirable qualities exemplified Pope Francis, who, by papal standards, was compassionate and made comforting the marginalized more of a priority than others would.
Here's hoping that his successor upholds--and builds upon--those priorities.
A mid '80s memory: A DJ led into Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know" with, "...The color of the day (is) barf green. Match it up with any other color green...Whitney, you ready? Go ahead."
I'll give the announcer credit for his energetic delivery, but it would have been better to just talk about the song, the weather, or an upcoming contest or concert.
Six standout selections heard today:
KDHX 88.1 FM
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCLC 89.1 FM
KLOU 103.3 FM
K297BI 107.3 FM, a.k.a. WFUN-HD2
Six noteworthy selections heard today that have a direct or indirect connection to Easter:
KBAQ (Phoenix, AZ)
KDNK (Glenwood Springs, CO)
KWVA (Eugene, OR)
WSPX (Orangeburg, SC)
WZBC (Boston, MA)
For a classy, understated reading of "The Old Rugged Cross," listen to the tasteful bass-and-piano rendition by Charlie Haden and Hank Jones. It's appropriately reverential and near the end, the melody resembles "Home On The Range."
Standout selections heard today:
'40s Junction
'60s Gold
Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals
Bluegrass Junction
Coffee House Classics
B.B. King's Bluesville
Luna
Real Jazz
Siriusly Sinatra
Soothe
Symphony Hall
In recent weeks, I've heard radio commercials urging travelers to "enjoy tropical Costa Rica with (travel company) Collette." This amuses me, as I can imagine my cat, Collette, waiting to greet passengers as they step off a plane into Costa Rica by biting their feet, as she often does with me. I can just imagine the passengers being taken aback and muttering to each other, "The cat says it's a Costa Rican custom to welcome people by biting their feet, but I strongly doubt that."
I was intrigued to turn on an AM station this afternoon and hear a talk show host joke, "You open it up, and there's a single serving leech."
After listening a little longer, I learned he suggested it kiddingly as a remedy for allergies.
As someone who endured vexing late Summer allergies for over 20 years, I might not have ruled out leeches. After all, when your swollen nasal membranes need shrinking and medicine doesn't do the trick...
Finally! It took 51 years, but the soundtrack of "It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown" is finally available. Released last month, it contains some of Vince Guaraldi's best work. Guaraldi had a great knack for crafting catchy piano hooks on his "Peanuts" soundtracks and jazz combo releases. Many listeners who wouldn't seek out jazz otherwise would likely admit how much they enjoy "Linus And Lucy" or "Cast Your Fate To The Wind," among other gems. The entire soundtrack of the 1974 Easter special is excellent, but in my opinion, these are six of the best tracks:
This morning, a radio personality questioned why he was so invested in seeing a particular golfer win the Masters Tournament.
He admitted, "My life doesn't change one iota because (a particular golfer) won."
He's right. That's the case more often than not with sports fans--unless they've bet on the outcome.
Six noteworthy tunes heard today:
KDHX 88.1 FM
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCLC 89.1 FM
KWUR 90.3 FM
KSHE 94.7 FM
This morning, I listened to Ellis Paul's "Live" CD. While it was enjoyable to get reacquainted with thoughtfully written singer-songwriter tracks that I hadn't heard in a while, I'd forgotten that the CD included a survey that listeners could fill out and mail to Rounder Records. I thought, "I remember hearing this when it was released in 2000. I can't believe 25 years have flown by that fast." However, certain aspects of the survey remind me that 2000 wasn't just yesterday:
It's an odd compliment to call a film score so unobtrusive that you only notice it when it's necessary. That's the case, however, with the animated movie, Flow. The new age accompaniment resembles a lullaby during some of its most moving moments and takes dramatic turns during tense scenes. The subtle underscoring conveys appropriate warmth for a film about a cat persevering during a flood and different species of animals knowing instinctively when to help each other.
During these turbulent times, it's reassuring to see a film that promotes compassion and generosity of spirit and gratifying to hear a score that punctuates those qualities.
Although I don't agree with the passive acceptance of someone's betrayal in the lyrics of Bread's "It Don't Matter To Me," I've always liked how well the song is structured and sung. I like that iTunes shuffle mode segued it with another lyrically compatible tune in my library, Everything But The Girl's "Meet Me In The Morning." I can imagine someone in "It Don't Matter To Me" who isn't ready to commit to someone deciding to commit firmly during "Meet Me In The Morning."
It's nice to hear the not necessarily happy ending in one song resolve itself more hopefully in another tune.
Six of the better tunes I've heard today:
KVSF (Santa Fe, NM)
WDIF (Marion, OH)
WFIV (Knoxville, TN)
It was refreshing to hear one radio personality compliment another radio personality for his optimism today.
"When you get to be (our ages), it's easy to be cynical," the person giving the compliment said.
Indeed, it is. Given the fractured, disturbing political climate of the moment, one can't help but be cynical.
However, watching footage of recent protests reminds me that compassionate, like-minded souls exist all over the world. I have to maintain at least a sliver of optimism when I remember that.
Sometimes, at the end of a public service announcement, a DJ will say, "For more information, call us..." This doesn't always make sense because sometimes, all the information the announcer has is in the copy (s)he just read. In May 1992, I noted this on the air.
I said, "For more information on recycling your aluminum, call us here at KCOU." I added, "That's according to the copy. However, if you call us, we will just tell you to recycle it yourself..."
To be clear, recycling aluminum is a good idea. However, there was no list of recycling centers included with the copy, so there was no further information to provide.
This is a companion piece, in a sense, to a post I wrote in 2014. Regardless of how well-versed in music anyone is, no one discovers every piece of music they like on their own. While I complimented some of my fellow KCOU DJs for their musical acumen when I worked there, I wasn't always consistent about letting them know it in the moment. Thus, I thank the following DJs with whom I worked in the early '90s. Thanks to...
...Amy, for endorsing "Now Dig This," a strong power pop release by The Elvis Brothers. That band name is misleading, as the group has clear Beatles and Squeeze influences, with jangly guitar playing and strong vocal harmonies. "Strangelove," "Valentine," and "It Coulda Been Me" are standout tracks.
...Christina, for starting one of her shifts after mine with Johnny Nash's underplayed version of "Groovin'," best known to most listeners as a hit by The Rascals.
...Dan, for playing P.M. Dawn's "To Serenade A Rainbow" on the air. At the time I heard it, I was only familiar with the group's hits, especially "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss." When I walked by the studio and heard the opening, "I think I want to fly away," I thought, "How have I missed this? This is the intersection of jazz and rap, and it works especially well here."
...Greg, for playing Single Gun Theory's "From A Million Miles" on a day when I happened to be at the station. The tune's spoken intro, "Pray for me, Pray for me," got my attention immediately. This is still one of my favorite songs from my time at KCOU; Jacqui Hunt gives processed vocals a good name here. It's an interesting blend of techno and rock, with a chorus that's nearly impossible to forget.
...Jeff, for bringing Antenna's song, "Rust," to my attention. Its propulsive rhythm warrants repeated listening, and the lyrics remind listeners not to fritter away their time and to make the most of their lives.
...Jenni, for inviting me to listen to "Spooky Room" by 9353. An indie rock tune this catchy shouldn't be so obscure. I play it every year on or before Halloween, and I maintain that it ought to be better known than "Monster Mash."
...Jenny, for recommending that I listen to the entire self-titled CD by The Scofflaws and suggesting that some of its ska-based tracks could fit into my "Jazz Odyssey" shows. She was right. The group's version of "Night Train," with its spoken salutes to reggae and ska greats, fits into a jazz playlist, and "The Man With The Golden Arm" is another highlight.
...Karen, for touting the trance-inducing, exotic rhythm of Outback's instrumental, "Dance The Devil Away."
...Katy, for sharing how much she likes Nilsson's soundtrack for "The Point!" with me, especially the song, "Me And My Arrow." It's a heartwarming reminder of the bond we have with our pets.
...Miranda, for playing tunes by Dr. Corn's Bluegrass Remedy at least twice on the air. It was a good reminder that bluegrass instrumentals, with the right pickers, make fun segues on the radio.
...Neil, for playing "Delaware" by Drop Nineteens on KCOU, which reminded me that there's a time and a place for heavy guitar passages. They're generally appropriate on cold, rainy days.
...Paris, who played Herb Alpert's "Jump Street" on-air, prompting me to react, "Arrrrgh! There are many trumpet instrumentals of Alpert's that I like. How have I not thought to play 'Jump Street' yet?" That 1991 track still, in my view, contains one of Alpert's catchiest uptempo rhythms.
...Paul, for playing another KCOU favorite of mine, "Positively Lost Me" by The Rave-Ups. Rhythmically, vocally, and instrumentally on this track, the band sounds like a quirkier version of Mumford & Sons.
...Roberta, who wrote in her review of the 45, "...And I'm Thinking," that The Sneeches "can do no wrong." I agree. Their brand of radio-friendly power pop deserves a much wider audience. It still puzzles me that I've never heard even another college station play "Only For A Moment," "Stranger Things," "I Need Someone," or their cover with Shoes of "I Wanna Be With You" by The Raspberries.
...Theo, who played XTC's "The Mayor Of Simpleton" on the air, prompting me to react as I did upon hearing Herb Alpert's "Jump Street." I thought, "I've been listening to a ton of this band and playing their music on the air since last year. How have I not thought to play 'The Mayor Of Simpleton,' which checks all the boxes I want lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally? It's a different way of conveying the sentiments Sam Cooke sings about in 'Wonderful World.'" Fortunately, I rectified this oversight before graduating from college.
In addition to Chicago's "Happy 'Cause I'm Going Home," KOPN played another strong Charles Earland cover Thursday night. Multiple artists have covered the Gerry Goffin and Carole King-penned tune, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" (Some versions are titled "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?") The Shirelles recorded the most well-known version.
Earland recasts it as a jazz organ shuffle with ample room to expand on the theme and improvise. It's a respectful way of honoring the original melody while filtering it through Earland's sensibilities. It's similar to the way Richard "Groove" Holmes covers "Misty" on the organ.
I've praised Chicago's "Happy 'Cause I'm Going Home" previously. While listening to KOPN last night, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a jazz instrumental cover of it. Organist Charles Earland released it in 1972, with the organ tackling what were the sung "La, la, la, la, la"s in Chicago's version. Earland's command of the melody, Hubert Laws fluttering over the melody on flute, and the solid brass accompaniment do the tune justice in a well-sustained 11-minute groove.
Standout tunes heard yesterday:
Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals
Carolina Shag Radio
Classic Folk
Lo-Fi Cafe
Luna
Music For Cats
Piano Instrumentals
Real Jazz Just Music
Record Store
SiriusXM Chill
Smokey's Soul Town
Soothe
Yacht Rock Deep Cuts
I know exactly what triggered my mental loop's repeated melody this morning. "Windy & Warm" by Doc & Merle Watson is a good but tense guitar instrumental. To me, it captures the feeling of ambling down a road or trail by yourself while staying alert for unwelcome surprises. While giving today's ominous weather forecast, a talk radio host said that when he stepped outside this morning, it felt windy and warm, but the air was heavy, and it was a weird kind of warmth.
Hopefully, that presages just a mild rain or a storm that doesn't cause any damage. However, given that a tornado watch is in effect...
Although I was listening passively, I could have sworn that a radio commercial I heard recently implored listeners to "enjoy the benefits of certainty."
I thought, "Certainty? From a psychic reading service?"
Sometimes, a compatible key and a similar uptempo vibe are enough for a smooth segue. I discovered that this morning when iTunes shuffle mode faded out of The 5th Dimension's "Up, Up, And Away," and the Sara Watkins version of Willie Nelson's "I'm A Memory" began.
I'd imported the two CDs with those tracks at least a decade apart and had never thought to pair those songs up. Upon hearing that segue, however, I thought, "These songs were recorded in distinctly different eras and genres, and that makes the pairing sound even fresher." Their beats per minute are close enough to keep the momentum flowing, and the G minor key of "...Away" dovetails into "...Memory"'s G major key easily.
Just when I thought I'd heard every unlikely but successful segue I could possibly hear...
While getting a ride back to campus during my first semester of college, the driver, who lived on my dorm floor, turned on the car radio. Upon reaching 97.1 FM, he exclaimed, "Hey, this is a new radio station."
Indeed, it was. The new station, KHTK, launched its Top 40 format in August 1989.
I'm not sure how many years have passed since I heard someone announce the discovery of a new local radio station that way. Alas, it probably happens much less frequently today than it did 36 years ago.
Sometimes, I'll import one of my CDs into iTunes, not realizing how smoothly certain tracks will segue with other tracks on another CD I imported months or years earlier. iTunes shuffle mode reminded me of this three days ago when the elegant vocals of "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" by Charlie Watts featuring Bernard Fowler faded into the elegant guitar-led rendition of "I'm A Fool To Want You," performed live in 1959 at The Village Vanguard by The Kenny Burrell Trio.
There's one pairing I wish I'd thought of when choosing the music I played on WEW.
As catchy as I found "Castle On The Hill" by Ten Hands when playing it on KCOU, I had a quibble about the lyrics. I interpreted them as someone trying to coax his girlfriend or wife to stop being so reclusive and get out more often. While that might have been to her benefit, whenever I listened, I thought, "While this is a scenario crafted for the song, people should respect others' boundaries. If she wants to be a hermit, that's her prerogative. It might not always be the best idea, but that's still her choice to make."
That said, the strength of the song's rhythm, construction, and commitment to its vocals should have made it a hit. So many catchy songs never get their due, unfortunately.
Some of the better tunes I've heard today:
KDHX 88.1 FM
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCFV 89.5 FM
KWUR 90.3 FM
WFUN 96.3 FM
Today, after hearing a representative tout the new hot dog offerings at Busch Stadium during baseball season, a radio personality said she'd heard that each hot dog you eat shortens your life by 30 minutes. She said she could live with that concession, however.
She said she was willing to sacrifice an hour of her life to eat a couple of hot dogs per year.
Her rationale reminded me of a co-worker's reasoning 30 years ago. When he announced he was going to go light up a cigarette, someone across the room reminded him that each cigarette you smoke takes 11 minutes off your life.
"Yeah, but it's the last 11 minutes," he responded.
As long as you're not harming anyone else, that's an individual's choice to make--unwise as it might be.
I haven't been to a public aquarium in decades, but I've enjoyed watching the fish swim. On Sunday, I'm pretty sure I heard a radio commercial for a local aquarium that included the incentive, "Let them snack on your dead skin."
Apparently, aquariums have become more interactive since I was a teenager.
Late Sunday night/Early Monday morning highlights:
KDHX 88.1 FM
WSIE 88.7 FM
KWMU 90.7 FM
KSHE 94.7 FM
Recently, after doing laundry, I discovered a small hole in the back of a shirt. I confronted the offender that I suspect caused the hole--my cat, Collette.
I asked, "Who caused this?" Inexplicably, I then sang my theory to the tune of Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle's "A Whole New World," I song I don't own or even think about ordinarily.
"A cat with clawwwwwws," I sang.
Why I sang that, I'm not sure. All I know is Collette neither confirmed nor denied my accusation.
Two nights ago, I put a small bag of banana peels and empty yogurt containers I was about to toss on the kitchen counter. It hadn't been there even three seconds before my cat, Collette, jumped on the counter and poked her head in it. I shouted, "No! Stop it!" and sprinted after her. I chased Collette into the living room, where she ran around with the bag around her neck. When I snatched it from her, I thought, "I'm not sure if 'Yakety Sax' or Billy Joel's 'Root Beer Rag' is the best underscoring for a scene this silly."
Actually, I think either song would suffice.
Today's noteworthy tunes:
1st Wave Deep Cuts
'80s To Now Alt Rock
Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals
The Bridge Deep Cuts
Carolina Shag
Outlaw Country
Real Jazz
SiriusXMU Discovery
Smokey's Soul Town
Today's standouts:
KSER (Everett, WA)
KZUM (Lincoln, NE)
WAIF (Cincinnati, OH)
WJMR (Milwaukee, WI)
I wish my college Jazz, Pop & Rock class instructor hadn't told us that despite Chuck Mangione's commercial success as a jazz flugelhorn player, "there are some intonation problems on his recordings."
Decades later, my reaction is still, "I wish he hadn't told us that. Now, I'll be more likely to notice the imperfections, even though I don't want to."
Then again, "Feels So Good," "Give It All You Got," "Children Of Sanchez," "Can't We Do This All Night," and "Chase The Clouds Away" still appeal to me as much as they always have. Luckily, a captivating melody doesn't always have to be perfectly pitched.
Six noteworthy selections heard today:
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCLC 89.1 FM
KWUR 90.3 FM
KEZK 102.5 FM
Ten of the better tunes I've heard today:
'60s/'70s
North Americana
SiriusXMU Discovery
St. Paddy's Day Radio
Yacht Rock 311
Yacht Soul
When I was younger, DJs routinely asked listeners to call in their song requests. Today, however, with music more accessible than ever online, phoning in requests isn't as common.
On Friday, it surprised me when a noncommercial DJ who sounded like he was in his 60s asked listeners to phone in requests. He said he was "ready to write them down" and that he'd play them.
I wonder how many song requests he received. Even if there were few requests or none, it's refreshing that someone still values the human connection aspect of radio.
Seven standout selections heard yesterday:
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCLC 89.1 FM
KCFV 89.5 FM
K297BI 107.3 FM, a.k.a. WFUN-HD2
Once, while listening to a new Celtic track, I was puzzled to hear the lead vocalist singing what sounded like, "A night in the nicotine, oh, oh, oh..."
Then, as she continued singing the first verse, I realized, "Oh, of course, she's not singing in English. She's not singing cheerfully about the health detriments of an evening spent in a smoke-filled room."
That would be an odd subject for a jig or reel to tackle.
Seven tunes that caught my ears today:
KCMU (Napa, CA)
KZLX (Maryville, MO)
WROW (Albany, NY)
Wednesday's standouts:
Classic Folk
The Coffee House
Deep Tracks Just Music
Lo-Fi Study
Piano Instrumentals
Real Jazz
The Village
This morning, one testimonial about why someone listens to NPR impressed me.
"I don't even drive, but I still tune into 'Car Talk,'" the listener wrote.
That speaks well of a program's entertainment value and the host's communicative abilities. It's commendable when people are motivated to listen, knowing they won't hear any applicable advice.
Sometimes, I get concerned when my cell phone rings. It moves to the side when ringing on a flat surface, so I'm concerned that it might fall off of a table or desk if I've accidentally left it too close to the edge.
Today, however, I thought, "I should ease up. Usually, I can keep the phone in a more stationary location or give it plenty of room to move. The default ringtone, after all, has a calypso rhythm, so why shouldn't the phone dance when it rings?"
Why not be flexible when it's reasonable?
Six noteworthy tracks heard today:
KDHX 88.1 FM
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCLC 89.1 FM
KWUR 90.3 FM
KSHE 94.7 FM
One guitar-propelled tune in D major flows well with another, I think. That's why I was pleased to hear iTunes Shuffle Mode segue Batdorf & Rodney's "Caught In The Rain" with Kenny Rankin's "After The Roses" on Wednesday.
In memory of jazz artist Roy Ayers, I recommend these five tracks:
Today, after the conclusion of Beethoven's eighth symphony, a radio announcer said we'd just heard the Berlin Philharmonic "going at it."
I thought, "That's interesting phrasing. It sounds like the orchestra was going into battle against the piece."
Then, after thinking a little more, I concluded, "That was an especially commanding performance of the last movement, and the orchestra wasn't holding back. 'Going at it?' Why not?"
...is that one side of it might not be to your liking. Two visits ago, I was pleasantly surprised to hear Crowded House's "Weather With You" playing in the grocery store. Lyrically and melodically, "Weather With You" has been one of my favorite songs since first hearing it decades ago. The song reminds listeners eloquently that no matter where you go, you always take your personality. It wasn't an American hit, so it isn't the most obvious choice for in-store music.
Alas, during my next visit to that store, "Wannabe" by The Spice Girls was playing. To be fair, "Wannabe" was a huge hit in 1997, so it's a more obvious choice to play for customers. Also, the song's message about maintaining lifelong friendships is a positive one. To me, however, the tune wears out its welcome quickly. Whenever I hear the intro, I think, "OK, just tell each other what you want, what you really, really want, and please do it quickly, preferably in a soundproof room." Because the song grated on me, I finished my shopping in record time and bought hardly any food.
Thus swings the pendulum of grocery store ambience.
Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," which has been on my mind since yesterday, is one of the best earworms to ever grace my brain. I feel a tad sheepish, however, admitting what sparked it.
Yesterday, when I saw it was 12 minutes past the hour, I accelerated my typing. I was determined not to publish a post at 13 minutes past the hour. When I made my self-imposed deadline with a few seconds to spare, I thought, "Why did I do that? What's so terrible about a time that ends in 13? What bad luck would I have invited?"
I doubt that anything negative would have happened, and yet, somewhere in the back of my mind, 13 is a taboo number. That's an awfully silly thing to believe, even subconsciously.
Standout tunes heard today:
KCRW (Santa Monica, CA)
KMNO (Wailuku, HI)
WJAB (Huntsville, AL)
WXAV (Chicago, IL)
Sunday standouts:
'40s Junction
Bluegrass Junction
Classic Folk
Coffee House Classics
The Covers Channel
Deep Tracks Just Music
Lo-Fi Cafe
ONEderland