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.
