Although it doesn't affect the sound of the record, I was puzzled to see that the cover of my LP containing two Mendelssohn symphonies looked more worn and scuffed than I remembered.
I thought, "How can this be? I just bought this album in--um, well, 1986--a 'mere' 40 years ago. Actually, that's only recent geologically speaking."
I find it amusing and refreshingly honest that there's a radio retirement planning program called "Keep What's Yours."
It would amuse me even more if the show used "I Me Mine" by The Beatles as its theme song.
Today's standouts:
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCLC 89.1 FM
KCFV 89.5 FM
KWUR 90.3 FM
Today's standout tunes:
'60s/'70s R&B Hits
Country Coffee House
Luna
Real Jazz Just Music
SiriusXM Love
Watercolors
Yacht Rock Deep Cuts
Recently, I listened to Porcupine's self-titled CD, which I hadn't heard in a while. As I listened, I thought, "There's a pleasant consistency to these tracks--appealing smooth jazz with easy-to-digest keyboard parts, sunny saxophone, and a good undercurrent of bass. I wonder why I've never heard this group's music on the radio."
I knew the answer, though. When your music is consistent but consumed largely as background accompaniment, it's easy for it to get lost in the shuffle of similar-sounding artists.
Such is the challenge smooth jazz and new age artists face.
The electricity has gone out five times today. The first four times, the power outages only lasted, at most, about as long as Chopin's "Minute Waltz." The fifth power outage, however, lasted over 20 minutes.
It's interesting to ride out a power outage with "Minute Waltz" playing on a back-of-the-mind mental loop 20 times. Who knew that such a fast piece could have such a calming effect?
These are six of the more interesting tunes I've heard today:
KBZR (Baker City, OR)
KVSF (Santa Fe, NM)
WSUM (Madison, WI)
WTIP (Grand Marais, MN)
I graduated from college over 30 years ago, so it's not surprising that most of the music department instructors during my time there have retired. It's nice to see that a few of them still teach there, though.
I know that the passage of time is inevitable, but I'll take all the links to my years there that I can get.
While listening to Sammy Nestico's "Dark Orchid" yesterday, I wondered if the tune had ever underscored a chase scene in a TV drama or movie. It should, as that instrumental conveys a tense, suspenseful vibe while falling somewhere between a Chuck Mangione track and the Isaac Hayes classic, "Theme From 'Shaft.'"
An AM radio caller said this morning, "Of the Three Stooges, my favorite is..."
...And, that was my cue to change stations. Although it has been about 45 years since I last saw anything they did, I'm certain their comedy isn't for me. I know they had a long career and people still watch them today. The appeal of their humor just eludes me, though. Even as a 10-year-old, I thought, "This is a form of entertainment? Really?"
No law requires every form of humor has to be cerebral, but...
Although it was a relatively big hit in 1978, I've almost never heard Atlanta Rhythm Section's "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight" on the radio. Until today, about the only part of the song I'd remembered was the title being sung in the chorus. After looking up the lyrics, they're a lot darker than I realized. I'm choosing to ignore that, however, and focus on the bounce in the rhythm that reminds me of one of the band's best earlier songs, "Angel."
Five of the better songs I've heard this morning:
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCLC 89.1 FM
KCFV 89.5 FM
Six standout tunes heard today:
KDLR (Devils Lake, ND)
KMHD (Portland, OR)
KRML (Carmel, CA)
WDIF (Marion, OH)
WFHB (Bloomington, IN)
WJVX (Chicago, IL)
This morning's noteworthy tunes:
'40s Junction
Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals
Carolina Shag Radio
Chucho's Cuba & Beyond
Lo-Fi Sleep
North Americana
Watercolors
Yacht Country
Since the passing of actor Anthony Stewart Head, I'm sure I'm not the only "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" fan who has had his performance of The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes" in mind. After watching the episode in which he sings it again, I realized that he belts the tune more forcefully than I remember. Head proves that a strong voice and an acoustic guitar are all one needs to make Pete Townshend's lyrics in "...Eyes" sink in.
I knew I was in a sour mood a couple of weeks ago when I woke up and sang, "Things had better go my way," to the tune of Lenny Kravitz's "Are You Gonna Go My Way?"
Props to the Community Radio St. Louis DJ last night for an update you wouldn't typically hear on a stodgy, by-the-book commercial station. After back announcing a music set last night, she mentioned that a moth was flying around the studio and distracting her. While playing her last song of the night, she broke in to let everyone know that the moth had left the studio safely.
Credit for humanity there.
Six standout tunes heard today:
KDRP (Dripping Springs, TX)
KUWL (Laramie, WY)
WITT (Indianapolis, IN)
I was always pleased when I learned that an ensemble in which I played was going to play a piece I'd already played with another orchestra. The best example of this was Franz Schubert's eighth symphony, "Unfinished." During one rehearsal, I was playing it with fierce confidence, going to town as if I'd played it several hundred times by memory. When the conductor stopped the orchestra to go over a particular passage, he looked over at me and said, "Very good!" The seriousness with which I replied, "Thank you," elicited a few giggles from the first violinists.
It didn't bug me at the time, but later, I thought, "I wonder if I was approaching a 'Be Not Afraid' level, instrumentally."
This morning's recommended gems:
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCLC 89.1 FM
WARH 106.5 FM
K297BI 107.3 FM, a.k.a. WFUN-HD2
Whenever a musical artist I like retires or passes away, I often think, "How much of their music have I bought?" Even if it was just two of their albums or a handful of scattered songs, I feel a little better knowing that I contributed, at least on a modest scale, to their being able to make a living doing what they love.
Although Paul Simon wrote "Can't Run But" long before artificial intelligence, the tune's general vibe about a loss of humanity comes to my mind every few days lately. It's rare these days for me to go more than a few days without reading about an AI glitch or people relying on it instead of thinking for themselves.
The song also comes to mind on a day like today, when I've gotten a decent amount of sleep but still feel sluggish. It's strangely motivational while also acknowledging that some days are inevitably worse than others.
My mind is craving a break between one long worknight and another. Thus, the recurring mental loop of "Guantanamera," as played soothingly by The 50 Guitars...
...I'm not sure why it took so many years for my mind to conjure up such a familiar, much-covered melody as an earworm, but now that it's here, I'm fine with it not leaving soon.
Friday morning standouts:
1st Wave Deep Cuts
Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals
The Bridge
Classic Folk
Country Coffee House
Deep Tracks Just Music
The Loft
Mom Jeans
North Americana
Real Jazz
Yacht Rock Radio
Thursday morning highlights:
KEPC (Colorado Springs, CO)
KRCL (Salt Lake City, UT)
KKYX (San Antonio, TX)
WSLR (Sarasota, FL)
WVSS (Menomonie, WI)
WWOZ (New Orleans, LA)
I've written previously about how much Wolf Alice's song, "White Horses," appeals to me. After going back to the band's "Saturday Night Live UK" performance and studio version many times over the past two months, I'm retroactively declaring it my favorite song of 2025. In addition to the reasons I cited in my previous post, I also admire the central point of the lyrics. I'm extremely fortunate to have a great family. Not everyone is that lucky, however, and in those cases, it should be their "choice to choose who (they) embrace as family," as the lyrics decree. That subject matter isn't typical of driving indie rock, but it works to great effect in "White Horses."
Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins had a long stretch of noteworthy recordings during his 95 years of life. In his memory, these are 10 tunes I recommend:
Five standout tunes heard yesterday:
Songwriters Showcase
Folks Of The World
R.S.V.P.
Five standout tunes heard this morning:
WSIE 88.7 FM
KSHE 94.7 FM
KLOU 103.3 FM
To cope with the withdrawal I'm feeling after the end of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," I've watched various performances by Louis Cato & The Great Big Joy Machine. "Gratitude" is the song I think I'll miss most as bumper music. It's sunny, brassy, accessible jazz and a welcoming way to wake up. If "Gratitude" was playing on the clock radio, I'd think, "Well, that's one positive thing that has happened so far today."
Although I enjoyed the festive atmosphere that Paul McCartney created for everyone with "Hello, Goodbye" on the final episode of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," I also enjoyed the appropriate lyrics in the Elvis Costello song before it, "Jump Up." Considering the political climate in which Colbert's show ended, it was fitting that Jon Batiste, Louis Cato, Costello, and Colbert sing a song about the empty promises some politicians make.
Years ago, I wrote a poem. In the center of the page, I wrote, "A promise is just a plan of the moment." In a circle around it, I wrote a series of promises that people make but often don't fulfill, such as, "I'll give you a call," "I'll make you a tape," and "We'll have lunch sometime." I thought back to writing that poem as the quartet sang about being careful not to trust a supposed guarantee someone gives you.
Quite often, people just say what they think works to their advantage in the moment or allows them a graceful exit from a conversation or a situation. When people throw caution to the wind by taking the bait, the consequences are sometimes dire. That's the situation this country is in now--and the one in which Colbert's show concluded last night.
This morning, I called up the Aragorn Ballroom Orchestra's version of "Theme From 'The Lord Of The Rings'" on YouTube. My father passed that 45 on to me in the late '70s, and it has remained a favorite instrumental of mine since then. Despite what the ensemble's name suggests, this isn't your standard tepid, strings-sweetened easy listening version of a familiar tune. The players really commit to it and give it every ounce of energy they have. If you liked "American Top 40"'s mid '70s to early '80s closing theme, "Shuckatoom," you'll likely enjoy this, as well.
Fittingly, that selection triggered the YouTube algorithm to suggest a People interview with Stephen Colbert about "The Late Show" ending tonight and his plans for the future, which include co-writing a "Lord Of The Rings" script.
Here's wishing Colbert success with that script and all of his future projects. Bravo to him for speaking searing truths to those in power. Clearly, they have deserved to hear them via "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" since 2015.
I've written multiple posts about my ongoing battle with dysphonia, which sometimes compromises my ability to speak. After a recent setback with a botox injection in a vocal cord and cold and allergy issues, the song, "If I Only Had A Brain," which I've renamed "If I Only Had A Voice," has been on my mind. At the moment, it has to stay in my mind, since I can't exactly sing it. My regular voice has popped in here and there today, however, so I'll latch onto all the glimmers of hope I can.
Even when my voice comes back fully, however, I still don't think I'll sing it. Even without dysphonia, my signing range has always been rather limited.
Following up on yesterday's yacht-rock-as-comfort-music theme, you know your comfort music is rooted firmly in the past when you play a stack of 45s, as I did recently, realize that the most recent song is from 1982,...
...and it doesn't bother you a bit.
As often as I've plugged new or obscure music on this blog, there's something comforting about a yacht rock station or program to me. After all, soft rock was the first format I latched onto as a kid. Looking back, that doesn't surprise me. The '70s and '80s were the best decades for hook-laden, radio-friendly soft rock tunes, in my opinion. When former KDHX DJ Dr. Jeff hosted "The Big Bang," I looked forward to his twice-a-year yacht rock programs. It was comforting to listen to three hours of yacht rock, knowing that I already knew the title and artist of every--or almost every--song and owned or liked the lion's share of them.
As adventurous as I am in seeking out music, I, like virtually every other listener, sometimes crave familiarity--and yacht rock offers that.
I've written before about how repetitive it is for a bassist to play the "Peter Gunn" riff repeatedly. As Paul McCartney's closing credits performance on "Saturday Night Live" showed last night, however, that riff fits in very well with his 1980 hit, "Coming Up."
It was great to see the SNL cast and audience responding to that tune's appealing energy. I wish oldies stations would play "Coming Up" more frequently, along with "Take It Away," which is unjustly overlooked today.
Since this morning, Chicago's "Thunder And Lightning" has been on my mind. It surprises me that it never cracked the top 40 in 1980, as it's rhythmically, lyrically, and vocally solid. The horns announce their presence right away, establishing the tune's mood. The band maintains a driving energy throughout the song that serves it well, and the vocals between Peter Cetera and Robert Lamm contrast effectively.
Granted, the opening lyric, "I thought that you thought that we thought...," is phrased unusually, but it doesn't detract from the song's overall vibe.
Alas, plenty of quality songs don't get the recognition they deserve. Despite the band's multitude of hits, this is a rare time that happened to Chicago.
Although it was a hit in other countries, it puzzles me that "Carnival" by The Cardigans didn't have similar success in America. The song's intro grabs listeners by making them envision someone watching a scary movie before the power goes out and segues effectively into hook-laden, radio-friendly vocals. Starting with the chorus was a smart move, as well.
It's a shame when a song so well-crafted and well-structured falls through the cracks.
I've been working a lot of extra hours lately. While I'm pleased about the increased income that accompanies those hours, there's a hamster-on-a-wheel feeling that goes with an increased workload. Consequently, "Pulstar," an instrumental by Vangelis, has been on my mind. Its tense, race-against-time melody makes me imagine pedaling a bike increasingly quickly and facing a tight window in which to reach a destination.
That feeling is inevitable with most forms of work, I think.
Following up on yesterday's post about hearing Weird Al Yankovic's "Ricky" on KHTR, the same DJ back announced that song exactly the same way on at least two different days. Both times, as it ended, he said, "Playing all the hits and sometimes the weird ones..."
I wonder how many more times he referred to "Ricky" that way. After all, it isn't often in commercial radio that you can merge your opinion of a song with the artist's stage name.
In 1983, I heard a parody song on KHTR. When the DJ back announced it, I thought,"What did he say? 'Ricky," which spoofs Toni Basil's 'Mickey,' is by Weird Alley Ankles? That can't be right."
A few weeks later, I learned it was by Weird Al Yankovic, Alas, in pre-Internet times, before you saw a reference to an artist in a newspaper or magazine, saw it in a record store, or called a radio station and found out who it was, you had to live with your uncertainty.
I must be feeling especially idealistic because my earworm today is "Dreams Of Harmony," a lullaby by Freyda. Its lyrics paint a reassuring view of us all being part of humanity and having value. When you're about to drift off to sleep, that's a comforting image to have--even though it describes a utopia and not, unfortunately, reality.
During a somewhat draining week, my subconscious mind tries to lighten the mood. That's the case right now, as "Peg Ryan's Polka," which the Buckhannon Brothers play on banjo, guitar, and bass, occupies my mind. It strikes the right balance of being lighthearted but not over-the-top. If you think reflexively that polkas are a frivolous musical genre, be advised that there's solid musicianship in this performance.
In 1993, near the end of my time at KCOU, another DJ mused, "What will Kruzin' Music (i.e. the oldies show I hosted) be like in the future? What will (oldies) be? (The band) Arcwelder?"
Over three decades later, based on what I've heard, oldies now include The Cranberries, Nirvana, Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car," "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" by The Charlie Daniels Band, and "I Can't Go For That" by Hall & Oates.
The '70s, '80s, and '90s don't usually take center stage on college radio stations these days, which isn't surprising. They aren't forgotten, however, and that reassures me.
I agree with the radio talk show host who said yesterday that she doesn't like blind taste tests; it often seems, as she said, that the taste testers are trying to trip people up and make them look silly.
Once, after noticing how often I put slices of yellow bell peppers in salads, I bought a yellow pepper. This was a mistake, as I only ended up eating a small amount of it. I realized then that I only ate small bits of yellow peppers as one ingredient among many in a salad. It didn't mean I craved an entire bell pepper.
That principle sometimes applies to taste tests. Enjoying a small sample of a soda or other beverage doesn't necessarily mean you'll want to drink 20 ounces or two liters of it. Sometimes, people just crave a bit of caffeine, sweetness, or bitterness.
In grade school, Mrs. S., the vocal music teacher, showed our class a production of The Music Man--as a series of slides. As the class sat in silence, I thought, "I'm sure this is no one's fault, but wouldn't this be more effective if we saw it as a film or a video? A soundtrack playing under stills of a performance isn't nearly as captivating as seeing the actual performance."
I didn't hate what I saw, but I kept thinking, "This is basically a View-Master presentation with audio."
Today's standout tunes:
KOPN (Columbia, MO)
KVNF (Paonia, CO)
WGDR (Plainfield, VT)
WJCU (University Heights, OH)
WXYG (Sauk Rapids, MN)
I was going to listen to Acoustic Alchemy's "The Beautiful Game" CD today, but my cat, Collette, wanted to hear it first:
I think I was in second grade when my dad gave me a book listing the official rules of baseball. As I read it, I thought, "I wonder if someone reads these rules aloud to the spectators before each game. It would take a long time, but it's good for everyone to know what is and isn't allowed on the field." I started listening to KMOX baseball broadcasts sporadically, making sure to catch the pregame features, thinking that there might be a reading of the rules before the game started. I thought an umpire or perhaps the home team's president would announce to the crowd, "These are the rules of this official game!"
Alas, that never happened.
"Oh, well," I thought. "Baseball games are already pretty long, so it probably isn't realistic to expect someone to recite the rules. I guess everyone just has to read the rules on their own time."
I have no desire to be a kid again, but it makes me smile to remember how endearingly naive we all are to some extent when we're young.
Eight standout tracks heard today:
Bakersfield Beat
Classic Folk
Escape
Hawaiian Vacation
Holiday Traditions
Real Jazz Just Music
RockBar
SiriusXM Chill
Earlier this week, I was pleased to see my cat, Collette, get on board right away with Joe Henderson's "So Near, So Far" album. She picked right up on the rhythm of the opening track, "Miles Ahead," and started washing her fur in time to it.
I'm proud to have a cat who appreciates Henderson's masterful tenor sax playing--and a strong Miles Davis tune, as well.
I was irritated with myself once when I finished an air break on KCOU. "'Sit back and relax?' Did I really just say that on the air?" I thought. "That's such a cliche. From now on, I'm resolving not to tell listeners to sit back and relax, even when I'm about to play relaxing music. For good measure, I won't tell them to be tense and uptight, either--not that I was planning to say that anyway."
As I listened to Sarah McLachlan's "Drawn To The Rhythm" last night, I thought about how well Fairport Convention's version of Joni Mitchell's "Eastern Rain" would flow into it. "Eastern Rain" fades in slowly, and "Drawn To The Rhythm" continues along a comparably subtle path.
With such quality contemplative material, it's reasonable to ask listeners to lean in, as these songs do.
Five standout tunes heard today:
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCLC 89.1 FM
KWUR 90.3 FM
I was intrigued this afternoon when iTunes shuffle mode segued Erin Bode's "Out Of Time" with "A Darker Kind Of Blue" by Brooks Williams. After listening to those songs separately for years, I hadn't thought to pair them. Lyrically, it's a compatible twosome; whether it's a relationship or a problem-plagued life, possible solutions come with expiration dates.
Since enduring a storm with loud hail this morning, "Popcorn" by Hot Butter, a synthesizer instrumental, has been on my mind. Popcorn, to me, mimics the sound of hail, and Hot Butter's 1972 hit conveys the turbulence of a storm. With an ominous forecast for more stormy weather later today, "Popcorn" will likely park itself in my mind again for hours.
Incidentally, I don't think I've ever heard anyone play "Popcorn" outside of "American Top 40." It's one of those set-firmly-in-its-time instrumentals that didn't make the jump to oldies radio rotations.
While listening to Bruce Cockburn's "Deer Dancing Around A Broken Mirror" recently, I realized how well it would segue with a comparable guitar instrumental, Leo Kottke's "The Fisherman." The tunes could follow each other in either order, as both of them show how it's possible to be placid and uptempo.
I'm not 100% sure, but I think I first heard Maura O'Connell's "Feet Of A Dancer" on the former KDHX show, "Blue Highways." I've rarely heard it since then, but a few times over the years, I've thought of it when I've tripped and had to grasp onto a sofa or chair. I've adjusted the opening lyric for those incidents by thinking, "I do not have the feet of a dancer..."
I've reminded myself that as long as I'm coordinated enough not to break any bones, an occasional fall is tolerable--provided there's a sofa, chair, or other soft landing option within my grasp.
Five of the stronger tunes played today on crstl.fm:
Sweet Inspiration
Beyon' Cray
Dangerous Curves
A morning radio personality recently opined that "Todd Rundgren doesn't get enough credit." I didn't hear what he said beyond that, but I agree. When Rundgren crafts an excellent tune, it holds up decades later. Five examples:
Eight of the better tunes I've heard today:
KMNO (Wailuku, HI)
KMRE (Bellingham, WA)
KPUP (Patagonia, AZ)
WESM (Princess Anne, MD)
WFIV (Knoxville, TN)
WZBT (Gettysburg, PA)
After attending Erin Bode's concert at Kirkwood Performing Arts Center this morning, I'm hoping she'll eventually release these four cover tunes she sang today:
While listening to an early Seals & Crofts tune, "Tin Town," last night, I had an epiphany. A noncommercial station worth its salt ought to segue it with "Fortune Teller" by Troubadours Of Divine Bliss. In addition to sporting compatible vocals and guitar parts, both songs appeal to the consciences of sensitive souls. To prevent a city from falling into the decay described in "Tin Town," it's wise for people to put their hands to good use by building structures that need to be built, planting trees, and simply being the good citizens that "Fortune Teller" encourages.
There's nothing like a good cause-and-effect segue--especially when it inspires people to improve things in their own backyard.
Sunday afternoon standouts:
Lo-Fi Cafe
Outlaw Country
Real Jazz
Record Store
The Village
Willie's Roadhouse
Yacht Rock Deep Cuts
Yacht Soul
In 1996, I brought in Herbie Mann's version of "The Peanut Vendor" to play on WEW. Less than 10 minutes after playing it, someone called the station and requested that song. He didn't specify any particular version, but I was stunned. I was sorry to tell him I'd just played it recently, so I couldn't play it again that day.
After I hung up, I thought, "It's refreshing that in 1996, anyone is still thinking about that whimsical melody, let alone calling a radio station and requesting it."
I still wonder if that caller was related to the listener in this first memorable conversation.
As I searched for a cat photo to post on my other blog, generallyrandommusings.blogspot.com, today, the lyric, "I seem to lean on old familiar ways," from Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years" ran through my mind. It applies, at least subconsciously sometimes, when I'm choosing photos I've taken for my Watchcat protocol posts. During a pleasant season, such as Fall or Spring, I'm often inclined to seek out photos from previous Autumns or Springs. Similarly, during the Christmas season, I often search for cat photos that tie in with the holiday.
Consequently, I sometimes return to the same photo files for inspiration more than I realize. I'll think, "Ah ha! This photo would make a good post, so I'll use it today. Wait...No, I won't. I've used it already." Other times, I'll think, "This is a good photo of (this particular cat or these particular cats), but surely, I must have posted it already. Wait...I haven't? There's today's post, then."
That second reaction led to today's posted photo of Sammy the cat from May 2010, striking a dignified pose in front of a bookcase. Sometimes, "old familiar ways" yield a result you didn't anticipate.
How did Lily feel about one member of a choir leading the singing during the replay of an Easter Mass on April 5, 2026? I'm still not sure:
Taking a cue from the unusual Carpenters cover tune I've written about, my cat, Collette, has instructed me to tell visitors, "Collette, she no home."
I don't feel right phrasing it that way. Besides, who's in charge of this residence anyway?
I'm not going to answer that.
A radio talk show host chided himself for drawing a blank this morning. After mentioning that listeners could call in, he asked, "What's the phone number here? I've only worked here for 30 years."
Although my memory of phone numbers is generally strong, I understand why the host was flummoxed temporarily. When part of your work routine becomes so rote that you don't have to think about it, it's easy for it to slip your mind occasionally.
At work, I frequently have to refer callers to certain phone numbers that I've read off hundreds of times. Despite committing them to memory, I always read the phone numbers off of a form. While it's unlikely that I'll forget them, it's wise to always have that reference sheet handy--just in case.
Today, I'm remembering a post I wrote in 2014. After Peter Magyar's defeat of Viktor Orban in Hungay's parliamentary election Sunday, I'm thinking once again of Pete Seeger's reminders to those who think there's no hope for the human race. In Larry Long's rendition of Seeger's "Well May The World Go," Seeger asks pessimists if they would have predicted the peaceful fall of the Berlin Wall, the way in which President Richard Nixon had to resign, or South African President Nelson Mandela's release from prison. Seeger then reminds them that if they couldn't predict those things not to be confident they can predict there's no hope.
Congratulations to all Hungarian residents yearning for a true democracy. Here's hoping the anti-authoritarian ripples spread sufficiently to America.
I've written previously about how "B'wana She No Home" doesn't sound like the type of song listeners would expect The Carpenters to cover. A WSIE DJ reinforced yesterday how atypical it is of their sound when he back announced, "The Carpenters. Yes, those Carpenters."
It's an infectious version of the Michael Franks tune, to be clear. It isn't, however, for those who expect to hear something similar to "Top Of The World," "Yesterday Once More," or "Close To You."
Friday and Saturday highlights:
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCLC 89.1 FM
KWUR 90.3 FM
K297BI 107.3 FM, a.k.a. WFUN-HD2
Given the recent spate of calls I've received that show up on caller ID as "SPAM RISK," I'm tempted to install an answering machine and use the chorus of Zebra's "Tell Me What You Want" as the outgoing announcement. These spammers deserve to hear, "Tell me what you waaaaaaant! Tell me what you want!" blaring in their ears, at a minimum.
Sidebar: Does any radio station still play this Zebra tune? I've almost never heard it since 1983.
I've had these three CDs in my library for years but had never thought to segue these three tunes. iTunes shuffle mode did, however, resulting in an elegant late night jazz set:
Five of the better tunes I've heard today:
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCFV 89.5 FM
KWUR 90.3 FM
Usually, when I hear my favorite hymn, "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today," a large choir is singing it, an organist is playing it, or an instrumental ensemble is performing it, often with prominent trumpet fanfares.
On Easter Sunday, however, I heard an unusually modest version of it on KFUO AM. Bob Singleton & New Covenant Collective played a tasteful, subtle acoustic guitar rendition with shades of John Fahey's style. As I listened, I thought, "News intended to elicit rejoicing doesn't always have to be sung or played with wild embellishments, as our national anthem sometimes is."
Sometimes, less is more, and an understated approach is as valid as any flourish of trumpets.
Monday morning standouts:
In The Middle Of The Night
Early Morning Mix
Sometimes, when people break into song in a sitcom, drama, or stage production, I'm inclined to follow comedian Neal Brennan's lead and say, "Just tell me."
While watching the Good Friday Mass on Catholic TV Network, I thought, "These extended portions of the Mass don't need to be sung, but why not sing them anyway?" While watching the Easter Sunday Mass, I thought, "The gospel is usually read instead of sung, but again, why not sing it? After all, these Masses are centered around the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which are central to this faith, so why shouldn't the celebrants sing about them? After all, if ever there are times when it's appropriate to ask the congregation to lean in and pay close attention, it's when recounting these momentous events."
That said, if you're relying on closed captioning, it might be wise to have a hymnal and missal handy when the captioning descends into linguistic and grammatical garble. During the Easter Sunday opening hymn, "The Strife Is O'er, The Battle Done," closed captioning turned the verse, "The powers of death have done their worst," into "Dust mite your spouse have done their work."
I'm not sure the accomplishments of dust mite spouses warrant breaking into song, but if you're so moved, that's your prerogative.
Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates it.
During a 1984 Kansas City Royals baseball game, I heard a radio announcer say, "The problem for the catcher and the knuckleball--Look at the size of the glove that (one player) is using...You don't know where the knuckleball's gonna go, and if the runner breaks, as (another player) did that time and you get the ball in the glove...the catcher has to go fishing around in that big glove to find the ball, ...get a grip on it, and get it down to second base. That all takes time."
According to the proverb, "A poor workman blames his tools." I don't know if any player affected by that scenario has ever blamed it on a large glove, but nothing says a baseball announcer can't point it out.
To date, that's the only time I've heard a play-by-play broadcaster call such attention to the connection between a particular pitch and the size of a player's glove.
Storms left my cat, Collette, somewhat rattled yesterday. I was concerned that she spent much of yesterday morning sitting on a grocery bag by the refrigerator, looking subdued.
I was relieved when she started acting like herself again by walking over to me and biting my feet repeatedly. I imagined a band covering "Back On My Feet Again" by The Babys with the revised lyrics, "She's biting my feet again!"
Having your cat bite your feet is an odd occasion for rejoicing, admittedly, but I was glad to see Collette bounce back after the menacing clatter of thunder.
Today's standout selections:
KPRS-HD2 (Kansas City, MO)
KWVA (Eugene, OR)
KXLU (Los Angeles, CA)
WAAI (Cambridge, MD)
WCNR (Charlottesville, VA)
WXXI (Rochester, NY)
WZUM (Pittsburgh, PA)
A radio personality joked Monday that he'll likely be "eating Graham crackers for the next month" after spending a princely sum at an American Girl doll store. He stressed that it was worth it, though, to make his daughter happy.
I've had similar feelings at times about the expenses associated with cat ownership. I've always wanted my current cat, Collette, and my previous cat, Sylvia, to be happy and healthy, however, so there's no question for me about priorities.
After seeing a strong live performance of it on "Saturday Night Live UK," Wolf Alice's "White Horses" has grown on me for three reasons:
I've had both of these songs in my library for years, but I never thought to segue them with each other until this morning. iTunes paired "I Am The Mercury" by Jimmie Spheeris randomly with "Rainin' Inside" by The Trishas. Thematically, that works, having a song about needed literal rain falling flow into a song about the cathartic metaphorical rain that results from listening to sad songs.
Well-played, shuffle mode.
KMOX has been simulcasting its longtime 1120 AM frequency on 104.1 FM for the past year. Despite the improved FM sound quality, I almost always listen to KMOX on AM. My AM presets have included KMOX 1120 AM for years, so that's what I reflexively think of as the station's default frequency.
When moving from the kitchen to the living room to hear Thursday's opening day Cardinal baseball game, however, I thought, "It isn't a Herculean effort to select 104.1 FM on the stereo. Why not hear the rest of the game with the best sound quality option?"
After decades of hearing baseball games on AM stations, I finally listened to a game on FM.
Inertia is a powerful force, but it's possible to overcome it.
Kudos to KVMR for playing Alison Brown's version of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" this morning. I never imagined it as a banjo instrumental, but it translates easily. Banjo tunes tend to be upbeat by default, but Brown shows that the instrument also conveys bittersweet sentiments effectively.
I was sorry to learn yesterday that Dash Crofts, half of the singer-songwriter duo Seals & Crofts, passed away. In his memory, here are two Seals & Crofts album tracks and six of their hits that appeal most to me:
Thursday afternoon highlights:
Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals
The Bridge Deep Cuts
Carolina Shag Radio
Happy Dance
Happy Oldies
Indie 1.0
Lo-Fi Cafe
The Village
Watercolors
Five Wednesday afternoon standouts:
WSIE 88.7 FM
KWUR 90.3 FM
K297BI 107.3 FM, a.k.a. WFUN-HD2
Now, this is a great rhythm to have stuck in one's mind. I don't know how this tune escaped my notice in 2016, but since hearing "Everyday" by Sacred Paws on Community Radio St. Louis last night, I've marveled at how integral the drums and guitar are in underscoring the catchy vocals. I've had similar reactions in past years to "Nothing But Flowers" by Talking Heads and Poi Dog Pondering's "Circle Around The Sun." All three songs share a somewhat exotic vibe in the same general ballpark.
You know a rhythm is strong when it seems reasonable to hire a cadre of fans to lead audiences in clapping along with it. The tune runs just over three minutes, but I'd welcome a version at least twice as long.
In July 1997, a commercial on WEW began, "Are your current ways for attracting business not working? Perhaps you should consider one of the most effective forms of visual advertising--signs."
The announcer then touted the benefits of having Signarama create signs for one's business. Hearing that ad on tape recently made me think, "Have I heard any commercials for sign-making businesses since then? I'm not sure I have."
Sign-making is an obvious idea for a business. Ironically, though, it's one of the least-advertised ones I've ever heard.
In 1997, I was incredulous when I heard a new radio station, WALC, i.e. "Alice at 104.1," say in its promos, "You might not have heard of the music (we play...)" I thought, "These are major pop hits that other stations have played for years. These songs are also heard frequently in stores and other businesses. To even casual listeners, most of these songs should be familiar. Maybe they wouldn't be if you've made a concerted effort not to hear any pop music for at least the past decade. If that's the case, though, why would this station draw you in?"
Sometimes, it doesn't take much to trigger my inner music snob.
Reading about tonight's debut of the United Kingdom's version of "Saturday Night Live" prompted me to check out bits of other international editions. Since yesterday, I've come to like the opening theme of "SNL Arabia." It sets the tone for a comedy show with a sunny melody that underscores footage of the cast dancing as a group and leaping into the air individually. Essentially, it's Egyptian-style smooth jazz that captures a reach-for-the-stars quality suitable for opening credits.
Usually, only noncommercial stations can pull off this kind of across-the-decades segue. I'm not sure if anyone has ever paired these songs, but to my ears, "Daydream Believer" by The Monkees would flow well into Yo La Tengo's "I Can Feel The Ice Melting." Lyrically and rhythmically, both songs share an earnest optimism, proving that certain sentiments that were valid in 1967 were also at home in 2015.
Today's standouts:
KBMF (Butte. MT)
KNBA (Anchorage, AK)
KVRU (Seattle, WA)
WCLK (Atlanta, GA)
WCUW (Worcester, MA)
WDAV (Davidson, NC)
In a relatively short time recently, St. Louis has experienced wild temperature swings. Temperatures have ranged from the teens to the 80s.
I concur with the Community Radio St. Louis DJ who said, "I'm ready for it to be Spring. I'm not ready for it to be Summer."
Currently, it's 59 degrees, and that's just about right for me--neither broiling nor frigid.
Eight holiday-appropriate selections heard today:
St. Paddy's Day Essential Pub Mix
St. Paddy's Day Radio
The Village Presents Celtic Twilight
I'm not sure if the version of a 1982 hit inhabiting my mind this morning actually exists. In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, I've been imagining an easy listening instrumental version of "What About Me?" by Moving Pictures, with the tin whistle as the lead instrument. I've always been indifferent to the original version but not surprised that it was a hit. Although the lyrics nobly address not getting a fair shake in society, the vocals strike me as calculated and somewhat overwrought. In the rendition I've envisioned, however, the melody works better as a Celtic instrumental. At a minimum, it's a more natural fit than the tin whistle version of The Clash's "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?" I also imagined.
At this time of year, I like to segue "Play A Merry Jig" by Niamh Parsons with "Spring" by Cheryl Wheeler. Both tunes share a seasonally appropriate optimism, compatible rhythms and vocals, and smooth, upbeat ways of welcoming St. Patrick's Day and the arrival of Spring.
When I listen to Celtic music on or before St. Patrick's Day each year, "Fancy Waistcoat" by Niamh Parsons & The Loose Connections always makes my playlist. Parsons sings it with the right amount of carefree joy, which is partially why it works so well. The other essential ingredient is its blend of Celtic and Spanish styles. Not every Celtic tune can pull off such catchy guitar, keyboard, and accordion backing.
I'm still looking for the right tarantella to segue with it, but until I find it, I'm content to hear "Fancy Waistcoat" as a standalone tune.
Seven standout tunes heard today:
KUPR (Placitas, NM)
KXLL (Juneau, AK)
WLUR (Lexington, VA)
WNMC (Traverse City, MI)
WVEW (Brattleboro, VT)
After iTunes shuffle mode insisted on playing "Carinval In Rio" by Judy Roberts for me twice in two days, it dawned on me how well it would segue with Average White Band's "Atlantic Avenue." Both tunes feature vocalists singing about how pleasant the vacation destination of Rio de Janeiro is in a celebratory way without sounding too over-the-top.
I've never heard any radio station play either of these songs, so hopefully, this suggestion will nudge at least one noncommerical station programmer in the right direction.
Five selections that captured my attention today:
WSIE 88.7 FM
KCLC 89.1 FM
KCFV 89.5 FM
K297BI 107.3 FM, a.k.a. WFUN-HD2
After hearing Emily Scott Robinson's movingly sung "The Time For Flowers" on Community Radio St. Louis's "Backroads" show yesterday, I sought out other clips from her "Appalachia" recording. One standout track from her January release, in addition to "...Flowers," is her cover of the traditional folk tune, "The Water Is Wide."
Mary Black and Niamh Parsons sing two of my favorite versions of "...Water...," but I have yet to hear a subpar rendition. Duncan Wickel and Robinson blend well vocally, and their subtle guitar and violin shadings enhance the melody appropriately. Lyrically, the tune is idealistic and bittersweet--qualities readily apparent in Robinson's and Wickel's vocals.
I'm not surprised that "The Water Is Wide" has survived in so many incarnations for centuries. Its lyrics are universally relatable and timeless, and instrumentally, the melody is too heartfelt to be denied.